1.Analysis of clinical characteristics and diagnostic prediction of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome in acute ischemic stroke
Hao XU ; Xu ZHU ; Bo LI ; Xiaodan LIU ; Xihui PAN ; Changqing DENG
Digital Chinese Medicine 2025;8(1):111-122
		                        		
		                        			[Objective]  :
		                        			To explore the clinical characteristics and methods for syndrome differentiation prediction, as well as to construct a predictive model for Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).
		                        		
		                        			[Methods]  :
		                        			This study employed a retrospective case-control design to analyze patients with AIS who received inpatient treatment at the Neurology Department of The First Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2022. AIS patients meeting the diagnostic criteria for Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome were stratified into case group, while those without Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome were stratified into control group. The demographic characteristics (age and gender), clinical parameters [time from onset to admission, National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and blood pressure], past medical history, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnostic characteristics (tongue and pulse), neurological symptoms and signs, imaging findings [magnetic resonance imaging-diffusion weighted imaging (MRI-DWI)], and biochemical indicators of the two groups were collected and compared. The indicators with statistical difference (P < 0.05) in univariate analysis were included in multivariate logistic regression analysis to evaluate their predictive value for the diagnosis of Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, and the predictive model was constructed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis.
		                        		
		                        			[Results]  :
		                        			The study included 1 035 AIS patients, with 404 cases in case group and 631 cases in control group. Compared with control group, patients in case group were significantly older, had extended onset-to-admission time, lower diastolic blood pressure, and lower NIHSS scores (P < 0.05). Case group showed lower incidence of hypertension history (P < 0.05). Regarding tongue and pulse characteristics, pale and dark tongue colors, white tongue coating, fine pulse, astringent pulse, and sinking pulse were more common in case group. Imaging examinations demonstrated higher proportions of centrum semiovale infarction, cerebral atrophy, and vertebral artery stenosis in case group (P < 0.05). Among biochemical indicators, case group showed higher proportions of elevated fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), while lower proportions of elevated white blood cell count, reduced hemoglobin, and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified significant predictors for Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome including: fine pulse [odds ratio (OR) = 4.38], astringent pulse (OR = 3.67), superficial sensory abnormalities (OR = 1.86), centrum semiovale infarction (OR = 1.57), cerebral atrophy (OR = 1.55), vertebral artery stenosis (OR = 1.62), and elevated HbA1c (OR = 3.52). The ROC curve analysis of the comprehensive prediction model yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.878 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.855 – 0.900].
		                        		
