Cage Group Research Articles

A BODIPY-picolinium-cation conjugate as a blue-light-responsive caged group.

Caged compounds protected with photolabile protecting groups (PPGs) are useful for controlling various biological events with high spatiotemporal resolution. Most of the commonly used PPGs are controlled by ultraviolet light irradiation, but it is desirable to have PPGs controlled by visible light irradiation in order to minimize tissue damage. Here, we describe a boron-dipyrromethene (BODIPY)-picolinium conjugate (BPc group) that functions as a blue-light-controllable PPG. ESR experiments indicate that the photolysis mechanism is based on intramolecular photoinduced electron transfer. We illustrate the applicability of the BPc group to biologically active compounds by employing it firstly to photocontrol release of histamine, and secondly to photocontrol release of a soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) activator, GSK2181236A, which induces photovasodilation. The BPc group is expected to be a useful PPG for controlling various biological events with blue light irradiation.

Адаптивна система управління швидкісним режимом вільної прокатки з нечітким регулятором

The best high-speed mode of rolling mills is the mode of free rolling with loop formation in finishing groups of cages. Stabilization of the loop is carried out by the control system of the rotation frequency of the rolls of rolling cages based on the information of the sensor of the position of the loop. The increase in the loop depends on the frequency of rotation of the rolls of adjacent cages and the coefficient of extraction of the rolled product in the cage following the adjustable gap. To set up the system, it is necessary to know the numerical characteristics of the influences that disturb and affect the size of the rolling loop. The change in the rotation frequency of the main drive of the cages during the stabilization of the size of the rolling loop in the intercellular gap of the cages of the finishing group of the continuous rolling condition was studied. The change in the rotation frequency of the rolls characterizes the total effects of the rolling mode on the size of the loop. Research have shown that in a non-stationary realization it is possible to single out a trend that is described by a completely deterministic dependence, and to conduct an analysis of a random stationary realization with respect to this trend. A structural diagram of the circuit for regulating the position of the rolling loop was developed. This scheme includes: an electric wire with a current loop, a speed loop, a speed regulator, a rolling loop, a loop position regulator, a compensator of disturbing influences. The compensator is based on the Fuzzy controller and produces a control effect depending on the inconsistency in the loop control circuit. In this way, the low-frequency disturbance component at the rolling speed, which can reach 10% of the rolling speed, is monitored and compensated. The obtained data of changes value of the loop without and with a compensating circuit. The size of the loop in the system without a compensating circuit when rolling a thicker rear part of the rolled product reaches the maximum permissible size. This does not happen in a system with a compensating circuit. It is possible to stabilize the value of the loop in a given range either by increasing the regulator coefficient, thereby worsening the dynamics of the entire multi-link control system of the high-speed rolling mode, or by using the proposed method of adaptive disturbance compensation.

