Improved functional assessment of osteoarthritic knee joint after chondrogenically induced cell treatment

OBJECTIVES

Our previous studies on osteoarthritis (OA) revealed positive outcome after chondrogenically induced cells treatment. Presently, the functional improvements of these treated OA knee joints were quantified followed by evaluation of the mechanical properties of the engineered cartilages.

METHODS

Baseline electromyogram (EMGs) were conducted at week 0 (pre-OA), on the locomotory muscles of nine un-castrated male sheep (Siamese long tail cross) divided into controls, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) and bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs), before OA inductions. Subsequent recordings were performed at week 7 and week 31 which were post-OA and post-treatments. Afterwards, the compression tests of the regenerated cartilage were performed.

RESULTS

Post-treatment EMG analysis revealed that the control sheep retained significant reductions in amplitudes at the right medial gluteus, vastus lateralis and bicep femoris, whereas BMSCs and ADSCs samples had no further significant reductions (P < 0.05). Grossly and histologically, the treated knee joints demonstrated the presence of regenerated neo cartilages evidenced by the fluorescence of PKH26 tracker. Based on the International Cartilage Repair Society scores (ICRS), they had significantly lower grades than the controls (P < 0.05). The compression moduli of the native cartilages and the engineered cartilages differed significantly at the tibia plateau, patella femoral groove and the patella; whereas at the medial femoral condyle, they had similar moduli of 0.69 MPa and 0.40-0.64 MPa respectively. Their compression strengths at all four regions were within ±10 MPa.

CONCLUSION

The tissue engineered cartilages provided evidence of functional recoveries associated to the structural regenerations, and their mechanical properties were comparable with the native cartilage.

Syndromic association of pyloric atresia and epidermolysis bullosa (Carmi syndrome)--a case report

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is an inherited, autosomal recessive, bullous disease, characterized by blisters followed with skin and mucosal erosions. We present a case of a male infant with pyloric atresia associated with junctional EB (Carmi syndrome). The patient underwent urgent laparotomy after prompt stabilization. Postoperative course was uneventful. Nine months later the patient died in the paediatric intensive care unit from respiratory distress syndrome. Prognosis is usually very poor. Death usually occurs during the first year of life, as a result of septic complications.

Suppression of indigo bush with pod pests

The recorded seed predators of Amorpha fruticosa L., indigo bush weevils and pteromalid wasps, were the subject of laboratory and field research studies in the period from 2006 to 2011. Sample analyses were carried out on more than 30 localities in Serbia with the aim of measuring the summarized pre-dispersal and post dispersal predation preferences. The percentages of the total pre-dispersal (max?33%) and post-dispersal re-infested material (over 95%), make these insects serious candidates for host-plant suppression. Their bionomics were monitored through continuous collection, dessection and observation of infested seeds, in correlation with environmental parameters, especially water-level fluctuations in endangered forests.

One-stage transanal surgical technique for Hirschsprung's disease: is the age of a patient a limiting factor?

Hirschsprung's disease in the adolescent is a rare and often misdiagnosed cause of lifelong refractory constipation. In this particular case, a male patient spent 13 years with an unrecognized illness that was eventually diagnosed as Hirschsprung's disease. The age of the patient is considered a limiting factor due to over-distention and hypertrophy of the rectosigmoid colon that has to be pulled through a muscular cylinder in a limited operative field. This report of a successfully treated teenage boy using a one-stage transanal endorectal approach without conversion to laparotomy, his uneventful recovery and excellent functional results supports the opinion that practically all patients with Hirschsprung's disease can be treated using this technique, regardless of age and size of colon, on condition that the operation is performed by experienced surgeons familiar with classic operative procedures to avoid possible operative pitfalls.