This study was aimed to figure out whether long noncoding RNA MEG3/miR‐361‐5p/FoxM1 signaling would contribute to improved proliferation and metastasis of osteosarcoma cells. We altogether collected 204 pairs of osteosarcoma tissues and adjacent normal tissues, and obtained four human osteosarcoma cell lines. Then pcDNA3.1‐MEG3, si‐MEG3, miR‐361‐5p mimic, miR‐361‐5p inhibitor, pcDNA3.1‐FoxM1, si‐FoxM1, and negative control (NC) were, respectively, transfected into the osteosarcoma cells. Furthermore, real time polymerase chain reaction was utilized to determine the mRNA expressions of maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) and miR‐361‐5p, and western blot analysis was applied for determining the FoxM1 expression. Besides, dual luciferase reporter gene assay was adopted to verify if MEG3 can be directly targeted by miR‐361‐5p. Finally, 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐tetrazolium bromide, colony formation assay, flow cytometry, wound healing assay, and transwell assay were conducted to investigate the influence of MEG3, miR‐361‐5p, and FoxM1 expressions on the viability, proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion of osteosarcoma cells. MEG3 and miR‐361‐5p were observed to be significantly downregulated within both osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines, whereas FoxM1 was upregulated in osteosarcoma tissues and cell lines (p < 0.05). MEG3 directly bound to miR‐361‐5p, and significantly upgraded its expression (p < 0.05). The upregulated MEG3 and miR‐361‐5p or the downregulated FoxM1 appeared to substantially inhibit proliferation, migration, and invasion of osteosarcoma cells (p < 0.05). Finally, the proliferation, migration, invasion, and motility of osteosarcoma cells within the miR‐NC + pcDNA3.1‐FoxM1 group and pcDNA + pcDNA‐FoxM1 group were markedly promoted when compared with the miR‐361‐5p mimic group and pcDNA3.1‐MEG3 group (p < 0.05). The MEG3/miR‐361‐5p/FoxM1 axis could potentially serve as therapeutic targets or diagnostic biomarkers for osteosarcoma.

Albumin-coupled NPS carrier offered an effective method of SCI treatment following safe co-administration of MP and MC. The in vitro and in vivo effectiveness of MP + MC was improved tremendously when compared with the effectiveness showed by MP + MC - NPS. That could be attributed to the site specific, controlled release of MP + MC to the inflammatory site.

Purpose This study was aimed to discover the combined effects of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the C-reactive protein (CRP) gene and potential environmental factors on the risk and prognosis for diabetic foot osteomyelitis (DFO). Methods A total of 1734 diabetes mellitus patients, 681 with DFO and 1053 without DFO, were successfully recruited, as well as 1261 healthy control individuals. Participants data were recorded regarding age, gender, smoking and drinking history, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, cacosmia, and ulceration. A total of 11 SNPs within the CRP gene were designated for exploration, by logistic regression analyses, of how they might interact with environmental factors to affect susceptibility to DFO. Results Frequencies of smoking and drinking, and incidence of hypertension, cacosmia, or ulceration displayed marked differences (all P<0.05) between DFO and non-DFO patients. Furthermore, allele G of rs11265260 (A>G), allele G of rs1800947 (C>G), and allele T of rs3093059 (T>C) and rs1130864 (C>T) exhibited a trend to increase risk of DFO (all P<0.05). Allele G of rs11265260 (A>G), allele G of rs1800947 (C>G) and rs3093068 (G>C), and allele T of rs1130864 (C>T) were significant predictors of poor prognosis among DFO patients (P<0.05). In addition, genotypes of rs11265260 (i.e., GG and AG), rs1800947 (i.e., CG and GG), rs3093059 (i.e., TT) and rs113084 (i.e., CT and TT) amplified the influence of smoking, alcohol consumption, cacosmia, and ulceration on progression from non-DFO to DFO (all γ>1). Conclusion Genetic mutations within CRP functioned interactively with external factors to affect DFO risk.

Background The intervertebral disc is the largest avascular tissue in the human body. The nucleus pulposus (NP) consumes glucose and oxygen to generate energy to maintain cellular metabolism via nutrients that diffuse from the cartilage endplate. The microenvironment in the intervertebral disc becomes nutritionally deficient during degeneration, and nutritional deficiency has been shown to inhibit the viability and proliferation of NP cells. Methods To investigate the molecular mechanism by which nutritional deficiency reduces viability and decreases proliferation, we created an in vitro model by using decreasing serum concentration percentages. Results In this study, we found that nutritional deficiency reduced NP cell viability and increased cell apoptosis and that the upregulation of ATF4 expression and the downregulation of PKM2 expression were involved in this process. Moreover, we found that PKM2 inhibition can reduce the cell apoptosis induced by ATF4 silence under nutritional deficiency. Conclusion Our findings revealed that PKM2 inhibition reduces the cell apoptosis induced by ATF4 silence under nutritional deficiency by inhibiting AKT phosphate. Revealing the function and mechanism of NP cell development under nutritional deficiency will provide new insights into the etiology, diagnosis, and treatment of intervertebral disc and related diseases.

BackgroundPlatelet-rich plasma (PRP) has gained growing popularity in use in spinal fusion procedures in the last decade. Substantial intraoperative blood loss is frequently accompanied with spinal fusion, and it is unknown whether blood harvested intraoperatively qualifies for PRP preparation.Material/MethodsWhole blood was harvested intraoperatively and venous blood was collected by venipuncture. Then, we investigated the platelet concentrations in whole blood and PRP, the concentration of growth factors in PRP, and the effects of PRP on the proliferation and viability of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HBMSCs).ResultsOur results revealed that intraoperatively harvested whole blood and whole blood collected by venipuncture were similar in platelet concentration. In addition, PRP formulations prepared from both kinds of whole blood were similar in concentration of platelet and growth factors. Additional analysis showed that the similar concentrations of growth factors resulted from the similar platelet concentrations of whole blood and PRP between the two groups. Moreover, these two kinds of PRP formulations had similar effects on promoting cell proliferation and enhancing cell viability.ConclusionsTherefore, intraoperatively harvested whole blood may be a potential option for preparing PRP spinal fusion.