Suramin ameliorates osteoarthritis by acting on the Nrf2/HO-1 and NF-κB signaling pathways in chondrocytes and promoting M2 polarization in macrophages.

Osteoarthritis (OA)-the most prevalent of arthritis diseases-is a complicated pathogenesis caused by cartilage degeneration and synovial inflammation. Suramin has been reported to enhance chondrogenic differentiation. However, the therapeutic effect of suramin on OA-induced cartilage destruction has remained unclear.

Anterior cruciate ligament remnant preservation attenuates apoptosis and enhances the regeneration of hamstring tendon graft.

Aims: The effects of remnant preservation on the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and its relationship with the tendon graft remain unclear. We hypothesized that the co-culture of remnant cells and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) decreases apoptosis and enhances the activity of the hamstring tendons and tenocytes, thus aiding ACL reconstruction.

Methods: The ACL remnant, bone marrow, and hamstring tendons were surgically harvested from rabbits.

Suramin enhances chondrogenic properties by regulating the p67/PI3K/AKT/SOX9 signalling pathway.

Aims: Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is a promising treatment for articular cartilage degeneration and injury; however, it requires a large number of human hyaline chondrocytes, which often undergo dedifferentiation during in vitro expansion. This study aimed to investigate the effect of suramin on chondrocyte differentiation and its underlying mechanism.

Methods: Porcine chondrocytes were treated with vehicle or various doses of suramin.

Comparing the Efficacy of Intra-Articular Single Platelet-Rich Plasma(PRP) versus Novel Crosslinked Hyaluronic Acid for Early-Stage Knee Osteoarthritis: A Prospective, Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.

: For the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA), intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and novel crosslinked single-dose hyaluronic acid (HA) have both been reported to improve outcomes, but no study has compared them for the treatment of knee OA. We hypothesized patients with early-stage knee OA who received PRP injections would have more WOMAC score changes than those who received HA injections. This is the first prospective, double-blind, parallel, randomized controlled trial comparing the efficacy of intra-articular single-dose PRP versus novel crosslinked HA (HyajointPlus) for treating early-stage knee OA.

Joint hypermobility and preschool-age flexible flatfoot.

Flexible flatfoot is the most common condition seen in pediatric orthopedic practice and generalized joint hypermobility is widely regarded as one of the predisposing factors. However, in previous studies, the flatfoot was defined by observers' subjective evaluation of the eversion of the bare foot in the standing position; and the joint hypermobility was defined by the Beighton score. The objective of this study is to evaluate the correlation between preschool-age flexible flatfoot and joint hypermobility in preschool-age children objectively.

Efficacy of Intra-Articular Injection of Biofermentation-Derived High-Molecular Hyaluronic Acid in Knee Osteoarthritis: An Ultrasonographic Study.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of intra-articular injection with HYAJOINT Plus, a biofermentation-derived, high-molecular hyaluronic acid (HA), on the progression of structural changes of cartilage in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) by using objectively promised ultrasonography (US) evaluation.

Design: In this prospective clinical trial, 56 OA patients completed the study. One single dose of injection of HYAJOINT Plus into the knee cavity was performed.

Zonal-Layered Chondrocyte Sheets for Repairment of Full-Thickness Articular Cartilage Defect: A Mini-Pig Model.

The cell sheet technique is a promising approach for tissue engineering, and the present study is aimed to determine a better configuration of cell sheets for cartilage repair. For stratified chondrocyte sheets (S-CS), articular chondrocytes isolated from superficial, middle, and deep zones were stacked accordingly. Heterogeneous chondrocyte sheets (H-CS) were obtained by mixing zonal chondrocytes.

Intravenous Tranexamic Acid Reduces Blood Loss and Transfusion Volume in Scoliosis Surgery for Spinal Muscular Atrophy: Results of a 20-Year Retrospective Analysis.

Intravenous tranexamic acid (TXA) has been administered to reduce intraoperative blood loss in scoliosis surgery. However, the therapeutic effect of TXA on spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) scoliosis surgery is not well demonstrated. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the efficacy of intravenous TXA in SMA scoliosis surgery.

Hybrid versus total sublaminar wires in patients with spinal muscular atrophy undergoing scoliosis surgery.

Background: Early versions of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) scoliosis correction surgery often involved sublaminar devices. Recently, the utilization of pedicle screws has gained much popularity. Pedicle screws are generally believed to provide additional deformity correction, but pedicle size and rotational deformity limit their application in the thoracic spine, resulting in a hybrid construct involving pedicle screws and sublaminar wire.

Suramin attenuates intervertebral disc degeneration by inhibiting NF-κB signalling pathway.

Aims: Interleukin (IL)-1β is one of the major pathogenic regulators during the pathological development of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). However, effective treatment options for IDD are limited. Suramin is used to treat African sleeping sickness.

