LECT2, a Ligand for Tie1, Plays a Crucial Role in Liver Fibrogenesis.

Liver fibrosis is a very common condition seen in millions of patients with various liver diseases, and yet no effective treatments are available owing to poorly characterized molecular pathogenesis. Here, we show that leukocyte cell-derived chemotaxin 2 (LECT2) is a functional ligand of Tie1, a poorly characterized endothelial cell (EC)-specific orphan receptor. Upon binding to Tie1, LECT2 interrupts Tie1/Tie2 heterodimerization, facilitates Tie2/Tie2 homodimerization, activates PPAR signaling, and inhibits the migration and tube formations of EC. In vivo studies showed that LECT2 overexpression inhibits portal angiogenesis, promotes sinusoid capillarization, and worsens fibrosis, whereas these changes were reversed in Lect2-KO mice. Adeno-associated viral vector serotype 9 (AAV9)-LECT2 small hairpin RNA (shRNA) treatment significantly attenuates fibrosis. Upregulation of LECT2 is associated with advanced human liver fibrosis staging. We concluded that targeting LECT2/Tie1 signaling may represent a potential therapeutic target for liver fibrosis, and serum LECT2 level may be a potential biomarker for the screening and diagnosis of liver fibrosis.

[Comparative study of two elastic fixation systems in single-segment lumbar disc herniation surgery for nucleus pulposus extraction].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical application of two elastic pedicle internal fixation systems in single-segment lumbar disc herniation fenestration. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 64 patients with lumbar intervertebral disc herniation treated by surgery from June 2019 to March 2021. According to the different elastic fixation systems placed during the operation, the patients were divided into ordinary pedicle screw elastic rod link group (elastic rod group) and a special elastic pedicle screw rigid rod fixed connection group (elastic screw group). There were 33 cases in the elastic rod group, including 18 males and 15 females, aged from 30 to 69 years old with an average of(49.18±10.23) years old;and 31 cases in the elastic screw group, including 16 males and 15 females, aged from 32 to 68 with an average of (49.81±9.24) years old. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative wound drainage, and postoperative landing time of the two groups were recorded separately. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were compared before and 3, 12 months after operation. The height of the adjacent vertebral space on the lateral DR film before and 12 months after the operation was measured. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by Macnab standard. RESULTS: All the patients successfully completed the operation, and were followed up. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative wound drainage and postoperative landing time in the elastic rod group were(63.73±12.01) min, (89.55±16.07) ml, (81.67±16.00) ml, (3.45±0.75) d , while in the elastic nail group was (62.96±11.54) min, (88.35±17.14) ml, (82.29±15.40) ml, (3.29±0.78) d, the difference was not statistically significant. The symptoms of low back pain and lower extremity numbness were significantly improved in all patients after operation. There was no significant difference in VAS, JOA score and ODI between the two groups before and after surgery (P>0.05). At 12 months after operation, there was no significant difference in the height of the adjacent vertebral space between the upper adjacent vertebral body and the same segment before operation(P>0.05), and there was no significant difference between the groups before and after the operation. According to Macnab criteria, the elastic rod group was excellent in 30 cases, good in 2 cases, fair in 1 case, while the elastic nail group was excellent in 29 cases, good in 2 cases, fair in 0 cases, and there was no significant difference(Z=-0.42, P=0.68). CONCLUSION: In fenestrated nucleus pulposus extraction for lumbar disc herniation, the two elastic pedicle internal fixation systems are equally effective and can be used. The elastic screw internal fixation system has certain advantages when the distance between the two vertebral bodies is short, and the elastic rod cannot be placed or is difficult to be placed, and it is more widely used.

