BackgroundLumbar facet osteoarthritis (FJOA) is one of the major causes of severe low back pain and disability worldwide. However, the underlying mechanism of cartilage degeneration in FJOA remains unclear. MethodsThe rats were randomly divided into non-operation group (n=20) and operation group (n=10). In the operation group, MIA (Sigma, 200mg/mL) was injected into the right L4/5 facet process by blunt nanoneedle 26 (WPI, Sarasota, FL, USA) under the control of injection pump. The final injection volume was 5μL and the injection rate was 2μL/min. The facet joint was removed 4 weeks after surgery. After the operation, some samples were stored at 80°C until use. The right facet joints in each group were tested as follows. HE staining and iron red solid green staining were used to observe the degeneration of articular chondrocytes in rats. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to observe the expression of P2Y12, MMP13, COL2 and other cartilage degeneration and apoptosis related indexes. Co-localization of P2Y12-Cleaved caspase-3 in apoptosis models was detected by dual-standard immunofluorescence staining. Apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry and TUNEL.ResultsThe expression of P2Y12 increased in OA cartilage tissue, and P2Y12 inhibited apoptosis. Knockdown of P2Y12 promotes IL-1β -induced apoptosis.ConclusionOur data suggest that P2Y12 has a chondroprotective effect on FJOA.

PurposeTo compare the clinical outcomes and radiological parameters of patients undergoing percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) versus those undergoing percutaneous vertebral-disc plasty (PVDP) for back pain, segmental instability, and kyphosis due to thoracolumbar very severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (vsOVCFs).MethodsThis prospective randomized controlled study included elderly patients with thoracolumbar vsOVCFs. All the patients were randomly allocated into the PVP group (who underwent conventional PVP) and the PVDP group (who underwent PVP combined percutaneous cement discoplasty). The visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), local kyphosis angle, and disc height were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively.ResultsSignificant postoperative improvements in the VAS, ODI, and the local kyphosis angle (LKA) were shown, compared with the preoperative values in both groups (p < 0.05). The average VAS, ODI, and LKA for patients in the PVP group were increased compared to those in the PVDP group observed at the last follow-up (p < 0.05). The DHA, DHP, and LKA were seen to be maintained in the PVDP group at the last follow-up (p > 0.05). The change was significantly lower in the PVDP group at the last follow-up in those parameters (p < 0.05).ConclusionPVDP may be a feasible and effective technique for the treatment of very severe OVCFs, that can restore intervertebral height, provide segmental stabilizing and relieve back pain in the short term.

Background: To compare the clinical outcomes and radiological parameters of patients undergoing percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) versus those undergoing percutaneous vertebral-disc plasty (PVDP) for back pain, segmental instability, and kyphosis due to thoracolumbar very severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (vsOVCFs).Methods: 31 patients with thoracolumbar vsOVCFs were retrospectively reviewed. All the patients were divided into the PVP group and the PVDP group. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), local kyphosis angle, and disc height were recorded preoperatively and postoperatively.Results: Significant postoperative improvements on the VAS, ODI, and the local kyphosis angle (LKA) were shown, compared with the preoperative values in both groups (p < 0.05). The average VAS, ODI, and LKA for patients in the PVP group were increased compared to those in the PVDP group were observed at the last follow-up (p < 0.05). The DHA, DHP, and LKA were seen to be maintained in the PVDP group at the last follow-up (p > 0.05). In those parameters, the change was significantly lower in the PVDP group at the last follow-up. (p <0.05).Conclusions: PVDP may be a feasible and effective technique for the treatment of very severe OVCFs, that can restore intervertebral height, provide segmental stabilizing and improve kyphosis in the short term.

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TP53 mutation frequently occurs in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Senescence also plays a vital role in the ongoing process of HCC. P53 is believed to regulate the advancement of senescence in HCC. However, the exact mechanism of TP53 mutation-related senescence remains unclear. In this study, we found the TP53 mutation was positively correlated with senescence in HCC, and the differential expressed genes were primarily located in macrophages. Our results proved that the risk score could have an independent and vital role in predicting the prognosis of HCC patients. In addition, HCC patients with a high risk score may most probably benefit from immune checkpoint block therapy. We also found the risk score is elevated in chemotherapy-treated HCC samples, with a high level of senescence-associated secretory phenotype. Finally, we validated the risk-score genes in the protein level and noticed the risk score is positively related with M2 polarization. Of note, we considered that the risk score under the TP53 mutation and senescence is a promising biomarker with the potential to aid in predicting prognosis, defining tumor environment characteristics, and assessing the benefits of immunotherapy for HCC patients.