Application of Transverse Process Hooks at Distal Thoracic Vertebrae in Uppermost Vertebral Instrumentation for Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery: Special Focus on Delayed-Onset Neurologic Deficits.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the incidence of delayed-onset neurological deficits (DONDs), DOND-related reoperation rates following adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery, and efficacy of transverse process hooks (TPHs) at the uppermost instrumented vertebra (UIV) compared to pedicle screws (PSs).

Methods: We included 90 consecutive patients who underwent instrumented fusion from the sacrum to the distal thoracic spine for ASD, with a minimum follow-up of 24 months. Clinical and radiological outcomes were compared between 33 patients in the TPH group and 57 patients in the PS group, using the Scoliosis Research Society-22 Outcomes questionnaire (SRS-22), Medical Outcomes Study Questionnaire Short-Form 36 (SF-36), and various spinal sagittal parameters.

Comparative Outcomes of Biportal Endoscopic Decompression, Conventional Subtotal Laminectomy, and Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion for Lumbar Central Stenosis.

Objective: Spinal stenosis is a prevalent condition; however, the optimal surgical treatment for central lumbar stenosis remains controversial. This study compared the clinical outcomes and radiological parameters of 3 surgical.

Methods: unilateral laminectomy bilateral decompression with unilateral biportal endoscopy (ULBD-UBE), conventional subtotal laminectomy (STL), and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF).

Characterization of fusidic acid-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from food animals during 2010-2021 in South Korea.

Livestock-associated fusidic acid-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (FRSA) is frequently linked to global public health hazards. This study aimed to ascertain the prevalence and molecular characteristics of FRSA isolated from food animal products in South Korea from 2010 to 2021. We obtained a total of 3980 S.

Comparison of Outcomes After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Using Bioactive Glass-Ceramic Spacer-7 (NOVOMAX-FUSION) and an Allograft Spacer: A Retrospective, Case-Matched, Multicenter Study.

The bioactive glass-ceramic spacer (BGS)-7, a biosynthetic intervertebral fusion material introduced in 2014, has not been the subject of comparative clinical studies on anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery. This study, for the first time, aims to compare the radiological and clinical outcomes of the renewed BGS-7, released in 2019, with those of an allograft spacer. The comparison includes a finite element analysis of the biomechanical properties of each implant, adding a novel dimension to the research.

PRMT1-mediated methylation regulates MLL2 stability and gene expression.

The interplay between multiple transcription factors precisely regulates eukaryotic transcription. Here, we report that the protein methyltransferases, MLL2/KMT2B and PRMT1, interact directly and act collectively to regulate gene expression. PRMT1 binds to the N-terminal region of MLL2, considered an intrinsically disordered region, and methylates multiple arginine residues within its RGG/RG motifs.

Transdural location as a predictor of recurrence in spinal cord meningiomas.

Spinal cord meningiomas are typically benign, rare tumors that pose clinical challenges owing to their location and potential for spinal cord compression. This study aimed to assess the radiological features of spinal cord meningiomas and the key factors associated with their recurrence. We conducted a retrospective, single-institution study on 67 patients with pathologically confirmed spinal cord meningiomas who were surgically treated between January 2016 and December 2023.

Approach to determining etiology of hypophosphatemia in a patient with coexisting phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor and fibrous dysplasia.

Dysregulated FGF23 production is a demonstrated cause of hypophosphatemia and osteomalacia. Diseases associated with these conditions include phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor (PMT) causing tumor induced osteomalacia, various forms of rickets, and fibrous dysplasia (FD). Coexistence of 2 conditions that can increase FGF23 concentrations is rare.

Elucidating Tertiary Structures of Affibody in Vacuo Using Genetic Code Expansion and FRIPS Mass Spectrometry.

Radical-directed protein fragmentation techniques, particularly free radical-initiated peptide sequencing (FRIPS) mass spectrometry (MS), offer significant potential for elucidating protein structures in the gas phase. This study presents a novel approach to protein structural analysis in vacuo, combining FRIPS MS with genetic code expansion (GCE) technology. By incorporating unnatural amino acids (UAAs) at specific sites within an Affibody protein, we effectively introduced a radical precursor at six distinct positions.

Development and validation of an unsafe behavior checklist for workers.

The purpose of this study is to develop and validate a simple unsafe behavior checklist to assess the extent of unsafe behavior among workers in an industrial setting. The checklist was developed using Focus Group Interview (FGI) and Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) analysis methodology. Preliminary testing was conducted with an unspecified sample and the correlation between unsafe behavior and accident experience was validated.

Diffuse functional and structural abnormalities in fibrosis: Potential structural basis for sustaining atrial fibrillation.

