Three-dimensional (3D) printing is increasing gradually in orthopedic surgery. Currently, the use of 3D printing in hip surgery is as follows: a bone model for preoperative planning or simulation, patient-specific instruments, surface treatment for stable fixation of implant, and customized implants tailored to the patient’s anatomical characteristics. Orthopedic surgeons can utilize 3D printing technology to improve the surgical techniques, minimize complications during surgery, and provide implants that are more suitable for patients in the correct position. In recent years, new materials for 3D printing are being explored, and the efficiency of cost and production time is improved by developing the production process. In addition, constant drug delivery by improving surface treatment, fusion with other new technologies, such as augmented reality, and tissue or organ regeneration using 3D bioprinting technology is being actively conducted. Above all, orthopedic surgeons should strive to provide the best treatment to patients by learning and researching these new trends, not just adhering to existing treatment methods.

Background: The Harris-Galante (HG) prosthesis is a first-generation, cementless total hip arthroplasty (THA) prosthesis. Considering the recent increase in the demand for THA in young patients and their life expectancy, a study with a follow-up duration of longer than 20 years in a young population is needed. Therefore, we evaluated the long-term clinical and radiographic results after cementless THA using the HG prosthesis in patients younger than 50 years. Methods: A total of 61 THAs performed using the HG with a minimum follow-up of 10 years were included. There were 38 men and 11 women with an average age of 46 years and the mean follow-up duration was 22 years. Clinical evaluation included modified Harris Hip Score (HHS) and radiographic analysis consisted of cup inclination, anteversion angle, component stability, osteolysis, liner wear rate, wear-through, liner dissociation, and heterotopic ossification. Complications included recurrent dislocation, periprosthetic femoral fracture, and periprosthetic joint infection. Survivorship analysis included cup and stem revision for aseptic loosening, as well as any revision. Results: The HHS improved from 46.5 preoperatively to 81.8 postoperatively (p < 0.001). The average linear wear rate was 0.36 mm/yr. A total of 34 hips (56%) were revised: stem revision in 10 (16.4%), cup revision in 9 (14.8%), exchange limited to bearing surface in 8 (13.1%), and revision of all components in 7 (11.5%). Estimated survivorship at 34 years postoperatively was 90.9% for cup revision for aseptic loosening, 80.5% for stem revision for aseptic loosening, and 22.1% for any revision. Conclusions THA using the HG prosthesis showed satisfactory estimated survivorship of the acetabular and femoral components at 34 years postoperatively with good clinical outcomes. Bearing-related problems, such as osteolysis and liner dissociation, accounted for 56% of revision operations and were concerns in patients younger than 50 years.

Recently, atypical femoral fractures (AFFs) have been found in patients who were prescribed bisphosphonate to prevent osteoporotic fractures. Although the occurrence of AFF is rare, there are some concerns, such as a higher risk of delayed or non-union of AFF. This paper reviews the treatment of AFF and suggests some considerations during surgery.
Femoral Fractures ; Humans ; Osteoporosis ; Osteoporotic Fractures ; Teriparatide

The biomechanics study of the hip is aims to understand and explore the dynamic principles of weight transfer through the hip joint. This basic science knowledge can be applied in a variety of areas, including degenerative joint diseases and hip replacement arthroplasty. In particular, understanding of the biomechanics of the hip has led to the development of materials, design and fixation of implants, and it can be applied in various areas, such as the selection of surgical methods and the location of the implant. Moreover, it is essential to have good knowledge of the biomechanics of the hip to achieve better clinical results for patients. Therefore, this paper introduces the basic knowledge and biomechanical characteristics of a normal hip and hip replacement arthroplasty, which are needed to approach the biomechanics of the hip.
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Hip Joint ; Hip ; Humans ; Joint Diseases

