Activity

Metalloproteinases were first identified as collagen cleaving enzymes and are now appreciated to play important roles in a wide variety of biological processes. The aberrant activity and dysregulation of the metalloproteinase family are linked to numerous diseases including cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, chronic wounds, cancer, fibrosis and arthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent age-related joint disorder that causes pain and disability, but there are no disease-modifying drugs available. The hallmark of OA is loss of articular cartilage and elevated activities of matrix-degrading metalloproteinases are responsible. These enzymes do not exist in isolation and their activity is tightly regulated by a number of processes, such as transcription, proteolytic activation, interaction with their inhibitors, cell surface and extracellular matrix molecules, and endocytic clearance from the extracellular milieu. Here, we describe the functions and roles of metalloproteinase family in OA pathogenesis. We highlight recent studies that have illustrated novel mechanisms regulating their extracellular activity and impairment of such regulations that lead to the development of OA. We also discuss how to stop or slow down the degenerative processes by targeting aberrant metalloproteinase activity, which may in future become therapeutic interventions for the disease.Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with an increased risk of fractures, mainly due to impaired bone architecture and microvascular complications. Whether DM is also associated with increased risk of sarcopenia is not yet known, with studies yielding inconclusive results. The aim of this study was to systematically review and synthesize the best available evidence regarding the association between DM and sarcopenia risk. A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, CENTRAL and Scopus databases. Data are expressed as odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). The I2 index was employed for heterogeneity. Only studies which had implemented at least two of the three criteria for sarcopenia diagnosis (low muscle mass, muscle strength and/or muscle performance), as defined by the international studying groups, were included. Fifteen studies fulfilled eligibility criteria, yielding a total of 1832 patients with type 2 DM (T2DM) and 1159 cases of sarcopenia. Patients with T2DM demonstrated a higher risk of sarcopenia compared with euglycemic subjects (OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.25-1.91, p  less then  0.001; I2 34.6%). This risk remained significant when analysis was restricted to studies matched for age and sex. Sarcopenia risk was independent of disease definition or study design. Notably, T2DM patients presented lower muscle performance and strength compared with euglycemic subjects, whereas no difference in muscle mass was observed between groups. Patients with T2DM have an increased risk of sarcopenia compared with euglycemic subjects.

Positive staining of testicular germ cells for PLAP and c-Kit beyond infancy may be associated with the presence of GCNIS (Germ Cell Neoplasia In Situ). We recently reported our findings of positive staining of normal, infantile germ cells for PLAP, and c-Kit up to 2years of age, contrary to previous studies. The present study aims to elucidate whether otherwise normal testes of boys undergoing puberty express PLAP, c-Kit, Oct3/4, or D2-40.

Biopsies were taken from 31 boys (11.5-16.5years of age, mean and median of 13.5years), who underwent surgery either for torsion of the testis (15) or a history suspicious of intermittent torsion of the testis (16). 21 were biopsied on both sides, making a total of 52 biopsies. Selleckchem STING inhibitor C-178 Four testes were necrotic. The biopsies were fixed in Stieve’s medium, cut into 2μm sections, and mounted on coated slides. One slide was processed for H-E, and the others incubated with primary antibody for PLAP, c-Kit, D2-40, and Oct3/4.

87% of the boys stained positive for both PLAP and c-Ktion, the positivity is indicative of an ongoing maturational process of the germ cells.

The aim of this systematic review was to compare knee pain and function after tibial nail insertion through an infrapatellar, semi-extended and suprapatellar technique.

A search was carried out to identify articles with an exact description of the method used for insertion of the tibial nail and description of the outcome parameters (knee pain or function). Data on study design, population, rate and severity of anterior knee pain and function scores were extracted. Pooled rates and scores were calculated.

67 studies with 3,499 patients were included. The pooled rate of patients with anterior knee pain was 38% (95% CI 32-44) after nail insertion through an infrapatellar approach and 10% (95% CI 1-26) after insertion through a suprapatellar approach. Pooled analysis was not possible for the semi-extended technique. Knee pain scores as measured by visual analogue score (0-10) ranged from 0.2 (95% CI – 0.1-0.5) for general knee pain to 3.7 (95% CI 1.3-6.1) for pain during kneeling. Pooled estimates for the Lysholm score were 87 points (range 77-97) for the infrapatellar technique and 85 points (range 82-85) for the suprapatellar technique. Iowa Knee scores were 94 (range 86-96) and Anterior Knee Pain Scale scores were 76 (range 75-80) after infrapatellar nail insertion.

Depending on the technique used, the proportion of patients with knee pain after tibial nailing varied between 10 and 38%. The actual measured knee pain scores were, however, surprisingly low. Knee function was good for both the infra- and suprapatellar technique.

Depending on the technique used, the proportion of patients with knee pain after tibial nailing varied between 10 and 38%. The actual measured knee pain scores were, however, surprisingly low. Knee function was good for both the infra- and suprapatellar technique.

The purpose of this study was to compare clinical outcomes and graft healing after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with anteromedial and central femoral tunnel placement.

During 2016 and 2018, 110 consecutive patients underwent single bundle ACL reconstruction; 85 patients met the inclusion criteria, and each patient underwent 3D-CT within 1week and MRI 1.5years after the operation. The central point of the femoral tunnel and signal/noise quotient (SNQ) of three regions of interest (ROI) in the intra-articular graft were measured to analyse the tunnel position and graft healing extent. Clinical assessments, including functional scores, KT-2000 arthrometer measurements and pivot-shift tests, were evaluated at the 2-year follow-up. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the femoral tunnel position the anteromedial position group (Group A) and the centre position group (Group B).

Seventy-one patients were available for the 2-year follow-up and MRI examination 34 patients in Group A and 35 patients in Group B, and 2 patients were excluded for an eccentric tunnel position.