A Longer Duration of Myelopathy Symptoms is Associated With the Lack of Intraoperative Motor Evoked Potential Improvement During Decompressive Cervical Myelopathy Surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: We aim to investigate the relationship between the intraoperative motor evoked potential (MEP) signal changes during surgical treatment of cervical myelopathy with postoperative functional outcomes and determine what factors correlate with MEP signal changes.

Summary Of Background Data: Intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring with MEP for cervical cord decompression can potentially predict postoperative neurological complications.

Radiological and Clinical Outcomes comparing 2-level MIS Lateral and MIS Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion in Degenerative Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.

Study Design: Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objectives: To compare early postoperative radiological and clinical outcomes between 2-level minimally invasive (MIS) trans-psoas lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) and MIS transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis.

Methods: Fifty three consecutive patients undergoing 2-level lumbar interbody fusion from L3-L5 for degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis were enrolled.

Does the Predominant Pain Location Influence Functional Outcomes, Satisfaction, and Return to Work After Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion For Degenerative Spondylolisthesis?

Study Design: Retrospective review of prospectively collected data.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine how different combinations of preoperative back pain (BP) and leg pain (LP) may influence functional outcomes, patient satisfaction and return to work (RTW) in patients undergoing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) for degenerative spondylolisthesis.

Summary Of Background Data: Surgical decision-making is often based on the traditional assumption that the predominance of lower extremity symptoms is a stronger indication for lumbar spine surgery.

Women Do Not Have Poorer Outcomes After Minimally Invasive Lumbar Fusion Surgery: A Five-Year Follow-Up Study.

Background: Women undergoing lumbar spine surgery report greater preoperative pain and disability and have less improvement after surgery. There is a paucity of literature on sex-related differences after minimally invasive surgery transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS TLIF) surgery. We aim to determine whether sex influences outcome after MIS TLIF at 5-year midterm follow-up.

Elderly Patients Undergoing Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion May Have Similar Clinical Outcomes, Perioperative Complications, and Fusion Rates As Their Younger Counterparts.

Background: Although several studies have suggested that minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) may be especially beneficial in the elderly population due to lower operative morbidity and faster postoperative recovery, there are limited studies investigating the functional outcomes, quality of life, and satisfaction in elderly patients after MIS-TLIF. Furthermore, existing studies had substantial clinical, diagnostic, and surgical heterogeneity.

Questions/purposes: We asked if elderly patients could experience comparable (1) patient-reported pain, disability and quality of life, (2) perioperative complications, and (3) radiological fusion rates as their younger counterparts after MIS-TLIF.

Severity of Preoperative Myelopathy Symptoms Affects Patient-reported Outcomes, Satisfaction, and Return to Work After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy.

Study Design: Retrospective review of prospectively-collected registry data.

Objective: To compare the patient-reported outcomes, satisfaction, and return to work among a large cohort of patients stratified by preoperative myelopathy severity undergoing Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy.

Summary Of Background Data: Recent clinical practice guidelines noted a lack of studies stratifying their sample based on preoperative disease severity.

The Diagnostic Value of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Identifying Unsuspected Malignancy in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Vertebral Augmentation for Vertebral Compression Fractures.

Background: The aim of this study was to identify the rate of unsuspected malignancy in vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) treated with percutaneous vertebral augmentation procedures (PVAPs).

Methods: From 2004-2015, 410 patients with VCFs underwent PVAPs with biopsy in a single tertiary hospital. All patients had preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) read by consultant radiologists and reviewed by the performing surgeon prior to PVAPs.

Perioperative Factors Influencing Postoperative Satisfaction After Lateral Access Surgery for Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis.

Background: Lateral access surgery (LAS) for lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis is a minimally invasive lumbar fusion technique which has been gaining increasing popularity in the recent years. This study aims to identify perioperative factors that influence postoperative satisfaction after LAS for lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis.

Methods: From August 2010 to November 2014, 52 patients with lumbar degenerative conditions (16 male: 36 female, mean age 64.

Reduction in foraminal height after lateral access surgery does not affect quality of life: A 2-year outcome study on lateral lumbar interbody fusion.

Introduction: Reduction in neuroforaminal height (FH) may diminish the indirect decompression benefit that lateral access surgery (LAS) provides. However, the relationship between postoperative FH reduction in LAS and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) outcomes remains unclear.

Objectives: To determine whether FH reduction affects HRQoL outcomes at 2-year follow-up.

Poor Baseline Mental Health Does Not Influence Improvement in Patient-reported Outcomes, Satisfaction, and Return to Work Two Years After Single-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion.

Study Design: Retrospective study using prospectively collected registry data.

Objective: The authors examine the influence of preoperative mental health on outcomes after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and determine the impact of ACDF on postoperative mental health.

Summary Of Background Data: While studies have reported a negative correlation between preoperative mental health and outcomes following lumbar spine surgery, the influence on outcomes following cervical spine surgery remains relatively understudied.

The Influence of Body Mass Index on Functional Outcomes, Satisfaction, and Return to Work After Single-level Minimally-invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Five-year Follow-up Study.

Study Design: Retrospective study using prospectively collected registry data.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of obesity on patient-reported outcome measures of pain, disability, quality of life, satisfaction, and return to work after single-level minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF).

