Kartogenin-loaded hydrogel promotes intervertebral disc repair via protecting MSCs against reactive oxygen species microenvironment by Nrf2/TXNIP/NLRP3 axis.

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IDD) and the consequent low back pain present a major medical challenge. Stem cell-based tissue engineering is promising for the treatment of IDD. However, stem cell-based treatment is severely impaired by the increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in degenerative disc, which can lead to a high level of cell dysfunction and even death.

Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: case report and literature review.

Background: Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM) of malignant tumors rarely happens. To the best of our knowledge, only five cases of ISCM from esophageal cancer have been reported in literature. We here report the sixth descripted case of ISCM from esophageal cancer.

Krüppel like factor 10 prevents intervertebral disc degeneration via TGF-β signaling pathway both and .

Background: Krüppel like factor 10 (KLF10), which is also known as TGF-β Inducible Early Gene-1 (TIEG1), plays a crucial role in regulating cell proliferation, cell apoptosis and inflammatory reaction in human carcinoma cells. Moreover, KLF10 knockout in mice leads to severe defects associated with muscle, skeleton and heart etc. However, the function of KLF10 in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) has not been reported yet.

USP15 promotes the apoptosis of degenerative nucleus pulposus cells by suppressing the PI3K/AKT signalling pathway.

Objectives: Degenerative disc disease is characterized by an enhanced breakdown of its existing nucleus pulposus (NP) matrix due to the dysregulation of matrix enzymes and factors. Ubiquitin-specific protease 15 (USP15) is reported to be abnormal in certain human diseases. However, its role in NP degeneration remains unclear.

Intervertebral disc degeneration in mice with type II diabetes induced by leptin receptor deficiency.

Background: The leptin receptor-deficient knockout (db/db) mouse is a well-established model for studying type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). T2DM is an important risk factor of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). Although the relationship between type I diabetes and IVDD has been reported by many studies, few studies have reported the effects of T2DM on IVDD in db/db mice model.

Precision Measurements and Parametric Models of Vertebral Endplates.

Detailed and comprehensive geometric data of vertebrae endplates is important and necessary to improve the fidelity of finite element models of the spine, design and ameliorate spinal implants, and understand degenerative changes and biomechanics. In this protocol, a high-speed and highly accurate scanner is employed to convert morphology data of endplate surfaces into a digital point cloud. In the software system, the point cloud is further processed and reconstructed into three dimensions.

3D-printed scaffolds of mesoporous bioglass/gliadin/polycaprolactone ternary composite for enhancement of compressive strength, degradability, cell responses and new bone tissue ingrowth.

Background: Due to the increasing number of patients with bone defects, bone nonunion and osteo-myelitis, tumor and congenital diseases, bone repair has become an urgent problem to be solved.

Methods: In this study, the 3D-printed scaffolds of ternary composites containing mesoporous bioglass fibers of magnesium calcium silicate (mMCS), gliadin (GA) and polycaprolactone (PCL) were fabricated using a 3D Bioprinter.

Results: The compressive strength and in vitro degradability of the mMCS/GA/PCL composites (MGPC) scaffolds were improved with the increase of mMCS content.

Morphometry evaluations of cervical osseous endplates based on three dimensional reconstructions.

Purpose: Accurate and comprehensive data on cervical endplates is essential for developing and improving cervical devices. However, current literature on vertebral disc geometry is scarce or not suitable. The aim of this study was to obtain quantitative parameters of cervical endplates and provide morphometric references for designing cervical devices.

Nanoporous diopside modulates biocompatibility, degradability and osteogenesis of bioactive scaffolds of gliadin-based composites for new bone formation.

Introduction: It is predicted that with increased life expectancy in the whole world, there will be a greater demand for synthetic biomedical materials to repair or regenerate lost, injured or diseased tissues. Natural polymers, as biomedical materials, have been widely applied in the field of regenerative medicine.

Materials And Methods: By incorporation of nanoporous diopside bioglass (nDPB) into glia-din (GL) matrix, macro-nanoporous scaffolds of nDPB/GL composites (DGC) were fabricated by method of solution compressing and particles leaching.

The potential effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus on lumbar disc degeneration: a retrospective single-center study.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and low back pain which is mainly caused by degeneration of the intervertebral discs (IVDs) both are major public health problem worldwide. The present study was designed to investigate the association between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and severity of lumbar disc degeneration (LDD).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed patients with low back pain visiting our spine clinic in 2014.

