Autoinduction-Based Quantification of TGF-β Activity in Native and Engineered Cartilage.

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) is a potent growth factor that regulates the homeostasis of native cartilage and is administered as an anabolic supplement for engineered cartilage growth. The quantification of TGF-β activity in live tissues remains a significant challenge, as conventional activity assessments (e.g.

Load-to-strength ratio at the radius is higher in adolescent and young adult females with obesity compared to normal-weight controls.

Background: Among adolescents with extremity fractures, individuals with obesity have greater representation compared with individuals of normal-weight, despite having higher areal and volumetric bone mineral density (aBMD, vBMD) than their normal-weight counterparts. The relative increase in BMD in individuals with obesity may thus be insufficient to support the greater force generated upon falling. The load-to-strength ratio is a biomechanical approach for assessing the risk of fracture by comparing applied force to bone strength, with higher load-to-strength ratios indicating higher fracture risk.

Functional decline in patients with and without peripheral arterial disease: predictive value of annual changes in levels of C-reactive protein and D-dimer.

Background: Inflammation may be a potential mechanism of aging-related functional decline. We determined whether greater annual increases in levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and D-dimer predicted greater decline in functioning among persons with and without lower extremity peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

Methods: We prospectively studied 296 men and women with PAD and 191 without PAD.

D-dimer and inflammatory markers as predictors of functional decline in men and women with and without peripheral arterial disease.

Objectives: To determine whether higher circulating levels of inflammatory and thrombotic markers are associated with greater decline in lower extremity performance.

Design: Prospective cohort.

Setting: Academic medical center.