Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Cell Microbiol 2018 Dec 14:e12992. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Center for Immunology & Inflammatory Diseases, Division of Rheumatology, Allergy, & Immunology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.

Lyme arthritis (LA), a late disease manifestation of Borrelia burgdorferi infection, usually resolves with antibiotic therapy. However, some patients develop proliferative synovitis lasting months to several years after spirochetal killing, called post-infectious LA. In this study, we phenotyped hematopoietic and stromal cell populations in the synovial lesion ex vivo and used these findings to generate an in vitro model of LA using patient-derived fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS). Read More

Acta Ortop Mex 2018 Jul-Aug;32(4):198-202

Dirección de Educación e Investigación en Salud, Hospital de Traumatología. Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad (UMAE). «Dr. Victorio de la Fuente Narváez», Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS). Ciudad de México. México.

Background: The articular infection represents a challenge due to its complexity and its devastating effect when not treated promptly. We have various diagnostic studies: cultures, ESR, CRP, count of leukocytes, among others but none is specific, it takes more than 30 minutes to complete and require complex infrastructure. In this study we determine the sensitivity and specificity of the leukocyte esterase for detection of an infectious process joint in Mexican population. Read More

J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York.

Synovium-derived mesenchymal stem cells (SMSCs) are an emerging cell source for regenerative medicine applications, including osteochondral defect (OCD) repair. However, in contrast to bone marrow MSCs, scaffold compositions which promote SMSC chondrogenesis/osteogenesis are still being identified. In the present manuscript, we examine poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG)-based scaffolds containing zonally-specific biochemical cues to guide SMSC osteochondral differentiation. Read More

J Cell Physiol 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

2nd Ward of Burn Department, Linyi People's Hospital, Linyi, Shandong, China.

Objective: This study aims to test the effect of naproxen treatment and the biological target of naproxen for treating osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in OA synovial tissues and normal counterparts were analyzed by messenger RNA microarray analysis. R package (weighted gene coexpression network analysis) was used to divide DEGs into several modules and determine the hub genes in each module. Read More

Pediatr Int 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan, Kitakyushu, Japan.

J Cardiol Cases 2014 Jan 13;9(1):40-43. Epub 2013 Dec 13.

Department of Radiotherapy-Oncology, UHC Ibn Rochd, Casablanca, Morocco.

Primary pericardial synovial sarcoma is extremely rare, with few published cases in the literature. We report the case of an adolescent aged 13 years with primary pericardial synovial sarcoma discovered during tamponade, confirmed by molecular biology, and for whom treatment combined radiosurgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. The particularity of the case we are reporting stems from the young age of our patient (13 years) as well as the duration of remission, which is quite long (21 months) prior to a superior mediastinal relapse compared to cases reported in the literature. Read More

Exp Ther Med 2018 Dec 11;16(6):5009-5014. Epub 2018 Oct 11.

Department of Emergency Surgery, The Affiliated Qingdao Hiser Hospital of Qingdao University (Qingdao Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Qingdao, Shandong 266001, P.R. China.

Macrophages, whether M1 or M2 subtype, have been found to be implicated in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). However, no study regarding the status of M1 and M2 macrophages has been reported in knee OA. To investigate the status of M1 and M2 macrophages in knee OA, synovial fluid as well as peripheral blood were collected from 80 patients with knee OA and 80 healthy controls. Read More

Pathologica 2018 Sep;110(2):106-110

Pathology Unit, Garbagnate Milanese Hospital, ASST Rhodense, Italy.

Synovial Sarcoma (SS) is the fourth most common soft tissue sarcoma, characterized by translocation t(X;18) (p11.2;q11.2). Read More

J Clin Med 2018 Dec 10;7(12). Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan.

