Minimally Invasive vs Open Surgery for Thoracolumbar Fractures Treatment: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials and Prospective Studies.

Study Design: Meta-Analysis.

Objective: The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to pool the available data comparing MIS to open surgery for thoracolumbar fractures and provide a more comprehensive assessment on this topic.

Background: There remains a debate over whether minimally invasive surgery (MIS) or open fixation provides superior outcomes for patients with thoracolumbar fractures.

Identification of leaf rust resistance loci in hard winter wheat using genome-wide association mapping.

Leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina (Pt), is a serious constraint to wheat production. Developing resistant varieties is the best approach to managing this disease. Wheat leaf rust resistance (Lr) genes have been classified into either all-stage resistance (ASR) or adult-plant resistance (APR).

The predictive power of the Roussouly classification on mechanical complications after surgery for adult spinal deformity: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: With the increasing prevalence of adult spinal deformity (ASD) in the aging population, the need for corrective surgery has surged, highlighting the importance of preventing mechanical complications (MC) such as junctional kyphosis/failure and rod breakage. The Roussouly classification, which categorizes natural variations in spinal posture, may hold predictive value in assessing the risk of these complications, as it guides the restoration of sagittal alignment based on a patient's preoperative spinal shape.

Methods: PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar (pages 1-20) were searched through August 2024 to find articles comparing the incidence of mechanical complications between patients who were matched and mismatched to their ideal Roussouly shape after surgery for ASD.

Traumatic spine fractures and concomitant venous thromboembolism: A systematic review.

Objective: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) associated with bony fractures have been documented in the literature. However, the literature is not very exhaustive when it comes to VTE associated with traumatic spine fractures. Thus the purpose of this systematic review analyzing the incidence of VTE associated with spinal trauma.

Titanium Cages versus Polyetheretherketone Cages in Interbody Fusions: A Meta-Analysis of Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes.

Background: The most widely adopted materials for interbody fusion implants are titanium and polyetheretherketone (PEEK), both of which have potential advantages and disadvantages. Despite the differences between PEEK and titanium, there is no consensus on which material provides better clinical and radiological outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this meta-analysis was to analyze the clinical and radiographic outcomes between the 2 cages.

Modifiable Factors Associated with Prolonged Dialysis Recovery Time and Fatigue in Hemodialysis Patients.

Key Points: A negative change in serum sodium during a dialysis session is an independent factor associated with prolonged dialysis recovery time. Lower hemoglobin is an independent factor associated with fatigue in hemodialysis patients. Hemodiafiltration use in patients age ≥85 years is associated with a longer dialysis recovery time.

Association of vitamin intake with health-related quality of life in hemodialysis patients.

Background: It is still uncertain whether vitamin intake is associated with better quality of life in hemodialysis patients. This study aims to assess the association between the quantity of supplemented vitamins and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in this population.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study included all patients on chronic hemodialysis from three units.

Insights Into the Emerging Entity of HER2-Low Breast Cancer.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low breast cancer (BC) is a subtype of BC that has been recently recognized as a separate clinical entity with distinct clinical and molecular characteristics. It is defined by a low level of HER2 protein expression, which distinguishes it from other more aggressive BC subtypes. Early studies suggest that it may have a more favorable prognosis than HER2-positive BC, as it is less likely to spread to other parts of the body and may be more responsive to standard BC treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormone therapy.

Validation of Arabic versions of the child psychosocial distress screener and pediatric symptom checklist for young adolescents living in vulnerable communities in Lebanon.

Background: In humanitarian settings, brief screening instruments for child psychological distress have potential to assist in assessing prevalence, monitoring outcomes, and identifying children and adolescents in most need of scarce resources, given few mental health professionals for diagnostic services. Yet, there are few validated screening tools available, particularly in Arabic.

Methods: We translated and adapted the Child Psychosocial Distress Screener (CPDS) and the Pediatric Symptom Checklist (PSC) and conducted a validation study with 85 adolescents (aged 10-15) in Lebanon.

