Identifying the Characteristics of Patients With Cervical Degenerative Disease for Surgical Treatment From 17-Year Real-World Data: Retrospective Study.

Background: Real-world data (RWD) play important roles in evaluating treatment effectiveness in clinical research. In recent decades, with the development of more accurate diagnoses and better treatment options, inpatient surgery for cervical degenerative disease (CDD) has become increasingly more common, yet little is known about the variations in patient demographic characteristics associated with surgical treatment.

Objective: This study aimed to identify the characteristics of surgical patients with CDD using RWD collected from electronic medical records.

Simvastatin induces estrogen receptor-alpha expression in bone, restores bone loss, and decreases ERα expression and uterine wet weight in ovariectomized rats.

We previously reported that simvastatin induces estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα) in murine bone marrow stromal cells in vitro. In this study, we investigated the effect of simvastatin on ERα expression in bone and uterus in ovariectomized (OVX) rats and evaluated bone mass, bone strength, and uterine wet weight. Three-month-old Sprague-Dawley female rats received OVX or sham operation.

Differential proteomic profiling of chordomas and analysis of prognostic factors.

Background: The recurrence rate of chordoma is high, and the prognosis is poor.

Methods: Differential proteomic analysis was performed on chordomas and adjacent normal tissues, with verification by Western blot. Protein expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry of 37 chordomas.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis with multiple spinal involvement.

To stress the clinical and radiologic presentation and treatment outcome of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) with multiple spinal involvements. A total of 42 cases with spinal LCH were reviewed in our hospital and 5 had multifocal spinal lesions. Multiple spinal LCH has been reported in 50 cases in the literature.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the cervical spine: a single Chinese institution experience with thirty cases.

Study Design: A retrospective study of cervical Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH).

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficiency of the present diagnosis and treatment strategy.

Summary Of Background Data: The diagnosis and treatment protocols are still controversial for the rarity of cervical LCH.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis of the atlas in an adult.

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), formerly known as histiocytosis X, is a rare disorder (approximately 1:1,500,000 inhabitants) characterized by clonal proliferation and excess accumulation of pathologic Langerhans cells causing local or systemic effects. The exact etiology of LCH is still unknown. LCH could affect patients of any age, although most present when they are children.

Results of surgical treatment of cervical dumbbell tumors: surgical approach and development of an anatomic classification system.

Study Design: A retrospective study of a new classification and surgical approach of cervical dumbbell tumors.

Objective: To evaluate PUTH classification.

Summary Of Background Data: The high recurrence rate and postoperative deformity are unsolved problems.

Upper cervical spine chordoma of C2-C3.

Chordoma is a rare low-grade malignant neoplasm derived from the remnants of the embryonic notochord. This locally invasive neoplasm is subject to recurrence after treatment. The median survival time is estimated to be 6.

[Analysis of veracity of the C1 lateral mass screw insertion in the atlantoaxial fixation].

Objective: To evaluate the veracity of the C1 lateral mass screw insertion in the atlantoaxial fixation using plate and screw method without A-P fluoroscopic guiding.

Methods: In the atlantoaxial fixation, without A-P fluoroscopic guiding, we probe lateral mass edge and identify the entrance point of C1 lateral mass screw indirectly. 159 patients treated with atlantoaxial fixation using plate and screw method were studied.

[Qualitative diagnosis and therapeutic strategy of atlanto-axial tuberculosis].

Objective: To investigate the qualitative diagnosis method of atlanto-axial tuberculosis and the corresponding therapeutic strategy.

Methods: Twenty-two cases with atlanto-axial tuberculosis proven by histopathologic diagnosis were observed. Three cases and 17 cases underwent trans-oral biopsy and CT-guide percutaneous biopsy respectively, 2 cases were conformed by frozen section in operation.

Treatment of cervical dislocation with locked facets.

Background: Lower cervical dislocation with locked facets is common in cervical injury. The locked facets include unilateral and bilateral types. Different successful closed reduction rates has been achieved between unilateral and bilateral types by using rapid skull traction, which was commonly used to reduce the cervical dislocation.

Icariine stimulates proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts by increasing production of bone morphogenetic protein 2.

Background: Icariine is a flavonoid isolated from a traditional Chinese medicine Epimedium pubescens and is the main active compound of it. Recently, Epimedium pubescens was found to have a therapeutic effect on osteoporosis. But the mechanism is unclear.

[X-ray measurement of cervical spinal canal in patients with degenerative lumbar spinal canal stenosis].

Objective: To investigate the mechanism of high occurrence of cervical spondylotic myelopathy in the patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis and the relationship between these two diseases.

Methods: Lateral radiographic plain films were made on 68 cases with degenerative lumbar spine stenosis 23 males and 45 females, aged 50.0 (22 - 69).

[Single-stage combined anterior-posterior instrumentation for multiple level cervical spine fractures].

Objective: To investigate the efficacy of single-stage combined anterior-posterior instrumentation for treatment of multiple level cervical spine fractures.

Methods: Nine patients with multiple-level fractures of the cervical spine, 8 males and 1 female aged 24 - 63, underwent ingle-stage combined anterior-posterior instrumentation. Seven patients with multiple contiguous fractures of the cervical spine were treated with anterior decompression and plating combined with posterior cervical lateral mass screw fixation; and 2 patients with non-contiguous cervical fractures, both with type II odontoid fracture and lower cervical fracture, were treated with both anterior odontoid screw and posterior cervical lateral mass screw fixation.

