Polydatin induces apoptosis and autophagy via STAT3 signaling in human osteosarcoma MG-63 cells.

Polydatin, a natural product, is detected in many daily diets, such as grape juices and peanut. Autophagy regulation is recognized as a new potential strategy for cancer therapy, and previous studies demonstrated that polydatin showed remarkable anti-cancer ability. Nevertheless, the capability of polydatin to induce autophagy and its role in anti-osteosarcoma remains obscure.

miR-149-5p inhibits cell growth by regulating TWEAK/Fn14/PI3K/AKT pathway and predicts favorable survival in human osteosarcoma.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) as small non-coding RNAs act as either tumor suppressors or oncogenes in human cancers, of which miR-149-5p (miR-149) is involved in tumor growth and metastasis, but its role and molecular mechanisms underlying osteosarcoma growth are poorly understood. The correlation of miR-149 expression with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis in patients with sarcoma was analyzed by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) RNA-sequencing data. Osteosarcoma cell growth affected by miR-149 was evaluated by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and colony formation assays.

Effects of Low Bone Mineral Status on Biomechanical Characteristics in Idiopathic Scoliotic Spinal Deformity.

Background: Low bone mass in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis has been well reported. Poor bone quality was regarded as a new and unique prognostic factor in aggravating curve progression. However, the potential biomechanical correlation between them remains unclear.

The Effect of Estradiol on the Growth Plate Chondrocytes of Limb and Spine from Postnatal Mice : The Role of Estrogen-Receptor and Estradiol Concentration.

Skeletal development is a complex process. Little is known about the different response of limb or spine growth plate chondrocytes (LGP or SGP) to the estrogen level and the role of estrogen receptor (ER) during postnatal stage. LGP and SGP chondrocytes were isolated from 50 one-week mice and treated with different concentrations of 17β-estradiol.

Risk Factors for Dysphagia After Single-Level Anterior Cervical Decompression with Arthroplasty or Fusion: A Prospective Study Comparing 2 Zero-Profile Implants.

Objective: To determine any differences in self-reported dysphagia in patients treated with single-level anterior cervical decompression with different zero-profile implants (arthroplasty vs. arthrodesis) and identify risk factors for postoperative dysphagia.

Methods: A total of 112 patients with 1-level cervical degenerative disc disease were included in the prospective study.

Comparison of 2 Zero-Profile Implants in the Treatment of Single-Level Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: A Preliminary Clinical Study of Cervical Disc Arthroplasty versus Fusion.

Objectives: Cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) with Discover prosthesis or anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with Zero-P cage has been widely used in the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). However, little is known about the comparison of the 2 zero-profile implants in the treatment of single-level CSM. The aim was to compare the clinical outcomes and radiographic parameters of CDA with Discover prosthesis and ACDF with Zero-P cage for the treatment of single-level CSM.

Comparison of a Stand-Alone Anchored Spacer Versus Plate-Cage Construct in the Treatment of Two Noncontiguous Levels of Cervical Spondylosis: A Preliminary Investigation.

Objective: The application of stand-alone anchored spacer (SAAS) in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) has been proven to be safe and effective to treat cervical spondylosis. Skip-level ACDF with SAAS, fusing only the involved levels without anterior plates, may be the optimal treatment. The aim of the study was to compare the clinical outcomes, radiologic results of SAAS, and plate-cage construct in the treatment of 2 noncontiguous levels of cervical spondylosis.

Application of a stand-alone anchored spacer in noncontiguous anterior cervical arthrodesis with radiologic analysis of the intermediate segment.

The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical features of noncontiguous cervical degenerative disc disease (cDDD), investigate the efficacy and complications of a stand-alone anchored spacer (SAAS) for patients with noncontiguous cDDD, and present radiologic analysis of the intermediate segment (IS) after skip-level fusion. Nineteen consecutive patients with noncontiguous cDDD who underwent skip-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with SAAS from January 2010 to December 2012 were enrolled in this study. Clinical outcomes were assessed preoperatively and at 24 months postoperatively using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association score, Neck Disability Index, and Visual Analog Scale.

Comparison of plate-cage construct and stand-alone anchored spacer in the surgical treatment of three-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a preliminary clinical study.

