Sitting Sideways Causes Different Femoral-Tibial Rotations in Each Knee.

Purpose According to a previous study, asymmetrical kneeling, such as sitting sideways, does not exhibit asymmetrical movements. Rotational analyses of each femur and tibia help explain why rotational knee kinematics while sitting sideways do not exhibit asymmetrical movement. We aimed to assess the rotation of the femur and tibia in normal knees while sitting sideways. Methods Each volunteer sat sideways under fluoroscopy. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional registration techniques were used. After evaluating the femoral rotation angle relative to the tibia at each flexion angle, the femoral and tibial sole rotation angles at each flexion angle were compared between the ipsilateral and contralateral knees. Results While sitting sideways, both knees showed femoral external rotation relative to the tibia with flexion. In the ipsilateral knees, the femurs exhibited an external rotation of 26.3 ± 8.0°, from 110° to 150° of flexion. Conversely, the tibia exhibited an external rotation of 12.2 ± 7.8°, from 110° to 150° of flexion. From 110° to 150° of flexion, femoral external rotation was significantly larger than tibial external rotation. In the contralateral knees, the femurs exhibited an internal rotation of 23.8 ± 6.3°, from 110° to 150° of flexion (110°, p < 0.001; 120°, p < 0.001; 130°, p < 0.001; 140°, p < 0.001; and 150°, p < 0.001). Contrastingly, the tibia exhibited an internal rotation of 30.4 ± 8.8°, from 110° to 150° of flexion, which was significantly larger than femoral internal rotation (110°, p = 0.002; 120°, p < 0.001; 130°, p < 0.001; 140°, p < 0.001; and 150°, p < 0.001). Conclusions Although bilateral knees exhibited femoral external rotation relative to the tibia while sitting sideways, the ipsilateral and contralateral knees showed femoral and tibial sole rotations in opposite directions. In particular, the contralateral knees might show a strained movement because both femurs and tibias exhibited internal rotation with flexion. Patients who have undergone guided-motion total knee arthroplasty (TKA) or medial-pivot TKAs might be advised to avoid sitting sideways.

Insulin reduces endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis by decreasing mitochondrial hyperpolarization and caspase-12 in INS-1 pancreatic ß-cells.

Pancreatic ß-cell mass is a critical determinant of insulin secretion. Severe endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress causes ß-cell apoptosis; however, the mechanisms of progression and suppression are not yet fully understood. Here, we report that the autocrine/paracrine function of insulin reduces ER stress-induced ß-cell apoptosis. Insulin reduced the ER-stress inducer tunicamycin- and thapsigargin-induced cell viability loss due to apoptosis in INS-1 ß-cells. Moreover, the effect of insulin was greater than that of insulin-like growth factor-1 at physiologically relevant concentrations. Insulin did not attenuate the ER stress-induced increase in unfolded protein response genes. ER stress did not induce cytochrome c release from mitochondria. Mitochondrial hyperpolarization was induced by ER stress and prevented by insulin. The protonophore/mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation uncoupler, but not the antioxidants N-acetylcysteine and α-tocopherol, exhibited potential cytoprotection during ER stress. Both procaspase-12 and cleaved caspase-12 levels increased under ER stress. The caspase-12 inhibitor Z-ATAD-FMK decreased ER stress-induced apoptosis. Caspase-12 overexpression reduced cell viability, which was diminished in the presence of insulin. Insulin decreased caspase-12 levels at the post-translational stages. These results demonstrate that insulin protects against ER stress-induced ß-cell apoptosis in this cell line. Furthermore, mitochondrial hyperpolarization and increased caspase-12 levels are involved in ER stress-induced and insulin-suppressed ß-cell apoptosis.

Intraoperative reliability of the tibial anteroposterior axis "Akagi's Line" in total knee arthroplasty.

