Saikosaponin a increases interleukin-10 expression and inhibits scar formation after sciatic nerve injury.

Nerve scarring after peripheral nerve injury can severely hamper nerve regeneration and functional recovery. Further, the anti-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-10, can inhibit nerve scar formation. Saikosaponin a (SSa) is a monomer molecule extracted from the Chinese medicine, Bupleurum.

Gene expression profile identifies potential biomarkers for human intervertebral disc degeneration.

The present study aimed to reveal the potential genes associated with the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) by analyzing microarray data using bioinformatics. Gene expression profiles of two regions of the intervertebral disc were compared between patients with IDD and controls. GSE70362 containing two groups of gene expression profiles, 16 nucleus pulposus (NP) samples from patients with IDD and 8 from controls, and 16 annulus fibrosus (AF) samples from patients with IDD and 8 from controls, was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database.

Neurotrophin-4 induces myelin protein zero expression in cultured Schwann cells via the TrkB/PI3K/Akt/mTORC1 pathway.

Myelin formation during peripheral nervous system development, as well as myelin repair after injury and in disease, requires multiple intrinsic and extrinsic signals. Neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) is a member of the neurotrophin family, which regulates the development of neuronal networks by participating in the growth of neuronal processes, synaptic development and plasticity, neuronal survival, and differentiation. However, the intracellular signaling pathways by which NT-4 participates in myelination by Schwann cells remain elusive.

Dysregulated miR-133a Mediates Loss of Type II Collagen by Directly Targeting Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) in Human Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

Study Design: A microRNA (miRNA) study using Solexa sequencing.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD)-specific miRNA expression profile, and to validate its biological function.

Summary Of Background Data: Accumulating evidence indicates that miRNAs play a critical role in IDD, but the role of specific miRNAs involved in this entity remains unclear.

MicroRNA-221 Regulates Hypertrophy of Ligamentum Flavum in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis by Targeting TIMP-2.

Study Design: A study of lumbar ligamentum flavum (LF).

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify LF hypertrophy related microRNAs (miRNAs) expression profile and to investigate the role of miRNAs in the development of LF hypertrophy in lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).

Summary Of Background Data: Although histologic and biologic literature on LF hypertrophy is available, the pathomechanism is still unknown.

Upregulated Ras/Raf/ERK1/2 signaling pathway: a new hope in the repair of spinal cord injury.

An increasing number of studies report that the Ras/Raf/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling pathway has a death-promoting apoptotic function in neural cells. We hypothesized that the Ras/Raf/ERK1/2 signaling pathway may be abnormally regulated in rat injured spinal cord models. The weight drop method was used to establish rat spinal cord injury at T9.

Computer navigation in total hip arthroplasty: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: Traditional operation frequently depends on experience of doctors and anatomic landmark visual observation, which often leads to deviation in acetabular prosthesis implantation. Computer navigation technique greatly improves accuracy of prosthesis implantation. The present meta-analysis aimed at assessing the accuracy and clinical significance of computer navigation for acetabular implantation.

[Dynamic changes of LDH and HBDH activity in rabbit serum after low voltage electrical injury].

Objective: To investigate changes of LDH and HBDH activity in rabbit serum after non-thermal low voltage electrical injury and to provide diagnostic criteria for non-thermal low voltage electrical injury.

Methods: Forty New Zealand rabbits were randomly distributed into control group and electrical injury group (EI-groups; designated 7 time points: 0 h, 2 h, 4 h, 12 h, 1 d, 2 d, 3 d), 5 rabbits per each group. EI-groups were treated with the method of non-thermal low voltage electrical injury established in our laboratory.