Evidence-based guideline for clinical diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults (version 2023) / 中华创伤杂志

The acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults have a higher rate of neurological injury and early death compared with atlas or axial fractures alone. Currently, the diagnosis and treatment choices of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults are controversial because of the lack of standards for implementation. Non-operative treatments have a high incidence of bone nonunion and complications, while surgeries may easily lead to the injury of the vertebral artery, spinal cord and nerve root. At present, there are no evidence-based Chinese guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults. To provide orthopedic surgeons with the most up-to-date and effective information in treating acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the field of spinal trauma to develop the Evidence-based guideline for clinical diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults ( version 2023) by referring to the "Management of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults" published by American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)/Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) in 2013 and the relevant Chinese and English literatures. Ten recommendations were made concerning the radiological diagnosis, stability judgment, treatment rules, treatment options and complications based on medical evidence, aiming to provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults.

Clinical guideline for diagnosis and treatment of adult ankylosing spondylitis combined with thoracolumbar fracture (version 2023) / 中华创伤杂志

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with spinal fractures with thoracic and lumbar fracture as the most common type shows characteristics of unstable fracture, high incidence of nerve injury, high mortality and high disability rate. The diagnosis may be missed because it is mostly caused by low-energy injury, when spinal rigidity and osteoporosis have a great impact on the accuracy of imaging examination. At the same time, the treatment choices are controversial, with no relevant specifications. Non-operative treatments can easily lead to bone nonunion, pseudoarthrosis and delayed nerve injury, while surgeries may be failed due to internal fixation failure. At present, there are no evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of AS combined with thoracic and lumbar fracture. In this context, the Spinal Trauma Academic Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of adult ankylosing spondylitis combined with thoracolumbar fracture ( version 2023) by following the principles of evidence-based medicine and systematically review related literatures. Ten recommendations on the diagnosis, imaging evaluation, classification and treatment of AS combined with thoracic and lumbar fracture were put forward, aiming to standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment of such disorder.

Chinese expert consensus on emergency surgery for severe trauma and infection prevention during corona virus disease 2019 epidemic (version 2023) / 中华创伤杂志

During coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic, the treatment of severe trauma has been impacted. The Consensus on emergency surgery and infection prevention and control for severe trauma patients with 2019 novel corona virus pneumonia was published online on February 12, 2020, providing a strong guidance for the emergency treatment of severe trauma and the self-protection of medical staffs in the early stage of the epidemic. With the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council renaming "novel coronavirus pneumonia" to "novel coronavirus infection" and the infection being managed with measures against class B infectious diseases since January 8, 2023, the consensus published in 2020 is no longer applicable to the emergency treatment of severe trauma in the new stage of epidemic prevention and control. In this context, led by the Chinese Traumatology Association, Chinese Trauma Surgeon Association, Trauma Medicine Branch of Chinese International Exchange and Promotive Association for Medical and Health Care, and Editorial Board of Chinese Journal of Traumatology, the Chinese expert consensus on emergency surgery for severe trauma and infection prevention during coronavirus disease 2019 epidemic ( version 2023) is formulated to ensure the effectiveness and safety in the treatment of severe trauma in the new stage. Based on the policy of the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council and by using evidence-based medical evidence as well as Delphi expert consultation and voting, 16 recommendations are put forward from the four aspects of the related definitions, infection prevention, preoperative assessment and preparation, emergency operation and postoperative management, hoping to provide a reference for severe trauma care in the new stage of the epidemic prevention and control.

