BACKGROUND:Inflammation affects the osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells,and the osteogenic ability and autophagy level of periodontal ligament stem cells are closely related.However,there are no relevant reports on whether inflammation affects the osteogenic ability and autophagy level of periodontal ligament stem cells at different stages of osteogenic differentiation. OBJECTIVE:To explore alkaline phosphatase expression and autophagy periodontal ligament stem cells levels in periodontitis and normal conditions. METHODS:Periodontal ligament stem cells from normal and periodontitis patients were isolated and cultured,and underwent Vimentin,pan-CK,and Stro-1 fluorescence staining.At 3,7,and 14 days of osteogenic differentiation,western blot assay was used to detect the protein expression levels of alkaline phosphatase,LC3B,Beclin1,and ATG5 in normal and inflammatory periodontal ligament stem cells.The mRNA expression levels of alkaline phosphatase,bone sialoprotein,osteocalcin,Runx2,LC3B,Beclin1,and ATG5 were detected by real-time PCR. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Stro-1 was positive,Vimentin was positive,and pan CK was negative in periodontal ligament stem cells.(2)At 3,7,and 14 days after osteogenic differentiation,compared with normal periodontal ligament stem cells,the mineralization nodules formed by periodontal ligament stem cells from inflammatory sources were significantly reduced(P<0.01);the expression of alkaline phosphatase protein and mRNA was significantly lower(P<0.05);the mRNA expression levels of bone sialoprotein,osteocalcin,and Runx2 were significantly decreased(P<0.05).(3)At 7 and 14 days after osteogenic differentiation,compared with normal periodontal ligament stem cells,the expression levels of ATG5,LC3B,and Beclin1 proteins and mRNA of periodontal ligament stem cells were downregulated(P<0.05).These findings suggest that inflammation reduces the activity of periodontal ligament stem cells in mineralizing nodule formation and the expression of alkaline phosphatase and weakens the autophagy potential of periodontal ligament stem cells at 7 and 14 days after osteogenic differentiation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the early effectiveness of navigation-free robot-assisted total knee arthroplasty (TKA) compared to traditional TKA in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis combined with extra-articular deformities. METHODS: The clinical data of 30 patients with knee osteoarthritis combined with extra-articular deformities who met the selection criteria between June 2019 and January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Fifteen patients underwent CORI navigation-free robot-assisted TKA and intra-articular osteotomy (robot group) and 15 patients underwent traditional TKA and intra-articular osteotomy (traditional group). There was no significant difference in age, gender, body mass index, affected knee side, extra-articular deformity angle, deformity position, deformity type, and preoperative knee range of motion, American Knee Society (KSS) knee score and KSS function score, and lower limb alignment deviation between the two groups ( P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and complications of the two groups were recorded and compared. The knee range of motion and lower limb alignment deviation were recorded before operation and at 6 months after operation, and the knee joint function was evaluated by KSS knee score and function score. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in operation time between the two groups ( P>0.05); the intraoperative blood loss in the robot group was significantly less than that in the traditional group ( P<0.05). Patients in both groups were followed up 6-12 months, with an average of 8.7 months. The incisions of all patients healed well, and there was no postoperative complication such as thrombosis or infection. At 6 months after operation, X-ray examination showed that the position of the prosthesis was good in both groups, and there was no loosening or dislocation of the prosthesis. The knee joint range of motion, the lower limb alignment deviation, and the KSS knee score and KSS function score significantly improved in both groups ( P<0.05) compared to preoperative ones. The changes of lower limb alignment deviation and KSS function score between pre- and post-operation in the robot group were significantly better than those in the traditional group ( P<0.05), while the changes of other indicators between pre- and post-operation in the two groups were not significant ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION Compared to traditional TKA, navigation-free robot-assisted TKA for knee osteoarthritis with extra-articular deformities results in less intraoperative blood loss, more precise reconstruction of lower limb alignment, and better early effectiveness. However, long-term effectiveness require further investigation.
Humans ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/methods* ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/surgery* ; Robotic Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Osteotomy/methods* ; Knee Joint/physiopathology* ; Operative Time

