PERK activator CCT020312 prevents inflammation-mediated osteoporosis in the ovariectomized rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effects of PERK activator CCT020312 (CCT) on inflammation-mediated osteoporosis (IMO) in ovariectomized rats. METHODS: Rats were divided into Sham, IMO, IMO + 1 mg/kg CCT and IMO + 2 mg/kg CCT groups. IMO models were constructed by bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) on 1st day followed by injection with magnesium silicate (Talc) on the 59th day. Sham rats did not undergo OVX surgery and were injected with saline instead of Talc. From 60th to 79th day, rats were treated with DMSO (vehicle control) in the Sham and IMO groups, and 1 or 2 mg/kg CCT020312 in treatment groups. Osteopontin (OPN), osteocalcin (OCN), tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I), and pro-inflammatory factors were measured on the 80th day. ProdigyDEXA was used to evaluate bone mineral density and content (BMD/BMC). Bone volume/total volume (BV/TV), connectivity density (Conn.D), trabecular number (Tb.N), and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) was assessed using 3D micro-CT scanner. RESULTS: CCT up-regulated Conn.D, BV/TV, and Tb.N, but down-regulated Tb.Sp in IMO rats. Besides, the declined femoral BMD and BMC in IMO rats were elevated after CCT treatment. Besides, IMO rats represented declined OPN and OCN, as well as increased TRAP, CTX-I, and pro-inflammatory factors, whereas those in the treatment groups were ameliorated regarding these indexes, with 2 mg/kg CCT showing better effect. CONCLUSION: PERK activator CCT020312 can be served as a new therapeutic option for the protection against bone loss in the OVX rat model associated with inflammation probably by manipulating inflammatory factors.

Analysis of the Curative Effect of the Anterior Approach to the Lower Cervical Spine for Cervicothoracic Spinal Tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical effect of the anterior approach to the lower cervical spine for cervicothoracic spinal tuberculosis (CTSTB). METHODS: A total of 8 patients (6 males and 2 females) with CTSTB diagnosed by imaging examination and γ-interferon test, underwent the first stage lesion removal, bone grafting and internal fixation through the anterior approach to the lower cervical spine, were studied. Then, the clinical efficacy was evaluated using statistical analysis based on the materials about the Cobb angle of kyphosis, visual analog scale (VAS), Frankel grade, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP). RESULTS: All patients' age ranged from 28 to 64 years (mean 46.2 ±â€Š16.3). The mean operation time was 145 minutes (range 90-180 mins), intraoperative blood loss was 425 mL (range 200-1000 mL), and the average bone fusion time was 7.4 months. Postoperative neurological function of Frankel grading was significantly improved compared with that of preoperative. At final follow-up, the kyphosis angle was significantly decreased to 10 ±â€Š2.1°, the mean VAS score was 1.6 ±â€Š0.9 showing significant improvement, ESR and CRP returned to normal. The incidence of complications within 3 months after surgery was 25%, and the incidence of complications directly related to surgery was 12.5% (cerebrospinal fluid leakage). CONCLUSION: On the basis of familiarity with the anatomical structure and combining with the experience of the surgeon, the anterior approach to the lower cervical spine can be an effective treatment method for CTSTB.

Short-range correlations and cooling of ultracold fermions in the honeycomb lattice.

We use determinantal quantum Monte Carlo simulations and numerical linked-cluster expansions to study thermodynamic properties and short-range spin correlations of fermions in the honeycomb lattice. We find that, at half filling and finite temperatures, nearest-neighbor spin correlations can be stronger in this lattice than in the square lattice, even in regimes where the ground state in the former is a semimetal or a spin liquid. The honeycomb lattice also exhibits a more pronounced anomalous region in the double occupancy that leads to stronger adiabatic cooling than in the square lattice. We discuss the implications of these findings for optical lattice experiments.

Analysis of the clinical effect of the concept of "shoulder preservation" in the treatment of proximal humeral fractures: a retrospective cohort study of 66 patients.

BACKGROUND: The three- and four-part fractures of the proximal humerus are often combined with rotator cuff injury, and shoulder joint replacement is often selected clinically. The concept of "shoulder preservation" can greatly restore the function of the shoulder joint through internal fixation of the proximal humerus fracture and rotator cuff suture. This study investigated the clinical effect of the concept of "shoulder preservation" in the treatment of three- and four-part fractures of the proximal humerus. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 66 patients with proximal humeral fractures (PHFs) who were treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Qinghai University between 2016 and 2019. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the Neer fracture classification system, and the fracture healing time of the 3 groups was compared. A visual analog scale (VAS) was used to evaluate the pain, and the Neer score was used to evaluate shoulder joint function. RESULTS: The operations were successfully completed and the 3 groups of patients were compared in pairs. All incisions healed by first intention after operation, and no early complications occurred. The average follow-up time was 18 months. All fractures had healed. The VAS score of the 3 groups of patients was 1.5±0.5 at 1 month after operation and 1.0±0.5 at the final follow-up, which was significantly improved compared with preoperative scores, although the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The Neer scores of the first group of patients at 1, 3, and 9 months postsurgery were higher than those of the second and third groups, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference among the 3 groups in Neer score 12 months after the operation (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Proximal humeral internal locking osteosynthesis system (PHILOS) fixation + rotator cuff suture is a reliable treatment method involving a simple operation, firm fixation, and good postoperative recovery. It can restore shoulder joint function to the greatest extent, but it also has some shortcomings, including slow recovery time.

Efficacy of One-Stage Posterior Debridement and Bone Grafting with Internal Fixation in the Treatment of Monosegmental Thoracolumbar Tuberculosis.

BACKGROUND: We explored the clinical effect of one-stage posterior debridement and bone grafting with internal fixation for the treatment of monosegmental thoracolumbar tuberculosis (TB). METHODS: The data from 90 patients with thoracolumbar TB, who had undergone one-stage posterior debridement and bone grafting with internal fixation, were retrospectively reviewed. Data on the operative time, blood loss, length of hospital stay, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, improvement of neurological function, visual analog scale score, vertebral Cobb angle, bone healing, and complications were collected. RESULTS: A total of 88 patients were finally included in the present retrospective study, included 42 men and 46 women. The mean patient age was 45.4 ± 12.3 years (range, 27-70), and the mean duration of disease until treatment was 11 ± 4.5 months (range, 3-19). The mean operative time was 167.0 minutes (range, 130-210), and the mean blood loss was 767.4 mL (range, 500-1150). At the final follow-up examination, the correction in the Cobb angle was 19°, the visual analog scale score had decreased to 3 ± 1.72, the neurologic deficits using the Frankel grade had improved, and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein level had returned to normal levels. CONCLUSION: One-stage posterior debridement and bone grafting with internal fixation might be a better choice for treating patients with monosegment thoracolumbar TB.