Background: Structural remodeling has been associated with increased incidence of atrial fibrillation, but how fibrotic regions allow atrial fibrillation to be sustained remains unclear.

Objective: With a novel transgenic goat model, we evaluated structural and functional differences between structurally remodeled and healthy regions of the atria.

Methods: A novel transgenic goat model with cardiac-specific overexpression of transforming growth factor β1 was used.

Innovations in Nuclear Medicine Imaging for Reactive Oxygen Species: Applications and Radiopharmaceuticals.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are generated during normal cellular energy production and play a critical role in maintaining cellular function. However, excessive ROS can damage cells and tissues, contributing to the development of diseases such as cardiovascular, inflammatory, and neurodegenerative disorders. This review explores the potential of nuclear medicine imaging techniques for detecting ROS and evaluates various radiopharmaceuticals used in these applications.

Microfluidic methods for the diagnosis of acute respiratory tract infections.

Acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs) are caused by sporadic or pandemic outbreaks of viral or bacterial pathogens, and continue to be a considerable socioeconomic burden for both developing and industrialized countries alike. Diagnostic methods and technologies serving as the cornerstone for disease management, epidemiological tracking, and public health interventions are evolving continuously to keep up with the demand for higher sensitivity, specificity and analytical throughput. Microfluidics is becoming a key technology in these developments as it allows for integrating, miniaturizing and automating bioanalytical assays at an unprecedented scale, reducing sample and reagent consumption and improving diagnostic performance in terms of sensitivity, throughput and response time.

Effects of High-Linear-Energy-Transfer Heavy Ion Radiation on Intestinal Stem Cells: Implications for Gut Health and Tumorigenesis.

Heavy ion radiation, prevalent in outer space and relevant for radiotherapy, is densely ionizing and poses a risk to intestinal stem cells (ISCs), which are vital for maintaining intestinal homeostasis. Earlier studies have shown that heavy-ion radiation can cause chronic oxidative stress, persistent DNA damage, cellular senescence, and the development of a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) in mouse intestinal mucosa. However, the specific impact on different cell types, particularly Lgr5 intestinal stem cells (ISCs), which are crucial for maintaining cellular homeostasis, GI function, and tumor initiation under genomic stress, remains understudied.

Sustainable production of microbial protein from carbon dioxide in the integrated bioelectrochemical system using recycled nitrogen sources.

Given the urgency of climate change, it is imperative to develop innovative technologies for repurposing CO into value-added products to achieve carbon neutrality. Additionally, repurposing nitrogen-source-derived wastewater streams is crucial, focusing on sustainability rather than conventional nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment plants. In this context, microbial protein (MP) production presents a sustainable and promising approach for transforming recovered low-value resources into high-quality feed and food.

HM-chromanone attenuates obesity and adipose tissue inflammation by downregulating SREBP-1c and NF-κb pathway in high-fat diet-fed mice.

Obese adipose tissue produces various pro-inflammatory cytokines that are major contributors to adipose tissue inflammation. The present study aimed to determine the effects of HM-chromanone (HMC) against obesity and adipose tissue inflammation in high-fat diet-fed mice. Twenty-four C57BL/6J male mice were divided into three groups: ND (normal diet), HFD (high-fat diet), and HFD + HMC.

Murine Retina Outer Plexiform Layer Development and Transcriptome Analysis of Pre-Synapses in Photoreceptors.

Photoreceptors in the mammalian retina convert light signals into electrical and molecular signals through phototransduction and transfer the visual inputs to second-order neurons via specialized ribbon synapses. Two kinds of photoreceptors, rods and cones, possess distinct morphology and function. Currently, we have limited knowledge about rod versus (vs.

The predictive utility of the in utero exposome for childhood adiposity in independent and integrated frameworks.

Objectives: To assess the predictive potential of the in utero exposome in relation to childhood adiposity as indicated by body mass index z-scores (BMIz) and the fourth versus first quartile of % fat mass (FM) at median age of 4.6 years.

Methods: We leveraged data on clinical risk factors for childhood obesity during the perinatal period, along with cord blood per/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and cord blood DNA methylation, in 268 mother-offspring pairs.

Sample-to-answer centrifugal microfluidic droplet PCR platform for quantitation of viral load.

Droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) stands out as a highly sensitive diagnostic technique that is gaining traction in infectious disease diagnostics due to its ability to quantitate very low numbers of viral gene copies. By partitioning the sample into thousands of droplets, ddPCR enables precise and absolute quantification without relying on a standard curve. However, current ddPCR systems often exhibit relatively low levels of integration, and the analytical process remains dependent on elaborate workflows for up-front sample preparation.