Effects of Vacuum Phenomenon on Cage Subsidence and Fusion Outcomes in Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Cohort Study.

Oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) is a minimally invasive technique used to manage degenerative lumbar conditions. The presence of vacuum phenomenon (VP) and associated endplate sclerosis may increase the risk of cage subsidence. This study evaluated the relationship between VP grade, endplate sclerosis, and subsidence in OLIF.

Can Preoperative Hounsfield Unit Measurement Help Predict Mechanical Failure in Metastatic Spinal Tumor Surgery?

This study aimed to identify risk factors associated with mechanical failure in patients undergoing spinal instrumentation without fusion for metastatic spinal tumors. We retrospectively evaluated data from 220 patients with spinal tumors who underwent instrumentation without fusion. Propensity scores were used to match preoperative variables, resulting in the inclusion of 24 patients in the failure group (F group) and 72 in the non-failure group (non-F group).

(Thio)chromenone derivatives exhibit anti-metastatic effects through selective inhibition of uPAR in cancer cell lines: discovery of an uPAR-targeting fluorescent probe.

A class of (thio)chromenone derivatives has been identified as suitable ligands for uPAR, a glycoprotein with a prognostic value in a large number of human cancers. The (thio)chromenone agents actively inhibited the binding of uPAR to uPA with a binding affinity of 18.6 nM, reducing cell migration in the wound healing assay by up to 40% without apparent cell motility.

The Role of Goal Source in Escalation of Commitment.

Escalation of commitment is an important decision problem that occurs across different decision contexts. Recognizing that escalation involves one's effort to achieve some form of a goal, researchers have attempted to understand escalation of commitment as a goal-pursuing activity. Prior research works have suggested that escalation situations consist of (1) an initial goal setting phase and (2) an escalation decision-making phase and have investigated how goal difficulty and goal specificity influence escalation decisions.

Development and functions of the area opaca of the chick embryo.

Before radial symmetry-breaking of the blastoderm, the chick embryo is distinctly divided into a central area pellucida and a surrounding region, the area opaca. In this review, we focus on the area opaca and its functions. First, we survey current knowledge about how the area opaca is formed during the intrauterine period and how it sets up its initial tissue structure.

Impact of postoperative cauda equina clumping on recovery after biportal endoscopic decompression for severe lumbar stenosis.

Purpose: This study determined the prevalence of cauda equina clumping among patients with Schizas grade C or higher central stenosis after decompression and compared the radiographic and clinical outcomes between patients with and without clumping.

Methods: We conducted a single-center retrospective cohort study involving 98 patients who underwent biportal endoscopic spine surgery between January 2019 and June 2022. Based on postoperative magnetic resonance imaging findings, the patients were divided into the clumping (n = 40) and non-clumping (n = 58) groups.

Sites of Metastasis and Survival in Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Results From the Korean Renal Cancer Study Group Database.

Background: In patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC), sites of metastatic involvement have been reported to be associated with a difference in survival. However, the frequency and survival according to different sites of metastases in Korean patients with mRCC remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the frequency of metastatic site involvement and the association between sites of metastatic involvement and survival in Korean patients with mRCC.

Carbon dioxide removal (CDR) potential in temperate macroalgal forests: A comparative study of chemical and biological net ecosystem production (NEP).

The carbon dioxide removal (CDR) capacity of macroalgae, a crucial component in climate regulation, has gained increasing attention. However, accurately estimating the CDR potential of macroalgae in natural conditions remains challenging, necessitating the use of multiple independent methods to reduce the uncertainties in these estimates. In this study, we compared two methods for estimating net ecosystem production (NEP), a key parameter in determining CDR potential: 1) NEP, derived from seawater carbonate chemistry and 2) NEP, based on photorespiratory measurements using benthic tent incubation.

Structural insight into the distinct regulatory mechanism of the HEPN-MNT toxin-antitoxin system in Legionella pneumophila.

HEPN-MNT, a type VII TA module, comprises the HEPN toxin and the MNT antitoxin, which acts as a nucleotidyltransferase that transfers the NMP moiety to the corresponding HEPN toxin, thereby interfering with its toxicity. Here, we report crystal structures of the Legionella pneumophila HEPN-MNT module, including HEPN, AMPylated HEPN, MNT, and the HEPN-MNT complex. Our structural analysis and biochemical assays, suggest that HEPN is a metal-dependent RNase and identify its active site residues.

Activation of the mTOR pathway enhances PPARγ/SREBP-mediated lipid synthesis in human meibomian gland epithelial cells.

The involvement of the mechanistic targets of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in lipid metabolism has been recently elucidated. However, its specific role in the Meibomian gland, where lipid metabolism is significant, remains not fully understood. We investigated the role of mTOR signaling system in the lipogenesis and differentiation of human meibomian gland epithelial cells (HMGECs).

A comprehensive multi-tiered approach to assessing weather penalties on O levels and exceedance days in Seoul using generalized additive models (2001-2019).

