Small non-coding RNAome changes during human chondrocyte senescence as potential epigenetic targets in age-related osteoarthritis.

Chondrocyte senescence is a decisive component of age-related osteoarthritis, however, the function of small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) in chondrocyte senescence remains underexplored. Human hip joint cartilage chondrocytes were cultivated up to passage 4 to induce senescence. RNA samples were extracted and then analyzed using small RNA sequencing and qPCR. ß-galactosidase staining was used to detect the effect of sncRNA on chondrocyte aging. Results of small RNA sequencing showed that 279 miRNAs, 136 snoRNAs, 30 snRNAs, 102 piRNAs, and 5 rasiRNAs were differentially expressed in senescent chondrocytes. The differential expression of 150 sncRNAs was further validated by qPCR. Transfection of sncRNAs and ß-galactosidase staining were also performed to further revealed that hsa-miR-135b-5p, SNORA80B-201, and RNU5E-1-201 have the function to restrain chondrocyte senescence, while has-piR-019102 has the function to promote chondrocyte senescence. Our data suggest that sncRNAs have therapeutic potential as novel epigenetic targets in age-related osteoarthritis.

Intramedullary Nail Fixation by Suprapatellar and Infrapatellar Approaches for Treatment of Distal Tibial Fractures.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the functional and alignment outcomes of intramedullary nail fixation using suprapatellar and infrapatellar approaches in treating distal tibial fractures. METHODS: In this retrospective study, 132 patients with distal tibial fractures (87 men, 45 women) ranging in age from 20 to 66 years were treated with intramedullary nails using the suprapatellar (69 patients) or infrapatellar (63 patients) approach. The radiographic alignment outcomes and ankle function were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to determine which variety influenced ankle functional scores and whether the suprapatellar approach intervention demonstrated a protective effect. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 14.22 ± 2.31 months. The mean sagittal section angle of the fracture in the suprapatellar and infrapatellar approach groups was 3.20° ± 1.20° and 5.31° ± 1.23°, respectively (P < 0.001). The mean coronal section angle was 3.51° ± 0.89° and 5.42° ± 1.05°, respectively (P < 0.001). Three patients (4.3%) in the suprapatellar approach group and 15 patients (23.8%) in the infrapatellar approach group had poor fracture reduction (P < 0.001). The mean hind foot functional score and ankle pain score were 95.91 ± 4.70 and 35.91 ± 4.70 points, respectively, in the suprapatellar approach group and 85.20 ± 5.61 and 25.20 ± 5.61 points, respectively, in the infrapatellar approach group (P < 0.001 for both). In the comparison of ankle function, the multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated that the odds ratio in the suprapatellar approach group was about 7 times that in the infrapatellar approach group (odds ratio, 7.574; 95% confidence interval, 2.148-28.740; P = 0.002). Of the variants measured, the statistically significant risk factors for poor ankle function were AO type A3 (P = 0.016) and diabetes mellitus (P = 0.006). Sex and the operation interval were not statistically significant risk factors for poor ankle function. CONCLUSION: Intramedullary nailing using the suprapatellar approach facilitates simple fracture reduction, excellent postoperative fracture alignment, and few complications, giving it obvious advantages over the conventional infrapatellar approach. Additionally, the suprapatellar approach is a prognostic factor associated with postoperative ankle joint function.

The evolution of land policies in China from 1980 to 2019: a policy-text based analysis.

Land resources are indispensable for the development of a country, especially for a country such as China with a very high population relative to its land area. Since reforms were introduced and liberalization was adopted, many policies have been promulgated for the protection and utilization of land resources. In the present study, more than 2000 land policies that have been formulated and promulgated in China from 1980 to 2019 were examined and statistically analyzed to qualitatively and quantitatively introduce the evolution of these policies in China. This paper mainly studies land policy of China from three perspectives as follows: policy intensity, policy tools, and policy targets, and three principal observations emerged from these investigations. First, during the past 40 years, the quantity of land policies introduced showed an increasing trend, while policy intensity became increasingly stabilized. Second, compared with regulatory policies and stimulative policies, it seems that China prefers to adopt guiding policies to manage land resources. Third, the main purpose of land policies issued during 1980-2019 is land market regulation, with subordinate policies for land resources protection.

In vitro anti-synovial sarcoma effect of diallyl trisulfide and mRNA profiling.

