Capsular stem cell function and tissue composition are associated with symptoms and radiographic severity in people with knee osteoarthritis.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is associated with lost range of motion in the affected joint(s). Evidence suggests that this may be due to increased activity of posterior capsule fibroblasts, cells in turn derived from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs).

Objectives: To test the hypotheses that (1) MSCs are more numerous in the posterior capsule of patients with knee flexion contracture (FC) and (2) in OA participants with knee FC, the MSC population in the posterior capsule differentiates toward a fibrotic phenotype.

Spatiotemporal expression and control of haemoglobin in space.

It is now widely recognised that the environment in space activates a diverse set of genes involved in regulating fundamental cellular pathways. This includes the activation of genes associated with blood homoeostasis and erythropoiesis, with a particular emphasis on those involved in globin chain production. Haemoglobin biology provides an intriguing model for studying space omics, as it has been extensively explored at multiple -omic levels, spanning DNA, RNA, and protein analyses, in both experimental and clinical contexts.

The Space Omics and Medical Atlas (SOMA) and international astronaut biobank.

Spaceflight induces molecular, cellular and physiological shifts in astronauts and poses myriad biomedical challenges to the human body, which are becoming increasingly relevant as more humans venture into space. Yet current frameworks for aerospace medicine are nascent and lag far behind advancements in precision medicine on Earth, underscoring the need for rapid development of space medicine databases, tools and protocols. Here we present the Space Omics and Medical Atlas (SOMA), an integrated data and sample repository for clinical, cellular and multi-omic research profiles from a diverse range of missions, including the NASA Twins Study, JAXA CFE study, SpaceX Inspiration4 crew, Axiom and Polaris.

Transcriptomic evidence of erythropoietic adaptation from the International Space Station and from an Earth-based space analog.

Space anemia affects astronauts and the underlying molecular alterations remain unknown. We evaluated the response of erythropoiesis-modulating genes to spaceflight through the analysis of leukocyte transcriptomes from astronauts during long-duration spaceflight and from an Earth model of microgravity. Differential expression analysis identified 50 genes encoding ribosomal proteins with reduced expression at the transition to bed rest and increased during the bed rest phase; a similar trend was observed in astronauts.

Protecting the regenerative environment: selecting the optimal delivery vehicle for cartilage repair-a narrative review.

Focal cartilage defects are common in youth and older adults, cause significant morbidity and constitute a major risk factor for developing osteoarthritis (OA). OA is the most common musculoskeletal (MSK) disease worldwide, resulting in pain, stiffness, loss of function, and is currently irreversible. Research into the optimal regenerative approach and methods in the setting of either focal cartilage defects and/or OA holds to the ideal of resolving both diseases.

Association of Knee Osteoarthritis and Flexion Contracture With Localized Tibial Articular Cartilage Loss: Data From the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

Objective: To evaluate whether a knee flexion contracture (FC) was associated with localized tibial articular cartilage loss over a 1-year period using Osteoarthritis Initiative quantitative data.

Methods: Five hundred seventy-eight participants from a previously established nested case-control study of people with radiographic knee OA with or without progression, based on radiographs and symptoms, had their knee range of extension measured at baseline and received magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline and 1 year. The tibial articular cartilage of the medial and lateral condyles was segmented into anterior, center, and posterior regions.

The ups and downs of bone-marrow adipose tissue in space.

Knowledge is rapidly accumulating on basic roles and modulation of bone-marrow adipose tissue (BMAT). Among key modulators are physical forces on bones as exerted by gravity and exercise. Studying humans returning from space has revealed that, in addition to physical forces, local energetics within the bone marrow can play modulatory roles.

Evidence- and data-driven classification of low back pain via artificial intelligence: Protocol of the PREDICT-LBP study.

In patients presenting with low back pain (LBP), once specific causes are excluded (fracture, infection, inflammatory arthritis, cancer, cauda equina and radiculopathy) many clinicians pose a diagnosis of non-specific LBP. Accordingly, current management of non-specific LBP is generic. There is a need for a classification of non-specific LBP that is both data- and evidence-based assessing multi-dimensional pain-related factors in a large sample size.

Towards data-driven biopsychosocial classification of non-specific chronic low back pain: a pilot study.

The classification of non-specific chronic low back pain (CLBP) according to multidimensional data could guide clinical management; yet recent systematic reviews show this has not been attempted. This was a prospective cross-sectional study of participants with CLBP (n = 21) and age-, sex- and height-matched pain-free controls (n = 21). Nervous system, lumbar spinal tissue and psychosocial factors were collected.

Bone marrow adiposity modulation after long duration spaceflight in astronauts.

Space travel requires metabolic adaptations from multiple systems. While vital to bone and blood production, human bone marrow adipose (BMA) tissue modulation in space is unknown. Here we show significant downregulation of the lumbar vertebrae BMA in 14 astronauts, 41 days after landing from six months' missions on the International Space Station.

The transcriptome response of astronaut leukocytes to long missions aboard the International Space Station reveals immune modulation.

Introduction: Spaceflight leads to the deconditioning of multiple body systems including the immune system. We sought to characterize the molecular response involved by capturing changes in leukocyte transcriptomes from astronauts transitioning to and from long-duration spaceflight.

Methods: Fourteen male and female astronauts with ~6-month- long missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS) had 10 blood samples collected throughout the three phases of the study: one pre-flight (PF), four in-flight (IF) while onboard the ISS, and five upon return to Earth (R).

Carbon monoxide as a clinical marker of hemolysis.

