[Retracted] Puerarin improves graft bone defect through microRNA­155­3p­mediated p53/TNF­α/STAT1 signaling pathway.

Following the publication of the above paper, it has been drawn to the Editor's attention by a concerned reader that the immunohistochemical assay data shown in Fig. 4B on p. 245 were strikingly similar to data appearing in different form in another article written by different authors at different research institutes that had already been published in the journal International Journal of Biological Sciences prior to the submission of this paper to International Journal of Molecular Medicine. In view of the fact that the contentious data had already apparently been published previously, the Editor of International Journal of Molecular Medicine has decided that this paper should be retracted from the Journal. After having been in contact with the authors, they agreed with the decision to retract the paper. The Editor apologizes to the readership for any inconvenience caused. [International Journal of Molecular Medicine 46: 239-251, 2020; DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2020.4595].

Finite element analysis of proximal femur bionic nail for treating intertrochanteric fractures in osteoporotic bone.

This study compared the biomechanical characteristics of proximal femur bionic nail (PFBN) and proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) in treating osteoporotic femoral intertrochanteric fractures using finite element analysis. Under similar bone density, the PFBN outperforms the PFNA in maximum femoral displacement, internal fixation displacement, stress distribution in the femoral head and internal fixation components, and femoral neck varus angle. As the bone density decreases, the PFBN's biomechanical advantages over PFNA become more pronounced. This finding suggests that the PFBN is superior for treating osteoporotic intertrochanteric femoral fractures.

MicroRNA34a is associated with chemotherapy resistance, metastasis, recurrence, survival, and prognosis in patient with osteosarcoma.

BACKGROUND: Osteosarcoma (OS) is the primary malignant bone tumor that most commonly affects children, adolescents, and young adults. MicroRNA-34a (miR-34a) is involved in tumor metastasis and may be a prognostic marker for patients with cancer. The aim of the present study was to explore the role of miR-34a in patients with OS. The underlying associations between miR-34a expressions and metastasis, recurrence as well as and prognosis were comprehensively analyzed in OS patients. METHODS: Reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to investigate serum level of miR-34a between clinical OS patients (n = 162) and age-matched healthy controls (n = 162). Expression of miR-34a in OS tissues and adjacent tissues was analyzed using RT-qPCR. RT-qPCR was used to compare the serum level of miR-34a in patients with OS before and after chemotherapy. Multivariate Cox-regression analysis was used to analyze the association between serum level of miR-34a and chemotherapy resistance, overall survival, as well as recurrence and prognosis of OS patients. Five-year recurrence and survival were estimated using Kaplan-Meier curves. RESULTS: Serum level of miR-34a was downregulated in OS patients (n = 86) compared to age-matched healthy controls (n = 86). Expression of miR-34a was downregulated in OS tissue compared to adjacent tissues in clinical patients. The expression of serum miR-34a before and after chemotherapy was positively correlated with the expression of miR-34a in the corresponding tissues. Expression of miR-34a was higher in the group where chemotherapy was effective than that patient where chemotherapy was ineffective. Expression of miR-34a was negatively associated with chemotherapy resistance of OS patients. High serum levels of miR-34a were associated with longer overall survival in OS patients and lower metastasis. Multivariate Cox-regression analysis identified miR-34a serum level with potential prognostic significance. CONCLUSION: The expression level of serum miR-34a in patients with OS is closely related to the chemotherapy resistance, metastasis, recurrence, and survival of osteosarcoma, which can be used as one of the potential biomarkers and prognosis for the treatment of OS patients. Therefore, miR-34a may be a potential molecular for prediction of the efficacy of chemotherapy and prognosis in OS patients.

Puerarin improves graft bone defect through microRNA­155­3p­mediated p53/TNF­α/STAT1 signaling pathway.

