Objective To investigate the relationship between the expression of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome in colonic mucosal tissues of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients and UC mice model and the activity of UC.Methods From December 2016 to January 2018,at Department of Gastroenterology,the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Traditional Chinese Medicine University,60 patients with UC were recruited,of which 15 cases at remission phase,15 cases at mild activity phase,and 15 cases at moderate activity phase,and 15 cases at severe activity phase;and 15 healthy subjects were selected as healthy control group.UC mice models were established by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS).Forty-eight BALB/c mice were divided into 2.5％ DSS group,5.0％ DSS group and 7.5％ DSS group and control group.The colon tissues of UC patients and UC mice models were pathologically scored.The expression of NLRP3,cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1 (caspase-1) and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD (ASC)at mRNA level in colon tissues of UC patients and UC mice models were determined by real time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR).The expression of NLRP3,caspase-1 and ASC at protein level in colon tissues of UC patients and UC mice models were detected by Western blotting.One-way analysis of variance and SNK-t test were performed for statistical analysis.Results The histopathological scores of colon tissues of UC patients at remission phase,at mild activity phase,at moderate activity phase,at severe activity phase and healthy controls were 2.37 ± 0.46,4.84 ± 1.29,6.82 ± 0.96,9.42 ± 1.13 and 1.23 ± 0.55,respectively;the differences were statistically significant (F =67.68,P ＜ 0.01).The higher the degree of inflammation,the higher the pathological score,and the differences were statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05).The pathological scores of colon tissues of mice in the 2.5％ DSS group,5.0％ DSS group and 7.5％ DSS group were 4.54±0.74,6.02± 1.00 and 8.43 ± 1.46,respectively;the higher the dose of DSS,the higher the pathological score,and the differences were statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05).The expression of NLRP3 at mRNA level of UC at remission phase,mild activity phase,moderate activity phase,severe activity phase and healthy controls were 1.15 ±0.10,1.49 ±0.13,2.00±0.25,2.05 ±0.33 and 0.61 ±0.09,respectively;the expression ofcaspase-1 at mRNA level were 1.13 ±0.08,1.51 ±0.19,2.10 ±0.23,2.88 ±0.33 and 0.61 ±0.11,respectively;the expression of ASC at mRNA level were 1.12 ± 0.08,1.88 ± 0.33,2.53 ± 0.22,3.20 ± 0.24 and 0.59 ± 0.12,respectively;the differences between groups were statistically significant (F =108.43,63.25 and 105.25,all P ＜ 0.01).The higher the degree of inflammation,the higher the mRNAexpression levels of NLRP3,caspase-1 and ASC,and the differences were statistically significant (all P ＜0.01).The higher the dose of DSS,the higher the protein expression levels of NLRP3,caspase-1 and ASC at mRNA level.The higher the degree of inflammation,the higher expression of NLRP3,caspase-1 and ASC in colon tissues of UC patients.The higher dose of DSS,the higher the protein expression levels of NLRP3,caspase-1 and ASC in colon tissues of mice.Conclusions The expression level of NLRP3 inflammasome is different in different stages of UC,the higher degree of inflammatory activity,the higher the expressie level.It is helpful to evaluate the activity of UC by detecting the expression level of NLRP3 inflammasome.

Objective: To compare the long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD) versus microdiscectomy (MD). Methods: The data of 154 patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) who underwent TELD (n = 89) or MD (n = 65) were retrospectively analyzed. The patients’ clinical outcomes were evaluated using visual analogue scales for leg and low back pain, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The evolution of radiographic manifestations was observed during follow-up. Potential risk factors for a poor clinical outcome were investigated. Results: During a mean follow-up of 5.5 years (range, 5–7 years), the recurrence rate was 4.49% in the TELD group and 1.54% in the MD group. All scores significantly improved from preoperatively to postoperatively in both groups (p < 0.01). The improvement in the ODI and JOA scores was significantly greater in the TELD than MD group (p < 0.05). Forty-seven patients (52.8%) in the TELD group and 32 (49.2%) in the MD group had Modic changes before surgery, most of which showed no changes at the last follow-up. The degeneration grades of 292 discs (71.0%) were unchanged at the last follow-up, while 86 (20.9%) showed improvement, mostly at the upper adjacent segment. No significant difference was observed in the intervertebral height index or paraspinal muscle-disc ratio. Conclusion Both TELD and MD provide generally satisfactory long-term clinical outcomes for patients with LDH. TELD can be used as a reliable alternative to MD with less surgical trauma. Modic type II changes, decreased preoperative intervertebral height, and a high body mass index are predictors of a poor prognosis.

