A new method for the treatment of scoliosis is described in which a metal system of rods and hooks is implanted, and distraction and compression forces applied, to correct the curve and stabilize the treated segments in the corrected position by skeletal fixation. The technique and principles of this method of treatment and a summary of the preliminary results are given.

JBJS classics: Treatment of scoliosis: Correction and internal fixation by spine instrumentation

Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus are complicated metabolic diseases that affect multiple organs and are characterized by hyperglycaemia. Currently, stable and effective treatments for obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus are not available. Therefore, the mechanisms leading to obesity and diabetes and more effective ways to treat obesity and diabetes should be identified. Based on accumulated evidences, the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway is required for normal metabolism due to its characteristics, and its imbalance leads to the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. This review focuses on the role of PI3K/AKT signalling in the skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, liver, brain and pancreas, and discusses how this signalling pathway affects the development of the aforementioned diseases. We also summarize evidences for recently identified therapeutic targets of the PI3K/AKT pathway as treatments for obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. PI3K/AKT pathway damaged in various tissues of the body leads to obesity and type 2 diabetes as the result of insulin resistance, and in turn, insulin resistance exacerbates the PI3K/AKT pathway, forming a vicious circle.

/pdf/the-pi3k-akt-pathway-in-obesity-and-type-2-diabetes-1g2xdzskz0.pdf

The PI3K/AKT pathway in obesity and type 2 diabetes.

https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/files/38544573/Vo_et_al_2016_Journal_of_Orthopaedic_Research.pdf

Molecular mechanisms of biological aging in intervertebral discs

Protein kinase B (Akt), similar to many other protein kinases, is at the crossroads of cell death and survival, playing a pivotal role in multiple interconnected cell signaling mechanisms implicated in cell metabolism, growth and division, apoptosis suppression and angiogenesis. Akt protein kinase displays important metabolic effects, among which are glucose uptake in muscle and fat cells or the suppression of neuronal cell death. Disruptions in the Akt-regulated pathways are associated with cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular and neurological diseases. The regulation of the Akt signaling pathway renders Akt a valuable therapeutic target. The discovery process of Akt inhibitors using various strategies has led to the identification of inhibitors with great selectivity, low side-effects and toxicity. The usefulness of Akt emerges beyond cancer therapy and extends to other major diseases, such as diabetes, heart diseases, or neurodegeneration. This review presents key features of Akt structure and functions, and presents the progress of Akt inhibitors in regards to drug development, and their preclinical and clinical activity in regards to therapeutic efficacy and safety for patients.

/pdf/the-akt-pathway-in-oncology-therapy-and-beyond-review-4s66fjr1t1.pdf

The Akt pathway in oncology therapy and beyond (Review)

Natural products targeting the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway in cancer: A novel therapeutic strategy.

PI3K/Akt signaling in osteosarcoma.

MMPs and ADAMTSs in intervertebral disc degeneration.

The term long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) refers to a group of RNAs with length more than 200 nucleotides, limited protein-coding potential, and having widespread biological functions, including regulation of transcriptional patterns and protein activity, formation of endogenous small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) and natural microRNA (miRNA) sponges. Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) and osteoarthritis (OA) are the most common chronic, prevalent and age-related degenerative musculoskeletal disorders. Numbers of lncRNAs are differentially expressed in human degenerative nucleus pulposus tissue and OA cartilage. Moreover, some lncRNAs have been shown to be involved in multiple pathological processes during OA, including extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation, inflammatory responses, apoptosis and angiogenesis. In this review, we summarize current knowledge concerning lncRNAs, from their biogenesis, classification and biological functions to molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential in IDD and OA.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/cpr.12313

lncRNAs: novel players in intervertebral disc degeneration and osteoarthritis

Interleukin-1β in intervertebral disk degeneration.

// Zhi-Hua Ouyang 1, 2 , Wen-Jun Wang 2 , Yi-Guo Yan 2 , Bing Wang 1 and Guo-Hua Lv 1 1 Department of Spine Surgery, The 2nd Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China 2 Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, University of South China, Hengyang, China Correspondence to: Guo-Hua Lv, email: lvguohua66@163.com Keywords: IDD, PI3K, Akt, PTEN, mTOR Received: November 07, 2016      Accepted: May 10, 2017      Published: June 27, 2017 ABSTRACT Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is thought to be the primary cause of low back pain, a severe public health problem worldwide. Current therapy for IDD aims to alleviate the symptoms and does not target the underlying pathological alternations within the disc. Activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway protects against IDD, which is attributed to increase of ECM content, prevention of cell apoptosis, facilitation of cell proliferation, induction or prevention of cell autophagy, alleviation of oxidative damage, and adaptation of hypoxic microenvironment. In the current review, we summarize recent progression on activation and negative regulation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, and highlight its impact on IDD. Targeting this pathway could become an attractive therapeutic strategy for IDD in the near future.

/pdf/the-pi3k-akt-pathway-a-critical-player-in-intervertebral-27o4thuz70.pdf

Yi-Guo Yan

Papers

PI3K/Akt signaling in osteosarcoma.

MMPs and ADAMTSs in intervertebral disc degeneration.

lncRNAs: novel players in intervertebral disc degeneration and osteoarthritis

Interleukin-1β in intervertebral disk degeneration.

The PI3K/Akt pathway: a critical player in intervertebral disc degeneration