Spatial and temporal evaluation of iodine uptake and radiodensity in meniscus tissue using contrast-enhanced micro-CT.

Rationale And Objective: The visualization of soft tissues, like the meniscus, through X-ray micro-computed tomography (micro-CT), requires the use of contrast agents (CAs). While other studies have investigated CA diffusion in fibrocartilagineous tissues, this work aimed to optimize iodine staining protocols for meniscal tissue that improve their visualization by micro-CT. Specific objectives included evaluating the diffusion of CAs within meniscal samples over time, assessing volume changes due to staining, and identifying the iodine ions absorbed by the tissue.

Experimental ex vivo characterization of the biomechanical effects of laminectomy and posterior fixation of the lumbo-sacral spine.

Laminectomy and posterior fixation are well-established surgical techniques to decompress nervous structures in case of lumbar spinal stenosis. While laminectomy is suspected to increase the instability of the spine, posterior fixation is associated with some complications such as adjacent segment degeneration. This study aimed to investigate how laminectomy and posterior fixation alter the biomechanics of the lumbar spine in terms of range of motion (ROM) and strains on the intervertebral discs.

A Registry Study on Acetabular Revisions Using Jumbo Cups: Do We Really Need a More Complex Revision Strategy?

Background: The increasing global performance of total hip arthroplasty (THA) has led to a rise in revision surgeries, primarily due to cup failure, with aseptic loosening and periprosthetic infection being common causes. Various techniques and implants, including jumbo cups (JCs), manage residual bone loss post-cup removal, facilitating enhanced surface area for improved host bone contact, and osteointegration. The purpose of the study was to determine the outcomes of acetabular revision arthroplasty using JC implants over a 20-year follow-up period by reporting overall survivorships, complications leading to re-revision, and surgical strategies in re-revision.

Effect of two-level decompressive procedures on the biomechanics of the lumbo-sacral spine: an study.

Hemilaminectomy and laminectomy are decompressive procedures commonly used in case of lumbar spinal stenosis, which involve the removal of the posterior elements of the spine. These procedures may compromise the stability of the spine segment and create critical strains in the intervertebral discs. Thus, this study aimed to investigate if decompressive procedures could alter the biomechanics of the lumbar spine.

Genetic variants affecting mitochondrial function provide further insights for kidney disease.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a complex disorder that has become a high prevalence global health problem, with diabetes being its predominant pathophysiologic driver. Autosomal genetic variation only explains some of the predisposition to kidney disease. Variations in the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) and nuclear-encoded mitochondrial genes (NEMG) are implicated in susceptibility to kidney disease and CKD progression, but they have not been thoroughly explored.

The Avantage ® dual mobility cup in primary total hip arthroplasty: A registry study.

Background: Avantage Cup has been widely used in dual mobility implants. However, in Swedish Registry, the outcome of the Avantage Cup is reported with higher implants revision compared to control. The aim of our study was to verify if the same results are present in the Registry of Prosthetic Orthopedic Implants (RIPO) of Emilia Romagna (ER, Italy), as the Avantage cup was the most implanted dual mobility cup for a long follow-up reported in this Registry (2000-2012).

Revealing the complexity of meniscus microvasculature through 3D visualization and analysis.

Three-dimensional information is essential for a proper understanding of the healing potential of the menisci and their overall role in the knee joint. However, to date, the study of meniscal vascularity has relied primarily on two-dimensional imaging techniques. Here we present a method to elucidate the intricate 3D meniscal vascular network, revealing its spatial arrangement, connectivity and density.

Incorporating strontium enriched amorphous calcium phosphate granules in collagen/collagen-magnesium-hydroxyapatite osteochondral scaffolds improves subchondral bone repair.

Osteochondral defect repair with a collagen/collagen-magnesium-hydroxyapatite (Col/Col-Mg-HAp) scaffold has demonstrated good clinical results. However, subchondral bone repair remained suboptimal, potentially leading to damage to the regenerated overlying neocartilage. This study aimed to improve the bone repair potential of this scaffold by incorporating newly developed strontium (Sr) ion enriched amorphous calcium phosphate (Sr-ACP) granules (100-150 μm).

