BACKGROUND:Some studies have found that ferroptosis of osteoblasts can be an important mechanism to induce the occurrence and development of hormone-induced femoral head necrosis.With the development of Chinese medicine,some scholars have found that some Chinese medicine monomer,Chinese medicine compound and Chinese patent medicine can regulate the ferroptosis of osteoblasts through various pathway mechanisms,and finally play a role in the treatment of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the relationship between ferroptosis and steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head and the mechanism of Chinese medicine regulating ferroptosis of osteoblasts in the treatment of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head,so as to provide new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head. METHODS:With"ferroptosis,steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head,osteoblast,Chinese herbal medicine,glucocorticoid,iron metabolism,reactive oxygen species,glutathione peroxidase"as Chinese search terms,and"ferroptosis,hormonal necrosis of the femoral head,osteoblast,Chinese herbal medicine,glucocorticoid,iron metabolism,ROS,GPX4"as English search terms,the search was conducted on CNKI,PubMed,WanFang,VIP and other databases.The relevant articles on osteoblast ferroptosis and steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head and the regulation of Chinese herbal medicine intervention from the establishment of each database to 2023 were screened.Finally,76 articles were systematically analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Ferroptosis of osteoblasts plays an important role in the pathogenesis of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head.(2)The occurrence of ferroptosis in osteoblasts is regulated by a variety of mechanisms,such as intracellular iron overload causing ferroptosis.Lipid peroxidation damages cell membrane and causes ferroptosis.Cystine/glutamate reverse transporter induced ferroptosis by influencing glutathione level and glutathione peroxidase 4 activity.Fenton reaction in the cell produces a large number of reactive oxygen species and causes ferroptosis.(3)Chinese medicine monomer icariin,Chinese medicine compound Qinge pills and Chinese patent medicine Bushen Huoxue granules can regulate the occurrence of osteoblast ferroptosis,and help to prevent and treat steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head.(4)The mechanism of ferroptosis in osteoblasts is still unclear.Further investigation on the mechanism of action of both is expected to provide a new choice for clinical treatment of steroid-induced avascular necrosis of femoral head.

BACKGROUND:Prolyl hydroxylase domain 2(PHD2)inhibitors can regulate bone metabolism and relieve osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats.cpd17 is a small molecule oral PHD2 inhibitor newly developed by China Pharmaceutical University.It is effective in the treatment of renal anemia with few side effects,but its effect on bone formation and bone resorption is still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of cpd17 on mouse osteogenic precursor cells. METHODS:Osteogenic precursor cells were treated with cpd17.Alkaline phosphatase activity and extracellular matrix mineralization were measured,and the expression levels of osteogenesis-and osteoclastogenesis-related markers,as well as PHD2 and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α,were detected.After inhibition of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α pathway using LW6(a hypoxia-inducible factor 1α pathway inhibitor),alkaline phosphatase activity and extracellular matrix mineralization were detected again,as well as the expression levels of osteogenesis-and osteoclastogenesis-related markers,PHD2 and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:cpd17 significantly enhanced alkaline phosphatase activity and extracellular matrix mineralization,up-regulated the expression of osteogenesis-related markers,down-regulated the expression of osteoclastogenesis-related markers,up-regulated the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α,down-regulate the expression of PHD2.However,cpd17's effects were significantly attenuated by LW6.To conclude,the PHD2 inhibitor cpd17 promotes osteogenic differentiation and inhibits osteoclastic differentiation through activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:Early exercise treatment is the main prevention way for traumatic joint contracture and is also a research focus.Swimming may be a potential intervention for joint contracture due to the special physical properties of water. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of swimming on the development of joint contracture in a rat model and study its mechanisms. METHODS:Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a blank control group(n=8)and a joint contracture group(n=16).After the surgical operation of knee joint contracture rat models,the joint contracture group was randomly subdivided into a surgical control group(n=8)and a swimming treatment group(n=8).Swimming started in the swimming treatment group in the second week after surgery and lasted for a total of 5 weeks.At the 6th week after surgery,the body mass,knee joint range of motion,and quadriceps diameter were tested,and the diameter/body mass index was calculated.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to detect the pathological changes in the knee joint capsule and quadriceps muscle,and Masson staining was used to observe fibrotic changes in the knee joint capsule.Furthermore,the protein expression of transforming growth factor β1 and type I collagen in the knee joint capsule was quantified by immunohistochemical assay and western blot was performed to detect the protein expression of MuRF1 in the quadriceps femoris. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the blank control group,the knee range of motion decreased in the surgical control and swimming treatment groups(P<0.01),and knee extension deficit and arthrogenic extension deficit were significantly increased(P<0.01),the diameter of the quadriceps muscle was decreased(P<0.01),the joint capsule showed significant fibrosis,the quadriceps muscle was atrophied,and the diameter/body mass index was decreased(P<0.01).Compared with the surgical control group,the swimming treatment group showed a significant increase in knee joint range of motion and quadriceps diameter(P<0.01),and significant improvement in joint capsule fibrosis and quadriceps atrophy.Compared with the blank control group,collagen fiber content and expression of transforming growth factor β1 and type I collagen were increased in the joint capsule of rats in both the surgical control group and the swimming treatment group(P<0.01).Compared with the surgical control group,collagen fiber content and expression of transforming growth factor β1 and type I collagen protein in the joint capsule were decreased in the swimming treatment group.Compared with the blank control group,the expression of MuRF1 protein in the quadriceps muscle of rats in the surgical control group and the swimming treatment group was increased(P<0.05).Compared with the surgical control group,the expression of MuRF1 protein in the quadriceps muscle of rats in the swimming treatment group was decreased(P<0.05).To conclude,early swimming intervention reduces transforming growth factor β1 and type I collagen expression in the joint capsule of traumatic joint contracture rats,decreases MuRF1 expression in the quadriceps muscle,and increases joint range of motion and quadriceps diameter,thereby inhibiting the development of joint contracture.

BACKGROUND:Needle-knife release of the ligamentum flavum can effectively improve symptoms in patients with lumbar degeneration,and ultrasound guidance can increase the precision of needle-knife release;however,the specific effects of needle-knife release of the ligamentum flavum on the degenerated intervertebral discs and the possible mechanisms remain to be clarified. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of ultrasound-guided needle-knife release of the ligamentum flavum. METHODS:Twenty-four New Zealand rabbits were randomized into control(n=6)and model(n=18)groups.A rabbit model of lumbar disc degeneration model was established in the model group by cutting the supraspinous and interspinous ligaments of the L5/6 and L6/7 segments to maintain a standing posture and apply axial load to the lumbar spine.After successful modeling,the model rabbits were subdivided into a control group,a model group,an ultrasonic needle-knife group,and a sham needle-knife group according to a random number table method,with six animals in each group.The ultrasonic needle-knife group underwent ultrasound-guided needle-knife release of the right yellow ligament of L7/S1,once every week,for a total of four times.The needle-knife approach in the sham needle-knife group was the same as that in the ultrasound needle-knife group,but the ligamentum flavum was not released.At 30 days after the intervention,MRI was used to observe the changes in the signal intensity of the nucleus pulposus within the L7/S1 segment.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the morphological changes of the L7/S1 segment.Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of type I and II collagen in the nucleus pulposus of the L7/S1 segment.RT-PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression of integrin α5 and β1,p38,and nuclear factor κB in the L7/S1 segment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:MRI findings indicated that the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc of rabbits in the model group was gray-black in color,and the gray value of the nucleus pulposus was significantly lower than that of the control group(P<0.01).The brightness of the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc of the rabbits in the ultrasonic needle-knife group was elevated compared with that of the model group,and the gray value of the nucleus pulposus was higher than that of the model group(P<0.01).Results from hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that in the model group,the shape of the nucleus pulposus was irregular,the number of nucleus pulposus cells was reduced,the extracellular matrix was compressed,the fibrous ring was ruptured,the structure and boundary of the end plate were unclear,and the chondrocytes were arranged disorderly.Compared with the model group,the ultrasonic needle-knife group showed an increase in the number of the nucleus pulposus,an improvement in the rupture of the fibrous ring,and more regular arrangement of cartilage endplate cells.Results from immunohistochemical staining showed an increase in positive expression of type I collagen(P<0.01)and a decrease in positive expression of type II collagen in the nucleus pulposus of the model group compared with the control group as well as a decrease in positive expression of type I collagen and an increase in positive expression of type II collagen in the nucleus pulposus of the ultrasonic needle-knife group compared with the model group(P<0.01).RT-PCR and western blot assays showed that the mRNA and protein expression of integrin α5,integrin β1,p38,and nuclear factor κB in the intervertebral discs of rabbits in the model group were increased compared with that in the control group(P<0.01);the mRNA and protein expression of integrin α5,integrin β1,p38,and nuclear factor κB in the intervertebral discs of rabbits in the ultrasonic needle-knife group was decreased compared with that in the model group(P<0.01).To conclude,ultrasound-guided needle-knife release of the ligamentum flavum can improve the degree of lumbar disc degeneration in rabbits,which may be related to the inhibition of p38 and nuclear factor-κB expression by modulating integrin α5 and β1 expression.

