Excessive mechanical strain accelerates intervertebral disc degeneration by disrupting intrinsic circadian rhythm.

Night shift workers with disordered rhythmic mechanical loading are more prone to intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Our results showed that circadian rhythm (CR) was dampened in degenerated and aged NP cells. Long-term environmental CR disruption promoted IDD in rats.

TNF-α-stimulated nucleus pulposus cells induce cell apoptosis through the release of exosomal miR-16 targeting IGF-1 and IGF-1R in rats.

Background: Exosomes may contain excess cellular components released by cells in response to harmful external stimuli to maintain cellular homeostasis. Inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), can induce cell apoptosis, alter cellular component expression levels, and stimulate exosome release. In this study, we examined whether exosomes released from nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) under inflammatory conditions could induce normal NP cell apoptosis in rats and its underlining mechanism.

The Clinical Effect of a Combination of Mouse Nerve Growth Factor and Methylcobalamin to Treat Lumbar Disc Herniation with Foot Drop: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: To investigate the clinical effect of mouse nerve growth factor (mNGF) and methylcobalamin (MeCbl) for the treatment of lumbar disk herniation (LDH) with foot drop.

Methods: A total of 46 patients suffering from LDH with foot drop who underwent transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) surgery in our department from January 2015 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. We divided these patients into two groups according to the different postoperative treatment which independently selected by patients after signing informed consent form: one group of 25 patients was treated with MeCbl alone (Group MeCbl), the other group of 21 patients was treated with a combination of mNGF and MeCbl (Group MeCbl+mNGF).

Hsa_circ_0006571 promotes spinal metastasis through sponging microRNA-138 to regulate sirtuin 1 expression in lung adenocarcinoma.

Background: Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are known to participate in lung cancer. However, their role in spinal metastasis (SM) of lung adenocarcinoma remains elusive. In this study, we determined that hsa_circ_0006571 serves as a sponge for miR-138, which targets sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) in the development of SM.

Decorin inhibits nucleus pulposus apoptosis by matrix-induced autophagy via the mTOR pathway.

Decorin (Dcn) is a member of the class I small leucine-rich proteoglycans, whose expression in the nucleus pulposus (NP) of intervertebral discs (IVDs) has been shown to increase with aging in humans and sheep. Dcn induces autophagy in endothelial cells; however, its precise role in NP and IVD degeneration during aging is not well understood. We addressed this question in the present study by treating rat nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) with different concentrations of Dcn.

Bioabsorbable self-retaining PLA/nano-sized β-TCP cervical spine interbody fusion cage in goat models: an in vivo study.

Study Design: This is an experimental animal study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare an anterior cervical discectomy and interbody fusion of a novel polylactide/nano-sized β-tricalcium phosphate (PLA/nβ-TCP) bioabsorbable self-retaining cervical fusion cage (BCFC) with an autologous bone graft and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages.

Background: Although PLA cervical cages have potential advantages compared with traditional materials, they are not currently routinely used in spine surgery because of undesirable effects such as the lack of osteoconductivity and osteolysis around the implant.

Degenerative Spondylolisthesis in the Fifth Lumbar Vertebra and Radiographic Parameters: A Correlation Analysis.

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the relationships between degenerative spondylolisthesis in the fifth lumbar vertebra (L5-DS) and radiographic parameters and to further determine the radiographic predictors of the development of L5-DS.

Summary Of Background Data: Degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS) is a common degenerative disease of the spine; however, the correlations between L5-DS and radiographic parameters remain controversial.

Polypyrrole coating on poly-(lactide/glycolide)-β-tricalcium phosphate screws enhances new bone formation in rabbits.

Polypyrrole (PPy) has gained interest as an implant material due to its multifunctional properties and its high compatibility with several cell and tissue types. For the first time, the biocompatibility and osteointegration of PPy coating, incorporated with chondroitin sulfate (CS), were studied in vivo by implanting PPy-coated bioabsorbable bone fixation composite screws of poly-(lactide/glycolide) copolymer (PLGA) and β-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) into New Zealand white rabbits. Uncoated bioabsorbable polymer composite screws and commercially available stainless steel cortical screws were used as reference implants.

Minimum 5 year follow-up of multi-segmental lumbar degenerative disease treated with discectomy and the Wallis interspinous device.

We evaluate the clinical effects and radiological findings of the Wallis interspinous device (Zimmer, Warsaw, IN, USA) for the treatment of multi-segmental lumbar degenerative disease after a minimum 5 year follow-up period. A total of 26 adult patients underwent a primary discectomy followed by fixation of the segment with the Wallis interspinous device between December 2007 and August 2008. Twelve men and 14 women with an age range of 43 to 56 years (average: 47.

Establishment of intervertebral disc degeneration model induced by ischemic sub-endplate in rat tail.

Background Context: Microcirculatory dysfunction of the sub-endplate is considered to reduce nutrient supply to the intervertebral disc (IVD); however, direct interruption or destruction of blood vessels in the bone marrow of the vertebrae body adjacent to the endplate has not yet been described, especially with regard to the calcification and ossification of the cartilaginous endplate occurring during IVD degeneration.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the causal relationship between IVD degeneration and blocking of the main blood supply gateway through the endplate.

