Anterior cruciate ligament constructs fabricated from human mesenchymal stem cells in a collagen type I hydrogel.

Background: Disruptions of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of the knee joint are common and are currently treated using ligament or tendon grafts. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that it is possible to fabricate an ACL construct in vitro using mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) in combination with an optimized collagen type I hydrogel, which is in clinical use for autologous chondrocyte transplantation (ACT).

Methods: ACL constructs were molded using a collagen type I hydrogel containing 5 x 10(5) MSC/mL and non-demineralized bone cylinders at each end of the constructs.

A cost-effectiveness analysis of stress ulcer prophylaxis.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and cost of using cimetidine, famotidine, and lansoprazole for stress ulcer prophylaxis (SUP) at our institution and determine which agent was most cost-effective.

Methods: An observational study of adults admitted to the medical, surgical, or cardiovascular intensive care unit was conducted to compare the cost and effectiveness of cimetidine, famotidine, and lansoprazole for SUP. Patients were identified for inclusion during three 2-week periods in 2000.