Costal cartilage autografts to simulated degenerative intervertebral discs in the rat.

Study Design: An autograft of costal cartilage was transplanted into the rat intervertebral space in the proximal tail following 2 weeks of simulated degeneration by chondroitinase ABC (CABC).

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate costal cartilage transplantation into a degenerated disc as a possible therapy.

Summary Of Background Data: Reversal of degenerative disc dehydration is an attractive goal.

The effect of levodopa or levodopa-carbidopa (sinemet) on fracture healing.

Objectives: Levodopa (L-dopa) and L-dopa/carbidopa were evaluated to determine their effectiveness in the stimulation of bone healing of fractures at risk for nonunions.

Methods: Forty-two retired breeder female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 2 experimental groups and 1 control. Thirty-six rats were evaluated for results.

Proinflammatory and Th1 cytokine alterations following ultraviolet radiation enhancement of disease due to influenza infection in mice.

Exposure of rodents to immunosuppressive agents such as ozone, dioxin, or ultraviolet radiation (UVR) leads to increased morbidity and mortality following influenza virus infection. However, these adverse effects are not related to the suppression of virus-specific immune responses. Our laboratory showed that UVR increased the morbidity, mortality, and pathogenesis of influenza virus without affecting protective immunity to the virus, as measured by resistance to reinfection, suggesting that UVR and other immunosuppressive pollutants such as dioxin and ozone may exacerbate early responses that contribute to the pathogenesis of a primary viral infection.