Overexpression of USP35 enhances the protective effect of hUC-MSCs and their extracellular vesicles in oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion-induced SH-SY5Y cells via stabilizing FUNDC1.

Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury is associated with neurological disorders such as stroke. The therapeutic potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) and their secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs) in alleviating IR injury across various cell types including neuronal cells has been documented. However, the underlying mechanisms through which hUC-MSCs and hUC-MSC-EVs protect neuronal cells from IR-triggered damage are not well understood.

Morphological analysis of isolated hemivertebra: radiographic manifestations related to the severity of congenital scoliosis.

Purpose: The natural history of congenital scoliosis (CS) caused by hemivertebra varies greatly. This study aimed to explore the association between the morphology of hemivertebra and the severity of CS, since the diagnosis of the hemivertebra.

Methods: Patients with isolated (single fully segmented) hemivertebra were enrolled.

Unilateral interlaminar fenestration on the convex side provides a reliable access for intrathecal administration of nusinersen in spinal muscular atrophy: a retrospective study.

Background: As the first gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), nusinersen is supposed to be administrated via intrathecal injection regularly for a lifetime. However, for SMA patients with severe spinal deformities, bony fusion following posterior spinal instrumentation sets great obstacles for the application of nusinersen. Therefore, efforts have been devoted to the exploration of appropriate approach for nusinersen administration.

Surgical treatment of spinal deformities in spinal muscular atrophy: a single-center experience from China.

Purpose: To report the clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes of scoliosis in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) from Mainland China.

Methods: Nineteen patients were retrospectively analyzed. Demographic, anthropometric and respiratory parameters were collected preoperatively.

Apical region correction and global balance: a 3-rods surgical strategy for the treatment of severe and rigid scoliosis.

Background: The treatment of severe and rigid scoliosis is challenging. We developed a surgical strategy for severe and rigid scoliosis since 2014. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the safety and efficacy of apical region correction and global balance with 3 rods as a surgical strategy for the treatment of severe and rigid scoliosis.

Melatonin Synergizes With Methylprednisolone to Ameliorate Acute Spinal Cord Injury.

Methylprednisolone (MP) is the drug of choice for treating spinal cord injury (SCI), but the aggressive dosage regimen used often results in adverse side effects. Therefore, MP should be combined with other drugs to lower the required dose. Melatonin is effective in alleviating nerve damage and inhibiting axonal degeneration.

AMPK as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

As the principal reason for low back pain, intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) affects the health of people around the world regardless of race or region. Degenerative discs display a series of characteristic pathological changes, including cell apoptosis, senescence, remodeling of extracellular matrix, oxidative stress and inflammatory local microenvironment. As a serine/threonine-protein kinase in eukaryocytes, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is involved in various cellular processes through the modulation of cell metabolism and energy balance.

The Effect of Traditional Single Growing Rod Technique on the Growth of Unsegmented Levels in Mixed-Type Congenital Scoliosis.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Objectives: To present outcomes concerning patients with early-onset mixed-type congenital scoliosis (EOMTCS) treated with the traditional single growing rod (TSGR), focusing on the growth of unsegmented levels (USLs).

Methods: Patients with EOMTCS who underwent TSGR and had a minimum of 4 USLs, 4 distractions, and 3-year follow-up were enrolled.

Bioinformatic analysis of SMN1-ACE/ACE2 interactions hinted at a potential protective effect of spinal muscular atrophy against COVID-19-induced lung injury.

Patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) are susceptible to the respiratory infections and might be at a heightened risk of poor clinical outcomes upon contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the potential associations of SMA with the susceptibility to and prognostication of COVID-19 need to be clarified. We documented an SMA case who contracted COVID-19 but only developed mild-to-moderate clinical and radiological manifestations of pneumonia, which were relieved by a combined antiviral and supportive treatment.

Surgical Scoliosis Correction in Chiari-I Malformation with Syringomyelia Versus Idiopathic Syringomyelia.

Background: Both patients with Chiari-I malformation (CIM) with syringomyelia and those with idiopathic syringomyelia (ISm) have a syrinx and can have scoliosis as well. However, there is no literature regarding differences between CIM and ISm in terms of radiographic outcomes and surgical complications after posterior fusion, to our knowledge. The aim of the present study was to compare radiographic features, clinical outcomes, and surgical complications after posterior spinal fusion between patients with CIM-associated scoliosis and those with ISm-associated scoliosis.