Osteosarcoma (OS) is a malignant tumor originating from mesenchymal tissue. Pulmonary metastasis is usually present upon initial diagnosis, and metastasis is the primary factor affecting the poor prognosis of patients with OS. Current research shows that the ability to regulate the cellular microenvironment is essential for preventing the distant metastasis of OS, and anoxic microenvironments are important features of solid tumors. During hypoxia, hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) expression levels and stability increase. Increased HIF-1α promotes tumor vascular remodeling, epithelial-mesenchymal transformation (EMT), and OS cells invasiveness; this leads to distant metastasis of OS cells. HIF-1α plays an essential role in the mechanisms of OS metastasis. In order to develop precise prognostic indicators and potential therapeutic targets for OS treatment, this review examines the molecular mechanisms of HIF-1α in the distant metastasis of OS cells; the signal transduction pathways mediated by HIF-1α are also discussed.

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a progressive age‐related disorder characterized by the reduction in the number of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) and degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM), thereby leading to chronic pain and disability. The pathogenesis of IDD is multifaceted, and current therapeutic strategies remain limited. The nucleus pulposus (NP), primarily composed of NPCs, proteoglycans, and type II collagen, constitutes essential components for maintaining intervertebral disc (IVD) function and spinal motion. The disturbed homeostasis of NPCs is closely associated with IDD. Accumulating evidence increasingly suggests the crucial role of programmed cell death (PCD) in regulating the homeostasis of NPCs.Aims: This review aimed to elucidate various forms of PCD and their respective roles in IDD, and investigate diverse strategies targeting the cell death of NPCs for IDD treatment.Materials & Methods: We collected the relevant literature regarding PCD and their roles in the development of IDD. Subsequently, we comprehensively summarized the intricate association between PCD and IDD, and also explored the potential and application of cell therapy and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the prevention and treatment of IDD.Results: Current literature indicated that the PCD of NPCs was closely associated with the pathogenesis of IDD. Additionally, the development of targeted pharmaceuticals based on the mechanisms of PCD could effectively impede the loss of NPCs.Conclusion: This review demonstrated that targeting the PCD of NPCs may be a promising strategy for the treatment of IDD.

With the global population aging, musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) have posed significant physical and psychological health challenges for patients as well as a substantial economic burden on society. The advancements in conservative and surgical interventions for MSDs have been remarkable in recent years; however, the current treatment modalities still fall short of meeting the optimal requirements of patients. Recently, peroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6) has gained considerable attention from researchers due to its remarkable antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic properties. It has been found that Prdx6 is involved in multiple system diseases, including MSDs; however, the exact role of Prdx6 in MSDs is still lacking. This study aimed to summarize the structure, regulatory mechanism, and potential function of Prdx6. These findings may demonstrate Prdx6 as a novel target for inhibiting the advancement of MSDs.

Background: Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent joint disorder, and osteoarthritis associated with high BMI contributes significantly to the global disease burden. The aim of this study is to elucidate the burden of BMI-related osteoarthritis and to investigate the causal relationship between varying degrees of obesity and osteoarthritis. Methods: The Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study was used to conduct an epidemiological analysis of osteoarthritis. This included descriptive statistics, age–sex differences, Joinpoint regression analysis, burden sources and control measures, and projections up to 2050. A two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was also performed to explore the relationship between obesity and osteoarthritis. Results: Osteoarthritis burden rose from 1990 to 2021, affecting younger populations, though there was a decline in regions with a high Socio-demographic Index (SDI) between 2001 and 2005. Women experienced a greater burden than men. The increase in disease burden was driven by population growth and rising disease prevalence. There is considerable potential for enhancing osteoarthritis control in most countries. Forward Mendelian randomization analyses demonstrated a significant causal relationship between obesity and osteoarthritis, whereas inverse Mendelian randomization analyses found no evidence of causality from osteoarthritis to obesity at any obesity level. Conclusion: The global rise in disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) due to BMI-related osteoarthritis mainly due to population growth, affecting women more than men. This study may be a reference point for early and precise intervention in BMI-related osteoarthritis.

To investigate the efficacy of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) in the treatment of patients who were diagnosed with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with positive nerve root se...