Human articular chondrocytes with higher aldehyde dehydrogenase activity have stronger expression of COL2A1 and SOX9.

OBJECTIVE: To determine in human articular chondrocytes the activity of Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH), which are reported as stem/progenitor cell marker in various adult tissues and evaluate gene expression of ALDH1A isoforms. DESIGN: ALDH activity was evaluated by flow cytometry with Aldefluor™ assay in cells, isolated from human osteoarthritic (OA) cartilage. Its coexpression with surface markers was identified. Cells were sorted according to ALDH activity, and gene expression in sorted populations (ALDH(+) and ALDH(-)) was analyzed by RTq-PCR with Taqman(®) assay. RESULTS: About 40% of freshly isolated chondrocytes demonstrated ALDH activity that remarkably declined during monolayer culture. Markers CD54 and CD55 were significantly stronger expressed, while CD47, CD140b, CD146 and CD166 were depleted in ALDH-expressing (ALDH(pos)) cells. Gene expression analysis revealed significantly higher expression of chondrocyte-specific genes COL2A1, SOX9 and SERPINA1 and lower expression of osteogenic markers RUNX2 and osteocalcin (BGLAP) in sorted ALDH(+) fraction. COL1A1, ACAN, ALPL and stem cell markers NANOG, OCT4, SOX2 and ABCG2 did not differ remarkably between the populations. Genes of isoenzymes ALDH1A2, ALDH1A3 and ALDH2 were strongly expressed, while ALDH1A1 was weakly expressed in chondrocytes. Only ALDH1A2 and ALDH1A3 were significantly enriched in ALDH(+) fraction. CONCLUSIONS: We identified ALDH activity with significantly stronger expression of CD54 and CD55 in human articular chondrocytes. Gene expression of isotypes ALDH1A2, ALDH1A3 and ALDH2 was identified. Coexpression of ALDH activity with chondrogenic markers suggests its association with collagen II producing chondrocyte phenotype. Isotypes ALDH1A2 and ALDH1A3 can be associated with the ALDH activity in these cells.

Randomized clinical trial of dexketoprofen/tramadol 25 mg/75 mg in moderate-to-severe pain after total hip arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to evaluate the analgesic efficacy and safety of the dexketoprofen/tramadol 25 mg/75 mg fixed-dose combination vs dexketoprofen (25 mg) and tramadol (100 mg) in moderate-to-severe acute pain after total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: This was a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study in patients experiencing pain of at least moderate intensity on the day after surgery, compared with placebo at first administration to validate the pain model. The study drug was administered orally every 8 h throughout a 5 day period. Rescue medication, metamizole 500 mg, was available during the treatment period. The evaluation of efficacy was based on patient assessments of pain intensity and pain relief. The primary end point was the mean sum of the pain intensity difference values throughout the first 8 h (SPID8). RESULTS: Overall, 641 patients, mean age 62 (range 29-80) yr, were analysed; mean (sd) values of SPID8 were 247 (157) for dexketoprofen/tramadol, 209 (155) for dexketoprofen, 205 (146) for tramadol, and 151 (159) for placebo. The primary analysis confirmed the superiority of the combination over dexketoprofen 25 mg (P=0.019; 95% confidence interval 6.4-73) and tramadol 100 mg (P=0.012; 95% confidence interval 9.5-76). The single components were superior to placebo (P<0.05), confirming model sensitivity. Most secondary analyses supported the superiority of the combination. The incidence of adverse drug reactions was low and similar among active treatment groups. CONCLUSION: The efficacy results confirmed the superiority of dexketoprofen/tramadol over its single components, even at higher doses (tramadol), with a safety profile fully in line with that previously known for these agents in monotherapy. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: EudraCT 2012-004548-31 (https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/ctr-search/search?query=eudract_number:2012-004548-31);ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01902134 (https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01902134?term=NCT01902134&rank=1).

Comparative anatomical study of standard percutaneous and modified medialised percutaneous Bunnell type repair for artificial Achilles tendon rupture: positive effect of medialisation of the stitches with lower risk of sural nerve injury.

BACKGROUND: Less invasive percutaneous acute Achilles tendon rupture (AATR) repair techniques gain popularity because of lower risk of surgical wound complications. But these approaches have an increased risk of sural nerve iatrogenic injury as this sensory nerve is usually not visualised during minimally invasive operative procedures. We compared standard percutaneous Bunnell type and our proposed modified-medialised percutaneous technique in a cadaver study to evaluate potential advantages. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten pairs of fresh frozen specimens were divided into two groups for comparative anatomical study. Tenotomies of Achilles tendons were made and wounds sutured. Ten standard and 10 modified-medialised repairs were applied for artificially performed ruptures. All sutured tendons were dissected meticulously. We carefully looked at repaired Achilles tendon end-to-end contact and adaptation, distance from Achilles insertion in calcaneal tubercle to place where sural nerve crosses lateral border of the Achilles tendon and possible sural nerve and vein entrapment. Groups were compared using Fisher's exact and Student-T tests. RESULTS: All ends of sharply dissected tendons in both groups were in sufficient contact. No measurable diastasis between tendon ends was found in all cases. No entrapment of sural nerve or vein was found in modified percutaneous Bunnell suture technique group, whereas 7 of 10 sural nerves and 9 small saphenous veins were entrapped when using standard percutaneous Bunnell type technique. Average distance from Achilles tendon insertion in tuber calcanei to sural nerve crossing the lateral border of Achilles was 93 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Medialisation of percutaneous suture in AATR repair shows clear advantages compared to standard non medialised technique ensuring a possible lower incidence of sural nerve entrapment injury. Our modified percutaneous Bunnell type technique allows sufficient adaptation of ruptured Achilles tendon.

Surgical treatment of the adductor longus muscle's distal tendon total rupture in a soccer player.

Only a few cases of adductor longus tendon ruptures have been reported in the literature and - there are no clear criteria for conservative or surgical treatment. A case of traumatic rupture of the right distal adductor longus tendon is presented in an elite soccer player, which was surgically repaired. The condition was managed conservatively primarily. However, after 2 months, a palpable mass remained on the medial side of the thigh, and the patient had pain after moderate everyday load and insufficient strength of the right leg during physical exercise. It was decided to explore ruptured tendon surgically and reattach to the femur. Full function of the right leg was achieved at 3 months after surgical repair. At 6 months postoperatively, the patient had returned to soccer at the same level.

Análisis biomecánico de la cadera antes y después de la artroplastia total en casos de artrosis idiopática y displásica / Biomechanical analysis of the hip before and after total arthroplasty for idiopathic and dysplastic arthrosis

Se presenta un análisis biomecánico de la articulación de la cadera en casos de osteoartritis idiopática y displásica antes y después de la artroplastia total de la cadera. La finalidad del estudio fue la comparación de la carga, la tensión y los parámetros que pueden determinar estos índices. Se seleccionaron radiografías de 75 pacientes sometidos a la artroplastia total de la cadera entre 1991-1999 (el número total de intervenciones fue de 836).Se comparó la radiología de antes con la de después de la intervención. La carga media después de la intervención en el caso de artrosis displásica fue un 23,6 por ciento mayor que en los pacientes con artrosis idiopática. Tras de la artroplastia total de cadera, la carga y la tensión en el caso de artrosis idiopática y displásica casi se igualaron. Conclusión: Datos postoperatorios muy similares demuestran que los componentes acetabulares femorales se habían implantado de forma idéntica (AU)