BackgroundLncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 15 (SNHG15) was reported to play an oncogenic role in tumors. However, the role of SNHG15 and its molecular mechanism in osteosarcoma (OS) cells are largely unknown.MethodsqRT-PCR was performed to evaluate the expression levels of SNHG15 and miR-141 in OS tissues and cells. Cell transfection with different siRNAs, miRNAs or pcDNAs into U2OS and MG63 cells were carried out by Lipofectamine 2000. The effects of SNHG15 and miR-141 on OS cell proliferation, invasion and the levels of autophagy-related proteins were analyzed by MTT assay, Transwell invasion/migration assay and western blot, respectively. Luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm whether SNHG15 could directly interact with miR-141.ResultsWe found that up-regulation of SNHG15 was inversely correlated with miR-141 expression in OS tissues. SNHG15 knockdown and miR-141 overexpression significantly suppressed cell proliferation, invasion, migration and autophagy while SNHG15 overexpression and miR-141 repression exhibited the opposite effects on OS cells. Besides, SNHG15 could directly interact with miR-141 and regulate its expression. Furthermore, miR-141 suppressing significantly overturned the inhibition on proliferation, invasion, migration and autophagy mediated by SNHG15 knockdown while miR-141 overexpression remarkably attenuated SNHG15 overexpression-induced proliferation, invasion, migration and autophagy in OS cells.ConclusionOur data showed that SNHG15 contributes to proliferation, invasion, migration and autophagy in OS by negatively regulating miR-141, providing a new potential target and prognostic biomarker for the treatment of OS.

BackgroundTo evaluate the meaning of serum CRP, ESR, and D-Dimer in the diagnosis of prosthetic joint infection.MethodsIn a retrospective study, 101 patients presented with osteoarthritis, PJI, and aseptic loosening were divided into three groups according to the type of operation they received in our department from June 2016 to December 2018: group A, 44 patients treated with primary arthroplasty; group B, 31 PJI patients treated with resection arthroplasty and spacer insertion surgery; group C, 26 aseptic loosening patients treated with revision arthroplasty. Data such as gender, age, preoperative serum CRP, ESR, and D-Dimer level were compared among the three different groups.ResultsThere are no statistically significant differences when comparing general data such as gender and age in patients from the three different groups. However, Serum CRP level in group B (43.49 ± 10.00 mg/L) is significantly higher than in group A (2.97 ± 0.75 mg/L) and C (4.80 ± 1.26 mg/L). Serum ESR level in group B (49.84 ± 5.48 μg/L) is significantly higher than those in group A (15.28 ± 2.63 μg/L) and C (22.50 ± 3.47 μg/L). Serum D-Dimer level in group B (1.58 ± 0.17 μg/L) is significantly higher than that in group A (0.51 ± 0.50 μg/L), but similar with group C (1.22 ± 0.29 μg/L). There are no statistically significant differences when compared with sensitivity and specificity of CRP, ESR, and D-Dimer in the diagnosis of PJI among patients from the three different groups when D-Dimer > 0.85 μg/L was set as the optimal threshold value for the diagnosis of PJI.ConclusionD-Dimer is not a parameter to distinguish between aseptic loosening and PJI.

The aim of this study was to investigate the treatment of Kümmell’s disease with neurological deficits and to determine whether intravertebral clefts are a pathognomonic sign of Kümmell’s disease. A total of 17 patients who had initially been diagnosed with Kümmell’s disease were admitted, one patient was excluded from this study. Posterior decompression and vertebroplasty for the affected vertebrae were conducted. Pedicle screw fixation and posterolateral bone grafts were performed one level above and one level below the affected vertebrae. Vertebral tissue was extracted for histopathological examination. The mean time of follow-up was 22 months (range, 18 to 42 months). The anterior and middle vertebral heights were measured on standing lateral radiographs prior to surgery, one day postoperatively and at final follow-up. The Cobb angle, the visual analog scale (VAS) and the Frankel classification were used to evaluate the effects of the surgery. The VAS, anterior and middle vertebral heights and the Cobb angle were improved significantly one day postoperatively and at the final follow-up compared with the preoperative examinations (P<0.05). No significant differences were observed between the one-day postoperative results and those at final follow-up (P>0.05). The neurological function of all patients was improved by at least one Frankel grade. All patients in this study exhibited intravertebral clefts, and postoperative pathology revealed bone necrosis. One patient (not included in this study) showed an intravertebral cleft, but the pathology report indicated a non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The intravertebral cleft sign is not pathognomonic of Kümmell’s disease. Posterior decompression with short-segment fixation and fusion combined with vertebroplasty is an effective treatment for Kümmell’s disease with neurological deficits.