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This study aimed to reveal the mechanism by which long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) modulate hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by regulating mRNA via the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) enzyme. The expression and clinical data of 365 HCC patients and 50 healthy control samples were downloaded from the the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) and differentially expressed mRNAs (DEmRNAs) screened using limma packages from the R. m6A2Target database were used to predict the relationship between m6A enzyme-lncRNA and m6A enzyme-mRNA. The mRNAs in the lncRNA-m6A enzyme-mRNA network were subjected to enrichment analysis. Cox regression analysis was used to screen for RNAs significantly related to HCC prognosis. The expression of differentially expressed RNAs (DERs) was verified using the TCGA dataset and GSE55092. Eighty-five DElncRNAs and 747 DEmRNAs were identified. The mRNAs in the lncRNA-m6A enzyme-mRNA network were primarily involved in mitotic cell division, the p53 signaling pathway, and the cell cycle. Three lncRNAs and 14 mRNAs were significantly associated with HCC prognosis. Furthermore, the expression of 12 DERs differed significantly between patients in the early and advanced stages. LINC00665 was predicted to regulate 11 mRNAs by modulating IGF2BP1, IGF2BP2, and YTHDF1. Thus, this study provides new insights into the roles of lncRNA and m6A enzymes in HCC.

Hydrogels have revolutionized the field of soft robotics with their ability to provide dynamic and programmable responses to different stimuli, enabling the fabrication of highly adaptable and flexible robots. This continual development holds significant promise for applications in biomedical devices, active implants, and sensors due to the biocompatibility of hydrogels. Actuation in hydrogel-based soft robotics relies on variations in material properties, structural design, or a combination of both to generate desired movements and behaviors. While such traditional approaches enable hydrogel actuation, they often rely on complex material design, bringing challenges to hydrogel fabrication and hindering practical use. Therefore, this work seeks to present a simplified and versatile approach for fabricating programmable single-component hydrogel-based soft robotics using an encoded building block design concept and 3D printing. A series of structural building blocks have been designed to achieve various actuation characteristics, including the direction, degree, and kinetics of actuation. By assembling these building blocks into various configurations, a broader range of actuation responses can be encoded, allowing for the fabrication of versatile, programmable soft robotics using a single uniform material through vat photopolymerization 3D printing. This approach enables adaptation to a wide range of applications, providing highly customizable encoding designs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene oxide (GO) has shown significant potential in humidity sensing. It is well accepted that the oxygen-containing functional groups in GO significantly influence its humidity sensing performance. However, the relationship between the content of these groups and the humidity sensing capability of GO-based sensors remains unclear. In the present work, we investigate the role of oxygen-containing functional groups in the humidity sensing performance by oxidizing graphite with mesh numbers 80–120, 325, and 8000 using the Hummers method, resulting in GO-80, GO-325, and GO-8000. Infrared spectroscopy (IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to identify the types and quantification of oxygen-containing functional groups. Molecular dynamics simulation is used to simulate the adsorption energy, intercalation dynamics, and hydrogen bonding of water molecules. Electrochemical tests were used to compare the adsorption/desorption time and response sensitivity of graphene oxide to humidity. It is proposed that hydroxyl and carboxyl groups are the main contributing groups to humidity sensing. GO-8000 shows a relatively fast response time, but the large number of carboxyl groups will hinder intercalation of water molecules, thus exhibiting lower sensitivity. This research provides a reference for the future development of graphene-based sensors, catalysts, and environmental materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To review the studies about the tibial-graft fixation methods on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, in order to provide clinical reference., Methods: The literature about the tibial-graft fixation methods on ACL reconstruction at home and abroad was extensively reviewed, and the factors that affect the selection of fixation methods were summarized., Results: The knee flexion angle, graft tension, and graft fixation device are mainly considered when the tibial-graft was fixed on ACL reconstruction. At present, the graft is mainly fixed at 0°/30° of knee flexion. The study shows that the knee joint is more stable after fixed at 30°, while the incidence of knee extension limitation decrease after fixed at 0°. In terms of graft tension, a good effectiveness can be obtained when the tension level is close to 90 N or the knee flexion is 30° to recover the affected knee over-restrained 2 mm relative to the healthy knee. In terms of the graft device, the interference screw is still the most commonly used method of tibial-graft fixation, with the development of all-inside ACL reconstruction in recent years, the cortical button fixation may become the mainstream., Conclusion: Arthroscopic reconstruction is the main treatment of ACL rupture at present. However, there is no optimal fixation method for the tibial-graft, the advantages and disadvantages of each fixation methods need to be further studied.

