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Background: This meta-analysis compares the efficacy of unilateral biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (UBE-TLIF) to conventional interbody fusion in lumbar degenerative diseases (LDD). Methods: An extensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Research related to UBE-TLIF published up to November 2022 was reviewed. The relevant articles were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, as well as an evaluation of the quality of the data extraction literature. Meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.3 software. Results: This meta-analysis included six high-quality case–control trials (CCTs) involving 621 subjects. The clinical outcomes assessment showed no statistical differences in complication rates, fusion rates, leg pain VAS scores, or ODI scores. After UBE-TLIF, low back pain VAS scores were significantly improved with less intraoperative blood loss and a shorter hospital stay. A longer time was required for UBE-TLIF, however. Conclusion: Despite the lack of sufficient high quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in this study, the results of this meta-analysis suggest that UBE-TLIF is more effective than open surgery in terms of length of stay, blood loss reduction during surgery, and improved low back pain after surgery. Nevertheless, the evidence will be supplemented in the future by more and better quality multicenter randomized controlled trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a multifactorial and chronic disease describing the destruction of cartilage that can lead to defects in the elderly. There is currently no practical strategy that can reverse the OA process. Here, we describe nepetin, a small natural compound with extracellular matrix (ECM) and inflammation regulating functions. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of nepetin on interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β)‐induced inflammation in mice chondrocyte and OA model. In chondrocytes, treatment with nepetin inhibited the overexpression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines and mediators induced by IL‐1β. Moreover, pretreatment or posttreatment with nepetin also reduced the ECM catabolism and enhanced the ECM anabolism. Mechanistically, nepetin suppressed NF‐κB signaling pathway in IL‐1β stimulated chondrocyte. Meanwhile, our molecular docking studies indicated nepetin had a powerful binding capacity to p65. Furthermore, nepetin showed a protective and therapeutic effect on the mouse OA model. To sum up, this study indicated nepetin had a new potential therapeutic option in OA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by destruction of articular cartilage. The inflammatory response is the most important factor affecting the disease process. As interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β) stimulates several key mediators in the inflammatory response, it plays a major role in the pathogenesis of OA. Maslinic acid (MA) is a natural compound distributed in olive fruit. Previous studies have found that maslinic acid has an inhibitory effect on inflammation, but its specific role in the progression of OA disease has not been studied so far. In this study, we aim to assess the protective effect of MA on OA progression by in vitro and in vivo experiments. Our results indicate that, in IL‐1β‐induced inflammatory response, MA is effective in attenuating some major inflammatory mediators such as nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2, and inhibits the expression of IL‐6, inducible nitric oxide synthase, cyclooxygenase‐2, and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) in a concentration‐dependent manner. Also, MA downregulated the expression levels of thrombospondin motif 5 (ADAMTS5) and matrix metalloproteinase 13 in chondrocytes, resulting in reduced degradation of its extracellular matrix. Mechanistically, MA exhibits an anti‐inflammatory effect by inactivating the PI3K/AKT/NF‐κB pathway. In vivo, the protective effect of MA on OA development can be detected in a surgically induced mouse OA model. In summary, these findings suggest that MA can be used as a safe and effective potential OA therapeutic strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this meta‐analysis was to systematically evaluate the efficacy of augmentative plating (AP) and exchange nailing (EN) in the treatment of nonunion of femoral shaft fracture. Methods: For the present meta‐analysis, PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were searched to identify relevant articles up to April 2019. Two investigators independently evaluated the quality of original publications following the guidelines proposed by the Cochrane Handbook. Data were extracted from the studies and analyzed using Review Manager 5.3. Results: Five studies were included in this meta‐analysis, with a total of 506 patients. There were 232 patients in the AP group and 276 patients in the EN group. The AP group was associated with higher union rate (OR, 11.66; 95% CI, 4.31–31.50; P < 0.01), shorter union time (SMD, −1.10; 95% CI, −2.09 to −0.11; P = 0.03), shorter operation time (SMD, −0.55; 95% CI, −0.88 to −0.21; P < 0.01), less blood loss (SMD, −1.72; 95% CI, −3.33 to −0.11; P < 0.01), and fewer complications (OR, −0.11; 95% CI, −0.16 to −0.07; P < 0.01) than the EN group. Conclusion: The results of the meta‐analysis showed that AP is found to be superior for nonunion of femoral shaft fractures in both intraoperatively (ie, shorter operation time and less blood loss) and postoperatively (ie, higher union rate, shorter union time, and lower complication rate). Overall, AP was superior to EN in the treatment of nonunion of femoral shaft fractures after intramedullary nailing (IMN). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To establish reference data on the dimensions of C2 lamina to guide the use of translaminar screws with Wright's technique and a modified technique for pediatric patients in different age groups.Methods: 113 pediatric patients were divided into six age groups, and their cervical vertebrae were studied on CT scans. Laminar height, width, length and screw angle were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using Student t tests, Pearson's correlation and linear regression analysis.Results: Mean laminar height was 10.95 ± 2.81 mm, and mean width was 6.01 ± 0.90 mm. For Wright's technique, mean laminar length was 30.65 ± 3 mm, and the screw angle was 56.02° ± 3.62°. For the modified technique, mean laminar length was 22.07 ± 2.38 mm, and the screw angle was 67.40° ± 3.39°. 95.6% (108/113) of the children could insert a screw into the lamina (laminar width ≥ 4.5 mm), 72.6% (82/113) could accept bilateral translaminar screws (laminar width ≥ 4.5 mm and laminar height ≥ 9 mm).Conclusion: Our investigation provides insight into the anatomy of C2 lamina in six pediatric age groups. Compared to adults, the benefits of C2 translaminar screws fixation are more obvious in the pediatric spine which has a large C2 lamina. Compared to Wright's technique, the modified technique should insert a screw with bigger insert angle and shorter screw length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To establish reference data on the dimensions of C2 lamina to guide the use of translaminar screws with Wright's technique and a modified technique for pediatric patients in different age groups. Methods: 113 pediatric patients were divided into six age groups, and their cervical vertebrae were studied on CT scans. Laminar height, width, length and screw angle were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using Student t tests, Pearson's correlation and linear regression analysis. Results: Mean laminar height was 10.95 ± 2.81 mm, and mean width was 6.01 ± 0.90 mm. For Wright's technique, mean laminar length was 30.65 ± 3 mm, and the screw angle was 56.02° ± 3.62°. For the modified technique, mean laminar length was 22.07 ± 2.38 mm, and the screw angle was 67.40° ± 3.39°. 95.6 % (108/113) of the children could insert a screw into the lamina (laminar width ≥4.5 mm), 72.6 % (82/113) could accept bilateral translaminar screws (laminar width ≥4.5 mm and laminar height ≥9 mm). Conclusion: Our investigation provides insight into the anatomy of C2 lamina in six pediatric age groups. Compared to adults, the benefits of C2 translaminar screws fixation are more obvious in the pediatric spine which has a large C2 lamina. Compared to Wright's technique, the modified technique should insert a screw with bigger insert angle and shorter screw length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]