Chronic lateral ankle instability using anterior tibiofibular ligament distal fascicle transfer augmentation repair: an anatomical, biomechanical, and histological study

Background: The transfer of the anterior tibiofibular ligament distal fascicle (ATiFL-DF) for the augmentation repair of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) shows potential as a surgical technique. However, evidences on the benefits and disadvantages of this method in relation to ankle joint function are lacking.Purpose: This study aimed to provide comprehensive experimental data to validate the feasibility of ATiFL-DF transfer augmentation repair of the ATFL.Methods: This study included 50 embalmed ankle specimens to measure various morphological features, such as length, width, thickness, and angle, for evaluating similarities between the ATiFL-DF and ATFL. Furthermore, 24 fresh-frozen ankle specimens were examined for biomechanical testing of the ATiFL-DF transfer augmented repair of the ATFL. Finally, 12 pairs of ATiFL-DF and ATFL tissues from fresh-frozen ankle specimens were treated with gold chloride staining to analyze mechanoreceptor densities.Results: Anatomical studies found that the lengths and thicknesses of the ATFL and ATiFL-DF are similar. Biomechanical outcomes showed that performing ATiFL-DF transfer for ATFL repair can improve the stability of the talus and ankle joints. This is evident from the results of the anterior drawer, axial load, and ultimate failure load tests. However, performing ATiFL-DF transfer may compromise the stability of the distal tibiofibular joint, based on the Cotton and axial load tests at an external rotation of 5°. Analysis of the histological findings revealed that mechanoreceptor densities for four types of mechanoreceptors were comparable between the ATiFL-DF and ATFL groups.Conclusion: ATiFL-DF transfer is a viable method for augmenting ATFL repair. This technique helps to improve the stability of the talus and ankle joints while compensating for proprioception loss. Although ATiFL-DF transfer augmented repair of the ATFL may negatively affect the stability of the distal tibiofibular joint, this procedure can enhance the stability of the talus and ankle joints

Analysis of Major Aroma Compounds in Fermented and Prepared Hawthorn Wine

In this study, liquid-liquid extraction-solvent assisted flavor evaporation (LLE-SAFE), headspace solid phase microextraction extraction (HS-SPME), gas chromatography-quadrupole-mass spectrometry (GC-Quadrupole-MS), gas chromatography-orbitrap-mass spectrometry (GC-Orbitrap-MS) and gas chromatography-olfactometry (GC-O) were used in combination to identify the volatile components in a fermented hawthorn wine (SBL-J) and a prepared hawthorn wine (FS), and the results of sensory analysis, modified frequency (MF) and odor activity value (OAV) were used to determine the key aroma compounds. Totally 89 aroma compounds were identified by LLE-SAFE/GC-O-MS. In addition, 29 and 38 aroma compounds with MF values of more than 20% were found in SBL-J and FS, respectively. A total of 123 volatile components were detected by HS-SPME/GC-Quadrupole-MS and HS-SPME/GC-Orbitrap-MS and there were 29 and 33 aroma compounds with OAV of greater than 1 (0.1 for esters) identified in SBL-J and FS, respectively. 2-Methybutyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl octanoate and phenylethyl alcohol were the key aroma compounds in the two samples. To our knowledge, 2-methybutyl acetate, ethyl isovalerate, (E,E)-2,4-hexadienoic acid ethyl ester and ethyl butyrate, were identified for the first time as the key aroma components of hawthorn wine

Three‐dimensional Mapping Analysis of Talus Fractures and Demonstration of Different Surgical Approaches for Talus Fractures

