骨转化标志物评价富血小板血浆辅助治疗胫骨骨折手术后的不愈合北大核心

背景:富血小板血浆凭借其超强的促进愈合作用在临床上逐渐得到应用,但目前缺少高质量临床对比研究来明确其对骨折不愈合的作用及作用机制。目的:比较富血小板血浆联合手术治疗与单纯手术治疗胫骨干骨折术后不愈合的效果,分析相应骨折修复实验室指标。方法:收集2017年1月至2020年1月青岛大学附属威海市中心医院连续收入的胫骨干骨折术后不愈合患者30例,根据二次手术方式分为富血小板血浆联合手术组16例(术后每隔1周注射自体富血小板血浆1次,共注射3次)和单纯手术组14例。手术当日(术前)及术后2,4,8,12周时抽取两组患者血液标本,检测骨钙素、骨性碱性磷酸酶及β-Ⅰ型胶原羧基末端肽水平;观察两组患者手术切口愈合情况;术后3,6,9个月时对两组患者进行骨痂和骨折线影像学评分及目测类比评分,记录两组患者骨折临床愈合及骨性愈合时间。研究方案经青岛大学附属威海市中心医院伦理委员会批准(2016-伦审-07)。结果与结论:①两组患者术后血清骨钙素、骨性碱性磷酸酶及β-Ⅰ型胶原羧基末端肽水平均呈升高趋势,富血小板血浆联合手术组患者术后2,4周的骨钙素水平高于单纯手术组(P<0.05),术后2,4,8周的骨性碱性磷酸酶高于单纯手术组(P<0.05),术后的β-Ⅰ型胶原羧基末端肽始终高于单纯手术组(P<0.05);②富血小板血浆联合手术组、单纯手术组患者的切口甲级愈合率分别为88%,64%;富血小板血浆联合手术组患者的骨折临床愈合时间及骨性愈合时间均短于单纯手术组(P<0.05);③富血小板血浆联合手术组患者术后3,6,9个月的骨痂和骨折线影像学评分均高于单纯手术组(P<0.05),目测类比评分均低于单纯手术组(P<0.05);④结果表明,富血小板血浆联合手术治疗胫骨干骨折术后不愈合效果要优于单纯手术治疗,可提高患者血清骨钙素、骨性碱性磷酸酶及β-Ⅰ型胶原羧基末端肽水平,有助于富血小板血浆治疗骨折不愈合的机制研究及临床预后判断。     

富血小板凝胶与拔牙窝新骨形成和骨量保持

背景：富血小板血浆能否促进骨组织的修复再生存在一定的争议。 目的：研究富血小板血浆/凝胶对拔牙窝骨愈合过程中新骨形成和骨量保持的可能调节作用,探讨富血小板血浆/凝胶与骨愈合的相互关系。 方法：通过拔牙建立Beagle犬拔牙窝骨缺损模型,同期在拔牙窝导入富血小板血浆或复血小板凝胶,并设计对照组。术后2,4,8,12周分别进行大体观察、放射影像学检查、三维CT平扫+重建、组织学检查拔牙窝颊舌侧牙槽嵴高度差、CT值以及新生骨面积。 结果与结论：与富血小板血浆组和对照组比较,影像学结果表明富血小板凝胶组在第2,4,8周新骨形成的面积最大(P < 0.01);组织学结果表明富血小板凝胶组在第2,4周新骨形成面积最大(P < 0.05);在所有时间点上富血小板凝胶组颊舌侧牙槽嵴高度差值最小(P < 0.05)。在第12周,富血小板凝胶组颊舌侧牙槽嵴高度仍有2 mm差值。提示,富血小板凝胶具有促进牙槽窝早期愈合的能力,但其单独使用时促进牙槽窝骨量保持的效能有限。     

