Computed Tomography-Based Morphometric Analysis of Lower Cervical Anterior Transpedicular Screw Fixation and Related Factors in the Chinese Population.

Background: Anterior transpedicular screw (ATPS) internal fixation of the lower cervical spine is an alternative for patients who cannot tolerate combined anterior and posterior surgery. The cervical vertebral anatomy varies with many factors, including age, gender, height, weight, and race.

Methods: Three-dimensional (3D) CT reconstructions were performed on 122 patients.

Antidepressant duloxetine hydrochloride protects against ovariectomy-induced bone loss in mice by inhibiting osteoclast differentiation.

Background: Several studies have reported the association between osteoporosis and major depressive disorder (MDD) as well as the use of antidepressants. However, it remains to be elucidated whether these associations are related to exposure to antidepressants, a consequence of a disease process, or a combination of both.

Methods: This study investigates the independent effect of the antidepressant duloxetine hydrochloride (DH) on ovariectomy-induced bone loss in mice.

A complex heterozygous mutation in causes early embryo arrest: A case report.

The gene is a component of the subcortical maternal effect complex (SCMC). Mutations in the gene, which was the first gene discovered to impact the activation process of the human embryonic genome, have been shown to induce early embryo arrest. A 29-year-old lady with primary infertility underwent fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET) for tubal reasons, who had normal hormone levels and ovarian reserve.

6'-O-Galloylpaeoniflorin Attenuates Osteoclasto-genesis and Relieves Ovariectomy-Induced Osteoporosis by Inhibiting Reactive Oxygen Species and MAPKs/c-Fos/NFATc1 Signaling Pathway.

Emerging evidence suggests bright prospects of some natural antioxidants in the treatment of osteoporosis. 6'-O-Galloylpaeoniflorin (GPF), an antioxidant isolated from peony roots (one of very widely used Oriental medicines, with various anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antioxidant activities), shows a series of potential clinical applications. However, its effects on osteoporosis remain poorly investigated.

Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) inhibitor PRT062607 protects against ovariectomy-induced bone loss and breast cancer-induced bone destruction.

Osteolytic diseases, including breast cancer-induced osteolysis and postmenopausal osteoporosis, are attributed to excessive bone resorption by osteoclasts. Spleen tyrosine kinase (SYK) is involved in osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption, whose role in breast cancer though remains controversial. Effects of PRT062607 (PRT), a highly specific inhibitor of SYK, on the osteoclast and breast cancer functionalities are yet to be clarified.

Association between the metabolome and bone mineral density in a Chinese population.

Background: Osteoporosis is a common metabolic bone disease, which always leads to osteoporotic fractures. Biomarkers of bone mineral density (BMD) are helpful for prevention and early diagnosis of osteoporosis. This study aims to identify metabolomic biomarkers of low BMD.

Dehydrocostus lactone (DHC) suppresses estrogen deficiency-induced osteoporosis.

Osteoporosis is a chronic bone lytic disease, because of inadequate bone ossification and/or excessive bone resorption. Even though drugs are currently available for the treatment of osteoporosis, there remains an unmet need for the development of more specific novel agents with less adverse effects. Dehydrocostus lactone (DHC), a natural sesquiterpene lactone, was previously found to affect the differentiation of inflammatory cells by inhibiting NF-κB pathways, and garnered much interest for its anti-cancer properties via SOCS-mediated cell cycle arrest and apoptosis.

Injury to the axillary artery and brachial plexus caused by a closed floating shoulder injury: A case report.

Background: A floating shoulder may be associated with catastrophic neurovascular injury and requires a multidisciplinary approach for its management. To maximize the likelihood of good patient outcomes, this unique injury pattern should be recognized in patients as early as possible. This can be difficult to achieve, however, as there are currently few reports of floating shoulder in the literature, meaning that associated neurovascular injuries may be overlooked.

Phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-mTOR inhibitor PKI-402 inhibits breast cancer induced osteolysis.

