Biomechanical Characterization of Retinal Pigment Epitheliums Derived from hPSCs Using Atomic Force Microscopy.

The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a multifunctional cell monolayer located at the back of the eye, plays a crucial role in the survival and homeostasis of photoreceptors. Dysfunction or death of RPE cells leads to retinal degeneration and subsequent vision loss, such as in Age-related macular degeneration and some forms of Retinitis Pigmentosa. Therefore, regenerative medicine that aims to replace RPE cells by new cells obtained from the differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells, is the focus of intensive research.

Dynamically Mapping the Topography and Stiffness of the Leading Edge of Migrating Cells Using AFM in Fast-QI Mode.

Cell migration profoundly influences cellular function, often resulting in adverse effects in various pathologies including cancer metastasis. Directly assessing and quantifying the nanoscale dynamics of living cell structure and mechanics has remained a challenge. At the forefront of cell movement, the flat actin modules─the lamellipodium and the lamellum─interact to propel cell migration.

Spatial Control of Arp2/3-Induced Actin Polymerization on Phase-Separated Giant Unilamellar Vesicles.

Deciphering the physical mechanisms underlying cell shape changes, while avoiding the cellular interior's complexity, involves the development of controlled basic biomimetic systems that imitate cell functions. In particular, the reconstruction of cytoskeletal dynamics on cell-sized giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) has allowed for the reconstituting of some cell-like processes . In fact, such a bottom-up strategy could be the basis for forming protocells able to reorganize or even move autonomously.

Using Adhesive Micropatterns and AFM to Assess Cancer Cell Morphology and Mechanics.

The mechanical properties of living cells reflect their physiological and pathological state. In particular, cancer cells undergo cytoskeletal modifications that typically make them softer than healthy cells, a property that could be used as a diagnostic tool. However, this is challenging because cells are complex structures displaying a broad range of morphologies when cultured in standard 2D culture dishes.

Deltopectoral vs. deltoid split approach for proximal HUmerus fracture fixation with locking plate: a prospective RAndomized study (HURA).

Background: This study aimed to compare the functional and clinical outcomes between the deltoid split (DS) approach and the classic deltopectoral (DP) approach for locking plate fixation of proximal humerus fractures (PHF) in a prospective randomized multicenter study.

Methods: From 2007 to 2015, all patients with a PHF Neer II/III were invited to participate. Exclusion criteria were pre-existing pathology to the limb, patient refusing or too ill to undergo surgery, patient needing another type of treatment (nail, arthroplasty), and axillary nerve impairment.

Incidence of symptomatic venous thromboembolism in 2372 knee and hip replacement patients after discharge: data from a thromboprophylaxis registry in Montreal, Canada.

Background: Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is a recommended anticoagulant for thromboprophylaxis after major orthopedic surgery. Dabigatran etexilate is an oral anticoagulant recognized as noninferior to LMWH. We aimed to assess the incidence of symptomatic venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) after discharge in patients who underwent joint replacement, using a hospital registry.

Severe heterotopic ossification and stiffness after revision knee surgery for a periprosthetic fracture.

Although heterotopic ossification (HO) after total hip arthroplasty has been very well described as a cause of disability, much less was written on clinical dysfunction of HO after total knee arthroplasty (TKA). To the extent of our knowledge, there has been no published case of complete bony ankylosis, secondary to severe generalized HO, after a TKA. We present the case of a 67-year-old female treated successfully, with surgical excision of ossification and TKA revision surgery, using a rotating hinge system.

Elucidating the Role of Protandim and 6-Gingerol in Protection Against Osteoarthritis.

Protandim and 6-gingerol, two potent nutraceuticals, have been shown to decrease free radicals production through enhancing endogenous antioxidant enzymes. In this study, we evaluated the effects of these products on the expression of different factors involved in osteoarthritis (OA) process. Human OA chondrocytes were treated with 1 ng/ml IL-1β in the presence or absence of protandim (0-10 μg/ml) or 6-gingerol (0-10 μM).

Treatment of large bone defects with trabecular metal cones in revision total knee arthroplasty: short term clinical and radiographic outcomes.

The early term results of 29 cases of revision total knee arthroplasty using highly porous trabecular metal cone implants for femoral and tibial major bone deficit reconstruction (Anderson Orthopedic Research Institute classification type 2B and 3) have been prospectively analyzed. Indications for revision surgery included: aseptic loosening/wear, staged reimplantation after infection, as well as periprosthetic fracture. At an average follow-up of 33 months (range, 13-73 months) the mean Knee Society Score and functional score statistically improved.

Matrix-bound PAI-1 supports cell blebbing via RhoA/ROCK1 signaling.

