pinecone/core-2020-05-10-deduplication huggingface dataset:
Culture temperature affects redifferentiation and cartilaginous extracellular matrix formation in dedifferentiated human chondrocytes.

To date, there have been few studies on how temperature affects the phenotype and metabolism of human chondrocytes. Thus, the purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of culture temperature on chondrocyte redifferentiation and extracellular matrix (ECM) formation using dedifferentiated mature human chondrocytes in vitro. Dedifferentiated chondrocytes were cultured in a pellet culture system for up to 21 days. The pellets were randomly divided into three groups with different culture temperature (32, 37, and 41°C). Chondrocyte redifferentiation and ECM formation were evaluated by wet weight, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA), histological, and biochemical analyses. The results showed that the wet weight and the mRNA expressions of collagen type II A1 and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein at 37°C were higher than the corresponding values at 32°C. The histological and biochemical analyses revealed that the syntheses of type II collagen and proteoglycan were promoted at 37°C compared to those at 32°C, whereas they were considerably inhibited at 41°C. In conclusion, the results obtained herein indicated that temperature affects chondrocyte redifferentiation and ECM formation, and modulation of temperature might thus represent an advantageous means to regulate the phenotype and biosynthetic activity of chondrocytes
Type III collagen modulates fracture callus bone formation and early remodeling

Type III collagen (Col3) has been proposed to play a key role in tissue repair based upon its temporospatial expression during the healing process of many tissues, including bone. Given our previous finding that Col3 regulates the quality of cutaneous repair, as well as our recent data supporting its role in regulating osteoblast differentiation and trabecular bone quantity, we hypothesized that mice with diminished Col3 expression would exhibit altered long‐bone fracture healing. To determine the role of Col3 in bone repair, young adult wild‐type (Col3+/+) and haploinsufficent (Col3+/−) mice underwent bilateral tibial fractures. Healing was assessed 7, 14, 21, and 28 days following fracture utilizing microcomputed tomography (microCT), immunohistochemistry, and histomorphometry. MicroCT analysis revealed a small but significant increase in bone volume fraction in Col3+/− mice at day 21. However, histological analysis revealed that Col3+/− mice have less bone within the callus at days 21 and 28, which is consistent with the established role for Col3 in osteogenesis. Finally, a reduction in fracture callus osteoclastic activity in Col3+/− mice suggests Col3 also modulates callus remodeling. Although Col3 haploinsufficiency affected biological aspects of bone repair, it did not affect the regain of mechanical function in the young mice that were evaluated in this study. These findings provide evidence for a modulatory role for Col3 in fracture repair and support further investigations into its role in impaired bone healing. © 2015 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 33:675–684, 2015
Delivering rhFGF-18 via a bilayer collagen membrane to enhance microfracture treatment of chondral defects in a large animal model

Abstract
PURPOSE:

Augmented microfracture techniques use growth factors, cells and/or scaffolds to enhance the healing of microfracture treated cartilage defects. This study investigates the effect of delivering recombinant human fibroblastic growth factor 18 (rhFHF18, Sprifermin) via a collagen membrane on the healing of a chondral defect treated with microfracture in an ovine model.
METHODS:

8mm diameter chondral defects were created in the medial femoral condyle of 40 sheep (n = 5/treatment group). Defects were treated with microfracture alone, microfracture + intra-articular rhFGF18 or microfracture + rhFGF-18 delivered on a membrane. Outcome measures included mechanical testing, weight bearing, International Cartilage Repair Society repair score, modified O'Driscoll score, qualitative histology and immunohistochemistry for types I and II collagen.
RESULTS:

In animals treated with 32μg rhFGF-18 + membrane and intra-articularly there was a statistically significant improvement in weight bearing at 2 and 4 weeks post surgery and in the modified O'Driscoll score compared to controls. In addition repair tissue stained was more strongly stained for type II collagen than for type I collagen.
CONCLUSION:

rhFGF-18 delivered via a collagen membrane at the point of surgery potentiates the healing of a microfracture treated cartilage defect.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available via Wiley at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jor.22882/abstract
Biomechanical study of ACL reconstruction grafts