ACCUMULATION OF 137Cs, Pb, Cd, Сu IN THE MUSCLE TISSUE AND LIVER OF PIGS GETTING DIFFERENT RATIONS

Experimental studies on young pigs of the large white breed were conducted on the territory of the physiological yard of the Polissia Institute of Agriculture of the National Academy of Sciences (III zone of radioactive contamination due to the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant). To conduct the experiment, 2 groups of experimental animals were formed: Group I (control) was fed with grain mixture № 1 with narrow-leaved lupine (alkaloid-free) and sunflower cake; II group (experimental) received grain mixture № 2 with genetically modified soy. Experimental pigs were kept in one room according to the accepted technology in group cages equipped with a wooden floor. The mode of feeding and drinking, parameters of the microclimate in both groups were the same. According to the results of tests conducted at the Ukrainian Laboratory of Quality and Safety of Agricultural Products, it was established that soybeans contain genetically modified deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), have the target sequence of the 35S+FMV promoter of the cauliflower mosaic virus and the NOS terminator (nopaline synthase) of Agrobacterium tumefaciens. The specific activity of 137Cs in the longest back muscle of pigs varied by group within 3.7-10.3 Bq/kg and did not exceed permissible levels (DR-2006 = 200 Bq/kg). When used as part of the GM soybean grain mixture, the concentration of radiocesium in the muscle tissue of animals of the II (experimental) group relative to the control decreased by 6.6 Bq/kg, or by 64.1% with a statistically significant difference (Р> 0.95). Moreover, the accumulation rate of 137Cs in the longest back muscle of piglets was 0.46-0.95 and was 2.1 times higher in young pigs that received grain mixture No. 1 without GM soybeans, compared to the use of grain mixture No. 2. The concentration of Pb in the slaughter products of experimental animals was significantly lower than the MPC, while the level of contamination of the longest back muscle of pigs Cd exceeded the regulatory requirements by 1.40-1.44 times. The introduction of 60% (by mass) of corn gain and 10% of GM soybeans into the grain mixture instead of the same amount of wheat grain, lupine and sunflower cake for fattening young pigs in the III zone of radioactive pollution contributes to a smaller accumulation of heavy metals in meat: Pb – by 17.5%, Cd – by 2.8%, Cu – by 4.2%. Therefore, the transition coefficients of Pb and Cd into the muscle tissue of animals of the II (experimental) group relative to the analogues of the I (control) group increased by 1.24% and 3.02% respectively, and Cu decreased by 0.23%.

The sustainability status and the development strategy of collective cage-based beef cattle smallholder farming on Lombok Island: the dimension of disease incidence

The incidence of the disease is one of the problems faced by beef cattle farms in Lombok Island, West Nusa Tenggara Province in increasing the production and productivity of livestock. On smallholder livestock, beef cattle are maintained intensively using a collective cage group, making it easier to manage and promote them. This aim is to analyze the status of the sustainability of the development of beef cattle smallholder farming based on collective cages in Lombok Island from the dimension of disease incidence. The method used to determine the sustainability status is Multi-Dimensional Scaling (MDS) with the Rapid Appraisal Beef Cattle Diseases (RAPBCD) approach of 20 diseases as attributes. The sensitive attributes that affect the sustainability index and the effect of errors are determined based on the Leverage analysis and Monte Carlo test. The results of the sustainability analysis showed that the status of the dimensions of the disease incidence dimension was 56.38%. The analysis results of the 20 diseases as attributes studied, 9 diseases (diarrhea, scabies, flatulence, itching, demodec, pink eye, anthrax, reproductive, epizootic septimea) are sensitive attributes and need to be improved because they will affect increasing the value of the sustainability index. Determination of the key factors of sustainability is obtained by prospective analysis to determine the future strategy for the development of collective cage-based beef cattle smallholder farming. The conclusion is that the status of the sustainability of the development of collective cage-based beef cattle smallholder farming on Lombok Island from the dimension of disease incidence is in a fairly sustainable category with four recommended development strategies, namely: strategies to improve beef cattle health management; increasing access to information and livestock health technology; increasing the role of the government, businessmen, and other stakeholders and strengthening farmer institutions, farmer economic institutions.

СОВЕРШЕНСТВОВАНИЕ СИСТЕМЫ РАЗДАЧИ ЖИДКИХ КОРМОВ ДЛЯ ТЕЛЯТ

Maintenance and care of calves during the milk period, when it is necessary to distribute mainly liquid feed, is very laborious. Most of the time is associated with the delivery of feed on a cart in milk flasks and filling buckets from flasks when hand-watering the calves. proposed Feeder device on a mobile frame (rod), which moves on rollers with the help of an electric drive, proposed for distributing liquid feed to calves in boxes. It consists of a carrier conveyor with fixed buckets, which alternately reciprocates towards the feeders. This technical solution is applicable on farms where separate group cages or boxes are used for keeping calves. The proposed liquid feed distribution technology raises the level of the entire calf feeding process. It was found that as a result of the work of the distributor, the use of manual labor decreased by 90%. The actual labor productivity was at least 400 heads per hour, therefore, one operator, when working with a distributor, is fully capable of drinking 200 calves in 0.5 hours. The use of a mechanized system for distributing liquid feed on farms has a positive effect on reducing the level of morbidity in calves associated with the digestive organs - by 20%. Gross and average daily gains in live weight increase by 5-6%.