[Comparison of clinical effects of different anterior surgical methods for the treatment of single segment cervical disc herniation].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effects of different anterior surgical methods in treating single segment cervical disc herniation. METHODS: The clinical data of 46 patients with single-segment cervical disc herniation underwent surgical treatment from September 2013 to September 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into three groups according to different surgical methods. Among them, 23 patients in the anterior percutanousendomic cervical dissection (APECD) group, there were 8 males and 15 females, aged (47±3) years old, prominent segments were C3,4 of 1 case, C4,5 of 6 cases, and C5,6 of 16 cases;10 patients in cervical disc replacement(CDR) group, there were 4 males and 6 females, aged (46± 3) years old, prominent segments were C3,4 of 1 case, C4,5 of 6 cases, C5,6 of 3 cases;13 patients in transcervical anterior cervical disc fusion (ACDF) group, there were 8 males and 5 females, aged (53±2) years old, protruding segments were C3,4 of 1 case, C4,5 of 3 cases, C5,6 of 9 cases. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and length of hospitalization were compared among three groups;visual analogue scale (VAS) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA) score were used to evaluate the clinical efficacy. RESULTS: All 46 patients were followed up for 12 to 24 (17.57±3.15)months. The follow-up time of APECD, CDR, ACDF groups were (17.30±3.25), (17.80±3.16), (17.85±2.88) months, and operation time were (95.48 ±13.85), (58.50±7.09), (76.00±15.72) min, respectively, there were no significant differences in follow-up time and operation time between two groups(P>0.05). The intraoperative blood loss of APECD, CDR, ACDF groups were (80.00±20.22), (82.60±7.20), (121.54±18.75) ml, there was significant difference between CDR group and ACDF group (P<0.05);and there was no significant difference between other groups (P>0.05). The length of hospitalization was (6.95±1.50) days in APECD group, (6.60± 0.80) days in CDR group, (6.54±0.75) days in ACDF group, and there was no significant difference between two groups (P> 0.05). At the latest follow up, VAS scores were decreasedfrom preoperative 6.78±0.83 to 2.57±0.65 in APECD group, decreased from 5.70±0.78 to 2.00±0.45 in CDR group, decreased from 6.77±0.42 to 1.38±0.49 in ACDF group. The JOA scores at final follow-up were increased from 8.91±0.97 to 13.04±1.40 in APECD group, and the improvement rate of (65±15)%;increased from 11.50±1.20 to 14.90±1.14 in CDR group, and the improvement rate of (76±19)%;increased from 8.54±0.93 to 14.00±0.96 in ACDF group, and the improvement rate of (74±8)%;there was significant difference in improvement rate between APECD group and CDR group (P<0.05). At final follow-up, the activities of the responsible segment in APECD group and CDR group were well preserved and improved (P<0.05). In the APECD group, the symptoms of two cases recurred during the mid-term follow-up (4 months and 6 months after surgery), one of which improved after strictly conservative treatment;the other one received ACDF surgery a second time, and the postoperative follow-up effect was satisfactory. CONCLUSION: The three anterior surgical approaches can achieve satisfactory clinical results for the treatment of single-segment cervical disc herniation. However, the improvement rate of the CDR group and the activity of the retained responsibility segment are better than those of the other two groups. APECD surgery may have recurrence.

[Analysis of clinical effects in the treatment of single-segment lumbar degenerative disease by lamina osteotomy and former vertebral plates regraft].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical effect between the lamina osteotomy and former vertebral plates regraft method and total laminectomy and interbody fusion method in treating single-segment lumbar degenerative disease. METHODS: The clinical data of 167 patients with single-segment lumbar degenerative disease underwent surgical treatment from January 2010 to December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 92 males and 75 females, aged from 45 to 75 years old with an average of (59.6±12.4) years. The patients were divided into lamina osteotomy and former vertebral plates regraft group(82 cases) and total laminectomy and interbody fusion group(85 cases) according to the different surgical methods used. The general conditions and clinical effects were compared between two groups. General conditions included the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, hospitalization time and the clinical effects included the visual analogue scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA), Oswestry Dability Index(ODI), MacNab results, epidural fibrosis (EF), the incidence of adjacent segment degeneration (ASD). RESULTS: All the patients were followed for 18 to 36 months with an average of (24.8±5.7) months, furthermore, there was no significant difference in the follow-up time between two groups. There was no significant difference in general conditions such as operation time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage, or hospitalization time between two groups. At final follow-up, the VAS, ODI, JOA, of all patients were significantly improved (P<0.05);and the three factors above in the lamina osteotomy and former vertebral plates regraft group respectively were(2.0±1.1) points, (24.0±1.8) %, (19.8±8.2) point, while the results of total laminectomy and interbody fusion group were(2.5±1.6) points, (23.3±2.0)%, and(22.5±8.5) point;there was statistical difference between two groups(P<0.05). According to the standard of MacNab, 59 cases obtained excellent results, 20 good, 3 fair results in the lamina osteotomy and former vertebral plates regraft group;while 47 cases got excellent results, 26 good, and 12 fair results in the total laminectomy and interbody fusion group;there was significant difference between two groups(P<0.05). Sixteen patients(19.51%) with EF and 20 patients(24.39%) with ASD were found in lamina osteotomy and former vertebral plates regraft group;and 30 patients(35.29%) with EF and 37 patients(43.53%) with ASD were found in total laminectomy and interbody fusion group; there was significant difference between two groups(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Both two methods can achieve the ideal effects for the treatment of single-segment lumbar degenerative disease, but the lamina osteotomy and former vertebral plates regraft method can reserve the integrity of posterior ligamentous complex, reducing the incidence of EF and ASD, and is a better surgical method.

