Objective To quantitatively evaluate age-,sex-,and segment-related characteristics of lumbar disc degeneration(LDD)in patients with low back pain(LBP)using T1rho MRI,and assess its diagnostic value in early-stage disc degeneration.Methods A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 89 LBP patients(balanced distribution across ages 20～29,30～39,40～49,50～59 years and genders)admitted in Department of Orthopedics of First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University from March 2024 to February 2025.All patients underwent lumbar MRI including T1rho sequences.Two senior radiologists performed blinded Pfirrmann grading on 445 intervertebral discs and measured T1rho values of the nucleus pulposus(NP).Kappa test was used to evaluate the inter-observer agreement of Pfirrmann grading,and Spearman correlation coefficient was employed to analyze the correlation between Pfirrmann grade and NP-T1rho value.Disc degeneration characteristics were compared across different ages,sexes,and spinal segments.After adjusting for body mass index(BMI)and gender,partial correlation analysis was used to assess the correlation between NP-T1rho value of each lumbar segment and age.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted to analyze the diagnostic performance of T1rho quantification for early LDD in LBP patients.Results Good inter-observer agreement was observed in Pfirrmann grading across segments,with a Kappa coefficient of>0.70.The NP-T1rho values of all NP were in a strong negative correlation with Pfirrmann grades(r=-0.877,P<0.001).The NP-T1rho values were progressively decreased from Pfirrmann gradesⅠ to Ⅳ(P<0.001),with a steep decline between gradesⅡ and Ⅲ.The patients aged 20～29 and 30～39 years showed significantly higher NP-T1rho values in Pfirrmann grades Ⅰ and Ⅱ discs when compared with those aged 40～49 and 50～59 years(P<0.05).The males had significantly higher mean NP-T1rho values in grade I than the females(P=0.006).In the upper spinal segments(L1～L4),the males exhibited significantly higher mean NP-T1rho value than the females(P=0.025),and NP-T1rho value was decreased obviously with increase of age across all age groups(P<0.05).Except L5/S1 segments,NP-T1rho value and age in all spinal segments had significant negative correlations(r=-0.548～-0.349,P<0.001).The area under the curve(AUC)for distinguishing grade Ⅰ from Ⅱ discs was 0.824(95%CI:0.772～0.876),and for grades Ⅱ from Ⅲ was 0.978(95%CI:0.964～0.992).Conclusion T1rho MRI provides accurate quantitative assessment of early lumbar disc degeneration in LBP patients,with an NP-T1rho value of 79.87 ms serving as a discriminative threshold between grade Ⅱ and grade Ⅲ.

Nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF), predominantly affecting the elderly, can lead to intractable pain, vertebral collapse, progressive kyphotic deformity, and neurological impairment, significantly compromising patients′ quality of life. There exists considerable debate on diagnosis and management of OVF, encompassing key issues such as clinical diagnosis and staging criteria for nonunion, surgical indications and procedure selection, and postoperative rehabilitation planning. Currently, there lacks standardized clinical guideline and expert consensus on the diagnosis and management of OVF nonunion in China. To address this gap, Minimally Invasive Surgery Group of Chinese Orthopedic Association, Osteoporosis Committee of Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee for Osteoporosis of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine and Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery Branch of China Association for Geriatric Care jointly organized domestic experts in spinal surgery, endocrinology, and rehabilitation to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment for nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures ( version 2025), based on existing literature and clinical experience and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and practicality. The guideline provided 13 evidence-based recommendations encompassing diagnosis and treatment of OVF nonunion, aiming to standardize its clinical management.

For middle-aged and elderly patients with conditions such as spinal fractures and degenerative spinal diseases, spinal internal fixation is a core surgical procedure for reconstructing spinal stability, heavily relying on the biomechanical stability provided by pedicle screw systems. Whereas, these patients are often complicated by osteoporosis that can significantly compromise the stability of the bone-pedicle screw interface, leading to a marked increase in pedicle screw loosening and surgical failure rates. The bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique, which involves injecting bone cement into the vertebral body or screw trajectory to optimize the mechanical properties of the bone-pedicle screw composite, has been proven to significantly enhance fixation strength and effectively prevent screw-related failures, thereby reducing the incidence of internal fixation failure in high-risk populations undergoing spinal fusion. However, the widespread clinical application of this technique has faced challenges such as inaccurate clinical decision-making (indication and contraindication selection), non-standardized operative practices, and insufficient awareness of complication prevention, resulting in considerable variability in clinical outcomes and even severe complications. To address this, Prof. Luo Fei from First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University initiated the project and the Chinese Association Orthopaedic Surgeons organized relevant experts to develop the Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique ( version 2025), based on current evidence. The guidelines put forward 8 recommendations regarding the clinical value, scope of application, and operational standards of the technique, aiming to provide evidence-based medical support and technical standardization for clinical decision-making.

Nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF), predominantly affecting the elderly, can lead to intractable pain, vertebral collapse, progressive kyphotic deformity, and neurological impairment, significantly compromising patients′ quality of life. There exists considerable debate on diagnosis and management of OVF, encompassing key issues such as clinical diagnosis and staging criteria for nonunion, surgical indications and procedure selection, and postoperative rehabilitation planning. Currently, there lacks standardized clinical guideline and expert consensus on the diagnosis and management of OVF nonunion in China. To address this gap, Minimally Invasive Surgery Group of Chinese Orthopedic Association, Osteoporosis Committee of Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee for Osteoporosis of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine and Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery Branch of China Association for Geriatric Care jointly organized domestic experts in spinal surgery, endocrinology, and rehabilitation to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment for nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures ( version 2025), based on existing literature and clinical experience and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and practicality. The guideline provided 13 evidence-based recommendations encompassing diagnosis and treatment of OVF nonunion, aiming to standardize its clinical management.

For middle-aged and elderly patients with conditions such as spinal fractures and degenerative spinal diseases, spinal internal fixation is a core surgical procedure for reconstructing spinal stability, heavily relying on the biomechanical stability provided by pedicle screw systems. Whereas, these patients are often complicated by osteoporosis that can significantly compromise the stability of the bone-pedicle screw interface, leading to a marked increase in pedicle screw loosening and surgical failure rates. The bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique, which involves injecting bone cement into the vertebral body or screw trajectory to optimize the mechanical properties of the bone-pedicle screw composite, has been proven to significantly enhance fixation strength and effectively prevent screw-related failures, thereby reducing the incidence of internal fixation failure in high-risk populations undergoing spinal fusion. However, the widespread clinical application of this technique has faced challenges such as inaccurate clinical decision-making (indication and contraindication selection), non-standardized operative practices, and insufficient awareness of complication prevention, resulting in considerable variability in clinical outcomes and even severe complications. To address this, Prof. Luo Fei from First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University initiated the project and the Chinese Association Orthopaedic Surgeons organized relevant experts to develop the Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique ( version 2025), based on current evidence. The guidelines put forward 8 recommendations regarding the clinical value, scope of application, and operational standards of the technique, aiming to provide evidence-based medical support and technical standardization for clinical decision-making.

Bone defects caused by different causes such as trauma, severe bone infection and other factors are common in clinic and difficult to treat. Usually, bone substitutes are required for repair. Current bone grafting materials used clinically include autologous bones, allogeneic bones, xenografts, and synthetic materials, etc. Other than autologous bones, the major hurdles of rest bone grafts have various degrees of poor biological activity and lack of active ingredients to provide osteogenic impetus. Bone marrow contains various components such as stem cells and bioactive factors, which are contributive to osteogenesis. In response, the technique of bone marrow enrichment, based on the efficient utilization of components within bone marrow, has been risen, aiming to extract osteogenic cells and factors from bone marrow of patients and incorporate them into 3D scaffolds for fabricating bone grafts with high osteoinductivity. However, the scientific guidance and application specification are lacked with regard to the clinical scope, approach, safety and effectiveness. In this context, under the organization of Chinese Orthopedic Association, the Expert consensus for the clinical application of autologous bone marrow enrichment technique for bone repair ( version 2023) is formulated based on the evidence-based medicine. The consensus covers the topics of the characteristics, range of application, safety and application notes of the technique of autologous bone marrow enrichment and proposes corresponding recommendations, hoping to provide better guidance for clinical practice of the technique.