Effects of rearing system and antibiotic treatment on immune function, gut microbiota and metabolites of broiler chickens

BackgroundIn China, cage systems with a high space utilization have gradually replaced ground litter systems, but the disease incidence of chickens in cages is higher. Broilers in the ground litter pens may be stimulated by more environmental microbes during the growth process and show strong immune function and status, but knowledge of which microbes and their metabolites play an immunomodulatory role is still limited. This study aimed to explore the differences and correlations in the immune function, gut microbiota and metabolites and the importance of gut microbiota of broilers raised in cages and ground litter pens.MethodsThe experiment involved a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement, with rearing systems (cages or ground litter pens) and antibiotic treatment (with or without broad-spectrum antibiotics in drinking water) as factors.ResultsThe results showed that, compared with the cage group, the ground litter broilers had stronger nonspecific immune function (Macrophages% and NO in blood), humoral immune function (IgG in blood, LPS stimulation index in ileum) and cellular immune function (T%, Tc%, ConA stimulation index and cytokines in blood). Antibiotic (ABX) treatment significantly reduced nonspecific immune function (Macrophages% and NO in blood, iNOS and Mucin2 mRNA expression in ileum), humoral immune function (IgG in blood and sIgA in ileum) and cellular immune function (T% and cytokines in blood, Th and Tc ratio, TLRs and cytokines mRNA expression in ileum). Furthermore, the ground litter broilers had higher α diversity of microbiota in ileum. The relative abundance of Staphylococcus, Jeotgalicoccus, Jeotgalibaca and Pediococcus in the ileum of ground litter broilers were higher. ABX treatment significantly reduced the α diversity of ileal microbiota, with less Chloroplast and Mitochondria. In addition, the levels of acetic acid, isobutyric acid, kynurenic acid and allolithocholic acid in the ileum of ground litter broilers were higher. Spearman correlation analysis showed that Jeotgalibaca, Pediococcus, acetic acid, kynurenic acid and allolithocholic acid were related to the immune function.ConclusionsThere were more potential pathogens, litter breeding bacteria, short-chain fatty acids, kynurenine, allolithocholic acid and tryptophan metabolites in the ileum of broilers in ground litter pens, which may be the reason for its stronger immune function and status.

Is 3D-printed prosthesis stable and economic enough for anterior spinal column reconstruction after spinal tumor resection? A retrospective comparative study between 3D-printed off-the-shelf prosthesis and titanium mesh cage.

To investigate the stability and cost-effectiveness of the three-dimensional-printed (3DP) off-the-shelf (OTS) prosthesis in the reconstruction of the anterior column of the thoracic/lumbar spine after tumor resection. Thirty-five patients (26 with primary malignant tumors and nine with metastatic malignant tumors) who underwent tumor resection and anterior column reconstruction between January 2014 and January 2019 were included in a single institute. Patients were divided into the 3DP OTS prosthesis (3DP) group (n = 14) and the titanium mesh cage (TMC) group (n = 21) by the type of implant. The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, history of radiotherapy, surgical level and total cost were collected and compared between the two groups. Mechanical complications and radiological parameters including mean vertebral height, subsidence, fixation failure(nonunion, migration, screw loosening, rod breakage) rate were recorded at preoperation, 1week, 3months, 6months, 12months after surgery then at 1year interval or stop until the end of survival. The follow-up patients were also sent with short form-36 to assess their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and questions about the current condition of their disease. The mean overall follow-up was 24.6months. Of the 35 patients involved, six patients died and six were lost to follow-up. The differences between the two groups in operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and hospital stay were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The differences in fixation failure and the subsidence rate between the two groups were not statistical significant (p > 0.05). The difference of subsidence rate between the cases with and without osteoporosis, cases with and without radiotherapy was statistically significant within each group (p < 0.05). However, the difference of subsidence rate between the surgical level above or below T10 was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The response rate of the questionnaire among the survived patients was 100% (23/23 patients). The results of the Short Form- (SF-)36 between the two groups were similar (p > 0.05). The total cost was higher in the 3DP group (p < 0.05) with its higher graft cost (p < 0.05), but the differences in internal fixation cost and other cost were not statistically significant between groups (p > 0.05). Compared to TMC, the 3DP OTS prosthesis achieved similar clinical and radiological results in spinal anterior spinal column reconstruction of thoracic/lumbar spinal tumor resection. However, the 3DP OTS prosthesis was more expansive than TMC.

