Prevalence and risk factors of frailty in older patients with chronic heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: To provide a summary of the available evidence concerning prevalence and risk factors of frailty in elderly patients with CHF. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CINAHL, The Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (CNKI), Chinese Biomedical Database (Sinomed), Weipu Database (VIP), and Wanfang database were searched from inception to July 2023. This study strictly followed the PRISMA guidelines. The quality of the included studies was rated by the Agency for Healthcare and Research and Quality and the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. RESULTS: A total of 21 original studies were included, involving 4,797 patients. Meta-analysis results showed that the prevalence of frailty in older patients with heart failure was 38% (95%CI: 0.32-0.44). Age, cardiac function grading, left atrial diameter, left ventricular ejection fraction, hemoglobin, polypharmacy, BNP, nutritional risk, and hospitalization day are the influential factors of frailty in older patients with CHF. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of frailty in older patients with CHF is high, and clinical medical personnel should identify and intervene early to reduce or delay the frailty in older patients with CHF as much as possible.

[Role and regulatory mechanism of glycometabolism of Sertoli cells in spermatogenesis].

Testis has been reported to be a naturally oxygen-deprived organ. Lactate produced by glycolysis of Sertoli cells is an important source of energy in spermatogenic cells, which quickly provides adenosine triphosphate to meet the needs of rapidly proliferating spermatogenic cells for energy and substances. Wide attention has been drawn to the studies of energy metabolism and its regulatory mechanisms in normal spermatogenesis. It is essential to illuminate the regulation of glucose transport by glucose transporters in Sertoli cells, the catalysis of pyruvate to lactic acid by lactate dehydrogenase and the transport process of the single carboxylate transporter to lactic acid under the influence of different factors or diseases, which play important roles in ensuring the normal spermatogenesis and male reproductive function. This review summarizes the changes of energy metabolism in spermatogenesis and the mechanisms of endocrine factors, signaling pathways, miRNAs and protein acetylation regulating cell glycolysis, aiming to provide some important reference for the elucidation of the molecular metabolism of spermatogenesis and clinical treatment of relevant diseases.

Effects of stress on cognitive function and its related mechanisms / 中国药理学通报

Stress is a kind of coping mechanism of human and most animals in the face of external survival pressure, which can regulate an individual's physiological, psychological function and behavior. Some studies have shown that there are differences in stress response and cognition of different stress intensity on individuals. In addition, for different individuals, the stress response caused by the same stress source is also varied, which is related to the changes in neurotransmitter and hormone levels, as well as difference in the activation patterns of downstream signa-to individual genetic difference and other factors. In this paper, the cognitive changes from different stress states are summarized from the aspects of neurotransmitters, hormones and their downstream mechanisms, so as to provide ideas for the reasonable application of stress and the prevention and treatment of stress-related diseases.

Role of thymic stromal lymphopoietin in the pathogenesis of lumbar disc degeneration.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to investigate the role of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) in the pathogenesis of lumbar disc degeneration (LDD). METHODS: Nucleus pulposus tissues were collected from 77 LDD patients (the case group), in addition, normal tissues were extracted from 21 patients suffering from lumbar fractures (the control group). Immunohistochemistry was applied in order to detect TSLP positive expression. In accordance with varying transfection, the cells were divided into TSLP-siRNA, TSLP-siRNA + TSLPR-siRNA, control, blank, anti-TSLPR, and IgG groups. Western blotting was used in order to detect TSLP expression in tissues, and TSLP and type II collagen (COL2AL) in cell culture media were detected using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Cell viability was measured using a MTT assay. Aggrecan levels were detected using antonopulos, and cell apoptosis was determined using flow cytometry. RESULTS: TSLP-positive expression was found to be significantly higher in the case group compared with the control group. LDD patients' Pfirrmann grades and preoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were associated with TSLP-positive rate. Cells transfected with TSLP-siRNA and TSLPR-siRNA plasmids exhibited lower TSLP and thymic stromal lymphopoietin receptor (TSLPR) protein expression compared with the control and blank groups. Compared with the control and blank groups, there was significantly higher cell viability, lower cell apoptosis, and higher COL2AL and Aggrecan levels in the TSLP-siRNA, anti-TSLPR, and TSLP-siRNA+TSLPR-siRNA groups; there were significant differences between the TSLP-siRNA, anti-TSLPR, and TSLP-siRNA+TSLPR-siRNA groups and IgG group (all P < .05) CONCLUSION:: Our study provides evidence for the hypothesis that TSLP could reflect the histological severity of LDD, and TSLP-siRNA and, TSLPR-siRNA could inhibit apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells. The evident information obtained from the investigation could lead the way for new therapeutic approaches regarding LDD treatment.

