Objective To introduce the latest advances of research on repair of the degenerative intervertebral disc with gene transduction.Methods The recentlypublished articles about the treatment of degenerative disc with gene transduction were reviewed, especially the articles published during the recent 5 years about the application of this therapy to regulating the synthesisand degradation of the extracellular matrix of the degenerative intervertebral disc.Results The shape and function of the normal intervertebral disc were reported to be closely related to the synthesis and degradation of the extracellular matrix of the intervertebral disc. The extracellular matrix of the intervertebral disc was a target for the gene transduction to repair the degenerative intervertebral disc. There was a great development of the treatment with gene transduction, especially in vector choice, target gene transduction, and transgene regulation and safety. Conclusion The advances of the research have indicated that repair of the degenerative intervertebral disc with gene transduction is a keyto curing the disease of the degenerative intervertebral disc.
Objective To observe the clinical outcomes of Hangman fracture treated by anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. Methods A total of 41 patients with Hangman fracture were retrospectively analyzed, who underwent anterior cervical discectomy and fusion from May 2010 to May 2016. Intervertebral bone graft fusion was observed through postoperative radiographic images, and improvement of symptoms was evaluated by Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Neck Disability Index (NDI) and Modified Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scale (m-JOA). Surgical complications were evaluated as well. Results No severe complications occurred after surgery, but 5 patients had a transient dysphagia, which relieved spontaneously. Thirty-five patients had a fusion of intervertebral bone graft 3 months after surgery, and the remaining 6 patients did at the last follow-up. The VAS score was improved from 4.5±1.6 pre-operatively to 2.4±1.7 immediately post-operatively (P>0.05), and was further improved to 0.7±0.9 at the last follow-up (P<0.05). The NDI score was improved from 29.3±10.9 pre-operatively to 13.2±5.4 immediately post-operatively (P<0.05), and was further improved to 4.6±3.1 at the last follow-up (P<0.05). The m-JOA score was improved from 8.4±2.3 pre-operatively to 11.6±3.5 immediately post-operatively (P<0.05), and was further improved to 14.3±2.0 at the last follow-up (P<0.05). Conclusion Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion can be used in Hangman fracture, which is safe and reliable.
Objective To introduce the research of mesenchymal stemcells(MSCs) transplantation for treating intervertebral disc degeneration. Methods The recent original articles about the MSCs transplantation for treating intervertebral disc degeneration were extensively reviewed. Results Transplanted MSCs in intervertebral disc can express chrondcyte-like phenotype in certain conditions, increase matrix synthesis and release intervertebral disc degeneration. Conclusion MSCs transplantation for treating intervertebral disc degeneration may be a future approach.
Objective To review the research advances in animal models of human disc degeneration. Methods The relative articles in recent years were extensively reviewed. Studies both at home and abroad were analyzed and classified. The advantages and disadvantages of each method were compared. Results Studies were classified as either experimentally induced models or spontaneous models. The induced models were subdivided as mechanical (alteration of forces on the normal disc), structural (injury or chemical alteration) and genetically induced models. Spontaneous models included those animals that naturally developed degenerative disc disease. Conclusion Animal model of intervertebral disc degeneration is an important path for revealing the pathogenesis of human disc degeneration, and play an important role in testing novel interventions. With recent advances in the relevance of animal models and humans, it has a great prospect in study of human disc degeneration.
Objective To investigate the effect and safety of the anterior uncovertebral joint resection in treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy accompanied by radiculopathy. Methods From March 2002 toJuly 2004, 9 patients (5 males, 4 females; aged 38-66) with cervical spondylotic myelopathy accompanied by radiculopathy underwent the anterior uncovertebral joint resection and discectomy using the titanium cage implantation. There were 6 unilateral and 3 bilateral compressed nerve roots. Results During the follow-up for 3-16 months, CT scanning or X-ray films revealed thatall the patients improved with an enlargement of the intervertebral foramen, and MRI demonstrated that compression of the spinal cord and nerve roots vanished.Seven patients had a relief in the radicular pain although the other 2 still had a residual pain. All the patients improved to some extent in symptoms of myelopathy. No patient suffered vertebral artery injury during the operation. Conclusion The uncovertebral joint resection can directly decompressthe nerve roots. The key to avoidance of an injury to the vertebral artery is agood understanding of the regional anatomy and a good performance of the operation.
In order to investigate the possible involvement of the antigen CA50 in patients with colorectal carcinoma， the carbohydrated antigen CA50 in serum was examined in 30 normal individual， 27 patients with benign colorectal diseases and 66 patients with colorectal carcinoma by immunoradiometric assay (IRMA). The results showed that the serum CA50 in patients with colorectal carcinoma was significantly higher than that in patients with benign colorectal diseases and normal individual (Ｐ＜0.01). It was significantly declined after radical operation (Ｐ＜0.01). However， no significant change was noted after palliative operation (Ｐ＞0.05) and elevation was noted in patients with tumor recurrence. The results suggest that the measurement of serum CA50 may be an useful marker for diagnosis and prognostic evaluation in patients with colorectal carcinoma.
Objective To compare the sequential efficacy of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen therapy (HFNC) with non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIV). Methods Randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of NIV sequential invasive mechanical ventilation with HFNC were included in the Chinese Journal Full-text Database, VIP Journal database, Wanfang Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, PubMed, Cochrane Library and Embase. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan5.4 software. Results A total of 2404 subjects were included in 19 studies. Meta-analysis results showed that compared with NIV, HFNC had a statistically significant difference in reducing patients' re-intubation rate in invasive mechanical ventilation sequence [relative risk (RR)=0.65, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.50 - 0.86, Z=3.10, P=0.002]. HFNC showed statistically significant difference compared with NIV in reducing lung infection rate (RR=0.40, 95%CI 0.21 - 0.79, Z=2.67, P=0.008). HFNC was significantly different from NIV in terms of length of stay in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) (MD=–5.77, 95%CI –7.64 - –3.90, Z=6.05, P<0.00001). HFNC was significantly different from NIV in improving 24 h oxygenation index (MD=13.16, 95%CI 8.77 - 17.55, Z=5.87, P<0.00001). There was no significant difference in ICU mortality between HFNC and NIV (RR=0.70, 95%CI 0.45 - 1.08, Z=1.61, P=0.11). Conclusion Compared with NIV, sequential application of HFNC in invasive mechanical ventilation can improve the reintubation rate and pulmonary infection rate to a certain extent, reduce the length of ICU stay and improve the 24 h oxygenation index, while there is no difference in ICU mortality, which is worthy of clinical application.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness, safety, cost and optimal dosing regimen of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) used in the lumbar spine arthrodesis. Methods We formulated the clinical questions according to the PICO principle. We searched the ACP Journal Club (1991 to February 2008), The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2007) and PubMed (1990 to February 2008) as well as other relevant databases. The evidence retrieved was critically appraised. Results Current evidence showed that BMP was a satisfactory and safe behavior in lumbar arthrodesis. Its cost was equal to that of autogenous iliac bone graft. The types of BMP currently used in clinical practice are BMP-2 and BMP-7. Finished product of fixed composition ratio was recommended in anterior lumbar inter-body fusion, while in posterolateral fusion, 20mg of BMP-2 or 3.5mg of BMP-7 for each side was recommended, with proper carrier according to the place where it was used. Conclusion BMP may be introduced to China for lumbar spine arthrodesis. Before it is applied extensively, further large-scale, high-quality randomized controlled trials are needed. Meanwhile, more research is necessary to determine the proper dosage and preparation form for the dominant Chinese population.