Arthroscopic treatment of septic arthritis of the ankle joint caused by streptococcus in patients with chronic inflammatory diseases: two case reports.

This report describes the arthroscopic treatment of septic arthritis of the ankle joint in two patients with inflammatory diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and nail psoriasis. We treated both the ankle joints with antibiotic administration and urgent arthroscopic synovectomy and irrigation, although the procedure was performed several days (4 and 6 days) after the time at which the infection would have occurred. Fortunately, no recurrence has been seen for more than 18 and 20 months, respectively, after surgery, without antibiotic administration.

Flatfoot Surgery for Flexible Progressive Collapsing Foot Deformity With Inflammatory Joint Diseases: A Report of 3 Cases.

Case: Three cases of inflammatory joint diseases (systemic lupus erythematosus and ongoing juvenile idiopathic arthritis) with painful flexible progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD) underwent flatfoot surgery. All cases maintained sufficient radiological correction and achieved good clinical condition at final follow-up.

Conclusion: Although the prospect for recurrence of the deformity is not clear, even in inflammatory joint diseases, flat foot surgery such as flexor digitorum longs transfer, spring ligament reconstruction, and lateral column lengthening could have a possibility to be indicated against PCFD, as long as disease activity could be well suppressed by drug therapy, subsequently subtalar and talonavicular joints could be preserved.

Cyclic compressive loading induces a mature meniscal cell phenotype in mesenchymal stem cells with an atelocollagen-based scaffold.

Biomechanical stimulation is reportedly pivotal in meniscal regeneration, although its effect on mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) meniscal differentiation remains elusive. In this study, we investigated how cyclic compressive loading (CCL) could impact MSCs using three-dimensional cultures in atelocollagen-based meniscal substitute (ACMS). We extracted MSCs from the meniscus, synovium, and articular cartilage, cultured them in three-dimensional cultures, and exposed them to CCL for 7 days.

Stabilizing effect of total ankle arthroplasty by distal translation and lateralization of talus in varus ankle deformity.

Background: In end-stage arthritis indicated for total ankle arthroplasty (TAA), full-thickness cartilage damage, subchondral bone defect/shaving, and fluttering of the talar dome occur, shortening the distance between the tibial and talar insertions of ligaments and leading to laxity of ligaments surrounding the ankle joint. Under such conditions, medial ligaments (including the deltoid ligament) would not be expected to function properly. To stabilize the ankle joint during the stance phase, medial ligament function under tension is important.

Iguratimod suppresses sclerostin and receptor activator of NF-κB ligand production via the extracellular signal-regulated kinase/early growth response protein 1/tumor necrosis factor alpha pathway in osteocytes and ameliorates disuse osteoporosis in mice.

Disuse osteoporosis is a prevalent complication among patients afflicted with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Although reports have shown that the antirheumatic drug iguratimod (IGU) ameliorates osteoporosis in RA patients, details regarding its effects on osteocytes remain unclear. The current study examined the effects of IGU on osteocytes using a mouse model of disuse-induced osteoporosis, the pathology of which crucially involves osteocytes.

Reverse V-shaped osteotomy for ankylosing rocker-bottom foot deformity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A report of three cases.

This study evaluated a reverse V-shaped osteotomy for ankylosing rocker-bottom foot deformity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Three feet were presented in this study: rheumatoid rocker-bottom deformities with painful and/or infectious bony prominence towards the bottom of the foot, treated with a reverse V-shaped osteotomy in the mid-hindfoot. In all three cases, significant correction was achieved with restoration of the medial longitudinal arch, and improvement in clinical scores was confirmed.

Anti-NF-κB peptide derived from nuclear acidic protein attenuates ovariectomy-induced osteoporosis in mice.

NF-κB is a transcription factor that is activated with aging. It plays a key role in the development of osteoporosis by promoting osteoclast differentiation and inhibiting osteoblast differentiation. In this study, we developed a small anti-NF-κB peptide called 6A-8R from a nuclear acidic protein (also known as macromolecular translocation inhibitor II, Zn2+-binding protein, or parathymosin) that inhibits transcriptional activity of NF-κB without altering its nuclear translocation and binding to DNA.

Basic fibroblast growth factor promotes meniscus regeneration through the cultivation of synovial mesenchymal stem cells via the CXCL6-CXCR2 pathway.

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in promoting meniscus regeneration by cultivating synovial mesenchymal stem cells (SMSCs) and to validate the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: Human SMSCs were collected from patients with osteoarthritis. Eight-week-old nude rats underwent hemi-meniscectomy, and SMSCs in pellet form, either with or without bFGF (1.

Effects of prior osteoporosis treatment on the treatment response of romosozumab followed by denosumab in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Unlabelled: In patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis, prior osteoporosis treatment affected the bone mineral density increase of following treatment with 12 months of romosozumab, although it did not affect that of following treatment with 12 months of denosumab after romosozumab.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of prior osteoporosis treatment on the response to treatment with romosozumab (ROMO) followed by denosumab (DMAb) in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Methods: In this prospective, observational, multicenter study, treatment-naïve patients (Naïve; n = 55) or patients previously treated with bisphosphonates (BP; n = 37), DMAb (DMAb; n = 45) or teriparatide (TPTD; n = 17) (mean age, 74.

