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Biomedical subjects

C K Ng

Publications and source records attributed to C K Ng.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2005

Benign metastasising leiomyoma: a rare but possible cause of bilateral pulmonary nodules in Chinese patients.

We report three cases of benign metastasising leiomyoma, which is a rare cause of multiple lung nodules, in three Hong Kong Chinese females. One patient presented with pleuritic chest pain, another was asymptomatic, while the last presented with haemoptysis. All three patients had previously undergone surgical resection of uterine leiomyomas. Multiple lung nodules mimicking lung metastases were demonstrated on chest radiographs, and all three diagnoses were obtained from lung biopsies. Hormonal therapy was given to two patients with variable responses. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of benign metastasising leiomyoma in Hong Kong Chinese population. It highlights the importance of considering this rare and benign disease in premenopausal females presenting with multiple lung nodules.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Postoperative atrial fibrillation independently predicts prolongation of hospital stay after cardiac surgery.

AIM: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs in up to 50% of cardiac surgery patients and represents the most common postoperative arrhythmic complication. A reduction of the length of hospital stay is a desirable goal in preventive strategies of postoperative AF. The aim of the present investigation was to determine whether prolonged postoperative hospital stay associated with AF after cardiac surgery surgery is attributable to the arrhythmia itself or to baseline characteristics of patients who develop AF. METHODS: Patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery in the absence of heart failure and significant left ventricular dysfunction (n = 253; average age 65+/-11 years) were recruited to the present prospective study. Midline sternotomy procedures with standard surgical techniques for normothermic cardiopulmonary bypass in coronary artery bypass grafting and valvular surgery were used. RESULTS: A total of 99 patients (39.1%) of the study population developed AF during the postoperative period. AF patients were older and more likely to have surgery for valvular heart disease and less likely to have antiarrhythmic drugs including beta-adrenergic blockers than patients without AF, but both patients with and without AF had similar body mass index and duration of surgery. Postoperative hospital stays were longer in patients with AF compared to those without AF (14.9+/-5.7 vs 10.6+/-3.6, respectively; P = 0.001). Multivariate analysis, adjusted for age and postoperative complications, demonstrated that postoperative hospital stay was 14.2+/-5.3 days in patients with AF and 10.8+/-3.8 days in patients without AF (P < 0.01). Treatment with oral antiarrhythmic drugs that reduce AF is associated with a reduction of postoperative hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Despite baseline characteristics differed between patients with and without postoperative AF, most of the prolongation of hospital stay can be attributed to the rhythm disturbance itself.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2004

The spectrum of pathological changes in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

AIMS: To analyse the lung pathology of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and correlate the findings with the time sequence of the disease. METHODS AND RESULTS: Ten patients with a clinical diagnosis of SARS, and virological confirmation of SARS coronavirus infection were identified. Histology in most cases showed diffuse alveolar damage, from early to late phases, and the changes corresponded to the time sequence. Other variable features include multinucleated giant cells, pneumocytes with cytomegaly and variable amounts of inflammatory cells and foamy macrophages. One case showed superimposed bronchopneumonia. No viral inclusions were found. Coronavirus particles were identified in pneumocytes by electron microscopy. CONCLUSIONS: The predominant pathological process of SARS is diffuse alveolar damage and, in patients who die from the disease, there is evidence of organization and fibrosis. There are apparently no histological features specific for this disease, and the aetiological diagnosis depends on virological and ultrastructural studies.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Six month radiological and physiological outcomes in severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) survivors.

BACKGROUND: The long term physiological and radiological outcomes of SARS survivors and their possible determinants are uncertain. METHODS: SARS survivors in a follow up clinic in a regional hospital underwent high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the thorax and lung function tests 6 months after admission to hospital. The associations between the clinical and demographic data of the patients and the physiological and radiological outcomes were examined. RESULTS: Fifty seven patients took part in the study. Lung function abnormalities were detected in 43 patients (75.4%), with restrictive defects (n = 16) being most common (28.1%). Radiological abnormalities of any degree were detected in 43 patients (75.4%). Only the use of pulse corticosteroids was associated with the presence of CT abnormalities (p = 0.043, OR 6.65, 95% CI 1.06 to 41.73). CONCLUSIONS: Physiological and radiological abnormalities are still present in a considerable proportion of SARS survivors at 6 months.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Antiarrhythmic therapy on prevention of postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients after heart surgery.

