Pulling and Pushing Stem Cells to Control Their Differentiation

Much has already been done to achieve precisely controlled and customised regenerative therapies. Thanks to recent advances made in several areas relevant to regenerative medicine including the use of stimuli-responsive materials, 4-dimensional biofabrication, inducible pluripotent stem cells, control of stem cell fate using chemical and physical factors, minimal access delivery, and information-communication technology. In this short perspective, recent advances are discussed with a focus on a recent report on the use of mechanical stretching of nanoparticle-laden stem cells by using external magnetic field to induce defined cardiac line differentiation. Although more and more tools are becoming available for engineering tissue models tissues and the range of potential applications is expanding, there is still much work to be done before it is proved to work with human cells, form tissues and ultimately achieve application in the clinic

The association of anti-CCP antibodies with disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis

Antibodies to citrullinated proteins have been described in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and these appear to be the most specific markers of the disease. Our objective was to determine the frequency of antibodies to cyclic citrullinated peptides (CCPs) in patients with RA and the association of anti-CCP antibodies with disease activity, radiological erosions and HLA DR genotype. Forty patients with RA and 38 patients with fibromyalgia were included in this study. Serum samples were collected from both patient groups with RA and fibromyalgia. Anti-CCP was measured by the corresponding enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Additionally, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF), disease activity score (DAS), visual analog scala (VAS), HLA genotype and radiographic information were determined in patients with RA. The rate of sensitivity and specificity of anti-CCP reactivity for the diagnosis RA were measured (sensitivity 50%, specificity100%). There is no significant difference between anti-CCP (+) and anti-CCP (−) RA patients for DAS28, VAS, ESR, CRP, disease duration, HLA genotype, and radiological assessment of hand. However, there was a significant difference between anti-CCP (+) and anti-CCP (−) RA patients for RF and the radiological assessment of left and right wrists (respectively, P < 0.05, P = 0.04, P = 0.01). There was no significant correlation between anti-CCP antibody and ESR, CRP, VAS, DAS 28 or radiological assessment. A small but significant correlation was found between RF and anti-CCP antibody (P = 0.02, r = 0.35)

Assessment of Tissue Viability by Thermography after Experimentally Produced Frostbite of the Rabbit Ear

Since it is difficult and time-consuming to monitor the formation of a demarcation line in frostbite by visual inspection only, thermography was used to study experimental freezing injuries of the rabbit ear. In 8 rabbits, anesthetized with ketamine hydrochloride and xylazine hydrochloride, frostbite was induced by pressing the bottom of a glass bottle 2 cm in diameter, filled with liquid nitrogen against the shaved ear skin. Thermography was performed on both ears after 2, 24, and 48 hours, and one and 3 weeks. At 2 to 48 hours the frostbitten area was clearly warmer than the surroundings, after one week there were ill-defined diffuse cold spots in the injured area, and after 3 weeks a cold area had become clearly demarcated with a warm zone between the cold area and the surroundings. Thermography is an easy, noninvasive method for monitoring thermal changes after experimental frostbite, but its clinical value is as yet unresolved. </jats:p

Masculinizing chest-wall surgeries in transgender patients, a retrospective single-center study

Introduction Masculinizing chest-wall contouring surgery is an important surgical intervention for most transmasculine patients; a vast improvement in quality of life for this group of patients has been documented as a result of receiving surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of such surgeries performed at our university hospital between 2008 and 2020, as well as the current quality of life of the patients. Methods All 16 patients operated between 2008 and 2020 were sent a questionnaire consisting of both BREAST-Q and BODY-Q modules, considered fitting for our study purposes, as well as the BECK Depression Index and a short two-question form with space for feedback. Patients were divided into groups called double incision (DI) and periareolar (PA) depending on the surgical technique used. Results We found an overall complication percentage of 31.3%, with the DI group scoring 33.3% and PA 28.6%, while secondary aesthetic corrections were necessary for 50% of all patients. The questionnaires yielded 6 responses (37.5%). Participants rated on a scale of 1 to 10 their willingness to undergo the operation again if given the choice; the DI group averaged 10/10, and the PA group 9/10, despite the statistically significant complication and correction rates. Conclusions Masculinizing chest-wall contouring surgery has significant complication risks. In our study, frequency of complications did not appear to depend on the surgical technique used. Additionally, the complication rates found in our low volume centre seem to be comparable with those reported from bigger units.published versionpeerReviewe

Composite Implant of Native Bovine Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) and Biocoral in the Treatment of Scaphoid Nonunions — A Preliminary Study

Background and Aims:Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) has been shown to induce bone formation and union in long bone defects and nonunions. We report a preliminary study of a composite implant consisting of a biocoral frame, carrier collagen and bovine BMP in the treatment of scaphoid nonunions.Material and Methods:Two proximal and eight waist area scaphoid nonunions were treated using BMP/coral implant combined with either the Matti-Russe procedure (2 cases) or an interpositional bone graft fixed with screws or compression fixation pins (8 cases). In two cases only a one piece BMP/coral implant was used as an interpositional graft and in other cases interpositional autograft was used with granular BMP/coral implant placed between the fragments and the graft.Results and Conclusions:Only two wrists resulted in complete union. These preliminary results suggest that composite implant of BMP, as used in the present study, may not solve the problems encountered in the treatment of scaphoid nonunions. Poor vascular conditions in scaphoid may not provide enough mandatory osteogenic cells for BMP to function properly. In avascular conditions coral does not resorb edequately and implants may also work as a sequester between the bone graft and the scaphoid bone and therefore actually inhibit the healing process.</jats:sec

Wireless Infrared Thermometer in the Follow-Up of Finger Temperatures

After replantation surgery it is helpful to use temperature monitoring in order to detect vascular problems early. One of the methods currently employed is to use a thermometer with a wired probe attached to the tissue being monitored. An infrared wireless thermometer, commonly used in industry, measures temperatures of surfaces without actually touching them. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of infrared wireless thermometer technology for monitoring finger temperature. Finger temperatures of 38 volunteers were measured using the infrared wireless thermometer. A traditional wired thermometer was used as control. The measurements of both thermometers were similar when the temperature was 31.5° and over, with no statistical differences (mean difference 0.06°, P=0.521). At lower temperatures, however, the wireless infrared thermometer showed slightly lower temperature values (mean difference 1.01°, P&lt;0.001). There was no difference between the finger temperatures of smokers and non-smokers. There is potential for the wireless infrared thermometer to be used as an easier alternative to the traditional wired thermometer in monitoring temperatures of revascularised or replanted parts including digital replants. Further clinical studies would be warranted.</jats:p