An Inter- and Intra-Rater Agreement Assessment of Two Novel Classification Systems for Coronal Imbalance in Adult Scoliosis and Spine Deformity.

Objective: Coronal malalignment is a common feature of adult spinal deformity, and accurate classification is essential for diagnosis and treatment planning. However, variations in interpretation among clinicians can impact classification consistency. By assessing the reliability and applicability of these systems across different medical experts, this study seeks to establish a standardized approach to enhance clinical outcomes.

Investigating the causal links between inflammatory cytokines and scoliosis through bidirectional Mendelian randomization analysis.

Background: Scoliosis, characterized by a lateral curvature of the spine, affects millions globally. The role of inflammatory cytokines in the pathogenesis of scoliosis is increasingly acknowledged, yet their causal relationships remain poorly defined.

Aims: This study aims to explore the genetic-level causal relationships between inflammatory cytokines and scoliosis utilizing bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Effectiveness of Physiotherapeutic Scoliosis-Specific Exercises on 3-Dimensional Spinal Deformities in Patients With Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: To investigate the effects of physiotherapeutic scoliosis-specific exercises (PSSE) on coronal, horizontal, and sagittal deformities of the spine in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) as well as how curve severity, intervention duration, and intervention type could modify these effects.

Data Sources: Data sources included PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases, which were searched from their inception to September 5, 2023.

Study Selection: Clinical controlled trials reporting the effects of PSSE on the Cobb angle, angle of trunk rotation (ATR), thoracic kyphosis (TK), or lumbar lordosis in patients with AIS aged 10-18 years.

Geometry optimization of cantilever-based optical microphones.

The introduction of cantilever-based fiber-optic microphones (FOMs) has proven to be effective in acoustic sensing. Further improvements in cantilevers face two key constraints: the challenge of achieving minimal sizes with sufficient reflective area and the trade-off between sensitivity and response bandwidth. Herein, we present a geometry optimization framework for a cantilever-based FOM that addresses this issue.

Safety and Efficacy of Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) Cages and Cadaveric Allografts in Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) for Treating Lumbar Pyogenic Spondylodiscitis.

Purpose: There have been many studies in the operative management of pyogenic spondylodiscitis with foreign materials. However, it still remains an issue of debate on whether the allografts may be used in pyogenic spondylodiscitis. This study sought to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of PEEK cages and the cadaveric allograft in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for treating lumbar pyogenic spondylodiscitis.

Constitutive and conditional gene knockout mice for the study of intervertebral disc degeneration: Current status, decision considerations, and future possibilities.

There have been an increasing number of patients with degenerative disc diseases due to the aging population. In light of this, studies on the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration have become a hot topic, and gene knockout mice have become a valuable tool in this field of research. With the development of science and technology, constitutive gene knockout mice can be constructed using homologous recombination, zinc finger nuclease, transcription activator-like effector nuclease technology and clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/Cas9 (CRISPR/Cas9) system, and conditional gene knockout mice can be constructed using the Cre/LoxP system.

Acceptable Fusion Rate of Single-Level OLIF Using Pure Allograft Combined with Posterior Instrumentation through the Wiltse Approach: A 2-Year Follow-Up Study.

Objective: Autogenic bone grafts have shown successful fusion rates in the treatment of degenerative lumbar disorders, but taking too many autogenic bones may result in donor site ischemia or infection. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of single-level oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) using pure allograft combined with posterior pedicle screw instrumentation through the Wiltse approach.

Methods: A retrospective case analysis was performed on a series of consecutive patients who received a single-level OLIF procedure combined with posterior pedicle screw instrumentation through the Wiltse approach between July 1, 2017, and December 31, 2019, in which pure allogenic bone graft was used and filled in the large window of the cage.

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion to treat cervical instability with vertigo and dizziness: A single center, retrospective, observational study.

Purpose: The current study attempts to investigate the role of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in alleviating symptoms in patients with cervical vertigo associated with cervical instability.

Methods: The patients of cervical instability with vertigo and dizziness who underwent ACDF between January 2011 and December 2019 were followed-up for more than two years. Demographic data (age, sex, follow up period and levels of instable cervical segments) were assessed; Symptoms of vertigo and dizziness before and after surgery were assessed by the 15-item version of the Vertigo Symptom Scale (VSS) and the 25-item Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI).

