Peptide inhibitors targeting Ras and Ras-associated protein-protein interactions.

Peptides represent attractive molecules for targeting protein-protein interactions, and peptide drug development has made great progress during the last decades. Ras protein, the most promising target in cancer therapy, is one of the major growth drivers in various cancers. Although many small molecule inhibitors have been reported to effectively target Ras protein and some inhibitors (such as MRTX849 and AMG 510) have been translated into clinical application, just a few peptide inhibitors have been reported.

Rational design of diblock copolymer enables efficient cytosolic protein delivery.

Polymer-mediated cytosolic protein delivery demonstrates a promising strategy for the development of protein therapeutics. Here, we propose a new designed diblock copolymer which realizes efficient cytosolic protein delivery both in vitro and in vivo. The polymer contains one protein-binding block composed of phenylboronic acid (PBA) and N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) (DMAP) pendant units for protein binding and endosomal escape, respectively, followed by the response to ATP enriched in the cytosol which triggers the protein release.

Evaluation of lumbar paraspinal muscles degeneration and fatty infiltration in dynamic sagittal imbalance based on magnetic resonance imaging.

Purpose: To explore degeneration and fatty infiltration (FI) of lumbar paraspinal muscles in patients with dynamic sagittal imbalance (DSI) and the relationship between lumbar paraspinal muscles degeneration, fatty infiltration and severity of the disease.

Methods: We recruited 41 DSI patients and selected 22 lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) patients without osphyalgia as controls. All patients received magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and DSI patients also received pre-walk and post-walk X-rays.

Posterior Hybrid Technique for the Treatment of Traumatic Cervical Spinal Cord Injury with High Signal Intensity on T2WI.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the posterior hybrid technique (PHT) for the treatment of traumatic cervical spinal cord injury without vertebral fracture or dislocation with high signal intensity on T2WI (CSCIH).

Methods: A comparative analysis of clinical efficacy between CSCIH patients who underwent anterior decompression and fusion (ADF) surgery and those who underwent PHT surgery was retrospectively conducted. Demographic characteristics, cervical range of motion (CRM), cross-sectional area of spinal cord (CSASC), spinal canal area residual rate (SCARR), high signal intensity ratio (HSIR), Cervical Japanese Orthopedic Association (CJOA) score, and neck disability index (NDI) were assessed.

A ROS/GAS5/SIRT1 reinforcing feedback promotes oxidative stress-induced adipogenesis in bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells during osteoporosis.

Background: LincGAS5 have been reported to regulate the progression of osteoporosis (OP). However, the relationship between LincGAS5 and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in osteoporosis were still unclear.

Methods: Bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) rat were established as OP model and verified by the Micro-computed tomography.

Butyrate emerges as a crucial effector of Zhi-Zi-Chi decoctions to ameliorate depression via multiple pathways of brain-gut axis.

Gut microbiota has emerged as a crucial target of gut-brain axis to influence depression. Zhi-Zi-Chi decoctions (ZZCD), as a classic oral formula in clinic, is widely applied in depression treatment nowadays. However, the underlying mechanism in the antidepressant activity of ZZCD remains unknown.

Low-Cost, Unsinkable, and Highly Efficient Solar Evaporators Based on Coating MWCNTs on Nonwovens with Unidirectional Water-Transfer.

Solar vapor generation technology is promising in seawater desalination, sewage purification, and other fields. However, wide application of this technology is still largely confined due to its high cost and difficulties for scalable production. In this study, an ever-floating solar evaporator is fabricated by coating multiwall carbon nanotubes on a bicomponent nonwoven composed of polypropylene/polyethylene core-sheath fibers.

Comparing Thoracic Extensive Laminoplasty (TELP) and Laminectomy in Treating Severe Thoracic Ligamentum Flavum Ossification: A Proposed Novel Technique and Case-Control Study.

Objective: (1) To propose a novel technique named thoracic extensive laminoplasty (TELP) in curing severe thoracic ligamentum flavum ossification (STOLF) and (2) to compare outcomes between TELP and laminectomy in curing STOLF.

Methods: Cases with fused or tuberous STOLF (Sato classification) treated from Jan 2015 to Jan 2017 were reviewed and divided into the TELP group (G1) and laminectomy group (G2) according to their surgical management. Data on demographics, complications, pre- and postoperative symptoms, residual spinal canal area (RSCA-1), residual spinal cord area (RSCA-2), modified Japanese Orthopedic Association score (mJOA), and health-related quality of life (HRQOL, based on the SF-36) were collected.

The association between overweight/obesity and vertebral fractures in older adults: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

Unlabelled: A meta-analysis of observational studies was conducted to assess the relationship between overweight/obesity and vertebral fractures in older adults. We found that overweight was related to a decreased risk of vertebral fractures in female and non-Asian populations, while obesity failed to be associated with vertebral fracture risks based on the present data.

Introduction: Recent investigations suggest that the influence of overweight/obesity on fracture risks is site-specific, while conflicting data were reported related to vertebral fracture.

Alterations of sagittal alignment and thoracic cage parameters after long-term bracing in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.

Background: Sagittal alignment and thoracic cage parameters are correlated with the surgery success rate and life quality of adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). However, the effects of the long-term bracing on sagittal and thoracic cage parameters have not been clearly recognized.

Hypothesis: Long-term brace treatment could compromise sagittal balance and thoracic development in patients with AIS.

Characteristics and treatment of dynamic sagittal imbalance in adult spinal deformity.

Objective: To raise the diagnostic criteria, classification and treatment strategy of dynamic sagittal imbalance (DSI).

Methods: One hundred thirty-three adult spinal deformity (ASD) patients with stooping and back pain after walking were retrospectively analyzed. Based on the radiographic parameters and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, the diagnostic criteria of DSI were raised.