Risk factors analysis of surgical site infection after posterior fusion and internal fixation for senile lumbar degenerative diseases / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To explore the risk factors of surgical site infection after posterior lumbar interbody fusion and internal fixation in elderly patients with lumbar degenerative diseases.Methods:The clinical data of elderly patients who underwent posterior lumbar interbody fusion and internal fixation for degenerative diseases of lumbar spine in Department of Orthopedics, Shanxi Bethune Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.Eighteen elderly patients with postoperative incision infection were included into the infection group, and according to the ratio of 1∶3, 54 elderly patients without incision infection during the same period were randomly selected and included in the non-infection group.The general data of patients, surgical related data and perioperative laboratory indexes were compared between groups using univariate analysis.The screened out indicators with close correlation with incision infection and with significantly statistical significance were included in binary Logistic regression analysis.Risk factors related to postoperative incision infection were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC).The quantitative data of risk factors related to postoperative incision infection were selected for receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)analysis.Results:When comparing the infected versus non-infected groups, the operative time was(197.1±39.5)min vs.(171.4±37.2)min, preoperative lymphoid count was(1.6±0.5)×10 9/L vs.(1.9±0.6)×10 9/L, and postoperative neutrophil count was[(7.2(6.2-9.5)×10 9/L vs.6.3(4.8-7.2)×10 9/L], percentage of neutrophils(82.5±8.8), % vs.(71.1±6.7), percentage of lymphocytes(1.1±0.6)×10 9/L vs.(1.7±0.7)×10 9/L, percentage of lymphocytes(11.0±5.6)% vs.(19.8±6.0)%, number of neutrophils vs.Lymphocyte count ratio(NLR)[8.5(5.2-15.0) vs.3.6(2.6-4.9)]and serum albumin concentration(31.4±2.5)g/L vs.(33.3±2.4)g/L, all P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that diabetes mellitus( OR=6.649, 95% CI: 1.233-35.853), operation time( OR=1.025, 95% CI: 1.004-1.047), and percentage of postoperative neutrophils( OR=1.261, 95% CI: 1.125-1.414)were independent risk factors of incision infection after posterior interbody fusion and internal fixation in patients with lumbar degenerative diseases(all P<0.05).ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve of operation time was 0.680, and the cut-off value was 177.5 min.The area under the curve of the percentage of neutrophils after operation was 0.841, and the cut-off value was 78.85%. Conclusions:In patients with posterior interbody fusion and internal fixation for lumbar degenerative diseases complicated with diabetes, long operation time, and increased percentage of neutrophils after surgery can independently increase the risk of incision infection.

Highlights in diagnosis and treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral fractures during the 13th Five-Year Plan period in China / 中华创伤杂志

Osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral fracture（OTVF）is a common clinical manifestation of patients with osteoporosis, which can lead to secondary kyphosis, scoliosis, lumbar pain and even neurological symptoms and seriously affect the quality of life of patients. Although the treatment of OTVF has been satisfactory now, there still ramain many challenges, such as early identification, accurate diagnosis and standardized treatment. In response to these problems, Chinese scholars have innovated a number of technologies in the field of OTVF diagnosis and treatment, and achieved remarkable research results during the“13th Five-Year Plan”period. A number of guidelines and expert consensus have been formulated around the core problems in diagnosis and treatment of OTVF. The authors summarize the representative new technologies and research achievements in diagnosis and treatment of OTVF during the 13th Five-Year Plan period in China.

Parathyroid hormone 1-34 in the treatment of adjacent vertebral refracture after percutaneous kypho-plasty for thoracolumbar osteoporotic compression fracture / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of parathyroid hormone 1-34 (PTH1-34) in the treat-ment of adjacent vertebral refracture after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) for thoracolumbar osteoporotic com-pression fracture (OVCF).Methods:A retrospective study was made of the 43 OVCF patients who had been admitted to Department of Orthopedics, Shanxi Bethune Hospital for adjacent vertebral refracture after PKP from January 2014 to June 2018.Of them, 22 were treated by secondary PKP (group A), 9 by secondary PKP+PTH1-34 (group B), and 12 by merely PTH1-34 (group C).The vertebral heights of anterior border and middle-line and sagittal kyphosis cobb angle on X-ray films at 6 months after operation, the bone mineral den-sities of the left hip at admission, 6 and 12 months after operation, and the Oswestry Dysfunction Index (ODI) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores at admission, 3, 6 and 12 months after operation were recorded and compared.Results:The 3 groups were compatible because there were no significant differences between them in the preoperative general data ( P>0.05).Recurrent OVCF was found in 3 patients in group A but not in group B or C.The vertebral heights and kyphosis cobb angle at 6 months after operation were significantly improved compared to the preoperative values in groups A and B ( P<0.05) but not in group C.The T values of bone mineral density at 6 and 12 months after operation in group B and at 12 months after operation in group C were significantly improved compared to their preoperative ones ( P<0.05) but not in group A.The post-operative ODI and VAS scores were significantly improved compared to the scores at admission in all the 3 groups ( P<0.05). Conclusions:In the treatment of adjacent vertebral refracture after PKP for elderly OVCF patients, PTH1-34 can significantly improve their bone mineral density, prevent collapse of the injured vertebra and reduce re-fracture of adjacent vertebral body.A combination of PTH1-34 and PKP is an effective treatment of adjacent vertebral refracture after PKP because it can restore the vertebral heights and reduce kyphosis deformity.

