A novel variant of aquaporin 3 is expressed in killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) intestine.

Killifish (Fundulus heteroclitus) are euryhaline teleosts that are widely used in environmental and toxicological studies, and they are tolerant to arsenic, in part due to very low assimilation of arsenic from the environment. The mechanism of arsenic uptake by the intestine, a major route of arsenic uptake in humans is unknown. Thus, the goal of this study was to determine if aquaglyceroporins (AQPs), which transport water and other small molecules including arsenite across cell membranes, are expressed in the killifish intestine, and whether AQP expression is affected by osmotic stress.

Near-normal values of extravascular lung water in children.

Objectives: To define near-normal values of extravascular lung water indexed to body weight in children.

Design: Prospective multicenter observational study.

Setting: Medical/surgical PICUs of 5 multinational hospitals.

Operative treatment of new onset radiculopathy secondary to combat injury.

We set out to describe combat-related spine trauma over a 10-year period, and thereby determine the frequency of new onset radiculopathy secondary to injuries sustained in support of combat operations. We performed a retrospective analysis of a surgical database at three military institutions. Patients undergoing spine surgery following a combat-related injury in Afghanistan or Iraq between July 2003 and July 2013 were evaluated.

Intrasite vancomycin powder for the prevention of surgical site infection in spine surgery: a systematic literature review.

Background Context: Deep surgical site infections (SSIs) following spinal surgery are a significant burden to the patient, patient's family, and the health-care system. Because of increasing pressures to reduce SSIs and control costs, some spine surgeons have begun placing lyophilized vancomycin powder directly into the surgical wound at the conclusion of the procedure. However, the literature supporting this practice remains limited.

Pulmonary function following adult spinal deformity surgery: minimum two-year follow-up.

Background: The literature regarding pulmonary function in adult patients with spinal deformity is limited, and the effect of spinal deformity surgery on pulmonary function has not been clearly understood. We hypothesized that adult patients with spinal deformity who had preoperative pulmonary impairment (a percent-predicted value of <65% forced expiratory volume in one second [FEV1] as measured by pulmonary function test) or who were undergoing revision surgery may be at risk for exacerbated decline in pulmonary function.

Methods: Pulmonary function test results were prospectively collected for 164 adult patients with spinal deformity (mean age, 45.

Effects of rod reduction on pedicle screw fixation strength in the setting of Ponte osteotomies.

Background Context: The use of a rod reduction device can have deleterious consequences on pedicle screw pullout strength (POS) in the thoracic spine. However, posterior-only osteotomies in the thoracic spine are often performed to improve flexibility of the spine and offset forces of deformity correction maneuvers.

Purpose: To investigate the effect on pedicle screw POS caused by the rod reduction technique in the presence of facet osteotomies in the thoracic spine.

Outcomes following cervical disc arthroplasty: a retrospective review.

Cervical disc arthroplasty has emerged as a viable technique for the treatment of cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy, with the proposed benefit of maintenance of segmental range of motion. There are relatively few, non-industry sponsored studies examining the outcomes and complications of cervical disc arthroplasty. Therefore, we set out to perform a single center evaluation of the outcomes and complications of cervical disc arthroplasty.

Outcomes of single-level cervical disc arthroplasty versus anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.

Several studies have established the short-term safety and efficacy of cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) as compared to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). However, few single-center comparative trials have been performed, and current studies do not contain large numbers of patients. We retrospectively reviewed all patients from a single military tertiary medical center between August 2008 to August 2012 who underwent single-level CDA or single-level ACDF and compared their clinical outcomes and complications.

Bilateral pedicle screw fixation provides superior biomechanical stability in transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion: a finite element study.

Background Context: Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) is increasingly popular for the surgical treatment of degenerative lumbar disease. The optimal construct for segmental stability remains unknown.

Purpose: To compare the stability of fusion constructs using standard (C) and crescent-shaped (CC) polyetheretherketone TLIF cages with unilateral (UPS) or bilateral (BPS) posterior instrumentation.

Sacral fractures.