Study Design/setting: The study describes a new IVD degeneration model induced by ischemic sub-endplate.

Molecular actions of ovarian cancer G protein-coupled receptor 1 caused by extracellular acidification in bone.

Extracellular acidification occurs under physiologic and pathologic conditions, such as exercise, ischemia, and inflammation. It has been shown that acidosis has various adverse effects on bone. In recent years there has been increasing evidence which indicates that ovarian cancer G protein-coupled receptor 1 (OGR1) is a pH-sensing receptor and mediates a variety of extracellular acidification-induced actions on bone cells and other cell types.

Recurrent adamantinoma in the thoracolumbar spine successfully treated by three-level total en bloc spondylectomy by a single posterior approach.

Purpose: Adamantinoma is a low-grade primary malignant bone tumour with slow growth and local recurrence. Its occurrence in the spine is extremely rare, particularly with multilevel involvement. This paper wants to present the first case involving a patient with recurrent thoracolumbar spinal adamantinoma, who underwent a successful three-level spondylectomy for en bloc resection.

Glucosamine protects nucleus pulposus cells and induces autophagy via the mTOR-dependent pathway.

Although glucosamine has been suggested to be effective in the treatment of osteoarthritis, its effect on disc degeneration remains unclear. We sought to explore whether glucosamine can activate autophagy in rat nucleus pulposus (NP) cells and protect cells treated with IL-1β or hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 ). Autophagy in cells was examined by detecting for LC3, Beclin-1, m-TOR, and p70S6K, as well as by analyzing autophagosomes.

Ovarian cancer G protein-coupled receptor 1 is involved in acid-induced apoptosis of endplate chondrocytes in intervertebral discs.

Ovarian cancer G protein-coupled receptor 1 (OGR1) has been shown to be a receptor for protons. We investigated the role of proton-sensing G protein-coupled receptors in the apoptosis of endplate chondrocytes induced by extracellular acid. The expression of proton-sensing G protein-coupled receptors was examined in rat lumbar endplate chondrocytes.

Skip-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion with self-locking stand-alone PEEK cages for the treatment of 2 noncontiguous levels of cervical spondylosis.

Study Design: Retrospectively study.

Objectives: To evaluate clinical and radiologic outcomes of skip-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with self-locking stand-alone polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages for the treatment of 2 noncontiguous levels of cervical disk degenerative disease (CDDD).

Summary Of Background Data: The use of stand-alone PEEK cages in ACDF has been proved to be safe and effective to treat CDDD.

Degradation and osteogenic potential of a novel poly(lactic acid)/nano-sized β-tricalcium phosphate scaffold.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of nano-sized β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) on the biological performance of poly (lactic acid) (PLA) composite scaffolds by using in vitro degradation and an in vivo model of heterotopic bone formation. Nano-sized β-TCP (nβ-TCP) was prepared with a wet grinding method from micro-sized β-TCP (mβ-TCP), and composite scaffolds containing 0, 10, 30, or 50 wt% nβ-TCP or 30 wt% mβ-TCP were generated using a freeze-drying method. Degradation was assessed by monitoring changes in microstructure, pH, weight, and compressive strength over a 26-week period of hydrolysis.

Biomechanical stability of a bioabsorbable self-retaining polylactic acid/nano-sized β-tricalcium phosphate cervical spine interbody fusion device in single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion sheep models.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the biomechanical stability provided by a novel, polylactic acid/nano-sized, β-tricalcium phosphate, bioabsorbable, self-retaining cervical fusion cage (BCFC).

Methods: Quasistatic nonconstraining torques (maximum 1.5 NM) induced flexion, extension, lateral bending (±1.

A comparison between "sandwich" and conventional methods of repairing spinal dura rupture.

Objective: To study the therapeutic efficacy of the "sandwich" method (medical glue + gelatin sponge + medical glue) of spinal dural repair for preventing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks during treatment of subdural tumors.

Methods: Fifty-four patients with spinal subdural tumors treated between April 2007 and June 2011 were retrospectively investigated. The patients were divided into two groups: a conventional group (group A) and a "sandwich" group (group B).

[Comparison of percutaneous versus open monosegment instrumentation in the treatment of incomplete thoracolumbar burst fracture].

Objective: To compare the safety and efficacies of traditional open versus percutaneous monosegmental pedicle screw fixation in the treatment of incomplete thoracolumbar spinal fracture.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted for 44 inpatients with a diagnosis of incomplete thoracolumbar spinal fracture (AO classification: A3.1 and A3.

The relation between zoledronic acid infusion and interbody fusion in patients undergoing transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery.

Background: Zoledronic acid (ZOL) has been shown to significantly increase bone mineral density and to decrease the incidence of osteoporotic fractures. However, its safety when used after lumbar interbody fusion surgery remains unclear. We sought to determine whether ZOL infusion 3 days after transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) affects the risk of nonunion.