[Efficacy evaluation of modified lamina osteotomy replantation versus traditional lamina osteotomy replantation in treating lumbar disc herniation with lumbar instability].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effects of modified lamina osteotomy replantation versus traditional lamina osteotomy replantation in the treatment of lumbar disc herniation with lumbar instability. METHODS: The clinical data of 146 patients with unilateral lumbar disc herniation with lumbar instability underwent surgical treatment from March 2008 to March 2013 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups according to osteotomy replantation pattern. There were 77 patients in the traditional group (underwent traditional lamina osteotomy replantation), including 42 males and 35 females with an average age of (49.4±18.5) years;the lesions occurred on L4,5 in 46 cases, on L55S1 in 31 cases. There were 69 patients in modified group (underwent modified lamina osteotomy replantation), including 37 males and 32 females with an average age of (49.8±17.9) years;the lesions occurred on L4,5 in 40 cases, on L5S1 in 29 cases. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, complication rate during operation, lamina healing rate, recurrence rate of low back and leg pain were compared between two groups. Visual analogue scales (VAS) and Japanese Orthopadic Association (JOA) scores were used to evaluate the clinical effects. RESULTS: The operation time and intraoperative blood loss were similar between two group (P>0.05). There was significantly different in nerve injury rate(5.80% vs 16.9%) and dural injury rate(1.45% vs 9.09%) between modified group and traditional group(P<0.05). The recurrent rate of low back pain of modified group was higher (91.30%, 63/69) than that of traditional group (76.62%, 59/77), and the intervertebral fusion rate of modified group was lower(8.70%, 6/69) than that of traditional group (29.9%, 23/77) at 3 years after operation. Postoperative VAS scores of all patients were significantly decreased at 6 months, 1, 2, 3 years, and JOA scores were obviously increased (P<0.05). At 1, 2, 3 years after operation, VAS scores of modified group were significantly lower than that of traditional group(P<0.05), and JOA scores of modified group were higher than that of traditional group(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Modified lamina osteotomy replantation has better long-term efficacy(in the aspect of recurrent rate of low back pain, intervertebral fusion rate, VAS and JOA score at three years follow-up) in treating lumbar disc herniation with instability.

[Association of FasL-844T/C gene polymorphism with FasL expression in the nucleus pulposus of degenerative lumbar intervertebral discs].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of FasL-844T/C gene polymorphism with the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and FasL expression in the nucleus pulposus of degenerative lumbar intervertebral discs. METHODS: Lumbar MRI data, venous blood and nucleus pulposus were collected from 105 patients with lumbar disc herniation. The genotypes of FasL-844T/C gene of the patients were determined using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of FasL in the nucleus pulposus of the degenerative lumbar intervertebral discs. RESULTS: Compared with CC genotype, TT genotype of FasL-844T/C gene was associated with a significantly increased score of lumbar disc degeneration (P=0.003) as observed in MRI scan. FasL expression in the nucleus pulposus differed significantly between patients of FASL-844CC genotype and those of FASL-844TT genotype (P=0.048), but not between those of FASL-844CC and FASL-844CT genotypes (P=0.264). No significant association was found between MRI findings and FasL expression in the nucleus pulposus of the lumbar intervertebral discs. CONCLUSION: FasL-844T/C gene polymorphism is correlated with the expression of FasL in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc in patients with lumbar disc herniation. MRI findings of the lumbar intervertebral discs do not correlate with the expression of FasL in the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral discs.

[Efficacy evaluation of unilateral lamina osteotomy replantation versus fenestration in nucleus pulposus resection of lumbar disc herniation].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effects of unilateral lamina osteotomy replantation versus fenestration in the treatment of unilateral lumbar disc herniation. METHODS: The clinical date of 119 patients with unilateral lumbar disc herniation underwent surgical treatment from May 2012 to August 2014 were retrospective analyzed. There were 64 males and 54 females, aged from 40 to 59 years old with an average of 49.6 years. Among them, 58 patients were treated with lamina fenestration and decompression and nucleus pulposus resection(fenestration group);61 patients were treated with unilateral lamina osteotomy and replantation after nucleus pulposus resection (replantation group). The incidence rate of nerve and dural injury during operation, lamina healing rate, the recurrent rates of postoperative low back and leg pain were observed. According to the standard of JOA score, the clinical effects was compared between two groups. RESULTS: A hundred and seventeen patients were followed up more than 1 year, each group 1 case was lost to follow up. The injury rate of nerve and dural was 3.33%, 5.00% respectively in replantation group, while 7.02%, 8.77% respectively in fenestration group, there was no significant differences between two groups(P>0.05). One year after operation, there was significant difference in the recurrent rate of low back pain and JOA, VAS scores between two groups, replantation group was better than that of fenestration group(P<0.05). CT showed the osteotomy of 2 cases had not obtained bone healing in replantation group with lamina healing rate of 96.7%, no loosening or breakage of titanium plates and screws were found. CONCLUSIONS: The design of unilateral lamina osteotomy replantation is more reasonable. Widen surgical vision not only guarantee the spinal stability, but also prevent epidural adhesion, which reduce the lower back and leg pain recurrence. It is a safe and effective new approach to treat lumbar disc herniation.

