Dual-energy computed tomography for predicting cervical lymph node metastasis in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Rationale and objectives: We constructed a dual-energy computed tomography (DECT)-based model to assess cervical lymph node metastasis (LNM) in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Materials and methods: We retrospectively analysed 164 patients with LSCC who underwent preoperative DECT from May 2019 to May 2023. The patients were randomly divided into training (n = 115) and validation (n = 49) cohorts. Quantitative DECT parameters of the primary tumours and their clinical characteristics were collected. A logistic regression model was used to determine independent predictors of LNM, and a nomogram was constructed along with a corresponding online model. Model performance was assessed using the area under the curve (AUC) and the calibration curve, and the clinical value was evaluated using decision curve analysis (DCA). Results: In total, 64/164 (39.0 %) patients with LSCC had cervical LNM. Independent predictors of LNM included normalized iodine concentration in the arterial phase (odds ratio [OR]: 8.332, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 2.813-24.678, P < 0.001), normalized effective atomic number in the arterial phase (OR: 5.518, 95 % CI: 1.095-27.818, P = 0.002), clinical T3-4 stage (OR: 5.684, 95 % CI: 1.701-18.989, P = 0.005), and poor histological grade (OR: 5.011, 95 % CI: 1.003-25.026, P = 0.049). These predictors were incorporated into the DECT-based nomogram and the corresponding online model, showing good calibration and favourable performance (training AUC: 0.910, validation AUC: 0.918). The DCA indicated a significant clinical benefit of the nomogram for estimating LNM. Conclusions: DECT parameters may be useful independent predictors of LNM in patients with LSCC, and a DECT-based nomogram may be helpful in clinical decision-making.

The protective effects of apelin-13 in HIV-1 tat- induced macrophage infiltration and BBB impairment.

Impairment of the blood - brain barrier (BBB) and subsequent inflammatory responses contribute to the development of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Apelin-13, the most abundant member of the apelin family, acts as the ligand of the angiotensin receptor-like 1 (APJ). However, its pharmacological function in HAND and its underlying mechanism are unknown. In the current study, we report that the presence of HIV-1 Tat reduced the levels of Apelin-13 and APJ in the cortex tissue of mice. Importantly, Apelin-13 preserved BBB integrity against HIV-1 Tat in mice by increasing the expression of the tight junction protein zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin. Interestingly, increased macrophage infiltration, indicated by elevated CD68-positive staining was observed in the cortex after stimulation with HIV-1, which was mitigated by the administration of Apelin-13. Correspondingly, Apelin-13 reduced the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1; (MCP-1). An in vitro two-chamber and two-cell trans-well assay demonstrated that HIV-1 Tat challenge significantly promoted macrophage migration, which was notably attenuated by the introduction of Apelin-13. Accordingly, treatment with Apelin-13 restored the HIV-1 Tat-induced reduction of occludin and ZO-1, while preventing the upregulation of MCP-1 in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMVECs). Our results suggest that Apelin-13 may reduce macrophage infiltration into brain tissues and mitigate BBB dysfunction in patients with HAND.

Evaluation of accurate measurement methods for radon exhalation rate with advection effect and application in field.

In decommissioning of a uranium tailings pond, radon exhalation rates on a beach surface should meet regulatory standards. Accurate measurements of the radon exhalation rate are demanded. However, current studies fail to consider the impact of advection under temperature variations or pressure gradients caused by gas movement on measurements using an accumulation chamber. Two proposed methods were therefore evaluated to accurately measure radon exhalation rates on the loose medium surface under advective conditions. Repeated experiments were conducted on a laboratory experimental platform filled with uranium tailings sand under advective flow rates of 0.03 and 0.3 L/min to validate the stability and reliability. Deviations between measured and true values were 0.1-6.1 % and 6.3-29.2 % for the two methods, respectively. Subsequently, numerical simulation was used to analyze defects of traditional methods and mechanisms of the new methods. In a field study, all methods were compared, and a predictive map of radon exhalation rates was created using interpolated data from 20 random sites using the new method. Results from the proposed methods, compared with traditional ones, were closer to true values under advective conditions, and accurate assessment of beach surface treatment was expected.

The Pre- and Post-Column Derivatization on Monosaccharide Composition Analysis, a Review.

