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Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a multifactorial skeletal disease involving mechanical, genetic, systemic, and biological factors, and it is characterized by apoptosis of the nucleus pulposus cells and breakdown of the extracellular matrix (ECM), which will impair the structure and function of the intervertebral disc (IVD), and cause low back pain. Recently, the piezo1 is recognized as a critical mechanically activated ion channel of IDD. Numerous studies have reported that the piezo1 ion channel was aberrantly activated in the degenerated disc tissues and deeply participated in the pathogenesis of IDD. Inactivating or interfering with the piezo1 channel could effectively prevent the progression of IDD under the experimental conditions. It may be a promising target for the prevention and treatment of the disabling disease. Therefore, we have to make a comprehensive investigation and understanding of the mechanisms and functions of the piezo1 in the biomechanics of the spine. This study mainly elucidates the role of the piezo1 channel in IDD, which may facilitate the development of therapeutic targets for this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) disease has been considered as the main cause of low back pain (LBP), which is a very common symptom and the leading cause of disability worldwide today. The pathological mechanism of IDD remains quite complicated, and genetic, developmental, biochemical, and biomechanical factors all contribute to the development of the disease. There exists no effective, non‐surgical treatment for IDD nowadays, which is largely related to the lack of knowledge of the specific mechanisms of IDD, and the lack of effective specific targets. Recently, non‐coding RNA, including miRNA, has been recognized as an important regulator of gene expression. Current studies on the effects of miRNA in IDD have confirmed that a variety of miRNAs play a crucial role in the process of IDD via nucleus pulposus cells (NPC) apoptosis, abnormal proliferation, inflammatory factors, the extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, and annulus fibrosus (AF) degeneration. In the past 10 years, research on miRNA has been quite active in IDD. This review summarizes the current research progression of miRNA in the IDD and puts forward some prospects and challenges on non‐surgical treatment for IDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A composite electrolyte CeSmO-BaCeSmO (SDC-BCS) material for co-ionic conducting solid oxide fuel cells was prepared by microwave-assisted sol-gel technique. The crystallization, morphology, and sintering characteristics were investigated by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The obtained SDC-BCS composite electrolyte powders distribute uniformly, and SDC and BCS crystalline grains play a role as matrix for each other in the composite electrolyte. Anode-supported solid oxide fuel cells of NiO-CeSmO/CeSmO-BaCeSmO/CeSmO-SrCoTiO (NiO-SDC/SDC-BCS/SDC-SCT) were fabricated based on the nanocomposite electrolyte powders. The electrochemical performances were tested at 500-650 °C using humidified hydrogen as fuel. Results demonstrated that the anode-supported half cells could be sintered at 1,300 °C with a dense electrolyte layer and a porous anode structure. Moreover, the single cell with 40-μm-thick electrolyte layer achieved an open-circuit voltage (OCV) of 0.77 V and a maximum power density of 621 mW cm at 650 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]