Efficient Activation of 6‐Nitropiperonyloxymethylene (NPOM)‐Caged Nucleosides with Visible Light

AbstractCaging groups are photoremovable protecting groups that render a molecule biologically inactive until light illumination, thereby allowing for temporal and spatial control of activity. While nitrobenzyl‐based caging groups have advantageous synthetic and photochemical properties, red shifting of the absorption spectrum through chemical modification has led to reduced decaging efficiency. 6‐Nitropiperonyloxymethylene (NPOM), a group with broad applicability in the caging of heterocyclic structures, in particular nucleic acids, traditionally requires ultraviolet (UV) irradiation for decaging. Herein, we investigated the decaging properties of NPOM under near visible light (400–450 nm) using N3‐caged 5’‐dimethoxytrityl (DMTr)‐thymidine as a substrate. To our surprise, we discovered highly efficient decaging at wavelengths outside the UV range, in particular when compared to other nitrobenzyl chromophores. These results have implications in the selection of light sources for photoactivation and for sequential photolysis to achieve selective control of biological processes.

Increasing Dip Net Mesh Size Results in More Fin Splits in Post-Smolt Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)

ABSTRACT Dip nets are widely used to retrieve fish from the water but can cause injuries to the fish. The objective of this study was to document the potential effects of dip net mesh size with respect to external injuries, more specifically fin splits and scale losses, in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar). The study included 273 post-smolt Atlantic salmon from two fish batches referred to as the Tank group ( w ˉ = 178 ± 36 g, n = 198) and the Cage group ( w ˉ = 1319 ± 334 g, n = 75). Four identical dip nets with mesh sizes of 5, 10, 15, and 20 mm, respectively, were used to net fish out of their enclosures before the external injuries were assessed by visual inspection. The results showed that the number and severity of fin splits increased with dip net mesh size, but no effect of mesh size on the percentage of scale losses was found. Dip-netting of five fish at a time instead of one with the 20 mm dip net, had no statistically significant effect on the examined injuries. It is concluded that the use of dip nets with smaller mesh sizes can be positive for fish welfare by reducing fin splitting.

Clinical and Cost-Effectiveness of Lumbar Interbody Fusion Using Tritanium Posterolateral Cage (vs. Propensity-Matched Cohort of PEEK Cage).

Surgical management of degenerative lumbar spine disorders is effective at improving patient pain, disability, and quality of life; however, obtaining a durable posterolateral fusion after decompression remains a challenge. Interbody fusion technologies are viable means of improving fusion rates in the lumbar spine, specifically various graft materials including autograft, structural allograft, titanium, and polyether ether ketone. This study assesses the effectiveness of Tritanium posterolateral cage in the treatment of degenerative disk disease. Nearest-neighbor 1:1 matched control transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion with PEEK vs. Tritanium posterior lumbar (PL) cage interbody fusion patients were identified using propensity scoring from patients that underwent elective surgery for degenerative disk diseases. Line graphs were generated to compare the trajectories of improvement in patient-reported outcomes (PROs) from baseline to 3 and 12 months postoperatively. The nominal data were compared via the χ2 test, while the continuous data were compared via Student's t-test. The two groups had no difference regarding either the 3- or 12-month Euro-Qol-5D (EQ-5D), numeric rating scale (NRS) leg pain, and NRS back pain; however, the Tritanium interbody cage group had better Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores compared to the control group of the PEEK interbody cage at both 3 and 12 months (p=0.013 and 0.048). Our results indicate the Tritanium cage is an effective alternative to the previously used PEEK cage in terms of PROs, surgical safety, and radiological parameters of surgical success. The Tritanium cohort showed better ODI scores, higher fusion rates, lower subsidence, and lower indirect costs associated with surgical management, when compared to the propensity-matched PEEK cohort.

