OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of moxibustion at "Shenque" (CV8) on urodynamics and the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and immediate early gene (c-fos) in pontine micturition center (PMC), periaqueductal gray (PAG), medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of neurogenic bladder (NB) rats after spinal cord injury. METHODS: Twenty-four SPF female SD rats were randomly divided into a sham-operation group (6 rats) and a modeling group (18 rats). In the modeling group, T₉ complete spinal cord transection method was used to establish a neurogenic detrusor overactivity model, and the 12 rats with successful modeling were randomized into a model group and a moxibustion group, with 6 rats in each group. The rats in the moxibustion group were treated with ginger/salt-insulated moxibustion at "Shenque" (CV8), and 4 consecutive moxa cones were delivered in one intervention. Moxibustion was operated once daily and for 14 days. After intervention completion, the urodynamic indexes of rats in each group were detected. Fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of BDNF and c-fos in PMC, PAG and mPFC in rats. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of BDNF and c-fos in PMC, PAG and mPFC. RESULTS: The rats in the sham-operation group did not show phasic detrusor contraction during bladder filling. Compared with the model group, the frequency and amplitude of the phasic detrusor contraction were reduced 5 min before urine leakage in the rats of the moxibustion group (P<0.05), and the duration of the first phasic detrusor contraction during bladder filling was prolonged (P<0.05). Compared with the sham-operation group, the mRNA and protein expression of BDNF and c-fos in PMC, PAG and mPFC increased in the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the mRNA and protein expression of BDNF and c-fos in PMC, PAG and mPFC decreased in the moxibustion group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Moxibustion at "Shenque" (CV8) can improve the phasic contraction during bladder filling in NB rats after spinal cord injury, possibly by down-regulating the mRNA and protein expression of BDNF and c-fos in PMC, PAG, and mPFC.
Animals ; Moxibustion ; Female ; Rats ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Acupuncture Points ; Spinal Cord Injuries/metabolism* ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic/etiology* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/metabolism* ; Humans ; Urinary Bladder/physiopathology* ; Brain/metabolism* ; Urination

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture and moxibustion combined with umbilical therapy on anxiety and depression in patients with neurogenic bladder (NB) after spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: Thirty cases of NB after SCI with anxiety and depression were selected and treated with acupuncture and moxibustion combined with umbilical therapy. Acupuncture was applied at Baihui (GV20), Yintang (GV24⁺), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Shenmen (HT7), Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3), once a day, continuous treatment for 4 weeks. Ginger moxibustion was applied at the bladder meridian of foot taiyang and governor vessel, once a day, continuous treatment for 4 weeks. In treatment of umbilical therapy, Chaihu (Radix Bupleuri), Yujin (Radix Curcumae), Rougui (Cortex Cinnamomi) were ground and mixed with the same amount of honey, put into the application, and the application was placed on the navel after filling the navel with fine salt, once a day for 4 weeks. Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) score, Hamilton depression scale (HAMD) score, urodynamic indexes (maximum urinary flow rate [Qmax], maximum detrusor pressure [Pdet-max], residual urine volume [RUV]), neurogenic bladder symptom score (NBSS), urinary symptom distress scale (USDS) score were compared before and after treatment, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated. RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of HAMA, HAMD, NBSS, USDS and RUVwere lower than those before treatment (P<0.05), and Qmax and Pdet-max were higher than those before treatment (P<0.05). The total effective rate was 93.3 (28/30). CONCLUSION Acupuncture and moxibustion combined with umbilical therapy can effectively relieve anxiety and depression symptoms, improve urination disorders in patients with NB after SCI.
Humans ; Moxibustion ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Spinal Cord Injuries/psychology* ; Depression/etiology* ; Anxiety/etiology* ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic/etiology* ; Young Adult ; Aged ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Acupuncture Points