Purpose: The tibial anatomical anteroposterior (AP) axis "Akagi's line" was originally defined on computed tomography (CT) in total knee arthroplasty (TKA); however, its intraoperative reproducibility remains unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the intraoperative reproducibility of the Akagi's line and its effect on postoperative clinical outcomes. Methods: This prospective study included 171 TKAs. The rotational angle of the intraoperative Akagi's line relative to the original Akagi's line (RAA) defined on CT was measured. The RAA was calculated based on the tibial component rotational angles relative to the intraoperative Akagi's line measured using the navigation system and CT. The effects of RAA on postoperative clinical outcomes and rotational alignments of components were also evaluated. Results: The mean absolute RAA (standard deviation) value was 5.5° (3.9°). The range of RAA was 22° internal rotation to 16° external rotation. Intraoperative Akagi's line outliers (RAA > 10°) were observed in 14% of the knees (24 knees). In outlier analysis, the tibial component rotation angle was externally rotated 6.5° (5.6°) in the outlier group and externally rotated 3.7° (4.2°) in the nonoutlier group (≤10°), with a significant difference between the two groups. Additionally, the outlier group (RAA > 10°) showed lower postoperative clinical outcomes. Conclusion: The original Akagi's line defined on CT showed insufficient reproducibility intraoperatively. The poor intraoperative detection of Akagi's line could be the reason for the tibial component rotational error and worse postoperative clinical outcomes. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.

In Vivo Kinematics and Cruciate Ligament Tension Are Not Restored to Normal After Bicruciate-Preserving Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Whether cruciate ligament forces in cruciate-preserving designs, such as unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) or bi-cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty (BCR-TKA), differ from those in normal knees remains unknown. The purpose of this study was to compare the in vivo kinematics and cruciate ligament force in knees before and after UKA or BCR-TKA to those in normal knees during high-flexion activity. METHODS: Overall, twenty normal knees, 17 knees with medial UKA, and 15 knees with BCR-TKA were fluoroscopically examined while performing a squatting activity. A 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional registration technique was employed to measure tibio-femoral kinematics. Ligament strains and tensions in the anteromedial bundle of the anterior cruciate ligament and posterolateral bundle of the anterior cruciate ligament and the anterolateral bundle of the posterior cruciate ligament (aPCL) and posteromedial bundle of the posterior cruciate ligament (pPCL) during knee flexion were analyzed. RESULTS: Tension in both bundles of the anterior cruciate ligament decreased with flexion. At 60° of flexion, anteromedial bundle of the anterior cruciate ligament tension in postoperative UKA knees was greater than that in normal knees. At 30° of flexion, posterolateral bundle of the anterior cruciate ligament tension in postoperative UKA knees was greater than that in normal knees. On the other hand, aPCL and pPCL tensions increased with flexion. From 40 to 110° of flexion, the postoperative aPCL tension in UKA knees was greater than that in normal knees. At 110° of flexion, the preoperative pPCL tension in UKA knees was greater than that in normal knees. In addition, the postoperative pPCL tension in UKA knees was larger than that in normal knees beyond 20° of flexion. Furthermore, the pPCL tension of postoperative BCR-TKA knees was larger than that in normal knees from 20 to 50° and beyond 90° of flexion. CONCLUSIONS: The cruciate ligament tensions, especially posterior cruciate ligament tension in knees after UKA, were greater than those in the normal knees. Surgeons performing bi-cruciat-preserving knee arthroplasties should therefore balance cruciate ligament tension more carefully in flexion and extension.

In vivo three-dimensional kinematic comparison of normal knees between flexion and extension activities.

Background/Objective: Normal knee kinematics during flexion and extension activities over the whole range of motion remains unknown. This study aimed to clarify in vivo kinematics during knee flexion and extension activities of normal knees by comparing continuous flexion and extension activities up to a high flexion angle. Methods: Twenty knees of 10 Japanese volunteers were enrolled in this study. Each volunteer performed a continuous squatting motion under fluoroscopy, and a two- or three-dimensional registration technique was used. Rotation and anteroposterior translation of the medial and lateral sides of the femur relative to the tibia at each flexion angle were evaluated. Results: Femoral external rotation was significantly smaller from 10° to 40° flexion during extension activities than during flexion activities. However, the femoral external rotation was larger from 120° to 130° flexion during extension activities than during flexion activities. From 10° to 60° of flexion, the medial side was significantly more posteriorly located during extension activities than during flexion activities. Furthermore, the lateral side was significantly more posteriorly located at 130° of flexion during extension activities than during flexion activities. Conclusion: In vivo kinematics of normal knees during extension activities differ from those during flexion activities in early and high flexion.