Efficacy evaluation for the treatment of subcapital femoral neck fracture in young adults by capsulotomy reduction and closed reduction.

BACKGROUND: Subcapital femoral neck fracture in young adults has many complications, and the incidence is increasing year-by-year. The selection of the proper operation method to avoid them is an ambiguous matter. This study aimed to evaluate the treatment effect of subcapital femoral neck fracture by the capsulotomy and internal fixation with iliac bone grafting or closed reduction and internal fixation in young adults. METHODS: From March 2003 to February 2010, 65 young patients with subcapital femoral neck fractures were treated, including 39 males and 26 females with average age of 34.5 years (range, 19-50 years); 29 cases of the left side and 36 cases of the right side. They were randomly divided into Group A with 34 cases treated by closed reduction and internal fixation and Group B with 31 cases treated by the capsulotomy and internal fixation with iliac bone grafting. The two groups had no significant differences in sex, age, body mass index and preoperative Harris Hip Score. The observation criteria involved the length of the incision, blood loss, operation time, nonunion rate, avascular necrosis of the femoral head (ANFH) rate and Harris Hip Score. RESULTS: Four of 65 patients were lost follow-up, and the follow-up rate was 93.8%, the average follow-up time was 38.7 months (range, 33-47 months). In Group A, the incision length was 5.1 ± 2.2 cm, blood loss was 84.0 ± 13.2 ml, and operation time was 52.9 ± 10.2 min. In Group B, the incision length was 15.4 ± 4.6 cm, blood loss was 396.0 ± 21.3 ml, and operation time was 116.5 ± 15.3 min. Nonunion occurred in 8 patients (25.2%) in Group A and 1 patient (3.3%) in Group B. ANFH occurred in 9 patients (29.1%) in Group A and 2 patients (6.7%) in Group B. Postoperative Harris Hip Score was 89.0 ± 5.6 in Group A and 95.0 ± 4.5 in Group B. The above index of two groups was considered statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Capsulotomy and internal fixation with iliac bone grafting can improve fracture healing, reduce ANFH in young adults. It is a safe and effective operation for subcapital femoral neck fracture.

[Open reduction and mini-plate internal fixation for the treatment of fracture and dislocation of coccyx].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the therapeutic methods of fracture and dislocation of coccyx and evaluate its curative effects. METHODS: From May 2002 to March 2010,56 patients with fracture and dislocation of coccyx were divided into surgical treatment group and non-surgical treatment group. There were 7 males and 20 females in surgical treatment group with an average age of (48.1 +/- 0.6) years (ranged, 29 to 62 years), treated with open reduction and mini-plate internal fixation. There were 8 males and 21 females in non-surgical treatment group with an average age of (47.5 +/- 0.9) years (ranged, 19 to 54 years),treated with manipulative reduction. All patients were underwent X-ray examination and were finally diagnosed before treatment. Clinical symptoms and Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) of all patients were statistically analyzed before and after treatment. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between two groups in gender, age, BMI index and VAS evaluation. All patients were followed up from 12 to 25 months with an average of 17.2 months. In surgical treatment group,there were 26 cases with I/a incision and 1 case with II/a incision; the excellent rate of clinical symptom was respectively 92.6% and 100% at leaving hospital and final follow-up; the improvement rate of VAS was 97.6% and was excellent result;internal fixtures were removed at the 1 to 2 years after treatment and no unwell symptoms occurred; VAS of all patients in the group was 0 point. In non-surgical treatment group,the excellent rate of clinical symptom was respectively 72.4% and 82.8% at leaving hospital and final follow-up; the improvement rate of VAS was 72.1% and was good result. There was significant difference in clinical results between two groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results indicated that fracture and dislocation of coccyx should be treated in time. For the treatment of patients with manipulative reduction failures, instability reduction by X-ray examination and serious rectal irritation, open reduction and mini-plate internal fixation can obtain satisfactory results.

Efficacy evaluation for the treatment of unstable lumbar disc herniation by traditional and modified lamina osteotomy replantation.

