Objective To review the research progress of exosomes (EXOs) derived from different cells in the treatment of osteoporosis (OP). Methods Recent relevant literature about EXOs for OP therapy was extensively reviewed. And the related mechanism and clinical application prospect of EXOs derived from different cells in OP therapy were summarized and analyzed. Results EXOs derived from various cells, including bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, osteocytes, and endothelial cells, et al, can participate in many links in the process of bone remodeling, and their mechanisms involve the regulation of proliferation and differentiation of bone-related cells, the promotion of vascular regeneration and immune regulation, and the suppression of inflammatory reactions. A variety of bioactive substances contained in EXOs are the basis of regulating the process of bone remodeling, and the combination of genetic engineering technology and EXOs-based drug delivery can further improve the therapeutic effect of OP. Conclusion EXOs derived from different cells have great therapeutic effects on OP, and have the advantages of low immunogenicity, high stability, strong targeting ability, and easy storage. EXOs has broad clinical application prospects and is expected to become a new strategy for OP treatment.
ObjectiveTo explore the nature of micromovement and the biomechanical staging of fracture healing.MethodsThrough literature review and theoretical analysis, the difference in micromovement research was taken as the breakthrough point to try to provide a new understanding of the role of micromovement and the mechanical working mode in the process of fracture healing.ResultsThe process of fracture healing is the process of callus generation and connection. The micromovement is the key to start the growth of callus, and the total amount of callus should be matched with the size of the fracture space. The strain at the fracture end is the key to determine the callus connection. The strain that can be tolerated by different tissues in the fracture healing process will limit the micromovement. According to this, the fracture healing process can be divided into the initiation period, perfusion period, contradiction period, connection period, and physiological period, i.e., the biomechanical staging of fracture healing.ConclusionBiomechanical staging of fracture healing incorporates important mechanical parameters affecting fracture healing and introduces the concepts of time and space, which helps to understand the role of biomechanics, and its significance needs further clinical test and exploration.
Objective To investigate the effectiveness of one-stage closed reduction and elastic compression fixation with double Kirschner wires for Wehbe-Schneider types ⅠB and ⅡB bony mallet fingers. Methods Between May 2017 and June 2020, 21 patients with Wehbe-Schneider type ⅠB and ⅡB bony mallet fingers were treated with one-stage closed reduction and elastic compression fixation using double Kirschner wires. There were 15 males and 6 females with an average age of 39.2 years (range, 19-62 years). The causes of injury were sports injury in 9 cases, puncture injury in 7 cases, and sprain in 5 cases. The time from injury to admission was 5-72 hours (mean, 21.0 hours). There were 2 cases of index finger injury, 8 cases of middle finger injury, 9 cases of ring finger injury, and 2 cases of little finger injury. The angle of active dorsiflexion loss of distal interphalangeal joint (DIPJ) was (40.04±4.02)°. According to the Wehbe-Schneider classification standard, there were 10 cases of typeⅠB and 11 cases of type ⅡB. The Kirschner wire was removed at 6 weeks after operation when X-ray film reexamination showed bony union of the avulsion fracture, and the functional exercise of the affected finger was started. Results The operation time was 35-55 minutes (mean, 43.9 minutes). The length of hospital stay was 2-5 days (mean, 3.4 days). No postoperative complications occurred. All patients were followed up 6-12 months (mean, 8.8 months). X-ray films reexamination showed that all avulsion fractures achieved bony union after 4-6 weeks (mean, 5.3 weeks). Kirschner wire was removed at 6 weeks after operation. After Kirschner removal, the visual analogue scale (VAS) score of pain during active flexion of the DIPJ was 1-3 (mean, 1.6); the VAS score of pain was 2-5 (mean, 3.1) when the DIPJ was passively flexed to the maximum range of motion. The angle of active dorsiflexion loss of affected finger was (2.14±2.54)°, showing significant difference when compared with preoperative angle (t=52.186, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the active flexion angle between the affected finger (79.52±6.31)° and the corresponding healthy finger (81.90±5.36)° (t=1.319, P=0.195). At 6 months after operation, according to Crawford functional evaluation criteria, the effectiveness was rated as excellent in 11 cases, good in 9, and fair in 1, with an excellent and good rate of 95.24%. Conclusion For Wehbe-Schneider typesⅠB and ⅡB bony mallet fingers, one-stage closed reduction and elastic compression fixation with double Kirschner wires can effectively correct the deformity and has the advantages of simple surgery, no incision, and no influence on the appearance of the affected finger.
