Interleukin-6 and Interleukin-8 Gene Expressions Differ Between Male and Female Patients at Time of Hip Arthroscopy for Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome.

Purpose: To identify key molecular components within the femoroacetabular impingement hip and compare the findings between male and female patients across varying age groups.

Methods: All patients undergoing hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) without hip dysplasia were included. During hip arthroscopy, performed at University of Wisconsin Health, loose articular cartilage, excess synovium, damaged labral tissue, and minimal adipose tissue were debrided only as needed for visualization and tissue repair purposes and collected.

Local delivery of TGF-β1-mRNA decreases fibrosis in osteochondral defects.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition that affects the quality of life of millions of patients worldwide. Current clinical treatments, in most cases, lead to cartilage repair with deposition of fibrocartilage tissue, which is mechanically inferior and not as durable as hyaline cartilage tissue. We designed an mRNA delivery strategy to enhance the natural healing potential of autologous bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) for articular cartilage repair.

Embracing Robotics in Microsurgery: Robotic-Assisted Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Breast Reconstruction.

The integration of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) has transformed various surgical disciplines, including more recently plastic surgery. While RAS has gained acceptance in multiple specialties, its integration in plastic surgery has been gradual, challenging traditional open methods. Robotic-assisted deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap breast reconstruction is a technique aimed at overcoming drawbacks associated with the traditional open DIEP flap approach.

β-catenin mRNA encapsulated in SM-102 lipid nanoparticles enhances bone formation in a murine tibia fracture repair model.

Fractures continue to be a global economic burden as there are currently no osteoanabolic drugs approved to accelerate fracture healing. In this study, we aimed to develop an osteoanabolic therapy which activates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, a molecular driver of endochondral ossification. We hypothesize that using an mRNA-based therapeutic encoding β-catenin could promote cartilage to bone transformation formation by activating the canonical Wnt signaling pathway in chondrocytes.

Granulomatosis With Polyangiitis (Wegener's Granulomatosis) Nasal Reconstruction: Improved Outcomes With No Delay.

Background: Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener's granulomatosis) causes progressive nasal collapse, nasal obstruction, and central face deformity. It is not known whether cartilaginous nasal reconstruction should be performed immediately or delayed until after disease "burnout."

Objectives: The aims of this research regarding nasal collapse due to Wegener's granulomatosis were to (1) assess the functional and aesthetic outcomes following immediate vs delayed nasal reconstruction; and (2) measure the impact of psychosocial well-being (anxiety, depression, social isolation) in immediate vs delayed nasal reconstruction.

Facial Feminization Surgery: Anatomical Differences, Preoperative Planning, Techniques, and Ethical Considerations.

Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS) is a transformative surgical approach aimed at aligning the facial features of transgender women with their gender identity. Through a systematic analysis, this paper explores the clinical differences between male and female facial skeletons along with the craniofacial techniques employed in FFS for each region. The preoperative planning stage is highlighted, emphasizing the importance of virtual planning and AI morphing as valuable tools to be used to achieve surgical precision.

Facial Feminization: Perioperative Care and Surgical Approaches.

Learning Objectives: After studying this article, the participant should be able to: 1. Understand the regional anatomy involved in facial feminization surgery, the key differences between the male and female face, and surgical approaches for modification. 2.

Optimized biomimetic minerals maintain activity of mRNA complexes after long term storage.

mRNA therapeutics can be readily designed, manufactured, and brought to scale, as demonstrated by widespread global vaccination against COVID-19. However, mRNA therapies require cold chain shipment and storage from manufacturing to administration, which may limit them to affluent communities. This problem could be addressed by mimicking the known ability of mineralized fossils to durably stabilize nucleic acids under extreme conditions.

Ethical Issues Surrounding Facial Feminization Surgery: Five Major Considerations.

Facial feminization surgery (FFS) is a form of gender-affirming care for the transgender population that is currently a highly debated topic both inside and outside of the medical community. Currently, a paucity of information is available in plastic surgery literature on ethical issues surrounding FFS. In this paper, we discuss 5 major ethical considerations for plastic surgeons with regard to FFS: (1) how society's changing view of gender has impacted the importance of FFS; (2) whether FFS is medically necessary and should be covered by insurance; (3) to what extent resources should be invested in removing barriers to access FFS; (4) how patient selection criteria should address the irreversibility of the procedure and age of consent; and (5) how femininity and beauty standards contribute to each other and whether they can be disentangled.

Magnetic and Biocompatible Polyurethane Nanofiber Biomaterial for Tissue Engineering.

Recruitment of endothelial cells to cardiovascular device surfaces could solve issues of thrombosis, neointimal hyperplasia, and restenosis. Since current targeting strategies are often nonspecific, new technologies to allow for site-specific cell localization and capture are needed. The development of cytocompatible superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles has allowed for the use of magnetism for cell targeting.

Li-Fraumeni Syndrome-Associated Dimer-Forming Mutant p53 Promotes Transactivation-Independent Mitochondrial Cell Death.

Unlabelled: Cancer-relevant mutations in the oligomerization domain (OD) of the p53 tumor suppressor protein, unlike those in the DNA binding domain, have not been well elucidated. Here, we characterized the germline OD mutant p53(A347D), which occurs in cancer-prone Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS) patients. Unlike wild-type p53, mutant p53(A347D) cannot form tetramers and exists as a hyperstable dimeric protein.

Periostin modulates extracellular matrix behavior in tendons.

