Objective To explore the relationship between phenotypic changes of retinal microglia and retinal ganglion cells(RGCs)death after optic nerve injury.Methods Male C57BL/6J mice(6 to 8 weeks old)were randomly divided into 1-,3-,7-,and 14-day injury groups and sham operation group,with 4 mice in each group.The eyes in the injured groups were inflicted with optic nerve crush(ONC),while the eyes of the sham operation group were treated with the same operation procedure but without optic nerve clamp.Flash visual evoked potential(fVEP)and immunofluorescence staining were employed to evaluate the impact of optic nerve injury on visual function and number of RGCs.RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence staining were applied to detect the effecy of optic nerve injury on phenotypic changes in retinal microglia.Results fVEP results showed that the visual conduction of the injured eye was gradually decreased over time when compared with that of the sham group(P＜0.01).Immunofluorescence staining revealed that the number of RGCs was lost mainly within 7 d after injury(P＜0.01).At the same time,the number of retinal microglia reached its peak at 7 d after injury(P＜0.01).RT-qPCR indicated that the expression of disease-associated microglia(DAM)and interferon-responsive microglia(IRM)specific genes were significantly increased when compared with the sham group at 7 d after ONC(P＜0.01).Immunofluorescence staining displayed that the number of DAM peaked at 3 d after ONC(P＜0.01),but the proportion was decreased gradually with the progress of time(P＜0.05).The number and proportion of IRM peaked 7 d after ONC(P＜0.01).Correlation analysis suggested that the number of IRM was strongly correlated with the loss of ganglion cells(P＜0.01).Conclusion The conversion of retinal microglia from DAM type to IRM type after optic nerve injury may be an important cause of ganglion cell loss.

Objective To explore the gene expression profile in paraspinal muscle degeneration(PMD)and identify key ferroptosis genes.Methods RNA sequencing was performed on paraspinal muscle tissue of 3 normal and 3 PMD patients respectively to obtain differentially expressed genes.Through protein-protein interaction(PPI)and gene functional enrichment analysis,the intersection of ferroptosis genes was identified to identify key hub genes associated with ferroptosis.The diagnostic value for PMD disease was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves.Results A total of 292 differentially expressed genes were identified in PMD.Among them,125 genes were significantly downregulated and 167 genes were significantly upregulated.Bioinformatics analysis revealed that 14 differentially expressed genes were associated with ferroptosis.Among them,ferroptosis genes MUC1,ATF3 and CDKN1A were key hub genes with good specificity and sensitivity for diagnosing PMD.Functional enrichment analysis revealed that they may mediate the occurrence and progression of PMD by regulating cell apoptosis,ferroptosis and skeletal muscle tissue development and differentiation.Conclusion Ferroptosis genes MUC1,ATF3 and CDKN1A can serve as biomarkers for diagnosing PMD,providing theoretical basis for decoding the pathological mechanism of PMD and developing new drugs.

