Aponeurosis discission, a low-detergent method for tissue-engineered acellular ligament scaffolds.

Detergent treatment is the most commonly used method for the decellularization of ligaments and tendon grafts. However, it is well recognized that detergent treatment can also adversely affect the extracellular matrix. This study found that discission into the aponeurosis layer of the patellar tendon (PT) before decellularization is conducive to extracting cells from the PT using a low quantity of detergent in a short time period.

Consensus statement on diagnosis and treatment of cervical ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament from Asia Pacific Spine Society (APSS) 2020.

Purpose: The study aimed to develop an evidence-based expert consensus statement on diagnosis and treatment of cervical ossification posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).

Method: Delphi method was used to perform such survey, and the panel members from Asia Pacific Spine Society (APSS) 2020 were invited to answer the open-ended questions in rounds 1 and 2. Then the results were summarized and developed into a Likert-style questionnaire for voting in round 3, and the level of agreement was defined as 80%.

Morphometric Analysis of the Uncinate Process as a Landmark for Anterior Controllable Antedisplacement and Fusion Surgery: A Study of Radiologic Anatomy.

Objective: This study used the uncinate process (UP) base as the landmark to measure the various distances of the interested anatomic structures to improve the practicality of anterior controllable antedisplacement and fusion (ACAF) for ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).

Methods: Computed tomographic (CT) scan data of 20 OPLL patients were studied. We investigated the base distance of the UP, transverse foramen (TF) to UP base, pedicle to UP base, posterior to anterior UP, maximal width of OPLL, and width of the vertebrae-OPLL complex (VOC).

Evaluation of Measuring Methods of Spinal Canal Occupation Rate in Thoracic Ossification of Ligamentum Flavum.

Objective: The degree of hypertrophy of thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum (TOLF) is related to the severity of the myelopathy. There is no uniform measuring method to calculate the spinal canal occupation ratio (COR) of TOLF simply and effectively. The study was to determine an appropriate measuring method to calculate the COR of TOLF.

Imaging grading system for the diagnosis of dural ossification based on 102 segments of TOLF CT bone-window data.

Thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum (TOLF) complicated with dural ossification (DO) is a severe clinical disease. The diagnosis of DO preoperatively remains challenging. The current study retrospectively analyzed imaging features of 102 segments with TOLF from 39 patients and proposed a grading system for evaluating DO risk.

Low miR-34a and miR-192 are associated with unfavorable prognosis in patients suffering from osteosarcoma.

Background: p53 is a well-known tumor suppressor gene involved in malignancy. Many microRNAs (miRNAs) have recently been identified as key components of p53 signaling networks, owing to the central role of p53 in many processes, these p53-regulated miRNAs may possess important role in osteosarcoma.

Methods: The expression of six p53-related miRNAs (miR-34 family [including miR-34a, 34b and 34c], miR-31, miR-192, and miR-215) in 80 pairs of osteosarcoma and corresponding noncancerous bone tissues were estimated by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and the associations of miRNAs expression with clinicopathological factors, p53 status, and survival of patients were analyzed.

BDNF-mediated modulation of glycine transmission on rat spinal motoneurons.

BDNF has a widespread distribution in the central and peripheral nervous systems, suggesting that BDNF may play a role in the regulation of motor control. However, the direct actions of BDNF on the motoneurons and their underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown to date. Therefore, by using whole-cell patch clamp recordings, quantitative RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry, the present study was designed to investigate the effects of BDNF on electrical activity and glycinergic transmission on the motoneurons and the underlying receptor mechanism.

Assessment of cauda equina syndrome progression pattern to improve diagnosis.

Study Design: Meta-analysis of individual patient data.

Objective: To date, the progression pattern of cauda equina syndrome (CES) has not been summarized. This study assessed individual patient data from CES cases, investigated the CES progression pattern to help clinicians provide timely diagnoses.

Fibroblast growth factor 2 induces mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into tenocytes through the MAPK pathway.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) differentiate into numerous different cell types and thus have therapeutic potential for tissue engineering, anti‑inflammatory and immunomodulatory purposes. FGF2 may affect the biological behavior of MSCs. MSCs were transduced with either adenovirus‑null vector/green fluorescent protein (GFP) or a vector encoding for the overexpression of FGF2/GFP.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor is up-regulated in severe acute cauda equina syndrome dog model.

To determine the level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in experimental dog model of severe acute cauda equina syndrome, which was induced by multiple cauda equina constrictions throughout the entire lumbar (L), sacral (S) and coccygeal (Co) spinal cord and their central processes of the dorsal root ganglia neurons. Adult male mongrel dogs were randomly divided into 2 groups. The experiment group (n=4) was subjected to multiple cauda equina constrictions.

A universal pedicle screw and V-rod system for lumbar isthmic spondylolysis: a retrospective analysis of 21 cases.

Objective: To investigate the surgical outcome of a universal pedicle screw-V rod system and isthmic bone grafting for isthmic spondylolysis.

Methods: Twenty-four patients with isthmic spondylolysis at L5 and grade 0-I spondylolisthesis (Meyerding classification) received isthmic bone graft and stabilization using the universal pedicle screw-V rod system. Back pain was evaluated using the visual analog scale (VAS) and time to bone healing, improvement in spondylolisthesis and intervertebral space height at L5/S1 and L4/L5 were assessed.

[Clinical characteristics and early effective treatment for pulmonary infection after acute cervical spinal cord injury].