Cardanol in the feeding of meat-type quail breeders.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the inclusion of cardanol in the diet of quails on productive performance, egg quality, reproductive performance, and progeny performance. A total of three hundred European quail breeders of 32weeks of age, with average body weights of 305.98g, were housed in laying cages in groups (4 females and 1 male), following a distribution in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments and 6 replications of 10 quails, being the experimental unit constituted by the set of two cages. The treatments consisted of diets with 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00% of cardanol. There was reduction in the performance of the quail with the inclusion of 1.00% of cardanol in the diet when compared to the control treatment, while egg weight and egg mass were lower in the treatments with 0.75 and 1.00% of cardanol, respectively. It was observed that there was decrease in the specific gravity, and increase in color and TBARS value of the yolk in all treatments with cardanol. The inclusion of 0.50% of cardanol decreased the percentage of albumen, and increased the percentage of yolk, while the shell thickness decreased with 0.75%. The weight of the incubated eggs and the chick weight at hatching were lower in the treatments with 0.75 and 1.00% of cardanol. In the evaluation of the progeny performance, it was found that the weight at 7days of age of chicks from breeders fed the diet containing 1.00% of cardanol was decreased when compared to the chicks from breeders fed the control diet. It was concluded that the inclusion of cardanol did not present benefits to the quail breeders.

KEARIFAN LOKAL DALAM SISTEM MANAJEMEN PEMELIHARAAN KERBAU RAWA DI KABUPATEN MUSI RAWAS UTARA

The research aims to analyze the potential of swamp buffalo and the form of local wisdom in the management system of maintaining swamp buffalo to support sustainable livestock development. This research is descriptive qualitative. The data used are primary data and secondary data with survey methods through interviews and direct observation. This research was carried out in 2 (two) stages, namely: (1) identification of the development base area with LQ analysis and (2) analyzing local wisdom in the management system of maintaining swamp buffalo. The data obtained were tabulated and displayed in the form of tables and figures and then analyzed descriptively qualitatively. The results showed that the base area for buffalo cattle development was in three sub-districts, namely Ulu Rawas District, Rupit District, and Rawas Ulu District. The management system for keeping buffaloes is maintained ekstensif and local wisdom in the management system for raising swamp buffalo in Musi Rawas Utara Regency is by using a rolling picket system and making cages in groups. This research is expected to be an improvement for the swamp buffalo population as well as the introduction of a management system for maintaining swamp buffalo with local wisdom to support sustainable livestock development. Keywords: Local Wisdom, Maintenance, Swamp Buffalo, North Musi Rawas

Effects of voluntary adolescent intermittent alcohol exposure and social isolation on adult alcohol intake in male rats.

Initiating alcohol use in adolescence significantly increases the likelihood of developing adult alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, it has been difficult to replicate adolescent alcohol exposure leading to increased adult alcohol intake across differing preclinical models. In the present study, differentially housed male rats (group vs. single cages) were used to determine the effects of voluntary intermittent exposure of saccharin-sweetened ethanol during adolescence on adult intake of unsweetened 20% ethanol. Adolescent male rats were assigned to group- or isolated-housing conditions and underwent an intermittent 2-bottle choice in adolescence (water only or water vs. 0.2% saccharin/20% ethanol), and again in adulthood (water vs. 20% ethanol). Intermittent 2-bottle choice sessions lasted for 24h, and occurred three days per week, for five weeks. Rats were moved from group or isolated housing to single-housing cages for 2-bottle choice tests and returned to their original housing condition on off days. During adolescence, rats raised in isolated-housing conditions consumed significantly more sweetened ethanol than rats raised in group-housing conditions, an effect that was enhanced across repeated exposures. In adulthood, rats raised in isolated-housing conditions and exposed to sweetened ethanol during adolescence also consumed significantly higher levels of unsweetened 20% ethanol compared to group-housed rats. The effect was most pronounced over the first five re-exposure sessions. Housing conditions alone had little effect on adult ethanol intake. These preclinical results suggest that social isolation stress, combined with adolescent ethanol exposure, may play a key role in adult AUD risk.

