Objective: To investigate the application effect of bovine pericardium in horizontal bone augmentation surgery in the aesthetic area and to assess its clinical feasibility in guided bone regeneration (GBR). Methods: This study was approved by the Ethics Committee. A total of 29 patients with anterior tooth loss accompanied by labial bone defects were selected, and horizontal bone augmentation was performed using a bovine pericardium membrane combined with particulate or block bone grafts. Centered on the virtual implant in the preoperative design, labial bone thickness at the implant neck and 1-5 mm below it was measured at different time points: preoperatively (T0), immediately postoperatively (T1), and 6 months postoperatively (T2). The results were used to assess bone regeneration outcomes. Additionally, the visual analog scales (VASs) of postoperative pain and swelling were recorded, and whether any complications such as infection or wound dehiscence occurred were monitored. Results: Immediately after surgery, labial bone thickness of all implants significantly increased, with an average increase more than 3 mm. Six months after surgery, the bone augmentation was well maintained. Specifically, labial bone thickness 3-5 mm below the shoulder of the implant was greater than 3 mm. The VAS scores showed that postoperative pain and swelling peaked on the third day and then gradually decreased, with good recovery 10 days after surgery. No complications such as infection or wound dehiscence occurred during the follow-up period. Conclusion Bovine pericardium shows good bone augmentation effect and biocompatibility in horizontal bone augmentation in the anterior aesthetic area, and it is suitable for various horizontal bone augmentation surgeries in the aesthetic area.

Objective:To summarize the patient profiles and therapeutic efficacies of ABO-incompatible living-related kidney transplantations at 19 domestic transplant centers and provide rationales for clinical application of ABOi-KT.Methods:Clinical cases of ABO-incompatible/compatible kidney transplantation (ABOi-KT/ABOc-KT) from December 2006 to December 2009 were collected. Then, statistical analyses were conducted from the aspects of tissue matching, perioperative managements, complications and survival rates of renal allograft or recipients.Results:Clinical data of 342 ABOi-KT and 779 ABOc-KT indicated that (1) no inter-group differences existed in age, body mass index (BMI), donor-recipient relationship or waiting time of pre-operative dialysis; (2) ABO blood type: blood type O recipients had the longest waiting list and transplantations from blood type A to blood type O accounted for the largest proportion; (3) HLA matching: no statistical significance existed in mismatch rate or positive rate of PRA I/II between two types of surgery; (4) CD20 should be properly used on the basis of different phrases; (5) hemorrhage was a common complication during an early postoperative period and microthrombosis appeared later; (6) no difference existed in postoperative incidence of complications or survival rate of renal allograft and recipients at 1/3/5/10 years between ABOi-KT and ABOc-KT. The acute rejection rate and serum creatinine levels of ABOi-KT recipients were comparable to those of ABOc-KT recipients within 1 year.Conclusions:ABOi-KT is both safe and effective so that it may be applied at all transplant centers as needed.