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 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 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 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.
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.
Abstract： Objective To estimate the effectiveness and safety of intra-aortic balloon pump （IABP）in the patients with mild or mild to moderate aortic regurgitation. Methods A total of 15 patients with mild or mild to moderate aortic regurgitation and low left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF＜ 40.00%) including 11 males and 4 females, who underwent IABP application after cardiac surgery between September 2006 and January 2011, were included in this study. Their age ranged from 50 to 74 years with an average age of 63.60 years. There were 9 patients with mild aortic regurgitation and 6 patients with mild to moderate aortic regurgitation, all with LVEF ＜ 40.00%. IABP catheters were inserted before operation and IABP worked after heart the recovery of heart beat. Mean aortic pressure (MAP), cardiac index (CI), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI), pulmonary vascular resistance index (PVRI), LVEF , and aortic regurgitation volume before the use of IABP and after stopping use of it were compared. Results The total mortality was zero. The patients’ CI significantly improved from 1.99±0.23 L/(min.m2) to 3.30±0.29 L/(min.m2) after IABP （t =48.30，P=0.00）. Their LVEFs were significantly improved after use of IABP (37.20%±1.37% versus 42.60%±2.87%， t =11.34，P=0.00）. Their SVRI improved significantly (2 347.00±190.00 dyn·s/(cm5·m2) versus 2 128.00±204.00 dyn·s/(cm5 · m2)，t=20.60, P=0.00）after use of IABP. However, their aortic regurgitation volume were not significantly increased（χ2=0.60, P=0.44）. Conclusion Application of IABP in patients with mild or mild to moderate aortic regurgitation and low LVEF can obtain good circulation support after operation without increasing their aortic regurgitation.
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 explore an improved surgical approach to the superior posterior partial resection of the fractured vertebral body followed by the single segmental fusion to treat lumbar burst fracture and to evaluate its preliminary clinical application. Methods From June to October 2006, 4 patients (2 males, 2 females; age, 17-39 years) with Denis B type lumbar burst fracture underwent the superior posterior partial resection of the fractured vertebral body followed by the single segmental fusion. The fracture occurred in 2 patients at L1 and 2 at L2. According to the Frankel scales assessment, before operation, 2patients were at Grade B and the other 2 at Grade C, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) was 7.00±0.82. Radiological evaluation was performed, which revealed the kyphosis Cobb angel of 22.94±11.21°, the adjacent superior and the inferiorintervertebal disc heights of 12.78±1.52 mm and 11.68±1.04 mm, espectively, and the vertebral canal sagittal diameter of 9.56±2.27 mm on the computer tomography (CT) scan. The neurological and the radiological evaluations were also made immediately and 3 months after operation. Results The anterior single segmental decompression and fusion operations were performed successfully in all the patients. The average operating time was 166±29 min and the average amount of blood loss was 395± 54 ml. The Frankel scales assessment showed that at the time immediately after operation, one of the 2 Grade B patients had an improvement to Grade C, but the other patient had no improvement. One of the 2 Grade C patientshad an improvement to Grade D, but the other patient had no improvement. Three months after operation, the 2 Grade B patients had an improvement to Grade C. The 2 grade C patients had an improvement to Grade D or E. The VAS score was significantly decreased to 3.50±1.29 after operation and to 1.25±0.50 3 months later （P＜0.05）. The vertebral canal sagittal diameter was significantly increased to 19.76±3.82 mm (Plt;0.01), but it was maintained to 19.27±3.41 mm3 months later, with no significant difference（Pgt;0.05）. The patients’ kyphosis Cobb angle was significantly improved to 8.71±5.41° (P＜0.05) , but it was maintained to 9.52±5.66° 3 months later, with no significant difference（Pgt;0.05）. The heights of the adjacent discs remained unchanged. No complication was observedduring and after operation, and the radiological and the CT scanning evaluations 3 months later showed no failure of the internal fixation. Conclusion The superior and posterior partial resection of the fractured vertebral body followedby the single segmental fusion can effectively decompress the vertebral canal and maintain the spine stability in treatment of the Denis B type fracture thoughthe longterm effectiveness requires a further follow-up.
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.