A review of long non-coding RNAs in ankylosing spondylitis: pathogenesis, clinical assessment, and therapeutic targets.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic immune-mediated type of inflammatory arthritis characterized by inflammation, bone erosion, and stiffness of the spine and sacroiliac joints. Despite great efforts put into the investigation of the disease, the pathogenesis of AS remains unclear, posing challenges in identifying ideal targets for diagnosis and treatment. To enhance our understanding of AS, an increasing number of studies have been conducted.

Two-stage treatment for severe spinal kyphotic deformity secondary to tuberculosis: halo-pelvic traction followed by a posterior-only approach correction.

Background And Purpose: Several surgical procedures are used to treat tuberculous kyphosis. However, the treatment of extreme spinal kyphosis is challenging, and associated with various complications. Halo traction has been used as an adjunctive method in the treatment of severe spinal deformities.

Characteristics of Sciatic Scoliotic List in Lumbar Disc Herniation.

Study Design: Retrospective radiological study.

Objectives: Physical examination reveals sciatic scoliotic list (SSL) in some patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH). We aimed to evaluate the coronal and sagittal parameters of the SSL curve, describe their characteristics, and establish a new classification system.

Hydrogen sulfide regulates autophagy in nucleus pulposus cells under hypoxia.

Objective: Hydrogen sulfide (HS) has been found to act as an important gasotransmitter to regulate cell activities. This study aimed to investigate the effect of HS on autophagy of nucleus pulposus (NP) cells under hypoxia and possible mechanism.

Materials And Methods: NP cells were isolated from rat caudal discs.

Hybrid surgery with PEEK rods for lumbar degenerative diseases: a 2-year follow-up study.

Background: Finite element analyses and biomechanical tests have shown that PEEK rods promote fusion and prevent adjacent segment degeneration. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects and complications of hybrid surgery with PEEK rods in lumbar degenerative diseases.

Methods: From January 2015-December 2017, 28 patients who underwent lumbar posterior hybrid surgery with PEEK rods were included in the study.

Does Preoperative Halo-Gravity Traction Reduce the Degree of Deformity and Improve Pulmonary Function in Severe Scoliosis Patients With Pulmonary Insufficiency? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Halo-gravity traction is a commonly used clinical intervention to reduce surgical risk in patients with scoliosis before surgical correction. Some previous studies have focused on the application of halo-gravity traction on patients with severe spinal deformity and pulmonary insufficiency, but the overall effect of halo-gravity traction has not been fully understood. The object of the present study was to perform a meta-analysis exploring the efficacy of preoperative halo-gravity traction on radiographic measurement and pulmonary function in severe scoliosis patients with pulmonary insufficiency.

Evaluation of Adjacent Segment With Pre-Existing Degeneration Using the Cerebrospinal Fluid Occlusion Sign on MRI Before Posterior Lumbar Fusion: A Multi-Center Observational Cohort Study.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study.

Objective: To evaluate whether pre-existing adjacent spinal canal stenosis (SCS) is associated with short-term outcomes after lumbar fusion surgery.

Methods: We included patients with lumbar spinal stenosis treated surgically between July 2015 and December 2017 at 4 centers.

One-level mini-open pedicle subtraction osteotomy for treating spinal kyphosis in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Background: To report a mini-open pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) technique, to summarize the 2-year follow-up results of 25 patients, and to describe a modified operating table which allows the osteotomy to be closed in a more controllable manner.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with AS who received one-level mini-open PSO between July 2015 and January 2018. The 25 patients with complete medical records and 2-year radiographic follow-up were included in the analysis.

Halo-pelvic traction for thoracic spine dislocation in neurofibromatosis type 1: a case series.

Purpose: To present a case series of 6 patients with Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF-1) who had severe kyphoscoliosis with vertebral dislocation, and were treated with halo-pelvic traction (HPT) and posterior fusion. To discuss the pathological characteristics of this rare entity, and report our experience using HPT to manage the condition.

Methods: From March, 2016 to September, 2017, 6 patients with severe kyphoscoliosis with vertebral dislocation were admitted for HPT and posterior surgery, and were followed for 2 years.

Clinical efficacy of short-term pre-operative halo-pelvic traction in the treatment of severe spinal deformities complicated with respiratory dysfunction.

Background: Halo traction has been used as an adjunctive method in the treatment of severe spinal deformities. But there are few reports on the clinical efficacy of halo-pelvic traction (HPT) in the treatment of severe spinal deformities complicated with respiratory dysfunction. This study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and complications associated with pre-operative HPT in the treatment of severe spinal deformities with respiratory dysfunction.

Hydrogen sulfide is expressed in the human and the rat cultured nucleus pulposus cells and suppresses apoptosis induced by hypoxia.

Apoptosis plays pivotal role in the pathogenesis of degenerative disc diseases, which is the primary contributor to low back pain. Although the role of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in cell apoptosis is well appreciated, the effects and mechanism that H2S regulates the program death of intervertebral disc cell are not yet elucidated. In this study, we utilized the nucleus pulposus (NP) from patients with lumbar disc herniation to investigate the relationship between endogenous H2S and NP cells apoptosis in human.