Polysaccharides, as common metabolic products in organisms, play a crucial role in the growth and development of living organisms. For humans, polysaccharides represent a class of compounds with diverse applications, particularly in the medical field. Therefore, the exploration of the monosaccharide composition and structural characteristics of polysaccharides holds significant importance in understanding their biological functions. This review provides a comprehensive overview of extraction methods and hydrolysis strategies for polysaccharides. It systematically analyzes strategies and technologies for determining polysaccharide composition and discusses common derivatization reagents employed in further polysaccharide studies. Derivatization is considered a fundamental strategy for determining monosaccharides, as it not only enhances the detectability of analytes but also increases detection sensitivity, especially in liquid chromatography (LC), capillary electrophoresis (CE), and gas chromatography (GC) techniques. The review meticulously examines pre-column and post-column derivatization techniques for monosaccharide analysis, categorizing them based on diverse detection methodologies. It delves into the principles and distinctive features of various derivatization reagents, offering a comparative analysis of their strengths and limitations. Ultimately, the aim is to provide guidance for selecting the most suitable derivatization approach, taking into account the structural nuances, biological functions, and reaction dynamics of polysaccharides.

Theoretical model for calculating and adjusting radon activity concentration in ventilation networks of uranium mines considering pressure drop effect.

The radiation dose of workers in underground uranium mines mainly comes from radon and radon progeny. To ensure a healthy and safe work environment, it is necessary and urgent to optimize the design of ventilation systems. As such, based on the simplified radon diffusion-advection migration model of the rocks, this paper proposes 1) two methods for determining the radon exhalation rate modified by pressure drop, 2) three methods for calculating radon activity concentration of single-branch, and 3) the novel adjustment algorithm and solving procedures for calculating and adjusting the radon activity concentration in ventilation networks by modifying the radon exhalation rate, demonstrated on a specific ventilation network in a simulated underground uranium mine with calculation and analysis via MATLAB. The results show that 1) the radon exhalation rate of different branches can be modified by their pressure drop, and 2) the proposed method can be used to reveal the influences of different ventilation methods and fan pressures on the radon activity concentration in the ventilation network and the radon release rate to the atmosphere.

SPI1 exacerbates iron accumulation and promotes osteoclast formation through inhibiting the expression of Hepcidin.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis (OP) can be caused by an overactive osteoclastic function. Anti-osteoporosis considerable therapeutic effects in tissue repair and regeneration because bone resorption is a unique osteoclast function. In this study, we mainly explored the underlying mechanisms of osteoclasts' effects on osteoporosis. METHODS: RAW264.7 cells were used and induced toward osteoclast and iron accumulation by M-CSF and RANKL administration. We investigated Hepcidin and divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) on iron accumulation and osteoclast formation in an ovariectomy (OVX)-induced osteoporosis. Osteoporosis was induced in mice by OVX, and treated with Hepcidin (10, 20, 40, 80 mg/kg, respectively) and overexpression of DMT1 by tail vein injection. Hepcidin, SPI1, and DMT1 were detected by immunohistochemical staining, western blot and RT-PCR. The bioinformatics assays, luciferase assays, and Chromatin Immunoprecipitation (ChIP) verified that Hepcidin was a direct SPI1 transcriptional target. Iron accumulation was detected by laser scanning confocal microscopy, Perl's iron staining and iron content assay. The formation of osteoclasts was assessed using tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining. RESULTS: We found that RAW264.7 cells differentiated into osteoclasts when exposed to M-CSF and RANKL, which increased the protein levels of osteoclastogenesis-related genes, including c-Fos, MMP9, and Acp5. We also observed higher concentration of iron accumulation when M-CSF and RANKL were administered. However, Hepcidin inhibited the osteoclast differentiation cells and decreased intracellular iron concentration primary osteoclasts derived from RAW264.7. Spi-1 proto-oncogene (SPI1) transcriptionally repressed the expression of Hepcidin, increased DMT1, facilitated the differentiation and iron accumulation of mouse osteoclasts. Overexpression of SPI1 significantly declined luciferase activity of HAMP promoter and increased the enrichment of HAMP promoter. Furthermore, our results showed that Hepcidin inhibited osteoclast differentiation and iron accumulation in mouse osteoclasts and OVX mice. CONCLUSION: Therefore, the study revealed that SPI1 could inhibit Hepcidin expression contribute to iron accumulation and osteoclast formation via DMT1 signaling activation in mouse with OVX.