Background: Particulate matter 10 (PM10; airborne particles <10 μm) inhalation has been demonstrated to induce airway and lung diseases. In this study, we investigate the effects of PM10 inhalation on RNA expression in lung tissues using a murine model. Methods: Female BALB/c mice were affected with PM10, ovalbumin (OVA), or both OVA and PM10. PM10 was administered intranasally while OVA was both intraperitoneally injected and intranasally administered. Treatments occurred 4 times over a 2-week period. Two days after the final challenges, mice were sacrificed. Full RNA sequencing using lung homogenates was conducted. Results: While PM10 did not induce cell proliferation in bronchoalveolar fluid or lead to airway hyper-responsiveness, it did cause airway inflammation and lung fibrosis. Levels of interleukin 1β, tumor necrosis factor-α, and transforming growth factor-β in lung homogenates were significantly elevated in the PM10-treated group, compared to the control group. The PM10 group also showed increased RNA expression of Rn45a, Snord22, Atp6v0c-ps2, Snora28, Snord15b, Snora70, and Mmp12. Generally, genes associated with RNA splicing, DNA repair, the inflammatory response, the immune response, cell death, and apoptotic processes were highly expressed in the PM10-treated group. The OVA/PM10 treatment did not produce greater effects than OVA alone. However, the OVA/PM10-treated group did show increased RNA expression of Clca1, Snord22, Retnla, Prg2, Tff2, Atp6v0c-ps2, and Fcgbp when compared to the control groups. These genes are associated with RNA splicing, DNA repair, the inflammatory response, and the immune response. Conclusion Inhalation of PM10 extensively altered RNA expression while also inducing cellular inflammation, fibrosis, and increased inflammatory cytokines in this murine mouse model.

Fetal tachycardia (FT) is a rare disorder and is associated with significant mortality of fetus. Digoxin is one of the antiarrhythmic agents used to treat FT via transplacental therapy. In this report, we describe a therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) case of digoxin during the treatment of FT. A 40-year-old woman, gravida 2 para 1, hospitalized to control FT as the fetal heart rate (FHR) showed over 200 bpm on ultrasonography at 29 weeks of gestation. She did not have any medical or medication history and showed normal electrolytes level on clinical laboratory test results. For the treatment of FT loading and maintenance dose of intravenous digoxin (loading dose: 0.6 mg; maintenance dose: 0.3 mg every 8 hours) were administered. To monitor the efficacy and safety of the treatment, TDM was conducted with a target maternal serum trough digoxin concentration of 1.0 to 2.0 ng/mL, as well as ultrasonography and maternal electrocardiogram. The observed digoxin serum concentrations were 0.67, 0.83, and 1.05 ng/mL after 1, 2, and 5 days after the initiation of digoxin therapy, respectively. Although the serum digoxin concentrations reached the target range, the FHR did not improve. Therefore, digoxin was discontinued, and oral flecainide therapy was started. The FHR adjusted to the normal range within 2 days from changing treatment and remained stable. TDM of digoxin along with the monitoring of clinical responses can give valuable information for decision-making during the treatment FT.

BACKGROUND: Hip fracture surgery (HFS) is often associated with perioperative blood loss, and it frequently necessitates transfusion. However, the hemoglobin (Hb) threshold for transfusion remains controversial in hip fracture patients. We evaluated the usefulness of the restrictive strategy and preoperative intravenous iron supplementation in HFS. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1,634 patients (> 60 years of age) who underwent HFS between May 2003 and June 2014 and were followed up for 1 year or more after surgery. We used the liberal transfusion strategy until May 2009 to determine the transfusion threshold; afterwards, we switched to the restrictive transfusion strategy. Patients with the restrictive transfusion strategy (restrictive group) received intravenous iron supplementation before surgery. We compared the transfusion rate, morbidity, and mortality of the restrictive group with those of the patients with the liberal transfusion strategy (liberal group). RESULTS: Preoperative intravenous iron supplementation was not associated with any adverse reactions. The transfusion rate was 65.3% (506/775) in the liberal group and 48.2% (414/859) in the restrictive group (p < 0.001). The mean hospital stay was shorter in the restrictive group (21.5 vs. 28.8 days, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the postoperative medical complications including myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular event. Mortality at postoperative 30, 60, and 90 days was similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our blood management protocol involving restrictive strategy combined with preoperative intravenous iron supplementation appears to be effective and safe in HFS of elderly patients.
Aged ; Hip Fractures ; Hip ; Humans ; Iron ; Length of Stay ; Medical Records ; Mortality ; Myocardial Infarction ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: CD93 is receiving renewed attention as a biomarker of inflammation. We aimed to evaluate the potential for serum sCD93 to serve as a novel biomarker for allergic inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 348 subjects with an allergic disease [allergic rhinitis (AR), chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), or bronchial asthma (BA)], including 14 steroid-naïve BA patients who were serially followed-up. RESULTS: The serum sCD93 levels (ng/mL) in patients with exacerbated AR (mean±standard deviation, 153.1±58.4) were significantly higher than in patients without AR (132.2±49.0) or with stable AR (122.3±42.1). Serum sCD93 levels in exacerbated CSU (169.5±42.8) were also significantly higher than those in non-CSU (132.4±51.6) and stable CSU (122.8±36.2). This trend was also seen in BA. Serum levels in patients with ICS-naïve BA (161.4±53.1) were significantly higher than those in healthy controls without BA (112.2±30.8), low- and medium-dose ICS users. Serum sCD93 levels in high-dose ICS users (72.2±20.6) were significantly lower than those in low- and medium-dose users. The serum sCD93 levels in steroid-naïve patients with BA (195.1±72.7) decreased after ICS use for 4 weeks (134.4±42.8) and 8 weeks (100.7±13.4), serially. CONCLUSION: Elevated serum sCD93 levels reflected exacerbated status of allergic diseases, including CSU, AR, and asthma. ICS use significantly diminished serum sCD93 levels in steroid-naïve patients with BA. This result may suggest sCD93 in serum as a therapeutic marker for allergic inflammation.
Asthma ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Inflammation* ; Rhinitis ; Urticaria

