Effects of a Novel Mammalian-Derived Collagen Matrix on Human Articular Cartilage-Derived Chondrocytes from Osteoarthritis Patients.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder worldwide. Autologous chondrocyte implantation (ACI) is an established treatment for articular cartilage defects of the knee, but its effectiveness in OA is still under investigation. In this study, we investigated the effects of a newly developed mammalian-derived collagen matrix, NC-Col, on the proliferation, migration, adhesion, and gene expression of human articular cartilage-derived chondrocytes from OA patients in vitro, using proliferation assays, wound healing assays, adhesion assays, RT-qPCR, and RNA sequencing, respectively.

Effectiveness of filling structures within nerve guidance conduits in a rat sciatic nerve injury model.

Introduction: The gold standard treatment for peripheral nerve gap injury is nerve autograft transplantation. Although various nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) have been developed as alternatives to autografting, few reports have evaluated the effects of the internal structure of NGCs on nerve regeneration. We investigated how the internal structure of NGCs affects nerve regeneration.

Predicting Early Mortality after Thoracic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair: A Machine Learning-Based Decision Tree Analysis.

Thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) has revolutionized the treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) by providing a less invasive alternative to open surgery. This study aims to identify risk factors for early mortality following TEVAR for degenerative TAA using a machine learning-based decision tree analysis (DTA). This retrospective observational study analyzed 79 patients who underwent elective TEVAR to identify predictors of early mortality (within 2 years) using decision tree analysis.

Comprehensive Elbow Joint Morphology Changes in Surgically Treated Osteochondritis Dissecans of the Capitellum: Clinical Implications.

Background: Capitellar osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) frequently results in radial head enlargement. However, due to the elbow joint's complex anatomy, deformities likely extend beyond just the radial head.

Hypothesis/purpose: It was hypothesized that in patients with OCD treated with surgery, imbalances in bone morphology during growth would affect the entire joint, leading to postoperative clinical symptoms.

Simultaneous Intra-articular and Extra-articular Corrective Osteotomies Using a Patient-Matched Surgical Guide and Plate for Malunion After Distal Radius Fractures: A Report of Two Cases.

Malunion after distal radial fractures with intra-articular and extra-articular deformities is difficult to treat. We report two cases of simultaneous intra-articular and extra-articular corrective osteotomies for malunion after distal radius fractures using a patient-matched surgical guide and plate (patient-matched instruments [PMIs]) created based on a preoperative computer simulation. Both patients experienced pain and limited range of motion in the wrist and forearm.

Long-Term Outcomes of Elective Endovascular Aneurysm Repair for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm in Japanese Elderly Patients.

Purpose: Our primary concern was the risk of overtreating elderly patients with endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) for abdominal aortic aneurysm. We investigated the association between age at the time of EVAR and all-cause mortality in Japan's aging population by stratifying patients into age groups.

Methods: Data from 175 patients who underwent elective EVAR from 2012 to 2016 were analyzed.

Neurotropin® alleviates nerve damage in a mouse chronic nerve compression model.

Chronic nerve compression disorders, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, are common and can significantly impair daily activities due to motor and sensory dysfunctions. Currently, no systemic pharmacotherapy exists for preventing or treating disease progression. This study aims to investigate whether Neurotropin®, an established analgesic, has therapeutic effects.

Methylcobalamin-containing nanofiber sheets have better neuroprotective effects than small intestinal submucosa sheets.

Postoperative adhesion around nerves sometimes results in sensory and motor dysfunctions. To prevent these disorders, we have developed an electrospun nanofiber sheet incorporating methylcobalamin (MeCbl), an active form of vitamin B12 with anti-inflammatory and neuroregenerative effects. This study aimed to investigate the neuroprotective effects of MeCbl sheets against postoperative adhesion and to compare the effects of MeCbl sheets with those of porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) sheets using a rat sciatic nerve adhesion model.

Predicting Short-Term Mortality after Endovascular Aortic Repair Using Machine Learning-Based Decision Tree Analysis.

Background: Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has revolutionized the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms by offering a less invasive alternative to open surgery. Understanding the factors that influence patient outcomes, particularly for high-risk patients, is crucial. The aim of this study was to determine whether machine learning (ML)-based decision tree analysis (DTA), a subset of artificial intelligence, could predict patient outcomes by identifying complex patterns in data.

A case of superior trunk brachial plexus injury after right mini-thoracotomy mitral valve repair.

We report a case of superior trunk brachial plexus injury following a right mini-thoracotomy mitral valve repair. A 45-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus, who was on steroids and immunosuppressive drugs, underwent mitral valve repair via right mini-thoracotomy. The patient was positioned in the left semisagittal position with the right upper arm elevated.

Estimating elbow loading conditions through the motion behaviors of subchondral bone density during joint movements.

Evaluating complicated stress across the elbow under joint motion remains difficult. Here, we aimed to evaluate the distribution of the subchondral bone density in the normal elbow bones and further characterize their spatial relationships during elbow motion to estimate the loading stress across the articular surface using three-dimensional computed tomography bone models. The normal elbow joint exhibited a consistent distribution pattern of subchondral bone density.

Association of dorsal malunion in distal radius fractures with wrist osteoarthritis: Alterations of bone density and stress-distribution patterns in relation to deformation angles.

Objective: Distal radius fractures (DRFs) with dorsal malunion increase the risk of osteoarthritis (OA), although the cause of post-DRF OA is yet to be elucidated. To clarify the abnormal effects of a post-DRF dorsal radius deformity, we evaluated the bone density (BD) and stress-distribution patterns of the articular surface in dorsally malunited DRFs.

Design: In 36 cases of dorsally malunited DRFs following extra-articular fractures, we generated three-dimensional computerized models of the malunited distal radius from computed tomography data and extracted the subchondral bones of the radiocarpal joint (RCJ) and distal radioulnar joint (DRUJ).

Cubitus varus deformity following paediatric supracondylar humeral fracture remodelling predominantly in the sagittal direction: A three-dimensional analysis of eighty-six cases.

Purpose: Three-dimensional (3D) capacity for remodelling in cubitus varus deformity (CVD) after paediatric supracondylar humeral fractures (PSHFs) remains unelucidated. This study investigated remodelling patterns after PSHFs by examining 3D deformity distribution over time after injury.

Methods: Computed tomography (CT) data of 86 patients with CVD after PSHFs were analysed.

Impact of preoperative identification of the artery of Adamkiewicz on spinal cord injury after descending aortic and thoracoabdominal aortic repair.

Background: Some recent reports have demonstrated that preoperative Adamkiewicz artery (AKA) identification and its targeted reconstruction has provided satisfactory outcomes with respect to spinal cord protection. This paper investigates the impact of preoperative identification of the AKA on reducing the incidence of spinal cord injury (SCI) in open repair (OR) and endovascular repair (EVR) of descending thoracic aortic (dTA) and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAA) repair.

Methods: The clinical data of patients with dTA and TAA treated between 2011 and 2022 were investigated.