Objective:To investigate the morphological difference and clinical significance of bilateral lumbar multifidus muscles in patients with unilateral lumbosacral radiculopathy due to lumbar disc herniation and lumbar spondylolisthesis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with low back pain, lumbar disc herniation and lumbar spondylolisthesis. Patients with lumbar disc herniation or lumbar spondylolisthesis underwent single segment lesion either at L 4, 5 or L 5S 1, while those accompanied with unilateral lumbosacral radiculopathy underwent percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy or conventional open surgery at Qingdao Municipal Hospital between January 2017 and January 2023. Patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis were subdivided into degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis and isthmic spondylolisthesis. 53 patients with low back pain met the inclusion criteria. 170 patients with lumbar disc herniation met the inclusion criteria, with 101 at L 4, 5 and 69 at L 5S 1 level. 129 patients with lumbar spondylolisthesis met the inclusion criteria, including 91 of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis at L 4, 5 level and 9 at L 5S 1 level, and 11 of isthmic spondylolisthesis at L 4, 5 level and 18 at L 5S 1 level. Cross-sectional images at the mid-disc of L 3, 4, L 4, 5 and L 5S 1 segments in MRI were acquired. Relative total cross-sectional area (rTCSA), relative functional cross-sectional area (rFCSA), fat infiltration rate (FIR), relative fat distance (rFD) and differential value FIR (D-FIR) in bilateral lumbar multifidus muscle were measured respectively by using Image J software, and were then used to evaluate the atrophy and fat infiltration of bilateral lumbar multifidus muscles. Results:No significant difference was found between the both sides of multifidus muscle in low back pain patients. L 4, 5 lumbar disc herniation group had smaller rFCSA (0.34±0.10 and 0.35±0.10) and larger FIR [29.92(22.21, 36.46) and 26.48(17.54, 34.55)] and rFD [0.39(0.29, 0.54) and 0.32(0.21, 0.43)] on the affected side compared to the unaffected side in L 4, 5 segment, and had larger FIR (34.83±11.34 and 31.44±10.94) and rFD [0.59(0.43, 0.77) and 0.51(0.37, 0.69)] on the affected side in L 5S 1 segment. L 5S 1 lumbar disc herniation group had smaller rFCSA (0.41±0.11 and 0.42±0.12) and larger FIR [26.84(22.92, 35.29) and 24.02(20.03, 32.87)] and rFD (0.51±0.28 and 0.42±0.26) on the affected side in L 5S 1 segment. L 4, 5 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis group had larger FIR (36.49±9.76 and 34.72±9.86) on the affected side in L 4, 5 segment, and had larger FIR [35.03(28.64, 41.85) and 33.34(26.37, 39.76)] on the affected side in L 5S 1 segment. L 5S 1 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis group had larger FIR [42.53(37.94, 46.81) and 40.79(30.84, 43.53)] and rFD (1.12±0.79 and 0.94±0.79) on the affected side in L 5S 1 segment. L 4, 5 isthmic spondylolisthesis group had smaller rFCSA [0.24(0.20, 0.30) and 0.29(0.23, 0.34)]and larger FIR [34.19 31.30, 42.39) and 29.43(28.82, 36.89)] and rFD (0.39±0.15 and 0.29±0.15) on the affected side in L 4, 5 segment, and had larger FIR (43.18±12.71 and 34.12±11.63) on the affected side in L 5S 1 segment. L 5S 1 isthmic spondylolisthesis group had larger FIR (40.24±9.34 and 36.37±10.70) on the affected side in L 5S 1 segment. No significant difference was found of the multifidus muscle between the affected and unaffected sides in the proximal adjacent segment of the responsible segment in lumbar disc herniation or lumbar spondylolisthesis group patients. L 4, 5 isthmic spondylolisthesis group had larger D-FIR (6.75±8.46 and 1.78±5.77) in L 4, 5 segment, and had larger D-FIR (9.06±11.59 and 1.54±7.08) in L 5S 1 segment compared to L 4, 5 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis group. Grade Ⅱ L 4, 5 lumbar spondylolisthesis group had larger D-FIR (10.73±13.61 and 1.92±7.43) in L 5S 1 segment compared to grade Ⅰ L 4, 5 lumbar spondylolisthesis group. Conclusion:L 4, 5 or L 5S 1 lumbar disc herniation and lumbar spondylolisthesis patients with unilateral lumbosacral radiculopathy had asymmetric atrophy and fat infiltration of multifidus muscle. The atrophy and fat infiltration on the affected side showed greater. The asymmetry appeared in the responsible segment and its distal adjacent lumbar segment. Lumbar spondylolisthesis patients with a lager degree of slip or with isthmic type could be accompanied by more severe asymmetry of multifidus muscle.