Influence of CYP2C9 and COX-2 Genetic Polymorphisms on Clinical Efficacy of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs in Treatment of Ankylosing Spondylitis.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships of CYP2C9 and COX-2 genetic polymorphisms with therapeutic efficacy of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). MATERIAL AND METHODS We enrolled 130 AS inpatients and outpatients in the Arthritis and Rheumatism Department of Peking University First Hospital and 106 healthy people getting routine check-ups between September 2013 and July 2014. CYP2C9 and COX-2 genetic polymorphisms were detected by PCR-RFLP. All AS patients underwent medical treatment and 12-week follow-up treatment. Score differences of BASDAI, ASAS20, ASAS50, and ASAS70 for AS patients with different genotypes before and after treatment were compared. RESULTS In terms of COX-2-1290A/G and -1195G/A gene polymorphism genotype and allele frequency, the case group and control group were obviously different (all P<0.05), but CYP2C9*3 polymorphism genotype and allele frequency were not statistically different between the 2 groups (P>0.05). AS patients had improved BASDAI, ASAS20, ASAS50, and ASAS70 scores after they received NSAID treatment (all P<0.05). Furthermore, the efficacy of NSAID in treatment of AS and COX-2 gene -1290A/G and -1195G/A polymorphism were associated (all P<0.05), but it is not associated with CYP2C9 *3 polymorphism (all P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS COX-2-1290A/G and -1195G/A polymorphism may increase AS risk and they both can be considered as biological indicators for prediction of efficacy of NSAIDs in treatment of AS.

The influence of artificial nucleus pulposus replacement on stress distribution in the cartilaginous endplate in a 3-dimensional finite element model of the lumbar intervertebral disc.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effects involved with the artificial nucleus pulposus (NP) replacement on stress distribution of the cartilaginous endplate (CEP) in a 3-dimensional lumbar intervertebral disc (IVD) model using a finite element (FE) analysis. METHODS: A healthy male volunteer was recruited for the purposes of the study and a spiral computed tomography scan was subsequently conducted to obtain the data information in relation to the L4/5 motion segment. An FE model of the L4/5 motion segment constructed, on the basis of which degenerative IVD, IVD with NP removal, and IVD with NP replacement were in turn built. The stress distribution of the CEP and bulging of IVD were estimated using various motion states, including axial loading, forward flexion, backward extension, left axial rotation, and right axial rotation. RESULTS: Under different motion states, the vertebral stress was higher in the degenerative IVD, the IVD with NP removal, and the IVD with NP replacement, in comparison to that of the normal IVD. Furthermore, a higher vertebral stress was detected in the degenerative IVD than the IVD with NP removal and the IVD with NP replacement. An even distribution of vertebral stress was observed in the IVD model with an artificial NP replacement, while the vertebral stress and bulging displacement were lower than after NP removal. Our findings provided confirmation that stress of the CEP was consistent with the vertebral stress. CONCLUSION: This study provided evidence suggesting that NP replacement, vertebral stress, and bulging displacement are lower than that of degenerative IVD and IVD with NP removal under different motion states.