不同浓度富血小板血浆与前交叉韧带重建后的隧道扩大

背景：富血小板血浆内含有的生长因子能够促进骨-腱愈合,从而减少了前交叉韧带重建后骨隧道扩大的发生;不同浓度的富血小板血浆对骨隧道的扩大有一定的影响,但是目前尚不清楚何种浓度更佳。 目的：观察富血小板血浆对前交叉韧带重建后隧道扩大的影响。 方法：将20只新西兰大白兔,参照Martinek等的方法进行兔的双侧前交叉韧带重建。在一侧肢体的肌腱移植物给予10 mg富血小板血浆凝胶预处理作为观察组,对侧肢体移植物给予5 mg富血小板血浆凝胶预处理为对照组。处理后12周进行影像学观察以及测量骨隧道的宽度,计算隧道扩大率。 结果与结论：在前交叉韧带重建后的8周、12周的时间点上,10 mg富血小板血浆组隧道扩大的宽度小于5 mg富血小板血浆组(P < 0.05);10 mg富血小板血浆组的腱-骨结合部位的骨密度值大于5 mg富血小板血浆组   (P < 0.05)。提示富血小板血浆能够促进兔前交叉韧带重建后腱-骨界面骨密度的提高,有效预防骨隧道的扩大,且以富血小板血浆浓度10 mg为佳。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程全文链接：     

自体富含血小板血浆对兔骨折愈合的影响

背景：研究表明富含血小板血浆常通过同源异体制备,可应用于促进扁骨和松质骨的骨折愈合。 目的：用Landsbergs法制备自体富含血小板血浆,观察其对兔桡骨骨折愈合影响。 方法：将新西兰兔随机分成富含血小板血浆组和对照组,分别建立桡骨中下1/3处骨折模型,富含血小板血浆组中加入制备的自体富含血小板血浆凝胶,对照组建立骨折模型后直接缝合。采用Landsbergs法制备自体富含血小板血浆,并植入富含血小板血浆组的骨折端,并行骨折断端石膏外固定。 结果与结论：兔骨折标本在建模后1,2,4,6周均有不同程度骨痂形成。富含血小板血浆组在建模后第4周X射线进行影像学评分明显高于对照组(P < 0.05)。免疫组织化学检测显示：富含血小板血浆组Ⅰ型胶原量明显的高于对照组(P < 0.05),可持续4周左右。结果证实,富含血小板血浆可通过增加骨痂中骨岛量和加速Ⅰ型胶原合成而明显促进长骨骨折愈合。     

多孔羟基磷灰石与富血小板血浆和纤维蛋白胶复合修复骨缺损

背景：自体骨移植是治疗骨缺损的最理想方法,但来源有限,供区有一定的并发症,所以寻找自体骨的替代材料一直是骨科学领域的研究方向。 目的：观察珊瑚多孔羟基磷灰石、富血小板血浆和纤维蛋白胶复合物修复骨缺损的效果。 方法：在新西兰大白兔双侧前臂桡骨中段截骨1.5 cm制成骨缺损模型,随机分为3组,实验组植入珊瑚多孔羟基磷灰石、富血小板血浆和纤维蛋白胶复合物,对照组植入自体骨,空白对照组未植入任何物质。 结果与结论：①X射线：实验组术后12周时骨缺损基本修复,塑性完全,愈合过程与对照组同步;空白对照组骨缺损无明显变化。②组织病理学：实验组与对照组术后12周时骨缺损基本修复,出现成熟板层骨及哈佛氏管;空白对照组仅见大量成纤维细胞增生,未见骨质形成。③生物力学：术后2周时实验组最大扭矩和抗扭刚度优于对照组(P < 0.05),术后12周时两组最大扭矩和抗扭刚度差异无显著性意义。表明珊瑚多孔羟基磷灰石、富血小板血浆和纤维蛋白胶复合物具有促骨质愈合的作用,甚至在术后早期修复骨缺损的效果优于自体骨。     

