Osteogenic protein-1 promotes the formation of tissue-engineered cartilage using the alginate-recovered-chondrocyte method.

Objective: This study examined the effects of a growth factor, recombinant human osteogenic protein-1 (rhOP-1), on the formation of tissue-engineered cartilaginous tissue by adult bovine articular chondrocytes using the alginate-recovered-chondrocyte (ARC) method.

Design: To ascertain if rhOP-1 enhances the formation of the cell-associated matrix (CM) and the characteristics of CM formation, bovine articular chondrocytes were first cultured for up to 14 days in alginate beads in medium supplemented with serum, with or without rhOP-1. Then, the recovered chondrocytes and their associated CM were resuspended in medium, with or without OP-1, seeded onto culture inserts, and incubated for an additional 14 days.

Identification of endotracheal tube malpositions using computerized analysis of breath sounds via electronic stethoscopes.

Endotracheal tube (ETT) malpositioning into a mainstem bronchus or the esophagus may result in significant hypoxemia. Current methods to determine correct ETT position include auscultation, radiography, and bronchoscopy, although the current acceptable standard procedure for proper endotracheal (versus esophageal) intubation is detection of end-tidal carbon dioxide (ETco(2)) by capnography, capnometry, or colorimetric ETco(2) devices. Unfortunately, capnography may be unavailable or unreliable in nonhospital/emergency settings or in low cardiac output states, and it does not detect endobronchial intubation.

Cerebrospinal fluid and plasma pharmacokinetics of the cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitor rofecoxib in humans: single and multiple oral drug administration.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pharmacokinetics of orally administered cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors, with single or multiple dosing, is of clinical relevance because it may relate to the analgesic efficacy of these drugs. We enrolled 9 subjects with implanted intrathecal catheters in the study. After 50-mg oral rofecoxib administration, the CSF drug concentration lagged slightly behind the plasma drug concentration.

Differential matrix degradation and turnover in early cartilage lesions of human knee and ankle joints.

Objective: To determine whether there are differences in matrix turnover within early cartilage lesions of the ankle (talocrural) joint compared with the knee (tibiofemoral) joint that may help explain differences in the prevalence of osteoarthritis in these 2 joints.

Methods: Cartilage removed from lesions of the tali and femoral condyles was analyzed for type IIB collagen messenger RNA, C-terminal type II procollagen propeptide (CPII), the collagenase cleavage neoepitope (Col2-3/4C(short)), and the denaturation epitope (Col2-3/4m). The content of collagen, glycosaminoglycan, and epitope 846 of aggrecan was quantitated.

Intradiscal administration of osteogenic protein-1 increases intervertebral disc height and proteoglycan content in the nucleus pulposus in normal adolescent rabbits.

Study Design: A study of the disc height and biochemical changes in the rabbit intervertebral disc after injection of osteogenic protein-1 into the nucleus pulposus.

Objectives: To evaluate the in vivo effects of osteogenic protein-1 administered intradiscally to the intervertebral disc of rabbits.

Summary Of Background Data: Growth factors, such as osteogenic protein-1 and transforming growth factor-beta, have the ability to stimulate synthesis of proteoglycan and collagen in vitro.

Growth factors and treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration.

Study Design: Literature review.

Objective: To review the most recent findings of the effects of growth factors on the intervertebral disc and, further, to discuss trends in the biologic repair of the degenerated intervertebral disc.

Summary Of Background Data: Since early in 1990, advancements in molecular biology and cell culture technology have enabled researchers to accumulate knowledge about the in vitro actions of growth factors on intervertebral disc cells.

Growth factors and the intervertebral disc.

Background Context: The concept of biologically regenerating the intervertebral disc (IVD) using growth factor injection was first proposed in early 1990. Since that time, the technology to produce recombinant proteins, including growth factors, on an industrial scale has been developed. Currently, the effects of recombinant growth factors on IVD cells are less well known than those on articular cartilage chondrocytes.

Characterization of a new animal model for evaluation of persistent postthoracotomy pain.

Chronic pain after thoracotomy is common, although its basis and therapy have not been well characterized. In this study we characterize the allodynic responses (mechanical and cold) as well as the histopathologic changes after thoracotomy and rib retraction in rats. The antinociceptive effect of systemic and intrathecal analgesics was also evaluated.