Suppression of mTOR signaling pathway promotes bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells differentiation into osteoblast in degenerative scoliosis: in vivo and in vitro.

To investigate the role of mTOR signaling pathway in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) differentiation into osteoblast in degenerative scoliosis (DS). The rat model of DS was established. Thirty-two Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were selected and divided into the normal control group, the positive control group (normal rats injected with rapamycin), the negative control group (DS rats injected with PBS) and the experiment group (DS rats injected with rapamycin). H&E staining was performed to observe the osteogenesis of scoliosis. The BMSCs were obtained and assigned into seven groups: the normal control group, the positive control group, the negative control group and 1.0/10.0/100.0/1000.0 nmol/L experiment groups. Flow cytometry was conducted to testify cell cycle. The mRNA and protein expressions of mTOR and osteoblastic differentiation markers were measured by qRT-PCR and western blotting. In vivo, compared with the negative control group, bone trabecular area and the number of differentiated bone cells were significantly increased in the experiment groups. In vitro, at 24 and 48 h after rapamycin treatment, compared with the negative control group, BMSCs at G0/G1 stage increased, but BMSCs at S stage decreased in the 1.0/10.0/100.0/1000.0 nmol/L experiment groups; the expressions of mTOR and p70-S6K1 proteins were reduced in the 1.0/10.0/100.0/1000.0 nmol/L experiment groups, while ALP activity, OC levels, calcium deposition, Co1-I protein expression and the mRNA expressions of OC and Co1-I were significantly increased. Suppression of mTOR signaling pathway by rapamycin could promote BMSCs differentiation into osteoblast in DS.

Three new 1-(p-hydroxybenzyl)phenanthrenes from Bletilla striata.

Three new benzylphenanthrenes, named 1-(p-hydroxybenzyl)-4,7-dimethoxyphenanthrene-2-ol (1), 1-(p-hydroxybenzyl)-4,7-dimethoxyphenanthrene-2,8-diol (2), and 1-(p-hydroxybenzyl)-4,7-dimethoxyphenanthrene-2,6-diol (3), along with a known analog were isolated from tubers of Bletilla striata. The structures of these new compounds were established by means of HR-ESI-MS, 1D, and 2D NMR.

Surgical treatment of sacral fractures following lumbosacral arthrodesis: Case report and literature review.

Sacral fractures following posterior lumbosacral fusion are an uncommon complication. Only a few case series and case reports have been published so far. This article presents a case of totally displaced sacral fracture following posterior L4-S1 fusion in a 65-year-old patient with a 15-year history of corticosteroid use who underwent open reduction and internal fixation using iliac screws. The patient was followed for 2 years. A thorough review of the literature was conducted using the Medline database between 1994 and 2014. Immediately after the revision surgery, the patient's pain in the buttock and left leg resolved significantly. The patient was followed for 2 years. The weakness in the left lower extremity improved gradually from 3/5 to 5/5. In conclusion, the incidence of postoperative sacral fractures could have been underestimated, because most of these fractures are not visible on a plain radiograph. Computed tomography has been proved to be able to detect most such fractures and should probably be performed routinely when patients complain of renewed buttock pain within 3 mo after lumbosacral fusion. The majority of the patients responded well to conservative treatments, and extending the fusion construct to the iliac wings using iliac screws may be needed when there is concurrent fracture displacement, sagittal imbalance, neurologic symptoms, or painful nonunion.