Mogrol stimulates G-protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 (GPBAR1/TGR5) and insulin secretion from pancreatic ß-cells and alleviates hyperglycemia in mice.

Target identification is a crucial step in elucidating the mechanisms by which functional food components exert their functions. Here, we identified the G-protein-coupled bile acid receptor 1 (GPBAR1, also known as TGR5) as a target of the triterpenoid mogrol, a class of aglycone mogroside derivative from Siraitia grosvenorii. Mogrol, but not mogrosides, activated cAMP-response element-mediated transcription in a TGR5-dependent manner. Additionally, mogrol selectively activated TGR5 but not the other bile acid-responsive receptors (i.e., farnesoid X receptor, vitamin D receptor, or muscarinic acetylcholine receptor M3). Several amino acids in TGR5 (L71A2.60, W75AECL1, Q77AECL1, R80AECL1, Y89A3.29, F161AECL2, L166A5.39, Y240A6.51, S247A6.58, Y251A6.62, L262A7.35, and L266A7.39) were found to be important for mogrol-induced activation. Mogrol activated insulin secretion under low-glucose conditions in INS-1 pancreatic ß-cells, which can be inhibited by a TGR5 inhibitor. Similar effects of mogrol on insulin secretion were observed in the isolated mouse islets. Mogrol administration partially but significantly alleviated hyperglycemia in KKAy diabetic mice by increasing the insulin levels without affecting the ß-cell mass or pancreatic insulin content. These results suggest that mogrol stimulates insulin secretion and alleviates hyperglycemia by acting as a TGR5 agonist.

Preparation of Jellyfish Mucin.

A mucin-type glycoprotein extracted from various species of jellyfish (JF) is named qniumucin (Q-mucin). Compared with general mucins, most of which are from mammals including humans, Q-mucin can be collected on a relatively large scale with high yield. Owing to its simple structure with low heterogeneity, Q-mucin has a potential to be developed into material mucins which opens various applications valuable to humans. On the basis of our present knowledge, here, we describe our protocol for the extraction of Q-mucin, which can be extracted from any JF species worldwide. Experimental protocols to identify the structure of Q-mucin are also introduced.

In Vivo Kinematic Analysis of Mobile-Bearing Unicompartmental Knee Arthroplasty during High Flexion Activities.

Mobile-bearing (MB) unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) has high conformity between the femoral articular surface and the meniscal bearing; therefore, the surface and subsurface contact stress is reduced. Additionally, the survival rate is high. However, the in vivo kinematics of MB UKA knees during high-flexion activities of daily living remain unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate in vivo the three-dimensional kinematics of MB UKA knees during high-flexion activities of daily living. A total of 17 knees of 17 patients who could achieve kneeling after MB UKA were examined. Under fluoroscopy, each patient performed squatting and kneeling motions. To estimate the spatial position and orientation of the knee, a two-dimensional/three-dimensional registration technique was used. We evaluated the femoral rotation and varus-valgus angle relative to the tibia and the anteroposterior translation of the medial sulcus (medial side) and lateral epicondyle (lateral side) of the femur on the plane perpendicular to the tibial mechanical axis in each flexion angle. From 130° to 140° of flexion, the femoral external rotation during squatting was significantly smaller than that during kneeling. Additionally, the medial side of the femur during squatting was significantly more posteriorly located compared with that during kneeling. There was no significant difference between squatting and kneeling in terms of the lateral side of the femur and the varus-valgus position in each flexion angle. At high flexion angle, the kinematics of MB UKA knees may differ depending on the performance.

