Effect of Electrical Stimulation of the Vagus Nerve on Inflammation in Rats With Spinal Cord Injury.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of electroacupuncture stimulation (EAS) of the vagus nerve on the inflammatory response in rat models of spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: The T10 SCI model in adult male Sprague Dawley rats was established using the modified Allen's method. The EAS group was treated with the therapy on the vagus nerve of rat ear nails, while the SCI group did not receive any EAS treatment.

Inhibition of OLR1 reduces SASP of nucleus pulposus cells by targeting autophagy-GATA4 axis.

Targeting cellular senescence and Senescence Associated Secretory Phenotype (SASP) through autophagy has emerged as a promising intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IDD) treatment strategy in recent years. This study aimed to clarify the role and mechanism of autophagy in preventing IVD SASP. Methods involved in vitro experiments with nucleus pulposus (NP) tissues from normal and IDD patients, as well as an in vivo IDD animal model.

Wear and corrosion of titanium alloy spinal implants in vivo.

To investigate the wear and corrosion of titanium alloy spinal implants in vivo, we evaluated removed implants and their surrounding scar tissues from 27 patients between May 2019 and April 2021. We performed scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and histological analysis. The results revealed metal-like particles in the soft tissues of seven patients, without any considerable increase in inflammatory cell infiltration.

MiR-653-5p drives osteoarthritis pathogenesis by modulating chondrocyte senescence.

Background: Due to the unclear pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA), effective treatment for this ailment is presently unavailable. Accumulating evidence points to chondrocyte senescence as a key driver in OA development. This study aims to identify OA-specific microRNAs (miRNAs) targeting chondrocyte senescence to alleviate OA progression.

Deep Learning Model for Grading and Localization of Lumbar Disc Herniation on Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Background: Methods for grading and localization of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) on MRI are complex, time-consuming, and subjective. Utilizing deep learning (DL) models as assistance would mitigate such complexities.

Purpose: To develop an interpretable DL model capable of grading and localizing LDH.

Repeat Surgery after Percutaneous Endoscopic Lumbar Discectomy for Adolescent Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Multicenter Observational Study.

Objective: The reported date in the repeat surgical intervention for adolescent lumbar disc herniation (ALDH) after percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) was quite scarce. This study aims to introduce cases of repeat surgeries after PELD for ALDH and assess the incidence, chief causes, repeat surgery methods, and surgical outcomes of repeat surgeries after PELD for ALDH.

Methods: A retrospective multicenter observational study was conducted on patients undergoing repeat surgeries after PELD for ALDH at four tertiary referral hospitals from January 2014 through August 2022.

Circular RNA-GRIN2B Suppresses Neuropathic Pain by Targeting the NF-κB/SLICK Pathway.

The role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in neuropathic pain is linked to the fundamental physiological mechanisms involved. However, the exact function of circRNAs in the context of neuropathic pain is still not fully understood. The functional impact of circGRIN2B on the excitability of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons was investigated using siRNA or overexpression technology in conjunction with fluorescence in situ hybridization and whole-cell patch-clamp technology.

Interferon Regulatory Factor 4 (IRF4) Plays a Key Role in Osteoblast Differentiation of Postmenopausal Osteoporosis.

Background: Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is a prevalent disease, which features decreased bone mass, bone weakness and deteriorated bone microstructure in postmenopausal women. Although many factors have been revealed to contribute to the occurrence of PMOP, its mechanism remains undefined. This work aimed to identify significant changes in gene expression during PMOP formation and to examine the most valuable differential genes in postmenopausal osteoporosis versus the control group.

No Difference in Bone Tunnel Enlargement and Clinical Outcome between Cortical Suspension and Hybrid Femoral Fixation in Hamstring Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Objective: The best method for femoral fixation in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) remains controversial. The study assesses the bone tunnel enlargement and clinical outcome in hamstring ACLR using cortical suspension or hybrid (cortical suspension and compression) femoral fixation.