		                        			[Conclusion]  
		                        			This study finds out that Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome represents one of the primary types of AIS. Fine pulse, astringent pulse, superficial sensory abnormalities, centrum semiovale infarction, cerebral atrophy, vertebral artery stenosis, elevated blood glucose, elevated HbA1c, pale and dark tongue colors, and white tongue coating are key objective diagnostic indicators for the syndrome differentiation of AIS with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome. Based on these indicators, a syndrome differentiation prediction model has been developed, offering a more objective basis for clinical diagnosis, and help to rapidly identify this syndrome in clinical practice and reduce misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
2.Desalination effect on FⅧ components: a compartive study among 5 desalination methods
Renjun PEI ; Xi DU ; Pan SUN ; Xiaoyue LI ; Peng JIANG ; Changqing LI ; Fangzhao LIN ; Haijun CAO
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2024;37(3):304-311
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			【Objective】 To compare the desalination effects of five desalination methods and their effects on the components for human coagulation factor Ⅷ(FⅧ), and provide reference for selection of protein desalination methods. 【Methods】 Sephadex G-25 Medium gel, Fractogel EMD BioSEC gel, ultrafiltration, room temperature dialysis and 4℃ dialysis were used to desalt human FⅧ. The desalination effect was evaluated by the removal rate of Na +, citrate ion and glycine. FⅧ protein recovery, FⅧ activity (FⅧ∶C), VWF antigen (VWF∶Ag), VWF activity(VWF∶Ac), VWF polymers and SDS-PAGE analysis before and after desalination were compared to evaluate the effect of desalination on FⅧ components. 【Results】 In terms of desalination effect, the removal rate of Na+ was the lowest in ultrafiltration desalination, while that of Fractogel EMD BioSEC gel was the highest [(97.90±0.06) % vs (99.82±0.07) %]. Except that there was no statistical significance between Sephadex G-25 Medium gel desalination and Fractogel EMD BioSEC gel desalination (P=0.90), the removal rates of the other four methods were statistically significant. The removal rate of glycine was the lowest in ultrafiltration desalination, wihle that of Fractogel EMD BioSEC gel desalination was the highest [(95.78±0.42) % vs (99.81±0.08) %]. Significant difference in glycine removal was noticed in ultrafiltration desalination, but not among the other four desalination methods. There was no significant difference in the removal rate of citrate ions among the five methods (P=0.85). For the effect of FⅧ components, FⅧ∶C, VWF∶Ag, VWF∶Ac and protein recovery rates of ultrafiltration desalination were the highest, with (18.34±1.99) IU/mL, (11.81±0.33) IU/mL, (12.26±0.58) IU/mL and (97.13±1.37) %, respectively. There was no significant change in VWF∶Ac/VWF∶Ag before and after desalination by the five methods. SDS-PAGE and VWF polymer analysis showed that different desalination methods had no significant impact on protein composition. 【Conclusion】 Although different desalination methods had no significant effect on the composition of FⅧ protein, the desalination effect was different. Moreover, different desalination methods had significant effects on protein recovery, FⅧ∶C, VWF∶Ag and VWF∶Ac. The selection of desalination methods should be more considered during protein processing,
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
3.Application of low negative pressure liposuction combined with bipolar radiofrequency in repairing facial fat overfilling
Lei YI ; Xiang LIU ; Weifeng PAN ; Yue MAI ; Min YIN ; Shanshan WU ; Miaomiao LI ; Liping YI ; Changqing YAN
Chinese Journal of Medical Aesthetics and Cosmetology 2024;30(3):267-271
