Zinc- and Copper-Doped Mesoporous Borate Bioactive Glasses: Promising Additives for Potential Use in Skin Wound Healing Applications

In this study, zinc (Zn)- and copper (Cu)-doped 13-93B3 borate mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) were successfully synthesized using nitrate precursors in the presence of Pluronic P123. We benefited from computational approaches for predicting and confirming the experimental findings. The changes in the dynamic surface tension (SFT) of simulated body fluid (SBF) were investigated using the Du Noüy ring method to shed light on the mineralization process of hydroxyapatite (HAp) on the glass surface. The obtained MBGs were in a glassy state before incubation in SBF. The formation of an apatite-like layer on the SBF-incubated borate glasses was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The incorporation of Zn and Cu into the basic composition of 13-93B3 glass led to changes in the glass transition temperature (Tg) (773 to 556 °C), particle size (373 to 64 nm), zeta potential (−12 to −26 mV), and specific surface area (SBET) (54 to 123 m2/g). Based on the K-means algorithm and chi-square automatic interaction detection (CHAID) tree, we found that the SFT of SBF is an important factor for the prediction and confirmation of the HAp mineralization process on the glasses. Furthermore, we proposed a simple calculation, based on SFT variation, to quantify the bioactivity of MBGs. The doped and dopant-free borate MBGs could enhance the proliferation of mouse fibroblast L929 cells at a concentration of 0.5 mg/mL. These glasses also induced very low hemolysis (<5%), confirming good compatibility with red blood cells. The results of the antibacterial test revealed that all the samples could significantly decrease the viability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In summary, we showed that Cu-/Zn-doped borate MBGs can be fabricated using a cost-effective method and also show promise for wound healing/skin tissue engineering applications, as especially supported by the cell test with fibroblasts, good compatibility with blood, and antibacterial properties.

Stem Cell-Mediated Angiogenesis in Skin Tissue Engineering and Wound Healing

The timely management of skin wounds has been an unmet clinical need for centuries. While there have been several attempts to accelerate wound healing and reduce the cost of hospitalisation and the healthcare burden, there remains a lack of efficient and effective wound healing approaches. In this regard, stem cell‐based therapies have garnered an outstanding position for the treatment of both acute and chronic skin wounds. Stem cells of different origins (e.g., embryo‐derived stem cells) have been utilised for managing cutaneous lesions; specifically, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) isolated from foetal (umbilical cord) and adult (bone marrow) tissues paved the way to more satisfactory outcomes. Since angiogenesis plays a critical role in all four stages of normal wound healing, recent therapeutic approaches have focused on utilising stem cells for inducing neovascularisation. In fact, stem cells can promote angiogenesis via either differentiation into endothelial lineages or secreting pro‐angiogenic exosomes. Furthermore, particular conditions (e.g., hypoxic environments) can be applied in order to boost the pro‐angiogenic capability of stem cells before transplantation. For tissue engineering and regenerative medicine applications, stem cells can be combined with specific types of pro‐angiogenic biocompatible materials (e.g., bioactive glasses) to enhance the neovascularisation process and subsequently accelerate wound healing. As such, this review article summarises such efforts emphasising the bright future that is conceivable when using pro‐angiogenic stem cells for treating acute and chronic skin wounds.

Anti-proliferative and apoptotic effects of hull-less pumpkin extract on human papillary thyroid carcinoma cell line

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) is one of the most common cancers of the endocrine system. Previous studies have shown that the extract of hull-less pumpkin seed (HLPS) has a significant anti-cancer effect. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of this plant extract on the proliferation of PTC cells. In this study, an extract of this plant was prepared by soxhlet extraction method and analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry. The cytotoxicity of PTX and plant extract was investigated using the methylthiazol tetrazolium (MTT) method. For careful investigation of morphological alteration, we used hematoxylin and eosin and Giemsa stinging. Based on MTT assay test, the IC₅₀ value of paclitaxel (PTX) was significantly less than the hydro-alcoholic extract of HLPS at all of the incubation time. Our results of histological staining showed that HLPS and PTX induced significant morphological alteration in the PTC cultured cell that consistent with cell death. Comparing the groups treated by PTX or HLPS with control group showed significant differences. It seems that HLPS extract has an apparent effect on treatment of PTC, at least in laboratory condition, albeit for realistic decision about the effect of HLPS on PTC, more molecular investigations are necessary.

Return to sports activity in the revision of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A 2-6 Year follow-up study

INTRODUCTION

and Objective: The risk of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in young patients and those with sports activity is increasing. Regarding the need of athletes with ACL re-rupture to return to sports, ACL revision surgery has received great importance. This study was conducted to evaluate the outcome of ACL reconstruction revision surgery in athletes.

