Standard of care and outcomes for Māori patients with neck of femur fractures - an Australia & New Zealand Hip Fracture Registry (ANZHFR) study.

Background: This study aimed to compare the demographic differences between Māori and NZ Europeans with neck of femur fracture (NOF), identify any differences in management, surgical and post-op care and outcomes.

Methods: All cases in New Zealand between 2018 and 2020 were collected from the Australia & New Zealand Hip Fracture Registry (ANZHFR). Basic demographics, management factors, and surgical factors were collected.

No Difference in 10-year Clinical or Radiographic Outcomes Between Kinematic and Mechanical Alignment in TKA: A Randomized Trial.

Background: There is continuing debate about the ideal philosophy for component alignment in TKA. However, there are limited long-term functional and radiographic data on randomized comparisons of kinematic alignment versus mechanical alignment.

Questions/purposes: We present the 10-year follow-up findings of a single-center, multisurgeon randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing these two alignment philosophies in terms of the following questions: (1) Is there a difference in PROM scores? (2) Is there a difference in survivorship free from revision or reoperation for any cause? (3) Is there a difference in survivorship free from radiographic loosening?

Methods: Ninety-nine patients undergoing primary TKA for osteoarthritis were randomized to either the mechanical alignment (n = 50) or kinematic alignment (n = 49) group.

Localized intratumoral delivery of immunomodulators for oral cancer and oral potentially malignant disorders.

Immunotherapy has developed into an important modality of modern cancer treatment. Unfortunately, checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapies are currently delivered systemically and require frequent administration, which can result in toxicity and severe, sometimes fatal, adverse events. Localized delivery of immunomodulators for oral cancer and oral potentially malignant disorders offers the promise of maximum therapeutic potential and reduced systemic adverse effects.

Wirelessly Actuated Microfluidic Pump and Valve for Controlled Liquid Delivery in Dental Implants.

Enabling minimally invasive and precise control of liquid release in dental implants is crucial for therapeutic functions such as delivering antibiotics to prevent biofilm formation, infusing stem cells to promote osseointegration, and administering other biomedicines. However, achieving controllable liquid cargo release in dental implants remains challenging due to the lack of wireless and miniaturized fluidic control mechanisms. Here wireless miniature pumps and valves that allow remote activation of liquid cargo delivery in dental implants, actuated and controlled by external magnetic fields (<65 mT), are reported.

Artificial Intelligence Applications in Oral Cancer and Oral Dysplasia.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a highly unpredictable disease with devastating mortality rates that have not changed over the past decades, in the face of advancements in treatments and biomarkers, which have improved survival for other cancers. Delays in diagnosis are frequent, leading to more disfiguring treatments and poor outcomes for patients. The clinical challenge lies in identifying those patients at the highest risk of developing OSCC.

Previous arthroscopy does not decrease survivorship or functional outcomes for unicompartmental knee arthroplasty patients.

Introduction: Arthroscopic procedures for osteoarthritis (OA), in particular arthroscopic meniscectomy, have poorer long-term clinical outcomes compared to those managed non-operatively. In addition, previous arthroscopy is associated with worse outcomes following subsequent total knee arthroplasty (TKA), however there is limited data on the impact on subsequent unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) outcomes. The aim of the study is to investigate whether patients who had arthroscopy prior to UKA have differences in survivorship or functional outcomes compared to those with no prior arthroscopy.

Artificial intelligence-based epigenomic, transcriptomic and histologic signatures of tobacco use in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) biomarker studies rarely employ multi-omic biomarker strategies and pertinent clinicopathologic characteristics to predict mortality. In this study we determine for the first time a combined epigenetic, gene expression, and histology signature that differentiates between patients with different tobacco use history (heavy tobacco use with ≥10 pack years vs. no tobacco use).

Validating the capture rate of revisions by the New Zealand ACL Registry: An analysis of all-cause reoperation following primary ACL reconstruction.

Purpose: To validate the New Zealand Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Registry's capture rate of revisions by cross-referencing Registry data with reoperations data recorded by the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) and identify risk factors for all-cause reoperation.

Methods: Primary ACL reconstructions performed between April 2014 and September 2019 were individually matched on a record-by-record basis between the two databases. The ACC database was used to identify patients who underwent a reoperation with manual review of operation notes to identify whether a revision or other procedure was performed.

Accuracy and completeness of registry-reported unicompartmental knee arthroplasty revision.

Introduction: The key outcome of joint registries is revision events, which inform clinical practice and identify poor-performing implants. Registries record revision events and reasons, but accuracy may be limited by a lack of standardized definitions of revision. Our study aims to assess the accuracy and completeness of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) revision and indications reported to the New Zealand Joint Registry (NZJR) with independent clinical review.

Stimulator of Interferon Genes Pathway Activation through the Controlled Release of STINGel Mediates Analgesia and Anti-Cancer Effects in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) presents significant treatment challenges due to its poor survival and intense pain at the primary cancer site. Cancer pain is debilitating, contributes to diminished quality of life, and causes opioid tolerance. The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) agonism has been investigated as an anti-cancer strategy.

Clinical and functional outcomes of TKA after HTO or UKA: a New Zealand Joint Registry Study.