Clinical guideline for surgical treatment of symptomatic chronic osteoporotic vertebral fractures / 中华创伤杂志

According to the pathological characteristics of symptomatic chronic thoracic and lumbar osteoporotic vertebral fracture (SCOVF), the different clinical treatment methods are selected, including vertebral augmentation, anterior-posterior fixation and fusion, posterior decompression fixation and fusion, and posterior correction osteotomy. However, there is still a lack of a unified understanding on how to choose appropriate treatment method for SCOVF. In order to reflect the new treatment concept and the evidence-based medicine progress of SCOVF in a timely manner and standardize its treatment, the clinical guideline for surgical treatment of SCOVF is formulated in compliance with the principle of scientificity, practicability and advancement and based on the level of evidence-based medicine.

Unilateral short-segment screw fixation and bone graft fusion for special upper cervical spine injury / 中华创伤杂志

Objective@#To investigate the clinical effect of posterior unilateral short segment screw fixation and bone graft fusion in the treatment of special upper cervical spine injuries.@*Methods@#A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 15 patients with upper cervical spine injury admitted to Shanxi Bethune Hospital from July 2012 to May 2017. There were nine males and six females, aged 10-69 years [(41.9±20.9)years]. There were eight patients with traumatic atlantoaxial dislocation, one with congenital atlantoaxial dislocation, two with atlantoaxial dislocation with nonunion of odontoid process, three with Anderson type II odontoid process fracture, and one with old odontoid process fracture. All patients had cervico-occipital pain to different degrees, slender unilateral pedicle and distinct stenosis of vertebral artery. All patients were treated with posterior unilateral screw fixation and bone graft fusion. The injury of spinal cord and vertebral artery, operation time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate pain before and after operation, and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score was used to evaluate spinal cord function and postoperative improvement rate before and at the last follow-up. The position of internal fixation and fusion of bone graft were observed by X-ray after operation.@*Results@#All 15 patients were followed up for 6-36 months [(20.4±8.6)months]. All the screws were implanted successfully at the first time, without spinal cord or vertebral artery injury. The operation time was 100-210 minutes [(131.3±32.0)minutes], and the intraoperative blood loss was 100-450 ml [(203.1±104.0)ml]. Preoperative VAS score was (7.9±0.9)points, and postoperative VAS score was (3.7±0.8)points (P<0.01). Preoperative JOA score was (12.1±4.4)points, and the JOA score at postoperative follow-up was (16.1±1.4)points, with the improvement rate of 68%. Postoperative X-ray showed good recovery of cervical spine sequence. One patient developed loosened internal fixation after the neck brace protection was removed one month after surgery, and the patient recovered after timely second surgical fixation and fusion. The remaining 14 patients did not have loosened internal fixation, fracture or loss of reduction, with bone fusion 6-12 months after surgery.@*Conclusion@#Posterior cervical unilateral short-segment screw fixation and bone graft fusion can restore cervical stability, relieve pain, and improve function recovery, which can be used as a complementary procedure to treat upper cervical spine injury with anatomic structure variation.

Unilateral short-segment screw fixation and bone graft fusion for special upper cervical spine injury / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of posterior unilateral short segment screw fixation and bone graft fusion in the treatment of special upper cervical spine injuries.Methods A retrospective case series study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 15 patients with upper cervical spine injury adrnitted to Shanxi Bethune Hospital from July 2012 to May 2017.There were nine males and six females,aged 10-69 years [(41.9±20.9)years].There were eight patients with traumatic atlantoaxial dislocation,one with congenital atlantoaxial dislocation,two with atlantoaxial dislocation with nonunion of odontoid process,three with Anderson type Ⅱ odontoid process fracture,and one with old odontoid process fracture.All patients had cervico-occipital pain to different degrees,slender unilateral pedicle and distinct stenosis of vertebral artery.All patients were treated with posterior unilateral screw fixation and bone graft fusion.The injury of spinal cord and vertebral artery,operation time and intraoperative blood loss were recorded.Visual analogue scale(VAS)was used to evaluate pain before and after operation,and Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)score was used to evaluate spinal cord function and postoperative improvement rate before and at the last follow-up.The position of internal fixation and fusion of bone graft were ohserved by X-ray after operation.Results All 15 patients were followed up for 6-36 months [(20.4±8.6)months].All the screws were implanted successfully at the first time.Without spinal cord or vertehral artery injury.The operation time was 100-210 minutes [(131.3±32.0)minutes],and the intraoperative blood loss was 100-450 ml [(203.1±104.0)ml].Preoperative VAS score was(7.9 ±0.9)points.And postoperative VAS score was(3.7 ±0.8)points(P＜0.01).Preoperative JOA score was(12.1±4.4)points.And the JOA score at postoperative follow-up was(16.1±1.4)points.With the improvement rate of 68％.Postoperative X-ray showed good recovery of cervical spine sequence.One patient developed loosened internal fixation after the neck hrace protection was removed one month after surgery.And the patient recovered after timely second surgical fixation and fusion.The remaining 14 patients did not have loosened internal fixation.Fracture or loss of reduction.With bone fusion 6-12 months after surgery.Conclusion Posterior cervical unilateral short-segment screw fixation and bone graft fusion can restore cervical stability,relieve pain,and improve function recovery,which can he used as complementary procedure to treat upper cervical spine injury with anatomic structure variation.

