Cartilage repair using hydrogels: a critical review of in vivo experimental designs

Prova tipográfica This review analyzes the outcomes and technical aspects of in vivo studies published in the past decade using gels and hydrogels for cartilage repair. Using PubMed search engine, original research publications during the period of 2002/01/01 to 2015/04/30 identifi ed 115 published papers. Of these, 3 studies failed to fi nd a statistically significant improvement of treatment group as compared to control and 18 studies did not clearly identify hyaline-like cartilage formation in the treated groups. The most frequent repaired lesion was the rabbit acute full thickness trochlear defect, using a scaff old combining a gel or hydrogel and other material. One third of the scaff olds were cell-free (35%) and the majority of the studies did not use growth factors (71%). The present review may constitute a useful tool in design of future studies, as limitations of study designs are pointed and results in terms of translation to human application is discussed.ARTICULATE project 623 (QREN-13/SI/2011-23189

Displaced 3- and 4-part proximal humeral fractures: Evaluation and management with an intramedullary nail within 48 h, in the emergency department

Abstract Objective To investigate if a locking intramedullary nail could be useful in the treatment of fractures of the humeral head in 3 and 4-fragments operated within 48 h from the trauma. Methods During the period of February 2011–May 2013, we performed 21 cases of humeral fractures treated with the Polarus intramedullary nail (Acumed). We considered parameters such as age, sex, time of radiological healing and functional outcome, which were assessed by Constant shoulder score, University of California at Los Angeles shoulder score, Oxford shoulder score and Dash score. The study was designed as a prospective cohort study. Results Clinical and radiographic follow-up of patients was performed at 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after surgery. Evidence of radiographic bone healing occurred at an average of 2.42 months post-surgery (range: 1–6 months, median 2). There were no cases of avascular necrosis of the humeral head or failure of the synthesis. The functional outcome was excellent in 6 out of 21 cases (Constant score > 86%); good in 11 out of 21 cases (Constant score 71–85); satisfactory in 3 out of 21 cases (Constant score 56–70); only in one case we recorded poor outcome (Constant score = 55). Conclusions The nail utilized is provided with locking and multiplanar proximal screws and could be applied through a mini-invasive anterolateral approach. This enables the reduction of the fracture fragments, while preserving vascularization of the scapulo-humeral joint. Our results confirm that the indication of endomedullary nail could be extended to the treatment of complex proximal humeral fractures with 3 and 4 fragments (level of evidence IV, according to the Oxford Centre for Evidence Based Medicine Levels of Evidence Working Group)

Seaweed polysaccharide-based hydrogels used for the regeneration of articular cartilage

This manuscript provides an overview of the in vitro and in vivo studies reported in the literature focusing on seaweed polysaccharides based hydrogels that have been proposed for applications in regenerative medicine, particularly, in the field of cartilage tissue engineering. For a better understanding of the main requisites for these specific applications, the main aspects of the native cartilage structure, as well as recognized diseases that affect this tissue are briefly described. Current available treatments are also presented to emphasize the need for alternative techniques. The following part of this review is centered on the description of the general characteristics of algae polysaccharides, as well as relevant properties required for designing hydrogels for cartilage tissue engineering purposes. An in-depth overview of the most well known seaweed polysaccharide, namely agarose, alginate, carrageenan and ulvan biopolymeric gels, that have been proposed for engineering cartilage is also provided. Finally, this review describes and summarizes the translational aspect for the clinical application of alternative systems emphasizing the importance of cryopreservation and the commercial products currently available for cartilage treatment.Authors report no declarations of interest. Authors thank the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for the PhD fellowship of Elena G. Popa (SFRH/BD/64070/2009) and research project (MIT/ECE/0047/2009). The research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement no REGPOT-CT2012-316331-POLARIS

Feminismo Xicana

El presente artículo analiza el pensamiento feminista desarrollado por las mujeres Chicanas desde 1960. Las escritoras feministas chicanas han escrito mucho acerca de la condición de las mujeres en sus comunidades y de las luchas en las que están, pero a menudo sus escritos y teorías no han sido consideradas filosofía. Este artículo provee razones para defender la importancia de la perspectiva chicana para las investigaciones feministas

Libertinaje en el siglo XVII

This article tries to draw the polemical genealogy of the term and concept of “libertinism”. Its sense, as it is forged in early Modernity, in the works of Calvin, and in the backgroud of the first Protestant Reformation, is merely contemptuous and, above all, it is due to a clearly critical strategy: the construction of a fictional enemy in confrontation with which it is possible to reinforce the basis of modern ChristianismEn el presente artículo, se traza la genealogía polémica del término y el concepto de “libertinismo”. Su sentido, tal como se forja en la primera Modernidad en la obra de Calvino, dentro del horizonte de la primera Reforma protestante, sería exclusivamente peyorativo y, sobre todo, obedecería a una estrategia eminentemente polémica: la de la construcción de una fantasmagoría frente a la cual dotar de solidez al cristianismo moderno

Por don Pedro Visua, y don Andres de Puertas, comerciantes de roas de la villa de Ossuna, en el pleyto que les mueven y tratan, con don Pedro Lopiz, y compañia de el mismo comercio, arrendadores de ultimo remate de los derechos de Alcavala, y cientos en

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