Targeting Yes-associated Protein with Evolved Peptide Aptamers to Disrupt TGF-β Signaling Pathway: Therapeutic Implication for Bone Tumor.

The binding of transcription coactivator Yes-associated protein (YAP) to Smad transcription factors is an important event in activating transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling pathway, which is involved in the tumorigenicity and metastasis of bone tumor. Design of peptide aptamers to disrupt YAPSmad interaction has been established as a promising approach for bone tumor therapy. Here, an evolution strategy was used to optimize Smad-derived peptides for high potency binding to YAP WW2 domain, resulting in an improved peptide population, from which those high-scoring candidates were characterized rigorously using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and interaction free energy calculations.

The NLRP3/Caspase-1/Interleukin-1β Axis Is Active in Human Lumbar Cartilaginous Endplate Degeneration.

Background: Modic changes are the MRI signal changes of degenerative lumbar vertebral endplate and which lead to or accelerate intervertebral disc degeneration. NLRP3, caspase-1, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases, such as osteoarthritis. However, the roles of IL-1β and its activators caspase-1 and NLRP3 are unclear in the degenerative endplate.

[Research progress in strategy of lateral femoral offset reconstruction in total hip arthroplasty].

As an important indicator of total hip arthroplasty (THA) the rate and degree of offset reconstruction play an important role in improving the prognosis and life quality of patients. The reconstruction of femoral offset is closely related to reserved length of calcar femorale, the head and neck length of prosthesis, angle degree of neck shaft and whether lower limb is isometric. Reconstruction strategy includes making a meticulous and standard measurement before the surgery, predicting the reserved length of calcar femorale, selecting a prosthesis with approximate anatomical neck-shaft angle and reconstructing offset by adjusting the head and neck length of the prosthetic during the operation.

Validation of N-glycan markers that improve the performance of CA19-9 in pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) has a high mortality rate because it is usually diagnosed late. Glycosylation of proteins is known to change in tumor cells during the development of PC. The objectives of this study were to identify and validate the diagnostic value of novel biomarkers based on N-glycomic profiling for PC.

Alternative splicing of NUMB, APP and VEGFA as the features of pancreatic ductal carcinoma.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common form of malignancy in pancreatic carcinoma. Here we report our discovery on the correlations between transcriptional alternative splicing (AS) of NUMB, APP, VEGFA and PDAC in patients.

Methods: The expression of NUMB, APP, VEGFA from patient samples was determined by qRT-PCR.

Investigation on the DNA repaired gene polymorphisms and response to chemotherapy and overall survival of osteosarcoma.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of polymorphisms in NER and HRR pathways on the response to cisplatin-based treatment and clinical outcome in osteosarcoma patients. 214 osteosarcoma patients treated with cisplatin-based chemotherapy were collected between January 2008 and January 2011. Genotypes of ERCC1 rs11615, ERCC2 rs1799793 and rs13181, NBN rs709816, RAD51 rs1801320, and XRCC3 rs861539 were conducted by Polymerase Chain Reaction Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay.

Prevention of early bone loss around the prosthesis by administration of anti-osteoporotic agents and influences of collared and non-collared femoral stem prostheses on early periprosthetic bone loss.

The current study aims to investigate the effect of anti-osteoporotic agents of collared and non-collared femoral stem prostheses on periprosthetic bone mineral density (BMD) after total hip arthroplasty (THA). 80 patients who received THA due to femur neck subcapital fractures were involved. The treatment groups were given fosamax, caltrate D and Xianlinggubao for oral administration, whereas the control groups were only given caltrate D.

[Digital anatomy of the perforator flap in the thigh].

Objective: To provide algorithmic morphological data that enables safe elevation of the flow-through perforator flap, chimeric perforator flap in the thigh.

Methods: 15 fresh cadavers were injected with a modified lead oxide-gelatin mixture for three-dimensional reconstruction using a spiral computed tomography scanner and specialized volume-rendering software (MIMICS). All of specimens were then dissected by layers.

Improved osteoblast proliferation, differentiation and mineralization on nanophase Ti6Al4V.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated increased functions of osteoblasts on nanophase materials compared to conventional ceramics or composites. Nanophase materials are unique materials that simulate dimensions of constituent components of bone as they possess particle or grain sizes less than 100 nm. However, to date, interactions of osteoblasts on nanophase materials compared to conventional metals remain to be elucidated.

[Treatment of osteoporotic distal femur fractures with less invasive stabilizing system (LISS) and high strength injectable graft].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical results of less invasive stabilizing system (LISS) and high strength injectable graft in the treatment of osteoporotic distal femur fractures.

Methods: From Feb. 2005 to Feb.

[In vivo effect of nanophase Ti6Al4V on osseointegration: experiment with rabbits].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of nanophase Ti6Al4V substrates on the osseointegration in vivo.

Method: Novel nanophase Ti6Al4V substrates were prepared according to the severe plastic deformation principle. Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into 3 equal groups with their trochanters of femur exposed and implanted with titanium substrate with common surface (Ti group), nanophase Ti6Al4V substrate (nano-Ti group), and hydroxyapatite-coated substrate (HA group) respectively.