PEDF peptide plus hyaluronic acid stimulates cartilage regeneration in osteoarthritis via STAT3-mediated chondrogenesis.

Aims: Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is known to induce several types of tissue regeneration by activating tissue-specific stem cells. Here, we investigated the therapeutic potential of PEDF 29-mer peptide in the damaged articular cartilage (AC) in rat osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) were isolated from rat bone marrow (BM) and used to evaluate the impact of 29-mer on chondrogenic differentiation of BM-MSCs in culture.

Fracture Characteristics of Commercial PEEK Dental Crowns: Combining the Effects of Aging Time and TiO Content.

Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) is an emerging thermoplastic polymer with good mechanical properties and an elastic modulus similar to that of alveolar bone. PEEK dental prostheses for computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems on the market often have additives of titanium dioxide (TiO) to strengthen their mechanical properties. However, the effects of combining aging, simulating a long-term intraoral environment, and TiO content on the fracture characteristics of PEEK dental prostheses have rarely been investigated.

Outcomes after arthroscopic treatment for scaphoid nonunion using ipsilateral radius bone graft and a headless compression screw: a comparison between the patients with and without avascular necrosis.

Purpose: To determine whether avascular necrosis can affect clinical outcomes or the union incidence after arthroscopic bone grafting for the treatment of scaphoid nonunion.

Methods: This retrospective comparative study included thirty-four patients with scaphoid nonunion that underwent arthroscopic bone graft from the ipsilateral radius and internal fixation. The patients were divided into two cohorts (group A, with avascular necrosis, n = 15; group B, without avascular necrosis, n = 19) based on pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging findings.

Biomechanical characteristics of self-expanding sinus stents during crimping and deployment_A comparison between different biomaterials.

Self-expanding sinus stents are often used in functional endoscopic sinus surgery to treat inflamed sinuses. The PROPEL self-expanding sinus stent offers mechanical support to the sinus cavity to prevent restenosis. The stent is made of a bioabsorbable material (PLGA) that disappears after wound healing.

Effect of cutting flute design features on primary stability of immediate implant placement and restoration: a dynamic experimental analysis.

Self-tapping implants with self-cutting flutes may influence primary stability, especially for the immediate implant placement and restoration protocol in which implants are affixed to the bone in the apical portion. Screw geometry differs between brands, and the effect of apical design on its clinical outcomes remains unclear. This study is aimed at investigating the influence of cutting flute shape (spiral, straight, and without flute) on primary stability by using a dynamic experimental test.

Catastrophic failure of a titanium locking plate in a proximal humeral fracture: case report and literature review.

Background: Angular stable locking plates have shown good clinical results in treating proximal humeral fractures, but complications are not uncommon. This study reported a rare case of catastrophic failure of a titanium locking plate. A retrieval analysis of the implants was performed using an optic microscope and a scanning electron microscope.

The potential role of herbal extract Wedelolactone for treating particle-induced osteolysis: an in vivo study.

Background: Osteolysis is one of the most prevalent clinical complications affecting people who undergo total joint replacement (TJR). Wedelolactone (WDL) is a coumestan compound derived from the Wedelia chinensis plant and has been demonstrated to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the oral administration of WDL as a potential treatment for particle-induced osteolysis using a well-established mice calvarial disease model.

Evaluation of graphene-derived bone scaffold exposure to the calvarial bone_ and studies.

Graphene is a novel material which has recently been gaining great interest in the biomedical fields. Our previous study observed that graphene-derived particles help induce bone formation in a murine calvarial model. Here, we further developed a blended graphene-contained polycaprolactone (PCL/G) filament for application in a 3D-printed bone scaffold.

Influences of screw design features on initial stability in immediate implant placement and restoration.

Background: Self-tapping screws have been extensively used for dental implants. Their biomechanical behavior is highly associated with their clinical success, particularly for screws used for immediate implant placement and restoration, because occlusal forces can directly affect the loading transfer at the bone-implant interface after implantation. The effect of implant design on the initial stability of self-tapping screws remains unclear.

Enhanced expression of coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor in lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory macrophages is through TRIF-dependent innate immunity pathway.

