lncTIMP3 promotes osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells via miR-214/Smad4 axis to relieve postmenopausal osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND: Promoting the balance between bone formation and bone resorption is the main therapeutic goal for postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP), and bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) osteogenic differentiation plays an important regulatory role in this process. Recently, several long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to play an important regulatory role in the occurrence and development of OP and participates in a variety of physiological and pathological processes. However, the role of lncRNA tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 3 (lncTIMP3) remains to be investigated. METHODS: The characteristics of BMSCs isolated from the PMOP rat model were verified by flow cytometry assay, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), alizarin red and Oil Red O staining assays. Micro-CT and HE staining assays were performed to examine histological changes of the vertebral trabeculae of the rats. RT-qPCR and western blotting assays were carried out to measure the RNA and protein expression levels. The subcellular location of lncTIMP3 was analyzed by FISH assay. The targeting relationships were verified by luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull-down assay. RESULTS: The trabecular spacing was increased in the PMOP rats, while ALP activity and the expression levels of Runx2, Col1a1 and Ocn were all markedly decreased. Among the RNA sequencing results of the clinical samples, lncTIMP3 was the most downregulated differentially expressed lncRNA, also its level was significantly reduced in the OVX rats. Knockdown of lncTIMP3 inhibited osteogenesis of BMSCs, whereas overexpression of lncTIMP3 exhibited the reverse results. Subsequently, lncTIMP3 was confirmed to be located in the cytoplasm of BMSCs, implying its potential as a competing endogenous RNA for miRNAs. Finally, the negative targeting correlations of miR-214 between lncTIMP3 and Smad4 were elucidated in vitro. CONCLUSION: lncTIMP3 may delay the progress of PMOP by promoting the activity of BMSC, the level of osteogenic differentiation marker gene and the formation of calcium nodules by acting on the miR-214/Smad4 axis. This finding may offer valuable insights into the possible management of PMOP.

A newly designed anatomical plate for the therapy of posterolateral tibial plateau fracture via a supra-fibular-head approach: a retrospective study.

The posterolateral tibial plateau fracture is a special type of intra-articular fracture, for which there is no simple, safe, and effective standardized procedure. In this paper, we evaluate the clinical efficacy and the advantages of the treatment of posterolateral tibial plateau fracture by using our designed proximal lateral tibial rim plate for the posterolateral condyle of the tibial plateau via the space above the fibula head. Thirty-eight patients with posterolateral tibial plateau fractures from June 2018 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. CT scans were used to classify the degree of injury in the included patients. All of them were fixed with reduction using an approach above the fibula head combined with a homemade anatomical plate. The regular postoperative review was performed to instruct functional knee exercises. Postoperative complications were observed and follow-up visits were performed to assess the functional outcome. A total of 38 patients with posterolateral tibial plateau fractures, 13 males and 25 females were included in the study. All patients were followed up for 13-26 months, with a mean of 15.3 months. There were no postoperative complications such as numbness of the limb, knee joint instability, etc. X-ray review showed that the fractures were all healed, and the healing time was 10-16 weeks, with an average of 12.1 weeks; none of the internal fixation loosening and loss of articular surface occurred during the follow-up period. At the last follow-up, according to the HSS knee function score criteria, the scores were 79-98, with an average of 91.3. The HSS score presented excellent in 34 cases (89%) and good in 4 cases (11%). The Rasmussen score was graded as excellent in 29 cases (76%) and good in 9 cases (24%). In conclusion, The treatment of posterolateral tibial plateau fractures by an approach above the fibula head has the advantages of simplicity and safety, small trauma, and no risk of vascular and nerve injuries, and the anatomical proximal lateral tibial rim plate can play a direct and effective supporting role for the bone fragments of the posterolateral condyle, and the combination of both of them has obvious advantages in the treatment of posterolateral condylar fracture of the tibial plateau, and it is a method worth borrowing and popularizing.

An imageology-based feasibility study of plating posterolateral tibial plateau fractures via an anterolateral trans-fibular-head approach.

BACKGROUND: There are many difficulties in the reduction and fixation of the tibial plateau fractures involving posterolateral quadrant using general plates via traditional approaches. By imaging the area above the fibulae capitulum, this study was performed to investigate the feasibility of the trans-fibular-head approach and to design an ideal anatomical plate. METHODS: MRI and CT scans of the knee joint were collected from 205 healthy volunteers (103 males, 102 females). Gender and height were used to divide the volunteers into groups separately: (1) A1 group and A2 group according to gender, (2) B1 group and B2 group according to height. Based on the images, several parameters were defined and measured to describe the space above the head of the fibula. In addition, differences in these parameters between genders and height were compared. RESULTS: The narrowest distance in the bony region was (10.96 ± 1.39) mm, (5.41 ± 0.97 mm) in the bone-ligament region. The narrowest distance of bony region in the A1 group was more than that in the A2 group (11.21 ± 1.62 mm, 10.85 ± 1.47 mm, p = 0.029). The narrowest distance of the bony region was (10.21 ± 1.42) mm and (11.65 ± 1.39) mm in the B1 group and B2 group, respectively (p = 0.002). The narrowest distance of the bone-ligament region was (5.39 ± 0.78) mm and (5.22 ± 1.21) mm in the A1 group and A2 group, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed between the A1 group and the A2 group in terms of the narrowest distance of the bone-ligament region. In the B1 group, the narrowest distance of the bone-ligament region (5.18 ± 0.71 mm) was not significantly less than that (5.31 ± 0.91 mm) in the B2 group. CONCLUSION: The space above the fibular capitellum was ample enough to place the plate for treating tibial plateau fractures involving posterolateral quadrant. The divisions of the lateral tibial plateau by 3-dimensional CT and the parameters of each region were crucial for providing guidance for designing the anatomical plate for the trans-fibular-head approach.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Rhinogobius maculagenys (Gobiidae:Gobionellinae).