卵巢切除股骨骨折大鼠骨愈合中降钙素的作用

背景：降钙素可活化腺苷酸环化酶蛋白激酶A通路及磷脂酶C通路,抑制破骨细胞的活性,可能治疗骨质疏松性骨折。 目的：观察降钙素对去卵巢大鼠股骨骨折愈合的作用。 方法：构建双侧卵巢切除骨质疏松右股骨骨折SD大鼠模型,然后分别皮下注射生理盐水和降钙素(16 IU/kg),隔日1次,于骨折后3周和6周测量右股骨行骨密度,苏木精-伊红及抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶染色,骨形态发生蛋白2及血管内皮生长因子免疫组化染色。 结果与结论：骨折后给予降钙素治疗的大鼠抗酒石酸酸性磷酸酶染色阳性细胞积分吸光度值较生理盐水治疗的大鼠显著减少(P < 0.05)。骨折后3周,两组骨折线均较清晰,骨痂体积无明显差别,骨折愈合以软骨内化骨过程为主,骨密度无显著性差异(P > 0.05)。骨折后6周,两组骨折线较模糊,骨痂体积无差别,骨小梁排列较有序,用药组股骨骨密度较对照组升高(P < 0.05)。两组在骨折后3周和6周的骨形态发生蛋白2及血管内皮生长因子差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05)。证实降钙素可以抑制去卵巢大鼠骨折部位破骨细胞活性,但无明显促进大鼠股骨骨折愈合的作用。     

合并中枢神经损伤骨折愈合过程中胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ的作用

背景：胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ由成骨细胞合成,并对成骨细胞具有促进增殖和分化作用。 目的：观察中枢神经损伤对胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ在血清、局部骨痂的表达及骨折愈合的影响。 方法：取Wistar大鼠随机分成正常对照组、脑损伤-骨折组、脊髓损伤-骨折组、单纯骨折组。于术后第1,2,3周测量血清中胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ水平;术后第2,3周行X射线摄片评估骨痂愈合情况,术后1,2,3,4周取股骨制作标本,测量骨痂体积,术后3 d,1,2周免疫组织化学染色法检测骨痂局部胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ的表达。 结果与结论：正常对照组、单纯骨折组的胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ血清质量浓度无明显变化,脑损伤-骨折组和脊髓损伤-骨折组骨痂体积、X射线评分高于单纯骨折组(P < 0.05);伤后3 d, 1,2周时,脑损伤-骨折组和脊髓损伤-骨折组胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ的血清质量浓度较其他两组明显增加(P < 0.01);伤后1周,脑损伤-骨折组和脊髓损伤-骨折组骨折端平均阳性细胞数高于单纯骨折组(P < 0.01)。提示中枢神经损伤可以影响血清中胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ的质量浓度和骨痂局部的表达,从而能促进骨折愈合。     

海螵蛸富血小板血浆液复合物修复兔软骨损伤的可行性

背景：富血小板血浆是自体血小板的浓集物,富含大量生长因子,可以促进组织中细胞和基质的再生,促进组织修复,但其容易流动,不能有效固定于损伤部位。 目的：以海螵蛸生物支架固定富血小板血浆,观察海螵蛸富血小板血浆复合物修复兔软骨损伤的效果。 方法：将21只大耳白兔随机均分为3组,在兔右膝关节负重髁软骨面制作类似Hulth骨软骨损伤模型,实验组于骨损伤处植入海螵蛸支架-自体富血小板血浆复合物,对照组于骨缺损处植入明胶海绵-富血小板血浆复合物,空白对照组不植入任何材料。术后12周取材,进行大体观察与组织学观察。 结果与结论：术后12周,实验组软骨缺损区域明显缩小,组织学观察缺损区域出现类软骨细胞,排列整齐,成柱状分布,非常接近正常软骨组织;对照组软骨缺损区域有轻度缩小,组织学观察骨基质表面可见类软骨细胞基质组织,但排列较为紊乱;空白对照组软骨缺损区域有轻度缩小,组织学观察到只有骨细胞及骨基质,血管组织存在,未见到软骨及类软骨组织。实验组缺损直径及深度均低于其他两组(P < 0.05)。结果表明海螵蛸支架-富血小板血浆复合物可促进软骨缺损愈合。 中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：生物材料;骨生物材料; 口腔生物材料; 纳米材料; 缓释材料; 材料相容性;组织工程全文链接：     