The phenotypic change of chondrocytes and the interplay between cartilage and subchondral bone in osteoarthritis (OA) has received much attention. Structural changes with nerve ingrowth and vascular penetration within OA cartilage may contribute to arthritic joint pain. The aim of this study was to identify differentially expressed genes and potential miRNA regulations in OA knee chondrocytes through next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics analysis. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(49):e13455

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Tung's Taichung Metroharbor Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.

Rationale: Compressive radial neuropathy by a synovial cyst in the radial tunnel during pregnancy is a rare occurrence. The management of radial nerve compression caused by a synovial cyst in a pregnant patient is a surgical dilemma owing to the fetal and maternal risks of treatment.

Patient Concerns And Diagnosis: A 37-year-old pregnant woman presented with progressive forearm pain at the gestational age of 12 weeks. Read More

Immunol Lett 2018 Dec 10. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Rheumatology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea. Electronic address:

TGF-β1 is highly expressed in the synovial tissue of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and is known as a cytokine that plays an important role in tissue repair and immune cell regulation. However, the role of TGF-β1 is still unclear in osteoclastogenesis. In this study, we examined the effect of TGF-β1 on osteoclast differentiation and the underlying mechanism using healthy human peripheral blood monocytes. Read More

Exp Ther Med 2018 Dec 17;16(6):5343-5349. Epub 2018 Oct 17.

Department of Rheumatology and Nephrology, Hangzhou Red Cross Hospital, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310003, P.R. China.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of avicularin on rheumatoid arthritis (RA) , and additionally explore the molecular mechanism. To perform this investigation, an model of RA was established by treatment of the human RA synovial MH7A cell line with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). MH7A cells were then treated with various concentrations (10, 30, 100 and 300 µM) of avicularin. Read More

Exp Ther Med 2018 Dec 19;16(6):4737-4744. Epub 2018 Sep 19.

Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Hospital Affiliated to Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that often causes patients to experience joint pain and deformity. It has been demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is associated with the progression of osteoarthritis; however, to the best of our knowledge, the mechanisms by which TNF-α simulates the progression of osteoarthritis and the signaling pathway(s) it influences remain unknown. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of TNF-α inhibitor in an iodoacetate-induced rat model of osteoarthritis and identify its potential mechanisms of action. Read More

J Biosci 2018 Dec;43(5):911-919

Department of Orthopaedics, 309th Hospital of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100091, People's Republic of China.

Growing data have indicated that the miR-17-92 cluster is implicated in inflammatory response and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study was aimed to investigate the effects of miR-92a on the proliferation and migration of rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes (RA-FLSs). Our results showed that miR-92a was significantly down-regulated in RA synovial tissue and RA-FLSs, whereas the protein level of AKT2 is increased. Read More

Biosci Rep 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

The first afflicted hospital of Xi'an JiaoTong University, Xi'an, China.

This study aimed to explore miR-125 effects on RA development to provide a potential target for RA. Briefly, rat RA model was established (Model group) by injection of Freund's Complete Adjuvant into the left hind toe. Normal rats injected with saline in the same location were set as Normal group. Read More

Regen Ther 2019 Jun 20;10:17-26. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Surgical Science, Tokai University School of Medicine, 143 Shimokasuya, Isehara, Kanagawa 259-1193, Japan.

Introduction: Cartilage regeneration is a promising therapy for restoring joint function in patients with cartilage defects. The limited availability of autologous chondrocytes or chondrogenic progenitor cells is an obstacle to its clinical application. We investigated the existence and chondrogenic potential of synovial membrane-derived multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring (Muse)-like cells as an alternative cell source for cartilage regeneration. Read More

Front Vet Sci 2018 20;5:288. Epub 2018 Nov 20.

Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States.

Galectins are potent regulators of cell adhesion, growth and apoptosis in diverse cell types, including chondrocytes and synovial fibroblasts. Elevations in synovial fluid galectin-3 have been observed in rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile idiopathic arthritis and experimental inflammatory arthritis in animal models, whereas galectin-1 is thought to be protective. Less is known about galectins-1 and-3 in osteoarthritis (OA). Read More

Oncoimmunology 2018 11;7(12):e1507600. Epub 2018 Sep 11.