Bone graft defects may lead to dysfunction of bone regeneration and metabolic disorders of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Puerarin has demonstrated pharmacological activities in the treatment of human metabolic diseases. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the role of puerarin and to explore its possible protective mechanism of action in rats with bone grafts. A bone graft rat model was established using bone grafting surgery and the rats received puerarin or PBS. Reverse transcription­quantitative PCR, western blot, TUNEL, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry assays were used to analyze the beneficial effects of puerarin on bone repair. The results demonstrated that puerarin effectively ameliorated pathological graft bone defects, decreased bone loss and apoptosis of BMSCs, promoted BMSC proliferation and differentiation, and increased bone mass and the parameters of bone formation in rats with bone grafts. Puerarin decreased the levels of pro­inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor (TNF)­α, interleukin (IL)­1ß, IL­17A, IL­6 and transforming growth factor (TGF)­ß1] and increased the levels of anti­inflammatory cytokines (IL­2 and IL­10) in the serum compared with the PBS group. Puerarin treatment was associated with lower serum alanine transaminase, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, γ­glutamyl transferase, alkaline phosphatase, direct bilirubin and total bilirubin levels compared with those in the PBS group in experimental rats. The expression of microRNA­155­3p (miR­155­3p) was upregulated, whereas that of p53, TNF­α and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)1 was downregulated in BMSC cultures of puerarin­treated rats. In vitro assay demonstrated that knockdown of miR­155­3p increased p53, TNF­α and STAT1 expression in BMSCs, and blocked puerarin­regulated p53/TNF­α/STAT1 signaling. Most importantly, miR­155­3p knockdown inhibited puerarin­regulated apoptosis, proliferation and differentiation of BMSCs. Moreover, the results demonstrated that puerarin regulated vascular endothelial growth factor expression via the miR­155­3p signaling pathway. In conclusion, the results of the present study demonstrated that the upregulation of miR­155­3p induced by puerarin promoted BMSC differentiation and bone formation and increased bone mass in rats with bone grafts, thereby supporting the potential application of puerarin in the prevention of bone graft defects.

3D-printed pelvis model is an efficient method of osteotomy simulation for the treatment of developmental dysplasia of the hip.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a congenital or developmental deformation of the hip joint, which may require a high number of surgical interventions. It has been indicated that 3D printing may be used to simulate a fractured pelvis to facilitate the fixation of plates during the surgical procedure. In the present double-blinded randomized clinical trial, the utility of the 3D-printed pelvis model, comprising 3D reconstruction, reverse engineering and rapid prototyping, in the treatment of DDH was evaluated with 3D CT as control. The value of the 3D-printed pelvis model in the surgical management and development of a strategy for an individualized operation for DDH using osteotomy simulation was also assessed. The results indicated that use of the 3D-printed pelvis model increased the success rate of the operation with a shortened surgery time and post-operative recovery time for DDH patients. In addition, the application of the 3D-printed pelvis model allowed for more efficient surgical management of DDH than 3D CT and promoted post-operative recovery of the DDH patients. Pre-operative planning using the 3D-printed pelvis model was feasible for DDH patients. Furthermore, few patients exhibited delayed incision healing, wound infection or nonunion in the DDH group with osteotomy simulation using the 3D-printed pelvis model or 3D-CT. In conclusion, the present study indicated that the 3D-printed pelvis model, including 3D reconstruction, reverse engineering and rapid prototyping, constitutes an efficient tool for pelvic osteotomy simulation, which improves personalized pre-operative planning by providing a visual and accurate osteotomy model for patients with DDH (Chinese Trial Registry No. KCT0012374).