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effectiveness of posterior single-level osteotomy with 360° release and correction for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF) complicated with moderate to severe kyphosis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 11 patients with OVCF complicated with moderate to severe kyphosis between January 2022 and March 2023. There were 4 males and 7 females with an average age of 57 years ranging from 47 to 69 years. The disease duration ranged from 3 to 15 months, with an average of 7 months. Fracture segments included T ₁₁ in 3 cases, T ₁₂ in 5, L ₁ in 2, and L ₂ in 1. The T value of lumbar spine bone density was -5.0 to -2.0, with an average of -3.5. The preoperative neurological function was grade E according to Frankel grading. The Pfirrmann classification of the intervertebral disc above the injured vertebra was grade Ⅲ in 8 cases and grade Ⅳ in 3 cases. All patients underwent posterior single-level osteotomy with 360° release and correction. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, and postoperative complications were recorded. Thoracolumbar local kyphosis Cobb angle, the mean height of the functional spinal unit (FSU), the sagittal vertical axis (SVA), and the sagittal index (SI) were measured. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were used to evaluate the improvement of pain and function before operation, at 1 month after operation, and at last follow-up. RESULTS: The operation successfully completed in all patients, and there was no obvious complication. The operation time ranged from 100 to 190 minutes, with an average of 153 minutes, and the intraoperative blood loss ranged from 200 to 800 mL, with an average of 468 mL. The length of hospital stay was 8-14 days (mean, 12 days). All patients were followed up 6-24 months, with an average of 12.4 months. At last follow-up, all the 11 patients had bony fusion in the osteotomy area, and there was no displacement or subsidence of the Cage, no complication such as internal fixation failure or pseudarthrosis formation was found. The Cobb angle of local thoracolumbar kyphosis, the mean height of FSU, SVA, and SI significantly improved immediately after operation and at last follow-up when compared with preoperative ones, and the VAS score and ODI also significantly improved at 1 month after operation and at last follow-up ( P<0.05); there was no significant difference in above indexes between the two time points after operation ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION Posterior single-level osteotomy with 360° release and correction is an effective surgical method for treating OVCF complicated with moderate to severe kyphosis, with definite early effectiveness.
Humans ; Kyphosis/etiology* ; Male ; Female ; Osteotomy/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Aged ; Spinal Fractures/diagnostic imaging* ; Fractures, Compression/diagnostic imaging* ; Osteoporotic Fractures/complications* ; Treatment Outcome ; Lumbar Vertebrae/injuries* ; Thoracic Vertebrae/injuries* ; Operative Time ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods*

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the risk factors of acute spinal cord injury complicated with respiratory dysfunction, and to construct the clinical prediction model of acute spinal cord injury complicated with respiratory dysfunction. METHODS: Continuous 170 cases of acute spinal cord injury treated from April 2019 to October 2022 were retrospectively collected, and clinical data were uniformly collected. Patients were divided into respiratory dysfunction group 30 cases and non-respiratory dysfunction group 140 cases according to whether they had respiratory dysfunction during treatment. The predictive factors of acute spinal cord injury complicated with respiratory dysfunction were screened by Lasso analysis, and the risk factors of acute spinal cord injury complicated with respiratory dysfunction were screened by multivariate Logistic regression analysis. R(R4.2.1) software was used to establish a nomogram risk warning model for predicting acute spinal cord injury complicated with respiratory dysfunction, and Hosmer-Lemeshow test was used to evaluate the model fit. Finally, area under receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve (AUC), calibration curve, and decision curve analysis(DCA) were used to evaluate the differentiation, calibration and clinical impact of the model. RESULTS: The incidence of respiratory dysfunction in 170 patients was 17.65%. Lasso regression analysis selected age, residence, marital status, smoking, hypertension, degree of paralysis, spinal cord injury plane, multiple injuries, spinal cord fracture and dislocation, and ASIA grade as the influencing factors. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age, smoking, degree of paralysis, level of spinal cord injury, spinal cord injury of fracture and dislocation, and ASIA grade were risk factors for acute spinal cord injury complicated with respiratory dysfunction. The prediction model of acute spinal cord injury complicated with respiratory dysfunction was established by Hosmer-Lemeshow test, χ²=5.830, P=0.67. The AUC value of the model was 0.912. DCA analysis showed that the net benefit value of nomogram prediction of acute spinal cord injury complicated with respiratory dysfunction was higher when threshold probability ranged from 1% to 100%. CONCLUSION This column chart can help identify the risk of acute spinal cord injury complicated with respiratory dysfunction in early clinical stage, facilitate early clinical decision-making and intervention, and has important guiding significance for optimizing clinical efficacy and improving prognosis of patients. It is expected to improve and verify this model with larger samples and multi-center in the future.
Humans ; Spinal Cord Injuries/complications* ; Nomograms ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Aged ; Respiration Disorders/etiology* ; Adolescent ; Logistic Models

