Comparisons between needle puncture and chondroitinase ABC to induce intervertebral disc degeneration in rabbits.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the effect of needle puncture and chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) injection on inducing intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration (IVDD) in rabbits.

Methods: Sixteen New Zealand white rabbits were used in this study. Briefly, the rabbits were divided into four groups.

Treatment of isolated fourth metacarpal neck fractures using the closed reduction and percutaneous intermetacarpal and external fixation.

Background: The isolated fourth metacarpal neck fracture is uncommon, and the appropriate management is still debatable. The aim of this retrospective study was to introduce a closed reduction and percutaneously intermetacarpal K-wire fixation external technique to treat the isolated fourth metacarpal neck fracture.

Methods: From October 2013 to January 2018, 21 patients with closed-isolated fourth metacarpal neck fractures (angulation ≥35°, rotation ≥5°, or shortening ≥5 mm) were treated with the closed reduction and percutaneous intermetacarpal and external fixation technique.

Fluoroscopy-Guided Blockade of the Greater Occipital Nerve in Cadavers: A Comparison of Spread and Nerve Involvement for Different Injectate Volumes.

Background: Fluoroscopy-guided blockade of the greater occipital nerve (GON) is an accepted method for treating the symptoms of cervicogenic headaches (CGHs). However, the spread patterns among different injectate volumes of fluoroscopy-guided GON blocks are not well defined.

Objective: A cadaveric study was established to determine the spread patterns of different volumes of dye injectate within a fluoroscopic GON block.

Embryonic gene expression altered by maternal exposure to air pollution in rats.

Exposure to air pollution is known to increase the risks for cardiovascular, pulmonary and metabolic diseases. Growing evidences also indicated that air pollution exposure during pregnancy could negatively impact on early embryonic development and children's health. We performed RNA sequencing to identify deregulated mRNAs in air pollution-exposed rat embryos.

Mineralized collagen-modified PMMA cement enhances bone integration and reduces fibrous encapsulation in the treatment of lumbar degenerative disc disease.

As a minimally invasive surgery, percutaneous cement discoplasty (PCD) is now contemplated to treat lumbar disc degeneration disease in elder population. Here, we investigated whether the osteogenic mineralized collagen (MC) modified polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) cement could be a suitable material in PCD surgery. Injectability, hydrophilicity and mechanical properties of the MC-modified PMMA (PMMA-MC) was characterized.

Reconstruction of Finger Pulp Defects With an Innervated Distally-Based Neurovascular Flap.

Purpose: Finger pulp resurfacing is a challenging reconstructive problem. This article introduces sensory reconstruction of finger pulp defects using an innervated distally-based neurovascular flap raised from the dorsum of the thumb.

Methods: From May 2015 to May 2017, the innervated distally-based neurovascular flap was used in 36 patients.

Three-Column Classification for Acetabular Fractures: Introduction and Reproducibility Assessment.

Background: The Judet-Letournel classification has been widely used to diagnose acetabular fractures since it was proposed. However, there has been growing evidence of incompleteness and comprehension difficulty in this classification, which may adversely affect its clinical use. The purposes of this study were to introduce a novel 3-column classification system for acetabular fractures and to evaluate its reliability and reproducibility.

Risk Factors of Secondary Vertebral Compression Fracture After Percutaneous Vertebroplasty or Kyphoplasty: A Retrospective Study of 650 Patients.

BACKGROUND In this study, we aimed to investigate the risk factors contributing to secondary vertebral compression fractures (SVCF) in patients undergoing percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) or kyphoplasty (PKP) due to osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). MATERIAL AND METHODS Between January 2010 and December 2017, 650 patients with regular follow-up were identified and retrospectively analyzed in this study. Of these patients, 410 patients underwent PVP and 240 patients underwent PKP surgery.

Differentially expressed circular RNAs in air pollution-exposed rat embryos.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are an important class of non-coding RNAs partly by acting as microRNA sponges. Growing evidence indicates that air pollution exposure during pregnancy could lead to congenital defects in the offspring. In this study, using circRNAs sequencing, we profiled differentially expressed circRNAs in rat embryos exposed to a high concentration (> 200 μg/m) of fine particulate matter (PM) in utero.

Aberrantly expressed long non-coding RNAs in air pollution-induced congenital defects.

Air pollution has been a serious public health issue over the past few decades particularly in developing countries. Air pollution exposure during pregnancy poses potential threat to offspring as the deleterious substances might pass through placenta to alter foetal development. A growing number of studies have demonstrated that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) participate in the development of many diseases, including congenital defects.

Use of the First Dorsal Metacarpal Artery-Based Fascial Flap for Reconstruction of Small Defects on the Dorsum of the Hands.

Purpose: To describe the reconstruction of small defects on the dorsum of the hands using a first dorsal metacarpal artery-based fascial flap harvested through the borders of the defect.

Methods: From January, 2015 to May, 2017, 29 patients (29 hands) with soft tissue defects on the dorsum of the hand were treated using a first dorsal metacarpal artery-based fascial flap. At final follow-up, we measured range of motion of the metacarpophalangeal joints and the first web span.

MicroRNA signature of air pollution exposure-induced congenital defects.

Air pollution exposure has been increasing extensively and there are evidence suggesting that exposure to air pollution during pregnancy can lead to congenital defects in the offspring. Recent findings suggested that microRNAs (miRNAs) might play important roles in the pathogenesis of developmental defects. However, the miRNAs profile pattern in the air pollution-exposed embryos remains unknown.

Treatment of Bennett fractures with tension-band wiring through a small incision under loupes and a headlight.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to present a novel treatment strategy for Bennett fractures using a tension-band wiring technique performed through a small incision with loupes and a headlight. Additionally, this study compared this technique with the conventional percutaneous pinning technique.

Methods: Between January 2014 and January 2017, the tension-band wiring technique was used in 37 patients with Bennett fractures (study group).

Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion and Unilateral Fixation for Degenerative Lumbar Disease.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effect of the minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion combined with posterolateral fusion and unilateral fixation using a tubular retractor in the management of degenerative lumbar disease.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted to analyze the clinical outcome of 58 degenerative lumbar disease patients who were treated with minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion combined with posterolateral fusion and unilateral fixation during December 2012 to January 2015. The spine was unilaterally approached through a 3.