The study aimed to determine whether the microRNA miR21-5p (MiR21) mediates temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJ-OA) by targeting growth differentiation factor 5 (Gdf5). TMJ-OA was induced in MiR21 knockout (KO) mice and wild-type (WT) mice by a unilateral anterior crossbite (UAC) procedure. Mouse tissues exhibited histopathological changes, as assessed by: Safranin O, toluidine blue, and immunohistochemistry staining; western blotting (WB); and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Mouse condylar chondrocytes were transfected with a series of MiR21 mimic, MiR21 inhibitor, Gdf5 siRNA (si-GDF5), and flag-GDF5 constructs. The effects of MiR-21 and Gdf5 on the expression of OA related molecules were evaluated by immunofluorescence, alcian blue staining, WB, and RT-qPCR.Aims
Methods
The purpose of this study was to determine whether intracellular After stabilizing with Kirschner wire, we created a midshaft femur fracture in Sprague-Dawley rats and infected the wound with green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged Aims
Methods
Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) is a kind of chronic osteochondropathy, thought to be caused by environmental risk factors such as T-2 toxin. However, the exact aetiology of KBD remains unclear. In this study, we explored the functional relevance and biological mechanism of cartilage oligosaccharide matrix protein (COMP) in the articular cartilage damage of KBD. The articular cartilage specimens were collected from five KBD patients and five control subjects for cell culture. The messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression levels were detected by quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot. The survival rate of C28/I2 chondrocyte cell line was detected by MTT assay after T-2 toxin intervention. The cell viability and mRNA expression levels of apoptosis related genes between Aims
Methods
Extracellular matrix (ECM) and its architecture have a vital role in articular cartilage (AC) structure and function. We hypothesized that a multi-layered chitosan-gelatin (CG) scaffold that resembles ECM, as well as native collagen architecture of AC, will achieve superior chondrogenesis and AC regeneration. We also compared its in vitro and in vivo outcomes with randomly aligned CG scaffold. Rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were differentiated into the chondrogenic lineage on scaffolds. Quality of in vitro regenerated cartilage was assessed by cell viability, growth, matrix synthesis, and differentiation. Bilateral osteochondral defects were created in 15 four-month-old male New Zealand white rabbits and segregated into three treatment groups with five in each. The groups were: 1) untreated and allogeneic chondrocytes; 2) multi-layered scaffold with and without cells; and 3) randomly aligned scaffold with and without cells. After four months of follow-up, the outcome was assessed using histology and immunostaining.Aims
Methods
Proliferation, migration, and differentiation of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) remnant and surrounding cells are fundamental processes for ACL reconstruction; however, the interaction between ACL remnant and surrounding cells is unclear. We hypothesized that ACL remnant cells preserve the capability to regulate the surrounding cells’ activity, collagen gene expression, and tenogenic differentiation. Moreover, extracorporeal shock wave (ESW) would not only promote activity of ACL remnant cells, but also enhance their paracrine regulation of surrounding cells. Cell viability, proliferation, migration, and expression levels of Collagen-I (COL-I) A1, transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were compared between ACL remnant cells untreated and treated with ESW (0.15 mJ/mm2, 1,000 impulses, 4 Hz). To evaluate the subsequent effects on the surrounding cells, bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs)’ viability, proliferation, migration, and levels of Type I Collagen, Type III Collagen, and tenogenic gene (Aims
Methods
Inflammatory response plays a pivotal role in the pathophysiological process of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). A20 (also known as tumour necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3)) is a ubiquitin-editing enzyme that restricts nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) signalling. A20 prevents the occurrence of multiple inflammatory diseases. However, the role of A20 in the initiation of IDD has not been elucidated. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of A20 in senescence of TNF alpha (TNF-α)-induced nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs). Immunohistochemical staining was performed to observe the expression of A20 in normal and degenerated human intervertebral discs. The NPCs were dissected from the tail vertebrae of healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats and were cultured in the incubator. In the experiment, TNF-α was used to mimic the inflammatory environment of IDD. The cell viability and senescence were examined to investigate the effect of A20 on TNF-α-treated NPCs. The expression of messenger RNA (mRNA)-encoding proteins related to matrix macromolecules (collagen II, aggrecan) and senescence markers (p53, p16). Additionally, NF-κB/p65 activity of NPCs was detected within different test compounds.Aims