Short-term clinical results of bicruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty using personalized alignment.

BACKGROUND: Bicruciate-retaining (BCR) prosthesis has been introduced to recreate normal knee movement by preserving both the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments. However, the use of BCR total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is still debatable because of several disappointing reports. We have been performing BCR TKAs with personalized alignment (PA). This study aimed to reveal the limb alignment and soft tissue balance of FA-BCR TKAs and compare the clinical outcomes of FA-BCR TKAs with those of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA). METHODS: Fifty BCR TKAs and 58 UKAs were included in this study. The joint component gaps of BCR TKA were evaluated intraoperatively and the postoperative hip-knee-ankle (HKA) angle, medial proximal tibial angle (MPTA), and lateral distal femoral angle (LDFA) were measured using full-length standing radiography. The short-term clinical outcomes of BCR TKAs were compared with those of UKA using the scoring system of 2011 Knee Society Scoring (KSS) and the knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS) at an average of 2 years postoperatively (1-4yeras). RESULTS: The coronal alignment values of PA-BCR TKA were as follows: HKA angle, 177.9° ± 2.3°; MPTA, 85.4° ± 1.9°; and LDFA, 87.5° ± 1.9°. The joint component gaps at flexion angles of 10°, 30°, 60°, and 90° were 11.1 ± 1.2, 10.9 ± 1.4, 10.7 ± 1.3, and 11.2 ± 1.4 mm for the medial compartment and 12.9 ± 1.5, 12.6 ± 1.8, 12.5 ± 1.8 and 12.5 ± 1.7 mm for the lateral compartment, respectively. The patient expectation score and maximum extension angle of PA-BCR TKA were significantly better than those of UKAs. CONCLUSIONS: The short-term clinical outcomes of PA-BCR TKA were comparable or a slightly superior to those of UKAs.

Understanding wax ester synthesis in Euglena gracilis: Insights into mitochondrial anaerobic respiration.

Euglena gracilis, photosynthetic protist, has a unique ability to generate wax esters in the absence of oxygen, employing a distinctive fatty acid synthesis mechanism. Through comprehensive inhibitor assays and gene-silencing techniques, our research clearly emphasized the indispensable role of the mitochondrial anaerobic respiratory chain in this biosynthesis. We identified acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, electron transfer flavoprotein (ETF), and rhodoquinone (RQ) as central molecular components in the pathway. These findings strongly indicated a potential reversal of beta-oxidation occurring within mitochondria for fatty acid production in anaerobic conditions. Furthermore, our analysis revealed the pivotal function of nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (NNT) in efficiently managing the NADPH/NAD+ conversion essential for sustaining anaerobic metabolism. This review outlines our key findings and provides a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms that enable E. gracilis to produce wax ester anaerobically.

Postoperative quadriceps weakness and male sex are risk factors for patellofemoral articular cartilage lesions after anatomical anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

PURPOSE: Patellofemoral (PF) compartment cartilage lesions are a frequent problem after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. This study aimed to determine the factors that influence PF cartilage lesions after anatomical ACL reconstruction. METHODS: This study enrolled a total of 114 patients who did not manifest PF compartment cartilage lesions during anatomical ACL reconstruction and underwent second-look arthroscopy 18 months postoperatively. Arthroscopy using the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS) classification was used to assess cartilage lesions. The correlation between surgical findings, radiographic factors, and clinical factors and change of ICRS grade was analysed. Multivariate regression analysis was conducted to reveal the independent risk factors for PF cartilage lesions among patients' demographic data and parameters that correlated with the change of ICRS grade in the correlation analyses. RESULTS: ICRS grade changes in PF cartilage were significantly correlated with age, sex, quadriceps strength at 1 year postoperatively, hamstrings strength at pre- and 1 year postoperatively, and single leg hop test at 1 year postoperatively. However, no significant correlation was found between the time between injury and surgery, posterior tibial slope angle, pre- and postoperative Tegner activity scale, graft type, initial graft tension, meniscus injury, meniscus injury treatment, pre- and postoperative range of motion, anteroposterior laxity and preoperative quadriceps strength, and the change in ICRS grade. Multivariate regression analysis revealed male (P = 0.019) and quadriceps strength weakness at 1 year postoperatively (P = 0.009) as independent risk factors for PF cartilage lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Quadriceps strength weakness 1 year after ACL reconstruction and males were correlated with a new PF cartilage lesion after anatomical ACL reconstruction, with no significant correlation between bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft, initial graft tension, or extension deficit and new PF cartilage lesion. Rehabilitation that focuses on quadriceps strength after ACL reconstruction is recommended to prevent new PF cartilage lesions. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV.