[Analysis of sagittal parameters about senior thoracolumbar proximal junctional kyphosis after lumbar long segment fusion].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the radiographic risk factors of senior thoracolumbar proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) after lumbar long segment fusion. METHODS: From January 2009 to December 2011, the PJK group enrolled 9 patients who satisfied the following criteria: being older than 60 years, having lumbar fusion operation no less than 4 levels, upper instrumented vertebrae being L1 or L2, emerging PJK in 2-year follow-up, and the control group enrolled 10 matched patients without PJK. Their sagittal parameters including sagittal vertical axis, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, upper instrumented vertebral angle, pelvic incidence, sacral slope, pelvic tilt, lumbo-pelvic lordosis on full length spine lateral film were measured, the oswestry disability index (ODI ) scores of the two groups in the last follow up recorded, and the parameters and ODI scores of two groups compared. RESULTS: The phenomena of PJK emerged average 7.9 months post-operation. The patients' lumbar lordosis reduced and compensatory pelvic appeared backward obviously after PJK emerged. Compared with the control group, lumbar lordosis, pelvic radius-T12 (PR-T12), upper instrumented vertebral angle were small in the PJK group, suggesting more severe lumbar pelvic imbalance. The ODI scores of the PJK group and contral group were 40.6 ± 15.9 and 21.5 ± 15.0 respectively, and the difference was significant. CONCLUSION: PJK after lumbar long segment fixation of elderly patients can aggravate the sagittal imbalance and reduce functional scores. The operator should pay great attention to restoring the lumbo-pelvic lordosis.

[Retrospective study of complication of interspinous implants for degenerative lumbar disease].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize and analyze the complications of interspinous implants for degenerative lumbar disease. METHODS: From September 2007 to September 2011, 177 cases with degenerative lumbar diseases were treated with interspinous implants. There were 99 male patients and 78 female patients, the average age was 44.5 years (26 - 71 years). According to the application interspinous dynamic stabilization system type were divided into the Wallis group (136 cases) and Coflex group (41 cases). The clinical results were assessed by visual analog scale (VAS) of pain on lumbar and lower limbers, lumbar Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and Prolo functional score. The radiological results including segmental lodosis and segement movement degree were assessed by lumbar X ray and dynamic X ray. Summarize and analyze the complications both during operation and post operation. Quantitative datas were compared by paried-samples t test and complication rate was compared by χ(2) test. RESULTS: There were 168 cases had completed follow-up and the average time was 34.7 months (3 - 50 months). In the final follow-up, lumbar pain VAS, lower limber pain VAS, lumbar JOA score and Prolo functional score were better than pre-operation (t = 10.7, 7.9, 13.4 and 8.8, P < 0.01). Segment lodosis angles was 14° ± 4° which was less than pre-operation 19° ± 4° (t = 9.4, P < 0.01).Segment movement degree was larger in Coflex group (12.6° ± 3.1°) than in Wallis group (9.7° ± 2.7°) (t = 8.6, P < 0.05). Complication rate was 10.7% (18/168), which of Wallis group was 6.2% (8/130) and Coflex group was 26.3% (10/38) (χ(2) = 12.5, P < 0.01). In Wallis group, there were 3 cases with dura tear and cerebrospinal fluid leakage, 1 case with nerve root injury and foot drop, 2 cases with spacer breakage when implantation and change the implants and 2 cases with recurrence of lumbar disc herniation. In Coflex group, there was 1 case with dura tear and cerebrospinal fluid leakage, 2 cases with mild displacement post operation, 1 case with debridement for aseptic wound exudates, 1 case with implant removal for breakage 1 week post operation, 4 cases with recurrence of lumbar disc herniation and 1 case with lumbar disc herniation 6 months post operation of lumbar stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: The application of interspinous implants for degenerative lumbar diseases is effective and relative safe, but would suffer from the risk of complications.