Comparison of Efficacy among Three Radiofrequency Ablation Techniques for Treating Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) was first introduced for treating knee osteoarthritis (OA) in 2010 and has emerged as a minimally invasive treatment option. Three RFA techniques have been adopted for treating knee OA, including conventional, pulsed, and cooled RFA. However, the efficacy among different RFA techniques in the treatment of knee OA is still unclear.

Shockwave Treatment Enhanced Extracellular Matrix Production in Articular Chondrocytes Through Activation of the ROS/MAPK/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway.

Objective: Shockwave application is a potential treatment for osteoarthritis (OA), but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Oxidative stress and a counterbalancing antioxidant system might be the key to understanding this mechanism. We hypothesized that reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2),which is an important regulator of cellular redox homeostasis, are plausible elements.

Extracorporeal shock wave promotes activation of anterior cruciate ligament remnant cells and their paracrine regulation of bone marrow stromal cells' proliferation, migration, collagen synthesis, and differentiation.

Aims: Proliferation, migration, and differentiation of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) remnant and surrounding cells are fundamental processes for ACL reconstruction; however, the interaction between ACL remnant and surrounding cells is unclear. We hypothesized that ACL remnant cells preserve the capability to regulate the surrounding cells' activity, collagen gene expression, and tenogenic differentiation. Moreover, extracorporeal shock wave (ESW) would not only promote activity of ACL remnant cells, but also enhance their paracrine regulation of surrounding cells.

Steady Augmentation of Anti-Osteoarthritic Actions of Rapamycin by Liposome-Encapsulation in Collaboration with Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound.

Introduction: Rapamycin has been considered as a potential treatment for osteoarthritis (OA). Drug carriers fabricated from liposomes can prolong the effects of drugs and reduce side effects of drugs. Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been found to possess anti-OA effects.

Comparative effectiveness of various treatment strategies for trigger finger by pairwise meta-analysis.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of various strategies in the treatment of trigger finger.

Data Sources: A systematic literature search for randomized controlled trials to compare treatments for trigger finger was conducted through three online databases, Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane Library, from their inception dates to 22 May 2020.

Methods: Relative risk (RR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to evaluate the effect sizes in success rate for included articles.

Management of nonunion of humeral medial condyle fracture: A case series and review of the literature.

Pediatric humeral medial condyle fracture (HMCF) is a rare condition and is difficult to detect, especially in young children. The management of late presentation of HMCF is challenging and lacks consensus. Herein, we reported four cases of HMCF nonunion received open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) or supracondyle osteotomy from our institution.

A comparison of efficacy among different radiofrequency ablation techniques for the treatment of lumbar facet joint and sacroiliac joint pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of different radiofrequency techniques (thermal, pulsed, and cooled radiofrequency) for treating lumbar facet joint (LFJ) or sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain.

Patients And Methods: The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) age > 18 years; (2) patients suffering from LFJ or SIJ pain; and (3) patients receiving radiofrequency treatments. Four electronic databases, including Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and ISI Web of Knowledge were systematically searched from inception until December 2019 for relevant articles.

Predictors for Deformity Progression in a Spinal Muscular Atrophy Cohort After Scoliosis Correction Surgery.

Study Design: This was a single-center, retrospective study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the risk factors for deformity progression after scoliosis correction surgery in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) patients.

Summary Of Background Data: Moderate residual postoperative scoliosis curve is common in SMA populations; however, the acceptable postoperative scoliosis curve for preventing deformity progression remains uncertain.

How to effectively obtain informed consent in trauma patients: a systematic review.

Background: Obtaining adequate informed consent from trauma patients is challenging and time-consuming. Healthcare providers must communicate complicated medical information to enable patients to make informed decisions. This study aimed to explore the challenges of obtaining valid consent and methods of improving the quality of the informed consent process for surgical procedures in trauma patients.

Characterization of the Proliferating Layer Chondrocytes of Growth Plate for Cartilage Regeneration.

In recent years, cell-based therapy is a promising strategy for repairing defect cartilage. However, expansion of articular chondrocytes (ACs) for collecting enough cell numbers eventually develops cell de-differentiation. In the present study, we choose the proliferative layer chondroctytes (PLCs) of growth plate as new candidate.

Educational video-assisted versus conventional informed consent for trauma-related debridement surgery: a parallel group randomized controlled trial.

Background: We investigated whether, in the emergency department (ED), educational video-assisted informed consent is superior to the conventional consent process, to inform trauma patients undergoing surgery about the procedure, benefits, risks, alternatives, and postoperative care.

Methods: We conducted a prospective randomized controlled trial, with superiority study design. All trauma patients scheduled to receive trauma-related debridement surgery in the ED of Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital were included.