Molecular orbital techniques for the ab initio computation of harmonic force constants are reviewed. Extensive applications with the split-valence 3-21G basis are described and a systematic comparison between theoretical and experimental frequencies is undertaken. The 3-21G force constants are permanently stored on a disk file and may be used to predict frequencies for isotopically substituted species. Applications are made to some deuterated molecules.

Pain in the joint is often due to cartilage degeneration and represents a serious medical problem affecting people of all ages. Although many, mostly surgical techniques, are currently employed to treat cartilage lesions, none has given satisfactory results in the long term. Recent advances in biology and material science have brought tissue engineering to the forefront of new cartilage repair techniques. The combination of autologous cells, specifically designed scaffolds, bioreactors, mechanical stimulations and growth factors together with the knowledge that underlies the principles of cell biology offers promising avenues for cartilage tissue regeneration. The present review explores basic biology mechanisms for cartilage reconstruction and summarizes the advances in the tissue engineering approaches. Furthermore, the limits of the new methods and their potential application in the osteoarthritic conditions are discussed.

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Objective. To identify markers associated with the chondrogenic capacity of expanded human articular chondrocytes and to use these markers for sorting of more highly chondrogenic subpopulations.Methods. The chondrogenic capacity of chondrocyte populations derived from different donors (n ‫؍‬ 21) or different clonal strains from the same cartilage biopsy specimen (n ‫؍‬ 21) was defined based on the glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content of tissues generated using a pellet culture model. Selected cell populations were analyzed by microarray and flow cytometry. In some experiments, cells were sorted using antibodies against molecules found to be associated with differential chondrogenic capacity and again assessed in pellet cultures.Results. Significance Analysis of Microarrays indicated that chondrocytes with low chondrogenic capacity expressed higher levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 and of catabolic genes (e.g., matrix metalloproteinase 2, aggrecanase 2), while chondrocytes with high chondrogenic capacity expressed higher levels of genes involved in cell-cell or cell-matrix interactions (e.g., CD49c, CD49f). Flow cytometry analysis showed that CD44, CD151, and CD49c were expressed at significantly higher levels in chondrocytes with higher chondrogenic capacity. Flow cytometry analysis of clonal chondrocyte strains indicated that CD44 and CD151 could also identify more chondrogenic clones. Chondrocytes sorted for brighter CD49c or CD44 signal expression produced tissues with higher levels of GAG per DNA (up to 1.4-fold) and type II collagen messenger RNA (up to 3.4-fold) than did unsorted cells.Conclusion. We identified markers that allow characterization of the capacity of monolayer-expanded chondrocytes to form in vitro cartilaginous tissue and enable enrichment for subpopulations with higher chondrogenic capacity. These markers might be used as a means to predict and possibly improve the outcome of cell-based cartilage repair techniques.

Objective To compare the MANKIN and OARSI cartilage histopathology assessment systems using human articular cartilage from a large number of donors across the adult age spectrum representing all levels of cartilage degradation. Design Human knees (n=125 from 65 donors; age range 23–92) were obtained from tissue banks. All cartilage surfaces were macroscopically graded. Osteochondral slabs representing the entire central regions of both femoral condyles, tibial plateaus, and the patella were processed for histology and Safranin O – Fast Green staining. Slides representing normal, aged, and OA tissue were scanned and electronic images were scored online by five observers. Statistical analysis was performed for inter- and intra-observer variability, reproducibility and reliability. Results The inter-observer variability among five observers for the MANKIN system showed a similar good intra-class coefficient (ICC >0.81) as for the OARSI system (ICC >0.78). Repeat scoring by three of the five readers showed very good agreement (ICC >0.94). Both systems showed a high reproducibility among four of the five readers as indicated by the Spearman’s rho value. For the MANKIN system, the surface represented by lesion depth was the parameter where all readers showed an excellent agreement. Other parameters such as cellularity, Safranin O staining intensity and tidemark had greater inter-reader disagreement. Conclusion Both scoring systems were reliable but appeared too complex and time consuming for assessment of lesion severity, the major parameter determined in standardized scoring systems. To rapidly and reproducibly assess severity of cartilage degradation, we propose to develop a simplified system for lesion volume.