Portrayal of umbilical cord blood research in the North American popular press: promise or hype?

Aim: This study examined how umbilical cord blood (UCB) use was portrayed in the English language North American popular press. Methods: Directed content analysis was conducted on 400 articles from 2007 to 2017 containing 'cord blood,' published by the most read Canadian and American news sources. Results: A total of 86.3% of the articles detailed UCB treatments and therapies, the majority of which align with clinical evidence. Some articles portrayed speculative/experimental therapies as efficacious. Public and private banking initiatives received substantial attention, and were portrayed diversely. Promotional narrative messaging was evident around private banking. Conclusion: Findings demonstrate the need for continual monitoring of the media portrayals of UCB as stem cell and transplantation research develops and as clinics continue to operate.

Relationship Between Hip Morphology and Hip-Related Patient-Reported Outcomes in Young and Middle-Aged Individuals: A Population-Based Study.

OBJECTIVE: Radiographic measurements of the alpha angle and the lateral center edge (LCE) angle in the hip joint are important for the diagnosis of femoroacetabular syndrome, a potential risk factor for hip osteoarthritis. Our objective was to determine whether these measurements are associated with hip-related patient-reported outcomes in young and middle-aged individuals. METHODS: A stratified random sample of white men and women ages 20-49 years, with and without hip pain, was selected using random digit dialing from the population of metro Vancouver, Canada. The alpha and LCE angles were measured bilaterally on radiographs using Dunn and anteroposterior views, respectively. Patient-reported outcomes were measured by the Copenhagen Hip And Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS), which has scales for symptoms, pain, daily activities, sports, physical activity, and quality of life (QoL). We performed descriptive analyses and a regression analysis with restricted cubic splines, adjusted for age and sex and weighted for the sampling design. RESULTS: Data were obtained for 500 subjects. The alpha angle distribution was strongly skewed, with a mean of 54°. The LCE angle distribution was symmetric, with a mean of 34°. In the restricted cubic splines analysis, the relationship between the alpha angle and HAGOS scores was nonlinear, with higher alpha angles generally associated with worse HAGOS scores for alpha >60°. The associations were statistically significant for symptoms, sports, and QoL. No association was found between the LCE angle and HAGOS scales. CONCLUSION: In a general population sample ages 20-49 years, we have found an association between the alpha angle and hip-related patient-reported outcomes.

Association of Femoroacetabular Impingement and Delayed Gadolinium-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Cartilage: A Population-Based Study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the association of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and delayed gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of cartilage (dGEMRIC) T1 relaxation values (RVs), and to evaluate whether subtypes of FAI (cam, pincer, and mixed) are associated with region-specific dGEMRIC T1 RVs. METHODS: A population-based sample of white subjects with and without hip pain, ages 20-49 years, was selected through random-digit dialing. A sample of 128 subjects underwent hip-joint 3T dGEMRIC scans. Radiographic cam FAI was defined as an alpha angle >55°, while pincer FAI was defined by a lateral center edge angle >40°, or a positive cross-over sign. Mixed impingement was defined by the presence of both cam and pincer impingement. Overall and region-specific T1 RVs were compared between all FAI subtypes, using weighted linear regression analysis to account for sampling design of the study. RESULTS: Subjects had a mean age of 38 years and 51% were female. We did not find an association of FAI with overall hip T1 RV (mean difference -15.5 [95% confidence interval -77.23, 47.14]). Significant associations of cartilage degeneration in anterior superior and central superior regions were found in subjects with mixed FAI compared to other FAI subtypes and non-FAI subjects. CONCLUSION: Subjects with mixed FAI had reduced T1 RVs compared to other FAI subtypes. No substantial cartilage degeneration was found in pure cam or pincer FAI compared to no-FAI hips. These results indicate that the presence of cam or pincer impingements alone does not suggest the beginning of cartilage degeneration. In contrast, the presence of both FAI subtypes is a risk factor for early cartilage damage.