Objective: To compare the long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD) versus microdiscectomy (MD). Methods: The data of 154 patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) who underwent TELD (n = 89) or MD (n = 65) were retrospectively analyzed. The patients’ clinical outcomes were evaluated using visual analogue scales for leg and low back pain, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The evolution of radiographic manifestations was observed during follow-up. Potential risk factors for a poor clinical outcome were investigated. Results: During a mean follow-up of 5.5 years (range, 5–7 years), the recurrence rate was 4.49% in the TELD group and 1.54% in the MD group. All scores significantly improved from preoperatively to postoperatively in both groups (p < 0.01). The improvement in the ODI and JOA scores was significantly greater in the TELD than MD group (p < 0.05). Forty-seven patients (52.8%) in the TELD group and 32 (49.2%) in the MD group had Modic changes before surgery, most of which showed no changes at the last follow-up. The degeneration grades of 292 discs (71.0%) were unchanged at the last follow-up, while 86 (20.9%) showed improvement, mostly at the upper adjacent segment. No significant difference was observed in the intervertebral height index or paraspinal muscle-disc ratio. Conclusion Both TELD and MD provide generally satisfactory long-term clinical outcomes for patients with LDH. TELD can be used as a reliable alternative to MD with less surgical trauma. Modic type II changes, decreased preoperative intervertebral height, and a high body mass index are predictors of a poor prognosis.

Objective: To compare the long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD) versus microdiscectomy (MD). Methods: The data of 154 patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) who underwent TELD (n = 89) or MD (n = 65) were retrospectively analyzed. The patients’ clinical outcomes were evaluated using visual analogue scales for leg and low back pain, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The evolution of radiographic manifestations was observed during follow-up. Potential risk factors for a poor clinical outcome were investigated. Results: During a mean follow-up of 5.5 years (range, 5–7 years), the recurrence rate was 4.49% in the TELD group and 1.54% in the MD group. All scores significantly improved from preoperatively to postoperatively in both groups (p < 0.01). The improvement in the ODI and JOA scores was significantly greater in the TELD than MD group (p < 0.05). Forty-seven patients (52.8%) in the TELD group and 32 (49.2%) in the MD group had Modic changes before surgery, most of which showed no changes at the last follow-up. The degeneration grades of 292 discs (71.0%) were unchanged at the last follow-up, while 86 (20.9%) showed improvement, mostly at the upper adjacent segment. No significant difference was observed in the intervertebral height index or paraspinal muscle-disc ratio. Conclusion Both TELD and MD provide generally satisfactory long-term clinical outcomes for patients with LDH. TELD can be used as a reliable alternative to MD with less surgical trauma. Modic type II changes, decreased preoperative intervertebral height, and a high body mass index are predictors of a poor prognosis.

Objective: To compare the long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD) versus microdiscectomy (MD). Methods: The data of 154 patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) who underwent TELD (n = 89) or MD (n = 65) were retrospectively analyzed. The patients’ clinical outcomes were evaluated using visual analogue scales for leg and low back pain, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The evolution of radiographic manifestations was observed during follow-up. Potential risk factors for a poor clinical outcome were investigated. Results: During a mean follow-up of 5.5 years (range, 5–7 years), the recurrence rate was 4.49% in the TELD group and 1.54% in the MD group. All scores significantly improved from preoperatively to postoperatively in both groups (p < 0.01). The improvement in the ODI and JOA scores was significantly greater in the TELD than MD group (p < 0.05). Forty-seven patients (52.8%) in the TELD group and 32 (49.2%) in the MD group had Modic changes before surgery, most of which showed no changes at the last follow-up. The degeneration grades of 292 discs (71.0%) were unchanged at the last follow-up, while 86 (20.9%) showed improvement, mostly at the upper adjacent segment. No significant difference was observed in the intervertebral height index or paraspinal muscle-disc ratio. Conclusion Both TELD and MD provide generally satisfactory long-term clinical outcomes for patients with LDH. TELD can be used as a reliable alternative to MD with less surgical trauma. Modic type II changes, decreased preoperative intervertebral height, and a high body mass index are predictors of a poor prognosis.

Objective: To compare the long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of transforaminal endoscopic lumbar discectomy (TELD) versus microdiscectomy (MD). Methods: The data of 154 patients with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) who underwent TELD (n = 89) or MD (n = 65) were retrospectively analyzed. The patients’ clinical outcomes were evaluated using visual analogue scales for leg and low back pain, the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). The evolution of radiographic manifestations was observed during follow-up. Potential risk factors for a poor clinical outcome were investigated. Results: During a mean follow-up of 5.5 years (range, 5–7 years), the recurrence rate was 4.49% in the TELD group and 1.54% in the MD group. All scores significantly improved from preoperatively to postoperatively in both groups (p < 0.01). The improvement in the ODI and JOA scores was significantly greater in the TELD than MD group (p < 0.05). Forty-seven patients (52.8%) in the TELD group and 32 (49.2%) in the MD group had Modic changes before surgery, most of which showed no changes at the last follow-up. The degeneration grades of 292 discs (71.0%) were unchanged at the last follow-up, while 86 (20.9%) showed improvement, mostly at the upper adjacent segment. No significant difference was observed in the intervertebral height index or paraspinal muscle-disc ratio. Conclusion Both TELD and MD provide generally satisfactory long-term clinical outcomes for patients with LDH. TELD can be used as a reliable alternative to MD with less surgical trauma. Modic type II changes, decreased preoperative intervertebral height, and a high body mass index are predictors of a poor prognosis.