Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid Protects Nucleus Pulposus Cells from Compression-Induced Apoptosis and Necroptosis via Inhibiting Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.

Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) is a kind of hydrophilic bile acid, which could protect cells from death via inhibiting endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. However, the role of TUDCA in compression-induced intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) has not been elucidated. Here, we used a previously described device to mimic compression conditions.

Critical contribution of RIPK1 mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress to compression-induced rat nucleus pulposus cells necroptosis and apoptosis.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether RIPK1 mediated mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress contributed to compression-induced nucleus pulposus (NP) cells necroptosis and apoptosis, together with the interplay relationship between necroptosis and apoptosis in vitro. Rat NP cells underwent various periods of 1.0 MPa compression.

Meta-Analysis of the Association Between FAS Ligand and TRAIL Genetic Polymorphisms and Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Susceptibility in Chinese Han population.

Study Design: Meta-analysis to collect all the relevant studies to further investigate whether or not the FAS ligand (FASL) and tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) genetic polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) in Chinese Han population.

Objective: To investigate whether or not the FASL and TRAIL genetic polymorphisms are associated with susceptibility to IDD in Chinese Han population.

Summary Of Background Data: FASL and TRAIL are both apoptotic gene.

Cooperative Assembly of a Peptide Gelator and Silk Fibroin Afford an Injectable Hydrogel for Tissue Engineering.

Silk fibroin (SF) from Bombyx mori has received increasing interest in biomedical fields, because of its slow biodegradability, good biocompatibility, and low immunogenicity. Although SF-based hydrogels have been studied intensively as a potential matrix for tissue engineering, weak gelation performance and low mechanical strength are major limitations that hamper their widespread applicability. Therefore, searching for new strategies to improve the SF gelation property is highly desirable in tissue engineering research.

Encapsulation of mesenchymal stem cells in chitosan/β-glycerophosphate hydrogel for seeding on a novel calcium phosphate cement scaffold.

Due to its moldability, biocompatibility, osteoconductivity and resorbability, calcium phosphate cement (CPC) is a highly promising scaffold material for orthopedic applications. However, pH changes and ionic activity during the CPC setting reaction may adversely affect cells seeded directly on CPC. Moreover, a lack of macropores in CPC limits ingrowth of new bone.

Link Protein N-Terminal Peptide as a Potential Stimulating Factor for Stem Cell-Based Cartilage Regeneration.

Background: Link protein N-terminal peptide (LPP) in extracellular matrix (ECM) of cartilage could induce synthesis of proteoglycans and collagen type II in cartilaginous cells. Cartilage stem/progenitor cells (CSPCs), the endogenous stem cells in cartilage, are important in cartilage degeneration and regeneration. We hypothesized that LPP could be a stimulator for stem cell-based cartilage regeneration by affecting biological behaviors of CSPC.

Melatonin resists oxidative stress-induced apoptosis in nucleus pulposus cells.

Aims: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is thought to be the major cause of low back pain (LBP), which is still in lack of effective etiological treatment. Oxidative stress has been demonstrated to participate in the impairment of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs). As the most important neuroendocrine hormone in biological clock regulation, melatonin (MLT) is also featured by good antioxidant effect.

Halofuginone attenuates intervertebral discs degeneration by suppressing collagen I production and inactivating TGFβ and NF-кB pathway.

Most low back pain is caused by intervertebral discs (IVD) degeneration, a disease that prevalence is increasing with age. Halofuginone, an analog of ferbrifugine isolated from plant Dichroa febrifuga, has drawn much attention in recent years for the wide range of bioactivities in malaria, cancer, fibrotic and autoimmune diseases. In this study, we evaluated the benefit effects of halofuginone in IVD degeneration treatment in a validated rabbit puncture model.

Association of TNF-α-308(G/A) and -238(G/A) polymorphisms with non-traumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head risks: a meta-analysis.

Purpose: The association between TNF-α-308(G/A) and -238(G/A) polymorphisms and the susceptibility of non-traumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (NONFH) was investigated in many studies with conflicting results. We aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship between them comprehensively.

Methods: Relevant literatures published in PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane library databases, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WANFANG Data, and China Science and Technology Journal Database (CSTJ) updated to January 30, 2018, were reviewed by two investigators independently.

Anticancer effect of (S)-crizotinib on osteosarcoma cells by targeting MTH1 and activating reactive oxygen species.

MTH1 has become a new rising star in the field of 'cancer phenotypic lethality' and can be targeted in many kinds of tumors. This study aimed to explore the anticancer effect of MTH1-targeted drug (S)-crizotinib on osteosarcoma (OS) cells. We detected MTH1 expression in OS tissues and cells using immunohistochemistry and western blot.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Protect Nucleus Pulposus Cells from Compression-Induced Apoptosis by Inhibiting the Mitochondrial Pathway.

Objective: Excessive apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) induced by various stresses, including compression, contributes to the development of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can benefit the regeneration of NPCs and delay IVDD, but the underlying molecular mechanism is poorly understood. This study aimed to evaluate the antiapoptosis effects of bone marrow-derived MSC (BMSC) on rat NPCs exposed to compression and investigate whether the mitochondrial pathway was involved.

Enzymatic Formation of an Injectable Hydrogel from a Glycopeptide as a Biomimetic Scaffold for Vascularization.

