Identification and validation of iron metabolism genes in osteoporosis.

Background: Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disease in humans. Exploring the expression difference of iron metabolism-related genes in osteoporosis can provide a new target for diagnosis and treatment.

Methods: First, we used online databases to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to iron metabolism in patients with osteoporosis.

MicroRNA-194-3p inhibits the metastatic biological behaviors of spinal osteosarcoma cells by the repression of matrix metallopeptidase 9.

Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor, but only 3%-5% of cases occur in the spine. Spinal osteosarcoma presents a significant challenge, and most patients die in spite of aggressive surgery. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that have a pivotal role in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression.

Clinical significance of microRNA-183/Ezrin axis in judging the prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma.

MicroRNA-183 (miR-183) has been demonstrated to be a tumor suppressor miRNA in inhibition of migration and invasion of osteosarcoma by targeting an oncogene Ezrin. The aim of the present study was to determine the correlation of combined miR-183 and Ezrin mRNA expression with clinicopathologic features and prognosis in patients with osteosarcomas. Expressions of MiR-183 and Ezrin mRNA were both examined using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction analysis in 68 specimens from patients with osteosarcomas.

[Comparison between surgical and conservative treatment for postoperative lumbar discitis].

Objective: To compare therapeutic effects between surgical and conservative treatment for postoperative lumbar discitis.

Methods: From January 2004 to January 2009, 41 patients (17 males and 24 females ranging the age from 37 to 68 years with an average of 53.6 years) with postoperative lumbar discitis were retrospectively studied and divided into two groups.