Effects of Different Rearing Systems on Lueyang Black-Bone Chickens: Meat Quality, Amino Acid Composition, and Breast Muscle Transcriptome.

The quality of poultry products depends on genotype, rearing system, and environment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different rearing systems on meat quality, amino acid composition, and breast muscle transcriptome from Lueyang black-bone chickens. Lueyang black-bone chickens (n = 900) were randomly divided into three groups (cage, flat-net, and free-range groups), with three replicates per group (100 chickens per replicate). At 16 weeks, a total of 36 healthy chickens (six males and six females per group) were collected, and their breast muscles were sampled to detect meat quality parameters, amino acid composition, and fatty acid contents. Furthermore, breast muscles from six random hens in each group were used for RNA-seq analysis. The results revealed that the values of pH, shear force, inosine monophosphate (IMP), palmitic acid, and linoleic acid in the free-range group were significantly higher than those in the caged group (p < 0.05). Fat content in the free-range group was significantly lower than in the caged and flat-net groups (p < 0.05). Glutamate (Glu) levels, the amino acid crucial for the umami taste, was significantly higher in the free-range group than in the caged group (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, there was no significant difference between the free-range and flat-net groups (p > 0.05). The breast muscle transcriptome results showed that there were 291, 131, and 387 differently expressed genes (DEGs) among the three comparison groups (caged vs. free-range, flat-net vs. caged, and flat-net vs. free-range, respectively) that were mainly related to muscle development and amino acid metabolism pathways. To validate the accuracy of the transcriptome data, eight genes (GOS2, ASNS, NMRK2, GADL1, SMTNL2, SLC7A5, AMPD1, and GLUL) which relate to fat deposition, skeletal muscle function, and flavor formation were selected for Real-time Quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) verification. In conclusion, these results suggested that rearing systems significantly influenced the meat quality and gene expression of Lueyang black-bone chickens. All the data proved that free-range and flat-net systems may provide better flavor to consumers by affecting the deposition of flavor substances and the expression of related genes. These findings will provide a valuable theoretical basis for the rearing system selection in the poultry industry.

Sticking the Landing: Enhancing Liposomal Cell Delivery using Reversible Covalent Chemistry and Caged Targeting Groups.

Liposomes are highly effective nanocarriers for encapsulating and delivering a wide range of therapeutic cargo. While advancements in liposome design have improved several pharmacological characteristics, an important area that would benefit from further progress involves cellular targeting and entry. In this concept article, we will focus on recent progress utilizing strategies including reversible covalent bonding and caging groups to activate liposomal cell entry. These approaches take advantage of advancements that have been made in complementary fields including molecular sensing and chemical biology and direct this technology toward controlling liposome cell delivery properties. The decoration of liposomes with groups including boronic acids and cyclic disulfides is presented as a means for driving delivery through reaction with functional groups on cell surfaces. Additionally, caging groups can be exploited to activate cell delivery only upon encountering a target stimulus. These approaches provide promising new avenues for controlling cell delivery in the development of next-generation liposomal therapeutic nanocarriers.

Efficiency of Functional Group Caging with Second-Generation Green- and Red-Light-Labile BODIPY Photoremovable Protecting Groups.

