Anti-inflammatory and anti-osteoarthritis effects of Cm-02 and Ck-02.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease characterized by progressive deterioration of articular cartilage. There have been reports that small molecule inhibitors have anti-osteoarthritis effects; however, the effects of 3-(4-chloro-2-fluorophenyl)-6-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-2H-benzo[e] [1,3]oxazine-2,4(3H)-dione (Cm-02) and 6-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(3,4-difluorophenyl)-2H-benzo[e] [1,3]oxazine-2,4(3H)-dione (Ck-02), small molecule inhibitors which share many structural similarities with quercetin (a potent anti-inflammatory flavonoid), remain unclear. In this study, TNF-α-stimulated porcine and human chondrocyte models were used to investigate the inhibitory effects of Cm-02 and Ck-02 on the molecular mechanisms underlying the anti-OA effects.

Arthroprotective Effects of Cf-02 Sharing Structural Similarity with Quercetin.

In this study, we synthesized hundreds of analogues based on the structure of small-molecule inhibitors (SMIs) that were previously identified in our laboratory with the aim of identifying potent yet safe compounds for arthritis therapeutics. One of the analogues was shown to share structural similarity with quercetin, a potent anti-inflammatory flavonoid present in many different fruits and vegetables. We investigated the immunomodulatory effects of this compound, namely 6-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-3-(3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)-2-benzo[][1,3]oxazine-2,4(3)-dione (Cf-02), in a side-by-side comparison with quercetin.

Chondroprotective Effects and Mechanisms of Dextromethorphan: Repurposing Antitussive Medication for Osteoarthritis Treatment.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder and primarily affects older people. The ideal anti-OA drug should have a modest anti-inflammatory effect and only limited or no toxicity for long-term use. Because the antitussive medication dextromethorphan (DXM) is protective in atherosclerosis and neurological diseases, two common disorders in aged people, we examined whether DXM can be protective in pro-inflammatory cytokine-stimulated chondrocytes and in a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) animal model in this study.

Physiological concentrations of soluble uric acid are chondroprotective and anti-inflammatory.

High uric acid levels are a risk factor for cardiovascular disorders and gout; however, the role of physiological concentrations of soluble uric acid (sUA) is poorly understood. This study aimed to clarify the effects of sUA in joint inflammation. Both cell cultures of primary porcine chondrocytes and mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) were examined.

Combined Innovative Portal Arthroscopy and Fluoroscopy-Assisted Reduction and Fixation in Subtle Injury of the Lisfranc Joint Complex: Analysis of 10 Cases.

Subtle injuries of the Lisfranc joint complex are uncommon and difficult to diagnose clinically and thus are easily missed even by experienced orthopedic doctors. Misdiagnosed injuries can lead to chronic disability until eventual fusion surgery. We describe 10 cases diagnosed with subtle injury of the Lisfranc joint that were treated with combined innovative portal arthroscopy and fluoroscopy-assisted reduction and percutaneous screw fixation in an interfragmentary fashion.

A New Application of Parallel Synthesis Strategy for Discovery of Amide-Linked Small Molecules as Potent Chondroprotective Agents in TNF-α-Stimulated Chondrocytes.

As part of an effort to profile potential therapeutics for the treatment of inflammation-related diseases, a diversity of amide-linked small molecules was synthesized by using parallel synthesis strategy. Moreover, these new compounds were also evaluated for their inhibitory effects on nitric oxide (NO) by using tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)-induced inflammatory responses in chondrocytes. Among the tested compounds, N-(3-chloro-4-fluorophenyl)-2-hydroxybenzamide (HS-Ck) was the most potent inhibitor of NO production and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression in TNF-α-stimulated chondrocytes.

Anatomic Parameters of the Lisfranc Joint Complex in a Radiographic and Cadaveric Comparison.

