Legacy Effects of Plant Community Structure Are Manifested in Microbial Biofilm Development With Consequences for Ecosystem CO Emissions.

To better understand linkages between hydrology and ecosystem carbon flux in northern aquatic ecosystems, we evaluated the relationship between plant communities, biofilm development, and carbon dioxide (CO) exchange following long-term changes in hydrology in an Alaskan fen. We quantified seasonal variation in biofilm composition and CO exchange in response to lowered and raised water table position (relative to a control) during years with varying levels of background dissolved organic carbon (DOC). We then used nutrient-diffusing substrates (NDS) to evaluate cause-effect relationships between changes in plant subsidies (i.

Preoperative Multifidus Muscle Quality is Associated With Patient Reported Outcomes After Lateral Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Objective: Lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) commonly involves a transpsoas approach. Despite the association between LLIF, postoperative iliopsoas weakness, and iatrogenic neuropraxia, no study has yet examined the effect of psoas or multifidus muscle quality on patient-reported outcomes (PROs).

Impact of Lower Extremity Arthroplasty on Improvement of Quality-of-Life Outcomes Following Lumbar Fusion.

Background: Both hip-spine and knee-spine syndromes can significantly impact a patient's quality of life; however, few studies have investigated their effect on postoperative outcomes following lumbar fusion.

Objective: Our study aimed to evaluate the impact of a prior lower extremity arthroplasty on the improvement of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) following lumbar fusion surgery.

Methods: Patients undergoing primary, single, or multilevel lumbar interbody fusion were retrospectively reviewed.

How often does the preoperative plan for freehand pedicle screw placement match the actual surgical execution in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis?

Purpose: To provide a baseline for comparison with future advancements, this study determined the accuracy of preoperative planning of pedicle screw placement using standard radiographs for posterior fusion (PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods: Ninety-five patients with AIS planned for PSF were prospectively enrolled. Preoperative planning was based upon standard upright posteroanterior and lateral radiographs.

Segmental range of motion after cervical total disc arthroplasty at long-term follow-up: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: As an alternative procedure to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, total disc arthroplasty (TDA) facilitates direct neural decompression and disc height restoration while also preserving cervical spine kinematics. To date, few studies have reported long-term functional outcomes after TDA. This paper reports the results of a systematic review and meta-analysis that investigated how segmental range of motion (ROM) at the operative level is maintained with long-term follow-up.

Lumbar Level Significantly Influences Postoperative Global Sagittal Balance Following Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: The current evidence regarding how level of lumbar pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) influences correction of sagittal alignment is limited. This study sought to investigate the relationship of lumbar level and segmental angular change (SAC) of PSO with the magnitude of global sagittal alignment correction.

Changes in peri-apical vertebral body and intervertebral disc shape in both the sagittal and coronal planes correlate with scoliosis severity: a 3D study of 397 patients.

Purpose: To evaluate associations between vertebrae and disc shape asymmetry and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) curve severity.

Methods: Analysis included normal screening referrals and patients with right, main thoracic AIS who underwent upright, biplanar radiographs with 3D reconstruction at a single institution from 2010 to 2015. Peri-apical anterior, posterior, right, and left vertebral body heights (aVBH, pVBH, rVBH, lVBH) and intervertebral disc heights (DH) were measured, and ratios of these measurements were calculated in sagittal and coronal planes.

Identifying the axillary nerve during shoulder surgery: an anatomic study using advanced imaging.

Background: The axillary nerve (AXN) is one of the more commonly injured nerves during shoulder surgery. Prior anatomic studies of the AXN in adults were performed using cadaveric specimens with small sample sizes. Our research observes a larger cohort of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies in order to gain a more representative sample of the course of the AXN and aid surgeons intraoperatively.

Predictors of spontaneous lumbar curve correction in thoracic-only fusions: 3D analysis in AIS.

Purpose: To evaluate how 3D parameters of the instrumented thoracic spine relate to the uninstrumented lumbar spine following thoracic-only fusion (TOF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and determine the factors predictive of lumbar correction.

Methods: A multi-center retrospective review was conducted of AIS patients with Lenke 1-4 B or C curves undergoing fusion of their thoracic spine only with minimum 2-year follow-up and 3D spine reconstructions from biplanar radiography. Pre-operative to 2-year post-operative differences were evaluated.

Relationship Between Lumbar Lordosis and Pelvic Incidence in the Adolescent Patient: Normal Cohort Analysis and Literature Comparison.

Study Design: Retrospective review; literature comparison.

Objectives: To review the literature on the relationship between lumbar lordosis (LL) and pelvic incidence (PI) and evaluate this relationship in asymptomatic adolescents while testing the validity of previously reported adult correlation models between LL and PI in an adolescent population.

Summary Of Background Data: Accurate understanding of the normal spinopelvic relationship is critical when considering surgical fusion of the lumbar spine.

A Novel Method for Estimating Three-Dimensional Apical Vertebral Rotation Using Two-Dimensional Coronal Cobb Angle and Thoracic Kyphosis.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort analysis.

Objectives: To use a large cohort of three-dimensional (3D) spinal reconstructions to create a simple mathematical formula capable of estimating 3D apical vertebral rotation (AVR) based on the correlation with routinely obtained two-dimensional (2D) measurements of scoliosis.

Summary Of Background Data: Quantification of vertebral rotation in AIS using 2-dimensional (2D) imaging is inherently challenging as the axial plane cannot be directly visualized.

Selective thoracic fusion of a left decompensated main thoracic curve: proceed with caution?

Purpose: Previous research has shown that with certain idiopathic scoliosis curve types, performing a selective thoracic fusion (STF) is associated with an increased risk of coronal decompensation post-operatively. The purpose of the current study was to determine the influence of curve correction and fusion level on post-operative balance in STF for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients with pre-operative coronal decompensation.

Methods: A multicenter database was queried for subjects with right Lenke 1-4C curves, pre-operative left coronal imbalance, and 2-year follow-up who underwent STF (caudal fusion level of L1 or proximal).

Thoracic Idiopathic Scoliosis Severity Is Highly Correlated with 3D Measures of Thoracic Kyphosis.

Background: Loss of thoracic kyphosis has been associated with thoracic idiopathic scoliosis. Modern 3-dimensional (3D) imaging systems allow more accurate characterization of the scoliotic deformity than traditional radiographs. In this study, we utilized 3D calculations to characterize the association between increasing scoliosis severity and changes in the sagittal and axial planes.

Analysis of Internet information on the controversial X-Stop device.

Background Context: The Internet is frequently used by patients to aid in medical decision making. Multiple studies display the Internet's ineffectiveness in presenting high-quality information regarding surgical procedures and devices. With recent reports of unacceptably high complication rates and poor outcomes with the X-Stop device, it is important that online information is comprehensive and accurate.

Use of high-field intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging to enhance the extent of resection of enhancing and nonenhancing gliomas.

Background: Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (IoMRI) is used to improve the extent of resection of brain tumors. Most previous studies evaluating the utility of IoMRI have focused on enhancing tumors.

Objective: To report our experience with the use of high-field IoMRI (1.

Can Internet information on vertebroplasty be a reliable means of patient self-education?

Background: Studies of the quality and accuracy of health and medical information available on the Internet have shown that many sources provide inadequate information. However, to our knowledge, there are no published studies analyzing the quality of information available online regarding vertebroplasty. Because this has been a high-volume procedure with highly debated efficacy, it is critical that patients receive complete, accurate, and well-balanced information before deciding a treatment course.