GDF-5/7 and bFGF activate integrin alpha2-mediated cellular migration in rabbit ligament fibroblasts.

Cellular activities responding to growth factors are important in ligament healing. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) has poor healing potential compared to the medial collateral ligament (MCL). To assess the differences, we investigated the proliferation, migration, adhesion, and matrix synthesis responding to growth factors in rabbit ACL and MCL fibroblasts.

Disease-specific screening for deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism using plasma D-dimer values after total knee arthroplasty.

We prospectively evaluated the disease-specific features of the early postoperative plasma D: -dimer value and the relationship with deep venous thrombosis and/or pulmonary thromboembolism (DVT/PE) in 95 patients following total knee arthroplasty. Patients in whom DVT/PE was highly suspected were diagnosed by high-resolution multi-detector row computed tomography scanning (MDCT). Forty-nine knees in 46 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA, 24 knees) or osteoarthritis (OA, 25 knees) were finally recruited.

Influence of coronary artery disease risk factors on baroreflex sensitivity in the elderly.

In this study, we assessed whether baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) is influenced by risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Subjects of this study were 95 elderly people (40 males and 55 females; mean age +/- SD, 66.6+/-1.

Effect of plasma lipoproteins on natural killer cell activity in the elderly population.

Background: Natural killer (NK) cells possess spontaneous cytotoxicity against tumors and virus-infected cells to play a major role in immunosurveillance and defense against the development of cancer, as well as bacterial and viral infections. The role of plasma lipoproteins in atherogenesis is well recognized, but the physiological relevance of their immunoregulatory properties is still questioned. In particular, it is unknown whether hypercholesterolemia should be considered a risk factor for diminished immunity in old age.