Causal relationship between gut microbiota and gastric cancer: A two­sample Mendelian randomization analysis.

The gut microbiota is associated with GC; however, the causal association between the gut microbiota and GC remains to be determined. The aim of the present study was to investigate the causal association between gut microbiota and gastric cancer (GC) from the perspective of Mendelian randomization (MR). The present study performed MR analysis using summary statistics from a genome-wide association study of the gut microbiome and GC. Inverse-variance weighted, MR-Egger and weighted median methods were used to investigate the causal relationship between gut microbiota and GC. Heterogeneity tests were performed using Cochrane's Q statistic. Horizontal polytropy was detected using Mendelian Randomization Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier were eliminated. Estimates from MR indicated that nine gut microorganism remained stable with regard to acceptance of heterogeneity and sensitivity methods. Among them, the genera Prevotella 7, Roseburia and Ruminococcaceae UCG014 were associated with an increased risk of GC; by contrast, the family Enterobacteriaceae, the genera Allisonella, Lachnospiraceae FCS020, Ruminococcaceae UCG004 and Ruminococcaceae UCG009, and the order Enterobacteriales decreased the risk of GC development. The present study demonstrated the potential importance of modulating the abundance of gut microbiota for the prevention and treatment of GC.

A critical appraisal of clinical practice guidelines on surgical treatments for spinal metastasis.

PURPOSE: As an important treatment for spinal metastasis, surgery has strict applicable conditions. Although various organizations have formulated different guidelines on surgical treatment for spinal metastasis (SM), there are certain differences in the content, standardization and quality of the guidelines and it is necessary to make a critical appraisal of them. We aim to systematically review and appraise the current guidelines on surgical treatments of SM and summarize the related recommendations with the quality evaluation of supporting evidence, as to provide a reference for the standardization of surgical treatment plans, and help clinical front-line medical workers can make safe and effective clinical decisions faster. METHODS: We searched Pubmed, Web of Science, and Embase for three major databases and online guideline databases. According to certain inclusion and exclusion criteria, the latest guidelines on the surgical treatment of SM were sorted out. AGREE II was used to evaluated the guideline's quality, and we extracted and compared the recommended treatment content of each guideline with evaluating by the evidence-grading scale. RESULTS: Eight guidelines from 2013 to 2019 were included. Seven guidelines are comprehensive guidelines and one related to the reconstructive surgery of SM. Five guidelines were evaluated as "recommended," and three guidelines were evaluated as "recommended with modifications." Regarding the indications of surgery with SM, four guidelines, seven guidelines, seven guidelines, three guidelines and three guidelines recommended surgical treatment for patients with SM with intractable pain, mechanical instability, metastatic epidural spinal cord compression (MESCC), recurrent spinal metastasis (RSM), and survival predication, respectively. Regarding the surgical strategies, three guidelines recommended minimally invasive therapy but had strict indications. Six guidelines and five guidelines recommend palliative surgery and with receiving radiation therapy, respectively. For the aggressive surgery, only one guideline recommended to apply to patients in good general conditions who has isolated symptomatic SM. Regarding the surgical reconstructions, one guideline didn't recommend iliac bone graft and three guidelines recommended PMMA bone cement. CONCLUSION: Most of the guidelines do not provide clear criteria for surgical application and provide more of a basic framework. The level of evidence for these surgical recommendations ranges from LOE B to D, and almost all guidelines recommend vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty, but for palliative and more aggressive surgery, which recommended to personalize specific surgical strategies with multidisciplinary collaboration.

Bibliometric Insights in Advances of Chordoma: Global Trends and Research Development in the Last Decade.

Chordoma is a rare tumor, but has a serious effect on the quality of life of patients. This study aims to assess the overall knowledge structure and trends in the development of chordoma research using a bibliometric analysis and visualization tool. Research datasets were acquired from the Web of Science. VOS viewer and CiteSpace visualization software were used to demonstrate collaborations and correlations. Annual trends in publications, distribution, H-index status, co-authorship status, and research hotspots were analyzed. A total of 1844 publications from 2012 to 2022 were included. The number of chordoma-related publications increased year by year. The United States contributed the most publications (717) and had the highest total citations (10130) and H-index (50), followed by China. The United States was also the country most frequently involved in international cooperation. The most productive organization involved in chordoma research was Massachusetts General Hospital. World Neurosurgery (114) published the most papers on chordoma. Hornicek FJ was the most productive author over the last decade (41). Initially, diagnosis and the location of onset captured the attention of the research society. Quality of life, risk factors, disability, minimally invasive surgical techniques, molecular targeted therapy, and radiotherapy technology are the research hotspots in recent years. Indeed, this study provides important insights into the overall landscape of chordoma research and also contributes to the further investigation of the international frontier of chordoma.