[Analysis of risk factors for delirium in the elderly patients after spinal operation].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the causes of high risk for the delirium of the elderly after spinal operation. METHODS: In the study, 116 cases of delirium were retrospectively analyzed from 1 216 patients aged more than 70 years who underwent spinal operation in general anesthesia from April 2007 to April 2011. Of the 116 patients, 62 were male and 54 female, with an average age of 75.3 years, ranging from 70 to 92 years; 36 underwent anterior cervical surgery,41 were treated by posterior cervical decompression surgery, and 39 had posterior lumbar decompression operation. Clinical features, such as gender, operation duration time, blood loss, analgesics drugs, the dosage of methylprednisolone, the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid, saturation of arterial oxygen and bed room periods were observed and the data were analyzed with the single factor risk analysis at first then multiple factors analysis performed by binary Logistic regression. RESULTS: The single factor risk analysis showed that there are significant differences between delirium and non-delirium in operation duration (P=0.032), blood loss (P=0.013), hypoxemia (P=0.002) and fever (P=0.001) after operation. While multiple factors Logistic regression analysis indicated that the dosage of methylprednisolone (P=0.002) and morphine (P=0.005) after operation, the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (P=0.020), and hypoxemia (P=0.005) were the risk factors of delirium status after operation. CONCLUSION: The incidence of delirium status after spinal operation could be decreased by application of less dosage of morphine or methylprednisolone and to avoid hypoxemia and the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid during operation.

[Clinical characteristics and reoperation of symptomatic adjacent segment degeneration postoperation of lumbar fusion].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical characteristics and reoperation of symptomatic adjacent segment degeneration postoperation of lumbar fusion. METHODS: In the study, 28 cases of symptomatic adjacent segment degeneration postoperation of lumbar fusion from May 2007 to April 2012 were retrospectively reviewed,with an average age of (64.3±8.7) years. The mean period between reoperation and primary fusion surgery was (47.5±30.8) months. Symptomatic adjacent segment degeneration located in cephalic segments in 12 cases, in caudal segments in 14 cases and in both segments in 2 cases. Of all the 28 patients, 12 suffered from lumbar stenosis, other 13 from lumbar disc herniation and still other 3 from both lumbar stenosis and disc herniation, of whom 11 were together with segment instability. Localization diagnoses of 19 cases were clear and other 9 received diagnostic nerve root block. The cases were divided into two groups by the type of reoperation,of which 8 cases were in adjacent degenerative segment nonfusion group and the other 20 cases in adjacent degenerative segment fusion group. The clinical results were assessed by lumbar pain visual analog score (VAS) and lower limber pain VAS,lumbar Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and Prolo functional score before operation and in the final follow-up. RESULTS: In adjacent degenerative segment nonfusion group, the average operation time was (86.3±17.1) min and average blood volume was (125.0 ±37.8) mL of reoperation and 1 case with dural injury; and in adjacent degenerative segment fusion group, the average operation time was (201.6 ±71.0) min and average blood volume was (313.6±218.9) mL of revision surgery and 4 cases with dural injury. The average follow-up period was 25.5 months. In the final follow-up,lumbar pain VAS,lower limber pain VAS,lumbar JOA score and Prolo functional score of adjacent degenerative segment nonfusion group were 2.4±1.2, 2.8±1.4,23.5±4.2 and 8.2±1.5,which were better than preoperation 5.5±2.9, 6.8±2.5, 13.7±5.2 and 4.3±2.1, P<0.001; lumbar pain VAS, lower limber pain VAS,lumbar JOA score and Prolo functional score of adjacent degenerative segment nonfusion group were 3.3±1.9, 3.1±1.2, 22.2±4.4 and 7.7±1.6, which were better than preoperation 5.4±2.7, 7.0±2.4, 13.0±5.6 and 3.9±1.9, P<0.001.In the final follow up, lumbar pain VAS of adjacent degenerative segment nonfusion group was better than that adjacent degenerative segment fusion group(P=0.028). CONCLUSION: Symptomatic adjacent segment degeneration postoperation of lumbar fusion is difficult for diagnosis and treatment. Appropriate reoperation could get the good results.

