Amyloid fibril-based thixotropic hydrogels for modeling of tumor spheroids in vitro.

Biomaterials mimicking extracellular matrices (ECM) for three-dimensional (3D) cultures have gained immense interest in tumor modeling and in vitro organ development. Here, we introduce a new class of amyloid fibril-based peptide hydrogels as a versatile biomimetic ECM scaffold for 3D cell culture and homogenous tumor spheroid modeling. We show that these amyloid fibril-based hydrogels are thixotropic and allow cancer cell adhesion, proliferation, and migration. All seven designed hydrogels support 3D cell culture with five different cancer cell lines forming spheroid with necrotic core and upregulation of the cancer biomarkers. We further developed the homogenous, single spheroid using the drop cast method and the data suggest that all hydrogels support the tumor spheroid formation but with different necrotic core diameters. The detailed gene expression analysis of MCF7 spheroid by microarray suggested the involvement of pro-oncogenes and significant regulatory pathways responsible for tumor spheroid formation. Further, using breast tumor tissue from a mouse xenograft model, we show that selected amyloid hydrogels support the formation of tumor spheroids with a well-defined necrotic core, cancer-associated gene expression, higher drug resistance, and tumor heterogeneity reminiscent of the original tumor. Altogether, we have developed an easy-to-use, rapid, cost-effective, and scalable platform for generating in vitro cancer models for the screening of anti-cancer therapeutics and developing personalized medicine.

A comparative study of non-operative and operative management in fracture clavicle.

The clavicle fractures managed non-operatively have shown a high prevalence of symptomatic malunion and non-union. We sought to compare patient-oriented outcome and complication rates following non-operative treatment and those after operative treatment of clavicular fractures. In a prospective randomised study, 30 patients with 30 clavicle fractures were randomised by systemic allocation to either operative treatment or non-operative treatment. Fifteen patients were in each group. Outcome analysis included standard clinical follow-up and the disability of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) score, and plain radiographs. The mean follow-up of both groups were 12.56 months. DASH scores were significantly improved in the operative fixation group at all time-points. The mean time to radiographic union was 27.46 weeks in the non-operative group compared with 15.73 weeks in the operative group (p = 0.000). There were no non-unions in both groups. Symptomatic malunion developed in seven patients (46.66%) in the non-operative group and in none in the operative group. The complications in the operative group were hardware-irritation (one case) and incisional numbness (one case). At final follow-up, the patients in the operative group were more satisfied with the appearance of the shoulder (p = 0.039) and with the shoulder in general than were those in the non-operative group. There were no differences between the two groups with respect to patient age, sex, side of injury or associated injuries. Operative fixation of AO type B2 clavicular fracture results in improved functional outcome and early union compared with non-operative treatment at one year of follow-up. This study supports primary operative fixation of completely displaced mid shaft clavicular fractures in active adult patients.

Transportal versus transtibial drilling technique of creating femoral tunnel in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using hamstring tendon autograft.

Drilling of femoral tunnel by transtibial technique is widely used in arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Recent studies suggest in this technique graft is placed in non-anatomical position leading to instability. If the femoral tunnel is drilled through an anteromedial portal (transportal technique), graft can be placed more anatomically leading to better knee stability theoratically. The purpose of this study is to compare the clinical outcome of transtibial technique and transportal technique for drilling of femoral tunnel in arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using hamstring tendon autograft. All patients operated between January 2009 and September 2011 were approached for eligibility. Blinded assessment of IKDC score, Lachman test, pivot shift test, time of recovery from surgery were obtained from both the transtibial and transportal groups. The transportal group shows significantly better IKDC score, higher anteroposterior knee stability by Lachman test and lower recovery time from surgery.

An evaluation of operative management of displaced volar Barton's fractures using volar locking plate.

Volar Barton's fractures are common but more convincing treatment methods are still controversial. Malunion can cause serious disability. Twenty-six consecutive patients were treated with open reduction Internal fixation using volar locking plate. Records of 21 cases were available for follow-up for a mean period of 18 months (range 12-34 months). All 21 fractures healed within 8 to 14 weeks (mean 9.3 weeks). The wrist function was satisfactory in 90.4% cases (19 out of 21 patients). This surgical technique can provide high success rate. Locking plate has better efficacy in terms of immediate stability, maintaining anatomic reduction and early mobilisation.

Displaced middle-third fractures of the clavicle-operative management.

Displaced midclavicular fractures resulting in malunion with shortening and rotational deformity does not remodel in adults and incidence of non-union in displaced midshaft clavicular fractures is between 10-15% especially in those with an initial shortening of >20 mm.We have treated 10 patients of displaced middle-third clavicle fracture by open reduction and internal fixation with plate and screws and found it to be very effective in respect to rehabilitation, union and cosmesis.