The incidence of supraventricular arrhythmias is high following open-heart surgery, occurring in 25% to about 50% of patients. The most common of these arrhythmias is atrial fibrillation (AF). Postoperative AF has been associated with increased incidence of other complications and increased hospital length of stay. Atrial arrhythmias are most frequent in the first two to three days after cardiothoracic surgery, but they can occur at any point in the recovery period. Age and concomitant valular heart disease are consistently the independent factors most strongly associated with postoperative atrial fibrillation. Prevention of AF seems to be a reasonable clinical goal, and, consequently, many randomized trials have evaluated the effectiveness of pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions for prevention of AF. The main indication for AF prophylaxis remains the shorteningof length of hospital stay and possibly reduction in stroke. The optimal treatment strategies for reducing postoperative AF are not well established. Commonly used therapeutic approaches include the use of rate-controlling drugs such as beta-blockers, calcium antagonists, and digoxin. Some pharmacological strategies including beta-blockers, sotalol, and amiodarone have shown to reduce risk of postoperative AF and may reduce length of hospital stay. There is no convincing evidence that reducing postoperative AF reduces stroke. This review summarizes current evidence from randomized controlled trials to estimate the effect of pharmacological and non pharmacologic interventions on the occurrence of AF after open-heart surgery and its effects on postoperative outcome.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Short term outcome and risk factors for adverse clinical outcomes in adults with severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

BACKGROUND: Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) was diagnosed in Hong Kong in over 1700 patients between March and early June 2003. METHODS: 115 patients diagnosed with SARS were admitted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital, a large regional hospital in Hong Kong, from March 2003, of whom 100 were either discharged or were dead at 31 May. The patients were prospectively studied after admission to assess their short term outcomes and the risk factors associated with adverse outcomes, defined as death or the need for mechanical ventilation RESULTS: At the time of writing 18 patients had died, with a crude mortality rate of 15.7% and a 21 day mortality of 10% (standard error 3%). Thirty nine patients (34%) were admitted to the intensive care unit, 30 of whom (26%) required mechanical ventilation. Multivariate analysis showed that age above 60 (hazards ratio (HR) 3.5, 95% CI 1.2 to 10.2; p=0.02), presence of diabetes mellitus or heart disease (HR 9.1, 95% CI 2.8 to 29.1; p<0.001), and the presence of other comorbid conditions (HR 5.2, 95% CI 1.4 to 19.7; p=0.01) were independently associated with mortality. However, only the presence of diabetes mellitus and/or cardiac disease (HR 7.3, 95% CI 3.1 to 17.4; p<0.001) was associated with adverse outcomes as a whole. CONCLUSION: SARS is a new disease entity that carries significant morbidity and mortality. Specific clinical and laboratory parameters predicting unfavourable outcomes have been identified.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Outcome of percutaneous nephrostomy for the management of pyonephrosis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) drainage for the interim management of pyonephrosis. METHODS: Ninety-two consecutive patients [29 men, 63 women; mean age, 57 years; range, 23 to 88] who underwent PCN for the treatment of pyonephrosis from 1996 to 1999 were evaluated retrospectively. The clinical presentation, bacteriology and patient outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: The majority [77%] of patients had underlying obstructing urinary calculi. Other causes of obstruction included strictures [9%], papillary necrosis [7%], pelvi-ureteric junction obstruction [4%] and malignant stricture [3%]. The microorganisms cultured were Escherichia coli [30%], Klebsiella [19%], Proteus [8%], Pseudomonas [5%], Enterococcus [5%], and Candida spp [5%]. The microorganisms were sensitive to gentamicin [79%], ceftriaxone [71%], cephalexin [54%], nitrofurantoin [40%], cotrimoxazole [35%], nalidixic acid [32%] and ampicillin [29%]. Only 30% of bladder urine cultures were positive for microorganisms; the addition of PCN cultures improved this yield to 58%. The antibiotic regimen was revised according to the PCN culture whenever there was a discrepancy. After PCN, 69% of patients underwent minimally invasive procedures as definitive treatment of the obstructing lesion. Only 14% of patients required open surgery. There was low procedure-related morbidity [14%] and low overall mortality [2%]. CONCLUSIONS: PCN cultures yield important bacteriological information. The procedure is associated with minimal morbidity, facilitates definitive treatment and provides therapeutic benefit.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Single centre review of radiologically-guided percutaneous nephrostomies: a report of 273 procedures.

