Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion (ALIF) Versus Full-Endoscopic/Percutaneous TLIF With a Large-Footprint Interbody Cage: A Comparative Observational Study.

Study Design: Exploratory prospective observational case-control study.

Objectives: Aim of this study was to compare clinical and radiologic outcome, as well as peri-operative complications, of anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) and full-endoscopic/percutaneous trans-Kambin transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (pTLIF) with a large-footprint interbody cage.

Methods: Patients that underwent elective ALIF and pTLIF with a large-footprint interbody cage were prospectively evaluated.

Full-Endoscopic Anterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion for Cervical Myelopathy.

This article aims to introduce a novel full-endoscopic anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) procedure to treat cervical myelopathy. Adoption of endoscopic anterior cervical procedures has been lagging due to safety concerns and the necessity of placing an interbody cage. We have developed novel instrumentation and a modified percutaneous anterior cervical approach that allows a safe and reproducible full-endoscopic ACDF.

Lassa fever outbreaks, mathematical models, and disease parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Understanding the epidemiological parameters and transmission dynamics of Lassa fever, a significant public health threat in west Africa caused by the rodent-borne Lassa virus, is crucial for informing evidence-based interventions and outbreak response strategies. Therefore, our study aimed to collate and enhance understanding of the key epidemiological parameters of Lassa fever.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review, searching PubMed and Web of Science for peer-reviewed studies published from database inception up to June 13, 2024, to compile and analyse key epidemiological parameters, mathematical models, and outbreaks of Lassa fever.

Key Takeaways From ISASS Webinar Series on Endoscopic Spine Surgery Techniques | Part 4: Advancing the Curve on Surgeons' Experience With Complex Lumbar Revision Scenarios, Grades 1 to 3 Spondylolytic Spondylolisthesis, Cervical Foraminotomy, and Cervical Spondylotic Myelopathy.

Background: The fourth webinar in a 4-part series hosted by the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery explored contemporary endoscopic spine surgery techniques. This session covered complex revision strategies, endoscopic management of grades 1-3 spondylolytic spondylolisthesis, cervical foraminotomy, and decompression techniques for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

Objective: The aim was to assess surgeon endorsement of the discussed endoscopic spine surgery techniques both before and after the webinar using polytomous Rasch analysis.

Insights on High-Value Procedures From the ISASS 4-Part Webinar Series on Current and Emerging Techniques in Endoscopic Spine Surgery Based on Surgeon Experience.

Background: The authors conducted a comprehensive review and integration of insights from 4 webinars hosted by the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS) to arrive at recommendations for best clinical practices for guideline development for endoscopic spine surgery. This perspective article discusses the limitations of traditional surgical trials and amalgamates surgeons' experience and research on various cutting-edge techniques.

Methods: Data were extracted from surveys conducted during each webinar session involving 3639 surgeons globally.

Prospective pharmacotyping of urothelial carcinoma organoids for drug sensitivity prediction - feasibility and real world experience.

Urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the urinary bladder has significant challenges in treatment due to its diverse genetic landscape and variable response to systemic therapy. In recent years, patient-derived organoids (PDOs) emerged as a novel tool to model primary tumors with higher resemblance than conventional 2D cell culture approaches. However, the potential of organoids to predict therapy response in a clinical setting remains to be evaluated.

High-resolution epidemiological landscape from ~290,000 SARS-CoV-2 genomes from Denmark.

Vast amounts of pathogen genomic, demographic and spatial data are transforming our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 emergence and spread. We examined the drivers of molecular evolution and spread of 291,791 SARS-CoV-2 genomes from Denmark in 2021. With a sequencing rate consistently exceeding 60%, and up to 80% of PCR-positive samples between March and November, the viral genome set is broadly whole-epidemic representative.

Ebola virus disease mathematical models and epidemiological parameters: a systematic review.

Ebola virus disease poses a recurring risk to human health. We conducted a systematic review (PROSPERO CRD42023393345) of Ebola virus disease transmission models and parameters published from database inception to July 7, 2023, from PubMed and Web of Science. Two people screened each abstract and full text.

The interaction of disease transmission, mortality, and economic output over the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has caused over 7.02 million deaths as of January 2024 and profoundly affected most countries' Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Here, we study the interaction of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, mortality, and economic output between January 2020 and December 2022 across 25 European countries.

Biomarkers of NRF2 signalling: Current status and future challenges.

The cytoprotective transcription factor NRF2 regulates the expression of several hundred genes in mammalian cells and is a promising therapeutic target in a number of diseases associated with oxidative stress and inflammation. Hence, an ability to monitor basal and inducible NRF2 signalling is vital for mechanistic understanding in translational studies. Due to some caveats related to the direct measurement of NRF2 levels, the modulation of NRF2 activity is typically determined by measuring changes in the expression of one or more of its target genes and/or the associated protein products.

Promoting healthy populations as a pandemic preparedness strategy: a simulation study from Mexico.

Background: The underlying health status of populations was a major determinant of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly obesity prevalence. Mexico was one of the most severely affected countries during the COVID-19 pandemic and its obesity prevalence is among the highest in the world. It is unknown by how much the COVID-19 burden could have been reduced if systemic actions had been implemented to reduce excess weight in Mexico before the onset of the pandemic.

