Monitoring Stub1-Mediated Pexophagy.

Mammalian cells can turn over peroxisomes through Stub1-mediated pexophagy. The pathway potentially permits cellular control of the quantity and quality of peroxisomes. During this process, heat shock protein 70 and the ubiquitin E3 ligase, Stub1, translocate onto peroxisomes to be turned over to initiate pexophagy.

The correlation study on homocysteine, blood lipids and blood glucose levels in patients with cerebral infarction.

Purpose: To explore the correlation of changes in homocysteine (HCY) l, blood lipids and blood glucose levels in patients with cerebral infarction.

Methods: 120 patients with cerebral infarction admitted to our hospital from February 2018 to February 2020 were selected as the experimental group, and 120 healthy volunteers in the same period were selected as the control group. The blood pressure and the homocysteine, blood lipids, blood glucose levels were compared; the experimental group was subdivided into single cerebral infarction group, combined diabetes group and combined hypertension group, and their blood lipid levels were compared with the control group; Spearman method was used to analyze the relationship between HCY, blood lipid, blood sugar levels and cerebral infarction.

Exosomal MATN3 of Urine-Derived Stem Cells Ameliorates Intervertebral Disc Degeneration by Antisenescence Effects and Promotes NPC Proliferation and ECM Synthesis by Activating TGF-.

Objective: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the top three causes of disability in developed countries, and intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a major contributor to LBP. In the process of IDD, there is a gradual decrease in nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) and extracellular matrix (ECM). Exosomes are important exocrine mediators of stem cells that can act directly on cells for tissue repair and regeneration.

Clinical Comparison of Selective versus Nonselective Decompression for Symptomatic Tandem Stenosis of the Cervical and Thoracic Spine: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: The aim of the present paper was to reveal the clinical differences between selective and nonselective decompression for symptomatic tandem stenosis of the cervical and thoracic spine (TSCTS).

Methods: A total of 34 patients were eligible and included in the study. Among them, 8 patients underwent selective cervical decompression (CD), 15 patients underwent selective thoracic decompression (TD), and 11 patients underwent combined CD and TD (CTD) surgery.

Exosomes Derived from Human Urine-Derived Stem Cells Inhibit Intervertebral Disc Degeneration by Ameliorating Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.

Objective: This study is aimed at determining the effects of human urine-derived stem cell-derived exosomes (USCs-exos) on pressure-induced nucleus pulposus cell (NPC) apoptosis and intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) and on the ERK and AKT signaling pathways.

Methods: The NPCs were obtained from patients with herniated lumbar discs. Western blot analysis (WB) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were used to determine endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress levels of NPCs under stress.

Hsc70/Stub1 promotes the removal of individual oxidatively stressed peroxisomes.

Peroxisomes perform beta-oxidation of branched and very-long chain fatty acids, which leads to the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the peroxisomal lumen. Peroxisomes are therefore prone to ROS-mediated damages. Here, using light to specifically and acutely induce ROS formation within the peroxisomal lumen, we find that cells individually remove ROS-stressed peroxisomes through ubiquitin-dependent pexophagy.

Expression of HSPA8 in Nucleus Pulposus of Lumbar Intervertebral Disc and Its Effect on Degree of Degeneration.

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the expression of a 70-kDa heat shock protein [heat shock 70-kDa protein 8 (HSPA8)/heat shock protein 70 (Hsc70)] in human degenerative lumbar intervertebral discs and its relationship with the degree of degeneration of human intervertebral discs.

Methods: A total of 72 cases of lumbar intervertebral disc nucleus pulposus tissues were collected. Among these, 18 cases of nucleus pulposus tissue were assigned to the control group, while 54 cases of nucleus pulposus tissues were assigned to the experimental group.

Identification of pathways significantly associated with spondyloarthropathy/ankylosing spondylitis using the sub‑pathway method.

The aim of the present study was to extract potential sub‑pathway biomarkers for spondyloarthropathy (SpA)/ankylosing spondylitis (AS) using a sub‑pathway strategy. SpA/AS‑relevant data, reference pathways and long non‑coding (lnc)RNA‑micro (mi)RNA‑mRNA interactions were downloaded. The seed pathways based on Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways and the mRNAs in the co‑expressed lncRNA‑mRNA interactions were extracted.

Diffusion-weighted 7.0T Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Assessment of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration in Rats.

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a major cause of disc protrusion, likely to be associated with decrease of water content. This research aimed to evaluate IDD by diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) with a 7.0 Tesla (T) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine.

Staining of Lipid Droplets with Monodansylpentane.

Monodansylpentane (MDH) is a fluorophore that displays selective labeling of lipid droplets (LDs). The dye preferentially segregates into the neutral lipid cores of LDs and emits blue fluorescence, compatible with the simultaneous use of green and red fluorescent reporters in multi-color live-cell imaging. MDH can be used for visualizing LDs not only in cell cultures, but also in fixed tissues such as the fat body and ovaries from Drosophila.

Lentivirus-mediated TGF-β3, CTGF and TIMP1 gene transduction as a gene therapy for intervertebral disc degeneration in an rabbit model.

