OBJECTIVE: To explore the anatomical parameters of the cervical uncinate process "inflection point" through cervical CT angiography (CTA) and MRI measurements, offering a reliable and safe anatomical landmark for anterior cervical decompression surgery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the cervical CTA and MRI imaging data of normal adults who met the selection criteria between January 2020 and January 2024. The CTA dataset included 326 cases, with 200 males and 126 females, aged 22-55 years (mean, 46.7 years). The MRI dataset included 300 cases, with 200 males and 100 females, aged 18-55 years (mean, 43.7 years). Based on the CTA data, three-dimensional models of C ₃-C ₇ were constructed, and the following measurements were obtained from the superior view: uncinate process "inflection point" to vertebral artery distance (UIVD), uncinate process tip to vertebral artery distance (UTVD), uncinate process "inflection point" to "inflection point" distance (UID), uncinate process long-axis to sagittal angle (ULSA), and uncinate process "inflection point" to transverse foramen-sagittal angle (UITSA). From the anterior view, the anterior uncinate process to sagittal angle (AUSA) was measured. From the posterior view, the posterior uncinate process to sagittal angle (PUSA) was measured. Based on the MRI data, uncinate process "inflection point" to dural sac distance (UIDD) and dural sac width (DSW) were measured. The trends in measurement parameters of C ₃-C ₇ were observed, and the differences in measurement parameters between genders and between the left and right sides of the same segment were compared, as well as the difference in UID and DSW within the same segment was compared. RESULTS: The measurement parameters from C ₃ to C ₇ in the CTA data showed a general increasing trend, with no significant difference between the left and right sides within the same segment ( P>0.05). The UIVD, UTVD, and UID were greater in males than in females, with significant differences observed in the UIVD and UTVD at C ₃ and C ₆ and UID at C ₃, C ₆, and C ₇ ( P<0.05). The MRI measured DSW showed a general increasing trend from C ₃ to C ₇, and the DSW at C ₆ was greater in females than in males, with a significant difference ( P<0.05). The UIDD showed a gradual decreasing trend, with the smallest value at C ₆. There was no significant difference between males and females or between the left and right sides within the same segment ( P>0.05). The UID was greater than the DSW at C ₃-C ₇, and the differences were significant ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION The uncinate process "inflection point" is a constant anatomical structure located at the anteromedial aspect of the uncinate process tip and laterally to the dural sac. It maintains a certain safe distance from the vertebral artery. As a decompression landmark in anterior cervical spine surgery, it not only ensures surgical safety but also guarantees complete decompression.
Humans ; Adult ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Cervical Vertebrae/surgery* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Computed Tomography Angiography ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Vertebral Artery/anatomy & histology* ; Anatomic Landmarks/diagnostic imaging*

In order to elucidate the mechanisms of p53 overexpression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and detect proteins associated with the function of p53 in high throughout screening, p53 which knockdown human NPC CNE2 cell line (CNE2sip53) were successfully established by using stable RNA interference (RNAi). Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE) was used to separate the total proteins of CNE2sip53 and its control cell line CNE2/pSUPER, and PDQuest software was applied to analyze 2-DE images. Twenty-two differential protein spots were identified by both MALDI-TOF-MS and ESI-Q-TOF-MS, some of which are known to be associated with the p53 function (HSP27, hnRNP K, 14-3-3? etc.) , and others may be novel proteins associated with p53 function (eIF4B, TPT1, hnRNP H3, SFRS1 etc.). Furthermore, the differential expression levels of the partial proteins (HSP27, 14-3-3?, GRP75) were confirmed by Western blot analysis and compared with CNE2 and CNE2 cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-FLAG, CNE2 cells transfected with pcDNA3.1-FLAG-p53 had obvious down-regulations of HSP27 and 14-3-3?, and an up-regulation of GRP75. The 22 differentially expressed proteins could be divided into five groups based on their functions: signal transduction, chaperone, transcription and translation, metabolism and cytoskeleton, which were involved in cell cycle, the transcription regulation, cell adherence,cellular metabolism and so on. The data suggest that these differential proteins may be associated with the function of p53 in NPC, and will be valuable for further to study the mechanisms of p53 overexpression and inactivation in NPC.