Objective: To investigate the developmental defects caused by knockdown of best1 gene in zebrafish as a model for a subtype of craniovertebral junction (CVJ) malformation. Methods: Two antisense morpholinos (MOs) were designed targeting zebrafish best1 to block translation (ATG-MO) or to disrupt splicing (I3E4-MO). MOs were microinjected into fertilized one-cell embryos. Efficacy of splicing MO was confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Phenotypes were analyzed and quantified by microscopy at multiple developmental stages. Neuronal outgrowth was assessed in transgenic zebrafish expressing green fluorescent protein in neurons. Skeletal ossification was visualized by Calcein staining. Results: Knockdown of best1 resulted in zebrafish embryos with shorter body length, curved axis, low survival rate, microcephaly, reduced eye size, smaller head and brain, impaired neuronal outgrowth, and reduced ossification of craniofacial and vertebral bone. Conclusion Best1 gene plays critical roles in ophthalmologic, neurological and skeletal development in zebrafish. A patient with a premature stop codon in BEST1 gene exhibited similar phenotypes, implying a subtype of CVJ malformation.

Objective: Surgical procedures for patients with posttraumatic syringomyelia (PTS) remain controversial. Until now, there have been no effective quantitative evaluation methods to assist in selecting appropriate surgical plans before surgery. Methods: We consecutively enrolled PTS patients (arachnoid lysis group, n = 42; shunting group, n = 14) from 2003 to 2023. Additionally, 19 intrathecal anesthesia patients were included in the control group. All patients with PTS underwent physical and neurological examinations and spinal magnetic resonance imaging preoperatively, 3–12 months postoperatively and during the last follow-up. Preoperative lumbar puncture was performed and blood-spinal cord barrier disruption was detected by quotient of albumin (Qalb, cerebrospinal fluid/serum). Results: The ages (p = 0.324) and sex (p = 0.065) of the PTS and control groups did not differ significantly. There were also no significant differences in age (p = 0.216), routine blood data and prognosis (p = 0.399) between the arachnoid lysis and shunting groups. But the QAlb level of PTS patients was significantly higher than that of the control group (p < 0.001), and the shunting group had a significantly higher QAlb (p < 0.001) than the arachnoid lysis group. A high preoperative QAlb (odds ratio, 1.091; 95% confidence interval, 1.004–1.187; p = 0.041) was identified as the predictive factor for the shunting procedure, with the receiver operating characteristic curve showing 100% specificity and 80.95% sensitivity for patients with a QAlb > 12.67. Conclusion Preoperative QAlb is a significant predictive factor for the types of surgery. For PTS patients with a QAlb > 12.67, shunting represents the final recourse, necessitating the exploration and development of novel treatments for these patients.

Objective: The anterior controllable antedisplacement and fusion (ACAF) technique is a new procedure for the treatment of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) that requires management of the disc adjacent to the ossification. This study describes a novel technique to reduce the number of fixed segments, namely, the “Klotski technique.” The efficacy of ACAF using the Klotski technique was compared with that of anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) in the treatment of OPLL with en bloc type dural ossification (DO). Methods: The clinical data of 25 patients with severe OPLL and en bloc type DO who were treated by the ACAF Klotski technique or ACCF at our hospital from January 2020 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. In the Klotski technique, the number of segments fused within the OPLL is limited. The antedisplacement space was designed according to the shape of the vertebrae-OPLL-DO complex (VODC). Then, the entire VODC was antedisplaced as in Klotski. Neurological function and image examination were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively. Complications associated with surgery were recorded. Results: Patients were followed up for 24–36 months. There were 11 patients who were treated with ACAF and 14 patients who were treated with ACCF. At 2 weeks after surgery, the incidence of neurological deterioration was 21.4% (3 of 14) in the ACCF group and 9.1%(1 of 11) in the ACAF group. The incidence of intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage (CFL) was 35.7% (5 of 14) in the ACCF group and 9.1% (1 of 11) in the ACAF group. The postoperative follow-up JOA scores of the patients in both groups were significantly better than their preoperative JOA scores (p<0.05). Conclusion The Klotski technique for ACAF is a good option for the treatment of patients with en bloc type OPLL-DO, as it limits the number of fused segments, has a low incidence of CFL and neurologic deficits and is associated with good neurological recovery.