Comparison of short-time clinical efficacy of percutaneous and open pedicle screw fixation for type A1-A3 thoracolumbar fractures / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of short segment fixation with percutaneous pedicle screws or traditional open surgery for the type A1-A3 thoracolumbar compression fracture.Methods A retrospective case control study was conducted on the clinical data of 64 patients with thoracolumbar compression fracture admitted to Shanxi Dayi Hospital between January 2012 and February 2017.There were 44 males and 20 females,aged 21-65 years [(45.4 ± 11.1) years].There was one patient with injured segment at T11,29 at T12,27 at L1 and seven at L2.According to AO typing,there were 39 patients classified as Type A1,two as Type A2 and 23 as Type A3.The patients were divided into minimally invasive surgery group (n =37) and open surgery group (n =27).Minimally invasive surgery group was treated with minimally invasive percutaneous pedicle screw fixation and open reduction.The open surgery group was treated with traditional open pedicle screw short segment fixation and open reduction.The operation time,intraoperative blood loss,total hospitalization time,postoperative hospitalization time,visual analogue scale (VAS) before and after operation,local kyphosis of the fractured vertebra,segmental kyphosis and complications in two groups were recorded.Results All patients were followed up for 12-29 months,with an average of 13.2 months.Between the minimally invasive surgery group and open surgery group,no significant difference was found in the operation time [(106.4± 37.3) minutes vs.(131.3 ± 33.6) minutes] (P ＞ 0.05),and significant differences were found in intraoperative blood loss [(71.2 ± 34.9) ml vs.(409.3 ± 267.5) ml],total hospitalization time [(11.7 ± 7.2) days vs.(21.6 ± 12.8) days] and postoperative hospitalization time [(8.1 ± 7.4) days vs.(16.6 ± 10.6) days] (P ＜ 0.05).In the minimally invasive surgery group,VAS was (6.5 ±1.1) points preoperatively and was (2.3 ± 0.7) points and (1.0 ± 0.3) points immediately after operation and at final follow-up.In the open surgery group,VAS was (6.9 ± 1.0)points preoperatively and was (4.2 ± 1.0) points and (0.9 ± 0.4) points immediately after operation and at final follow-up (P ＜0.05).Compared with the preoperative VAS,those immediately after operation and at final follow-up were significantly decreased within the two groups (P ＜ 0.05).There were no significant differences in the preoperative VAS and VAS at final follow-up between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05),but significant difference was found in VAS immediately after operation between the two groups (P ＜ 0.05).In the minimally invasive surgery group,the local kyphosis of the fractured vertebra was (19.3 ± 3.8) °preoperatively,(3.4 ± 1.7) ° immediately after operation,and (4.6 ± 1.9) ° at final follow-up.In the open surgery group,the local kyphosis of the fractured vertebra was (19.6 ± 6.8) ° before operation,(1.6 ± 0.8) ° immediately after operation,and (2.4 ± 1.1) ° at final follow-up.The kyphosis of fractured vertebra immediately after operation and at final follow-up were significantly decreased within the two groups compared with the preoperative kyphosis(P ＜0.05),but no significant differences were found between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).In the minimally invasive surgery group,the segmental kyphosis Cobb angle was (16.1 ± 9.1) ° before operation,(3.0-± 1.8) ° immediately after operation,and (5.9 ±1.8) ° at final follow-up.In the open surgery group,the segmental kyphosis Cobb angle was (15.2±12.0) ° before operation,(3.1 ± 1.4) ° immediately after operation,and (5.6 ± 2.1) ° at final follow-up.The segmental kyphosis Cobb angle immediately after operation and at final follow-up were significantly decreased within the two groups compared with the preoperative Cobb angle (P ＜ 0.05),but no significant differences were found between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).No spinal cord injuries because of pedicle screws were observed after operation in either group.In the open surgery group,there was one patient with wound infection who recovered after dressing change,and no infection case was found in the minimally invasive surgery group.Conclusion For type A1-A3 thoracolumbar compression fractures,both the minimally invasive posterior pedicle screw fixation and the traditional open pedicle screw fixation can achieve satisfactory near-term results,and the former is better in intraoperative blood loss,immediate relief of pain after operation and shorter hospital stay than the latter.