INTRODUCTION: To evaluate the technical success and complications associated with radiologically-guided percutaneous nephrostomies (PCNs) in a single centre. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 273 PCNs performed in 190 patients in our hospital over a 3-year period from January 1997 to December 1999 were retrospectively reviewed. The study population consisted of 97 males and 93 females, ranging in age from 13 to 91 years. The main indications were urinary obstruction (77.7%), pyonephrosis (18.3%) and urinary diversion (4%). Demographic variables, technical and risk factors related to the procedure, complications, effect on urine cultures and body temperature; and subsequent patient management were examined. RESULTS: The technical success rate was 99%. The 30-day mortality was 7.2%, none of which were procedure related. Haemorrhage requiring transfusion occurred in 4.3% while septicaemia affected 3.2% of patients. Drainage catheter complications included catheter dislodgement and blockage which were 11.9% and 4.1%, respectively. Thirty-one per cent of PCNs subsequently underwent ureteric stenting as the definitive treatment modality. CONCLUSION: Radiologically-guided PCN is a safe procedure with a high technical success rate.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Drought-induced guard cell signal transduction involves sphingosine-1-phosphate.

Stomata form pores on leaf surfaces that regulate the uptake of CO2 for photosynthesis and the loss of water vapour during transpiration. An increase in the cytosolic concentration of free calcium ions ([Ca2+]cyt) is a common intermediate in many of the pathways leading to either opening or closure of the stomatal pore. This observation has prompted investigations into how specificity is controlled in calcium-based signalling systems in plants. One possible explanation is that each stimulus generates a unique increase in [Ca2+]cyt, or 'calcium signature', that dictates the outcome of the final response. It has been suggested that the key to generating a calcium signature, and hence to understanding how specificity is controlled, is the ability to access differentially the cellular machinery controlling calcium influx and release from internal stores. Here we report that sphingosine-1-phosphate is a new calcium-mobilizing molecule in plants. We show that after drought treatment sphingosine-1-phosphate levels increase, and we present evidence that this molecule is involved in the signal-transduction pathway linking the perception of abscisic acid to reductions in guard cell turgor.

Abscisic Acid↗
PubMed2001

Purification and in vitro folding of recombinant human thrombopoietin receptor expressed in Escherichia coli.

Thrombopoietin receptor (TPOR) is a member of the cytokine receptor superfamily expressed primarily on hematopoietic cells. TPOR plays an important role in regulating platelet production. Due to its low expression level in human tissue, studies on the biochemical and biophysical properties of TPOR have been limited. In the present study, an extracellular domain of recombinant human TPOR (rh TPOR-EN) was expressed in Escherichia coli as inclusion bodies. Purification was achieved by metal chelated chromatography under denaturing condition and was refolded by gel filtration chromatography. Far UV circular dichroism spectroscopy and surface plasmon resonance experiments were performed to demonstrate that the protein was in a refolded state and could bind with its ligand. Thus, a production and purification scheme was developed by which sufficient quantities of rh TPOR-EN can be made available for biochemical and biophysical characterizations.

Binding Sites↗
PubMed2001

Valvuloplasty with glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium in patients with complex mitral valve pathology.

