OBJECTIVE: To explore decompression strategies for lateral lumbar spinal stenosis under unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) assistance. METHODS: A clinical data of 86 patients with lateral lumbar stenosis treated with UBE-assisted intervertebral decompression between September 2022 and December 2023 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 42 males and 44 females with an average age of 63.6 years (range, 45-79 years). The disease duration ranged from 6 to 14 months (mean, 8.5 months). Surgical levels included L _{2, 3} in 3 cases, L _{3, 4} in 26 cases, L _{4, 5} in 42 cases, and L ₅, S ₁ in 15 cases. According to Lee's grading system, there were 21 cases of grade 1, 37 cases of grade 2, and 28 cases of grade 3 for lumbar spinal stenosis. Based on the location of stenosis and clinical symptoms, the 33 cases underwent interlaminar approach, 7 cases underwent interlaminar approach with auxiliary third incision, 26 cases underwent contralateral inclinatory approach, and 20 cases underwent paraspinal approach; then, the corresponding decompression procedures were performed. Visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to evaluate lower back/leg pain before operation and at 1 and 3 months after operation, while Oswestry disability index (ODI) was used to evaluate spinal function. At 3 months after operation, the effectiveness was evaluated using the modified MacNab evaluation criteria. The spinal stenosis and decompression were evaluated based on Lee's grading system using lumbar MRI before operation and at 3 months after operation. RESULTS: All procedures were successfully completed with mean operation time of 95.1 minutes (range, 57-166 minutes). Dural tears occurred in 2 cases treated with interlaminar approach with auxiliary third incision. All incisions healed by first intention. All patients were followed up 3-10 months (mean, 5.9 months). The clinical symptoms of the patients relieved to varying degrees. The VAS scores and ODI of lower back and leg pain at 1 and 3 months after operation significantly improved compared to preoperative levels ( P<0.05), and the indicators at 3 months significantly improved than that at 1 month ( P<0.05). According to the modified MacNab evaluation criteria, the effectiveness at 3 months after operation was rated as excellent in 52 cases, good in 21 cases, and poor in 13 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 84.9%. No lumbar instability was detected on flexion-extension X-ray films during follow-up. The Lee's grading of lateral lumbar stenosis at 2 days after operation showed significant improvement compared to preoperative grading ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION For lateral lumbar spinal stenosis, UBE-assisted decompression of the spinal canal requires the selection of interlaminar approach, interlaminar approach with auxiliary third incision, contralateral inclinatory approach, and paraspinal approach based on preoperative imaging findings and clinical symptoms to achieve better effectiveness.
Humans ; Spinal Stenosis/diagnostic imaging* ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and clinical features of pertussis cases reported in Shandong Province of China.Methods:Data on pertussis cases in Shandong Province from 2007 to 2022 were collected from China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. At the same time, some case information was collected from the database of notifiable pertussis in Shandong Province from 2007 to 2022. The distribution characteristics and clinical features of pertussis were analyzed. A spatial distribution map of pertussis cases in Shandong Province was drawn.Results:A total of 26 122 pertussis cases were reported in Shandong Province during 2007-2022, with an annual incidence rate ranging from 0.11 to 5.77 cases per 100 000 people. Cases occurred throughout the whole year, with a seasonal peak occurring in spring and summer, especially in July and August. In recent years, reported cases were mainly distributed in the central and western regions of Shandong Province, with fewer cases in the eastern region. The hot spots of the disease shifted from Heze and Dezhou City in 2007-2013 to Jinan and Tai′an city in 2014-2022. The age range of onset was from 1 day to 93 years old. The proportion of cases with age≤1 year was the largest (41.81%, 10 922/26 122), and the proportion of cases aged 0-6 months decreased from 32.21% (67/208)-55.67% (157/282) within the period of 2007 to 2013 to 16.78% (883/5 263)-41.97% (444/1 058) within the period of 2014 to 2022, with a statistically significant trend ( χ2 trend=670.01, P<0.001). There were 13 682 male cases and 12 440 female cases, with a male-female ratio of 1.10∶1. The male-female ratio was 1.45∶1 (806∶556) from 2007 to 2013 and 1.08∶1 (12 876∶11 884) from 2014 to 2022. The proportion of women increased from 42.31% (88/208) in 2007 to 47.84% (2 518/5 263) in 2022, and with a significant trend ( χ2 trend=22.25, P<0.001). In pertussis cases, the proportions of scattered children, kindergarten children and students were 71.38% (18 645/26 122), 15.13% (3 951/26 122), and 11.60% (3 031/26 122), respectively. The top five clinical symptoms of pertussis cases were paroxysmal spasmodic cough (86.33%, 21 411 cases), flushing (39.61%, 9 824 cases), restless sleep (34.51%, 8 558 cases), fever (30.80%, 7 638 cases), and crowing (27.53%, 6 829 cases). Among 24 802 cases, there were 15 542 cases (62.66%) with a history of immunization against pertussis vaccine. Conclusion:From 2007 to 2022, the incidence rate of pertussis cases in Shandong Province shows an upward trend, with the majority being young children, and the clinical symptoms are relatively typical.