PURPOSE: To investigate the incidence and influencing factors of bone loss in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: A retrospective case-control study was conducted. Patients with SCI in our hospital from January 2019 to March 2023 were collected. According to the correlation between bone mineral density (BMD) at different sites, the patients were divided into the lumbar spine group and the hip joint group. According to the BMD value, the patients were divided into the normal bone mass group (t > -1.0 standard deviation) and the osteopenia group (t ≤ -1.0 standard deviation). The influencing factors accumulated as follows: gender, age, height, weight, cause of injury, injury segment, injury degree, time after injury, start time of rehabilitation, motor score, sensory score, spasticity, serum value of alkaline phosphatase, calcium, and phosphorus. The trend chart was drawn and the influencing factors were analyzed. SPSS 26.0 was used for statistical analysis. Correlation analysis was used to test the correlation between the BMD values of the lumbar spine and bilateral hips. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of osteoporosis after SCI. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The incidence of bone loss in patients with SCI was 66.3%. There was a low concordance between bone loss in the lumbar spine and the hip, and the hip was particularly susceptible to bone loss after SCI, with an upward trend in incidence (36% - 82%). In this study, patients with SCI were divided into the lumbar spine group (n = 100) and the hip group (n = 185) according to the BMD values of different sites. Then, the lumbar spine group was divided into the normal bone mass group (n = 53) and the osteopenia group (n = 47); the hip joint group was divided into the normal bone mass group (n = 83) and the osteopenia group (n = 102). Of these, lumbar bone loss after SCI is correlated with gender and weight (p = 0.032 and < 0.001, respectively), and hip bone loss is correlated with gender, height, weight, and time since injury (p < 0.001, p = 0.015, 0.009, and 0.012, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The incidence of bone loss after SCI was high, especially in the hip. The incidence and influencing factors of bone loss in the lumbar spine and hip were different. Patients with SCI who are male, low height, lightweight, and long time after injury were more likely to have bone loss.
Humans ; Spinal Cord Injuries/complications* ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Incidence ; Adult ; Bone Density ; Middle Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Osteoporosis/etiology* ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic/etiology* ; Aged ; Risk Factors

Demyelination and remyelination play key roles in spinal cord injury (SCI), affecting the recovery of motor and sensory functions. Research in rodent models is extensive, but the study of these processes in non-human primates is limited. Therefore, our goal was to thoroughly study the histological features of demyelination and remyelination after contusion injury of the cervical spinal cord in Macaca fascicularis. In a previous study, we created an SCI model in M. fascicularis by controlling the contusion displacement. We used Eriochrome Cyanine staining, immunohistochemical analysis, and toluidine blue staining to evaluate demyelination and remyelination. The results showed demyelination ipsilateral to the injury epicenter both rostrally and caudally, the former mainly impacting sensory pathways, while the latter primarily affected motor pathways. Toluidine blue staining showed myelin loss and axonal distension at the injury site. Schwann cell-derived myelin sheaths were only found at the center, while thinner myelin sheaths from oligodendrocytes were seen at the center and surrounding areas. Our study showed that long-lasting demyelination occurs in the spinal cord of M. fascicularis after SCI, with oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells playing a significant role in myelin sheath formation at the injury site.
Animals ; Spinal Cord Injuries/physiopathology* ; Demyelinating Diseases/etiology* ; Remyelination/physiology* ; Macaca fascicularis ; Disease Models, Animal ; Myelin Sheath/pathology* ; Oligodendroglia/pathology* ; Schwann Cells/pathology* ; Female ; Spinal Cord/pathology* ; Axons/pathology*

