IL-4 Signaling Promotes Myoblast Differentiation and Fusion by Enhancing the Expression of MyoD, Myogenin, and Myomerger.

Myoblast fusion is essential for skeletal muscle development, growth, and regeneration. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying myoblast fusion and differentiation are not fully understood. Previously, we reported that interleukin-4 (IL-4) promotes myoblast fusion; therefore, we hypothesized that IL-4 signaling might regulate the expression of the molecules involved in myoblast fusion.

The effects of vertical trunk supportability improvement on one-leg rebound jump efficiency.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of vertical trunk supportability improvement on activities. The study participants were 36 people. Trunk function and physical performance were evaluated using the following tests: trunk righting test (TRT), maximal isometric knee extensor strength test, side hop test, triple hop distance test, stabilometry of one-leg standing, and one-leg rebound jump.

In vitro characterization of primary osteoblasts on titanium surfaces processed with wire-type electric discharge machining.

The fixation of titanium implants in bone tissue is affected by the presence of a passive titanium oxide (TiO) layer. Specifically, oxidation products in the amorphous TiO matrix enhance the mechanical properties of mineralized tissues. In addition, in vitro mineralization mediated by primary osteoblasts on amorphous TiO generates stiff tissues in a process that resembles pathological mechanisms connected with tumors and proceeds through hydrogen peroxide-inducible clone-5 (Hic-5) expression.

Robotic arm-assisted posterior-stabilised total knee arthroplasty reduces the amount of tibial bone resection thickness without increasing the rate of postoperative flexion contracture in varus knees in the short term: Comparison with image-free navigated total knee arthroplasty.

Background: This study aimed to compare the bone resection thickness, rate of minimal thickness insert usage, and postoperative range of motion (ROM) between robotic and navigated total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods: Fifty consecutive posterior-stabilised (PS) robotic TKA and 50 case-controlled PS navigated TKA were enroled. Bone resection thickness, rate of minimal thickness insert usage, and postoperative flexion contracture over 5° were statistically compared.

Multiscale physics of rotating detonation waves: Autosolitons and modulational instabilities.

Proposed is a phenomenological modeling framework that is capable of reproducing the diverse experimental observations of the nonlinear, combustion wave propagation in a rotating detonation engine (RDE), specifically the nucleation and formation of combustion pulses, the soliton-like interactions between these combustion fronts, and the fundamental, underlying Hopf bifurcation to time-periodic modulation of the waves. In this framework, the mode-locked structures are classified as autosolitons or stably propagating nonlinear waves where the local physics of nonlinearity, gain, and dissipation exactly balance. We find that the global dominant balance physics in the RDE combustion chamber are dissipative and multiscale in nature: The fast combustion physics provide the energy input to form the fundamental mode-locked autosoliton state, while the slow physics of exhaust and propellant recovery shape the waveform and dictate the number of autosolitons.

Transcription factor signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) is an inhibitory factor for adult myogenesis.

Background: The signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) transcription factor plays a vitally important role in immune cells, where it is activated mainly by interleukin-4 (IL-4). Because IL-4 is an essential cytokine for myotube formation, STAT6 might also be involved in myogenesis as part of IL-4 signaling. This study was conducted to elucidate the role of STAT6 in adult myogenesis in vitro and in vivo.

Early postoperative clinical recovery of robotic arm-assisted vs. image-based navigated Total hip Arthroplasty.

Background: This study compared the early clinical recovery of total hip arthroplasty (THA) using computer navigation systems (nTHA) and robotic arm-assisted THA (rTHA).

Methods: Thirty prospective subjects who underwent rTHA were clinically compared to 30 subjects who underwent nTHA. Clinical data (surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, pain severity, number of days to independent walking, and Harris Hip Score (HHS) at discharge), and radiographic parameters (inclination and anteversion angles) were statistically compared between the two groups.

A Cell-free Biodegradable Synthetic Artificial Ligament for the Reconstruction of Anterior Cruciate Ligament in a Rat Model.