Following the principles of evidence-based medicine,in accordance with the structure and drafting rules of standardized documents,based on literature research,according to the characteristics of chronic cough in children and issues that need to form a consensus,the TCM Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Cough in Children was formulated based on the Delphi method,expert discussion meetings,and public solicitation of opinions.The guideline includes scope of application,terms and definitions,eti-ology and diagnosis,auxiliary examination,treatment,prevention and care.The aim is to clarify the optimal treatment plan of Chinese medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease,and to provide guidance for improving the clinical diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough in children with Chinese medicine.

OBJECTIVE: To explore early effectiveness of unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) technique in the treatment of migrated lumbar intervertebral disc herniation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 87 patients with migrated lumbar intervertebral disc herniation, who were treated with UBE technique between May 2021 and December 2022 and met the selection criteria. There were 55 males and 32 females, with an average age of 48.8 years (range, 29-74 years). The disease duration ranged from 2 to 23 months, with an average of 9.1 months. The surgical segments included 17 cases of L _{3, 4}, 32 cases of L _{4, 5}, and 38 cases of L ₅, S ₁. According to Lee's classification criteria, there were 12 cases of type 1, 17 cases of type 2, 37 cases of type 3, and 21 cases of type 4. The operation time, length of hospital stay, and complications were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score was used to assess the degree of low back and leg pain before operaion and at 3 days, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after operation. The Oswestry disability index (ODI) was used to evaluate the lumbar spine function. At last follow-up, the modified MacNab criteria was used to evaluate the effectiveness. According to the preoperative migrated intervertebral disc classification, the patients were allocated into groups Ⅰ to Ⅳ. The differences in VAS score and ODI were compared. RESULTS: All 87 patients successfully completed the operations. There was no nerve root injury, dural sac injury, or dural tear during operation. The operation time was (58.6±14.6) minutes and the length of hospital stay was (4.0±0.8) days. All incisions healed by first intention after operation. No symptomatic epidural hematoma occurred. All patients were followed up for 12 months. There were significant differences in VAS scores and ODI at each time point after operation when compared with those before operation ( P<0.05). There were significant differences in VAS score at 3 days after operation when compared with that at 3, 6, and 12 months after operation ( P<0.05). For ODI, except that there was no significant difference between 6 and 12 months after operation ( P>0.05), there were significant differences between other time points after operation ( P<0.05). At last follow-up, the effectiveness was rated as excellent in 66 cases, good in 13 cases, and fair in 8 cases according to the modified MacNab criteria, and the excellent and good rate was 90.8%. There was no intervertebral disc herniation recurred during follow-up period. There was no significant difference in VAS score and ODI among groups Ⅰ -Ⅳ before operation and at each time point after operation ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION The UBE technique is safe and effective in the treatment of migrated lumbar intervertebral disc herniation, with a low complication rate and satisfactory early effectiveness.
Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/surgery* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Adult ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Aged ; Pain Measurement ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Operative Time

Osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture in the elderly will seriously reduce their quality of life and life expectancy. For osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture in the elderly, spinal reconstruction is necessary, which should comprehensively consider factors such as the physical condition, fracture type, clinical characteristics and osteoporosis degree. While there lacks relevant clinical norms or guidelines on selection of spinal reconstruction strategies. In order to standardize the concept of spinal reconstruction for osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture in the elderly, based on the principles of scientificity, practicality and progressiveness, the authors formulated the Clinical guideline for spinal reconstruction of osteoporotic thoracolumbar fracture in elderly patients ( version 2022), in which suggestions based on evidence of evidence-based medicine were put forward upon 10 important issues related to the fracture classification, non-operative treatment strategies and surgical treatment strategies in spinal reconstruction after osteoporosis thoracolumbar fracture in the elderly, hoping to provide a reference for clinical treatment.