A systematic review and bibliometric study of Bertolotti's syndrome: clinical characteristics and global trends.

PURPOSE: Bertolotti's syndrome is a prevalent congenital deformity. However, many physicians fail to include it in their differential diagnosis for low back pain (LBP), which results in missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. There is still a lack of standardized treatment and management strategies for Bertolotti's syndrome. This study aimed to review the clinical characteristics and management of Bertolotti's syndrome and reports bibliometric insights in advancements in Bertolotti's syndrome research. METHODS: Studies published until 30 September 2022 were systematically reviewed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Three independent reviewers extracted the data and assessed the quality and risk of bias of the studies based on the methodological index of non-randomized studies (MINORS). SPSS, VOS viewer, and the Citespace software were used for the systematic review, visual analysis, data mining, mapping, and clustering of the retrieved articles, which presented clear and visual presentations of the structural patterns of published research in graphs. RESULT: A total of 118 articles, describing a total of 419 patients with Bertolotti's syndrome, were included. There was an upward trend with a steady increase in the number of publications. The world map distribution showed that most publications were predominantly from North America and Asia. The most cited articles were published in the following journals: Spine, J Bone Joint Surg, and Radiology. The mean age of the patients was 47.7 years, and 49.6% of them were male. A total of 159 (96.4%) patients had LBP symptoms. The mean symptom duration was 41.4 months (74.8%), and most of the patients had Castellvi type II. Disc degeneration was the most reported comorbid spinal diseases. The mean methodological index of non-randomized studies score was 4.16±3.95 points (range, 1-21). A total of 265 (68.3%) patients underwent surgical treatments. Minimally invasive surgical techniques, prevalence, image classification, and disc degeneration were the current main research areas of Bertolotti's syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: The steady increase in the number of publications demonstrated the increased attention of researchers on this topic. Our results showed a significant prevalence of Bertolotti's syndrome in patients with LBP and a long symptom duration before the initiation of treatment. Surgical treatments were commonly used to treat patients with Bertolotti's syndrome after a non-effective conservative treatment. Minimally invasive surgical techniques, prevalence, image classification, and disc degeneration are the major research areas of Bertolotti's syndrome.

WITHDRAWN: Characteristics, Treatment and Research Development of Bertolotti's Syndrome: A Bibliometric Analysis and Systematic Review.

This article has been withdrawn at the request of the author(s) and/or editor. The Publisher apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.

Comparison of Cervical Sagittal Parameters Between Radiographs and Magnetic Resonance Images in Patients With Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

STUDY DESIGN: Observational study. OBJECTIVE: As an important consideration of surgery, cervical sagittal balance is believed to be better assessed using standing radiograph than supine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, few studies have researched this. Our study aimed to observe the correlations and differences in cervical sagittal parameters between radiograph and MRI in patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), and evaluate whether the change of position affects them. METHODS: We analyzed 84 patients, measuring Cobb angle (CA), T1 slope (T1S), neck tilt (NT), and thoracic inlet angle (TIA). Inter- and intra-parameter analyses were performed to identify any difference between standing radiograph and supine MRI. Statistical correlations and differences between the parameters were compared. RESULTS: There were excellent inter-observer agreement for each parameter (interclass correlation coefficient >.75), and significant differences were observed in each parameter between radiograph and magnetic resonance imaging (P < .05). Strong correlations were noted between the same parameters in radiograph and MRI. Cobb angle, T1S, and neck tilt were significantly correlated with thoracic inlet angle on both radiograph and MRI, and CA was significantly correlated with T1S on both radiograph and MRI (r: -1.0 to -.5 or .5 to 1.0). CONCLUSION: Supine MRI obviously underestimated the value of CA, T1S, and TIA. Therefore, standing cervical radiographs should be obtained in CSM patients to assess and determine surgical strategy, not only supine MRI. Moreover, we observed that NT and TIA were not constant morphological parameters.

