Camptocormia in Parkinson Disease: Systematic Review of Management Using Spine Surgery.

Objective: Postural abnormalities are a debilitating symptom of Parkinson disease (PD) that may require spinal intervention. Camptocormia is a unique abnormality most seen in PD, defined by a severe forward flexion of the trunk that completely resolves when supine. The condition presents a challenge due to an undefined pathophysiology and optimal therapeutic approach in a high-risk patient population.

Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis and Pregnancy.

Objective This study examined the interaction between adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and pregnancy, focusing on pregnancy outcomes, changes in back pain, and anesthesia use. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on adult patients with AIS who gave birth at our institution between 2006 and 2022. Results A total of 163 AIS patients with 263 pregnancies were included.

Chemoprophylactic Anticoagulation After Spine Surgery Does Not Increase Epidural Hematoma Risk: A Propensity-matched Analysis.

Study Design: A retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To calculate the magnitude of any increased risk of epidural hematoma (EDH) associated with chemoprophylactic anticoagulation (chemoprophylaxis), if any.

Summary Of Background Data: Chemoprophylaxis for the prevention of venous thromboembolic events may be associated with an increased risk of EDH after spine surgery.

Using machine learning and big data for the prediction of venous thromboembolic events after spine surgery: A single-center retrospective analysis of multiple models on a cohort of 6869 patients.

Objective: Venous thromboembolic event (VTE) after spine surgery is a rare but potentially devastating complication. With the advent of machine learning, an opportunity exists for more accurate prediction of such events to aid in prevention and treatment.

Methods: Seven models were screened using 108 database variables and 62 preoperative variables.

Emerald Ash Borer Management and Research: Decades of Damage and Still Expanding.

Since the discovery of the ash tree ( spp.) killer emerald ash borer (EAB; ) in the United States in 2002 and Moscow, Russia in 2003, substantial detection and management efforts have been applied to contain and monitor its spread and mitigate impacts. Despite these efforts, the pest continues to spread within North America.

Outcome Reporting in Spine Surgery: A Review of Historical and Emerging Trends.

The general objectives of spine surgery are to alleviate pain, restore neurologic function, and prevent or treat spinal deformities or instability. The accumulating expanse of outcome measures has allowed us to more objectively quantify these variables and, therefore, gauge the success of treatments, ultimately improving the quality of the delivered health care. It has become increasingly evident that spinal conditions and their accompanying interventions affect all aspects of a patient's life, including their physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being.

Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics of the Craniovertebral Junction.

The craniovertebral junction (CVJ) involves the atlas, axis, and occiput along with the atlanto-occipital and atlantoaxial joints. The anatomy and neural and vascular anatomy of the junction render the CVJ unique. Specialists treating disorders that affect the CVJ must appreciate its intricate anatomy and should be well versed in its biomechanics.

Biological principles of adult degenerative scoliosis.

The global aging population has led to an increase in geriatric diseases, including adult degenerative scoliosis (ADS). ADS is a spinal deformity affecting adults, particularly females. It is characterized by asymmetric intervertebral disc and facet joint degeneration, leading to spinal imbalance that can result in severe pain and neurological deficits, thus significantly reducing the quality of life.

Effects of simulated gut pH environment on bacterial composition and pheromone production of Dendroctonus valens.

Bark beetles are an economically and ecologically important insect group, with aggregation behavior and thus host colonization success depends on pheromone-mediated communication. For some species, such as the major invasive forest pest in China, red turpentine beetle (Dendroctonus valens), gut microbiota participates in pheromone production by converting tree monoterpenes into pheromone products. However, how variation in gut microenvironment, such as pH, affects the gut microbial composition, and consequently pheromone production, is unknown.

Reliability of a Novel Classification System for Thoracic Disc Herniations.

Study Design: This is a cross-sectional survey.

Objective: The aim was to assess the reliability of a proposed novel classification system for thoracic disc herniations (TDHs).

Summary Of Background Data: TDHs are complex entities varying substantially in many factors, including size, location, and calcification.

Outpatient telemedicine in neurosurgery: 15,677 consecutive encounters in a comparative analysis of its effectiveness and impact on the surgical conversion rate.

Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has necessitated the use of telehealth visits (THVs). The effects on neurosurgical practice have not been well characterized, especially concerning new-patient THVs. Therefore, the authors of this study reviewed their institution's experience with outpatient clinic visits and THVs from before the COVID-19 pandemic to the present to focus on clinical metrics, rates of surgery, and the effects of implementing THVs in order to better understand their implications for clinical practice as more data emerge over time.

Hypoxia-induced tracheal elasticity in vector beetle facilitates the loading of pinewood nematode.

Many pathogens rely on their insect vectors for transmission. Such pathogens are under selection to improve vector competence for their transmission by employing various tissue or cellular responses of vectors. However, whether pathogens can actively cause hypoxia in vectors and exploit hypoxia responses to promote their vector competence is still unknown.

An Approach to Managing Disorders Affecting the Craniovertebral Junction.

The craniovertebral junction (CVJ), or the "first junction," can be affected by a variety of pathological states. Some of these conditions could represent a gray area in that they can be treated by general neurosurgeons or such specialists as skull base or spinal surgeons. However, some conditions are best managed with a multidisciplinary approach.

Advances, Challenges, and Future Directions in the Management of Craniovertebral Junction Pathologies.

In this third article in a 3-article series on the craniocervical junction, we define the terms "basilar impression," "cranial settling," "basilar invagination," and "platybasia," noting that these terms are often used interchangeably but represent distinct entities. We then provide examples that represent these pathologies and treatment paradigms. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future direction in the craniovertebral junction surgery space.

Anterior approach lumbar fusions cause a marked increase in thromboembolic events: Causal inferences from a propensity-matched analysis of 1147 patients.

Objective: Anterior lumbar fusions are thought to be associated with elevated venous thromboembolic event (VTE) rates, but the magnitude of this increase in VTE is not well described. The objective of this study was to quantify any increase in VTE caused by anterior approach lumbar fusion.

Methods: 1147 consecutive lumbar fusions performed at our institution over a six-year period were identified, and clinical and demographic data were collected.

Chemoprophylactic Anticoagulation Following Lumbar Surgery Significantly Reduces Thromboembolic Events After Instrumented Fusions, Not Decompressions.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Objective: To quantify any reduction in venous thromboembolic events (VTEs) caused by chemoprophylaxis among lumbar surgery patients.

Summary Of Background Data: Chemoprophylactic anticoagulation (chemoprophylaxis) is used to prevent VTE after lumbar surgery.

Surgical Site Infection in the Intensive Care Setting After Posterior Spinal Fusion: A Case Series Highlighting the Microbial Profile, Risk Factors, and the Importance of Comorbid Disease Burden.

Background: Most posterior spinal fusion (PSF) patients do not require admission to an intensive care unit (ICU), and those who do may represent an underinvestigated, high-risk subpopulation.

Objective: To identify the microbial profile of and risk factors for surgical site infection (SSI) in PSF patients admitted to the ICU postoperatively.

Methods: We examined 3965 consecutive PSF patients treated at our institution between 2000 and 2015 and collected demographic, clinical, and procedural data.

The effect of inactivation of aldehyde dehydrogenase on pheromone production by a gut bacterium of an invasive bark beetle, Dendroctonus valens.

Semiochemical-based management strategies are important for controlling bark beetles, such as invasive Red Turpentine Beetle (Denroctonus valens), the causal agent for mass mortality of pine trees (Pinus spp.) in China. It has been previously shown that the pheromone verbenone regulates the attack density of this beetle in a dose-dependent manner and that the gut bacteria of D.