Objective: To investigate the developmental defects caused by knockdown of best1 gene in zebrafish as a model for a subtype of craniovertebral junction (CVJ) malformation. Methods: Two antisense morpholinos (MOs) were designed targeting zebrafish best1 to block translation (ATG-MO) or to disrupt splicing (I3E4-MO). MOs were microinjected into fertilized one-cell embryos. Efficacy of splicing MO was confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Phenotypes were analyzed and quantified by microscopy at multiple developmental stages. Neuronal outgrowth was assessed in transgenic zebrafish expressing green fluorescent protein in neurons. Skeletal ossification was visualized by Calcein staining. Results: Knockdown of best1 resulted in zebrafish embryos with shorter body length, curved axis, low survival rate, microcephaly, reduced eye size, smaller head and brain, impaired neuronal outgrowth, and reduced ossification of craniofacial and vertebral bone. Conclusion Best1 gene plays critical roles in ophthalmologic, neurological and skeletal development in zebrafish. A patient with a premature stop codon in BEST1 gene exhibited similar phenotypes, implying a subtype of CVJ malformation.

Objective: Surgical procedures for patients with posttraumatic syringomyelia (PTS) remain controversial. Until now, there have been no effective quantitative evaluation methods to assist in selecting appropriate surgical plans before surgery. Methods: We consecutively enrolled PTS patients (arachnoid lysis group, n = 42; shunting group, n = 14) from 2003 to 2023. Additionally, 19 intrathecal anesthesia patients were included in the control group. All patients with PTS underwent physical and neurological examinations and spinal magnetic resonance imaging preoperatively, 3–12 months postoperatively and during the last follow-up. Preoperative lumbar puncture was performed and blood-spinal cord barrier disruption was detected by quotient of albumin (Qalb, cerebrospinal fluid/serum). Results: The ages (p = 0.324) and sex (p = 0.065) of the PTS and control groups did not differ significantly. There were also no significant differences in age (p = 0.216), routine blood data and prognosis (p = 0.399) between the arachnoid lysis and shunting groups. But the QAlb level of PTS patients was significantly higher than that of the control group (p < 0.001), and the shunting group had a significantly higher QAlb (p < 0.001) than the arachnoid lysis group. A high preoperative QAlb (odds ratio, 1.091; 95% confidence interval, 1.004–1.187; p = 0.041) was identified as the predictive factor for the shunting procedure, with the receiver operating characteristic curve showing 100% specificity and 80.95% sensitivity for patients with a QAlb > 12.67. Conclusion Preoperative QAlb is a significant predictive factor for the types of surgery. For PTS patients with a QAlb > 12.67, shunting represents the final recourse, necessitating the exploration and development of novel treatments for these patients.

Objective: The anterior controllable antedisplacement and fusion (ACAF) technique is a new procedure for the treatment of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) that requires management of the disc adjacent to the ossification. This study describes a novel technique to reduce the number of fixed segments, namely, the “Klotski technique.” The efficacy of ACAF using the Klotski technique was compared with that of anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) in the treatment of OPLL with en bloc type dural ossification (DO). Methods: The clinical data of 25 patients with severe OPLL and en bloc type DO who were treated by the ACAF Klotski technique or ACCF at our hospital from January 2020 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. In the Klotski technique, the number of segments fused within the OPLL is limited. The antedisplacement space was designed according to the shape of the vertebrae-OPLL-DO complex (VODC). Then, the entire VODC was antedisplaced as in Klotski. Neurological function and image examination were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively. Complications associated with surgery were recorded. Results: Patients were followed up for 24–36 months. There were 11 patients who were treated with ACAF and 14 patients who were treated with ACCF. At 2 weeks after surgery, the incidence of neurological deterioration was 21.4% (3 of 14) in the ACCF group and 9.1%(1 of 11) in the ACAF group. The incidence of intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage (CFL) was 35.7% (5 of 14) in the ACCF group and 9.1% (1 of 11) in the ACAF group. The postoperative follow-up JOA scores of the patients in both groups were significantly better than their preoperative JOA scores (p<0.05). Conclusion The Klotski technique for ACAF is a good option for the treatment of patients with en bloc type OPLL-DO, as it limits the number of fused segments, has a low incidence of CFL and neurologic deficits and is associated with good neurological recovery.

