Implant-related infections (IRIs) caused by bacterial biofilms remain a prevalent but tricky clinical issue, which are characterized by drug resistance, toxin impairment and immunity suppression. Recently, antimicrobial therapies based on...

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Osteosarcoma (OS) is an aggressive malignant neoplasm that commonly occurs in adults and adolescents. The objectives of this work were to verify the role of microRNA- (miR-) 135a in OS and determine whether it can regulate the growth and cellular migration of OS by targeting mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 2 (SMAD2). miR-135a and SMAD2 mRNA expression levels were measured using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Proliferation and migration of cells were studied using the Cell Counting Kit-8, EdU staining, and transwell invasion experiment. Additionally, a dual-luciferase reporter experiment was used to investigate the possible relationship between miR-135a and SMAD2’s 3 ′ -UTR. Immunohistochemistry was utilized to examine the expressions of SMAD2 and Ki67 in mouse tumor tissues to determine the influence of miR-135a on cancer progression in vivo. miR-135a was shown to be elevated in OS tissue samples as well as five cell lines. High expression levels of miR-135a were correlated with poor prognosis of OS patients. Cellular proliferation and migration were promoted by the upregulation of miR-135a with miR mimics; however, this effect was inhibited by SMAD2 overexpression. miR-135a was also shown to directly target the 3 ′ -UTR of SMAD2. Animal experiments also demonstrated that miR-135a downregulation had an inhibitory effect on tumor growth in vivo. High expression levels of miR-135a promoted transplanted tumor development in vivo and the proliferation and migration of OS cells by targeting SMAD2. In summary, miR-135a may be a prospective therapeutic target for OS in the future.

Background Acute thoracolumbar fracture is a common spine injury in clinical practice, and AO type B injury is a severe fracture based on the morphology of distraction. Controversy remains in approach selection and few studies focused on this type alone. We evaluated the radiologic and clinical results of 56 cases from our university hospital data bases, and aim to provide some ideas during the surgical planning for this patient cohort.Methods From January 2015 to December 2019, fifty-six patients with AO type B thoracolumbar fractures were treated in spine unit of this tertiary hospital. Patient demographics, surgical details, and follow-up data were reviewed. Clinical outcome were analyzed using the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) system. Results All patients received a single posterior approach and an average of 5.7±2.6 segments was instrumented. 41 patients received consecutive, long-segment pedicle screw fixation, while 15 patients were treated by satellite rod due to pedicle fractures. Average preoperative focal kyphotic angle was 26.2±5.6 degrees, which improved significantly to 13.8±7.2 degrees after the procedure (p<0.05). Similar improvements were found in anterior vertebral height (AVH). At the final follow up, no significant loss of correction angle and AVH was detected compared to postoperation. Pain scores had improved over the postoperative months as well as ODI and PHQ-9 scores. No proximal junction kyphotic change was noted, and none of the patients had any implant failure at the final follow-up.Conclusion AO type B thoracolumbar fractures are severely unstable and associated with complicated injuries. Single posterior consecutive, long-segment instrumentation for AO type B thoracolumbar fracture achieved and maintained satisfactory outcome. For patients with broken pedicles at the fractured level, satellite rod enhancement may be a feasible choice of a supplementary procedure.