Nuclear factor erythroid 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2) is a crucial transcription factor to maintain cellular redox homeostasis, but is also affecting bone metabolism. As the association between Nrf2 and osteoporosis in elderly females is not fully elucidated, our aim was to shed light on the potential contribution of Nrf2 to the development of age-dependent osteoporosis using a mouse model. Female wild-type (WT, n=18) and Nrf2-knockout (KO, n=12) mice were sacrificed at different ages (12 weeks=young mature adult, and 90 weeks=old), morphological cortical and trabecular properties of femoral bone analyzed by micro-computed tomography (µCT), and compared to histochemistry. Mechanical properties were derived from quasi-static compression tests and digital image correlation (DIC) used to analyze full-field strain distribution. Bone resorbing cells and aromatase expression by osteocytes were evaluated immunohistochemically and empty osteocyte lacunae counted in cortical bone. Wilcoxon rank sum test was used for data comparison and differences considered statistically significant at p<0.05. When compared to old WT mice, old Nrf2-KO mice revealed a significantly reduced trabecular bone mineral density (BMD), cortical thickness (Ct.Th), cortical area (Ct.Ar), and cortical bone fraction (Ct.Ar/Tt.Ar). Surprisingly, these parameters were not different in skeletally mature young adult mice. Metaphyseal trabeculae were thin but present in all old WT mice, while no trabecular bone was detectable in 60% of old KO mice. Occurrence of empty osteocyte lacunae did not differ between both groups, but a significantly higher number of osteoclast-like cells and fewer aromatase-positive osteocytes were found in old KO mice. Furthermore, female Nrf2-KO mice showed an age-dependently reduced fracture resilience when compared to age-matched WT mice. Our results confirmed lower bone quantity and quality as well as an increased number of bone resorbing cells in old female Nrf2-KO mice. Additionally, aromatase expression in osteocytes of old Nrf2-KO mice was compromised, which may indicate a chronic lack of estrogen in bones of old Nrf2-deficient mice. Thus, chronic Nrf2 loss seems to contribute to age-dependent progression of female osteoporosis

Osteochondromas are benign chondrogenic lesions arising on the external surface of the bone with aberrant cartilage (exostosis) from the perichondral ring that may contain a marrow cavity also. In a few cases, depending on the anatomical site affected, different degrees of edema, redness, paresthesia, or paresis can take place due to simple contact or friction. Also, depending on their closeness to neurovascular structures, the procedure of excision becomes crucial to avoid recurrence. We report a unique case of recurrent osteochondroma of the proximal humerus enclosing the brachial artery which makes for an important case and procedure to ensure that no relapse occurs. We report a unique case of a 13-year-old female who had presented with a history of pain and recurrent swelling for 5 years. The swelling size was 4.4 cm x 3.7 cm x 4 cm with a previous history of swelling at the same site operated in 2018. CT reports were suggestive of a large well defined broad-based exophytic diaphyseal lesion in the medial side of the proximal humerus extending posteriorly. Another similar morphological lesion measuring approximately 9 mm x 7 mm was noted involving the posterior humeral shaft. The minimal distance between the lesion and the brachial artery was 2 mm just anterior to the posterio-medial growth. Two intervals were made, first between the tumor and the neurovascular bundle and the other between the anterior tumor and brachial artery followed by exostosis and cauterization of the base. Proper curettage and excision of the tumor was done after dissecting and removing the soft tissue, blood vessels, and nerves so that there were very less chances of relapse. Post-operative X-ray was done and post 6 months of follow-up, there were no changes, and no relapse was observed. Thus, when presented with a case of recurrent osteochondroma of the proximal humerus, osteochondroma could also be in proximity to important vasculature as in this case enclosing the brachial artery. Thus, proper curettage and excision should be done in such cases to avoid recurrence

