Improvement of absorbability, osteoconductivity, and strength of a β-tricalcium phosphate spacer for opening wedge high tibial osteotomy: clinical evaluations with 106 patients.

Background: An ideal synthetic spacer for medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) has not yet been developed. The authors have developed a new β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) spacer with 60% porosity (N-CP60) by modifying the micro- and macro-pore structures of a conventional β-TCP spacer (CP60) that is widely used in clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to compare the absorbability, osteoconductivity, and in vivo strength of the N-CP60 spacer with those of the CP60 spacer, when used in MOWHTO.

Effect of Patient Age on Clinical and Radiological Outcomes After Medial Open-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy: A Comparative Study With 344 Knees.

Background: There exists some controversy regarding whether patient age is a predictive factor for outcomes after high tibial osteotomy (HTO).

Purpose/hypothesis: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether patient age affects clinical and radiological outcomes after medial open-wedge HTO (OWHTO) in a large population with a wider age range than previous studies. It was hypothesized that there would be no differences in outcomes when compared across age-groups.

High Rate of Radiographic Union at the Fibular Osteotomy Site With No Complications After an Acute Oblique Osteotomy and Ligation Procedure to Shorten the Fibula in High Tibial Osteotomy.

Background: A fibular shortening osteotomy is needed to perform lateral closing-wedge high tibial osteotomy (LCW-HTO). To achieve this shortening, we have recently developed an acute oblique osteotomy and ligation (AO/L) procedure for the center of the fibular shaft, based on the AO procedure.

Purpose: To compare the 2-year follow-up outcomes between the AO/L procedure and the AO procedure.

Implantation of autogenous meniscal fragments wrapped with a fascia sheath induces fibrocartilage regeneration in a large meniscal defect in sheep: A histological and biomechanical study.

Introduction: Currently, various studies have been reported to regenerate the meniscus tissue in a large defect after partial meniscectomy using biological or synthetic scaffolds with or without fibrochondrocytes. However, the clinical utility of those treatments has not been established as of yet.

Hypothesis: Purposes of this study were to develop a sheep model to evaluate feasibility of this new surgical strategy to treat the irreparable meniscus injury, and to test the hypothesis that implantation of autogenous meniscal fragments wrapped with a fascia sheath may significantly induce fibrocartilage regeneration in a large meniscal defect in the sheep model.

Extrusion of the medial meniscus is a potential predisposing factor for post-arthroscopy osteonecrosis of the knee.

Background: Post-arthroscopic osteonecrosis of the knee (PAONK) is a rare condition. No studies have analyzed the relationship between the meniscus extrusion and PAONK. The purpose of this retrospective study is to test a hypothesis that the degree of the medial meniscus (MM) extrusion might be significantly greater in the knees with PAONK than in the matched control knees both before and after the meniscectomy.

Changes in the Contact Stress Distribution Pattern of the Patellofemoral Joint After Medial Open-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy: An Evaluation Using Computed Tomography Osteoabsorptiometry.

Background: Medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) theoretically causes distalization and lateralization of the tibial tuberosity and the patella.

Purpose/hypothesis: The purpose of the study was to identify any changes in the stress distribution of subchondral bone density across the patellofemoral (PF) joint before and after OWHTO through the use of computed tomography (CT) osteoabsorptiometry. We hypothesized that OWHTO would alter the distribution of contact stress in the PF joint.

An Acute Oblique Osteotomy and Suture Ligation Procedure to Shorten the Fibula in Lateral Closing-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy.

The purpose of this description is to report an "acute oblique osteotomy and ligation" (AOOL) procedure to shorten the fibula in high tibial osteotomy (HTO). A 4-cm longitudinal skin incision is made at the lateral aspect of the leg. After the central portion of the fibula is circumferentially isolated from all the periosteal tissues, a simple osteotomy is performed at the mid-portion of the fibular diaphysis in the quasi-frontal plane, which is inclined by 25 to 30° to the long axis of the fibula.

Clinical Outcomes and Complications During and After Medial Open-Wedge High Tibial Osteotomy Using a Locking Plate: A 3- to 7-Year Follow-up Study.

Background: Outcomes and complications at mid- or long-term follow-up after medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) with the TomoFix locking plate have not been fully evaluated.