Summary Of Background Data: MIS-TLIF is an appealing alternative for obese patients with potentially lower complication risk.

Time Taken to Return to Work Does Not Influence Outcomes of Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A 5-Year Follow-Up Study.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study using prospectively collected registry data.

Objective: To determine factors which influence return-to-work (RTW) in patients undergoing minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) and to determine if early RTW affects functional outcomes.

Summary Of Background Data: MIS-TLIF has been associated with accelerated return to work.

Poorer Fusion Outcomes in Diabetic Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy Patients Undergoing Single-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Does Not Compromise Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life.

Study Design: Retrospective matched pair cohort study using prospectively collected registry data.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether patients with DM have poorer patient-reported outcomes and poorer fusion rates after undergoing a single-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for cervical myelopathy.

Summary Of Background Data: ACDF remains the most common procedure in the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM); however, there is a paucity of literature with regards to patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) scores, and fusion rates post-ACDF in diabetic patients with CSM.

Cortical Reorganization Is Associated with Surgical Decompression of Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

Background: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) results in sensorimotor limb deficits, bladder, and bowel dysfunction, but mechanisms underlying motor plasticity changes before and after surgery are unclear.

Methods: We studied 24 patients who underwent decompression surgery and 15 healthy controls. Patients with mixed upper and lower limb dysfunction (Group A) and only lower limb dysfunction (Group B) were then analysed separately.

Redox-Active Mn Porphyrin-based Potent SOD Mimic, MnTnBuOE-2-PyP(5+), Enhances Carbenoxolone-Mediated TRAIL-Induced Apoptosis in Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Glioblastoma multiforme is the most malignant tumor of the brain and is challenging to treat due to its highly invasive nature and heterogeneity. Malignant brain tumor displays high metabolic activity which perturbs its redox environment and in turn translates to high oxidative stress. Thus, pushing the oxidative stress level to achieve the maximum tolerable threshold that induces cell death is a potential strategy for cancer therapy.

Matrix metalloproteinase-1-mediated mesenchymal stem cell tumor tropism is dependent on crosstalk with stromal derived growth factor 1/C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 axis.

Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the unique ability to home toward injuries or tumor sites. We have previously shown that the tumor-tropic property is dependent on the intrinsic expression and activity of the matrix remodeling gene, matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1). Herein, crosstalk between MMP-1/protease activated receptor 1 (PAR-1) and the G-protein coupled receptor stromal-derived growth factor 1 (SDF-1)/C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR-4) in facilitating cell migration was investigated.

Pregabalin and Radicular Pain Study (PARPS) for Cervical Spondylosis in a Multiracial Asian Population.

Background: Pain from cervical spondylosis (CS) may result from degenerative spinal canal stenosis (cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM)) or lateral recesses compromise, leading to nerve root compression (cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR)). Pregabalin was shown to be effective in randomized, placebo-controlled trials for post-herpetic neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy. We evaluate its efficacy in CS with underlying CSR or CSM in a prospective study comprising Asian patients for the first time.

Does Navigation Improve Accuracy of Placement of Pedicle Screws in Single-level Lumbar Degenerative Spondylolisthesis?: A Comparison Between Free-hand and Three-dimensional O-Arm Navigation Techniques.

Study Design: This was a prospective, nonrandomized study.

Objectives: To assess the accuracy of O-arm navigation-based pedicle screw insertion in lumbar degenerative spondylolisthesis and to compare it with free-hand pedicle screw insertion technique in matched population.

Summary Of Background Data: O-arm navigation is latest in navigation technology that can provide real-time intraoperative images in 3 dimensions while placing the pedicle screws to improve intraoperative pedicle screw accuracy.

Systemically delivered measles virus-infected mesenchymal stem cells can evade host immunity to inhibit liver cancer growth.

Background & Aims: Although attenuated measles virus (MV) has demonstrated potent oncolytic activities towards human cancers, it has not yet been widely adopted into clinical practice. One of the major hurdles is the presence of pre-existing anti-MV immunity in the recipients. In this study, we have evaluated the combination of the potent oncolytic activity of the attenuated MV with the unique immunoprivileged and tumor-tropic biological properties of human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-hMSCs) to combat human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), orthotopically implanted in SCID mice, passively immunized with human neutralizing antibodies against MV as a preclinical model.

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes and Radiographic Measurements in 4 Different Treatment Modalities for Osteoporotic Compression Fractures: Retrospective Analysis.

Study Design: We conducted a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database in a tertiary hospital over 10 years.

Objective: Treatment for vertebral compression fractures remains an area of controversy with respect to timing and type of surgical management. We analyzed the clinical outcomes and radiographic measurements of 4 different modalities of treatment for these fractures.

Surgically treated cervical myelopathy: a functional outcome comparison study between multilevel anterior cervical decompression fusion with instrumentation and posterior laminoplasty.

Background Context: Multilevel cervical myelopathy can be treated with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) or corpectomy via the anterior approach and laminoplasty via the posterior approach. Till date, there is no proven superior approach.

Purpose: To elucidate any potential advantage of one approach over the other with regard to clinical midterm outcomes in this study.