Background Context: Although stand-alone cages were advocated to be superior to plate-cage construct (PCC) because of comparable clinical outcomes and fewer plate-related complications, cage dislocation and subsidence were frequently mentioned in multilevel fusion. There are some concerns about whether these issues can be effectively prevented in multilevel anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) by stand-alone anchored spacer (SAAS).

Purpose: The aim was to compare clinical outcomes, radiologic parameters, and complications of PCC and SAAS in the treatment of three-level cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

Lever reduction using polyaxial screw and rod fixation system for the treatment of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis with spinal stenosis: technique and clinical outcome.

Background: The management for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis with spinal stenosis remains controversial. Reduction of lumbar spondylolisthesis has been performed via numerous techniques. Most of them need extra reduction assembly.

Fibroblast growth factor-21 concentration in serum and synovial fluid is associated with radiographic bone loss of knee osteoarthritis.

We aimed to evaluate whether FGF-21 concentration in serum and synovial fluid (SF) is associated with radiographic bone loss of knee osteoarthritis (OA). A total of 186 OA patients and 108 controls were recruited. The radiographic bone loss of knee OA was assessed by the Ahlbäck grading scale.

Kinetic magnetic resonance imaging analysis of spinal degeneration: a systematic review.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical use of kinetic magnetic resonance imaging (kMRI) in spinal degenerative diseases.

Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE and ISI databases for articles that had been published between January 1978 and February 2013 concerning patients who had undergone kMRI for spinal problems was performed. All selected patients had undergone kMRI in neutral, flexion, and extension weight-bearing positions.

Estrogen receptor expression in lumbar intervertebral disc of the elderly: gender- and degeneration degree-related variations.

Objectives: Sexual dimorphism does occur in intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. The involvement of estrogen on IVD health has been well reported in recent years. The estrogen receptors (ER) are the main mediators of estrogen action.

Functional annotation of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis associated genes by integrative genome-wide gene expression profiling analysis.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA) are two major types of joint diseases that share multiple common symptoms. However, their pathological mechanism remains largely unknown. The aim of our study is to identify RA and OA related-genes and gain an insight into the underlying genetic basis of these diseases.

Primary Aspergillus spondylodiscitis in a liver transplant recipient.

Solid organ transplant recipients are at increased risk for Aspergillus infections. However, the cases of Aspergillus spondylodiscitis are rare and mostly resulted from the hematogenous spread of invasive pulmonary Aspergillosis. Here, we report a case of primary spondylodiscitis in a liver transplant recipient.

Effective reinnervation of the quadriceps femoris by spinal ventral root cross-anastomosis in rats.

Purpose: To study the effective recovery of the quadriceps femoris by spinal ventral root cross-anastomosis in rats.

Methods: End-to-end anastomosis was performed between the left L(1) and L(3) ventral roots using autogenous nerve graft, and the right L(1) and L(3) roots were left intact. In control animals, the left L(3) ventral root was cut and shortened, and anastomosis was not performed.

Correlation of synovial fluid HMGB-1 levels with radiographic severity of knee osteoarthritis.

Purpose: This study measured high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB-1) levels in serum and synovial fluid (SF) in patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (OA) and correlated these levels with radiographic disease severity.

Methods: Seventy-eight OA patients and 30 controls were enrolled in this study. All OA patients were scored according to the Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading system.

[The effect of the thoracic cage on the vertebral axial rotation of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a biomechanical study].

Objective: To investigate the effect of the rib cage on the vertebral axial rotation of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis under axial load condition.

Methods: Three dimensional finite element model of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis included and excluded thoracic cage was built based on the data of computer tomography. The model was imported into the preprocessor of the ANSYS 8.

Surgical treatment of scoliosis associated with Marfan syndrome by using posterior-only instrumentation.

Surgical treatment of scoliosis associated with Marfan syndrome poses a challenge to spine surgeons. This retrospective study was undertaken to determine whether posterior-only surgery with instrumented fixation and fusion addresses the correction of scoliosis and maintains curve correction. Twelve consecutive patients with Marfan syndrome were treated between 2002 and 2007 for scoliosis by posterior segmental instrumentation using pedicle screws or hybrid thoracic-hook and lumbar-screw constructs.