Exposure of Primary Human Skin Fibroblasts to Carbon Dioxide-Containing Solution Significantly Reduces TGF-β-Induced Myofibroblast Differentiation In Vitro.

Wound healing as a result of a skin injury involves a series of dynamic physiological processes, leading to wound closure, re-epithelialization, and the remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The primary scar formed by the new ECM never fully regains the original tissue's strength or flexibility. Moreover, in some cases, due to dysregulated fibroblast activity, proliferation, and differentiation, the normal scarring can be replaced by pathological fibrotic tissue, leading to hypertrophic scars or keloids.

Clinical Outcome and Quality of Life after Modular Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty in Comparison with Joint-Preserving Locking Plate Osteosynthesis in Aged Patients: A Retrospective Comparison Study.

Objectives: Proximal humeral fractures (PHFs) show a high incidence in aged patients. While nondisplaced fractures achieve good results by conservative treatment, surgical procedures are discussed controversially. Next to open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), the primary use of reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) has become increasingly important.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Ambulatory Lumbar Spine Decompression Surgery.

Background Only a few studies have examined the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic on spine ambulatory surgeries and changes in trends. Therefore, we investigated trends during the pre-pandemic period and three pandemic stages in patients undergoing lumbar decompression procedures in the ambulatory surgery (AMS) setting. Methodology A total of 2,670 adult patients undergoing one- or two-level lumbar decompression surgery were retrospectively reviewed.

Efficacy of lysostaphin-coated titanium plates on implant-associated MRSA osteitis in minipigs.

Purpose: The growing incidence of implant-associated infections (IAIs) caused by biofilm-forming Staphylococcus aureus in combination with an increasing resistance to antibiotics requires new therapeutic strategies. Lysostaphin has been shown to eliminate this biofilm. Own studies confirm the effectiveness in a murine model.

Correlation between MRI-based spinal muscle parameters and the vertebral bone quality score in lumbar fusion patients.

Introduction: The vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score that is based on non-contrast enhanced T1-weighted MRI was recently introduced as a novel measure of bone quality in the lumbar spine and shown to be a significant predictor of healthy versus osteopenic/osteoporotic bone.

Research Question: This study aimed to assess possible correlations between the VBQ score and the functional cross-sectional area (FCSA) of psoas and lumbar spine extensor muscles.

Material And Methods: Patients who underwent fusion surgery between 2014 and 2017 and had lumbar MRI and CT scans within 6 months prior to surgery were included.

Dupuytren's Disease Is Mediated by Insufficient TGF-β1 Release and Degradation.

Dupuytren's disease (DD) is a fibroproliferative disorder affecting the palmar fascia, causing functional restrictions of the hand and thereby limiting patients' daily lives. The disturbed and excessive myofibroblastogenesis, causing DD, is mainly induced by transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. But, the extent to which impaired TGF-β1 release or TGF-β signal degradation is involved in pathologically altered myofibroblastogenesis in DD has been barely examined.

Midterm Development of Ultrasound-unstable Hip Joints After Overhead Traction and Treatment With Tübingen Splint and Fettweis Plaster: A Radiologic Follow-up Analysis Over 5.5 Years.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the success rate for treatment of ultrasound unstable hips (type D, III and IV) with Fettweis plaster in terms of a midterm follow-up from the very beginning in the neonatal period until the age of 4 to 8 years.

Methods: In total, 69 unstable hips, which were successfully treated with Fettweis plaster and after with a flexion-abduction splint, were included into the study. Hip delvelopment was followed by determining the acetabular index (ACI) on routine pelvic radiographs at the age of 12 to ≤24, 24 to ≤48 and 48 to ≤96 months and the center edge angle on the latter, and classifying both angles according to Tönnis.

Risk Factors for Ambulatory Surgery Conversion to Extended Stay Among Patients Undergoing One-level or Two-level Posterior Lumbar Decompression.

Study Design: A retrospective observational study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the factors associated with the conversion of patient status from ambulatory surgery (AMS) to observation service (OS) (<48 h) or inpatient (>48 h).

Summary Of Background Data: AMS is becoming increasingly common in the United States because it is associated with a similar quality of care compared with inpatient surgery, significant costs reduction, and patients' desire to recuperate at home.

Changes in psoas and posterior paraspinal muscle morphology after standalone lateral lumbar interbody fusion: a quantitative MRI-based analysis.

Purpose: Standalone lateral lumbar interbody fusion (SA-LLIF) without posterior instrumentation can be an alternative to 360° fusion in selected cases. This study aimed to investigate quantitative changes in psoas and paraspinal muscle morphology that occur on index levels after SA-LLIF.

Methods: Patients undergoing single- or multi-level SA-LLIF at L2/3 to L4/5 who had preoperative and postoperative lumbar MRI scans, the latter performed between 3 and 18 months after surgery for any reason, were retrospectively included.

MRI-based vertebral bone quality score compared to quantitative computed tomography bone mineral density in patients undergoing cervical spinal surgery.

Purpose: The vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was introduced as a bone quality marker in the lumbar spine. Prior studies showed that it could be utilized as a predictor of osteoporotic fracture or complications after instrumented spine surgery. The objective of this study was to evaluate the correlation between VBQ scores and bone mineral density (BMD) measured by quantitative computer tomography (QCT) in the cervical spine.

The association between vertebral endplate defects, subchondral bone marrow changes, and lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration: a retrospective, 3-year longitudinal study.

