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BACKGROUND: The unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) technique has been widely used in spine surgery. At present, a traditional rigid working channel is available for the UBE system. A metal semicircular canal is located in the working channel. However, due to the metal material of the working channel, arthroscopy and instruments are constrained from moving in UBE surgery. Additionally, an assistant is needed during the procedure to hold the traditional working channel. OBJECTIVE: For simplicity of operation and convenient movement of the arthroscopy and instrument, we describe a new method for establishing operative channels in UBE surgery. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 50 patients who underwent unilateral biportal endoscopic discectomy (UBED) from February 2020 to August 2020 via our new method. The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and visual analogue scale (VAS) score were measured preoperatively and 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months postoperatively. Statistical comparisons were made using analysis of covariance and paired t tests. RESULTS: The VAS scores for back pain at the five time points were 5.20 ± 2.57, 1.96 ± 0.95, 1.50 ± 0.84, 1.64 ± 1.08 and 1.18 ± 0.39. The leg pain VAS scores were 7.02 ± 2.25, 2.02 ± 1.27, 1.48 ± 0.89, 1.32 ± 0.79 and 0.88 ± 0.52. The ODI values were 51.08 ± 19.97, 19.62 ± 15.51, 8.26 ± 7.40, and 7.54 ± 6.42 to 3.24 ± 1.10. The postoperative ODIs and VAS scores of low back pain and leg pain were significantly lower than those before surgery, and differences were statistically significant (all p< 0.05). The pressure of the closed outflow was significantly higher than that of the open outflow (37.35 ± 13.11 mm Hg vs. 24.55 ± 12.64 mm Hg p= 0.003). After we tightened the infusion strap to open the outflow, the pressure decreased significantly (26.4 ± 14.08 mm Hg vs. 37.35 ± 13.11 mm Hg p= 0.015). There were 2 cases of complications, including 1 case of postoperative recurrence and 1 case of dural tears. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the technical feasibility, safety, and efficacy of modified channel establishment in UBE surgery.

Purpose This study aimed to compare total blood loss (TBL) and hidden blood loss (HBL) in patients undergoing single-level open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (O-TLIF) and unilateral biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (ULIF). Methods A total of 53 patients who underwent ULIF and 53 patients who underwent O-TLIF from March 2020 to July 2022 were retrospectively reviewed. The Nadler’s formula was employed to estimate the patient’s blood volume (PBV), Gross’s formula to estimate TBL, and Sehat’s formula to estimate HBL. The obtained data were then analyzed with independent t test, chi-squared test, and analysis of covariance. Results TBL and measured blood loss (MBL) in ULIF group (326.86 ± 223.45 ml, 99.00 ± 72.81 ml) was significantly lower than O-TLIF group (427.97 ± 280.52 ml, 270.66 ± 102.34 ml). Nevertheless, the HBL in ULIF group was higher than that in O-TLIF group (227.86 ± 221.75 ml vs 157.31 ± 268.08 ml), however this was not statistically significant (p = 0.143). The HBL was 69.71 ± 23.72% of TBL in ULIF group and 36.76 ± 18.79% of TBL in O-TLIF group. Patients in ULIF group had lower TBL and MBL, shorter duration of drainage, lower postoperative anemia, and shorter postoperative hospital stay compared to those in O-TLIF group. Conclusions Perioperative HBL should not be neglected in patients undergoing ULIF or O-TILF, as it accounts for a large percentage of TBL in both groups. ULIF is associated with lower TBL and MBL, postoperative anemia, shorter postoperative hospital stays compared with O-TLIF.

urpose: This study aimed to compare total blood loss (TBL) and hidden blood loss (HBL) in patients undergoing single-level open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (O-TLIF) and unilateral biportal endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (ULIF).Methods: A total of 28 patients who underwent ULIF and 30 patients who underwent O-TLIF from March 2020 to October 2021 were retrospectively reviewed. The Nadler’s formula was employed to estimate the patient’s blood volume (PBV), Gross’s formula to estimate TBL, and Sehat’s formula to estimate HBL. The obtained data were then analyzed with independent t test、chi-squared test, and analysis of covariance.Results: TBL and measured blood loss (MBL) in ULIF group (360.00±245.74 ml, 117.43±83.09 ml) was significantly lower than O-TLIF group (542.29±233.25ml, 306.30±108.98ml). Nevertheless, the HBL in ULIF group was higher than that in O-TLIF group (242.57±242.49 ml vs 235.99±236.53 ml), however this was not statistically significant. (P=0.917). The HBL was 67.38± 25.63% of TBL in ULIF group and 43.52±17.39% of TBL in O-TLIF group. Patients in ULIF group had lower TBL and MBL, shorter duration of drainage, lower postoperative anemia, and shorter postoperative hospital stay compared to those in O-TLIF group.Conclusions: Perioperative HBL should not be neglected in patients undergoing ULIF or O-TILF, as it accounts for a large percentage of TBL in both groups. ULIF is associated with lower TBL and MBL, postoperative anemia, shorter postoperative hospital stays compared with O-TLIF.

