Application of a novel porous tantalum implant in rabbit anterior lumbar spine fusion model: in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Background: Some porous materials have been developed to enhance biologic fusion of the implants to bone in spine fusion surgeries. However, there are several inherent limitations. In this study, a novel biomedical porous tantalum was applied to in vitro and in vivo experiments to test its biocompatibility and osteocompatibility.

One-stage posterior approach for treating multilevel noncontiguous thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis.

Objectives: Multilevel noncontiguous thoracic and lumbar spinal tuberculosis (MNST) is a relatively rare entity. The objective of this retrospective study was to investigate whether a technique involving a one-stage posterior debridement and decompression, combined with an intervertebral fusion and posterior instrumentation, is effective for treating MNST.

Methods: Thirteen patients, with an average age of 40.

[Clincial effect of 3D printing-assisted minimal invasive surgery through a small incision lateral to the rectus abdominis for pelvic fracture].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect of 3D printing-assisted minimal invasive surgery on pelvic fracture by plate internal fixation through a small incision lateral to the rectus abdominis.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted among 50 patients with pelvic fracture undergoing anteromedial plate internal fixation between September, 2013 and June, 2015. Thin-layer computed tomography scan data of the patients were input into Mimics software in DICOM format for 3D editing and virtual surgery before the operation.

Albendazole and Corticosteroids for the Treatment of Solitary Cysticercus Granuloma: A Network Meta-analysis.

Background: Solitary cysticercus granuloma (SCG) is the commonest form of neurocysticercosis in the Indian subcontinent and in travelers. Several different treatment options exist for SCG. We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) to identify the best treatment option to prevent seizure recurrence and promote lesion resolution for patients with SCG.

Regulation of bone formation by baicalein via the mTORC1 pathway.

Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disease that is characterized by low bone density and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue. The increasing prevalence of osteoporosis has attracted much attention. In this study, MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts were treated with the natural compound, baicalein (0.

[Preliminary clinical results of endoscopic assisted anterior lumbar interbody fusion].

Objective: To summarize the experiences of endoscopic assisted anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) with self-locking cage via retroperitoneal approach through small incision lateral to abdominal rectus.

Methods: There were 47 cases of endoscopic assisted ALIF from April 2010 to April 2012 were reviewed retrospectively, including 28 male and 19 female patients whose age ranged from 39 to 65 years, averaged of (48 ± 11) years. Of 47 cases, 17 cases were founded instability in lumbar spine, 16 cases of discogenetic low back pain, 7 cases of degenerative spondylolithesis, and 7 cases of recurrent disc herniation.

[Preliminary study for classification of spino-pelvic sagittal alignment in adult volunteers].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of the classification of the spino-pelvic sagittal alignment in adluts according to lumbar lordosis (LL) and inflection point (IP).

Methods: Whole spine, standing radiographs of 223 adult volunteers were taken from July to August in 2011 .There were 111 cases(56 female and 55 male) enrolled in the study based on the inclusion criteria.

Enhancement of the synthesis of n-3 PUFAs in fat-1 transgenic mice inhibits mTORC1 signalling and delays surgically induced osteoarthritis in comparison with wild-type mice.

Background: An exogenous supplement of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has been reported to prevent osteoarthritis (OA) through undefined mechanisms.

Objective: This study investigated the effect of alterations in the composition of endogenous PUFAs on OA, and associations of PUFAs with mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signalling, a critical autophagy pathway in fat-1 transgenic (TG) mice.

Methods: fat-1 TG and wild-type mice were used to create an OA model by resecting the medial meniscus.

Endogenous n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) mitigate ovariectomy-induced bone loss by attenuating bone marrow adipogenesis in FAT1 transgenic mice.

Aim: To investigate the effect of endogenous n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on bone marrow adipogenesis under osteoporosis conditions.

Methods: A mouse osteoporosis model overexpressing the FAT1 gene from Caenorhabditis elegans and converting n-6 PUFAs to n-3 PUFAs endogenously was used.

Results: The mice presented significantly lower bone marrow adiposity (adipocyte volume/tissue volume, mean adipocyte number) but increased the bone parameters (bone mineral density, bone mineral content, bone volume/total volume) in the distal femoral metaphysis.

Could heterotopic ossification be prevented by varying dietary n-3/n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio: a novel perspective to its treatment?

Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a common complication following with musculoskeletal trauma and surgical procedures. It usually decreases joint mobility and eventually causes loss of joint function. Despite nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the inhibitor of cyclooxygenase(COX), have been proven to prevent HO effectively via prostaglandin E2 synthesis regulation and modulation of tissue responsiveness to pro-inflammatory signaling, HO prevention is still a matter of debate for clinicians to avoid the side effect of NSAIDs.

[The use of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with self-locking cages to treat multi-segmental cervical myelopathy].

Objective: To investigate the use of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with self-locking cages to treat multi-segmental cervical myelopathy.

Methods: From April 2008 to March 2010, anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with self-locking cages were performed on 45 patients who suffered from multi-segmental cervical myelopathy, among of them there were 23 male and 22 female, aged from 32 to 67 years (average 53 years). Recording the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) scores and SF-36 scores in the protocol time point, in order to investigate the clinical outcome, meanwhile, accumulating the pre-operation and postoperation X-ray films of cervical spine for measuring the height of intervertebral space, whole curvature of cervical spine and the rate of fusion by repeated measures analysis of variance.

Intra-articular lentivirus-mediated insertion of the fat-1 gene ameliorates osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a gradually progressive degenerative disease characterized by gradual inflammatory loss of articular cartilage caused by increased proteolytic catabolism, mediated by interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs), aggrecanases and other proteinases, and reduced anabolism of cartilage components, contributed by interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-10 (IL-10), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), and bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). Substantial studies showed n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) exhibit a powerful anti-inflammatory effects in and ex vivo through reducing the production of IL-1 and TNF-α and increasing the expression of IL-4, IL-10, TGF-β and IGF-1 in OA. Meanwhile, more convincing results are observed in the fat-1 transgenic mice, which are exogenously inserted in a fat-1 gene from Caenorhabditis elegans, which can endogenously convert n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-6 PUFAs) to n-3 PUFAs.

Establishing a disc degeneration model using computed tomography-guided percutaneous puncture technique in the rabbit.

Background: Various animal models have been developed to investigate the complex mechanisms leading to intervertebral disc disorders and to evaluate the different therapeutic options. The needle puncture technique is commonly used to induce intervertebral degeneration in animal models. The present study aimed to establish a rabbit model of intervertebral disc degeneration using a simple, minimally invasive procedure.

Risedronate inhibits bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell adipogenesis and switches RANKL/OPG ratio to impair osteoclast differentiation.

Background: Osteoporosis is accompanied by an increase in bone marrow adipose tissue. Bone marrow adipogenesis has emerged as a therapeutic target for prevention of bone loss. Amino-bisphosphonates have been widely used for treatment of osteoporosis, but the mechanism through which amino-bisphosphonates inhibit osteoporosis remains unclear.

[Establishment of a rabbit model of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration via the paraspinal approach].

Objective: To establish a rabbit model of intervertebral disc degeneration by puncturing the anulus fibrosus through an approach between the longissimus dorsi muscle and obliquus externus abdominis.

Methods: The L(4/5) and L(5/6) intervetebral discs of 6 New Zealand white rabbits were punctured by an 18-gauge pin in the anterolateral annular fibrosus through an approach between the longissimus dorsi muscle and the obliquus externus abdominis with the right transverse processes of L(5) and L(6) resected; the L(2/3) discs were used as the control without exposure or needle stab, and the L(3/4) discs were subjected to sham operation with the discs exposed but not punctured after resecting the right transverse process of L(4). X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed preoperatively and at the 4th week after puncture.

[Neuroprotection of a neotype transactivating-brain-derived neurotrophic factor fusion protein with penetrating activity of blood-brain barrier].

Objective: To identify the dural activities of neuroprotection and penetrating blood-brain barrier (BBB) for TAT-BDNF (transactivating-brain-derived neurotrophic factor) fusion protein to explore an alternative treatment for the injury of central nerve system (CNS).

Methods: With molecular cloning techniques, a recombinant vector termed pTAT-BDNF was constructed to encode both TAT protein transduction domain and human BDNF. Purified TAT-BDNF fusion protein was generated from Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3).

[The application of cervical arthroplasty with Mobi-C for treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy].

Objective: To investigate the clinical effectiveness of cervical arthroplasty with Mobi-C prosthesis for treatment of cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.

Methods: From March 2008 to November 2009, a group of 67 patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy were analyzed retrospectively. The short form-36 physical component summary (SF-36) and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were used to compare clinical outcome pre- and postoperatively.

Metformin stimulates osteoprotegerin and reduces RANKL expression in osteoblasts and ovariectomized rats.