METHOD

In general, 62 patients with primary surgery and 62 patients with revision ACL surgery were investigated in this study. The study subjects were matched in terms of age, gender, involved leg, injury mechanism, sports group, time of surgery, and the degree of cartilage injury and ankle meniscus rupture. The studied variables included age, gender, body mass index (BMI), sports group, infection, meniscus injuries, chondral lesion, time to return to sports, quality of return to sports, range of motion, Lachman's test, and knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS), International Knee Documentation Committee score, Lysholm, and Marx scores. They were obtained through the information in the patients' medical records and the questionnaire filled out by the participants and the examiner's physician through the follow-ups. Then, the collected data were imported into the SPSS software and underwent analysis.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up of patients was 49 months (in the range of 2-6 years). None of the patients had a chronic infection. The mean time to return to sports was 29.2 ± 3.2 and 35.3 ± 4.3 weeks in the primary surgery and revision surgery groups, respectively. In addition, 34 (54.8%) and 25 (40.3%) patients of the primary surgery and the revision surgery groups returned to the same level before injury, respectively. On the latest follow-up, the results of the Lachman test showed no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.222) whereas Lysholm, IKDC, MARX, and KOOS scores on the latest follow-up in primary surgery were significantly higher than those of revision surgery (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The rate of return to sports in revision surgery was 14.5% lower than that of primary surgery, and the average time of return to sports was six weeks. The rate of return to sports, similar to before the injury, was significantly lower in the revision group, females, the age group of over 25 years, and contact sports activity, and patients with a chondral lesion. All knee performance scores were also poorer in the revision surgery.

Bilateral total knee arthroplasty: Simultaneous versus staging in the same or in twice hospitalization

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Arthroplasty is the main treatment in patients with advanced knee osteoarthritis. In bilateral lesions, it is frequently performed in two simultaneous or separate surgical procedures. In this regard, the present study aimed to compare the results of knee arthroplasty in two joints simultaneously at two different times.

METHOD

In general, all 40-70 years old patients in need of complete bilateral total knee arthroplasty (BTKA) were enrolled in this descriptive cross-sectional study during 2009-2016. They were included in three groups of BTKA as simultaneously (n = 272), staging in the same hospitalization (146), and staging in different hospitalizations (245). To assess the quantitative and qualitative function of the knees, patients' knees were evaluated before the surgery, and one month, three months, and two years after the surgery using the Knee Society Score (KSS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC). Finally, hospitalization time, anesthesia duration, and medical costs were compared between the three groups.

RESULTS

Based on the results, knee function improved based on WOMAC and KSS scales in all groups after arthroplasty although no significant differences were observed between the three groups. Patients' satisfaction in simultaneous BTKA was significantly higher compared to the other two groups (P = 0.013). Eventually, complications demonstrated no significant differences between the three groups except for pulmonary and cerebral embolism which were more prevalent in old patients with a high body mass index in the simultaneous BTKA group (P = 0.035 and P = 0.043, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Overall, simultaneous BTKA is a useful approach for reducing costs while increasing patients' function and satisfaction although it has certain complications such as embolism in older overweight patients.

Return to sport activity after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A 6-10 years follow-up

BACKGROUND

Nowadays, patients widely accept anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructive surgery. However, its long-term complications are still under investigation in athletes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate long-term ACL reconstruction especially in athletes.

METHODS

A total of 426 patients with ACL injury were studied during 2008-2012. Demographic characteristics (gender, age, BMI), graft type, chondral lesion, osteoarthritis, meniscus tear, exercise activity, and pain intensity were noted. The effects of these factors on the return to sport activity after ACL reconstruction were also investigated. Lachman test, KT-1000, ACL quality of life (ACL-QOL), KOOS score, IKDC, and LKS were assessed at 2 years post-operation and at final follow-up. Repeated ACL rupture on the same and contralateral sides were also evaluated.Results: knee stability (based on Lachman and KT-1000), knee function (according to KOOS, LKS, and IKDC scores) and ACL-QOL were improved during the 2 years follow-up. The rate of return to sport activity similar to preinjury in patients was 64.08% in final follow-up. Chondral lesion was a limiting factor among the variables that affected the return to sport activity. It caused a return to sport activity similar to pre injury just in 21.24% of the patients. However, meniscus rupture did not affect return to sport activity similar to pre injury. Also, the rate of return to sport activity similar to pre injury was higher in men, patients under 30 years and those who had BMI of 20-25 kg/m². In final follow-up, risk of ACL rupture in the injured knee and contralateral knee was 4.22% and 10.57%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Despite the recovery of patients after ACL reconstruction during long-term follow-up in athletes, return to sport activity similar to pre-injury in female, older peoples, overweight patients and athletes with chondral lesion were lower. However, these conditions do not apply to the meniscus rupture.

Double-plate fixation together with bridging bone grafting in nonunion of femoral supracondylar, subtrochanteric, and shaft fractures is an effective technique

PURPOSE

The aims of the present study were to evaluate and report the therapeutic outcomes of double-plate fixation in combination with autogenous bridging bone grafting in treatment of nonunion fractures of femur.

METHODS

In this retrospective case series study, 41 patients with nonunion fracture of femur who underwent surgery by double-plate fixation and autogenous bridging bone grafting in academic referral center from July 2010 to July 2015 were enrolled. Totally, 32 males and 9 females with mean age of 35 years were evaluated. They were evaluated for related risk factors, previous therapeutic methods, time interval between injury to nonunion surgery and surgery to full clinical and radiological union, duration of follow-up, levels of postoperative limb shortening, and movement limitations.

RESULTS

Ten patients had open fractures and eight patients had infected nonunion in the femoral supracondylar, subtrochanteric, and shaft fractures. Nailing was the most common used method as the primary treatment of femoral shaft fractures. In addition, the mean follow-up time was 37 months. Full union was obtained even in infected cases. Deep vein thrombosis was found in one patient and pulmonary thromboembolism in another patient, and both patients were treated successfully. Moreover, limitations of articular movements were seen in seven patients.

CONCLUSION

Double-plate fixation in combination with bridging bone grafting is an effective method in the treatment of nonunion of femoral supracondylar, subtrochanteric, and shaft fractures even in the infected cases.