Orthopaedic surgery residents with a mentor report greater self-assessed theoretical and practical preparedness than residents without a mentor.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of mentorship on self-perceived theoretical and practical skill levels of German-speaking residents affiliated to a scientific society with a focus on sports medicine. It was hypothesized that orthopaedic surgery residents with a mentor would report higher subjective theoretical and practical skills and less apprehension towards performing surgeries unsupervised compared to those without mentors.

Methods: A 35-item questionnaire was distributed among resident members of AGA-Society for Arthroscopy and Joint-Surgery.

The transepicondylar distance is a reliable and easily measured parameter for estimating femoral cartilage surface area using MRI.

Purpose: Different cartilage repair techniques are widely used to regenerate cartilage, such as autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI), osteochondral autograft transfer, microfracturing and minced cartilage. Defect size is a key parameter for selecting the best procedure to repair cartilage. However, the defect's size is not related to the patient's total cartilage surface.

Secondary matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation after failed cartilage repair shows superior results when combined with autologous bone grafting: Findings from the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU).

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether additive autologous bone grafting (ABG) improves clinical outcome and survival in revision matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (M-ACI) after failed cartilage repair (CR).

Methods: A retrospective, registry-based, matched-pair analysis was performed to compare patient-reported outcomes and survival in secondary M-ACI with or without additional bone grafting for focal full-thickness cartilage defects of the knee and to compare it with those in primary M-ACI. Patients were matched for age, sex, body mass index, defect size and localization, and number of previous CRs.

Factors Affecting Choice of Surgical Treatment of Cartilage Lesions of the Knee: An Analysis of Data From 5143 Patients From the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU).

Background: Symptomatic full-thickness cartilage lesions of the knee joint are considered an indication for cartilage repair surgery. Patient- and lesion-specific factors like age, nutritional status, etiology of defect, or integrity of corresponding joint surface remain controversial in indicating cartilage repair surgery. Furthermore, the selection of the most suitable cartilage repair technique for a specific cartilage lesion remains debatable.

Orthopaedic surgeons display a positive outlook towards artificial intelligence: A survey among members of the AGA Society for Arthroscopy and Joint Surgery.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perspective of orthopaedic surgeons on the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) and to evaluate the influence of experience, workplace setting and familiarity with digital solutions on views on AI.

Methods: Orthopaedic surgeons of the AGA Society for Arthroscopy and Joint Surgery were invited to participate in an online, cross-sectional survey designed to gather information on professional background, subjective AI knowledge, opinion on the future impact of AI, openness towards different applications of AI, and perceived advantages and disadvantages of AI. Subgroup analyses were performed to examine the influence of experience, workplace setting and openness towards digital solutions on perspectives towards AI.

Platelet-rich plasma injections for the management of knee osteoarthritis: The ESSKA-ICRS consensus. Recommendations using the RAND/UCLA appropriateness method for different clinical scenarios.

Purpose: The aim of this consensus was to develop evidence- and expert-based patient-focused recommendations on the appropriateness of intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections in different clinical scenarios of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method was used by the European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery, and Arthroscopy (ESSKA), as well as the International Cartilage Regeneration and Joint Preservation Society (ICRS) to reach a consensus and produce recommendations for specific patient categories combining best available scientific evidence with the collective judgement of a panel of experts.

Results: Scenarios were defined based on first treatment vs first injective treatment vs second injective treatment, age (<50/50-65/66-80/>80), tibiofemoral vs patellofemoral involvement, OA level (Kellgren-Lawrence/KL 0-I/II-III/IV), and joint effusion (dry knee, minor-mild or major effusion).

Plasticity of the Arabidopsis leaf lipidome and proteome in response to pathogen infection and heat stress.

Plants must cope with a variety of stressors during their life cycle, and the adaptive responses to these environmental cues involve all cellular organelles. Among them, comparatively little is known about the contribution of cytosolic lipid droplets (LDs) and their core set of neutral lipids and associated surface proteins to the rewiring of cellular processes in response to stress. Here, we analyzed the changes that occur in the lipidome and proteome of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) leaves after pathogen infection with Botrytis cinerea or Pseudomonas syringae, or after heat stress.

Hydrogel-based and spheroid-based autologous chondrocyte implantation of the knee show similar 2-year functional outcomes: An analysis based on the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU).

