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We investigated the function of lncRNA zinc finger antisense 1 (ZFAS1) in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) progression in vitro and in vivo. Nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues were obtained from 20 patients with IDD. IL-1β was used to stimulate primary NP cells to establish the IDD models in vitro. Gene expression was determined by RT-qPCR. 5-Ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine and flow cytometry were performed to determine cell proliferation and apoptosis, and western blotting was conducted to measure the apoptosis- and extracellular matrix (ECM)-related protein expression. Luciferase reporter assay was used to examine the interactions between the genes. We also investigated the effect of ZFAS1 in a mouse model of IDD induced by needle punctures. Our results showed that ZFAS1 expression was elevated in degenerative NP tissues and IL-1β-treated NP cells. ZFAS1 knockdown inhibited NP cell apoptosis and ECM degradation induced by IL-1β. Mechanically, ZFAS1 sponged miR-4711-5p and adaptor-associated kinase 1 (AAK1) was targeted by miR-4711-5p. Furthermore, AAK1 overexpression partially eliminated the impact of ZFAS1 depletion on NP cell proliferation, apoptosis, and ECM degradation. More importantly, the results of the in vivo studies confirmed the effect of silencing ZFAS1 on alleviating the symptoms of IDD mice. Overall, silencing ZFAS1 inhibits IDD progression by reducing NP cell apoptosis and ECM degradation through the miR-4711-5p/AAK1 axis.

Objective To present the clinical characteristics of accumulated anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage among young male patients undergoing routine exercise, and to evaluate the related risk factors. Methods A retrospective study involving ACL‐accumulated damage from June 2015 to December 2019 was conducted. Baseline characteristics, such as age, body mass index (BMI), training parameters, and clinical signs, were recorded. The results of the radiologic examinations and related standardized tests were obtained to evaluate the research outcomes. These results were compared using Student's t‐test or Chi‐square test, and the impact of risk factors on the patient's injury were analyzed. Results A total of 86 men with accumulated ACL damage were included in this study. Exercise pain (86 [100%]), synovitis (80 [93.0%]), and intra‐articular effusion (79 [91.9%]) were the most common clinical symptoms. Loosening of ligaments, decreased tension, mild hyperplasia, and intercondylar fossa effusion were observed using radiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and arthroscopy. Age, BMI, training intensity, length of training, and knee hyperextension were identified as risk factors for accumulated ACL damage. Conclusion This study suggests that accumulated ACL damage has differentiated clinical symptoms, imaging features, and risk factors compared to common ACL injuries.

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of anterior column reconstruction using single or double titanium mesh cage (TMC) after total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) of thoracic and lumbar spinal tumors. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed involving 39 patients with thoracic or lumbar spinal tumors. All patients underwent TES, followed by anterior reconstruction and screw-rod instrumentation via a posterior-only procedure. Twenty-two patients in group A were treated with a single TMC to reconstruct the anterior column, whereas 17 patients in group B were reconstructed with double TMCs. Results: The overall follow-up is 20.5 ± 4.6 months. There is no significant difference between the 2 groups regarding age, sex, body mass index, tumor location, operative time, and intraoperative blood loss. The time for TMC placement was significantly shortened in the double TMCs group (5.2 ± 1.3 minutes vs. 15.6 ± 3.3 minutes, p = 0.004). Additionally, postoperative neural complications were significantly reduced with double TMCs (5/22 vs. 0/17, p = 0.046). The kyphotic Cobb angle and mean intervertebral height were significantly corrected in both groups (p ≤ 0.001), without obvious loss of correction at the last follow-up in either group. The bone fusion rates for single TMC and double TMCs were 77.3% and 76.5%, respectively. Conclusion: Using 2 smaller TMCs instead of a single large one eases the placement of TMC by shortening the time and avoiding nerve impingement. Anterior column reconstruction with double TMC is a clinically feasible, and safe alternative following TES for thoracic and lumbar tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The survival of patients diagnosed with osteosarcoma has not improved in the past three decades because of chemoresistance. Aim: This study aimed to improve the prognosis of patients with osteosarcoma. Settings and Design: From January 1, 2018, to June 30, 2019, a total of 14 patients with osteosarcoma were enrolled who underwent mini patient-derived xenograft (mini-PDX) assay in our hospital. Methods and Materials: We recruited 14 patients with osteosarcoma having acquirable lesions to establish PDX models and examine the sensitivity of nine drugs, including methotrexate (MTX), ifosfamide (IFO), epirubicin, and etoposide. Drug sensitivity was evaluated using the tumor relative proliferation rate (TRPR), and the patients' responses were assessed according to the RECIST 1.1 guidelines. Statistical Analysis Used: The difference in TRPR was analyzed using a paired t-test, while progression-free survival (PFS) was analyzed using the Kaplan–Meier method. Results: The mini-PDX results revealed that IFO had a lower tumor proliferation rate than MTX, indicating that IFO was more sensitive in patients with osteosarcoma (38.3% vs. 84.3%, P = 0.031). Thus, the regimen where IFO alternates with doxorubicin and cisplatin was recommended as adjuvant chemotherapy. MTX could replace IFO if the TRPR was better. Finally, 11 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy. A comparison of PFS revealed that sensitive patients with TRPR of <40% had a better prognosis (9.4 months vs. 3.7 months, P = 0.0324). Conclusions: Chemotherapy based on mini-PDX can improve the survival of patients with osteosarcoma whose TRPR was <40%, and that chemotherapy without MTX could be an alternative for osteosarcoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]