To investigate if the countermovement jump height differs between ACL injured and uninjured female adolescents and to explore kinematic differences between limbs. Additionally, the association between isometric knee extension strength and jump height was investigated. Thirty-one ACL injured female adolescents (ACLi, 15.3 ± 1.4yrs, 163.9 ± 6.6cm, 63.0 ± 9.3kg) and thirty-eight uninjured (CON, 13.2±1.7yrs, 161.7 ± 8.1cm, 50.6 ± 11.1kg) participated in this study. All participants performed a countermovement jump task, with 3D kinematics collected using a motion analysis system (Vicon, Nexus, Oxford, UK) at 200Hz, and a maximum isometric knee extension task on an isokinetic dynamometer (Biodex Medical Systems, New York, USA) for three trials. The peak torque was extracted from the isometric trials. Independent samples t-test compared the maximum jump height normalised by the dominant leg length between groups, paired samples t-test compared the maximum hip and knee extension and ankle plantar flexion velocities before take-off between limbs in both groups, and a Pearson's correlation test investigated the association between the isometric knee extension strength and jump height. The ACLi jumped 13% lower compared to the CON (p=0.022). In the ACLi, the maximum hip and knee extension and ankle plantar flexion velocities were greater in the non-injured limb, compared to the injured limb; however, no differences between limbs were found in the CON. The isometric knee extension strength of both limbs was positively correlated with jump height (limb 1: r=0.329; p=0.006, and limb 2: r=0.386; p=0.001; whereas limb 1 corresponds to the ACLi injured limb and CON non-dominant limb, and limb 2 to the ACLi non-injured limb and CON dominant limb). ACL injured female adolescents present lower jump height than controls and greater contribution of their non-injured limb, compared to their injured limb, during a countermovement jump task. Also, current results indicate that jump height is positively related to isometric knee extension strength measure

Mice are increasingly used for fracture healing research because of the possibility to use transgenic animals to conduct research on the molecular level. Mice from both sexes can be used, however, there is no consensus in the literature if fracture healing differs between female and male mice. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyze the similarities and differences in endochondral fracture healing between female and male C57BL/6J mice, since this mouse strain is mainly used in bone research. For that purpose, 12-weeks-old female and male mice received a standardized femur midshaft osteotomy stabilized by an external fixator. Mice were euthanized 10 and 21 days after fracture and bone regeneration was analyzed by biomechanical testing, µCT analysis, histology, immunohistochemistry and gene expression analysis. At day 21, male mice displayed a significantly larger fracture callus than female mice accompanied by higher number of osteoclasts, higher tissue mineral density and absolute values of bone volume, whereas relative bone volume to tissue volume ratio did not differ between the groups. Biomechanical testing revealed significantly increased bending stiffness in both fractured and intact femurs from male vs. female mice, whereas relative bending stiffness of fractured femurs related to the intact femurs did not differ. 10 days after fracture, male mice display significantly more cartilage and less fibrous tissue area in the fracture callus than female mice, whereas bone area did not differ. On the molecular level, male mice displayed increased active β-catenin expression in the fracture callus, whereas estrogen receptor α (ERα) expression was reduced. In conclusion, male mice showed more prominent cartilaginous callus formation, increased mineralization and whole callus tissue formation, whereas functional outcome after fracture did not differ from female mice. This might be due either to the heavier weight of male mice or because of differences in molecular signaling pathways

Previous studies revealed the close relation of anxiety and low back pain. Among people with chronic low back pain, anxiety is the most commonly reported mental disorder. Thus, in the literature, there are several studies considering the anxiety as a risk factor for chronic low back pain. The authors also documented a significant differences between sexes in anxiety and quality of life due to low back pain. US National Institute of Mental Health reports that the lifetime prevalence of an anxiety disorder is 60 % higher in women than in men and that the onset, severity, clinical course, and treatment response of anxiety disorders differ significantly in women. In addition, literature has showed that women may have a worse quality of life when they have low back pain. University students may undergo an undue amount of stress, with negative outcomes in terms of academic resuşts and personal, emotional or health, consequences. Moreover, stress can be experienced at different time periods, not only during university life, but also before, during the transition from undergraduate to professional level, and after, during the transition to the life work. After all these literature knowledge, we designed the study to compare the anxiety and quality of life levels of female and male specifically university students with low back pain aged between 18–26. In this study, 100 female and male university students with low back pain aged between 18–26 were included. The low back pain level were measured by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and the disability level due to the pain was measured by Revised Oswestry Low Back Pain Disability Questionnaire (ODI). Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) was used to evaluate the anxiety level and also, Short Form 36 survey (SF-36) was used to understand the quality of life for subjects. These questionnaires were asked to participants on online platform via Google Forms between March 2020 and May 2020. SPSS Version 25.0 program was used for statistical analyses. The result of the study showed that there was a statistically significant difference between female and male students on anxiety levels (p<0.05). There were no statistically differences between female and male students on ODI and VAS (p>0.05). In female group, BAI and “Physical function” and “General Health” subgroups of SF-36 have negative correlations (p<0.05). When we correlated BAI and all subgroups of SF-36 in male group, the statistical results were showed that negative correlation with all subgroups (p<0.05) except “Energy and Fatigue” subgroup (p>0.05). We conclude that female university students with low back pain have higher anxiety levels than male students. Future studies can work on young students to cope with the psychological problems for well-being