There are no published studies describing the strength quadrupled gracilis tendon alone and quadrupled semitendinosus tendon alone in the configuration used for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The primary objective was to compare the mechanical properties of grafts used for ACL reconstruction during a tensile failure test. The secondary objective was to evaluate the effect of uniform suturing on graft strength. Fifteen pairs of knees were used. The mechanical properties of five types of ACL grafts were evaluated: patellar tendon (PT), sutured patellar tendon (sPT), both hamstring tendons (GST4), quadrupled semitendinosus (ST4), and quadrupled gracilis (G4). Validated methods were used to perform the tensile tests to failure and to record the results. Student's t-test was used to compare the various samples. The maximum load to failure was 630.8N (± 239.1) for the ST4, 473.5N (± 176.9) for the GST4, 413.3N (± 120.4) for the sPT, and 416.4N (± 187.7) for the G4 construct. Only the ST4 had a significantly higher failure load than the other grafts. The sPT had a higher failure load than the PT. The ST4 construct had the highest maximum load to failure of all the ACL graft types in the testing performed here. Uniform suturing of the grafts improved their ability to withstand tensile loading
In-vivo three-dimensional knee kinematics during daily activities in dogs

The canine knee is morphologically similar to the human knee and thus dogs have been used in experimental models to study human knee pathology. To date, there is limited data of normal canine 3D knee kinematics during daily activities. The objective of this study was to characterize 3D in-vivo femorotibial kinematics in normal dogs during commonly performed daily activities. Using single-plane fluoroscopy, six normal dogs were imaged performing walk, trot, sit, and stair ascent activities. CT-generated bone models were used for kinematic measurement using a 3D-to-2D model registration technique. Increasing knee flexion angle was typically associated with increasing tibial internal rotation, abduction and anterior translation during all four activities. The precise relationship between flexion angle and these movements varied both within and between activities. Significant differences in axial rotation and coronal angulation were found at the same flexion angle during different phases of the walk and trot. This was also found with anterior tibial translation during the trot only. Normal canine knees accommodate motion in all planes; precise kinematics within this envelope of motion are activity dependent. This data establishes the characteristics of normal 3D femorotibial joint kinematics in dogs that can be used as a comparison for future studies
Associations of radiographic degeneration and pain with daily cumulative hip loading in patients with secondary hip osteoarthritis.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations of radiographic and clinical variables of hip osteoarthritis (OA) with alterations in gait and joint loading in patients with secondary hip OA. Fifty females with secondary hip OA were participated. The minimum joint space width (mJSW) of the hip as a degenerative sign and Sharp and center edge (CE) angles as morphological variables were measured radiographically. Hip joint pain was assessed using a visual analog scale. As gait variables, walking speed, range of hip motion, hip moment peak, and hip moment impulse were calculated. Daily cumulative hip loading was calculated as the hip moment impulse multiplied by the mean number of steps per day. After bivariate correlation analyses between dependent (mJSW and pain) and independent variables (age, body mass index, sharp/CE angles, steps per day, and gait variables), separate forward-backward stepwise multiple regression analyses were performed for each dependent variable. Daily cumulative hip loading in the sagittal plane (ß = 0.30, P = 0.021) and age (ß = - 0.36, P = 0.007) were significantly associated with the mJSW. Walking speed (ß = - 0.36, P = 0.008) and age (ß = 0.29, P = 0.031) were significantly associated with hip joint pain. Decrease in daily cumulative hip loading in the sagittal plane was associated with mJSW independently of age. Although the causal relationship was not clear, patients with hip OA reduced total exposure to hip joint loading adaptively rather than lowering the hip moment peak concerning worsening of hip degeneration. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Heterodimeric BMP-2/7 for nucleus pulposus regeneration-In vitro and ex vivo studies

