Return to flight duty (RTFD) after posterior lumbar spine surgery for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis (LIS) in Chinese military pilots.

Background: Symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and lumbar isthmic spondylolisthesis (LIS) present significant challenges for military pilots, which may result in grounding if not effectively managed. Surgical treatment for LDH and LIS may offer a pathway to return to flight duty (RTFD), but recent data on this crucial topic is lacking. This study seeks to address this gap by investigating the RTFD outcomes among Chinese military pilots who have undergone lumbar spine surgery for symptomatic LDH and LIS.

Comparison of the Clinical Efficacy of Two Reduction Methods for the Treatment of Irreducible Unilateral Subaxial Cervical Facet Joint Dislocation.

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of the minimally invasive technique and the open method in the treatment of irreducible unilateral subaxial cervical facet joint dislocation (SCFD).

Methods: From March 2015 to September 2018, 62 patients with unilateral SCFD were studied. The cases were divided into 2 groups based on different surgery strategies.

Effect of Zoledronic Acid on the Vertebral Body Bone Mineral Density After Instrumented Intervertebral Fusion in Postmenopausal Women With Osteoporosis.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of zoledronic acid, an anti-osteoporosis treatment, during the perioperative period on vertebral body bone mineral density (BMD) after spinal fusion surgery in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.

Methods: The medical records of postmenopausal patients with osteoporosis who underwent instrumented intervertebral fusion for lumbar degenerative disease between July 2016 and May 2018 were reviewed.

Management for lumbar spinal stenosis: Protocol for a network meta-analysis and systematic review.

Introduction: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is caused by structural changes of the spine, which lead to several severe symptoms, including back pain, leg pain, numbness and tingling in the legs, as well as reduced physical function. However, there is little evidence suggesting whether a patient with LSS should be treated with surgery. If surgery is recommended, which type of surgery benefits the patient most? To answer these questions, we will conduct a network meta-analysis and a systematic review to compare surgical and nonsurgical interventions in terms of efficacy as well as safety in adult patients with LSS.

Outcome of lumbar lateral recess stenosis with percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal decompression in patients 65 years of age or older and in younger patients.

Lateral recess stenosis is a common pathology causing clinical syndromes in the elderly population, and there is some concern regarding the number of comorbidities that can occur when performing surgery for this condition in the elderly. However, little research has focused on the issues related to older age, and limited data is available to help the clinician counsel elderly patients undergoing percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal decompression. The present study aimed to explore the safety and efficacy of percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal decompression for lumbar degenerative disease in elderly patients with lumbar lateral recess stenosis and to determine whether age and comorbidity affect the outcome and complication rate.

miR-640 aggravates intervertebral disc degeneration via NF-κB and WNT signalling pathway.

Objectives: Low back pain becomes a common orthopaedic disease today. It is mainly induced by the degeneration of the intervertebral disc. In this study, we tried to reveal the pathogenesis of the degeneration and the relative therapeutic strategy, which are still elusive.

Transcription factor 7-like 2 controls matrix degradation through nuclear factor κB signaling and is repressed by microRNA-155 in nucleus pulposus cells.

Aim: TCF7L2, a key transcription factor in the canonical Wnt pathway, plays a vital role in the matrix degradation of chondrocytes. However, it is unknown whether TCF7L2 is important in the matrix metabolism of inner gel-like nucleus pulposus (NP) cells; thus, the aim of this study was to explore the effect and mechanism of TCF7L2 in this process.

Methods: Western blotting and immunofluorescence analyses were used to observe TCF7L2 expression in rat and human NP tissues.

MicroRNA-155 suppresses the catabolic effect induced by TNF-α and IL-1β by targeting C/EBPβ in rat nucleus pulposus cells.

Aim: miR-155 is a pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory factor depending on the cell type in which it is expressed. miR-155 controls apoptosis and matrix degradation in nucleus pulposus (NP) cells in vitro. The aim of this study is to explore the effect of miR-155 in vivo and further investigate the mechanism of miR-155 in vitro.

Low-level laser irradiation modulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA transcription through calcium-dependent activation of the ERK/CREB pathway.

Low-level laser (LLL) irradiation has been reported to promote neuronal differentiation, but the mechanism remains unclear. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been confirmed to be one of the most important neurotrophic factors because it is critical for the differentiation and survival of neurons during development. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of LLL irradiation on Bdnf messenger RNA (mRNA) transcription and the molecular pathway involved in LLL-induced Bdnf mRNA transcription in cultured dorsal root ganglion neurons (DRGNs) using Ca imaging, pharmacological detections, RNA interference, immunocytochemistry assay, Western blot, and qPCR analysis.

Oxymatrine induces mitochondria dependent apoptosis in human osteosarcoma MNNG/HOS cells through inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway.

The cytostatic drug from traditional Chinese medicinal herb has acted as a chemotherapeutic agent used in treatment of a wide variety of cancers. Oxymatrine, classified as a quinolizidine alkaloid, is a phytochemical product derived from Sophora flavescens, and has been reported to possess anticancer activities. However, the cancer growth inhibitory effects and molecular mechanisms in human osteosarcoma MNNG/HOS cell have not been well studied.

Treatment of complicated tibial plateau fractures with dual plating via a 2-incision technique.

The operative treatment of complicated bicondylar fractures of the tibial plateau remains a challenge to most surgeons. This retrospective study was designed to evaluate the clinical and radiological outcomes of dual plating via a 2-incision technique for the repair of complicated bicondylar tibial plateau fractures. A series of consecutive patients with bicondylar tibial plateau fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation with a double buttress plate or a combination of locking plate and buttress plate via a 2-incision technique between March 2004 and March 2008 were retrospectively analyzed.

Application of locking plate in long-bone atrophic nonunion following external fixation.

The treatment of atrophic fracture nonunion continues to represent a therapeutic challenge. Large segmental osteopenia is often seen in patients who received uniplanar or hybrid external fixators as the definitive method of fixation for high-energy fractures, and this adds more difficulties to the treatment of fracture nonunion. This retrospective study was designed to assess the outcome of locking compression plating with autologous bone grafting in patients with long-bone atrophic nonunion following external fixation.

Two-stage flexor tendon reconstruction in zone II using Hunter's technique.

Tendon injuries in the digital flexor sheath area (zone II) are the most difficult to treat and remain a focus of both clinical attention and basic investigations. Although some new techniques have been developed, the clinical results are still not satisfying, especially in old injuries. This retrospective study was designed to investigate the results of delayed zone II flexor tendon repair using Hunter rods.

Could local deliver of bisphosphonates be a new therapeutic choice for Gorham-Stout syndrome?

The Gorham-Stout Syndrome is a rare condition in which spontaneous, progressive resorption of bone occurs. Even though the prognosis of the condition is generally considered to be good, Gorham-Stout syndrome can cause severe debilitation. In approximately 13% of recorded cases, death ensues.

Silencing of calpain expression reduces the metastatic potential of human osteosarcoma cells.

Osteosarcoma, the most common primary bone tumor in young adults, is characterized by local invasion and distant metastasis. But detailed mechanisms of tumorigenicity and metastasis of osteosarcoma are not well known. We report the involvement of calpains, a family of calcium-activated, cysteine proteases, in the invasive and metastatic processes of human osteosarcoma cells.