Macrophage polarization and macrophage-related factor expression in hypertrophy of the ligamentum flavum.

Purpose: Owing to the unknow types of infiltrating macrophages and the corresponded factors, we aimed to investigate the specific types of infiltrating macrophages involved in HLF and the expression of macrophage-related factors.

Methods: The ligamentum flavum was obtained from patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (HLF group; n = 15) and lumbar disc herniation (non-hypertrophic ligamentum flavum [NLF] group; n = 15). Ligamentum flavum specimens were paraffin embedded, followed by histological and immunohistochemical staining to identify the macrophage type and expression of macrophage-related factors.

CD206 M2-like macrophages protect against intervertebral disc degeneration partially by targeting R-spondin-2.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the specific function of M2 macrophages in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD).

Methods: Intervertebral disc (IVD) samples from normal (n = 4) and IDD (n = 6) patients were collected, and the expression of M2-polarized macrophage marker, CD206, was investigated using immunohistochemical staining. Nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) in a TNF-α environment were obtained, and a mouse caudal IVD puncture model was established.

Investigation of macrophage polarization in herniated nucleus pulposus of patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation.

Macrophage infiltration and polarization during lumbar intervertebral disc herniation (LDH) have attracted increased attention but their role remains unclear. To explore macrophage polarization in herniated nucleus pulposus (NP) tissue of patients with LDH and investigate the association between cell frequency and different clinical characteristics or symptoms, we conducted a retrospective study by analyzing NP tissue samples from 79 patients. Clinical features and symptoms, using the visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI), were collected.

Macrophage polarization regulates intervertebral disc degeneration by modulating cell proliferation, inflammation mediator secretion, and extracellular matrix metabolism.

Macrophage infiltration and polarization have been increasingly observed in intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IDD). However, their biological roles in IDD are still unrevealed. We harvested conditioned media (CM) derived from a spectrum of macrophages induced from THP-1 cells, and examined how they affect nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) , by studying cell proliferation, extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis, and pro-inflammation expression; and by injection CM in a rat IDD model.

M2 macrophage-conditioned medium inhibits intervertebral disc degeneration in a tumor necrosis factor-α-rich environment.

Inflammation is the primary pathological phenomenon associated with disc degeneration; the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) plays a crucial role in this pathology. The anti-inflammatory and regenerative effects of M2 macrophages on nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) progression remain unknown. Here, M2 conditioned medium (M2CM) was harvested and purified from human acute monocytic leukaemia cell line (THP-1) cells and mouse peritoneal macrophages, respectively; it was used for culturing human NPCs and a mouse intervertebral disc (IVD) organ culture model.

Co-culturing nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cells with notochordal cell-rich nucleus pulposus explants attenuates tumor necrosis factor-α-induced senescence.

Background: Cell therapy for the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) faces serious barriers since tissue-specific adult cells such as nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) have limited proliferative ability and poor regenerative potential; in addition, it is difficult for exogenous adult stem cells to survive the harsh environment of the degenerated intervertebral disc. Endogenous repair by nucleus pulposus mesenchymal stem cells (NPMSCs) has recently shown promising regenerative potential for the treatment of IDD. Notochordal cells (NCs) and NC-conditioned medium (NCCM) have been proven to possess regenerative ability for the treatment of IDD, but this approach is limited by the isolation and passaging of NCs.

[Analysis of clinical outcomes of simplified treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis with adjacent segment degeneration by MAST Quadrant].

Objective: To explore the method and clinical effect of MAST Quadrant for lumbar spondylolisthesis with adjacent segment degeneration.

Methods: From April 2014 to January 2016, 36 cases of lumbar spondylolisthesis with adjacent segment degeneration were treated by MAST Quadrant(target nerve decompression and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion or articulationes zygapophysiales fusion by unilateral fixation with MAST Quadrant). Twenty-three cases were degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis and 13 cases were isthmic lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Proportion of Uterine Malignant Tumors in Patients with Laparoscopic Myomectomy: A National Multicenter Study in China.

Background: The Food and Drug Administration recently announced that the use of morcellation may cause fibroids or pelvic dissemination and metastasis of uterine sarcoma; therefore, the use of morcellation is limited in the USA. A large sample study is necessary to assess the proportion of uterine malignant tumors found in patients with laparoscopic myomectomy.

Methods: A national multicenter study was performed in China.

Characteristics and potentials of stem cells derived from human degenerated nucleus pulposus: potential for regeneration of the intervertebral disc.

Background: Eliminating the symptoms during treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is only a temporary solution that does not cure the underlying cause. A biological method to treat this disorder may be possible by the newly discovered nucleus pulposus derived stem cells (NPDCs). However, the uncertain characteristics and potential of NPDCs calls for a comprehensive study.

Minimally invasive procedure reduces adjacent segment degeneration and disease: New benefit-based global meta-analysis.

Objective: Adjacent segment pathology (ASP) is a common complication presenting in patients with axial pain and dysfunction, requiring treatment or follow-up surgery. However, whether minimally invasive surgery (MIS), including MIS transforaminal / posterior lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF/PLIF) decreases the incidence rate of ASP remains unknown. The aim of this meta-analysis was to compare the incidence rate of ASP in patients undergoing MIS versus open procedures.