[Prevention for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after spinal surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of venous thrombus embolism (VTE) prophylaxis according to risk stratifications after spinal surgery. METHODS: From June 2008 to June 2009, we separated 298 spinal patients who had different VTE risk factors into low-, medium- and high-risk groups for 22 cases, 48 cases and 228 cases respectively. Physical prevention measures such as thigh-length thromboembolic deterrent stockings (TEDS) and pneumatic sequential compression device (PSCD) were used in low- and medium-risk groups. In high-risk groups, low molecular weight heparin(LMWH) was applied in addition to physical prevention measures. Lower limb vascular doppler ultrasonography was used to monitor thrombosis pre- and postoperatively. Simultaneously the occurrences of epidural or wound hematoma, mucosal bleeding, thrombocytopenia caused by low molecular heparin and nerve damage caused by extradural hemorrhage were monitored. RESULTS: Among the 298 cases of patients with spinal surgery, DVT occurred in 23 cases, the incidence of DVT was 7.7%. There were 0, 2 and 21 patients with positive findings of deep vein thrombosis on duplex ultrasonograph respectively in low-, medium- and high-risk groups. There was no case of PE. All DVT was thrombosis in calf which was distal to the knee. There was no clinical symptom of VTE. The DVT needed no therapy. The vein with thrombosis was recanalized 3 months after operation. No case caught epidural or wound hematoma, mucosal bleeding, thrombocytopenia caused by low molecular heparin or nerve damage caused by extradural hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: Individual VTE prophylaxis was taken according to risk stratifications. No VTE of clinical value or no complications from prophylaxis happened. So our prophylaxis is effective and safe. But more prospective, case-control studies are needed to assess the efficacy and safety of VTE prophylaxis.

[Mid-term follow-up and analysis of the failure cases of interspinous implants for degenerative lumbar diseases].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the indications,efficacy and safety of application of interspinous implants for degenerative lumbar diseases by mid-term follow-up and analysis of the failure cases. METHODS: In our study, 52 cases of degenerative lumbar diseases treated with interspinous implants From September 2007 to September 2008 were divided into Wallis group (25 cases) and Coflex group (27 cases). The clinical results were assessed by lumbar pain visual analog score (VAS) and lower limber pain VAS, lumbar Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score and Prolo functional score; the radiological results including implant positon, segmental lodosis and segment movement degree were assessed by lumbar X ray post-operation compared with pre-operation. For cases of discogenic low back pain, lumbar disc changes were assessed by lumbar MRI 12 months post operation. RESULTS: Fifty-two cases had complete follow-up and the average time was 30.4 months. In the final follow up, lumbar pain VAS,lower limber pain VAS,lumbar JOA score and Prolo functional score of Wallis group were (2.5 ± 1.7),(2.7 ± 1.4),(23.4 ± 3.1)and(8.9 ± 1.4), which were better than pre-operation (5.3 ± 3.0),(7.4 ± 2.6),(13.5 ± 4.6)and(4.5 ± 2.6 ),lumbar pain VAS P=0.027, all others P<0.001 ;lumbar pain VAS,lower limber pain VAS,lumbar JOA score and Prolo functional score of Coflex group were (2.6 ± 2.9),(3.8 ± 1.9),(21.2 ± 3.5)and(8.5 ± 1.8),which were better than pre-operation (5.5 ± 3.2),(7.1 ± 2.8), (13.1 ± 4.8)and(4.2 ± 2.5), lumbar pain VAS P=0.036, all others P<0.001;in the final follow up,lower limber pain VAS of Wallis group was (2.7 ± 1.4), which was better than (3.8 ± 1.9) of Coflex group(P=0.039);in the final follow up, Segment lodosis angles of Wallis group was 14.3° ± 3.9°, which was larger than 13.2° ± 3.5° of Coflex group (P=0.028); Segment movement degree of Wallis group was 9.6° ± 2.8°, which was smaller than 12.8°±3.0°of Coflex group (P=0.019).In Coflex group,four cases of lumbar disc herniation relapsed and three cases received second operation. One case with lumbar stenosis suffered from lumbar disc herniation of the same segments and received second revision operation. CONCLUSION: Treatments with interspinous implants for the degenerative lumbar diseases are effective, but we should pay attention to the indication and apply them for lumbar disc herniation with caution.