Low back pain is an important cause of disability worldwide. It has a high incidence rate and brings a huge burden to families and society. Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is one of the leading factors causing low back pain and the pathological basis of degenerative disc diseases, such as intervertebral disc herniation and spinal stenosis. However, the etiology of IDD is complex, and the risk factors and specific mechanisms behind remain unclear. Some controversial views have also been observed. Surgery is often considered for patients with severe intervertebral disc diseases, but there is no effective treatment for IDD at the early and middle stages. It will be of great significance to in-depth explore the molecular biological mechanisms and related risk factors, which can bring benefits to the prevention, accurate diagnosis, early treatment, and rehabilitation of degenerative disc diseases. Refer to the literatures published in the past ten years, this paper describes the latest research progress on risk factors related to IDD in terms of aging, genetics, mechanical loading, low-grade infection, biological rhythms, smoking, metabolic disease, estrogen, and nutrition. The results show that IDD is affected by multiple risk factors. These factors can interact with each other, and lead to death, phenotypic transformation, and metabolic disorder of disc cells, leading to a reduction of extracellular matrix and an unbalanced microenvironment and eventually loss of structural integrity of intervertebral disc tissue and IDD. A good body clock, a controlled weight, an appropriate blood glucose level, adequate nutrition, no smoking, a good hormone level, moderate exercise, avoiding injury, and strict aseptic techniques in the clinic will bring benefits to the progress of IDD.

Objective To evaluate the role of necroptosis in hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury(ALI)in preadolescent rats.Methods A total of 72 clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 14 days,weighing 40-50 g,were divided into 3 groups(n＝24 each)by using a random number table method: control group(group C),hyperoxia-induced ALI group(group ALI)and hyperoxia-induced ALI and necrostatin-1 group(group ALI+N).The rats of group ALI+N was intraperitoneally injected with ne-crostatin-1 1.0 mg/kg once a day for 3 consecutive days.The rats were intraperitoneally injected with dime-thyl sulfoxide 0.2 ml/kg once a day for 3 consecutive days in C and ALI groups.The animals were sacrificed at 72 h after inhaling oxygen,and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid(BALF)was collected for determination of interleukin-6(IL-6)and IL-8 concentrations(by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay),superoxide dis-mutase(SOD)activity(by xanthine oxidase method),and malondialdehyde(MDA)concentration(by thiobarbituric acid method).Lung tissues were taken for measurement of wet/dry weight ratio(W/D ratio)and for examination of the pathological changes(with a light microscope)and ultrastructure of lung tissues(with an electron microscope).The injured alveolus rate(IAR)was calculated.The expression of recep-tor-interacting protein kinase 1(RIPK1),RIPK3 and mixed-lineage kinase domain-like protein(MLKL)in lung tissues was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with group C,the concentrations of IL-6,IL-8 and MDA in BALF were significantly increased,the activity of SOD in BALF was decreased,the W/D ratio and IAR of lung tissues were increased,the expression of RIPK1,RIPK3 and MLKL in lung tis-sues was up-regulated(P＜0.05),and the pathological damage was accentuated in group ALI.Compared with group ALI,the concentrations of IL-6,IL-8 and MDA in BALF were significantly deceased,the ac-tivity of SOD in BALF was increased,the W/D ratio and IAR of lung tissues were decreased,the expres-sion of RIPK1,RIPK3 and MLKL in lung tissues was down-regulated(P＜0.05),and the pathological damage was significantly attenuated in group ALI+N.Conclusion Necroptosis is involved in the patho-physiological process of hyperoxia-induced ALI in preadolescent rats.