A Systematic Review of Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Localized Dedifferentiated Chondrosarcoma.

Dedifferentiated chondrosarcoma (DDCS) is a high-grade subtype of chondrosarcoma with the bimorphic histological appearance of a conventional chondrosarcoma component with abrupt transition to a high-grade, non-cartilaginous sarcoma. DDCS can be radiographically divided into central and peripheral types. Wide resection is currently the main therapeutic option for localized DDCS.

Correlation Between Sagittal Balance and Mechanical Distal Junctional Failure in Degenerative Pathology of the Spine: A Retrospective Analysis.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the failure of the caudal end of lumbar posterior fixation in terms of pre-operative and post-operative spinopelvic parameters, correction performed, demographic and clinical data.

Methods: The lumbar, thoraco-lumbar and lumbo-sacral posterior fixations performed with pedicle screws and rods in 2017-2019 were retrospectively analyzed.

Revision Hip Arthroplasty Using a Modular Head-Neck Adapter System and a Ceramic Head: 5-Year Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes.

Introduction: A modular head-neck adapter system may help surgeons restore the proximal hip biomechanics in revision hip arthroplasty. However, the clinical and radiographic 5-year outcomes of the system are still scarcely reported. The aim of this study is the assessment of (1) complications and survival rates, (2) clinical and (3) radiological outcomes of the modular head-neck adapter system with a ceramic head in revision hip arthroplasty at 5 years.

How Did Adolescents With Cancer Experience the COVID-19 Pandemic? A Report From Italian Pediatric Hematology Oncology Association Centers.

Purpose: This study set out to evaluate the psychosocial effects of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among adolescents with cancer, and whether these effects are significantly different among adolescents who were undergoing therapy or had completed it.

Materials And Methods: The AIEOP Adolescents Working Group and the AIEOP Psychosocial Working Group adapted a questionnaire, which was completed by 214 adolescent cancer patients ( Mage =16.3 y, range: 15 to 19 y old) treated at 16 AIEOP centers in the North (38%), South (31%), and Center (31%) of Italy.

Effectiveness of BMP-2 and PDGF-BB Adsorption onto a Collagen/Collagen-Magnesium-Hydroxyapatite Scaffold in Weight-Bearing and Non-Weight-Bearing Osteochondral Defect Bone Repair: In Vitro, Ex Vivo and In Vivo Evaluation.

Despite promising clinical results in osteochondral defect repair, a recently developed bi-layered collagen/collagen-magnesium-hydroxyapatite scaffold has demonstrated less optimal subchondral bone repair. This study aimed to improve the bone repair potential of this scaffold by adsorbing bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and/or platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) onto said scaffold. The in vitro release kinetics of BMP-2/PDGF-BB demonstrated that PDGF-BB was burst released from the collagen-only layer, whereas BMP-2 was largely retained in both layers.

Risk factors for postoperative coronal imbalance after surgical correction of adult spinal deformities: a systematic review with pooled analysis.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify preoperative risk factors for postoperative coronal imbalance (CIB) in patients undergoing surgical correction for adult spinal deformity (ASD).

Methods: A systematic search of articles about risk factors for postoperative CIB was conducted on electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library) according to the PRISMA guidelines. The methodological quality of the included articles was assessed using the Institute of Health Economics Quality Appraisal Checklist for Case Series Studies.

Influence of Coaching on Effectiveness, Participation, and Safety of an Exercise Program for Postmenopausal Women with Osteoporosis: A Randomized Trial.

Purpose: We compared two different strategies providing professional coaching to administer an exercise program for women with postmenopausal osteoporosis (POP): individual training (IT) at home with trainer's supervision provided by telephone contacts at regular time-intervals or group training (GT) with trainer's live supervision. Our working hypothesis was that IT is a valid alternative to GT when GT is not feasible.

Patients And Methods: This was a single-blind, randomized study.

Allogenic bone grafts and postoperative surgical site infection: are positive intraoperative swab cultures predictive for a higher infectious risk?

In spine surgery, allogenic bone grafts are often required to ensure bone fusion, however, the main concern regarding their use is the infection risk: therefore, an intraoperative swab for culture test is performed. The cost-effectiveness of these swabs and their influence on the patients' postoperative course have often been questioned. This study aims at determining whether positive spine allograft culture results are predictive of an increased risk of surgical site infection and whether they influence the surgeon's choices in postoperative management.

