Molecular mechanism of Notch signaling with special emphasis on microRNAs: Implications for glioma.

Glioma is the most aggressive primary brain tumor and is notorious for resistance to chemoradiotherapy. Although its associated mechanisms are still not completely understood, Notch signaling, an evolutionarily conserved pathway, appears to be the key processes involved. Nevertheless, its mechanisms are sophisticated, due to a variety of targets and signal pathways, especially microRNA. MicroRNAs, which are small noncoding regulatory RNA molecules, have been proposed as one of the key mechanisms in glioma pathogenesis. Among the known glioma associated microRNA, microRNA-129, microRNA-34 family, and microRNA-326 have been shown to influence the progress of glioma through Notch signaling. Evidence also indicates that recurrence is due to development or persistence of the glioma stem-like cells and active angiogenesis, which are tightly regulated by a variety of factors, including Notch signaling. In this review, we summarize the recent progress regarding the functional roles of Notch signaling in glioma, including Notch ligand, microRNA, intracellular crosstalk, glioma stem-like cells and active angiogenesis and explore their clinical implications as diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers and molecular therapeutic targets for glioma.

Tranexamic acid decreases blood loss in shoulder arthroplasty: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tranexamic acid (TXA) in shoulder arthroplasty (SA). METHODS: Academic articles were identified from the Cochrane Library, Medline (1966-2017.2), PubMed (1966-2017.2), Embase (1980-2017.2), and ScienceDirect (1966-2017.2). Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs studying TXA in SA were included. Two independent reviewers conducted independent data abstraction. The I statistic was used to assess heterogeneity. Fixed- or random-effects models were used for meta-analysis. RESULTS: Two RCTs and 2 non-RCTs met the inclusion criteria. This meta-analysis found significant differences in postoperative hemoglobin reduction (MD = -0.71 g/dL), drainage volume (MD = -133.21 mL), and total blood loss (MD = -226.82 mL) between TXA groups and controls. There were no significant differences in blood transfusion requirements, operation time, or length of hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: The use of TXA in SA decreases postoperative hemoglobin reduction, drainage volume, and total blood loss and does not increase the risk of complications. Because of the limited high-quality evidence currently available, additional randomized controlled trials are required.

Comparison of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis and conventional plate osteosynthesis for humeral shaft fracture: A meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) and conventional plate osteosynthesis (CPO) for humeral shaft fracture. METHODS: Potential academic articles were identified from the Cochrane Library, Medline (1966-2016.3), PubMed (1966-2016.3), Embase (1980-2016.3), and ScienceDirect (1966-2016.3). Gray studies were identified from the references of the included literature. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCT involving MIPO and CPO for humeral shaft fracture were included. Two independent reviewers performed independent data abstraction. I statistic was used to assess heterogeneity. Fixed or random effects model was used for meta-analysis. RESULTS: Two RCTs and 3 non-RCTs met the inclusion criteria. There was a lower incidence of iatrogenic radial nerve palsy in patients with MIPO (P = 0.006). There was no statistically significant difference in in the risk of developing nonunion, delay union, malformation, screw loosening, infection, operation time, UCLA, and MEPS function score between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: MIPO decreased incidence of iatrogenic radial nerve palsy and is an efficacy and safety technique for humeral shaft fracture. Due to the limited quality and data of the evidence currently available, more high-quality RCTs are required.

