Are our actions matching our words? A review of trainee ethnic and gender diversity in orthopaedic surgery.

Background: There is a lack of physician ethnic and gender diversity amongst surgical specialties. This study analyzes the literature that promotes diversity amongst surgical trainees. Specifically, this study sought to answer (i) how the number of publications regarding diversity in orthopaedic surgery compares to other surgical specialties, (ii) how the number of publications amongst all surgical subspecialties trends over time and (iii) which specific topics regarding diversity are discussed in the surgical literature.

Alternative and Adjunct Treatments for Scoliosis: A Google Trends Analysis of Public Popularity Compared With Scientific Literature.

Purpose As Google searches have often been found to provide inaccurate information regarding various treatments for orthopedic conditions, it becomes important to analyze search trends to understand what treatments are most popularly considered and the quality of information available. We sought to compare the public interest in popular adjunct/alternative scoliosis treatments to the published literature on these topics and assess any temporal trends in the public interest in these treatments. Methods The study authors compiled the most common adjunct/alternative treatments for scoliosis on PubMed.

Socioeconomic Factors Correlation With Idiopathic Scoliosis Curve Type and Cobb Angle Severity.

Introduction: Race and socioeconomic status correlate with disease outcomes and treatment in patients with idiopathic scoliosis (IS) to varying degrees, although there is no clear association with Cobb angle and curve type. The purpose of this study was to assess socioeconomic factors and their association with Cobb angles in patients with IS.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was completed with the radiographic analysis of 89 patients diagnosed with IS and spinal curves >10° between the ages of six and 18.

Novel classification system for periprosthetic distal femoral fractures: a consideration for comminution.

Purpose: Comminution is an aspect of periprosthetic distal femoral fractures (PDFFs) that can influence postoperative outcomes and treatment selection, but is not included in current classification systems. We propose a new classification system for PDFFs based on comminution and cortical reads. This study aims to prove its reliability and efficacy to predict fracture severity and guide treatment.

Cannabis Use Among Lower-Extremity Arthroplasty Patients Does Not Lead to Worse Postoperative Outcomes.

Introduction: Smoking and general categorizations of substance use are linked with increased postoperative complications following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and total hip arthroplasty (THA). There is a lack of similar evidence on how cannabis use may affect outcomes after arthroplasty. The present study aims to compare postoperative outcomes in cannabis users versus non-cannabis users who underwent THA/TKA.

Differences of Search Engine Digital Footprints Between Podiatrists and Foot and Ankle Orthopaedic Surgeons: A Need to Join the Digital Era.

Background: Search engines generate lists of the most relevant websites using a keyword or phrase query and are integral in guiding consumer preferences. Digital information is important in the field of medicine, influencing what patients learn about their conditions and who they choose as providers. When two types of healthcare providers, such as podiatry and foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeons (FAOSs), share an overlapping consumer market, whichever group has a larger digital footprint receives increased digital engagement.

Biologically Derived Neoproteoglycans for Profiling Protein-Glycosaminoglycan Interactions.

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) are a class of highly negatively charged membrane-associated and extracellular matrix polysaccharides involved in the regulation of myriad biological functions, including cell adhesion, migration, signaling, and differentiation, among others. GAGs are typically attached to core proteins, termed proteoglycans (PGs), and can engage >500 binding proteins, making them prominent relays for sensing external stimuli and transducing cellular responses. However, their unique substructural protein-recognition domains that confer their binding specificity remain elusive.

Comminuted periprosthetic distal femoral fractures have greater postoperative extension malalignment.

Introduction: Comminution is a significant aspect of periprosthetic distal femoral fracture characterization and may influence post-surgical outcomes. Existing classification systems that guide treatment decisions do not take into account comminution and current literature is unclear on which surgical approach is optimal. We hypothesize that fractures with comminution will have poorer quality post-reduction alignment, especially with a lateral approach.

Spatially controlled glycocalyx engineering for growth factor patterning in embryoid bodies.

Growth factor (GF) patterning in stem cell spheroids, such as embryoid bodies (EBs), has been sought to guide their differentiation and organization into functional 3D tissue models and organoids. Current approaches relying on exposure of EBs to gradients of GFs suffer from poor molecular transport in the spheroid microenvironment and from high cost of production and low stability of recombinant GFs. We have developed an alternative method for establishing GF gradients in EBs utilizing stem cell surface engineering with membrane-targeting heparan sulfate-glycomimetic co-receptors for GFs.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection Depends on Cellular Heparan Sulfate and ACE2.

We show that SARS-CoV-2 spike protein interacts with both cellular heparan sulfate and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) through its receptor-binding domain (RBD). Docking studies suggest a heparin/heparan sulfate-binding site adjacent to the ACE2-binding site. Both ACE2 and heparin can bind independently to spike protein in vitro, and a ternary complex can be generated using heparin as a scaffold.

SARS-CoV-2 Infection Depends on Cellular Heparan Sulfate and ACE2.

We show that SARS-CoV-2 spike protein interacts with cell surface heparan sulfate and angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) through its Receptor Binding Domain. Docking studies suggest a putative heparin/heparan sulfate-binding site adjacent to the domain that binds to ACE2. In vitro, binding of ACE2 and heparin to spike protein ectodomains occurs independently and a ternary complex can be generated using heparin as a template.

Embryonic Stem Cell Engineering with a Glycomimetic FGF2/BMP4 Co-Receptor Drives Mesodermal Differentiation in a Three-Dimensional Culture.

Cell surface glycans, such as heparan sulfate (HS), are increasingly identified as co-regulators of growth factor signaling in early embryonic development; therefore, chemical tailoring of HS activity within the cellular glycocalyx of stem cells offers an opportunity to control their differentiation. The growth factors FGF2 and BMP4 are involved in mediating the exit of murine embryonic stem cells (mESCs) from their pluripotent state and their differentiation toward mesodermal cell types, respectively. Here, we report a method for remodeling the glycocalyx of mutant Ext1 mESCs with defective biosynthesis of HS to drive their mesodermal differentiation in an embryoid body culture.