ObjectiveTo investigate the effectiveness of modified tibial transverse bone transport technique combined with vancomycin calcium phosphate bone cement local filling and covering in the treatment of diabetic foot (DF). MethodsThe clinical data of 22 DF patients treated with modified tibial transverse bone transport technique combined with vancomycin calcium phosphate bone cement local filling and covering between October 2019 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 13 males and 9 females with an average age of 61.3 years (range, 41-74 years). The duration of diabetes mellitus was 8-30 years, with an average of 12.5 years, and the duration of DF was 10-42 days, with an average of 28.2 days. There were 2 cases of grade 3 and 20 cases of grade 4 according to Wagner classification. CT angiography was performed on both lower extremities of the patients, and the blood vessels of the affected extremities were narrowed to varying degrees and the blood supply was poor. The preoperative skin temperature of affected foot was (28.27±0.91)°C, the ankle brachial index (ABI) was 0.42±0.11, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) score was 7.7±0.6. Preoperative size of DF ulcer ranged from 2.5 cm×2.0 cm to 3.5 cm×3.0 cm. The skin temperature of affected foot, ABI, VAS score, and skin wound healing of the affected foot were recorded and compared between before operation and at 3 months after operation. ResultsAll patients were followed up 3-18 months, with an average of 10.5 months. The infection of 1 patient with Wagner grade 4 did not improve significantly after operation, and there was a trend of further deterioration, and the amputation of the left leg was finally performed at 22 days after operation.The remaining 21 patients recovered well after operation, the external fixator was removed at 1 month after operation, the wound healed at 3 months after operation, and there was no recurrence of ulcer in situ or other sites during follow-up. At 3 months after operation, the skin temperature of affected foot was (31.76±0.34)°C, the ABI was 0.94±0.08, and the VAS score was 2.1±0.3, which significantly improved when compared with those before operation (t=25.060, P<0.001; t=32.412, P<0.001; t=–51.746, P<0.001). ConclusionModified tibial transverse bone transport technique combined with vancomycin calcium phosphate bone cement local filling and covering for DF patients can effectively improve the blood supply of the affected limb, promote wound healing, and improve effectiveness.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of V-shaped stealth decompression technique using ultrasonic bone scalpel in anterior surgery for adjacent two-level cervical spondylosis. Methods A clinical data of 41 patients with adjacent two-level cervical spondylosis, who admitted between January 2020 and December 2023 and met the selection criteria, was analyzed retrospectively. Among them, 22 cases were treated with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) assisted by V-shaped stealth decompression technique using ultrasonic bone scalpel (group A) and 19 cases with anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) (group B). There was no significant difference between the two groups in age, gender, disease duration, surgical segment, preoperative Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score, neck dysfunction index (NDI), pain visual analogue scale (VAS) score, and the anteroposterior diameter of the spinal canal in the responsibility space of axial CT (P>0.05). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, hospital stay, complications during follow-up, JOA score, NDI, and VAS score at last follow-up, and the incidences of intervertebral fusion at 3 months after operation, and cage subsidence at last follow-up were compared between the two groups. Results The operations in the two groups were successfully completed. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage volume, and hospital stay in group A were significantly less than those in group B (P<0.05). Two cases (9.1%) in group A and 4 cases (21.1%) in group B developed complications, with no significant difference in the incidence between the two groups (P>0.05). All patients in the two groups were followed up 6-12 months (mean, 9.3 months). There was no significant difference in follow-up time between the two groups (P>0.05). At last follow-up, the JOA score and VAS score in both groups significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). The change values of VAS score and the improvement rate of JOA score in group A were significantly superior to group B (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the change values of NDI and JOA score between the two group (P>0.05). Imaging reexamination showed that the rate of intervertebral fusion at 3 months after operation was significantly higher in group A (81.8%) than in group B (52.6%) (P<0.05), and all patients obtained bony intervertebral fusion at last follow-up. At last follow-up, 2 cases (9.1%) in group A and 11 cases (57.9%) in group B had cage sinking, and the difference in the incidence was significant (P<0.05). No loosening or fracture of internal fixators occurred in all patients. Conclusion Using ultrasonic bone scalpel can transform single vertebral ACCF into two-segment ACDF in anterior cervical spondylosis surgery. The V-shaped stealth decompression technique is safe and efficient, with the advantages of minimal trauma, fewer postoperative complications, and rapid recovery of patients.
