Murine tendon function is adversely affected by aggrecan accumulation due to the knockout of ADAMTS5.

The present study examined the effect of ADAMTS5 (TS5) knockout on the properties of murine flexor digitorum longus (FDL) and Achilles tendons. FDL and Achilles tendons were analyzed using biomechanical testing, histology, and immunohistochemistry; further characterization of FDL tendons was conducted using transmission electron microscopy (collagen fibril ultrastructure), SDS-PAGE (collagen content and type), fluorescence-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis for chondroitin sulfate and hyaluronan, and Western blotting for aggrecan, versican, and decorin abundance and distribution. FDL tendons of TS5(-/-) mice showed a 33% larger cross-sectional area, increased collagen fibril area fraction, and decreased material properties relative to those of wild type mice.

Biceps tenodesis with interference screw fixation: a biomechanical comparison of screw length and diameter.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of screw length and diameter on the mechanical properties of biceps tenodesis (BT) with an interference screw in 2 different locations (proximal and distal).

Methods: We randomized 42 fresh-frozen human cadaveric shoulders (mean age, 65 ± 8 years) into 6 groups (n = 7): arthroscopic proximal BT using 7 × 15-, 7 × 25-, 8 × 15-, or 8 × 25-mm interference screws or distal subpectoral BT with 7 × 15- or 8 × 15-mm interference screws. Each repaired specimen was mounted onto a materials testing machine, preloaded to 5 N for 2 minutes, cycled from 5 to 70 N for 500 cycles (1 Hz), and loaded to failure (1 mm/s).

Characterization of response to radiation mediated gene therapy by means of multimodality imaging.

Imaging techniques are under development to facilitate early analysis of spatial patterns of tumor response to combined radiation and antivascular gene therapy. A genetically modified, replication defective adenoviral vector (Ad.EGR-TNFalpha), injected intratumorally, mediates infected cells to express tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), which is increased after exposure to radiation.