A New Graphic Type Differentiation of Cell Account Determination for Distinguishing Acute Periprosthetic Joint Infection from Hemarthrosis.

Aims: This study evaluates the value of a new graphic representation of cell count data of synovial fluid in the diagnosis of acute periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). Methods: A total of 75 patients with revisions of 48 primary total knee and 27 hip arthroplasties within the first six weeks after surgery were analyzed with cultivation of the synovial fluid and determination of its cell count as well as microbiological and histological analyses of the periprosthetic tissue obtained during the revision surgery using the ICM classification. The synovial fluid was additionally analyzed for graphic representation of the measured cells using LMNE-matrices.

The Graphical Representation of Cell Count Representation: A New Procedure for the Diagnosis of Periprosthetic Joint Infections.

Aim: This study was designed to answer the question whether a graphical representation increase the diagnostic value of automated leucocyte counting of the synovial fluid in the diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infections (PJI).

Material And Methods: Synovial aspirates from 322 patients (162 women, 160 men) with revisions of 192 total knee and 130 hip arthroplasties were analysed with microbiological cultivation, determination of cell counts and assay of the biomarker alpha-defensin (170 cases). In addition, microbiological and histological analysis of the periprosthetic tissue obtained during the revision surgery was carried out using the ICM classification and the histological classification of Morawietz and Krenn.

Late-onset Cytomegalovirus Infection Associated With Gastric Outlet Obstruction in a Preterm Twin.

The infant was born at a gestational age of 28 + 2 weeks as second twin to a 26-year-old woman, G1/P0, due to eclampsia. The patient developed well and was on full oral feeds when he started to develop nonbilious vomiting at 5 weeks. He was diagnosed with pyloric hypertrophy and underwent pylorotomy, but the condition did not improve and the patient was referred to our hospital.

Pancreatic carcinoma cells colonizing the liver modulate the expression of their extracellular matrix genes.

Liver is the main target of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) metastasis. Here, a rat model was used for analysing gene expression modulations during liver colonization. ASML PDAC cells were injected to isogenic rats and re-isolated at various stages of liver colonization for RNA isolation or re-cultivation.

IDK1 is a rat monoclonal antibody against hypoglycosylated bone sialoprotein with application as biomarker and therapeutic agent in breast cancer skeletal metastasis.

Changes in glycosylation are salient features of cancer cells. Here, we report on the diagnostic and therapeutic properties of IDK1, an antibody against tumour associated, hypoglycosylated bone sialoprotein (hypo-BSP). The affinity of the rat monoclonal antibody IDK1 for hypo-BSP, as determined by microscale thermophoresis, was three orders of magnitude higher than for mature BSP, whereas the mouse monoclonal antibody used had similar affinity for both BSP forms.

Giant congenital melanocytic nevus with vascular malformation and epidermal cysts associated with a somatic activating mutation in BRAF.

Giant congenital melanocytic nevi may be symptomatically isolated or syndromic. Associations with capillary malformations are exceptional, and development of epidermal cysts has not been described. A 71-year-old patient with a giant congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN) of the lower back, buttocks, and thighs was asymptomatic except for unexpected hemorrhage during partial surgical excision years before.

High diagnostic value of synovial biopsy in periprosthetic joint infection of the hip.

Background: The role of the synovial biopsy in the preoperative diagnosis of a periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) of the hip has not been clearly defined.

Questions/purposes: We asked whether the value of a biopsy for a PJI is greater than that of aspiration and C-reactive protein (CRP).

Methods: Before revision in 100 hip endoprostheses, we obtained CRP values, aspirated the joint, and obtained five synovial biopsy samples for bacteriologic analysis and five for histologic analysis.

Revitalization of cortical bone allograft by application of vascularized scaffolds seeded with osteogenic induced adipose tissue derived stem cells in a rabbit model.

Background: Adipogenous tissue derived stem cells (ASC) are available in abundance in the human body and can differentiate in the presence of lineage-specific induction factors, for example, in myogenic, adipogenic, chondrogenic and osteogenic cells. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of osteogenic induced ASC's (O-ASC) on revascularization and cellular repopulation of avital cortical bone employing a vascularized bovine scaffold.