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of low negative pressure fat suction combined with bipolar radiofrequency in repairing facial fat overfilling.Methods:A total of 29 patients with facial fat overfilling underwent low negative pressure fat suction combined with bipolar radiofrequency between February 2022 and October 2023 in Changsha My Like Medical Cosmetology Hospital. All patients were female. The mean age was 35.7 years (range, 25-51 years) and the mean body mass index was 20.3 (range, 16.8-24.3 kg/cm 2). The mean time after autologous fat transplantation was 53.4 months (range, 19-96 months). Postoperative patient satisfaction surveys were conducted, and 2 independent doctors evaluated clinical effect preoperative and postoperative photographs at 3-6 months postoperatively. Results:There were 29 cases (100%) underwent liposuction in the pre-zygomatic region, and the amount of fat was 4.1-12.6 (7.95±1.85) ml. There were 4 cases (13.8%) underwent liposuction in the forehead, and the amount of fat was 1.8-5.2 (2.75±0.50) ml. There were 7 cases (24.1%) underwent liposuction in the temporal region, and the amount of fat was 2.8-6.5 (3.86±1.07) ml. There were 8 cases (27.6%) underwent liposuction in the cheek, and the amount of fat was 5.2-10.5 (7.25±2.12) ml. There were 18 cases (62.1%) underwent liposuction in the perioral region, and the amount of fat was 3.7-9.5 (6.33±1.28) ml. The energy delivered by bipolar radiofrequency was 3.3-10.2 (5.71±2.27) KJ. 82.8% of patients were satisfied with their postoperative effect (24/29 patients). 86.2% of doctors were satisfied with the postoperative effect (25/29 patients). Two out of 29 patients (6.9%) developed irregularity by liposuction.Conclusions:Low negative pressure liposuction combined with bipolar radiofrequency can effectively reduce the fat, narrow the tissue gap and improve facial sagging, which is an effective method for repairing facial fat overfilling.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
4.Establishment and characterization of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell lines stably synthesizing high-level dopamine.
Yang LIU ; Junyan CHANG ; Yue WANG ; Pan YANG ; Caiyun MA ; Gaofeng LIU ; Yu GUO ; Changqing LIU ; Chunjing WANG
Chinese Journal of Biotechnology 2023;39(4):1773-1788
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			A triple-transgenic (tyrosine hydroxylase/dopamine decarboxylase/GTP cyclohydrolase 1, TH/DDC/GCH1) bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell line (BMSCs) capable of stably synthesizing dopamine (DA) transmitters were established to provide experimental evidence for the clinical treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) by using this cell line. The DA-BMSCs cell line that could stably synthesize and secrete DA transmitters was established by using the triple transgenic recombinant lentivirus. The triple transgenes (TH/DDC/GCH1) expression in DA-BMSCs was detected using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and immunofluorescence. Moreover, the secretion of DA was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Chromosome G-banding analysis was used to detect the genetic stability of DA-BMSCs. Subsequently, the DA-BMSCs were stereotactically transplanted into the right medial forebrain bundle (MFB) of Parkinson's rat models to detect their survival and differentiation in the intracerebral microenvironment of PD rats. Apomorphine (APO)-induced rotation test was used to detect the improvement of motor dysfunction in PD rat models with cell transplantation. The TH, DDC and GCH1 were expressed stably and efficiently in the DA-BMSCs cell line, but not expressed in the normal rat BMSCs. The concentration of DA in the cell culture supernatant of the triple transgenic group (DA-BMSCs) and the LV-TH group was extremely significantly higher than that of the standard BMSCs control group (P < 0.000 1). After passage, DA-BMSCs stably produced DA. Karyotype G-banding analysis showed that the vast majority of DA-BMSCs maintained normal diploid karyotypes (94.5%). Moreover, after 4 weeks of transplantation into the brain of PD rats, DA-BMSCs significantly improved the movement disorder of PD rat models, survived in a large amount in the brain microenvironment, differentiated into TH-positive and GFAP-positive cells, and upregulated the DA level in the injured area of the brain. The triple-transgenic DA-BMSCs cell line that stably produced DA, survived in large numbers, and differentiated in the rat brain was successfully established, laying a foundation for the treatment of PD using engineered culture and transplantation of DA-BMSCs.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        			Rats
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		                        			Animals
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Dopamine
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Parkinson Disease/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Cell Line
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		                        			Brain/metabolism*
		                        			;
		                        		