BACKGROUND: Severe mitral regurgitation associated with complex mitral valve disease often precludes successful surgical repair. The feasibility and the results of valvuloplasty with glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium remain largely unknown. METHODS: The cases of 63 patients who underwent operation within an 11-year period were studied. A pretreated autologous pericardial patch was used for leaflet extension plasty, for paracommissural plasty, as a substitute for part of the leaflet, and for reimplantation of ruptured papillary muscles to eliminate severe mitral regurgitation. Patients with a severely calcified annulus after en bloc decalcification had straddling endoventricular pericardial patch annuloplasty for reconstruction of the affected atrioventricular groove. Chordal replacement with a strip of pericardium was chosen if no suitable chordae were available. Pericardium-reinforced suture annuloplasty was used in patients with acute endocarditis resistant to medical therapy. Associated valvuloplasty procedures with Carpentier techniques were also employed. RESULTS: There were no operative deaths in this series. At a mean follow-up of 61.1 months (range, 4 to 132 months), mitral regurgitation was absent or trivial in 92.1% of patients by echocardiography. Freedom from reoperation was 95.2% at 1 year and 5 years. Thromboembolic events have not been detected. Thirty percent of patients returned to sinus rhythm. Two patients required valve replacement. CONCLUSIONS: Our beneficial results indicate that glutaraldehyde-treated autologous pericardium is suitable for valvuloplasty. It provides durable and predictable repair of valves that might otherwise need to be replaced because of the complex mitral valve disease. The technique is reliable, allows further efficacious repair possibilities, and improves postoperative outcomes. Whether it can prevent late deterioration and calcification requires more investigation.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Impairment of endothelial function--a possible mechanism for atherosclerosis of a high-fat meal intake.