Methods: From January 2010 to December 2021, 102 patients who underwent quadruple hamstring ACLR using cortical suspension (39 patients) or hybrid (63 patients) fixation on the femoral side were retrospectively analyzed.

Automated machine learning-based model for the prediction of pedicle screw loosening after degenerative lumbar fusion surgery.

The adequacy of screw anchorage is a critical factor in achieving successful spinal fusion. This study aimed to use machine learning algorithms to identify critical variables and predict pedicle screw loosening after degenerative lumbar fusion surgery. A total of 552 patients who underwent primary transpedicular lumbar fixation for lumbar degenerative disease were included.

Prediction Model and Risk Factor Analysis of Adjacent Segment Disease After L4-5 Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Through Preoperative Radiographic Features.

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Objective: To investigate the risk of adjacent segment disease (ASD) after L4-5 transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in patients diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS), a prediction model for ASD is established and validated.

Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on a sample of 290 patients who underwent L4-5 TLIF at Zhongda Hospital, Southeast University, from January 2015 to January 2021.

COL6A3 enhances the osteogenic differentiation potential of BMSCs by promoting mitophagy in the osteoporotic microenvironment.

Background: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have been widely recognized as a highly promising option for cell-based tissue engineering therapy targeting osteoporosis. However, the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs is impeded by the limited viability and diminished capacity for bone formation within the osteoporotic microenvironment.

Methods: In this study, the COL6A3 gene was confirmed through an extensive analysis of the preceding single-cell sequencing database.

Bioinformatics Analysis and Identification of Ferroptosis-Related Hub Genes in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

Approximately 80% of individuals encounter lower back pain (LBP), a prevalent clinical issue largely attributed to intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent lipid peroxidation-driven cell death, and there is growing evidence that ferroptosis plays an important role in various human diseases. However, the underlying mechanism of ferroptosis in IDD remains unclear.

Interpretable Machine Learning Model to Predict Bone Cement Leakage in Percutaneous Vertebral Augmentation for Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture Based on SHapley Additive exPlanations.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Objectives: Our objective is to create comprehensible machine learning (ML) models that can forecast bone cement leakage in percutaneous vertebral augmentation (PVA) for individuals with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) while also identifying the associated risk factors.

Methods: We incorporated data from patients (n = 425) which underwent PVA.

Scientific Bibliometric and Visual Analysis of Studies on Autophagy in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Based on Web of Science.

Objective: To analyze the current research trends and potential mechanisms related to the role of autophagy in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) and to provide new ideas for future research in this field.

Methods: All articles on IVDD and autophagy were retrieved and extracted from the Web of Science (WoS) core collection database. The results were evaluated and visualized using the bibliometric Web site, CiteSpace, and VOSviewer software, including annual articles published, countries, institutions, authors, journals, research areas, funding agencies, citations, and keywords.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated autophagy alleviates lipopolysaccharide-induced nucleus pulposus cell pyroptosis by inhibiting CHOP signaling in vitro.

Pyroptosis, a newly discovered pro-inflammatory programmed necrosis of cells, serves as an initiating and promoting event that leads to intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IDD). Endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and autophagy are vital regulatory mechanisms of cellular homeostasis, which is also closely related to IDD. However, the role and relationship of ERS and autophagy in the pyroptosis of nucleus pulposus cell (NPC) are not well understood.

Indirect Puncture Using a Novel Arc Puncture-Guided Device in Percutaneous Transforaminal Puncture on Goat Lumbar Spine Specimens.

Objective: We investigated the indirect puncture method using a novel arc puncture-guided device in percutaneous transforaminal puncture to improve puncture accuracy and reduce the fluoroscopy, puncture, and operation times.

Methods: We have designed a novel arc puncture-guided device consisting of a 90° arc block and a 30° arc block. Punctures were performed on 8 fresh goat lumbar spine specimens.