Comparison of finite helical axis of the knee joint before and after bi-cruciate-preserving knee arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND: Difference in the finite helical axis of the knee joints before and after anterior cruciate ligament-preserving knee arthroplasties such as unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and bi-cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty remains unknown. This study compared the knee finite helical axes before and after bi-cruciate-preserving knee arthroplasty. METHODS: Patients undergoing medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty and bi-cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty were included. Under fluoroscopy, participants performed a deep knee bend before and after surgery. A two/three-dimensional registration technique was employed to measure tibiofemoral kinematics. Femoral finite helical axis was calculated in a flexion range of 0-120° using 30° windows (early-, mid-, late-, and deep-flexion phases). FINDINGS: In unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, the preoperative knee vertical angle was larger than the postoperative vertical angle in mid- and deep-flexion phases. The postoperative knee vertical angle was smaller in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty than in bi-cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty. In unicompartmental knee arthroplasty, the preoperative horizontal angle was smaller than the postoperative horizontal angle in the early-flexion phase. However, in bi-cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty, the preoperative horizontal angle was larger than the postoperative horizontal angle in mid- and deep-flexion phases. The horizontal angle was smaller before unicompartmental knee arthroplasty than that before bi-cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty in early-, mid-, and deep-flexion phases. However, the vertical angle was larger after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty than that after bi-cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty in the early-flexion phase. INTERPRETATION: The knee finite helical axes before and after unicompartmental knee arthroplasty differed from those before and after bi-cruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty.

Volume ratio and distribution rate in patients with orthostatic vertigo/dizziness using MR imaging: a comparison with vertiginous diseases.

BACKGROUND: Orthostatic dizziness/vertigo (ODV) is characterized by lightheadedness owing to postural changes. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: To measure the endolymphatic space (ELS)/total fluid space (TFS) volume ratio and the distribution rate of endolymphatic fluid (ELF) of patients with ODV and compare them with those of control subjects (CS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 22 patients (44 ears) with ODV and 52 controls (104 ears, CS). The ELS/TFS volume ratio (%) and distribution rate (%) of the inner ear components were measured using 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: In the ODV group, the mean ELS/TFS volume ratios of the cochlea, vestibule, and semi-circular canals (SCCs) were 12.1%, 18.6%, and 18.1%, respectively; the mean ELS distribution rates for the cochlea, vestibule, and SCCs were 27.3%, 26.2%, and 46.6%, respectively. The ELS distribution rate of the vestibule was significantly lower (p < .01) and the ELS distribution rate of the SCCs was significantly higher in the ODV than in the CS group (p < .01). CONCLUSIONS AND SIGNIFICANCE: The ELS distribution rate in the vestibule + SCCs among patients with ODV did not differ from that in the CS; ELF in the vestibule moved to the SCCs, and a large amount of ELF was distributed only in the SCCs.

