Purpose Although a large number of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions are performed annually, there remains a considerable amount of controversy over whether an autograft or an allograft should be used. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the clinical outcomes of allograft and autograft in primary ACL reconstruction. Methods The authors systematically searched electronic databases to identify prospective studies which compared allografts with autografts for primary ACL reconstruction. The results of the eligible studies were analysed in terms of instrumented laxity measurements, Lachman test, Pivot Shift test, objective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) Scores, Lysholm Scores, Tegner Scores, and clinical failures. Study quality was assessed and relevant data were extracted independently by two reviewers. A random effect model was used to pool the data. Statistical heterogeneity between trials was evaluated by the chi-square and I-square tests. Results Nine studies, with 410 patients in the autograft and 408 patients in the allograft group, met the inclusion criteria. Five studies compared bone-patellar tendon-bone (BPTB) grafts, and four compared soft-tissue grafts. Four studies were randomized controlled trials, and five were prospective cohort studies. The results of the meta-analysis showed that there were no significant differences between allograft and autograft on all the outcomes in terms of instrumented laxity measurements (P 00.59), Lachman test (P 00.41), Pivot

The findings of the study may help optimize the initiation timing of LIPUS for T-B healing.

These results demonstrate the feasibility of using CMFs for stimulating bone-tendon healing after repair.

Systematic review, Level IV.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of selenium (Se), polysaccharide of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. (PAMK), and the combination of Se and PAMK on the immune response, heat shock protein (HSP) levels under heat stress (HS) condition in chicken spleen. Two hundred chickens were randomly divided into two groups, the HS group and the control (Con) group. Then these chickens were treated with Se (0.3 mg/kg), PAMK (200 mg/kg) alone, and the combination of Se (0.3 mg/kg) and PAMK (200 mg/kg). The antioxidative enzymes, cytokines contents, and expression levels of HSP27 and HSP70 were examined in chicken spleen. The results indicated that HS induced higher levels of TNF-α, IL-4, HSP27, HSP70, and MDA levels but lower level of IFN-γ, IL-2, Gpx, and SOD in spleen (P < 0.05). These responses were ameliorated by the treatment of Se, PAMK alone, and the combination of Se and PAMK (P < 0.05 or not) The results showed that under common condition, Se and PAMK could improve the immune response by enhancing the levels of some cytokines to proper levels; however, under HS condition, Se and PAMK could change the abnormal levels of cytokines and oxidative damages to ameliorate the injury induced by HS. In addition, there existed synergistic effect on the modulation of these biomarkers in chicken spleen between Se and PAMK. So both Se and PAMK play important roles in regulating the immune function in chicken. Considering the synergistic effect on immune regulation of PAMK, this herb deserves further investigation to evaluate its role in improving the effect of traditional immune regulators.

The objective of this study was to elucidate the combined use of low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) and functional electrical stimulation (FES) on patella-patellar tendon (PPT) junction healing using a partial patellectomy model in rabbits. LIPUS was delivered continuously starting day 3 postoperative until week 6. FES was applied on quadriceps muscles to induce tensile force to the repaired PPT junction 5 days per week for 6 weeks since week 7 postoperatively. Forty rabbits with partial patellectomy were randomly divided into four groups: control, LIPUS alone, FES alone, and LIPUS þ FES groups. At week 12, the PPT complexes were harvested for histology, radiographs, peripheral quantitative computed tomography, and biomechanical testing. There was better remodeling of newly formed bone and fibrocartilage zone in the three treatment groups compared with the control group. LIPUS and/or FES treatments significantly increased the area and bone mineral content of new bone. The failure load and ultimate strength of PPT complex were also highly improved in the three treatment groups. More new bone formed and higher tensile properties were showed in the LIPUS þ FES group compared with the LIPUS or FES alone groups. Early LIPUS treatment and later FES treatment showed the additive effects of accelerating PPT junction healing. ß

Background Monosodium urate (MSU) crystals‐induced inflammation is a key initiator in gouty arthritis. Curcumin is an active ingredient possessing anti‐inflammatory efficacy. But the underlying mechanism is not fully understood and its effect on gouty arthritis remains elusive. Methods We evaluated the effects of curcumin on cell viability in primary rat abdominal macrophages with 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT). Then supernatants of MSU crystals–stimulated cells were collected and subjected to enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay for checking the modulation of curcumin on interleukin (IL)‐1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α. Meanwhile, cells were analyzed by using Western blot analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR) to investigate the effects of curcumin on Nod‐like receptor 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome/nuclear factor‐kappa B (NF‐κB) signaling. We also investigated the in vivo efficacy of curcumin with MSU‐induced gouty arthritis rat models. Results Curcumin could reduce MSU crystals‐induced IL‐1β and TNF‐α in vitro. Western blot analysis and QPCR results revealed that curcumin regulated the production of these cytokines by suppressing the expression of inflammasome key components, including NLRP3, caspase‐1. Further studies showed that the suppressive efficacy of curcumin on inflammasome was mediated by inhibiting MSU‐induced NF‐κB signaling activation. Intraperitoneal administration of curcumin could ameliorate symptoms of MSU‐induced gouty arthritis, including the joint circumference, infiltration of neutrophils in knee joints, and production of IL‐1β, TNF‐α, and elastase. Western blot analysis revealed that the levels of NLRP3, procaspase‐1, caspase‐1, pro‐IL‐1β, and IL‐1β were downregulated by curcumin in vivo. Conclusions These results indicated that curcumin could effectively ameliorate MSU crystal‐induced gouty arthritis through NLRP3 inflammasome mediation via inhibiting NF‐κB signaling both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting a promising active ingredient for the prevention and treatment of gouty arthritis.

The antioxidant effect of salidroside has been proven, but its role in liver injury is poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the protective effects and mechanism of salidroside on liver injury induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) in vivo. Mice were pretreated with salidroside (60 mg/kg, intraperitoneally injected, i.p.) once per day for 14 consecutive days and then administered with CCl4 (15.95 g/kg, i.p.) for 24 h to produce a liver injury model. Salidroside attenuated hepatic transaminase elevation in serum and ameliorated liver steatosis and necrosis, thereby suggesting its protective effect on the liver. Salidroside antagonized CCl4-induced toxicity by equilibrating antioxidation system, thereby inhibiting reactive oxygen species accumulation, and restoring mitochondrial structure and function. Salidroside exerts antioxidant and liver-protective effects by selectively inhibiting the activation of genes, including growth arrest and DNA -damage-inducible 45 α (Gadd45a), mitogen-activated protein kinase 7 (Mapk7), and related RAS viral oncogene homolog 2 (Rras2), which induce oxidative stress in the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway. These results revealed that salidroside can protect the liver from CCl4-induced injury by resisting oxidative stress and protecting mitochondrial function.