Objective The talus is an important component in the ankle, and its treatment after injury is crucial. However, complications and adverse events due to incomplete traditional classifications may still occur, and these classifications fail to analyze the patterns and distribution of fractures from a three‐dimensional perspective. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to analyze the location and distribution of fracture lines in different types of talus fractures using three‐dimensional (3D) and heat mapping techniques. Additionally, we aimed to determine the surface area of the talus that can be utilized for different approaches of internal fixation, aiding in the planning of surgical procedures. Methods We retrospectively analyzed data from CT scans from 126 patients diagnosed with talus fractures at our two hospitals. We extracted the CT data of a healthy adult and created a standard talus model. We performed 3D reconstruction using patients' CT images and superimposed the fracture model onto the standard model for drawing fracture lines. Subsequently, we converted the fracture lines into a heat map for visualization. Additionally, we measured 20 specimens to determine the boundary for various ligaments attached to the talus. We determined the surface area of the talus available for different surgical approaches by integrating the boundary data with previously reported data on area of exposure. Results Without considering the displacement distance of the fracture, fracture types were classified as follows, by combining Hawkins and Sneppen classifications: talar neck, 41.3%; posterior talar tubercle, 22.2%; body for the talus and comminuted, 17.5%; lateral talar tubercle, 11.9%; and talar head, 7.1%. We established fracture line and heat maps using this classification. Additionally, we demonstrated the available area for anteromedial, anterolateral, posteromedial, posterolateral, and medial malleolus osteotomy and Chaput osteotomy approaches. Conclusion Fracture line and heat map analyses can aid surgeons in planning a single or combined surgical approach for the reduction and internal fixation of talus fractures. Demonstrating the different surgical approaches can help surgeons choose the most effective technique for individual cases

Fuel retention and recovery after disruptive shots in EAST

Disruption was proposed for controlling long-term fuel retention since the subsequent increase the post-discharge wall outgassing could help in decreasing the fuel retention on the wall after discharges. The amount and temporal behavior of fuel retention and recovery have been studied after non-disruptive and disruptive shots in EAST. The retention of disruptive shots is lower than non-disruptive shots, and sometimes the outgassing of disruption leads to negative retention. The recovered particles approximately linearly increased with the electron density and injected particles after disruption. And the post-discharge recovered particles increased with the stored energy for both disruptive and non-disruptive shots, but the recovered particles after disruptive shots are more than non-disruptive shots. The recovered particles in 10s after discharge for disruptive shots is 3∼4 times higher than non-disruptive shots, and then the behavior of fuel recovery is similar for both non-disruptive and disruptive shots

Inbreeding in Chinese Fir: Insight into the Rare Self-Fertilizing Event from a Genetic View

Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) is a fast-growing conifer with great forestation value and prefers outcrossing with high inbreeding depression effect. Previously, we captured a special Chinese fir parent clone named as ‘cx569’ that lacks early inbreeding depression. In view of the fact that very little has been published about the rare self-fertilizing event in Chinese fir from a genetic view, herein, we conduct an SSR-based study on the variation of open- and self-pollinated offspring of this parent to gain a view of the rare self-fertilizing event. The results indicated that genetic diversity of self-pollinated offspring was significantly reduced by half (Ho: 0.302, vs. 0.595, p = 0.001; He: 0.274 vs. 0.512, p = 0.002) when compared to an open-pollinated set. Self-pollinated offspring also had significantly positive FIS values (FIS = 0.057, p = 0.034) with a much higher proportion of common allele (20.59% vs. 0), reflecting their heterozygote deficiency. Clustering analysis further indicated a separation of the self- and opened- pollinated groups, implying a natural preference of outcrossing for cx569. However, the cx569 still had 6% acceptance for selfing. When accepted 100% for its own pollen, the cx569 led to a genetically unique selfing group. Additionally, this selfing group seemed to be consistently homozygous at seven particular loci. These findings gave us more genetic clues to gain insight into the rare self-fertilizing event in conifer (Chinese fir)

Sensory Evaluation and Model Prediction of Vacuum-Packed Fresh Corn during Long-Term Storage

The postharvest shelf life of fresh corn largely depends on the packaging method and storage temperature. This study investigated the effect of vacuum packaging (VP) with high-barrier (HB) or ordinary (OR) nylon/nylon/polypropylene (PP) composite films and the impact of storage temperature (4, 25, and 38 °C) on the shelf life of fresh corn. The sensory quality and color changes of the corn were evaluated, indicating a significant improvement in the glossiness (GL), sourness (SO), and color changes compared to corn packaged using OR films. The results showed that the HB films preserved corn freshness under refrigerated and normal temperature storage conditions, delaying color changes and SO development. A shelf-life model was established based on the Arrhenius equation. The predicted values of the corn at different temperatures were compared with the experimental data, indicating that the model could accurately predict the shelf life. The shelf life observed via sensory evaluation was more than 50% shorter than the results obtained by instrumental measurements. Therefore, sensory evaluation could be applied to determine shelf life and avoid food waste