Recurrence of sleep apnea in children after intracapsular coblation tonsillectomy: A comprehensive exploration of tonsil regrowth.

Objectives: Sleep apnea is a prevalent issue in children, associated with significant morbidities such as cardiovascular and neurocognitive disorders. There is increasing interest in intra-capsular tonsillectomy by coblation (ICTC) as a method to address obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in children. However, the literature remains controversial regarding the most effective intra-capsular tonsillectomy (ICT) technique with the least morbidity.

Dual Versus Single Attending Surgeon Performance of Spinal Deformity Surgery? A Meta-Analysis.

Background: The inclusion of 2 surgeons in spinal deformity surgery is considered beneficial by some. In fact, select studies indicate advantages such as reduced operation time and blood loss. Another observed decreased patient morbidity with a dual-surgeon approach, attributed to shorter operative times and reduced intraoperative blood losses.

Hybrid vs all pedicle screws constructs in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a metaanalysis of clinical and radiological outcomes.

Background: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) affects around 1 to 3% of young individuals, leading to spinal deformities typically exceeding a Cobb angle of 10 degrees without congenital or neuromuscular causes. Advances in treatment now include various surgical techniques such as posterior fusion utilizing all-pedicle screw constructs or hybrid constructs.

Methods: PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar (pages 1-20) were searched up until February 2024.

Erythrocytosis and CKD: A Review.

Erythrocytosis or polycythemia is defined as an increase in red blood cell concentration above the age- and sex-specific normal levels. Unlike anemia, which is very common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), erythrocytosis is less frequent but requires specific understanding by health care professionals in order to provide the best care. Erythrocytosis, especially when undiagnosed and untreated, can lead to serious thrombotic events and higher mortality.

Pulsed lavage in joint arthroplasty: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Knee and hip osteoarthritis affects millions of people around the world and is expected to rise even more in frequency as the population ages. Joint arthroplasty is the surgical management of choice in these articulations. Heterotopic ossification and radiolucent lines formation are two frequent problems faced in hip and knee replacements respectively.

Implant density in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a meta-analysis of clinical and radiological outcomes.

Background: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) affects 1-3% of adolescents, and treatment approaches, including the density of constructs in surgical fusion, vary among orthopedic surgeons. Studies have sought to establish whether high-density or low-density constructs offer superior clinical and radiological outcomes, yet conclusive results are lacking. This meta-analysis aims to provide a definitive answer to the controversial and ambiguous question surrounding the efficacy of different pedicle screw densities in treating AIS.

Intensive Care Unit Admission After Spine Surgery: A Narrative Review.

Introduction: Intensive care unit (ICU) admissions constitute a substantial financial challenge for health care systems and patients and are linked to various potentially life-altering complications. A wide range of patient-related, surgical, and medical factors are associated with an increased risk of ICU admission following spine surgery.

Discussion: The most notable examples include lung, heart, and kidney disease, as well as estimated blood loss and length of surgery.

Unilateral Versus Bilateral Cages in Lumbar Interbody Fusions: A Meta-Analysis of Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes.

Background: Bilateral cages are often used for interbody fusion. However, this procedure may not be possible in some cases making unilateral cages a reasonable alternative. The literature remains divided on the clinical and radiological distinctions when comparing unilateral to bilateral cages in lumbar interbody fusion.

Stereoselective Synthesis of the Gal-α-(1→3)-Gal-β-(1→3)-GlcNAc Trisaccharide: a new Ligand for DCAR and Mincle C-Type Lectin Receptors.

In this work, we have discovered that the Gal-α-(1→3)-Gal-β-(1→3)-GlcNAc trisaccharide, a fragment of the B antigen Type-1, is a new ligand of two C-type lectin receptors (CLRs) i. e. DCAR and Mincle which are key players in different types of autoimmune diseases.