BODIPY-based photocages release substrates by excitation with wavelengths in the visible to near-IR regions. The recent development of more efficient BODIPY photocages spurred us to evaluate the scope and efficiency of these second-generation boron-methylated green-light and red-light-absorbing BODIPY photocages. Here, we show that these more photosensitive photocages release amine, alcohol, phenol, phosphate, halides, and carboxylic acid derivatives with much higher quantum yields than first-generation BODIPY photocages and excellent chemical yields. Chemical yields are near-quantitative for the release of all functional groups except the photorelease of amines, which react with concomitantly photogenerated singlet oxygen. In these cases, high chemical yields for photoreleased amines are restored by irradiation under an inert atmosphere. The photorelease quantum yield has a weak relationship with the leaving group pKa of the green-absorbing BODIPY photocages but little relationship with the red-absorbing derivatives, suggesting that factors other than leaving group quality impact the quantum yield. For the photorelease of alcohols, in all cases a carbonate linker (that loses CO2 upon photorelease) significantly increases both the quantum yield and the chemical yield compared to those for direct photorelease via the ether.

Clinical and radiological comparison of the zero-profile anchored cage and traditional cage-plate fixation in single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes and radiographic parameters of the zero-profile anchored cage and traditional cage-plate fixation in single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).MethodsBetween January 2016 and November 2018, a total of 68 patients with degenerative cervical spondylosis who underwent single-level ACDF were evaluated in this retrospective study. Thirty-five patients were treated with the zero-profile anchored cage (Zero-P group), and 33 patients were treated with the traditional cage-plate fixation (Cage group). The two groups were compared in reference to clinical outcomes and radiographic parameters.ResultsThe mean operation time in the Zero-P group was significantly shorter than that in the Cage group. The incidence of postoperative dysphagia in the Cage group was higher than that in the Zero-P group at 3 months and 12 months postoperatively. No bony spurs were found in the Zero-P group, whereas 5 patients in the Cage group developed bony spurs. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the JOA scores, VAS scores, NDI scores, C2-7 Cobb angles, segmental Cobb angles, total interbody height or fusion rates at 3 months or 12 months postoperatively.ConclusionIn this study, both the zero-profile anchored cage and traditional cage-plate fixation were demonstrated to be effective and safe strategies. Given the lower incidence of dysphagia and degenerative changes, zero-profile anchored cage is a good option.

Autologous Bone Graft vs PEEK Cage in Patients with Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy

Background: Cervical spine stenosis is one of the most common degenerative changes of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and results in severe dysfunction of the cervical spinal cord. The conventional treatment of such degenerative cervical spine conditions is anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). Strut graft remains the gold standard in ACDF with excellent patient recovery but has many shortcomings. Polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages have recently become popular as a replacement for strut grafts in patients undergoing ACDF.&#x0D; Objective: This study was carried out to compare the clinical and radiographic outcomes of autologous bone grafts versus PEEK cages in patients undergoing ACDF surgery.&#x0D; Materials and Methods: It was a randomized controlled trial conducted at the Neurosurgery Department Punjab Institute of Neurosciences for three years. Patients who consented to be a part of this study and fulfilled our predefined inclusion criteria were recruited and randomized into 2 groups. One group underwent ACDF with auto bone graft whereas the other group underwent ACDF with PEEK cage.&#x0D; Results: A total of 198 subjects were included in this study. The mean age was calculated as 47.60 ± 9.17 years in the PEEK cage group and 46.74 ± 8.87 years in the Autologous bone graft group. Males accounted for 59.6% of the study population. The fusion rate was found to be higher in the PEEK cage group with a p-value of 0.002.&#x0D; Conclusion: PEEK cages are superior to strut grafts as they have lesser morbidity after ACDF surgery in patients with CSM.&#x0D;

Analysis of Nanohydroxyapatite/Polyamide-66 Cage, Titanium Mesh, and Iliac Crest in Spinal Reconstruction of the Patients with Thoracic and Lumbar Tuberculosis