ObjectiveTo explore effectiveness of intermediate screw assisted reduction and fixation technique in the treatment of Schatzker type Ⅴ and Ⅵ tibial plateau fractures. Methods A clinical data of 22 patients with Schatzker type Ⅴ and Ⅵ tibial plateau fractures, who were admitted between June 2022 and December 2023 and met the selection criteria, was retrospectively analyzed. During operation, the intermediate screw assisted reduction and fixation technique was used. There were 14 males and 8 females with an average age of 46.3 years (range, 17-65 years). The fractures were caused by traffic accident in 13 cases, by falls in 5 cases, and by falling from height in 4 cases. According to Schatzker classification criteria, 9 cases were type Ⅴ and 13 cases were type Ⅵ. The interval between injury and operation was 5-12 days (mean, 7.9 days). The operation time, intraoperative fluoroscopy times, and length of hospital stay were recorded. The range of motion of knee joint and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score were recorded at last follow-up. X-ray films were taken to review the fracture healing. Rasmussen score, tibial plateau varus angle (TPVA), and posterior tibial slope (PTS) were estimated before operation, at immediate after operation, and at last follow-up in order to evaluate the fracture reduction effect and postoperative outcome. Results The operation time was 85-140 minutes (mean, 103.9 minutes). Intraoperative fluoroscopy was performed 7-15 times (mean, 10.1 times). All incisions healed by first intention after operation, and no complication such as nerve or blood vessel injury occurred. The length of hospital stay ranged from 8 to 17 days (mean, 12.4 days). All patients were followed up 10-22 months (mean, 14.8 months). At last follow-up, the range of motion of knee joint was 110°-140° (mean, 125°). HSS score was rated as excellent in 16 cases, good in 5 cases, and fair in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 95.5%. X-ray films reexamination showed that all fractures healed with the healing time of 12-17 weeks (mean, 14.8 weeks). No internal fixation failure occurred. Rasmussen score, TPVA, and PTS at immediate after operation and at last follow-up were significantly superior to those before operation (P<0.05). And there was no significant difference between immediately after operation and last follow-up (P>0.05). Conclusion The treatment of Schatzker type Ⅴ and Ⅵ tibial plateau fractures with intermediate screw assisted reduction and fixation technique is reliable, which can reduce the difficulty of reduction and fixation, improve the efficiency of reduction and fixation, reduce the operation time, achieve satisfactory reduction and fixation effect and postoperative prognosis, and achieve good recovery of knee joint function.
