IL-1β increases asporin expression via the NF-κB p65 pathway in nucleus pulposus cells during intervertebral disc degeneration.

Disc degeneration (DD) is a multifaceted chronic process that alters the structure and function of intervertebral discs. The pathophysiology of degeneration is not completely understood, but the consensus is that changes in genes encoding extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in the disc are the leading factors contributing to DD. Asporin is an ECM protein that has been shown to be increased in degenerated intervertebral discs, but little is known about how asporin is regulated during DD.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-lα mediates aggrecan and collagen Π expression via NOTCH1 signaling in nucleus pulposus cells during intervertebral disc degeneration.

Although hypoxia-inducible factor-lα (HIF-lα) has been reported to have an important role in the metabolism and synthesis of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs), the underlying mechanism has not been fully clarified. Here, we show for the first time that NOTCH1 expression is decreased in NPs isolated from degenerated human intervertebral discs (IVDs), as well as in the NPs of NP-specific HIF-1α mice. Our study reveals that overexpression of HIF-1α leads to increased expression of NOTCH1, the NOTCH1 ligand JAGGED1, and its target gene hairy and enhancer of split-1 (HES1), while also upregulating collagen Π and aggrecan expression in human NPCs.

Osteoclast proton pump regulator Atp6v1c1 enhances breast cancer growth by activating the mTORC1 pathway and bone metastasis by increasing V-ATPase activity.

It is known that V-ATPases (vacuolar H+-ATPase) are involved in breast cancer growth and metastasis. Part of this action is similar to their role in osteoclasts, where they're involved in extracellular acidification and matrix destruction; however, the roles of their subunits in cancer cell proliferation, signaling, and other pro-tumor actions are not well established. Analysis of TCGA data shows that V-ATPase subunit Atp6v1c1 is overexpressed or amplified in 34% of human breast cancer cases, with a 2-fold decrease in survival at 12 years.

Histological Identification of in Nonpyogenic Degenerated Intervertebral Discs.

. Low-virulence anaerobic bacteria, especially the , have been thought to be a new pathogeny for a series of disc diseases. However, until now, there has been no histological evidence to confirm this link.

Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Protects against Spinal Cord Ischemia Reperfusion Injury-Induced Apoptosis by Blocking Autophagy.

The role of autophagy, neuroprotective mechanisms of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), and their relationship in spinal cord ischemic reperfusion injury (SCIR) was assessed. Forty-eight Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: sham, ischemia reperfusion (I/R), 10 mg/kg NAD, and 75 mg/kg NAD. Western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry were used to assess autophagy and apoptosis.

Ankle joint distraction arthroplasty for severe ankle arthritis.

Background: Ankle distraction arthroplasty is one option for the treatment of severe ankle arthritis in young patients. The outcomes and factors predicting success in distraction arthroplasty are poorly understood.

Methods: From January 2011 to May 2015, 16 patients who had undergone ankle distraction arthroplasty for ankle arthritis were operated, including six males and ten females.

PEDF mediates pathological neovascularization by regulating macrophage recruitment and polarization in the mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy.

Macrophages have been demonstrated to play a proangiogenic role in retinal pathological vascular growth. Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) works as a powerful endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor, but its role in macrophage recruitment and polarization is largely unknown. To explore the underlying mechanisms, we first evaluated macrophage polarization in the retinas of the oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mouse model.

iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis on differentially expressed proteins of rat mandibular condylar cartilage induced by reducing dietary loading.

As muscle activity during growth is considerably important for mandible quality and morphology, reducing dietary loading directly influences the development and metabolic activity of mandibular condylar cartilage (MCC). However, an overall investigation of changes in the protein composition of MCC has not been fully described in literature. To study the protein expression and putative signaling in vivo, we evaluated the structural changes of MCC and differentially expressed proteins induced by reducing functional loading in rat MCC at developmental stages.

Protective effect of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) against spinal cord ischemia-reperfusion injury via reducing oxidative stress-induced neuronal apoptosis.

As previous studies demonstrate that oxidative stress and apoptosis play crucial roles in ischemic pathogenesis and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) treatment attenuates oxidative stress-induced cell death among primary neurons and astrocytes as well as significantly reduce cerebral ischemic injury in rats. We used a spinal cord ischemia injury (SCII) model in rats to verify our hypothesis that NAD could ameliorate oxidative stress-induced neuronal apoptosis. Adult male rats were subjected to transient spinal cord ischemia for 60min, and different doses of NAD were administered intraperitoneally immediately after the start of reperfusion.

Effects of resection margins on local recurrence of osteosarcoma in extremity and pelvis: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: There are conflicting findings about the effect of resection margins on local recurrence in osteosarcoma after surgery. In this meta-analysis, we examined the association between local recurrence and resection margins for osteosarcoma in extremity and pelvis.

Methods: EMBASE, PubMed and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched from January 1980 to July 2016.

Calcaneal Z Lengthening Osteotomy Combined With Subtalar Arthroereisis for Severe Adolescent Flexible Flatfoot Reconstruction.

Background: The timing and strategy for operative treatment of flatfoot are still controversial. The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical outcomes and radiographic changes following calcaneal Z osteotomy combined with subtalar arthroereisis for severe adolescent flexible flatfoot.

Methods: Data were analyzed for 16 patients (20 feet) who had flatfoot without tibialis posterior tendon dysfunction and were treated by calcaneal Z osteotomy combined with arthroereisis between October 2011 and February 2015.

Comparison between Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion and Conventional Open Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: An Updated Meta-analysis.