Purpose: To evaluate the complications and midterm clinical outcomes after MOWHTO using a TomoFix.

Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Impact of Surgical Timing on Clinical Outcomes in Anatomic Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Hamstring Tendon Autografts.

Background: To date, no studies have analyzed the influence on clinical outcomes of the interval between an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and double-bundle (DB) reconstruction with hamstring tendon autografts.

Hypotheses: (1) Performing ACL reconstruction sooner after an injury will reduce postoperative anterior and rotatory knee instability, (2) postoperative range of knee motion or functional results will not be affected by different intervals between injury and surgery, and (3) preoperative isokinetic peak torque of the quadriceps and hamstring muscles will be lower in patients undergoing surgery earlier, while postoperative muscle strength will not be affected by surgery timing.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Assessment of valgus laxity after release of the medial structure in medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy: an in vivo biomechanical study using quantitative valgus stress radiography.

Background: To perform medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO), surgeons expose the medial-proximal tibia by releasing or cutting the superficial layer of the medial collateral ligament (sMCL). Biomechanically, the sMCL provides primary restraint against valgus forces. Therefore, any release of the sMCL can cause valgus instability of the knee joint.

Effects of Remnant Tissue Preservation on Tunnel Enlargement After Anatomic Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using the Hamstring Tendon.

Background: The effects of remnant tissue preservation on tunnel enlargement after anatomic double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction have not yet been established.

Hypothesis: The preservation of ACL remnant tissue may significantly reduce the degree and incidence of tunnel enlargement after anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction, while the remnant-preserving procedure may not significantly increase the incidence of tunnel coalition after surgery.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Hamstring Tendon Hybrid Grafts in Patients Over 40 Years of Age: Comparisons Between Different Age Groups.

Background: Several recent studies have reported that favorable clinical results and a high level of patient satisfaction can generally be obtained with no increased risk of complications after single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction performed in patients >40 years of age. However, no studies have yet clarified the age-based differences in clinical outcomes after double-bundle reconstruction.

Purpose: To compare clinical outcomes after double-bundle ACL reconstruction using hamstring tendon hybrid grafts between patients in 2 different age groups: ≥40 years and <40 years.

Association of Oral Intake and Transient Mixed Venous Oxygen Desaturation in Patients Undergoing Fast-Track Postoperative Care After Open-Heart Surgery.

Objective: The impact of early resumption of oral intake after cardiac surgery on hemodynamics has not been characterized. The authors examined the effects of early oral intake on the oxygen supply-demand relationship in patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery in an early recovery after surgery program.

Design: Prospective data were collected in postcardiac surgical patients in a multidisciplinary intensive care unit (ICU) during an 18-month period.

Is the Grafted Tendon Shifted Anteriorly in the Femoral Tunnel at the Postremodeling Phase After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction? A Clinical MRI Study.

Background: Based on previous in vitro studies, it has been commonly believed that during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with hamstring tendon, the grafted tendon is shifted anteriorly in the tunnel permanently after the graft is anchored to the tunnel wall. However, this has not been proven by in vivo studies.

Hypothesis: At 1 year after anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction, the grafted tendons may not be shifted anteriorly in the femoral tunnel but anchored to the bony wall at the center of the tunnel.

Analysis of gene expression for microminipig liver transcriptomes using parallel long-read technology and short-read sequencing.

The microminipig is one of the smallest minipigs that has emerged as a possible experimental animal model, because it shares many anatomical and/or physiological similarities with humans, including the coronary artery distribution in the heart, the digestive physiology, the kidney size and its structure, and so on. However, information on gene expression profiles, including those on drug-metabolizing phase I and II enzymes, in the microminipig is limited. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify transcripts in microminipig livers and to determine gene expression profiles.

Effects of Remnant Tissue Preservation on the Tendon Graft in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Biomechanical and Histological Study.

Background: There is controversy regarding the efficacy of remnant tissue preservation on graft healing in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Hypothesis: The preserved remnant tissue will (1) adhere to the graft surface and undergo a remodeling process, (2) accelerate graft revascularization, (3) increase the number of graft mechanoreceptors by 4 weeks, and (4) improve anteroposterior knee laxity and structural properties of the graft by 12 weeks.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.

Effects of initial graft tension on clinical outcome after anatomic double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: comparison of two graft tension protocols.

