miR‑29b promotes the osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human adipose tissue via the PTEN/AKT/β‑catenin signaling pathway.

Accumulating evidence has documented that microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) function as important post‑transcriptional regulators of the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), including human adipose‑derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs); however, their roles in hADSC osteogenic differentiation require further investigation. The present study aimed to investigate the role of miRNAs in the osteogenic differentiation of hADSCs and to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Using an miRNA microarray, it was found that 24 miRNAs were upregulated and 14 miRNAs were downregulated compared with the undifferentiated cells, and miR‑29b‑3p (miR‑29b) was selected for further experiments.

Investigation of candidate genes for osteoarthritis based on gene expression profiles.

Objective: To explore the mechanism of osteoarthritis (OA) and provide valid biological information for further investigation.

Methods: Gene expression profile of GSE46750 was downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus database. The Linear Models for Microarray Data (limma) package (Bioconductor project, http://www.

[Comparison of minimally invasive using a tubular retraction system versus open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases].

Objective: To compare the clinical effect of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) using a tubular retraction system with traditional transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases.

Method: From June 2009 to June 2013, a total of 96 patients in Department of Orthopaedics, Armed Police Jiangxi Corps Hospital, suffering from lumbar degenerative diseases were divided into 2 groups randomly. 42 patients underwent MIS-TLIF using a tubular retraction system.

Impact of ischemic preconditioning on ischemia-reperfusion injury of the rat sciatic nerve.

The aim of this study was to assess the preventive effects of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) on ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury in the sciatic nerve of the rat hind limb. This study included two experiments. For Experiment 1, 40 Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups that received different IPC treatments prior to IR.

Non-spinal-associated injuries with lumbar transverse process fractures: influence of segments, amount, and concomitant vertebral fractures.

Background: Lumbar transverse process fractures (LTPFs) are often with concomitant non-spinal-associated injuries (NSAIs). The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between the NSAIs and the LTPFs of different segments, amount, and concomitant thoracolumbar/lumbar vertebral fractures.

Methods: A total of 1,181 patients with LTPFs or thoracolumbar/lumbar vertebral fractures were chosen between September 2006 and June 2010.

Combination of bone marrow concentrate and PGA scaffolds enhance bone marrow stimulation in rabbit articular cartilage repair.

Bone marrow stimulation (BMS) has been regarded as a first-line procedure for the repair of articular cartilage. However, cartilage repair using BMS alone has so far not been ideal because cell homing to the required area has not been sufficient. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of autologous bone marrow concentrate transplantation for the repair of large, full-thickness cartilage defects.

[Biomechanical study of atlantoaxial fixation for transverse ligament injury leading to atlantoaxial instability].

Objective: To explore the three-dimensional movement of atlantoaxial joint, complete transverse ligament and cracked transverse ligament after posterior atlantoaxial fixation.

Methods: The fresh upper cervical cadaveric specimens were collected from 6 males dead from active craniocerebral injury. The average age was 39.

Combined single-level subtotal corpectomy and decompression for cervical spondylotic myelopathy treatment.

Background: The purpose of this study was to summarize outcomes of patients with refractory multisegmental cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) who were treated by combined single-level subtotal corpectomy and decompression of the intervertebral space using the anterior approach.

Methods: Forty-five consecutive patients with multisegmental CSM were included; their ages ranged from 37 to 72 years. Seventeen (37.

Surgical treatment of complex axis fractures with adjacent segment instability.

This study investigates the clinical and radiographic characteristics of complex axis fractures with adjacent segment instability and describes the outcome of surgical treatment. Twenty-one patients (14 male, seven female; mean age=34 years) with complex axis fractures and adjacent segment instability who were treated between August 2003 and June 2009 were retrospectively reviewed. Treatment selection was based on fracture type and stability of the upper cervical segments.

Posterior short-segmental fixation combined with intermediate screws vs conventional intersegmental fixation for monosegmental thoracolumbar fractures.

Posterior short-segmental fixation is reliable for the management of thoracolumbar fractures; however, it is associated with recurrence of kyphosis and failure of fixation. This study compared the short-term results of short-segmental fixation combined with intermediate screws with those of conventional intersegmental fixation in the treatment of monosegmental thoracolumbar fractures. The records of 62 consecutive patients with thoracolumbar monosegmental fractures who underwent conventional 4-screw intersegmental fixation (35 patients) or short-segmental fixation combined with intermediate screws (27 patients) were reviewed.

[Effect of siRNA-Cox-2 on the growth inhibition and apoptosis of cartilage endplate chondrocytes].

Objective: To investigate the influence of siRNA-COX-2 gene upon the growth inhibition and apoptosis of cartilage endplate chondrocytes and provide new methods and evidence for siRNA in gene therapy of cartilage endplate chondrocytes.

Methods: According to the sequence of COX-2 mRNA, COX-2 siRNA was designed, synthesized, cloned into the GFP reporter pcDNA6.2GW/EmGFPmiR vector and transfected into Hep cell line.

[Biological characteristics of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their differentiation into chondrogenic and osteogenic cells].

Objective: To investigate the isolation and expansion of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCS) from human umbilical cord Wharton's jelly and their biological identities, and explore the possibility of inducing human umbilical cord-derived MSCS to differentiate into chondrogenic and osteogenic cells.

Methods: The hUCMSCs were isolated form human umbilical cord by tissue adherence and digested with collagenase NB4, dispase II and hyaluronidase. The morphology, proliferation and immunophenotype of the 3rd passage cells were analyzed, and then the chondrogenic and osteogenic differentiation was tested and evaluated by specific staining methods.

RNAi-mediated knockdown of cyclooxygenase2 inhibits the growth, invasion and migration of SaOS2 human osteosarcoma cells: a case control study.

Background: Cyclooxygenase2 (COX-2), one isoform of cyclooxygenase proinflammatory enzymes, is responsible for tumor development, invasion and metastasis. Due to its role and frequent overexpression in a variety of human malignancies, including osteosarcoma, COX-2 has received considerable attention. However, the function of COX-2 in the pathogenesis of cancer is not well understood.

[Treatment of thoracolumbar mono-segmental fracture with posterior short-segment fixation in combination with intermediate screws: a short-term outcome].

Objective: To observe the early clinic outcome of treating thoracolumbar mono-segmental fracture with posterior fixation in combination with intermediate screws.

Methods: From July 2006 to August 2008, 35 of 62 patients with thoracolumbar mono-segmental fracture were treated with in Group A and the remaining 27 with intermediate screw in combination with short segmental fixation in Group B.

Results: The relative height of fractured vertebrae and reduction rate showed significant differences [(84.

[Clinical analysis of surgical treatment of odontoid fracture].

Objective: To evaluate the therapies and clinical outcome for different types of odontoid process fracture.

Methods: Twenty-one patients with odontoid process fracture were treated with different therapies for different Anderson-D'Alonzo classifications: three cases of type I were treated by traction of occipital-jaw band and fixed with head-neck-chest plaster at 6 weeks; thirteen cases of type II were treated by cannulated screws following skull traction and reduction; and for the cases of type III, one was fixed with screw when the fracture was reduced by skull traction, and four with atlantoaxial pedicle screw.

Results: All cases were followed up for a mean of 9 months (range: 3 - 48).

[Posterior fusion versus posterior interbody fusion in segmental spinal fixation for aged spondylolisthesis].

Objective: Clinical and radiographic results in 30 consecutive patients undergoing posterior lumbar fixation and posterior facet joint or posterior interbody fusion for Meyerding Grade II/III spondylolisthesis were assessed: (1) to address the suitability of a dynamic stabilization; and (2) to investigate whether there are differences in terms of clinical and functional results between these two types of arthrodesis.

Methods: Fourteen patients underwent posterior interface fusion (PLF) and implantation of TSRH-3D system. Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) and placement of the same system were performed in 16 patients.

[Application of posterior short-segment fixation combined with intermediate screws in fresh thoracolumbar compressed fracture: short-term outcomes in 27 cases].

Objective: To observe the short-term outcomes of the application of posterior short-segment fixation combined with intermediate screws in fresh thoracolumbar fracture.

Methods: Posterior short-segment fixation combined with intermediate screws was used in 27 patients suffering from fresh thoracolumbar fracture, 19 males and 8 females, aged 45 (22-71). X-ray photography was conducted before and after operation.

[Comprehensive typing and surgical treatment of axial fracture with adjacent section instability: analysis of 17 cases].

Objective: To study the clinical and radiographic characteristics of axial fracture with adjacent section instability and the diagnosis and surgical treatment thereof.

Methods: Seventeen patients of axial fracture with adjacent section instability, 11 males and 7 females, aged 34 (23-56) underwent different treatment patterns depending on the fracture type and stability of the atlanto-axial joint and C2-3: resection of C2-3 intervertebral disk and bone grafting, anterior interbody fusion and plate internal fixation, odontoid screw fixation, posterior C2 pedicle screw fixation, odontoid screw fixation combined with bilateral C-2 pedicle screw fixation. Follow-up was conducted for 12 (6-36) months.

[Treatment of thoracic vertebrae fracture with vertebral pedicle-screw placement in selected injured vertebrae].

Objective: To study the clinical effects of vertebral pedicle-screw placement in selected thoracic vertebrae with fresh fracture in reduction and fixation.

Methods: Twenty-five patients with thoracic vertebrae fracture, involving 1 vertebra in 13 cases, 2 vertebrae in 7 cases, and 3 vertebrae in 5 cases, underwent vertebral pedicle-screw placement in selected unilateral or bilateral injured vertebrae with relatively complete pedicle of vertebral arch. Pedicle-screw was inserted into the pedicle of the injured vertebra guided by fluoroscopy to achieve posterior pedicle screw fixation, the height of the collapsed vertebral body was recovered by popping up or extruding the vertebral pedicle-screw.