Efficacy of full-endoscopic interlaminar and transforaminal discectomy for lumber disc herniation / Eficácia da discectomia interlaminar e transforaminal totalmente endoscópica na hérnia de disco lombar

ABSTRACT A previous study has reported the therapeutic effects of interlaminar/transforaminal approaches under full-endoscopic visualization to treat L5-S1 lumber disc herniation (LDH). However, the comparison of interlaminar/transforaminal approaches to treat other segments of LDH remains unclear. Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of full-endoscopic interlaminar and transforaminal lumbar discectomy to treat LDH. Methods: A total of 93 patients with LDH who underwent fully-endoscopic lumbar interlaminar/transforaminal discectomy were retrospectively collected. Patients were divided into a Transforaminal group (n=41) and an Interlaminar group (n=52). Clinical efficacy was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS), the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and the modified MacNab scoring system. Results: Of the 93 patients, involving segments in LDH referred to L3-4, L4-5, and L5-S1. The fluoroscopy times in the Interlaminar group were smaller than that of the Transforaminal group. We found no obvious significances between the Transforaminal and Interlaminar groups regarding operation time, incision length, postoperative landing time, hospitalization, and incision healing time. Postoperative VAS and ODI scores notably improved at follow-up. Besides, almost 90% LDH patients achieved excellent/good outcomes. Conclusion: The full-endoscopic visualization technique via interlaminar and transforaminal approaches safely and effectively treat LDH. Level of Evidence III, Retrospective Study.

RESUMO Um estudo anterior relatou os efeitos terapêuticos das abordagens interlaminar/transforaminal sob visualização totalmente endoscópica para tratar a hérnia de disco lombar (HDL) L5-S1. No entanto, a comparação das abordagens interlaminar/transforaminal para o tratamento de outros segmentos de HDL permanece pouco clara. Objetivo: Avaliar a eficácia clínica da discectomia lombar interlaminar e transforaminal totalmente endoscópica no tratamento da HDL. Métodos: Foram recolhidos retrospetivamente 93 pacientes com HDL submetidos a discectomia lombar interlaminar/transforaminal totalmente endoscópica. Os pacientes foram divididos em um grupo transforaminal (n=41) e um grupo interlaminar (n=52). A eficácia clínica foi avaliada através da escala visual analógica (EVA), do índice Oswestry de incapacidade (ODI) e do sistema de pontuação de MacNab modificado. Resultados: Dos 93 pacientes, os segmentos envolvidos na HDL referiam-se a L3-4, L4-5 e L5-S1. Os tempos de fluoroscopia no grupo Interlaminar foram menores do que no grupo Transforaminal. Não encontramos significâncias óbvias entre os grupos Transforaminal e Interlaminar em relação ao tempo de operação, comprimento da incisão, tempo de pós-operatório, hospitalização e tempo de cicatrização da incisão. As pontuações EVA e ODI pós-operatórias melhoraram notavelmente no acompanhamento. Além disso, quase 90% dos pacientes com HDL obtiveram resultados excelentes/bons. Conclusão: A técnica de visualização totalmente endoscópica através de abordagens interlaminar e transforaminal trata a HDL de forma segura e eficaz. Nível de Evidência III, Estudo Retrospectivo.

Predictive performance of critical illness scores and procalcitonin in sepsis caused by different gram-stain bacteria

OBJECTIVES: To compare the early and late predictive values of several critical illness scores (CISs) and biomarkers in sepsis-3 patients with bloodstream infections (BSIs) and to identify the prognostic value of procalcitonin (PCT) for different gram-stain bacteria infections. METHODS: Patients with at least one positive blood culture within 24h of emergency department admission and with a final diagnosis of sepsis/septic shock were enrolled. CISs were calculated based on the first parameters on the day of admission. The receiver operating characteristics curve was used to analyze the predictive value of CISs and biomarkers for early and late mortality. RESULTS: Of 834 enrolled patients with sepsis-3, death occurred in 214 patients within 28 days and in 273 patients within 60 days. Compared with biomarkers, CISs showed a significantly higher area under the curve (AUC) in the prediction of early and late mortality (p<0.01), especially for patients with GNB infection. The Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score showed a higher AUC for predicting early mortality than the Mortality in Emergency Department Sepsis score (p=0.036). Compared with GNB infections, the AUC values of the PCT for gram-positive bacteria (GPB) infections were higher for predicting early or late mortality; PCT showed higher AUC than high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and white blood cells for predicting early mortality (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CISs were more advantageous in the assessment of early and late prognosis, especially for patients with GNB infections; however, for sepsis with GPB infection, PCT can be used for the prediction of early mortality.

Knockout of p16INK4a promotes aggregative growth of dermal papilla cells

Summary Objective: Dermal papilla cells (DPCs) are located in the hair follicles and play an important role in hair growth. These cells have the ability to induce hair follicle formation when they display aggregative behavior. DPCs derived from the androgenetic alopecia (AGA) area undergo premature senescence in vitro, associated with p16INK4a expression. The aim of the current study was to investigate the expression of p16INK4a in aggregative and non-aggregative DPCs and the effect of p16INK4a down-regulation in these cells by adenovirus-mediated RNA interference (RNAi). Method: DPCs were isolated and cultured from healthy human scalp. p16INK4a gene and protein were detected in aggregative and non-aggregative cells. Expression of p16INK4a in DPCs was silenced by infection with rAd5-CDKN1A-1p2shRNA. Cell fate was monitored after infection. The growth of cells was measured by MTT assay. Cell cycle was evaluated by flow cytometry (FCM). Results: DPCs were isolated by digestion and showed aggregative behavior for six passages. The expression of p16INK4a showed a clear upward trend in non-aggregative cells when compared with aggregative group. p16INK4a expression was silenced by rAd5-CDKN1A-1p2shRNA (p<0.05). The p16INK4a-silenced cells grew more rapidly and exhibited a trend towards aggregative growth. There was an increase in the proportion of cells in G1 phase, while those in S phase were reduced after p16INK4a gene silencing (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results suggest that p16INK4a plays an important role in the premature senescence and aggregative behavior of DPCs. These observations can lead to novel therapeutic strategies for treatment of AGA.