A novel spherical GelMA-HAMA hydrogel encapsulating APET×2 polypeptide and CFIm25-targeting sgRNA for immune microenvironment modulation and nucleus pulposus regeneration in intervertebral discs.

Methods: Single-cell transcriptomics and high-throughput transcriptomics were used to screen factors significantly correlated with intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Expression changes of CFIm25 were determined via RT-qPCR and Western blot. NP cells were isolated from mouse intervertebral discs and induced to degrade with TNF-α and IL-1β.

Hapln1 promotes dedifferentiation and proliferation of iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes by promoting versican-based GDF11 trapping.

Hyaluronan and proteoglycan link protein 1 (Hapln1) supports active cardiomyogenesis in zebrafish hearts, but its regulation in mammal cardiomyocytes is unclear. This study aimed to explore the potential regulation of Hapln1 in the dedifferentiation and proliferation of cardiomyocytes and its therapeutic value in myocardial infarction with human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes (CMs) and an adult mouse model of myocardial infarction. HiPSC-CMs and adult mice with myocardial infarction were used as and models, respectively.

Bacillus pfraonensis sp. nov., a new strain isolated from a probiotic feed additive with low cytotoxicity and antimicrobial activity.

Probiotic products containing living microorganisms are gaining popularity, increasing the importance of their taxonomic status. A Bacillus-like isolate, 70 b, cultured from a probiotic feed additive, was ambiguity in taxonomic assignment and could be a novel member of Bacillus cereus group. The results of colony and cellular morphology, physiological and biochemical analysis mainly including growth performance, carbon source utilization, and rMLST and MLST were not conclusive.

Does the Choice of Operative Side Affect the Clinical Outcome of Unilateral Percutaneous Kyphoplasty for Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture?

Background: Studies have found that the rate of improvement in pain after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) is 49% to 90%, and there are still some patients who may continue to sustain intractable back pain after surgery.

Objectives: To compare the clinical efficacy and imaging results between unilateral PKP performed from the symptom-dominating side and the non-dominating side in OVCF treatment.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Anterior and Posterior Approaches for 4-Level Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Low-Profile Cage Versus Cervical Pedicle Screws Fixation.

(1) Background: The choice of surgical access for 4-level degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) remains controversial, and the clinical and radiological outcomes of anterior surgery using a low-profile cage (Low-P) versus posterior surgery using cervical pedicle screw fixation (CPS) have not been compared. (2) Methods: This is a retrospective controlled study conducted between January 2019 and June 2021 of 72 patients with 4-level DCM who underwent ACDF using a low-profile cage (n = 39) or laminectomy and instrument fusion using CPS (n = 33). The minimum follow-up time was 12 months.

Hydroxyapatite-Tethered Peptide Hydrogel Promotes Osteogenesis.

Hydroxyapatite (HAp) as natural bone composition is highly osteoinductive. To harvest its osteoinductivity in bone regenerative engineering, the HAp-supporting hydrogel is urgently needed to minimize inhomogeneous aggregation of HAp. Here, we developed a HAp-stabilizing hydrogel based on peptide self-assembly.

Biomechanical effects of different lateral mass injury patterns on subaxial cervical fracture dislocations after anterior cervical surgery: a finite element study.

Objective: The lateral mass joint plays an important role in maintaining the mechanical stability of the subaxial cervical spine. We first performed a three-dimensional finite element (FE) biomechanical study to evaluate the local mechanical stability of subaxial cervical fracture dislocations after anterior-only fixation for lateral mass injuries of varying severity.

Methods: A three-dimensional FE model of the subaxial cervical spine with simple anterior fixation for C5-6 fracture dislocation was reconstructed.

Diagnostic Value of Multimodal Intraoperative Neuromonitoring by Combining Somatosensory-With Motor-Evoked Potential in Posterior Decompression Surgery for Thoracic Spinal Stenosis.

Background: Intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) has become an increasingly essential technique in spinal surgery. However, data on the diagnostic value of IONM in predicting impending postoperative neurological deficits (PONDs) for patients who underwent posterior decompression surgery for thoracic spinal stenosis (TSS) are limited. Furthermore, patients who are at the highest risk of waveform changes during the surgery remain unknown.

The feasibility and safety of cocktail treatment of triple anti-inflammatory agents loaded with gelatin sponge promotes early recovery after posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical discectomy.

Purpose: To investigate whether a cocktail therapy of dexamethasone, ropivacaine, dexmedetomidine, and vitamin B12 can achieve satisfactory pain relief and promote early functional recovery after PPECD.

Methods: Eighty single-level patients with CDH who received PPECD were retrospectively divided into two groups: the cocktail and control groups. Clinical data were recorded and evaluated by a dedicated physician who was not involved in the patient's treatment.

Blockage of ERCC6 Alleviates Spinal Cord Injury Through Weakening Apoptosis, Inflammation, Senescence, and Oxidative Stress.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating disease resulting in lifelong disability, but the molecular mechanism remains unclear. Our study was designed to observe the role of excision repair cross-complementing group 6 (ERCC6) following SCI and to determine the underlying mechanism. SCI mouse models and LPS-induced microglia cell models were established.

Can paraspinal muscle degeneration be a reason for refractures after percutaneous kyphoplasty? A magnetic resonance imaging observation.

Background: Vertebral augmentation (VA) techniques are used to treat acute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs). However, the incidence of recurrent vertebral fractures after VA is controversial. Various factors have been discussed in the literature, but no convincing study on the quality of paraspinal muscles has been reported.

Can Additional Facet Joint Block Improve the Clinical Outcome of Kyphoplasty for Acute Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures?