Bone metastasis causes bone pain and pathological bone fracture in breast cancer patients with a serious complication. Previous studies have demonstrated that a novel phosphatidyl inositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-mTOR inhibitor PKI-402 suppressed the growth of breast cancer cells. However, the role of PKI-402 involved in osteolysis induced by breast cancer remains unclear.

Multicentre comparative study of Z-shape elevating-pulling reduction and skull traction reduction for treatment of lower cervical locked facets.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the clinical efficacy and safety of Z-shape elevating-pulling reduction as compared to that of conventional skull traction in the treatment of lower cervical locked facet.

Methods: Patients with cervical locked facet (n = 63) were retrospectively enrolled from four medical centers and divided into two groups according to the pre-operative reduction method used: Z-shape elevating-pulling reduction (Z-shape elevating group; n = 20) or traditional skull traction reduction (skull traction group; n = 43).

Results: The success rates, efficacy of reduction, and safety were compared between the two groups.

Function of low back muscle exercise : Preventive effect of refracture analysis of postoperative vertebral fractures.

Background: Low back muscles exercise reportedly influence the risk of osteoporotic vertebral fractures. The exact relationship between the low back muscles exercise and the incidence of vertebral refractures remain unclear.

Objective: To investigate the ability of exercise to strengthen the low back muscles to prevent vertebral refracture after surgery, through clinical analysis of the vertebral fracture risk reduction program.

Retraction of: A005, a novel inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin, prevents osteosarcoma-induced osteolysis.

Osteosarcoma is the most frequent primary bone tumor in children and adolescents. The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway is an attractive anticancer target because it plays key roles in the regulation of cell growth, division and differentiation. In this study, we demonstrated high expression of PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway-related genes in patients with osteosarcoma.

New reduction technique for the treatment of unilateral locked facet joints of the lower cervical spine : A retrospective analysis of 12 cases.

Background: Closed reduction of bilateral locked facet joints of the lower cervical spine is possible, but reduction of unilateral locked facet joints of the lower cervical spine (ULFJLCS) is challenging. We explored a new, simple, safe, and effective closed reduction method for the treatment of ULFJLCS.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was done on 12 consecutive cases with traumatic ULFJLCS that underwent closed reduction by Z‑shape elevating-pulling reduction through a halo-vest.

Effect of modified compound calcium phosphate cement on the differentiation and osteogenesis of bone mesenchymal stem cells.

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of self-invented compound calcium phosphate cement upon the proliferation and osteogenesis of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs).

Methods: Four groups including traditional calcium phosphate cement, modified calcium phosphate cement, modified calcium phosphate cement plus bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), and control groups were established. The cell proliferation curve was delineated by MTT.

Characterization and Predictive Value of Segmental Curve Flexibility in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients.

Study Design: A prospective radiographic analysis of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients managed with alternate-level pedicle screw fixation was performed.

Objective: The objective of this study was to characterize segmental curve flexibility and to determine its predictive value in curve correction in AIS patients.

Summary Of Background Data: Little is known regarding the distinct segmental curve characteristics and their ability to predict curve correction in patients with AIS.

Selection of Fusion Levels Using the Fulcrum Bending Radiograph for the Management of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients with Alternate Level Pedicle Screw Strategy: Clinical Decision-making and Outcomes.

Objective: Selecting fusion levels based on the Luk et al criteria for operative management of thoracic adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with hook and hybrid systems yields acceptable curve correction and balance parameters; however, it is unknown whether utilizing a purely pedicle screw strategy is effective. Utilizing the fulcrum bending radiographic (FBR) to assess curve flexibility to select fusion levels, the following study assessed the efficacy of pedicle screw fixation with alternate level screw strategy (ALSS) for thoracic AIS.

Methods: A retrospective study with prospective radiographic data collection/analyses (preoperative, postoperative 1-week and minimum 2-year follow-up) of 28 operative thoracic AIS patients undergoing ALSS was performed.