BACKGROUND:Dysfunction of macrophage efferocytosis can induce local and systemic inflammatory damage and is associated with a variety of obesity-related metabolic diseases.Moreover,compounds targeting efferocytosis have shown good therapeutic effects. OBJECTIVE:By reviewing the effects of obesity on macrophage efferocytosis,to analyze the key mechanism by which obesity inhibits efferocytosis,to summarize the research progress in compounds targeting efferocytosis to treat obesity-related metabolic diseases,so as to provide new ideas for fully understanding efferocytosis and its relationship with metabolic diseases,aiming to provide new strategies for disease prevention and treatment. METHODS:The English search terms were"efferocytosis,metabolism,obesity,obese,atherosclerosis,non-alcoholic steatohepatitis,neurodegeneration,tumor,osteoarthritis,diabetes,compound,medicine,treatment,"which were used for literature retrieval in PubMed and Web of Science.The Chinese search term was"efferocytosis,"which was used for literature retrieval in CNKI,VIP and WanFang datebases.Ninety-nine papers were finally included in the review analysis after a rigorous screening process. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the process of efferocytosis,the"Find me"and"Eat me"processes involving a large number of apoptotic cell derived factors are mainly regulated by apoptotic cells.The efferocytosis factor involved in cytoskeletal remodeling and digestion are mainly derived from macrophages,which are crucial for efferocytosis activity.These results suggest that the"Find me"and"Eat me"factors mainly reflect the condition of apoptosis,and it is more scientific to select the expression of factors involved in cytoskeletal remodeling and digestion when evaluating the efferocytosis activity of macrophages.Obesity inhibits efferocytosis,and shows an inhibitory effect on most digestive factors,but has a stress-induced activation effect on most"Find me,""Eat me"and cytoskeletal recombination factors,which further indicates the decisive effect of digestive stage on efferocytosis and suggests that it is not reliable for some studies to evaluate the efferocytosis based on the increased expression of"Find me"and"Eat me"factors.Targeting cytokines in the digestive phase may be more effective when discussing future intervention strategies targeting macrophages efferocytosis.The efferocytosis activators of macrophages are effective in the treatment of various metabolic diseases,but the efferocytosis inhibitors in tumor tissue show good anticancer effects,suggesting that the role of efferocytosis should be rationally evaluated according to the characteristics of tissue inflammation.Efferocytosis is a relatively new concept proposed in 2003,with a short research history and complex efferocytosis factors.Current studies on obesity and efferocytosis only involve a tip of the iceberg and most of them are at a superficial level and a large number of scientific experiments are needed to further validate the mechanisms.

BACKGROUND:There is still no consensus on the optimal internal fixation for the treatment of Pauwels Ⅲ femoral neck fracture,and most of the related finite element analyses have been performed using a single simplified loading condition,and the biomechanical properties of commonly used internal fixation devices need to be further investigated. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the biomechanical characteristics of Pauwels Ⅲ femoral neck fractures treated with cannulated compression screw,dynamic hip screw,and femoral neck system by finite element method under different loading conditions of single-leg standing loads and sideways fall loads. METHODS:The DICOM data of healthy adult femur were obtained by CT scanning,imported into Mimics 15.0 software to obtain the rough model of bone tissue.The data exported from Mimics were optimized by Geomagics software,and then three internal fixation models were built and assembled with the femur model according to the parameters of the clinical application of the cannulated compression screw,dynamic hip screw,and femoral neck system by using Pro/E software.Finally,the three internal fixation models were imported into Ansys software for loading and calculation to analyze the stress distribution and displacement of the femur and the internal fixation under different working conditions of single-leg standing loads and sideways fall loads,as well as the stress characteristics of the calcar femorale and Ward's triangle. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Under the single-leg standing load and the sideways fall load,the proximal femoral stress of the three internal fixation models was mainly distributed above the fracture end of the femoral neck.The peak stress of the proximal femoral end,fracture end,Ward triangle,and calcar femorale of the three internal fixation models were the smallest in the femoral neck system model and the largest in the cannulated compression screw model.(2)Under the single-leg standing load and the sideways fall load,the peak displacement of the proximal femur of the three internal fixation models was all located at the top of the femoral head,and the peak displacement was the smallest in the femoral neck system model and the largest in the cannulated compression screw model.(3)The peak displacement of the three internal fixation models was all located at the top of the internal fixation device under the single-leg standing and sideways fall loading conditions,and the peak displacement values were the smallest in the femoral neck system internal fixation model and the largest in the cannulated compression screw internal fixation model.(4)The internal fixation stress of the three internal fixation models was mainly distributed in the area near the fracture end of the internal fixation device under the single-leg standing and sideways fall loads,and the peak value of internal fixation stress was the smallest in the femoral neck system model and the largest in the cannulated compression screw model.(5)These results suggest that the mechanical stability of the femoral neck system is the best,but there may be a risk of stress shielding of the fracture end and calcar femorale.The stress of the internal fixation device of the femoral neck system is more dispersed,and the risk of internal fixation break is lower.

