Whether there are differences in knee anthropometry between Asian and white knees remains unclear. Three-dimensional knee models were constructed using computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging of healthy Chinese and white subjects. The morphologic measurements of the femur included mediolateral, anteroposterior dimensions, and aspect ratio. The tibial measurements included mediolateral, medial/lateral anteroposterior dimension, aspect ratio, and posterior slope of medial/lateral plateau. The results showed that Chinese knees were generally smaller than white knees. In addition, the femoral aspect ratio of Chinese females was significantly smaller than that of white females (1.24 ± 0.04 vs 1.28 ± 0.06). Tibial aspect ratio differences between Chinese and white males (1.82 ± 0.07 vs 1.75 ± 0.11), though significant, were likely a reflection of differences in knee size between races. These racial differences should be considered in the design of total knee arthroplasty prosthesis for Asian population.

Recently, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) has been investigated as a photocatalyst for water splitting and organic dye degradation. In this study, we have developed a simple soft-chemical method of doping Zn into g-C 3 N 4 to prepare a metal-containing carbon nitride. The doping was confirmed by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and diffusion reflectance spectra revealed a significant red shift in the absorption edge of Zn/g-C 3 N 4 . This hybrid material shows high photocatalytic activity and good stability for hydrogen evolution from an aqueous methanol solution under visible light irradiation (λ 420 nm). The hydrogen evolution rate was more than 10 times higher for a 10%-Zn/g-C 3 N 4 sample (59.5 µmol h −1 ) than for pure g-C 3 N 4 . The maximum quantum yield was 3.2% at 420 nm.

A facile solvothermal epitaxial growth combined with a mild oxidation route has been developed for the fabrication of a magnetically recyclable Fe(3)O(4)/WO(3) core-shell visible-light photocatalyst. In this core-shell structured photocatalyst, visible-light-active WO(3) nanoplates (the shells) with high surface area are used as a medium to harvest absorbed photons and convert them to photogenerated charges, while conductive Fe(3)O(4) microspheres (the cores) are used as charge collectors to transport the photogenerated charges. This is a new role for magnetite. The Fe(3)O(4)/WO(3) core-shell structured photocatalysts possess large surface-exposure area, high visible-light-absorption efficiency, stable recyclability, and efficient charge-separation properties, the combination of which has rarely been reported in other visible-light-active photocatalysts. Photoelectrochemical investigations verify that the core-shell structured Fe(3)O(4)/WO(3) has a more effective photoconversion capability than pure WO(3) or Fe(3)O(4). At the same time, the visible-light photocatalytic ability of the Fe(3)O(4)/WO(3) photocatalyst has significantly enhanced activity in the photodegradation of organic-dye materials. The results presented herein provide new insights into core-shell materials as high-performance visible-light photocatalysts and their potential use in environmental protection.

BackgroundQuantitative knowledge on the anatomy of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) is important for treatment of MCL injury and for MCL release during total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The objective of this study was to quantitatively determine the morphology of the MCL of human knees.Methods10 cadaveric human knees were dissected to investigate the MCL anatomy. The specimens were fixed in full extension and this position was maintained during the dissection and morphometric measurements. The outlines of the insertion sites of the superficial MCL (sMCL) and deep MCL (dMCL) were digitized using a 3D digitizing system.ResultsThe insertion areas of the superficial MCL (sMCL) were 348.6 ± 42.8 mm2 and 79.7 ± 17.6 mm2 on the tibia and femur, respectively. The insertion areas of the deep MCL (dMCL) were 63.6 ± 13.4 mm2 and 71.9 ± 14.8 mm2 on the tibia and femur, respectively. The distances from the centroids of the tibial and femoral insertions of the sMCL to the tibial and femoral joint line were 62.4 ± 5.5 mm and 31.1 ± 4.6 mm, respectively. The distances from the centroids of dMCL in the tibial insertion and the femoral insertion to the tibial and femoral joint line were 6.5 ± 1.3 mm and 20.5 ± 4.2 mm, respectively. The distal portion of the dMCL (meniscotibial ligament - MTL) was approximately 1.7 times wider than the proximal portion of the dMCL (meniscofemoral ligament - MFL), whereas the MFL was approximately 3 times longer than the MTL.ConclusionsThe morphologic data on the MCL may provide useful information for improving treatments of MCL-related pathology and performing MCL release during TKA.