The complete mitochondrial genome of Rhinogobius maculagenys Wu et al., (Perciformes,Gobiidae) was sequenced and annotated in this study. The circular mitogenome is 16,500 bp long and consists of 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and two main non-coding regions (a putative control region and an L-strand replication origin). The overall base composition is 27.5% A, 25.5% T, 16.9% G, and 30.1% C. The gene order and composition are similar to those of other Gobionellinae species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that R. maculagenys is closely related to Rhinogobius shennongensis in both the maximum likelihood tree and the Bayesian inference tree. The complete mitogenome of R. maculagenys will serve as a valuable resource for future studies on evolution, taxonomy, and genetic conservation of Rhinogobius.

Safety and efficacy of grazoprevir/elbasvir in the treatment of acute hepatitis C in hemodialysis patients.

Treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) in hemodialysis patients requires extensive consideration. At present, studies regarding DAAs for acute HCV infection in such patients are limited. The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of grazoprevir (GZR) plus elbasvir (EBR) treatment in acute hepatitis C (AHC) patients undergoing hemodialysis. Patients undergoing hemodialysis who had a nosocomial acute HCV infection were enrolled. All patients received GZR 100 mg/EBR 50 mg once daily for 12 weeks and were followed up for 12 weeks. Serum alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TBIL), and HCV RNA levels were monitored during treatment and follow-up periods. Sustained virologic response at 12 weeks after treatment cessation and treatment-emergent adverse events (AEs) were assessed. A total of 68 AHC patients were enrolled. All patients were infected with HCV genotype 1b and achieved SVR12. Decreasing ALT, AST, and TBIL were observed over time in the first 4 weeks and became steady thereafter. Forty-eight (70.59%) patients reported at least one AEs. The most common AEs were fatigue, headache, and nausea. Two AHC patients discontinued treatment due to serious but drug-unrelated AEs. In conclusion, GZR/EBR has a high efficacy and safety profile in hemodialysis-dependent patients with genotype 1b AHC.

[Clinical study on treatment of posterolateral fracture of tibial plateau via superior fibular head approach].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effectiveness of the superior fibular head approach for the treatment of posterolateral fracture of the tibial plateau. METHODS: Between June 2010 and February 2012, 20 cases of posterolateral fracture of the tibial plateau were treated through superior fibular head approach, including 1 case of simple posterolateral fracture of the tibial plateau and 19 cases of posterolateral fracture of the tibial plateau with other fractures. There were 12 males and 8 females with an average age of 42.2 years (range, 28-58 years). All patients had closed fractures. Fracture was caused by traffic accident in 14 cases, by falling from height in 4 cases, and by twist injury in 2 cases. Associated injuries included lateral meniscus injury in 5 cases, medial meniscus injury in 2 cases, and anterior cruciate ligament injury in 1 case. The time from injury to admission ranged from 90 minutes to 32 hours (mean, 4.5 hours), and the time from admission to operation was 5-12 days (mean, 7.8 days). All cases underwent fracture reduction and fixation with Pilon plates through the superior fibular head approach, and associated fracture and meniscal injury were treated. RESULTS: All incisions healed by first intention, and no numbness or articular instability occurred. All patients were followed up 6-26 months (mean, 19.1 months). The average fracture healing time was 10.2 weeks (range, 8-12 weeks). During following-up, no related complication of fixation loosening or articular surface loss occurred. According to Rasmussen knee score criteria at last follow-up, the score was 18-30 (mean, 27.9); 16 cases were graded as excellent, 3 cases as good, and 1 case as fair, with an excellent and good rate of 95%. CONCLUSION: The superior fibular head approach for the treatment of posterolateral fracture of the tibial plateau is simple, safe, and effective, and can achieve a good surgical outcome.

[Surgical treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures through Wiltse paraspinal approach].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate clinical effects and advantages of Wiltse paraspinal approach to thoracolumbar burst fractures. METHODS: From June 2008 to June 2010, the data of 53 patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures with no obviously nerve injury were retrospectively analyzed, including 43 males and 10 females with an average age of 41 years ( ranged, 19 to 62 years). For segmental distribution, 6 cases were T11, 11 cases were T12, 22 cases were L1 and 14 cases were L2. Among them, 28 cases were treated with Wiltse paraspinal approach, and 25 cases with postmiddle approach. The operation time, blood loss, postoperative drainage,VAS score of back, Cobb angle of injured cord, changes of collapse of vertebral and median sagittal diameter of injured vertebral were observed. RESULTS: Compared with two methods, there were advantages in improving operation time, blood loss, postoperative drainage and VAS score of back, but there were no significant differences in improving Cobb angle of injuried cord, changes of collapse of vertebral and median sagittal diameter of injuried vertebral. CONCLUSION: Wiltse paraspinal approach to thoracolumbar burst fractures can achieve the same reduction with postmiddle approach,and has advantages of minimally invasive, less blood, simple operation and rapid recovery, and worth popularizing.