Purpose: To investigate the influence of vertebral endplate defects and subchondral bone marrow changes on the development of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration (DD).

Methods: Patients > 18 y/o without any history of lumbar fusion who had repeat lumbar magnetic resonance imaging scans primarily for low back pain (LBP) performed at a minimum of 3 years apart at a single institution, and no spinal surgery in between scans were included. Total endplate score (TEPS), Modic changes (MC), and Pfirrmann grading (PFG) per lumbar disc level were assessed.

Trends in use, outcomes, and revision procedures of anterior cervical disc replacement in the United States: a premiere database analysis from 2006-2019.

Purpose: We sought to characterize trends in demographics, comorbidities, and postoperative complications among patients undergoing primary and revision cervical disc replacement (pCDR/rCDR) procedures.

Methods: In this retrospective database study, the Premier Healthcare database was queried from 2006 to 2019. Annual proportions or medians were calculated for patient and hospital characteristics, comorbidities, and postoperative complications associated with CDR surgery.

Volumetry of Hand and Forearm: A 3D Volumetric Approach.

Background: Swelling and edema of the hand and forearm may occur in various traumatic and degenerative diseases. So far, no precise measurement protocol exists. The objective of this study was to evaluate an examination protocol with relevant regions of interest (ROIs) measured by a 3-dimensional (3D) scanner to achieve precise, reproducible, and objective measurements for an optimized detection of volumes of the hand and forearm.

Fusion assessment in standalone lateral lumbar interbody fusion: 3D-printed titanium versus polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages.

Background: Compare fusion at two independent timepoints (early and late) between 3D-printed titanium (Ti) and polyetheretherketone (PEEK) cages in patients undergoing standalone lateral lumbar interbody fusion (SA-LLIF). We hypothesized that 3D-printed Ti cages show higher fusion rates at an early timepoint compared to PEEK.

Methods: A retrospective study of patients undergoing SA-LLIF with 3D-printed Ti cages and PEEK cages between 11/2016 and 01/2020 at a single academic institution was done.

Preoperative Association Between Quantitative Lumbar Muscle Parameters and Spinal Sagittal Alignment in Lumbar Fusion Patients.

Study Design: A retrospective cross-sectional study.

Objective: To assess the association between spinal muscle morphology and spinopelvic parameters in lumbar fusion patients, with a special emphasis on lumbar lordosis (LL).

Summary Of Background Data: Maintenance of sagittal alignment relies on muscle forces, but the basic association between spinal muscles and spinopelvic parameters is poorly understood.

A Prospective Analysis of Skin and Fingertip Advanced Glycation End-Product Devices in Healthy Volunteers.

Background: Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) have been shown to accumulate in bone and are gaining interest in connective tissue research. Aims: To investigate the intrarater reliability, two-timepoint agreement and correlations within and between two commercially available skin autofluorescence (SAF) AGE devices. Methods: Healthy volunteers were enrolled in a prospective study at a single academic institution.

Effects of the SARS-CoV‑2 pandemic on residency training in orthopedics and traumatology in Germany : A nationwide survey.

Background: The spread of the coronavirus disease has impacted healthcare systems worldwide; however, restrictions due to the SARS-CoV‑2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) pandemic are particularly drastic for physicians in residency training. Imposed restrictions interrupt the standard educational curricula, and consequently limited residents to meet mandatory requirements.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the SARS-CoV‑2 pandemic on residency training in orthopedics and trauma surgery in Germany.

The association between lumbar paraspinal muscle functional cross-sectional area on MRI and regional volumetric bone mineral density measured by quantitative computed tomography.

Unlabelled: Osteosarcopenia is a common condition among elderly and postmenopausal female patients. Site-specific bone mineral density is more predictive of bone-related complications. Few studies have investigated muscle-bone associations.

Surgeon-Placed Erector Spinae Plane Catheters for Multilevel Lumbar Spine Fusion: Technique and Outcomes Compared With Single-Shot Blocks.

Background: Postoperative pain management of multilevel lumbar fusion remains challenging. There are few reports of opioid-sparing regional analgesia for spine surgery. We present a novel method for surgeon-placed erector spinae plane (ESP) catheters for multilevel lumbar spine fusion and compare pain- and opioid-related outcomes in a matched cohort who received anesthesiologist-placed ESP blocks.

Defining the region of interest of the knee for perioperative volumetric assessment with a portable 3D scanner in orthopedic and trauma surgery.

Background: The aim of this study was to characterize three regions of interest (ROI) around the knee with a portable 3D scanner (Artec 3D scanner EVA). Soft tissue topography assessment with an optimized, precise, and reproducible method may assist surgeons when managing soft tissue swelling in the post traumatic setting.

Methods: 12 healthy volunteers (24 legs, 7 women, 5 man) were included in this study.

Longitudinal Trends of Patient Demographics and Morbidity of Different Approaches in Lumbar Interbody Fusion: An Analysis Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database.

Objective: The aims of this study were to determine the time trend of demographics, complications, and outcomes for patients undergoing posterior lumbar interbody fusion/transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF/TLIF) or anterior lumbar interbody fusion/lateral lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF/LLIF) and to compare the differences in the time trends between both procedures.

Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database was queried for patients undergoing PLIF/TLIF and ALIF/LLIF procedures. Outcomes were analyzed for differences between 2 time periods in the PLIF/TLIF and ALIF/LLIF cohorts separately (2009-2013 and 2015-2019).