		                        			Cell Differentiation
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		                        			Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation
		                        			
		                        		
		                        	
5.Medication rule and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in treating metabolism-associated fatty liver disease based on bioinformatics technology
ZHANG Yunkun ; YAO Rong ; LI Lin ; LI Wenli ; LI Changqing ; PAN Yu ; LI Shunxiang
Digital Chinese Medicine 2023;6(3):257-271
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			[Objective[  To analyze the main syndrome types, medication rules, and core prescription
characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in the treatment of metabolism-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), and to predict the anti-MAFLD mechanism of core formula, so as to provide references for the clinical application of TCM and the development of new drugs.
[Methods]  Literature research on TCM in treating MAFLD was retrieved from China National
Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Science and Technology Journal Database (VIP),
and Wanfang Database since the establishment of the database to July 2022. Excel 2019 and
Chinese Medicine Inheritance Computing Platform (V3.0) were used for frequency analysis,
association rule analysis, and cluster analysis of effective prescriptions. The key components,
targets, and action pathways of anti-MAFLD core formulas were predicted by network pharmacology. Finally, the interactions between the obtained core components and their core targets were verified reversely by molecular docking technology.
[Results]  A total of 218 articles were screened and selected, including 352 prescriptions, involving 270 traditional Chinese herbs. The drugs were used a total of 3 901 times, and a total of 10 915 cases were collected, among which the prevalence rate was higher in males. The main types of TCM syndrome included intermingled phlegm and blood stasis syndrome, liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome, and damp-heat in liver and gallbladder syndrome, among which Shanzha (Crataegi Fructus), Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma), Fuling (Poria), Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma), Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix), and Baizhu (Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma) were the most frequently used. The properties of Chinese medicine primarily encompassed thermal characteristics, with a predominant emphasis on cold and warm; the flavors of herbs were predominantly characterized by bitterness and sweetness, while the majority exhibited tropism towards the spleen and liver meridians. The drugs were primarily classified based on their efficacy in tonifying deficiencies, promoting diuresis and moistening, enhancing blood circulation and removing blood stasisheat-clearing, etc. The association rules were employed to derive a set of 20 core drug pairs,
while cluster analysis was utilized to identify three distinct groups of core drug combinations.
Network pharmacological showed that the main components of the core formula “Shanzha
(Crataegi Fructus) - Danshen (Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma) - Zexie (Alismatis Rhizoma) - Chaihu (Bupleuri Radix) - Fuling (Poria)” in the treatment of MAFLD were quercetin, apigenin, puerarin, luteolin, ursolic acid, kaempferol, tanshinone IIA, emodin, paeonol, etc., which involved RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase 1 (AKT1), cellular tumor antigen p53 (TP53), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), peroxisome proliferative activated receptor gamma (PPARG), and other key targets. The molecular docking results showed that the core components had good binding to lipid and atherosclerosis, and phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway-associated proteins.
[Conclusion]  The main principles of TCM for the treatment of MAFLD involve soothing the liver and strengthening the spleen, eliminating phlegm and dampness, clearing heat and dampness, as well as promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. The core formula may exert anti-MAFLD effects mediated through multiple components, targets, and signaling pathways. This study establishes a theoretical foundation for the clinical application of TCM in the treatment of MAFLD, and serves as a reference for further exploration of new drugs against MAFLD.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
6.Evaluation of the Clinical Effect of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound and Drug Conservative on the Treatment of Cesarean Scar Pregnancy
Liping LIU ; Xiangxi ZHOU ; Mingxia ZHANG ; Ligang WANG ; Junshu LI ; Changqing PAN ; Yong ZHANG
Journal of Practical Obstetrics and Gynecology 2023;39(11):870-874
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of high-intensity focused ultrasound(HIFU)and drug con-servative treatment on the treatment of type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ cesarean scar pregnancy(CSP).Methods:A retrospec-tive analysis was performed on 191 patients diagnosed with type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ CSP by ultrasonography and trea-ted in Mianyang Central Hospital from January 2018 to December 2021,and they were divided into drug group(n=67)and HIFU group(n=124)according to different treatment methods before curettage surgery.After receiv-ing conservative drug treatment or HIFU treatment,preformnegative pressure suction curettage under ultrasound monitoring to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the two pretreatment methods.Results:There were no sig-nificant differences in age,number of cesarean sections,gestational age,the maximum diameter of the gestational sac,number of incision pregnancies,the β-hCG level before pretreatment,the heart tube pulse in the gestational sac,size of fetal bud,and fertility requirements between the medication group and HIFU group(P>0.05).The proportion of type Ⅱ incision in HIFU group was higher than that in drug group(P<Q.05).There were no signifi-cant differences between the two groups in intraoperative bleeding,treatment outcome effective rate after pretreat-ment,postoperative vaginal bleeding duration,postoperative uterine cavity residual,rate of reoperation and rate of repregnancy(P>0.05).There were statistical differences between the two groups in the operation time of curet-tage surgery,whether the operation method was changed after pre-treatment,total hospital stay,β-hCG recovery time and hospitalization cost(P<0.05).Following up to November 2022,there were 12 cases re-pregnancies in the drug group and 16 cases re-pregnancies in the HIFU group.Conclusions:For type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ CSP,HIFU pretreatment before negative pressure suction curettage under ultrasound monitoring is a safe and effective treat-ment,which improves the treatment effect and reduces the hospitalization time of patients.It may be an effective clinical therapy for type Ⅰ and type Ⅱ CSP treatment.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
