Objective:To investigate the efficacy of one-stage anterior debridement and bone graft fusion for the treatment of cervical pyogenic spondylodiscitis.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. Retrospective analysis of clinical data from 23 patients with cervical pyogenic spondylodiscitis treated with one-stage anterior approach debridement and bone graft fusion was performed in the Department of Spinal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2015 to January 2020. There were 14 males and 9 females,aged (51.9±12.8) years (range:26 to 82 years). Preoperatively, 14 patients had neurological deficits, classified according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale as follows: grade A in 1 case, grade B in 1 case, grade C in 5 cases, and grade D in 7 cases . All patients underwent the one-stage anterior debridement and fusion procedure. The surgical time, blood loss, hospital stay, fusion time, and surgical complications were documented. Clinical efficacy was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS), the neck disability index (NDI), and the ASIA impairment scale. Preoperative and postoperative data were compared using paired sample t tests, repeated measures analysis of variance, and generalized estimating equations. Results:All the 23 patients underwent the operative procedures successfully. The operation time was (102.8±19.8) minutes (range:60 to 140 minutes), blood loss was (84.4±40.2) ml (range:30 to 160 ml), and the length of hospital stay was (17.4±6.0) days (range:10 to 30 days). Blood cultures were positive for the causative pathogen in 14 cases (60.8% positivity rate), while 9 cases had negative results. Irrigation fluid cultures yielded the causative pathogen in 19 cases (82.6% positivity rate), with 4 cases negative. All patients were followed up for more than 12 months, with a follow-up duration of (19.0±5.9) months (range:12 to 36 months). At the final follow-up, VAS improved from (5.9±1.1) points preoperatively to (0.8±0.3) points; NDI improved from (38.3±6.0)% preoperatively to (9.3±3.0)%, with statistically significant differences (both P<0.01). All patients experienced improvement in neurological function, with the exception of one patient in grade C and two in grade D, all other patients recovered to grade E. The C 2-7 Cobb angle and the affected segment Cobb angle were corrected. white blood cell, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels returned to normal. All patients achieved bony fusion, with a fusion time of (8.9±1.9) months (range:6 to 12 months). Two diabetic patients developed postoperative incision infection; no other surgery-related complications occurred in the remaining patients. Conclusion:One-stage anterior debridement and bone graft fusion can correct kyphosis, restore normal alignment, and improve neurological function in the treatment of single and double segment cervical pyogenic spondylodiscitis, representing a viable treatment option for cervical pyogenic spondylodiscitis.

The traditional treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) mainly focuses on symptomatic treatment, and cannot restore the physiological structure and function of the intervertebral disc. Therefore, more and more scholars begin to pay attention to the application of regenerative medicine and its derived therapeutic methods in IVDD. From the histological perspective, the early stage of IVDD shows the imbalance between synthesis and catabolism, but the cell number and tissue structure are relatively complete, and the intervention of exogenous molecules or gene therapy can achieve extracellular matrix (ECM) regeneration. With the progress of IVDD, the replenishment of healthy cells is the key to treatment. In the final stage, the cell number and tissue structure are disordered. Biological materials with certain mechanical strength and cell load can be used to supplement ECM and healthy cells to realize the repair and regeneration of IVDD. Molecular, cell and gene therapy, combined with the application of new biomaterials, the treatment of IVDD is more inclined to compensate for the shortcomings through a combination approach in the future, in order to achieve the purpose of repair and regeneration.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of one-stage anterior debridement and bone graft fusion for the treatment of cervical pyogenic spondylodiscitis.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. Retrospective analysis of clinical data from 23 patients with cervical pyogenic spondylodiscitis treated with one-stage anterior approach debridement and bone graft fusion was performed in the Department of Spinal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2015 to January 2020. There were 14 males and 9 females,aged (51.9±12.8) years (range:26 to 82 years). Preoperatively, 14 patients had neurological deficits, classified according to the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale as follows: grade A in 1 case, grade B in 1 case, grade C in 5 cases, and grade D in 7 cases . All patients underwent the one-stage anterior debridement and fusion procedure. The surgical time, blood loss, hospital stay, fusion time, and