Objective: To determine the clinical benefits of internal mammary sentinel lymph node biopsy (IM-SLNB) acquired by breast cancer patients with clinically positive axillary lymph node (ALN), and further optimize the IM-SLNB indications. Methods: All primary breast cancer patients with clinically positive ALN from February 2014 to September 2017 were prospectively recruited in this study. IM-SLNB was performed under the guidance of the modified injection technique. The success rate and visualization rate of IM-SLNB, metastatic rate of internal mammary sentinel lymph node (IMSLN) and its related factors were analyzed, and the clinical benefits were accessed according to the current guidelines. Results: Among 126 patients, all of 94 patients (74.6%) who showed internal mammary drainage successfully underwent IM-SLNB. The incidence of internal mammary artery bleeding and pleural lesion were 4.3%(4/94) and 9.6%(9/94), respectively. The metastatic rate of IMSLN was 38.3% (36/94), which was significantly associated with the number of positive ALN (P<0.001) and tumor size (P=0.024). The lymph node staging of 94 patients who underwent IM-SLNB was more accurate. Among them, 36 cases with positive IMSLN underwent internal mammary radiotherapy (IMRT), while the other 58 cases with negative IMSLN avoided radiotherapy. Conclusions IM-SLNB should be routinely performed in patients with positive ALN. IM-SLNB can provide more accurate staging and guide tailored IMRT to benefit more breast cancer patients.

Objective: To evaluate the role of necroptosis in hyperoxia-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in preadolescent rats. Methods: A total of 72 clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 14 days, weighing 40-50 g, were divided into 3 groups (n=24 each) by using a random number table method: control group (group C), hyperoxia-induced ALI group (group ALI) and hyperoxia-induced ALI and necrostatin-1 group (group ALI+ N). The rats of group ALI+ N was intraperitoneally injected with necrostatin-1 1.0 mg/kg once a day for 3 consecutive days.The rats were intraperitoneally injected with dimethyl sulfoxide 0.2 ml/kg once a day for 3 consecutive days in C and ALI groups.The animals were sacrificed at 72 h after inhaling oxygen, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for determination of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 concentrations (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (by xanthine oxidase method), and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration (by thiobarbituric acid method). Lung tissues were taken for measurement of wet/dry weight ratio (W/D ratio) and for examination of the pathological changes (with a light microscope) and ultrastructure of lung tissues (with an electron microscope). The injured alveolus rate (IAR) was calculated.The expression of receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), RIPK3 and mixed-lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL) in lung tissues was detected by Western blot. Results: Compared with group C, the concentrations of IL-6, IL-8 and MDA in BALF were significantly increased, the activity of SOD in BALF was decreased, the W/D ratio and IAR of lung tissues were increased, the expression of RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL in lung tissues was up-regulated (P<0.05), and the pathological damage was accentuated in group ALI.Compared with group ALI, the concentrations of IL-6, IL-8 and MDA in BALF were significantly deceased, the activity of SOD in BALF was increased, the W/D ratio and IAR of lung tissues were decreased, the expression of RIPK1, RIPK3 and MLKL in lung tissues was down-regulated (P<0.05), and the pathological damage was significantly attenuated in group ALI+ N. Conclusion Necroptosis is involved in the pathophysiological process of hyperoxia-induced ALI in preadolescent rats.