Risk factors for hamstring strain injury in male college American football players -a preliminary prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Given the frequency of hamstring strain injuries (HSI) among male college American football players, several studies have attempted to determine whether certain risk factors can predict their occurrence. However, no consensus on modifiable risk factors for HSIs in male college American football players has yet been reached to prevent these injuries. This study aimed to clarify risk factors for HSI prospectively in college male American football players. METHODS: A total of 78 male college American football players, whose positions were limited to skill positions, were medically assessed for potential risk factors of HSI. The preseason medical assessment included anthropometric measurements, joint laxity and flexibility, muscle flexibility, muscle strength, and balance ability. RESULTS: HSI occurred in a total of 25 thighs from 25 players (32.1%). Injured players had significantly lower hamstring flexibility (p = 0.02) and hamstring to quadriceps strength ratio (H/Q) (p = 0.047) compared to uninjured players. Additionally, injured players had significantly lower general joint laxity scores, especially for the total (p = 0.04), hip (p = 0.007), and elbow (p = 0.04) scores, compared to uninjured players. CONCLUSIONS: Lower hamstring flexibility, lower hamstring to quadriceps strength ratio, and lower general joint laxity score were identified as risk factors for HSI in male college American football players placed in skill positions. The muscle flexibility and H/Q ratio could be useful in preventing HSI in such players.

Changes in knee joint destruction patterns among patients with rheumatoid arthritis undergoing total knee arthroplasty in recent decades.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the trend of joint destruction patterns on knee radiographs of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) over the past 16 years. METHOD: Medial joint space, lateral joint space, medial spur area, lateral spur area (L-spur), and femoro-tibial angle were obtained from 831 preoperative knee radiographs of patients with RA who underwent TKA between 2006 and 2021 using software capable of automatic measurements. Non-hierarchical clustering was performed based on these five parameters. Trends in the five individual radiographic parameters and the ratio of each cluster were investigated during the target period. Moreover, clinical data from 244 cases were compared among clusters to identify factors associated with this trend. RESULTS: All parameters, except for L-spur, showed significant increasing trends from 2006 to 2021. The radiographs were clustered into groups according to the characteristic pattern of radiographic findings: cluster 1 (conventional RA type), with bicompartmental joint space narrowing (JSN), less spur formation, and valgus alignment; cluster 2 (osteoarthritis type), with medial JSN, medial osteophytes, and varus alignment; and cluster 3 (less destructive type), with mild bicompartmental JSN, less spur formation, and valgus alignment. The ratio of cluster 1 showed a significantly decreasing trend contrary to the significantly increasing trend in clusters 2 and 3. The DAS28-CRP of cluster 3 was higher than those of clusters 1 and 2. CONCLUSIONS: Radiographs of TKA recipients with RA are increasingly presenting osteoarthritic features in recent decades. Key Points • Using automated measurement software, morphological parameters were measured from radiographs of 831 patients with rheumatoid arthritis who had undergone TKA in the past 16 years. • Cluster analysis based on the radiographic parameters revealed that the radiographs of patients with end-stage knee arthritis requiring total knee arthroplasty were classified into three groups. • In patients with rheumatoid arthritis who have undergone total knee arthroplasty in the past 16 years, the proportion of clusters with features of osteoarthritis and difficult-to-treat rheumatoid arthritis has increased, while the proportion of conventional rheumatoid arthritis has decreased.

Relationship between stress levels and endolymphatic space volume in Meniere's disease.

OBJECTIVES: Since the first report by Hallpike and Yamakawa in 1938, many more patients with Meniere's disease (MD) with endolymphatic hydrops (EHs) have been described. Mental/physical stress and a subsequent increase in the release of the anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) supposedly triggers MD. In the present study, to assess the relationship between stress and EHs, we conducted a series of stress-related questionnaires as well as a 3D endolymphatic space (ELS) analysis in patients with unilateral MD. METHODS: We enrolled 76 patients with unilateral MD (uMD) as the active group and 75 patients with unilateral benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (uBPPV) as the control group; both underwent examinations between June 2014 and November 2019. All patients underwent 3-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) 4 h after intravenous gadolinium injection. We used the total fluid space (TFS), ELS, and ELS rate (ELS/TFS × 100), which is the percentage of the volume of the ELS relative to that of the TFS, for a precise evaluation of the ELS and EHs in MD. Stress was evaluated using the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), the psychological Stress Response Scale (SRS), and the modified Dizziness Handicap Inventory (mDHI). Stress scores and blood ADH levels were compared across patient groups. RESULTS: In patients with uMD, ELS rates significantly correlated with SRS scores on both the affected and the healthy side and with mDHI scores on the affected side, while the SDS and ADH showed no significant correlation with the ELS rates. Correlations were much stronger in the group with severe SDS and one with low ADH levels. CONCLUSIONS: The present results indicate that stress may be involved in EHs development in uMD, not only in the ipsilateral but also the contralateral ear. They also suggest that patients with neuropsychiatric tendencies may develop EHs and MD in response to a stressful lifestyle.