The key points of this talk are: (a) STEM skills are increasingly required by employers across a broad range of sectors. These skills help to foster systemic and critical thinking in a number of areas and are not confined to four subjects alone. Due to the increasing digitalisation of society and the world of work the demand for STEM skills will only intensify. (b) There is a need to increase the number of STEM-qualified people in Ireland and across Europe with employers highlighting a specific shortage of people with these skills. This is particularly apparent as concerns engineers, computer scientists and data analysts. To achieve this, it is necessary to raise awareness of the STEM-related careers that are available and to promote participation in STEM courses and studies, notably among women. (c) Parents, teachers, employers and education and training providers, both through their individual and joint actions, have a key role to play in fostering STEM skills acquisition.

The relationship of degeneration to symptoms has been questioned. MRI detects apparently similar disc degeneration and degenerative changes in subjects both with and without back pain. We aimed to overcome these problems by re-annotating MRIs from asymptomatic and symptomatic groups onto the same grading system.

We analysed disc degeneration in pre-existing large MRI datasets. Their MRIs were all originally annotated on different scales. We re-annotated all MRIs independent of their initial grading system, using a verified, rapid automated MRI annotation system (SpineNet) which reported degeneration on the Pfirrmann (1-5) scale, and other degenerative features (herniation, endplate defects, marrow signs, spinal stenosis) as binary present/absent. We compared prevalence of degenerative features between symptomatics and asymptomatics.

Pfirrmann degeneration grades in relation to age and spinal level were very similar for the two independent groups of symptomatics over all ages and spinal levels. Severe degenerative changes were significantly more prevalent in discs of symptomatics than asymptomatics in the caudal but not the rostral lumbar discs in subjects < 60 years. We found high co-existence of degenerative features in both populations. Degeneration was minimal in around 30% of symptomatics < 50 years.

We confirmed age and disc level are significant in determining imaging differences between asymptomatic and symptomatic populations and should not be ignored. Automated analysis, by rapidly combining and comparing data from existing groups with MRIs and information on LBP, provides a way in which epidemiological and ‘big data’ analysis could be advanced without the expense of collecting new groups.

Background. Balance impairment and falling are of the major health problems in elderly individuals. The ability to maintain standing balance influences the risk of falling while performing everyday activities. Postural control is the base of balance that is the result of collaboration of visual, vestibular and somatosensory systems. Single leg stance test is a simple clinical method to evaluate static balance. In this test, the center of body mass is on a small support level and need to make corrective movements to create balance by postural control system. Kinesiotaping and stretching of ankle plantar flexor muscles used in physical therapy are effective in improvement of postural balance. Kinesiotaping is effective in maintaining balance by activates cutaneous receptors and promoting alpha motor neuron stimulation. Moreover, stretching is a common treatment used to prevent muscle shortness and increase the range of motion that improves the balance. Aim. Therefore the aim of current study was to compare the effects of these two methods in elderly women and men on ankle plantar flexor muscles which are effective to maintain postural status. Materials and Methods. In a single blind randomized clinical trial, 20 elderly male and 20 elderly female were assigned into 2 groups of kinesiotaping and stretching. Inhibitory Y shape tape was applied on the gastrocnemius in first group. In the stretching group, the muscle was stretched for 60 seconds by 4 times. The static balance was examined before and after the interventions by using single leg stance test. In this test, the subjects were asked to stand bare foot on dominant limb and cross their arms over chest. A maximum time for this test is 30 seconds. The researcher who was assessing balance was unaware to the intervention group. Results. According to paired t-test, Despite progress in time to stance on one leg after the interventions, the changes were not significant (P>0.05). Although the trend was more pronounced in the stretching group, independent t-test results showed no significant difference between groups (P>0.05). While in any of the treatment groups, there was no difference between men and women (P=0.1 and P=0.7 for kinesiotaping and stretching group, respectively). Conclusion. While the results did not show any significant difference after the intervention, but Increasing of the test time, which means improving the balance of participants, is evident. However, changes in the stretching group were more pronounced. Keyword. Single leg stance test, Elderly, Stretching, kinesiotaping, Plantar flexor muscle

Unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) is associated with a higher risk of revision compared with total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The outcomes of knee arthroplasty are typically presented as implant survival or incidence of revision after a set number of years, which can be difficult for patients and clinicians to conceptualise. We aimed to calculate the ‘lifetime risk’ of revision for UKA as a more relatable estimate of risk projection over a patient's remaining lifetime, and make comparisons to TKA. All primary UKAS performed from 1999 to 2019 (n=13,481) captured by the New Zealand Joint Registry (NZJR) were included. The lifetime risk of revision was calculated and stratified by age, gender and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) status. The lifetime risk of revision for UKA was highest in the youngest patients (46-50 years; 40.4%) and lowest in the oldest patients (86-90 years; 3.7%). Lifetime risk of revision was higher for females (range 4.3%-43.4% cf. males 2.9%-37.4%) and patients with higher ASA status (ASA 3-4 range 8.8%-41.2% cf. ASA 1 1.8%-29.8%), regardless of age. The lifetime risk of UKA was two-fold higher than TKA (ranging from 3.7%-40.4% UKA, 1.6%-22.4% TKA) across all age groups. Increased risk of revision in the younger patients was associated with aseptic loosening in both males and females, and pain in females. Periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) accounted for 4% of all UKA revisions, in contrast to 27% for TKA; risk of PJI was higher for males than females for both procedures. The lifetime risk of revision is a more meaningful measure of arthroplasty outcomes and can aid with patient counselling prior to UKA. Findings from this study show the increased lifetime risk of UKA revision for younger patients, females and those with higher ASA status

Acetabular morphology and orientation differs from ethnic group to another. Thus, investigating the normal range of the parameters that are used to assess both was a matter of essence. Nevertheless, the main aim of this study was clarification the relationship between acetabular inclination (AI) and acetabular and femoral head arcs’ radii (AAR and FHAR). A cross-sectional retrospective study that had been done in a tertiary center where Computed tomography abdomen scouts’ radiographs of non-orthopedics patients were included. They had no history of pelvic or hips’ related symptoms or fractures in femur or pelvis. A total of 84 patients was included with 52% of them were females. The mean of age was 30.38± 5.48. Also, Means of AI were 38.02±3.89 and 40.15±4.40 (P 0.02, significant gender difference) for males and females, respectively. Nonetheless, Head neck shaft angle (HNSA) means were 129.90±5.55 and 130.72±6.62 for males and females, respectively. However, AAR and FHAR means for males and females were 21.3±3.1mm, 19.9±3.1mm, P 0.04 and 19.7±3.1mm, 18.1±2.7mm, P 0.019, respectively. In addition, negative significant correlations were detected between AI against AAR, FHAR, HNSA and body mass index (BMI) (r 0.529, P ≤0.0001, r 0.445, P ≤0.0001, r 0.238, P 0.029, r 0.329, P ≤0.007, respectively). On the other hand, high BMI was associated with AAR and FHAR (r 0.577, P 0.0001 and r 0.266, p 0.031, respectively). This study shows that high AI is correlated with lower AAR, FHAR. Each ethnic group has its own normal values that must be studied to tailor the path for future implications in clinical setting