Purpose: To compare short-term patient-reported outcomes (PRO) of two contemporary matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (M-ACI) products for the treatment of large articular cartilage defects of the knee.

Methods: A retrospective, registry-based, matched-pair analysis was performed, comparing PRO of patients undergoing isolated M-ACI with either Spherox™, a spheroid-based ACI (Sb-ACI), or NOVOCART™ Inject, a hydrogel-based ACI product (Hb-ACI), for a focal full-thickness cartilage defect of the knee ≥4 cm. Matching parameters included age, sex, body mass index, defect size, defect localization, symptom duration and previous surgeries.

Hydrogel-Based Matrix-Associated Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation Shows Greater Substantial Clinical Benefit at 24 Months Follow-Up than Microfracture: A Propensity Score Matched-Pair Analysis.

Objective: To compare substantial clinical benefit (SCB) of a hydrogel-based, matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (M-ACI) method versus microfracture (MFx) in the treatment of knee cartilage defects.

Design: Propensity score matched-pair analysis, using the MFx control group of a phase III study as comparator for M-ACI treatment in a single-arm phase III study, resulting in 144 patients in the matched-pair set.

Results: Groups were comparable regarding baseline Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), sex, age, body mass index, symptom duration, smoking status, and previous knee surgeries.

The role of autologous bone grafting in matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation at the knee: Results from the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU).

Purpose: To investigate whether concomitant autologous bone grafting adversely affects clinical outcome and graft survival after matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (M-ACI).

Methods: The present study examines registry data of patients who underwent M-ACI with or without autologous bone grafting for large-sized chondral or osteochondral defects. Propensity score matching was performed to exclude potential confounders.

Proteome plasticity during Physcomitrium patens spore germination - from the desiccated phase to heterotrophic growth and reconstitution of photoautotrophy.

The establishment of moss spores is considered a milestone in plant evolution. They harbor protein networks underpinning desiccation tolerance and accumulation of storage compounds that can be found already in algae and that are also utilized in seeds and pollen. Furthermore, germinating spores must produce proteins that drive the transition through heterotrophic growth to the autotrophic plant.

Increased risk of reoperation and failure to attain clinically relevant improvement following autologous chondrocyte implantation of the knee in female patients and individuals with previous surgeries: a time-to-event analysis based on the German cartilage registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU).

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the risk of reoperation following autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) of the knee utilizing third-generation ACI products in a time-to-event analysis and report on the associated patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) in case of reoperation.

Methods: Patients undergoing ACI were included from a longitudinal database. Patient age, sex, body mass index (BMI), number of previous surgeries, lesion localization, lesion size, symptom duration, as well as time and type of reoperation was extracted.

Comparison of Hydrogel-Based Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation Versus Microfracture: A Propensity Score Matched-Pair Analysis.

Background: Few studies exist for large defects comparing matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (M-ACI) with other cartilage repair methods due to the limited availability of suitable comparator treatments.

Purpose: To compare the clinical efficacy of a novel hydrogel-based M-ACI method (NOVOCART Inject plus) versus microfracture (MFx) in patients with knee cartilage defects.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

[The first decade of the DGOU's cartilage register-insights for clinical practice].

Background: Registry data provide valuable epidemiological insights that help to further improve process and outcome quality in patient care. The German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU) was established in 2013 as an instrument for quality assurance after surgical cartilage regenerative procedures on hip, knee and ankle joints.

Data Collection: Participation in the German Cartilage Registry is optional for hospitals and practices.

Etiology, Classification, Diagnostics, and Conservative Management of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus. 2023 Recommendations of the Working Group "Clinical Tissue Regeneration" of the German Society of Orthopedics and Traumatology.

Methods: Peer-reviewed literature was analyzed regarding different topics relevant to osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs) treatment. This process concluded with a statement for each topic reflecting the best scientific evidence available for a particular diagnostic or therapeutic concept, including the grade of recommendation. Besides the scientific evidence, all group members rated the statements to identify possible gaps between literature and current clinical practice.

Cost-effectiveness of a new ACI technique for the treatment of articular cartilage defects of the knee compared to regularly used ACI technique and microfracture.