7.Effect of Fuzitang on Proliferation of Human Rheumatoid Arthritis Synovial Fibroblast Cell Line MH7A and Expression of miR-155
Wanli QIN ; Yujie XU ; Zhenzhen PAN ; Xiaohui LI ; Zhenhua WANG ; Jianping SONG ; Qin XU ; Xinan HUANG ; Changqing LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2022;28(14):29-35
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Fuzitang (FZT) on the proliferation of MH7A cells, the human rheumatoid arthritis synovial fibroblasts, and the expression of miR-155 and explore its anti-rheumatoid arthritis mechanism. MethodMH7A cells were cultured in vitro and divided into a blank group, high- (25 g·L-1) and low-dose (12.5 g·L-1) FZT groups, and a positive drug group (hydroxychloroquine, 0.006 25 g·L-1). The cell proliferation was detected by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) method, and the change in the MH7A cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of miR-155 and its downstream genes, including SH2 domain-containing inositol 5-phosphatase-1(SHIP-1), protein kinase B 3(Akt3), and mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR), was detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(Real-time PCR), and the protein expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), Akt3, and mTOR was detected by Western blot. ResultFZT in vitro in a concentration of 6.25 g·L-1 above could inhibit the proliferation of MH7A cells in the significant dose- and time-effect manner. Compared with the blank group, the FZT groups showed increased proportions of cells in the G2/M phase (P<0.05), and the high-dose FZT group showed a decreased proportion of cells in the G0/G1 phase (P<0.05). The arresting effect of FZT on the cell cycle was in a significant dose-effect manner. Compared with the blank group, the FZT groups showed down-regulated miR-155 and mTOR mRNA expression (P<0.05), and the high-dose FZT group showed up-regulated SHIP1 mRNA expression and down-regulated Akt3 mRNA expression (P<0.05). Compared with the blank group, the FZT groups showed reduced protein expression of PI3K, Akt3, and mTOR (P<0.05). ConclusionFZT can significantly inhibit the proliferation of MH7A cells, and the mechanism is related to the promotion of the expression of SHIP-1 and down-regulation of the gene expression of the PI3K/Akt3/mTOR signaling pathway by down-regulating the expression of miR-155. 
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
8.Research progress of enteral nutrition in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease
Dongxu WANG ; Lianjie LIN ; Di PAN ; Chenxue MEI ; Changqing ZHENG
Clinical Medicine of China 2018;34(5):471-473
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Inflammatory bowel disease(IBD),including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease,was often associated with malnutrition in the course of disease development. Enteral nutrition ( EN ) can improve the nutritional status of IBD patients, relieve the illness, and promote the recovery of the disease. Therefore, we should pay attention to the significance of EN in the IBD treatment,and strengthen the implementation of EN in IBD patients.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
9.Clinical outcomes of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for lumbar degenerative disease at more than 5 years follow-up:a review of 832 patients
Chao LIU ; Jian WANG ; Zhengfeng ZHANG ; Changqing LI ; Wenjie ZHENG ; Chao ZHANG ; Yong PAN ; Yue ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2018;38(20):1266-1272
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To observe the mid-and long-term clinical efficacy of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion for the treatment of single-segment lumbar degenerative diseases. Methods Retrospective analysis of the clin-ical data of 832 patients with lumbar degenerative disease treated with single-segment MIS-TLIF surgery from 2007 to 2013, 443 males and 389 females; aged 23-82 years, mean 56.4±18.7 years old. All cases were divided into revision surgery group, severe lumbar spinal stenosis group, moderate to severe lumbar spondylolisthesis group and general case groups (as a control) for comparative analysis. Efficacy evaluation indicators include Oswestry disability index (ODI), visual analog scale (VAS), in-tervertebral fusion rate, and complications. Results All patients were followed up for 62 to 93 months, with an average of 79.2±18.6 months. One month after operation, the VAS score of low back pain in the severe spinal stenosis group 2.9±0.5 and the moderate to severe spondylolisthesis group 3.8±1.1 were both significantly higher than the general case group 1.6±0.6, and the difference was statistically significant. The VAS score of leg pain was high in the moderate to severe slip group 2.6 ± 0.7, but the difference was not statistically significant. The ODI value was significantly higher in the moderate to severe spoiler group 28.8±6.9% than in the general case group 22.1±6.4%. In the 2 years after the operation, the vas of lower back pain was divided into 2.4 ± 0.9, compared with the general case group 1.7 ± 0.5, and the difference was statistically significant; the ODI group of severe spinal stenosis and moderate-severe spondylolisthesis were 17.9%± 3.4% and 19.4%± 4.9%, respectively, which was higher than the general case group 11.3%±3.3%, and the difference was statistically significant. In the last follow-up, the VAS scores 2.3±0.8 and 2.6±1.1 of the severe vertebral canal stenosis group and the moderate-severe spondylolisthesis group were respectively higher than that of the general case group 1.6±0.7, and the difference was statistically significant; the ODI group of severe vertebral canal stenosis and moderate-severe spondylolisthesis were 18.3%±11.1% and 19.6%±12.1, high-er than the general case group 11.8%± 9.7%, the difference was statistically significant. The incidence of mid- and long-term complications (intervertebral non-fusion, adjacent segment disease) was not statistically significant among the four groups. Con-clusion MIS-TLIF treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases can obtain good medium and long-term clinically effect. For complex diseases such as revision, severe degeneration and moderate to severe spondylolisthesis, MIS-TLIF did not increase the incidence of medium and long-term complications.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
10.Short-term clinical outcome of single level degenerative lumbar diseases treated by minimally invasive surgery oblique lumbar interbody fusion
Junhong SHEN ; Jian WANG ; Chao LIU ; Changqing LI ; Chao ZHANG ; Yong PAN ; Yue ZHOU
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedics 2017;37(16):997-1005
		                        		
		                        			
		                        			Objective To investigate the short-term clinical outcome of one-level degenerative diseases for a single surgeon during his initial phase of performing a minimally invasive surgery oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) on the basis of perioperative parameters and follow-up data.Methods A prospective analysis of 49 consecutive patients that underwent a OLIF between November 2014 and March 2016 by corresponding author was performed.Only those patients that were single level,index surgeries were included.Every patient had a diagnosis of degenerative lumbar diseases including lumbar spondylolisthesis (25 cases),discogenic low back pain (14 cases) or segmental instability (10 cases).Patients underwent an indirect decompression and fusion using an expandable tubular retractor and single intervertebral cage with bilateral percutaneous pedicle screw fixation.49 patients were divided into the A group (the first 24 patients) and the B group (25 patients after the initial 24 patients).The following data were compared between the two groups:surgical time for Skin-Skin (minutes),estimated blood loss (ml),radiograph exposure time (seconds),the clinical and radiographic results,and intra-/postoperative complications.All intraoperative parameters only included the measurement and findings related with the OLIF procedure.The short-term clinical outcome of single level degenerative lumbar diseases treated by OLIF was assessed on the basis of follow-up data.The learning curve was measured using a logarithmic curve-fit regression analysis.Results Average operative time was significantly longer in the A group 47.1±10.6 min compared with the B group 37.2± 10.0 min.In comparison with the B group,the A group had significantly more X-ray exposure time (25.3±6.1 s versus 17.1±6.9 s).The operative and X-ray exposure time gradually decreased as the series progressed,and an asymptote was reached after about 20 cases.There was no statistically significant difference in intraoperative blood loss between the A group (28.1± 18.2) ml and the B group 24.4± 10.9 ml.The most observed complication was donor site pain (11 cases,45.8%),followed by thigh numbness/pain (5 cases,20.8%) and psoas/quadriceps weakness (2cases,8.3%),paralytic ileus (one case,4.2%) and sympathetic nerve injury (one case,4.2%) in the A group.Donor site pain occurred in four patients (16.0%),thigh numbness/ pain in three patients (12.0%),psoas/quadrieeps weakness in one patient (4.0%) and sympathetic nerve injury in one patient (4.0%) in the B group.All complications were transient and resolved within 3 months.The incidence of complications excluding donor site pain in the early period (A group) and the later period (B group) was 37.5% and 20.0%,respectively,although there were no significant differences in perioperative complications between both groups.Forty nine patients were followed up for more than 1 year,and the average follow-up period was 18.5±3.9 months.The back pain VAS and ODI scores decreased respectively from 6.4±2.3 before surgery to 1.5±0.9 in final follow-up and from 37.1 ±9.4 before surgery to 11.8±3.9 in the last follow-up time.Total fusion rate was 89.8% (44/49 cases)in final follow-up.Radiographic evaluation showed similar bony fusion in the A group (22 of 24 cases) with the B group (22 of 25 cases) in the last follow-up time.Conclusion Single level degenerative lumbar diseases can safely and effectively be treated by using OLIF with a good short-term clinical outcome.The procedure presents a learning curve to the practicing spine surgeon with regards to operative time,X-ray exposure time and intra-/postoperative complications.Intraoperative parameters improved with understanding the minimally invasive technique.Close attention to details can minimize complications that may be associated with the learning curve.
		                        		
		                        		
		                        		
		                        	
            
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