Prognostic factors and outcomes of surgical intervention for patients with spinal metastases secondary to lung cancer: an update systematic review and meta analysis.

PURPOSE: Lung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors. Most patients develop spinal metastases during the course of cancer and suffer skeletal-related events. Currently, no consensus has been reached on the prognostic factors in patients undergoing surgeries. This study aimed to answer two questions: (1) what are the effects of surgical intervention, and (2) what are the factors associated with postoperative survival. METHODS: Searches were performed on electronic databases including PubMed, Ovid/MEDLINE, Cochrane, and Scopus for articles published before February of 2022, involving the survival factors of patients with spinal metastasis. Multiple data items were considered, such as baseline demographics, surgical details, clinical outcome, and prognostic factors. The analysis was performed in Review Manager (RevMan) 5.5. The prognostic factors of survival were analyzed with univariate and multivariate cox regression analysis. RESULTS: Finally, 14 studies with 813 patients were identified. Their 6, 12, and 24 months survival rates ranged from 18 to 58%, 18 to 22.4%, and 0 to 58.5%, respectively. The pooled hazard ratio of preoperative ambulatory status and the number of involved vertebrae demonstrated statistical significance, while no significant prognostic effect on the overall survival was found for targeted therapy, visceral metastases, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or postoperative ambulatory status. CONCLUSION: Overall, surgical intervention could achieve significant pain relief and neurological function improvements. For patients receiving surgery for spinal metastasis from lung cancer, preoperative ambulatory status and the number of involved vertebrae were significant prognostic factors associated with their survival.

Construction and validation of a novel web-based nomogram for patients with lung cancer with bone metastasis: A real-world analysis based on the SEER database.

Purpose: Patients with lung cancer with bone metastasis (LCBM) often have a very poor prognosis. The purpose of this study is to characterize the prevalence and associated factors and to develop a prognostic nomogram to predict the overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) for patients with LCBM using multicenter population-based data. Methods: Patients with LCBM at the time of diagnosis were identified using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program database of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) from 2010 to 2015. Multivariable and univariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with all-cause mortality and lung cancer (LC)-specific mortality. The performance of the nomograms was evaluated with the calibration curves, area under the curve (AUC), and decision curve analysis (DCA). Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank tests were used to estimate the survival times of patients with LCBM. Results: We finally identified 26,367 patients with LCBM who were selected for survival analysis. Multivariate analysis demonstrated age, sex, T stage, N stage, grade, histology, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, primary site, primary surgery, liver metastasis, and brain metastasis as independent predictors for LCBM. The AUC values of the nomogram for the OS prediction were 0.755, 0.746, and 0.775 in the training cohort; 0.757, 0.763, and 0.765 in the internal validation cohort; and 0.769, 0.781, and 0.867 in the external validation cohort. For CSS, the values were 0.753, 0.753, and 0.757 in the training cohort; 0.753, 0.753, and 0.757 in the internal validation cohort; and 0.767, 0.774, and 0.872 in the external validation cohort. Conclusions: Our study constructs a new prognostic model and clearly presents the clinicopathological features and survival analysis of patients with LCBM. The result indicated that the nomograms had favorable discrimination, good consistency, and clinical benefits in patients. In addition, our constructed nomogram prediction models may assist physicians in evaluating individualized prognosis and deciding on treatment for patients.

Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of simplified Chinese version of the Spine Oncology Study Group Outcomes Questionnaire (SOSGOQ) 2.0 with its assessment in clinical setting.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The treatment of spinal metastases (SM) has been significantly improved in recent years, which gives health-related quality of life (HRQOL) further significance in management of SM. The Spine Oncology Study Group Outcomes Questionnaire version 2.0 (SOSGOQ 2.0) was a specific targeted SM HRQOL criterion that was previously reported to pose good reliability and validity. However, there is no culturally adapted, reliable, and validated version of SOSGOQ 2.0 in mainland China. PURPOSE: The current study aimed to translate the SOSGOQ 2.0 in a cross-cultural fashion, before evaluating the reliability and validity of the adapted simplified Chinese version of (SC-SOSGOQ 2.0) for patients with spinal metastases (SM). STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and validation were performed on the Chinese version of the SOSGOQ 2.0. PATIENT SAMPLE: Patients who were diagnosed with metastatic spinal disease, posing at least 6-years experience of education and the ability to read and speak Chinese. OUTCOME MEASURES: Reliability and Validity of the SC-SOSGOQ 2.0 were measured to assess HRQOL in patients with SM. METHODS: The cross-cultural adaptation of the SOSGOQ 2.0 was conducted following international guidelines. The reliability and validity of the SC-SOSGOQ 2.0 was assessed in a multi-center, prospective observational study. The test-retest reliability was assessed by comparing the results of the first and final SC-SOSGOQ 2.0 scales, with 2 weeks apart. The discriminative, concurrent, and construct validity of the cross-culturally adapted questionnaire was individually evaluated. The relationship among the SC-SOSGOQ 2.0, SC-EQ-5D-5L and SC-SF-36 was assessed using the correlation coefficients. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty patients were included in this study. No floor or ceiling effects were observed for the SC-SOSGOQ 2.0. The Cronbach's α for domains of neurological function, pain, mental health, social function, and post-therapy were 0.825, 0.876, 0.896, 0.897, 0.943, and 0.835, respectively. The value of inter-class correlation coefficient ranged from 0.55 to 0.83, which reflected a satisfactory test-retest reliability. Concurrent assessment of criterion validity demonstrated a moderate-to-strong correlation in all domains of SC-SOSGOQ 2.0 with the SC-EQ-5D-5L (0.34-0.74) and SC-SF-36 (0.33-0.76). The best-correlated domain was physical function (0.741 in the EQ-5D-5L and 0.722 in the SF-36). CONCLUSIONS: The SC-SOSGOQ 2.0 demonstrated an excellent acceptability, score distribution, internal consistency, test-retest reliability and validity. It was therefore considered as a tool effective for evaluating HRQOL of Chinese patients with SM.

Customized Multilevel 3D Printing Implant for Reconstructing Spine Tumor: A Retrospective Case Series Study in a Single Center.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of 3D printed artificial vertebral body for patients who underwent multilevel total en bloc spondylectomy (TES) and analyze whether it could reduce the incidence of implant subsidence. METHODS: This is a retrospective study. From January 2017 to May 2018, eight consecutive cases with spine tumor undergoing multilevel TES were analyzed. All patients underwent X-ray and CT examinations to evaluate the stability of internal fixation during the postoperative follow-up. Demographic, surgical details, clinical data, and perioperative complications was collected. Visual analog scale, Frankel score, and spinal instability neoplastic score (SINS) classification were also recorded. RESULTS: There were six cases of primary spinal tumor and two cases of metastatic spinal tumor. All patients achieved remarkable pain relief and improvement in neurological function. Five patients underwent operation through the posterior approach, one patient underwent operation through the anterior approach and the remaining two patients through a combined anterior and posterior approach. At the last follow-up period, X-rays showed that the 3D printed artificial vertebral body of all cases matched well, and the fixation was reliable. Hardware failure such as loosening, sinking, breaking, and displacement wasn't observed during the follow-up period. CONCLUSION: 3D printed customized artificial vertebral body can provide satisfying good clinical and radiological outcomes for patients who have undergone multilevel TES.

Top 50 Most Cited Articles on Thoracic Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament.

Study Design: Bibliometric analysis. Objective: Over the last several decades, the field of thoracic ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (T-OPLL) has evolved unprecedentedly, and the literature on T-OPLL has increased significantly. The purpose of this study is to identify and review the top 50 most cited publications related to T-OPLL. Methods: The most frequently cited 50 articles in this field until 30 October 2021 were identified by searching Web of Science. We ranked the articles based on the citation number. Through the bibliometric method, we evaluated the following information: article title, first author, year of publication, journal of publication, total number of citations, country, and study topic. Results: The number of citations of included studies ranged from 20 to 108, with a mean number of 45.4. The journal Spine published most articles (20), followed by Spinal Cord (5), and European Spine (5). All of these articles were contributed by 38 first authors, Yamazaki (4), Fujimura (3), and Aizawa (3) who published more than 2 articles. In the respect of productive countries, Japan (39) contributed most papers. Tomita contributed the most cited article in 1990 on Spine, which was the first-ever report of circumferential decompression for thoracic myelopathy due to T-OPLL. Conclusion: The top 50 influential articles on T-OPLL were identified and analyzed in this study. It will undoubtedly provide a comprehensive and detailed basis for the orthopedic and neurosurgery physicians to make a clinical decision and assimilate the research focus of spine surgery.