Effects of prior osteoporosis treatment on 12-month treatment response of romosozumab in patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of prior treatment and determine the predictors of a 12-month treatment response of romosozumab (ROMO) in 148 patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Methods: In this prospective, observational, and multicenter study, treatment naïve patients (Naïve; n=50) or patients previously treated with bisphosphonates (BP; n=37) or denosumab (DMAb; n=45) or teriparatide (TPTD; n=16) (mean age, 75.0 years; T-scores of the lumbar spine [LS] -3.

Effects of iguratimod on glucocorticoid-induced disorder of bone metabolism in vitro.

Introduction: Glucocorticoids are widely used to treat various diseases including rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, one of the most frequent and severe adverse effects is glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP). Iguratimod (IGU) is a novel conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug developed in Japan. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of IGU on glucocorticoid-induced disorder of bone metabolism in vitro.

Promoting Effect of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor in Synovial Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Cartilage Regeneration.

Synovial mesenchymal stem cell (SMSC) is the promising cell source of cartilage regeneration but has several issues to overcome such as limited cell proliferation and heterogeneity of cartilage regeneration ability. Previous reports demonstrated that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) can promote proliferation and cartilage differentiation potential of MSCs in vitro, although no reports show its beneficial effect in vivo. The purpose of this study is to investigate the promoting effect of bFGF on cartilage regeneration using human SMSC in vivo.

Combined effect of teriparatide and an anti-RANKL monoclonal antibody on bone defect regeneration in mice with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of single or combination therapy of teriparatide (TPTD) and a monoclonal antibody against the murine receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (anti-RANKL Ab) on cancellous and cortical bone regeneration in a mouse model of glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP).

Methods: C57BL/6 J mice (24 weeks of age) were divided into five groups: (1) the SHAM group: sham operation + saline; (2) the prednisolone (PSL) group: PSL + saline; (3) the TPTD group: PSL + TPTD; (4) the Ab group: PSL + anti-RANKL Ab; and (5) the COMB group: PSL + TPTD + anti-RANKL Ab (n = 8 per group). With the exception of the SHAM group, 7.

Discovery of a new sialic acid binding region that regulates Siglec-7.

Siglec-7 is a human CD33-like siglec, and is localised predominantly on human natural killer (NK) cells and monocytes. Siglec-7 is considered to function as an immunoreceptor in a sialic acid-dependent manner. However, the underlying mechanisms linking sialic acid-binding and function remain unknown.

Impact of combining medial capsule interposition with modified scarf osteotomy for hallux valgus.

To clarify the effect of combining medial capsule interposition with modified scarf osteotomy for hallux valgus. A multicenter, retrospective study included 64 cases [59 osteoarthritis patients (excluding rheumatoid arthritis); age 68.8 years, range 40-93 years] of modified scarf osteotomy which were performed from 2013 to 2017 and followed for 26.

The add-on effectiveness and safety of iguratimod in patients with rheumatoid arthritis who showed an inadequate response to tocilizumab.

To evaluate the effectiveness of add-on iguratimod (IGU) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) who showed an inadequate response to tocilizumab (TCZ), especially patients who were intolerant of an effective dose of methotrexate (MTX). Thirty-one patients with RA (22 women, age 62.4 years, disease duration 13.

Medaka and zebrafish contactin1 mutants as a model for understanding neural circuits for motor coordination.

A spontaneous medaka ro mutant shows abnormal wobbling and rolling swimming behaviors. By positional cloning, we mapped the ro locus to a region containing the gene encoding Contactin1b (Cntn1b), which is an immunoglobulin (Ig)-superfamily domain-containing membrane-anchored protein. The ro mutant had a deletion in the cntn1b gene that introduced a premature stop codon.

Safety and long-term effect of the probiotic FK-23 in patients with hepatitis C virus infection.

A clinical trial was conducted on 39 adult HCV-positive subjects to determine the safety and long-term effect of the probiotic FK-23 (heat-treated Enterococcus faecalis strain FK-23). Asymptomatic anti-HCV positive adults who fulfilled the selection criteria and gave voluntary consent were recruited from attendees of the Hepatitis Carrier Clinic, Department of Medical Research (Lower Myanmar). Each subject was given 2,700 mg of FK-23 per day by oral route.

Discovery, primary, and crystal structures and capacitation-related properties of a prostate-derived heparin-binding protein WGA16 from boar sperm.

Mammalian sperm acquire fertility through a functional maturation process called capacitation, where sperm membrane molecules are drastically remodeled. In this study, we found that a wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)-reactive protein on lipid rafts, named WGA16, is removed from the sperm surface on capacitation. WGA16 is a prostate-derived seminal plasma protein that has never been reported and is deposited on the sperm surface in the male reproductive tract.

[Home parenteral nutrition for patients with gastrointestinal malignancy--consideration of adequate timing for the introduction, with emphasis on the mental aspects of patients and family members].

Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is a useful method for the management of patients with gastrointestinal malignancy in that it enables them to resume their life at home even when they have become incapable of oral food ingestion. The appropriate time to start HPN may vary according to the background of the patients. Through an audit of 15 patients in whom HPN was initiated at Ward 7 West, and an analysis of a few representative cases, an assessment was made regarding the appropriate timing for the initiation of HPN.

Does amniotomy influence the prognosis of babies in cases with severe chorioamnionitis? Report of a twin pregnancy with varying outcome.

We report our experience in a woman with a twin pregnancy. The patient suffered severe Escherichia coli chorioamnionitis and the outcomes were different between the two babies after birth. The first baby had only a mild infection, but the second suffered sepsis and subsequent perinatal death.