Comparing Patient-Reported Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Lumbar Fusion for Degenerative Spondylolisthesis With Predominant Back Pain Versus Predominant Leg Pain Symptoms.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Objective: This study aims to compare postoperative patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in predominant back pain (PBP) versus predominant leg pain (PLP) patients following lumbar fusion for degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS).

Summary Of Background Data: Prior studies comparing PROMs in patients undergoing lumbar fusion with PBP versus PLP symptoms have included heterogeneous spinal pathology and restricted analysis to posterior fusion techniques.

Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Versus Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion for Degenerative Spinal Pathology: Clinical Outcome Comparison in Patients With Predominant Back Pain.

Study Design: Retrospective review.

Objective: To compare perioperative and postoperative clinical outcomes between minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) and lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) in patients presenting with predominant back pain.

Background: Two popular techniques utilized for lumbar arthrodesis are MIS-TLIF and LLIF.

Does Baseline Severity of Arm Pain Influence Outcomes Following Single-Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion?

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Purpose: To assess preoperative arm pain severity influence on postoperative patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs) and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) achievement following single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).

Overview Of Literature: There is evidence that preoperative symptom severity can affect postoperative outcomes.

Impact of Postoperative Length of Stay on Patient-Reported and Clinical Outcomes After Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

Background: Existing literature has not yet evaluated the impact of postoperative length of stay (LOS) on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and minimum clinically important difference (MCID) in patients undergoing anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF). The authors investigates the influence of postoperative LOS following ALIF on PROMs and MCID achievement rates.

Methods: A single-surgeon database was retrospectively reviewed for patients undergoing single-level ALIF.

Impact of preoperative symptom duration in patients undergoing lateral lumbar interbody fusion.

Background: Few studies have examined the influence of preoperative symptom duration on clinical outcomes in patients undergoing lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) for degenerative conditions.

Methods: Patients undergoing LLIF presenting with radiculopathy and/or neurogenic claudication were separated into two groups: preoperative symptom duration < 1-year (shorter duration) versus duration ≥ 1-year (longer duration). Patients undergoing surgery for trauma/malignancy/infection were excluded.

Impact of Gender on Postsurgical Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion.

Background: Prior studies associate male gender with higher complication rates following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), but none has investigated gender influence on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and minimal clinically important difference (MCID) following single-level ACDF.

Methods: Patients undergoing primary, single-level ACDF were divided into female and male groups. Visual analog scale (VAS) neck/arm, Neck Disability Index (NDI), 12-item short form (SF-12) physical composite score (PCS), PROM information system physical function (PROMIS-PF), and veterans RAND 12-item (VR-12) health survey PCS were collected preoperatively and postoperatively.

The Effect of the Severity of Preoperative Leg Pain on Patient-Reported Outcomes, Minimum Clinically Important Difference Achievement, and Patient Satisfaction After Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

Objective: To compare patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), satisfaction, and minimum clinically important difference (MCID) achievement after minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) in patients stratified by preoperative leg pain.

Methods: Patients undergoing MIS-TLIF were collected through retrospective review of a prospectively maintained single-surgeon database. PROMs administered preoperatively/postoperatively included Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS-PF), visual analog scale (VAS) back/leg pain, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and 12-Item Short Form (SF-12) Physical/Mental Component Score (PCS/MCS).

Level-specific Perioperative and Clinical Outcome Comparison: Cervical Disk Replacement Versus Anterior Cervical Diskectomy and Fusion at C5-C6 in Patients With Myeloradiculopathy.

Introduction: This study compares perioperative and postoperative clinical outcomes in patients undergoing anterior cervical diskectomy and fusion (ACDF) or cervical disk replacement (CDR) at C5-C6 in patients with myeloradiculopathy.

Methods: Primary, elective, single-level CDR or ACDF procedures at C5-C6 for patients with myeloradiculopathy were included. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) included visual analog scale (VAS) neck, VAS arm, Neck Disability Index (NDI), Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function (PROMIS-PF), and Short-Form 12-Item Physical Composite Score (SF-12 PCS) collected at preoperative/6-week/12-week/6-month/1-year time points.

Presenting Mental Health Influences Postoperative Clinical Trajectory and Long-Term Patient Satisfaction After Lumbar Decompression.

Objective: To compare patient-reported outcomes (PROMs), postoperative patient-reported satisfaction, and minimum clinically important difference (MCID) achievement after minimally invasive surgery lumbar decompression (MIS-LD) in patients stratified by their preoperative 12-Item Short-Form Mental Component Score (SF-12 MCS).

Methods: Patients who underwent single-level/multilevel MIS-LD were included. PROMs were administered preoperatively and 6 weeks/12 weeks/6 months/1 year postoperatively.

Meeting Patient Expectations and Achieving a Minimal Clinically Important Difference for Back Disability, Back Pain, and Leg Pain May Provide Predictive Utility for Achieving Patient Satisfaction Among Lumbar Decompression Patients.

Objective: Our study evaluates minimum clinically important difference (MCID) achievement for back pain/leg pain/disability and meeting preoperative expectations as predictors of patient satisfaction after minimally invasive lumbar decompression (MIS-LD) surgery.