Aims: Inflammatory macrophages have been proposed as a therapeutic target for joint disorders caused by inflammation. This study aimed to investigate the expression and regulation of coxsackievirus-adenovirus receptor (CAR) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated inflammatory macrophages whereby to evaluate the feasibility of virus-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (VDEPT).

Main Methods: Macrophage cell lines (RAW264.

Effect of material selection on tibial post stresses in posterior-stabilized knee prosthesis.

Aims: The material and design of knee components can have a considerable effect on the contact characteristics of the tibial post. This study aimed to analyze the stress distribution on the tibial post when using different grades of polyethylene for the tibial inserts. In addition, the contact properties of fixed-bearing and mobile-bearing inserts were evaluated.

Gender differences in femoral trochlea morphology.

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the morphology of the anterior femoral condyle using a quantitative three-dimensional reconstruction method. The morphological data were compared between genders.

Methods: Computed tomography scans of femurs were taken from 90 healthy subjects and then reconstructed in 3D modeling software.

In vitro and in vivo Biological Responses to Graphene and Graphene Oxide: A Murine Calvarial Animal Study.

Background: Graphene and its derivatives have recently gained popularity in the biomedical field. Previous studies have confirmed that both the mechanical strength and wear resistance of graphene-containing polyethylene have been greatly improved. Therefore, it is being considered as an alternative for artificial joint replacement liners.

Abutment screw withdrawal after conical abutment settlement: A pilot study.

Objective: This study investigated the effects of abutment screw withdrawal after conical abutment settlement on the stability of the implant-abutment connection.

Materials And Methods: Twenty implants of a conical connection system were used. Two two-piece abutment designs were used: cone only (n = 10; NI) and cone plus octagonal index design (n = 10; I); for each design, five samples were used with (S) and without (NS) abutment screw withdrawal before a cyclic test.

PEDF-derived peptide promotes tendon regeneration through its mitogenic effect on tendon stem/progenitor cells.

Background: Tendon stem/progenitor cells (TSPC) exhibit a low proliferative response to heal tendon injury, leading to limited regeneration outcomes. Exogenous growth factors that activate TSPC proliferation have emerged as a promising approach for treatment. Here, we evaluated the pigment epithelial-derived factor (PEDF)-derived short peptide (PSP; 29-mer) for treating acute tendon injury and to determine the timing and anatomical features of CD146- and necleostemin-positive TSPC in the tendon healing process.

Mechanical performance of conical implant-abutment connections under different cyclic loading conditions.

Objectives: Conical implant-abutment connections are popular for its anti-bending performance; on the other hand, the torsional and axial forces also play important roles in occlusion. However, so far there were scarce studies on their effects on connection stability. Therefore, this study seeks to investigate the mechanical performance of conical connections under different cyclic loading conditions.

Elastoplastic behavior of highly cross-linked and vitamin E-stabilized polyethylene - A biomechanical study.

Background: Vitamin E-stabilized cross-linked polyethylene has been touted to alleviate the negative effects of oxidation. Although it has demonstrated significant improvements in wear resistance, bio-tribology, and oxidative resistance, little is known about the effect of antioxidants and dosage of cross-linking on the mechanical strength. This study aimed to evaluate the mechanical properties of these novel materials, which are commonly used in orthopedic implants.

Arthroscopic partial trapeziectomy and tendon interposition for thumb carpometacarpal arthritis.

Background: The purpose of this study was to introduce arthroscopic partial trapeziectomy and tendon interposition for the treatment of symptomatic thumb carpometacarpal arthritis of Eaton stage II or III.

Methods: From August 2001 to April 2009, 23 patients with thumb carpometacarpal arthritis were treated using this technique. Pain score, range of motion, and pinch strength were clinically evaluated and compared with the preoperative values after a minimum follow-up duration of 24 months.

Half-peroneus-longus-tendon graft augmentation for unqualified hamstring tendon graft of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Background: In some situations, harvested hamstring tendon grafts are not qualified for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. This study aimed to present a reinforcing method with additional half peroneus longus tendon (half-PLT) graft augmentation.

Methods: Eight cases underwent ACL reconstruction with unqualified hamstring tendon grafts (diameter <7 mm) and were salvaged by additional half-PLT graft augmentation.