Anti-diabetic drug metformin has been shown to enhance osteoblasts differentiation and inhibit osteoclast differentiation in vitro and prevent bone loss in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. But the mechanisms through which metformin regulates osteoclastogensis are not known. Osteoprotegerin (OPG) and receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand (RANKL) are cytokines predominantly secreted by osteoblasts and play critical roles in the differentiation and function of osteoclasts.

[Lithium chloride combined with human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for treatment of spinal cord injury in rats].

Objective: To observe the effects of lithium chloride combined with human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cell (hUCB-SCs) transplantation in the treatment of spinal cord injury in rats.

Methods: Eighty female SD rats with complete T9 spinal cord transaction were randomized into 4 groups (n=20), namely the control group (group A), lithium chloride group (group B), hUCB-SCs group (group C) and hUCB-SCs(+) lithium chloride group (group D). On days 1 and 3 and the last days of the following weeks postoperatively, the motor function of the hindlimb of the rats were evaluated according to the BBB scores.

[Unilateral pedicle screw fixation plus interbody fusion by Quadrant system through spatium intermuscular of multifidus].

Objective: To explore the clinical outcome of unilateral pedicle screw fixation plus single cage interbody fusion through spatium intermuscular of multifidus by Quadrant system.

Methods: From April 2008 to April 2009, 47 patients underwent unilateral pedicle screw fixation plus single cage interbody fusion through spatium intermuscular of multifidus. There were 22 males and 25 females with the mean age of 58.

[In vivo experimental study of lumbar nucleus replacement with pectin/polyvinyl alcohol composite hydrogel].

Objective: To evaluate the anti degenerative effect of pectin/polyvinyl alcohol composite (CoPP) hydrogel as artificial nucleus material in an animal model.

Methods: Thirty-six New Zealand white rabbits were used to build animal models, the L₄₋₅ intervertebral discs were pierced with a Gauge#16 needle and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) or CoPP implants were inserted into the holes. For comparative purposes, L₃₋₄ discs underwent sham treatment or control treatment in which the disc was pierced but no implant was inserted.

[Factors affecting adjacent segment degeneration after rigid lumbar internal fixation].

Objective: To analyze the factors affecting the occurrence of adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) after lumbar internal fixation.

Methods: The clinical data of 147 surgical patients with lumbar disc herniation, lumbar spinal stenosis and lumbar spodylolisthesis undergoing surgeries between January 2002 and July 2007 in our hospital were reviewed. The correlations of gender, range of fixation, position of fixation, and characteristic of the adjacent disc to the occurrence of ASD were analyzed.

[The repair of acute spinal cord injury in rats by olfactory ensheathing cells graft modified by glia cell line-derived neurotrophic factor gene in combination with the injection of monoclonal antibody IN-1].

Objective: To research the repair effect of transplantation of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) modified olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) combination with injecting axonal growth inhibiting protein antibody (IN-1) in vivo.

Methods: To construct lentivirus vector with GDNF gene and infect OECs in vitro, use the immunoblotting (Western Blot) to observe the expression of GDNF was detected through Western Blot. Fifty adult female SD rats which to establish thoracic spinal cord transection injury model were randomly divided into A (control group), B (IN-1 antibody group), C (OECs group), D (GDNF-OECs group), and E (GDNF-OECs+IN-1 group) 5 groups of each 10 rats.

[The results of cementless Zweymüller hip system: 5 to 11 years follow-up study].

Objective: To analyze the intermediate-term results associated with the use of Zweymtiller hip system.

Methods: Review the 116 cases (142 hips) who were treated with total hip replacement from 1996 to 2002 by a single surgeon using cementless Zweymüller hip systems.

Results: Sixty-one cases (77 hips) were followed up, 50 cases (64 hips) were evaluated both clinically and radiographically while 5 cases (6 hips) and 6 cases (7 hips) were only evaluated clinically and radiographically respectively.

[Complications of the anterior surgical approach for thoracolumbar spine tuberculosis: causes and countermeasures].

Objective: To assess the effect of the anterior surgical approach for thoracolumbar spine tuberculosis and analyzed the causes of the surgical complications and the countermeasures.

Methods: From Jan 1996 to Dec 2005, 120 patients with thoracolumbar spine tuberculosis underwent operations through the anterior approach either following the primary diagnosis (115 cases) or for recurrence (5 cases).

Results: Intraoperative pleural rupture occurred in 4 cases, and rupture of the external iliac vein occurred 1 case.