The goal of this study was to characterize the geometry of the distal femur and proximal tibia in the Chinese population. Three-dimensional models of twenty female and twenty male knees were constructed using CT images. The morphologic measurements of the distal femur included mediolateral (ML) and anteroposterior dimension of medial and lateral condyles (MAP, LAP), femoral aspect ratio (ML/LAP), medial and lateral condylar width, intercondylar notch width, notch width index (NWI), and trochlear groove orientation. The sagittal profiles of the medial and lateral femoral condyles and tibial plateaus were also characterized. The results showed that the size of the distal femur of the females was significantly smaller than that of the males. Furthermore, when normalized by LAP, the females had a significantly narrower distal femur (ML), and a shorter MAP compared to the males. In the sagittal plane, the radius of the lateral distal circle of the femur was significantly smaller than that of the medial condyle in both genders. There were no significant gender differences in the proximal tibial geometry. The data of the present study may enable suitable modification of total knee prosthesis sizing/geometry for Asia-Pacific patients.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a widely accepted surgical procedure for the treatment of patients with end-stage osteoarthritis (OA). However, the function of the knee is not always fully recovered after TKA. We used a dual fluoroscopic imaging system to evaluate the in vivo kinematics of the knee with medial compartment OA before and after a posterior cruciate ligament-retaining TKA (PCR-TKA) during weight-bearing knee flexion, and compared the results to those of normal knees. The OA knees displayed similar internal/external tibial rotation to normal knees. However, the OA knees had less overall posterior femoral translation relative to the tibia between 0 • and 105 • flexion and more varus knee rotation between 0 • and 45 • flexion, than in the normal knees. Additionally, in the OA knees the femur was located more medially than in the normal knees, particularly between 30 • and 60 • flexion. After PCR-TKA, the knee kinematics were not restored to normal. The overall internal tibial rotation and posterior femoral translation between 0 • and 105 • knee flexion were dramatically reduced. Additionally, PCR-TKA introduced an abnormal anterior femoral translation during early knee flexion, and the femur was located lateral to the tibia throughout weight-bearing flexion. The data help understand the biomechanical functions of the knee with medial compartment OA before and after contemporary PCR-TKA. They may also be useful for improvement of future prostheses designs and surgical techniques in treatment of knees with end-stage OA.

The efficacy of beta-tricalcium phosphate (beta-TCP) loaded with bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2)-gene-modified bone-marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) was evaluated for the repair of experimentally-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head in goats. Bilateral early-stage osteonecrosis was induced in adult goats three weeks after ligation of the lateral and medial circumflex arteries and delivery of liquid nitrogen into the femoral head. After core decompression, porous beta-TCP loaded with BMP-2 gene- or beta-galactosidase (gal)-gene-transduced BMSCs was implanted into the left and right femoral heads, respectively. At 16 weeks after implantation, there was collapse of the femoral head in the untreated group but not in the BMP-2 or beta-gal groups. The femoral heads in the BMP-2 group had a normal density and surface, while those in the beta-gal group presented with a low density and an irregular surface. Histologically, new bone and fibrous tissue were formed in the macropores of the beta-TCP. Sixteen weeks after implantation, lamellar bone had formed in the BMP-2 group, but there were some empty cavities and residual fibrous tissue in the beta-gal group. The new bone volume in the BMP-2 group was significantly higher than that in the beta-gal group. The maximum compressive strength and Young's modulus of the repaired tissue in the BMP-2 group were similar to those of normal bone and significantly higher than those in the beta-gal group. Our findings indicate that porous beta-TCP loaded with BMP-2-gene-transduced BMSCs are capable of repairing early-stage, experimentally-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head and of restoring its mechanical function.

Peripheral nerve injury is a common clinical problem bringing heavy burden to patients, due to its high incidence and unsatisfactory treatment. Nerve guidance conduit (NGC) is a promising scaffold for peripheral nerve repair, and bioactive agents are applied for great functional recovery. Melatonin (MLT) and Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4‐MNPs) are proven to inhibit oxidative stress, inflammation, and induce nerve regeneration. Herein, a multilayered composite NGC loaded with MLT and Fe3O4‐MNPs is designed for sequential and sustainable drug release, creating an appropriate microenvironment for nerve regeneration. The composite scaffold shows sufficient mechanical strength and biocompatibility in vitro, and evidently promotes morphological, functional, and electrophysiological recovery of regenerated sciatic nerves in vivo. This work proves that the multilayered conduits show great prospect in the long‐term nerve defects treatment due to easy manufacture and desired efficacy.