Decellularised Cartilage ECM Culture Coatings Drive Rapid and Robust Chondrogenic Differentiation of Human Periosteal Cells.

The control of cell behaviour in an effort to create highly homogeneous cultures is becoming an area of intense research, both to elucidate fundamental biology and for regenerative applications. The extracellular matrix (ECM) controls many cellular processes in vivo, and as such is a rich source of cues that may be translated in vitro. Herein, we describe the creation of cell culture coatings from porcine decellularised hyaline cartilage through enzymatic digestion.

Decellularized Cartilage Directs Chondrogenic Differentiation: Creation of a Fracture Callus Mimetic.

Complications that arise from impaired fracture healing have considerable socioeconomic implications. Current research in the field of bone tissue engineering predominantly aims to mimic the mature bone tissue microenvironment. This approach, however, may produce implants that are intrinsically unresponsive to the cues present during the initiation of fracture repair.

Biomimetic strategies for fracture repair: Engineering the cell microenvironment for directed tissue formation.

Complications resulting from impaired fracture healing have major clinical implications on fracture management strategies. Novel concepts taken from developmental biology have driven research strategies towards the elaboration of regenerative approaches that can truly harness the complex cellular events involved in tissue formation and repair. Advances in polymer technology and a better understanding of naturally derived scaffolds have given rise to novel biomaterials with an increasing ability to recapitulate native tissue environments.

Bone marrow biopsy changes in the iliac bone mimicking multiple colonic polypi.

Many different entities simulating colonic polyps on barium enema examination have been described. Of the extraluminal mimics, round bony structures such as vertebral pedicles are perhaps best known. We describe the cause of a previously undescribed artifact: bone marrow biopsy of the ilium.

Upper airway distensibility and collapsibility in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

The present study was performed to evaluate the distensibility and collapsibility characteristics of regional segments of the UA in patients with OSA and in normal subjects in response to changes in airway pressure. Seventeen male patients with moderately severe OSA and 13 normal subjects underwent CT of the UA in the supine position while awake. Axial views were obtained from the level of the hard palate to the hypopharynx under conditions of -5, 0, and +10 cm H2O of CAP.

Observer reliability in CT and MRI of the abdomen/pelvis.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate two sources of error in the performance of computerized tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the abdomen/pelvis. The sources of error assessed were inter- and intra-observer reliability. Thirty abdomen/pelvis CT scans were randomly selected from each of three hospitals (university, VA, military) with different CT scanners.

Computed tomography demonstration of inferior lumbar (Petit's) hernia.

Inferior lumbar (Petit's) hernia is an uncommon condition resulting from a defect in the posterior abdominal wall. Such hernias may be difficult to diagnose on the basis of physical signs and symptoms. A case of unsuspected inferior lumbar hernia clearly demonstrated by computed tomography (CT) is presented.

Diagnostic accuracy of a teleradiology image transmission system.

Teleradiology is the remote interpretation of digitized radiographic images by physicians. The images are usually transmitted over telephone lines, but satellite communication has also been used. The interpretability of the transmitted image is an important factor in the operation and use of teleradiology systems.

Computed tomographic evaluation of paraesophageal hernia.

Paraesophageal hernias are relatively rare compared to the more commonly diagnosed sliding hiatus hernia. They tend to be asymptomatic initially, but may gradually enlarge and present with life-threatening complications. The treatment is surgical reduction, preferably as an elective procedure.

Innocuous gas collections in pancreatic allografts demonstrated by computed tomography.

Over a 4-year period, 6 pancreatic abscesses were found in 37 patients who had combined renal and segmental pancreatic transplants. An additional 4 patients who were nontoxic at the time of their computed tomographic (CT) examinations had innocuous gas collections, either in the pancreatic allograft or the surrounding peripancreatic tissue. The possible etiology of this gas formation is discussed.

Computed tomography of omental liver packs.

Hypodense liver lesions with attenuation coefficients indicative of fat density were seen on CT of three patients followed up for suspected metastatic spread of gastrointestinal malignancy. Knowledge of previous hepatic surgery using omental packing for hemostasis in the setting of liver trauma or lobectomy was useful in preventing a false-positive interpretation of postoperative complications.

Neutropenic colitis: evaluation with computed tomography.

The computed tomography findings of 10 patients with neutropenic colitis are described and illustrated. Seven of these patients had leukemia, one had lymphocytic lymphoma, and two had systemic lupus erythematosus. All patients had colon wall thickening which was either isodense with the normal bowel tissue or showed areas of intramural low density.

Pancreatic transplantation: scintigraphy, US, and CT.

