Objectives: Mitochondria are remarkably dynamic organelles encapsulated by bilayer membranes. The dynamic properties of mitochondria are critical for energy production. Our study aims to investigate the global status and trends of mitochondrial dynamics research.Method: Publications related to the studies of mitochondrial dynamics from 2000 to 2019 were retrieved from Web of Science database. A total of 2999 publications were included. Bibliometric analysis was conducted by visualization of similarities viewer and GraphPadPrism 5 software.Results: There is an increasing trend of mitochondrial dynamics research during the last 20 years. The cumulative number of publications about mitochondrial dynamics research followed the logistic growth model Ob . The USA made the highest contributions to the global research. The journal Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Molecular Basis of Disease had the largest publication numbers. The Johns Hopkins University is the most contributive institution. The main research orientation and funding agency were cell biology and NIH. All keywords related studies could be divided into three clusters: “Related disease research”, “Mechanism research” and “Cell metabolism research”.Conclusion: Attention should be drawn to the latest popular research and more efforts will be put into mechanistic research, which may inspire new clinical treatments for the associated diseases.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common and disabling joint disorder that is mainly characterized by cartilage degeneration and narrow joint spaces. The role of mitochondrial dysfunction in promoting the development of OA has gained much attention. Targeting endogenous molecules to improve mitochondrial function is a potential treatment for OA. Moreover, research on exogenous drugs to improve mitochondrial function in OA based on endogenous molecular targets has been accomplished. In addition, stem cells and exosomes have been deeply researched in the context of cartilage regeneration, and these factors both reverse mitochondrial dysfunctions. Thus, we hypothesize that biomedical approaches will be applied to the treatment of OA. Furthermore, we have summarized the global status of mitochondria and osteoarthritis research in the past two decades, which will contribute to the research field and the development of novel treatment strategies for OA.

Background: Structural and functional changes in subchondral bone have been recognized as a key factor in the development of related disease, and subchondral bone may be a new target for the treatment of osteoarthritis. The purpose of our present study is to investigate the global status and trends of subchondral bone research. Method: Publications related to the studies of subchondral bone from 1993 to 2018 were retrieved from the Science Citation Index-Expanded Web of Science database. The data source was studied and indexed by using bibliometric methodology. For visualized study, bibliographic coupling analysis, co-authorship analysis, co-citation analysis, co-occurrence analysis and the analysis of publication trends in subchondral bone research were conducted by VOS viewer and GraphPadPrism 5 software. Results: A total of 4780 publications were included. There is an increasing trend of the relative research interests and number of publications per year globally. The cumulative number of publications about subchondral bone research followed the logistic growth model JOURNAL/medi/04.03/00005792-202005290-00077/inline-graphic1/v/2024-03-08T181526Z/r/image-tiff . The USA made the highest contributions to the global research with the most citations, the highest H-index, and the most total link strength, while Denmark had the highest average citation per item. The journal Osteoarthritis and Cartilage had the largest publication number. Boston University is the most contributive institution. Studies could be divided into 4 clusters: “Mechanism research”, “Animal study”, “Clinical study” and “Pathological features”. Less efforts were put into clinical study. Conclusion: The number of publications about subchondral bone research would be increasing in the next years based on the current global trends. Attention should be drawn to the latest popular research, including “Mesenchymal stem-cells”, “Autologous chondrocyte implantation”, “Microfracture” and “Pain”. Therefore, more and more efforts will be put into mechanism research on subchondral bone, which may inspire new clinical treatments for osteoarthritis and other related diseases based on subchondral bone.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common and disabling joint disorder that is mainly characterized by cartilage degeneration and narrow joint spaces. The regulatory functions of non-coding RNAs (long non-coding RNAs, microRNAs [miRNAs], and circular RNAs [circRNAs]) in OA progression have attracted considerable attention, and the function of circular RNAs in the context of OA has been an increasingly popular research topic in the last 6 years. Recent studies have reported that various circRNAs can delay or aggravate diverse aspects of the OA process, including extracellular matrix formation, apoptosis, proliferation, inflammation, and autophagy, via circRNA/miRNA/ mRNA pathways. Thus, circRNAs and related pathways are potential therapeutic targets for OA. Our review provides comprehensive information about circRNAs, including their biogenesis, functions, and characteristics, and it reveals their critical roles in the pathogenesis of OA via a large regulatory network of sponges. Considering their regulatory functions and characteristics, we hypothesize that circRNAs not only can be transferred through bodily fluids to serve as diagnostic biomarkers, but they can also be released from mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes and delivered to OA chondrocytes acting as therapeutic circRNAs. Further investigations of the in-depth molecular mechanisms of action of circRNAs in OA are expected to provide effective and safe OA treatment strategies.