Objective:To establish a lumbosacral triangle (composed of L 5 transverse process, S 1 superior articular process, sacral ala and iliac crest) classification and to guide L 5S 1 endoscopic surgery. Methods:A total of 647 patients with low back pain who admitted to Tianjin Hospital from January 2016 to October 2018 were retrospectively analyzed, including 315 males and 332 females, aged 42.9±15.1 years (range, 19-74 years). The L 5 transverse process sacral distance (TSD), inter trans-verse process length (ITL), interlaminar width (ILW), interlaminar height (ILH), iliosacral angle (ISA), iliac crest height (IH), intervertebral space height (ISH), intervertebral foramen height (IFH), and intervertebral foramen width (IFW) were measured based on lumbar spine anterior-posterior and lateral radiographs. Spearman correlation analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis were used to establish the lumbosacral triangle classification. A total of 822 patients underwent endoscopic L 5S 1 surgery based on lumbosacral triangle classification guidance and verification in Tianjin Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022, including 421 males and 401 females, aged 45.1±16.7 years (range, 15-79 years). The visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were compared before and after surgery, and the Macnab criteria were used to assess surgical outcomes. Results:Spearman correlation analysis showed positive correlations between IH and ISA ( r=0.75, P<0.001), IFH and IFW ( r=0.60, P<0.001), TSD and IFH ( r=0.53, P<0.001), and TSD and IFW ( r=0.40, P<0.001). There was a negative correlation between TSD and IH ( r=-0.46, P<0.001), TSD and ISA ( r=-0.42, P<0.001), IFW and ISA ( r=-0.41, P<0.001), IFW and IH ( r=-0.50, P<0.001), IFH and IH ( r=-0.42, P<0.001). According to Spearman correlation analysis, hierarchical cluster analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve, lumbosacral angle was divided into three types: Type 1, L5 transverse process overlapped with sacral alar; Type 2, 07 mm. Based on lumbosacral triangle classification, different endoscopic techniques were used at L5S1 in 822 patients, including interlaminar approach single-axis endoscopy, trans-foraminal approach single-axis endoscopy, trans-foraminal fenestration approach mobile microendoscopy and unilateral biportal endoscopy, the VAS and ODI of all the patients decreased than those preoperative in immediate postoperative period, half a year postoperative period and the final follow up, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). At the last follow-up, the Macnab score was excellent in 278 cases, good in 475 cases, and fair in 69 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 91.6% (753/822). Conclusion:Lumbosacral triangle classification is simple and practical, and can effectively guide L5S1 endoscopic surgery.

Objective:To establish an artificial intelligence-based surgical selection system utilizing deep learning to assist in the decision-making process for lumbar endoscopic surgery.Methods:General data of 1,110 patients who underwent percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy, 804 patients who underwent percutaneous interlaminar endoscopic discectomy, 923 patients who underwent mobile microendoscopic discectomy and 623 patients who underwent unilateral biportal endoscopic in Tianjin Hospital from January 2018 to June 2023 were included in the study. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for leg and back pain, the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and MacNab criteria both before surgery and 12 months postoperatively. Using a random number table method, patients were divided into a training dataset (2,768 cases) and a test dataset (692 cases) at a ratio of 4∶1. Patient clinical symptoms, physical signs, and multi-modal imaging data were input into a deep learning model. This model was structured into three main modules: intervertebral disc detection, surgical necessity identification, and surgical recommendation. The final surgical method was determined using a convolutional neural network incorporating U-Net for segmentation and ResNet for classification. The accuracy and recall rates of each module were evaluated using the test dataset.Results:Compared to preoperative values, all patients showed significant improvements at the 12-month postoperative follow-up. For patients who underwent percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy, percutaneous interlaminar endoscopic discectomy, mobile microendoscopic discectomy, and unilateral biportal endoscopic surgery, the VAS scores for leg pain decreased from 7.69±0.80, 7.82±0.88, 7.62±0.69, and 7.56±1.00 preoperatively to 1.44±1.09, 1.35±0.82, 1.51±1.08, and 1.43±0.91 postoperatively. Similarly, the VAS scores for back pain decreased from 5.73±0.83, 6.17±0.99, 6.11±0.88, and 6.46±0.95 to 0.93±0.75, 1.01±0.67, 1.40±0.72, and 1.27±0.70, respectively. Additionally, the ODI significantly decreased from 39.91%±4.50%, 40.05%±8.05%, 47.08%±9.50%, and 44.43%±4.71% preoperatively to 5.77%±2.22%, 6.05%±2.31%, 8.51%±2.16%, and 9.51%±3.70% postoperatively, with all differences being statistically significant ( P<0.05). The excellent rate according to the MacNab criteria was 93.12% (3,222/3,460). In the deep learning model, the multi-modal data of 2,768 patients were input in the training set for deep learning to form a surgical identification and operation recommendation system, and the preoperative data of 692 patients were input in the test set to compare with the final operation method. In the intervertebral disc location module, the accuracy of location and designation of the five lumbar intervertebral discs was 97.1%(672/692). In the module of intervertebral disc need for surgery, the accuracy was 94.8%(3,280/3,460) and the recall rate was 91.9%(636/692). As for patients, the accuracy rate was 91.9%(636/692). In the operation recommendation module, the accuracy rate of operation recommendation based on intervertebral disc was 89.5%(569/636), and the accuracy rate of surgical recommendation based on patient was 82.2%(569/692). Conclusion:In this study, an artificial intelligent surgical procedures selection system based on deep learning was established, which could effectively integrate relevant data and accurately guide the selection of lumbar endoscopic surgery.