Over the past two decades, ambient O air pollution in Seoul, the capital city of South Korea, has increased. As a secondary air pollutant, O is affected not only by precursor gas emissions but also by meteorological conditions. This study examined the influence of weather changes in Seoul for 2001-2019 on the long-term daily maximum 8-h O concentration (MDA8 O) trends measured at 25 monitoring sites.

Impact of Peritoneal Neutrophil Extracellular Traps on Peritoneal Characteristics and Technical Failure in Patients Undergoing Peritoneal Dialysis.

Introduction: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is an effective home therapy for end-stage kidney disease. However, continuous exposure to PD fluids with high glucose concentration and recurrent peritonitis may lead to the activation of cellular and molecular processes of peritoneal damage, including inflammation and fibrosis. In particular, recent studies have highlighted the role of neutrophils in chronic inflammation.

Cryo-EM structure of the heteromeric TRPC1/TRPC4 channel.

Transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels have a crucial role as cellular sensors, mediating diverse physical and chemical stimuli. The formation of heteromeric structures expands the functionality of TRP channels; however, their molecular architecture remains largely unknown. Here we present the cryo-electron microscopy structures of the human TRPC1/TRPC4 heteromer in the apo and antagonist-bound states, both consisting of one TRPC1 subunit and three TRPC4 subunits.

Mefloquine-induced conformational shift in Cx36 N-terminal helix leading to channel closure mediated by lipid bilayer.

Connexin 36 (Cx36) forms interneuronal gap junctions, establishing electrical synapses for rapid synaptic transmission. In disease conditions, inhibiting Cx36 gap junction channels (GJCs) is beneficial, as it prevents abnormal synchronous neuronal firing and apoptotic signal propagation, mitigating seizures and progressive cell death. Here, we present cryo-electron microscopy structures of human Cx36 GJC in complex with known channel inhibitors, such as mefloquine, arachidonic acid, and 1-hexanol.

Fragment-based approaches to discover ligands for tumor-specific E3 ligases.

Introduction: Targeted protein degradation (TPD) has emerged as an innovative therapeutic strategy through selective degradation of specific proteins by harnessing the cellular ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS), which involves over 600 E3 ubiquitin ligases. Recent proteome profiling reported tumor-specific E3 ligases in human. Development of those tumor-specific E3 ligase ligands would provide a solution for tumor-specific TPD for effective cancer treatment.

Impact of the Disc Vacuum Phenomenon on Surgical Outcomes in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: A Comparative Study between Endoscopic Decompression and Minimally Invasive Oblique Lateral Interbody Fusion.

: This study investigated the influence of the vacuum phenomenon (VP) on surgical outcomes in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis, comparing minimally invasive oblique lateral interbody fusion (MIS OLIF) and endoscopic decompression. : A cohort of 110 patients diagnosed with lumbar spinal stenosis underwent either endoscopic decompression or MIS OLIF. Patients were classified into two groups based on the presence or absence of the VP on preoperative CT scans, non-VP (n = 42) and VP (n = 68).

Low level laser therapy alleviates mechanical allodynia in a postoperative and neuropathic pain model and alters the levels of inflammatory factors in rats.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the analgesic and preventive effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the incisional pain model and spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model in rats and identify the possible mechanisms of action.

Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used, divided into different treatment groups. The single application group received LLLT before or after skin incision or SNL.

Cryo-EM structure of human class C orphan GPCR GPR179 involved in visual processing.

GPR179, an orphan class C GPCR, is expressed at the dendritic tips of ON-bipolar cells in the retina. It plays a pivotal role in the initial synaptic transmission of visual signals from photoreceptors, and its deficiency is known to be the cause of complete congenital stationary night blindness. Here, we present the cryo-electron microscopy structure of human GPR179.

Discovery of A-910, a Highly Potent and Orally Bioavailable Dual MerTK/Axl-Selective Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor.

TAM receptor tyrosine kinases have emerged as promising therapeutic targets for cancer treatment due to their roles in both tumor intrinsic survival mechanisms and suppression of antitumor immunity within the tumor microenvironment. Inhibiting MerTK and Axl selectively is believed to hinder cancer cell survival, reverse the protumor myeloid phenotype, and suppress efferocytosis, thereby eliciting an antitumor immune response. In this study, we present the discovery of , a highly potent and selective dual MerTK/Axl inhibitor, achieved through a structure-based medicinal chemistry campaign.

Epigenetic therapy potentiates transposable element transcription to create tumor-enriched antigens in glioblastoma cells.

Inhibiting epigenetic modulators can transcriptionally reactivate transposable elements (TEs). These TE transcripts often generate unique peptides that can serve as immunogenic antigens for immunotherapy. Here, we ask whether TEs activated by epigenetic therapy could appreciably increase the antigen repertoire in glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer with low mutation and neoantigen burden.