The microenvironment of a tumor can influence both the morphology and the behavior of cancer cells which, in turn, can rapidly adapt to environmental changes. Increasing evidence points to the involvement of amoeboid cell migration and thus of cell blebbing in the metastatic process; however, the cues that promote amoeboid cell behavior in physiological and pathological conditions have not yet been clearly identified. Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) is found in high amount in the microenvironment of aggressive tumors and is considered as an independent marker of bad prognosis.

Hypesthesia after anterolateral versus midline skin incision in TKA: a randomized study.

Background: The anterior midline skin incision in a TKA provides excellent surgical exposure. However, it usually requires sectioning the infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve which may be associated with lateral cutaneous hypesthesia and neuroma formation.

Questions/purposes: We asked whether an anterolateral skin incision to the knee would decrease the area of skin hypesthesia and associated postoperative discomfort.

PAI-1 and functional blockade of SNAI1 in breast cancer cell migration.

Introduction: Snail, a family of transcriptional repressors implicated in cell movement, has been correlated with tumour invasion. The Plasminogen Activation (PA) system, including urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), its receptor and its inhibitor, plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1(PAI-1), also plays a key role in cancer invasion and metastasis, either through proteolytic degradation or by non-proteolytic modulation of cell adhesion and migration. Thus, Snail and the PA system are both over-expressed in cancer and influence this process.

Modelling molecular interactions with game networks' theory.

We present a method to model biological systems, the theory of games networks. It extends game theory by multiplying the number of games, and by allowing agents to play several games simultaneously. Some important notions of biological systems, such as locality of interactions and modularity, can then be modelled.

[The PAI-1 swing: microenvironment and cancer cell migration].

Cancer is a complex and dynamic process caused by a cellular dysfunction leading to a whole organ or even organism vital perturbation. To better understand this process, we need to study each one of the levels involved, which allows the scale change, and to integrate this knowledge. A matricellular protein, PAI-1, is able to induce in vitro cell behaviour modifications, morphological changes, and to promote cell migration.

Dual role for plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 as soluble and as matricellular regulator of epithelial alveolar cell wound healing.

Epithelium repair, crucial for restoration of alveolo-capillary barrier integrity, is orchestrated by various cytokines and growth factors. Among them keratinocyte growth factor plays a pivotal role in both cell proliferation and migration. The urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) system also influences cell migration through proteolysis during epithelial repair.

Cell size-proliferation relationship in rat glioma cells.

The homeostasis of the central nervous system is highly controlled by glial cells and is dramatically altered in the case of glioma. In this respect, the complex connection between cell size and division is of particular importance and needs clarifying. In order to investigate this connection, cell number and volume were measured in C6 rat glioma cells under different experimental conditions, including continuous cell culture, Cl- channel blockade, and anisotonicity, and in the presence of an inhibitory conditioned medium collected from cell cultures or in a medium containing a low level of fetal calf serum.

The unstable patella after total knee arthroplasty: etiology, prevention, and management.

In total knee arthroplasty, most complications related to the extensor mechanism are caused by patellar maltracking or instability. Patellar maltracking may result from component malpositioning and limb malalignment, prosthetic design, improper patellar preparation, or soft-tissue imbalance. Patellofemoral instability likely results most frequently from internal malrotation of the femoral or tibial components.

Trachynilysin, a neurosecretory protein isolated from stonefish (Synanceia trachynis) venom, forms nonselective pores in the membrane of NG108-15 cells.

Trachynilysin, a protein toxin isolated from the venom of the stonefish Synanceia trachynis, has been reported to elicit massive acetylcholine release from motor nerve endings of isolated neuromuscular preparations and to increase both cytosolic Ca2+ and catecholamine release from chromaffin cells. In the present study, we used the patch clamp technique to investigate the effect of trachynilysin on the cytoplasmic membrane of differentiated NG108-15 cells in culture. Trachynilysin increased membrane conductance the most when the negativity of the cell holding membrane potential was reduced.

Calcium and voltage-dependent alterations of cell volume in neuroblastomaxglioma hybrid NG108-15 cells.

Intracellular calcium ([Ca2+](i)), cell volume, membrane potential and currents were measured in neuroblastomaxglioma hybrid cells to gain insight into how [Ca2+](i) controls cell volume. [Ca2+](i) was increased by fluid shear stress, mechanical stimulation of the cells, the Ca2+ ionophore A23187, caffeine and thapsigargin. The increase in [Ca2+](i) induced by mechanical stimulation was decreased by about 50% by caffeine and abolished after incubation of the cells in a Ca2+-free solution.