Novel approaches for accurately measuring radon exhalation rate and mechanism interpreted by numerical simulation.

Measurements of radon exhalation rate using traditional methods can be affected by back-diffusion or differential pressure in the accumulation chamber, resulting in deviations between the measured and the true values. To obtain an accurate radon exhalation rate for evaluation of radon-risk regions, two novel approaches of measurements based on traditional methods were proposed. Repeated experiments were implemented on a self-designed stainless cylindrical vessel filled with uranium tailings sand. The measured radon exhalation rates on average were 0.51 ± 0.02 and 0.52 ± 0.02 Bq m-2 s-1 for the two proposed methods, with 0.02% and 0.04%, respectively, deviations from the theoretical value. In addition, numerical techniques were employed to interpret the defects of traditional methods and mechanisms of proposed approaches to measure accurate values. Two novel approaches have significantly reduced the impact of back diffusion and differential pressure inside the chamber and consumed less time.

Numerical simulations of radon exhalation from surrounding rocks of single and double underground roadways.

The radon exhalation rate of surrounding rocks in underground roadways is an important parameter in determining radon exhalation capacity and ventilation flowrate for radon removal. By approximating the roadways as thick-walled, porous cylinders, this study investigates radon exhalation from their surrounding rocks via simulations using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Radon exhalation rates of single and double underground roadways were computed and analysed under different pressure differences, radon diffusion coefficients, permeabilities of rocks, single roadway locations and additional parallel roadway orientation. The radon regulating zone was presented and the effect of pressure difference on it was analysed. By fitting the data from simulation results, an estimation model was obtained for the radon exhalation rate of a single roadway. For two adjacent parallel roadways with a distance greater than or equal to 50m, the model is also suitable for estimating the radon exhalation rate when the rock permeability is less than 1 × 10-14 m2 and the ratio of permeability to diffusion coefficient is less than 5 × 10-9.

Radon exhalation behavior and determination of diffusion migration parameters in spherical porous emanation media.

There is a significant impact of the radon diffusion coefficient and the free radon production rate on the exhalation of radon from porous materials that can be regarded as spheres, hexahedrons, or cylinders. To understand this effect, the radon exhalation rules of spherical porous media with different radii were studied according to the radon diffusion migration theory. A specialized method for simultaneous determination of the radon diffusion coefficient and the free radon production rate of the spherical porous media was proposed, and applied to determine the above two parameters for two hemispherical test blocks with different radii. The results show that:(1) For spherical porous media with a certain radon diffusion length (Ld), as the radius (r0) of the sphere increases, the radon exhalation rate first increases, and tends to stabilize at r0≥6Ld; The free radon release share gradually decreases from approximately 1, and drops to a steady state at r0≥18Ld. (2) Compared with conventional methods, the relative error of the free radon production rate determined by the proposed method is within 3.9%, which verifies the reliability of the new method.

Geniposide suppressed OX-LDL-induced osteoblast apoptosis by regulating the NRF2/NF-κB signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis (OP), due to microarchitectural alterations, is associated with decreased bone mass, declined strength, and increased fracture risk. Increased osteoblast apoptosis contributes to the progression of OP. Natural compounds from herbs provide a rich resource for drug screening. Our previous investigation showed that geniposide (GEN), an effective compound from Eucommia ulmoides, could protect against the pathological development of OP induced by cholesterol accumulation. METHODS: The rat OP models were duplicated. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry were used to evaluate bone changes. TUNEL/DAPI staining assays were used for cell apoptosis detection. Protein expression was determined by western blotting assays. RESULTS: A high-fat diet promoted OP development in vivo, and OX-LDL stimulated osteoblast apoptosis in vitro. GEN exhibited protective activities against OX-LDL-induced osteoblast apoptosis by increasing the NRF2 pathway and decreasing the NF-κB pathway. PDTC, an NF-κB inhibitor, could further promote the biological functions of GEN. In contrast, ML385, an NRF2 inhibitor, might eliminate GEN's protection. CONCLUSION: GEN suppressed OX-LDL-induced osteoblast apoptosis by regulating the NRF2/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Optimization of the operating parameters for radon reduction on brattice induced cavern ventilation using CFD.