[Lumbar interbody fusion using autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-calcium phosphate ceramic composite in rhesus monkey].

Objective: To determine the osteogenic capacity of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs)-calcium phosphate ceramic composites in vitro and implanted as a bone graft substitute for lumbar anterior interbody fusion in rhesus monkeys.

Methods: From March 2003 to April 2005, 9 adult rhesus monkeys underwent lumbar L(3 - 4) and L(5 - 6) discectomy and interbody fusion via an anterior retroperitoneal approach. Two fusion sites in each animal were randomly assigned to two of three treatments: autogenous tricortical iliac crest bone graft (autograft group, n = 6) or cell-free ceramic graft (ceramic group, n = 6) or BMSCs-ceramic composite graft (BMSCs group, n = 6).

[The effect of early diagnosis of recurrence and revision after resection of primary spine tumors].

Objective: To explore the effect of early diagnosis of recurrence and early revision after resection of primary spine tumors.

Methods: From March 1989 to September 2005, the relate clinic data of 55 patients with giant cell tumors, osteoblastomas, chondrosarcomas and chordomas in spine in big piecemeal and current fashion was analysed.

Results: In 55 cases, 43 patients were followed up and had complete materials.

Open reduction of irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation by transoral anterior atlantoaxial release and posterior internal fixation.

Study Design: A retrospective study of surgical outcome of 33 patients with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation (IAAD).

Objective: To evaluate the safety efficacy of one stage anterior release and posterior fixation and fusion to reduce and stabilize IAAD.

Summary Of Background Data: The traditional treatment of symptomatic IAAD is ventral decompression by transoral approach.

[Reliability of direct probing isthmus of axial vertebrae to defining the screw path in atlas during Magerl technique].

Objective: To evaluate the accuracy and reliability of atlantoaxial transarticular screw insertion (Magerl's technique) in atlas under lateral fluoroscopic monitoring without anteroposterior view.

Method: Seventy-five consecutive patients with atlantoaxial instability, 48 males and 27 females, aged 35.1, were treated by Magerl's technique.

[Clinical characteristics and treatment of flexion-distraction stage I injuries in subaxial cervical spine].

Objective: To study the clinical characteristics and treatment of flexion-distraction stage I injuries in subaxial cervical spine.

Methods: Twelve cases of flexion-distraction stage I injuries with delayed symptoms, admitted in our hospital between January 1995 and December 2004, were studied retrospectively. In acute phase, all of 12 cases had neck pain and limited neck movements, neurological deficits were found in 6 of 12 cases.

Adeno-associated virus-mediated bone morphogenetic protein-7 gene transfer induces C2C12 cell differentiation into osteoblast lineage cells.

Aim: To investigate the effects of bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP7)-expressing recombinant adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector on the differentiation of C2C12 cells.

Methods: AAV-BMP7 was packaged by infecting the stable cell clone BHK-21 (integrated with recombinant AAV vector plasmid pSNAV-BMP7) with recombinant herpes simplex virus type 1, which expresses AAV-2 Rep and Cap and possesses AAV packaging functions. Following infection with AAV-BMP7 at multiplicities of infection of 1 x 10(5) vector genomes per cell and subsequent culture, C2C12 cells were assessed qualitatively for BMP7 production, alkaline phosphatase activity, osteocalcin production and Cbfal and MyoD expression.

[Surgical factors underlying the recurrence of primary spine tumor].

Objective: To find the causes of the spinal primary tumors recurrence in surgical technique.

Methods: From 1989 to 2002, 38 cases of primary spine tumors, including giant cell tumor, osteoblastoma, chondrosarcoma and chordoma with wide resection via a piece-meal fashion. By adopting a retrospective method, the present study investigated the clinical and imaging materials of pre- and post-operation period and those in follow-up.

[Surgical correction of post-traumatic kyphosis of thoracolumbar spine].

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of surgical correction for post-traumatic kyphosis of thoracolumbar spine.

Methods: From 1996 to 2003, 33 consecutive patients with post-traumatic kyphosis of thoracolumbar spine were corrected surgically. The mean age was 40.

[Evaluation of neck moving ability after anterior cervical fusion].

Objective: To observe the relationship of adjacent segment degeneration and neck symptom after anterior cervical fusion.

Methods: Making follow-up to 66 cases who had accepted anterior cervical fusion for 1 - 16 years, average 10.5 years.

[Effects of Epimedium pubescens icariine on proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts].

Objective: To study the effects of epimedium pubescens icariine on the proliferation and differentiation of human osteoblasts.

Method: Human osteoblasts were obtained by inducting human marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) directionally. MTT was used to observe the proliferation and activity of ALP was assayed to observe the differentiation of the third passage human osteoblasts cultured in vitro.

[Clinical diagnosis and treatment of multiple-level injuries of the cervical spine].

Objective: To investigate the character, diagnosis and treatment of multiple-level fractures of the cervical spine.

Methods: Forty-three patients (38 male, 5 female) with multiple-level fractures of the cervical spine were retrospectively analysed in our hospital from 1988-2001.

Results: Among 36 patients with multiple contiguous fractures of the cervical spine, 32 cases were injured at low cervical spine; 7 patients were non-contiguous spinal fractures in which there were 5 cases injured at upper and lower cervical spine.