Association of trimester-specific gestational weight gain with birth weight and fetal growth in a large community-based population.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies showed that the association of gestational weight gain (GWG) with fetal birthweight and offspring developmental growth was unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the respective effect of 1 kg of GWG during three trimesters on birthweight and offspring growth from birth to 3 years of age. METHODS: We extracted the decoded information from the Maternal and Child Health Information Management System of Zhoushan Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Zhejiang, China from October 2001 to March 2015, and used multiple linear and logistic regression models. RESULTS: This study included 20,232 women with a full-term singleton birth and 15,557 newborns who took regular health check-ups. Compared to that in the 2nd and 3rd trimester, 1 kg GWG increasing in the 1st trimester had the strongest positive association with higher birthweight, body weight, and height from 1 to 36 months. Their associations with BMI after birth were similar among the three trimesters. In addition, some positive dose-response effects found between quartiles of GWG in the 1st trimester and offspring body weight, as well as BMI. The 1 kg GWG in 1st trimester played the strongest role in contributing to birth weight and benefiting to body growth among children aged up to 3 years. CONCLUSION: The 1 kg GWG in 1st trimester contributed more to birth weight and body development from birth to 3 years compared to the 2nd and 3rd trimesters. The possible beneficial effects of GWG in the 1st trimester on birthweight and offspring development in under/normal weight mothers are found.

Immunomodulatory effect of polysaccharides from submerged cultured Cordyceps gunnii.

CONTEXT: The genus Cordyceps (Clavicipitaceae) is a group of entomopathogenic fungi that is widely used as tonic food or invigorant with broad-spectrum medicinal properties in China. Cordyceps gunnii (Berk.)Berk (C. gunnii), is also well known as the Chinese rare caterpillar fungus and has similar pharmacological activities with Cordyceps sinensis (C. sinensis). Polysaccharides (PS) from various Cordyceps species have demonstrated many interesting biological activities, including antitumor, immunopotentiation, hypoglycemic, and hypocholesterolemic activities. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of C. gunnii PS on the immunostimulatory antitumor function and expression of immune related cytokines in normal, immuno-suppressive, and H22-bearing mice, respectively. METHODS: C. gunnii PS were extracted with hot water at 80°C for 2 h. Normal, immuno-suppressive, and H22-bearing mice were treated with PS respectively. By detecting the value of macrophage phagocytic index, proliferation of lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cell activity and expression of related cytokines, interleukin (IL-4), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-a) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ), and tumor inhibition index in H22-bearing mice additionally, the effect of PS on immunostimulatory antitumor function and its mechanism were studied. RESULTS: The total sugar content of the PS was determined to be 95% after purification. PS markedly increased the thymus and spleen indexes, the macrophage phagocytosis, the proliferation of splenic cells, and the level of IFN-γ and TNF-α. In tumor growth inhibition test, PS showed remarkable inhibition effects. CONCLUSION: PS from the C. gunnii could enhance nonspecific immunological function, humoral immunity, cellular immunity in mice, and inhibit tumor growth.

Highly efficient synthesis and antitumor activity of monosaccharide saponins mimicking components of Chinese folk medicine Cordyceps sinensis.

Ergosterol 3-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (1a) and ergosterol 3-O-ß-D-galactopyranoside (1b) were highly efficiently synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activities against two tumor cell lines. The structures of these compounds were extensively confirmed by (1)H, (13)C NMR, IR, and HRMS. Compounds 1a and 1b exhibited interesting cytotoxic profiles. The antitumor activity of compound 1a was higher than that of 1b.

The chromatographic analysis of oligosaccharides and preparation of 1-kestose and nystose in yacon.

The thin-layer chromatographic analysis of the crude oligosaccharides extracted from yacon revealed the presence of glucose, fructose, sucrose, 1-kestose and nystose. The qualitative and quantitative analysis was carried out on oligosaccharides by high pressure liquid chromatography and the results showed that the contents of d-glucose, fructose, sucrose, 1-kestose, nystose and 1-fructofuranosyl nystose in oligosaccharides were 38.30%, 16.44%, 14.58%, 12.29%, 12.17%, 6.20%, respectively. The content of the fructooligosaccharides in oligosaccharides was 30.66%. The crude oligosaccharides were separated and purified by silica gel column chromatography. The two fractions obtained from crude oligosaccharides were 1-kestose and nystose, which were identified by mass spectra. The yield of 1-kestose and nystose were 10.36% and 9.73%, respectively. The purity of 1-kestose was 82.9% and of nystose was 73.6%.