The Role of Bioceramics for Bone Regeneration: History, Mechanisms, and Future Perspectives.

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder marked by compromised bone integrity, predisposing individuals, particularly older adults and postmenopausal women, to fractures. The advent of bioceramics for bone regeneration has opened up auspicious pathways for addressing osteoporosis. Research indicates that bioceramics can help bones grow back by activating bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and wingless/integrated (Wnt)/β-catenin pathways in the body when combined with stem cells, drugs, and other supports.

Comparative Analysis of Autophagy and Apoptosis in Disc Degeneration: Understanding the Dynamics of Temporary-Compression-Induced Early Autophagy and Sustained-Compression-Triggered Apoptosis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the initiation of autophagy activation and apoptosis in nucleus pulposus cells under temporary compression (TC) and sustained compression (SC) to identify ideal research approaches in intervertebral disc degeneration. Various techniques were used: radiography (X-ray), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), transmission electron microscope (TEM), H&E staining, Masson's trichrome staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC) (LC3, beclin-1, and cleaved caspase-3), and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) for autophagy-related (beclin-1, LC3, and P62) and apoptosis-related (caspase-3 and PARP) gene expression analysis. X-ray and MRI revealed varying degrees of disc degeneration, ranging from moderate to severe in both groups.

Role of Necroptosis in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

Apoptosis has historically been considered the primary form of programmed cell death (PCD) and is responsible for regulating cellular processes during development, homeostasis, and disease. Conversely, necrosis was considered uncontrolled and unregulated. However, recent evidence has unveiled the significance of necroptosis, a regulated form of necrosis, as an important mechanism of PCD alongside apoptosis.

Autophagy in an extruded disc compared to the remaining disc after lumbar disc herniation in the same patient.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate autophagy in an extruded disc and to compare this activity with the activity in the remaining disc after lumbar disc herniation in the same patient.

Methods: In total, 12 patients (females 4, males 8) with the extruded type of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) were surgically treated. Their mean age was 54.

Fracture Liaison Service in Korea: 2022 Position Statement of the Korean Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures cause socioeconomic concerns, and medical system and policies appear insufficient to prepare for these issues in Korea, where the older adult population is rapidly increasing. Many countries around the world are already responding to osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures by adopting fracture liaison service (FLS), and such an attempt has only begun in Korea. In this article, we introduce the operation methods for institutions implementing FLS and characteristics of services, and activities of the FLS Committee for FLS implementation in the Korean Society for Bone and Mineral Research.

Lumbar Interbody Fusion and Osteobiologics for Lumbar Fusion.

Lumbar interbody fusion (LIF) is an excellent treatment option for a number of lumbar diseases. LIF can be performed through posterior, transforaminal, anterior, and lateral or oblique approaches. Each technique has its own pearls and pitfalls.

Osteoclast and Sclerostin Expression in Osteocytes in the Femoral Head with Risedronate Therapy in Patients with Hip Fractures: A Retrospective Comparative Study.

Background and Objectives: The majority of research on the effects of osteoporosis drugs has measured the bone mineral density (BMD) of the spine and femur through dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) and compared and analyzed the effects of the drugs through changes in the BMD values. This study aims to compare osteoclast and sclerostin expression in osteocytes after risedronate therapy by obtaining femoral heads from patients with hip fractures. Materials and Methods: We obtained the femoral heads of 10 female patients (age: ≥65 years) who received risedronate therapy for at least 1 year through hip arthroplasty during 2019−2021 (risedronate group).

Total Meniscus Reconstruction Using a Polymeric Hybrid-Scaffold: Combined with 3D-Printed Biomimetic Framework and Micro-Particle.

The meniscus has poor intrinsic regenerative capability, and its injury inevitably leads to articular cartilage degeneration. Although there are commercialized off-the-shelf alternatives to achieve total meniscus regeneration, each has its own shortcomings such as individualized size matching issues and inappropriate mechanical properties. We manufactured a polycaprolactone-based patient-specific designed framework via a Computed Tomography scan images and 3D-printing technique.

Analysis of pain markers and epidural fibrosis caused by repeated spinal surgery in Sprague-Dawley rats.

Background: Epidural fibrosis is one of the aetiologies of pain following a spinal revision surgery. It is reported that the specific members of the mitogen - activated protein kinases (MAPK) family might mediate neuropathic pain. However, roles of epidural fibrosis caused by repeated spinal surgeries and pain-related proteins in causing the post spinal surgery syndrome remain unknown.

Evaluation of the Antibacterial Activity and Cell Response for 3D-Printed Polycaprolactone/Nanohydroxyapatite Scaffold with Zinc Oxide Coating.

Among 3D-printed composite scaffolds for bone tissue engineering, researchers have been attracted to the use of zinc ions to improve the scaffold's anti-bacterial activity and prevent surgical site infection. In this study, we assumed that the concentration of zinc ions released from the scaffold will be correlated with the thickness of the zinc oxide coating on 3D-printed scaffolds. We investigated the adequate thickness of zinc oxide coating by comparing different scaffolds' characteristics, antibacterial activity, and in vitro cell response.

Relationships Between Disc Degeneration and Autophagy Expression in Human Nucleus Pulposus.

Objectives: To elaborate on the relationship between degeneration grade and autophagy expression in human nucleus pulposus obtained from surgical procedures.

Methods: For the 16 patients included in the present study, we determined the Pfirrmann classifications of degenerative lesions by MRI. Western blot analysis, LC3, LAMP2, and p62 protein expressions were quantified in different degeneration grades of disc nucleus pulposus.

Anterior Cervical Debridement and Fusion for Cervical Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis: Use of Anterior Cervical Plating or Not?

Study Design: Retrospective multicenter case series.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the safety and efficacy of anterior cervical plating in anterior cervical debridement and fusion (ACDF) for patients with cervical pyogenic spondylodiscitis (CPS).

Summary Of Background Data: Due to concerns about bacterial seeding on the foreign material after instrumentations in pyogenic infections, the safety and efficacy of anterior cervical plating for CPS are still undetermined and controversial.

Esophageal Perforation after Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective case analyses.

Purpose: To investigate the causes, diagnosis, and management of esophageal perforation, depending on the time of diagnosis.

Overview Of Literature: To date, few studies have addressed these issues.

Dexamethasone Facilitates NF-κB Signal Pathway in TNF-α Stimulated Rotator Cuff Tenocytes.

Corticosteroids are commonly used for pain control in rotator cuff tear. Deregulated NF-κB activation is a hallmark of chronic inflammatory diseases and has been responsible for the pathogenesis of rotator cuff tear. The Dexamethasone(DEXA) is a synthetic corticosteroid.

Assessments for bone regeneration using the polycaprolactone SLUP (salt-leaching using powder) scaffold.

Salt-leaching using powder (SLUP) scaffolds are novel salt-leaching scaffolds with well-interconnected pores that do not require an organic solvent or high pressure. In this study, in vitro and in vivo cell behaviors were assessed using a PCL (polycaprolactone) SLUP scaffold. Moreover, using PCL, conventional salt-leaching and 3D-plotted scaffolds were fabricated as control scaffolds.

Mechanical properties and cell-culture characteristics of a polycaprolactone kagome-structure scaffold fabricated by a precision extruding deposition system.

To enhance the mechanical properties of three-dimensional (3D) scaffolds used for bone regeneration in tissue engineering, many researchers have studied their structure and chemistry. In the structural engineering field, the kagome structure has been known to have an excellent relative strength. In this study, to enhance the mechanical properties of a synthetic polymer scaffold used for tissue engineering, we applied the 3D kagome structure to a porous scaffold for bone regeneration.

Posterior locked lateral compression injury of the pelvis in geriatric patients: an infrequent and specific variant of the fragility fracture of pelvis.

Introduction: Posterior locked lateral compression injury (PLLCI) of the pelvic ring is an infrequent variant of lateral compression injury, a condition described in only eight reported cases since 2000. Lateral compression injury usually results from high-energy trauma and is characterized by locking between the medially translated fractured ilium and the anterior border of the sacrum, regardless of whether the fractured ilium involves the sacroiliac joint. However, in our experience, lateral compression injury can also result from low-energy trauma as a manifestation of pelvic fragility fracture.

Clinical Usefulness of Long-term Application of Fentanyl Matrix in Chronic Non-Cancer Pain: Improvement of Pain and Physical and Emotional Functions.

Background: Opioids are recently recommended for those who do not gain adequate pain relief from the use of acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Medical opioids are administered in various routes, and transdermal opioid products that can make up for the weaknesses of the oral or intravenous products have been developed. This study is to evaluate the clinical usefulness of fentanyl matrix in terms of the long-term improvement in pain and physical and mental functions.

Clinical and radiologic outcomes of arthroscopic suture bridge repair for the greater tuberosity fractures of the proximal humerus.

Purpose: To report the clinical and radiological outcomes of arthroscopic suture bridge repair for the GT fractures of the shoulder joint.

Methods: From March 2008 to July 2013, we performed arthroscopic suture bridge repair of the GT fractures displaced more than 5 mm superiorly or posteriorly, but less than 2 cm in 40 cases [20 men, 20 women; mean age, 56 (27-80) years] with the average 32 (24-48) months follow-up. At the final follow-up, clinical (ASES, UCLA, SST, KSS score and range of motions) and radiological outcomes using post-operative MRI or CT scan were evaluated.

The fabrication of well-interconnected polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite composite scaffolds, enhancing the exposure of hydroxyapatite using the wire-network molding technique.

In this study, the fabrication method was proposed for the well-interconnected polycaprolactone/hydroxyapatite composite scaffold with exposed hydroxyapatite using modified WNM technique. To characterize well-interconnected scaffolds in terms of hydroxyapatite exposure, several assessments were performed as follows: morphology, mechanical property, wettability, calcium ion release, and cell response assessments. The results of these assessments were compared with those of control scaffolds which were fabricated by precision extruding deposition (PED) apparatus.

Extra-Articular Ganglion Cysts around the Knee Joint.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to report clinical results of open excision of extra-articular ganglion cysts around the knee joint combined with arthroscopic management of intra-articular pathologies if present.

Materials And Methods: Of the total 107 cases of cystic lesions around the knee, 23 cases of extra-articular ganglion cysts were reviewed between January 2006 and July 2011. There were 13 males and 10 females with a mean age of 48 years (range, 30 to 73 years).

Radial collateral ligament reconstruction of the proximal interphalangeal joint of a finger with severe bony defect: revising a failed ligament reconstruction--a case report.

Chronic proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) instability of the finger is rare, and when it occurs usually requires surgical reconstruction. Complications arising from failed ligament reconstruction may result in a situation more difficult to address than the initial reconstruction. This situation is more likely for the finger than other orthopaedic reconstructions because the phalangeal bones are so small.

A study of sacral anthropometry to determine S1 screw placement for spinal lumbosacral fixation in the Korean population.

Purpose: 1. To investigate the incidence of closed-type PSIS in the Korean population. 2.