ZIP8 Regulates Inflammation and Macrophage Polarisation in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration via the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway.

One main cause of persistent back discomfort is intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), with inflammation and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation playing critical roles. This study investigates the role of ZIP8, a zinc transporter, in IDD pathogenesis, focusing on its effects on inflammatory responses, ECM degradation and Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway. ZIP8 was identified as a hub gene from the GSE27494 dataset through bioinformatics analysis.

Glial maturation factor-β deficiency prevents oestrogen deficiency-induced bone loss by remodelling the actin network to suppress adipogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

An imbalance between the adipogenesis and osteogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) is considered the basic pathogenesis of osteoporosis. Although actin cytoskeleton remodelling plays a crucial role in the differentiation of BMSCs, the role of actin cytoskeleton remodelling in the adipogenesis of BMSCs and postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) has remained elusive. Glia maturation factor-beta (GMFB) has a unique role in remodelling the polymerization/depolymerization cycles of actin.

Facile fabrication of nano-bioactive glass functionalized blended hydrogel with nucleus pulposus-derived MSCs to improve regeneration potential in treatment of disc degeneration by in vivo rat model.

Orthopaedic medicine often treats intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), which is caused by nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue damage and mechanical stress. Bioactive glasses (BGs), widely used for bone regeneration, can incorporate therapeutic ions into their network. Manganese (Mn) activates human osteoblast integrins, proliferation, and spreading.

Rapidly Gelled Lipoic Acid-Based Supramolecular Hydrogel for 3D Printing of Adhesive Bandage.

Developing a strongly adhesive, easily removable, and robust bandage is valuable in trauma emergencies. Poly(lipoic acid) (PLA)-based adhesives with good mechanical properties have been well-developed through a thermal ring-opening polymerization (ROP) method that is easiness. However, the additive manufacturing of PLA-based adhesives remains a challenge.

ALDH1+ tumor stem cells promote the progression of malignant fibrous tissue sarcoma by inhibiting SYNPO2 through hsa-mir-206.

This research aims to explore the mechanism by which microRNAs may regulate the biological behavior of tumor cells in ALDH1+ fibrosarcoma. We identified differentially expressed miRNAs in ALDH + NMFH-1 cells, screened genes related to sarcoma metastasis in the TCGA database, and finally obtained key genes regulated by miRNAs that are involved in metastasis. The function and mechanism of these key genes were then validated at the cellular level.

A Retrospective Study of 91 Patients Treated with Percutaneous Kyphoplasty for Mild Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures and a New Evaluation Scale of Shape and Filling Effect of Cement.

Background: Percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) is commonly used to treat severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) by restoring vertebral height. However, its application in mild cases is not frequently discussed.

Methods: The study retrospectively included 100 treated vertebral bodies of the 91 patients mentioned before, and efficacy was evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores preoperatively, 2 days postoperatively, and at 1 and 6 months after treatment, as well as mean variation in vertebral body height.

Exosome miR-4738-3p-mediated regulation of through the NF-κB and inflammation signaling pathway alleviates osteoarthritis low-grade inflammation symptoms.

This study aimed to elucidate the roles of microRNA (miR)-4738-3p and the collagen type I alpha 2 chain (COL1A2) gene in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA) through bioinformatics analysis and cellular assays. The GSE55235 dataset was analyzed using the weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) method to identify gene modules associated with OA. Key overlapping genes were identified from these modules and the GSE55235-differential expressed genes (DEGs).

Glia maturation factor beta deficiency protects against diabetic osteoporosis by suppressing osteoclast hyperactivity.

Excessive osteoclast activation, which depends on dramatic changes in actin dynamics, causes osteoporosis (OP). The molecular mechanism of osteoclast activation in OP related to type 1 diabetes (T1D) remains unclear. Glia maturation factor beta (GMFB) is considered a growth and differentiation factor for both glia and neurons.

Comparative cryogenic extraction rehydration experiments reveal isotope fractionation during root water uptake in Gramineae.

Determining whether isotope fractionation occurs during root water uptake is a prerequisite for using stem or xylem water isotopes to trace water sources. However, it is unclear whether isotope fractionation occurs during root water uptake in gramineous crops. We conducted prevalidation experiments to estimate the isotope measurement bias associated with cryogenic vacuum distillation (CVD).

Prognostic value and predictive biomarkers of phenotypes of tumour-associated macrophages in colorectal cancer.

Background: The roles of different subtypes of tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) in predicting the prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) remain controversial. In this study, different subtypes of TAMs were investigated as prognostic and predictive biomarkers for CRC.

Methods: Expressions of CD68, CD86 and CD163 were investigated by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF), and the correlation between the expression of CD86 and CD163 was calculated in colorectal cancer tissues from 64 CRC patients.

Expression Profile Analysis of Long Non-coding RNA in OVX Models-Derived BMSCs for Postmenopausal Osteoporosis by RNA Sequencing and Bioinformatics.

Osteoporosis (OP) has the characteristics of a systematically impaired bone mass, strength, and microstructure. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are longer than 200 nt, and their functions in osteoporosis is yet not completely understood. We first harvested the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) from ovariectomy (OVX) and sham mice.

ZIP8 mediates the extracellular matrix degradation of nucleus pulposus cells via NF-κB signaling pathway.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) is mainly induced by metalloproteinases (MMPs). Zn is an essential component of MMPs, but the effect of Zn importers in controlling ECM metabolism remains unclear. The purpose of this research was to identify the involvement of Zn importers in ECM degradation induced by inflammatory stimuli and excessive mechanical stressing.

LINC00511 Promotes Osteosarcoma Tumorigenesis and Invasiveness through the miR-185-3p/E2F1 Axis.