INTRODUCTION: Endothelial dysfunction is known to occur in patients with coronary artery disease. Flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery using Doppler ultrasound is a non-invasive technique for the assessment of endothelial function. The objective of the study was to use the above method to evaluate the pathophysiology of high-fat (HF) intake on endothelial function in a local population. A popular local dish "nasi-lemak", a source of high saturated fat content from coconut milk, was chosen to represent a local high-fat meal (LHF). In addition, the effects of a Western high-fat (WHF) ("McDonald's") meal and a low-fat (LF) meal control on endothelial function were studied. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study population consisted of 10 healthy male non-smoker (mean age 22 +/- 2 years) with normal body mass index, normal fasting sugar and lipid profiles. Nitric oxide dependent flow-mediated dilation and nitric oxide independent (GTN) dilation was assessed by Doppler flow in the brachial artery before and 4 hours after each meal on separate occasions by 2 experienced sonographers blinded to the type of meals. RESULTS: The baseline brachial artery size, baseline vessel flow and increase in flow after cuff deflation were similar for each of the six arterial studies. In response to reactive hyperaemia after cuff deflation, the endothelium-dependent dilation was significantly different between the meals. There was a marked decrease in endothelium-dependent dilation after the WHF meal compared to the LF meal (8.6 +/- 2.2% vs. -0.8 +/- 1.1%, P < 0.006). There was also a marked decrease in endothelium-dependent dilation after the LHF meal compared to the LF meal (7.7 +/- 2.1% vs. -0.8 +/- 1.1%, P < 0.001). When comparing between the two HF meals, the change in endothelium-dependent dilation was not significant (7.7 vs. 8.6%, P = 0.678). GTN-induced dilation was not significantly different before and after the LF, WHF or LHF (0.1 +/- 0.5% vs. 0.2 +/- 0.9% vs. 1.3 +/- 0.5%, P = 0.094). CONCLUSION: The results suggest that in a local population, impairment of endothelial function is a possible mechanism in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis from HF intake, beyond just affecting lipid levels. This effect is observed after both a LHF and a WHF meal intake. This technique to study endothelial function may be a useful non-invasive screening tool in the study of other HF diet choices and provides further information for the education of the influence of dietary choices on atherosclerosis.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Early investigation of silver-coated Silzone heart valves prosthesis in 126 patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Permanent silver (Silzone) coating of the sewing cuff of St. Jude Medical prosthetic heart valves may reduce the rate of prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE). However, the incidence of paravalvular leaks and stroke in patients after implantation of Silzone-coated heart valve prostheses is largely unknown. METHODS: Complications were analyzed among 126 consecutive patients (78 males, 48 females; mean age 64.7 years; range: 40-80 years) who received Silzone-coated prostheses at our institution between February 1998 and December 1999. Among patients, 94 had aortic valve replacement, 29 mitral valve replacement, and three had aortic and mitral valve replacement. Concomitant cardiac procedures (mainly coronary bypass) were performed in 47 patients (37.3%). RESULTS: Hospital mortality was 1.6% (2/126) and freedom from valve-related mortality 99.2+/-0.9%. Total follow up was 137.4 patient-years, and 98.4% complete. Strokes or transitory ischemic attacks (TIAs) occurred in four cases (two strokes, two TIAs; stroke rate 1.5%/year; 95% CI 0.4-2.6%/year; stroke+TIA rate 3%/year; 95% CI 0.4-5.25%/year). There was no case of prosthetic valve dysfunction or PVE. Freedom from reoperation due to procedure-associated complications was 97.6% (one aortic dissection, two major bleeds). Paravalvular leak was detected in 19 cases, and graded trivial or mild in 17 cases (11 grade 0-I, six grade I), and moderate in two cases (grade I-II in one, grade II in one). No patient needed reoperation due to paravalvular leak. Left ventricular (LV) function was normal in 80 cases, but was impaired mildly in 20 cases, moderately in 16, and severely in eight. Bicycle exercise testing in 92 patients (73%) showed median exercise performance (81.4+/-23.9% of normal) after correction for age and weight. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 64 patients (50.8%); median MRI score was 2.0+/-1.8 according to a 12-scaled score system. CONCLUSION: The overall incidence of echocardiographic paravalvular leak graded more than trivial or mild was low (1.6%) in patients followed for a mean of 1.1+/-0.5 years (range: 1-27 months) after valve replacement with Silzone-coated heart valve prostheses. No patient required reoperation due to paravalvular leak; moreover, the stroke rate (1.5%/year) was low in these patients. The present data indicated no significant disadvantages or higher rate of complications related to silver coating compared with other, non-silver-coated prostheses. Future investigation is needed to determine long-term outcome.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Persistent changes in myocardial glucose metabolism in vivo during reperfusion of a limited-duration coronary occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Rapid reperfusion of an occluded coronary artery salvages regional mechanical function, but this benefit may not be realized for hours or days because of postischemic stunning. Recovery from stunning is incompletely understood but may involve adaptive changes in heart glucose metabolism. METHODS AND RESULTS: To examine whether reversible coronary occlusion produces sustained changes in regional glucose metabolism in vivo, we performed a 20-minute left coronary artery occlusion followed by 24 hours of open-artery reperfusion in intact rats. Coronary occlusion produced stunning of the anterolateral left ventricle that resolved over 24 hours. When examined at 24 hours, reperfused regions were fully contractile and viable by vital staining and microscopy but demonstrated 25% reduction in blood flow and 50% increased uptake of circulating glucose, as estimated by in vivo [(13)N]NH(3) and [(18)F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) tracer uptake. Reperfused regions had largely inactive glycogen synthase, low rates of glycogen synthesis, and persistent 50% glycogen depletion but increased flux of plasma [1-(13)C]glucose into myocardial [3-(13)C]alanine, indicating preferential shunting of imported glucose away from storage and into glycolysis. CONCLUSIONS: Sustained increases in regional glycolytic consumption of circulating glucose occur during reperfusion of a limited-duration coronary occlusion. This suggests a role for glycolytic ATP in the recovery from postischemic stunning in vivo. Furthermore, [(13)N]NH(3) /FDG regional mismatch may constitute a clinically accessible late metabolic signature of regional myocardial ischemia.

Adenosine Triphosphate↗
PubMed2000

Valve repair in mitral regurgitation complicated by severe annulus calcification.