Rearranging the Phase Distribution of Quasi-2D Perovskite for Efficient and Narrow Emission Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes.

Quasi-2D perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) have attracted significant attention for their promising light-emitting applications. However, quasi-2D perovskite films typically consist of a broad phase distribution and small grains with a large surface area to volume ratio, leading to inferior color purities and higher defect densities. Herein, a bifunctional additive ((l)-tryptophan bromide, l-TrpBr) was introduced into a quasi-2D perovskite film. The C═O moiety of l-TprBr formed hydrogen bonds with S-MBA+, retarding the coordination between S-MBABr and [PbBr6]4- and suppressing the formation of small-n phases. The C═O moiety also coordinated with unsaturated Pb2+ sites to passivate the defects. Finally, the PeLEDs with l-TrpBr exhibited a significantly improved EQE of 14.32% compared to the control devices (7.88%) and the narrowest fwhm (17 nm) for green quasi-2D PeLEDs reported to date. Our work provides a practical approach to controlling the phase distribution and passivating the defects in quasi-2D perovskite films, toward high-efficiency and color-pure quasi-2D PeLEDs.

Research Progress of Ponticulus Posticus: A Narrative Literature Review.

Study Design: Narrative review. Objective: The purpose of this review was to consolidate the current literature related to ponticulus posticus (PP) and to improve the systematic understanding of this anatomical variant of atlas among spine surgeons. Methods: Articles reviewed were searched in PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Embase. All articles of any study design discussing on PP were considered for inclusion. Two independent authors read article titles and abstracts and included appropriate articles. The relevant articles were studied in full text. Results: A total of 113 literatures were reviewed and consolidated in this narrative review. These articles are roughly divided into the following five subcategories: (1) epidemiology, (2) pathology and anatomy, (3) clinical presentation, (4) surgical significance, and (5) radiographic examination. Conclusion: The PP is non-negligible with a high prevalence. The PP compresses the V3 segment of the artery, the suboccipital nerve, and the venous plexus, consequently contributing to the incidence of neurological pathologies. When a PP is observed or suspected on a lateral radiograph, we recommend that a computed tomography (CT) scan of a patient who is about to receive a C1 lateral mass screw (C1LMS) should be performed, which could determine a safe entry point and the right trajectory of screw insertion.

Safety and Efficacy of Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion with Uncinate Process Resection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

STUDY DESIGN: This is a meta-analysis and systematic review of the available literature. OBJECTIVE: In the case of severe foraminal stenosis, conducting uncinate process resection (UPR) during ACDF could achieve complete nerve root decompression and significant relief of neurological symptoms for CR. However, there is some controversy regarding its necessity and safety. This study aims to compare the safety and efficacy of ACDF with UPR and ACDF. METHODS: The following electronic databases were searched: Medline, PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Evidence Based Medicine Reviews, VIP, and CNKI. And the following data items were considered: baseline demographics, efficacy evaluation indicators, radiographic outcome, and surgical details. RESULTS: 10 studies were finally identified, including 746 patients who underwent ACDF with UPR compared to 729 patients who underwent ACDF. The group of ACDF with UPR had statistically longer intraoperative time (95% CI: 4.83, 19.77, P = .001) and more intraoperative blood loss (95% CI: 12.23, 17.76, P < .001). ACDF with UPR obtained a significantly better improvement of Arm VAS at postoperative first follow-up (95% CI: -1.85, -.14 P = .02). There was no significant difference found in improvement of Neck VAS at postoperative latest follow-up (95% CI: -.88, .27, P = .30), improvement of Arm VAS at postoperative latest follow-up (95% CI: -.59, -.01, P = .05), improvement of NDI (95% CI: -2.34, .33, P = .14), JOA (95% CI: -.24, .43, P = .56), change of C2-C7 lordosis (95% CI: -.87, 1.33, P = .68), C2-C7 SVA (95% CI: -.73, 5.08, P = .14), T1 slope (95% CI: -2.25, 1.51, P = .70), and fusion rate (95% CI: .83, 1.90 P = .29). CONCLUSION: ACDF with UPR is an effective and necessary surgical method for CR patients with severe foraminal stenosis.