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics and early effective treatment for pulmonary infection after acute cervical spinal cord injury.

Methods: A total of 215 inpatients with acute cervical spinal cord injury were retrospectively analyzed. Their chest radiological films and blood profiles at discharge were analyzed.

Identification of risk factors for respiratory complications in upper cervical spinal injured patients with neurological impairment.

Objective: Clinical features of respiratory complications in patients with upper cervical spine injuries (CSI) are unique due to the complex regional anatomy in the region. The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors for respiratory complications in the patients with upper CSI and cervical spinal cord injuries (C-SCI).

Methods: Ninety-two patients (out of 1593 spine injured patients) who met the inclusion criteria of upper CSI were admitted to our hospital from 1992 to 2010.

[Clinical observation and evaluation of reasons for pseudarthrosis after anterior cervical fusion].

Objective: To explore the causes of pseudarthrosis and evaluate the clinical neurological function and neck subaxial symptoms after anterior cervical fusion.

Methods: A total of 412 patients were followed up with an average of 5.4 years.

Osteogenic scaffolds for bone reconstruction.

A highly osteogenic hybrid bioabsorbable scaffold was developed for bone reconstruction/augmentation. Through the use of a solid free-form fabrication technology, a bioabsorbable polycaprolactone (PCL) cage scaffold with a desired size and shape was produced and then filled with osteogenic bone graft particles, that is, morselized autologous bone chips. A rabbit total lamina defect model was chosen to demonstrate its efficacy in regenerating bone with a complicated anatomic shape.

[Short-term clinical results of interspinous dynamic fixation of Coflex for the prevention of adjacent segment degeneration after lumbar fusion].

Objective: To observe the short-term clinical results of the adjacent segment degeneration after the implantation of Coflex system at the interspinous space of adjacent segment to lumbar fusion.

Methods: Fifty patients with grade III disc (Thompson MRI classification) of adjacent segment to lumbar fusion were included and divided alternately into two groups according to the order of hospitalization from January to November 2009. Coflex system was implanted at the interspinous space of adjacent segment to lumbar fusion in 25 patients as Coflex group, the other 25 patients did not have any surgical treatment were as control group.

[Surgical treatment strategies for severe cervicothoracic kyphosis].

Objective: To analyze the outcomes of surgical treatment for severe cervicothoracic kyphosis.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed for a total of 7 patients with severe cervicothoracic kyphosis. There were congenital malformation (n = 5) and cervicothoracic tuberculosis (n = 2).

[Current study and research progress of whiplash injury of cervical vertebrae].

Whiplash injury is a common injures in our daily lives, but the mechanism of it and the best treatment is largely unknown. The development of chronic pain and disability following whiplash injury is not uncommon and results in substantial social and economic costs. Clinical manifestation and recovery time are difference, which make it difficult for doctor diagnosis and treatment.

[The clinical features and surgical treatment strategies of cervical kyphosis].

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics and the surgical treatment strategy of cervical kyphosis.

Methods: From March 2006 to October 2009, 31 cases of cervical kyphosis were treated. According to the clinical features and imaging findings, different treatment methods were used.

[Biomechanical performance of different wires and cable fixation devices in posterior instrumentation for atlantoaxial instability].

Objective: To compare the biomechanical performances of different wires and cable fixation devices in posterior instrumentation for atlantoaxial instability, and test the effect of different fixation strengths and fixation approaches on the surgical outcomes.

Methods: Six specimens of the atlantoaxial complex (C0-C3) were used to establish models of the normal complex, unstable complex (type II odontoid fracture) and fixed complex. On the wd-5 mechanical testing machine, the parameters including the strength and rigidity of anti-rotation, change and strength of stress, and stability were measured for the normal complex, atlantoaxial instability complex, the new type titanium cable fixation system, Atlas titanium cable, Songer titanium cable, and stainless wire.

En bloc resection of lamina and ossified ligamentum flavum in the treatment of thoracic ossification of the ligamentum flavum.

Objective: We performed a retrospective patient chart review to determine the feasibility and safety of en bloc resection of lamina and ossified ligamentum flavum in the treatment of thoracic ossification of ligamentum flavum (OLF).

Methods: From January 2000 to June 2006, 36 patients with thoracic OLF underwent en bloc resection of lamina and ossified ligamentum flavum by a burr-grinding technique. The range of resection included one lamina superior and one lamina inferior to the diseased segments.

[The surgical treatment of severe adolescent idiopathic cervical kyphosis].

Objective: To summarize the clinical characteristics of severe adolescent idiopathic cervical kyphosis and the operation method.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed in 12 adolescent patients with severe cervical kyphosis treated from July 2003 to January 2007. Preoperative the Cobb angle of kyphosis range from 55 degrees to 73 degrees (average 61 degrees ).

In vivo experimental study of hat type cervical intervertebral fusion cage (HCIFC).

The purpose of this study was to compare the characteristics of interbody fusion achieved using the hat type cervical intervertebral fusion cage (HCIFC) with those of an autologous tricortical iliac crest graft, Harms cage and the carbon cage in a goat cervical spine model. Thirty-two goats underwent C3-4 discectomy and fusion. They were subdivided into four groups of eight goats each: group 1, autologous tricortical iliac crest bone graft; group 2, Harms cage filled with autologous iliac crest graft; group 3, carbon cage filled with autologous iliac bone; and group 4, HCIFC filled with autologous iliac graft.