Methods: An inguinal arterio-venous bundle was dissected in the groin of female white New Zealand rabbits (n = 6) and placed centrally inside an O-ASC seeded scaffold via a central drill hole.

Paclitaxel-induced arterial wall toxicity and inflammation: tissue uptake in various dose densities in a minipig model.

Purpose: Paclitaxel is an antiproliferative agent in drug-eluting stents with largely unknown tissue interaction. Toxicity might result from overdosage and/or accumulation. Part 1 of this two-step study investigated how paclitaxel uptake depends on dose density, coronary drug transfer kinetics, and elution efficacy.

Paclitaxel-induced arterial wall toxicity and inflammation: part 2--long-term tissue response in a minipig model.

Purpose: In part 1 of the present study, the authors demonstrated that coronary paclitaxel uptake from drug eluting stents (DESs) was not dependent on exposure time and dose. In this second part, the effect of the different paclitaxel dose densities on long-term biologic behavior was evaluated.

Materials And Methods: In 40 minipigs, (with 4- and 12-week follow-up), identical stents with the same three paclitaxel dose densities as in part 1 were implanted in the right coronary artery.

Arterial distribution characteristics of Embozene particles and comparison with other spherical embolic agents in the porcine acute embolization model.

Purpose: To determine the arterial distribution pattern of the embolic agent Embozene within the porcine kidney and compare it with those of other spherical embolic agents.

Materials And Methods: Embozene, Embosphere, Bead Block, and Contour SE in size classes of 100-300 microm, 500-700 microm, and 700-900 microm and Embozene and Embosphere in the size class of 40-120 microm were used for total arterial occlusion in minipig kidneys. Organs were evaluated microscopically regarding vascular distribution of the different embolic agents and particle sizes.

Protein p0071, an armadillo plaque protein of adherens junctions, is predominantly expressed in distal renal tubules.

Protein p0071 is a member of the p120-subfamily of armadillo proteins and is well known as a junctional plaque component involved in cell-cell adhesion, especially in adherens junctions. By systematic immunohistochemical analysis of mouse and human kidney tissues, p0071 was prominently detected in distinct kidney tubules. Upon double-labeling immunolocalization experiments with segment-specific markers, p0071 was predominantly localized in distal straight and convoluted tubules and to a lesser extent in proximal tubules, in the ascending thin limb of loop of Henle and in the collecting ducts.

Circulating fibronectin affects bone matrix, whereas osteoblast fibronectin modulates osteoblast function.

The bone matrix is composed mostly of collagen, but the initial and continuous presence of fibronectin was found to be crucial for collagen matrix integrity in vitro. It has been assumed that osteoblasts produce the fibronectin required for bone matrix formation. Using transgenic mice, we conditionally deleted fibronectin in the osteoblasts and in the liver using the cre-loxP system.

Immunohistochemical characterization of specific inflammatory tissue reactions following embolization with four different spherical agents in the minipig kidney model.

Purpose: To evaluate the immunohistochemical inflammatory reaction after porcine renal embolization with the new spherical embolic agent Embozene and to compare it with other spherical embolic agents.

Materials And Methods: After superselective porcine renal embolization (40 pigs) with different sizes of embolic agents (Embozene, Embosphere, Bead Block, Contour SE), tissue arrays were obtained (size ranges, 40-120 microm, 100-300 microm, 500-700 microm, 700-900 microm). After immunostaining for CD subtyping (CD45 and CD68) and cytokines (C-reactive protein [CRP] and interleukin-1 beta), a semiquantitative immunoreactivity score was calculated for each marker: intensity of staining was scored between 0 (negative) and 3 (intensive) and extent of staining between 0 and 4 (>80%), indicating the percentage of positive staining.

Comparison of a microporous thermoplastic polyurethane-covered stent with a self-expanding bare nitinol stent in a porcine iliac artery model.

Purpose: To compare outcomes with a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)-covered self-expanding nitinol stent-graft (TPU graft) with those of a bare self-expanding nitinol stent in a porcine model.