Subtle injuries to the Lisfranc joint complex are difficult to diagnose clinically and radiographically and can ultimately result in obvious disability if misdiagnosed. However, no previous study has shown the true mean average distance between the base of the first and second metatarsals (the Lisfranc distance). Therefore, in the present study, the anatomic and radiographic parameters of the Lisfranc joint were studied in detail to assist in the evaluation of Lisfranc injuries.

Mesenchymal stem cells from rat olfactory bulbs can differentiate into cells with cardiomyocyte characteristics.

Mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) are widely distributed in different tissues such as bone marrow, adipose tissues, peripheral blood, umbilical cord and amnionic fluid. Recently, MSC-like cells were also found to exist in rat olfactory bulb and are capable of inducing differentiation into mesenchymal lineages - osteocytes, chondrocytes and adipocytes. However, whether these cells can differentiate into myocardial cells is not known.

Anatomic reconstruction of neglected Achilles tendon rupture with autogenous peroneal longus tendon by EndoButton fixation.

Background: Neglected or chronic rupture of the Achilles tendon usually needs a reconstruction procedure. Many graft sources have been reported for this procedure, such as a proximal V-Y gastrocnemius tendon flap, flexor hallucis longus tendon, fascia lata, plantaris tendon, synthetic materials, and peroneus brevis. However, how to fix the graft at the calcaneal site remains controversial.

Comparison of different sizes of bioabsorbable interference screws for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using bioabsorbable bead augmentation in a porcine model.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare the initial fixation strength of tendon grafts between different sizes of bioabsorbable interference screws (BioScrew; Linvatec, Largo, FL) with bioabsorbable bead (EndoPearl; Linvatec) augmentation through biomechanical analysis of a porcine femoral bone model.

Methods: Forty pairs of porcine femurs and porcine flexor digitorum profundus tendons were divided into control and study groups. In the control group 8 x 30-mm BioScrews alone (n = 10) were inserted, whereas different sizes of BioScrews, measuring 7 x 30 mm (n = 10), 8 x 30 mm (n = 10), and 9 x 30 mm (n = 10), with 8-mm EndoPearl augmentation were inserted individually for fixation of tendon grafts in the study groups.

A new peroneal tendon rerouting method to treat recurrent dislocation of peroneal tendons.

Background: The surgical treatment methods for recurrent dislocation of peroneal tendons are controversial. A simpler and more effective treatment method is valuable for these patients.

Hypothesis: A new rerouting operation designed by the authors will have satisfactory results and avoid disadvantages of the old rerouting methods.

The effect of endoscopic bursectomy with mini-open partial scapulectomy on snapping scapula syndrome.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate an alternate method using endoscopic bursectomy with mini-open partial scapulectomy for treating snapping scapula in patients who did not respond to conservative therapy.

Materials And Methods: Between November 2000 and November 2004, endoscopic bursectomy with mini-open partial scapulectomy was performed in 12 cases with snapping scapula. Four cases had bilateral involvement; eight had unilateral involvement.

Long-term functional outcomes after repair of rotator cuff tears correlated with atrophy of the supraspinatus muscles on magnetic resonance images.

We determined the relationship between atrophy of the supraspinatus muscle and functional outcomes in 27 patients with full-thickness rotator cuff tears who underwent arthroscopic acromioplasty and mini-open cuff repair. Before surgery, all underwent a physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging of the involved shoulder. Using image-processing software, we measured the cross-sectional area of the total supraspinatus muscle (including regions of fatty degeneration and atrophy) and of the atrophic supraspinatus muscle on sagittal oblique images obtained about 20 mm proximal to the glenoid surface.

Analysis of anatomic morphometry of the pedicles and the safe zone for through-pedicle procedures in the thoracic and lumbar spine.

Posterior instrumentation through the pedicle is a common surgery. Understanding the morphometry of the pedicle and the anatomy of adjacent neural structures should help decrease the risk of postoperative complications. T1-L5 segments from 15 sets of human vertebrae were separated into individual vertebrae and the morphometric characteristics of the thoracic and lumbar spine and the safe zone of the pedicle were analyzed.