ObjectiveTo investigate common dyadic coping (CDC) in linking with marital satisfaction and quality of life (QOL) in patients with brain injury and their spouses in a rehabilitation facility by using common fate model (CFM). MethodsFrom October, 2022 to June, 2023, 101 brain injury inpatients and their spouses in Beijing Bo'ai Hospital completed the questionnaire of Dyadic Coping Inventory, Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale and World Health Organization Quality of Life. ResultsThe level of CDC between patients and their spouses significantly positively correlated with their marital satisfaction for both partners (β = 0.814, P < 0.001), as well as correlated with their quality of life (β = 0.271, P = 0.038; β = 0.481, P < 0.001). For the dimensions of QOL, the physical, psychological, social relationship and environmental dimensions significantly positive correlated with the CDC for the spouses, and only psychological and social relationship dimensions for the patients. ConclusionFacing the stress of brain injury, the level of CDC within couples can positively predict their marital satisfaction and QOL, and effect seems stronger for the spouses. It is advisable to consider both brain injured patients and their spouses as a whole to promote psychological adaptation and improve rehabilitation outcomes.

Objective:To compare the clinical effects of discectomy combined with transpedicular dynamic stabilization and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in treating single-level lumbar disc herniation.Methods:From November 2012 to November 2015, a total of 96 patients with single-level lumbar disc herniation (disc height decreased more than 1/3, the width of the basilar part of the herniated disc >6 mm, massive disc herniation or Modic type I endplate changes) treated by discectomy combined with Dynesys dynamic stabilization (Dynesys group, n=48) or TLIF (fusion group, n=48) were enrolled. Clinical assessments included operation duration, intraoperative blood loss, MacNab score, visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and rate of complications. Radiographs were evaluated for lumbar mobility, intervertebral height, etc. Results:A total of 86 patients were included in the final analysis (44 in Dynesys group and 42 in fusion group) and were evaluated after 5 years follow-up. The operation duration of Dynesys group (159.61±37.29 min) was less than that of the fusion group (177.42±39.90 min) significantly ( t=2.140, P=0.035). Intraoperative blood loss in Dynesys group (151.78±50.88 ml) was less than that in fusion group (197.74±76.55 ml) with significant difference ( t=3.293, P=0.001). At 5 years follow-up, there were 2 cases with screw loosening and 5 cases with adjacent segmental degeneration in Dynesys group without symptom. In fusion group, there were 12 cases with adjacent segmental degeneration and two of them with symptom. There were significant differences in the incidence of adjacent segment degeneration between the two groups ( χ2=4.012, P=0.045). According to the MacNab criteria, excellent or good cases accounted for 95% in Dynesys group and 93% in fusion group without significant differences ( Z=0.425, P=0.671). VAS back, VAS leg and ODI scores were improved significantly in both groups after 2 years and 5 years ( P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences between the two groups ( P<0.05). The activity of the surgical segment was 4.59°±0.48° in Dynesys group and 1.00°±0.42° in fusion group at 5 years after surgery. The height of intervertebral space in Dynesys group decreased from 11.19±2.07 mm before surgery to 9.98±2.02 mm at 2 years after surgery and to 9.86±1.64 mm at 5 years after surgery ( F=6.462, P=0.002). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 and 5 years follow-up ( q=0.415, P>0.05). At 5 years after surgery, the activity of the first proximal segment in the two groups was 9.74°±3.29° and 11.69°±3.89°, respectively ( t=2.514, P=0.014). Conclusion:Both discectomy combined with dynamic stabilization and TLIF can achieve satisfied clinical effects in treating single-level lumbar disc herniation. Dynamic stabilization preserves the intervertebral activity of surgical segments and results in a lower incidence of adjacent segment degeneration compared with that in fusion surgery. Furthermore, discectomy combined with dynamic stabilization is a less invasive intervention with shorter operation duration and less blood loss compared with TLIF.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of Paclitaxel and Carboplatin combination chemotherapy with concurrent intensity-modulated radiotherapy for elderly patients with advanced cervical cancer.Methods:From February 2107 to July 2018, 82 patients with advanced cervical cancer were enrolled from our hospital.According to the treatment plan, they were divided into the observation group(patients with Paclitaxel/Carboplatin chemotherapy + concurrent intensity-modulated radiation therapy)and the control group(patients with conventional chemotherapy). Clinical effects and the occurrence of toxic and side effects were evaluated and analyzed for the two groups.Results:The overall rate of effectiveness for the observation group was 92.7%, which was higher than that for the control group(75.6%), and the difference was statistically significant( χ2=4.479, P=0.034). The tumor metastasis rate was lower in the observation group than in the control group(2.4% vs.14.6%, χ2=3.905, P=0.048). The incidence of gastrointestinal side effects > grade Ⅲ was lower in the observation group than in the control group(8.1% vs.45.5%, χ2=12.736, P=0.000). Conclusions:Paclitaxel and Carboplatin plus intensity-modulated radiotherapy for elderly patients with advanced cervical cancer can help keep tumor size under control, reduce the risk of toxic and side effects during treatment, alleviate patient suffering, and ensure a smooth treatment experience.