OBJECTIVE: Synovial sarcoma (SS) is a malignant soft tissue sarcoma and its natural history is a long, indolent clinical course followed by high rate of local recurrence and distant metastasis. Current therapies are still limited in increasing satisfactory of 5-year survival, especially for patients with recurrence and metastasis. Accordingly, finding new therapeutic drug for SS treatment is clinically urgent need. Diallyl trisulfide (DATS), a bioactive compound derived from garlic, is reported as a promising anti-cancer agent for various carcinomas. However, its effect on anti-SS remains unknown. This study investigated the anti-SS effect of DATS in human synovial sarcoma SW982 cells. METHODS: CCK-8 assay were used to examine the cell viability. High-content Imaging System was used to examine the apoptosis, intracellular ROS and autophagy. Flow cytometry was used to detect cell cycle. qPCR and Western blot were used to examine the expression of related mRNA and protein. High-throughput RNA-sequencing and bio-information analysis were used to investigate the mRNA profiling. RESULTS: The results showed a suppressive effect of DATS on tumor biology of SW982 cells including inducing apoptosis, triggering G2/M cell cycle arrest, elevating intracellular ROS and damaging mitochondria. Further high-throughput RNA-sequencing analysis clarified a comprehensive molecular portrait for DATS-induced transcriptional regulation. Besides, protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis demonstrated that a network consisted of FOXM1, CCNA2, CCNB1, MYBL2, PLK1 and CDK1 might be response for DATS-induced G2/M cell cycle arrest and increased intracellular ROS. Notably, protein feature analysis revealed structure enrichment in microtubule network like kinesin motors domain, and tubulin domain. Molecular function analysis suggested that DATS-induced dysfunction of microtubule network might be the major cause for its effect on cell cycle arrest and successive apoptosis. Furthermore, 28 hub genes (including KIF2C, PLK1, CDK1, BIRC5, CCNB2, CENPF, TPX2, TOP2A and so on) were determined. Finally, pathway analysis showed that DATS-induced differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in cell cycle. CONCLUSION: Collectively, our findings for the first time provided the DATS-induced cellular response and transcriptional profiling of SW982 cells, which proposes that suppression of DATS on SS is multi-targeted and represent a therapeutic evidence for SS.

Cornuside I promoted osteogenic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells through PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Osteoporosis is a common disease closely associated with aging. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of Cornuside I in promoting osteogenic differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and the potential mechanism. METHODS: BMSCs were isolated and treated with different concentrations of Cornuside I (0, 10, 30, 60 µM). Cell proliferation was analyzed by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. RNA sequencing was performed on the isolated BMSCs with control and Cornuside I treatment. Differentially expressed genes were obtained by the R software. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and Alizarin Red Staining (ARS) were performed to assess the osteogenic capacity of the NEO. qRT-PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression of osteoblast markers. RESULTS: Cornuside I treatment significantly improved BMSC proliferation. The optimal dose of Cornuside I was 30 µM (P < 0.05). Cornuside I dose dependently increased the ALP activity and calcium deposition than control group (P < 0.05). A total of 704 differentially expressed genes were identified between Cornuside I and normal BMSCs. Cornuside I significantly increased the PI3K and Akt expression. Moreover, the promotion effects of Cornuside I on osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs were partially blocked by PI3K/Akt inhibitor, LY294002. CONCLUSION: Cornuside I plays a positive role in promoting osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, which was related with activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

[Distribution Characteristics and Health Risk for Heavy Metals in Vegetables Near the Industrial Areas in Shanghai].

The concentrations of Cd, Zn, Pb, Cu, Hg, and As in vegetables collected from the industrial areas in suburban Shanghai were analyzed before and after washing. Results showed that the average concentrations (fresh weight) of Cd, Zn, Pb, Cu, Hg, and As in washed vegetables were 0.023, 4.444, 0.112, 0.826, 0.004, and 0.094 mg·kg-1, respectively. Amaranth accumulated the highest Cd, Zn, Pb, and Cu, while pakchoi accumulated the highest Hg and As. There was no significant difference of heavy metals between different sites. Washing vegetables prior to cooking reduced the health risk for heavy metals related to the consumption of vegetables. A health risk evaluation indicated that more than 55% of the Total Target Hazard Quotient (TTHQ) came from As, while the other elements contributed less than 1, indicating that the health risk from vegetable consumption was mainly caused by As. Children have higher health risks than adults when eating the same vegetables.