Ethyl pyruvate reduces spinal cord edema after spinal cord injury and attenuates spinal cord astrocyte swelling and aquaporin-4 expression after oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation in vitro by inhibiting high mobility group box-1 in rats / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective To study the roles of ethyl pyruvate ( EP ) in spinal cord edema after spinal cord injury ( SCI ) and in spinal cord astrocytic swelling after oxygen-glucose deprivation and reoxygenation ( OGD/R) in vitro in rats. Methods After SCI models were established in adult Sprague-Dawley ( SD ) rats, an intraperitoneal injection of EP was conducted to inhibit high mobility group box-1 ( HMGB1 ). Effects of EP on spinal cord edema, HMGB1 expression and astrocyte activation ( glial fibrillary acidic protein ( GFAP ) expression) in SCI rats were analyzed. Spinal cord astrocytes were cultured in post-natal SD rats and incubated under OGD/R procedure. Effects of EP on cell swelling, expression of HMGB1, aquaporin-4 ( AQP4 ) and toll-like receptor 4 ( TLR4 ) , and nuclear expression of nuclear factor-kappa B ( NF-κB ) in spinal cord astrocytes were observed. Results The water content in the spinal cord was increased significantly more at 1 d after SCI than at 12 h and 3 d ( P ＜0.05 ). Intraperitoneal injection of EP at 50 mg/kg reduced spinal cord water content, HMGB1 expression and astrocyte activation ( GFAP expression ) in SCI rats signif-icantly more than that at 25 mg/kg or 100 mg/kg ( P ＜0.05 ). The volume of spinal cord astrocytes cultured in vitro after OGD 6 h/R 24 h was significantly greater than that after OGD 6 h/R 6 h or OGD 6 h/R 12 h ( P ＜0.05 ). EP at 12 μmol/L reduced cell swelling, decreased expression of HMGB1, AQP4 and TLR4, and downgraded nuclear expression of NF-κB in spinal cord astrocytes after OGD/R significantly more than EP at 6 μmol/L( P ＜0.05). Conclusion EP may reduce early spinal cord edema after SCI, attenuate spinal cord astrocyte swelling and decrease AQP4 expression after OGD/R in vitro by inhibiting HMGB1 in rats.

The selection of surgery in upper cervical injuries / 中华骨科杂志

Objective To investigate the selection of surgery and clinical outcomes of upper cervical injuries.Methods 25 upper cervical injury patients were involved in this retrospective study from November 2011 to June 2014.Including 20 males and 5 females with mean age of 37.1 years old (range,14-55 years old).Individual operation methods were based on the comprehensive evaluation of specific situations including the clinical manifestation,the type of the injuries and the imaging data.HaloVest distraction was applicated before operation.The surgery by anterior approach were performed for 7 patients and posterior approach were performed for 18 patients.Preoperative and postoperative American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade and Functional Independence Measurement (FIM) score were studied to evaluate the nerve functional restoration.Imaging data before and after the operation were contrasted to evaluate the reduction of the fracture,the bone union,the fusion of the bone graft and the condition of the internal fixation.Wilcoxon Singed Rank Test was applied to compare the FIM score between pre-operation and last follow-up.Results 15 patients presented neurological function deficit because of cervical spinal cord compromise.All cases were followed up for 6-35 months (mean 18.2 months),showing good clinical and radiological effects.Solid fusion was obtained in all patients among 3-12 months.The ASIA grade improved by an average of 1.1 (6 months after operation) and 1.2 (12 months after operation).There was significant difference in FIM score between pre-operation and last follow-up.One patient got cerebrospinal fluid leakage.Conservative treatment was implemented with the Trendelenburg position,rehydration fluids and so on.Removal of drainage tube 8 days later when the drainage was less than 30 ml/24 h.No incision infection,cerebrospinal fluid leakage,migration or breakage of internal fixation was observed at the last follow-up.Conclusion The type of upper cervical injuries are complicated,the characteristics of fracture,dislocation and nerve injury in different patients are different.The specific situation should be evaluated comprehensively to make individual operation methods.The success of the operation requires the proficiency of the anatomic basis,the biomechanical characteristics,precise entrance point and direction in operation,appropriate diameter of the screw and suitable depth of the screw road.