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effectiveness of single three-dimensional (3D)-printed microporous titanium prostheses and flap combined prostheses implantation in the treatment of large segmental infectious bone defects in limbs. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 76 patients with large segmental infectious bone defects in limbs who were treated between January 2019 and February 2024 and met the selection criteria. Among them, 51 were male and 25 were female, with an age of (47.7±9.4) years. Of the 76 patients, 51 had no soft tissue defects (single prostheses group), while 25 had associated soft tissue defects (flap combined group). The single prostheses group included 28 cases of tibial bone defects, 11 cases of femoral defects, 5 cases of humeral defects, 4 cases of radial bone defects, and 3 cases of metacarpal, or carpal bone defects, with bone defect length ranging from 3.5 to 28.0 cm. The flap combined group included 3 cases of extensive dorsum of foot soft tissue defects combined with large segmental metatarsal bone defects, 19 cases of lower leg soft tissue defects combined with large segmental tibial bone defects, and 3 cases of hand and forearm soft tissue defects combined with metacarpal, carpal, or radial bone defects, with bone defect length ranging from 3.8 to 32.0 cm and soft tissue defect areas ranging from 8 cm×5 cm to 33 cm×10 cm. In the first stage, vancomycin-loaded bone cement was used to control infection, and flap repair was performed in the flap combined group. In the second stage, 3D-printed microporous titanium prostheses were implanted. Postoperative assessments were performed to evaluate infection control and bone integration, and pain release was evaluated using the visual analogue scale (VAS) score. RESULTS: All patients were followed up postoperatively, with an average follow-up time of (35.2±13.4) months. In the 61 lower limb injury patients, the time of standing, walk with crutches, and fully bear weight were (2.2±0.6), (3.9±1.1), and (5.4±1.1) months, respectively. The VAS score at 1 year postoperatively was significantly lower than preoperative one ( t=-10.678, P<0.001). At 1 year postoperatively, 69 patients (90.8%) showed no complication such as infection, fracture, prosthesis displacement, or breakage, and X-ray films indicated good integration at the prosthesis-bone interface. According to the Paley scoring system for the healing of infectious bone defects, the results were excellent in 37 cases, good in 29 cases, fair in 3 cases, and poor in 7 cases. In the single prostheses group, during the follow-up, there was 1 case each of femoral prostheses fracture, femoral infection, and tibial infection, with a treatment success rate of 94.1% (48/51). In lower limb injury patients, the time of fully bear weight was (5.0±1.0) months. In the flap combined group, during the follow-up, 1 case of tibial fixation prostheses screw fracture occurred, along with 2 cases of recurrent foot infection in diabetic patients and 1 case of tibial infection. The treatment success rate was 84.0% (21/25). The time of fully bear weight in lower limb injury patients was (5.8±1.2) months. The overall infection eradication rate for all patients was 93.4% (71/76). CONCLUSION The use of 3D-printed microporous titanium prostheses, either alone or in combination with flaps, for the treatment of large segmental infectious bone defects in the limbs results in good effectiveness with a low incidence of complications. It is a feasible strategy for the reconstruction of infectious bone defects.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Printing, Three-Dimensional ; Titanium ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Flaps ; Adult ; Prosthesis Implantation/methods* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Prostheses and Implants ; Bone Diseases, Infectious/surgery* ; Extremities/surgery* ; Prosthesis Design

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic disease characterized by abnormal deposition of lipid in hepatocytes. If not intervened in time, NAFLD may develop into liver fibrosis or liver cancer, and ultimately threatening life. NAFLD has complicated etiology and pathogenesis, and there are no effective therapeutic means and specific drugs. Currently, insulin sensitizers, lipid-lowering agents and hepatoprotective agents are often used for clinical intervention, but these drugs have obvious side effects, and their effectiveness and safety need to be further confirmed. Adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a central role in maintaining energy homeostasis. Activated AMPK can enhance lipid degradation, alleviate insulin resistance (IR), suppress oxidative stress and inflammatory response, and regulate autophagy, thereby alleviating NAFLD. Natural herbal medicines have received extensive attention recently because of their regulatory effects on AMPK and low side effects. In this article, we reviewed the biologically active natural herbal medicines (such as natural herbal medicine formulas, extracts, polysaccharides, and monomers) that reported in recent years to treat NAFLD via regulating AMPK, which can serve as a foundation for subsequent development of candidate drugs for NAFLD.