Methods
Dupuytren’s contracture is a benign, myoproliferative condition
affecting the palmar fascia that results in progressive contractures
of the fingers. Despite increased knowledge of the cellular and
connective tissue changes involved, neither a cure nor an optimum
form of treatment exists. The aim of this systematic review was
to summarize the best available evidence on the management of this
condition. A comprehensive database search for randomized controlled trials
(RCTs) was performed until August 2017. We studied RCTs comparing
open fasciectomy with percutaneous needle aponeurotomy (PNA), collagenase
clostridium histolyticum (CCH) with placebo, and CCH with PNA, in
addition to adjuvant treatments aiming to improve the outcome of
open fasciectomy. A total of 20 studies, involving 1584 patients,
were included.Aims
Materials and Methods
Intra-articular injections of local anaesthetics (LA), glucocorticoids (GC), or hyaluronic acid (HA) are used to treat osteoarthritis (OA). Contrast agents (CA) are needed to prove successful intra-articular injection or aspiration, or to visualize articular structures dynamically during fluoroscopy. Tranexamic acid (TA) is used to control haemostasis and prevent excessive intra-articular bleeding. Despite their common usage, little is known about the cytotoxicity of common drugs injected into joints. Thus, the aim of our study was to investigate the effects of LA, GC, HA, CA, and TA on the viability of primary human chondrocytes and tenocytes Human chondrocytes and tenocytes were cultured in a medium with three different drug dilutions (1:2; 1:10; 1:100). The following drugs were used to investigate cytotoxicity: lidocaine hydrochloride 1%; bupivacaine 0.5%; triamcinolone acetonide; dexamethasone 21-palmitate; TA; iodine contrast media; HA; and distilled water. Normal saline served as a control. After an incubation period of 24 hours, cell numbers and morphology were assessed.Objectives
Methods
The aim of this study was to assess the quality and scope of the current cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) literature in the field of hand and upper limb orthopaedic surgery. We conducted a systematic review of MEDLINE and the CEA Registry to identify CEAs that were conducted on or after 1 January 1997, that studied a procedure pertaining to the field of hand and upper extremity surgery, that were clinical studies, and that reported outcomes in terms of quality-adjusted life-years. We identified a total of 33 studies that met our inclusion criteria. The quality of these studies was assessed using the Quality of Health Economic Analysis (QHES) scale.Aims
Materials and Methods
Receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL) is a key molecule that is expressed in bone stromal cells and is associated with metastasis and poor prognosis in many cancers. However, cancer cells that directly express RANKL have yet to be unveiled. The current study sought to evaluate how a single subunit of G protein, guanine nucleotide-binding protein G(q) subunit alpha (GNAQ), transforms cancer cells into RANKL-expressing cancer cells. We investigated the specific role of GNAQ using Aims
Methods
Emerging evidence indicates that tendon disease is an active process with inflammation that is critical to disease onset and progression. However, the key cytokines responsible for driving and sustaining inflammation have not been identified. We performed a systematic review of the literature using MEDLINE (U.S. National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, Maryland) in March 2017. Studies reporting the expression of interleukins (ILs), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interferon gamma in diseased human tendon tissues, and animal models of tendon injury or exercise in comparison with healthy control tissues were included.Objectives
Methods
The role of mechanical stress and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) is important in the initiation and progression of osteoarthritis (OA). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not clearly known. In this study, TGF-β1 from osteoclasts and knee joints were analyzed using a co-cultured cell model and an OA rat model, respectively. Five patients with a femoral neck fracture (four female and one male, mean 73.4 years (68 to 79)) were recruited between January 2015 and December 2015. Results showed that TGF-β1 was significantly upregulated in osteoclasts by cyclic loading in a time- and dose-dependent mode. The osteoclasts were subjected to cyclic loading before being co-cultured with chondrocytes for 24 hours.Objectives
Methods
