Topic Review
Temporomandibular Joint Disc Disorders
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) is a type of musculoskeletal pain that affects the orofacial region, like masticatory muscles, temporomandibular joint and other surrounding structures. Chronic musculoskeletal pain refers to a persistent pain, felt for more than 3 months, arising in bones, joints, and tissues. A subset of disc-related TMD involves disc displacement, disc thinning and perforation. Biomechanical unbalance or extreme loading can also lead to damage in the articular disc.
  • 693
  • 12 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Off-the-Shelf Implants vs. Patient-Specific Implants
Conventional, off-the-shelf (OTS) implants were developed on the basis of anthropometric measurements of a defined standard population. Although different models and sizes of OTS implants exist, it can be challenging to find the best fitting implant design and size for the individual patient’s knee morphology. In addition, the choice of implant is also limited by the surgeon’s preferences and experience with different models or the availability in a particular hospital.
  • 693
  • 14 Jul 2021
Topic Review
Fibroblast Growth Factor 23 and Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a chronic debilitating disease caused by imbalanced bone remodeling processes that impair the structural integrity of bone. Over the last ten years, the association between fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) and osteoporosis has been studied in both pre-clinical and clinical investigations. FGF23 is a bone-derived endocrine factor that regulates mineral homeostasis via the fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs)/αKlotho complex. These receptors are expressed in kidney and the parathyroid gland. Preclinical studies have supported the link between the local actions of FGF23 on the bone remodeling processes. In addition, clinical evidence regarding the effects of FGF23 on bone mass and fragility fractures suggest potential diagnostic and prognostic applications of FGF23 in clinical contexts, particularly in elderly and patients with chronic kidney disease. However, inconsistent findings exist and there are areas of uncertainty requiring exploration.
  • 689
  • 16 Mar 2022
Topic Review
Interleukins
Interleukins (ILs) regulate differentiation and function of bone cells, with several ILs being reported to act pro-osteoclastogenic. 
  • 677
  • 24 May 2021
Topic Review
Role of Pyroptosis in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration
Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), a progressive and multifactorial pathological process, is predominantly associated with low back pain and permanent disability. Pyroptosis is a type of lytic programmed cell death triggered by the activation of inflammasomes and caspases. Unlike apoptosis, pyroptosis is characterized by the rupture of the plasma membrane and the release of inflammatory mediators, accelerating the destruction of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Recent studies have shown that pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells is activated in the progression of IDD. Furthermore, targeting pyroptosis in IDD demonstrates the excellent capacity of ECM remodeling and its anti-inflammatory properties, suggesting that pyroptosis is involved in the IDD process. Here, the molecular mechanism of pyroptosis and the pathogenesis of IDD are briefly summarized. Researchers also focus on the role of pyroptosis in the pathological progress of IDD and its targeted therapeutic application.
  • 659
  • 20 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Microfracture
The technique of microfracture (MFX) was first performed 40 years ago and served for many years as the main procedure for repairing cartilage defects. There is a need to improve microfractures because the regenerated cartilage differs from the original histological aspect; it is less hyaline and more fibrocartilaginous. In addition, and more importantly, the benefits do not persist and the long-term results are unsatisfactory.
  • 635
  • 25 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Surgery Benefit Pipkin Type I Femoral Head Fractures
Femoral head fractures are rare injuries with or without traumatic dislocations. The management of these fractures is crucial to prevent the development of severe complications and to achieve optimal functional outcomes. Wide treatment options for Pipkin 1 femoral head fractures range from fragment excision, fixation following open reduction with internal fixation, or conservative treatment such as close reduction alone after fracture dislocation. 
  • 628
  • 26 Jan 2022
Topic Review
First-Line and Second-Line Pharmacotherapies for Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) can be defined as the result of pathological processes of various etiologies leading to damage to the articular structures. Although the mechanism of degenerative changes has become better understood due to the plethora of biochemical and genetic studies, the drug that could stop the degenerative cascade is still unknown. All available forms of OA therapy are based on symptomatic treatment.
  • 622
  • 23 Feb 2022
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Primary Chondroprogenitors: Standardized & Versatile Allogeneic Cytotherapeutics
Primary chondroprogenitors obtained from standardized cell sources (e.g., FE002 clinical grade cell sources) may be cultured in vitro and may be cytotherapeutically applied in allogeneic musculoskeletal regenerative medicine. Multicentric translational research on FE002 human primary chondroprogenitors under the Swiss progenitor cell transplantation program has notably validated their robustness and high versatility for therapeutic formulation in clinically compatible prototypes, as well as a good safety profile in diverse in vivo preclinical models. Therein, stringently controlled primary cell source establishment and extensive cell manufacturing optimization have technically confirmed the adequation of FE002 primary chondroprogenitors with standard industrial biotechnology workflows for consistent diploid cell biobanking under GMP. Laboratory characterization studies and extensive qualification work on FE002 progenitor cell sources have elucidated the key and critical attributes of the cellular materials of interest for potential and diversified human cytotherapeutic uses. Multiple formulation studies (i.e., hydrogel-based standardized transplants, polymeric-scaffold-based tissue engineering products) have shown the high versatility of FE002 primary chondroprogenitors, for the obtention of functional allogeneic cytotherapeutics. Multiple in vivo preclinical studies (e.g., rodent models, GLP goat model) have robustly documented the safety of FE002 primary chondroprogenitors following implantation. Clinically, FE002 primary chondroprogenitors may potentially be used in various forms for volumetric tissue replacement (e.g., treatment of large chondral/osteochondral defects of the knee) or for the local management of chondral affections and pathologies (i.e., injection use in mild to moderate osteoarthritis cases). Overall, standardized FE002 primary chondroprogenitors as investigated under the Swiss progenitor cell transplantation program were shown to constitute tangible contenders in novel human musculoskeletal regenerative medicine approaches, for versatile and safe allogeneic clinical cytotherapeutic management. 
  • 612
  • 22 May 2023
Topic Review
Skeletal Fluorosis
Fluorine is widely dispersed in nature and has multiple physiological functions. Although it is usually regarded as an essential trace element for humans, this view is not held universally. Moreover, chronic fluorosis, mainly characterized by skeletal fluorosis, can be induced by long-term excessive fluoride consumption. High concentrations of fluoride in the environment and drinking water are major causes, and patients with skeletal fluorosis mainly present with symptoms of osteosclerosis, osteochondrosis, osteoporosis, and degenerative changes in joint cartilage. Etiologies for skeletal fluorosis have been established, but the specific pathogenesis is inconclusive. Currently, active osteogenesis and accelerated bone turnover are considered critical processes in the progression of skeletal fluorosis. In recent years, researchers have conducted extensive studies in fields of signaling pathways (Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, PI3K/Akt/mTOR, Hedgehog, parathyroid hone, and insulin signaling pathways), stress pathways (oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways), epigenetics (DNA methylation and non-coding RNAs), and their inter-regulation involved in the pathogenesis of skeletal fluorosis.
  • 611
  • 11 Nov 2021
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