Validation of a simple radiographic method to determine variations in pelvic and acetabular cup sagittal plane alignment after total hip arthroplasty.

Background And Purpose: Orientation of acetabular component, influenced by pelvic tilt, body position, and individual variations affects the outcome following total hip arthroplasty (THA). Currently available methods of evaluation are either imprecise or require advanced image processing. We analyzed intersubject and intrasubject variability of pelvic tilt, measured by sagittal sacral tilt (ST) and its relationship with acetabular component tilt (AT) by using a simple method based on standard radiographs.

Hip and knee dislocation during femoral lengthening in congenital short femur: a rare case report.

Congenital short femur is a rare and complex deformity that is often associated with other anomalies. There are few reports of either hip or knee dislocations during femoral lengthening in congenital short femur predisposed by associated anomaly. However, there are probably no case reports of both hip and knee joint dislocation occurring in same case during femoral lengthening in congenital short femur.

Treatment of femoral and tibial diaphyseal nonunions using reamed intramedullary nailing without bone graft.

Introduction: Intramedullary nailing has long been used successfully in the treatment of aseptic nonunions of the femur and tibia. However, recently the efficacy of reamed intramedullary nailing in the treatment of nonunions of the femur has been questioned by some publications reporting unfavourable results. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the treatment results of femoral and tibial diaphyseal nonunions with intramedullary nailing.

Decline in NRF2-regulated antioxidants in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease lungs due to loss of its positive regulator, DJ-1.

Rationale: Oxidative stress is a key contributor in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) pathogenesis caused by cigarette smoking. NRF2, a redox-sensitive transcription factor, dissociates from its inhibitor, KEAP1, to induce antioxidant expression that inhibits oxidative stress.

Objectives: To determine the link between severity of COPD, oxidative stress, and NRF2-dependent antioxidant levels in the peripheral lung tissue of patients with COPD.

Pelvic osteolysis relationship to radiographs and polyethylene wear.

The relationship of radiographic pelvic osteolysis to computed tomographic (CT) volume and polyethylene wear remains controversial. We evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of radiographs in detecting osteolysis considering CT scan as the true value, in 118 hips with cementless cups. Correlation between osteolysis volume in CT, area of osteolysis in radiograph, and linear wear of polyethylene was assessed.

Tibial aperture bone disruption after retrograde versus antegrade tibial tunnel drilling: a cadaveric study.

The purpose of this study is to compare the local microfracture effects of antegrade versus retrograde drilling of the tibial tunnel in ACL reconstruction. Arthroscopic ACL excision was performed on eight matched cadaveric knees. Arthroscopic guided tibial tunnel reaming was performed in either an antegrade (four) or retrograde (four) direction.

Stress-related injuries around the lesser trochanter in long-distance runners.

Objective: Imaging abnormalities around the lesser trochanter are occasionally found in long-distance runners, yet little research has been conducted concerning this area of the hip. In addition, the relation between iliopsoas insertional abnormalities at the lesser trochanter and femoral neck stress injuries has not been examined, to our knowledge. We report MRI findings at the lesser trochanter in nine long-distance runners with hip or groin pain and a consistent constellation of the following findings: abnormalities associated with the iliopsoas tendon and its insertion, including marrow edema at the lesser trochanter; periostitis around the lesser trochanter; and bone marrow edema in the femoral neck.

Reversal of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis from pressure overload by tetrahydrobiopterin: efficacy of recoupling nitric oxide synthase as a therapeutic strategy.

Background: Sustained pressure overload induces pathological cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction. Oxidative stress linked to nitric oxide synthase (NOS) uncoupling may play an important role. We tested whether tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) can recouple NOS and reverse preestablished advanced hypertrophy, fibrosis, and dysfunction.

Effects of leptin deficiency on postnatal lung development in mice.

Leptin modulates energy metabolism and lung development. We hypothesize that the effects of leptin on postnatal lung development are volume dependent from 2 to 10 wk of age and are independent of hypometabolism associated with leptin deficiency. To test the hypotheses, effects of leptin deficiency on lung maturation were characterized in age groups of C57BL/6J mice with varying Lep(ob) genotypes.

Enhancement of dissolution rate of gliclazide using solid dispersions with polyethylene glycol 6000.

The aim of the present study was to enhance the dissolution rate of gliclazide using its solid dispersions (SDs) with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 6000. The phase solubility behavior of gliclazide in presence of various concentrations of PEG 6000 in 0.1 N HCl was obtained at 37 degrees C.

Comparative study of propranolol hydrochloride release from matrix tablets with KollidonSR or hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose.

The release of propranolol hydrochloride from matrix tablets with hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC K15M) or KollidonSR at different concentrations was investigated with a view to developing twice daily sustained release dosage form. A hydrophilic matrix-based tablet using different concentrations of HPMC K15M or KollidonSR was developed using direct compression technique to contain 80 mg of propranolol hydrochloride. The resulting matrix tablets prepared with HPMC K15M or KollidonSR fulfilled all the official requirements of tablet dosage forms.

Quantitative assessment of mineralization in distraction osteogenesis.

Objectives: The most important decision in distraction osteogenesis is the timing of fixator removal. Various methods have been tried, such as radiographic appearance of callus and bone mineral density (BMD) assessment, but none has acquired gold standard status. The purpose of this study was to develop another objective method of assessment of callus stiffness to help clinicians in taking the most important decision of when to remove the fixator.

Synthesis and characterization of PVP-coated large core iron oxide nanoparticles as an MRI contrast agent.