Sacral fractures are uncommon lesions and most often the result of high-energy trauma. Depending on the fracture location, neurological injury may be present in over 50% of cases. In this article, the authors conducted a comprehensive literature review on the epidemiology of sacral fractures, relevant anatomy of the sacral and pelvic region, common sacral injuries and fractures, classification systems of sacral fractures, and current management strategies.

Pedicle screw reinsertion using previous pilot hole and trajectory does not reduce fixation strength.

Study Design: Fresh-frozen human cadaveric biomechanical study.

Objective: To evaluate the biomechanical consequence of pedicle screw reinsertion in the thoracic spine.

Summary Of Background Data: During pedicle screw instrumentation, abnormal appearance on fluoroscopic imaging or low current reading with intraoperatively evoked electromyographic stimulation of a pedicle screw warrants complete removal to reassess for pedicle wall violation or screw malposition.

The effect of cervical posterior foraminotomy on segmental range of motion in the setting of total disc arthroplasty.

Study Design: Human cadaveric biomechanical analysis.

Objective: To investigate the effect on cervical spine segmental stability that results from a posterior foraminotomy after cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA).

Summary Of Background Data: Posterior foraminotomy offers the ability to decompress cervical nerves roots while avoiding the need to extend a previous fusion or revise an arthroplasty to a fusion.

Sex-specific interactions of microbial symbioses on cricket dietary selection.

The nutrients found in prey and nonprey foods, and relative digestibility of these foods, has a major influence on diet selection by omnivorous insects. Many insects have developed symbiotic relationships with gut bacteria to help with extracting nutrition from nonprey diets. Gryllus pennsylvanicus (Burmeister) (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) was assigned to one of two treatment groups, antibiotic-treated and nonantibiotic-treated, and consumption of seeds (nonprey) and eggs (prey) were measured.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion rates performed without posterolateral fusion.

The need for posterolateral fusion (PLF) in addition to interbody fusion during minimally invasive (MIS) transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) has yet to be established. Omitting a PLF significantly reduces overall surface area available for achieving a solid arthrodesis, however it decreases the soft tissue dissection and costs of additional bone graft. The authors sought to perform a meta-analysis to establish the fusion rate of MIS TLIF performed without attempting a PLF.

Ocular blast injuries in mass-casualty incidents: the marathon bombing in Boston, Massachusetts, and the fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas.

Purpose: To report the ocular injuries sustained by survivors of the April 15, 2013, Boston Marathon bombing and the April 17, 2013, fertilizer plant explosion in West, Texas.

Design: Multicenter, cross-sectional, retrospective, comparative case series.

Participants: Seventy-two eyes of 36 patients treated at 12 institutions were included in the study.

Pedicle screw "hubbing" in the immature thoracic spine: a biomechanical and micro-computed tomography evaluation.

Background: A previous biomechanical study using adult thoracic vertebrae (both normal and osteoporotic bone density) demonstrated the deleterious effect of the pedicle screw hubbing technique. Pedicle screw "hubbing" involves seating and engaging the ventral aspect of the screw head onto the dorsal lamina cortex. This technique is postulated to provide a load-sharing effect by improving pullout resistance, as well as decreasing cephalocaudad toggling and implant loosening.

Do stand-alone interbody spacers with integrated screws provide adequate segmental stability for multilevel cervical arthrodesis?

Background Context: Some postoperative complications after anterior cervical fusions have been attributed to anterior cervical plate (ACP) profiles and the necessary wide operative exposure for their insertion. Consequently, low-profile stand-alone interbody spacers with integrated screws (SIS) have been developed. Although SIS constructs have demonstrated similar biomechanical stability to the ACP in single-level fusions, their role as a stand-alone device in multilevel reconstructions has not been thoroughly evaluated.

Timing of surgical staging in adult spinal deformity surgery: is later better?

Hassanzadeh H, Gjolaj JP, El Dafrawy MH, et al. The timing of surgical staging has a significant impact on the complications and functional outcomes of adult spinal deformity surgery. Spine J 2013;13:1717-22 (in this issue).