BackgroundLimb-salvage surgery has been well recognized as a standard treatment and alternative to amputation for patients with malignant bone tumors. Various limb-sparing techniques have been developed including tumor prosthesis, allograft, autograft and graft-prosthesis composite. However, each of these methods has short- and long-term disadvantages such as nonunion, mechanical failures and poor limb function. The technique of intracorporeal devitalization of tumor-bearing bone segment in situ by microwave-induced hyperthermia after separating it from surrounding normal tissues with a safe margin is a promising limb-salvage method, which may avoid some shortcomings encountered by the above-mentioned conventional techniques. The purpose of this study is to assess the healing process and revitalization potential of the devitalized bone segment by this method in a dog model. In addition, the immediate effect of microwave on the biomechanical properties of bone tissue was also explored in an in vitro experiment.MethodsWe applied the microwave-induced hyperthermia to devitalize the distal femurs of dogs in situ. Using a monopole microwave antenna, we could produce a necrotic bone of nearly 20 mm in length in distal femur. Radiography, bone scintigraphy, microangiography, histology and functional evaluation were performed at 2 weeks and 1, 2, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months postoperatively to assess the healing process. In a biomechanical study, two kinds of bone specimens, 3 and 6 cm in length, were used for compression and three-point bending test respectively immediately after extracorporeally devitalized by microwave.FindingsAn in vivo study showed that intracorporeally and in situ devitalized bone segment by microwave had great revitalization potential. An in vitro study revealed that the initial mechanical strength of the extracorporeally devitalized bone specimen may not be affected by microwave.ConclusionOur results suggest that the intracorporeal microwave devitalization of tumor-bearing bone segment in situ may be a promising limb-salvage method.

Increasing evidence indicates the important role of inflammation in the pathogenesis and progression of osteoarthritis (OA). Dual specificity phosphatase 1 (DUSP1), a negative regulator of the mitogen‑activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, has anti‑inflammatory properties. In the present study, the expression of DUSP1 was investigated in human OA fibroblast‑like synoviocytes (FLSs), human normal FLSs and OA FLSs pretreated with dexamethasone at the mRNA and protein levels. Then, the activation of MAPK pathway proteins and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase‑13 (MMP‑13) and cyclooxygenase‑2 (COX‑2) were measured by western blot analysis in the three groups of cells. Dexamethasone induced the expression of DUSP1 and inhibited the activation of the MAPK pathway and reduced the expression of MMP‑13 and COX‑2 in OA FLSs. However, the role of DUSP1 remained unclear. To clarify this, the effects of overexpression of DUSP1 in OA FLSs were determined using a DUSP1‑overexpressing lentivirus. The results demonstrated that overexpression of DUSP1 in OA FLSs inhibited the activation of the MAPK pathway and expression of OA‑associated mediators. The findings of the present study indicate that DUSP1 has a protective role in OA FLSs and may be a potential target in the treatment of OA.

Orthopedic injuries from electric bicycle-related accidents cause patients substantial suffering that could lead to serious social consequences. Helmet use and protective clothing or similar safety gear, especially for electric bicycle users, should be required to provide greater protection.

It presented a preliminary minimum lethal dose of heat was validated on the cellular level in vitro, which should be verified and corrected further in vivo.

The overall purpose of this study is to explore and examine whether high-performance work systems (HPWS) can impact thriving at work and job burnout via resilience at work among nurses in Chinese public hospitals. Specifically, it draws on social exchange theory to conceptualize a positive relationship between HPWS and resilience at work. Then, based on a socially embedded model of thriving at work and knowledge about job burnout in the literature, it further proposes the differentiated mediation roles of resilience at work in the relationship of HPWS to thriving at work and job burnout. A time-lagged survey involving three rounds of data collection with self-reported online questionnaires was employed. A total of 160 nurses from 20 public hospitals in China were invited to participate in the research. Finally, a sample of 845 responses was obtained. The response rate was 52.8%. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to test the hypotheses. It was found that HPWS (time 1) positively impacted resilience at work (time 2). The results also demonstrated that HPWS (time1) enhanced thriving at work (time 3) and reduced job burnout (time 3) via developing resilience at work (time 2). To conclude, being resilient in the workplace is crucial for nurses to enhance thriving at work, and inhabit job burnout among nurses. HPWS is a valid management tool that can be used to cultivate a nurse’s resilience at work, which further reduces job burnout and enhance thriving at work.