Comparison of the smiley face rod method versus intervertebral fusion for the treatment of L5 spondylolysis in adults.

Purpose: For patients who suffered from L5 spondylolysis and fail to improve using conservative treatment, the best surgical strategy remains controversial. This study compares the efficacy of the treatment of L5 spondylolysis using the smiley face rod (SFR) method versus intervertebral fusion (IF).

Methods: We analyzed 38 patients with L5 spondylolysis who underwent surgery in our department between January 2017 and June 2019.

Mechanically robust and personalized silk fibroin-magnesium composite scaffolds with water-responsive shape-memory for irregular bone regeneration.

The regeneration of critical-size bone defects, especially those with irregular shapes, remains a clinical challenge. Various biomaterials have been developed to enhance bone regeneration, but the limitations on the shape-adaptive capacity, the complexity of clinical operation, and the unsatisfied osteogenic bioactivity have greatly restricted their clinical application. In this work, we construct a mechanically robust, tailorable and water-responsive shape-memory silk fibroin/magnesium (SF/MgO) composite scaffold, which is able to quickly match irregular defects by simple trimming, thus leading to good interface integration.

Using a 3D Navigation Template to Increase the Accuracy of Thoracic Pedicle Screws in Patients with Scoliosis.

This study compares the accuracy and safety of pedicle screw placement using a 3D navigation template with the free-hand fluoroscopy technique in scoliotic patients. Fifteen scoliotic patients were recruited and divided into a template group (eight cases) and a free-hand group (seven cases). All patients received posterior corrective surgeries, and the pedicle screw was placed using a 3D navigation template or a free-hand technique.

p53 inhibits CTR1-mediated cisplatin absorption by suppressing SP1 nuclear translocation in osteosarcoma.

Background: Osteosarcoma (OS) is a malignant bone tumor mainly affecting children and young adolescents. Cisplatin is a first-line chemotherapy drug for OS, however, drug resistance severely limits the survival of OS. Nevertheless, cellular factors in cisplatin resistance for OS remain obscure.

Is the Zero-P Spacer Suitable for 3-Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Surgery in Terms of Sagittal Alignment Reconstruction: A Comparison Study with Traditional Plate and Cage System.

The Zero-P spacer was primarily developed aiming to reduce the morbidity associated with the traditional anterior cervical plate. During the past decade, many authors have reported the use of Zero-P spacers for anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) of one or two segments. Nevertheless, there is still a paucity of knowledge on the safety and feasibility of using Zero-P spacers for 3-level fixation.

Species variation in the cartilaginous endplate of the lumbar intervertebral disc.

Backgrounds: Cartilaginous endplate (CEP) plays an essential role in intervertebral disc (IVD) health and disease. The aim was to compare the CEP structure of lumbar IVD and to reveal the detailed pattern of integration between the CEP and bony endplate (BEP) from different species.

Methods: A total of 34 IVDs (5 human, 5 goat, 8 pig, 8 rabbit, and 8 rat IVDs) were collected, fixed and midsagittally cut; in each IVD, one-half was used for histological staining to observe the CEP morphology, and the other half was used for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis to measure the diameters and distributions of collagen fibers in the central and peripheral CEP areas and to observe the pattern of CEP-BEP integration from different species.

Annular Defects Impair the Mechanical Stability of the Intervertebral Disc.

Study Design: A biomechanical study.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of cruciform and square incisions of annulus fibrosus (AF) on the mechanical stability of bovine intervertebral disc (IVD) in multiple degrees of freedom.

Methods: Eight bovine caudal IVD motion segments (bone-disc-bone) were obtained from the local abattoir.

Modified surgical treatment for a patient with neurofibromatosis scoliosis: A case report.

Background: The correction surgery for severely multidimensional spinal deformity in neurofibromatosis type I is very difficult and it is still a very big challenge for spine surgeons.

Case Summary: A 44-year-old woman presented with progressive kyphosis for more than 10 years and low back pain for 2 years. She had been diagnosed with neurofibromatosis at a local hospital many years ago.

Role of microRNAs in the crosstalk between osteosarcoma cells and the tumour microenvironment.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common primary bone tumour, with a peak incidence in adolescents, and the five-year survival rate of patients with metastasis or recurrence is much lower than that of patients without metastasis and recurrence. OS is initiated and develops in a complex tumour microenvironment (TME) that contains many different components, such as osteoblasts, osteoclasts, mesenchymal stem cells, fibroblasts, immune cells, extracellular matrix (ECM), extracellular vesicles, and cytokines. The extensive interaction between OS and the TME underlies OS progression.

How much space of the spinal canal should be restored by hoisting the vertebrae-OPLL complex for sufficient decompression in anterior controllable antedisplacement and fusion? A multicenter clinical radiological study.

Background Context: Anterior controllable antedisplacement and fusion (ACAF) is a novel surgical technique for the treatment of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL). Its prognostic factors for decompression have not been well studied. Additionally, no detailed radiological standard has been set for hoisting the vertebrae-OPLL complex (VOC) in ACAF.

Circular RNA hsa_circ_0076906 competes with OGN for miR-1305 biding site to alleviate the progression of osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a skeletal disorder, the pathogenic factors of which include the decreased ability of osteogenesis and enhanced osteolysis. Human-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) possess the differential capacity to osteoblasts and chondrocytes, so the application of hMSCs in bone tissue is promising to be effective. A group of RNAs which lack of 5' and 3'ends called circular RNAs (circRNAs) were discovered.

[Application of second sacral alar-iliac screw technique for reconstruction of spinopelvic stability].