BACKGROUND:Stand-alone oblique lateral interbody fusion has a high rate of complications of fusion segment sink.Oblique lateral interbody fusion with posterior fixation can provide stable support,but intraoperative position changes and double incisions weaken the advantages of this technique.Oblique lateral interbody fusion combined with lateral plate fixation can achieve one-stage decompression in the same incision,while the lateral internal fixation provides stable support. OBJECTIVE:To analyze the short-term efficacy of oblique lateral interbody fusion combined with lateral plate fixation in the treatment of single-level lumbar degenerative disease. METHODS:The clinical data of 34 patients with single-level lumbar degenerative disease treated with oblique lateral interbody fusion combined with lateral plate fixation were collected from May 2020 to October 2022.Among them,14 were males and 20 were females aged from 41 to 72 years at the mean age of(58.6±9.9)years.There were 11 cases of lumbar spondylolisthesis(Ⅰ°),7 cases of lumbar disc herniation with segmental instability,and 16 cases of lumbar spinal stenosis.Operation time,blood loss,and complications were recorded.Visual analog scale scores of lumbago,radiative pain of both lower limbs,and Oswestry disability index scores were evaluated before surgery,3 months after surgery,and the last follow-up.Dural sac cross-sectional area,intervertebral height,and intervertebral fusion were measured and observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The 34 patients were followed up for 14-36 months,with an average of(21.3±5.2)months.(2)The operation time ranged from 50 to 92 minutes,with an average of(68.5±11.1)minutes.Intraoperative blood loss was 50-170 mL,with an average of(71.6±25.3)mL.(3)Compared with the preoperative results,the visual analog scale scores and Oswestry disability index scores were significantly decreased at 3 months after surgery and at the last follow-up(P<0.001),and the maximum Oswestry disability index scores were improved by nearly 50％.(4)Bone fusion was achieved in all patients during half-year follow-up.The overall complication rate was 21％(7/34),including 1 case of plate displacement,3 cases of cage subsidence,1 case of psoas weakness,and 2 cases of anterior thigh pain.(5)It is concluded that oblique lateral interbody fusion combined with lateral plate fixation for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases has the characteristics of less blood loss,short operation time,rapid postoperative recovery,and significant short-term clinical efficacy with the stable support to a certain extent.The long-term curative effect needs further follow-up observation.

BACKGROUND:How to effectively promote bone regeneration and bone reconstruction after bone injury has always been a key issue in clinical bone repair research.The use of biological and degradable materials loaded with bioactive factors to treat bone defects has excellent application prospects in bone repair. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of polylactic acid-glycolic acid copolymer(PLGA)composite scaffold modified by lysine-grafted graphene oxide nanoparticles(LGA-g-GO)on osteogenic differentiation and new bone formation. METHODS:PLGA was dissolved in dichloromethane and PLGA scaffold was prepared by solvent evaporation method.PLGA/GO composite scaffolds were prepared by dispersing graphene oxide uniformly in PLGA solution.LGA-g-GO nanoparticles were prepared by chemical grafting method,and the PLGA/LGA-g-GO composite scaffolds were constructed by blending LGA-g-GO nanoparticles at different mass ratios(1%,2%,and 3%)with PLGA.The micromorphology,hydrophilicity,and protein adsorption capacity of scaffolds of five groups were characterized.MC3T3 cells were inoculated on the surface of scaffolds of five groups to detect cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The surface of PLGA scaffolds was smooth and flat under scanning electron microscope,while the surface of the other four scaffolds was rough.The surface roughness of the composite scaffolds increased with the increase of the addition of LGA-g-GO nanoparticles.The water contact angle of PLGA/LGA-g-GO(3%)composite scaffolds was lower than that of the other four groups(P<0.05).The protein adsorption capacity of PLGA/LGA-g-GO(1%,2%,and 3%)composite scaffolds was stronger than PLGA and PLGA/GO scaffolds(P<0.05).(2)CCK-8 assay showed that PLGA/LGA-g-GO(2%,3%)composite scaffold could promote the proliferation of MC3T3 cells.Alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red staining showed that the cell alkaline phosphatase activity in PLGA/LGA-g-GO(2%,3%)group was higher than that in the other three groups(P<0.05).The calcium deposition in the PLGA/GO and PLGA/LGA-g-GO(1%,2%,and 3%)groups was higher than that in the PLGA group(P<0.05).(3)In summary,PLGA/LGA-g-GO composite scaffold can promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of osteoblasts,and is conducive to bone regeneration and bone reconstruction after bone injury.