Department of Hematology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.

Synovial sarcoma expresses multiple cancer testis antigens that could potentially be targeted by T-cell receptor (TCR) gene therapy. In this study we investigated whether PRAME-TCR-gene therapy could be an effective treatment for synovial sarcoma by investigating the potential of PRAME-specific T-cells to recognize sarcoma cells and by evaluating the expression patterns of and HLA class I (HLA-I) in synovial sarcoma tumor samples. All expressing sarcoma cell lines, including 2 primary synovial sarcoma cell cultures (passage < 3), were efficiently recognized by PRAME-specific T-cells. Read More

J Orthop Surg Res 2018 Dec 6;13(1):311. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Surgical and Orthopaedic Research Laboratories, Prince of Wales Clinical School, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

Background: Commonly used contemporary orthopaedic sutures have been identified as a potential causative factor in the development of post-arthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis. Currently, little is known about the body's immune response to these materials. The aim of this study was to examine the biological response of synovial tissue to three commonly used orthopaedic sutures, using a murine airpouch model. Read More

Curr Pharm Biotechnol 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Faculty of Medicine,University of Tabuk, Tabuk 71491. Saudi Arabia.

Background: Standardized extract of Phyllanthus amarus has been shown to possess inhibitory effects on cellular and humoral immune responses in Wistar-Kyoto rats and Balb/c mice.

Objective: In the present study, the standardized extract of P. amarus was investigated for its suppressive effects on type II collagen-induced rheumatoid arthritis (TCIA) in Sprague Dawley rats. Read More

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.

Introduction: Tenosynovial giant-cell tumor also known as pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVS) is a benign but aggressive synovial proliferative disease most often affecting the knee joint. The mainstay of therapy is surgical resection. Due to a high rate of local recurrence, radiosynoviorthesis (RSO) is used as an adjuvant method in many cases. Read More

Open Vet J 2018 25;8(4):386-392. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Institute of Veterinary Medicine, Georg-August University Göttingen, Burckhardtweg 2, D-37077 Göttingen, Germany.

Osteoarthritis is a common problem in daily veterinary practice with insufficient knowledge about disease mechanism. Because fibrosis is a part of the alteration in the effected joints, we investigated the transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) as an important regulation molecule of tissue fibrosis. We chose Osteoarthritis following a cruciate ligament rupture (CLR) because it is a common model of osteoarthritis. Read More

Indian J Surg Oncol 2018 Dec 22;9(4):636-639. Epub 2018 May 22.

2Department of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Medical Trust Hospital, M.G. Road, Kochi, Kerala 682016 India.

Synovial sarcomas are relatively common intermediate-to-high-grade malignant soft tissue tumors, often with an initial indolent course. And among the sarcomas primary intra-abdominal synovial sarcoma is a relatively rare entity that may present with an abdominal mass and diagnosis is usually confirmed by immunohistochemistry. The authors report a case of a 46-year-old man who presented with a large palpable abdominal mass. Read More

Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol 2018 Aug 12;17(4):361-371. Epub 2018 Aug 12.

Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Molecular Immunology Research Center, Children's Medical Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a major role in the prevention of autoimmune diseases. Transfer of Foxp3 gene into conventional T cells converts their phenotype to regulatory T cells. Therefore, the question arises as to whether adoptively transferred in vitro differentiated Treg cells specific for a locally expressed antigen might have better inhibitory effects on the progression of the disease as compared with antigen-nonspecific T reg cells. Read More

Curr Health Sci J 2015 Jul-Sep;41(3):213-218. Epub 2015 Jan 29.

University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Rheumatology Department.

Purpose: to assess synovial inflammation using musculoskeletal ultrasonography, in a cohort of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis, and establish the correlations with disease activity score.