Objectives: The infectious pneumonia caused by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) occurred in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China, from December 2019 and spread the whole country and even other 24 countries. Coronavirus research is of significance to overcome the epidemic. Our study aims to investigate the global status and trends of coronavirus research. Method: Publications related to the studies of coronavirus research from January 1, 2003 to February 6, 2020 were retrieved from the Science Citation Index-Expanded (SCI-E) of the Web of Science database. A total of 9294 publications were included. The data source was studied and indexed by bibliometric methodology. For visualized study, bibliographic coupling analysis, co-authorship analysis, co-citation analysis, co-occurrence analysis and the analysis of publication trends in coronavirus research were conducted by VOS (visualization of similarities) viewer and GraphPadPrism 6 software. Results: The number of publications about coronavirus research increased sharply in 2004 for SARS outbreak and increased again in 2012 for MERS outbreak. The USA made the highest contributions to the global research with the most total number of publications, total citation frequency, and the highest H-index, while Netherlands had the highest average citation per item. Journal of Virology had the largest publication numbers. The University of Hong Kong is the most contributive institution with the most publications. The main research orientation and funding agency were virology and United States Department of Health Human Services. Keywords of all related studies could be divided into 4 clusters: “Pathological research,” “Epidemiology research,” “Clinical research,” and “Mechanism research.” Conclusions: The outbreak of the epidemic could promote coronavirus research, meanwhile, coronavirus research contributes to overcoming the epidemic. Attention should be drawn to the latest popular research, including “Spike protein,” “Receptor binding domain,” and “Vaccine.” Therefore, more and more efforts will be put into mechanism research and vaccine research and development, which can be helpful to deal with the epidemic.

No abstract

Because of the modest response rate after surgery and chemotherapy, treatment of osteosarcoma (OS) remains challenging due to tumor recurrence and metastasis. miR-135a has been reported to act as an anticarcinogenic regulator of several cancers. However, its expression and function in osteosarcoma remain largely unknown. Here, we reported that abridged miR-135a expression in OS cells and tissues, and its expression is inversely correlated with the expression of BMI1 and KLF4, which are described as oncogenes in several cancers. Ectopic expression of miR-135a inhibited cell invasion and expression of BMI1 and KLF4 in OS cells. In vivo investigation confirmed that miR-135a acts as a tumor suppressor in OS to inhibit tumor growth and lung metastasis in xenograft nude mice. BMI1 and KLF4 were revealed to be direct targets of miR-135a, and miR-135a had a similar effect as the combination of si-BMI1 and si-KLF4 on inhibiting tumor progression and the expression of BMI1 and KLF4 in vivo. Altogether, our results demonstrate that the targeting of BMI1/KLF4 with miR-135a may provide an applicable strategy for exploring novel therapeutic approaches for OS.

In this study, inspired by the components of cartilage matrix, a photo-cross-linked extracellular matrix (ECM) bioink composed of modified proteins and polysaccharides was presented, including gelatin methacrylate, hyaluronic acid methacrylate, and chondroitin sulfate methacrylate. The systematic experiments were performed, including morphology, swelling, degradation, mechanical and rheological tests, printability analysis, biocompatibility and chondrogenic differentiation characterization, and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). The results indicated that the photo-cross-linked ECM hydrogels possessed suitable degradation rate and excellent mechanical properties, and the three-dimensional (3D) bioprinted ECM scaffolds obtained favorable shape fidelity and improved the basic properties, biological properties, and chondrogenesis of synovium-derived MSCs (SMSCs). The strong stimulation of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) enhanced the aggregation, proliferation, and differentiation of SMSCs, thereby enhancing chondrogenic ECM deposition. In vivo animal experiments and gait analysis further confirmed that the ECM scaffold combined with TGF-β1 could effectively promote cartilage regeneration and functional recovery of injured joints. To sum up, the photo-cross-linked ECM bioink for 3D printing of functional cartilage tissue may become an attractive strategy for cartilage regeneration.