Introduction. A recent study to identify clinically meaningful benchmarks for gait improvement after total hip replacement (THA) has shown that the minimum clinically important improvement (MCII) in gait speed after THA is 0.32 m/sec. Currently, it remains to be investigated what preoperative factors link to suboptimal recovery of gait function after THA. This study aimed to identify preoperative lower-limb muscle predictors for gait speed improvement after THA for hip osteoarthritis. Method. This study enrolled 58 patients who underwent unilateral primary THA. Gait speed improvement was evaluated as the subtraction of preoperative speed from postoperative speed at 6 months after THA. Preoperative muscle composition of the glutei medius and minimus (Gmed+min) and the gluteus maximus (Gmax) was evaluated on a single axial computed tomography slice at the bottom end of the sacroiliac joint. Cross-sectional area ratio of individual composition to the total muscle was calculated. Result. The females (n=45) showed smaller total cross-sectional areas of the gluteal muscles than the males (n=13). Gmax in the females showed lower lean muscle mass area (LMM) and higher ratios of the intramuscular fat area and the intramuscular adipose tissue area to the total muscle area (TM) than that in the males. Regression analysis revealed that LMM/TM of Gmed+min may correlate negatively with postoperative improvement in gait speed. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis for prediction of MCII in gait speed at ≥ 0.32 m/sec resulted in the highest area under the curve for Gmax TM with negative correlation. The explanatory variables of hip abductor muscle composition predicted gait speed improvement after THA more precisely in the females compared with the total group of both sexes. Conclusion. Preoperative Gmax TM could predict gait speed MCII after THA. Preoperative muscle composition should be evaluated separately based on sexes for achievement of clinically important improvement in gait speed after THA

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the leading cause of pain and disability worldwide and is characterized by the degenerative changes of articular cartilage. Joint loading is required for cartilage maintenance; however, hyper-physiologic loading is a risk factor for OA. Mechanosensitive ion channels Piezo1 and Piezo2 synergistically transduce hyper-physiologic compression of chondrocytes, leading to chondrocyte death and onset of OA. This injury response is inhibited by Piezo channel loss of function, however the mechanistic role of Piezo channels in vivo is unknown. We examined the hypothesis that deletion of Piezo in chondrocytes will protect mice from joint damage and pain-related behaviors following a surgical destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM), investigating a key mechanistic and mechanobiological role of these channels in the pathogenesis of OA. Aggrecan-Cre Piezo1 and Piezo1/2 knockout mice ((Agc)1-CRE. ERT2. ;Piezo1. fl/fl. Piezo2. fl/fl. ) were generated and given a 5-day Tamoxifen regimen at 12-weeks of age (n=6–12/group/sex). Cre-negative mice served as controls. At 16-weeks, mice received DMM surgery on the left knee. 12-weeks following DMM prior to sacrifice, activity and hyperalgesia were measured using spontaneous running wheels and a small animal algometer. Structural changes in bone, cartilage, and synovium were characterized using microCT, histology, and Modified Mankin Score criteria. Knockout of Piezo1/2 channels was chondroprotective in both sexes following DMM surgery as demonstrated by reduced Modified Mankin Score compared to control animals. Piezo1 KO was chondroprotective in only female mice, indicating a sexually dimorphic response. Piezo1 and Piezo1/2 KO was protective against pain in male mice, while females displayed no differences compared to controls. No changes were observed in bone morphology. Chondrocyte-specific Piezo1/2 knockout protects the knee joint from structural damage, hyperalgesia and functional deficits in a surgical model of PTOA in male and female mice, illustrating the importance of Piezo channels in response to injury in vivo. Future work aims to interrogate potential sexually dimorphic responses to cartilage damage and investigating Piezo2 KO mice

Introduction. Selective screening of children at risk for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is based on clinical examination and risk factor identification. Two meta-analyses published in 2012 found breech presentation, family history of DDH, female sex and primiparity to increase the risk of DDH. However, the DDH definition, reference tests and age of the examined children vary considerably, complicating the translation of those findings to current screening guidelines. The aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the association of previously proposed risk factors to the risk of sonographically verified DDH. Method. We searched PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane library to identify cohort, RCTs, case-control and cross-sectional studies from 1980 to 2023 in English language. Eligible studies included participants under three months of age, where the diagnosis of DDH was made by hip ultrasound using the gold standard Graf method and reported information on one or more of the proposed risk factors and final diagnosis was available. Result. Of 5363 studies screened, 20 studies (n=64543 children) were included. Breech presentation (OR: 4.2, 95%CI 2.6-6.6), family history (3.8, 95%CI 2.1-7.2), female sex (2.5, 95%CI 1.7-3.6), oligohydramnios (3.8, 95%CI 1.7-8.5) and high birthweight (2.0, 95%CI 1.6-2.5) significantly increased the risk of DDH. C-section, primiparity, multiple births, low birthweight and prematurity were not found to increase the risk for DDH, and there was only one study about clubfoot as a risk factor. Heterogeneity was high (I. 2. >75%) in all the tested factors except high birthweight (I. 2. =0%). Subgroup analysis was performed to investigate these heterogeneities. Conclusion. Family history of DDH and breech presentation are associated with significant increase of the risk of sonographic DDH in children aged three months. A similar risk increase was detected for oligohydramnios, which was not detected in previous meta-analyses. Additionally, the DDH risk increase of female sex was found to be lower than previously reported