surgical complications were documented. Clinical efficacy was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS), the neck disability index (NDI), and the ASIA impairment scale. Preoperative and postoperative data were compared using paired sample t tests, repeated measures analysis of variance, and generalized estimating equations. Results:All the 23 patients underwent the operative procedures successfully. The operation time was (102.8±19.8) minutes (range:60 to 140 minutes), blood loss was (84.4±40.2) ml (range:30 to 160 ml), and the length of hospital stay was (17.4±6.0) days (range:10 to 30 days). Blood cultures were positive for the causative pathogen in 14 cases (60.8% positivity rate), while 9 cases had negative results. Irrigation fluid cultures yielded the causative pathogen in 19 cases (82.6% positivity rate), with 4 cases negative. All patients were followed up for more than 12 months, with a follow-up duration of (19.0±5.9) months (range:12 to 36 months). At the final follow-up, VAS improved from (5.9±1.1) points preoperatively to (0.8±0.3) points; NDI improved from (38.3±6.0)% preoperatively to (9.3±3.0)%, with statistically significant differences (both P<0.01). All patients experienced improvement in neurological function, with the exception of one patient in grade C and two in grade D, all other patients recovered to grade E. The C 2-7 Cobb angle and the affected segment Cobb angle were corrected. white blood cell, erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein levels returned to normal. All patients achieved bony fusion, with a fusion time of (8.9±1.9) months (range:6 to 12 months). Two diabetic patients developed postoperative incision infection; no other surgery-related complications occurred in the remaining patients. Conclusion:One-stage anterior debridement and bone graft fusion can correct kyphosis, restore normal alignment, and improve neurological function in the treatment of single and double segment cervical pyogenic spondylodiscitis, representing a viable treatment option for cervical pyogenic spondylodiscitis.

The traditional treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) mainly focuses on symptomatic treatment, and cannot restore the physiological structure and function of the intervertebral disc. Therefore, more and more scholars begin to pay attention to the application of regenerative medicine and its derived therapeutic methods in IVDD. From the histological perspective, the early stage of IVDD shows the imbalance between synthesis and catabolism, but the cell number and tissue structure are relatively complete, and the intervention of exogenous molecules or gene therapy can achieve extracellular matrix (ECM) regeneration. With the progress of IVDD, the replenishment of healthy cells is the key to treatment. In the final stage, the cell number and tissue structure are disordered. Biological materials with certain mechanical strength and cell load can be used to supplement ECM and healthy cells to realize the repair and regeneration of IVDD. Molecular, cell and gene therapy, combined with the application of new biomaterials, the treatment of IVDD is more inclined to compensate for the shortcomings through a combination approach in the future, in order to achieve the purpose of repair and regeneration.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of single posterior osteotomy in the correction of rigid cervical spine deformities (CSD) and to explore the indications and key surgical techniques involved.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 9 patients with rigid CSD who underwent single posterior osteotomy correction between June 2012 and June 2023 in the Department of Spine Surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. The cohort comprised 4 males and 5 females, with a mean age of 19.8±27.2 years (range, 7-48 years). Among these, 5 cases were congenital CSD, 3 were post-tuberculosis deformities, and 1 was iatrogenic. Various coronal and sagittal alignment parameters were measured, including C 1, 2 angle, cervical lordosis (CL), structural scoliosis angle (SSA), structural kyphosis angle (SKA), head tilt (HT), C 2-C 7 sagittal vertical axis (CSVA), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), coronal balance distance (CBD), T 1 slope (T 1S), and the difference between T 1 tilt and cervical lordosis (T 1S-CL). Clinical outcomes were assessed using the neck disability index (NDI), visual analogue scale (VAS), and Scoliosis Research Society-22 questionnaire (SRS-22). Results:The average operation time was 273.9±76.1 min, with an average blood loss of 472.2±128.8 ml. All 9 patients were followed up for an average of 45.2±41.8 months (range, 12-116 months). A total of 7 patients underwent single-segment osteotomies (C 3, C 6 and C 7: 1 case each; C 5: 4 cases), and 2 patients underwent double-segment osteotomies (C 2 and C 7, C 3 and C 4). Four cases involved pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO), while 7 cases required vertebral column resection. The upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) was located at the occiput in 1 case and in the cervical spine in 8 cases. The lower instrumented vertebra (LIV) was located in the upper thoracic spine in 6 cases and in the cervical spine in 3 cases, with 2 of the latter cases having both UIV and LIV in the cervical spine. The average number of fused segments was 7.6±4.4 segments (range, 2-12 segments). All patients achieved successful bone fusion within an average of 8.8±3.2 months (range, 6-12 months). Preoperatively, the mean values for CL, SSA, SKA, HT, and CBD were 19.8° (17.2°, 30.5°), 27.4°(23.3°, 30.4°), 28.4°(25.6°, 30.1°), 9.0°(6.2°, 12.3°), and 18.5(12.3, 23.6) mm, respectively. Postoperative improvements were noted with values of -11.1°(-8.8°, -14.4°), 1.3°(0.8°, 1.6°), -11.1°(-8.6°, -14.5°), 1.6°(0.5°, 2.2°), and 9.4 (4.8-13.5) mm, respectively. At the final follow-up, these parameters were maintained, with values of -11.0°(-8.8°, -14.3°), 1.2°(0.8°, 1.5°), -11.0° (-8.6°, -14.3°), 1.5°(0.5°, 2.2°), and 9.4(4.8, 13.4) mm, respectively. Statistically significant improvements were observed between preoperative and postoperative measurements ( P<0.05), except for C 1, 2 angle, CSVA, SVA, T 1S, and T 1S-CL ( P>0.05). NDI and SRS-22 scores showed significant improvements postoperatively ( P<0.05), while VAS scores did not show a significant change ( P>0.05). Postoperative complications included transient nerve injury in two patients, one case of right central retinal artery occlusion, and one case of vertebral artery injury. Conclusion:This study confirms the safety and efficacy of single posterior osteotomy for treating rigid CSD of various etiologies. Standard PSO or modified techniques are effective for correcting cervical kyphosis, while hemivertebra resection and concave-side distraction are recommended for congenital scoliosis or kyphoscoliosis.

Objective:To elucidate the diagnostic utility of clinical features and radiomics characteristics derived from magnetic resonance imaging T2-weighted fat-suppressed images (T2WI-FS) in differentiating brucellosis spondylitis from pyogenic spondylitis.Methods:Clinical records of 26 patients diagnosed with Brucellosis Spondylitis and 23 with Pyogenic Spondylitis were retrospectively reviewed from Xinjiang Medical University First Affiliated Hospital between January 2019 and December 2021. Confirmatory diagnosis was ascertained through histopathological examination and/or microbial culture. Demographic characteristics, symptoms, clinical manifestations, and hematological tests were collected, followed by a univariate analysis to discern clinically significant risk factors. For the radiomics evaluation, preoperative sagittal T2WI-FS images were utilized. Regions of interest (ROIs) were manually outlined by two adept radiologists. Employing the PyRadiomics toolkit, an extensive array of radiomics features encompassing shape, texture, and gray-level attributes were extracted, yielding a total of 1,500 radiomics parameters. Feature normalization and redundancy elimination were implemented to optimize the predictive efficacy of the model. Discriminatory radiomics features were identified through statistical methods like t-tests or rank-sum tests, followed by refinement via least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression. An integrative logistic regression model incorporated selected clinical risk factors, radiomics attributes, and a composite radiomics score (Rad-Score). The diagnostic performance of three models clinical risk factors alone, Rad-Score alone, and a synergistic combination were appraised using a confusion matrix and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.Results:The cohort comprised 49 patients, including 36 males and 13 females, with a mean age of 53.79±13.79 years. C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) emerged as significant clinical risk factors ( P<0.005). A total of seven discriminative radiomics features (logarithm glrlm SRLGLE, exponential glcm Imc1, exponential glcm MCC, exponential gldm SDLGLE, square glcm ClusterShade, squareroot glszm SALGLE and wavelet.HHH glrlm Run Variance) were isolated through LASSO regression. Among these selected features, the square glcmClusterShade feature exhibited the best performance, with an area under the curve (AUC) value of 0.780. It demonstrated a sensitivity of 68.8%, specificity of 94.4%, accuracy of 82.4%, precision of 91.7%, and negative predictive value of 0.773. Furthermore, the logarithm glrlm SRLGLE feature had an AUC of 0.736, sensitivity of 68.8%, specificity of 72.2%, accuracy of 76.5%, precision of 72.2%, and negative predictive value of 0.812. The exponential glcm Imc1 feature had an AUC of 0.736, sensitivity of 50.0%, specificity of 94.4%, accuracy of 73.5%, precision of 88.9%, and negative predictive value of 0.680. Three diagnostic models were constructed: the clinical risk factors model, the radiomics score model, and the integrated model (clinical risk factors+radiomics score), which showed AUC values of 0.801, 0.818, and 0.875, respectively. Notably, the integrated model exhibited superior diagnostic efficacy. Conclusion:The amalgamation of clinical and radiomics variables within a sophisticated, integrated model demonstrates promising efficacy in accurately discriminating between Brucellosis Spondylitis and Pyogenic Spondylitis. This cutting-edge methodology underscores its potential in facilitating nuanced clinical decision-making, precise diagnostic differentiation, and the tailoring of therapeutic regimens.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of standardized incision and conventional incision for reduction and internal fixation of multiple rib fracture.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 192 patients with multiple rib fracture treated in 909th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force (Affiliated Dongnan Hospital of Xianmen University Medical College) from January 2020 to January 2022. There were 101 males and 91 females; aged 32-94 years [(51.5±16.6)years]. The patients underwent open reduction and internal fixation with nickel-titanium shape memory alloy embracer via standard incision such as anterior axillary longitudinal incision (standard incision group, n=96) or conventional incision such as posterolateral incision (conventional incision group, n=96). The incision length, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, number of fixed fractures, indwelling time of closed thoracic drainage tube, postoperative thoracic drainage volume, postoperative spontaneous ambulation time and length of hospital stay were compared in the two groups. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate pain at 1 month after operation. Postoperative complications were recorded. Results:All patients were followed up for 1-16 months [4.0(3.0, 10.5)months]. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, indwelling time of closed thoracic drainage tube, postoperative thoracic drainage volume, postoperative spontaneous ambulation time, length of hospital stay and VAS at postoperative 1 month in standard incision group [(12.1±1.6)cm, (51.4±13.0)minutes, (191.5±16.8)ml, (2.8±0.6)days, (568.9±109.0)ml, (4.1±0.7)days, (11.4±1.7)days, (2.5±0.7)points] were better than those in conventional incision group [(13.7±1.9)cm, (62.0±8.8)minutes, (248.9±65.4)ml, (4.8±1.1)days, (655.9±121.9)ml, (5.2±0.9)days, (15.3± 1.7)days, (3.5±0.7)points] ( P<0.05 or 0.01). There was no statistical difference in the number of fixed fractures between standard incision group and conventional incision group (5.1±0.8 vs. 5.4±0.9) ( P>0.05). In standard incision group, there were 3 patients with poor wound healing, 5 with pulmonary infection, 3 with atelectasis and 3 with small pleural effusion. In conventional incision group, there were 11 patients with poor wound healing, 9 with pulmonary infection, 7 with atelectasis and 7 with small pleural effusion. The incidence of postoperative complications was 14.6% (14/96) in standard incision group and 35.4% (34/96) in conventional incision group ( P<0.01). Conclusion:For multiple rib fracture, standard incision is superior to conventional incision reduction in shortening the incision length, operation time, indwelling time of drainage tube, postoperative spontaneous ambulation time and length of hospital stay, reducing the intraoperative blood loss and postoperative thoracic drainage volume, alleviating the pain and reducing the postoperative complications.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and ventilation therapy in the treatment of severe blast lung injury.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 37 patients with severe blast lung injury admitted to 909th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force (Affiliated Dongnan Hospital of Xianmen University Medical College) from January 2000 to December 2021, including 23 males and 14 females; aged 26-50 years [(36.3±11.1)years]. The chest abbreviated injury score (AIS) was 3-5 points. In all, 16 patients were treated with ECMO from January 2017 to December 2021 (ECMO group) and 21 with ventilator from January 2000 to December 2016 (ventilator group). Blood gas analysis indexes [arterial pH, partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO 2), partial pressure of oxygen (PaO 2), blood lactate (Lac)] and hemodynamics indexes [central venous pressure (CVP), cardiac output index (CI), pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP), pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PAWP)] were compared in the two groups at 30 minutes before treatment and at 2, 4, 6 hours after treatment. The mechanical ventilation time, ICU length of stay, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II (APACHE II) score and mortality were measured at 7 days after treatment. Results:All patients were followed up for 24-48 months [(33.6±8.2)months]. The blood gas analysis and hemodynamic indexes were significantly improved in the two groups at 2, 4, 6 hours after treatment when compared with those at 30 minutes before treatment (all P<0.05), and the improvements were still statistically significant in ECMO group at 4, 6 hours after treatment when compared with those at 2 hours after treatment (all P<0.05), while not in ventilator group (all P>0.05). There was no significant difference in blood gas analysis indexes or hemodynamic indexes between the two groups at 30 minutes before treatment (all P>0.05). After treatment for 2, 4, 6 hours, blood gas analysis indexes and hemodynamic indexes in ECMO group were statistically different from those in ventilator group (all P<0.05). After treatment for 7 days, the mechanical ventilation time, ICU length of stay, APACHE II score and mortality were (3.2±1.2)days, (5.4±1.3)days, (14.1±3.3)points and 12.5% (2/16) in ECMO group, significantly different from (5.1±1.6)days, (7.6±1.6)days, (10.2±2.6)days and 28.6% (6/21) in ventilator group (all P<0.05). Conclusion:For severe blast lung injury, ECMO can attain rapid and continuous improvement of refractory hypoxemia and dyspnea, shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU length of stay and reduce the mortality rate when compared with ventilator therapy.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between simple Chiari malformation type I (CMI) and atlantoaxial instability from the imaging point of view.Methods:A retrospective analysis were performed on 46 patients diagnosed with simple CMI from January 2014 to December 2020. Forty-six normal people matched for age and sex were selected as the normal control group, while 30 patients with atlantoaxial dislocation were selected as the dislocation group. The degree of atlantoaxial joint degeneration in each group was assessed according to Weishaupt degeneration grading; the atlantoaxial joint angulation angle was measured in the control group of patients with simple CMI; and the sagittal imaging parameters of cervical spine X-ray were measured, including C 0-C 1 Cobb angle, C 0-C 2 Cobb angle, C 1-C 2 Cobb angle, C 1-C 7 Cobb angle, C 2-C 7 Cobb angle, C 7 Slope, C 2 Tilt, spino cranial angle (SCA), and C 2-C 7 sagittal vertebral axis (SVA). All radiographic parameters were measured twice independently by two spine surgeons, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were determined to demonstrate intra- and inter-observer reliability. Results:ICC ranged between 0.842 and 0.974 in the current study, demonstrating "excellent" reliability of radiographic measurements. No significant difference was noted regarding age and the distribution of genders among the three groups. There were significant differences in the distribution of Weishaupt degeneration grading of atlantoaxial joints between simple CMI, normal and dislocation group ( H=53.68, P<0.001 on the left side; H=43.39, P<0.001 on the right side). There were significant differences in the degree of atlantoaxial joint degeneration between the normal group and dislocation group (left, Z=6.60, P<0.001; right, Z=6.29, P<0.001); There were significant differences in the degree of atlantoaxial joint degeneration between the normal group and simple CMI patients (left, Z=5.31, P<0.001; right, Z=4.13, P<0.001); There were significant differences in the degree of atlantoaxial joint degeneration between simple CMI and dislocation group (left, Z=3.20, P=0.001; right, Z=3.15, P=0.002). There were significant difference in the angulation angle of the atlantoaxial articular surface between the normal group and simple CMI patients (left, Z=3.32, P<0.001; right, Z=5.74, P<0.001). There were significant differences in C 0-C 1 Cobb angle ( t=2.41, P=0.018), C 1-C 7 Cobb angle ( t=2.88, P=0.005), C 2-C 7 Cobb angle ( t=3.29, P=0.001), and C 2-C 7 SVA ( t=2.87, P=0.005) between the normal group and simple CMI patients, but there was no significant difference in other parameters. Conclusion:The degree of atlantoaxial joint degeneration in patients with simple CMI is higher than that in normal people, the angulation angle is larger, and the cervical lordosis is larger, suggesting that there may be atlantoaxial joint instability. This study provides further evidence that Chiari malformation type I is associated with atlantoaxial instability.

The vagina contains at least a billion microbial cells,dominated by lactobacilli.Here we perform metagenomic shotgun sequencing on cervical and fecal samples from a cohort of 516 Chinese women of reproductive age,as well as cervical,fecal,and salivary samples from a second cohort of 632 women.Factors such as pregnancy history,delivery history,cesarean section,and breastfeeding were all more important than menstrual cycle in shaping the microbiome,and such information would be necessary before trying to interpret differences between vagino-cervical micro-biome data.Greater proportion of Bifidobacterium breve was seen with older age at sexual debut.The relative abundance of lactobacilli especially Lactobacillus crispatus was negatively associated with pregnancy history.Potential markers for lack of menstrual regularity,heavy flow,dysmenor-rhea,and contraceptives were also identified.Lactobacilli were rare during breastfeeding or post-menopause.Other features such as mood fluctuations and facial speckles could potentially be predicted from the vagino-cervical microbiome.Gut and salivary microbiomes,plasma vitamins,metals,amino acids,and hormones showed associations with the vagino-cervical microbiome.Our results offer an unprecedented glimpse into the microbiota of the female reproductive tract and call for international collaborations to better understand its long-term health impact other than in the settings of infection or pre-term birth.