BACKGROUND: Valvuloplasty has significant advantages over valve replacement for mitral regurgitation, but the presence of severe calcification of the mitral valve apparatus has been thought to preclude successful valve reconstruction in general. The purpose of this report is to assess the results of valvuloplasty in patients with severe mitral regurgitation having extensive calcification extending from the mitral annulus to underlying myocardium and parts of the papillary muscles. METHODS: Thirty-seven adult patients with severe mitral regurgitation and calcification were operated on between April 1990 and January 1998. Twenty-six patients had degenerative disease, 4 had acute bacterial endocarditis, 6 had postrheumatic fever, and 1 patient had Marfan's disease. The valve repair comprised of en bloc decalcification with extensive leaflet debridement and reconstruction of the annulus. Autologous pericardium was used in patch-extended endocardial annuloplasty or leaflet repair. Valve competence was retained after correction of regurgitation by sliding atrioplasty, rotation paracommissural sliding plasty, cusp remodeling, or chordal repair. All patients required a prosthetic annuloplasty. RESULTS: Follow-up echocardiography at 47 months (range, 3 to 92 months) showed no or only trivial mitral regurgitation in 33 patients; 3 had grade I-II mitral regurgitation and 1 required valve replacement after 3 months. Freedom of reoperation at 1 and 5 years was 94.6%. At last examination, 33 patients were in New York Heart Association functional class I and 3 in class I-II; there has been no mortality and no thromboembolic events. CONCLUSIONS: Valvuloplasty can be safely and successfully carried out in patients suffering from regurgitation associated with severe calcification of the mitral apparatus. With encouraging beneficial midterm results, we suggest patients with calcified valves should not be excluded from mitral repair.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

PET quantification of 5-HT2A receptors in the human brain: a constant infusion paradigm with [18F]altanserin.

UNLABELLED: [18F]altanserin has been used to label serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, which are believed to be important in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and depression. The purpose of this study was to test the feasibility of a constant infusion paradigm for equilibrium modeling of [18F]altanserin with PET. Kinetic modeling with [18F]altanserin may be hampered by the presence of lipophilic radiometabolites observed in plasma after intravenous administration. METHODS: Eight healthy volunteers were injected with [18F]altanserin as a bolus (208+/-9 MBq [5.62+/-0.25 mCi]) plus constant infusion (65+/-3 MBq/h [1.76+/-0.08 mCi/h]) ranging from 555 to 626 min (615+/-24 min) after injection. PET acquisitions (10-20 min) and venous blood sampling were performed every 30-60 min throughout the infusion period. RESULTS: Linear regression analysis revealed that time-activity curves for both brain activity and plasma [18F]altanserin and metabolite concentrations stabilized after about 6 h. This permitted equilibrium modeling and estimation of V3' (ratio of specific uptake [cortical-cerebellar] to total plasma parent concentration after 6 h). Values of V3' ranged from 1.57+/-0.38 for anterior cingulate cortex to 1.02+/-0.39 for frontal cortex. The binding potential V3 (ratio of specific uptake to free plasma parent concentration after 6 h, using group mean f1) was also calculated and ranged from 169+/-41 for anterior cingulate cortex to 110+/-42 for frontal cortex. From 6 h onward, the rate of change for V3' and V3 was only 1.11+/-1.69 %/h. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrate the feasibility of equilibrium imaging with [18F]altanserin over more than 5 radioactive half-lives and suggest a method to overcome difficulties associated with lipophilic radiolabeled metabolites. The stability in V3 and V3' once equilibrium is achieved suggests that a single PET acquisition obtained at 6 h may provide a reasonable measure of 5-HT2A receptor density.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Inductive activity of recombinant human growth and differentiation factor-5.

Growth and differentiation factor-5 (GDF-5) is a divergent member of the transforming growth factor-beta/bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) superfamily that is required for proper skeletal patterning and development in the vertebrate limb. Based on the homology of GDF-5 with other bone-inducing BMP family members, the inductive activity of a recombinant form of human GDF-5 (rhGDF-5) was evaluated in a series of in vitro assays and in vivo bone-formation models. The in vitro response to rhGDF-5 resulted in the formation of chondrogenic nodules in fetal rat calvarial cells cultured in the context of collagen or collagen/hyaluronate extracellular matrices. Matrices loaded with rhGDF-5 induced ectopic cartilaginous and osseous tissue when implanted in subcutaneous or intramuscular sites. In non-human primate long-bone-defect and spinal-fusion models, rhGDF-5 combined with a mineralized collagen matrix induced bone formation in a manner equivalent to autogenous bone. These results highlight the unique potential of rhGDF-5 in a wide variety of orthopaedic applications.

Absorbable Implants↗