Cartilage tissue engineering using stem cells and biomaterials is considered a promising approach despite poor outcomes. We hypothesise that articular cartilage fragments provides native environmental cues to enhance stem cell differentiation. As such we evaluated the chondrogenic differentiation and repair of critical size defect in a human explant osteochondral model (OD) using bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) and homogenised cartilage. BM-MSCs were established from the bone-marrow plugs of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty and characterized. Osteochondral tissue was trimmed and a central drill defect (~2mm) was made. Chondrogenic repair was evaluated by filling the OD defect area with either BM-MSCs (Group II), homogenized cartilage (Group III) or a combination of both BM-MSCs and homogenized cartilage (Group IV). OD with no added cell or tissue served as control (Group I). Samples were maintained in chondrogenic differentiation medium for 28 days. Microscopic images showed maximal OD closure in Group IV. Partial OD closure was observed in Group II and to a lesser extent in Group III. Haematoxylin-eosin staining revealed immature cartilaginous matrix in Group II and more mature matrix in Group IV. Sircol™ Assay showed increased collagen deposition in both Group II and Group IV. Immunostaining for both groups revealed positive staining for type II collagen. Combining BM-MSCs and homogenised cartilage demonstrated enhanced cartilage formation and defect filling in a human ex-vivo osteochondral model. Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive degenerative disease of the joint characterized by gradual degradation of the cartilaginous extracellular matrix (ECM) and sclerosis of bone. The ECM of cartilage is highly specialized structure that is mainly composed of type II collagen that provides tensile strength and proteoglycans that provide compressive stiffness [1]. The imbalance in the turnover of proteoglycans and type II collagen network leads to loss of cartilage integrity and hence its function [2]. Cartilage has a limited ability to repair itself and restore the articular surface.
A combination of autologous fascia lata and fat injected into the vocal fold for unilateral vocal fold paralysis is a safe and effective therapy.
Background: Asthma is a common co-morbidity of allergic rhinitis (AR). The prevalence of these two allergic diseases has increased in China and has been shown to cluster in families independently. This study evaluated the association between maternal AR (presenting with or without asthma) and the allergic conditions in offspring. Methods: Women (n = 592) diagnosed with AR were recruited for this study; 379 patients presented with AR and 213 presented with both AR and asthma. Total serum IgE levels and nasal eosinophil counts were analyzed and correlated with disease presentation. Results: The prevalence of allergic conditions in offspring of mothers diagnosed with AR and asthma was significantly higher than the prevalence observed in children born to mothers presenting with AR only. Maternal total serum IgE and eosinophil counts were predictive of atopy in offspring. Children born to mothers presenting with persistent moderate-to-severe AR had the highest risk of developing atopic conditions (OR 6.26, 95% CI 3.26–12.02). Maternal age of 25–30 years at delivery was also associated with a higher risk for the allergic disease in offspring compared to maternal age of 36–40 (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.31–3.47). Conclusions: The severity of maternal AR, asthma co-morbidity, elevated serum IgE levels and nasal eosinophilia were all associated with an increased risk of offspring developing allergic conditions. Children born to older mothers were protected against developing atopic disease.
Objective: This study aimed to assess long-term outcomes after performing tympanoplasty without mastoidectomy (TWOM) for active and inactive noncholesteatomatous chronic otitis media (COM) and to estimate the optimal time for surgery. Methods: The patients were placed into an active ear group (group A) and an inactive ear group (group B). All patients were followed up for 5 years after TWOM. Results: Ninety-two cases among 113 achieved dry ears in half a month to 1 month. The tympanic pressure gradually improved 3–6 months after the operation. A total of 69/72 ears achieved dry ears in the active ear group, and 37 ears had effective hearing improvement. In all, 40/41 ears achieved dry ears in the inactive ear group, and 20 ears had effective hearing improvement. There was no difference in the recurrence rate or hearing improvement in the two groups. Conclusion: With good quality control of the surgical treatment of TWOM, there are no differences in long-term outcomes in noncholesteatomatous COM in different chronic infection conditions.
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