Objective: To investigate the developmental defects caused by knockdown of best1 gene in zebrafish as a model for a subtype of craniovertebral junction (CVJ) malformation. Methods: Two antisense morpholinos (MOs) were designed targeting zebrafish best1 to block translation (ATG-MO) or to disrupt splicing (I3E4-MO). MOs were microinjected into fertilized one-cell embryos. Efficacy of splicing MO was confirmed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Phenotypes were analyzed and quantified by microscopy at multiple developmental stages. Neuronal outgrowth was assessed in transgenic zebrafish expressing green fluorescent protein in neurons. Skeletal ossification was visualized by Calcein staining. Results: Knockdown of best1 resulted in zebrafish embryos with shorter body length, curved axis, low survival rate, microcephaly, reduced eye size, smaller head and brain, impaired neuronal outgrowth, and reduced ossification of craniofacial and vertebral bone. Conclusion Best1 gene plays critical roles in ophthalmologic, neurological and skeletal development in zebrafish. A patient with a premature stop codon in BEST1 gene exhibited similar phenotypes, implying a subtype of CVJ malformation.

Objective: Surgical procedures for patients with posttraumatic syringomyelia (PTS) remain controversial. Until now, there have been no effective quantitative evaluation methods to assist in selecting appropriate surgical plans before surgery. Methods: We consecutively enrolled PTS patients (arachnoid lysis group, n = 42; shunting group, n = 14) from 2003 to 2023. Additionally, 19 intrathecal anesthesia patients were included in the control group. All patients with PTS underwent physical and neurological examinations and spinal magnetic resonance imaging preoperatively, 3–12 months postoperatively and during the last follow-up. Preoperative lumbar puncture was performed and blood-spinal cord barrier disruption was detected by quotient of albumin (Qalb, cerebrospinal fluid/serum). Results: The ages (p = 0.324) and sex (p = 0.065) of the PTS and control groups did not differ significantly. There were also no significant differences in age (p = 0.216), routine blood data and prognosis (p = 0.399) between the arachnoid lysis and shunting groups. But the QAlb level of PTS patients was significantly higher than that of the control group (p < 0.001), and the shunting group had a significantly higher QAlb (p < 0.001) than the arachnoid lysis group. A high preoperative QAlb (odds ratio, 1.091; 95% confidence interval, 1.004–1.187; p = 0.041) was identified as the predictive factor for the shunting procedure, with the receiver operating characteristic curve showing 100% specificity and 80.95% sensitivity for patients with a QAlb > 12.67. Conclusion Preoperative QAlb is a significant predictive factor for the types of surgery. For PTS patients with a QAlb > 12.67, shunting represents the final recourse, necessitating the exploration and development of novel treatments for these patients.