The Guidelines for Occupational Hazard Assessment and Control of Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient in the Pharmaceutical Industry (T/WSJD 60—2024) is the first guiding standard in the field of health in China that focuses on occupational health protection for active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). It covers the general principles, work procedures, assessment methods, and control strategies for API occupational hazard assessment, providing practical guidance and recommendations for pharmaceutical enterprises to eliminate or reduce occupational health risks associated with API, improve working environment, and enhance refined management practices. This article interpreted and analyzed the background of standard establishment, formulation process, fundamental basis, and main content, to provide scientific and comprehensive technical support for occupational health managers in the pharmaceutical industry to better apply this standard.

Objective To explore the effect of nicotinamide transmethylase on intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)in iron death of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and its mechanism.Methods Methyl nicotinamide(MNA)expression in cells was detected using a tandem liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.The average fluorescence intensity of ROS and lipid peroxidation was measured using a flow cytometer.Western blot was used to detect changes in the expression of human liver cancer cells(SK-Hep-1,Hep3B).Forty patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma who received treatment in our hospital from March 2019 to February 2020 were selected as the study subjects,and their adjacent tissue samples and liver cancer tissue samples were collected.Immunohistochemical methods were used to detect the levels of nicotinamide N-methyltransferase(NNMT)and ROS in adjacent and liver cancer tissues.CCK-8 method was used to detect the survival activity of cells with different iron concentrations.Results The MNA levels in the liver cancer tissue group were higher than those in the adjacent tissue group(P<0.05).Compared with the adjacent tissue group,the average fluorescence intensity expression of ROS in the liver cancer tissue group increased,while the average fluorescence intensity expression of lipid peroxidation decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the adjacent tissue group,the expression levels of SK Hep-1 and Hep3B cells in the liver cancer tissue group increased(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,NNMT groups 2,10,20,and 25 μmol/L The cell survival activity level increased(P<0.05);Compared with the NNMT group,the iron inhibition group had different iron concentrations(2μmol/L,10μmol/L,20μmol/L,25μmol/L.The expression of cell viability decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion ROS mediated by nicotinamide methyltransferase can be guided to produce ROS and energy disorders,leading to increased tumor cell death.

Objective To establish a palmitic acid(PA)-induced model of lipotoxic bone formation inhibition in zebrafish.Methods AB strain zebrafish embryos were divided randomly into a blank control group,PA group,and simvastatin(SIM)group.Embryos in the PA and SIM groups received PA from 3 days post-fertilization(dpf),and embryos in the SIM group received SIM continuously for 4 days from 5 dpf.Establishment of the model was confirmed at 9 dpf by calcein staining,Nile red staining,triglyceride and total cholesterol content determination,and q-PCR.Results PA significantly decreased the number of vertebrae,promoted lipid accumulation,increased triglyceride and total cholesterol contents,promoted the expression of lipid-related genes PPARγ、c/EBPα,and inhibited the expression of osteogenic genes ALP and RUNX2.SIM improved the inhibitory effect of PA on bone formation in zebrafish.Conclusions PA can successfully create a lipotoxic model of bone-formation inhibition,similar to the pathological process of osteoporosis,using a simple,sensitive,and controllable method.This model can then be used for drug screening for osteoporosis and related diseases.

