Genetically Programmed Single-Component Protein Hydrogel for Spinal Cord Injury Repair.

Protein self-assembly allows for the formation of diverse supramolecular materials from relatively simple building blocks. In this study, a single-component self-assembling hydrogel is developed using the recombinant protein CsgA, and its successful application for spinal cord injury repair is demonstrated. Gelation is achieved by the physical entanglement of CsgA nanofibrils, resulting in a self-supporting hydrogel at low concentrations (≥5 mg mL).

Clinical effectiveness of treatment of combined upper thoracic spinal stenosis and multilevel cervical spinal stenosis with different posterior decompression surgeries.

Objective: To explore the clinical effectiveness of various posterior decompression surgeries in the treatment of upper thoracic spinal stenosis combined with multilevel cervical spinal stenosis.

Methods: From January 2010 to December 2015, 22 consecutive patients with combined upper thoracic spinal stenosis and multilevel cervical spinal stenosis were treated with two different approaches of posterior decompression surgeries. In group A with 10 patients, both cervical and thoracic spinal decompression surgeries were performed simultaneously (one-stage surgery); in group B with 8 patients, cervical and thoracic spinal decompression surgeries were performed separately within three months (two-stage surgery).

Raloxifene microsphere-embedded collagen/chitosan/β-tricalcium phosphate scaffold for effective bone tissue engineering.

Engineering novel scaffolds that can mimic the functional extracellular matrix (ECM) would be a great achievement in bone tissue engineering. This paper reports the fabrication of novel collagen/chitosan/β-tricalcium phosphate (CCTP) based tissue engineering scaffold. In order to improve the regeneration ability of scaffold, we have embedded raloxifene (RLX)-loaded PLGA microsphere in the CCTP scaffold.

Tumstatin induces apoptosis and stimulates phosphorylation of p65NF-κB in human osteoblastic osteosarcoma Saos-2 cells.

The present study was aimed to investigate the effect of tumstatin on inhibition of proliferation and induction of apoptosis in Saos-2 human osteosarcoma cells and to understand the mechanism involved. Inhibition of cell proliferation was analyzed by MTT assay and induction of apoptosis through nuclear fragmentation assay. Viability of Saos-2 cells was reduced to 19% on treatment with 25 µM concentration of tumstatin after 48 h.

Thymosin Beta-4 Recombinant Adeno-associated Virus Enhances Human Nucleus Pulposus Cell Proliferation and Reduces Cell Apoptosis and Senescence.

Background: Thymosin beta-4 (TB-4) is considered key roles in tissue development, maintenance and pathological processes. The study aimed to prove TB-4 positive biological function on nucleus pulposus (NP) cell apoptosis and slowing the process of cell aging while increasing the cell proliferation.

Methods: TB-4 recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) was constructed and induced to human NP cells.

Wogonoside induces cell cycle arrest and mitochondrial mediated apoptosis by modulation of Bcl-2 and Bax in osteosarcoma cancer cells.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common bone cancer with a great tendency for local invasion and distant metastasis. Restricted by the severe toxicity of conventional drugs, the therapeutic challenge of osteosarcoma still remains unconquered. The objective of the present research work was to investigate the antiproliferative activity of wogonoside against human osteosarcoma (SaOS-2) cell line.

Ultrasound assessment of injury to the posterior ligamentous complex in patients with mild thoracolumbar fractures.

Objective: To assess the value of ultrasonographic imaging of the posterior ligamentous complex (PLC) to diagnose ligamentous injuries, in patients with mild thoracolumbar fractures.

Methods: Patients with thoracolumbar fractures were included in this prospective study. Patients underwent palpation of the midline of the back, and ultrasonography was performed over the entire thoracolumbar region by an experienced sonographer.

[Association study of SIM2 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to congenital scoliosis in a Chinese Han population].

Objective: To investigate whether polymorphisms of SIM2 gene are associated with congenital scoliosis (CS) in a Chinese Han population. and explore the relationship of between polymorphisms of SIM2 and clinical phenotypes of CS.

Methods: A case-control design was employed in this study.

[Assessment of correction effect in relation to fulcrum bending flexibility in adult idiopathic scoliosis patients].

Objective: To study the relationship between the fulcrum bending flexibility (FBF) and correction rate (CR) of adult idiopathic scoliosis, and to explore the ability of FBF to assess the correction effect in relation to fulcrum bending flexibility.

Methods: 69 patients with adult idiopathic scoliosis with structural curves at thoracic or lumbarthoracic segments, 16 males and 53 females, aged 26.5 (19 - 53) were treated by pedicle screws instrumentation.

[Association of PAX1 gene polymorphisms with susceptibility to congenital scoliosis in Chinese Han population].

Objective: To investigate the association of polymorphisms of PAX1 gene with congenital scoliosis (CS) in Chinese Han population and the relationship between the PAX1 gene polymorphisms and the clinical phenotypes of CS.

Methods: Peripheral blood samples were collected from 127 CS patients, 55 male and 72 female, aged (12.9 +/- 4.

[Assessment of curve flexibility in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis before operation].

Objective: To compare the effects in assessing the curve flexibility of the adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and predicting the outcomes of operation among different radiological techniques: supine lateral bending (SB), traction (Tr), and fulcrum bending radiographs.

Methods: 68 consecutive AIS patients, all with the single-curve types Ia/Ib/Ic according to the PUMC classification, divided into 4 groups according to the magnitude of Cobb's angle: moderate thoracic curve (n = 19, 40 degrees < Cobb's angle < or = 60 degrees ), severe thoracic curve (n = 13, Cobb's angle > 60 degrees ), moderate lumbar curve (n = 28, 35 degrees < Cobb's angle < or = 60 degrees ), and severe lumbar curve(n = 8, Cobb's angle > 60 degrees ) who were treated surgically underwent preoperative radiological evaluation including standing anteroposterior and lateral Tr, SB, and fulcrum bending radiographs. COBB angle was measured and the flexibility ratio was determined on each radiograph.