To investigate differences in the drop vertical jump height in female adolescents with an ACL injury and healthy controls and the contribution of each limb in this task. Forty female adolescents with an ACL injury (ACLi, 15.2 ± 1.4 yrs, 164.6 ± 6.0 cm, 63.1 ± 10.0 kg) and thirty-nine uninjured (CON, 13.2 ± 1.7 yrs, 161.7 ± 8.0 cm, 50.6 ± 11.0 kg) were included in this study. A 10-camera infrared motion analysis system (Vicon, Nexus, Oxford, UK) tracked pelvis, thigh, shank, and foot kinematics at 200Hz, while the participants performed 3 trials of double-legged drop vertical jumps (DVJ) on two force plates (Bertec Corp., Columbus, USA) sampled at 2000Hz.The maximum jump height normalised by dominant leg length was compared between groups using independent samples t-test. The maximum vertical ground reaction force (GRFz) and sagittal ankle, knee and hip velocities before take-off were compared between limbs in both groups, using paired samples t-test. The normalised jump height was 11% lower in the ACLi than in the CON (MD=0.04 cm, p=0.020). In the ACLi, the maximum GRFz (MD=46.17N) and the maximum velocities of ankle plantar flexion (MD=79.83°/s), knee extension (MD=85.80°/s), and hip extension (MD=36.08°/s) were greater in the non-injured limb, compared to the injured limb. No differences between limbs were found in the CON. ACL injured female adolescents jump lower than the healthy controls and have greater contribution of their non-injured limb, compared to their injured limb, in the DVJ task. Clinicians should investigate differences in the contribution between limbs during double-legged drop vertical jump when assessing patients with an ACL injury, as this could help identify asymmetries, and potentially improve treatment, criteria used to clear athletes to sport, and re-injury prevention

Acetabular morphology and orientation differs from ethnic group to another. Thus, investigating the natural history of the parameters that are used to assess both was a matter of essence. Nevertheless, clarification the picture of normal value in our society was the main aim of this study. However, Acetabular head index (AHI) and center edge angle (CEA) were the most sensitive indicative parameters for acetabular dysplasia. Hence, they were the main variables used in evaluation of acetabular development. A cross-sectional retrospective study that had been done in a tertiary center. Computed tomography abdomen scouts’ radiographs of non-orthopedics patients were included. They had no history of pelvic or hips’ related symptoms or fractures in femur or pelvis. Images’ reports were reviewed to exclude those with tumors in the femur or pelvic bones. A total of 81 patients was included with 51% of them were males. The mean of age was 10.38± 3.96. CEA was measured using Wiberg technique, means of CEA were 33.71±6.53 and 36.50±7.39 for males and females, respectively. Nonetheless, AHI means were 83.81±6.10 and 84.66±4.17 for males and females, respectively. On the other hand, CEA was increasing by a factor 0.26 for each year (3-18, range). In addition, positive significant correlation was detected between CEA and age as found by linear regression r 2 0.460 (f(df1,79) =21.232, P ≤0.0001). Also, Body mass index (BMI) was positively correlated with CEA r 0.410, P 0.004). This study shows that obesity and aging are linked to increased CEA. Each ethnic group has its own normal values that must be studied to avoid premature diagnosis

