An Experimental Study on Repeated Brief Ischemia in Promoting Sciatic Nerve Repair and Regeneration in Rats.

Background: Research has shown that ischemic preconditioning reduced the severity of ischemia-reperfusion injury in brain in rats, we have a hypothesis that repeated brief ischemia has positive effects on peripheral nerve damage. This study was conducted to investigate the potential protective effects of repeated brief ischemia on peripheral nerve regeneration using a rat model of experimental sciatic nerve transection injury.

Methods: Treatment groups (groups A-D) received repeated, brief ischemia every 1 day/2 days/3 days/7 days.

Increased Synovial Fluid YKL-40 Levels are Linked with Symptomatic Severity in Knee Osteoarthritis Patients.

Background: Elevated serum and synovial fluid (SF) YKL-40 levels have been detected in knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients. The current study was focused on the correlation between YKL-40 levels in serum or SF and symptomatic severity in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Methods: 144 patients with knee OA and 151 healthy individuals were recruited into this study.