ObjectiveTo compare the clinical and radiologic effectiveness in patients with versus without lateral hinge fracture during medial opening-wedge high tibial osteotomy (MOWHTO) to evaluate the effect of lateral hinge fracture on short-term effectiveness.MethodsThe clinical data of 84 patients (97 knees) with medial compartment osteoarthritis who treated with MOWHTO between September 2015 and July 2018 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 10 males (10 knees) and 74 females (87 knees). The age ranged from 45 to 65 years with an average of 57.7 years. Lateral hinge fracture was recognized by the intraoperative fluoroscopy or immediate postoperative X-ray film. Fractures were classified into types Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ according to the Takeuchi classification. The healing of osteotomy was observed by radiographs during follow-up; the femur tibia angle (FTA), medialproximal tibial angle (MPTA), and hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA) were also calculated. The knee joint function was evaluated by Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score and knee society score (KSS).ResultsThe incision healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 15-48 months with an average of 24.8 months. No hinge fracture occurred in 78 knees (80.41%, group A), and lateral hinge fractures were observed in 19 knees (19.59%, group B) and were divided into the type Ⅰ (13 knees, 13.40%) and type Ⅲ (6 knees, 6.19%) groups. Type Ⅰ fractures were not additionally treated, type Ⅲ fractures were anatomic reduced fixed with additional lag screws. X-ray film and CT examination showed that all patients had bone healing at 3 months after operation without delayed healing or nonunion. During follow-up, there was no loosening or fracture of internal fixation plates and screws. HKA, FTA, and MPTA of patients in group A and group B (type Ⅰ and Ⅲ) were significantly improved at each time point after operation compared with preoperative values (P<0.05); there was no significant difference between groups at each time point before and after operation (P>0.05). After operation, the pain of knee joint was alleviated and the function of joint was improved. At last follow-up, KSS score and HSS score of groups A and B were significantly improved compared with those before operation (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05).ConclusionThe lateral hinge fracture may occur during MOWHTO. As long as the treatment and rehabilitation were guided according to the fracture classification of the hinge, the effectiveness can be similar to those without the hinge fracture.
ObjectiveTo investigate the early effectiveness of the Ti-Robot assisted femoral neck system (FNS) in the treatment of elderly Garden type Ⅱ and Ⅲ femoral neck fractures. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 41 elderly patients with Garden type Ⅱ and Ⅲ femoral neck fractures who were admitted between December 2019 and August 2022 and met the selection criteria. Among them, 21 cases were treated with Ti-Robot assisted FNS internal fixation (study group), and 20 cases were treated solely with FNS internal fixation (control group). There was no significant difference in baseline data, including gender, age, side, cause of injury, time from injury to surgery, fracture Garden classification, and fracture line classification, between the two groups (P>0.05). Surgical effectiveness was evaluated based on parameters such as operation time (including incision time and total operation time), reduction level, number of dominant pin insertions, intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, incision length, whether to extend the incision, need for assisted reduction, postoperative hospital stay, fracture healing time, incidence of osteonecrosis of the femoral head, postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) score at 1 day, and Harris hip score at last follow-up. Results The study group showed significantly shorter incision time, fewer dominant pin insertions, fewer instances of extended incisions, fewer intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, and smaller incisions than the control group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in total operation time, reduction level, and assisted reduction frequency between the two groups (P>0.05). Both groups achieved primary wound healing postoperatively, with no complications such as incision leakage or skin infection. All patients were followed up 12-24 months with an average of 14.6 months. Fractures healed in both groups, with no significant difference in healing time (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in postoperative hospital stay between the two groups (P>0.05). The study group showed significantly better VAS score at 1 day after operation and Harris hip score at last follow-up when compared to the control group (P<0.05). No complication such as internal fixation failure, fracture displacement, or hip joint varus occurred in both groups during the follow-up. Osteonecrosis of the femoral head occurred in 1 patient of the control group, while no was observed in the study group, and the difference in the incidence of osteonecrosis of the femoral head between the two groups was not significant (P=0.488).Conclusion Compared to sole FNS internal fixation treatment, Ti-Robot assisted FNS internal fixation for elderly Garden typeⅡ and Ⅲ femoral neck fractures can reduce incision time, achieve minimally invasive and accurate nail implantation, and decrease intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency, leading to improved postoperative hip joint function recovery.
