Degraded RNA from Human Anterior Cruciate Ligaments Yields Valid Gene Expression Profiles.

Correlating gene expression patterns with biomechanical properties of connective tissues provides insights into the molecular processes underlying the tissue growth and repair. Cadaveric specimens such as human knees are widely considered suitable for biomechanical studies, but their usefulness for gene expression experiments is potentially limited by the unavoidable, nuclease-mediated degradation of RNA. Here, we tested whether valid gene expression profiles can be obtained using degraded RNA from human anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs).

Influence of a platelet concentrate on prosthetic bone ingrowth in a rabbit model.

Recent studies have shown that an increase in bone ingrowth by addition of osteogenic growth factors can reduce micro motion and gross implant motion and contribute to joint implant stability through osseointegration. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has the potential to provide growth factors that may be conducive to osteointegration at the bone-implant interface. This study analyzed the influence of PRP on bone ingrowth upon a beaded metal implant in distal femurs of 22 rabbits.

Osteochondral autograft transplantation in the porcine knee.

Background: Knee articular cartilage defects are not an uncommon problem. Because articular cartilage is limited in its ability to heal, these defects are difficult to manage.

Hypothesis: Osteochondral autografts will provide less of a cavitary defect and more viable hyaline articular cartilage than will control knees.

Case reports: malignant transformation of aneurysmal bone cysts.

An aneurysmal bone cyst is an uncommon benign primary bone tumor. Careful intralesional curettage through a wide cortical window in addition to cauterization with or without adjuvant therapy (phenol or hydrogen peroxide) and bone grafting or cementation is the preferred surgical treatment. Adjuvant or primary radiation of an aneurysmal bone cyst rarely is used because of its association with malignant transformation of the lesion.