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The purpose of this study was to test several modifications of the polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement by incorporating osteoconductive and biodegradable materials for enhancing bone regeneration capacity in an osteoporotic rat model. Three bio‐composites (PHT‐1 [80% PMMA, 16% HA, 4% β‐TCP], PHT‐2 [70% PMMA, 24% HA, 6% β‐TCP], and PHT‐3 [30% PMMA, 56% HA, 14% β‐TCP]) were prepared using different concentrations of PMMA, hydroxyapatite (HA), and β‐tricalcium phosphate (β‐TCP). Their morphological structure was then examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and mechanical properties were determined using a MTS 858 Bionics test machine (MTS, Minneapolis, MN, USA). For in vivo studies, 35 female Wister rats (250 g, 12 weeks of age) were prepared and divided into five groups including a sham group (control), an ovariectomy‐induced osteoporosis group (OVX), an OVX with pure PMMA group (PMMA), an OVX with PHT‐2 group (PHT‐2), and an OVX with PHT‐3 group (PHT‐3). In vivo bone regeneration efficacy was assessed using micro‐CT and histological analysis after injecting the prepared bone cement into the tibial defects of osteoporotic rats. SEM investigation showed that the PHT‐3 sample had the highest porosity and roughness among all samples. In comparison to other samples, the PHT‐3 exhibited favorable mechanical properties for use in vertebroplasty procedures. Micro‐CT and histological analysis of OVX‐induced osteoporotic rats revealed that PHT‐3 was more effective in regenerating bone and restoring bone density than other samples. This study suggests that the PHT‐3 bio‐composite can be a promising candidate for treating osteoporosis‐related vertebral fractures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: The diagnostic value of vertebral artery foraminal segment (V2) ultrasonography remains unclear. This study aimed to estimate the predictive value of V2 Doppler imaging for the detection of vertebrobasilar stenosis or occlusion. Methods: Three hundred sixty‐four vertebral arteries from 182 patients were investigated. Abnormal Doppler spectra were categorized as high‐resistance flow (resistive index ≥0.9), low‐resistance flow (resistive index ≤0.5), increased flow velocity (peak systolic velocity ≥137.5 cm/second), or no flow signal. On MR angiography, stenosis and occlusion were defined as >50% narrowing and absent flow signals, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) were calculated. Results: Sixty of 364 vertebral arteries (16.5%) had V2 Doppler abnormalities, while 89 vertebrobasilar arteries (24.5%) had a stenosis or occlusion. The Doppler abnormalities predicted any stenosis or occlusion in the vertebrobasilar artery with a sensitivity of 56.2% and specificity of 96.4% (PPV, 83.3%; NPV, 87.2%). The hypoplastic vertebral artery (lumen diameter ≤2.7 mm) was more frequently associated with vertebrobasilar stenosis or occlusion, and with abnormal Doppler spectra (mostly high‐resistance flow), even when it was nonstenotic, than the normal‐diameter vertebral artery (p <.001, chi‐square test). Conclusions: : The low sensitivity seems to be due to the high prevalence of non‐V2 lesions not detected on V2 Doppler imaging, suggesting the necessity for a more extensive sonographic examination beyond V2. However, PPV and NPV ≥80% may suggest its usefulness in clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the association between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in women, as severe LUTS are known to be associated with CVD risk in men but few studies have focused on this issue in women. Subjects and Methods: A total of 1014 ostensibly healthy women, who participated in a voluntary health check in a health promotion centre from November 2013 to October 2015, were enrolled. LUTS were assessed using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS). CVD risk scores were calculated using the Framingham risk score and the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease (ASCVD) score. Correlation, partial correlation, and multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: The mean age and body mass index (BMI) of the women were 51 years and 22.6 kg/m2, respectively. The ASCVD score showed significant positive correlations with IPSS items Question 2 (Q2), Q3, Q5, and Q7 (all P < 0.05), total IPSS (P = 0.001), IPSS storage (P = 0.006) and IPSS voiding symptoms scores (P = 0.001) based on partial correlation analysis after adjustment for BMI. For the OABSS, the ASCVD score showed significant positive correlations with OABSS items Q2, Q3, and Q4 (P < 0.001, P = 0.017, and P < 0.001, respectively) and total OABSS (P < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the moderate–severe risk groups of the OABSS and IPSS were associated with the ASCVD risk score in adjusted models (P < 0.001) compared to the none–mild OABSS and mild IPSS groups. After adjustment for age and BMI, IPSS storage score was significantly related with the ASCVD risk score (B = 0.855, P = 0.016) Conclusions: LUTS, especially storage symptoms, might be risk factors for predicting future CVD risk in women. Further prospective or cohort studies are needed to validate this possibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]