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness, safety, and advantages of modified radical neck dissection by gasless unilateral axillary approach (GUA-MRND) in the surgical management of selected patients with papillary thyroid cancer.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed patients with papillary thyroid cancer who underwent GUA-MRND (endoscopic group, n=16) versus unilateral open modified radical neck dissection (MRND) (open group, n=32) during the period from Jan. 2019 to Jun. 2021, including the differences in surgical efficiency, complication rate, and incisional satisfaction.Results:Compared MRND with GUA-MRND, the patients were younger ( P<0.05) , operative time and postoperative drainage anterior ( P<0.01) were slightly inferior in the latter, but it had obvious advantages in cervical swallowing discomfort and incision satisfaction evaluation ( P<0.05) . There was no significant difference in the incidence of temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, intraoperative and postoperative bleeding, hematoma, infection, lymphatic or chylous leakage and supraclavicular numbness after surgery ( P>0.05) . The number of dissected lymph nodes in area II in the GUA-MRND was lower ( P<0.05) , but it was significantly higher ( P<0.01) in area III. And the average regional cleaning efficiency in the GUA-MRND was level Ⅲ (35.5%) , level Ⅵ (28.59%) , level Ⅳ (23.21%) , level Ⅱ (7.18%) and level Ⅴ (7.12%) , suggested that GUA-MRND had higher efficacy for level III, level Ⅵ and Level IV. Conclusion:GUA-MRND is safe, effective, and has high cosmetic satisfaction in the treatment of selected patients with lateral cervical lymph node metastases from papillary thyroid cancer.

Objective:To investigate the effect of unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) through extraforaminal approach in the treatment of extra canal lumbosacral nerve entrapment.Methods:Seventeen patients with extra canal lumbosacral nerve root entrapment were treated by UBE through extraforaminal approach in Tianjin Hospital from January 2020 to March 2022, including 9 males and 8 females with an average age of 59.2 years (range 45-71 years). All 17 patients had lower limb radiation pain, numbness, and weakness with or without intermittent claudication. MRI imaging examination showed L 4, 5 foramen stenosis with far lateral disc herniation in 2 case, and L 5S 1 foramen stenosis with far lateral disc herniation in 15 cases, and the height of intervertebral space decreased, resulting in the compression of exiting nerve root and ganglion. Among them, far-out syndrome was diagnosed in 7 cases and transitional lumbarsacral vertebrae was found in 12 cases. The incisions were designed 2 cm away form the projection of adjacent pedicles, while incision at S 1 was designed at the inner edge of the iliac bone due to the shielding of the ilium, taking the outer edge of the isthmus at the outer opening of the intervertebral foramen as the target of channels. The ventral and apical part of superior articular process (SAP) was gradually removed with high-speed burr from its outer edge and isthmus, and the occluded sacral ala and the lower edge of transverse process were removed when necessary. The hyperplastic ligament was removed to expose the exiting nerve root. The protruding intervertebral disc was removed at the ventral side of the nerve root. The far-out syndrome was decompressed laterally along the exiting nerve root until it is completely released. The results and stability were evaluated with visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), Macnab scores and dynamic X-ray film during follow-up. Results:The operation time was 45-85 min, with an average of 60 min. After remove of the SAP tip and enlarge of the intervertebral foramen, the exiting nerve root and disc protrusion were fully exposed, the exiting nerve root was exposed and released laterally until totally release without entrapment in far out syndrome, and the nerve could be decompressed completely. The symptoms were significantly relieved after operation, and imaging examination showed that facet joints were preserved. During follow-up, the pain and function improved continuously. At final follow-up, the improve rate of VAS and ODI were 85.2% and 86.2%, respectively, and the results were excellent in 15 cases and good in 2 case according to Macnab score, and there was no lumbar instability on dynamic lumbar X-ray film.Conclusion:Extra canal lumbosacral nerve entrapment can be treated by UBE through extraforaminal approach, with sufficient exposure, complete decompression and better preservation of lumbar stability.