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of the posterior-posterior triangulation technique for arthroscopic posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction by comparing with the anteroposterior approach., Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on 40 patients who underwent arthroscopic PCL reconstruction between February 2016 and February 2020. The PCLs were reconstructed via anteroposterior approach in 20 patients (anteroposterior approach group) and posterior-posterior triangulation technique in 20 patients (posterior-posterior triangulation technique group). There was no significant difference in gender, age, cause of injury, injury side, disease duration, preoperative International Knee Documentary Committee (IKDC) score, and Lysholm score between the two groups ( P >0.05). The operation time, surgical complications, and postoperative posterior drawer test, Lysholm score, and IKDC score were recorded and compared between the two groups., Results: The operation time was (65.25±10.05) minutes in the anteroposterior approach group and (56.15±8.15) minutes in the posterior-posterior triangulation technique group, and the difference was significant ( t =3.145, P =0.003). All incisions healed by first intention, and there was no complication such as vascular and nerve injuries or infection. Patients were followed up (27.05±11.95) months in the anteroposterior approach group and (21.40±7.82) months in the posterior-posterior triangulation technique group, with no significant difference ( t =1.770, P =0.085). At last follow-up, the posterior drawer tests were positive in 4 cases (3 cases of stageⅠand 1 case of stage Ⅱ) of the anteroposterior approach group and in 1 case (stageⅠ) of the posterior-posterior triangulation technique group, showing no significant difference between the two groups ( P =0.342). At last follow-up, Lysholm score and IKDC score in both groups were significantly higher than those before operation ( P <0.05). The above functional scores in the posterior-posterior triangulation technique group were significantly higher than those in the anteroposterior approach group ( P <0.05). Imaging reexamination showed that the position, shape, and tension of the grafts were well in both groups, and the grafts were covered with the synovium in the posterior-posterior triangulation technique group, the meniscofemoral ligaments were well preserved. There was no re-rupture of the reconstructed ligament during follow-up., Conclusion: Compared to the anteroposterior approach, the posterior-posterior triangulation technique provides a clearer view under arthroscopy, no blind spot, sufficient operating space, and relative safety. Moreover, it is easier to retain the remnant and the meniscofemoral ligaments, and can obtain good short-term effectiveness.