C. Difficile infections in elderly patients with hip fractures is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Antibiotic regimens with penicillin and its derivatives is a leading cause. Antibiotic prophylactic preferences vary across different hospitals within NHS. We compared two antibiotic prophylactic regimens - Cefuroxime only prophylaxis and Teicoplanin with Gentamicin prophylaxis in fracture neck of femur surgery, and evaluated the incidence of C. Difficile diarrhea and Surgical Site Infection (SSI). To assess the Surgical Site Infection and C. Difficile infection rate associated with different regimens of antibiotics prophylaxis in fracture neck of femur surgery. Data was analyzed retrospectively. Neck of femur fracture patients treated surgically from 2009 in our unit were included. Age, gender, co morbidities, type of fracture, operation, ASA grade was collected. 1242 patients received Cefuroxime only prophylaxis between January 2009 and December 2012 (Group 1) and 486 patients received Teicoplanin with Gentamicin between October 2015 and March 2017 (Group 2). There were 353 males and 889 female patients in Group 1 and 138 males and 348 female patients in Group 2. The co morbidities in both groups were comparable. Incidence of C. Difficile diarrhea and Surgical Site Infection (SSI) was noted. Statistical analysis with chi square test was performed to determine the ‘p’ value. C. Diff diarrhea rate in Group 2 was 0.41 % as compared to 1.29 % in Group 1. The Surgical Site Infection (SSI) rate in Group 2 was 0.41 % as compared to 3.06 % in Group 1. The comparative results were statistically significant (p = 0.0009). Prophylactic antibiotic regimen of Teicoplanin with Gentamicin showed significant reduction in C. Difficile diarrhea & Surgical Site Infection in fracture neck of femur patients undergoing surgery

Neoangiogenesis drives the replacement of mineralised cartilage by trabecular bone during bone growth regulated by molecules like e.g. VEGF, OPG and RANKL. The Heparan sulfate proteoglycan Syndecan-1 (Sdc1) plays a role in the interaction of osteoclasts and osteoblasts and the development of blood vessels. We expected Sdc1 to have an influence on bone structure and vessel development. Therefore, bone structure and angiogenesis at the growth plate in mice was compared and the influence of Syndecan-1 deficiency was characterised. Animals: Femura of male and female C57BL/6 WT (5♀, 6♂) and Sdc1-/- (9♀, 5♂) mice were used for native bone analysis at 4 month age. Histology: Bone structure was analysed using microCT scans with a resolution of 9µm. Vascularisation was visualised using an anti-Endomucin antibody in 80µm thick cryosections. In vitro angiogenesis: Bone marrow isolates were used to generate endothelial progenitor cells by sequential cultivation on fibronectin. Microvessel development was analysed 4h after plating on matrigel. Bone structure in male Sdc1 deficient mice was significantly reduced compare to male WT, whereas female mice of both genotypes did not differ. Sdc1 deficient mice at the age of 4 month showed a high decrease in the number of vessel bulbs at the chondro-osseous border (growth plate) compared to WT mice. However, no sex related differences were shown. Quantification of microvessel outgrowth of endothelial cells revealed a decreased amount of sprouting, but increased length of microvessels of Sdc1-/- cells compared to WT. Syndecan-1 has a significant impact on neoangiogenesis at the chondro-osseous border of the native bone, but the impact of Syndecan-1 deficiency on the loss of bone structure was significantly higher in male mice. This emphasises the importance to further characterise the function of Syndecan-1 regulated processes during enchondral ossification in a sex dependent manner

It is known that the gait dynamics of elderly substantially differs from that of young people. However, it has not been well studied how this age-related gait dynamics affects the knee biomechanics, e.g., cartilage mechanical response. In this study, we investigated how aging affects knee biomechanics in a female population using subject-specific computational models. Two female subjects (ages of 23 and 69) with no musculoskeletal disorders were recruited. Korea National Institute for Bioethics Policy Review Board approved the study. Participants walked at a self-selected speed (SWS), 110% of SWS, and 120% of SWS on 10 m flat ground. Three-dimensional marker trajectories and ground reaction forces (Motion Analysis, USA), and lower limbs’ muscle activities were measured (EMG, Noraxon USA). Knee cartilage and menisci geometries were obtained from subjects’ magnetic resonance images (3T, GE Health Care). An EMG-assisted musculoskeletal finite element modeling workflow was used to estimate knee cartilage tissue mechanics in walking trials. Knee cartilage and menisci were modeled using a transversely isotropic poroviscoelastic material model. Walking speed in SWS, 110%, and 120% of SWS were 1.38 m/s, 1.51 m/s, and 1.65 m/s for the young, and 1.21 m/s, 1.34 m/s and 1.46 m/s for the elderly, respectively. The maximum tensile stress in the elderly tibial cartilage was ~25%, ~33%, and ~32% lower than the young at SWS, 110%, and 120% of SWS, respectively. These preliminary results suggest that the cartilage in the elderly may not have enough stimulation even at 20% increases in walking speed, which may be one reason for tissue degeneration. To enhance these findings, further study with more subjects and different genders will investigate how age-related gait dynamics affects knee biomechanics. Acknowledgments: Australian NHMRC Ideas Grant (APP2001734), KITECH (JE220006)

