Cell-Free Extracts from Human Fat Tissue with a Hyaluronan-Based Hydrogel Attenuate Inflammation in a Spinal Cord Injury Model through M2 Microglia/Microphage Polarization.

Treatment for spinal cord injuries (SCIs) is often ineffective because SCIs result in a loss of nerve tissue, glial scar formation, local ischemia and secondary inflammation. The current promising strategy for SCI is the combination of bioactive materials and cytokines. Bioactive materials support the injured spinal cord, stabilize the morphology, and avoid excessive inflammatory responses.

The Relationship Between Preoperative Cervical Sagittal Balance and Clinical Outcome of Acute Traumatic Central Cord Syndrome.

Objective: To explore the sagittal radiological parameters related to clinical recovery of patients with acute traumatic central cord syndrome (ATCCS) and determine the diagnostic value of related variables.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of 104 patients with ATCCS. Six cervical sagittal balance parameters were collected: Cobb angle, T1 slope, neck tilt, thoracic inlet angle (TIA), C2-C7 sagittal vertex axis, T1 slope - C2-C7 Cobb angle.

The Relationship Between Preoperative Cervical Sagittal Balance and Clinical Outcome of Patients With Hirayama Disease Treated With Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion.

Objective: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a common surgical method used to treat patients with Hirayama disease. And sagittal balance indexes have been revealed to be predictors of clinical outcomes in patients with cervical diseases, but their relationships with ACDF-treated Hirayama disease outcomes remain unknown. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship of preoperative cervical sagittal balance indexes and clinical outcomes in ACDF-treated Hirayama disease patients.

Exosome-Transported circRNA_0000253 Competitively Adsorbs MicroRNA-141-5p and Increases IDD.

The pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is complex, and a better understanding of IDD pathogenesis may provide a better method for the treatment of IDD. Exosomes are 40-100 nm nanosized vesicles that are released from many cell types into the extracellular space. We speculated that exosome-transported circular RNAs (circRNAs) could regulate IDD.

Analysis of the Effect of Surgical Treatment for the Patients with Hirayama Disease from the Perspective of Cervical Spine Sagittal Alignment.

Objective: This study was carried out to analyze the surgical effect of cervical spine sagittal alignment for patients with Hirayama disease (HD).

Methods: Forty-four subjects were retrospectively analyzed for the parameters of cervical spine sagittal alignment. The case group consisted of 23 patients with HD, whereas the control group consisted of 21 healthy adolescent subjects.

CircularRNA_104670 plays a critical role in intervertebral disc degeneration by functioning as a ceRNA.

This study was carried out to explore the roles of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Differentially expressed circRNAs in IDD and normal NP tissues were identified based on the results of microarray analysis. Bioinformatics techniques were employed to predict the direct interactions of selected circRNAs, microRNAs (miR), and mRNAs.

Cortical Activation Changes in Hirayama Disease After Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion.

Background: Spinal cord injury may cause cortical reconstruction. We, therefore explored the changes in cortical activation before and after anterior cervical decompression and fusion surgery in patients with Hirayama disease (HD).

Methods: In total, 17 cases with HD underwent anterior cervical decompression and fusion surgery.

Risk Factors of Adjacent Segment Disease After Anterior Cervical Arthrodesis: A Retrospective Study of Sagittal Measurement of Thoracic Inlet Parameters.

Background: To explore the predictive parameters for adjacent segment disease (ASD) after anterior cervical arthrodesis at the sagittal measurement of thoracic inlet.

Methods: We included 212 subjects treated with anterior cervical fusion surgery to identify predictive parameters for ASD. We applied multivariate logistic regression to find the relevant parameters.

The value of radiographic indexes in the diagnosis of discogenic low back pain: a retrospective analysis of imaging results.

To explore value of different radiographic indexes in the diagnosis of discogenic low back pain (LBP). A total number of 120 cases (60 patients diagnosed with discogenic LBP and 60 healthy people) were retrospectively analysed to identify factors in the diagnosis of discogenic LBP by using univariate and multivariate analyses. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drew to show the predictive accuracy of the finally enrolled factors.