Objective: The anterior controllable antedisplacement and fusion (ACAF) technique is a new procedure for the treatment of cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) that requires management of the disc adjacent to the ossification. This study describes a novel technique to reduce the number of fixed segments, namely, the “Klotski technique.” The efficacy of ACAF using the Klotski technique was compared with that of anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) in the treatment of OPLL with en bloc type dural ossification (DO). Methods: The clinical data of 25 patients with severe OPLL and en bloc type DO who were treated by the ACAF Klotski technique or ACCF at our hospital from January 2020 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. In the Klotski technique, the number of segments fused within the OPLL is limited. The antedisplacement space was designed according to the shape of the vertebrae-OPLL-DO complex (VODC). Then, the entire VODC was antedisplaced as in Klotski. Neurological function and image examination were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively. Complications associated with surgery were recorded. Results: Patients were followed up for 24–36 months. There were 11 patients who were treated with ACAF and 14 patients who were treated with ACCF. At 2 weeks after surgery, the incidence of neurological deterioration was 21.4% (3 of 14) in the ACCF group and 9.1%(1 of 11) in the ACAF group. The incidence of intraoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage (CFL) was 35.7% (5 of 14) in the ACCF group and 9.1% (1 of 11) in the ACAF group. The postoperative follow-up JOA scores of the patients in both groups were significantly better than their preoperative JOA scores (p<0.05). Conclusion The Klotski technique for ACAF is a good option for the treatment of patients with en bloc type OPLL-DO, as it limits the number of fused segments, has a low incidence of CFL and neurologic deficits and is associated with good neurological recovery.

Objective:To analyze the effect of mucosal ligament preservation on the outcome of arthroscopic repair of meniscus injury.Methods:A total of 77 patients with knee meniscus tears caused by sports injuries who underwent arthroscopic meniscus repair or suture in Zhengzhou Orthopaedic Hospital from June 2022 to June 2023, were retrospectively analyzed. Including 45 males and 32 females, aged 38.57±13.54 years (range, 52-87 years), body mass index 24.72±4.01 kg/m 2 (range, 34.14-13.61 kg/m 2). All patients complained of knee pain, limited activity and walking weakness. The symptoms were not relieved after 1 month of conservative treatment, which seriously affected daily work and life. According to the intraoperative treatment of mucosal ligament, the patients were divided into mucosal ligament preservation group and mucosal ligament removal group. The visual analogue score (VAS), Lysholm score, and total blood loss were compared between the two groups. Results:All patients successfully completed the operation and were followed up for an average of 5.23±2.16 months (range, 3-9 months). The operation time was 47.59±16.81 min in mucosal ligament preservation group and 45.25±15.93 min in mucosal ligament removal group, and there was no significant difference between the two groups ( t=0.628, P=0.532). The total blood loss in the mucosal ligament preservation group was 246±193 ml, which was less than 343±211 ml in the mucosal ligament removal group, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=2.095, P=0.040). None of the patients received allogeneic blood transfusion. The hematocrit of the mucosal ligament preservation group was 42.48%±4.57% before operation and 39.42%±4.65% on the third day after operation, while that of the mucosal ligament removal group was 41.24%±4.16% and 38.95%±3.80%. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t=0.016, P=0.004; t=0.004, P=0.016). There was no significant difference between the two groups before operation and on the third day after operation ( t=0.217, P=0.545; t=0.629, P=0.159). The preoperative VAS score of mucosal ligament preservation group was 7.25±1.10, which was higher than that of 3 months after operation (0.83±1.06), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=0.062, P<0.001). The preoperative VAS score of mucosal ligament removal group was 7.16±1.21, which was higher than that of 3 months after operation (1.05±1.13), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=0.017, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in VAS scores between the two groups before operation and at 3 months after operation ( t=0.144, P=0.740; t= 0.273, P=0.603). The preoperative Lysholm score of mucosal ligament preservation group was 31.76±7.54, which was significantly lower than that of 3 months after operation 87.30±4.12 ( t=-39.329, P<0.001); The Lysholm score of the mucosal ligament removal group was 34.13±7.32 before operation, which was lower than 89.05±4.45 at 3 months after operation, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-40.172, P<0.001); There was no significant difference in Lysholm score between the two groups before operation and 3 months after operation ( t=1.395, P=0.167; t=1.766, P=0.081). Conclusion:The preservation of mucosal ligament in arthroscopic surgery for meniscus injury does not prolong the operation time. It can reduce the total intraoperative blood loss, and the postoperative knee function recovery is similar to that of mucosal ligament removal.