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect and safety of fire needle therapy combined with bladder function training on neurogenic bladder (NB) caused by spinal cord injury. METHODS: A total of 60 patients with NB caused by spinal cord injury were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group , with 30 cases in each group. On the basis of conventional treatment with western medicine, the bladder function training was adopted in the control group, once a day and for 4 weeks. In the observation group, on the basis of the interventions as the control group, fire needling was operated at bilateral Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Guanyuan (CV 4) and Zhongji (CV 3), once every two days and for 4 weeks (14 interventions in total). Separately, at the baseline and in 2 and 4 weeks of interventions, the urination conditions (average daily urination frequency, average daily leakage frequency, average daily single urination volume) were recorded in the two groups; the urodynamic parameters (maximum flow rate [Qmax], maximum detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate [PdetQmax], residual urine volume [RUA], maximum cystometric capacity [MCC], and bladder pressure) were detected; the neurogenic bladder symptom score (NBSS), urinary symptom distress score (USDS) were observed. Before and after treatment, the score of World Health Organization quality of life assessment scale-brief (WHOQOL-BREF) was observed in the two groups. The therapeutic effect, the incidence of urinary infection, and the safety were evaluated. RESULTS: In 2 and 4 weeks of interventions, the average daily urination frequency, the average daily leakage frequency, RUA, and the scores of NBSS and USDS decreased in the two groups when compared with the baseline (P<0.05). In 4 weeks of interventions, the above-mention outcomes were lower than those in 2 weeks of interventions (P<0.05); and the results in the observation group were lower in 2 and 4 weeks of interventions when compared with the control group (P<0.05). In 2 and 4 weeks of interventions, the average daily single urination volume, Qmax, PdetQmax, MCC, and bladder pressure increased in the two groups compared with the baseline (P<0.05). In 4 weeks of interventions, the above-mention outcomes were elevated in comparison with those in 2 weeks of interventions (P<0.05); and except for bladder pressure, the results in the observation group in 2 and 4 weeks of interventions were higher when compared with the control group (P<0.05). In 4 weeks of interventions, the scores of each dimension and the total scores of WHOQOL-BREF increased in comparison with the baseline in the two groups (P<0.05), and the scores of the observation group were higher than those of the control group (P<0.05). The incidence of urinary infection was 0% (0/30) in the observation group and 10.0% (3/30) in the control group, without significant difference (P>0.05). The total effective rate of the observation group was 93.3% (28/30), which was higher than that (73.3%, 22/30) of the control group (P<0.05). No serious adverse reactions occurred in the patients of the observation group. CONCLUSION Fire needle therapy combined with bladder function training can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms, ameliorate urination, restore bladder function and improve the quality of life in the patients with NB caused by spinal cord injury. This therapeutic regimen presents a high safety in practice.
Humans ; Spinal Cord Injuries/therapy* ; Female ; Male ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic/etiology* ; Urinary Bladder/physiopathology* ; Urination ; Young Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Aged ; Adolescent ; Combined Modality Therapy

Humans ; Spinal Cord Injuries/complications* ; Paralysis/etiology* ; Nervous System Diseases ; Brain