Risk Factors for Surgical Results of Hirayama Disease: A Retrospective Analysis of a Large Cohort.

Objective: To explore risk factors affecting surgical results of Hirayama disease.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of 210 patients was performed to identify risk factors affecting surgical results of Hirayama disease by using univariate and multivariate analyses. A receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve were applied to evaluate the significant results of the multivariate analysis and the optimal reference value.

Can an Endplate-conformed Cervical Cage Provide a Better Biomechanical Environment than a Typical Non-conformed Cage?: A Finite Element Model and Cadaver Study.

Objectives: To evaluate the biomechanical characteristics of endplate-conformed cervical cages by finite element method (FEM) analysis and cadaver study.

Methods: Twelve specimens (C2 -C7 ) and a finite element model (C3 -C7 ) were subjected to biomechanical evaluations. In the cadaver study, specimens were randomly assigned to intact (I), endplate-conformed (C) and non-conformed (N) groups with C4-5 discs as the treated segments.

Mast Quadrant-assisted minimally invasive modified transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: single incision versus double incision.

Background: The concept of minimally invasive techniques is to make every effort to reduce tissue damage. Certainly, reducing skin incision is an important part of these techniques. This study aimed to investigate the clinical feasibility of Mast Quadrant-assisted modified transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with a small single posterior median incision.

Electrophysiological differences between Hirayama disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and cervical spondylotic amyotrophy.

Background: Hirayama disease (HD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or cervical spondylotic amyotrophy (CSA) may result in atrophy of intrinsic hand and forearm muscles. The incidence of HD is low, and it is rarely encountered in the clinical setting. Consequently, HD is often misdiagnosed as ALS or CSA.

Evaluation of characteristics and surgical outcomes in cervical spondylotic amyotrophy.

Background: Cervical spondylotic amyotrophy (CSA) is a rare clinical syndrome resulting from cervical spondylosis. Surgical treatment includes anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF), and laminoplasty with or without foraminotomy. Some studies indicate that ACDF is an effective method for treating CSA because anterior decompression with or without medial foraminotomy can completely eliminate anterior and/or anterolateral lesions.

Magnetic resonance neurography in analysis of operative safety of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in Chinese subjects.

Objective: To measure relevant anatomical variables of lumbosacral nerve root and adjacent structures by magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) and analyze operative safety of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in Chinese subjects.

Methods: Twelve normal healthy volunteers (six men, six women) underwent MRN of lumbosacral nerve roots at 3.0 T.

Potential advantages of the H-reflex of the biceps femoris-long head in documenting S1 radiculopathy.

Purpose: A novel H-reflex method using the biceps femoris-long head (BF-LH) was investigated to collect the normative data for this reflex arc and assess its clinical utility for S1 radiculopathy evaluation. Comparability with conventional tibial and Sol H-reflex findings was also determined.

Methods: BF-LH H-reflexes were recorded using surface electrodes to S1-root stimulation in 43 unilateral S1 radiculopathy patients (radiculopathy group) and 34 normal subjects (control group) from March 2009 to December 2011.

Flatfoot in Müller-Weiss syndrome: a case series.

Introduction: Spontaneous osteonecrosis of the navicular bone in adults is a rare entity, known as Müller-Weiss syndrome. We report here on our experience with six patients with Müller-Weiss syndrome accompanied by flatfoot deformity, but on a literature search found no reports on this phenomenon. Because the natural history and treatment are controversial, an understanding of how to manage this deformity may be helpful for surgeons when choosing the most appropriate operative procedure.

Ankle fusion with a retrograde locked intramedullary nail for sequela of lower extremity compartment syndrome.

Objective: To assess the value of ankle fusion with a retrograde locked intramedullary nail in the treatment of sequela of lower extremity compartment syndrome.