Objective:]To investigate the role of Arpin protein in bone repair by mediating migration of host bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) to the bone defect area after transplantation of tissue engineering bone (TEB).Methods:Immunofluorescence was used to observe the expression and relative localization of Arpin and Arp2/3 proteins in BMSCs. Lentiviruses that ware designed to interfere with Arpin expression were constructed to transfect BMSCs for knockdown Arpin expression. Knockdown efficiency was verified by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR ( qRT-PCR) and Western blot. According to different levels of Arpin protein expression, experiments were divided into empty vector control group and an Arpin expression inhibition group in vitro and in vivo. In vitro experiments: the cell migration model was established with a migration chamber, then the cells from both groups were seeded on the up chamber, and the number of migrated cells were detected by fluorescence microscopy. Cells from both groups were seeded on six-well plates. Model of wound healing experiment was established and wound healing ratio was examined by microscopy. In vivo experiments: 8-week-old C57BL/6 mice were selected and assigned to empty vector control group and Arpin expression inhibition group according to the random number table, with 6 rats per group. Diaphysis of 2 mm and periosteum in the middle femur were excised to make a large segment of bone defects. Then, TEB was transplanted into the defect area and fixed.Green fluorescein-labeled BMSCs (1 million cells per mouse) from empty vector control group and Arpin expression inhibition group were injected through the tail vein. Number of BMSCs homing to the bone defect area was detected by immunofluorescence staining at day 2 and 7 after operation. At 4 weeks after operation, the femur was taken for a Micro-CT scan to analyze bone mass density(BMD), bone volume density (BV/TV), trabecular spacing (Tb.Sp) and trabecular thickness (Tb.Th). Then, the specimens were stained with pathological HE and MASSON staining to observe the quality of bone formation. Results:Mouse BMSCs expressed Arpin protein, which was located at the cell edge relative to Arp2/3. After transfection of lentivirus, BMSCs expressed green fluorescent protein, and the expression of Arpin gene and protein in Arpin expression inhibition group were decreased compared to empty vector control group ( P<0. 01). BMSCs migration was enhanced in Arpin expression inhibition group compared to empty vector control group [(76.6±6.6) vs. (105.7±6.5)] ( P<0. 01). Wound healing was accelerated in Arpin expression inhibition group compared to empty vector control group [(43.8±0.19)% vs. (62.6±3.2)%]( P<0.01). At day 2 after operation, immunofluorescence results showed no significant difference in cell migration between the two groups and almost no labeled cells migrated. At day 7 after operation, more cells migrated to the transplanted area in Arpin expression inhibition group compared to empty vector control group [(5.7±1.5) vs. (11.3±1.5)] ( P<0.01). At 4 weeks after operation, Micro-CT results showed that Arpin expression inhibition group had better bone formation quality than empty vector control group [BMD: (172.7±6.0)mg/cm 3vs. (140.0±6.0)mg/cm 3, BV/TV: (28.8±1.3)% vs. (23.4±0.9)%, Tb.Sp: (0.33±0.01)μm vs. (0.28±0.01)μm, Tb.Th: (0.11±0.01)μm vs.(0.15±0. 01)μm]( P<0.05). Pathological staining showed there were more new bone tissue in Arpin expression inhibition group ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Silencing Arpin protein expression promotes BMSCs to migrate to the bone defect area and improves bone repair effect.