Cross-linked versus conventional polyethylene for total knee arthroplasty: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Highly cross-linked polyethylene (HXLPE) has been reported as an effective material for decreasing polyethylene wear and osteolysis in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Because no single study to date has been large enough to definitively determine the benefit of HXLPE in TKA, we conducted a meta-analysis to pool the results from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs to make such a determination. METHODS: Potential candidate articles were identified by searching the Cochrane Library, Medline (1966-2015.10), PubMed (1966-2015.10), Embase (1980-2015.10), ScienceDirect (1985-2015.10), and other databases. "Gray studies" were identified from the included articles' reference lists. Pooled data were analyzed using RevMan 5.1. RESULTS: Three RCTs and three non-RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. There were no significant differences between the groups in the total number of reoperations (P = 0.11), reoperations for prosthesis loosening (P = 0.08), radiolucent line (P = 0.20), osteolysis (P = 0.38), prosthesis loosening (P = 0.10), and mechanical failures related to the tibial polyethylene (P = 1.00). Similarly, no significant differences between the two groups were found in postoperative total knee score (P = 0.18) or functional score (P = 0.23). CONCLUSIONS: The meta-analysis showed that compared with conventional polyethylene, HXLPE did not improve the clinical and radiographic outcomes in mid-term follow-up after TKA. Additional high-quality multicenter prospective RCTs with good design, large study populations and long-term follow-up will be necessary to further clarify the effect of HXLPE in TKA.

[Treatment of tibiofibular syndesmosis together with ankle fracture using cortical screw].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical experiment of cortical screw in the treatment of tibiofibular syndesmosis separation together with ankle fractures. METHODS: From March 2008 to May 2012,42 patients with tibiofibular syndesmosis separation were treated with cortical screw, including 20 cases in the left and 24 cases in the right. All the patients had closed injury. According to Lauge-Hansen classification, there were 18 cases of supination-external rotation, in which 4 patients with injuries belong to type II, 8 patients with injuries belong to type III, 6 patients with injuries belong to type IV; 14 cases of pronation-external rotation, in which 6 patients with injuries belong to type III, 8 patients with injuries belong to type IV; and 12 cases of pronation-abduction, in which 4 patients with injuries belong to type II, 8 patients with injuries belong to type III. According to injury of ankle, 4 patients had injuries in one ankle, 28 patients had injuries in 2 ankles, and 12 patients had injuries in 3 ankles. All the patients were diagnosised definitely in sight of medical history, checking-up, iconography. The clinical effects were evaluated based on Baird-Jackson score and activity degree of ankle. RESULTS: All the patient were followed up, and the duration ranged from 11 to 23 months, with an average of 15.7 months. No postoperative wound infection, nonunion, and tibiofibular syndesmosis separation again and other complications occurred. Postoperative Baird-Jackson score exhibited 91.56 ± 6.26 (75 to 99), and 26 patients got an excellent result, 10 good, 6 poor and 2 bad. One patient had nail broken after operation,and got good function after removing broken nail without external fixation. Other 1 patient had osteoarthritis to 1 degree, and got better result with the treatment of physical therapy and intra-articular injection. CONCLUSION: Cortex screw is the effective treatment for tibiofibular syndesmosis separation. Clear diagnosis, delicate operation and postoperative reasonable functional exercise are primary factor of prognosis.

[Comparison of accuracy of pedicle screw placement in the thoracic spine using funnel technique and free hand technique].

OBJECTIVE: To study the accuracy the pedicle screw placement in the thoracic spine using funnel technique and free hand technique. METHODS: Eight cadavers including 5 males and 3 females were analysed. The age ranged from 57 to 82 years (mean 68 years). Cadawers were randomly assigned to one of two instrumentation groups. In four cadavers, "funnel technique" was used for screw placement. In the remaining four cadavers,free hand technique then was used. Success of pedicle screw placement was judged by CT scan. The rate of success of two ways was compared using statistic analysis. RESULTS: Ninety-six screws were inserted by "funnel technique" and free hand technique respectively, 84 of "funnel technique" were successful, and 73 of free hand technique were successful. Significant differences were found between two ways (P < 0.05). Chanciness tresis occurred in "funnel technique" on 2 screws and free hand technique on 9 screws. There were significant differences in rates of chanciness tresis (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Funnel technique is simple, safe and cost-effective alternative to any other thchnique for pedicle screw placement in thoracic spine,funnel technique is able to reduce the chance of critical injury of nerve root and dura.