[Research status of correlation between type IX collagen gene and musculoskeletal diseases].

As an important component of articular cartilage, type IX collagen plays an important role in regulating homeostasis of bone and cartilage. The mutation or deletion of gene could disequilibrate homeostasis leads to deformity of corresponding bone and joint, and finally causes multiple epiphyseal dysplasia. Moreover, anatomic variation also leads to biomechanics change of corresponding functional unit, combine with micro-environment change caused by change of genes, osteoarthritis and disc degeneration were occurred under the function of stress over and over again.

Is aquatic exercise more effective than land-based exercise for knee osteoarthritis?

Background: This study aimed to systemically review the effectiveness of aquatic exercise (AQE) compared to land-based exercise (LBE) in treating knee osteoarthritis (OA).

Methods: The Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Clinical Trials, CINAHL, and psyclNFO databases were comprehensively searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effectiveness of AQE and LBE for knee OA from their inception date to September 24, 2018. The risk of bias was examined using the Cochrane Collaboration Tool, and Review Manager 5.

Bushenhuoxue formula attenuates cartilage degeneration in an osteoarthritic mouse model through TGF-β/MMP13 signaling.

Background: Articular cartilage degeneration plays a key role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). Bushenhuoxue formula (BSHXF) has been widely used in the treatment of OA in clinics. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for the chondroprotective effect of BSHXF remain to be elucidated.

Transforming growth factor-beta1 promotes articular cartilage repair through canonical Smad and Hippo pathways in bone mesenchymal stem cells.

Aims: Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) is a chondrogenic factor and has been reported to be able to enhance chondrocyte differentiation from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Here we investigate the molecular mechanism through which TGF-β1 chronically promotes the repair of cartilage defect and inhibit chondrocyte hypertrophy.

Main Methods: Animal models of full thickness cartilage defects were divided into three groups: model group, BMSCs group (treated with BMSCs/calcium alginate gel) and BMSCs+TGF-β1 group (treated with Lentivirus-TGF-β1-EGFP transduced BMSCs/calcium alginate gel).

Yougui Pills Attenuate Cartilage Degeneration via Activation of TGF-β/Smad Signaling in Chondrocyte of Osteoarthritic Mouse Model.

Yougui pills (YGPs) have been used for centuries in the treatment of Chinese patients with Kidney-Yang Deficiency Syndrome. Despite the fact that the efficiency of YGPs on treating osteoarthritis has been verified in clinic, the underlying mechanisms are not totally understood. The present study observes the therapeutic role of YGPs and mechanisms underlying its chondroprotective action in osteoarthritic cartilage.

Autologous Stem Cells Combined Core Decompression for Treatment of Avascular Necrosis of the Femoral Head: A Systematic Meta-Analysis.

Objective: This study aims to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of core decompression combined transplantation of autologous bone marrow stem cells (CDBMSCs) for treatment of avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH).

Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding effectiveness of core decompression combined transplantation of autologous bone marrow stem cells for treating ANFH were searched in 8 comprehensive databases prior to September 2016. The data analysis was performed by using the RevMan version 5.

The Efficacy of Acupuncture for the Treatment of Cervical Vertigo: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for the treatment of cervical vertigo (CV).

Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding effectiveness of acupuncture for treating CV were searched in 7 comprehensive databases prior to April 2016. The data analysis was performed by using RevMan version 5.

[A comparative study on the measurement of femoral head necrosis lesions using ultra-thin layer slicing and computer aided identification].

Objective: To compare the differences between computer aided identification and ultra-thin layer slicing in measuring the lesions of femoral head necrosis,and to confirm the accuracy and practicability of computer aided method.

Methods: From June 2012 to December 2013, the X-ray and MRI of 24 patients (24 hips on unilateral) were reviewed, who had avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFA) at late stage (stage III and IV) according to the ARCO international staging system. There were 15 males and 9 females, with an average age of (65.

["Dredging governor vessel" for cervical vertigo with deficiency of and blood:a randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To compare the effect differences of acupuncture of dredging the governor vessel (GV) and conception vessel (CV) for cervical vertigo with deficiency of and blood so as to provide Objective evaluation and guide for clinical treatment.

Methods: A total of 60 patients were randomly divided assigned into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each one. The acupoints of the observation group were mainly in the GV, namely Shenting (GV 24), Baihui (GV 20), Fengfu (GV 16), Dazhui (GV 14), Shenzhu (GV 12), Jiaji (EX-B 2) of C and C, Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6).

[Application of multispectral animal living imaging technology in evaluating osteoarthritis model].

Objective: To observe application value of multispectral animal living imaging technology in rats model of osteoarthritis.

Methods: Fifteen male SD rats weighed (180 +/- 20) g (3 months old) were received intra-articular injection of iodoacetic acid for establishing osteoarthritis. Articular cavity of left knee of rats were injected into 50 microl iodoacetic acid.

Chondroprotective activity of a detoxicated traditional Chinese medicine (Fuzi) of Aconitum carmichaeli Debx against severe-stage osteoarthritis model induced by mono-iodoacetate.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Fuzi is an effective but toxic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) derived from Aconitum carmichaeli. In our previous study, detoxicated Fuzi (d-Fuzi) has been originally developed with no toxicity but significant efficacy. However, whether d-Fuzi can be used for therapy of osteoarthritis (OA), remain unknown.