The enhancement of the perception of saltiness by umami sensation elicited by flavor enhancers in salt solutions

Health concerns related to the intake of salt have encouraged the investigation into sodium reduction by examining the taste-taste interaction between the perception of saltiness and umami. The effect of saltiness enhancement and sodium reduction of four kinds of umami carrier (WSA, MSG, IMP, and I + G) in a salt model solution with different salt concentrations (2.03-13.94 g/L) were investigated using the two-alternative forced choice (2-AFC) and generalized Labeled Magnitude Scale (gLMS). The saltiness difference thresholds (DT) under different umami carrier were further explored using the constant stimuli method. The results showed that umami carriers had effective effects of saliness enhancement in the salt solutions with different concentrations, and higher enhancemen levels were obtained at larger salt concentrations. The level of saltiness enhancement were varied between the different umami intensity and carriers, and WSA carrier with moderate intensity had the maximum sodium reduction percentages which reached to 24.25%. Besides, the DT values of saltiness taste were increased under umami carrier, which means that more salt can be reduced without evoking a variation in saltiness. The present work not only provided insight into the effect of umami chemicals on the saltiness perception and saltiness DT values but also presented valuable information regarding flavor when developing low sodium foods and contributing to the development of more healthful products that meet current nutritional recommendations

The Functions and Mechanisms of Tendon Stem/Progenitor Cells in Tendon Healing

Tendon injury is one of the prevalent disorders of the musculoskeletal system in orthopedics and is characterized by pain and limitation of joint function. Due to the difficulty of spontaneous tendon healing, and the scar tissue and low mechanical properties that usually develops after healing. Therefore, the healing of tendon injury remains a clinical challenge. Although there are a multitude of approaches to treating tendon injury, the therapeutic effects have not been satisfactory to date. Recent studies have shown that stem cell therapy has a facilitative effect on tendon healing. In particular, tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSPCs), a type of stem cell from tendon tissue, play an important role not only in tendon development and tendon homeostasis, but also in tendon healing. Compared to other stem cells, TSPCs have the potential to spontaneously differentiate into tenocytes and express higher levels of tendon-related genes. TSPCs promote tendon healing by three mechanisms: modulating the inflammatory response, promoting tenocyte proliferation, and accelerating collagen production and balancing extracellular matrix remodeling. However, current investigations have shown that TSPCs also have a negative effect on tendon healing. For example, misdifferentiation of TSPCs leads to a “failed healing response,” which in turn leads to the development of chronic tendon injury (tendinopathy). The focus of this paper is to describe the characteristics of TSPCs and tenocytes, to demonstrate the roles of TSPCs in tendon healing, while discussing the approaches used to culture and differentiate TSPCs. In addition, the limitations of TSPCs in clinical application and their potential therapeutic strategies are elucidated

Further Mining and Characterization of miRNA Resource in Chinese Fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata)

In this study, we aimed to expand the current miRNA data bank of Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) regarding its potential value for further genetic and genomic use in this species. High-throughput small RNA sequencing successfully captured 140 miRNAs from a Chinese fir selfing family harboring vigor and depressed progeny. Strikingly, 75.7% (n = 106) of these miRNAs have not been documented previously, and most (n = 105) of them belong to the novel set with 6858 putative target genes. The new datasets were then integrated with the previous information to gain insight into miRNA genetic architecture in Chinese fir. Collectively, a relatively high proportion (62%, n = 110) of novel miRNAs were found. Furthermore, we identified one MIR536 family that has not been previously documented in this species and four overlapped miRNA families (MIR159, MIR164, MIR171_1, and MIR396) from new datasets. Regarding the stability, we calculated the secondary structure free energy and found a relatively low R2 value (R2 < 0.22) between low minimal folding free energy (MFE) of pre-miRNAs and MFE of its corresponding mature miRNAs in most datasets. When in view of the conservation aspect, the phylogenetic trees showed that MIR536 and MIR159 sequences were highly conserved in gymnosperms