Objective: To investigate the heterotopic osteogenesis of tissue engineered bone using the co-culture system of vascular endothelial cells (VECs) and adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) as seed cells., Methods: The partially deproteinized biological bone (PDPBB) was prepared by fibronectin combined with partially deproteinized bone (PDPB). The ADSCs of 18-week-old Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and VECs of cord blood of full-term pregnant SD rats were isolated and cultured. Three kinds of tissue engineered bone were constructed in vitro : PDPBB+VECs (group A), PDPBB+ADSCs (group B), PDPBB+co-cultured cells (VECs∶ADSCs was 1∶1, group C), and PDPBB was used as control group (group D). Scanning electron microscopy was performed at 10 days after cell transplantation to observe cell adhesion on scaffolds. Forty-eight 18-week-old SD rats were randomly divided into groups A, B, C, and D, with 12 rats in each group. Four kinds of scaffolds, A, B, C, and D, were implanted into the femoral muscle bags of rats in corresponding groups. The animals were killed at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks after operation for gross observation, HE staining and Masson staining histological observation, and the amount of bone collagen was measured quantitatively by Masson staining section., Results: Scanning electron microscopy showed that the pores were interconnected in PDPB materials, and a large number of lamellar protein crystals on the surface of PDPBB modified by fibronection were loosely attached to the surface of the scaffold. After 10 days of co-culture PDPBB and cells, a large number of cells attached to PDPBB and piled up with each other to form cell clusters in group C. Polygonal cells and spindle cells were mixed and distributed, and some cells grew along bone trabeculae to form cell layers. Gross observation showed that the granulation tissue began to grow into the material pore at 2 weeks after operation. In group C, a large number of white cartilage-like substances were gradually produced on the surface of the material after 4 weeks, and the surface of the material was uneven. At 12 weeks, the amount of blood vessels on the surface of group A increased, and the material showed consolidation; there was a little white cartilage-like material on the surface of group B, but the pore size of the material did not decrease significantly; in group D, the pore size of the material did not decrease significantly. Histological observation showed that there was no significant difference in the amount of bone collagen between groups at 2 weeks after operation ( F =2.551, P =0.088); at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after operation, the amount of bone collagen in group C was significantly higher than that in other 3 groups, and that in group B was higher than that in group D ( P <0.05); there was no significant difference between group A and groups B, D ( P >0.05)., Conclusion: The ability of heterotopic osteogenesis of tissue engineered bone constructed by co-culture VECs and ADSCs was the strongest.

Celecoxib is the most recent non steroidal anti-inflammatory analgesic, and has been gradually used in the treatment of acute pain, rheumatism and osteoarthritis. This paper analyzes the analgesic effect of celecoxib in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis and put forward a new mechanism of knee joint extensor reconstruction assisted by bone anchor. The experimental group was given celecoxib 200 mg/ time and 1 time /d. The results showed that VAS (Visual Analogue Scale) decreased gradually in both groups on the 1st, 3rd and 7th day of treatment and VAS in experimental group was lower than that in control group at the same time point (P<0.05). At the 1 year follow-up, experience group had a significant improvement on the Lysholm (69.33 ± 8.38 preoperatively and 88.65 ± 12.93 postoperatively) and Kujula (69.33 ± 8.38 preoperatively and 88.65 ±12.93 postoperatively) knee scores (P<0.05). The results showed that celecoxib had a good analgesic effect in patients with knee osteoarthritis and reducing the release of inflammatory factors may be its mechanism..

Articular cartilage injury and therapy are important clinical issues around the world. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the ability to differentiate into chondrocytes, which makes MSCs good candidates for use in cartilage repairing. However the regulation and the mechanism of chondrogenesisin MSCs is still unclear. To clarify the factor and mechanism which contribute to the process of chondrogenic differentiation, we focus on miRNAs. Considering the role of miR-181a in chondrogenesis and osteoblast formation, we tested the expression of miR-181a in the induced chondrogenic differential pig PBMSCs by using qRT-PCR. And we identified miR-181a as an up-regulated miRNA in the TGF-β3-induced pig PBMSCs chondrogenic differentiation from the early stages and maintained elevated throughout the whole process. After inhibition of the endogenesis miR-181a expression by transfecting the miR-181a inhibitor, the western-blot results and immunofluorescence results indicated that the expression of differentiation-related protein COL2A1, BMP2 were decreased, together with the Alcian blue assay, proving the process of differentiation was inhibited significantly. Taken together, our results demonstrated that miR-181a might be necessary in chondrogenesis of MSCs. Even so, the mechanism of miR-181a on regulating the chondrogenesis still needed to be investigated in future work. And our data would provide an experimental evidence for the research of tissue engineering., Competing Interests: None., (IJCEP Copyright © 2018.)

Objective: We used ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC/MS) for analyzing and identifying the active components of newborn calf serum (NCS) and fetal bovine serum (FBS). The results demonstrated significant differences in the components between NCS and FBS. FBS appeared to have more complex components than NCS, with mass to ratios (m/z) of the substances of 498, 273 and 448. These substances in FBS may be the main active components to support the proliferation and differentiation of cells.