Rotator cuff tear (RCT) is the leading cause of shoulder pain, primarily associated with age-related tendon degeneration. This study aimed to elucidate the potential differential gene expressions in tendons across different age groups, and to investigate their roles in tendon degeneration. Linear regression and differential expression (DE) analyses were performed on two transcriptome profiling datasets of torn supraspinatus tendons to identify age-related genes. Subsequent functional analyses were conducted on these candidate genes to explore their potential roles in tendon ageing. Additionally, a secondary DE analysis was performed on candidate genes by comparing their expressions between lesioned and normal tendons to explore their correlations with RCTs.Aims
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In this study, we aimed to visualize the spatial distribution characteristics of femoral head necrosis using a novel measurement method. We retrospectively collected CT imaging data of 108 hips with non-traumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head from 76 consecutive patients (mean age 34.3 years (SD 8.1), 56.58% male (n = 43)) in two clinical centres. The femoral head was divided into 288 standard units (based on the orientation of units within the femoral head, designated as N[Superior], S[Inferior], E[Anterior], and W[Posterior]) using a new measurement system called the longitude and latitude division system (LLDS). A computer-aided design (CAD) measurement tool was also developed to visualize the measurement of the spatial location of necrotic lesions in CT images. Two orthopaedic surgeons independently performed measurements, and the results were used to draw 2D and 3D heat maps of spatial distribution of necrotic lesions in the femoral head, and for statistical analysis.Aims
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Assess and characterise the suitability of a novel silk reinforced biphasic 3D printed scaffold for osteochondral tissue regeneration. Biphasic hybrid scaffolds consisted of 3D printed poly(ethylene glycol)-terephthalate-poly(butylene terephthalate)(PEGT/PBT) scaffold frame work (pore size 0.75mm), which has been infilled with a cast and freeze dried porous silk scaffold (5×5×2mm3), in addition to a seamless silk top layer (1mm). Silk scaffolds alone were used as controls. Both the biphasic and control scaffolds were characterised via uniaxial compression testing (strain rate 0.1mm/min), and the potential biocompatibility of the scaffolds was tested via in vitro culture of seeded bone marrow stromal cells post fabrication.Abstract
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Given the function of adiponectin (ADIPOQ) on the inflammatory condition of obesity and osteoarthritis (OA), we hypothesized that the ADIPOQ gene might be a candidate gene for a marker of susceptibility to OA. We systematically screened three tagging polymorphisms (rs182052, rs2082940 and rs6773957) in the ADIPOQ gene, and evaluated the association between the genetic variants and OA risk in a case-controlled study that included 196 OA patients and 442 controls in a northern Chinese population. Genotyping was performed using the Sequenom MassARRAY iPLEX platform.Objectives
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Previous genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have reported significant association of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs8044769 in the fat mass and obesity-associated gene (FTO) with osteoarthritis (OA) risk in European populations. However, these findings have not been confirmed in Chinese populations. We systematically genotyped rs8044769 and evaluated the association between the genetic variants and OA risk in a case-controlled study including 196 OA cases and 442 controls in a northern Chinese population. Genotyping was performed using the Sequenom MassARRAY iPLEX platform.Objectives
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This study aims to evaluate the two-year post-operative clinical outcomes of patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) with computer-assisted surgery (CAS) using a pinless navigation system (BrainLAB® VectorVision® Knee 2.5 Navigation System) versus standard CAS. We analysed prospectively collected data from patients who underwent TKA with CAS from November 2008 to October 2012 over a two year follow-up period by a single senior surgeon. Primary outcome measures include Short-Form 36 (SF-36), Oxford Knee (OKS) as well as Knee Society Scores (KSS).Purpose
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