α-硫辛酸联合神经生长因子可促进股骨骨折的愈合

文章快速阅读：  文题释义： α-硫辛酸：是一种兼具脂溶性与水溶性的万能抗氧化剂,更是自由基捕手,广泛用于治疗糖尿病性神经病或神经系统并发症,同时又是广泛使用的养颜美容抗老化营养剂。最近一些回顾性研究发现长期使用α-硫辛酸能明显减少绝经后妇女骨量的丢失,因而α-硫辛酸在骨代谢中的有益作用引起了一些研究者的兴趣。 神经生长因子：是较早被发现的一种具有神经营养、发育、再生等多种生物学功能的神经营养因子,已经作为药品用于治疗神经系统损伤及疾病。神经生长因子在骨生长、修复中也发挥重要作用,对于它促进骨折修复的研究已经取得了一些进展。摘要 背景：骨折愈合过程中,除需要适当的生物力学环境外,细胞因子的作用也日益引起重视。 目的：观察神经生长因子联合α-硫辛酸治疗对大鼠股骨骨折愈合的影响。 方法：建立SD大鼠股骨骨折模型,将72只大鼠随机分为3组：对照组肌肉注射生理盐水;神经生长因子治疗组肌肉注射神经生长因子200 ng/kg,1次/d;联合治疗组肌肉注射神经生长因子200 ng/kg,口服α-硫辛酸25 mg/kg,1次/d。给药后1,2,3周测量骨痂体积,ELISA检测血清骨形态发生蛋白2水平,Western blot检测骨折断端骨形态发生蛋白2蛋白的表达,半定量RT-PCR检测血管内皮生长因子mRNA的表达。 结果与结论：①给药后1周,3组间骨痂量无明显差异,神经生长因子治疗组和联合治疗组血清骨形态发生蛋白2水平、骨折断端骨形态发生蛋白2蛋白表达、血管内皮生长因子mRNA表达均明显高于对照组(P < 0.05),但两组间差异无显著性意义;②给药后2周,神经生长因子治疗组和联合治疗组骨痂量、血清骨形态发生蛋白2水平、骨折断端骨形态发生蛋白2蛋白表达、血管内皮生长因子mRNA水平均明显高于对照组(P < 0.05),而且联合组高于神经生长因子治疗组(P < 0.05);③给药后3周,神经生长因子治疗组血清骨形态发生蛋白2水平、骨折断端骨形态发生蛋白2蛋白表达、血管内皮生长因子mRNA明显下降,但联合治疗组仍维持较高水平,明显高于神经生长因子治疗组(P < 0.05);④结果表明,神经生长因子联合α-硫辛酸比单纯神经生长因子对大鼠股骨骨折愈合的治疗作用更明显。   中国组织工程研究杂志出版内容重点：组织构建;骨细胞;软骨细胞;细胞培养;成纤维细胞;血管内皮细胞;骨质疏松;组织工程 ORCID: 0000-0002-3290-3584(刘建军)     

骨基质明胶复合自体外周血干细胞修复骨缺损的安全性评价

背景：动物实验证实骨基质明胶移植后免疫排斥反应小,可在早期促进软骨及骨形成。 目的：观察骨基质明胶吸附自体外周血干细胞修复骨缺损的可行性。 方法：将节段性骨缺损病例患者按照自愿原则分2组治疗,一组将自体外周血干细胞/骨基质明胶充分嵌合于骨断端,另一组仅将骨基质明胶嵌合于骨断端,并行牢固内外固定。术后拍摄骨缺损部位正、侧位X射线片。 结果与结论：自体外周血干细胞/骨基质明胶组骨折端可见大量新生不规则骨纤维组织、软骨及纤维骨痂填充,可见骨细胞、骨组织和骨小梁,已形成骨髓腔。骨基质明胶组骨折端可见大量纤维组织、少量新生不规则骨纤维组织及骨骼肌组织,伴有多核巨细胞和少量炎性细胞,缺损区边缘带有骨痂组织。自体外周血干细胞/骨基质明胶组术后愈合时间较骨基质明胶组缩短(P < 0.05);治疗期间患者未见明显不良反应。说明自体外周血干细胞/骨基质明胶具有良好的生物相容性和可吸收性,在骨缺损愈合过程中起骨引导和骨诱导作用,效果优于单纯骨基质明胶移植。     