Background Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common functional gastrointestinal disorder, and its specific pathogenesis is still unclear. We have previously reported that TTX-resistant (TTX-R) sodium channels in colon-specific dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were sensitized in a rat model of visceral hypersensitivity induced by neonatal colonic inflammation (NCI). However, the detailed molecular mechanism for activation of sodium channels remains unknown. This study was designed to examine roles for melatonin (MT) in sensitization of sodium channels in NCI rats. Methods Colorectal distention (CRD) in adult male rats as a measure of visceral hypersensitivity. Colon-specific dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were labeled with DiI and acutely dissociated for measuring excitability and sodium channel current under whole-cell patch clamp configurations. Western blot and Immunofluorescence were employed to detect changes in expression of Nav1.8 and MT2. Results The results showed that rats exhibited visceral hypersensitivity after NCI treatment. Intrathecal application of melatonin significantly increased the threshold of CRD in NCI rats with a dose-dependent manner, but has no role in the control group. Whole-cell patch clamp recording showed that melatonin remarkably decreased the excitability and the density of TTX-R sodium channel in DRG neurons from NCI rats. The expression of MT2 receptor at the protein level was markedly lower in NCI rats. 8MP, an agonist of MT2 receptor, enhanced the distention threshold in NCI rats. Application of 8MP reversed the enhanced hypersensitivity of DRG neurons from NCI rats. 8MP also reduced TTX-R sodium current density and modulated dynamics of TTX-R sodium current activation. Conclusions These data suggest that sensitization of sodium channels of colon DRG neurons in NCI rats is most likely mediated by MT2 receptor, thus identifying a potential target for treatment for chronic visceral pain in patients with IBS.

Multimodal imaging probes represent an extraordinary tool for accurate diagnosis of diseases due to the complementary advantages of multiple imaging modalities. The purpose of the work was to fabricate a simple dual-modality MR/CT probe for osteosarcoma visualization in vivo. Protein-directed synthesis methods offer a suitable alternative to MR/CT probe produced by synthetic chemistry. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) bound to gadolinium nanoparticles (GdNPs) was first prepared via a biomimetic synthesis method and was subsequently iodinated by chloramine-T method. The final iodinated BSA-GdNPs (I-BSA-GdNPs) showed excellent chemical stability and biocompatibility, intense X-ray attenuation coefficient, and good MR imaging ability. However, an iodinated protein nanoparticles synthesis for MR/CT imaging, as well as its useful application, has not been reported yet. Intravenous injection of I-BSA-GdNPs into orthotopic osteosarcoma-bearing rats led to its accumulation and retention by the tumor, allowing for a noninvasive tumor dual-modality imaging through the intact thigh. The long-circulating dual-model I-BSA-GdNPs probes possess potential application for image-guided drug delivery and image-guided surgery. Our study is therefore highlighting the properties of albumin in this field combined with its useful use in dual-model MR/CT osteosarcoma visualization, underlining its potential use as a drug carrier for a future therapy on cancer.

In Brassicaceae, myrosinase catalyzes the hydrolysis of glucosinolate and plays an important role in anti-herbivore defense. We have cloned and characterized the full-length complementary DNA of myrosinase gene from Brassica parachinensis that exhibits high sequence identity with myrosinase genes from other Brassica species. To investigate the role of this myrosinase in defense against the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), we constructed an RNA-interference (RNAi) cassette expressing a double-stranded RNA that targeted myrosinase and transfected it into B. parachinensis. Myrosinase was suppressed in the resulting transgenic plants. Diamondback moth larvae feeding on transgenic plants had lower larval and pupal weights, longer pupal duration, and lower fecundity than those feeding on non-transgenic plants, suggesting that the diamondback moth has adapted to the glucosinolate-myrosinase defensive system. Therefore, the suppression of myrosinase is a potential approach for controlling the diamondback moth.