BackgroundMacrophages play an important role in regulating the course of spinal tuberculosis within the bone microenvironment. This study aimed to investigate the differential expression of miRNA in macrophage-derived exosomes within the tuberculosis-infected bone microenvironment, to identify miRNAs that hold potential as diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets.MethodsWe established study cohorts for spinal tuberculosis, collected bone marrow blood samples, isolated macrophage exosomes, and performed exosome miRNA sequencing. A miRNA-mRNA co-expression network was constructed using WGCNA analysis. Gene GO analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis were performed using KOBAS software. Target miRNAs were selected based on fold change, P-value, and false discovery rate, and their validation was carried out using qRT-PCR and ROC curve studies. Subsequently, we constructed a target gene network for these miRNAs and performed KEGG pathway enrichment analysis to explore the potential signaling mechanisms involved in regulating the disease course of spinal tuberculosis.ResultsOur findings revealed that macrophages from the tuberculosis-infected bone microenvironment exhibited an M1 phenotype. The successful extraction of exosomes from macrophage supernatants was confirmed through electron microscopy, particle size analysis, and protein blot analysis. Exosome miRNA-seq demonstrated that 28 miRNAs were up-regulated, while 34 miRNAs were down-regulated in individuals with spinal tuberculosis. GO analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis indicated that the differentially expressed miRNAs were involved in various biological processes, cell components, molecular functions, and signaling pathways, which collectively contribute to the regulation of the disease course of spinal tuberculosis. Notably, miRNA-125b-5p was successfully selected based on fold change, p-value, and false discovery rate. qRT-PCR validation further confirmed the significant up-regulation of miRNA-125b-5p in spinal tuberculosis. The ROC curve revealed that miR-125b-5p is a potential diagnostic biomarker for spinal tuberculosis. Moreover, construction of the miRNA-125b-5p target gene network and subsequent KEGG enrichment analysis highlighted the importance of MAPK, TNF, Ras, Rap1, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathways in the regulation of the disease course of spinal tuberculosis.ConclusionOur study demonstrates differential expression of miRNAs in macrophage-derived exosomes in the tuberculosis-infected bone microenvironment. Specifically, MiRNA-125b-5p is significantly up-regulated in spinal tuberculosis and shows potential as a diagnostic biomarker for spinal tuberculosis.

BackgroundThis study aims to explore the clinical efficacy of Wiltse approach transforaminal thoracic interbody fusion (TTIF) for the treatment of single-segment thoracic spinal tuberculosis in elderly patients with and osteoporosis and neurological deficits.MethodsThis is a retrospective analysis of 20 elderly patients who underwent Wiltse approach TTIF in our hospital from January 2017 to January 2019. The follow-up time was 37.15±7.37 months (range 24-48 months); and the preoperative kyphotic angle was 35.41±6.71°. The Frankel spinal cord injury classification was used to assess the degree of neurological deficit. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) are used to track the activity of tuberculosis (TB). While femoral neck bone mineral density measurement T value (BMD T) was used to assess the degree of osteoporosis.ResultThe 20 elderly patients with spinal tuberculosis (STB) were completely cured without recurrence. The postoperative kyphotic angle was 8.80±0.79°, without significant loss of correction at the last follow-up. Bone graft fusion was observed within 6-9 months with all patients reporting that their back pains were relieved. The neurological condition of all patients improved after the operation.ConclusionsWiltse TTIF treatment combined with anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy is adequate for obtaining satisfactory healing of single-segment thoracic tuberculosis in elderly patients with osteoporosis.

ObjectiveThe evidence for adopting the 3rd robotic arm (RA) called the pulling RA rather than a uterine manipulator to manipulate the uterus in the robotic radical hysterectomy (RRH) for cervical cancer is still limited. We present a single-center retrospective experience comparing using the pulling RA to replace a uterine manipulator vs. using a uterine manipulator to manipulate the uterus in RRH.Methods106 patients diagnosed with IA, IB1-IB2 and IIA1 cervical cancer were retrospectively included for intraoperative and postoperative parameters analysis. 50 patients received RRH by adopting the pulling RA instead of a uterine manipulator to pull the uterus (3-RA RRH group), and another 56 patients were performed RRH with a uterine manipulator (2-RA RRH group). RRH with the pulling RA consisted of a camera arm, 3 RAs including a pulling RA, and 2 conventional assistant arms (3-RA RRH group). In comparison, RRH with a uterine manipulator included 2 RAs and 2 conventional assistant arms (2-RA RRH group). Besides, 3-RA’ RRH group was selected from the 25th-50th cases in the 3-RA RRH group based on the learning curve and was compared with the 2-RA RRH group in terms of intraoperative and postoperative parameters.ResultsThe patients’ early post-operative complication (≤7 days) (p=0.022) and post-operative anemia (p < 0.001) of the 3-RA RRH were significantly lower than that in the 2-RA RRH group. The results of comparing the 2-RA RRH group with the 3-RA’ RRH group were consistent with the aforementioned results, except for the operative time (220.4 vs. 197.4 minutes, p=0.022) and hospital stay (7.8 vs. 8.7 days, p=0.034). The median follow-up in the 3-RA RRH and 2-RA RRH groups was 29 and 50 months till March 2023. The 3-RA RRH and 2-RA RRH groups’ recurrence rates were 2% (1/50) and 5.4% (3/56), respectively. The mortality in the 3-RA RRH and 2-RA RRH groups was 2% (1/50) and 3.5% (2/56), respectively.ConclusionOur study suggested that replacing the uterine manipulator via the 3rd RA is viable; the results showed comparable surgical outcomes between the two methods. Thus, 3-RA RRH could be considered a well-executed surgical option in well-selected patients.