Cavern is a place where workers often work in underground spaces, where radon is constantly released from surrounding rock surfaces. It is of great significance to develop effective ventilation to reduce radon in underground space for safe production and occupational health. For the purpose of controlling the radon concentration level in the cavern, the influence of upstream and downstream brattice length, upstream and downstream brattice to wall width on the volume average radon concentration and the plane average radon concentration at the height of the human respiratory zone (Z = 1.6 m) in the cavern, was studied by using the CFD (Computational fluid dynamics) method, and the operating parameters of ventilation induced by the brattice are optimized. The results show that the radon concentration in the cavern can be significantly reduced by using the brattice induced ventilation compared with no ventilation auxiliary facilities. This study provides a reference for local radon-reducing ventilation design of underground cavern.

Experimental study on radon retardation effect of modular covering floats in radon-containing water.

Radon-containing water bodies in uranium mining areas inevitably release radon gas, polluting the surrounding environment via radiation. Thus, it is particularly important to develop devices with the ability to retard the radon release from such water bodies. Based upon theories of radon exhalation in water, a radon exhalation retardation device (RERD) with flexible, modular floats (a flexible polyvinyl chloride material module that floats on water) was designed and manufactured. To study the modular surface-covering floats' effectiveness in retarding radon release from water surfaces, an experimental setup was constructed to simulate radon release from water bodies, using a granular uranium ore sample from a uranium mine as sediment material. Closed-loop measurements were taken to determine the radon exhalation rate on the exposed surface of the water in uncovered and covered conditions. Radon retardation rates were also compared for different area coverage (29.6%, 59.1%, and 88.7%) and immersion depths (0.02 m and 0.04 m) in unperturbed and perturbed water bodies. The results show that: 1) the greater the area coverage, the greater the radon retardation rate in both unperturbed and perturbed water bodies; 2) under the same coverage conditions, the surface radon exhalation rate and the radon transfer velocity at the gas-liquid interface of the perturbed water are larger than those of the unperturbed water; 3) The immersion depth of modular surface-covering floats has a stronger effect on the radon retardation rate in unperturbed water bodies than in perturbed water bodies. The study shows that the proposed modular floats are effective in retarding radon release from both perturbed and unperturbed water bodies.

Structural Versus Nonstructural Bone Grafting Via the Posterior Approach in the Treatment of Thoracic and Lumbar Tuberculosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Bone grafting is necessary in spinal tuberculosis surgery. Structural bone grafting is considered the gold standard treatment for spinal tuberculosis bone defects; however, nonstructural bone grafting via the posterior approach has recently gained attention. In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the clinical efficacy of structural versus nonstructural bone grafting via the posterior approach in the treatment of thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis. METHODS: Studies comparing the clinical efficacy of structural and nonstructural bone grafting via the posterior approach in spinal tuberculosis surgery were identified from 8 databases from inception to August 2022. Study selection, data extraction, and evaluation of the risk of bias were performed, and meta-analysis was conducted. RESULTS: Ten studies including 528 patients with spinal tuberculosis were enrolled. Meta-analysis revealed no between-group differences in fusion rate (P = 0.29), complications (P = 0.21), postoperative Cobb angle (P = 0.7), visual analog scale score (P = 0.66), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (P = 0.74), or C-reactive protein level (P = 0.14) at the final follow-up. Nonstructural bone grafting was associated with less intraoperative blood loss (P < 0.00001), shorter operation time (P < 0.0001), shorter fusion time (P < 0.01), and shorter hospital stay (P < 0.00001), while structural bone grafting was associated with lower Cobb angle loss (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Both techniques can achieve a satisfactory bony fusion rate for spinal tuberculosis. Nonstructural bone grafting has the advantages of less operative trauma, shorter fusion time, and shorter hospital stay, making it an attractive option for short-segment spinal tuberculosis. Nevertheless, structural bone grafting is superior for maintaining corrected kyphotic deformities.