The effect of gamma keratose on cell viability in vitro after thermal stress and the regulation of cell death pathway-specific gene expression

When skin is thermally burned, transfer of heat energy into the skin results in the destruction of cells. Some of these cells are damaged but may be capable of self-repair and survival, thereby contributing to spontaneous healing of the wound. Keratin protein-based biomaterials have been suggested as potential treatments for burn injury. Isolation of cortical proteins from hair fibers results in an acid soluble fraction of keratin proteins referred to as “gamma” keratose. In the present study, treatment with this fraction dissolved in media was able to maintain cell viability after thermal stress in an in vitro model using primary mouse dermal fibroblasts. PCR array analysis demonstrated that gamma keratose treatment may assist in the survival and salvage of thermally stressed cells by maintaining their viability through regulation of cell death pathway-related genes. Gamma keratose may be a promising biomaterial for burn treatment that aids in spontaneous wound healing from viable tissue surrounding the burn.     

Lymphotoxin beta receptor signaling limits mucosal damage through driving IL-23 production by epithelial cells

The immune mechanisms regulating epithelial cell repair after injury remain poorly defined. We demonstrate here that lymphotoxin beta receptor (LTβR) signaling in intestinal epithelial cells promotes self-repair after mucosal damage. Using a conditional gene-targeted approach, we demonstrate that LTβR signaling in intestinal epithelial cells is essential for epithelial interleukin-23 (IL-23) production and protection against epithelial injury. We further show that epithelial-derived IL-23 promotes mucosal wound healing by inducing the IL-22-mediated proliferation and survival of epithelial cells and mucus production. Additionally, we identified CD4^–CCR6⁺T-bet^– RAR-related orphan receptor gamma t (RORγt)⁺ lymphoid tissue inducer cells as the main producers of protective IL-22 after epithelial damage. Thus, our results reveal a novel role for LTβR signaling in epithelial cells in the regulation of intestinal epithelial cell homeostasis to limit mucosal damage.     

Normal wound healing compared to healing within porous Dacron implants

This study examined the hypothesis that healing within porous implants differs from that in normal connective tissue. Special attention was given to extracellular components including collagen, reticular fibers, and ground substance, and to enzymes associated with activated macrophages. Using Dacron velour and the rabbit as host, the healing of normal connective tissue and that of the tissue/implant interface were histologically compared 10 and 28 days postimplantation. The results exhibited significant differences between connective tissue healing, implant capsule formation, and granulation tissue generation. The healing of connective tissue and implant capsule formation were essentially complete at 28 days. However, tissue inside the implant was qualitatively different and did not significantly change between 10 and 28 days. It was characterized by macrophages and giant cells, a predominantly acid mucopolysaccharide ground substance, and qualitatively fewer and less well defined collagen and reticular fibers were observed than in normal wound healing. Thus we conclude that the connective tissue inside Dacron velour does not resemble normal connective tissue after 10 or 28 days of healing. Furthermore, the collagen never fully matures into orderly bundles, a phenomenon which may be related to an altered mucopolysaccharide composition and a diminished reticular network. The lysosomal enzymatic activity of the macrophages and perhaps the giant cells at the tissue/implant interface may be linked to these differences.     

Platelet-Rich Plasma to Improve the Bio-Functionality of Biomaterials

Growth factors and cytokines are active players in controlling the different stages of wound healing and tissue regeneration. Recent trends in personalized regenerative medicine involve using patient’s own platelet-rich plasma for stimulating wound healing and tissue regeneration. This technology provides a complex cocktail of growth factors and even a fibrin scaffold with multiple biologic effects. In the last few years, an increasing number of studies provide evidence of the potential of combining platelet-rich plasma with different biomaterials in order to improve their properties, including handling, administration, bioactivity, and level of osseointegration, among others. In this review, we discuss the use of platelet-rich plasma as an alternative, easy, cost-effective, and controllable strategy for the release of high concentrations of many endogenous growth factors. Additionally, we provide an overview of the current progress and future directions of research combining different types of biomaterials with platelet-rich plasma in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.     