Hepatoma-derived growth factor-2 is highly expressed during development and in spinal cord injury.

Hepatoma‑derived growth factor‑2 (HDGF‑2) is expressed in neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes of the adult mouse brain. However, it has remained elusive whether HDGF‑2 is expressed in the spinal cord and is involved in the its development and repair. In the present study, the expression of HDGF‑2 was investigated in rat spinal cords at different developmental stages and following spinal cord injury (SCI).

Cilostazol prevents the degradation of collagen type II in human chondrocytes.

The alteration of extracellular matrix (ECM) in cartilage during the pathological development of Osteoarthritis (OA) changes the biomechanical environment of chondrocytes, which further drives the progression of the disease in the presence of inflammation. Healthy cartilage matrix mainly contains collagen type II, which is degraded by matrix metalloproteinase13 (MMP13), an important molecules responsible for joint damage in OA. Cilostazol (6-[4-(1-cyclohexyl-1H-tetrazol-5-yl)butoxy]-3,4-dihydro-2-(1H)-quinolinone) is a medication approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and used in the alleviation of the symptom of intermittent claudication in individuals with peripheral vascular disease.

Reformatted computed tomographic evaluation of the thoracic pedicle in a Chinese population for the surgical application of transpedicular screw placement.

Purpose: To study the transverse thoracic pedicle diameter of a Chinese population and to determine the feasibility and safety of transpedicular screw fixation.

Methods: The authors studied the transverse pedicle diameter of the T1-T12 of the thoracic spine in a Chinese population using reformatted computed tomography. The data were compared with Caucasians and other Asians.

Natural bone collagen scaffold combined with OP-1 for bone formation induction in vivo.

The scaffold is a key element to osteogenic tissue engineering as it provides a microenvironment for bone formation. Natural bone collagen scaffold (NBCS) is a novel biomaterial scaffold acid-extracted from organic human bone. The objective of this study was to characterize NBCS and evaluate the osteoconductivity of the scaffold, in combination with osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1), using a rabbit posteolateral lumbar fusion model.

Evaluation of insoluble bone gelatin as a carrier for enhancement of osteogenic protein-1-induced intertransverse process lumbar fusion in a rabbit model.

Study Design: Postero-lateral lumbar fusion in a rabbit model was performed to compare the bone induction potential of autograft, insoluble bone gelatin (ISBG), osteogenic protein-1 (OP-1), and the combination of ISBG and OP-1.

Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of ISBG as a carrier/enhancer for OP-1 in a rabbit spinal fusion model.

Summary Of Background Data: OP-1 or recombinant human BMP-7 has been shown to be effective in inducing new bone formation in surgical applications such as spinal arthrodesis.

[Effect of L-arginine on human coagulant factor VIII gene expression].

Objective: To investigate the effect of L-arginine on expression of human FVIII gene.

Methods: Plasmid pcDNA6/V5-HisA-BDDhF VIII containing B domain deleted human coagulant factor VIII cDNA (BDDhF VIII cDNA) was constructed and transfected into human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). After 72 h incubation with L-arginine (final concentration was 10 mmol/L) , the supernatant was collected for determining the antigen and clotting activity of human FVIII (FVIII: Ag and FVIII: C ) with ELISA and one stage clotting assay respectively.

Characterization of vacuolar-ATPase and selective inhibition of vacuolar-H(+)-ATPase in osteoclasts.

V-ATPase plays important roles in controlling the extra- and intra-cellular pH in eukaryotic cell, which is most crucial for cellular processes. V-ATPases are composed of a peripheral V(1) domain responsible for ATP hydrolysis and integral V(0) domain responsible for proton translocation. Osteoclasts are multinucleated cells responsible for bone resorption and relate to many common lytic bone disorders such as osteoporosis, bone aseptic loosening, and tumor-induced bone loss.