Periostin, originally named osteoblast-specific factor 2 (OSF-2) has been identified primarily in collagen rich, biomechanically active tissues where its role has been implicated in mechanisms to maintain the extracellular matrix (ECM), including collagen fibrillogenesis and crosslinking. It is well documented that periostin plays a role in wound healing and scar formation after injury, in part, by promoting cell proliferation, myofibroblast differentiation, and/or collagen fibrillogenesis. Given the significance of periostin in other scar forming models, we hypothesized that periostin will influence Achilles tendon healing by modulating ECM production.

Heart recovery from a brain-dead donor with a history of Ravitch procedure for repair of pectus excavatum.

Background: We describe the successful heart transplantation of a brain-dead male donor with a remote history of pectus excavatum repair.

Method And Results: On computed tomography, the ascending aorta was in close proximity to metallic struts from the donor's sternal repair. Before harvesting the heart, visual and digital inspections revealed minimal space between the sternum and ascending aorta, complicated by severe adhesions in the lower sternum.

A Localized Materials-Based Strategy to Non-Virally Deliver Chondroitinase ABC mRNA Improves Hindlimb Function in a Rat Spinal Cord Injury Model.

Spinal cord injury often results in devastating consequences for those afflicted, with very few therapeutic options. A central element of spinal cord injuries is astrogliosis, which forms a glial scar that inhibits neuronal regeneration post-injury. Chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) is an enzyme capable of degrading chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan (CSPG), the predominant extracellular matrix component of the glial scar.

Coverage of genetic therapies for spinal muscular atrophy across fee-for-service Medicaid programs.

Genetic therapies are a promising treatment for children born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA); however, their high price tags can evoke coverage restrictions. To assess variation in coverage guidelines across fee-for-service state Medicaid programs for 2 novel genetic therapies, nusinersen and onasemnogene abeparvovec, that treat SMA. We also assessed the association of these coverage guidelines with use of the 2 genetic therapies.

Oxidative Stress and the Intersection of Oncogenic Signaling and Metabolism in Squamous Cell Carcinomas.

Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) arise from both stratified squamous and non-squamous epithelium of diverse anatomical sites and collectively represent one of the most frequent solid tumors, accounting for more than one million cancer deaths annually. Despite this prevalence, SCC patients have not fully benefited from recent advances in molecularly targeted therapy or immunotherapy. Rather, decades old platinum-based or radiation regimens retaining limited specificity to the unique characteristics of SCC remain first-line treatment options.

At-Home Testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

During the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital provided HIV prevention patients with gonorrhea/chlamydia testing kits at home. This report describes the program implementation to provide other sexual health clinics with a roadmap in adapting to a "new normal" in providing comprehensive sexual health care virtually to patients.

Position-Dependent Effect of Guanine Base Damage and Mutations on Telomeric G-Quadruplex and Telomerase Extension.

Telomeres are hot spots for mutagenic oxidative and methylation base damage due to their high guanine content. We used single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer detection and biochemical assays to determine how different positions and types of guanine damage and mutations alter telomeric G-quadruplex structure and telomerase activity. We compared 15 modifications, including 8-oxoguanine (8oxoG), -6-methylguanine (O6mG), and all three possible point mutations (G to A, T, and C) at the 3' three terminal guanine positions of a telomeric G-quadruplex, which is the critical access point for telomerase.

p63 and SOX2 Dictate Glucose Reliance and Metabolic Vulnerabilities in Squamous Cell Carcinomas.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), a malignancy arising across multiple anatomical sites, is responsible for significant cancer mortality due to insufficient therapeutic options. Here, we identify exceptional glucose reliance among SCCs dictated by hyperactive GLUT1-mediated glucose influx. Mechanistically, squamous lineage transcription factors p63 and SOX2 transactivate the intronic enhancer cluster of SLC2A1.

In Silico Performance of a Recellularized Tissue-Engineered Transcatheter Aortic Valve.

Commercially available heart valves have many limitations, such as a lack of remodeling, risk of calcification, and thromboembolic problems. Many state-of-the-art tissue-engineered heart valves (TEHV) rely on recellularization to allow remodeling and transition to mechanical behavior of native tissues. Current in vitro testing is insufficient in characterizing a soon-to-be living valve due to this change in mechanical response; thus, it is imperative to understand the performance of an in situ valve.

Cardiac Valve Bioreactor for Physiological Conditioning and Hydrodynamic Performance Assessment.

Purpose: Tissue engineered heart valves (TEHV) are being investigated to address the limitations of currently available valve prostheses. In order to advance a wide variety of TEHV approaches, the goal of this study was to develop a cardiac valve bioreactor system capable of conditioning living valves with a range of hydrodynamic conditions as well as capable of assessing hydrodynamic performance to ISO 5840 standards.

Methods: A bioreactor system was designed based on the Windkessel approach.

Biomaterial characterization of off-the-shelf decellularized porcine pericardial tissue for use in prosthetic valvular applications.

Fixed pericardial tissue is commonly used for commercially available xenograft valve implants, and has proven durability, but lacks the capability to remodel and grow. Decellularized porcine pericardial tissue has the promise to outperform fixed tissue and remodel, but the decellularization process has been shown to damage the collagen structure and reduce mechanical integrity of the tissue. Therefore, a comparison of uniaxial tensile properties was performed on decellularized, decellularized-sterilized, fixed, and native porcine pericardial tissue versus native valve leaflet cusps.