The joints were evaluated macroscopically. Implant osseointegration was measured by automated histomorphometry, and cartilage repair (after microfracture) was scored histologically. Cartilage quality was analyzed macroscopically and histologically. Glycosaminoglycan content and release were measured by alcian blue assay, and the synthesis and release of newly formed glycosaminoglycans were measured by liquid scintillation analysis of the incorporation of (35)SO(4)(2-) in tissue and medium.
Results: The mean bone-implant contact (and standard error) was appropriate (14.6%+/- 5.4%), and the amount of bone surrounding
the implantwas extensive (mean, 40.3%+/- 4.0%). The healing of the microfracture-treated defects was extensive, although not complete (mean, 18.38 +/- 0.43 Selleckchem AZ 628 points of a maximum possible score of 24 points). The macroscopic cartilage evaluation did not show any significant differences https://www.selleckchem.com/products/BIBF1120.html between the treatments. On histologic
evaluation, the cartilage of the medial tibial plateau articulating directly against the treated defects demonstrated significantly more degeneration in the microfracture-treated knees than in the implant-treated knees (p < 0.05). This was in accordance with a significantly higher glycosaminoglycan content, higher synthetic activity, and decreased glycosaminoglycan release of the medial tibial plateau cartilage of the implant-treated knees (p < 0.05 for all). On histological analysis, degeneration was also found in the cartilage of the lateral tibial plateau and condyle, but no significant difference was found between the treatments.
Conclusions: Both microfracture and the use of implants as a treatment for established localized cartilage defects in the medial femoral condyle caused considerable (p < 0.05) degeneration of the directly articulating cartilage as well GSK461364 concentration as in more remote sites in the knee. However,
in the medial tibial plateau, the metal implants caused less damage than the microfiracture technique.
Clinical Relevance: Although this study shows that small metal implants may be more suitable than microfracture in the treatment of localized cartilage defects in the knee, the generalized degeneration found following both treatments should be addressed first.”
“BACKGROUND: Reliable surveillance is essential for any tuberculosis (TB) control programme; however, under-registration of TB cases due to under-notification of patients on treatment or failure to initiate treatment has been well-documented internationally.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the contribution of capture-recapture methods in estimating the completeness of bacteriologically confirmed pulmonary TB registration in two high-incident communities in South Africa.
METHODS: Record linkage between the TB treatment register and two laboratory sputum TB result registers and three-source log-linear capture-recapture analysis.