Patients with bone and muscle weakness from disuse have higher risk of fracture and worse post-injury mortality rates. The goal of this current study was to better inform post-fracture rehabilitation strategies by investigating if physical remobilization following disuse by hindlimb unloading improves osteochondral callus formation compared to continued disuse by hindlimb suspension (HLS). We hypothesized that continued HLS would impair callus bone and cartilage formation and that physical rehabilitation after HLS would increase callus properties. All animal procedures were approved by the VCU IACUC. Skeletally mature, male and female C57BL/6J mice (18 weeks) underwent HLS for 3 weeks. Mice then had their right femur fractured by open surgical dissection (stabilized with 24-gauge pin). Mice were then either randomly assigned to continued HLS or allow normal physical weight-bearing remobilization (HLS + R). Mice allowed normal cage activity throughout the experiment served as controls (GC). All mice were sacrificed 14-days following fracture with 4-8 mice (male and female) per treatment. Data analyzed by respective ANOVA with Tukey post-hoc (*p< 0.05; # p < 0.10). Male and female mice showed conserved and significant decreases in hindlimb callus bone formation from continued HLS versus HLS + R. Combining treatment groups regardless of mouse sex, histological analyses using staining on these same calluses demonstrated that HLS resulted in trends toward decreased cartilage cross-sectional area and increased osteoclast density in woven bone versus physically rehabilitated mice. In support of our hypothesis, physical remobilization increases callus bone formation following fracture compared to continued disuse potentially due to increased endochondral ossification and decreased bone resorption. In all, partial weight-bearing exercise immediately following fracture may improve callus healing compared to delayed rehabilitation regimens that are frequently used

Introduction. Hip fractures, with a global age-standardised incidence rate (per 100,000 population) of 187.2 (2019), are a major public health problem. With a 7.71 billion population worldwide in 2019, hip fractures, in general, are affecting around 14.43 million people per year globally. We aim to provide a nationwide epidemiological analysis of trochanteric fractures and their respective surgical treatments. In this study we research the epidemiology of trochanteric and subtrochanteric fractures, as well as their most common kinds of osteosynthesis, on a nationwide scale in Germany. Method. Data was retrieved from the national database of the German Ministry of Interior. ICD-10-GM and OPS-data from the period of 2006-2020 were analyzed, all patients with trochanteric/subtrochanteric fractures were included. Patients were grouped by age/gender and linear-regression was performed to calculate statistically significant correlations between variables/incidences. Result. 985,104 trochanteric and 178,810 subtrochanteric-fractures were reported during the analyzed period. This calculates to a mean incidence of 80.08±6.34 for pertrochanteric and 14.53±1.50 for subtrochanteric fractures per-million-inhabitants. In both fracture-types, a distinct dependence of incidence on age can be seen. Incidence rates equally rise in both sexes through the age groups with an increase of about 288-fold from those under 60 to those over the age of 90 in pertrochanteric fractures. Intramedullary nailing was the most common kind of treatment for both fracture types with augmentative cerclages on the rise throughout the whole period. Dynamic compression screws were decreasing in frequency. Conclusion. We found an ongoing increase of incidence among the elderly and an increase in intramedullary nailing as well as augmentative cerclages. Not only could we show an age-dependence of the incidences, but also a sex-dependence that seems to remain consistent in its development. While younger males (<60 years) are at a higher risk than their female peers, older females are at significantly higher risk than their male peers