Evaluation of CD24 as a marker to rapidly define the mesenchymal stem cell phenotype and its differentiation in human nucleus pulposus / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Recent studies have indicated that human nucleus pulposus contain mesenchymal stem cells (NP-MSCs). However, the immunophenotypic variation of NP-MSCs in vitro was unclear. The present study was conducted to address the immunophenotypic variation of mesenchymal stem cells in nucleus pulposus under continuous proliferation in vitro and show the difference between mesenchymal stem cells and nucleus pulposus cell.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Tissue samples were obtained from thoracolumbar burst fracture patients and degenerative disc disease patients who underwent discectomy and fusion procedures. Flow cytometric and laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM) were used to detect the variation of mesenchymal stem cells in nucleus pulposus which were expressing CD105 and CD24 in condition with or without transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>More than 90% of the analyzed primary cells of mesenchymal stem cells in nucleus pulposus fulfilled the general immunophenotyping criteria for MSCs, such as CD44, CD105 and CD29, but the marker of mature NP cells characterized as CD24 was negative. In continuous cultures, the proportion of mesenchymal stem cells which were expressing CD44, CD105 and CD29 in nucleus pulposus gradually decreased. The mesenchymal stem cells in nucleus pulposus cells were positive for CD105 and CD29, with slight positivity for CD44. The CD24 expression gradually increased in proliferation. Biparametric flow cytometry and laser scanning confocal microscopy confirmed the presence of cells which were expressing CD105 and CD24 independently, and only a small part of cells expressed both CD105 and CD24 simultaneously. TGF-β1 could stimulate mesenchymal stem cells in nucleus pulposus to express CD24.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Non-degenerative and degenerative NP contains mesechymal stem cells. The variation of CD24 can be used as a marker to identify the NP-MSCs differentiation into NP-like cells.</p>

Surgical treatment for cervical spondylotic myelopathy with different characteristics in imaging examinations / 中华骨科杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical features, operation procedures and clinical outcomes of cervical spondy-lotic myelopathy with different imageological characteristics. Methods Two hundred and twenty one cervical myelopathy with different imageological characteristics patients between November 2011 and October 2013 were involved in this retrospective study. Patients were distributed into three groups, namely mild group (A), moderate group (B) and severe group(C), based on severi-ty of complexity by imageological variables (severity of cervical spine degeneration, the number of spinal cord compression, severi-ty of spinal cord compression and difficulty in operation). Preoperative and postoperative Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and mean recovery rate were collected to evaluate the postoperative clinical effects. Demographic data and imageological characteristics were recorded;Univariate analysis or analysis of variance was conducted to analyze the correlation between post-operative JOA recovery rate with gender, age, course of disease, severity of spinal cord compression, the number of segment with spinal cord compression, severity of disc degeneration, MRI T2 increased signal intensity, cervical instability, cervical kyphosis, developmental cervical spinal stenosis and ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament. Results There was no significant differ-ence in gender between three groups. There was significant difference in age, preoperative JOA score and improvement rate be-tween group A and group B (C). All patients received decompression and reconstruction by anterior or posterior approach. The ra-tio of anterior approach in group A, B and C was 91.1%(72/79), 79.8%(71/89), 35.8%(18/53). The last follow-up JOA recovery rate of group A, B and C was 75.4%±6.4%、67.7%±8.7%、62.8%±10.4%. The last follow-up JOA recovery rate was correlated with duration of disease, the number of spinal cord compression and severity of spinal cord compression. Age, duration of course, preop-erative JOA score, degree of cord compression, the number of segment with cord compression, degree of disc degeneration, MRI T 2 increased signal intensity, cervical instability, cervical kyphosis, developmental cervical spinal stenosis and OPLL. Conclusion Patients suffering from cervical myelopathy with different imageological have good prognosis by appropriate operation procedure.