[Retrospective study of combined application of interspinous process fixation system and rigid fixation system for degenerative lumbar diseases].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy and safety of combined application of interspinous process fixation system and rigid fixation system for degenerative lumbar diseases. METHODS: From September 2007 to September 2008, 16 cases with degenerative lumbar diseases were treated with combined application of interspinous process fixation system and rigid fixation system. The clinical results were assessed by VAS of pain of lumbar and lower limbs, lumbar JOA score and Prolo functional score. The radiological results including implant position (interspinous process, pedicle screws and plates), spinous process fracture, segmental range of motion (the non-fusion fixation segment, and the intermediate segments between fused and non-fused segments) which were assessed by lumbar static and dynamic X rays. RESULTS: All 16 cases obtained an average follow-up of 17.6 months. At final follow up, lumbar VAS, lower limbers VAS, lumbar JOA score and Prolo functional score were significant improved than those of pre-operation (lumbar VAS: 1.9 +/- 1.4 vs. 4.5 +/- 3.1; lower limbs VAS: 1.7 +/- 1.2 vs. 6.3 +/- 2.9; lumbar JOA score: 22.8 +/- 3.3 vs. 12.5 +/- 4.7; Prolo functional score: 8.3 +/- 1.2 vs. 4.0 +/- 2.3). Range of motion of the non-fusion fixation segment was (9.8 +/- 4.2) degrees and that of the intermediate segments between fused and non-fused segments was (13.2 +/- 3.5) degrees . CONCLUSIONS: Combined application of interspinous process fixation system and rigid fixation system for degenerative lumbar diseases provides a new idea to avoid the multi-segment fusion fixation and pertinent potential problems. Short-term clinical results are successful.

[Distant pain after thoracolumbar compressive fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyze the causes and treatment of distant pain after thoracolumbar compressive fracture. METHODS: The investigators retrospectively analyzed 14 cases of thoracolumbar compressive fracture with distant pain, observed the pain region and its relationship with thoracolumbar compressive fracture and administered the treatment of pain. RESULTS: There were 14 cases of thoracolumbar compressive fracture with lumbar sacral pain whose painful region were located in paravertebral muscles (n = 6), near iliac crest (n = 5) and in hypochondrium (n = 3). Five and 7 cases of pain disappeared after vertebroplasty and local injection respectively and 2 cases were relieved with analgesics. Eighteen patients with thoracolumbar vertebrae fractures (T11-L2) were fixed with short segment pedical screw fixation, the instrumentation removed at 1 year post-operation and their Cobb's angle and trauma vertebra height measured from 0.5 - 2 years after instrumentation removal. CONCLUSION: The cause of distant pain after thoracolumbar compressive fracture maybe be related with radiating pain resulting from irritated nerves in the vertebral fracture region or distant soft tissue pain. A timely pain treatment can relieve the patients' symptoms.

[Retrospective study of application of interspinous implants for degenerative lumbar diseases].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the indications, efficacy and safety of applying interspinous implants for degenerative lumbar diseases. METHODS: From September 2007 to September 2008, 68 cases with degenerative lumbar diseases were treated with interspinous implants. The clinical outcome was assessed by VAS of pain in back and lower extremities, lumbar JOA score and Prolo functional score; the radiological results including implant position, segmental lodosis and segment movement degree were assessed by lumbar X ray including dynamic post-operative versus pre-operative X ray. RESULTS: Sixty-four cases had a complete follow-up and the average time was 11.4 months. At the final follow up, lumbar VAS 1.7 +/- 1.5, lower extremity VAS 1.3 +/- 1.0, lumbar JOA score 23.5 +/- 3.1 and Prolo functional score 8.6 +/- 1.4. They were better than those at pre-operation (1.7 +/- 1.5, 1.3 +/- 1.0, 23.5 +/- 3.1, 8.6 +/- 1.4). Segment lodosis angle (15.4 +/- 4.2) degrees was less than (19.6 +/- 4.7) degrees at pre-operation; segment movement degree was (10.3 +/- 4.5) degrees . Two cases with lumbar disc herniation relapsed and received a second operation. CONCLUSION: The application of interspinous implants for degenerative lumbar diseases is still in its infancy and the selection of indication is very important. Its efficacy and safety have been confirmed by a short follow-up.