Coculture with Partial Digestion Notochordal Cell-Rich Nucleus Pulposus Tissue Activates Degenerative Human Nucleus Pulposus Cells.

Recent studies suggested that notochordal cells (NCs) and NC-conditioned medium (NCCM) can stimulate cell viability and matrix production of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs). However, the potential of notochordal cell-rich nucleus pulposus (NRNP) incorporating the native environment of the intervertebral disc (IVD) has not been evaluated. The objective of this study was to develop an optimal NRNP model and test whether it can allow a significant level of NPC activation in vitro.

BMP7-Based Functionalized Self-Assembling Peptides Protect Nucleus Pulposus-Derived Stem Cells From Apoptosis In Vitro.

Tissue engineering has shown great success in the treatment of intervertebral disk degeneration (IVDD) in the past decade. However, the adverse and harsh microenvironment associated in the intervertebral disks remains a great obstacle for the survival of transplanted cells. Although increasing numbers of new materials have been created or modified to overcome this hurdle, a new effective strategy of biological therapy is still required.

Oral Bioavailability and Mass Balance Studies of a Novel Anti-arrhythmic Agent Sulcardine Sulfate in Sprague-Dawley Rats and Beagle Dogs.

Background And Objectives: Sulcardine sulfate is a newly developed candidate drug used to control arrhythmias. The aim of this research was to investigate the pharmacokinetics, bioavailability and excretion characteristics of sulcardine in animals.

Methods: Sprague-Dawley rats were orally and intravenously given sulcardine at 20 and 40 mg/kg.

Full-Endoscopic Procedures Versus Traditional Discectomy Surgery for Discectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Current Global Clinical Trials.

Background: Traditional discectomy surgery (TDS) provides good or excellent results in clinical surgical discectomy but may induce neural adhesion, spinal structural damage, instability, and other complications. The potential advantages of full-endoscopic (FE) procedures over standard TDS include less blood loss, less postoperative pain, shorter hospitalization, and an earlier return to work. However, more evidence is needed to support this new technology in clinical applications.

Efficacy and safety of bone marrow-derived cell transplantation for spinal cord injury: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

Purpose: Bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) for clinical transplantation were carried out many years in treating spinal cord injury (SCI) without a clear conclusion. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of BMDC transplantation in treatment of SCI patients.

Method: Electronic databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane library, were searched to identify clinical therapeutic trials studying the application of BMDC transplantation in SCI.

[The effect of curvatures on the accuracy of the electronic apex locator].

Purpose: To investigate the effect of canal curvatures on the accuracy of 3 electronic apex locators (EAL) in vitro.

Methods: Alginate and 123 canals were used to mimic the situation in vitro. Three kinds of electronic apex locators including Raypex5(®), Propex(®) and Rider(®) were applied to determine the length of the canals divided into 3 groups including straight (<5°), middle (>10°,<20°) and severe (>20 °) according to the root canal curvatures.

Clinical significance of resistin expression in osteoarthritis: a meta-analysis.

Background: The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic review of literature evaluating human resistin expression as a diagnostic factor in osteoarthritis development and to quantify the overall diagnostic effect.

Method: Relevant studies were identified and evaluated for quality through multiple search strategies. Studies analyzing resistin expression in the development of OA were eligible for inclusion.

Venous arterialization for the treatment of large-area foot skin retrograde avulsion.

Between 2009 and 2011, three patients with large-area foot skin retrograde avulsion (more than 1% of the body surface area) underwent venous arterialization. Anastomosis of the artery in the wound surface with the vein in the skin flap and an appropriate number of venous end-to-end anastomoses were performed. The skin flaps survived in all 3 patients.

[Outcome prediction of single-period CO(2) laser therapy for vulvar condylomata acuminate].

Objective: To evaluate the outcome of CO(2) laser treatment as primary therapy for vulvar condylomata acuminate and examine the risk factors and prediction model of single-period CO(2) laser treatment.

Methods: Between March 2009 and December 2010, a multicenter prospective study was conducted at three 3A hospitals of China (Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Zhejiang Women's Health Hospital & Tongji Hospital). All enrolled patients of vulvar condylomata acuminata received CO(2) laser vaporization as the primary therapy and had return visits at 1, 3 and 6 months individually after treatment.

Cervical endometriosis: clinical character and management experience in a 27-year span.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinicopathologic characters and explore the possible cause of cervical endometriosis.

Study Design: By retrospective review, among 13,566 cases of endometriosis that had been treated in our hospital, 33 cases of pathologically proven cervical endometriosis were extracted.

Results: Of 33 cases, 17 women had abnormal vaginal bleeding or visible cervical lesions; the other 16 women had no obvious clinical manifestations but were diagnosed retrospectively on histopathologic reports.

Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase 6 (GPAT6) is important for tapetum development in Arabidopsis and plays multiple roles in plant fertility.

Glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (GPAT) mediates the initial synthetic step for the formation of glycerolipids, which act as the major components of biological membranes and the principal stored forms of energy. GPAT6 is a member of the Arabidopsis GPAT family, which is crucial for cutin biosynthesis in sepals and petals. In this work, a functional analysis of GPAT6 in anther development and plant fertility was performed.