Radiological Findings of the Lumbar Spine in High School and Collegiate Sumo Wrestlers.

Background: Sumo wrestling is a traditional sport in Japan and becoming popular worldwide. Risk factors for lower back injuries in sumo wrestlers are heavier weight and larger body mass index (BMI). The (loincloth belt) worn by sumo wrestlers has been shown to restrict motion of the lumbar spine.

Taxonomic revision of the Agaraceae with a description of Neoagarum gen. nov. and reinstatement of Thalassiophyllum.

We confirmed the monophyly of the Agaraceae based on phylogenetic analyses of six mitochondrial and six chloroplast gene sequences from Agarum, Costaria, Dictyoneurum, and Thalassiophyllum species, as well as representative species from other laminarialean families. However, the genus Agarum was paraphyletic, comprising two independent clades, A. clathratum/A.

Neck muscle strength before and after cervical laminoplasty: relation to axial symptoms.

Study Design: A prospective study to investigate serial changes in neck muscle strength before and after cervical laminoplasty.

Objectives: To examine the correlation between neck muscle strength and axial symptoms, and to clarify the risk factors for axial symptoms.

Summary Of Background Data: Axial symptoms are common complications after posterior cervical spinal surgery.

O-C2 angle as a predictor of dyspnea and/or dysphagia after occipitocervical fusion.

Study Design: A retrospective clinical study.

Objective: To confirm the impact of the O-C2 angle on dyspnea and dysphagia after posterior occipitocervical (O-C) fusion.

Summary Of Background Data: Dyspnea and dysphagia are complications of posterior O-C fusion with malalignment, and may be prolonged or occasionally serious.

Double-door cervical laminoplasty with the use of suture anchors: technical note.

Study Design: Technical note.

Objective: To introduce a new simple technique using suture anchors to stabilize the elevated laminae in double-door cervical laminoplasty.

Summary Of Background Data: Double-door cervical laminoplasty is a well-recognized procedure for the treatment of cervical spinal myelopathy.

Is rheumatoid arthritis a risk factor for a high-riding vertebral artery?

Study Design: A retrospective comparative study on the morphologic characteristics of the axis in patients with or without rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Objective: To compare the morphologic risk of vertebral artery (VA) injury during atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation between patients with or without RA.

Summary Of Background Data: VA injury is a potentially serious complication during atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation.

Atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation with posterior wiring using polyethylene cable: facet fusion despite posterior graft resorption in rheumatoid patients.

Study Design: A comparative retrospective study on the posterior graft union and the facet fusion in atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation.

Objective: To evaluate the posterior graft union and the facet fusion in atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation when a polyethylene (PE) cable was used in rheumatoid and nonrheumatoid patients.

Summary Of Background Data: In atlantoaxial transarticular screw fixation, metal wires or cables for posterior bone graft fixation can cause intraoperative or delayed spinal cord compression.

Rheumatoid arthritis as a risk factor for a narrow C-2 pedicle: 3D analysis of the C-2 pedicle screw trajectory.

Object: Vertebral artery (VA) injury is a potentially serious complication of C-2 pedicle screw (PS) fixation. Although this surgery is frequently performed in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), few studies have compared the risk of VA injury in patients with and without RA. In this study, the authors compare the morphological risk of VA injury relating to C-2 PS fixation in patients with and without RA.

Vertebral artery injury during cervical spine surgery: a survey of more than 5600 operations.

Study Design: Retrospective survey.

Objective: To clarify the present incidence and management of iatrogenic vertebral artery injury (VAI) during cervical spine surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: VAI is a rare complication of cervical spine surgery, but it may be catastrophic.

Giant adrenal myelolipoma: report of a case.

Adrenal myelolipomas are rare benign tumors composed of mature adipose tissue and hematopoietic elements that resemble bone marrow. They are usually asymptomatic, and most cases are incidentally found at radiological examination or autopsy. Symptoms such as abdominal pain and increasing girth occur only when the tumor grows large.

[Changes in cytokines during perioperative period of hip arthroplasty in patients older than 80 years of age].

Background: Elevations of plasma inflammatory cytokines are related to the surgical intervention. We have examined the circulating interleukin 6, 8 (IL-6, IL-8) and CRP responses in patients older than 80 years during orthopedic hip arthroplasty.

Methods: After taking the signed informed consent, 8 patients were enrolled in this study.

Effects of nicardipine and diltiazem on fractal features of short-term heart rate variability--application of coarse graining spectral analysis.

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the effects of nicardipine and diltiazem on the fractal features of short-term heart rate variability (HRV), using coarse graining spectral analysis (CGSA).

Methods: Eighteen healthy volunteers participated in this study; they were divided into two groups according to the drug administered. Five-minute electrocardiogram and arterial pressure recordings were made during stepwise infusions of either nicardipine (0.

Underexpression of mRNA in human hepatocellular carcinoma focusing on eight loci.

Genetic alterations associated with human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been reported previously, but are not sufficient to specify differences of HCCs from precancerous diseases of the liver, such as hepatitis, hepatic fibrosis, and cirrhosis. In the present study, we performed differential gene display analysis (DGDA) to clarify the specific genetic alterations associated with gene expression changes in the course of development of HCC from chronic viral hepatitis. Four pairs of surgically resected HCCs and hepatitis tissues were investigated.