Sculpting the blank slate: How fibrin’s support of vascularization can inspire biomaterial design

Fibrin is the primary extracellular constituent of blood clots, and plays an important role as a provisional matrix during wound healing and tissue remodeling. Fibrin-based biomaterials have proven their utility as hemostatic therapies, scaffolds for tissue engineering, vehicles for controlled release, and platforms for culturing and studying cells in three dimensions. Nevertheless, fibrin presents a complex milieu of signals to embedded cells, many of which are not well understood. Synthetic extracellular matrices (ECMs) provide a blank slate that can ostensibly be populated with specific bioactive cues, including growth factors, growth factor binding motifs, adhesive peptides and peptide crosslinks susceptible to proteases, thereby enabling a degree of customization for specific applications. However, the continued evolution and improvement of synthetic ECMs requires parallel efforts to deconstruct native ECMs and decipher the cues they provide to constituent cells. The objective of this review is to reintroduce fibrin, a protein with a well-characterized structure and biochemistry, and its ability to support angiogenesis specifically. Although fibrin’s structure–function relationships have been studied for decades, opportunities to engineer new and improved synthetic hydrogels can be realized by further exploiting fibrin’s inspiring design.     

组织工程软骨缝合技术及缝合材料的研究与进展

背景：软骨组织的生理特征及其功能结构特点表面,其受损后自我康复较难,根据其受伤特点及受损区域可以进行相应缝合,但缝线材料的选择尤为重要,随着可吸收缝线材料的研制与运用,为软骨组织缝合技术的运用提供了更大保障。 目的：文章综述了软骨组织生理特征,医用缝合线材料研究进展及其运用情况,着重介绍了可吸收缝线的材料学特征及其临床运用效果,指导临床合理选择材料和对新材料进行开发或研制。 方法：应用计算机检索CNKI和PubMed数据库中1993-01/2011-01关于软骨损伤及医用缝线材料的文章,在标题和摘要中以“软骨;缝合线;材料”或“Cartilage; Seam; materials”为检索词进行检索。选择文章内容与缝线材料相关,同一领域文献则选择近期发表或发表在权威杂志文章。初检得到193篇文献,根据纳入标准选择30篇文章进行综述。 结果与结论：软骨的生理特征制约着自我修复的效果,一般认为较难恢复,所以大多采用切除手术,但切除手术后期效果不理想,应尽量保留软骨组织,同时研究发现软骨组织周边区域具有一定的自我修复功能,所以对于规则性裂伤进行缝合康复,后期效果较好。但又由于软骨组织特殊的功能结构及需体内手术,所以不可吸收缝合线很难避免二次伤害及手术效果不理想,可吸收缝合线的出现为软骨组织的缝合康复及其缝合技术的发展提供了更大可能和保障,随着缝合技术的进步及新型材料的研制成功,软骨缝合作为一种组织工程修复手段将会得到逐步运用和改良。     

Stem cell therapies in age-related neurodegenerative diseases and stroke

Aging, a complex process associated with various structural, functional and metabolic changes in the brain, is an important risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases and stroke. These diseases share similar neuropathological changes, such as the formation of misfolded proteins, oxidative stress, loss of neurons and synapses, dysfunction of the neurovascular unit (NVU), reduction of self-repair capacity, and motor and/or cognitive deficiencies. In addition to gray matter dysfunction, the plasticity and repair capacity of white matter also decrease with aging and contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. Aging not only renders patients more susceptible to these disorders, but also attenuates their self-repair capabilities. In addition, low drug responsiveness and intolerable side effects are major challenges in the prevention and treatment of senile diseases. Thus, stem cell therapies—characterized by cellular plasticity and the ability to self-renew—may be a promising strategy for aging-related brain disorders. Here, we review the common pathophysiological changes, treatments, and the promises and limitations of stem cell therapies in age-related neurodegenerative diseases and stroke.     