Background: The previous studies agree that minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) has better function outcomes, less blood loss, and shorter hospital stay, when compared to open-TLIF. However, there are no significance differences on operative time, complication, and reoperation rate between the two procedures. This could be from less relative literatures and lower grade evidence.

Increased EZH2 and decreased osteoblastogenesis during local irradiation-induced bone loss in rats.

Radiation therapy is commonly used to treat cancer patients but exhibits adverse effects, including insufficiency fractures and bone loss. Epigenetic regulation plays an important role in osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Here, we reported local bone changes after single-dose exposure to (137)CS irradiation in rats.

Diagnostic value of Tg and TgAb for metastasis following ablation in patients with differentiated thyroid carcinoma coexistent with Hashimoto thyroiditis.

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the clinical value of serum thyroglobulin (Tg) and antithyroglobulin antibody (TgAb) measurements and the cutoff value after ablation in differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) complicated by Hashimoto thyroiditis (HT) with metastasis.

Materials And Methods: We measured serum Tg and TgAb levels and evaluated the disease status in 164 cases of DTC coexistent with HT in pathologically confirmed patients after surgery and post-remnant ablation during a 3-year follow-up. All Tg and TgAb levels were assessed by chemiluminescent immunoassay (IMA).

Mitigation of sensory and motor deficits by acrolein scavenger phenelzine in a rat model of spinal cord contusive injury.

Currently there are no effective therapies available for the excruciating neuropathic pain that develops after spinal cord injuries (SCI). As such, a great deal of effort is being put into the investigation of novel therapeutic targets that can alleviate this pain. One such target is acrolein, a highly reactive aldehyde produced as a byproduct of oxidative stress and inflammation that is capable of activating the transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) cation channel, known to be involved in the transmission and propagation of chronic neuropathic pain.

Modic Changes and Disc Degeneration Caused by Inoculation of Propionibacterium acnes inside Intervertebral Discs of Rabbits: A Pilot Study.

Purpose: To investigate whether P. acnes could induce disc degeneration and Modic changes when inoculated into the discs of rabbits.

Method: A wild-type strain of P.

Overview: the role of Propionibacterium acnes in nonpyogenic intervertebral discs.

Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), an important opportunistic anaerobic Gram-positive bacterium, causes bone and joint infections, discitis and spondylodiscitis. Accumulated evidence suggested that this microbe can colonise inside intervertebral discs without causing symptoms of discitis.

Relationship between annular tear and presence of Propionibacterium acnes in lumbar intervertebral disc.

Purpose: Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes) in the intervertebral disc may result in low back pain. The purpose of this study was to determine how P.

Key genes associated with osteoporosis revealed by genome wide gene expression analysis.

Gene expression profiles of circulating monocytes were analyzed to identify key genes associated with osteoporosis. Raw microarray data were downloaded from gene expression omnibus under accession number GSE7158, including 8 microarray dataset for patients with high peak bone mass (PBM) and 8 for low PBM. Package linear models for microarray data of R was adopted to screen out differentially expressed genes (DEGs).

Core binding factor beta (Cbfβ) controls the balance of chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation by upregulating Indian hedgehog (Ihh) expression and inhibiting parathyroid hormone-related protein receptor (PPR) expression in postnatal cartilage and bone formation.

Core binding factor beta (Cbfβ) is essential for embryonic bone morphogenesis. Yet the mechanisms by which Cbfβ regulates chondrocyte proliferation and differentiation as well as postnatal cartilage and bone formation remain unclear. Hence, using paired-related homeobox transcription factor 1-Cre (Prx1-Cre) mice, mesenchymal stem cell-specific Cbfβ-deficient (Cbfβ(f/f) Prx1-Cre) mice were generated to study the role of Cbfβ in postnatal cartilage and bone development.

Repair of microdamage in osteonal cortical bone adjacent to bone screw.

Up to date, little is known about the repair mode of microdamage in osteonal cortical bone resulting from bone screw implantation. In this study, self-tapping titanium cortical bone screws were inserted into the tibial diaphyses of 24 adult male rabbits. The animals were sacrificed at 1 day, 2 weeks, 1 month and 2 months after surgery.

Functional outcomes following locking plate fixation of complex proximal humeral fractures.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional outcome of patients with complex proximal humeral fractures fixated by locking plate technology. Eighty-nine patients (27 men, 62 women) older than 50 years with 3- and 4-part proximal humeral fractures were treated using locking plate fixation and followed up for more than 1 year. Functional outcomes were assessed by using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) and Constant scores, and the complications were evaluated through physical and radiographic examinations.

Three-dimensional morphology of microdamage in peri-screw bone: a scanning electron microscopy of methylmethacrylate cast replica.

Screw implantation inevitably causes microdamage in surrounding bone. However, little is known about the detailed characteristics of microdamage in peri-screw bone. In this study, we developed a method to construct microdamage cast with methylmethacrylate (MMA) and observed the cast using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Biomechanical comparison of internal fixations in osteoporotic intertrochanteric fracture. A finite element analysis.

Objective: To compare the biomechanical characteristics of dynamic hip screw (DHS) and proximal femoral nail anti-rotation (PFNA) for the treatment of 3 types of osteoporotic femoral intertrochanteric fracture (OFIF) by modeling, and virtual reduction with finite element analysis, and to provide some theoretical basis and reference to select the best internal fixation for clinical treatment of OFIF.

Methods: The experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Biomechanics, Shanghai Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China from February to December 2011. The CT scan was performed in 3 cases with different types of OFIF (Evans-Jensen II, III, and IV).