The Evidence for the Use of Osteobiologics in Hybrid Constructs (Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion and Total Disc Replacement) in Multilevel Cervical Degenerative Disc Disease: A Systematic Review.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objective: Examine the clinical evidence for the use of osteobiologics in hybrid surgery (combined anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and total disc replacement (TDR)) in patients with multilevel cervical degenerative disc disease (DDD).

Methods: PubMed and Embase were searched between January 2000 and August 2020.

Malalignment of the total ankle replacement increases peak contact stresses on the bone-implant interface: a finite element analysis.

Introduction: Malalignment of the Total Ankle Replacement (TAR) has often been postulated as the main reason for the high incidence of TAR failure. As the ankle joint has a small contact area, stresses are typically high, and malalignment may lead to non-homogeneous stress distributions, including stress peaks that may initiate failure. This study aims to elucidate the effect of TAR malalignment on the contact stresses on the bone-implant interface, thereby gaining more understanding of the potential role of malalignment in TAR failure.

Local bone metabolism during the consolidation process of spinal interbody fusion.

Introduction: Although computed tomography (CT) can identify the presence of eventual bony bridges following lumbar interbody fusion (LIF) surgery, it does not provide information on the ongoing formation process of new bony structures. F sodium fluoride (F-NaF) positron emission tomography (PET) could be used as complementary modality to add information on the bone metabolism at the fusion site. However, it remains unknown how bone metabolism in the operated segment changes early after surgery in uncompromised situations.

Early bone ingrowth and segmental stability of a trussed titanium cage versus a polyether ether ketone cage in an ovine lumbar interbody fusion model.

Background Context: Lumbar interbody fusion is an effective treatment for unstable spinal segments. However, the time needed to establish a solid bony interbody fusion between the two vertebrae may be longer than twelve months after surgery. During this time window, the instrumented spinal segment is assumed to be at increased risk for instability related complications such as cage migration or subsidence.

Peptide Enhanced Bone Graft Substitute Presents Improved Short-Term Increase in Bone Volume and Construct Stiffness Compared to Iliac Crest Autologous Bone in an Ovine Lumbar Interbody Fusion Model.

Study Design: Preclinical ovine model.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of the P-15 L bone graft substitute and compare its performance to autologous iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) for lumbar interbody fusion indications.

Methods: Thirty skeletally mature sheep underwent lumbar interbody fusion surgery.

Misaligned spinal rods can induce high internal forces consistent with those observed to cause screw pullout and disc degeneration.

Background Context: Manual contouring of spinal rods is often required intraoperatively for proper alignment of the rods within the pedicle screw heads. Residual misalignments are frequently reduced by using dedicated reduction devices. The forces exerted by these devices, however, are uncontrolled and may lead to excessive reaction forces.

Widespread male sex bias in mammal fossil and museum collections.

A recent study of mammoth subfossil remains has demonstrated the potential of using relatively low-coverage high-throughput DNA sequencing to genetically sex specimens, revealing a strong male-biased sex ratio [P. Pečnerová et al., 27, 3505-3510.

Implementation of a semiautomatic method to design patient-specific instruments for corrective osteotomy of the radius.

Purpose: 3D-printed patient-specific instruments (PSIs), such as surgical guides and implants, show great promise for accurate navigation in surgical correction of post-traumatic deformities of the distal radius. However, existing costs of computer-aided design and manufacturing process prevent everyday surgical use. In this paper, we propose an innovative semiautomatic methodology to streamline the PSIs design.

Ancient DNA analysis of the extinct North American flat-headed peccary (Platygonus compressus).

The geographical range of extant peccaries extends from the southwestern United States through Central America and into northern Argentina. However, from the Miocene until the Pleistocene now-extinct peccary species inhabited the entirety of North America. Relationships among the living and extinct species have long been contentious.

On the importance of 3D, geometrically accurate, and subject-specific finite element analysis for evaluation of in-vivo soft tissue loads.

Pressure ulcers are a type of local soft tissue injury due to sustained mechanical loading and remain a common issue in patient care. People with spinal cord injury (SCI) are especially at risk of pressure ulcers due to impaired mobility and sensory perception. The development of load improving support structures relies on realistic tissue load evaluation e.

Early cave art and ancient DNA record the origin of European bison.

The two living species of bison (European and American) are among the few terrestrial megafauna to have survived the late Pleistocene extinctions. Despite the extensive bovid fossil record in Eurasia, the evolutionary history of the European bison (or wisent, Bison bonasus) before the Holocene (<11.7 thousand years ago (kya)) remains a mystery.

Choice of comparator in active control trials of new drugs.

Background: When choosing the active control group in a randomized trial, it is important to maintain standard treatment for the therapeutic indication for which a medicine is studied. This choice is relevant not only for demonstrating the efficacy and safety of a new drug, but also for assessing its place in therapy in comparison with existing medicines. Comparative information is important for decisions on prescribing and reimbursement.

