Combining mechanisms of black carbon and magnetic minerals in power plant fly ash.

Black carbon (BC), one of the pollutants emitted from fossil fuel combustion, is closely associated with minerals and other hazardous substances. To date, little is known about the mechanisms between BC and magnetic minerals. Accordingly, further investigating the association between magnetic minerals and BC is necessary.

The deer play in Wuqinxi and four-point hand-knee kneeling positions for training core muscle function and spinal mobility.

The four-point kneeling exercise is a core stabilization exercise that provides the spine with dynamic stability and neuromuscular control. In the traditional Chinese exercise Wuqinxi, deer play is performed in a hand-foot kneeling (HFK) position, which is remarkably similar to the four-point hand-knee kneeling (HKK) position. However, the differences in spinal function promotion between these two positions are poorly understood.

Implantation of nanofibrous silk scaffolds seeded with bone marrow stromal cells promotes spinal cord regeneration (6686 words).

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a common pathology often resulting in permanent loss of sensory, motor, and autonomic function. Numerous studies in which stem cells have been transplanted in biomaterial scaffolds into animals have demonstrated their considerable potential for recovery from SCI. In the present study, a three-dimensional porous silk fibroin (SF) scaffold with a mean pore size of approximately 383 μm and nanofibrous structure was fabricated, the silk scaffold enabling the enhanced attachment and proliferation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs).

Silencing BLNK protects against interleukin-1β-induced chondrocyte injury through the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disease in the elderly and is characterized by the progressive degeneration of articular cartilage. It is necessary to study the molecular pathology of OA. This study aimed to explore the role and mechanism of BLNK in regulating interleukin-1β (IL-1β)-induced chondrocyte injury and OA progression.

[Biomechanical effects of different bone cement diffusion patterns after vertebroplasty:finite element analysis].

Objective: To investigate the biomechanical effects of different bone cement diffusion patterns in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

Methods: One volunteer with L1 osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture was selected, male, aged 68 years old, heighed 172 cm, weighted 60 kg, and healthy before. CT scans were used from T-L, CT data was extracted with Mimics software, and Geomagic wrap and Solidworks were used to model, and the three-dimensional finite element model (T-L) of preoperative osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in the thoracolumbar segment was established.

LncRNA RMRP knockdown promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in osteoarthritis chondrocytes by miR-206/CDK9 axis.

The etiology of osteoarthritis (OA) has been discussed widely, but the molecular mechanisms beneath OA aggravation have not yet been investigated in detail. This study focused on the role of lncRNA RMRP (RMRP) on OA progression. We found that the expression of RMRP was significantly increased in cartilage tissues of patients with OA.

Ginsenoside Rg1 Promotes the Migration of Olfactory Ensheathing Cells via the PI3K/Akt Pathway to Repair Rat Spinal Cord Injury.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of ginsenoside Rg1 on the migration of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) in vitro, and its influence on the therapeutic efficacy of OECs transplanted in vivo for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). Primary cultured and purified OECs (prepared from rats) were treated with ginsenoside Rg1. The wound healing test indicated that ginsenoside Rg1 promoted the migration of OECs.

TMPRSS4 as an emerging potential poor prognostic factor for solid tumors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Recent studies have investigated the potential prognostic value of the transmembrane protease serine 4 (TMPRSS4) in various solid tumors. Yet, the results are inconclusive. Here, we performed this meta-analysis to clarify this issue.

X-ray therapy promotes structural regeneration after spinal cord injury in a rat model.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of x-ray treatment on rats following spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: Forty-six female Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to spinal cord injury using the modified Allen weight-drop method. The animals were randomly divided into six groups.

Pedicle screw instrumentation plus augmentation vertebroplasty using calcium sulfate for thoracolumbar burst fractures without neurologic deficits.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of posterior instrumentation plus vertebroplasty and posterolateral fusion using calcium sulfate for thoracolumbar burst fractures without neurologic deficits.

Methods: Between July 2005 and January 2008, a total of 45 patients who had been diagnosed as having thoracolumbar burst fractures without neurologic deficits were treated with pedicle screw instrumentation plus vertebroplasty using calcium sulfate in our unit. The Cobb angles and loss rates of anterior-middle columns height at different time intervals were measured on lateral radiographs, and the preoperative and postoperative functional outcomes were evaluated using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).

The efficacy of coblation nucleoplasty for protrusion of lumbar intervertebral disc at a two-year follow-up.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate longer-term efficacy over a two-year follow-up of coblation nucleoplasty treatment for protruded lumbar intervertebral disc.

Methods: Forty-two cases of protruded lumbar intervertebral disc treated by coblation nucleoplasty followed-up for two years were analysed. Relief of low back pain, leg pain and numbness after the operation were assessed by visual analogue pain scale (VAS).

Ginsenoside Rg1 promotes proliferation and neurotrophin expression of olfactory ensheathing cells.

Transplantation of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) is currently considered to be one of the most promising repair strategies for human spinal cord injury. However, the factors that regulate OECs are still poorly understood. Ginsenoside Rg1 (Rg1), the phytosterol from Panax ginseng, is a potent neuroprotective agent that promotes axonal regeneration.

[Local X-irradiation promotes regeneration of spinal cord central nervous system in a rat model].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of local X-irradiation on spinal cord injury by using physiology, kinology, electrophysiology and histology method.

Methods: 46 female Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to spinal cord injury by weight dropping on T(11-12). All animals were divided into 3 groups randomly.

The application of platelet-rich plasma may be a novel treatment for central nervous system diseases.

As a potential biological product, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has been widely utilized in the areas of oral and maxillofacial reconstruction, bone and soft tissue restoration and wound healing. A recent study reported that the application of PRP on interrupted sciatic nerve could promote remyelinization of peripheral nerve. This renovated a notion that the application of PRP might extend to the nervous system.

[Surgical management of traumatic injury of upper cervical spine].

Objective: To analyze retrospectively the clinical outcome of surgical management for upper cervical spine injury caused by trauma.

Methods: From January 2005 to March 2007, 16 patients with injury of upper cervical spine were treated by different management. There were 11 males and 5 females with an average age of 44 years ranging from 24 to 75.

[Analysis of complications associated with internal fixation for lumbar spondylolisthesis].

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effects of lumbar spondylolisthesis by decompression, instrumentation and posterolateral fusion, and study the causes of the related complications and its method for the prevention.

Methods: One hundred and sixty-five cases with grade I to II spondylolisthesis from February 1991 to May 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. All cases were treated by posterior lumbar canal decompression, reduction with pedicle screw system and fusion with posterolateral bone grafting.

[Diagnosis and operative treatment of far lateral lumbar disc herniation].

Objective: To discuss the characteristics and operative selection of far lateral lumbar disc herniation (FLLDH).

Methods: Twenty-three cases of FLLDH, 14 were foraminal, and 9 were extraforaminal lumbar disc herniation. Of the 23 cases, low back pain was observed in 8 cases (31%), severe lower leg pain in 21 cases (91%) and Lasegue sign in 10 cases (43%).