Research Progress of Atlantoaxial Osteoarthritis: A Narrative Literature Review.

OBJECTIVE: To consolidate the current literature related to atlantoaxial osteoarthritis (AAOA) and improve systematic understanding of this clinical syndrome among spine surgeons. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and EMBASE databases and the following search terms: ("C1-C2" OR "C1-2" OR "atlantoaxial" OR "atlanto-axial" OR "C2" OR "C1" OR "atlas" OR "axis") AND ("osteoarthritis"). All articles of any study design addressing AAOA were considered for inclusion. Two authors independently read article titles and abstracts, and the full text of included relevant articles. RESULTS: There were 54 articles reviewed and consolidated in this narrative review. These articles are roughly divided into the following 5 subcategories: epidemiology and etiology, clinical presentation, radiographic findings, conservative treatment, and surgical indications and treatment options. CONCLUSIONS: AAOA is a clinically common but often overlooked syndrome characterized by persistent occipitocervical pain. The most common cause of AAOA is joint degeneration, which is closely related to age and occupation. AAOA is initially managed with conservative treatment. Atlantoaxial fusion is an option for patients with severe pain who are unresponsive to conservative treatment.

Long non­coding RNA CTBP1­AS2 upregulates USP22 to promote pancreatic carcinoma progression by sponging miR­141­3p.

Long non­coding RNAs (lncRNAs) feature prominently in pancreatic carcinoma progression. The present study aimed to clarify the biological functions, clinical significance and underlying mechanism of lncRNA CTBP1 antisense RNA 2 (CTBP1­AS2) in pancreatic carcinoma. Reverse transcription­quantitative PCR was performed to assess the expression levels of CTBP1­AS2, microRNA (miR)­141­3p and ubiquitin­specific protease 22 (USP22) mRNA in pancreatic carcinoma tissues and cell lines. Western blotting was used to examine USP22 protein expression in pancreatic carcinoma cell lines. Loss­of­function experiments were used to analyze the regulatory effects of CTBP1­AS2 on proliferation, apoptosis, migration and invasion of pancreatic carcinoma cells. Dual­luciferase reporter assay was used to examine the binding relationship between CTBP1­AS2 and miR­141­3p, as well as between miR­141­3p and USP22. It was demonstrated that CTBP1­AS2 expression was markedly increased in pancreatic carcinoma tissues and cell lines. High CTBP1­AS2 expression was associated with advanced clinical stage and lymph node metastasis of patients. Functional experiments confirmed that knocking down CTBP1­AS2 significantly inhibited pancreatic carcinoma cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and promoted cell apoptosis. In terms of mechanism, it was found that CTBP1­AS2 adsorbed miR­141­3p as a molecular sponge to upregulate the expression level of USP22. In conclusion, lncRNA CTBP1­AS2 may be involved in pancreatic carcinoma progression by regulating miR­141­3p and USP22 expressions; in addition, CTBP1­AS2 may be a diagnostic biomarker and treatment target for pancreatic carcinoma.

A Bibliometric Analysis and Visualization of Current Research Trends in Chinese Medicine for Osteosarcoma.

BACKGROUND: To illustrate the research framework, overall knowledge structure, and development trends of Chinese medicine (CM) treatment for osteosarcoma (OS) by using a bibliometric analysis and newly developed visualization tools. METHODS: Research datasets were acquired from the Web of Science (WOS) database from January 1, 1980 to September 30, 2019. VOS viewer and Citespace software was used to analyze the data and generate visualization knowledge maps. Annual trends of publications, distribution of institutes, distribution of journals, citation and H-index status, co-authorship status, research hotspots and co-citation status were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 223 publications in the WOS database met the requirement. The number of published articles showed a rise but the citation frequency and the H-index of China were relatively low. The cooperation between the countries, institutes and authors were relatively weak. Most publications were basic researches. Most of the previous researches focused on basic mechanisms of CM in treating OS, and therapy and improvement of dosage form may become a frontier in this research field. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with other fields, the field of CM treatment for osteosarcome is still in infancy. The distribution of researches is imbalanced and cooperation between countries, institutions and authors remains to be strengthened. Furthermore, basic research occupies an absolute dominant position, and the exploration of the molecular mechanism of CM in preventing and treating OS may become a key point in the future.