Silica nanoparticles (SNPs) are widely used in many scientific and industrial fields despite the lack of proper evaluation of their potential toxicity. This study examined the effects of acute exposure to SNPs, either alone or in conjunction with ovalbumin (OVA), by studying the respiratory systems in exposed mouse models. Three types of SNPs were used: spherical SNPs (S-SNPs), mesoporous SNPs (M-SNPs), and PEGylated SNPs (P-SNPs). In the acute SNP exposure model performed, 6-week-old BALB/c female mice were intranasally inoculated with SNPs for 3 consecutive days. In the OVA/SNPs asthma model, the mice were sensitized two times via the peritoneal route with OVA. Additionally, the mice endured OVA with or without SNP challenges intranasally. Acute SNP exposure induced significant airway inflammation and airway hyper-responsiveness, particularly in the S-SNP group. In OVA/SNPs asthma models, OVA with SNP-treated group showed significant airway inflammation, more than those treated with only OVA and without SNPs. In these models, the P-SNP group induced lower levels of inflammation on airways than both the S-SNP or M-SNP groups. Interleukin (IL)-5, IL-13, IL-1beta and interferon-gamma levels correlated with airway inflammation in the tested models, without statistical significance. In the mouse models studied, increased airway inflammation was associated with acute SNPs exposure, whether exposed solely to SNPs or SNPs in conjunction with OVA. P-SNPs appear to be relatively safer for clinical use than S-SNPs and M-SNPs, as determined by lower observed toxicity and airway system inflammation.
Animals ; Asthma/*chemically induced/pathology ; Female ; Inflammation/*chemically induced/pathology ; Interferon-gamma/analysis ; Interleukins/analysis ; Lung/drug effects/*pathology ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Nanoparticles/*adverse effects/chemistry ; Ovalbumin/adverse effects ; Polyethylene Glycols/adverse effects/chemistry ; Silicon Dioxide/*adverse effects/chemistry ; Surface Properties

Purpose: The expression of major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC I) has previously been reported to be negatively associated with estrogen receptor (ER) expression. Furthermore, MHC I expression, level of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), and expression of interferon (IFN) mediator MxA are positively associated with one another in human breast cancers. This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of association of MHC I with ER and IFN signaling. Materials and Methods: The human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-ABC protein expression was analyzed in breast cancer cell lines. The expressions of HLA-A and MxA mRNAs were analyzed in MCF-7 cells in Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) data. ER and HLA-ABC expressions, Ki-67 labeling index and TIL levels in tumor tissue were also analyzed in ER+/ human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)- breast cancer patients who randomly received either neoadjuvant chemotherapy or estrogen modulator treatment followed by resection. Results: HLA-ABC protein expression was decreased after β-estradiol treatment or hESR-GFP transfection and increased after fulvestrant or IFN-γ treatment in cell lines. In GEO data, HLA-A and MxA expression was increased after ESR1 shRNA transfection. In patients, ER Allred score was significantly lower and the HLA-ABC expression, TIL levels, and Ki-67 were significantly higher in the estrogen modulator treated group than the chemotherapy treated group. Conclusion MHC I expression and TIL levels might be affected by ER pathway modulation and IFN treatment. Further studies elucidating the mechanism of MHC I regulation could suggest a way to boost TIL influx in cancer in a clinical setting.