PURPOSE: Sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB), a critical staging and treatment step, has replaced axillary lymph node (LN) dissection as the standard staging procedure for early stage breast cancer patients with clinically negative axillary LNs. Hence, using a murine sentinel lymph node (SLN) model, we investigated the localization effect of the new receptor-targeted tracer, indocyanine green (ICG)-rituximab, on breast cancer SLNB. METHODS: After establishing the murine SLN model, different doses of ICG-rituximab were subcutaneously injected into the hind insteps of BALB/c mice to determine the optimal dose and imaging time using continuous (> 3 hours) MDM-I fluorescence vasculature imaging. To explore the capacity of ICG-rituximab for sustained SLN localization with the optimal dose, MDM-I imaging was monitored at 6, 12, and 24 hours. RESULTS: The popliteal LN was defined as the SLN for hindlimb lymphatic drainage, the iliac LN as the secondary, and the para-aortic or renal LN as the tertiary LNs. The SLN initial imaging and optimal imaging times were shortened with increased ICG-rituximab doses, and the imaging rates of the secondary and tertiary LNs increased accordingly. The optimal ICG dose was 0.12 μg, and its optimal imaging time was 34 minutes. After 24 hours, the SLN imaging rate remained 100%, while those of the secondary and the tertiary LNs increased from 0% (6 hours) and 0% (6 hours) to 10% (12 hours) and 10% (12 hours) to 20% (24 hours) and 10% (24 hours), respectively. CONCLUSION: ICG-rituximab localized to the SLN without imaging from the secondary or tertiary LNs within 6 hours. The optimal ICG dose was 0.12 μg, and the optimal interval for SLN detection was 34 minutes to 6 hours post-injection. This novel receptor-targeted tracer is of great value to clinical research and application.
Animals ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast ; Drainage ; Fluorescence ; Hindlimb ; Humans ; Indocyanine Green ; Lymph Nodes ; Mice ; Models, Animal ; Rituximab ; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

Objective To determine the clinical benefits of internal mammary sentinel lymph node biopsy (IM?SLNB) acquired by breast cancer patients with clinically positive axillary lymph node ( ALN), and further optimize the IM?SLNB indications. Methods All primary breast cancer patients with clinically positive ALN from February 2014 to September 2017 were prospectively recruited in this study.IM?SLNB was performed under the guidance of the modified injection technique. The success rate and visualization rate of IM?SLNB, metastatic rate of internal mammary sentinel lymph node ( IMSLN) and its related factors were analyzed, and the clinical benefits were accessed according to the current guidelines. Results Among 126 patients, all of 94 patients ( 74.6%) who showed internal mammary drainage successfully underwent IM?SLNB. The incidence of internal mammary artery bleeding and pleural lesion were 4.3%( 4／94) and 9.6%(9／94), respectively. The metastatic rate of IMSLN was 38.3%( 36／94), which was significantly associated with the number of positive ALN (P＜0.001) and tumor size (P＝0.024).The lymph node staging of 94 patients who underwent IM?SLNB was more accurate. Among them, 36 cases with positive IMSLN underwent internal mammary radiotherapy (IMRT), while the other 58 cases with negative IMSLN avoided radiotherapy. Conclusions IM?SLNB should be routinely performed in patients with positive ALN. IM?SLNB can provide more accurate staging and guide tailored IMRT to benefit more breast cancer patients.

Objective To determine the clinical benefits of internal mammary sentinel lymph node biopsy (IM?SLNB) acquired by breast cancer patients with clinically positive axillary lymph node ( ALN), and further optimize the IM?SLNB indications. Methods All primary breast cancer patients with clinically positive ALN from February 2014 to September 2017 were prospectively recruited in this study.IM?SLNB was performed under the guidance of the modified injection technique. The success rate and visualization rate of IM?SLNB, metastatic rate of internal mammary sentinel lymph node ( IMSLN) and its related factors were analyzed, and the clinical benefits were accessed according to the current guidelines. Results Among 126 patients, all of 94 patients ( 74.6%) who showed internal mammary drainage successfully underwent IM?SLNB. The incidence of internal mammary artery bleeding and pleural lesion were 4.3%( 4／94) and 9.6%(9／94), respectively. The metastatic rate of IMSLN was 38.3%( 36／94), which was significantly associated with the number of positive ALN (P＜0.001) and tumor size (P＝0.024).The lymph node staging of 94 patients who underwent IM?SLNB was more accurate. Among them, 36 cases with positive IMSLN underwent internal mammary radiotherapy (IMRT), while the other 58 cases with negative IMSLN avoided radiotherapy. Conclusions IM?SLNB should be routinely performed in patients with positive ALN. IM?SLNB can provide more accurate staging and guide tailored IMRT to benefit more breast cancer patients.