The construction of functional vascular networks in regenerative tissues is a crucial technology in tissue engineering to ensure the sufficient supply of nutrients. Although natural hydrogels are highly prevalent in fabricating three-dimensional scaffolds to induce neovascular growth, their widespread applicability was limited by the potential risk of immunogenicity or pathogen transmission. Therefore, developing hydrogels with good biocompatibility and cell affinity is highly desirable for fabricating alternative matrices for tissue regeneration applications.

Icariin Prevents IL-1-Induced Apoptosis in Human Nucleus Pulposus via the PI3K/AKT Pathway.

Purpose: To explore the effect and possible mechanism of icariin, a prenylated flavonol glycoside derived from the Chinese herb that was applied to IL-1 pretreated human nucleus pulposus (NP) cells.

Methods: Human NP cells were isolated from intervertebral discs of patients with scoliosis and lumbar spondylolisthesis. The cells were divided into five groups: A (blank control); B (20 ng/ml IL-1); C (20 ng/ml IL-1 + 20 M icariin); D (20 M icariin + 20 ng/ml IL-1 + 25 M LY294002); E (20 ng/ml IL-1 + 25 M LY294002).

Pramlintide regulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) and apoptosis through mitochondrial-dependent pathways in human nucleus pulposus cells.

Pramlintide, an approved analog of amylin, is responsible for regulating the physiology of energy homeostasis. The goals of this study were to investigate the roles of pramlintide in the regulation of cell survival and matrix metabolism, and further explore their underlying mechanisms, in human nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. NP cells were treated with different concentrations of pramlintide in normoxic or hypoxic conditions.

Clinical outcome and surgical strategies for late post-traumatic kyphosis after failed thoracolumbar fracture operation: Case report and literature review.

Rationale: Thoracic-lumbar vertebral fracture is very common in clinic, and late post-traumatic kyphosis is the main cause closely related to the patients' life quality, which has evocated extensive concern for the surgical treatment of the disease. This study aimed to analyze the clinical outcomes and surgical strategies for late post-traumatic kyphosis after failed thoracolumbar fracture operation.

Patient Concerns: All patients presented back pain with kyphotic apex vertebrae between T12 and L3.

Methylation of microRNA-129-5P modulates nucleus pulposus cell autophagy by targeting Beclin-1 in intervertebral disc degeneration.

MicroRNAs play an important role in the etiology and progression of many diseases, including intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). The miRNA miR-129-5P regulates autophagy in various cancers, but its role in human nucleus pulposus (NP) cells is unclear. The present study investigated whether miR-129-5p regulates the expression of Beclin-1 which is known to induce autophagy in NP cells by evaluating their levels in normal and degenerative disc tissues and human NP cells transfected with miR-129-5P mimic or inhibitor by quantitative real-time (qRT-)PCR, western blotting, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence analysis.

Surgical strategies for the treatment of os odontoideum with atlantoaxial dislocation.

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to compare the clinical results of using posterior fixation and fusion with or without anterior decompression to treat os odontoideum with atlantoaxial dislocation. METHODS Twenty-five consecutive patients with os odontoideum were included in this study. Sixteen patients with reducible atlantoaxial dislocation were treated by single-level posterior fusion and stabilization; the other 9 were treated with posterior fusion and stabilization combined with transoral decompression.

The skeletal-related events of denosumab versus zoledronic acid in patients with bone metastases: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Objective: The meta-analysis was used to evaluate the skeletal-related events (SREs) and efficacy of denosumab versus zoledronic acid (ZA) in patients with bone metastases.

Methods: The data of this meta-analysis study were searched from PUBMED, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science with Conference Proceedings, Elsevier and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases till August 2017. Two independent reviewers reviewed the reference lists of relevant articles.

Presacral Tarlov Cyst as an Unusual Cause of Abdominal Pain: New Case and Literature Review.

Background: A presacral Tarlov cyst is an unusual cause of abdominal pain. The unusual location of a presacral Tarlov cyst can lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment. To guide appropriate diagnosis and treatment, we reviewed causes, clinical presentations, radiologic features, and management options of this extremely rare lesion.

Association of COL1A1 rs1800012 polymorphism with musculoskeletal degenerative diseases: a meta-analysis.

It has been reported that the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1800012 in COL1A1 gene might be linked to the susceptibility of musculoskeletal degenerative diseases, such as osteoarthritis (OA) and intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). However, the data from different studies is contradictory. Here we aimed to comprehensively summarize and clarify the relationship between the SNP and musculoskeletal degenerative diseases.

Correction: Prognostic value of long non-coding RNA CCAT1 expression in patients with cancer: A meta-analysis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Hydrogen peroxide induces programmed necrosis in rat nucleus pulposus cells through the RIP1/RIP3-PARP-AIF pathway.

This study aimed to systematically investigate whether programmed necrosis contributes to H O -induced nucleus pulposus (NP) cells death and to further explore the underlying mechanism involved. Rat NP cells were subjected to different concentrations of H O for various time periods. The cell viability was measured using a cell counting kit-8, and the death rate was detected by Hoechst 33258/propidium iodide (PI) staining.

Computer-aided designed, three dimensional-printed hemipelvic prosthesis for peri-acetabular malignant bone tumour.

Background: Prosthetic reconstruction may be a promising treatment for peri-acetabular malignant bone tumour; however, it is associated with a high complication rate. Therefore, prosthetic design and approach of prosthetic reconstruction after tumour resection warrant study.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 11 patients with peri-acetabular malignant bone tumours treated by personalized 3D-printed hemipelvic prostheses after en bloc resection between 2015 and 2016.