This numeric simulation confirmed that, without maxillary sinus bone graft, more effective stress distribution could be obtained in 4, 5, 6, or 7 mm of residual bone with short dental implants than in 13 mm of residual bone with standard dental implants.

SUMMARY1. The finer and more closely arrayed the capillaries are, the more efficiently oxygen will be transported to tissue because the same blood volume has greater contact area with the tissue and the diffusion distance for the oxygen is minimized. If these principles are actually governing microvascular structure, then the finest capillaries will be the narrowest channels which circulating erythrocytes can transit.2. Ascertaining the existence of this geometric limit requires quantitative data of demonstrated reliability on erythrocyte geometry and on capillary diameters.3. The study was done on Wistar rats. Constant flow perfusion of skeletal and cardiac muscle by a modified Batson's compound for anatomical casting made available rigid three-dimensional replicas of the microvasculature which shrank less than 1 % when the tissue was digested with potassium hydroxide. Measurements of individual capillaries were made on high contrast scanning electron micrographs of the casts. 4. Measurements on individual rat erythrocytes were done on photomicrographs of cells on edge. Reliability of these data was tested in three ways. First, repeatability of the tracing of the cell outline was tested by processing a duplicate set of photomicrographs. Secondly, correlations of the various parameters were found. Thirdly, results from other techniques of measuring erythrocytes were examined for areas of agreement and also for causes of possible error for areas in dispute.5. Because of known variability in erythrocyte sizes and shapes between species and between individuals within a species, we compared the data on erythrocyte geometry and capillary diameters for samples taken from the same individual rat. The data revealed a very positive indication that the lowest range of capillary diameters were at the limits ofdeformation ofthe circulating erythrocytes. Ninety-five per cent of the erythrocytes sampled could pass through a channel 2-9 ,sm in diameter.A small number of the capillaries measured were narrower than this limit.6. The data on erythrocytes and capillaries were compared for six rats. The limiting diameter for passage of erythrocytes was remarkably uniform for all six animals.

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Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass, increased bone fragility, and a greater risk for bone fracture. Currently, pharmacological intervention can generally aid in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, but these therapies are often accompanied by undesirable side effects. Therefore, alternative therapies that minimize side effects are necessary. Biophysical stimuli, especially low-intensity ultrasound stimulation (LIUS), may be potential alternatives to drug-based therapies for osteoporosis. Hence, we sought to address whether LIUS therapy can effectively prevent or treat osteoporotic bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency. LIUS (1.5 MHz frequency, 1.0 kHz pulse repetition on frequency, 30 mW/cm 2 intensity, 200 s pulse length) was applied to right tibiae of eight 14-week-old ovariectomized virgin ICR female mice for 20 min per day, 5 days per week, over a 6-week period. Changes in 3D structural bone characteristics were detected using in vivo micro-computed tomography. Left tibiae served as controls. Structural characteristics including bone volume/tissue volume, trabecular number, trabecular bone pattern factor, and mean polar moment inertia were significantly enhanced 6 weeks after LIUS compared to the control, nonstimulated group (p < 0.05). In particular, the bone volume/tissue volume in the region exposed directly to LIUS was significantly higher in the treated group (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that new bone formation may be activated or that bone structure may be maintained by LIUS, and that LIUS may be effective for preventing estrogen deficiency-induced bone loss.

Study DesignMechanical study of polymethylmetacrylate (PMMA) mixed with blood as a filler.PurposeAn attempt was made to modify the properties of PMMA to make it more suitable for percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP).Overview of LiteratureThe expected mechanical changes by adding a filler into PMMA included decreasing the Young's modulus, polymerization temperature and setting time. These changes in PMMA were considered to be more suitable and adaptable conditions in PVP for an osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture.MethodsPorous PMMA were produced by mixing 2 ml (B2), 4 ml (B4) and 6 ml (B6) of blood as a filler with 20 g of regular PMMA. The mechanical properties were examined and compared with regular PMMA(R) in view of the Young's modulus, polymerization temperature, setting time and optimal passing-time within an injectable viscosity (20-50 N-needed) through a 2.8 mm-diameter cement-filler tube. The porosity was examined using microcomputed tomography.ResultsThe Young's modulus decreased from 919.5 MPa (R) to 701.0 MPa (B2), 693.5 Mpa (B4), and 545.6 MPa (B6). The polymerization temperature decreased from 74.2℃ (R) to 59.8℃ (B2), 54.2℃ (B4) and 47.5℃ (B6). The setting time decreased from 1,065 seconds (R) to 624 seconds (B2), 678 seconds (B4), and 606 seconds (B6), and the optimal passing-time decreased from 75.6 seconds (R) to 46.6 seconds (B2), 65.0 seconds (B4), and 79.0 seconds (B6). The porosity increased from 4.2% (R) to 27.6% (B2), 27.5% (B4) and 29.5% (B6). A homogenous microstructure with very fine pores was observed in all blood-mixed PMMAs.ConclusionsBlood is an excellent filler for PMMA. Group B6 showed more suitable mechanical properties, including a lower elastic modulus due to the higher porosity, less heating and retarded optimal passing-time by the serum barrier, which reduced the level of friction between PMMA and a cement-filler tube.