Comparison of electromagnetic and optical navigation assisted Endo-TLIF in the treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis.

Uniportal full endoscopic posterolateral transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-TLIF) with percutaneous pedicle screw fixation is a promising, minimally invasive method for the treatment of lumbar spondylolisthesis. However, repeated radiation exposure from X-rays and the steep learning curve remain to be improved.

Development of a carboxymethyl chitosan functionalized nanoemulsion formulation for increasing aqueous solubility, stability and skin permeability of astaxanthin using low-energy method.

In this research, firstly astaxanthin (ASX)-loaded nanoemulsions (NEs) were produced using a convenient low-energy emulsion phase inversion method. The optimised ASX-NEs were prepared in the presence of Cremophor® EL and Labrafil® M 1944 CS, with a surfactant-to-oil ratio of 4:6. The ASX-NE droplets were spherical with a mean droplet diameter below 100 nm and a small negative surface charge. The system was stable without alteration of mean droplet diameter for three months. Then, the ASX-NE was functionalised with carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) through direct CMCS (0.02%) incorporation during the preparation process. The ASX chemical stability and skin permeability increased in the following order: ASX solution control < ASX-NE < CMCS-ASX-NE. Cell viability assays on L929 cells revealed low cytotoxicity of blank NE, ASX-NE and CMCS-ASX-NE in the range from 5 to 500 µg mL-1. In conclusion, the CMCS-ASX-NE might be a promising delivery vehicle in dermal and transdermal products.

miR-150 is downregulated in osteosarcoma and suppresses cell proliferation, migration and invasion by targeting ROCK1.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.3892/ol.2017.5709.].

Clinical Efficacy Study of the Quadrant Channel and Delta Large Channel Technique in the Treatment of Lumbar Degenerative Diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the therapeutic effect of the quadrant channel and delta large channel techniques in lumbar degenerative diseases. METHODS: According to the inclusion criteria, 62 patients suffering from lumbar degenerative disease were selected for the present study, which was conducted from September 2018 to June 2020. Patients were divided into Group A (quadrant channel technology) and Group B (delta large channel technology), which comprised 28 and 34 patients, respectively. The factors compared between the two groups were operation time, length of incision, blood loss, ambulation time, length of hospitalization, visual analogue scale (VAS) preoperatively, 7 days postoperatively, and 30 days postoperatively, and Oswestry dysfunction score (ODI). RESULTS: The length of incision, blood loss, ambulation time, and length of hospitalization stay in Group A were significantly higher compared with Group B (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in operation time, preoperative ODI index, preoperative VAS scores, and thirty-day postoperative VAS scores (P > 0.05). The seven-day postoperative VAS score, seven-day postoperative ODI index, and thirty-day postoperative ODI index of Group A were significantly higher than those of Group B (P < 0.05). The preoperative VAS score and ODI index in both groups were significantly higher compared with after operation (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Both surgical methods achieved a good clinical outcome in the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases. The delta large channel technique may offer some advantages over quadrant channel technology, such as less trauma and bleeding and faster recovery time.

Accuracy and deviation analysis of robot-assisted spinal implants: A retrospective overview of 105 cases and preliminary comparison to open freehand surgery in lumbar spondylolisthesis.

BACKGROUND: Whether the accuracy of robot-assisted spinal screw placement is significantly higher than that of freehand and the source of robotic deviation remain unclear. METHODS: Clinical data of 105 patients who underwent robot-assisted spinal surgery was collected, and screw accuracy was evaluated by computed tomography according to the modified Gertzbein-Robbins classification. Patients were grouped by percutaneous and open surgery. Intergroup comparisons of clinical and screw accuracy parameters were performed. Reasons for deviation were determined. Thirty-one patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis undergoing open robot-assisted surgery and the same number of patients treated by open freehand surgery were compared for screw accuracy. RESULTS: Screw accuracy was not significantly different between the percutaneous and open groups in both intra- and postoperative evaluations. Tool skiving was identified as the main cause of deviation. The proportion of malpositioned screws (grade B + C + D) was significantly higher in the freehand group than in the robot-assisted group. However, remarkably malpositioned (grade C + D) screws showed no significant differences between the groups. No revision surgery was necessary. CONCLUSIONS: Robot-assisted spinal instrumentation manifests high accuracy and low incidence of nerve injury. Tool skiving is a major cause of implant deviation.

Massively prolapsed intervertebral disc herniation with interlaminar endoscopic spine system Delta endoscope: A case series.