ObjectiveTo prepare a bone tissue engineering scaffold for repairing the skull defect of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats by combining exogenous transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) with gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel.MethodsFirstly, GelMA hydrogel composite scaffolds containing exogenous TGF-β1 at concentrations of 0, 150, 300, 600, 900, and 1 200 ng/mL (set to groups A, B, C, D, E, and F, respectively) were prepared. Cell counting kit 8 (CCK-8) method was used to detect the effect of composite scaffold on the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in SD rats. ALP staining, alizarin red staining, osteocalcin (OCN) immunofluorescence staining, and Western blot were used to explore the effect of scaffolds on osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, and the optimal concentration of TGF-β1/GelMA scaffold was selected. Thirty-six 8-week-old SD rats were taken to prepare a 5 mm diameter skull bone defect model and randomly divided into 3 groups, namely the control group, the GelMA group, and the GelMA+TGF-β1 group (using the optimal concentration of TGF-β1/GelMA scaffold). The rats were sacrificed at 4 and 8 weeks after operation, and micro-CT, HE staining, and OCN immunohistochemistry staining were performed to observe the repair effect of skull defects.ResultsThe CCK-8 method showed that the TGF-β1/GelMA scaffolds in each group had a promoting effect on the proliferation of BMSCs. Group D had the strongest effect, and the cell activity was significantly higher than that of the other groups (P<0.05). The results of ALP staining, alizarin red staining, OCN immunofluorescence staining, and Western blot showed that the percentage of ALP positive area, the percentage of alizarin red positive area, and the relative expressions of ALP and OCN proteins in group D were significantly higher than those of the other groups (P<0.05), the osteogenesis effect in group D was the strongest. Therefore, in vitro experiments screened out the optimal concentration of TGF-β1/GelMA scaffold to be 600 ng/mL. Micro-CT, HE staining, and OCN immunohistochemistry staining of rat skull defect repair experiments showed that the new bone tissue and bone volume/tissue volume ratio in the TGF-β1+GelMA group were significantly higher than those in the GelMA group and control group at 4 and 8 weeks after operation (P<0.05).ConclusionThe TGF-β1/GelMA scaffold with a concentration of 600 ng/mL can significantly promote the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs, can significantly promote bone regeneration at the skull defect, and can be used as a bioactive material for bone tissue regeneration.
Objective To explore the mechanism by which ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (hereinafter referred to as “ω-3”) exert antioxidant stress protection and promote osteogenic differentiation in MC3T3-E1 cells, and to reveal the relationship between ω-3 and the key antioxidant stress pathway involving nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and NAD (P) H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) in MC3T3-E1 cells. Methods The optimal concentration of H2O2 (used to establish the oxidative stress model of MC3T3-E1 cells in vitro) and the optimal intervention concentrations of ω-3 were screened by cell counting kit 8. MC3T3-E1 cells were divided into blank control group, oxidative stress group (H2O2), low-dose ω-3 group (H2O2+low-dose ω-3), and high-dose ω-3 group (H2O2+high-dose ω-3). After osteoblastic differentiation for 7 or 14 days, the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was measured by fluorescence staining and flow cytometry, and the mitochondrial morphological changes were observed by biological transmission electron microscope; the expression levels of Nrf2, NQO1, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), Mitofusin 1 (Mfn1), and Mfn2 were detected by Western blot to evaluate the cells’ antioxidant stress capacity; the expression levels of Runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2) and osteocalcin (OCN) were detected by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot; osteogenic potential of MC3T3-E1 cells was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and alizarin red staining. Results Compared with the oxidative stress group, the content of ROS in the low and high dose ω-3 groups significantly decreased, and the protein expressions of Nrf2, NQO1, and HO-1 significantly increased (P<0.05). At the same time, the mitochondrial morphology of MC3T3-E1 cells improved, and the expressions of mitochondrial morphology-related proteins Mfn1 and Mfn2 significantly increased (P<0.05). ALP staining and alizarin red staining showed that the low-dose and high-dose ω-3 groups showed stronger osteogenic ability, and the expressions of osteogenesis-related proteins RUNX2 and OCN significantly increased (P<0.05). And the above results showed a dose-dependence in the two ω-3 treatment groups (P<0.05). Conclusion ω-3 can enhance the antioxidant capacity of MC3T3-E1 cells under oxidative stress conditions and upregulate their osteogenic activity, possibly through the Nrf2/NQO1 signaling pathway.