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration is the leading trigger of low back pain, which causes disability and leads to enormous healthcare toll worldwide. Biological treatment with growth factors has evolved as potential therapy for IVD regeneration. Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP-2) and BMP-7 have shown promise in this regard. In the current study, we evaluated the effect of BMP-2/7 heterodimer for disc regeneration both in vitro and in organ culture. Nucleus pulposus (NP) cells isolated from bovine caudal disc were cultured in a fibrin-hyaluronan (FBG-HA) hydrogel for up to 14 days. BMP-2/7 heterodimer covalently incorporated within the hydrogel up-regulated the aggrecan and type II collagen gene expression, and glycosaminoglycan synthesis of NP cells. The activity of the BMP-2/7 heterodimer was dose dependent. The higher dose of BMP-2/7 was further assessed in an IVD whole organ system. After 14 days of culture with cyclic dynamic load, the BMP-2/7 heterodimer delivered into the nucleotomized region showed potential to stimulate the gene expression and synthesis of proteoglycan in the remaining NP tissue after partial nucleotomy. The gene expression level of type I collagen and alkaline phosphatase in the native disc tissue were not affected by BMP-2/7 treatment, indicating no adverse fibroblastic or osteogenic effect on the disc tissue. Intradiscal delivery of BMP-2/7 heterodimer may be a promising therapeutic approach for NP regeneration. The current IVD whole organ partial nucleotomy model may be utilized for screening of other biomaterials or drugs to treat early degenerative disc disorders. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res
Qualitative analysis of foot intersegment coordination in the sagittal plane following surgery for end-stage ankle osteoarthrosis.

Today, ankle joint kinematic assessment gives important information regarding the intersegment range of motion. It does not, however, provide information regarding coordination between the segments. This study aimed to determine whether or not intersegment coordination can provide valuable, otherwise missed information in relation to kinematic alterations of the ankle joint. The study consisted of 40 participants, including 12 total ankle replacement (TAR) patients, 12 ankle arthrodesis (AA) patients, and 16 controls. Gait assessment was carried out wearing 3-D inertial sensors. Intersegment coordination was determined by calculation of the continuous relative phase (CRP) between foot intersegments. CRP analysis found useful information regarding the magnitude and directionality of segment motion throughout the gait cycle, with AA patients reporting an altered coordination pattern for all three intersegments, forefoot-hindfoot, hindfoot-shank, and forefoot-shank, and TAR patients showing alterations in the hindfoot-shank intersegment. Results show that assessment of intersegment coordination can provide further information, otherwise overlooked by the general kinematic assessment, which could be used to optimize patient rehabilitation. Furthermore, the study showed that such information could be used to compare surgical outcomes. As a result, the study concludes that the inclusion of intersegment coordination assessment could be beneficial in clinical practice. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:1304-1310, 2017
In vivo kinematics of the thumb during flexion and adduction motion: Evidence for a screw-home mechanism

The thumb plays a crucial role in basic hand function. However, the kinematics of its entire articular chain have not yet been quantified. Such investigation is essential to improve our understanding of thumb function and to develop better strategies to treat thumb joint pathologies. The primary objective of this study is to quantify the in vivo kinematics of the trapeziometacarpal (TMC) and scaphotrapezial (ST) joints during flexion and adduction of the thumb. In addition, we want to evaluate the potential coupling between the TMC and ST joints during these tasks. The hand of 16 asymptomatic women without signs of thumb osteoarthritis were CT scanned in positions of maximal thumb extension, flexion, abduction, and adduction. The CT images were segmented and three-dimensional surface models of the radius, scaphoid, trapezium, and the first metacarpal were created for each thumb motion. The corresponding rotations angles, translations, and helical axes were calculated for each sequence. The analysis shows that flexion and adduction of the thumb result in a three-dimensional rotation and translation of the entire articular chain, including the trapezium and scaphoid. A wider range of motion is observed for the first metacarpal, which displays a clear axial rotation. The coupling of axial rotation of the first metacarpal with flexion and abduction during thumb flexion supports the existence of a screw-home mechanism in the TMC joint. In addition, our results point to a potential motion coupling between the TMC and ST joints and underline the complexity of thumb kinematics. © 2016 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 35:1556-1564, 2017.status: publishe
Costamere protein expression and tissue composition of rotator cuff muscle after tendon release in sheep

Previous studies suggested that degradation of contractile tissue requires cleavage of the costamere, a structural protein complex that holds sarcomeres in place. This study examined if costamere turnover is affected by a rotator cuff tear in a previously established ovine model. We found the activity of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a main regulator of costamere turnover, was unchanged at 2 weeks but decreased by 27% 16 weeks after surgical release of the infraspinatus tendon. This was accompanied by cleavage of the costamere protein talin into a 190 kDa fragment while full length talin remained unchanged. At 2 weeks after tendon release, muscle volume decreased by 17 cm from an initial 185 cm(3) , the fatty tissue volume was halved, and the contractile tissue volume remained unchanged. After 16 weeks, the muscle volume decreased by 36 cm(3) , contractile tissue was quantitatively lost, and the fat content increased by 184%. Nandrolone administration mitigated the loss of contractile tissue by 26% and prevented fat accumulation, alterations in FAK activity, and talin cleavage. Taken together, these findings imply that muscle remodeling after tendon release occurs in two stages. The early decrease of muscle volume is associated with reduction of fat; while, the second stage is characterized by substantial loss of contractile tissue accompanied by massive fat accumulation. Regulation of costamere turnover is associated with the loss of contractile tissue and seems to be impacted by nandrolone treatment. Clinically, the costamere may represent a potential intervention target to mitigate muscle loss after a rotator cuff tear. © 2017 The Authors. Journal of Orthopaedic Research published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the Orthopaedic Research Society. J Orthop Res
Sensitivity of serum concentration of cartilage biomarkers to 21-days of bed rest

The objective of the study was to test the hypothesis that serum levels of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) would decrease and serum levels of tumor-necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and selected matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) would increase in response to bed rest (BR) and that these changes are unaffected by the intake of potassium bicarbonate or whey protein. Seven and nine healthy male subjects participated in two 21-day 6° head down tilt crossover BR-studies with nutrition interventions. Serum samples were taken before, during, and after BR and biomarker concentrations were measured using commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. MMP-3 during BR was significantly lower than at baseline (reduction greater 20%; p &lt; 0.001). MMP-3 increased significantly from 14 to 21 days of BR (+7%; p = 0.049). COMP during BR was significantly lower than at baseline (reduction greater 20%; p &lt; 0.001). MMP-3 and COMP returned to baseline within 1 day after BR. MMP-9 on day 3 of BR was significantly lower than at baseline (-31%; p &lt; 0.033) and on days 3, 5, and 14 of BR significantly lower than at the end of and after BR (reduction greater 35%; p &lt; 0.030). The nutritional countermeasures did not affect these results. The observed changes in cartilage biomarkers may be caused by altered cartilage metabolism in response to the lack of mechanical stimulus during BR and inflammatory biomarkers may play a role in changes in biomarker levels.; Immobilization independently from injury can cause altered cartilage biomarker concentration. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res
Iodine biofortification in tomato

Iodine is an essential element in the human diet, and iodine deficiency is a significant health problem. No attempts to increase iodine content in plant-derived food (biofortification) have so far been particularly effective. We studied iodine uptake in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) to evaluate whether it is possible to increase the iodine concentration in its fruits. Iodine translocation and storage inside tomato tissues were studied using radioactive iodine. Potassium iodide was also supplied at different concentrations to tomato plants to evaluate the resulting iodide concentration both in the vegetative tissues and the fruits. The results indicate that iodine was taken up better when supplied to the roots using hydroponically grown plants. However, a considerable amount of iodine was also stored after leaf treatment, suggesting that iodine transport through phloem also occurred. We found that tomato plants can tolerate high levels of iodine, stored both in the vegetative tissues and fruits at concentrations that are more than sufficient for the human diet. We conclude that tomato is an excellent crop for iodine-biofortification programs
Phosphorus pools in soil after land conversion from silvopasture to arable and grassland use

Differences in soil P among silvopasture, grassland, and arable lands have been well established. Nevertheless, most of the reports compare soil properties under long-term sites. Thus, there exists little information on the effect of the conversion of silvopasture to arable or grassland use on soil P pools. The objective of the study was to determine the impact of converting silvopasture system (SP) into arable cropping and grassland system on the distribution of P pools and potential P bioavailability. We compared the following systems: SP system, SP converted to arable cropland (SP-AL), SP converted to grassland (SP-GL), and for comparative purposes, a long-term arable cropland (AL). The P fractionation was performed by a sequential extraction scheme, using acid and alkaline extractants on samples collected from the 0?10 and 10?20&#8201;cm soil layers. It was assumed that the large variations in soil-P fractionations are caused by the different management practices associated with land conversion. The results of P fractionation showed a dominance of calcium-bound P, HCl-extractable Pi constituted up to 36% of the soil total P (TP). However, the type of land use did not affect this P fraction. On the other hand, the reduction in labile-Pi and NaOH-Pi fractions observed at the SP-AL site may have led to the decline in readily available P. The soil total organic P (TPo) content was 8% and 17% lower at SP-AL compared to SP and SP-GL site, respectively. Labile organic-P (labile-Po) content was markedly higher at SP site compared to arable soils, and was &#8776; 10% of TPo. The NaOH-Po constituted the highest fraction of the organic-P pool (55%?79% of TPo) across all the study systems, and was positively correlated with TPo (p < 0.01). The study indicates that conversion of SP system in temperate regions to arable cropping with conventional tillage seems to result in the reduction of P availability compared to SP, indicating SP as an important land-use practice.201
Innovative methods in soil phosphorus research: A review

Phosphorus (P) is an indispensable element for all life on Earth and, during the past decade, concerns about the future of its global supply have stimulated much research on soil P and method development. This review provides an overview of advanced state-of-the-art methods currently used in soil P research. These involve bulk and spatially resolved spectroscopic and spectrometric P speciation methods (1 and 2D NMR, IR, Raman, Q-TOF MS/MS, high resolution-MS, NanoSIMS, XRF, XPS, (µ)XAS) as well as methods for assessing soil P reactions (sorption isotherms, quantum-chemical modeling, microbial biomass P, enzymes activity, DGT, 33P isotopic exchange, 18O isotope ratios). Required experimental set-ups and the potentials and limitations of individual methods present a guide for the selection of most suitable methods or combinations
Phosphorus forms in forest soil colloids as revealed by liquid-state 31P-NMR

Nanoparticles and colloids affect the storage and hence the availability of P in forest ecosystems. We investigated the fine colloids present in forest soils and their association with inorganic and organic P. To differentiate between the different P forms, we performed liquid-state 31P-nucelar magnetic resonance (31P-NMR) measurements on forest bulk soil extracts, on colloid extracts and on the electrolyte phase of their soil suspensions. The 31P-NMR spectra indicated that soil nanoparticles and colloids were more enriched with organic than with inorganic P forms compared to the electrolyte phase. The P concentration was enriched in the colloidal fraction in comparison to the bulk soil and the phosphate diesters were more dominant in the colloidal fraction when compared to the bulk soil. The colloidal P-diester to P-monoester ratios were 2 to 3 times higher in the colloidal fraction than in the bulk soil. In contrast, relatively large percentages of inorganic P were found in the electrolyte phas