Methods: Thirty-five cases of equinus deformity follow-ing tibiofibular compartment syndrome treated by means of ankle fusion with a retrograde locked intramedullary nail from January 2001 to December 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. The complications, the time needed for bony fusion of the ankle joint assessed by anteroposterior and lateral X-ray photographs as well as patients'subjective evaluation were recorded and analysed.

Minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion via MAST Quadrant retractor versus open surgery: a prospective randomized clinical trial.

Background: In recent years, a variety of minimally invasive lumbar surgery techniques have achieved desirable efficacy, but some dispute remains regarding the advantages over open surgery. This study aimed to compare minimally invasive lumbar interbody fusion via MAST Quadrant retractor with open surgery in terms of perioperative factors, postoperative back muscle function, and 24-month postoperative follow-up results.

Methods: From September 2006 to June 2008, patients with single-level degenerative lumbar spine disease who were not responsive to conservative treatment were enrolled in this study.

Effect of rat brain tissue extracts on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation.

Purpose: The reason for enhanced fracture healing in traumatic brain injury patients is not clearly understood. It is possible that factors inherent in the brain passing through the blood-brain barrier to the peripheral circulation, or a disruption of central nervous system (CNS) control of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS), stimulates the process of fracture healing.

Methods: In this study, we assessed proliferation [using the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay] and differentiation [using alkaline phosphatase (ALP)] in rat osteoblasts incubated with gray matter or other tissue extracts with and without the addition of an α- or β-adrenergic receptor blocker (phentolamine or propranolol).

Multifocal osteolytic lesions within lumbar spine in a middle-aged Chinese woman: a benign metastasizing leiomyoma?

Study Design: Case report.

Objective: To describe a case presented as osteolytic lesions involving 2 inconsecutive lumbar, which was pathologically proved to be of smooth muscular origin.

Summary Of Background Data: Smooth muscle tumor of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP) could be diagnosed when the neoplasm showed some malignant behavior, whereas its histologic image revealed very low malignance.

Somatosensory evoked potential from S1 nerve root stimulation.

The objective of this study was to detect cerebral potentials elicited by proximal stimulation of the first sacral (S1) nerve root at the S1 dorsal foramen and to investigate latency and amplitude of the first cerebral potential. Tibial nerve SEP and S1 nerve root SEP were obtained from 20 healthy subjects and 5 patients with unilateral sciatic nerve or tibial nerve injury. Stimulation of the S1 nerve root was performed by a needle electrode via the S1 dorsal foramen.

Value of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging measurements in thoracic percutaneous vertebroplasty using unilateral.

Background: Increasing the successful puncture rate of the percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) in thoracic vertebral compression fracture by unilateral puncture is a problem that spinal surgeons are trying to solve. The aim of this study was to assess the value of preoperative MRI imaging measurements for PVP using a unilateral puncture.

Methods: We performed a retrospective, comparative study of two groups of osteoporotic thoracic vertebral compression fracture patients who had received a PVP using a unilateral puncture.

H-reflex to S1-root stimulation improves utility for diagnosing S1 radiculopathy.

Objective: The H-reflex on stimulation of the tibial nerve in the popliteal fossa is routinely used in the diagnosis of first sacral (S1) nerve-root radiculopathy. The H-reflex latency, however, is considered to lack sensitivity since a small change from the focal root pathology can be diluted in a relatively long reflex latency. We have studied the soleus H-reflex elicited by stimulation of the S1 nerve root at the S1 foramen.

Management of the second and third metatarsal in moderate and severe hallux valgus.

Hallux valgus is a common disorder of the forefoot that results from medial deviation of the first metatarsal and lateral deviation and/or rotation of the great. The management of hallux valgus is usually focused on the malalignment of the first ray, however, some patients report that pain at the plantar aspect of second and/or third metatarsal head(s) is more severe than the first metatarsophalangeal joint. In order to alleviate the metatarsalgia, we developed an oblique sliding osteotomy to manage the second metatarsal.