The standard recommended and common reconstruction method for spinal tuberculosis is titanium mesh bone graft and autogenous iliac crest. However, these methods have their own disadvantages. To evaluate the clinical efficacy of one-stage posterior debridement with iliac bone graft, titanium mesh bone graft, or nanohydroxyapatite/polyamide-66 cage in thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis. Between January 2013 and December 2018, 57 patients with thoracic or lumbar tuberculosis were treated by interbody bone graft combined with posterior internal fixation after debridement. Thirteen patients were treated with iliac bone graft to construct the stability of the vertebral body, 26 patients were treated with titanium mesh bone graft, and 18 patients were treated with nanohydroxyapatite/polyamide-66 cage bone graft. The main clinical results were evaluated by intervertebral height, cage subsidence, operation time, operative blood loss, postoperative hospitalization, postoperative complications, visual analog scale (VAS) score, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) grade, and bone graft fusion time. All the outcomes were recorded and analyzed by statistical methods. The mean follow-up time was 24.5 months. Neurologic function was improved in most patients at the last follow-up. There were significant differences in ESR, CRP, and VAS score between preoperative and postoperative values; however, there were no significant differences in ESR, CRP, and VAS score among the three groups. There were no significant differences in operation time, blood loss, postoperative hospitalization, and postoperative complications among the three groups at discharge. There was no significant difference in ASIA grade among the three groups at the last follow-up. Nanohydroxyapatite/polyamide-66 cage group had a lower cage subsidence (P = 0.013). The bone graft fusion time of the nanohydroxyapatite/polyamide-66 cage group was significantly shorter than the iliac bone graft group and the titanium mesh bone graft (P < 0.05). The follow-up outcomes showed that the method involving one-stage posterior debridement and internal fixation, interbody graft, and fusion is an effective and safe surgical method for patients with thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis. The incidence rate of cage subsidence was less and the bone graft fusion time was shorter with nanohydroxyap atite/polyamide 66 cage when compared with iliac bone graft and titanium mesh bone graft in the surgical treatment of thoracic and lumbar tuberculosis. Nanohydroxyapatite/polyamide-66 cage has a promising application prospect to be a new bone graft material.

Evaluation of interbody fusion efficacy and biocompatibility of a polyetheretherketone/calcium silicate/porous tantalum cage in a goat model.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the interbody fusion efficacy and biocompatibility of a graft-free cage made of polyetheretherketone/calcium silicate composite/porous tantalum (PEEK/CS/pTa cage) compared with a PEEK/CS cage with an autogenous bone graft in a goat model.MethodsPEEK/CS/pTa and PEEK/CS cages were prepared through an injection-moulding method. The PEEK/CS composites and porous tantalum were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) mapping. Then, adult goats were chosen for C2/C3 and C3/C4 discectomy via the anterior cervical approach and randomly implanted with PEEK/CS/pTa and PEEK/CS/cages with autogenous bone grafts. The fusion performance and osseointegration of the cages were evaluated by X-ray imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning, and bone histomorphometry analysis. Moreover, the concentrations of Ca and Si in urine, serum, tissue around the fusion segments and major organs of the goats were determined by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP–OES). Histological observation of major organs of the goats was used to evaluate the biosafety of PEEK/CS/pTa and PEEK/CS cages.ResultsX-ray and MRI imaging suggested that both PEEK/CS/pTa cages and PEEK/CS cages maintained similar average intervertebral space heights. The tissue volumes in the fusion area were comparable between the two groups of cages at 26 weeks after surgery. Histological morphometric data showed that PEEK/CS/pTa cages and PEEK/CS cages with autogenous bone grafts had similar bone contact and osseointegration at 12 and 26 weeks. Element determination of serum, urine, spinal cord, dura matter, bone and organs showed that the CS/PEEK cages did not cause abnormal systemic metabolism or accumulation of calcium and silicon in local tissues and major organs of goats after implantation. No obvious pathological changes were found in the heart, liver, spleen, liver or kidney tissues.ConclusionOverall, these results suggested that the graft-free PEEK/CS/pTa cage showed similar bony fusion performance to the PEEK/CS cages with autogenous bone grafts. The cages releasing calcium and silicon had good biological safety in vivo.The translational potential of this article: This study provided a new graft-free interbody fusion solution to patients with degenerative disc diseases, which could avert potential donor-site complications. This study also provided a detailed assessment of element excretion and accumulation of Ca and Si in vivo, which validated the biosafety of this new type of bioactive interbody fusion cage.