Traditional Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction is commonly performed using an allograft or autograft and possesses limitations such as donor site morbidity, decreased range of motion, and potential infection. However, a biodegradable synthetic graft could greatly assist in the prevention of such restrictions after ACL reconstruction. In this study, artificial grafts were generated using "wet" and "dry" electrospinning processes with a biodegradable elastomer, poly (ester urethane) urea (PEUU), and were evaluated in vitro and in vivo in a rat model.

Ketogenic diet feeding improves aerobic metabolism property in extensor digitorum longus muscle of sedentary male rats.

Recent studies of the ketogenic diet, an extremely high-fat diet with extremely low carbohydrates, suggest that it changes the energy metabolism properties of skeletal muscle. However, ketogenic diet effects on muscle metabolic characteristics are diverse and sometimes countervailing. Furthermore, ketogenic diet effects on skeletal muscle performance are unknown.

Patient-Reported and Quantitative Outcomes of Anatomic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With Hamstring Tendon Autografts.

Background: The pivot-shift test has become more consistent and reliable and is a meaningful outcome measurement after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

Purpose/hypothesis: The purpose of this investigation was to assess patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and the quantitative pivot shift (QPS) preoperatively, at time zero immediately after anatomic ACLR, and after 24 months as well as the relationship between PROs and the QPS. It was hypothesized that anatomic ACLR would restore rotatory stability measured by the pivot-shift test and that QPS measurements would be positively correlated with PROs.

Mid-flexion stability in the anteroposterior plane is achieved with a medial congruent insert in cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty for varus osteoarthritis.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the intraoperative kinematics, especially for mid-flexion femorotibial anteroposterior (AP) stability, between newly developed medial congruent (MC) inserts and cruciate-retaining (CR) inserts in navigated cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty (CR-TKA).

Methods: Thirty consecutive patients with varus osteoarthritis undergoing CR-TKA using an image-free navigation system were enrolled. AP kinematics, the AP translation under manual maximum stress to the knee joint at 45° flexion, rotational kinematics, and varus-valgus laxity were evaluated using a navigation system and statistically compared between the MC and CR inserts.

Mode-locked rotating detonation waves: Experiments and a model equation.

Direct observation of a rotating detonation engine combustion chamber has enabled the extraction of the kinematics of its detonation waves. These records exhibit a rich set of instabilities and bifurcations arising from the interaction of coherent wave fronts and global gain dynamics. We develop a model of the observed dynamics by recasting the Majda detonation analog as an autowave process.

Age-related decrease in muscle satellite cells is accompanied with diminished expression of early growth response 3 in mice.

Skeletal muscle regeneration is mostly dependent on muscle satellite cells. Proper muscle regeneration requires enough number of satellite cells. Recent studies have suggested that the number of satellite cells in skeletal muscle declines as we age, leading to the impairment of muscle regeneration in older population.

Intraoperative posterior movement of the tibia at 90° of flexion predicts worse postoperative flexion angles in cruciate-substituting total knee arthroplasty.

Purpose: To investigate the correlation between intraoperative tibiofemoral anteroposterior changes at 90° of flexion and postoperative maximum flexion angles in navigated cruciate-substituting TKA. The hypothesis of this study was that intraoperative tibiofemoral anteroposterior changes at 90° of flexion indirectly reflect posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) function and associate with postoperative maximum flexion angles.

Methods: Fifty-five consecutive patients with varus osteoarthritis treated with primary TKA were retrospectively analysed.

Rapamycin Rescues Age-Related Changes in Muscle-Derived Stem/Progenitor Cells from Progeroid Mice.

Aging-related loss of adult stem cell function contributes to impaired tissue regeneration. Mice deficient in zinc metalloproteinase STE24 ( ) exhibit premature age-related musculoskeletal pathologies similar to those observed in children with Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome (HGPS). We have reported that muscle-derived stem/progenitor cells (MDSPCs) isolated from mice are defective in their proliferation and differentiation capabilities in culture and during tissue regeneration.

A vertical load applied towards the trunk unilaterally increases the bilateral abdominal muscle activities.