BACKGROUND:According to existing clinical studies,vertebroplasty treatment with both the external pedicle approach and the pedicle approach can improve the pain and quality of life of patients with spinal compression fractures.Compared with the pedicle approach,the external pedicle approach has a freer puncture angle,and good bone cement dispersion effect can be obtained by adjusting the puncture angle. OBJECTIVE:To compare the impact of vertebroplasty through individualized unilateral external pedicle approach and bilateral pedicle approach on the treatment of spinal compression fractures by quantifying the dispersion effect of bone cement. METHODS:A total of 80 patients with thoracolumbar compression fracture were divided into two groups by random number table method.The bilateral pedicle group(n=40)underwent vertebroplasty through a bilateral pedicle approach,while the unilateral external pedicle group(n=40)underwent individualized vertebroplasty through a unilateral external pedicle approach.Anteroposterior and lateral X-rays of the affected vertebrae from two groups of patients were photographed to assess effect and type of bone cement dispersion within 3 days after surgery.Visual analog scale score,tenderness threshold around fracture,and Oswestry dysfunction index were assessed before,1,7 days,and 1 month after surgery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Dispersion effect of bone cement in unilateral external pedicle group was better than that in bilateral pedicle group(P<0.001),and the amount of bone cement perfusion was higher than that in bilateral pedicle group(P<0.001).In the bilateral pedicle group,the bone cement dispersion types were mainly concentrated in type Ⅰ and type Ⅲ,while in the unilateral external pedicle group,the bone cement dispersion types were mainly concentrated in type I and type Ⅱ,and there was a significant difference in bone cement dispersion types between the two groups(P<0.001).(2)Postoperative visual analog scale scores and Oswestry disability index of both groups were lower than those before surgery(P<0.001),and postoperative tenderness threshold around fracture showed a trend of decreasing first and then increasing.At the same time point after treatment,there were no significant differences in visual analog scale score,Oswestry disability index,and tenderness threshold around fracture between the two groups(P>0.05).(3)The results indicate that individualized vertebroplasty via unilateral external pedicle approach can achieve better bone cement dispersion,and the treatment effect is consistent with the vertebroplasty via classical bilateral pedicle approach.

BACKGROUND:The use of fiber post to repair the endodontically treated non-carious cervical lesions teeth can change the stress distribution of the tooth and significantly reduce the risk of fracture of the affected tooth.However,the mechanical mechanism of fiber posts improving tooth fracture resistance and the optimal crown restoration for endodontically treated non-carious cervical lesions teeth are still debated. OBJECTIVE:To review the stress distribution pattern after restoration of endodontically treated non-carious cervical lesions teeth with fiber posts,the fracture resistance and fracture pattern under various stress states,and the latest research progress on fiber posts combined with different crown restorations. METHODS:The computerized search was applied in PubMed and CNKI to retrieve articles published from September 2008 to September 2023 with Chinese and English search terms"non-carious cervical lesions,endodontically treated teeth restoration,endodontically treated teeth stress distribution."Finally,56 articles were included for analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The application of fiber post restoration for endodontically treated non-carious cervical lesion teeth can partially improve the cervical stress of the tooth without increasing the risk of vertical root fracture,can lead to a more consistent distribution of stress and enhance the tooth's ability to withstand fractures.Non-carious cervical lesion teeth with fiber posts that fracture would show favorable,restorable,or repairable fracture patterns.Fiber posts in combination with porcelain veneers or veneer-type inlays may become a more desirable minimally invasive restoration for repairing endodontically treated non-carious cervical lesion teeth.