Osteosarcoma is a malignant tumor that seriously threatens human health. Numerous studies have pointed out the potential of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) as new therapeutic targets for various human cancers. Therefore, we mainly investigate whether there is a new type of lncRNA pathway involved in regulating the development of osteosarcoma.

Circular RNA circHIPK3 Promotes Cell Metastasis through miR-637/STAT3 Axis in Osteosarcoma.

Recent studies have suggested that circular RNAs play an important role in the progression of various cancers. However, few studies have revealed the great value of circRNAs in the diagnosis and prognosis prediction of osteosarcoma (OS). In this study, we performed experiments with the human OS cell lines and the results showed that the expression of circHIPK3 in OS cell lines was significantly upregulated compared to that in the normal cell line.

Circular RNA circFAT1(e2) Promotes Osteosarcoma Progression and Metastasis by Sponging miR-181b and Regulating HK2 Expression.

As a subclass of noncoding RNAs, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been demonstrated to play a critical role in regulating gene expression in eukaryotes. Recent studies have revealed the pivotal functions of circRNAs in cancer progression. Nevertheless, how circRNAs participate in osteosarcoma (OS) development and progression are not well understood.

Identification of circRNA-associated ceRNA network in BMSCs of OVX models for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) serve as competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) and indirectly regulate gene expression through shared microRNAs (miRNAs). However, the potential circRNAs functioning as ceRNAs in osteoporosis remain unclear. The bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) were isolated from ovariectomy (OVX) mice and controls.

Downregulation of microRNA‑143 promotes osteogenic differentiation of human adipose‑derived mesenchymal stem cells through the k‑Ras/MEK/ERK signaling pathway.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to have regulatory roles in the osteogenic differentiation of various mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), although their regulatory role on human adipose‑derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the biological function and underlying molecular mechanism of miRNAs in regulating the osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs using microarray assay. hADSCs differentiated into osteoblasts under culture with osteogenic medium, with an increase observed in calcium deposits and alkaline phosphatase activity.

MiR-1-3p regulates the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells to prevent osteoporosis by targeting secreted frizzled-related protein 1.

Osteoporosis (OP) is a systemic skeletal disorder with the characteristics of bone mass reduction and microarchitecture deterioration, resulting in bone fragility and increased fracture risk. A reduction in the osteoblast-differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) is considered as a basic pathogenesis of osteoporosis. miRNAs play a substantial role in the development and differentiation of BMSCs.

Hypoxia-induced let-7f-5p/TARBP2 feedback loop regulates osteosarcoma cell proliferation and invasion by inhibiting the Wnt signaling pathway.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common bone tumor in children and adolescents and is characterized by high metastatic and recurrence rates. In the past, it has been shown that microRNAs may play critical roles in hypoxia-related OS proliferation and invasion. However, the mechanisms by which OS cells acquire this malignant phenotype have remained largely unknown.

Network and pathway-based analyses of genes associated with osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis (OP) is a disease characterized by bone mass loss, bone microstructure damage, increased bone fragility, and easy fracture. The molecular mechanism underlying OP remains unclear.In this study, we identified 217 genes associated with OP, and formed a gene set [OP-related genes gene set (OPgset)].

Identification of differentially expressed microRNAs in the bone marrow of osteoporosis patients.

This study aimed to identify specific microRNAs (miRNAs) related to postmenopausal osteoporosis (OP) in human. A total of 67 conserved miRNAs, including 50 miRNAs significantly up-regulated and 17 miRNAs significantly downregulated, showed differential expression between OP group and control group. 180 hairpin structures were predicted and 199 potential novel miRNA candidates with 18 to 25 nt in length, which will greatly enrich the human miRBase.

Bone regeneration using injectable poly (γ-benzyl-L-glutamate) microspheres loaded with adipose-derived stem cells in a mouse femoral non-union model.

Microspheres have gained immense popularity in bone tissue engineering because of their unique properties as injectable scaffolds for bone tissue regeneration. Herein, we evaluated the feasibility of using poly (γ-benzyl-L-glutamate) (PBLG) microspheres for bone engineering by examining the attachment, proliferation, and osteogenic differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and the use of PBLG microspheres in healing non-union . Scanning electron microscopy and fluorescent 3, 30-dioctadecyloxacarbocyanine perchlorate-labeling were performed to study the attachment and growth of ASCs to the PBLG microspheres, and a DNA assay was performed to quantify cell proliferation with time.

MiR-409-3p Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Invasion of Osteosarcoma by Targeting Zinc-Finger E-Box-Binding Homeobox-1.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common bone cancer worldwide. There is evidence that microRNA-409 (miR-409-3p) is involved in tumorigenesis and cancer progression, however, its possible role in OS requires clarification. In the present study, we evaluated the expression level, clinical significance, and mode of action of miR-409-3p in OS.

Fabrication of multifunctional triple-responsive platform based on CuS-capped periodic mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles for chemo-photothermal therapy.

Introduction: For an ideal drug delivery system, the outstanding drug-loading capacity and specific control of the release of therapeutics at the desired lesions are crucial. In this work, we developed a triple-responsive nanoplatform based on copper sulfide (CuS)-capped yolk-shell-structured periodic mesoporous organosilica nanoparticles (YSPMOs) for synergetic chemo-photothermal therapy.

Methods: Herein, the YSPMOs were employed as a drug carrier, which exhibited a high doxorubicin (DOX) loading capacity of 386 mg/g.

Activation of AMPK by OSU53 protects spinal cord neurons from oxidative stress.

The present study tested the potential effect of OSU53, a novel AMPK activator, against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced spinal cord neuron damages. Treatment with OSU53 attenuated H2O2-induced death and apoptosis of primary murine spinal cord neurons. OSU53 activated AMPK signaling, which is required for its actions in spinal cord neurons.