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Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) of the knee is a subchondral bone abnormality that results in the separation of the articular cartilage and bone with subsequent progression to osteoarthritis. Unstable OCD lesions should undergo fixation to preserve the natural contour of the articular surface. Although several fixation procedures have been reported, the appropriate procedure remains unknown. Because the bony portion of the OCD lesion is usually thin, it is difficult to fix firmly with conventional methods. We began fixing OCD lesions with knotless PushLock anchors and sutures and have obtained satisfactory results. This report describes this fixation method that uses the PushLock suture anchor to treat unstable OCD lesions. This procedure also can be applied for traumatic osteochondral fractures.

High-fat diet (HFD) is associated with impairment of insulin sensitivity. We investigated the effects of Bangle (Zingiber purpureum) extract (Ba) with exercise training (Ex) on phosphorylation of Akt and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and autophagy flux in the gastrocnemius (GM) of HFD-fed rats. The rats, on a diet providing 45% of energy from fat, were divided into four groups: untreated (HFD), 1.5% Ba-treated (HFD + Ba), 1.5% Ba with Ex-treated (HFD + Ba + Ex), and Ex-treated (HFD + Ex) groups. The controls were fed a normal diet. The homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance index and non-esterified fatty acid levels were decreased in the HFD + Ba + Ex. The HFD + Ba + Ex showed decreased phosphorylated Akt and mTOR levels, and increased levels of autophagy flux markers, LC3B-II and Beclin 1, compared to the HFD. In conclusion, the combination of Ba and Ex modulates Akt/mTOR phosphorylation and the autophagy flux in the GM and may attenuate insulin resistance induced by a HFD.

Preventing lifestyle-related diseases requires understanding and managing the intake of total fats and specific types of fatty acids, especially trans fatty acids. There are several methods for measuring fat intake, each with its own strengths and limitations. Guidelines for nutritional epidemiology studies recommend employing objective biomarkers. This study aimed to estimate fatty acid intake based on serum fatty acid levels using multiple regression analysis and a machine learning technique, and to compare their accuracy. The subjects were healthy women aged 18 to 64 living in Toyama, Japan. A dietary survey to determine fatty acid intake was conducted using a 3-day dietary record completed by the participant. Blood samples were collected after an overnight fast, and serum was obtained through centrifugation. A total of 300 women participated in the study. The fatty acid levels in serum were determined using gas chromatography with a capillary column. Using multiple regression analysis and neural networks, the intakes of saturated, monounsaturated, n-6 polyunsaturated, n-3 polyunsaturated, and trans fatty acids from serum fatty acid levels were predicted. Significant correlations were observed between the intakes of the five classified fatty acids and the predicted intakes obtained from the multiple regression analysis (r = 0.39 - 0.49, p < 0.01). Significant correlations were also observed between the five classified fatty acid intakes and the intakes predicted by the neural network (r = 0.52 - 0.79, p < 0.01), and the correlation coefficient showed a significantly higher value than that predicted by the multiple regression analysis. These results suggest that serum fatty acid levels may be used as biomarkers to estimate the intake of fatty acids, including that of trans fatty acids, and that machine learning may be able to predict fatty acid intake with higher accuracy than multiple regression analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]