Thrombopoietic agents enhance bone healing in mice, rats, and pigs.

Achieving bone union remains a significant clinical dilemma. The use of osteoinductive agents, specifically bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), has gained wide attention. However, multiple side effects, including increased incidence of cancer, have renewed interest in investigating alternatives that provide safer, yet effective bone regeneration.

Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 Rapidly Heals Two Distinct Critical Sized Segmental Diaphyseal Bone Defects in a Porcine Model.

Introduction: Segmental bone defects (SBDs) are devastating injuries sustained by warfighters and are difficult to heal. Preclinical models that accurately simulate human conditions are necessary to investigate therapies to treat SBDs. We have developed two novel porcine SBD models that take advantage of similarities in bone healing and immunologic response to injury between pigs and humans.

Gene-metabolite networks associated with impediment of bone fracture repair in spaceflight.

Adverse effects of spaceflight on musculoskeletal health increase the risk of bone injury and impairment of fracture healing. Its yet elusive molecular comprehension warrants immediate attention, since space travel is becoming more frequent. Here we examined the effects of spaceflight on bone fracture healing using a 2 mm femoral segmental bone defect (SBD) model.

The effects of spaceflight and fracture healing on distant skeletal sites.

Spaceflight results in reduced mechanical loading of the skeleton, which leads to dramatic bone loss. Low bone mass is associated with increased fracture risk, and this combination may compromise future, long-term, spaceflight missions. Here, we examined the systemic effects of spaceflight and fracture surgery/healing on several non-injured bones within the axial and appendicular skeleton.

Development of a step-down method for altering male C57BL/6 mouse housing density and hierarchical structure: Preparations for spaceflight studies.

This study was initiated as a component of a larger undertaking designed to study bone healing in microgravity aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Spaceflight experimentation introduces multiple challenges not seen in ground studies, especially with regard to physical space, limited resources, and inability to easily reproduce results. Together, these can lead to diminished statistical power and increased risk of failure.

Cohousing Male Mice with and without Segmental Bone Defects.

Spaceflight results in bone loss like that associated with osteoporosis or decreased weight-bearing (for example, high-energy trauma such as explosive injuries and automobile accidents). Thus, the unique spaceflight laboratory on the International Space Station presents the opportunity to test bone healing agents during weightlessness. We are collaborating with NASA and the US Army to study bone healing in spaceflight.

Historical Analysis of Bibliometric Trends in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics With a Particular Focus on Sex.

Background: Orthopaedics is the clinical discipline with the lowest percentage of female residents and faculty. Pediatric orthopaedics has a higher percentage of women than other orthopaedic subspecialties. It was the purpose of this study to examine bibliometric trends in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics (JPO) with a specific focus on sex.