A Collagen Sponge Incorporating a Hydroxyapatite/Chondroitinsulfate Composite as a Scaffold for Cartilage Tissue Engineering

Because cartilage has limited potential for self-repair, tissue engineering is expected to replace the present therapies for damaged cartilage, such as total knee arthroplasty. However, scaffolds suitable for cartilage tissue engineering have not been established. We synthesized a novel porous scaffold, a collagen sponge incorporating a hydroxyapatite/chondroitinsulfate composite (pCol-HAp/ChS), containing materials which resemble extracellular matrices in bone and cartilage tissues. In this report, the physical, mechanical and biological properties of the scaffold are compared with those of a collagen sponge (pCol) and pCol incorporating a hydroxyapatite composite (pCol-HAp). HAp/ChS had smaller crystals and a larger total surface area than HAp. SEM images of the three materials showed pCol-HAp/ChS to have the roughest surface. The mechanical properties suggest that pCol-HAp/ChS and pCol/HAp are similar, and superior to pCol. Seeding experiments showed a uniform distribution of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in pCol-HAp/ChS and pCol/HAp. Histochemical staining after 2 weeks of culture revealed pCol-HAp/ChS to be the most chondrogenic. From these results, pCol-HAp/ChS is expected to be a candidate for a scaffold for cartilage tissue engineering in place of collagen sponge.     

Fabrication and characterization of the porous duck’s feet collagen sponge for wound healing applications

Abstract

There are several artificial dermis commonly use to cover the wound and promote healing. The major goal of wound management is fast and scarless healing. However, there is no ideal skin substitute, that is effective to accelerate wound healing without scar formation. Artificial dermis substitute also has some drawbacks, such as high cost, insufficient available period and donor pathogen infection. To overcome these problems, we developed duck’s feet collagen (DFC) sponge as artificial dermal substitutes for the treatment of full-thickness skin defects. We measured these DFC sponge’s comparative characteristics and performances with an artificial dermis Colladerm by carried out SEM-EDX analyze, water-binding abilities and porosity test. Biocompatibility test was also performed using CCK-8 cytotoxicity assay. We also evaluated its wound healing effects for a full-thickness skin wound and compared with Colladerm in a rat model. Histological studies were carried via hematoxylin and eosin and Masson’s Trichrome staining. Although the wound healing effect of the DFC sponge was almost similar to that of Colladerm, the DFC sponge did not induce scar formation and wound contracture like Colladerm. We suggest that DFC sponge can be used as an ideal dermal substitute to the treatment of full-thickness skin wound.     

Musculoskeletal overuse injuries and heart rate variability: Is there a link?

Accurate detection and prevention of overuse musculoskeletal injuries is limited by the nature of somatic tissue injury. In the pathogenesis of overuse injuries, it is well recognized that an abnormal inflammatory response occurs within somatic tissue before pain is perceived which can disrupt the normal remodeling process and lead to subsequent degeneration. Current overuse injury prevention methods focused on biomechanical faults or performance standards lack the sensitivity needed to identify the status of tissue injury or repair. Recent evidence has revealed an apparent increase in the prevalence and impact of overuse musculoskeletal injuries in athletics. When compared to acute injuries, overuse injuries have a potentially greater negative impact on athletes’ overall health burden. Further, return to sport rehabilitation following overuse injury is complicated by the fact that the absence of pain does not equate to complete physiological healing of the injured tissue. Together, this highlights the need for exercise monitoring and injury prevention methods which incorporate assessment of somatic tissue response to loading. One system primarily involved in the activation of pathways and neuromediators responsible for somatic tissue repair is the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Although not completely understood, emerging research supports the critical importance of peripheral ANS activity in the health and repair of somatic tissue injury. Due to its significant contributions to cardiac function, ANS activity can be measured indirectly with heart rate monitoring. Heart rate variability (HRV) is one index of ANS activity that has been used to investigate the relationship between athletes’ physiological response to accumulating training load. Research findings indicated that HRV may provide a reflection of ANS homeostasis, or the body’s stress-recovery status. This noninvasive marker of the body’s primary driver of recovery has the potential to incorporate important and as yet unmonitored physiological mechanisms involved in overuse injury development. We hypothesize that abnormal somatic tissue response to accumulating microtrauma may modulate ANS activity at the level of HRV. Exploring the link between HRV modulation and somatic tissue injury has the potential to reveal the putative role of ANS homeostasis on overuse musculoskeletal injury development.