BACKGROUND: The traditional lamina osteotomy replantation method is prone to nerve root injury and low back pain recurrence. Our team has proposed a modified approach that improves the osteotomy site and its fixation procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy of traditional and modified lamina replantation methods in treating unstable lumbar disc herniation. METHODS: From March 2008 to August 2011, 124 patients with unstable lumbar disc herniation were enrolled and randomly divided into the following two groups according to random digital table: group A (traditional group) consisting of 61 patients who underwent traditional laminectomy replantation, and group B (modified group) consisting of 63 patients who underwent modified lamina replantation. Both surgeries were performed by the same surgeons. The two groups had no significant difference in gender, age, symptoms, time of onset and the prominent segment. Visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswertry disability index (ODI), and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, operative time, blood loss, complication rate, radiographic healing rates, and low back pain recurrence rates were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: There were 121 patients followed up for more than one year, and the follow-up rate was 97.6%. Nerve injury occurred in two patients (3.3%) in the modified group and 12 patients (20.0%) in the traditional group. Dural injury occurred in one patient (1.6%) in the modified group and seven patients (11.7%) in the traditional group. Pseudarthrosis occurred in two patients in the modified group and in 18 patients in the traditional group with 1-year fusion rates of 96.7% and 70.0%, respectively. Recurrence of lower back pain after one year was noted in three patients (4.9%) in the modified group, and in 15 (25.0%) in the traditional group. Leg pain recurrence was noted in one patient (1.6%) in the modified group and in three cases (5.0%) in the traditional group. The one-year healing rates of nerve injury, dural injury, replantation lamina and low back pain recurrence rates after one year were significantly different (P < 0.05) between the two groups. At two weeks, three months, six months and one year postoperatively, both groups had significant improvement in VAS, ODI, and JOA scores from their preoperative values (P < 0.05). No significant difference was detected between the short term postoperative scores between groups A and B (P > 0.05). However, a significant difference was found one year later (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the traditional approach, the modified technique for lamina replantation showed lower rates of dural and nerve damage, a higher lamina healing rate, a lower back pain recurrence rate, and better clinical scores. It is a safe and effective operation for lumbar spine surgery.

[Treatment of unstable lumbar intervertebral disc herniation by modified lamina osteotomy replantation].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical effects of the modified lamina replantation for the treatment of unstable lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. METHODS: From March 2009 to August 2011,63 patients with unstable lumbar intervertebral disc herniation were treated by discectomy, interbody fusion, pedicle screw fixation, and modified lamina replantation. There were 33 males and 30 females with an average age of 48.4 years old ranging from 22 to 68 years old. The average duration of disease was 38.8 months ranging from 3 months to 13 years. All patients had lower back and leg pains. X-ray,CT and MR results showed unstable lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. Preoperative and postoperative ODI, JOA scores, complication incident rates,radiographic healing rates,and lower back and leg pain recurrence rates were observed and recorded. RESULTS: Sixty-two incisions were healed at first stage, 1 at second stage. There were no complications such as deep vein thrombosis, intervertebral infection and so on. Sixty-one patients were followed up for more than one year, and the mean duration was 33 months. Nerve and dural injury occurred in 2 patients and 1 patient respectively. One-year fusion happened in 58 patients while the recurrence of lower back pain and leg pain after 1 year were noted in 4 patients and 1 patient respectively. ODI, and JOA scores were respectively re-assessed at 2 weeks, 6 months and 1 year after the operation, and the results showed a significant difference from the preoperative scores (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Modified lamina replantation for unstable lumbar intervertebral disc herniation showed lower rates of dural and nerve damage, as well as a higher lamina healing rate, lower back and leg pain recovery rate, and a better clinical score. It is a safe and efficient operation choice for lumbar spine surgery.

[Case-control study of the risk factors of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation in 5 northern provinces of China].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors of lumbar intervertebral disc herniation in the 5 northern provinces of China. METHODS: A total of 2010 patients with established diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation by CT and/or MRI and 2170 control subjects without a history of low back pain or sciatica were randomly selected from the community population and hospitalized patients. The family history of lumbar disc herniation, occupations, smoking status, and occupational psychosocial factors were investigated. RESULTS: The positivity of family history of lumbar disc herniation was the highest risk factor (OR=3.551) followed by lumbar load (OR=2.132) and hard work (OR=1.763). Physical exercises (OR=0.435) were significantly related with the disease, and the OR of the type of bed was 0.364. CONCLUSION: A family history of lumbar disc herniation, lumbar load and hard work are the major risk factors for lumbar disc herniation, and physical exercises and sleeping not in soft bed might be a protective factor against the disease.