Melatonin mitigates intervertebral disc degeneration by suppressing NLRP3 inflammasome activation via the EGR1/DDX3X pathway.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD), is one of the leading causes of low back pain. Inflammation is considered to be the main pathophysiological process of IVDD. The nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated inflammatory responses are critically involved in the progression of IVDD.

Role of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and T2 Relaxometry as Imaging Biomarker of Early Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

Study Design: Observational comparative study.

Objective: To study the role of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and T2 relaxometry (T2r) as imaging biomarkers for identifying early lumbar disc degeneration.

Methods: We evaluated 236 discs in normal volunteers and 215 discs in low back pain (LBP) patients by MRS and T2r to document the molecular spectra of various metabolites as well as disc hydration and collagen content, respectively.

Mitochondrial quality control: the real dawn of intervertebral disc degeneration?

Intervertebral disc degeneration is the most common disease in chronic musculoskeletal diseases and the main cause of low back pain, which seriously endangers social health level and increases people's economic burden. Disc degeneration is characterized by NP cell apoptosis, extracellular matrix degradation and disc structure changes. It progresses with age and under the influence of mechanical overload, oxidative stress and genetics.

Effects of the active break intervention on nonspecific low back pain among young people: a randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Every end-range position maintained for a prolonged time causes a static load on the spine and may lead to musculoskeletal discomfort. Prolonged flexed sitting is a strong predictor of low back pain (LBP). The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the Active Break program, implemented among young people, in reducing perceived low back pain and discomfort, as well as associated disability level resulting from prolonged sitting.

Benchmarks for low back pain in general practice in Flanders: electronic audit of INTEGO.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most frequent reasons for encounter in general practice. Yet results from literature show adherence to clinical practice guidelines is low. Audit & feedback is a well-known strategy to improve adherence to guidelines.

Impact of Spinal Manipulative Therapy on Brain Function and Pain Alleviation in Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Resting-State fMRI Study.

Objective: To elucidate how spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) exerts its analgesic effects through regulating brain function in lumbar disc herniation (LDH) patients by utilizing resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI).

Methods: From September 2021 to September 2023, we enrolled LDH patients (LDH group, n=31) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs, n=28). LDH group underwent rs-fMRI at 2 distinct time points (TPs): prior to the initiation of SMT (TP1) and subsequent to the completion of the SMT sessions (TP2).

Person-specific characteristics of people with low back pain moderate the movement pattern within motor skill training and strength and flexibility exercise: Secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial.

People with low back pain (LBP) display an altered movement pattern during functional activities. Exercise-based treatments improve the altered pattern, but there is individual variability in the response to treatment. This study investigates the moderating effect of person-specific characteristics on a movement pattern at baseline and change over time in the pattern in people with chronic LBP who received motor skill training (MST) or strength and flexibility exercise (SFE).

Assessment of a manual therapy and acupressure method as a treatment of nonspecific low back pain: A prospective, observational and non-interventional cohort study.

The first-line treatment for nonspecific low back pain (LBP) relief is physical exercise; however, there is no uniformity in recommendations regarding the type of exercise, and physicians predominantly prescribe pharmacological treatments. This creates a treatment gap in non-pharmacological management of LBP. Preliminary data suggest that manual therapy and acupressure could be relevant therapeutic options.

A diagnostic signatures for intervertebral disc degeneration using TNFAIP6 and COL6A2 based on single-cell RNA-seq and bulk RNA-seq analyses.

Objectives: Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a prevalent degenerative condition associated with a high incidence rate of low back pain and disability. This study aimed to identify potential biomarkers and signaling pathways associated with IVDD.

Methods: Biomarkers were discerned through bulk-RNA and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) investigations of IVDD cases from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database.

Association of 24-h movement behaviors during Covid-19 pandemic with spinal musculoskeletal disorders in undergraduate students: a cross-sectional study.

Background And Aims: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) are an important health problem, and the Covid-19 pandemic affected several lifestyle and health aspects worldwide, including moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), sedentary behavior (SB) and sleep time, which compose the 24-h movement guidelines (24-hMG). It is unclear whether meeting 24-hMG during pandemic have been associated with MSD in adult population and this study aimed to analyze the association of meeting 24-hMG with spinal MSD in undergraduate students during Covid-19 pandemic.

Methods: A sample of 71 undergraduate students were assessed (24.

pH: A major player in degenerative intervertebral disks.

Chronic lower back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide, generating a socioeconomic cost of over $100 billion annually in the United States. Among the prominent causes of low back pain (LBP) is degeneration of the intervertebral disk (IVD), a condition known as degenerative disk disease (DDD). Despite the prevalence of DDD and multiple studies demonstrating its relationship with LBP, the mechanisms by which it contributes to pain remain unknown.

Comparison of efficacy and safety between unilateral biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion versus uniportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: This meta-analysis was performed to comprehensively evaluate the efficacy and safety of unilateral biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (UBE-TLIF) versus uniportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-TLIF) for the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases.

Methods: We electronically searched PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, the Wanfang Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure to identify controlled clinical studies on the efficacy and safety of UBE-TLIF and Endo-TLIF for lumbar degenerative diseases from database establishment to December 2023. Two researchers screened the literature, extracted data, and evaluated the risk of bias of the included studies.

Characteristics and mechanical mechanisms of intervertebral disc degeneration in old thoracolumbar fractures with kyphosis: clinical observations and finite element analyses.

