Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been the focus of an emerging treatment for osteoarthritis. However, few studies reported about outcomes of an intra‐articular injection of autologous adipose‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD‐MSCs). This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of a single intra‐articular injection of AD‐MSCs for patients with knee osteoarthritis. It was a prospective double‐blinded, randomized controlled, phase IIb clinical trial. AD‐MSCs were administered for 12 patients (MSC group), and the group was compared with 12 knees with injection of normal saline (control group) up to 6 months. All procedures were performed in the outpatient clinic. Primary outcome measure was the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) score. Secondary outcome measure included various clinical and radiologic examination, and safety after injection. Change of cartilage defect after injection was evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Single injection of AD‐MSCs led to a significant improvement of the WOMAC score at 6 months. In the control group, there was no significant change in the WOMAC score at 6 months. No serious adverse events were observed in both groups during the follow‐up period. In MRI, there was no significant change of cartilage defect at 6 months in MSC group whereas the defect in the control group was increased. An intra‐articular injection of autologous AD‐MSCs provided satisfactory functional improvement and pain relief for patients with knee osteoarthritis in the outpatient setting, without causing adverse events at 6 months' follow‐up. Larger sample size and long‐term follow‐up are required. stem cells translational medicine 2019;8:504–511

The plasma jet has been proposed as a novel therapeutic method for anticancer treatment. However, its biological effects and mechanism of action remain elusive. Here, we investigated its cell death effects and underlying molecular mechanisms, using air and N2 plasma jets from a micro nozzle array. Treatment with air or N2 plasma jets caused apoptotic death in human cervical cancer HeLa cells, simultaneously with depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential. In addition, the plasma jets were able to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), which function as surrogate apoptotic signals by targeting the mitochondrial membrane potential. Antioxidants or caspase inhibitors ameliorated the apoptotic cell death induced by the air and N2 plasma jets, suggesting that the plasma jet may generate ROS as a proapoptotic cue, thus initiating mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. Taken together, our data suggest the potential employment of plasma jets as a novel therapy for cancer.

The plasma jet has been proposed as a novel therapeutic method for cancer. Anticancer activity of plasma has been reported to involve mitochondrial dysfunction. However, what constituents generated by plasma is linked to this anticancer process and its mechanism of action remain unclear. Here, we report that the therapeutic effects of air plasma result from generation of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) including H2O2, Ox, OH−, •O2, NOx, leading to depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial ROS accumulation. Simultaneously, ROS/RNS activate c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) and p38 kinase. As a consequence, treatment with air plasma jets induces apoptotic death in human cervical cancer HeLa cells. Pretreatment of the cells with antioxidants, JNK and p38 inhibitors, or JNK and p38 siRNA abrogates the depolarization of mitochondrial membrane potential and impairs the air plasma-induced apoptotic cell death, suggesting that the ROS/RNS generated by plasma trigger signaling pathways involving JNK and p38 and promote mitochondrial perturbation, leading to apoptosis. Therefore, administration of air plasma may be a feasible strategy to eliminate cancer cells.

Bone contusions were prevalent in patients with ACL ruptures, and injuries of the menisci and the MCL tended to increase with the progression of bone contusion. The contrecoup mechanism of bone contusion on the medial compartment resulting from an ACL injury was supported. These results suggest that a higher-energy injury led to a more extensive bone contusion and a greater prevalence of associated injury of other anatomic structures in the knee.

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Therapeutic study, level V (expert opinion). See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

In patients with large rotator cuff tears, it was possible to predict the retear before rotator cuff repair regardless of intraoperative factors. The retear could be predicted most effectively when the occupation ratio of supraspinatus was <43% or the fatty infiltration of infraspinatus was grade ≥2. Predicting retear preoperatively may help surgeons determine proper treatment and predict the postoperative prognosis.

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