Development and validation of a nomogram to predict the risk of residual low back pain after tubular microdiskectomy of lumbar disk herniation.

Objective: Tubular microdiskectomy (tMD) is one of the most commonly used for treating lumbar disk herniation. However, there still patients still complain of persistent postoperative residual low back pain (rLBP) postoperatively. This study attempts to develop a nomogram to predict the risk of rLBP after tMD.

Differential mRNA profiles reveal the potential roles of genes involved in lactate stimulation in mouse macrophages.

Lactate is a glycolysis end product, and its levels are markedly associated with disease severity, morbidity, and mortality in sepsis. It modulates key functions of immune cells, including macrophages. In this investigation, transcriptomic analysis was performed using lactic acid, sodium lactate, and hydrochloric acid-stimulated mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (iBMDM), respectively, to identify lactate-associated signaling pathways.

Comparison of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Mis-TLIF) with bilateral decompression via unilateral approach and open-TLIF with bilateral decompression for degenerative lumbar diseases: a retrospective cohort study.

Objective: Presently, no study has compared the clinical outcomes of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Mis-TLIF) with bilateral decompression via the unilateral approach (BDUA) and Open-TLIF with bilateral decompression for degenerative lumbar diseases (DLD). We aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of through Mis-TLIF combined with BDUA and Open-TLIF with bilateral decompression for the treatment of DLD, and reported the learning curve of the procedure of MIS-TLIF with BDUA.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the prospectively collected data of consecutive DLD patients in the two groups from January 2016 to January 2020.

Dynamics of N6-methyladenosine modification during aging and their potential roles in the degeneration of intervertebral disc.

Background: The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) dynamics in the progression of intervertebral disc (IVD) aging remain largely unknown. This study aimed to explore the distribution and pattern of mA modification in nucleus pulpous (NP) tissues of rats at different ages.

Methods: Histological staining and MRI were performed to evaluate the degeneration of IVD.

A meta-analysis of the implementation of enhanced recovery after surgery pathways in anterior cervical spine surgery for degenerative cervical spine diseases.

Objective: To systematically evaluate the perioperative effects of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocol on anterior cervical spine surgery by means of meta-analysis.

Methods: According to the PRISMA guidelines, the article's search on the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang data resource system, VIP, PubMed database and Cochrane library was conducted to identify clinical studies investigating the effects of ERAS protocols on anterior cervical spine surgery. A quantitative meta-analysis was performed for the clinical outcomes extracted from the studies that met inclusion criteria.

Advances in bi-directional relationships for EZH2 and oxidative stress.

Over the past two decades, polycomb repressive complex 2(PRC2) has emerged as a vital repressive complex in overall cell fate determination. In mammals, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EHZ2), which is the core component of PRC2, has also been recognized as an important regulator of inflammatory, redox, tumorigenesis and damage repair signalling networks. To exert these effects, EZH2 must regulate target genes epigenetically or interact directly with other gene expression-regulating factors, such as LncRNAs and microRNAs.

The sonic hedgehog pathway suppresses oxidative stress and senescence in nucleus pulposus cells to alleviate intervertebral disc degeneration via GPX4.

Disruption of intervertebral disc (IVD) homeostasis caused by oxidative stress and nucleus pulposus cell (NPC) senescence is a main cause of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). The sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway plays an important role in IVD development, but its roles in IDD are unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the Shh pathway on the alleviation of IDD and the related mechanisms.

Enhanced recovery after microdiscectomy: reductions in opioid use, length of stay and cost.

Background: Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols are widely used worldwide. Recently, studies of the ERAS program in spinal surgery subspecialties have been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impacts of ERAS in minimally invasive microdiscectomy (MD) surgery.

Risk Factors of Low Back Pain Aggravation After Tubular Microdiscectomy of Lumbar Disc Herniation.

Background: Although lumbar disc herniation (LDH) patients' sciatic symptoms such as leg pain can be improved by decompressive surgery, some patients report postoperative aggravated low back pain (LBP). However, the exact reason for this phenomenon remained unknown.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the prospectively collected LDH data of patients who underwent tubular microdiscectomy between December 2015 and December 2020.

Predictive Factors for Dysphagia After Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

Objective: To identify the incidence and predictors of postoperative dysphagia in patients who undergo anterior cervical spine surgery (ACSS) by utilizing the Eating Assessment Tool (EAT-10).

Methods: A multicenter prospective study was undertaken at three hospitals to evaluate patients undergoing ACSS between January 2021 and January 2023. Included patients were aged 18-80 years and were undergoing primary or revision ACSS.

Gli1 depletion induces oxidative stress and apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells via Fos in intervertebral disc degeneration.

Background: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is the most common chronic disease. Oxidative stress and apoptosis of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells disrupt intervertebral disc (IVD) homeostasis, which is the main cause of IDD. Glioma-associated oncogene 1 (Gli1) is an important transcription factor in the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway.