Global Trends of Researches on Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Bibliometric and Visualization Study.

STUDY DESIGN: Bibliometric and visualization analysis. OBJECTIVE: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) has become a common health problem and the most frequent indication for spinal surgery. This study aimed to illustrate the overall knowledge structure, and development trends of LSS, using a bibliometric analysis and newly developed visualization tools. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Research data sets were acquired from the Web of Science. The time span was defined as "2000-2019". VOS viewer and Citespace software was provided to analyze the data and generate visualization knowledge maps. Annual trend of publications, distribution, H-index status, co-authorship status and research hotspots were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 1934 publications met the requirement. The United States published most papers (521, 26.9%), both total citations (17,626) and H-index (61) ranked first of all the countries. The most productive organizations on LSS is Seoul National University (50). Spine (43) published the most papers on LSS. Quality of life, risk factor, disability, double blind trials, and decompression surgery are the research hotspots in the recent years. CONCLUSION: The number of publications showed an upward trend with a stable rise in recent years. The United States is a country with the highest productivity, not only in quality, but also in quantity. Seoul National University has been the largest contributor in this field. Spine is the best journal related to LSS. Quality of life, risk factor, disability, and decompression surgery are the research hotspots in the recent years. Indeed, this study provides a new insight to the growth and development of LSS. Moreover, it will contribute to the growth of the international frontier of LSS.

A Bibliometric Analysis and Visualization of Current Research Trends in the Treatment of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

STUDY DESIGN: Bibliometric analysis. OBJECTIVE: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) has become the most common cause of spinal cord dysfunction. Many topics of CSM still remain controversial. This study aimed to illustrate the overall knowledge structure and development trends of CSM. METHODS: Research data sets were acquired from the Web of Science database and the time span was defined as "2000 to 2019." VOS viewer and Citespace software was used to analyze the data and generate visualization knowledge maps. Annual trends of publications, distribution, H-index status, co-authorship status, and research hotspots were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 2367 publications met the requirement. The largest number of articles was from the United States, followed by Japan, China, Canada, and India. The highest H-index was found for articles from the United States. The highest number of articles was published in Spine. The cooperation between the countries, institutes, and authors were relatively weak. Cervical sagittal alignment, predictive factor, diffusion tensor imaging, and the natural history of CSM may become a frontier in this research field. CONCLUSION: The number of publications showed an upward trend with a stable rise. Most of the publications are limited to a few countries and institutions with relatively weak interaction. The United States, Canada, Japan, China, and India have made significant contributions to the field of CSM. The United States is the country with the highest productivity, not only in quality but also in quantity. Cervical sagittal alignment, predictive factor, diffusion tensor imaging, and the natural history of CSM are the research hotspots in the recent years.

A randomized controlled study for the treatment of middle-aged and old-aged lumbar disc herniation by Shis spine balance manipulation combined with bone and muscle guidance.

ABSTRACT: Ninety percent of elderly patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) have problems with the mechanics of the spine and muscle tissue. Shi-style spine balance manipulation combined with guidance (Daoyin) of muscle and bone as an alternative therapy for LDH can tone the muscle groups around the spine and maintain optimal mechanical and static sagittal balance of the spine. This study will be performed to investigate the effect of a combination of Shi-style spine balance manipulation and Daoyin therapy on LDH in middle-aged and elderly patients. In this non-blinded, randomized controlled trial, 72 eligible patients will be randomly divided into a treatment group (Shi-style spine balance manipulation combined with Daoyin therapy) and a control group (lumbar mechanical traction). Before and after the intervention, lumbar X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging examinations will be performed to observe the sagittal balance parameters of the spine and pelvis and the lumbar muscle strength. The visual analog scale score, Oswestry disability index score, and pressure pain threshold will be evaluated at baseline and at 2, 4, 12, and 24 weeks. During the treatment period, any signs of acute adverse events, such as paralysis of the lower extremities or cauda equina syndrome, will be recorded at each visit. Although Shi-style spine manipulation combined with Daoyin therapy has been used in the treatment of LDH in middle-aged and elderly people in China for many years, there is no consensus on its effectiveness. This experiment will provide convincing evidence of the efficacy of Shi-style spine manipulation combined with Daoyin therapy in the treatment of LDH in middle-aged and elderly people.