Carbon monoxide (CO)-based tests have precisely measured hemolysis for over 40 years. End-tidal CO was the primary marker in clinical hematology research, followed by carboxyhemoglobin. Quantification of CO reflects heme oxygenases degrading heme in a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio, making CO a direct marker of hemolysis.

Asymmetric Flexion Contracture is Associated With Leg Length Inequality in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis: Data From the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

Objective: To evaluate whether knee flexion contracture (FC) was associated with leg length inequality (LLI) and/or morbidity in knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Design: We accessed 2 databases: (1) the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) cohort, including participants with, or at-risk of OA, and (2) the Ottawa Knee Osteoarthritis cross-sectional database (OKOA), including participants with primary advanced knee OA. Both included demographics, radiographic data, knee range of motion, leg length, pain, and function scales.

The Characteristic Response of the Human Leukocyte Transcriptome to 60 Days of Bed Rest and to Reambulation.

Introduction: We sought to isolate the microgravity effect of spaceflight from other space stressors by characterizing the leukocytes' transcriptome of participants to a 60-d bed rest study; an Earth model of microgravity.

Methods: Twenty healthy men received a nutritional supplement or not and 10 blood samples were collected throughout three study phases: baseline data collection (BDC) (BDC-12, BDC-11), head-down tilt (HDT) bed rest (HDT1, HDT2, HDT30, HDT60), and reambulation (R1, R2, R12, R30). We measured gene expression through RNA sequencing of leukocytes, applied generalized linear models to assess differential expression followed by enrichment analysis to identify temporal changes (model 1) and to measure the impact of a nutritional supplement (model 2).

Baseline knee extension may be associated with volumetric cartilage loss in the anterolateral tibia: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

Objectives: Animal studies suggest regional unloading of the knee due to flexion contracture (FC) results in cartilage loss in the anterior tibia. We looked for an association between the range of knee extension and articular cartilage thickness in the tibia of patients with knee OA, using quantitative MRI data from the OA Initiative.

Methods: Baseline knee extension was measured using a goniometer.

Enhancing COVID Rehabilitation with Technology (ECORT): protocol for an open-label, single-site randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of electronic case management for individuals with persistent COVID-19 symptoms.

Background: As of May 2022, Ontario has seen more than 1.3 million cases of COVID-19. While the majority of individuals will recover from infection within 4 weeks, a significant subset experience persistent and often debilitating symptoms, known as "post-COVID syndrome" or "Long COVID.

The Hunt Is On! In Pursuit of the Ideal Stem Cell Population for Cartilage Regeneration.

Cartilage injury and degeneration are hallmarks of osteoarthritis (OA), the most common joint disease. OA is a major contributor to pain, loss of function, and reduced quality of life. Over the last decade, considerable research efforts have focused on cell-based therapies, including several stem cell-derived approaches to reverse the cartilage alterations associated with OA.

Exercise may impact on lumbar vertebrae marrow adipose tissue: Randomised controlled trial.

Background: Animal and human cross-sectional data suggest that bone marrow adipose tissue (MAT) may respond to mechanical loads and exercise. We conducted the first randomised controlled trial of exercise on MAT modulations in humans.

Methods: Forty patients with chronic non-specific low back pain (NSCLBP) were enrolled in a six-month single-blinded randomised controlled trial (ACTRN12615001270505).

Hemolysis contributes to anemia during long-duration space flight.

Anemia in astronauts has been noted since the first space missions, but the mechanisms contributing to anemia in space flight have remained unclear. Here, we show that space flight is associated with persistently increased levels of products of hemoglobin degradation, carbon monoxide in alveolar air and iron in serum, in 14 astronauts throughout their 6-month missions onboard the International Space Station. One year after landing, erythrocytic effects persisted, including increased levels of hemolysis, reticulocytosis and hemoglobin.

Flexion contracture is associated with knee joint degeneration on magnetic resonance imaging: data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative.

Objectives: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is often accompanied by a flexion contracture (FC), resulting in worse clinical outcomes. Our objective was to determine associations between knee FC and specific regional and/or structural alterations on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI).

Methods: 600 knees from the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health sub-study of the OAI were included.

Quantitative analysis of repaired rabbit supraspinatus tendons (± channeling) using magnetic resonance imaging at 7 Tesla.

Background: The quantitative assessment of supraspinatus tendons by conventional magnetic resonance is limited by low contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners operating at 7 Tesla offer high signal-to noise ratio (SNR), low CNR and high spatial resolution that are well-suited for rapidly relaxing tissues like tendons. Few studies have applied T2 and T2* mapping to musculoskeletal imaging and to the rotator cuff tendons.

Rotator cuff anchor repair: Histological changes associated with the recovering mechanical properties in a rabbit model.

Rotator cuff anchor repair is an increasingly common surgical procedure but the failure rate remains high. In order to improve surgical outcomes, a better understanding of postrepair histological and cellular responses at the tendon-bone attachment site (enthesis) is needed. We examined operated shoulders from 42 New Zealand female white rabbits.

Six degrees head-down tilt bed rest caused low-grade hemolysis: a prospective randomized clinical trial.

This study aimed to measure hemolysis before, during and after 60 days of the ground-based spaceflight analog bed rest and the effect of a nutritional intervention through a prospective randomized clinical trial. Twenty male participants were hospitalized for 88 days comprised of 14 days of ambulatory baseline, 60 days of 6° head-down tilt bed rest and 14 days of reambulation. Ten participants each received a control diet or daily polyphenol associated with omega-3, vitamin E, and selenium supplements.