Introduction: Surgical options for patients with unicompartmental knee osteoarthritis include high tibial osteotomy (HTO) or unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). When managing younger patients with a higher chance of further surgery, the outcome of any subsequent conversion to total knee arthroplasty (TKA) also needs to be considered. The aim of this study was to compare implant survivorship and patient-reported outcomes for patients undergoing TKA after previous HTO or UKA, with comparisons for age, gender and comorbidities.

Innovations in Molecular Biomarkers and Biomaterial-Based Immunotherapies for Head & Neck Cancer.

Purpose Of Review: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) survival rates have remained stagnant due to a lack of targeted therapies and diagnostic tools. Patient risk is currently determined solely through clinicopathologic features, primarily tumor staging, which lacks the necessary precision to stratify patients by risk and accurately dictate adjuvant treatment. Similarly, conventional OSCC therapies have well-established toxicities and limited efficacy.

SiON Coating Regulates Mesenchymal Stem Cell Antioxidant Capacity via Nuclear Erythroid Factor 2 Activity under Toxic Oxidative Stress Conditions.

Healing in compromised and complicated bone defects is often prolonged and delayed due to the lack of bioactivity of the fixation device, secondary infections, and associated oxidative stress. Here, we propose amorphous silicon oxynitride (SiON) as a coating for the fixation devices to improve both bioactivity and bacteriostatic activity and reduce oxidative stress. We aimed to study the effect of increasing the N/O ratio in the SiON to fine-tune the cellular activity and the antioxidant effect via the NRF2 pathway under oxidative stress conditions.

Nanofibrous MultiDomain Peptide Hydrogels Provide T Cells a 3D, Cytocompatible Environment for Cell Expansion and Antigen-Specific Killing.

T cells have the ability to recognize and kill specific target cells, giving therapies based on their potential for treating infection, diabetes, cancer, and other diseases. However, the advancement of T cell-based treatments has been hindered by difficulties in their ex vivo activation and expansion, the number of cells required for sustained in vivo levels, and preferential localization following systemic delivery. Biomaterials may help to overcome many of these challenges by providing a combined means of proliferation, antigen presentation, and cell localization upon delivery.

Risk factors for reoperation for arthrofibrosis following primary anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the rate and risk factors for a reoperation for arthrofibrosis following primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Methods: Prospective data recorded in the New Zealand ACL Registry were cross-referenced with data from the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC). Primary ACL reconstructions performed between April 2014 and May 2021 were analysed.

Pilot study to test the safety, tolerability and feasibility of dulaglutide during a low-energy diet for weight loss and improved glycaemic control.

Introduction: Diabetes and obesity are significant public health concerns. Previous studies have demonstrated that low energy diets are effective in promoting weight loss and inducing diabetes remission. However, hunger is a potential barrier to adherence for such diets.

Progressive submaximal effort hamstring muscle endurance is reduced after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament.

Background: Endurance capability in the muscles controlling the knee is poorly understood post anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, despite many sporting activities requiring notable muscle endurance. The hamstring muscles, when active, provide important anatomical support to protect the reconstructed graft. In the absence of good hamstring endurance, fatigue may predispose individuals to re-injury.

Human Minor Salivary Glands: A Readily Available Source of Salivary Stem/Progenitor Cells for Regenerative Applications.

Resident stem/progenitor cells within the secretory salivary glands offer a potential therapeutic resource for use in the regeneration of salivary glands needed to restore saliva production in patients with chronic xerostomia, or dry mouth. Methods were developed previously to isolate human stem/progenitor cells (hS/PCs) from major salivary glands (parotid/submandibular). Abundant minor salivary glands located in readily accessible locations in the oral cavity and lip could provide an additional valuable therapeutic resource.

Implant Survival in Tissue-Engineered Mandibular Reconstruction-Early Experiences.

Study Design: This article is to evaluate the early outcomes of dental implants placed in bone generated with tissueengineering techniques, specifically recombinant human bone morphogenic protein-2 (rhBMP-2), allogeneicbone particulate, and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) in patients with resection of benignpathology.

Objective: To evaluate the long-term prognosis of dental implants placed in tissue engineered mandibular reconstruction.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 12 patient records, all of whom underwent segmental mandibular resection of benign pathology and reconstruction with a combination of BMAC, rhBMP-2, and allogeneic bone.

A multi-disciplinary commentary on preclinical research to investigate vascular contributions to dementia.

Although dementia research has been dominated by Alzheimer's disease (AD), most dementia in older people is now recognised to be due to mixed pathologies, usually combining vascular and AD brain pathology. Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI), which encompasses vascular dementia (VaD) is the second most common type of dementia. Models of VCI have been delayed by limited understanding of the underlying aetiology and pathogenesis.

Intraosseous regional prophylaxis in total knee arthroplasty.

Prophylactic antibiotics are important in reducing the risk of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) following total knee arthroplasty. Their effectiveness depends on the choice of antibiotic and the optimum timing of their administration, to ensure adequate tissue concentrations. Cephalosporins are typically used, but an increasing number of resistant organisms are causing PJI, leading to the additional use of vancomycin.

Identification of preclinical dementia according to ATN classification for stratified trial recruitment: A machine learning approach.

Introduction: The Amyloid/Tau/Neurodegeneration (ATN) framework was proposed to identify the preclinical biological state of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We investigated whether ATN phenotype can be predicted using routinely collected research cohort data.

Methods: 927 EPAD LCS cohort participants free of dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment were separated into 5 ATN categories.