Titanium-Coated Polyetheretherketone Cages Vs Full Titanium Cages for Stand-Alone 1- or 2-Level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion: A Comparative Study.

Background: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for the surgical treatment of cervical degenerative disease often includes an intervertebral cage, which restores disc height and lordosis while promoting fusion . Cage materials include titanium (TTN) or polyetheretherketone (PEEK). Controversy in material selection stems from higher fusion rates with TNN, despite a higher subsidence rate, while PEEK cages demonstrate superior preservation of interspace height.

Reversible switching and stability of the epigenetic memory system in bacteria.

In previous work, we have developed a DNA methylation-based epigenetic memory system that operates in Escherichia coli to detect environmental signals, trigger a phenotypic switch of the cells and store the information in DNA methylation. The system is based on the CcrM DNA methyltransferase and a synthetic zinc finger (ZnF4), which binds DNA in a CcrM methylation-dependent manner and functions as a repressor for a ccrM gene expressed together with an egfp reporter gene. Here, we developed a reversible reset for this memory system by adding an increased concentration of ZnSO to the bacterial cultivation medium and demonstrate that one bacterial culture could be reversibly switched ON and OFF in several cycles.

Model-Based Design of a Synthetic Oscillator Based on an Epigenetic Methylation Memory System.

Oscillations are an important component in biological systems; grasping their mechanisms and regulation, however, is difficult. Here, we use the theory of dynamical systems to support the design of oscillatory systems based on epigenetic control elements. Specifically, we use results that extend the Poincaré-Bendixson theorem for monotone control systems that are coupled to a negative feedback circuit.

Intraarticular Steroid Injection in Hip and Knee with Fluoroscopic Guidance: Reassessing Safety.

Background Intraarticular corticosteroid (IACS) injections are frequently performed for hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA); however, there are conflicting data about the benefits and complications of IACS injections and a lack of large studies with follow-up. Purpose To determine the number of patients with complications after hip and knee IACS injections in a large study sample with long-term follow-up. Materials and Methods This retrospective single-center case series included patients who received a corticosteroid injection in the hip ( = 500) or knee ( = 500) and who underwent clinical and radiologic follow-up (conventional radiography, fluoroscopy, CT, or MRI) between 1 and 12 months after injection (January 2016 to May 2020).

Virtual non-contrast images calculated from dual-energy CT shoulder arthrography improve the detection of intraarticular loose bodies.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the image quality of virtual non-contrast (VNC) images calculated from dual-energy CT shoulder arthrography (DECT-A) and their ability to detect periosteal calcifications and intraarticular loose bodies.

Materials And Methods: In 129 shoulders of 123 patients, DECT arthrography (80 kV/140 kV) was performed with diluted iodinated contrast material (80 mg/ml). VNC images were calculated with image postprocessing.

Elbow Instability.

The stability of the elbow is based on a combination of primary (static) and secondary stabilizers (dynamic). In varus stress, the bony structures and the lateral ulnar collateral ligament (LUCL) are the primary stabilizers, and in valgus stress, the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is the primary stabilizer. The flexor and extensor tendons crossing the elbow joint act as secondary stabilizers.

CT-guided transforaminal epidural steroid injection for discogenic lumbar radiculopathy: influence of contrast dispersion and radiologist's experience on clinical outcome.

Objective: To investigate the impact of contrast dispersion pattern/location during lumbar CT-guided transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI) and experience of the performing radiologist on therapeutic outcome.

Materials And Methods: In this single-center retrospective cohort study, two observers analyzed contrast dispersion during CT-guided TFESI of 204 patients (age 61.1 ± 14 years) with discogenic unilateral single-level L4 or L5 radiculopathy.

Ligaments of the scapho-trapezial-trapezoidal joint: MR anatomy in asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals.

Purpose: To evaluate the MRI anatomy of the scapho-trapezial-trapezoidal (STT) ligament complex in asymptomatic and symptomatic individuals.

Material And Methods: In this retrospective study, STT ligament complex of 42 (male 69%, median age 37.5 years) asymptomatic (n = 25) and symptomatic (n = 17) (defined as pain described over the STT joint) individuals was examined using a high-resolution 3D proton density-weighted isovoxel sequence (MR arthrogram) with multiplanar reconstructions.

The effect of native knee rotation on the tibial-tubercle-trochlear-groove distance in patients with patellar instability: an analysis of MRI and CT measurements.

Background: This study aimed to quantify the effect of lower limb rotational parameters on the difference in the tibial-tubercle-trochlear-groove (TTTG) distance when assessed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) in patients with patellar instability. It was hypothesized that an increased native knee rotation angle significantly contributes to an underestimation of TTTG by MRI.

Methods: Forty patients with patellar instability who had undergone standard radiographs, MRI and CT scans were included in this retrospective study.

Prospective and longitudinal evolution of postoperative periprosthetic findings on metal artifact-reduced MR imaging in asymptomatic patients after uncemented total hip arthroplasty.

Objective: To prospectively assess the evolution of postoperative MRI findings in asymptomatic patients after total hip arthroplasty (THA) over 24 months (mo).

Methods: This prospective cohort study included 9 asymptomatic patients (56.7 ± 15.

The influence of different patient positions on the preoperative 3D planning for surgical resection of soft tissue sarcoma in the lower limb-a cadaver pilot study.

Introduction: Complete surgical resection remains the mainstay of the treatment of soft tissue sarcomas. Intraoperative positioning of the patient is dictated by tumor location, whereas preoperative imaging is always performed in the supine position. The effect of changing the patient position on the exact location of the tumor with regard to neurovascular structures and bone is unknown.