Do nutritional assessment tools (PNI, CONUT, GNRI) predict adverse events after spinal surgeries? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Nutritional assessment tools are used to predict outcomes in cancer. However, their utility in patients undergoing spinal surgery is unclear. This review examined if prognostic nutritional index (PNI), controlling nutritional status (CONUT), and geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) can predict adverse events after spinal surgeries.

Enhancement and Repair of Degenerative Intervertebral Disc in Rats Using Platelet-Rich Plasma/Ferulic Acid Hydrogel.

Background: Intervertebral degenerative disc (IDD) disease is one of the most common clinical conditions causing low back pain. The main objective of this study was to investigate the repair effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and ferulic acid (FA) hydrogel compound on degenerative discs in rats in combination with bioengineering technology, which may provide a strong theoretical basis for the future treatment of IDD.

Methods: Forty-five male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into groups A-F; MRI was performed in each group at 0, 4, and 8 weeks after injection; and disc tissues were obtained after executing the animals.

Chsy1 deficiency reduces extracellular matrix productions and aggravates cartilage injury in osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a kind of degenerative joint disease marked by the destruction of articular cartilage due to the degeneration of chondrocytes. CHSY1, one of the glycosyltransferases, is involved in the synthesis of chondroitin sulfate. Herein, we found that the expression of Chsy1 was decreased in the knee cartilage of OA rats.

Investigation of the STOX1 polymorphism on lumbar disc herniation.

Background: Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a common musculoskeletal disorder affliction and associated with several genes polymorphism. Storkhead box 1 (STOX1) gene is a transcriptional factor related with several signaling pathways including inflammatory pathway. However, little is known about single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of STOX1 associated with LDH risk.

CHRNA5/CHRNA3 gene cluster is a risk factor for lumbar disc herniation: a case-control study.

Background: Lumbar disc herniation, a type of chronic low back pain syndrome, is caused by the lumbar intervertebral disk degeneration. Genetic variation in the CHRNA5/CHRNA3 has shown strong associations with smoking-related diseases. This study's aim is to test whether single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the CHRNA5/CHRNA3 gene are associated with lumbar disc herniation risk.

Association study between matrix metalloproteinase-3 gene (MMP3) polymorphisms and ankylosing spondylitis susceptibility.

Background: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is the second most common cause of inflammatory arthritis worldwide affecting the axial skeleton. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP3) in the development of AS has few been investigated in Chinese population.

Methods: A total of 362 patients with AS and 362 healthy controls were enrolled in the study.