Background: Percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) has been reported to provide a favorable analgesic effect for pain caused by osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs). However, a systematic review demonstrated that pain relief was only reported for approximately 86% of kyphoplasty treatments.

Objectives: To explore whether an additional facet joint block (FJB) can minimize pain and improve the clinical outcome of PKP in patients with acute OVCFs.

Full-Endoscopic Decompression with the Application of an Endoscopic-Matched Ultrasonic Osteotome for Removal of Ossification of the Thoracic Ligamentum Flavum.

Background: Resection of the ossification of the thoracic ligamentum flavum (OTLF) with a high-speed burr may cause a high rate of perioperative complications, such as dural laceration and/or iatrogenic spinal cord injury.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and feasibility of the endoscopic-matched ultrasonic osteotome in full-endoscopic spinal surgery for direct removal of OTLF.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

[Polymethylmethacrylate-augmented screw fixation in treatment of senile thoracolumbar tuberculosis combined with severe osteoporosis].

Objective: To explore the safety and effectiveness of polymethylmethacrylate-augmented screw fixation (PASF) in the treatment of elderly thoracolumbar tuberculosis combined with severe osteoporosis.

Methods: The clinical data of 20 elderly patients with thoracolumbar tuberculosis and severe osteoporosis who underwent PASF after anterior or posterior debridement and bone grafting and met the selection criteria between December 2012 and December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 8 males and 12 females with an average age of 68.

Spinal Epidural Hematoma After Percutaneous Kyphoplasty: Case Report and Literature Review.

Objective: To present the case of a patient on long-term anticoagulants who developed acute spinal epidural hematoma (SEH) after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) without signs of major cement extravasation to the spinal canal.

Methods: A 64-year-old woman with long-term oral antiplatelet drugs underwent the L1 PKP. Immediately after the operation, the back pain improved significantly without neurological deficit.

Posterior Ligament-Bone Injury Classification and Severity Score: A Novel Approach to Predict the Failure of Anterior-only Surgery for Subaxial Cervical Facet Dislocations.

Study Design: Clinical case series.

Objective: The aim of this study was to propose a novel posterior ligament-bone injury classification and severity (PLICS) score system that can be used to reflect the severity of subaxial cervical fracture dislocations (SCFDs) and predict the failure of anterior-only surgery; and to measure the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of this system.

Summary Of Background Data: The approach selection for SCFDs is controversial.

The Regulatory Role of Rho GTPases and their Substrates in Osteoclastogenesis.

Pathological bone loss diseases (osteolysis, Paget's diseases) are commonly caused by the excessive differentiation and activity of osteoclasts. The Rho GTPases family members Rac1/2 (Rac1 and Rac2) have been reported for their special role in exerting multiple cellular functions during osteoclastic differentiation, which includes the most prominent function on dynamic actin cytoskeleton rearranging. Besides that, the increasing studies demonstrated that the regulating effects of Rac1/2 on the osteoclastic cytoskeletal organization are through the GEFs member Dock5.

Mesenchymal stem cells regulate inflammatory milieu within degenerative nucleus pulposus cells via p38 MAPK pathway.

It has been established that excessive apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) are responsible for pathogenesis of human intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). The present study aimed to shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying the protective effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on NPCs in an inflammatory environment. NPCs were treated with TNF-α to induce inflammation and then co-cultured with Wharton's Jelly-derived MSCs (WJ-MSCs)without direct interaction.

When is the circumferential stabilization necessary for subaxial cervical fracture dislocations? The posterior ligament-bone injury classification and severity score: a novel treatment algorithm.

Objective: To propose a novel classification and scoring system called the posterior ligament-bone injury classification and severity score (PLICS) that offers a quantitative score to guide the need for posterior stabilization in addition to anterior reconstruction for subaxial cervical fracture dislocations (SCFDs).

Methods: A total of 456 patients with SCFDs were prospectively included. Patients with PLICS ≥ 7 together with extremely unstable lateral mass fracture (EULMF) were classified as high-risk group, and the other patients were classified as low-risk group.

Comparison of Clinical and Radiologic Outcome Between Mini-Open Wiltse Approach and Fluoroscopic-Guided Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Placement: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To compare clinical efficacy, radiographic outcome, and radiation exposure between mini-open pedicle screw (MPS) fixation with the Wiltse approach and percutaneous pedicle screw (PPS) fixation in treatment of young and middle-aged patients with thoracolumbar burst fractures.

Methods: Of 60 patients with thoracolumbar vertebrae fractures treated in our hospital from January 2017 to January 2018, 30 were randomly assigned to the MPS group and 30 were randomly assigned to the PPS group. Clinical efficacy, radiographic outcome, and radiation exposure were compared between the 2 groups.

Epidemiological characteristics of spinal cord injury in Northwest China: a single hospital-based study.

Background: While the cities in China in which spinal cord injury (SCI) studies have been conducted previously are at the forefront of medical care, northwest China is relatively underdeveloped economically, and the epidemiological characteristics of SCI have rarely been reported in this region.

Methods: The SCI epidemiological survey software developed was used to analyze the data of patients treated with SCI from 2014 to 2018. The sociodemographic characteristics of patients, including name, age, sex, and occupation, were recorded.

Chronic nerve injury-induced Mas receptor expression in dorsal root ganglion neurons alleviates neuropathic pain.

Neuropathic pain, which is characterized by hyperalgesia, allodynia and spontaneous pain, is one of the most painful symptoms that can be experienced in the clinic. It often occurs as a result of injury to the peripheral nerves, dorsal root ganglion (DRG), spinal cord or brain. The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays an important role in nociception.