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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The Anterior Atlantoaxial Non-Fusion Fixation System (AANFS) was a novel motion preservation device for atlantoaxial instability to replace traditional fusion techniques. The purpose of this in vivo study was to evaluate the clinical features and biomechanical properties of this new device in a canine model by comparing it with a conventional method. ⋯ This study for the first time provides an animal model for studying non-fusion strategies of upper cervical spine. The AANFS was able to maintain movement function of the atlantoaxial joint and may be an alternative to traditional fusion techniques. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
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The pathomechanism of annulus fibrosus (AF) failure is still unknown. We hypothesise that mechanical overload and an inflammatory microenvironment contribute to AF structural weakening. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the influence of these factors on the AF, particularly the translamellar bridging network (TLBN) which connects the AF lamellae. ⋯ Our findings suggest that CTS and IL-1β act synergistically to increase pro-inflammatory and catabolic molecules within the AF, particularly the TLBN, leading to a weakening of the tissue. This standardised model enables the investigation of AF/TLBN structure-function relationship and is a platform to test AF-focused therapeutics. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
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Our aim was to assess the microstructural changes of intervertebral disc degeneration induced by annulus needle puncture in rats by diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI). ⋯ DKI provides quantitative assessment of the microstructure changes of disc degeneration, and it is a non-invasive method. The DKI multi-parameter analysis is sensitive to discs changes caused by puncture. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.