Local inhibition of liver fibrosis by specific delivery of a platelet-derived growth factor kinase inhibitor to hepatic stellate cells.

Liver fibrosis is characterized by excessive proliferation and activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSC), a process in which platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) plays an important role. Inhibition of liver fibrosis via specific delivery of a PDGF kinase inhibitor to HSC might therefore be an attractive strategy. The HSC-selective carrier mannose-6-phosphate modified human serum albumin (M6PHSA) was equipped with a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, 4-chloro-N-[4-methyl-3-(4-pyridin-3-yl-pyrimidin-2-ylamino)-phenyl]-benzamide (PAP19) (an imatinib derivative), by means of the platinum-based universal linkage system (ULS).

Effect of an oral contraceptive pill on follicular development in IVF/ICSI patients receiving a GnRH antagonist: a randomized study.

This randomized controlled study compared the effectiveness of a gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol with or without oral contraceptive (OC) pretreatment on the number of oocytes retrieved in IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) patients. Sixty-four patients were randomized to start recombinant human FSH (r-hFSH) on day 2 or 3 after OC withdrawal (OC group) or on day 2 of a natural cycle (control group). From stimulation day 6 onwards, all patients were treated with daily (0.

Cetrorelix in an oral contraceptive-pretreated stimulation cycle compared with buserelin in IVF/ICSI patients treated with r-hFSH: a randomized, multicentre, phase IIIb study.

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the non-inferiority of an oral contraceptive (OC)-pretreated cetrorelix regimen and a buserelin regimen in IVF/ICSI patients treated with r-hFSH in terms of total number of oocytes retrieved.

Methods: Multicentre, randomized study. One hundred and eighty two patients were randomized to receive cetrorelix with OC pretreatment (n = 91) or to receive buserelin (n = 91).

Population plasma pharmacokinetics of 11C-flumazenil at tracer concentrations.

Objective: The objectives of the study were to develop a population pharmacokinetic model for (11)C-flumazenil at tracer concentrations, to assess the effects of patient-related covariates and to derive an optimal sampling protocol for clinical use.

Methods: A population pharmacokinetic model was developed using nonlinear mixed effects modelling (NONMEM) with data obtained from 51 patients with either depression or epilepsy. Each patient received approximately 370 MBq (1-4 microg) of (11)C-flumazenil.

Boron neutron capture therapy for glioblastoma multiforme.

Aim: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an incurable disease that can only be managed in a palliative way. The GBM accounts for approximately half of all newly diagnosed primary brain tumors with an incidence of 2-3 cases per 100,000 people each year. Surgery and radiation are the standard options for palliation, and whether there is a place for chemotherapy is still discussed.

[Medicinal cannabis for diseases of the nervous system: no convincing evidence of effectiveness].

--In 1996, the Netherlands Health Council issued a negative recommendation regarding the use of medication on the basis of cannabis (marihuana). However, interest in medicinal cannabis has certainly not waned since. --The neurological diseases for which cannabis could presently be used therapeutically are: multiple sclerosis, chronic (neuropathic) pain and the syndrome of Gilles de la Tourette.

Dose-finding study of daily GnRH antagonist for the prevention of premature LH surges in IVF/ICSI patients: optimal changes in LH and progesterone for clinical pregnancy.

Background: An optimal range of LH concentrations for achieving pregnancy has not been established. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of various LH levels induced by different GnRH antagonist doses on IVF outcome.

Methods: This was a prospective, single centre study including 144 IVF patients, stimulated with recombinant FSH from cycle day 2, and co-treated with daily GnRH antagonist (antide/Iturelix) (2 mg/2 ml, 1 mg/ml, 0.

Dose-finding study of daily gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist for the prevention of premature luteinizing hormone surges in IVF/ICSI patients: antide and hormone levels.

Background: The aim of this study was to define the minimal effective dose of antide (Iturelix) to prevent premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surges in in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients.

Methods: In a prospective, single centre study, 144 IVF/ICSI patients were stimulated with r-hFSH from cycle day 2 and from cycle day 6 onwards, cotreated with daily 2 mg/2 ml (n=30), 1 mg/ml (n=30), 0.5 mg/ml (n=31), 0.

A novel strategy to modify adenovirus tropism and enhance transgene delivery to activated vascular endothelial cells in vitro and in vivo.

To assess the possibilities of retargeting adenovirus to activated endothelial cells, we conjugated bifunctional polyethylene glycol (PEG) onto the adenoviral capsid to inhibit the interaction between viral knob and coxsackie-adenovirus receptor (CAR). Subsequently, we introduced an alphav integrin-specific RGD peptide or E-selectin-specific antibody to the other functional group of the PEG molecule for the retargeting of the adenovirus to activated endothelial cells. In vitro studies showed that this approach resulted in the elimination of transgene transfer into CAR-positive cells, while at the same time specific transgene transfer to activated endothelial cells was achieved.