Twenty-one patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus received simultaneous renal and segmental pancreatic transplants. A retrospective analysis of 112 real-time ultrasound (US) images, 108 technetium-99m glucoheptonate scinti-scans, 55 computed tomography (CT) scans, and 11 cystograms was performed. Complications that were observed included pancreatic transplant rejection, pancreatitis, arteriovenous occlusions, hemorrhage, abscesses, and extravasation at the pancreaticocystostomy site.

Synchronous multicentric desmoid tumors (aggressive fibromatosis) of the extremities.

Synchronous multicentric aggressive fibromatosis does not appear to have been previously reported. Two such cases are described. The tumors were identified by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

Avascular bone necrosis in an untreated case of chronic myelogenous leukemia.

Hip pain due to aseptic necrosis of the femoral head was the first clinical manifestation of chronic myelogenous leukemia in a 9-year-old white female. An erroneous diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis was first entertained. Physical examination showed splenomegaly, complete blood count revealed leucocytosis of 359,000.

Treatment of frostbite with i.v. streptokinase: an experimental study in rabbits.

Experiments were conducted in 32 rabbits to determine whether treatment with IV streptokinase can effectively limit the extent of tissue damage associated with frostbite injury of the hind limbs. Other variables studied were the temperature of the tissue during freezing, the time taken to rewarm the exposed limbs, and the delay between the initiation of treatment with streptokinase and cessation of freezing. A control group of 16 rabbits was not given streptokinase.

Frostbite: experimental assessment of tissue damage using Tc-99m pyrophosphate. Work in progress.

We designed an experimental model using a new method of freezing to study the pathogenesis and treatment of frostbite. Frostbite was simulated in a manner that closely resembles that which occurs in a natural environment. We used a radionuclide imaging technique to monitor the evolution and extent of tissue damage relative to temperature, rate of freezing, and controlled rewarming.

Joint scintigraphy using technetium-99m pyrophosphate in experimental hemarthrosis.

To determine the validity of a method for induction of experimental hemarthrosis in dogs and for the nuclear imaging of hemarthrosis, serial technetium-99m pyrophosphate [( 99mTc]PYP) flow and blood-pool scans were performed monthly in eight dogs who received bi-weekly injections of autologous blood into their femoro-tibial joints (also called stifle joint). In four control dogs, one joint was injected with saline while the other joint received only a sham injection. In addition, two dogs received intra-articular injections of autologous blood into their right stifle joint and saline into their left stifle joint.

Peripheral veno-lymphatic communications.

Though there have been a number of articles on lympho-venous anastomoses, there have been no reports of the opposite situation, namely veno-lymphatic communication. A case of veno-lymphatic communication is presented, and possible explanations for this finding are described.

Detection of right-to-left shunt with radionuclide angiocardiography in refractory hypoxemia.

A significant right-to-left shunt at the atrial level was diagnosed by radionuclide angiocardiographic examination in a patient with hypoxemia whose perfusion scan showed no pulmonary uptake. The shunt occurred through a patent foramen ovale due to increased right ventricular afterload, subsequently confirmed at autopsy. It is concluded that radionuclide angiocardiography with technetium 99m macroaggregated albumin (99mTc MAA), followed immediately by a perfusion lung scan, may have a place in the evaluation of patients with refractory hypoxemia, since pulmonary embolism and/or right-to-left shunting are two of several causes of hypoxemia in the absence of congenital heart disease.

Computed tomography in the pretreatment assessment of carcinoma of the cervix.

Fifty-nine patients with primary or recurrent carcinoma of the cervix were evaluated by computed tomography as part of their presurgical evaluation. The computed tomography staging results were compared with the surgical staging. Computed tomography staging was accurate in 71% (42 of 59), whereas clinical staging was accurate in 66% (39 of 59).

Radiographic and CT demonstration of mammary emphysema.

The radiographic and CT appearance of air within the mammary parenchyma is described along with a discussion of the possible routes of dissection of gas from regions of subcutaneous emphysema into the breast tissue.

Computed tomography and ultrasound appearance of bladder malacoplakia.

The computed tomography and ultrasound findings of two patients with malacoplakia of the bladder, both at the time of initial diagnosis and following response to treatment, are presented. Because bladder wall involvement is demonstrated by these modalities in female patients with repeated episodes of urinary tract infection, this entity should be entertained in the differential diagnosis.

Focal fatty liver lesions in alcoholic liver disease: a broadened spectrum of CT appearances.

The CT examinations of 26 consecutive alcoholic patients with focal fatty infiltration of the liver were analyzed. Five different patterns of focal fatty infiltration were noted. In most alcoholic patients these appearances present no diagnostic problem and further confirmation can be obtained by repeating the CT scan within 1-2 weeks to see if interval resolution occurs following enforced abstinence.