Evaluation of changes in endolymphatic volume after middle ear pressure therapy for intractable meniere's disease using 3D magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, the endolymphatic space size can be evaluated by 3D-analysis of 3 T-MRI after intravenous injection of gadolinium enhancement. AIMS/OBJECTIVES: In the present study, to elucidate the relationships between vertigo and endolymphatic hydrops (EH) volume after middle ear pressure therapy (MEPT), we investigated changes in EH volume after MEPT for intractable Meniere's disease (MD) by means of the inner ear MRI (ieMRI) in relation to clinical results. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We enrolled 202 successive definite MD cases with intractable vertiginous symptoms from 2015 to 2020, assigning Group-I of MEPT, and Group-II of endolymphatic sac drainage (ELSD). Ninety patients completed the planned 2-year-follow-up, which included assessment of vertigo frequency and changes in EH volume using ieMRI (Group-I/MEPT: n = 40; Group-II/ELSD: n = 50). RESULTS: Two years after surgery, vertigo was completely controlled in 77.5% of patients in Group-I and 90.0% in Group-II. Hearing improved by >10 dB in 7.5% of patients in Group-I and 24.0% in Group-II. ELS ratios were significantly reduced after treatments of Group-I and Group-II only in the vestibule. CONCLUSIONS: The obtained results indicate that MEPT as well as ELSD could be a good treatment option for patients with intractable MD.

Evaluation of changes in endolymphatic hydrops volume after medical treatments for Meniere's disease using 3D magnetic resonance imaging.

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the relationship between vertigo and EH volume after medical treatment, we investigated changes in endolymphatic hydrops (EH) volume using inner ear magnetic resonance imaging (ieMRI) in relation to clinical results for vertigo and hearing after administration of the anti-vertiginous medications betahistine, adenosine triphosphate (ATP), isosorbide (ISO), and saireito (SAI) for Meniere's disease (MD). METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 202 consecutive patients diagnosed with unilateral MD from 2015 to 2021 and assigned them to four groups: Group I (G-I), symptomatic oral medication with betahistine only (CONT); Group II (G-II), inner ear vasoactive oral medication (ATP); Group III (G-III), osmotic diuretic oral medication (ISO); and Group IV (G-IV), kampo oral medication (SAI). In total, 172 patients completed the planned one-year-follow-up, which included the assessment of vertigo frequency, hearing improvement, and changes in EH using ieMRI (G-I, n=40; G-II, n=42; G-III, n=44; G-IV, n=46). We constructed 3D MRI images semi-automatically and fused the 3D images of the total fluid space (TFS) of the inner ear and endolymphatic space (ELS). After fusing the images, we calculated the volume ratios of the TFS and ELS (ELS ratios). RESULTS: One year after treatment, vertigo was controlled with zero episodes per month in 57.5% (23/40) of patients in G-I, 78.6% (33/42) in G-II, 81.8% (36/44) in G-III, and 82.6% (38/46) in G-IV (statistical significance: G-I 10 dB in 5.0% (2/40) of patients in G-I, 16.7% (7/42) in G-II, 18.2% (8/44) in G-III, and 21.7% (10/46) in G-IV (statistical significance: G-I=G-II=G-III=G-IV). ELS ratios were significantly reduced after treatment only in the vestibule for G-II, G-III, and G-IV when compared with G-I. Especially among patients with complete control of vertigo after treatment, ELS ratios were significantly reduced after treatment in the vestibule and total inner ear for G-II; in the cochlea, vestibule, and total inner ear for G-III; and in the cochlea, vestibule, and total inner ear for G-IV compared with G-I. However, there were no significant findings in the relationship between hearing results and changes in ELS ratios. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that daily administration of anti-vertiginous medications including ATP, ISO, and SAI could be an effective treatment option for patients with MD at an early stage before it becomes intractable. Treatments to reduce EH might offer better control of vertigo rather than improve hearing.

Bicruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty procedure reduced tensile force in the middle and posterior components of lateral collateral ligament during deep knee flexion activities with no effect on tensile force of the medial collateral ligament.

PURPOSE: To analyse the effects of bicruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty (BCR-TKA) on the tensile force of the collateral ligaments during two deep knee flexion activities, cross-leg sitting and squatting. METHODS: Thirteen patients (15 knees) treated using bicruciate-retaining total knee arthroplasty (BCR-TKA) for knee joint osteoarthritis were analysed. Knee joint kinematics during cross-leg sitting (open-chain flexion) and squatting (closed-chain flexion) were evaluated through fluoroscopy. The tensile force was calculated in vivo based on the change in the distance between the femoral and tibial attachment areas for the anterior, middle, and posterior components of the superficial (sMCL) and deep (dMCL) medial collateral ligament and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL). Differences in the calculated tensile forces of the collateral ligaments were evaluated using repeated measures of analysis of variance, with post hoc pairwise comparison (Bonferroni test). Statistical significance was set at P ≤ 0.05. RESULTS: The correction of the coronal alignment was related to the surgical technique, not to the implant design. No significant change in the tensile force in all three components of the sMCL from pre- to post-TKA (n.s.) was observed. For dMCL, a pre- to post-TKA change in the tensile force was observed only for the anterior dMCL component (p = 0.03). No change was observed in the tensile force of the anterior LCL with increasing flexion, with no difference in pre- to post-TKA and between activities (n.s.). In contrast, tensile force in the middle LCL slightly decreased with increasing flexion during squatting, pre- and post-TKA. After surgery, lower forces were generated at 40° of flexion (p = 0.04). Tensile force in the posterior LCL was higher in extension than flexion, which remained high in the extension post-TKA. However, after surgery, lower tensile forces were generated at 10° (p = 0.04) and 40° (p = 0.04) of flexion. CONCLUSIONS: The in vivo change in tensile forces of the collateral ligaments of the knee before and after BCR-TKA can inform the development of appropriate ligament balancing strategies to facilitate recovery of deep knee flexion activities after TKA, as well as for continued improvement of BCR-TKA designs. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Both Intraoperative Medial and Lateral Joint Stabilities at Midflexion Influence Postoperative Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Following Bi-Cruciate Stabilized Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Bi-cruciate stabilized (BCS) total knee arthroplasty (TKA) was developed to approximate normal knee kinematics and is expected to improve clinical outcomes. However, the effects of soft tissue balance at the medial or lateral compartment on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) following BCS TKA are unclear. The purpose of this study was to clarify the relationship between the medial or lateral component gaps and PROMs following BCS TKA. One hundred seventeen knees with varus deformities which underwent BCS TKA were included in this study. They were divided into two groups according to the validated Japanese version of the Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for each subscale of pain, symptoms, and activities of daily living (ADL) at 1 year postoperatively: group H consisted of patients with ≥90 points and group L consisted of patients with <90 points. Intraoperative medial and lateral joint laxities at 0°, 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120° flexion measured using a tensor device were compared between the two groups in each subscale. In the pain subscale, the medial joint laxities at 30° (p < 0.05) and 60° flexion (p < 0.05) in group H were significantly smaller than those in group L. In the ADL subscale, the medial joint laxity at 60° flexion in group H was significantly smaller than that in group L (p < 0.05). In the symptom subscale, the lateral joint laxity at 60° flexion in group H was significantly smaller than that in group L (p < 0.05). Surgeons should pay attention to the importance of both medial and lateral joint stabilities to achieve better postoperative PROMs following BCS TKA.