The early determinants of career choices for medical students following an obstetrics and gynaecology placement: Mixed methods study.

Objective: To explore the impact of attending a clinical placement in considering a career in obstetrics and gynaecology.

Design: Mixed methods study.

Setting: London Medical School.

Marburg virus disease outbreaks, mathematical models, and disease parameters: a systematic review.

The 2023 Marburg virus disease outbreaks in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania highlighted the importance of better understanding this lethal pathogen. We did a systematic review (PROSPERO CRD42023393345) of peer-reviewed articles reporting historical outbreaks, modelling studies, and epidemiological parameters focused on Marburg virus disease. We searched PubMed and Web of Science from database inception to March 31, 2023.

DNA methylation-associated allelic inactivation regulates Keratin 19 gene expression during pancreatic development and carcinogenesis.

Within the pancreas, Keratin 19 (KRT19) labels the ductal lineage and is a determinant of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). To investigate KRT19 expression dynamics, we developed a human pluripotent stem cell (PSC)-based KRT19-mCherry reporter system in different genetic backgrounds to monitor KRT19 expression from its endogenous gene locus. A differentiation protocol to generate mature pancreatic duct-like organoids was applied.

Full-Endoscopic Removal of Migrated and Pseudoarthrotic Lumbar Interbody Cages: Case Reports and Technical Note.

Background: The removal of a lumbar interbody cage in revision spine surgery can be challenging, as there is an increased risk of nerve injury and a protracted outcome. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary results of uniportal full-endoscopic surgery for the removal of migrated and/or pseudarthrotic lumbar interbody cages.

Methods: Three complex revision surgery cases with migrated and pseudarthrotic lumbar interbody cages are presented, and the endoscopic surgical technique is described.

Intrinsic randomness in epidemic modelling beyond statistical uncertainty.

Uncertainty can be classified as either aleatoric (intrinsic randomness) or epistemic (imperfect knowledge of parameters). The majority of frameworks assessing infectious disease risk consider only epistemic uncertainty. We only ever observe a single epidemic, and therefore cannot empirically determine aleatoric uncertainty.

Dupilumab increases aspirin tolerance in NSAID-exacerbated respiratory disease.

Background: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-exacerbated respiratory disease (N-ERD) comprises the triad of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, asthma and intolerance to NSAIDs. Dupilumab treatment, targeting the interleukin-4 (IL-4) receptor α, significantly reduces polyp burden as well as asthma symptoms. Here we aimed to investigate the effect of dupilumab on aspirin intolerance, burden of disease and nasal cytokine profiles in patients with N-ERD.

International market exposure to sovereign ESG.

We quantify equity and bond market sensitivity to sovereign ESG scores and their variations which, theoretically, is equivalent to evaluating the demand for ESG at the global scale. We do so by estimating a longitudinal model, at the issue level, that captures exposures to sovereign ESG factors for both equity and fixed income indices. In spite of the surging interest in ESG investing, our results do not support a strong impact of ESG factors on the returns of international markets, implying that the demand for ESG at the country level is not a significant driver of prices.

Data needs for integrated economic-epidemiological models of pandemic mitigation policies.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the mitigation policies implemented in response to it have resulted in economic losses worldwide. Attempts to understand the relationship between economics and epidemiology has led to a new generation of integrated mathematical models. The data needs for these models transcend those of the individual fields, especially where human interaction patterns are closely linked with economic activity.

Thoracolumbar Interfascial Plane Block Results in Opioid-Free Postoperative Recovery After Percutaneous/Endoscopic Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion Surgery.

Objective: To evaluate efficacy in reducing postoperative pain and opioid analgesia of a novel interdisciplinary strategy combining preoperative thoracolumbar interfascial plane (TLIP) block and percutaneous/endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery and to determine time to first postoperative ambulation and hospital length of stay.

Methods: In this retrospective review, 42 patients who underwent elective single-level percutaneous/endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion surgery between 2015 and 2021 were divided into 2 groups: TLIP group with 17 patients who underwent TLIP block and non-TLIP group with 25 patients. Both groups received the same postoperative analgesia with morphine as patient-controlled rescue medication.

Ritter-enabled catalytic asymmetric chloroamidation of olefins.

Intermolecular asymmetric haloamination reactions are challenging due to the inherently high halenium affinity (HalA) of the nitrogen atom, which often leads to -halogenated products as a kinetic trap. To circumvent this issue, acetonitrile, possessing a low HalA, was used as the nucleophile in the catalytic asymmetric Ritter-type chloroamidation of allyl-amides. This method is compatible with and alkenes with both alkyl and aromatic substitution.

The impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions on SARS-CoV-2 transmission across 130 countries and territories.

Background: Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) are used to reduce transmission of SARS coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, empirical evidence of the effectiveness of specific NPIs has been inconsistent. We assessed the effectiveness of NPIs around internal containment and closure, international travel restrictions, economic measures, and health system actions on SARS-CoV-2 transmission in 130 countries and territories.

Thermogenic diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection by microcalorimetry of synovial fluid.

Background: Synovial fluid culture is the standard investigation for the preoperative diagnosis of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). However, the culture has limited sensitivity and requires several days until result. We evaluated the value of isothermal microcalorimetry for real-time diagnosis of PJI based on heat produced by microbial growth in synovial fluid.