Soluble Receptors Affecting Stroke Outcomes: Potential Biomarkers and Therapeutic Tools.

Soluble receptors are widely understood to be freestanding moieties formed via cleavage from their membrane-bound counterparts. They have unique structures, are found among various receptor families, and have intriguing mechanisms of generation and release. Soluble receptors' ability to exhibit pleiotropic action by receptor modulation or by exhibiting a dual role in cytoprotection and neuroinflammation is concentration dependent and has continually mystified researchers. Here, we have compiled findings from preclinical and clinical studies to provide insights into the role of soluble/decoy receptors, focusing on the soluble cluster of differentiation 36, the soluble cluster of differentiation 163, and soluble lipoprotein-related protein 1 (sCD36, sCD163, and sLRP1, respectively) and the functions they could likely serve in the management of stroke, as they would notably regulate the bioavailability of the hemoglobin and heme after red blood cell lysis. The key roles that these soluble receptors play in inflammation, oxidative stress, and the related pharmacotherapeutic potential in improving stroke outcomes are described. The precise pleiotropic physiological functions of soluble receptors remain unclear, and further scientific investigation/validation is required to establish their respective role in diagnosis and therapy.

Influence of Temperature on the Biomechanical Stability of Titanium, PEEK, Poly-L-Lactic Acid, and ß-Tricalcium Phosphate Poly-L-Lactic Acid Suture Anchors Tested on Human Humeri In Vitro in a Wet Environment.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the biomechanical integrity of suture anchors of different materials (titanium, PEEK [polyether ether ketone], poly-L-lactic acid [PLLA], and ß-tricalcium phosphate PLLA) and almost identical design for rotator cuff repair in human humeri positioned in a water bath at room and body temperature undergoing cyclic loading rather than single-pull or static tests. METHODS: Four different anchor models (n = 6) were tested using healthy human cadaveric humeri in a water bath thermostatically regulated at 20°C and 37°C. A cyclic testing protocol was used. The maximum failure load, the system displacement, and the respective mode of failure were recorded. RESULTS: There were no significant differences regarding the maximum failure load values between the 20°C groups and 37°C groups for the 4 different anchor materials. The displacement values for the 20°C groups and 37°C groups also were not statistically significant. Anchor and suture dislocations were the predominant modes of failure; suture ruptures were observed in few cases. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that there are no significantly relevant differences regarding the maximum failure loads and the displacement values of the tested suture anchor systems in a wet environment at 20°C or 37°C. The temperature differences do not seem to affect the modes of failure either. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Titanium, PEEK, PLLA, and ß-tricalcium phosphate PLLA suture anchors for rotator cuff repair can be expected-on the basis of this investigation comparing laboratory temperature with body temperature and a wet environment-to perform in vivo similar to in vitro testing.