The difference in joint instability affects the onset of cartilage degeneration or subchondral bone changes

OBJECTIVE

It has been debated whether the onset of knee osteoarthritis is initiated in cartilage or subchondral bone. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of increasing or decreasing joint instability on cartilage degeneration and subchondral bone changes in knee OA by comparing different models of joint instability.

DESIGN

We used the anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACL-T) model and the destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) model. In addition, we created a controlled abnormal tibial translation (CATT) model and a controlled abnormal tibial rotation (CATR) model. We performed joint instability analysis, micro-computed tomography analysis, histological and immunohistological analysis in 4 and 6 weeks.

RESULTS

The CATT group suppressed joint instability in the ACL-T group (6 weeks; P = 0.032), and the CATR group suppressed joint instability in the DMM group (6 weeks; P = 0.032). Chondrocyte hypertrophy in the ACL-T and DMM groups was increased compared to the Sham group (6 weeks; [ACL-T vs Sham], P = 0.002, 95%CI [5.983-33.025]; [DMM vs Sham], P = 0.022, 95%CI [1.691-28.733]). In the subchondral bone, the BV/TV in the DMM and CATR groups was increased compared to the ACL-T and CATT groups (6 weeks; [DMM vs ACL-T], P = 0.002, 95%CI [7.404-37.582]; [DMM vs CATT], P = 0.014, 95%CI [2.881-33.059]; [CATR vs ACL-T], P = 0.006, 95%CI [4.615-34.793]; [CATR vs CATT], P = 0.048, 95%CI [0.092-30.270]).

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed that joint instability promotes chondrocyte hypertrophy, but subchondral bone changes were influenced by differences in ACL and meniscus function.

Synthesis, crystallographic characterization and homogeneous catalytic activity of novel unsymmetric porphyrins

Unsymmetric porphyrins containing both pentafluorophenyl (PFP = A) and 3,4-dimethoxyphenyl (DMP = B) substituents at the meso positions were prepared using Lindsey's methodology.

Exfoliation and immobilization of anionic iron porphyrin in layered double hydroxides

Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) intercalated with glycinate anions was synthesized through co-precipitation and exfoliated in formamide and the single-layer suspension was reacted with an aqueous iron porphyrin (FeTDFSPP) solution. The new composite was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, UV-vis, FTIR, and electron paramagnetic spectroscopies and thermal analyses (simultaneous TG/DSC). The analyses demonstrated that glycinate anions continue to be intercalated and the anionic iron porphyrin is adsorbed at the surface of the layered double hydroxide crystals.

Immunohistochemical localization of extracellular matrix components in human breast tumours with special reference to PG-M/versican

Immunohistochemical localization of the large proteoglycan, PG-M/versican, was studied in 36 breast tumours, including infiltrating ductal carcinomas, benign tumours and fibrocystic diseases. The relation between the proteoglycan and the other extracellular matrix components was also investigated. In the carcinoma tissues, the interstitial elements of the 'specific stroma', consisting of fibroblastic cells and fine fibrils, were reactive to antibody 2B1, which specifically recognizes the large proteoglycan, PG-M/versican. In the peripheral invasive areas of infiltrating ductal carcinoma, the most intense 2B1-positive reaction was visualized in mesenchymal tissues between carcinoma cells clumps and the surrounding tissues, where hyaluronic acid could be demonstrated histochemically. The 2B1-positive elements were not reactive to antibody 6B6, which specifically recognizes small proteoglycan. In the central sclerotic areas, where antibody 6B6 was reactive, a 2B1-positive reaction was detected only in elastosis masses, which also bound antibodies to type IV collagen and laminin, and to some extent antibody raised against chondroitin 6-sulphate proteoglycan. Elastic tissues of blood vessel walls and perivascular elements became reactive to antibody 2B1 when they were involved in carcinoma invasion. The present results have shown that PG-M/versican was localized in the proliferating interstitial tissues, in particular in hyaluronic acid-rich portions, in association with carcinoma cell growth, and also that PG-M/versican accumulated in vascular and perivascular elastic tissues involved in carcinoma invasion. The biological significance of PG-M/versican was briefly discussed.

Establishment of a cell line producing basement membrane components from an adenoid cystic carcinoma of the human salivary gland

A new cell line has been established from an adenoid cystic carcinoma arising in the submandibular gland of a 63-year-old woman. The cultured epithelial-like cells grew vigorously and adhered together to form a sheet. Immunohistochemical stainings for type IV collagen, laminin and fibronectin were clearly positive in the intercellular matrix and on the surface of the culture cells. Chondroitin 6-sulfate proteoglycan and heparan sulfate were also detected. Ultrastructural studies showed that the cells had abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum and a well-developed Golgi apparatus. Rough endoplasmic reticulum near the cell surface was markedly dilated, and contained material of low electron density. This cell line would be useful for biological and biochemical studies on the mechanisms by which the stromal component is formed.

[A case of tuberous sclerosis associated with a pineal region tumor]

The authors report a rare case of tuberous sclerosis associated with pineal region mixed glioma. A 38-year-old woman with tuberous sclerosis, who had a past history of left nephrectomy and tumorectomy of the right kidney for bilateral renal angiomyolipomas, was admitted because of headache and ataxic gait. CT scan and cerebral angiography suggested a pineal region tumor. Suboccipital craniectomy and partial removal of the tumor was performed via infratentorial supracerebellar approach. Microscopic examination revealed mixed oligodendroglioma and astrocytoma. It is well known that tuberous sclerosis is occasionally associated with brain tumors. However, with few exceptions, these have been subependymal giant cell astrocytomas in the lateral ventricles. They seem to originate from subependymal nodules of hamartomatous nature. As far as we are aware, association of pineal region tumor with tuberous sclerosis as in this case has not been reported.

[Efficacy of chemo-endocrine therapy for recurrent breast cancer]

Recurrent breast cancer can now be treated more effectively with endocrine therapy, combined with chemotherapy. Between April 1977 and March 1982, 127 breast cancer operations were performed at Kumamoto Municipal Hospital; recurrence was found in 13 cases (approx. 10%). Treatment of 7 of these cases with endocrine therapy (mainly Nolvadex, anti-estrogen) combined with chemotherapy resulted in 6 cases showing either complete response (CR) or partial response (PR). The efficacy of chemo-endocrine therapy was obvious when compared with cases without therapy. Further studies on hormone receptors and the establishment of guidelines for chemo-endocrine therapy as post-operative adjuvant therapy are justified.