Our aim was to evaluate the expression of transcription factors CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein-beta (C/EBP. β. ) and C/EBP-homologous protein (CHOP) in the growth plate. Proximal tibial epiphyseal growth plates from ten 15-day-old Wistar rats were used. Additionally, anti-proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), anti-5-bromo-2’-deoxyuridine (BrdU) immunostaining, terminal transferase dUTP nick end-labelling (TUNEL) and nucleolar organiser region-associated proteins (AgNOR) techniques were peformed. The histological morphology of the growth plate from C/EBP. β. knock-out mice was also analysed. The normal growth plate showed that C/EBP. β. and CHOP factors are expressed both in the germinative/ upper proliferative and in the lower proliferative zones. Furthermore, BdrU+ and PCNA+ cells were present exclusively in the germinative and proliferative zones, while TUNEL+ and AgNOR+ cells were seen in all three zones of the growth plate. Acellular areas, hypocellularity, the increase in cell death and anomalies in the architecture of the cell columns were observed in the growth plates of C/EBP. β. (−/ −) knockout mice. We suggest that C/EBP. β. and CHOP transcription factors may be key modulators participating in the
Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) has a crucial role in osteochondrogenesis of bone formation as well as in the repair of fractures. The interaction between hedgehog protein and BMPs is inferred from recent molecular studies. Hedgehog genes encode secreted proteins which mediate patterning and growth during skeletal development. We have shown that Indian hedgehog gene (Ihh) is expressed in cartilage anlage and later in mature and hypertrophic chondrocytes. This finding suggests that Ihh may regulate the development of chondrocytes. Our results in this study have shown that Ihh transcripts were expressed in hypertrophic chondrocytes in mice at three days but not at three weeks, although a similar expression pattern of α1 (X) collagen could be observed in both types of cartilage. To investigate the possibility that there are direct and age-dependent functions of Ihh in chondrocytes, cultured chondrocytes were treated with the amino-terminal fragment of Sonic hedgehog protein (Shh-N) which can functionally substitute for Ihh protein. Shh-N did not affect the proliferation and
Tibiotalocalcaneal (TTC) fusion is used to treat a variety of conditions affecting the ankle and subtalar joint, including osteoarthritis (OA), Charcot arthropathy, avascular necrosis (AVN) of the talus, failed total ankle arthroplasty, and severe deformity. The prevalence of postoperative complications remains high due to the complexity of hindfoot disease seen in these patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between preoperative conditions and postoperative complications in order to predict the outcome following primary TTC fusion. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 101 patients who underwent TTC fusion at the same institution between 2011 and 2019. Risk ratios (RRs) associated with age, sex, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, smoking, preoperative ankle deformity, and the use of bone graft during surgery were related to the postoperative complications. We determined from these data which pre- and perioperative factors significantly affected the outcome.Aims
Methods
Chronic conditions of the wrist may be difficult to manage because
pain and psychiatric conditions are correlated with abnormal function
of the hand. Additionally, intra-articular inflammatory cytokines
may cause pain. We aimed to validate the measurement of inflammatory cytokines
in these conditions and identify features associated with symptoms. The study included 38 patients (18 men, 20 women, mean age 43
years) with a chronic condition of the wrist who underwent arthroscopy.
Before surgery, the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Hand20 questionnaire
and a visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain were used. Cytokine and
chemokine levels in the synovial fluid of the wrist were measured
using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and correlations between
the levels with pain were analysed. Gene expression profiles of
the synovial membranes were assessed using quantitative polymerase
chain reaction.Aims
Patients and Methods
Articular cartilage repair remains a challenge to surgeons and basic scientists. The field of tissue engineering allows the simultaneous use of material scaffolds, cells and signalling molecules to attempt to modulate the regenerative tissue. This review summarises the research that has been undertaken to date using this approach, with a particular emphasis on those techniques that have been introduced into clinical practice, via in vitro and preclinical studies.