PURPOSE: Spine injury is one of the leading causes of death and mortality worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence, pattern and outcome of trauma patients with spine injury referred to the largest trauma center in southern Iran during the last 3 years. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study conducted between March 2018 and June 2021 in the largest trauma center in the southern Iran. The data collection form included the age, sex, injury location (cervical, thoracic, and lumbar), cause of injury (traffic accidents, falls, and assaults), length of hospital stay, injured segment of spine injury, severity of injury, and outcome. Statistical analyzes were performed using SPSS software version 24. RESULTS: Totally 776 cases of spine injury were identified. The spine injury rate was 17.0%, and the mortality rate was 15.5%. Cervical spine injury (20.4%) more often occulted in motorcycle accident, and thoracic spine injury (20.1%) occulted in falls. The highest and lowest rates of spine injurys were related to lumbar spine injury (30.2%) and cervical spine injury (21.5%), respectively. There was a statistically significant relationship between the mechanism of injury and the location of spine injury (p < 0.001). And patients with lumbar spine injury had the highest mortality rate (16.7%). Injury severity score (OR= 1.041, p < 0.001) and length of stay (OR = 1.018, p < 0.001) were strong predictors of mortality in trauma patients with spine injury. CONCLUSION The results of the study showed that the incidence of traumatic spine injury rate was approximately 17.0% in southern of Iran. Road traffic injury and falls are the common mechanism of injury to spine. It is important to improve the safety of roads, and passengers, as well as work environment, and improve the quality of cars. Also, paying attention to the pattern of spine injury may assist to prevent the missing diagnosis of spine injury in multiple trauma patients.
Humans ; Incidence ; Trauma Centers ; Iran/epidemiology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Spinal Injuries/etiology* ; Neck Injuries ; Accidents, Traffic

PURPOSE: To identify risk factors for developing pressure ulcers (PUs) in the acute care period of traumatic spinal fracture patients with or without spinal cord injuries (SCIs). METHODS: Data were collected prospectively in participating the National Spinal column/Cord Injury Registry of Iran (NSCIR-IR) from individuals with traumatic spinal fractures with or without SCIs, inclusive of the hospital stay from admission to discharge. Trained nursing staff examined the patients for the presence of PUs every 8 h during their hospital stay. The presence and grade of PUs were assessed according to the European Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel classification. In addition to PU, following data were also extracted from the NSCIR-IR datasets during the period of 2015 - 2021: age, sex, Glasgow coma scale score at admission, having SCIs, marital status, surgery for a spinal fracture, American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale (AIS), urinary incontinence, level of education, admitted center, length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), hypertension, respiratory diseases, consumption of cigarettes, diabetes mellitus and length of stay in the hospital. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the unadjusted and adjusted odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: Altogether 2785 participants with traumatic spinal fractures were included. Among them, 87 (3.1%) developed PU during their hospital stay and 392 (14.1%) had SCIs. In the SCI population, 63 (16.1%) developed PU during hospital stay. Univariate logistic regression for the whole sample showed that marital status, having SCIs, urinary incontinence, level of education, treating center, number of days in the ICU, age, and Glasgow coma scale score were significant predictors for PUs. However, further analysis by multiple logistic regression only revealed the significant risk factors to be the treating center, marital status, having SCIs, and the number of days in the ICU. For the subgroup of individuals with SCIs, marital status, AIS, urinary incontinence, level of education, the treating center, the number of days in the ICU and the number of days in the hospital were significant predictors for PUs by univariate analysis. After adjustment in the multivariate model, the treating center, marital status (singles vs. marrieds, OR = 3.06, 95% CI: 1.55 - 6.03, p = 0.001), and number of days in the ICU (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.04 - 1.09, p < 0.001) maintained significance. CONCLUSIONS These data confirm that individuals with traumatic spinal fractures and SCIs, especially single young patients who suffer from urinary incontinence, grades A-D by AIS, prolonged ICU stay, and more extended hospitalization are at increased risk for PUs; as a result strategies to minimize PU development need further refinement.
Humans ; Spinal Fractures/etiology* ; Pressure Ulcer/complications* ; Iran/epidemiology* ; Spinal Cord Injuries/epidemiology* ; Risk Factors ; Spine ; Registries ; Urinary Incontinence/complications* ; Suppuration/complications*