Clinical efficacy analysis of hybrid spinal fusion surgery in the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy / 中华骨科杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy,operative essentials and indications of hybrid spinal fusion surgery for cervical spondylotic myelopathy.Methods From August 2008 to December 2011,thirty-eight patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy underwent hybrid spinal fusion surgery in our hospital.There were 27 males and 11 females,aged from 33 to 70 years (average,51 years).A total of 86 segments were treated (fusion 48 vs.non-fusion 38).Twenty-eight patients underwent a two-level surgery,and ten patients received a three-level surgery.The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and Visual analogue scale (VAS) were used to evaluate pre-and post-operative neurological function and pain,respectively.The pre-and post-operative range of motion of the cervical spine was measured according to Xrays.Moreover,the surgical complications were recorded and analyzed.Results Thirty-seven patients were followed up for 15 to 55 months (average,29.1 months).The improvement of neurological function was obtained in 36 patients.The JOA score was improved from preoperative 10.5±1.57 to 14.3±1.97 at final follow-up,with an improvement rate of 58.46％,and the results were excellent in 16 cases,fair in 20 cases and poor in 1 case.The VAS was improved from preoperative 7.3±1.04 to 3.2±1.41 at final follow-up.The Cobb angle changed from preoperative 25°±3.21°to 20°±2.56°at final follow-up.After operation,the neurological function was not restored in 1 case; hoarseness and bucking occurred in 2 cases; sore throat occurred in 22 cases; anterior displacement of prosthesis (PCM) occurred in 3 cases.Other patients had no complications,such as displacement,loosening and heterotopic ossification.Conclusion In hybrid spinal fusion surgery,the lesions segments are decompressed fully,the severely degenerative segments are fused,and the motion of the non-fusion segments is reserved.As a result,not only the stability of the cervical spine is achieved,but also an obvious improvement of symptoms and a satisfactory short-term efficacy can be obtained.Therefore,this method is an alternative procedure for cervical spondylosis myelopathy.

Multiple differentiation potential of mesenchymal stem cells in nucleus pulposus of different sources:a comparative study / 中华骨科杂志

Objective To differential the biologic characteristics and multiple differentiation potential of mesenchymal stem cells in nucleus pulposus in (NP-MSC) scoliosis patient and patient with degenerative interverthral disc.Methods The human nucleus pulposus-mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured with enzyme digestion from 2 patients of scoliosis and 2 patient with degenerative intervertbral disc separately.Cellular proliferation was detected with MTT assay and trypan blue.The immunophenotype expression of NP-MSC was detected by flow cytometry in scoliosis and degenerative group.The multiple differentiation ability of cells was assessed respectively using alizarin red dye,Oil red O dye and immunohistochemical staining.Results The primary cell morphology of scoliosis NP-MSC was the shape of spindle,while the degenerative NP-MSC was inhomogeneous.However,both of them became spindle shape after passages.The scoliosis NP-MSC was stronger than degenerative one in metabolic activity and proliferation.The percentage of positive antigen expression of CD44,CD105 and CD29 was 97％-100％ in scoliosis NP-MSC group,but 88.7％-97％ in the degenerative group.The expression of mature cell marker CD24 was negative in both groups.Furthermore,the MSC i.isolated from both groups differentiated along the osteogenic,chondrogenic but not adipogenic lineages.Conclusion The scoliosis and degenerative NP contains mesenchymal stem cells.Moreover the scoliosis NP-MSC had stronger ability of cell metabolic activity and proliferation.These cells have multiple differentiation potential with the exception of their adipogenic differentiation ability.

Clinical analysis of surgical reconstitution of cervicothoracic junction / 中华骨科杂志

ObjectiveTo discuss the selection of surgical approach,operative methods,and stability of reconstitution of affection of cervicothoracic junction.MethodsFrom January 2001 to February 2009,86cases with affection of cervicothoracic junction were treated surgically.The mean age of patients at the time of surgery was 43.1 years (range,17-70).Fifty-seven patients were treated with anterior approach (fixation with autologous bone grafts was done in 38 patients,Cage fixation in 5,titanium mesh in 14),21 with posterior approach(the fixation of lateral mass screw combined with pedicle screw was used in 12 patients,fixation with pedicle screw in 9),and 8 with anterior combined posterior approach.The neurological function of 53 cases of injury of cervicothoracic junction was assessed by American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) criteria,and the rest was assessed by Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA) criteria; bone arthrodesis and restoring lordosis of cervical spine were assessed by Bohlman radiographic criteria.ResultsSixty-nine cases were followed up for an average of 12.4 months(range,3-45).ASIA score increased from 1.8 preoperatively to 2.3 postoperatively,and JOA score increased from 10.3 preoperatively to 12.8 postoperatively.Bone fusion reached in all patients,and lordosis of the cervical spine of 62 cases was restored.One case with respiratory dysfunction,1 case with cerebrospinal fluid leakage,2 cases with hoarseness,and 1 case with loose lateral mass screw were found after the surgery.ConclusionThe advantages of surgical reconstitution of the cervicothoracic junction included promoting recovery of neurological function,restoring the alignment and lordosis of the cervical spine,decreasing the rate of complication,which were dependent on the suitable surgical indications,surgical approach,and way of surgical reconstitution.The selection of reconstituted methods depends on disease,lesion site,type and degree of injury,experience of doctor,decompression and spinal stabilization synthetically.