Increased Expression of Prolyl Endopeptidase Induced by Oxidative Stress in Nucleus Pulposus Cells Aggravates Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

A healthy microenvironment of the intervertebral disc tissue is characterized by hypoxia owing to its sparse vascular distribution. Oxidative stress plays a pivotal role in the pathological development of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). We found that the expression of prolyl endopeptidase (PREP) increased in degenerative nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues.

Oxidative Stress Aggravates Apoptosis of Nucleus Pulposus Cells through mA Modification of MAT2A Pre-mRNA by METTL16.

The process of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is complex, and its mechanism is considered multifactorial. Apoptosis of oxidative stressed nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) should be a fundamental element in the pathogenesis of IVDD. In our pilot study, we found that the expression of MAT2A decreased, and METTL16 increased in the degenerative nucleus pulposus tissues.

The mA "reader" YTHDF1 promotes osteogenesis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells through translational control of ZNF839.

N6-methyladenosine (mA) is required for differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs). However, its intrinsic mechanisms are largely unknown. To identify the possible role of mA binding protein YTHDF1 in hBMSCs osteogenesis in vivo, we constructed Ythdf1 KO mice and showed that depletion of Ythdf1 would result in decreased bone mass in vivo.

Aptamer and Peptide-Modified Lipid-Based Drug Delivery Systems in Application of Combined Sequential Therapy of Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is known as the most common malignancy of the hepatobiliary system with a continued increase in incidence but limited therapeutic options. Nanomedicine has provided a promising strategy through engineered nanocarriers that are capable of targeting therapeutic agents specifically to tumor cells. In this research, two aptamer/peptide-modified lipid-based drug delivery systems (A54-PEG-SLN/OXA and A15-PEG-SLN/SAL) were developed as a sequential therapeutic strategy to conquer specific hepatocellular carcinoma.

Beraprost ameliorates postmenopausal osteoporosis by regulating Nedd4-induced Runx2 ubiquitination.

Bone health requires adequate bone mass, which is maintained by a critical balance between bone resorption and formation. In our study, we identified beraprost as a pivotal regulator of bone formation and resorption. The administration of beraprost promoted differentiation of mouse bone mesenchymal stem cells (M-BMSCs) through the PI3K-AKT pathway.

Inhibition of Y1 Receptor Promotes Osteogenesis in Bone Marrow Stromal Cells cAMP/PKA/CREB Pathway.

Inhibition of neuropeptide Y1 receptor stimulates osteogenesis and . However, the underlying mechanisms involved in these effects remain poorly understood. Here we identify the effects of Y1 receptor deficiency on osteogenic differentiation in human bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) by using genetic and pharmacological regulation, and to explore the pathways mediating these effects.

Characterization of LncRNA SNHG22 as a protector of NKIRAS2 through miR-4492 binding in osteosarcoma.

Many studies have revealed the function of long noncoding RNA (LncRNA) in regulating tumorigenesis of osteosarcoma (OS). As a subgroup of LncRNA, small nucleolar RNA host genes (SNHGs) have emerged as potentially important in OS. According to our recent findings, small nucleolar RNA host gene 22 (SNHG22) plays an important role in inhibiting the growth and metastasis of OS.

MicroRNA-744 promotes proliferation of osteosarcoma cells by targeting PTEN.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are non-coding RNAs that regulate protein synthesis by targeting mRNAs for translational repression or degradation. Previous studies have reported that aberrant expression of miR‑744 may be involved in human osteosarcoma; however, the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. In the present study, the expression levels of miR‑744 and its downstream signals were determined by reverse transcription‑quantitative PCR and western blotting.

Newly designed anterolateral and posterolateral locking anatomic plates for lateral tibial plateau fractures: a finite element study.

Background: Lateral column tibial plateau fracture fixation with a locking screw plate has higher mechanical stability than other fixation methods. The objectives of the present study were to introduce two newly designed locking anatomic plates for lateral tibial plateau fracture and to demonstrate their characteristics of the fixation complexes under the axial loads.

Methods: Three different 3D finite element models of the lateral tibial plateau fracture with the bone plates were created.

The morphological features of different Schatzker types of tibial plateau fractures: a three-dimensional computed tomography study.

Background: Tibial plateau fractures are of great challenge to treat with open reduction and internal fixation, because fractures vary from simple to complex, with little or extensive articular involvement. Hence, recognition and comprehension of the fracture features will help orthopedic surgeons understand the injury mechanism better and manage these fractures by planning optimal surgical procedures. This study aimed to evaluate the morphological characteristics of tibial plateau fractures based on the Schatzker classification.