Material And Methods: We enrolled 29 patients diagnosed with early RA, according to ACR-EULAR 2010 classification criteria, in Rheumatology Clinic, Emergency County Hospital Craiova, between September 2013-August 2014. We performed clinical evaluation, assessed laboratory tests and performed US for all the patients. Read More

J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) improve the osteoarthritis condition, but the fate of MSCs after intra-articular injection is unclear. We used fluorescent nanoparticles (quantum dots; QDs) to track equine MSCs (QD-MSCs) in vivo after intra-articular injection to normal and osteoarthritic joints. One week after injection of QD-MSCs, unlabeled MSCs, or vehicle we determined the presence of QD-MSCs in synovium and articular cartilage histologically. Read More

Ir J Med Sci 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Konya Beysehir State Hospital, Beyşehir Devlet Hastanesi, 042100, Konya, Turkey.

Background: The first research to determine synovial fluid ADAMTS4 and serglycin levels in osteoarthritis and OA progression.

Aim: We aimed to determine ADAMTS4 and serglycin levels, interactions, and changes in the synovial fluid of knee OA, and also to determine effective in OA progression.

Methods: A case-control study was carried out including a total of 88 participants (29 patients late OA [LOA], 28 early OA [EOA], and 30 controls). Read More

Int J Mol Med 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Life Science and Technology, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, Heilongjiang 163319, P.R. China.

The present study investigated the mechanisms of apoptosis induced by cryptotanshinone (CT) in human rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast‑like synoviocytes (RA‑FLSs). Cell Counting kit‑8 assay was performed to determine the cytotoxic effects of CT in human RA‑FLSs, including primary RA‑FLS, HFLS‑RA and MH7A cells, and in HFLS cells derived from normal synovial tissue. Annexin V‑FITC/PI staining was used to detect the apoptotic effects of CT in HFLS‑RA and MH7A cells. Read More

Med Ultrason 2018 Dec;20(4):527-530

2nd Internal Medicine Department, "Iuliu Hatieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Primary synovial osteochondromatosis is a rare disorder and its diagnosis remains a challenge to the physician. We present the case of 36 year old patient with right knee monoarthritis in which ultrasound findings, corroborated with clinical and histopathological evidence confirmed the diagnosis of unossified primary synovial osteochondromatosis. The arthroscopy with synovectomy found multiple intra-articular loose bodies occupying the entire joint. Read More

Med Ultrason 2018 Dec;20(4):453-460

Medical University of Plovdiv, Medical Faculty, Department of Propedeutic of Internal Diseases; University Hospital "Kaspela'', Rheumatology Clinic.

Aims: To assess the role of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSUS) as a biomarker of remission and to compare the rates of clinical and imaging remission in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on different types of treatment.

Material And Methods: One hundred and forty-one patients underwent physical and ultrasound examination at 5 visits (at baseline and after 1, 3, 6 and 12 months). Patients were divided into two groups according to the type of treatment, which involved synthetic (sDMARDs) and biologic (bDMARDs) disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs. Read More

Arthrosc Tech 2018 Nov 8;7(11):e1109-e1114. Epub 2018 Oct 8.

Division of Sports Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, U.S.A.

Popliteal cysts, often referred to as Baker's cysts, are a common occurrence in the adult knee. Although controversy exists as to the exact indications for treatment, these structures can cause extreme discomfort and morbidity, including pain from rupture and symptoms from neurovascular compromise. Prior to the development of the arthroscope, open treatment of popliteal cysts was not uncommon. Read More

J Bone Jt Infect 2018 11;3(5):245-248. Epub 2018 Nov 11.

Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Cantonal Hospital St. Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland.

Joint aspiration in suspected infected implants is a validated diagnostic method in establishing the diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection (PJI). Cut-off values for synovial leukocyte counts and differentials are well described for patients with hip and knee PJI. In 19 failed shoulder implants, a leucocyte count of >12. Read More

Oncotarget 2018 Nov 9;9(88):35830-35843. Epub 2018 Nov 9.

