As a proven and comprehensive molecular technique, metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) has shown its potential in the diagnosis of pathogens in patients with periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), using a single type of specimen. However, the optimal use of mNGS in the management of PJI has not been explored. In this study, we evaluated the diagnostic value of mNGS using three types of specimen with the aim of achieving a better choice of specimen for mNGS in these patients. In this prospective study, 177 specimens were collected from 59 revision arthroplasties, including periprosthetic tissues, synovial fluid, and prosthetic sonicate fluid. Each specimen was divided into two, one for mNGS and one for culture. The criteria of the Musculoskeletal Infection Society were used to define PJI (40 cases) and aseptic failure (19 cases).Aims
Methods
Our aims were to describe the distribution of α-smooth muscle actin (SMA)-containing cells in Dupuytren’s tissue in vivo and to determine the effects of selected agents in regulating the expression of SMA in Dupuytren’s cells in vitro. In selected hypercellular zones of Dupuytren’s nodules up to 40% of the cells contained SMA, as shown by immunohistochemistry. A lower percentage (20%) of SMA-containing cells was found in regions of lower cellularity. A notable finding was that treatment in vitro of Dupuytren’s cells with platelet-derived growth factor significantly reduced the content of SMA. Cells from the same patients showed a significant increase in expression of SMA in response to treatment with transforming growth factor, which confirmed recent findings. In addition, interferon-γ, which has been previously used as a treatment for Dupuytren’s disease in a clinical study, had no reproducible effect on the expression of this actin isoform. Our findings are of significance for the conservative management of contractures.