Objective:To establish a scoring system based on lumbar magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images to evaluate bone mineral density and evaluate its correlation with T score of dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).Methods:The clinical data of 82 patients with lumbar degenerative diseases who were admitted to the Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University from January 2019 to August 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the lower value of T value of femoral neck and total hip bone mineral density detected by DEXA, they were divided into normal bone mass group ( n=40) and abnormal bone mass group ( n=42). The vertebral body bone mass (VBQ) score of the patient was calculated by dividing the average signal intensity of L 1-4 vertebral body by the signal intensity of L 3 level cerebrospinal fluid on T 1 weighted image of MRI. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the ability of VBQ score to distinguish between normal bone mass and abnormal bone mass and the accuracy of predicting the occurrence of abnormal bone mass. Further, the correlation between VBQ score and T value was determined by regression analysis. Results:The lowest T value measured by DEXA in the abnormal bone mass group were significantly lower than those in the normal bone mass group, and the VBQ score was significantly higher than that in the normal bone mass group(all P<0.001). The area under curve (AUC) of VBQ score for predicting abnormal bone mass was 0.93, the cut-off value was 2.98, with sensitivity 81.6%, and specificity 88.6%. The VBQ score was corrected with the lowest T value measured by DEXA ( r=-0.77). Conclusions:VBQ score could effectively distinguish normal bone mass from abnormal bone mass and was negatively correlated with the lowest T value of DEXA.

Objective:To explore the role and molecular mechanism of DNAJB6 in liver regeneration during partial liver transplantation(PLT).Methods:Dark agouti(DA, donor)and Lewis(recipient)rats were prepared for liver regeneration model of PLT.Rats were divided into before perfusion, after split liver perfusion, after portal vein opening, before abdominal closure and Day 3/7 after surgery groups(n=6 each)for timepoints of PLT.C57 mice were performed for residual liver regeneration model of partial hepatectomy and divided into control, Day 1/2/3/4/5 groups(n=6 each)for timepoints of hepatectomy.Gene Expression Omnibus liver regeneration data were utilized for locating DNAJB6 in liver regeneration.DNAJB6 low-expression human hepatocytes were constructed by DNAJB6-Si transfection.The relationship between DNAJB6 and liver regeneration was examined by Western blot detection of cell proliferation markers PCNA and CCK8 cell proliferation experiments.And the possible molecular mechanism of DNAJB6 regulating liver regeneration in PLT was studied by Western blot detection of nuclear protein and protein in cell proliferation signal pathway.Results:The result of residual liver regeneration of partial hepatectomy showed that DNAJ family genes were differentially expressed on regenerated liver gene chip and DNAJB6 was lowly expressed on regenerated liver gene chip.Meanwhile, DNAJB6 was lowly expressed in regenerated liver tissues of PLT and partial liver resection.After silencing DNAJB6 by transfecting DNAJB6-Si, the cellular expression level of PCNA and proliferation rate increased.However, nuclear extraction failed to detect the nuclear/plasma changes of β-catenin and the level of Wnt4 protein had no obvious change.Although the activation levels of p38 and JNK2 downstream of Ras/MAPK showed no change, there was a higher activation level of ERK.Conclusions:In regenerating liver tissue, hepatocytes may suppress the Ras/MEK/ERK signaling pathway by lowering the expression level of DNAJB6 to promote liver regeneration.

Objective:To analyze the curative effect of discectomy under Quadrant expandable channel associated with annulus repair for the treatment of adolescent lumbar disc herniation (ALDH).Methods:10 ALDH patients received discectomy under Quadrant expandable channel associated with annulus repair (annulus repair group) and 12 patients received discectomy (control group) in Clinical Medical College of Yangzhou University from January 2013 to December 2017 were retrospectively collected. The length of skin incision, amount of intraoperative bleeding, operation time and duration of hospitalization were compared. The degree of pain was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) before operation, 24 h, 1 week and 1 year after operation, and the lumbar function was assessed by Oswestry disability index (ODI) before operation, 1 week and 1 year after operation. At the last follow-up, the curative effect was evaluated by MacNab Scale, and the recurrence of lumbar disc herniation during the follow-up was recorded.Results:There were no significant differences in the amount of intraoperative bleeding, operation time and duration of hospitalization between the two groups ( P>0.05). The skin incision length of the annulus repair group was less than that of control group ( P<0.05). The postoperative VAS score and ODI score at each follow up time point in both groups were significantly improved when compared with the preoperative ones ( P<0.05). There were no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the VAS score and ODI score 1 week postoperative and 1 year postoperative ( P>0.05). According to the MacNab criteria, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups in the excellent and good rate (annulus repair group: 9/10, control group: 10/12; P>0.05). There was no recurrence case in the annulus repair group, but two cases of recurrence (one recovered by conservative treatment, the other needed second operation) in the control group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Discectomy under Quadrant expandable channel associated with annulus repair can achieve early satisfied outcome, reduce surgery related trauma, pain in the early period postoperative and recurrence rate after operation in the treatment of ALDH.