Background: Low back pain is a common complication in patients with old thoracolumbar fractures with kyphosis (OTLFK), and intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a major contributor. Mechanical abnormalities are believed to play a key role in the development to IDD. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of lumbar disc degeneration and underlying mechanical mechanisms in patients with OTLFK.

High impact works on stem cell transplantation in intervertebral disc degeneration.

Background: Low back pain is a major disorder that causes disability and is strongly associated with intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). Because of the limitations of contemporary interventions, stem cell transplantation (SCT) has been increasingly used to regenerate degenerative discs. Nevertheless, analyses of high-impact papers in this field are rare.

Implications of Circadian Disruption on Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: The Mediating Role of Sympathetic Nervous System.

The circadian clock orchestrates a broad spectrum of physiological processes, crucially modulating human biology across an approximate 24-hour cycle. The circadian disturbances precipitated by modern lifestyle contribute to the occurrence of low back pain (LBP), mainly ascribed to intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). The intervertebral disc (IVD) exhibits rhythmic physiological behaviors, with fluctuations in osmotic pressure and hydration levels that synchronized with the diurnal cycle of activity and rest.

Effects of combining sensory-motor exercises with transcranial direct current stimulation on cortical processing and clinical symptoms in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy: An exploratory randomized controlled trial.

Background: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is linked to reduced excitability in the primary motor (M1) and sensory (S1) cortices. Combining sensory-motor exercises with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to boost M1 and S1 excitability may improve treatment outcomes. This combined approach aligns with the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying CLBP and may target the neuroplastic changes induced by low back pain.

Muscle fat infiltration: a narrative review of the magnetic resonance (MR)-based evaluation methods and their clinical applications.

Background And Objective: Muscle fat infiltration (MFI) can be seen in several pathologies of various origin including neuromuscular, endocrinological, or musculoskeletal etiologies. Its evaluation is possible through medical imaging, especially MRI, using qualitative or quantitative methods. This paper is an overview of the techniques used to evaluate MFI in different pathologies.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Central Sensitization Inventory Among Chinese Patients with Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain.

Purpose: This research aims to develop and validate the Chinese version of the Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI-CV) for patients suffering from chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP). The study evaluates both the validity and reliability of the CSI-CV.

Patients And Methods: The cross-cultural adaptation of the scale strictly adhered to the principles of Bombardier and Beaton.

Sleep Status and Chronotype in University Athletes with and without Chronic Low Back Pain: A Cross-Sectional Study.

 This study aimed to evaluate the status of sleep, chronotype, and related variables of university athletes with and without chronic low back pain (CLBP), to find the correlation between CLBP, sleep difficulty score (SDS), and chronotype, and to determine if SDS and chronotype predict CLBP.  Ninety-two university athletes [46 with CLBP (Age: 22.08±2.

Spinal Tuberculosis (Pott's Disease): A Case Report and Clinical Considerations.

Pott's disease (PD), also known as spinal tuberculosis, accounts for an extremely low percentage of all tuberculosis (TB) cases and typically manifests secondary to an extra-spinal infection through the hematogenous spread. The thoracolumbar vertebrae are the most affected sites in PD, although other spinal regions can also be involved, albeit less frequently. Back pain is the predominant presenting symptom.

Prevalence of Osteoporosis and Sarcopenia in Middle-Aged Subjects with Low Back Pain.

 The genesis of both osteoporosis and sarcopenia is multifactorial, complicated, and interrelated. The present study has been undertaken to analyze the prevalence of low bone mineral density (BMD) and the pattern of imaging markers of sarcopenia (paraspinal skeletal muscle area [SMA] and skeletal muscle index [SMI] with respect to clinicodemographic profile in middle-aged patients (30-45 years) undergoing evaluation for low back pain (LBP).  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the lumbosacral spine and/or sacroiliac joints was done on 3T MRI.

Machine learning-based diagnostic model of lymphatics-associated genes for new therapeutic target analysis in intervertebral disc degeneration.

Background: Low back pain resulting from intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) represents a significant global social problem. There are notable differences in the distribution of lymphatic vessels (LV) in normal and pathological intervertebral discs. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms of lymphatics-associated genes (LAGs) in the development of IVDD remain unclear.

Diagnostic imaging in the management of older adults with low back pain: analysis from the BAck Complaints in Elders: Chiropractic - Australia cohort study.

Background: Diagnostic imaging is commonly used in the management of low back pain (LBP), with approximately one-quarter of those who present to primary care referred for imaging. Current estimates of imaging frequency commonly exclude older adults; however, pathology detected with imaging (e.g.

Comparative efficacy and fusion outcomes of unilateral bi-portal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion versus minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion in treating single-segment degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis with lumbar spinal stenosis: a two-year retrospective study.

Background: Degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS) with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) is a common condition resulting in substantial lower back pain and disability. Surgical intervention is recommended only when conservative treatment fails. This study compared UBE-TLIF and MIS-TLIF regarding clinical outcomes and fusion rates in patients with single-segment DLS with LSS.

A physiotherapist-led biopsychosocial education and exercise programme for patients with chronic low back pain in Ghana: a mixed-methods feasibility study.

Background: Low back pain is a common musculoskeletal condition which causes substantial disability globally. The biopsychosocial model of management has been recommended in national and international guidelines for the management of patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). However, biopsychosocial approaches are predominantly delivered in high income countries (HICs), although the prevalence of LBP is substantially higher in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) especially in Africa (39%; 95% CI 30-47).