A combined analysis of transcriptomics and proteomics of a novel Antarctic Salpa sp. and its potential toxin screenings.

Background: We successfully captured a kind of gelatinous organism DA-6 from Antarctic water, extracted its total RNAs and proteins, and performed species identification through a combination of transcriptomics and proteomics in this study.

Methods: The gelatinous organism DA-6 was captured 200 m underwater in Antarctica. Total RNA was extracted to construct the transcriptome and the proteins were identified by LC-MS/MS.

The Joe-Lin Operative Classification System for Pediatric Lumbosacral Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis.

Objective: To propose and validate a novel and comprehensive classification of lumbosacral spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis in the pediatric population according to surgical managements.

Methods: Cases of pediatric lumbosacral (L5/S1 level) spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis were reviewed. Lumbar Japanese Orthopedics Association score, health-related quality of life, spondylolisthesis, lumbosacral disc degeneration, and dysplastic features were included for evaluation of outcomes after surgery.

DMBT1 has a protective effect on allergic rhinitis.

Objective: Deleted in malignant brain tumors 1 (DMBT1) is a secreted scavenger receptor cysteine-rich (SRCR) protein, predominantly expressed in nasal mucosal epithelial cells. In previous experiments, we found large amounts of DMBT1 present in the nasal cavity mucosa of allergic rhinitis (AR) patients. However, the exact role of DMBT1 in AR remains unclear.

Functional variants of hepatocyte growth factor identified in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

The genetic etiology of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) remains obscure. Whole-genome sequencing was performed in four members of one family. Then, we performed a rigorous computational analysis to determine the deleterious effects of the identified variants.

Asymmetric expression of GPR126 in the convex/concave side of the spine is associated with spinal skeletal malformation in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis population.

Purpose: To determine the relationship between the bone formation-related functions of GPR126 and the structural asymmetry of spine in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods: Vertebral body samples were obtained from 51 AIS patients during spinal surgery between October 2014 and November 2017, and the expression pattern of GPR126 in the convex/concave sides of AIS spine was identified by RT-qPCR. Next, we explored the bone formation-related functions of GPR126 by knocking down and overexpressing GPR126 in human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC) and further performing osteogenic differentiation.

Combined Halo Gravity Traction and Dual Growing Rod Technique for the Treatment of Early Onset Dystrophic Scoliosis in Neurofibromatosis Type 1.

Objective: To determine the safety and effectiveness of the combined halo gravity traction and dual growing rod technique in achieving and maintaining scoliosis correction while allowing spinal growth.

Methods: From January 2014 to July 2017, 11 patients with dystrophic neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1)-associated scoliosis, including 7 men and 4 women, underwent combined halo gravity traction and dual growing rod technique procedures. Diagnoses were all dystrophic NF1-associated scoliosis.

Extent of Depression in Juvenile and Adolescent Patients with Idiopathic Scoliosis During Treatment with Braces.

Objective: We compared the depression levels of juvenile and adolescent patients with idiopathic scoliosis who had undergone bracing and identified the factors that influenced the extent of depression in these patients.

Methods: Our study included 112 patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and 96 patients with juvenile idiopathic scoliosis (JIS). The demographic characteristics and Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale, Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children scores were evaluated to select the relative factors of depression in patients and parents.

Knockdown of PEBP4 inhibits human glioma cell growth and invasive potential via ERK1/2 signaling pathway.

Phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)-binding protein 4 (PEBP4) is an antiapoptotic protein that is aberrantly expressed in various malignancies. We previously demonstrated that PEBP4 expression is dramatically induced in human gliomas and positively correlated with tumor grade and patient survival. However, the function of PEBP4 in human glioma development and underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown.

Comparing Uniplanar and Multiaxial Pedicle Screws in the Derotation of Apical Vertebrae for Lenke V Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Case-Controlled Study.

Objective: To compare effects of uniplanar and multiaxial pedicle screws on apical vertebral derotation efficiency in patients with Lenke V adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Methods: For this retrospective study, patients with Lenke V adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with uniplanar pedicle screws (group I) and multiaxial pedicle screws (group II) were collected from January 2013 to December 2015. Grade of apical vertebral rotation was evaluated before and after surgery using the Nash-Moe and Upasani methods, respectively.

Comparison of Outcomes in 3 Surgical Approaches for Dystrophic Cervical Kyphosis in Patients with Neurofibromatosis 1.

Objective: To compare outcomes of anterior-only (AO), posterior-only (PO), and anteroposterior (AP) surgical approaches for treatment of dystrophic cervical kyphosis in patients with neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1).

Methods: This retrospective observational study included 81 patients with dystrophic cervical kyphosis secondary to NF1. Length of kyphosis, duration of halo traction, Cobb angle, C2-7-sagittal vertical axis (SVA), T1 slope, Neck Disability Index score, and postoperative complications were evaluated before and, if possible, after each surgical approach.

Efficient and Fast Differentiation of Human Neural Stem Cells from Human Embryonic Stem Cells for Cell Therapy.

Stem cell-based therapies have been used for repairing damaged brain tissue and helping functional recovery after brain injury. Aberrance neurogenesis is related with brain injury, and multipotential neural stem cells from human embryonic stem (hES) cells provide a great promise for cell replacement therapies. Optimized protocols for neural differentiation are necessary to produce functional human neural stem cells (hNSCs) for cell therapy.

Predictors of Postoperative Recovery Based on Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients after Degenerative Lumbar Scoliosis Surgery.

Objective: To investigate the factors associated with the recovery process of elderly patients after degenerative lumbar scoliosis surgery.

Methods: A total of 213 elderly patients who had undergone surgical treatment for degenerative lumbar scoliosis from 2011 to 2015 were included retrospectively in this study. Clinical data and demographics were collected for logistic regression analysis.