[Purpose] It is considered that evaluation of the vertical trunk function is important, because humans stand and move with two legs. To evaluate this, a novel method named Trunk Righting Test has been reported. The purpose of this study was to examine the trunk muscle activity during a TRT using electromyogram analysis.

Serum and nutrient deprivation increase autophagic flux in intervertebral disc annulus fibrosus cells: an in vitro experimental study.

Purpose: The loss of nutrient supply is a suspected contributor of intervertebral disc degeneration. However, the extent to which low nutrition affects disc annulus fibrosus (AF) cells is unknown as nutrient deprivation has mainly been investigated in disc nucleus pulposus cells. Hence, an experimental study was designed to clarify the effects of limited nutrients on disc AF cell fate, including autophagy, the process by which cells recycle their own damaged components.

Analysis of anterior tibial subluxation to the femur at maximum extension in anterior cruciate ligament-deficient knees.

Purpose: The factors affecting anterior tibial subluxation (ATS) have not yet been well examined. To assess the factors affecting ATS in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-deficient knees.

Methods: One hundred twenty-four patients with unilateral ACL injuries were included.

Anatomic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Hamstring Tendons Restores Quantitative Pivot Shift.

Background: It is still uncertain how surgical reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is able to restore rotatory laxity of the involved joint. The desired amount of restraint applied by the ACL graft, as compared with the healthy knee, has not been fully clarified.

Purpose: To quantify the ability of single-bundle anatomic ACL reconstruction using hamstring tendons in reducing the pivot-shift phenomenon immediately after surgery under anesthesia.

A prospective randomized comparative study to determine appropriate edoxaban administration period, to prevent deep vein thromboembolism in patients with total knee arthroplasty.

Background: This study aimed to determine the appropriate administration duration of edoxaban 15 mg (a factor Xa inhibitor) for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) after total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods: Our study comprised 202 patients who underwent TKA (excluding bilateral TKA) at our institution between 2014 and 2015. The subjects received edoxaban 15 mg daily for 1 (n = 93) or 2 (n = 109) weeks; group assignment was random.

Comparison of Coronal Prosthetic Alignment After Total Knee Arthroplasty Using 3 Computer-Assisted Navigation Systems.

Recent advances in surgical tools such as navigation systems have contributed to accurate implantation in total knee arthroplasty. Although several navigation systems have been developed, reports regarding which navigation system has better accuracy are few. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the accuracy of postoperative coronal alignment among 3 navigation systems.

A cell culture device equipped with a micro-needle electrode array fabricated using backside exposure mold and resin casting.

A cell culture device equipped with a micro-needle electrode array was fabricated for the signal analysis of cell spheroids, cell masses, and cell sheets. For the analysis, sharp needle electrodes with a high aspect ratio for facilitating easy penetration into the cell mass and a small pitch for fine spatial resolution were required. Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology is one of the common solutions for the fabrication of devices.

Posterior Reference Position Affects Intraoperative Kinematic and Soft Tissue Balance in Navigated Posterior-Stabilized Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Background: The importance of medial compartment stability is recognized in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). To manage the medial extension-flexion gap, the posterior reference position can be changed from conventional posterior center to posterior medial in measured resection techniques. This study aimed to compare the intraoperative soft tissue balance and rotational kinematics between the posterior medial and posterior center reference groups.

Post-cam clunk syndrome after posterior stabilized total knee arthroplasty as a sign of early femoral component loosening.

Soft tissue impingements are well-known complications of total knee arthroplasty. The impingements usually occur between the medial or lateral femoral component and tibial insert, and between the patella and femoral components. We report a rare case of impingement of the soft tissue between the femoral intercondylar fossa and post of the polyethylene insert, which caused pain and walking disability.

Analysis of Graft Length Change Patterns in Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction via a Fluoroscopic Guidance Method.

Background: A fluoroscopic guidance method for medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction has been widely used to determine the anatomic femoral attachment site.

Purpose: To examine the graft length change patterns in MPFL reconstruction with a fluoroscopic guidance method.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.