BACKGROUND: Surgery is often indicated for patients with massively prolapsed intervertebral disc herniation. The interlaminar endoscopic spine system (iLESSYS) Delta 6-mm working channel endoscope has advantages over other systems. The aim of this study was to explore the benefits and complications of using the iLESSYS Delta for the treatment of massively prolapsed intervertebral disc herniation. AIM: To explore the clinical benefits of treating massively prolapsed lumbar intervertebral disc herniation with the iLESSYS Delta endoscope. METHODS: In this study, the data of 37 patients who underwent surgery with the iLESSYS Delta endoscope at The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University were retrospectively analyzed. Intraoperative blood loss, operation time, and complications were collected. The visual analog scale (VAS), oswestry disability index (ODI), and modified MacNab criteria were determined before and at 1 d, 3 mo, and 6 mo after surgery. RESULTS: The mean intraoperative blood loss was 20.4 ± 1.2 mL. The mean operation time was 97.3 ± 12.4 min. The VAS scores for leg and back pain decreased from 68.0 ± 7.3, 34.4 ± 8.5 before operation to 2.5 ± 1.7, 5.5 ± 1.9 at 6 mo after surgery, respectively. The ODI also decreased from 60.2 ± 7.3 to 17.9 ± 3.4 at 6 mo after surgery. The improvement rate of the MacNab score was 86.4%, which was considered excellent. No spinal dural injury, nerve root injury, secondary protrusion of intervertebral disc, or myeloid hypertension was found during follow-up. CONCLUSION: The iLESSYS Delta 6-mm working channel endoscope has several advantages in terms of clinical and functional benefits, complications, and low risk of residual vertebral pulp in treating patients with massively prolapsed intervertebral disc herniation.

miR-150 is downregulated in osteosarcoma and suppresses cell proliferation, migration and invasion by targeting ROCK1.

Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common form of bone malignancy in children and adolescents. A class of molecules known as microRNAs (miRNAs) have been routinely associated in the development and progression of OS. The present study was centered on the less well-known miRNA, miRNA (miR)-150, and its role in OS was investigated. The levels of miR-150 were examined in 40 tissue specimens from patients with OS and adjacent normal tissues using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis. In addition the expression levels of miR-150 were examined in three OS cell lines and a normal osteoblast cell line. Cell proliferation, migration and invasion assays were performed to establish the correlation between miR-150 and metastasis. The potential targets of miR-150 were theoretically predicted and one high-scoring target, Rho-associated kinase 1 (ROCK1), was established to be a direct target using RT-qPCR and western blot analyses and Pearson's correlation analysis. The results indicated that miR-150 was downregulated in tissues from patients with OS and cell lines. Secondly, it was shown that the overexpression of miR-150 was inversely correlated with OS cell proliferation, migration and invasion. It was also shown that miR-150 negatively regulated the gene expression of ROCK1 in the OS cell lines. Finally, the interaction between miR-150 and ROCK1 was established and it was shown that miR-150 directly targeted ROCK1. In conclusion, miR-150 was found to be a tumor suppressor, and the suppression of miR-150 resulted in elevation in the levels of ROCK1. This interaction between miR-150 and ROCK1 may be key in the progression of OS. Furthermore, miR-150 or ROCK1 may be potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of OS.

[Relationship between condyle movement and disc position in patients with Class II division 1 malocclusion].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between condyle movement and temporomandibular disorders (TMD) in patients with Class II division 1 malocclusion. METHODS: Twenty patients (from 11 to 12 years old) with Class II division 1 malocclusion before treatment were collected. Computer aided diagnosis axiograph (CADIAX) and magnetic resonance images (MRI) were used to analyze the condyle movement between disc displacement and normal groups. RESULTS: The sensitive values were found in open/close process in patients with disc displacement: Y [Left: (0.32 +/- 0.10) mm, Right: (-0.91 +/- 0.49) mm ], Z [Left: (4.20 +/- 0.70) mm, Right: (3.44 +/- 0.21) mm], sagittal condylar inclination (SCI) [Left: (32.48 +/- 7.70) degrees , Right: (33.47 +/- 12.60) degrees ] and horizontal condylar inclination (TCI) [Left: (-2.60 +/- 2.02) degrees , R: (-9.23 +/- 5.58) degrees ], and those items showed significant difference between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The side shift of condyle movement in maximum open/close process might be the inducement of disc displacement. It was revealed that the changes in condyle movement could give useful information in early stage of functional treatment.

[Relationships between MRI image changes of lateral pterygoid muscle, disc position and condylar mobility in Class II patients].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationships between MRI image changes of lateral pterygoid muscle (LPM), disc position and condylar mobility. METHODS: Twenty Class II patients were chosen and MRI images of LPM were taken. The relationships between MRI image changes of LPM, disc position and condylar mobility were analyzed. RESULTS: The rate of MRI image changes of LPM in Class II patients was about 45%. No significant correlations were found between MRI image changes of LPM, condylar mobility and disc position. CONCLUSIONS: MRI image changes of LPM in Class II patients was common but no significant correlations were found between MRI image changes of LPM, condylar mobility and disc position.