The present study examined the effects of transforming growth factor (TGF)-β3, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1) gene transduction, using a lentiviral vector, on rabbit intervertebral disc degeneration , with the intention of investigating their potential use in gene therapy. A model of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration was created by needle puncture into the annulus fibrosus of 15 New Zealand white rabbits. Empty lentivirus or recombinant lentiviral plasmid lenti-TGFβ3-P2A-CTGF-T2A-TIMP1 was injected into degenerative lumbar intervertebral discs (representing the control and experimental groups, respectively), whilst untreated degenerative lumbar intervertebral discs served as the puncture group.

Survivin-TGFB3-TIMP1 Gene Therapy Via Lentivirus Vector Slows the Course of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration in an In Vivo Rabbit Model.

Study Design: The ability of lentivirus vector (LV) survivin-transforming growth factor beta 3 (TGFB3)-tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 1 (TIMP1) on slowing disc degeneration was evaluated by an animal experiment.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of LV survivin-TGFB3-TIMP1 on slowing disc degeneration in an in vivo rabbit model.

Summary Of Background Data: Cell apoptosis, increase of catabolic activity, and decrease of anabolic activity were the mechanisms of disc degeneration.

Correction of post-traumatic thoracolumbar kyphosis using pedicle subtraction osteotomy.

The aim of this study was to retrospectively analyze and evaluate the effect of treatment employing pedicle subtraction osteotomy for chronic, posttraumatic thoracolumbar kyphosis. This study included 19 patients, 11 males and 8 females, with chronic, posttraumatic thoracolumbar kyphosis. Pre-operative kyphosis ranged from 31° to 63°.

[Construction and biological assessment of tissue engineering intervertebral disc].

Objective: To investigate the value of bone marrow-mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) transformed by nucleus pulposus (NPs) for construction of tissue engineering disc.

Methods: BM-MSCs and fetal NPs were cultured in vitro, planted on polylactic acid-polyglycolic acid copolymer (PLGA), and observed with inverted microscope and scanning electronic microscope. PLGA scaffolds with adherent BM-MSCs and NPs, as well as BM-MSCs and NPs suspension were implanted into intervertebral discs of New Zealand white rabbits, respectively.

Combined expression of CTGF and tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease-1 promotes synthesis of proteoglycan and collagen type II in rhesus monkey lumbar intervertebral disc cells in vitro.

Background: Low back pain has emerged as a widespread disease often caused by intervertebral disc degeneration. This study aimed to establish an in vitro cell culture model of rhesus monkey lumbar intervertebral discs and to investigate the effect of combined connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease-1 (TIMP-1) expression mediated by adeno-associated virus (AAV) on collagen type II and proteoglycan levels. The purpose of these investigations was to explore potential methods for relieving the degeneration of lumbar intervertebral disc cells.

[Diagnosis and treatment of disc herniation at cervical vertebra 7-thoracic vertebra 1 (C(7)-T(1))].

Objective: To study the outcome of laminoforaminotomy with posterolateral discectomy for patients with lateral disc herniation at C(7)-T(1).

Methods: From August 2000 to August 2008, 12 patients with lateral disc herniation at C(7)-T(1) underwent posterolateral discectomy were analyzed retrospectively. Neurologic function were evaluated with the Motor Scoring System.

[Outcomes of posterior C(1-2) fusion for atlantoaxial instability or dislocation using pedicle screws of atlas and axis].

Objective: To retrospectively analyze and evaluate the results of treatment for atlantoaxial instability or dislocation employing pedicle screws of atlas and axis.

Methods: Thirty-one patients (23 male and 8 female) with atlantoaxial instability or dislocation were stabilized using pedicle screws of atlas and axis between May 2005 to January 2008. The patients ranged in age from 17 to 67 years (mean 43.

Profiling carbohydrate-receptor interaction with recombinant innate immunity receptor-Fc fusion proteins.

The recognition of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes is controlled by host immune cells, which are equipped with many innate immunity receptors, such as Toll-like receptors, C-type lectin receptors, and immunoglobulin-like receptors. Our studies indicate that the immune modulating properties of many herbal drugs, for instance, the medicinal fungus Reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) and Cordyceps sinensis, could be attributed to their polysaccharide components. These polysaccharides specifically interact with and activate surface receptors involved in innate immunity.

Immune therapy with cultured microglia grafting into the injured spinal cord promoting the recovery of rat's hind limb motor function.

Objective: To study the effect of activated microglia grafting on rats' hind limb motor function recovery after spinal cord injury.

Methods: Microglia were separated from primary culture and subcultured for 3 generations. Lipopolysaccharide was added to the culture medium with the terminal concentration of 10 microl/L for microglia activation 3 days before transplantation.

Dual Therapeutic Effects of Interferon-α Gene Therapy in a Rat Hepatocellular Carcinoma Model With Liver Cirrhosis.

Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) often arises from a background of liver cirrhosis. Therefore, in order to develop therapeutic strategies for HCC, an animal model bearing multifocal liver tumors accompanied by liver cirrhosis is a preferred experimental setting. In this study, we developed a rapid and reproducible method for generating such a model in rats by weekly administration of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) at doses based on body weight (BW).

Dual therapeutic effects of interferon-alpha gene therapy in a rat hepatocellular carcinoma model with liver cirrhosis.

Human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) often arises from a background of liver cirrhosis. Therefore, in order to develop therapeutic strategies for HCC, an animal model bearing multifocal liver tumors accompanied by liver cirrhosis is a preferred experimental setting. In this study, we developed a rapid and reproducible method for generating such a model in rats by weekly administration of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) at doses based on body weight (BW).