Imbalance of muscles around the cervical spine in patients with degenerative cervical spondylotic kyphosis and myelopathy.

Background: To measure the muscle strength around the cervical spine; clarify the relationships among muscles, cervical sagittal alignment, and cervical spondylotic myelopathy(CSM); and understand the process underlying loss of cervical lordosis.

Methods: Sex, age, course of illness, and radiological data were obtained for patients with CSM and a control group of healthy individuals. C2-7 Cobb angles were measured in cervical radiographs, and the vertebral body areas(VBAs) and cross-sectional areas(CSAs) of the deep flexors, superficial flexors(SF), deep extensors, and superficial extensors(SE) were measured from the C3/4 to C6/7 intervertebral levels in T2-weighted axial magnetic resonance images.

The Circadian Clock Gene Bmal1 Regulates Microglial Pyroptosis After Spinal Cord Injury via NF-κB/MMP9.

Background: The treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI) is usually ineffective, because neuroinflammatory secondary injury is an important cause of the continuous development of spinal cord injury, and microglial pyroptosis is an important step of neuroinflammation. Recently, Bmal1, a core component of circadian clock genes (CCGs), has been shown to play a regulatory role in various tissues and cells. However, it is still unclear whether Bmal1 regulates microglial pyroptosis after SCI.

Piezo1 exacerbates inflammation-induced cartilaginous endplate degeneration by activating mitochondrial fission via the Ca/CaMKII/Drp1 axis.

Mitochondrial homeostasis plays a crucial role in degenerative joint diseases, including cartilaginous endplate (CEP) degeneration. To date, research into mitochondrial dynamics in IVDD is at an early stage. Since Piezo1 is a novel Ca-permeable channel, we asked whether Piezo1 could modulate mitochondrial fission through Ca signalling during CEP degeneration.

Postoperative early initiation of sequential exercise program in preventing persistent spinal pain syndrome type-2 after modified transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: This prospective randomized controlled trial aimed to investigate the impact of early postoperative sequential motor control (starting first day post-operatively) and core stabilization training (starting fifth week post-operatively) compared to conventional exercise (starting fifth weeks post-operatively) on the risk of developing persistent spinal pain syndrome type-2 (PSPS-T2).

Methods: 395 patients with lumbar degenerative diseases (LDDs) undergoing modified transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and a 12-week postoperative exercise program (sequential vs. conventional exercise: 214 vs.

The Radiological Characteristics of Degenerative Cervical Kyphosis with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

Introduction: In this study, we aim to describe the radiological characteristics of degenerative cervical kyphosis (DCK) with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and discuss the relationship between DCK and the pathogenesis of spinal cord dysfunction.

Methods: In total, 90 patients with CSM hospitalized in our center from September 2017 to August 2022 were retrospectively examined in this study; they were then divided into the kyphosis group and the nonkyphosis group. The patients' demographics, clinical features, and radiological data were obtained, including gender, age, duration of illness, cervical Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, cervical lordosis (CL), height of intervertebral space, degree of wedging vertebral body, degree of osteophyte formation, degree of disc herniation, degree of spinal cord compression, and anteroposterior diameter of the spinal cord.

Chondrocyte-targeted exosome-mediated delivery of Nrf2 alleviates cartilaginous endplate degeneration by modulating mitochondrial fission.

Background: Cartilaginous endplate (CEP) degeneration, which is an important contributor to intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), is characterized by chondrocyte death. Accumulating evidence has revealed that dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1)-mediated mitochondrial fission and dysfunction lead to apoptosis during CEP degeneration and IVDD. Exosomes are promising agents for the treatment of many diseases, including osteoporosis, osteosarcoma, osteoarthritis and IVDD.

HIF-1α-induced expression of the m6A reader YTHDF1 inhibits the ferroptosis of nucleus pulposus cells by promoting SLC7A11 translation.

The nucleus pulposus is in a hypoxic environment in the human body, and when intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) occurs, the hypoxic environment is disrupted. Nucleus pulposus cell (NPC) ferroptosis is one of the causes of IVDD. N6-methyladenosine (m6A) and its reader protein YTHDF1 regulate cellular activities by affecting RNA metabolism.

Augmented Central Pain Processing Occurs after Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures and Is Associated with Residual Back Pain after Percutaneous Vertebroplasty.

Study Design: A retrospective analysis.

Purpose: To investigate the occurrence of central sensitization (CS) in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs) and identify the association between CS and residual back pain (RBP).

Overview Of Literature: RBP is a vexing complication that affects 6.

ROS-Responsive Injectable Hydrogel Loaded with SLC7A11-modRNA Inhibits Ferroptosis and Mitigates Intervertebral Disc Degeneration in Rats.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is the primary cause of low back pain, with oxidative stress being a recognized factor that causes its development. Presently, low back pain imposes a significant global economic burden. However, the effectiveness of treatments for IVDD remains extremely limited.

A Novel Cervical Sagittal Classification for Asymptomatic Population Based on Cluster Analysis.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Objective: To propose a novel cervical sagittal classification for asymptomatic people so as to deepen the understanding of cervical sagittal alignment.

Summary Of Background Data: Cervical spine sagittal morphology varies in people.

Evaluation of the modified MRI vertebral bone quality score for bone quality in lumbar degenerative disorders.

Objective: The traditional VBQ scoring method may lead to overestimation due to the concentration of intravertebral fat and vascular structures in the posterior half of vertebral bodies, potentially resulting in false-positive outcomes. This study aims to modify the measurement method of VBQ score (Modified-VBQ) and evaluate its effectiveness in evaluating bone quality of lumbar degenerative diseases.

Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from patients undergoing lumbar surgery for degenerative diseases between September 2022 and September 2023.

Establishment of the Lunar Phase Morphological Classification for Cervical Spinal Canal.