The protective activity of natural flavonoids against osteoarthritis by targeting NF-κB signaling pathway.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a typical joint disease associated with chronic inflammation. The nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB) pathway plays an important role in inflammatory activity and inhibiting NF-κB-mediated inflammation can be a potential strategy for treating OA. Flavonoids are a class of naturally occurring polyphenols with anti-inflammatory properties. Structurally, natural flavonoids can be divided into several sub-groups, including flavonols, flavones, flavanols/catechins, flavanones, anthocyanins, and isoflavones. Increasing evidence demonstrates that natural flavonoids exhibit protective activity against the pathological changes of OA by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway. Potentially, natural flavonoids may suppress NF-κB signaling-mediated inflammatory responses, ECM degradation, and chondrocyte apoptosis. The different biological actions of natural flavonoids against the NF-κB signaling pathway in OA chondrocytes might be associated with the differentially substituted groups on the structures. In this review, the efficacy and action mechanism of natural flavonoids against the development of OA are discussed by targeting the NF-κB signaling pathway. Potentially, flavonoids could become useful inhibitors of the NF-κB signaling pathway for the therapeutic management of OA.

Isolated cryptococcal osteomyelitis of the sacrum in an immunocompetent patient: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Cryptococcus neoformans, an opportunistic fungal pathogen, seldom causes infection in immunocompetent people. Cryptococcal osteomyelitis is an uncommon condition in which Cryptococcus invades the bone. It usually occurs as part of a disseminated infection and rarely in isolation. The spine has been reported as the most common site of cryptococcal osteomyelitis; however, isolated case of sacrum involvement in immunocompetent patients has never been reported. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 37-year-old man without underlying disease who presented with progressive low back and sacrococcygeal pain. The patient was initially diagnosed with sacral tumour by a local doctor, and subsequently, after admission, was diagnosed with sacral tuberculosis. He was empirically treated with antitubercular drugs. The patient failed to respond to antitubercular drugs and complained of worsening low back pain. Additionally, he developed persistent radiating pain and numbness in his legs. For further diagnosis, we performed a computed tomography-guided puncture biopsy of the sacrum, which revealed granulomatous inflammation with massive macrophage infiltration and special staining revealed a fungal infection. We performed sacral debridement and drainage and obtained purulent specimens for pathological examination and microbial culture. Microbial identification and drug susceptibility tests revealed a Cryptococcus neoformans infection sensitive to fluconazole. Postoperatively, the persistent radiating pain and numbness in the legs resolved. After 12 consecutive weeks of antifungal therapy, all his symptoms resolved. The patient remained without any signs of recurrence at the 8-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: We reported a rare case of isolated sacrum cryptococcal osteomyelitis in an immunocompetent patient. Furthermore, we identified and reviewed 18 published cases of spine cryptococcal osteomyelitis. Immunocompetent individuals are also at risk for cryptococcal osteomyelitis. Clinical manifestation and imaging are insufficient to diagnose cryptococcal osteomyelitis of the spine, and invasive examinations, such as puncture biopsy and fungal examinations, are needed. Antifungal therapy yields satisfactory results for the treatment of cryptococcal osteomyelitis of the spine, however, if the infective lesion is large, especially when it compresses the spinal cord and nerves, a regimen combining aggressive surgery with antifungal therapy is indispensable.

Geniposide ameliorates glucocorticoid-induced osteoblast apoptosis by activating autophagy.

Long-term exposure to glucocorticoid (GC) contributes to the development of osteoporosis (OP), which is correlated with the risk of fracture. Pathologically, GC-induced bone loss is associated with osteoblast apoptosis. Geniposide (GEN), a natural occurring compound derived from Eucommia ulmoides, has been reported to ameliorate dexamethasone (DEX)-induced OP. Our previous study shows that GEN exhibits protective activity against DEX-induced OP by attenuating endoplasmic reticulum stress and decreasing apoptosis in osteoblasts. However, the molecular mechanisms of GEN in inhibiting DEX-induced osteoblast apoptosis still need further elucidation. In this article, a molecular target network of GEN against OP was screened. It was found that GEN might interact with OP by mediating PI3K/AKT pathway, which is the upstream factor in regulating autophagy. GEN exhibited protective activity against DEX-induced apoptosis by activating autophagy in vivo and in vitro. Blockage of autophagy, activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, or inhibition of GLP-1R activity could eliminate the protective effects of GEN against DEX-induced apoptosis. Collectively, GEN ameliorated DEX-induced osteoblast apoptosis by activating autophagy through GLP-1R/PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Long non-coding RNA-small nucleolar RNA host gene 7 regulates inflammatory responses following spinal cord injury by regulating the microRNA-449a/TNF-α-induced protein 3-interacting protein 2 axis.