A Biomimetic Peptide Functions as Specific Extracellular Matrix for Quiescence of Stem Cells against Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

Maintaining quiescence of stem cells is a potential way to decrease cell nutrition demand for restoring the organization. Herein, a biomimetic peptide to maintain quiescence of stem cells through C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 8 (CXCL8)-C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 1 (CXCR1) pathway against intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is developed. First, it is confirmed that quiescence can be induced via inhibiting phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in nucleus pulposus stem cells (NPSCs).

Moderate to Severe Multifidus Fatty Atrophy is the Risk Factor for Recurrence After Microdiscectomy of Lumbar Disc Herniation.

Objective: We attempted to investigate the potential risk factors of recurrent lumbar disc herniation (rLDH) after tubular microdiscectomy.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of patients who underwent tubular microdiscectomy. The clinical and radiological factors were compared between the patients with and without rLDH.

A novel classification based on magnetic resonance imaging for individualized surgical strategies of lumbar disc herniation.

Introduction: Although the anatomy and pathology of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) have been clearly defined and classified in many studies, its imaging definition and classification still needs further clarification. This study intends to propose a novel classification and individualized surgical strategy for LDH based on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Materials And Methods: According to MRI features, LDH types were identified, and the corresponding surgical strategies were formulated to accurately remove the herniated discs while minimizing the disturbance to the normal disc.

Application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in the detection of pathogens in spinal infections.

Background Context: The precise diagnosis and treatment of spinal infections (SI) remains challenging for spine surgeons. Identifying the pathogens of SI through metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) may be a key approach to addressing this challenge.

Purpose: To evaluate the accuracy and applicability of mNGS in determining the etiology of SI.

Roles of multimodal intra-operative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) in percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: a case series of 113 patients.

Background: Despite the wide use of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) in spinal surgeries, the efficacy of IONM during percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (PE-TLIF) surgery in detecting postoperative neurological deficits has not been well characterized.

Methods: MIONM data from 113 consecutive patients who underwent PE-TLIF surgeries between June 2018 and April 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Postoperative neurological deficits were documented and analyzed, and the efficacy and specificity of various IONM techniques were compared.

Biomimetic cytomembrane nanovaccines prevent breast cancer development in the long term.

Cytomembrane cancer nanovaccines are considered a promising approach to induce tumor-specific immunity. Most of the currently developed nanovaccines, unfortunately, fail to study the underlying mechanism for cancer prevention and therapy, as well as immune memory establishment, with their long-term anti-tumor immunity remaining unknown. Here, we present a strategy to prepare biomimetic cytomembrane nanovaccines (named CCMP@R837) consisting of antigenic cancer cell membrane (CCM)-capped poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles loaded with imiquimod (R@837) as an adjuvant to activate the immune system.

Cartilage intermediate layer protein affects the progression of intervertebral disc degeneration by regulating the extracellular microenvironment (Review).

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD), which is caused by multiple factors, affects the health of individuals and contributes to low back pain. The pathology of IDD is complicated, and changes in the extracellular microenvironment play an important role in promoting the process of degeneration. Cartilage intermediate layer protein (CILP) is a matrix protein that resides in the middle of human articular cartilage and is involved in numerous diseases that affect cartilage.

Puerarin inhibits titanium particle-induced osteolysis and RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis via suppression of the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Osteolysis around the prosthesis and subsequent aseptic loosening are the main causes of prosthesis failure. Inflammation due to wear particles and osteoclast activation are the key factors in osteolysis and are also potential targets for the treatment of osteolysis. However, it is not clear whether puerarin can inhibit chronic inflammation and alleviate osteolysis.

Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis or conventional intramedullary nailing for distal tibial fractures: A cohort study protocol.

Background: Currently, both minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) and intramedullary nailing are the two most commonly used methods of treatment in distal tibial fractures, but controversy still exists regarding the clinical effects of 2 techniques. Our purposes were to compare MIPO and intramedullary nailing for distal tibia shaft fractures by assessing functional outcomes and complications.

Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from the charts of patients treated for distal tibial extra-articular fractures between May 2012 and July 2018.

A positive feedback loop between EZH2 and NOX4 regulates nucleus pulposus cell senescence in age-related intervertebral disc degeneration.

Background: The senescence of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IDD). NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4)-associated oxidative stress has been shown to induce premature NP cell senescence. Enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) is a crucial gene regulating cell senescence.

Molecular basis of degenerative spinal disorders from a proteomic perspective (Review).

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) and ligamentum flavum hypertrophy (LFH) are major causes of degenerative spinal disorders. Comparative and proteomic analysis was used to identify differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in IDD and LFH discs compared with normal discs. Subsequent gene ontology term enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis of the DEPs in human IDD discs or LFH samples were performed to identify the biological processes and signaling pathways involved in IDD and LFH.

Comparison of Endoscope-Assisted and Microscope-Assisted Tubular Surgery for Lumbar Laminectomies and Discectomies: Minimum 2-Year Follow-Up Results.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of endoscope-assisted and microscope-assisted tubular surgery for lumbar laminectomies and discectomies.

Methods: Three hundred and seven patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) or lumbar disc herniation (LDH) at L3-4, L4-5, and L5-S1 were included in this study. The patients were treated with endoscope-assisted or microscope-assisted tubular surgery.