Study Design: Retrospective clinical trial.

Purpose: To establish a morphological classification of the cervical spinal canal using its parameters.

Overview Of Literature: Cervical spine computed tomography (CT) data of 200 healthy volunteers in 2 years were analyzed.

Altered central pain processing in patients with degenerative lumbar diseases and its association with low physical activity levels after lumbar spinal surgeries: a retrospective cohort analysis.

Purpose: To investigate the occurrence of altered central pain modulation in patients with degenerative lumbar diseases (DLDs) and to analyze its association with physical activity (PA) 3 years after lumbar decompression and fusion.

Methods: Preoperative assessments of pressure pain thresholds (PPTs), temporal summation (TS), conditioned pain modulation (CPM) and pain were, respectively, recorded in 304 patients. These patients further underwent International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and both pain-related and psychological assessments 3 years post-operation.

C4 constant vertebra: a novel benchmark of physiological cervical sagittal alignment.

Background: Cervical sagittal alignment is essential, and there is considerable debate as to what constitutes physiological sagittal alignment. The purpose of this study was to identify constant parameters for characterizing cervical sagittal alignment under physiological conditions.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in which asymptomatic subjects were recruited to undergo lateral cervical spine radiographs.

The role of leisure-time physical activity in maintaining cervical lordosis after anterior cervical fusion and its impact on the motor function in patients with hirayama disease: a retrospective cohort analysis.

Background: Surgical treatment has been increasingly performed in Hirayama disease (HD) patients to limit excessive neck flexion and restore cervical lordosis. However, postoperative recurrence of cervical lordosis loss may restart the progress of HD. Many studies have demonstrated a relationship between neck muscle strength and cervical lordosis, and it is widely accepted that leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) can increase muscle strength.

Association of joint hypermobility with range of cervical motion and its impact on the motor unit loss in patients with Hirayama disease.

Introduction/aims: Some patients with Hirayama disease (HD) may have generalized joint hypermobility (GJH), which may excessively increase cervical range of motion (ROM) and then worsen the HD. The purpose of this study was to identify the frequency of GJH in HD patients and to analyze the effect of GJH on cervical ROM and the severity of HD.

Methods: The Beighton scoring system (≥4) was used to diagnose GJH in 84 HD patients.

Changes in Self-Esteem in Patients with Hirayama Disease and its Association with Prognosis After Anterior Cervical Fusion Procedures.

Objective: To quantify self-esteem in patients with Hirayama disease (HD) and investigate the impact of this psychosocial factor on surgical outcomes in HD.

Methods: The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) was measured in 58 patients with HD before anterior cervical fusion. These patients further underwent motor unit number estimation, handgrip strength, disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and Beck Depression Index (BDI) before and 18 months after operation.

MSC-Derived Exosomes Ameliorate Intervertebral Disc Degeneration By Regulating the Keap1/Nrf2 Axis.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell derived exosomes (BMSC-exos) are a crucial means of intercellular communication and can regulate a range of biological processes by reducing inflammation, decreasing apoptosis and promoting tissue repair. The process of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is accompanied by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) because of a decrease in the expression of Nrf2, a critical transcription factor that resists excessive ROS. Our study demonstrated that BMSC-exos decreased ROS production by inhibiting Keap1 and promoting Nrf2 expression, attenuating the apoptosis, inflammation, and degeneration of nucelus pulposus (NP) cells.

N6-methyladenosine hypomethylation of circGPATCH2L regulates DNA damage and apoptosis through TRIM28 in intervertebral disc degeneration.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNAs that have been found to be involved in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) progression, and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) broadly exists in circRNAs. Here, we identified circGPATCH2L with a low m6A methylation level to be upregulated in degenerative nucleus pulposus tissues. Mechanistically, as a protein decoy for tripartite motif containing 28 (TRIM28) within aa 402-452 region, circGPATCH2L abrogates the phosphorylation of TRIM28 and inhibits P53 degradation, which contributes to DNA damage accumulation and cellular apoptosis and leads to IVDD progression.

Correlation Study Between Spinal Cord Function, Spinal Cord Morphology and Cervical Spine Alignments in Patients With Hirayama Disease.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) parameters, cervical spine alignments, and spinal cord morphological parameters in patients with Hirayama disease (HD).

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 41 HD patients were recruited from the Huashan hospital from July 2017 to November 2021. Patients received X-rays, conventional magnetic resonance (MR), and DTI scans in flexion and neutral positions.

Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase regulates ferroptosis in neurons after spinal cord injury via the P53-ALOX15 signaling pathway.

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a highly disabling condition in spinal surgery that leads to neuronal damage and secondary inflammation. Ferroptosis is a non-apoptotic type of cell death that has only recently been identified, which is marked primarily by iron-dependent and lipid-derived reactive oxygen species accumulation, and accompanied by morphological modifications such as mitochondrial atrophy and increase in membrane density. Dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (DHODH) is a powerful inhibitor of ferroptosis and has been demonstrated to inhibit cellular ferroptosis in tumor cells, but whether it can inhibit neuronal injury following spinal cord injury remains ambiguous.

Use of MRI-based vertebral bone quality score (VBQ) of S1 body in bone mineral density assessment for patients with lumbar degenerative diseases.

Purpose: To evaluate the use of the modified and simplified vertebral bone quality (VBQ) method based on T1-weighted MRI images of S1 vertebrae in assessing bone mineral density (BMD) for patients with lumbar degenerative diseases.

Methods: We reviewed the preoperative data of patients with lumbar degenerative diseases undergoing lumbar spine surgery between January 2019 and June 2022 with available non-contrast T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) images and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). S1 vertebral bone quality scores (S1 VBQ) and S1 CT Hounsfield units were measured with picture archiving and communication system (PACS).