European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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This study aimed to investigate the potential mechanism and value of lupeol in inhibiting high-glucose-induced apoptosis in rabbit nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs). ⋯ Lupeol inhibited high-glucose-induced apoptosis in NPCs by enhancing the anti-oxidative stress in the mitochondria. This study suggested lupeol as a potential therapeutic drug for treating intervertebral disc degeneration under hyperglycaemic conditions. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
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The subtle impairments of the disc due to anular punctures may have an immediate effect on the functional integrity due to the altered intradiscal pressure, hence the subsequent catabolic degradation. This study evaluates functional restoration of needle puncture injured intervertebral discs with a newly developed injectable hydrogel using the quantitative discomanometry (QD) test. The proposed hydrogel is composed of gelatin and poly (γ-glutamic acid) (γ-PGA) and crosslinked with 1-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-3-ethyl-carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC). ⋯ Restoration of disc integrity secondary to needle puncture injury can be achieved via the repair with the newly developed gelatin hydrogel incorporated with γ-PGA and EDC. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
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Post-operative infections are relatively common after posterior spine surgery, and there are several observations reflecting different infection complications related to various metals implanted. Here, we selected an array of different bacterial species that are often found in infections associated with orthopaedic implants and tested for inhibition by hydrogen peroxide-treated titanium (Ti-peroxy). ⋯ Our findings suggest that the Ti-peroxy is a promising perioperative antimicrobial strategy that may be highly effective for prevention of post-operative infections. We therefore suggest application of hydrogen peroxide to implants prior to implantation. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic supplementary material.
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The interrelations between age-related muscle deterioration (sarcopenia) and vertebral fractures have been suggested based on clinical observations, but the biomechanical relationships have not been explored. The study aim was to investigate the effects of muscle ageing and sarcopenia on muscle recruitment patterns and spinal loads, using musculoskeletal multi-body modelling. ⋯ The study highlights the distinct and detrimental consequences of sarcopenia, in contrast to normal ageing, on spinal loading and required muscular effort. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
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Spinal fusion is used for treatment of spinal deformities, degeneration, infection, malignancy, and trauma. Reduction of motion enables osseous fusion and permanent stabilization of segments, compromised by loosening of the pedicle screws (PS). Deep implant infection, biomechanical, and chemical mechanisms are suspected reasons for loosening of PS. Study objective was to investigate the frequency and impact of deep implant infection on PS loosening. ⋯ Chronic implant infection seems to play a role in PS loosening and ongoing pain, causing revision surgery after spinal fusion. Screw loosening and multiple prior spinal operations should be suspicious for implant infection after spinal fusion when it comes to revision surgery. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.