Objective To reconstruct the original three-dimensional conformation of tumor resection tissue through the study of breast-conserving surgery excision specimens for part-mount sub-serial section and pathological three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction,to establish a new margin assessment model,and to guide tumor bed delineation individually for radiotherapy.Methods From February 2016 to February 2017,thirtythree eligible breast cancer patients underwent breast-conserving surgery in Breast Cancer Center of Shandong Cancer Hospital were recruited.The excision specimens were prepared with part-mount sub-serial section,and residual tumors were microscopically outlined,scanned and registered by Photoshop software.The 3D model of residual tumors was reconstructed with 3D-DOCTOR software to evaluate margin status and record pathological type,tumor length and 3D negative margin distance.The gross tumor volume (GTV) was delineated based on clips placed in the lumpectomy cavity.CTV1 and CTV2 were defined by adding uniform 1.00 cm and 1.50 cm margin based on GTV respectively.CTV3 and CTV4 were defined by adding 1.00 cm and 1.50 cm margin based on 3D boundary of excision tumor respectively,and compared the volume differences of CTV1 and CTV3,CTV2 and CTV4.Results Based on the marginal assessment results of 3D pathological reconstruction,the rates of false negatives during the intraoperative rapid pathological examination and postoperative routine pathological margin evaluation were 6.7％ (2/30) and 3.4％ (1/29) respectively.The pathological type of pathological large slice and routine pathological examination was consistent with rate of 93.9％ (31/33).The M(QR) tumor lengths of routine pathological and pathological 3D reconstruction were 1.90 (1.50-2.40) cm and 2.00 (1.60-2.70) cm respectively,with statistical difference between the two groups (Z =-2.438,P =0.015).The M(QR) volumes for CTV1,CTV2,CTV3,CTV4 were 70.76 (49.84-78.07)cm3,110.11 (83.38-126.17) cm3,23.85 (16.46-31.49)cm3 and 38.74 (30.47-50.58) cm3 respectively.There were statistical differences between CTV1 and CTV3,CTV2 and CTV4 (Z =-4.372,P ＜0.001;Z =-4.372,P ＜0.001).Conclusion The application of pathological 3D reconstruction technology can largely compensate for the shortcomings of the traditional margin assessment model,make the decisions of adjuvant treatment after breast-conserving surgery more accurate,and guide the tumor bed delineation individually for radiotherapy.

PURPOSE: The definition of nodal pathologic complete response (pCR) after a neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) just included the evaluation of axillary lymph node (ALN) without internal mammary lymph node. This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of internal mammary-sentinel lymph node biopsy (IM-SLNB) in patients with breast cancer who underwent NAC. METHODS: From November 2011 to 2017, 179 patients with primary breast cancer who underwent operation after NAC were included in this study. All patients received radiotracer injection with modified injection technology. IM-SLNB would be performed on patients with internal mammary sentinel lymph node (IMSLN) visualization. RESULTS: Among the 158 patients with cN+ disease, the rate of nodal pCR was 36.1% (57/158). Among the 179 patients, the visualization rate of IMSLN was 31.8% (57/179) and was 12.3% (7/57) and 87.7% (50/57) among those with cN0 and cN+ disease, respectively. Furthermore, the detection rate of IMSLN was 31.3% (56/179). The success rate of IM-SLNB was 98.2% (56/57). The IMSLN metastasis rate was 7.1% (4/56), and all of them were accompanied by ALN metastasis. The number of positive ALNs in patients with IMSLN metastasis was 3, 6, 8, and 9. The pathology nodal stage had been changed from pN1/pN2 to pN3b. The pathology stage had been changed from IIA/IIIA to IIIC. CONCLUSION: Patients with visualization of IMSLN should perform IM-SLNB after NAC, especially for patients with cN+ disease, in order to complete lymph nodal staging. IM-SLNB could further improve the definition of nodal pCR and guide the internal mammary node irradiation.
Biopsy ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Drug Therapy* ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Pathology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy*