Hydrogel Use in Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head.

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is a vascular disease of unknown etiology and can be categorized mainly into two types: non-traumatic and traumatic ONFH. Thus, understanding osteogenic-angiogenic coupling is of prime importance in finding a solution for the treatment of ONFH. Hydrogels are biomaterials that are similar to the extracellular matrix (ECM).

The effect of cognitive behavioural therapy and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing techniques on infertile women: a randomized controlled trial.

Research Question: What effects do training programmes based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) techniques applied to infertile women affected psychologically and emotionally by infertility have on post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychological development?

Design: This randomized controlled study was conducted between May 2021 and August 2022. The study population included 90 infertile women referred to the IVF unit of a hospital in a province in eastern Turkey: 30 in the CBT group, 30 in the EMDR group and 30 in the control group. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Subjective Units of Disturbance Scale (SUDS), the Validity of Cognition (VoC) scale, the Infertility Distress Scale (IDS), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) and the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI).

A pilot study: Nano-hydroxyapatite-PEG/PLA containing low dose rhBMP2 stimulates proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells.

Background: Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) can enhance posterolateral spinal fusion (PLSF). The minimum effective dose that may stimulate mesenchymal stem cells however remains unknown. Nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) polyethylene glycol (PEG)/polylactic acid (PLA) was combined with recombinant human BMP2 (rhBMP2).

The comparison of paricalcitol and calcitriol effects on pulse wave velocity, osteocalcin, and fetuin-A in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Introduction: Vascular calcification is an intervenable factor in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease. Treatment-related factors might worsen the arterial stiffness in chronic hemodialysis patients. The aim of the study is to compare the effects of 1-year treatment with paricalcitol or calcitriol on pulse wave velocity (PWV), which is an indicator of arterial stiffness and osteocalcin and fetuin-A levels.

The Effect of Foot Massage Applied to Turkish Women Living in Rural Areas on Sexual Distress and Sexual Self-Confidence: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Introduction: This study was conducted to determine the effect of foot massage applied to women with sexual distress in rural areas on sexual distress and sexual self-confidence.

Material And Methods: This randomized controlled study was conducted with women who applied to a family health center located in a rural area in northern Turkey and who had sexual distress. The research sample consisted of 84 women, 42 of whom were in the experimental group and 42 in the control group.

Effects of rhBMP-2-loaded hydroxyapatite granules/beta-tricalcium phosphate hydrogel (HA/β-TCP/hydrogel) composite on a rat model of caudal intervertebral fusion.

The effects and inflammation-related side effects of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 on posterior lumbar interbody fusion are controversial. One of the potential causes for the inconsistent results is the uncontrolled release of BMP-2 from the collagen carrier. Therefore, BMP delivery systems that support effective bone regeneration while attenuating the side effects are strongly sought for.

Prostaglandin EP4 Selective Agonist AKDS001 Enhances New Bone Formation by Minimodeling in a Rat Heterotopic Xenograft Model of Human Bone.

To enhance bone regeneration, the use of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 is an attractive option. Unfortunately, the dose-dependent side effects prevent its widespread use. Therefore, a novel osteogenic agent using a different mechanism of action than BMP-2 is highly desirable.

Selective Retinoic Acid Receptor γ Antagonist 7C is a Potent Enhancer of BMP-Induced Ectopic Endochondral Bone Formation.

Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have been clinically applied for induction of bone formation in musculoskeletal disorders such as critical-sized bone defects, nonunions, and spinal fusion surgeries. However, the use of supraphysiological doses of BMP caused adverse events, which were sometimes life-threatening. Therefore, safer treatment strategies for bone regeneration have been sought for decades.

Effect of the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program on stress, anxiety, and childbirth fear in pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19.

Objective: This study aims to examine the effectiveness of a live online Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program in preventing distress, anxiety and childbirth fear in pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19.

Material And Methods: Designed as a randomized-controlled trial, this study was performed with the participation of pregnant women who were diagnosed with COVID-19. The sample comprised 84 pregnant women, including 42 in the experimental group and 42 in the control group.

Psychosocial factors and health practices in pregnancy: A cross-sectional study.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate psychosocial, demographic and obstetric factors that affect health practices in pregnancy.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with pregnant women selected by using random sampling in a public hospital in Turkey. The pregnant women (n = 383) completed the Health Practices Questionnaire in Pregnancy, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, the Beck Anxiety Inventory and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support.

Effect of nutritional support on nutritional status and inflammation in malnourished patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis.

Introduction: Protein energy wasting/malnutrition is a strong predictor of morbidity and mortality in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). We aimed to compare the effects of oral and/or intradialytic parenteral nutrition (IDPN) support on nutritional and inflammatory parameters in malnourished patients with MHD.

Methods: This is an observational study of 56 malnourished patients on MHD.

Low magnetic field promotes recombinant human BMP-2-induced bone formation and influences orientation of trabeculae and bone marrow-derived stromal cells.

Effects of high magnetic fields [MFs, ≥ 1 T (T)] on osteoblastic differentiation and the orientation of cells or matrix proteins have been reported. However, the effect of low MFs (< 1 T) on the orientation of bone formation is not well known. This study was performed to verify the effects of low MFs on osteoblastic differentiation, bone formation, and orientation of both cells and newly formed bone.

Antibacterial efficacy of quaternized chitosan coating on 3D printed titanium cage in rat intervertebral disc space.

Background Context: Infection around intervertebral fusion cages can be intractable because of the avascular nature of the intervertebral disc space. Intervertebral cages with antibacterial effects may be a method by which this complication can be prevented.

Purpose: To investigate the bacterial load on the antibacterial coating cages for spinal interbody fusion STUDY DESIGN: An experimental in vitro and in vivo study.

A novel nano-hydroxyapatite/synthetic polymer/bone morphogenetic protein-2 composite for efficient bone regeneration.

Background: Efficient bone regeneration using recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) is needed to reduce side effects caused by high-dose BMP-2 use. The composite material of polylactic acid-polyethene glycol (PLA-PEG) for sustained release and an osteogenic nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) can contribute to efficient bone regeneration by BMP-2.

Study Design: An experimental in vitro and in vivo study.

The small compound, TD-198946, protects against intervertebral degeneration by enhancing glycosaminoglycan synthesis in nucleus pulposus cells.

Degeneration of the nucleus pulposus (NP) might serve as a trigger for intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). A recent drug screening study revealed that the thienoindazole derivative, TD-198946, is a novel drug for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Because of the environmental and functional similarities between articular cartilage and intervertebral disc, TD-198946 is expected to prevent IDD.

Assessment of effects of rhBMP-2 on interbody fusion with a novel rat model.

Background Context: The effects of using off-label recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein (rhBMP)-2 for interbody fusion are controversial. Although animal models of posterolateral fusion are well-established, establishing animal models to validate the safety and efficacy of interbody fusion is difficult, which may contribute to the inconsistent clinical results.

Purpose: To develop a novel animal model of interbody fusion in rat coccygeal vertebrae without destroying bony endplates.

A novel and efficient method for culturing mouse nucleus pulposus cells.

Background Context: As degeneration of the nucleus pulposus (NP) is a major cause of intervertebral disc degeneration, research directed toward nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) is drawing increased attention. However, caused by the difficulties associated with their harvest and culture, there are few reports describing cultivation methods for mouse NP cells (mNPCs).

Purpose: To establish efficient culture methods for mNPCs.

Administration of ONO-2506 suppresses neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury by inhibition of astrocytic activation.

Background Context: Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in not only motor dysfunction but also chronic neuropathic pain. Allodynia, an abnormal sensation that evokes pain against non-noxious stimuli, is a major symptom of post-SCI neuropathic pain. Astrocytic activation is a cause of post-SCI neuropathic pain and is considered a key treatment target.

Factors Influencing Hemoglobin Variability and Its Association with Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients.

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the factors influencing hemoglobin variability with inflammatory and nutritional parameters and its associations with all-cause mortality among hemodialysis patients.

Methods: One hundred and sixty-nine patients during the entire 12 months were enrolled into the study. Fasting plasma glucose, creatinine, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone (PTH), C-reactive protein (CRP), serum iron, serum iron-binding capacity, and transferrin saturation were analyzed.

Iloprost as an acute kidney injury-triggering agent in severely atherosclerotic patients.

Background: Iloprost, a stable prostacyclin analog, is used as a rescue therapy for severe peripheral arterial disease (PAD). It has systemic vasodilatory and anti-aggregant effects, with severe vasodilatation potentially causing organ ischaemia when severe atherosclerosis is the underlying cause. In this study, we retrospectively analysed renal outcomes after iloprost infusion therapy in 86 patients.

Hematological parameters can predict the extent of coronary artery disease in patients with end-stage renal disease.

Purpose: Aside from traditional factors (e.g., diabetes, age, and hypertension), some hematological parameters, such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), red blood cell distribution width (RDW), and mean platelet volume (MPV), have increasingly been reported as measures of systemic inflammation and atherosclerosis in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).