The Profiles of Non-stationarity and Non-linearity in the Time Series of Resting-State Brain Networks.

The linearity and stationarity of fMRI time series need to be understood due to their important roles in the choice of approach for brain network analysis. In this paper, we investigated the stationarity and linearity of resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) time-series data from the Midnight Scan Club datasets. The degree of stationarity (DS) and the degree of non-linearity (DN) were, respectively, estimated for the time series of all gray matter voxels.

A role for the retinoblastoma protein as a regulator of mouse osteoblast cell adhesion: implications for osteogenesis and osteosarcoma formation.

The retinoblastoma protein (pRb) is a cell cycle regulator inactivated in most human cancers. Loss of pRb function results from mutations in the gene coding for pRb or for any of its upstream regulators. Although pRb is predominantly known as a cell cycle repressor, our data point to additional pRb functions in cell adhesion.

Effects of disruption of epiphyseal vasculature on the proximal femoral growth plate.

Background: Proximal femoral growth disturbance is a major complication associated with ischemic osteonecrotic conditions, such as Legg-Calvè-Perthes disease. The extent of ischemic damage and the mechanisms by which ischemic injury to the growing femoral head produces growth disturbance of the proximal femoral growth plate remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of disruption of the epiphyseal vasculature on the morphology and function of the proximal femoral growth plate in a porcine model.

Hypoxia and HIF-1alpha expression in the epiphyseal cartilage following ischemic injury to the immature femoral head.

Unlabelled: HIF-1alpha has been shown to be a central mediator of cellular response to hypoxia. The role it plays after ischemic injury to the immature femoral head is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the region of the femoral head affected by hypoxia following ischemic injury to the immature femoral head and to determine the site of HIF-1alpha activation and revascularization.

Ischaemic injury to femoral head induces apoptotic and oncotic cell death.

Aims: The mechanism of cell death in ischaemic osteonecrosis of the femoral head is not clear. Therefore, this study was designed to clarify the mode of cell death following ischaemic osteonecrosis of the femoral head in an established pig model.

Methods: Morphological assessment, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labelling (TUNEL) assay, detection of DNA laddering and transmission electron microscopy studies were performed to determine whether apoptosis is one of the pathways of cell death following ischaemic osteonecrosis of the femoral head.

Retention, distribution, and effects of intraosseously administered ibandronate in the infarcted femoral head.

Unlabelled: The local distribution, retention, and effects of intraosseous administration of ibandronate in the infarcted femoral heads were studied. Intraosseous administration effectively delivered and distributed ibandronate in the infarcted femoral heads and decreased the femoral head deformity in a large animal model of Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.

Introduction: Bisphosphonate therapy has gained significant attention for the treatment of ischemic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (IOFH) because of its ability to inhibit osteoclastic bone resorption, which has been shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of femoral head deformity.

Local bioavailability and distribution of systemically (parenterally) administered ibandronate in the infarcted femoral head.

Recent studies show that bisphosphonates can decrease the development of femoral head deformity following ischemic osteonecrosis by inhibiting osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. Given the potential new indication, improved understanding of pharmacokinetics of bisphosphonates as it applies to the infarcted head would be beneficial. The purpose of this study was to investigate the local bioavailability and the distribution of ibandronate in the infarcted head at the avascular and vascular phases of the disease process.

Ibandronate for prevention of femoral head deformity after ischemic necrosis of the capital femoral epiphysis in immature pigs.

Background: Femoral head deformity is the most serious sequela of ischemic necrosis of the immature femoral head. The purpose of this study was to determine if a highly potent antiresorptive agent, ibandronate, can inhibit bone resorption during the repair of the infarcted femoral head and thus alter the repair process. We hypothesized that preservation of the trabecular framework by inhibiting osteoclastic bone resorption would minimize the development of deformity in a piglet model of ischemic necrosis.

Increased VEGF expression in the epiphyseal cartilage after ischemic necrosis of the capital femoral epiphysis.

Unlabelled: Ischemic injury to the immature femoral head produces epiphyseal cartilage damage and cessation of endochondral ossification. This study suggests that VEGF facilitates the repair of the necrotic epiphyseal cartilage, which is essential for restoration of endochondral ossification and re-establishment of the growth of the immature femoral head after ischemic necrosis.

Introduction: Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (LCPD) is a childhood form of osteonecrosis that produces growth arrest of the secondary center of ossification.