Ziying Wu

Facile synthesis of β-lactoglobulin capped Ag2S quantum dots for in vivo imaging in the second near-infrared biological window

Effective in vivo fluorescence imaging for cancer screening and diagnostics requires bright and biocompatible fluorophores whose emission can effectively penetrate biological tissues. Recent studies have confirmed that the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1000-1400 nm) is the most sensitive spectral range for in vivo imaging due to ultralow tissue absorption and autofluorescence. We report herein a facile synthesis of Ag2S quantum dots (QDs) that emit at ∼1100 nm using β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) as a biological template. The β-LG protein coating improves water-solubility, faciliates rapid biodistribution and reduces in vivo toxicity of the QDs. Compared to other currently used NIR emitters, β-LG capped Ag2S QDs exhibit superior photostability and biocompatibility, making them promising probes for in vivo NIR-II imaging.

Endoscopic treatment of Haglund’s syndrome with a three portal technique

PurposeThe purpose of our study is to make a retrospective evaluation of endoscopic treatment of Haglund’s syndrome using a new three portal technique.MethodsAll 23 patients (25 heels) with a mean age of 27.7 years were evaluated pre-operatively and postoperatively with parallel pitch lines, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and the Ogilvie Harris score.ResultsThe mean follow-up was 41 months (range, 30–59 months). There were no obvious complications in our study. In 22 heels, postoperative lateral radiographs showed the achievement of negative parallel pitch lines. The average AOFAS score improved from 63.3 ± 11.9 points pre-operatively to 86.8 ± 10.1 points at final follow-up. There were 14 excellent results, seven good results, two fair results and two poor results. For the Ogilvie Harris score, there were 15 excellent, seven good, one fair, and two poor results.ConclusionAn endoscopic procedure using the three portal technique seemed to be a safe and efficacious option for surgical treatment of Haglund’s syndrome.

Effects of polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine on tendon-bone healing in a rabbit extra-articular model

Polyvinylpyrrolidone-iodine (PVP-I) is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent, but its effects on tendon-bone healing are unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of PVP-I on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in vitro and on tendon-bone healing in vivo. In this study, following investigation of the concentration-dependent effects of PVP-I on the viability and osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, the appropriate concentration of PVP-I was selected for animal experiments. New Zealand white rabbits received autologous tendon transplantation with and without PVP-I treatment of the graft tendon. Subsequently, histological examination, biomechanical testing and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analyses were conducted. At 6 weeks post-surgery, connective tissue and osteogenesis was observed at the tendon-bone interface in the PVP-I group. At 12 weeks post-surgery, the interface width in the PVP-I group was much narrower compared with that of the control group. Furthermore, the biomechanical properties of the PVP-I group were significantly stronger than those in the control group (P<0.05). RT-qPCR examination revealed that the mRNA levels of bone morphogenetic protein-2 and osteopontin in the PVP-I group were higher than those in the control group at 6 weeks (P<0.05). In conclusion, these results indicated that PVP-I promoted tendon-bone healing via osteogenesis.

Effect of centre-edge angle on clinical and quality of life outcomes after arthroscopic acetabular labral debridement

PurposeThe aim of this study was to compare clinical and quality of life outcomes following arthroscopic acetabular labral debridement between patients with different centre-edge (CE) angle.MethodsA total of 79 patients who underwent hip labral debridement were enrolled in this study. Radiographic measurements of CE angle were collected, and patients were assigned into a normal group (25° < CE angle <40°, n = 68) and dysplasia group (CE angle <20°, n = 11). Clinical outcomes were evaluated by modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), Hip Outcome Score (HOS) for activities of daily living (ADL) and sports and Short Form 12 (SF-12).ResultsAt the final follow-up, the normal group showed significant improvements in mHHS, HOS (ADL and sports) and SF-12 (P < 0.05). However, the dysplasia group revealed significant improvements in mHHS, HOS (ADL) and SF-12 physical component summary (PCS) (P < 0.05) and no significant changes in HOS sports and SF-12 mental component summary (MCS) (P > 0.05). Additionally, there was a greater improvement in clinical scores post-operatively in the normal group compared with the dysplasia group (P < 0.05).ConclusionsArthroscopic acetabular labral debridement resulted in significantly greater clinical and quality of life outcomes in patients with CE angle >25° compared with patients with CE angle < 20°.

Outcome of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy with and without Haglund’s Deformity

Purpose. To compare the results of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for insertional Achilles tendinopathy (IAT) with or without Haglunds deformity. Methods. Between September 2014 and May 2015, all patients who underwent ESWT were retrospectively enrolled in this study. A total of 67 patients were available for follow-up and assigned into nondeformtiy group (n = 37) and deformtiy group (n = 30). Clinical outcomes were evaluated by VISA-A Score and 6-point Likert scale. Results. The VISA-A score increased in both groups, from 49.57 ± 9.98 at baseline to 83.86 ± 8.59 at 14.5 ± 7.2 months after treatment in nondeformity group (P < 0.001) and from 48.70 ± 9.38 at baseline to 67.78 ± 11.35 at 15.3 ± 6.7 months after treatment in deformity group (P < 0.001). However, there was a greater improvement in VISA-A Score for the nondeformity group compared with deformity group (P = 0.005). For the 6-point Likert scale, there were decreases from 3.92 ± 0.80 at baseline to 1.57 ± 0.73 at the follow-up time point in nondeformity group (P < 0.001) and from 4.0 ± 0.76 at baseline to 2.37 ± 1.03 at the follow-up time point in deformity group (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in improvement of the 6-point Likert scale between both groups (P = 0.062). Conclusions. ESWT resulted in greater clinical outcomes in patients without Haglunds deformity compared with patients with Haglunds deformity.

Biomechanical Comparison of Modified Suture Bridge Using Rip-Stop versus Traditional Suture Bridge for Rotator Cuff Repair

Purpose. To compare the biomechanical properties of 3 suture-bridge techniques for rotator cuff repair. Methods. Twelve pair-matched fresh-frozen shoulder specimens were randomized to 3 groups of different repair types: the medially Knotted Suture Bridge (KSB), the medially Untied Suture Bridge (USB), and the Modified Suture Bridge (MSB). Cyclic loading and load-to-failure test were performed. Parameters of elongation, stiffness, load at failure, and mode of failure were recorded. Results. The MSB technique had the significantly greatest load to failure (515.6 ± 78.0 N, P = 0.04 for KSB group; P < 0.001 for USB group), stiffness (58.0 ± 10.7 N/mm, P = 0.005 for KSB group; P < 0.001 for USB group), and lowest elongation (1.49 ± 0.39 mm, P = 0.009 for KSB group; P = 0.001 for USB group) among 3 groups. The KSB repair had significantly higher ultimate load (443.5 ± 65.0 N) than USB repair (363.5 ± 52.3 N, P = 0.024). However, there was no statistical difference in stiffness and elongation between KSB and USB technique (P = 0.396 for stiffness and P = 0.242 for elongation, resp.). The failure mode for all specimens was suture pulling through the cuff tendon. Conclusions. Our modified suture bridge technique (MSB) may provide enhanced biomechanical properties when compared with medially knotted or knotless repair. Clinical Relevance. Our modified technique may represent a promising alternative in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.