Surgical approaches for lower cervical spine injuries / 中华创伤杂志

Objective To investigate reasonable surgical approaches for lower spine injuries.Methods The study involved 174 patients with lower cervical spine injuries treated with anterior approaches, posterior approaches, or anterior-posterior approaches in our hospital from August 2005 to September 2009. American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grading system was used to evaluate the surgical outcome. Results All patients were followed up for average 30 months (6-55 months), which showed that bone union was achieved in 169 patients, with no breakage, loosening or displacement of the internal fixators. There were five deaths. The ASIA grades of 125 patients were improved by 1 or 2 levels ( 1.12levels on average), with an improvement rate of 71.3%. Conclusion Comprehensive and accurate preoperative diagnosis is the basis for choose of correct surgical approaches for lower spine injury. Early and correct surgery is essential for a good prognosis.

Cervical artificial disc replacement: indications and outcomes / 中华骨科杂志

Objective To explore the indications of cervical artificial disc replacement (ADR) based on radiographic evaluation and different anterior decompression methods. Methods From January 2008 to July 2009, 175 patients with cervical spondylosis or disc herniation who underwent anterior decompression were involved in this study. Patients were distributed to different operative groups based on the preoperative radiographic evaluation. One hundred and forty-five cases were treated with fusion operation, and the others received ADR. Operative methods were as follows: 1) Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF); 2)Anterior cervical discectomy and subtotal vertebrectomy; 3) Anterior subtotal vertebreetomy and fusion; 4)ProDisc-C ADR. The patients with single-level of cervical spondylotic myelopathy were divided into ACDF and ADR groups according to different operative methods. Clinical outcomes of two groups were evaluated by Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score. The range of motion (ROM) of the segment was recorded in ADR group at the 1st month, 3rd month, 6th month and 12th month postoperatively. Results The indication of ADR was cervical spondylosis with slight disc calcification or small vertebral posterior osteophytes. Under this condition, decompression could be obtained thorough intervertebral space and ADR be implanted. If cervical spondylosis was associated with vertebral posterior huge osteophytes, serious intervertebral narrow or fusion, serious disc calcification ,ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament and extensive cervical spinal stenosis, subtotal vertebrectomy was necessary. The mean improvement rates of ACDF and ADR were 66.05% and 67.13%. There was no difference between two groups (P ＞ 0.05). No difference of ROM was found before and after surgery in ADR group (P ＞0.05). Conclusion Only decompression can be achieved thorough through the intervertebral space, and ADR is suitable for cervical spondylosis. ACDF and ADR have similar outcomes in treatment of single-level of cervical spondylotic myelopathy. But ADR has the advantage of maintaining ROM of the operative segment.

Effect of cellular reactive oxygen species on SK-N-MC Ewing sarcoma cells upon apoptosis induction by 2-Methoxyestradiol / 肿瘤研究与临床

Objective To explore the regulation of ROS level and ROS-triggered downstream events on SK-N-MC Ewing sarcoma cells upon apoptasis induction by 2-Methoxyestradiol (2-ME). Methods To detect the reversibility of apoptosis and the alternation of activity of respiratory chain, mitechondria transmembrane potential (△ψm), and cellular ROS level and to explore their association with flow cytometry, clark oxygen electronic node analysis, drug-removal design, and permeability transition (PT) pore stablizing agent. Results SK-N-MC cells were induced to ROS-dependent apoptosis. Apoptosis occured irreversibly after2-ME treatment for 3 h. Upon 2-ME treatment, the activity of respiratory chain was inhibited and the ROS generation was accelerated; the △ψm underwent the increasing within 3h but decreasing after 3h which could be reversed by PT pore stablizing; the ROS level underwent the continuous increasing and PT pore stablizing had no obvious effect on it. Conclusion 2-ME causes the acceleration of ROS generation via inhibiting the activity of respiratory chain and elevating the level of △ψm. ROS plays a signaling role and when total ROS accumulate to a threshold, the PT pore opening and the collapse of △ψm could be induced irreversibly and cell is eventually introduced to death.