MicroRNA-93 Regulates Hypoxia-Induced Autophagy by Targeting ULK1.

The expression of the core autophagy kinase, Unc51-like kinase 1 (ULK1), is regulated transcriptionally and translationally by starvation-induced autophagy. However, how ULK1 is regulated during hypoxia is not well understood. Previously, we showed that ULK1 expression is induced by hypoxia stress.

Eccentric technique for foraminoplasty in percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal procedure: A technical note.

Objective: To describe a modified technique usied for foraminoplasty in percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal procedure.

Methods: 58 patients (20 males and 38 females, average age 52.5 years) underwent percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal procedure by using our modified technique.

Percutaneous endoscopical transforaminal approach versus PLF to treat the single-level adjacent segment disease after PLF/PLIF: 1-2 years follow-up.

Background: Adjacent segment disease (ASD) is a common complication after lumbar decompression and fusion surgery. Traditional revision-surgery, including posterior lumbar decompression and posterolateral fusion (PLF) or interbody fusion (PLIF) is traumatic. The percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal procedure (PE-TF) has been widely used in patients with lumbar disc disease.

Does the longus colli have an effect on cervical vertigo?: A retrospective study of 116 patients.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the role of the longus colli muscles in cervical vertigo.We retrospectively analyzed 116 adult patients who underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) during 2014 in our department. Patients were assigned to the vertigo group or the nonvertigo group.

Multivariate analysis of airway obstruction and reintubation after anterior cervical surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study of 774 patients.

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Purpose: To explore the risk factors for reintubation after airway obstruction following anterior cervical surgery.

Study Background: Anterior cervical surgery is an effective surgical therapy for cervical spine disorders.

Do the complications increased in the anterolateral right-side approach to treat the cervical degenerative disorders? A retrospective cohort study.

The dysphagia and recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy are the most common complications of the patients who underwent anterior cervical surgery in the current literature. These morbidities have led to the study of the impact of sidedness in anterior cervical spine surgery. However, many reports documented the left-side was more effective and safe than right-side based on the anatomy.

Transforaminal endoscopic system technique for discogenic low back pain: A prospective Cohort study.

Objective: To investigate the clinical outcomes of transforaminal endoscopic system(TESSYS) for discogenic low back pain(DLBP).

Methods: 62 consecutive patients with one-level DLBP applying to the including criteria underwent TESSYS from January 2010 to December 2013. These patients included 38 males and 24 females with a mean age of 42.

Lumbar Spinal Tuberculosis Presenting as Abdominal Pain: Case Report.

More than 230 years after the characteristic clinical features of tuberculosis spondylitis were first described, this serious infection can still present diagnostic dilemmas in clinical practice. Atypical presentations of spinal tuberculosis mimicking malignancy have been described. We report a 50-year-old woman with abdominal pain as a presenting symptom of lumbar spinal tuberculosis.

Totally cystic schwannoma of the lumbar spine.

A schwannoma is a benign tumor arising from a schwann cell and occurs mainly in the nerve sheath in the intradural extramedullary region. Schwannomas have been well described as occurring in the lumbar spine, but total cystic degeneration of schwannomas is rarely reported. The authors describe the clinical and radiographic evaluations and treatment of a rare case of an intraextradural totally cystic schwannoma on the lumbar spine.

Box cages packed with local decompression bone were efficient in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: five- to 10-year follow-up.

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Objective: To assess the radiographical bony union and clinical outcomes of 207 patients who underwent an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) with only local decompression bone for the treatment of cervical disc degeneration.

Summary Of Background Data: Many sources of bone graft have been used for ACDF.

MRI study of the position of the conus medullaris in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

Substantial data exist from cadaveric and magnetic resonance imaging studies regarding the position of the conus medullaris in normally developed adults. However, no large studies have documented the position of the conus medullaris in patients with diagnosed lumbar spinal stenosis. To goal of the current study was to determine the position of the conus medullaris within a living adult population with existing pathology of lumbar spinal stenosis.

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal and yellow ligaments on the lumbar spine.

Ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and ossification of the yellow ligament are the main causes of spinal canal stenosis. This article describes a case of ossification of the posterior longitudinal and yellow ligaments on the lumbar spine. The patient presented with gradually worsening left lower-extremity ache and pain.