background: bone morphogenetic proteins (bmps) belong to the transforming growth factor-β (tgf-β) superfamily, and play an important role in bone metabolism. recombinant forms of bmp-2 and bmp-7 are the only bmps used clinically. in this study the mature part of human bone morphogenetic protein-7 (bmp-7) was engineered through substitution of the bmp-7 n-terminal sequence by heparin-binding sit...

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous small noncoding ~22-nt RNAs, which have been reported to play a crucial role in maintaining bone development and metabolism. Osteogenesis originates from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiating into mature osteoblasts and each period of bone formation is inseparable from the delicate regulation of various miRNAs. Of note, apprehending the sophisticated ci...

Heterotopic ossification is defined as the formation of mature, lamellar bone within soft tissues other than the periosteum. We present a case of a 9-year-old girl with formation of heterotopic bone tissue in the elbow after surgical treatment of a fracture of the lateral humeral condyle. Eight months after the first operation the girl was re-operated to resect the heterotopic bone tissue. We b...

Growth of mature B cells and their precursors from mouse bone marrow was maintained in culture for greater than 1 year. Feeder layers of adherent bone marrow cells, established in medium containing fetal calf serum and no exogenous steroids, were used to provide an in vitro environment that supported continuous growth and development of these cells. In such bone marrow cultures, the number of c...

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors are the most common primary mesenchymal tumors of the gastrointestinal tract accounting for 0.1%-3.0% of all gastrointestinal malignancies. The stomach is the most common site (60%) followed by the small bowel (30%-35%) particularly jejunum and ileum, colorectum (5%) and rarely affect esophagus and appendix. Most gastrointestinal stromal tumors arise sporadically...

The conversion of the reducible divalent cross-links in collagen to non-reducible multivalent cross-links in mature collagen has resulted in the identification of several new amino acids as the putative mature cross-link. None of these compounds has completely satisfied the necessary criteria. We have now isolated an amino acid of high Mr, derived from lysine, that is only present in high-Mr pe...

Trauma-induced heterotopic ossification (HO) occurs after severe musculoskeletal injuries and burns, and presents a significant barrier to patient rehabilitation. Interestingly, the incidence of HO significantly increases with repeated operations and after resection of previous HO. Treatment of established heterotopic ossification is challenging because surgical excision is often incomplete, wi...