Aims: For patients with cartilage defects of the knee, a new biocompatible and cross-linkable albumin-hyaluronan-based hydrogel has been developed for matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (M-ACI) - NOVOCART Inject plus (Ninject; TETEC AG, Reutlingen, Germany). We aimed to estimate the potential cost-effectiveness of NInject, that is not available on the market, yet compared to spheroids of human autologous matrix-associated chondrocytes (Spherox; CO.DON GmbH, Leipzig, Germany) and microfracture.

Bipolar Lesions of the Knee Are Associated With Inferior Clinical Outcome Following Articular Cartilage Regeneration. A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis Including 238 Patients of the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU).

Purpose: To determine whether bipolar lesions (BL) are associated with inferior clinical outcome following articular cartilage regeneration (CR) compared to unipolar lesions (UL).

Methods: A registry-based study, including patients undergoing isolated CR for focal knee cartilage lesions was performed. Lesions were considered UL or BL depending on the opposing cartilage.

Sustained superiority in KOOS subscores after matrix-associated chondrocyte implantation using spheroids compared to microfracture.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) using spheroids in comparison to arthroscopic microfracture for the treatment of symptomatic cartilage defects of the knee.

Methods: In a prospective multicenter-controlled trial, patients aged between 18 and 50 years, with single symptomatic focal cartilage defects between 1 and 4 cm (mean 2.6 ± 0.

Biological Reconstruction of Localized Full-Thickness Cartilage Defects of the Knee: A Systematic Review of Level 1 Studies with a Minimum Follow-Up of 5 Years.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the best available mid- to long-term evidence of surgical procedures for the treatment of localized full-thickness cartilage defects of the knee.

Design: Systematic review using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines of Level 1 randomized clinical trials (RCTs), meta-analyses of RCTs and systematic reviews with a minimum follow-up of 5 years. Data extracted included patient demographics, defect characteristics, clinical and radiological outcomes, as well as treatment failures.

The German Arthroscopy Registry DART: what has happened after 5 years?

Purpose: The German Arthroscopy Registry (DART) has been initiated in 2017 with the aim to collect real-life data of patients undergoing knee, shoulder, hip or ankle surgery. The purpose of this study was to present an overview of the current status and the collected data thus far.

Methods: Data entered between 11/2017 and 01/2022 were analyzed.

A seed-like proteome in oil-rich tubers.

There are numerous examples of plant organs or developmental stages that are desiccation-tolerant and can withstand extended periods of severe water loss. One prime example are seeds and pollen of many spermatophytes. However, in some plants, also vegetative organs can be desiccation-tolerant.

Patellofemoral cartilage defects are acceptable in patients undergoing high tibial osteotomy for medial osteoarthritis of the knee.

Background: Patients suffering cartilage defects of the medial compartment with underlying varus deformity do benefit from high tibial osteotomy (HTO) even in the long term. Nonetheless, kinematic and geometric changes especially in the patellofemoral joint have been described. Purpose of the present study was to evaluate the influence of patellofemoral cartilage defects detected during the diagnostic arthroscopy and their influence on HTO's postoperative outcome.

Effect of Previous Knee Surgery on Clinical Outcome After ACI for Knee Cartilage Defects: A Propensity Score-Matched Study Based on the German Cartilage Registry (KnorpelRegister DGOU).

Background: Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is an established procedure for the treatment of cartilage damage in the knee joint. At present, it is still unclear how previous surgery influences outcome after ACI.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of previous knee surgery related or nonrelated to the treated cartilage defect on clinical outcome after ACI for knee cartilage defects.

SEED LIPID DROPLET PROTEIN1, SEED LIPID DROPLET PROTEIN2, and LIPID DROPLET PLASMA MEMBRANE ADAPTOR mediate lipid droplet-plasma membrane tethering.

Membrane contact sites (MCSs) are interorganellar connections that allow for the direct exchange of molecules, such as lipids or Ca2+ between organelles, but can also serve to tether organelles at specific locations within cells. Here, we identified and characterized three proteins of Arabidopsis thaliana that form a lipid droplet (LD)-plasma membrane (PM) tethering complex in plant cells, namely LD-localized SEED LD PROTEIN (SLDP) 1 and SLDP2 and PM-localized LD-PLASMA MEMBRANE ADAPTOR (LIPA). Using proteomics and different protein-protein interaction assays, we show that both SLDPs associate with LIPA.