Department of Rheumatology, GIGA Research, University Hospital Sart-Tilman, Liege, Belgium.

Phosphorylation of p62/SQSTM1 (p62) on Serine 349 (P-Ser349 p62) as well as proteasome dysfunction have been shown to activate the cell protective Keap1/Nrf2 pathway. We showed previously that BAY 11-7085-induced human synovial fibroblast cell death includes autophagy and p62 downregulation. In this work, we have studied expression of P-Ser349 p62 in human synovial fibroblasts. Read More

PLoS One 2018 11;13(12):e0208957. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Internal Medicine, Toho University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection as an environmental factor for the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Synovial tissues were collected during surgery from 128 RA and 98 osteoarthritis (OA) patients. DNA was extracted from synovial tissues. Read More

Res Vet Sci 2018 Dec 1;122:179-185. Epub 2018 Dec 1.

Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Laboratory of Veterinary Surgery, Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.

Pentosan polysulfate (PPS) is currently under investigation as a potential disease-modifying antiarthritic agent. In the present study the effects of PPS on arthritic profiles based on clinical score, ankle size, histological changes, and activity of inflammatory mediators using collagen-induced arthritic rat are reported. Model of arthritis was developed in Sprague Dawley rats by intradermal injection of bovine type II collagen emulsified with incomplete Freund's adjuvant. Read More

Acta Biomater 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Departments of Bioengineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Departments of Mechanical Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Electronic address:

Drug delivery to avascular, negatively charged tissues like cartilage remains a challenge. The constant turnover of synovial fluid results in short residence time of administered drugs in the joint space and the dense negatively charged matrix of cartilage hinders their diffusive transport. Drugs are, therefore, unable to reach their cell and matrix targets in sufficient doses, and fail to elicit relevant biological response, which has led to unsuccessful clinical trials. Read More

Knee 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Republic of Korea.

Background: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of anterolateral ligament (ALL) injuries on stability and second-look arthroscopic findings after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

Methods: One-hundred and nineteen consecutive patients underwent a second-look arthroscopic surgery after ACL reconstruction and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination of the ALL. The patients were divided into an ALL intact group (n = 39) and ALL injured group (n = 80). Read More

Clin Ther 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Translational Research Promotion Incubation Center for Advanced Medical Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.

Purpose: In Japan, gene therapy and cellular therapy are categorized as regenerative medicine products based on the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Law that was implemented in 2014. In this new law, regenerative medicine products were newly defined, and a conditional and term-limited approval system for regenerative medicine products was instituted. In addition, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare instituted the SAKIGAKE (meaning pioneer or forerunner in Japanese) designation system in 2015. Read More

Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol 2018 04 22;32(2):312-326. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Arthritis Research UK Centre for Epidemiology, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK & NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK. Electronic address:

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most frequent form of arthritis and a leading cause of pain and disability worldwide. OA can affect any synovial joint, although the hip, knee, hand, foot and spine are the most commonly affected sites. Knowledge about the occurrence and risk factors for OA is important to define the clinical and public health burden of the disease to understand mechanisms of disease occurrence and may also help to inform the development of population-wide prevention strategies. Read More

Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2018 Dec 8. Epub 2018 Dec 8.

1 Facultad de Medicina Torreon, Universidad Autonoma de Coahuila , Torreon, Mexico .

Aims: (1) To evaluate the association between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and primary knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and (2) to compare synovial fluid (SF) cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) concentrations and glycemic control parameters in patients with T2D, with and without primary KOA.

Methods: A total of 231 individuals were included in this study. Primary KOA was confirmed according to the criteria established by the American College of Rheumatology. Read More

Can J Physiol Pharmacol 2018 Dec 6:1-8. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

d Department of Pharmacology, University of Giresun, Giresun, Turkey.

