Python tooth-inspired fixation device for enhanced rotator cuff repair.

Rotator cuff repair surgeries fail frequently, with 20 to 94% of the 600,000 repairs performed annually in the United States resulting in retearing of the rotator cuff. The most common cause of failure is sutures tearing through tendons at grasping points. To address this issue, we drew inspiration from the specialized teeth of snakes of the Pythonoidea superfamily, which grasp soft tissues without tearing.

Percutaneous Fixation of Unstable Proximal Phalanx Fractures: A Biomechanical Study.

Background: Unstable extra-articular proximal phalanx fractures are common injuries to the hand that are often treated by closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. Fracture-induced shortening of the proximal phalanx leads to an extensor lag at the proximal interphalangeal joint. We describe a biomechanical study in cadaver hands to compare the ability of each of three different pin configurations to resist shortening in unstable fractures.

Local insulin application has a dose-dependent effect on lumbar fusion in a rabbit model.

The purpose of this study was to determine if locally applied insulin has a dose-responsive effect on posterolateral lumbar fusion. Adult male New Zealand White rabbits underwent posterolateral intertransverse spinal fusions (PLFs) at L5-L6 using suboptimal amounts of autograft. Fusion sites were treated with collagen sponge soaked in saline (control, n = 11), or with insulin at low (5 or 10 units, n = 13), mid (20 units, n = 11), and high (40 units, n = 11) doses.

In situ tissue engineering of the tendon-to-bone interface by endogenous stem/progenitor cells.

The long-term success of surgical repair of rotator cuff tears is largely dependent on restoration of a functional tendon-to-bone interface. We implemented micro-precise spatiotemporal delivery of growth factors in three-dimensional printed scaffolds for integrative regeneration of a fibrocartilaginous tendon-to-bone interface. Sustained and spatially controlled release of tenogenic, chondrogenic and osteogenic growth factors was achieved using microsphere-based delivery carriers embedded in thin membrane-like scaffolds.

Tart Cherry Prevents Bone Loss through Inhibition of RANKL in TNF-Overexpressing Mice.

Current drugs for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis-associated bone loss come with concerns about their continued use. Thus, it is necessary to identify natural products with similar effects, but with fewer or no side effects. We determined whether tart cherry (TC) could be used as a supplement to prevent inflammation-mediated bone loss in tumor necrosis factor ()-overexpressing transgenic (TG) mice.