Bioactive hydrogels based on lysine dendrigrafts as crosslinkers: tailoring elastic properties to influence hMSC osteogenic differentiation.

Dendrigrafts are multivalent macromolecules with less ordered topology and higher branching than dendrimers. Exhibiting a high density of terminal amines, poly-L-lysine dendrigrafts of the fifth generation (DGL G5) allow hydrogel formation with tailorable crosslinking density and surface modification. This work presents DGL G5 as multifunctional crosslinkers in biomimetic PEG hydrogels to favour the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs).

Appropriateness of clinical criteria for the use of SYmptomatic Slow-Acting Drug for OsteoArthritis (SYSADOA). A Delphi Method Consensus initiative among experts in Italy.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a theme currently representing an emerging topic for its increasing incidence. It is well known that it is a chronic disease that could lead to important long-lasting disability; this generates increasing costs for the health care system. OA treatment options vary: localization, etiology, grading and symptomatology should be considered before choosing the most adequate therapy.

Intra-articular hyaluronic acid vs platelet-rich plasma in the treatment of hip osteoarthritis.

Aim: To compare the efficacy of ultrasound-guided intra-articular (IA) treatment with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) versus viscosupplementation (hyaluronic acid HA) in hip osteoarthritis. METHODS: A total of 43 patients affected by monolateral severe hip osteoarthritis (OA) were included in the study. Patients were randomized to receive either intra-articular PRP (3 ml) or HA (30 mg/2 ml; 1,000-2,900 kDa), 3 injections in total - 1/week.

Rehabitation of allograft with bone dehydrated with solvents in reconstruction after removal of bone tumors: MRI evaluation.

It was the purpose of this study to analyze the behavior of Tutoplast bone allograf to fill cavities produced by the removal of benigning bone tumors of those with local malignancy. X-ray and MR images obtained during follow-up demonstrated an increase in the signal in all of the sequences within the graft, indicating complete rehabitation of the grafted area.

The conservative treatment of xanthoma of the Achilles tendon in patients affected with type IIA hypercholesterolemia.

Treatment of xanthoma of the Achilles tendon has up until the present been based on partial or total surgical resection of the affected tendon. Because of the different results of surgical treatment our study was aimed at using clinical and ultrasound data to reveal the effectiveness of hypocholesteremic medical therapy in 39 cases of tendinous xanthoma.