A rare shrub species as flagship for conserving desert steppe in arid Inner Mongolia

The rare species Amygdalus pedunculata Pall. (Rosaceae) in arid northern China is endangered to the point of extinction. Determined to save it, the local government of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region encouraged the herdsmen to limit grazing activities. Here, we are testing if this species could be considered as a conspicuous flagship for restoring and conserving wind-sensitive arid lands as desert steppe in northern China. We examined statistically the growing states and environmental roles of A. pedunculata populations under the comparative conditions of free and limited grazing in winter since the year 2001. This species was observed to play a critical role in preventing wind erosion and stabilising the lands, as was indicated by the formation of micro-dunes under the shrubs. This role can be attributed mainly to the crown diameters or cover from the shrubs. Under the grazing limitation condition, accompanying species and plants around the shrubs increased significantly. Regardless of free or limited grazing conditions, the shrubs were not observed to inhibit the occurrence or growth of other plants. The grazing limitation over a period of 20 years has caused the effective revival of the rare A. pedunculata species, with statistically larger and taller A. pedunculata individuals than under the free grazing condition, as well as a slightly higher population density and total crown cover. The grazing limitation policy for saving A. pedunculata is believed to be effective and the rare A. pedunculata shrub is a conspicuous flagship for helping to conserve wind-sensitive desert steppe in terms of ecosystem integrity and authenticity

Primary Cooperative Application of a LARS® Tube and 3D‐Printed Prosthesis for Reconstruction of the Distal Radius after en bloc Resection of Giant Cell Tumor of Bone: A Comparative Retrospective Study

Objective Using a fibula autograft (FA) to reconstruct defects after en bloc resection of giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) in the distal radius is classic but has high complication rates. We describe a novel reconstruction method employing the cooperative application of LARS® and a 3D‐printed prosthesis (L‐P) and investigate whether it improves postoperative outcomes. Methods From April 2015 to August 2022, 14 patients who underwent the cooperative L‐P reconstruction method after en bloc resection of distal radial GCTBs and 31 patients who received FA reconstruction were enrolled as two retrospective cohorts in this comparative study. The properties of the implants and critical surgical techniques were elaborated in the L‐P group. Preoperative function, intraoperative data, and postoperative clinical, functional, and radiographic outcomes of all patients were recorded and compared between the two groups. The grip strength and range of wrist motion, including extension, flexion, radial deviation, and ulnar deviation, were measured. The Mayo modified wrist and Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scores were chosen to assess wrist function and surgical functional outcomes, respectively. Kaplan–Meier curves were generated to analyze the significant differences in complication rates and implant survival between the two groups. Results In both groups, all 45 patients underwent the operation without complication with similar average osteotomy lengths and bleeding volumes, while a shorter operative duration was achieved in the L‐P group (201.43 ± 22.87 min vs. 230.16 ± 51.44 min, P = 0.015). At a mean follow‐up of 40.42 ± 18.43 months (range, 14–72 months), both reconstruction methods effectively ameliorated postoperative function. Patients who received L‐P showed higher postoperative modified Mayo wrist scores (81.43 ± 5.49 vs. 71.13 ± 16.10, P = 0.003), Musculoskeletal Tumor Society scores (27.64 ± 1.34 vs. 25.06 ± 2.95, P = 0.004), and grip strength on the normal side (68.71% ± 8.00% vs. 57.81% ± 12.31%, P = 0.005) than the FA group. Better wrist extension (63.21° ± 8.99° vs. 45.32° ± 14.53°, P < 0.001) and flexion (45.36° ± 7.90° vs. 30.48° ± 12.07°, P < 0.001) were also observed in the L‐P group. The complication rate was significantly higher in the FA group (29/31, 93.55%) than in the L‐P group (1/14 7.14%, P < 0.001). The L‐P group showed higher implant survival than the FA group, but the difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion The cooperative application of LARS® and 3D‐printed prostheses is an effective modality for reconstructing musculoskeletal defects after en bloc resection of distal radial GCTBs, which can improve functional outcomes, diminish complication rates, and promote wrist joint stability and motion