Changes in Intramedullary Increased Signal Intensity on Axial T2-weighted MRI After Laminoplasty for Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy: A 10-year Follow-up Study.

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Objective: To investigate whether the preoperative classification and changes in the intramedullary increased signal intensity (ISI) on axial T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) reflect the postoperative functional outcome in patients after laminoplasty for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

Summary Of Background Data: Although patients with CSM exhibit ISI on axial MRI, the association between ISI (preoperative classification and changes) and surgical outcomes has not been investigated.

Large-Area Preparation of a Robust Superamphiphobic Coating for Chemical Mechanical Polishing Application.

In the chemical-mechanical polishing (CMP) process, the abrasive particles in the polishing slurry tend to agglomerate easily and crystallize on the equipment surfaces during recycling, which can lead to poor wafer processing quality and additional tedious cleaning work. To overcome this issue, a simple and cost-effective self-cleaning surface preparation method has been developed. In this study, elastic and stretchable hydroxyl polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS-OH) was selected as the functional material, it was chelated with pentaerythritol tetra(3-mercapto propionate), and then 2-(perfluorooctyl)ethyl methacrylate was further grafted in situ to the polymer chains via a photoinduced thiol-ene click reaction.

Robotic navigation during spine surgery: an update of literature.

Introduction: The application of robotic navigation during spine surgery has advanced rapidly over the past two decades, especially in the last 5 years. Robotic systems in spine surgery may offer potential advantages for both patients and surgeons. This article serves as an update to our previous review and explores the current status of spine surgery robots in clinical settings.

The Necessity of Implant Removal after Fixation of Thoracolumbar Burst Fractures-A Systematic Review.

Background: Thoracolumbar burst fractures are a common traumatic vertebral fracture in the spine, and pedicle screw fixation has been widely performed as a safe and effective procedure. However, after the stabilization of the thoracolumbar burst fractures, whether or not to remove the pedicle screw implant remains controversial. This review aimed to assess the benefits and risks of pedicle screw instrument removal after fixation of thoracolumbar burst fractures.

Where should Scoliometer and EOS Imaging be Applied when Evaluating Spinal Rotation in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis -A Preliminary Study with Reference to CT Images.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate spinal rotation measurement by scoliometer or EOS Imagings with reference to that by CT images, and to clarify their applicability in clinical practice.

Methods: Patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) who were indicated for surgery were enrolled and the informed consents were obtained.

Prophylactic vertebral augmentation in patients with intra-disc leakage after kyphoplasty.

Background: A uperior adjacent vertebral fracture (SAVF) is a common complication after kyphoplasty. Intra-disc leakage is a significant risk factor of SAVF. However, to date, no studies on the prevention of SAVF after intra-disc leakage have been conducted.

Inserting the Ulnar Prosthesis into Radius as a Novel Salvage Surgery for Revision Total Elbow Arthroplasty with Massive Bone Defect.

Background: Infection and aseptic loosening are common complications of total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) and often require revision surgery. However, bone defects, along with other complications, bring an extra difficulty to the second surgery, especially for patients with a massive bone defect in the proximal ulna. Several methods including allograft or autograft have been introduced into practice, but none sufficiently solves these problems.

[Evaluation of total elbow arthroplasty in treatment of distal humeral fracture in the elderly].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of total elbow arthroplasty in treatment of distal humeral fracture in the elderly.

Methods: A total of 24 elderly patients who were diagnosed of distal humeral fracture and received Coorad-Morry prosthesis arthroplasty were retrospectively selected and analyzed from Beijing Jishuitan Hospital from 2003 to 2009. X ray examination of elbow joint and clinical evaluation were conducted in the follow-up; Mayo Elbow Performance Score (MEPS) was used in the last follow-up to evaluate patients' elbow function.

Plate-only open-door laminoplasty with fusion for treatment of multilevel degenerative cervical disease.

Adequate fixation of the opened laminar arch is the key indicator of a successful laminoplasty surgery; poor outcomes, including secondary narrowing of the spinal canal and a high risk of axial neck pain are possible when using a suturing method during conventional laminoplasty. Rigid fixation including spacers or bone struts yields satisfactory clinical outcomes. However, this approach is also associated with a longer surgical time and an increased risk of instrumentation dislodgement.

Vancomycin-loaded nano-hydroxyapatite pellets to treat MRSA-induced chronic osteomyelitis with bone defect in rabbits.

Objective: To investigate nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA) pellets as carriers for vancomycin in the treatment of chronic osteomyelitis and bone defects due to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains.

Methods: Chronic osteomyelitis was induced in 45 New Zealand white rabbits. After 3 weeks (chronic infection), all animals were treated with debridement.

Structure parameter of electrorheological fluids in shear flow.

A structure parameter, Sn = η(c)γ/τ(E), is proposed to represent the increase of effective viscosity due to the introduction of particles into a viscous liquid and to analyze the shear behavior of electrorheological (ER) fluids. Sn can divide the shear curves of ER fluids, τ/E(2) versus Sn, into three regimes, with two critical values Sn(c) of about 10(-4) and 10(-2), respectively. The two critical Sn(c) are applicable to ER fluids with different particle volume fractions φ in a wide range of shear rate γ and electric field E.

Reversible shear thickening at low shear rates of electrorheological fluids under electric fields.

By shearing electrorheological (ER) fluids between two concentric cylinders, we show a reversible shear thickening of ER fluids above a low critical shear rate (<1 s(-1)) and a high critical electric field strength (>100 V/mm), which can be characterized by a critical apparent viscosity. Shear thickening and electrostatic particle interaction-induced interparticle friction forces are considered to play an important role in the origin of lateral shear resistance of ER fluids, while the applied electric field controls the extent of shear thickening. The electric-field-controlled reversible shear thickening has implications for high-performance electrorheological-magnetorheological fluid design, clutch fluids with high friction forces triggered by applying a local electric field, other field-responsive materials, and intelligent systems.