1. Usefulness of specific OA biomarkers, thrombin-cleaved osteopontin, in the posterior cruciate ligament OA rabbit model 
S.G. Gao, L. Cheng, C. Zeng, L.C. Wei, F.J. Zhang, J. Tian, M. Tu, W. Luo, G.H. Lei 
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage 
Volume 21, Issue 1, Pages (January 2013)
DOI: /j.joca
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2. Fig. 1
Histology of cartilage after PCLT in the rabbit knee joint (safranin O/fast green). (a) Articular cartilage with smooth surface, and with regular chondrocytes arrangement was observed at baseline. (b) Slight irregularity of the superficial zone was found at 4 weeks post-surgery. (c) Superficial loss of chondrocytes with surface irregularity and sporadic cellular proliferation were seen at 8 weeks post-surgery. (d) Diffuse loss of chondrocytes in the whole zone with clone formation was noted at 16 weeks post-surgery. (e) Severe loss of safranine O staining, the loss of articular cartilage and multifocal decrease in cells were identified at 24 weeks post-surgery.
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage  , DOI: ( /j.joca )
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3. Fig. 2
The protein expression of thrombin-cleaved OPN (OPN N-half) in SF at baseline, 4, 8, 16 and 24 weeks after PCLT detected by Western blot.
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage  , DOI: ( /j.joca )
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4. Fig. 3
Thrombin-cleaved OPN levels in SF at baseline, 4, 8, 16 and 24 weeks after PCLT. *P < 0.001 vs baseline; #P < 0.01 vs 4 w; ▵P < 0.01 vs 8 w and 16 w.
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage  , DOI: ( /j.joca )
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5. Fig. 4
Correlation of SF levels of thrombin-cleaved OPN with macroscopic and histological scores. At 4 weeks, thrombin-cleaved OPN levels were found to be significantly correlated with the histological scores. At 8, 16, 24 weeks, thrombin-cleaved OPN levels were correlated with the macroscopic and histological scores.
Osteoarthritis and Cartilage  , DOI: ( /j.joca )
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