The purpose of this study was to synthesize biocompatible polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-coated iron oxide (PVP-IO) nanoparticles and to evaluate their efficacy as a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agent. The PVP-IO nanoparticles were synthesized by a thermal decomposition method and characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and a superconducting quantum interface device (SQUID). The core size of the particles is about 8-10 nm and the overall size is around 20-30 nm.

Redox-regulation of Erk1/2-directed phosphatase by reactive oxygen species: role in signaling TPA-induced growth arrest in ML-1 cells.

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk)1/2 activity signals myeloid cell differentiation induced by 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Previously, we reported that Erk1/2 activation (phosphorylation) induced by TPA required reactive oxygen species (ROS) as a second messenger. Here, we hypothesized that ROS generated in response to TPA inhibit Erk1/2-directed phosphatase activity, which leads to an increase phosphorylation of Erk1/2 to signal p21(WAF1/Cip1)-mediated growth arrest in ML-1 cells.

A single-dose, randomized, open-label, two-period crossover bioequivalence study of a fixed-dose pediatric combination of lamivudine 40-mg, nevirapine 70-mg, and stavudine 10-mg tablet for oral suspension with individual liquid formulations in healthy adult male volunteers.

Background: Because of the lack of suitable pediatric antiretroviral (ARV) agents, adult fixed-dose ARVs are commonly used in children. This practice poses concerns about dose inaccuracy, which may lead to resistance or toxicity.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the bioequivalence of a new pediatric fixed-dose combination (FDC) ARV tablet for oral suspension as compared with individual liquid formulations.

Alcohol-induced multifocal osteonecrosis: a case report with 14-year follow-up.

Alcohol-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head is common but multifocal osteonecrosis secondary to alcohol is very rare. The authors report one case of multifocal alcohol-induced osteonecrosis involving both hips and both knees and its subsequent progression and management over a period of 14 years. There was bilateral involvement of hips in pre-collapse stage for which a core decompression was done.

Acromegaly caused by ectopic growth hormone: a rare manifestation of a bronchial carcinoid.

Ectopic acromegaly due to growth hormone-releasing hormone secretion by a bronchial carcinoid is rare. We report a case of bronchial carcinoid presenting with acromegaly due to ectopic growth hormone production. The patient was treated successfully with right pneumonectomy.

Directly diode-pumped millijoule subpicosecond Yb:glass regenerative amplifier.

An Yb:glass regenerative amplifier directly side pumped by four 20-W diodes is demonstrated. By use of a novel pumping scheme and introduction of cylindrical optics into the cavity, a free-running average output power as great as 4 W with a TEM(00) -like mode was achieved from the bare cavity, with a 0.56 pump duty cycle.

Early findings of small-animal MRI and small-animal computed tomography correlate with histological changes in a rat model of rheumatoid arthritis.

With the use of a commonly utilized animal model of rheumatoid arthritis, the central goal of this work was to determine how well the small-animal imaging tools, small-animal MRI (microMRI) and small-animal X-ray computed tomography (microCT), can detect very early histological changes that occur immediately after induction of the disease. Arthritis was induced in rats by injecting complete Freund's adjuvant into the tail. Right hind paws of living rats were evaluated with 4.

Impaired lung homeostasis in neonatal mice exposed to cigarette smoke.

In infants, smoke exposure is associated with more respiratory illnesses and decreased lung function. We hypothesized that perinatal lung is particularly susceptible to the damaging effects of cigarette smoke (CS) and that exposure to CS during this period may alter expression of immune response genes and adversely affect lung growth. To test this, we exposed neonatal mice to 14 days of CS.

Genetic and pharmacologic evidence links oxidative stress to ventilator-induced lung injury in mice.

Rationale: Mechanical ventilation (MV) is an indispensable therapy for critically ill patients with acute lung injury and the adult respiratory distress syndrome. However, the mechanisms by which conventional MV induces lung injury remain unclear.

Objectives: We hypothesized that disruption of the gene encoding Nrf2, a transcription factor that regulates the induction of several antioxidant enzymes, enhances susceptibility to ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) and that antioxidant supplementation attenuates this effect.

Genetic dissection of the Nrf2-dependent redox signaling-regulated transcriptional programs of cell proliferation and cytoprotection.

The beta zipper (bZip) transcription factor, nuclear factor erythroid 2, like 2 (Nrf2), acting via an antioxidant/electrophile response element, regulates the expression of several antioxidant enzymes and maintains cellular redox homeostasis. Nrf2 deficiency diminishes pulmonary expression of several antioxidant enzymes, rendering them highly susceptible to various mouse models of prooxidant-induced lung injury. We recently demonstrated that Nrf2 deficiency impairs primary cultured pulmonary epithelial cell proliferation and greatly enhances sensitivity to prooxidant-induced cell death.

Preclinical evaluation of targeting the Nrf2 pathway by triterpenoids (CDDO-Im and CDDO-Me) for protection from LPS-induced inflammatory response and reactive oxygen species in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and neutrophils.

Sepsis is characterized by an inappropriate host immune-inflammatory response and sustained oxidative damage. Nrf2, a bZIP oxidant-responsive transcription factor, regulates a battery of cytoprotective genes including antioxidants and maintains cellular redox homeostasis. Mouse studies have demonstrated a critical role of Nrf2 in improving survival during sepsis.

Global expression profiles from C57BL/6J and DBA/2J mouse lungs to determine aging-related genes.

This study identified gene expression profiles that provided evidence for genomic mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of aging lung. Aging lungs from C57BL/6 (B6) and DBA/2 (D2) mouse strains differ in physiology and morphometry. Lungs were harvested from B6 mice at 2, 18, and 26 mo and from D2 mice at 2 and 18 mo of age.