Objective:To compare the mechanical properties between our self-designed axially controlled compression spinal rod (ACCSR) and conventional spinal rod (CSR) for lumbar spondylolysis (LS).Methods:This study selected 36 ACCSRs (the ACCSR group) and 36 CSRs (the CSR group), both of which were in a diameter of 6.0 mm and manufactured in the same batch. They were subjected respectively to biomechanical tests of spinal rod and pedicle screw-rod internal fixation system. In spinal rod tests: the stiffness and yield load of the spinal rods were calculated using four-point bending tests ( n=7) and comparisons were made between the 2 groups; spinal rod fatigue tests ( n=8) recorded the successful compression loads after 2.5 million cycles of loading and compared them with the maximum force at the isthmus of a normal adult's unilateral lumbar spine (198.72 N). In tests of the pedicle screw-rod internal fixation system, the axial compression tests ( n=7) measured the axial gripping capacity, the axial torsion tests ( n=7) the torsional gripping capacity, and the lateral compression tests ( n=7) the stiffness and yield load of pedicle screws in the 2 groups respectively. Results:The stiffness [(1,543.37±61.41) N/mm] and yield load [1,338.57 (1,282.00, 1,353.80) N] of ACCSR group were significantly smaller than those of CSR group [(3,797.63±156.15) N/mm and 4,059.95 (3,813.80, 4,090.89) N] ( P<0.05). The spinal rod fatigue tests showed that the respective loads of CSR and ACCSR passing the 2.5 million fatigue tests were 640.00 N and 320.00 N, both larger than the maximum force at the unilateral lumbar isthmus of a normal adult (198.72 N). There were no significant differences between the ACCSR group and the CSR group in the axial gripping capacity and torsional gripping capacity, as well as in stiffness and yield load of screws between the 2 groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:In fixation of LS, although the yield load, stiffness and fatigue resistance of ACCSR are inferior to those of CSR, the biomechanical properties of the two sets of pedicle screw-rod internal fixation system are comparable. The fatigue resistance of ACCSR can meet the stress requirements of the normal human isthmus.

Tissue engineering bone technology, grounded in seed cells, cytokines, and scaffold supports, provides an effective solution for addressing extensive bone defects, demonstrating significant potentials in the field of bone repair. However, this technology still faces numerous challenges. Focusing on vascularization in engineered bones, this article reviews various methods to enhance vascularization within tissue-engineered bones, including multicellular co-culture, application of angiogenic factors, advanced 3D printing, and aid of surgical interventions. This article also analyses the latest research developments and the limitations of the methods, and speculates future research directions for tissue engineered bone.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of the San Diego osteotomy in treating developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) in children.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 33 pediatric cases of posterolateral acetabular dysplasia treated with the San Diego osteotomy at the 920th Hospital of the People's Liberation Army Joint Logistics Support Force in China from August 2018 to August 2022. The cohort included 3 males (4 hips) and 30 females (36 hips), with an average age of 4.9±1.4 years (range, 2-8 years). Among these, 32 cases (38 hips) were diagnosed with DDH, and 1 case (2 hips) with paralytic dislocation of the hip. According to the T?nnis classification, 3 hips were classified as type II, 25 hips as type III, and 12 hips as type IV. The San Diego osteotomy technique was utilized to enhance the posterior lateral acetabular coverage, combined with femoral osteotomy to adjust the hip abduction, flexion, and adduction angles. Postoperative outcomes were assessed using the modified Severin radiographic classification and the McKay grading system.Results:All 33 patients were followed up for an average of 37.70±18.44 months (range, 12-74 months). No cases of postoperative hip redislocation or residual acetabular underdevelopment were observed. The hip abduction angle improved from 24.98°±3.48° at 6 weeks postoperatively to 37.28°±4.63° at the 3-month follow-up, and 64.05°±3.82° at the 6-month follow-up, with a statistically significant difference ( F=77.327, P<0.001). The hip flexion angle increased from 26.34°±5.05° at 6 weeks postoperatively to 76.53°±4.38° at 3 months, and 106.47°±2.29° at 6 months, also showing a statistically significant difference ( F=54.377, P<0.001). The hip adduction angle progressed from 1.73°±1.18° at 6 weeks postoperatively to 12.33°±1.97° at 3 months, and 29.03°±4.17° at 6 months, with a significant difference ( F=45.162, P<0.001). The McKay hip joint grading system indicated 11 excellent, 20 good, and 9 acceptable outcomes, yielding an overall excellent and good rate of 78%. The Severin radiographic grading revealed 16 hips at grade I and 24 hips at grade II. Five patients (5 hips) experienced transient vascular compromise of the femoral head at 3 months postoperatively, which resolved after a 1-month non-weight-bearing period. At the final follow-up, one patient had residual femoral head enlargement in the right hip, while the remaining 32 cases showed satisfactory ossification and remodeling of the femoral head. Conclusion:The San Diego osteotomy significantly enhances hip joint range of motion and results in satisfactory hip joint function in children with developmental dysplasia of the hip