The long head of the biceps (LHB) is often resected in shoulder surgery and could therefore serve as a cell source for tissue engineering approaches in the shoulder. However, whether it represents a suitable cell source for regenerative approaches, both in the inflamed and non-inflamed states, remains unclear. In the present study, inflamed and native human LHBs were comparatively characterized for features of regeneration. In total, 22 resected LHB tendons were classified into inflamed samples (n = 11) and non-inflamed samples (n = 11). Proliferation potential and specific marker gene expression of primary LHB-derived cell cultures were analyzed. Multipotentiality, including osteogenic, adipogenic, chondrogenic, and tenogenic differentiation potential of both groups were compared under respective lineage-specific culture conditions.Objectives
Methods
Activation of the leptin pathway is closely correlated with human knee cartilage degeneration. However, the role of the long form of the leptin receptor (Ob-Rb) in cartilage degeneration needs further study. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of increasing the expression of Ob-Rb on chondrocytes using a lentiviral vector containing Ob-Rb. The medial and lateral cartilage samples of the tibial plateau from 12 osteoarthritis (OA) patients were collected. Ob-Rb messenger RNA (mRNA) was detected in these samples. The Ob-Rb-overexpressing chondrocytes and controls were treated with different doses of leptin for two days. The activation of the p53/p21 pathway and the number of senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal)-positive cells were evaluated. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathway and autophagy were detected after the chondrocytes were treated with a high dose of leptin.Objectives
Methods
It is increasingly appreciated that coordinated regulation of angiogenesis and osteogenesis is needed for bone formation. How this regulation is achieved during peri-implant bone healing, such as osseointegration, is largely unclear. This study examined the relationship between angiogenesis and osteogenesis in a unique model of osseointegration of a mouse tibial implant by pharmacologically blocking the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway. An implant was inserted into the right tibia of 16-week-old female C57BL/6 mice (n = 38). Mice received anti-VEGF receptor-1 (VEGFR-1) antibody (25 mg/kg) and VEGF receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) antibody (25 mg/kg; n = 19) or an isotype control antibody (n = 19). Flow cytometric (n = 4/group) and immunofluorescent (n = 3/group) analyses were performed at two weeks post-implantation to detect the distribution and density of CD31hiEMCNhi endothelium. RNA sequencing analysis was performed using sorted CD31hiEMCNhi endothelial cells (n = 2/group). Osteoblast lineage cells expressing osterix (OSX) and osteopontin (OPN) were also detected with immunofluorescence. Mechanical pull-out testing (n = 12/group) was used at four weeks post-implantation to determine the strength of the bone-implant interface. After pull-out testing, the tissue attached to the implant surface was harvested. Whole mount immunofluorescent staining of OSX and OPN was performed to determine the amount of osteoblast lineage cells.Aims
Materials and Methods
The aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive understanding of alterations in messenger RNAs (mRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs) in cartilage affected by osteoarthritis (OA). The expression profiles of mRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs in OA cartilage were assessed using whole-transcriptome sequencing. Bioinformatics analyses included prediction and reannotation of novel lncRNAs and circRNAs, their classification, and their placement into subgroups. Gene ontology and pathway analysis were performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs), differentially expressed lncRNAs (DELs), and differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs). We focused on the overlap of DEGs and targets of DELs previously identified in seven high-throughput studies. The top ten DELs were verified by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in articular chondrocytes, both Objectives
Methods
Enhanced micromotions between the implant and surrounding bone can impair osseointegration, resulting in fibrous encapsulation and aseptic loosening of the implant. Since the effect of micromotions on human bone cells is sparsely investigated, an Micromotions ranging from 25 µm to 100 µm were applied as sine or triangle signal with 1 Hz frequency to human osteoblasts seeded on collagen scaffolds. Micromotions were applied for six hours per day over three days. During the micromotions, a static pressure of 527 Pa was exerted on the cells by Ti6Al4V cylinders. Osteoblasts loaded with Ti6Al4V cylinders and unloaded osteoblasts without micromotions served as controls. Subsequently, cell viability, expression of the osteogenic markers collagen type I, alkaline phosphatase, and osteocalcin, as well as gene expression of osteoprotegerin, receptor activator of NF-κB ligand, matrix metalloproteinase-1, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, were investigated.Objectives
Methods