Objective: To summarize the current research progress of second sacral alar-iliac (S AI) screw technique for reconstruction of spinopelvic stability.

Methods: The recent original literature concerning development, clinical applications, anatomy, imageology, and biomechanics of S AI screw technique in reconstruction of spinopelvic stability was reviewed and analyzed.

Results: As a common clinical strategy for the reconstruction of spinopelvic stability, S AI screws achieve satisfactory effectiveness of lumbosacral fixation without complications which were found during the application of traditional iliac screws technique.

[EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON TISSUE ENGINEERED BONES CONSTRUCTED BY HUMAN BONE MORPHOGENETIC PROTEIN 2 GENE-MODIFIED HUMAN BONE MARROW MESENCHYMAL STEM CELLS].

Objective: To investigate the bone regeneration potential of cell-tissue engineered bone constructed by human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs) expressing the transduced human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (hBMP-2) gene stably.

Methods: The full-length hBMP-2 gene was cloned from human muscle tissues by RT-PCR and connected into a vector to consturct a eukaryotic expression system. And then the gene expression system was transduced to hBMSCs with lipidosome.

[RESEARCH PROGRESS OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING TECHNIQUE FOR SPINAL IMPLANTS].

Objective: To summarize the current research progress of three-dimensional (3D) printing technique for spinal implants manufacture.

Methods: The recent original literature concerning technology, materials, process, clinical applications, and development direction of 3D printing technique in spinal implants was reviewed and analyzed.

Results: At present, 3D printing technologies used to manufacture spinal implants include selective laser sintering, selective laser melting, and electron beam melting.

[Biomechanical effects of iliac screw plates on stability of lumbo-iliac fixation construct].

Objective: To evaluate the biomechanical effect of a self-made iliac screw plate on the stability of lumbo-iliac fixation construct before and after fatigue loading.

Methods: Twelve fresh lumbo-pelvic specimens from donated adult cadavers with formalin embalm were used in the study. According to whether use the iliac screw plate or not, the specimens were randomly assigned into group A (with iliac screw plate, n=6) and group B (without iliac screw plate, n=6).

[Experimental study of percutaneous vertebroplasty with a novel bone void filling container system].

Objective: To investigate vertebral augmentation with a novel reticulate bone filling container system by polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) injection in cadaveric simulated vertebral compressive fracture and explore the effect of reticulate bone filling container on cement distribution controlling within vertebral body and the restoration of biomechanical properties after augmentation.

Methods: A total of 28 freshly frozen human vertebrae specimens were randomly divided into 4 groups. After the measurements of bone mineral density (BMD) and vertebral height, each vertebra received an axle load by a MTS (material testing system) machine to test the initial strength and stiffness.

[Biomechanical effects of insertion location and bone cement augmentation on fixation strength of iliac screw].

Objective: To compare the maximum pull-out strength of the upper iliac screw and lower iliac screw with and without polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) augmentation, and to provide the experimental evidences for the rational use of iliac screws.

Methods: Ten intact human ilium from 5 donated cadavers with formalin embalmed were selected. The bone mineral density (BMD) of L1-4 of each cadaver was measured with a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Biomechanical effects of the extent of sacrectomy on the stability of lumbo-iliac reconstruction using iliac screw techniques: What level of sacrectomy requires the bilateral dual iliac screw technique?

Background: Although both single and dual iliac screw techniques are used in spino-pelvic reconstruction following sacrectomy for treating sacral tumors, the basis for choosing between the two techniques for different instability types remains undetermined. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of the extent of sacrectomy on the stability of the lumbo-iliac fixation construct using single and dual iliac screw techniques.

Methods: Nine human L2-pelvic specimens were tested for their intact condition simulated by L3-L5 pedicle screw fixation.

Transpedicular fixation in management of thoracolumbar burst fractures: monosegmental fixation versus short-segment instrumentation.

Study Design: A prospective clinical trial was conducted.

Objective: To compare the clinical and radiologic late results of monosegmental transpedicular fixation versus short-segment pedicle instrumentation (SSPI) in management of thoracolumbar burst fractures and evaluate the efficacy of monosegmental transpedicular fixation.

Summary Of Background Data: SSPI (1 level above and 1 below the fracture level) are accepted by many surgeons as an accepted technique for the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures.

[Biomechanical effects of sacrectomy extents on stability of lumbo-iliac fixation using iliac screw techniques].

Objective: To evaluate the effects of sacrectomy extent on the stability of lumbo-iliac fixation using single or dual iliac screw technique, and to determine which conditions require the dual iliac screw technique.

Methods: Nine fresh L2 to pelvic specimens were harvested from donated adult cadavers. After testing the intact state simulated by L3-5 pedicle screw fixation, sequential partial sacrectomies and L3 to iliac fixation using bilateral single iliac screw (Single) were conducted on the same specimen as follows: in group A, under S1 partial sacrectomy and Single; in group B, under 1/2 S1 partial sacrectomy and Single; in group C, one-side (left) sacroiliac joint resection and Single; in group D, total sacrectomy and Single; and in group E, the single iliac screw was replaced by dual iliac screws based on group D.

Biomechanical advantages of dual over single iliac screws in lumbo-iliac fixation construct.

The development of iliac screws has provided a markedly easier way for spino-pelvic instrumentation than the classical Galveston technique. However, high rates of iliac screw loosening and breakage are usually reported, especially in cases where bilateral single iliac screws are used. Therefore, there is a need for exploring more stable iliac fixation techniques.