Objective:Through TTC staining, immunohistochemical analysis, RT-PCR and hind limb motor function evaluation and other experimental methods, to explore the regulatory mechanism of metformin on anti-apoptosis in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods:Establish a rat spinal cord injury model. Through Basso-Beattie -Bresnahan locomotor rating scale (BBB) and cant test to evaluate the recovery of hindlimb motor function in rats. The changes of necrotic area of spinal cord tissue were compared by TTC staining. Extraction of rat spinal cord tissue, by Dot blot analysis and immunohistochemical detection of the hydroxyl of DNA methylation level. By qPCR, Western Blot detection TET2mRNA and protein expression level, and the changes in the scope of spinal cord injury were detected by inhibiting the expression of TET2. The interaction between TET2 and Foxo3a was detected by immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation. Through RT-PCR assay Foxo3a downstream related changes in the level of gene expression.Results:Compared with the SCI+NS group, the necrotic area of the spinal cord tissue was reduced after metformin treatment, and the BBB score and the incline test score were higher ( P<0.05). At the same time, we found that the levels of TET2mRNA and protein increased significantly after SCI at 24 h, and the 5-hmC level of DNA increased. The levels of TET2mRNA and protein and 5-hmC increased further after the use of metformin. After using SC-1, compared with the SCI+MET group, the level of 5-hmC decreased and the area of infarction increased. After SCI, the mRNA levels of downstream genes Bim, P27kip, Bax increased significantly. After metformin treatment, the mRNA levels of Bim and Bax were lower than those in the SCI+NS group ( P<0.05). After SCI, the 5-hmC levels of downstream genes Bim, P27kip, Bax increased significantly. After metformin treatment, the 5-hmC levels of Bim and Bax were lower than those in the SCI+NS group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Metformin can promote the interaction between TET2 and Foxo3a, increase the 5-hmC level of the overall DNA, and inhibit the activation of related apoptosis genes, thereby improving tissue damage and nerve function recovery after spinal cord injury.

Objective:To investigate the effects of allicin on the proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of rat vascular endothelial cells (RVES), and to explore the influencing mechanism of allicin on epidural fibrosis.Methods:According to the results of preliminary experiments, RVECs were divided into control group (0 mg/L), low concentration group (25 mg/L), medium concentration group (50 mg/L) and high concentration group (100 mg/L). The morphology, viability, migration rate, cell cycle, apoptosis rate and cell lumen formation ability were measured using fluorescence microscope, AnnexinV-FITC double staining, PI/RN-asestaining, scratch assay and Transwell experiments test. Western Blot was used to measure the protein expression level of JAK2, STAT3, p-STAT3, PCNA, Bax and Bcl-2 protein. Using random number method, 36 adult male SD rats were divided into sham operation group, saline group and allicin group, with 12 rats in each group. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, Masson staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to analysis the epidural fibrosis in each group.Results:With the increase of concentration of allicin, cell viability, cell migration and lumen formation ability significantly lower than that of control group ( P<0.05). With the increase of allicin concentration, the percentage of cells in the G1 and S phases gradually decreased ( P<0.05), the percentage of cells in the G2 phase and the apoptosis rate gradually increased ( P<0.05), and the cells were blocked in the G2/M phase. With the increase of allicin concentration, the protein expression levels of JAK2, STAT3, p-STAT3, PCNA and Bcl-2 were gradually down-regulated ( P<0.05), while the protein expression level of Bax was gradually up-regulated ( P<0.05), the ratio of p-STAT3/STAT3 was decreased ( P<0.05), and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 was increased ( P<0.05). There was no death, infection or abnormal gait in all the experimental animals. Dense scar tissue could be observed in the extradural area of the sham operation group and the epidural area of the control group, but there was obvious space between the epidural scar and the dura mater in the allicin group, and the density of collagen, the number of blood vessels, and the protein density of p-STAT3 were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Allicin inhibits angiogenesis and the severity of epidural scar after laminectomy, and the mechanism may be through inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway of vascular endothelial cells.