Background: In anatomic double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, there are great controversies concerning the ideal graft tension protocols. The purpose of this study was to clarify differences in the effect of two graft tension protocols on the clinical outcome after anatomic double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction by comparing the minimum 2-year clinical results.

Methods: Ninety-seven patients with unilateral anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction were divided into two groups.

Identification of Akt1 as a potent therapeutic target for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Oncogene addiction can provide therapeutic opportunities in human malignancies. In this study, we aimed to identify critical oncogenes for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) development and progression. We determined gene expression profiles in 10 primary OSCCs and 10 human OSCC cell lines using Applied Biosystems Human Genome Survey Arrays.

Effects of Remnant Tissue Preservation on Clinical and Arthroscopic Results After Anatomic Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Background: Clinical utility of remnant tissue preservation after single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has not been established. In addition, no studies have evaluated the clinical utility of remnant preservation after anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction.

Hypothesis: The study hypotheses were as follows: (1) Subjective and functional clinical results may be comparable between anatomic double-bundle reconstructions that preserve the remnant tissue and those that resect the remnant tissue, (2) postoperative knee stability and the second-look arthroscopic evaluation may be significantly more favorable with the remnant-preserving reconstruction, and (3) the degree of the initial graft coverage may significantly affect postoperative knee stability.

Thin-layer chromatography/direct analysis in real time time-of-flight mass spectrometry and isotope dilution to analyze organophosphorus insecticides in fatty foods.

To assess food safety emergencies caused by highly hazardous chemical-tainted foods, simultaneous analysis of organophosphorus insecticides in fatty foods such as precooked foods was conducted using thin-layer chromatography/direct analysis in real time time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TLC/DART-TOFMS) and isotope dilution technique. Polar (methamidophos and acephate) and nonpolar organophosphorus insecticides (fenitrothion, diazinon, and EPN) were studied. Experiments to ascertain chromatographic patterns using TLC/DART-TOFMS reveal that it was more useful than GC/MS or GC/MS/MS for the simultaneous analyses of polar and nonpolar pesticides, while obviating the addition of a protective agent for tailing effects of polar pesticides.

Qualitative de novo analysis of full length cDNA and quantitative analysis of gene expression for common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) transcriptomes using parallel long-read technology and short-read sequencing.

The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is a non-human primate that could prove useful as human pharmacokinetic and biomedical research models. The cytochromes P450 (P450s) are a superfamily of enzymes that have critical roles in drug metabolism and disposition via monooxygenation of a broad range of xenobiotics; however, information on some marmoset P450s is currently limited. Therefore, identification and quantitative analysis of tissue-specific mRNA transcripts, including those of P450s and flavin-containing monooxygenases (FMO, another monooxygenase family), need to be carried out in detail before the marmoset can be used as an animal model in drug development.

Beta-tricalcium phosphate shows superior absorption rate and osteoconductivity compared to hydroxyapatite in open-wedge high tibial osteotomy.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to clinically and radiologically compare the utility, osteoconductivity, and absorbability of hydroxyapatite (HAp) and beta-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) spacers in medial open-wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO).

Methods: Thirty-eight patients underwent medial open-wedge HTO with a locking plate. In the first 19 knees, a HAp spacer was implanted in the opening space (HAp group).

Prospective clinical comparisons of semitendinosus versus semitendinosus and gracilis tendon autografts for anatomic double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Background: The data available from the previously reported clinical studies remains insufficient concerning the hamstring graft preparation in double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that there are no significant differences between the semitendinosus tendon alone and the semitendinosus and gracilis tendon graft fashioning techniques concerning knee stability and clinical outcome after anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction.

Methods: A prospective study was performed on 120 patients who underwent anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction according to the graft fashioning technique.

Tunnel Enlargement and Coalition After Anatomic Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Hamstring Tendon Autografts: A Computed Tomography Study.

Background: Tunnel enlargement and coalition following double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with hamstring tendon autografts has not yet been sufficiently studied.

Hypothesis: The incidence and the degree of femoral tunnel enlargement will be significantly greater than those for tibial tunnel enlargement after anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction using hamstring tendon autografts. There will be no significant correlation between tunnel enlargement and coalition and the postoperative knee laxity.