Hydrogen sulfide (HS) is found in both the plasma and synovial fluid of patients with gonarthrosis. In the present study, we investigated whether intra-articular injection of sodium hydrosulfide (NaSH) (1 mM, 30 μL), a HS donor, might affect gonarthrosis in rats. Gonarthrosis was induced surgically in the left knees of rats and left for 6 weeks for the development of disease. Read More

J Am Acad Orthop Surg 2018 Dec 4. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

From the Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD (Dr. Nace), the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, Philadelphia, PA (Dr. Siddiqi), the New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, MA (Dr. Talmo), and the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA (Dr. Chen).

Fungal periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is a devastating complication because it can be difficult to diagnose, manage, and eradicate. Fungal PJI treatment requires a systematic approach. Increased awareness is essential when patients with painful arthroplasties present with immunosuppression, significant comorbidities, multiple surgeries, and history of drug use. Read More

Analyst 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Power Mechanical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan. and Institute of Biomedical Engineering, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan and Institute of NanoEngineering and Microsystems, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan.

Periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) are among the most severe complications emerging from prosthetic joint replacement surgeries. In order to possess a rapid means of diagnosing PJIs, an integrated microfluidic system was developed herein for detecting and identifying bacteria in human synovial fluid (HSF). The entire molecular diagnostic process, including (1) sample treatment, (2) bacterial isolation, (3) bacterial lysis, (4) nucleic acid amplification (via polymerase chain reaction (PCR)), and (5) optical detection, could be automated on a single chip. Read More

J Pain Res 2018 13;11:2809-2819. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

InterVivo Solutions Inc, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Purpose: Prescription and OTC non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are ubiquitous treatments for pain and inflammation; however, oral administration of these drugs may produce gastrointestinal (GI) side effects. Transdermal (TD) administration of NSAIDs circumvents these adverse events by avoiding the GI tract and, presumably, achieves regional drug levels of therapeutic effect and thereby, fewer off-target complications.

Methods: A drug quantification method was developed for ibuprofen and celecoxib in canine plasma and synovial fluid using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Read More

Nat Rev Rheumatol 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Nature Reviews Rheumatology, .

JCI Insight 2018 Dec 6;3(23). Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Molecular Rheumatology, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.

CD141+ DC are implicated in antiviral and antitumor immunity. However, mechanistic studies in autoimmune disease are limited. This is the first study to our knowledge examining CD141+ DC in autoimmune disease, specifically inflammatory arthritis (IA). Read More

BMC Surg 2018 Dec 5;18(1):113. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Vascular Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.

Background: Synovial cyst of the hip joint is a rare clinical condition in need of evidence-based guidelines for its diagnosis and management. Normally, synovial cyst of the hip joint requires no treatment, but when it intrudes into surrounding structures, various clinical symptoms appear. Because of its rarity, a symptomatic synovial cyst is often confounded with a tumor as a space-occupying lesion or with other diseases, depending on its various clinical presentations. Read More

J Bone Miner Res 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Orthopedics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University.

Cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2) has been implicated as an important clinical regulator of inflammation and malignant osteolysis. Here, we observed that CB2 expression was markedly higher in the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice synovium and bone tissues than in the non-inflamed synovium and bone tissues. The CB2 selective agonist (JWH133) but not antagonist (SR144528) suppressed CIA in mice without toxic effects, as demonstrated by the decreased synovial hyperplasia, inflammatory responses, cartilage damage, and periarticular and systemic bone destruction. Read More

Rheumatology (Oxford) 2018 Dec 1. Epub 2018 Dec 1.

Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

Objective: To investigate the role of AXL, a member of the anti-inflammatory TYRO3, AXL MER (TAM) receptor family, in arthritis.

Methods: KRN serum transfer arthritis was induced in Axl-/- and wild-type mice. Knee and ankle joints were scored macro- and microscopically. Read More