Collagen is the oldest and most abundant extracellular matrix protein that has found many applications in food, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and biomedical industries First, an overview of the family of collagens and their respective structures, conformation, and biosynthesis is provided The advances and shortfalls of various collagen preparations (eg, mammalian/marine extracted collagen, cell-produced collagens, recombinant collagens, and collagen-like peptides) and crosslinking technologies (eg, chemical, physical, and biological) are then critically discussed Subsequently, an array of structural, thermal, mechanical, biochemical, and biological assays is examined, which are developed to analyze and characterize collagenous structures Lastly, a comprehensive review is provided on how advances in engineering, chemistry, and biology have enabled the development of bioactive, 3D structures (eg, tissue grafts, biomaterials, cell-assembled tissue equivalents) that closely imitate native supramolecular assemblies and have the capacity to deliver in a localized and sustained manner viable cell populations and/or bioactive/therapeutic molecules Clearly, collagens have a long history in both evolution and biotechnology and continue to offer both challenges and exciting opportunities in regenerative medicine as nature's biomaterial of choice

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The Collagen Suprafamily: From Biosynthesis to Advanced Biomaterial Development

Background
Percutaneous vertebroplasty remains widely used to treat osteoporotic vertebral fractures although our 2015 Cochrane review did not support its role in routine practice

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Percutaneous vertebroplasty for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture.

Osteoclastdifferentiationfromhematopoieticprecursorsiscon-trolledbythetumornecrosisfactorfamilymembertumornecrosisfactor-related activation-induced cytokine (TRANCE) via induc-tion of various transcription factors, including nuclear factor ofactivated T cells (NFAT) c1. During osteoclast differentiation,NFATc1isfurtheractivatedviacalciumsignalingwhencostimula-tory receptors expressed on osteoclast precursors, such as oste-oclast-associated receptor (OSCAR), are stimulated. Here we showthatNFATc1expressionprecedesthatofOSCARduringTRANCE-mediated osteoclastogenesis and that inhibition of NFATc1 bycyclosporin A abolishes TRANCE-induced OSCAR expression andsubsequent osteoclast differentiation. Moreover, we show that the1.0-kbpromoterregionoftheOSCARgenecontainsthreepotentialNFATc1-binding sites. Induction of an OSCAR promoter-lucifer-ase reporter is significantly increased when transiently transfectedinto 293T cells in combination with NFATc1 expression plasmid.Deletion and site-directed mutant constructs confirmed thatNFATc1-binding sites are both functional and NFATc1-specific.Furthermore,NFATc1synergisticallyactivatesanOSCARreporterconstruct together with

http://www.jbc.org/content/280/42/35209.full.pdf

Nuclear Factor of Activated T Cells c1 Induces Osteoclast- associated Receptor Gene Expression during Tumor Necrosis Factor-related Activation-induced Cytokine-mediated

The fragility of statistically significant findings from randomized trials in spine surgery: a systematic survey.

Purpose To develop guidelines for the work-up and radiation therapy (RT) management of patients with plasma cell neoplasms. Methods and Materials A literature review was conducted covering staging, work-up, and RT management of plasma cell neoplasms. Guidelines were developed through consensus by an international panel of radiation oncologists with expertise in these diseases, from the International Lymphoma Radiation Oncology Group. RT volume definitions are based on the International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements. Results Plasma cell neoplasms account for approximately one-fifth of mature B-cell neoplasms in the United States. The majority (∼95%) are diagnosed as multiple myeloma, in which there has been tremendous progress in systemic therapy approaches with novel drugs over the last 2 decades, resulting in improvements in disease control and survival. In contrast, a small proportion of patients with plasma cell neoplasms present with a localized plasmacytoma in the bone, or in extramedullary (extraosseous) soft tissues, and definitive RT is the standard treatment. RT provides long-term local control in the solitary bone plasmacytomas and is potentially curative in the extramedullary cases. This guideline reviews the diagnostic work-up, principles, and indications for RT, target volume definition, treatment planning, and follow-up procedures for solitary plasmacytoma. Specifically, detailed recommendations for RT volumes and dose/fractionation are provided, illustrated with specific case scenarios. The role of palliative RT in multiple myeloma is also discussed. Conclusions The International Lymphoma Radiation Oncology Group presents a standardized approach to the use and implementation of definitive RT in solitary plasmacytomas. The modern principles outlining the supportive role of palliative RT in multiple myeloma in an era of novel systemic therapies are also discussed.

Radiation Therapy for Solitary Plasmacytoma and Multiple Myeloma: Guidelines From the International Lymphoma Radiation Oncology Group.

Posterior atlantoaxial fixation: a review of all techniques.

Purpose
To compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of patients undergoing percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) versus those undergoing facet blocking (FB) for severe pain due to osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs).

A prospective randomized controlled study comparing the pain relief in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with the use of vertebroplasty or facet blocking

Psoralidin suppresses osteoclastogenesis in BMMs and attenuates LPS-mediated osteolysis by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines

Complications of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in treating thoracolumbar and lumbar fracture

Background/aims Osteoporosis is a metabolic bone disorder that tortures about millions of people worldwide. Recent study demonstrated agents derived from picrasma quassioides is a promising drug for targets multiple signaling pathways. However its potential in treatment of bone loss has not been fully understood. Methods The bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) were cultured and induced with M-CSF and RANKL followed by picrasidine I (PI) treatment. Then the effects of PI on osteoclast formation were evaluated by counting tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated cells. Moreover, effects of PI on bone resorption activity of mature osteoclast were studied through bone resorption pit counting and actin ring structure analysis. Further, the involved potential signaling pathways cross-talking were investigated by performed Western blotting and quantitative real-time PCR examination. Results Results demonstrated PI strongly inhibited RANKL induced osteoclast formation from its precursors. Mechanistically, the inhibitory effect of PI on osteoclast differentiation was due to the suppression of osteoclastogenic transcription factors, c-Fos and NFATc1. Moreover, PI markedly blocked the RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by attenuating MAPKs and NF-κB signaling pathways. In addition, PI decreased the ROS generation in osteoclast and osteoblast. Conclusion Taken together our data demonstrate that PI has antiosteoclastogenic effect by inhibiting inflammation induced activation of MAPKs, NF-κB and ROS generation followed by suppressing the gene expression of c-Fos and NFATc1 in osteoclast precursors.

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Picrasidine I from Picrasma Quassioides Suppresses Osteoclastogenesis via Inhibition of RANKL Induced Signaling Pathways and Attenuation of ROS Production

Hua Guo

Papers

Posterior atlantoaxial fixation: a review of all techniques.

A prospective randomized controlled study comparing the pain relief in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures with the use of vertebroplasty or facet blocking

Psoralidin suppresses osteoclastogenesis in BMMs and attenuates LPS-mediated osteolysis by inhibiting inflammatory cytokines

Complications of percutaneous pedicle screw fixation in treating thoracolumbar and lumbar fracture

Picrasidine I from Picrasma Quassioides Suppresses Osteoclastogenesis via Inhibition of RANKL Induced Signaling Pathways and Attenuation of ROS Production