Use of dual-mobility cup in primary total hip arthroplasties: an Italian regional register (RIPO) study on three thousand, seven hundred and ten cases.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate the outcome of dual-mobility cup (DM) compared with a standard cup (SC) in primary total hip arthroplasty (THA) in the long-term follow-up based on a regional Italian joint registry (RIPO).

Methods: The Registry of Prosthetic Orthopaedic Implant (RIPO) was consulted, looking for all primary THAs implanted from 2000 to 2019. Three thousand seven hundred ten were dual-mobility cup (DM) total hip arthroplasties (THA) and 85.

High Bone Mass Disorders: New Insights From Connecting the Clinic and the Bench.

Monogenic high bone mass (HBM) disorders are characterized by an increased amount of bone in general, or at specific sites in the skeleton. Here, we describe 59 HBM disorders with 50 known disease-causing genes from the literature, and we provide an overview of the signaling pathways and mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of these disorders. Based on this, we classify the known HBM genes into HBM (sub)groups according to uniform Gene Ontology (GO) terminology.

Identifying obstacles hindering the conduct of academic-sponsored trials for drug repurposing on rare-diseases: an analysis of six use cases.

Background: Academic-sponsored trials for rare diseases face many challenges; the present paper identifies hurdles in the set-up of six multinational clinical trials for drug repurposing, as use cases.

Methods: Six academic-sponsored multinational trials aiming to generate knowledge on rare diseases drug repurposing were used as examples to identify problems in their set-up. Coordinating investigators leading these trials provided feedback on hurdles linked to study, country, and site set up, on the basis of pre-identified categories established through the analysis of previous peer-reviewed publications.

Congenital and Bilateral Dislocation of the Knee: Case Report and Review of Literature.

Background: Congenital and bilateral dislocation of the knee is an uncommon disorder; it may be isolated or combined with other congenital muscoloskeletal disorders, associated with neurologic disorders or occur in syndromic conditions. The knee presents a typical pathologic hyperextension, with or without joint dislocation. If untreated, the knee may develop stiffness or instability.

Clinical Outcomes and Osteoarthritis at Very Long-term Follow-up After ACL Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Few studies on outcomes after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) have provided insight into the very long-term effects of this procedure.

Purpose: To systematically review the outcomes, failure rate, incidence, and predictors of osteoarthritis (OA) for different ACLR techniques at a minimum 20-year follow-up.

Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4.

The Cadaveric Studies and the Definition of the Antero-Lateral Ligament of the Knee: From the Anatomical Features to the Patient-Specific Reconstruction Surgical Techniques.

Cadaver studies represented a milestone in surgical orthopaedic research, and still today they play a crucial role in the achievement of new knowledge about joint disease behaviour and treatment. In this review, an overview of the cadaver studies available in the literature about the anatomy, role, and treatment of the antero-lateral ligament (ALL) of the knee was performed. The aim of the review was to describe and gain more insight into the part of in vitro study in understanding knee joint anatomy and biomechanics, and in developing surgical reconstruction techniques.

Intercalary reconstruction of the distal femur with or without physeal preservation: results and impact on limb growth.

Purpose: Allograft reconstruction with or without vascularized fibula can be a valuable solution to treat childhood intercalary tumours of the distal femur. We aimed to assess the oncological status, complication rate and survival of distal femur intercalary reconstruction after trans-metaphyseal (TMR) and trans-epiphyseal resection (TER). We also evaluated the impact of distal temporary graft fixation on skeletal growth after TMR.

A Roadmap to Gene Discoveries and Novel Therapies in Monogenic Low and High Bone Mass Disorders.

Genetic disorders of the skeleton encompass a diverse group of bone diseases differing in clinical characteristics, severity, incidence and molecular etiology. Of particular interest are the monogenic rare bone mass disorders, with the underlying genetic defect contributing to either low or high bone mass phenotype. Extensive, deep phenotyping coupled with high-throughput, cost-effective genotyping is crucial in the characterization and diagnosis of affected individuals.