[Surgical treatment of cervical spondylotic amyotrophy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment of cervical spondylotic amyotrophy. METHODS: 9 cervical spondylotic amyotrophy patients and 15 cervical radiculopathy, myelopathy spondylosis patients were included in this study. Their clinical manifestation, MRI image results and treatment were analysis. Of 9 cervical spondylotic amyotrophy patients, 7 cases were done with cervical discectomy, 2 cases were done with combined cervical anterior and posterior operation; of 15 radiculopathy, myelopathy spondylosis patients, 12 cases were done with cervical discectomy, 3 cases were done with combined cervical anterior and posterior operation. RESULTS: Cervical spondylotic amyotrophy patients were followed up 6-36 months, muscle power of 9 patients were improved markedly, muscle power of 6 patients were improved from grade II preoperation to grade IV-V postoperation after operation 6 months, relief rate is 75%-100%, that of 2 patients were improved from grade III preoperation to grade IV-V postoperation, relief rate is 50% and 100% respectively, that of 1 patient (multiple segments) were improved from grade I preoperation to grade III postoperation, relief rate is 50%; 8 patients were followed up over 12 months, muscle power of 7 patients were improved to grade V, relief rate is 100%, that of 1 patient were improved to grade IV, relief rate is 80%. Cervical radiculopathy, myelopathy spondylosis patients were followed up 12-36 months, muscle power of 15 patients were improved respectively, muscle power of 15 patients were improved from grade II-IV preoperation to grade III-V postoperation after operation 6 months, relief rate is 20%-100%, all 15 patients were followed up over 12 months, muscle power of 11 patients were improved to grade V, relief rate is 100%, that of 3 patient were improved to grade IV, relief rate is 20%-50%, that of 1 case keep unchanged. CONCLUSION: Cervical spondylotic amyotrophy is a rare type of cervical spondylotic disorder, it is easily misdiagnosed because it is confused with motor neuron disease. MRI and electromyography can help to diagnose. The mechanism of cervical spondylotic amyotrophy maybe is that compression of anterior horn of spinal cord or ischemic injury of spinal cord. Surgical treatment can help to improve muscle power, prognosis of single segment is better than that of multiple segments.

[Clinical character and treatment of coexistence of cervical spine disease and lumbar spine degenerative disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical character and surgical management in coexistence of cervical and lumbar spine disease. METHODS: 53 cases with coexistence of cervical and lumbar spine disease were analyzed for clinical character and follow-up outcomes. 19 single cervical operation cases, 16 single lumbar operation cases and 7 combined cervical lumbar operation cases, all patients were recorded with JOA score. RESULTS: The cases with cervical and lumbar intervertebral disc showed at least 2 segments. After 6 months follow-up, 35/44 cases symptom were relieved obviously, of which 24/35 cases were single operation, relief rate is 75.9%, satisfactory rate is 80.0%; of which 11/35 cases were continuous cervical lumbar operation, relief rate is 78.4%, satisfactory rate is 78.5%. 6/44 cases' symptom with only cervical or only lumbar operation were relieved incompletely, 3/44 cases' symptom with second operation relieved incompletely. 5 cases missed diagnosis on the first operation. 29 cases with responsible focus, of which 25 cases were followed up, relieved obviously, relief rate is 76.5%, satisfactory rate is 96.0%. CONCLUSION: The cases with cervical and lumbar intervertebral disc showed at least 2 segments, the same basis of the spinal canal stenosis and disc herniation is degeneration of spine. certain responsible focus and correct surgical management can get good treatment results.