Intervertebral disc degeneration is the most common cause of chronic low back pain and the leading cause of disability in adults. The fact that lacking of effective treatment methods often causes a serious economic and social burden. Intervertebral disc degeneration is the result of multifactorial factors. The prevalence of intervertebral disc degeneration increases drastically with age, what is more, mechanical trauma, genetic predisposition,lifestyle factors and certain metabolic disorders. At present, the main treatment methods both pharmacological and surgical interventions just aim at relieving symptoms and improving function, and can not fundamentally reverse the process of intervertebral disc degeneration, which not only bring inevitable side effects and high cost, but also the long-term curative effect is limited. In theory, biological therapy can not only reverse or delay the process of it, but also can maximize preservation and restore the normal physiological function of the disc, which has been the focus and hot spot areas of research in recent years. The methods of inhibiting inflammation, promote the proliferation and division of residual cells, stem cell transplantation, cell scaffolds and new biomaterials all provide new ideas and direction for the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration. This paper makes a review of the research progress in related fields, in order to provide a valuable reference for the selection of intervertebral disc degeneration treatment options.

Objective:To investigate the effect of Ponte osteotomy combined with bony bridge dissection and intervertebral bone grafting in the treatment of rigid degenerative scoliosis.Methods:From March 2017 to October 2021, this method was used to treat 21 cases of rigid degenerative scoliosis, including 7 males and 14 females, aged 59-76 years, with an average age of 67.6 years. All patients had intractable low back pain and limited standing and walking, while 15 patients had radiation pain in lower limbs. The preoperative standing X-ray film showed that the average Cobb angle of lumbar scoliosis was 51.3°±24.1°, the average lumbar lordosis was 5.4°±13.6°. The coronal balance distance (CBD) was 4.3±2.0 cm (range, 0.5-6.2 cm), and the sagittal vertical axis (SVA) was 5.9±3.1 cm (range, 1.5-6.8 cm). The bending images showed huge osteophyte with bone bridge formation in the vertebral body of the apex region, with poor mobility. Ponte osteotomy was performed according to the degeneration of the deformity. The bone bridge at apex area was cut off, and the intervertebral spaces at apex area and slipped or subluxated levels were release and grafted with granular autogenous decompression bone. During follow-up, the efficacy and deformity improvement were evaluated with visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and standing X-ray films.Results:All patients successfully completed the operation. The operation time was 190-330 min, with an average of 250±68 min. The intraoperative bleeding was 700-1600 ml, with an average of 970±260ml. The patients were followed up for 12-36 months, with an average of 20.6±7.2 months. No internal fixation failure, fracture or revision occurred. At the last follow-up, the VAS of low back pain decreased from preoperative 6.1±2.2 to 2.1±1.8 ( t=6.45, P<0.001), and the leg pain decreased from 5.5±3.4 to 1.2±1.0 ( t=5.56, P<0.001).ODI decreased from 52.2%±22.2% to 16.4%±10.6% ( t=6.67, P<0.001). The Cobb angle of lumbar scoliosis was 19.3°±10.5°, with an average correction rate of 62.4%; lumbar lordosis was 34.4°±15.6 °, with average correction of 30°. CBD was 1.9±1.1 cm, with an average correction of 2.4 cm ( t=4.42, P<0.001); and SVA was 1.6±2.1 cm, with an average correction of 4.3 cm ( t=4.90, P<0.001). Conclusion:Ponte osteotomy combined with bone bridge dissection and intervertebral bone grafting is an effective method to treat rigid degenerative scoliosis, which can improve spinal sequence, CBD and SVA, avoid vertebral osteotomy and reduce fusion segments.