Materials And Methods: Fourteen TPU grafts and 14 commercially available bare nitinol stents were implanted, one each, in the iliac arteries of 14 minipigs. Follow-up was performed at 1 week (six animals), 4 weeks (four animals), and 12 weeks (four animals).

Experimental liver embolization with four different spherical embolic materials: impact on inflammatory tissue and foreign body reaction.

We sought to describe and compare material specific inflammatory and foreign body reactions after porcine liver embolization with spherical embolic agents. In 40 animals, superselective liver embolization was performed with four different spherical embolic agents of various sizes: 40-120 microm (Embozene, Embosphere), and 100-300 microm, 500-700 microm, and 700-900 microm (Embozene, Embosphere, Bead Block, and Contour SE, respectively). After 4 or 12 weeks, inflammatory reactions were evaluated microscopically according to the Banff 97 classification.

Prolonged bacterial culture to identify late periprosthetic joint infection: a promising strategy.

Background: The value of microbiological culture to diagnose late periprosthetic infection is limited, especially because standard methods may fail to detect biofilm-forming sessile or other fastidious bacteria. There is no agreement on the appropriate cultivation period, although this period is a crucial factor. This study was designed to assess the duration of culture that is necessary for reliable detection.

Comparative analysis of the microstructure of the hamstring tendons: an electron microscopic, histologic, and morphologic study.

Semitendinosus and gracilis tendons taken from 25 cadaveric knees were investigated using light and electron microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and morphometry. Thickness of the collagen fibrils, fibril/interstitium ratio, density of blood vessels, density of fibroblasts, and distribution of the collagen fibrils (types I, III, and V collagen and elastic fibers) were analyzed. It was hypothesized that the difference in biomechanical stability between the gracilis and semitendinosus tendons could be reflected by different morphologic features.

Comparative and morphological analysis of commonly used autografts for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with the native ACL: an electron, microscopic and morphologic study.

Ligaments and tendons are similar in composition but differ in proportion and arrangement. Tendons are being used as grafts for the ACL reconstruction. Their microscopic structure has not been sufficiently studied and compared to the native ACL.

Lethality in an anti-angiogenic tumor gene therapy model upon constitutive but not inducible expression of the soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1.

Background: Neoangiogenesis is essential for tumor growth. The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that vector-mediated expression of sflt1 at high levels would result in the blockade of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) function and therefore the inhibition of tumor growth.

Methods: To sequester VEGF, we tested, in a subcutaneous LLC tumor model, 'gutless' high-capacity adenovirus vectors expressing the soluble VEGF receptor 1 (sflt1) in a liver-specific manner, either in a constitutive or in a RU486 induced manner.

Reduction of late in-stent stenosis in a porcine coronary artery model by cobalt chromium stents with a nanocoat of polyphosphazene (Polyzene-F).

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of nanoscale coating with the highly biocompatible polymer Polyzene-F (PZF), in combination with cobalt chromium and stainless steel stents, to reduce in-stent stenosis, thrombogenicity, and vessel wall injury and inflammation. One bare cobalt chromium, PZF-nanocoated stainless steel or PZF-nanocoated cobalt chromium stent was implanted in right coronary artery of 30 mini-pigs (4- or 12-week follow-up). Primary study end points were in-stent stenosis and thrombogenicity.

Differential expression pattern of protein ARVCF in nephron segments of human and mouse kidney.

The protein ARVCF is a member of the p120 subfamily of armadillo proteins whose members have been described to occur in junction-bound and non-junction-bound forms. Studies on ARVCF were constrained because the endogenous protein was difficult to detect with the available reagents. We have generated novel monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies usable for biochemical and localization studies.

Degenerative changes of the interface membrane as a possible reason for prosthesis loosening.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to perform a comparative evaluation of septic and aseptic interface membranes, assessing histological features, inflammatory infiltrate, and expression of inflammatory cytokines.

Methods: Septic and aseptic interface membranes from 102 patients were examined by histology, histochemistry, and immunohistochemistry (tissue arrays). The cell subpopulations were characterized by quantification of CD3, CD4, CD8, CD20, and CD163 positive cells.