Methods: Single/multilevel MIS-LD procedures were identified. Patient-reported outcome measures (preoperative/postoperative), expectations (preoperative), and satisfaction (postoperative) were collected for visual analog scale (VAS) back/VAS leg/Oswestry Disability Index (ODI).

Systematic Review: Applications of Intraoperative Ultrasonography in Spinal Surgery.

Background: As a result of increased practicality and decreased costs and radiation, interest has increased in intraoperative ultrasonography (iUS) in spinal surgery applications; however, few studies have provided a robust overview of its use in spinal surgery. We synthesize findings of existing literature on use of iUS in navigation, pedicle screw placement, and identification of anatomy during spinal interventions.

Methods: PRISMA guidelines were used in this systematic review.

Influence of Self-Identified Gender on Clinical Outcomes and Postoperative Patient Satisfaction After Lumbar Decompression: Cohort-Matched Analysis.

Objective: We compared the patient-reported outcomes (PROs), minimal clinically important difference (MCID) achievement, and perceived postoperative satisfaction after minimally invasive lumbar decompression of patients stratified by self-identified gender.

Methods: Patients who had undergone single minimally invasive lumbar decompression were identified. The PRO measures were administered preoperatively and postoperatively and included the PRO measurement information system-physical function, visual analog scale (VAS) for back and leg pain, Oswestry disability index (ODI), and 12-item short form physical and mental component scores.

How Do Patient-Reported Outcomes Vary Between Lumbar Fusion Patients with Complete Versus Incomplete Follow-Up?

Objective: We sought to assess differences in patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) between patients who do and do not follow up for 2 years after lumbar fusion.

Methods: Primary, elective, single-level anterior lumbar interbody fusion, lateral lumbar interbody fusion, or transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion procedures were identified. Patients were grouped by 2-year PROM follow-up completion.

Single-Level Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion versus Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion with Posterior Instrumentation at L5/S1.

Objective: To compare outcomes between minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) and anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) at L5/S1.

Methods: Primary, elective, single, MIS-TLIF, or ALIF with posterior fixation at L5/S1 were identified. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were collected.

The Effect of the Severity of Preoperative Back Pain on Patient-Reported Outcomes, Recovery Ratios, and Patient Satisfaction Following Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (MIS-TLIF).

Background: Limited literature has addressed impact of preoperative back pain severity on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), recovery ratios (RRs), and patient satisfaction following minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF).

Methods: MIS TLIFs were retrospectively identified and grouped: preoperative visual analog scale (VAS) back ≤7 or VAS back >7. PROMs, including PROMIS-PF, VAS back and leg, Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and SF-12 Physical Composite Score and Mental Composite Score (MCS), were collected pre- and postoperatively.

HIF-mediated Suppression of DEPTOR Confers Resistance to mTOR Kinase Inhibition in Renal Cancer.

Mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a fundamental regulator of cell growth, proliferation, and metabolism. mTOR is activated in renal cancer and accelerates tumor progression. Here, we report that the mTOR inhibitor, DEP domain-containing mTOR-interacting protein (DEPTOR), is strikingly suppressed in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) tumors and cell lines.

An evaluation of fertility- and migration-based policy responses to Japan's ageing population.

Japan's ongoing struggle with rapid ageing is well known. Fertility and migration policies have both been proposed as solutions to Japan's ageing population. We used stock flow population models to estimate the impact of hypothetical fertility and migration policy interventions on measures of aging in Japan from 2015 to 2050.

Progress Toward Universal Health Coverage: A Comparative Analysis in 5 South Asian Countries.

Importance: Achieving universal health coverage is one of the key targets in the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations.

Objective: To investigate progress toward universal health coverage in 5 South Asian countries and assess inequalities in health services and financial risk protection indicators.

Design And Settings: In a population-based study, nationally representative household (335 373 households) survey data from Afghanistan (2014 and 2015), Bangladesh (2010 and 2014), India (2012 and 2014), Nepal (2014 and 2015), and Pakistan (2014) were used to calculate relative indices of health coverage, financial risk protection, and inequality in coverage among wealth quintiles.

Prophylactic antibiotics for manual removal of retained placenta during vaginal birth: a systematic review of observational studies and meta-analysis.

Background: Manual removal of the placenta is an invasive obstetric procedure commonly used for the management of retained placenta. However, it is unclear whether antibiotic prophylaxis is beneficial in preventing infectious morbidity. We conducted a systematic review to determine the efficacy and safety of routine use of antibiotics for preventing adverse maternal outcomes related to manual placenta removal following vaginal birth.

Optical properties of donor-acceptor phenylene-ethynylene systems containing the 6-methylpyran-2-one group as an acceptor.

Donor-acceptor phenylene ethynylene systems containing the 6-methylpyran-2-one group, synthesized via classic or microwave-assisted Sonogashira cross-coupling, exhibit pronounced solvatochromism in fluorescence suggesting a highly polar excited state; 4-[4-(4-N,N-dihexylaminophenylethynyl)phenylethynyl]-6-methylpyran-2-one has a fluorescence quantum yield >0.9 in cyclohexane.