Macrophage polarization and macrophage-related factor expression in hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum.

Purpose: Owing to the unknow types of infiltrating macrophages and the corresponded factors, we aimed to investigate the specific types of infiltrating macrophages involved in HLF and the expression of macrophage-related factors.

Methods: The ligamentum flavum was obtained from patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (HLF group; n = 15) and lumbar disc herniation (non-hypertrophic ligamentum flavum [NLF] group; n = 15). Ligamentum flavum specimens were paraffin embedded, followed by histological and immunohistochemical staining to identify the macrophage type and expression of macrophage-related factors.

CD206 M2-like macrophages protect against intervertebral disc degeneration partially by targeting R-spondin-2.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the specific function of M2 macrophages in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD).

Methods: Intervertebral disc (IVD) samples from normal (n = 4) and IDD (n = 6) patients were collected, and the expression of M2-polarized macrophage marker, CD206, was investigated using immunohistochemical staining. Nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) in a TNF-α environment were obtained, and a mouse caudal IVD puncture model was established.

A clinical study of C arm-guided selective spinal nerve block combined with low-temperature plasma radiofrequency ablation of dorsal root ganglion in the treatment of zoster-related neuralgia.

Background: This study evaluated the analgesic efficacy and psychological response of low-temperature plasma ablation of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) combined with selective spinal nerve block in patients with acute or subacute zoster-related neuralgia (ZRN).

Methods: Totally 90 ZRN patients were randomly and evenly divided into three groups. Treatment was given to Group A using C arm-guided selective spinal nerve block (C-SSVB), Group B using C-SSVB and pulsed radiofrequency (PRF), and Group C using C-SSVB and low-temperature plasma ablation of the DRG.

Effectiveness of acupuncture therapy for postherpetic neuralgia: an umbrella review protocol.

Introduction: Several systematic reviews and meta-analysis indicate that acupuncture and related therapies may be a valuable adjunctive technique to pharmacological interventions for pain management of postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). However, the robustness of the results of these studies has not been evaluated. The aim of this proposed umbrella review is to provide more reliable evidence of the effectiveness of acupuncture therapy for PHN based on medical references for healthcare decision makers.

[Therapeutic effect and mechanism of silver needle heat conduction therapy combined with loxoprofen sodium patch in patients with knee osteoarthritis].

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of silver needle heat conduction therapy combined with loxoprofen sodium patch in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Methods: A total of ninety-two patients with KOA were randomly and equally divided into loxoprofen sodium group and silver needle heat conduction therapy + loxoprofen sodium (combination) group, with 46 cases in each group. Patients of the combination group were treated with silver needle heat conduction therapy combined with loxoprofen sodium patch, while those of the loxoprofen sodium group were treated with loxoprofen sodium patch.

miR-375 inhibits proliferation of mouse pancreatic progenitor cells by targeting YAP1.

Background/aims: The Hippo signaling pathway regulates expansion and differentiation of stem cells and tissue progenitor cells during organ development and tissue regeneration. Previous studies have shown that YAP1, a potent effector of the Hippo signaling pathway, plays a crucial role in pancreas development, but the function of YAP1 in pancreatic progenitor cells is less known.

Methods: The spatio-temporal expression pattern of YAP1 in mouse developing pancreata was detected by in situ hybridization.

Complete disassociation of adult pancreas into viable single cells through cold trypsin-EDTA digestion.

The in vitro isolation and analysis of pancreatic stem/progenitor cells are necessary for understanding their properties and function; however, the preparation of high-quality single-cell suspensions from adult pancreas is prerequisite. In this study, we applied a cold trypsin-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) digestion method to disassociate adult mouse pancreata into single cells. The yield of single cells and the viability of the harvested cells were much higher than those obtained via the two commonly used warm digestion methods.

MiR-18a regulates expression of the pancreatic transcription factor Ptf1a in pancreatic progenitor and acinar cells.

The basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor Ptf1a plays stage-specific roles in the developing pancreas. During early pancreatic development, low levels of Ptf1a preferentially promote the differentiation of pancreatic progenitor cells into endocrine cells, whereas high levels of Ptf1a shift pancreatic progenitors towards an exocrine cell fate. In adults, Ptf1a is essential for the production of exocrine enzymes by pancreatic acinar cells.

MicroRNA-19b downregulates insulin 1 through targeting transcription factor NeuroD1.

MiR-17-92 cluster miRNAs are disclosed to contribute to the development of multiple organs and tumorigenesis, but their roles in pancreas development remains unclear. In this study, we found that miR-19b, a member of miR-17-92, was highly expressed in the pancreatic progenitor cells, and miR-19b could target the 3' UTR of NeuroD1 mRNA to decrease its protein and mRNA levels. Functional analysis showed that miR-19b exerted little effect on the proliferation of pancreatic progenitors, whereas it inhibited the expression of insulin 1, but not insulin 2 in MIN6 cells.

[The roles of miR-17-92 cluster in mammal development and tumorigenesis].

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a new class of small, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression. The base pairing interactions between miRNAs and their target mRNAs, often within the 3'-untranslated region (UTR) of target genes, result in the degradation of target mRNAs or repression of their translation. MiRNAs regulate a diverse range of physiological processes, including cell differentiation and proliferation, mammalian development and human disease.