The current study aimed to explore the anti-inflammatory effects of long non-coding RNA-small nucleolar RNA host gene 7 (lncRNA-SNHG7) and its mechanism in spinal cord injury (SCI) models. SCI models were established both in vivo and in vitro. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR was performed to determine the expression levels of lncRNA-SNHG7 in SCI models. Bioinformatics analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assays were carried out to confirm the interaction between lncRNA-SNHG7 with microRNA (miR)-499a and TNF-α-induced protein 3-interacting protein 2 (TNIP2). In addition, cell viability, apoptosis, and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines were assessed by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, flow cytometric analysis, and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The results showed that lncRNA-SNHG7 was markedly downregulated in the SCI model group. LncRNA-SNHG7 directly bound to miR-499a, which in turn directly targeted TNIP2. In addition, TNIP2 was significantly decreased in SCI rats and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated PC-12 cells. The in vitro results in PC-12 cells revealed that lncRNA-SNHG7 overexpression attenuated neuronal cell death and SCI-mediated inflammatory responses by regulating miR-449a expression. Furthermore, miR-499a knockdown inhibited LPS-induced PC-12 cell injury by targeting TNIP2. In conclusion, lncRNA-SNHG7 modulates the apoptosis and inflammation of PC-12 cells by regulating the miR-449a/TNIP2/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Misdiagnosis of brown tumour caused by primary hyperparathyroidism: a case report with literature review.

BACKGROUND: Brown tumour is a rare tumour-like lesion of the bone, which is considered as an end-stage lesion of abnormal bone metabolism caused by persistently high parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels. Brown tumour can be found in any part of the skeleton; in some cases, it can occur in multiple bones and can be easily misdiagnosed as a metastatic tumour. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 44-year-old man who presented to the Department of Oncology in our hospital with a 2-month history of local pain in his left shoulder joint. The initial diagnosis was an aneurysmal bone cyst by biopsy, for which the patient underwent tumour resection surgery. The diagnosis of a malignant tumour was made again following postoperative pathological examination. The pathological sections and all clinical data were sent to the Department of Pathology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University; the diagnosis made there was brown tumour. His blood PTH level was 577 pg/ml (15-65 pg/ml). Colour Doppler ultrasonography of the parathyroid gland suggested a parathyroid adenoma. For further treatment, the left parathyroid adenoma was removed by axillary endoscopic resection. Postoperatively, a pathologic examination was performed, and the diagnosis of a parathyroid adenoma was confirmed. One year after the surgery, the left humerus was completely healed, and the left shoulder joint had a good range of movement. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, histopathological diagnosis is not sufficient for the diagnosis of brown tumours. A comprehensive analysis combining clinical symptoms with findings of imaging and laboratory tests is also required. Generally, the treatment of brown tumour includes only partial or complete resection of the parathyroid glands. However, when the tumour is large, especially when it involves the joint, surgery is indispensable.

Long non-coding RNA HOTAIRincreased mechanical stimulation-induced apoptosis by regulating microRNA-221/BBC3 axis in C28/I2 cells.

Abnormal mechanical stimulation contributes to articular cartilage degeneration and osteoarthritis (OA) development. Many long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in mechanical force-induced cartilage degeneration. LncRNA HOTAIR (HOTAIR) has been demonstrated to increase osteoarthritis progression. However, the roles of HOTAIR in mechanical stimulation-treated chondrocytes are still unclear. In this study, we found that mechanical stimulation significantly induced apoptosis in C28/I2 cells. In addition, the expression of HOTAIR was up regulated and the expression of miR-221 was down regulated. Knockdown of HOTAIR effectively ameliorated cell apoptosis induced by mechanical stimulation. HOTAIR could interact with miR-221, which targeted to degrade BBC3. Overexpression of BBC3 could reverse the decreased apoptotic rates induced by HOTAIR knockdown. Collectively, HOTAIR promoted mechanical stimulation-induced apoptosis by regulating the miR-221/BBC3 axis in C28/I2 cells.