Objective:To explore the application value of graded surgical strategy and balanced load concept for thoracolumbar osteoporotic compression fractures (OVCFs) with kyphosis.Methods:All of 56 patients of thoracolumbar OVCFs with kyphosis were studied, including 11 males and 45 females, with an average of 75.6±9.3 years old. All patients had back pain, and 32 patients had nerve compression, including 5 patients with aggravation of vertebral collapse after conservative treatment, and 1 patient with cement loosening after percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP) in another hospital. A graded surgical strategy was developed according to the concept of balanced load, including whether there existed nerve compression, kyphosis, sagittal index (SI), vertebral collapse, load capacity of anterior and middle columns, and fracture reducibility. All patients were treated with anti osteoporosis therapy. 24 patients without nerve compression underwent posture reduction and PKP; 32 patients with nerve compression underwent open surgery: 5 patients with arcuate ky-phosis and SI≤15° underwent Ponte osteotomy; 15 patients with angular kyphosis or SI>15° underwent posterior pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) or/and modified PSO including intervertebral space; 11 patients with SI>15° and severe vertebral collapse (the height of anterior and middle vertebral bodies <1/3 of the average height of adjacent vertebral bodies) or cement loosen after PKP underwent vertebrectomy and reconstruction, of which 4 patients underwent posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR), and 8 patients underwent combined surgery including anterior subtotal vertebrectomy with support and posterior pedicle fixation. The clinical efficacy was evaluated by pain visual analog score (VAS) and Oswestry dysfunction index (ODI).Results:All patients were followed up for 12-60 months, with an average of 24.2 months. For the 24 patients with PKP, the symptoms improved significantly, and 1 case had adjacent vertebral fracture that was improved after PKP again. For the 32 patients with open surgery, the intraoperative blood loss was 400-1 800 ml, with an average of 960 ml (PVCR > PSO and combined surgery > Ponte); the operation time was 2-7 h, with an average of 4.3±1.9 h. The neurological symptoms improved after the operation. During follow-up, the artificial vertebral body and titanium mesh collapsed in 3 cases, but did not continue to deteriorate, no vertebral fracture, internal fixation displacement or loosening failure occurred on X-ray films. At the last follow-up, the VAS score and ODI score of 56 patients decreased from 7.0±2.6 and 60.4±16.2 pre-operation to 1.4±1.1 and 9.5+5.8 respectively, and local kyphosis angle improved from 18.1±4.3 pre-operation to 5.6±4.3. According to the overall satisfaction of patients, the effect was fair in 12 cases, good in 30 cases, excellent in 14 cases, and the excellent and good rate was 78.6%.Conclusion:The graded surgical strategy for thoracolumbar OVCFs with kyphosis based on the concept of balanced load can restore the balanced load of the anterior and middle columns of the spine, reduce the fixation and fusion segments, and reduce the risk of internal fixation displacement and loosening failure.

Galactinol synthase (GolS) genes play important roles in plant response to abiotic stress. In this research, the plant expression vector of soybean GmGolS2-2 gene was constructed and transformed into tobacco to study the drought tolerance of transgenic tobacco. A GmGolS2-2 gene with 975 bp coding sequence was cloned from soybean leaves by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). GmGolS2-2 was linked to the plant expression vector pRI101 by restriction enzyme sites Nde Ⅰ and EcoR Ⅰ, and transformed into tobacco by leaf disc method. Genomic DNA PCR and real-time PCR showed that three GmGolS2-2 transgenic tobacco plants were obtained. The growth status of GmGolS2-2 transgenic tobacco under drought stress was better than that of wild-type tobacco. After drought stress treatment, the electrolyte leakage and malondialdehyde content of transgenic tobacco were lower than those of wild-type tobacco, but the proline content and soluble sugar content were higher than those of wild-type tobacco. The results of real-time PCR showed that the heterologous expression of GmGolS2-2 increased the expression of stress-related genes NtERD10C and NtAQP1 in transgenic tobacco. The above results indicated that GmGolS2-2 improved drought resistance of transgenic tobacco.
Drought Resistance ; Tobacco/genetics* ; Soybeans/genetics* ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Plants, Genetically Modified/genetics* ; Stress, Physiological/genetics* ; Droughts ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant