Impact of proteoglycan‐4 and parathyroid hormone on articular cartilage

Proteoglycan‐4 ( Prg4 ) protects synovial joints from arthropathic changes by mechanisms that are incompletely understood. Parathyroid hormone (PTH), known for its anabolic actions in bone, increases Prg4 expression and has been reported to inhibit articular cartilage degeneration in arthropathic joints. To investigate the effect of Prg4 and PTH on articular cartilage, 16‐week‐old Prg4 mutant and wild‐type mice were treated with intermittent PTH (1–34) or vehicle control daily for six weeks. Analyses included histology of the knee joint, micro‐CT of the distal femur, and serum biochemical analysis of type II collagen fragments (CTX‐II). Compared to wild‐type littermates, Prg4 mutant mice had an acellular layer of material lining the surfaces of the articular cartilage and menisci, increased articular cartilage degradation, increased serum CTX‐II concentrations, decreased articular chondrocyte apoptosis, increased synovium SDF‐1 expression, and irregularly contoured subchondral bone. PTH‐treated Prg4 mutant mice developed a secondary deposit overlaying the acellular layer of material lining the joint surfaces, but PTH‐treatment did not alter signs of articular cartilage degeneration in Prg4 mutant mice. The increased joint SDF‐1 levels and irregular subchondral bone found in Prg4 mutant mice introduce novel candidate mechanisms by which Prg4 protects articular cartilage. © 2012 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 31: 183–190, 2013Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/94686/1/22207_ftp.pd

sj-docx-1-ear-10.1177_01455613241246587 – Supplemental material for Transoral Robotic Surgery for Eagle Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Supplemental material, sj-docx-1-ear-10.1177_01455613241246587 for Transoral Robotic Surgery for Eagle Syndrome: A Systematic Review by Darby Keirns, Ameya Asarkar, Payam Entezami, Erin Ware, Thomas H. Nagel and Brent A. Chang in Ear, Nose & Throat Journal</p

Current management of xerostomia in head and neck cancer patients

Radiotherapy (RT) continues to play a key role in the management of head and neck cancer (HNC). Xerostomia remains a principal detriment to the quality of life (QoL) for 80 % of surviving patients receiving head and neck radiation. Radiation-induced injury to the salivary glands is dose-dependent, and thus efforts have been focused on decreasing radiation to the salivary glands. Decreased saliva production reduces both short-term and long-term quality of life in head and neck survivors by impacting on taste and contributing to dysphagia. Several radioprotective agents to the salivary gland have been investigated. Although not widely practiced, surgical transfer of the submandibular gland prior to RT is the mainstay of surgical options in preventing xerostomia. This review focuses on the strategies to improve xerostomia following radiation therapy in head and neck cancers