Comparison of combined anterior-posterior approach versus posterior-only approach in neuromuscular scoliosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: Neuromuscular scoliosis (NS) is a complicated spinal disorder, and it could be treated through posterior-only approach (POA) or combined anterior-posterior approach (APA), which one is better and how to choose the surgical tactic is still in controversy. So comparing POA with APA parameters in the treatment of NS is meaningful.

Methods: Database of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Library was systematically searched, and the studies, which focus on the comparisons of POA and APA in the treatment of NS, were included.

Transplantation of bFGF-expressing neural stem cells promotes cell migration and functional recovery in rat brain after transient ischemic stroke.

Cerebrovascular disease such as stroke is one of the most common diseases in the aging population, and neural stem cells (NSCs) transplantation may provide an alternative therapy for cerebral ischemia. However, a hostile microenvironment in the ischemic brain offers is challenging for the survival of the transplanted cells. Considering the neuroprotective role of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), the present study investigated whether bFGF gene-modified NSCs could improve the neurological function deficit after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats.

The Spinal Cord Line Can Predict Postoperative Recovery for Multilevel Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

Objective: To report a new index, the spinal cord (SC) line, and a new classification to predict postoperative recovery effect in patients with multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

Methods: On T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the cervical spine, point A is the posteroinferior point of the spinal cord at C2, and point B is the posterosuperior point of the spinal cord at C7. The SC line is defined as a line connecting A and B.