Rapid cyclic stretching induces a synthetic, proinflammatory phenotype in cultured human intestinal smooth muscle, with the potential to alter signaling to adjacent bowel cells.

Background And Aims: Bowel smooth muscle experiences mechanical stress constantly during normal function, and pathologic mechanical stressors in disease states. We tested the hypothesis that pathologic mechanical stress could alter transcription to induce smooth muscle phenotypic class switching.

Methods: Primary human intestinal smooth muscle cells (HISMCs), seeded on electrospun aligned poly-ε-caprolactone nano-fibrous scaffolds, were subjected to pathologic, high frequency (1 Hz) uniaxial 3% cyclic stretch (loaded) or kept unloaded in culture for 6 hours.

Comparison of CT-Guided needle biopsy versus percutaneous endoscopic debridement and drainage in pathogen identification and pain outcomes for spondylodiscitis patients: A systematic review and literature review.

Introduction: Spondylodiscitis (SD) is an infection of the intervertebral disc with involvement of the adjacent vertebral bodies. Diagnostic tests with CT-guided biopsy only provide a positive yield in 14%-48% of cases. Percutaneous endoscopic debridement and drainage (PEDD) has recently shown promise in the treatment of spondylodiscitis.

Does obesity and varying body mass index affect the clinical outcomes and safety of biportal endoscopic lumbar decompression? A comparative cohort study.

Background: Endoscopic spine surgery has recently grown in popularity due to the potential benefits of reduced pain and faster recovery time as compared to open surgery. Biportal spinal endoscopy has been successfully applied to lumbar disc herniations and lumbar spinal stenosis. Obesity is associated with increased risk of complications in spine surgery.

Elevated Serum Alkaline Phosphatase is an Independent Predictor of Complications After Lumbar Spinal Fusion.

Background: Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme which has been proven useful as a biomarker for bone turnover and inflammation. We hypothesized that high serum ALP levels are associated with increased complication rates following lumbar spinal fusion.

Methods: Lumbar spinal fusion procedures from 2005 to 2019 were queried from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) database.

Cervical Spine Surgery Following COVID-19 Infection: When is it Safe to Proceed?

Study Design: Retrospective.

Objective: We utilized the NIH National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) database to characterize the risk profile of patients undergoing spine surgery during multiple time windows following the COVID-19 infection.

Summary Of Background Data: While the impact of COVID-19 on various organ systems is well documented, there is limited knowledge regarding its effect on perioperative complications following spine surgery or the optimal timing of surgery after an infection.

A Comparison of Short-Term Outcomes after Surgical Treatment of Multilevel Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy in the Geriatric Patient Population: An Analysis of the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program Database 2010-2020.

Study Design: Retrospective review of the American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2010 to 2020.

Purpose: To compare the short-term complication rates of anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF), posterior cervical laminoplasty (LP), and posterior cervical laminectomy and fusion (PCF) in a geriatric population.

Overview Of Literature: The geriatric population in the United States has increased significantly.

Contemporary Trends in the Orthopaedic Surgery Residency Match and the Effects of COVID-19.

Objective: We aimed to elucidate associations between geographic location, size, and ranking of medical schools that orthopaedic surgery residents graduate from and the residencies that they match both pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 pandemic by examining the 2017 to 2022 orthopaedic surgery residency cohorts.

Methods: Demographics were extracted using Doximity Residency Navigator platform, the 2021 US News and World Report, and program websites. Medical schools were classified as large if they had >613 medical students.

A temporal analysis of perioperative complications following COVID-19 infection in patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion: When is it safe to proceed?

Background Context: COVID-19 has been shown to adversely affect multiple organ systems, yet little is known about its effect on perioperative complications after spine surgery or the optimal timing of surgery after an infection. We used the NIH National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) database to characterize the risk profile in patients undergoing spine surgery during multiple time windows following COVID-19 infection.

Methods: We queried the National COVID Cohort Collaborative, a database of 17.

Multi-disciplinary Insights from the First European Forum on Visceral Myopathy 2022 Meeting.

Visceral myopathy is a rare, life-threatening disease linked to identified genetic mutations in 60% of cases. Mostly due to the dearth of knowledge regarding its pathogenesis, effective treatments are lacking. The disease is most commonly diagnosed in children with recurrent or persistent disabling episodes of functional intestinal obstruction, which can be life threatening, often requiring long-term parenteral or specialized enteral nutritional support.

Generation of CHOPe003-A ESC line to study an ACTG2 variant affecting smooth muscle development and function.

Dysfunction of visceral smooth muscle ("visceral myopathy") impairs bowel, bladder, and uterine function. Symptoms of this life-threatening condition include massive intestinal distension with slow transit, vomiting, feeding intolerance, growth failure, poor bladder emptying, and difficult vaginal delivery. The most common genetic cause of visceral myopathy is a heterozygous point mutation (R257C) in gamma smooth muscle actin (ACTG2).

Generation of CHOPi012-A iPSC line from a patient with visceral myopathy-related chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction.

Visceral myopathies are debilitating conditions characterized by dysfunction of smooth muscle in visceral organs (bowel, bladder, and uterus). Individuals affected by visceral myopathy experience feeding difficulties, growth failure, life-threatening abdominal distension, and may depend on intravenous nutrition for survival. Unfortunately, our limited understanding of the pathophysiology of visceral myopathies means that current therapies remain supportive, with no mechanism-based treatments.

Single Nucleus Sequencing of Human Colon Myenteric Plexus-Associated Visceral Smooth Muscle Cells, Platelet Derived Growth Factor Receptor Alpha Cells, and Interstitial Cells of Cajal.

Background And Aims: Smooth muscle cells (SMCs), interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs), and platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFR+) cells (PCs) form a functional syncytium in the bowel known as the "SIP syncytium." The SIP syncytium works in concert with the enteric nervous system (ENS) to coordinate bowel motility. However, our understanding of individual cell types that form this syncytium and how they interact with each other remains limited, with no prior single-cell RNAseq analyses focused on human SIP syncytium cells.

A Survey of Current Practices and Adherence to Coronavirus Disease Airway Management Guidelines Among Frontline Healthcare Professionals in a Resource-Limited Country.

Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has brought anaesthesiologists, intensive care and emergency physicians to the forefront due to their airway management skills. The aim of survey was to determine current practice trends in COVID-19 airway management among frontline healthcare professionals of Pakistan and their adherence to standard principles proposed by most consensus guidelines.

Methods: An online questionnaire was designed based on consensus guidelines from international societies.

The impact of stratified hypoalbuminemia and dialysis on morbidity/mortality after posterior spinal fusion surgery: An ACS-NSQIP study.

Background: Preoperative optimization in patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion is essential to limit the number and severity of postoperative complications. Here, we, additionally, evaluated the impact of hypoalbuminemia on morbidity and mortality after posterior spinal fusion surgery.

Methods: This retrospective analysis was performed using data from a prospective multicentric database (ACSNSQIP:2015-2020) regarding patients undergoing posterior spinal fusions.

Utility of the Modified 5-Items Frailty Index to Predict Complications and Mortality After Elective Cervical, Thoracic and Lumbar Posterior Spine Fusion Surgery: Multicentric Analysis From ACS-NSQIP Database.

Study Design: Retrospective review of multicentric data.

Objectives: The modified 5-item frailty index is a relatively new tool to assess the post-operative complication risks. It has been recently shown a good predictive value after posterior lumbar fusion.

Pyogenic spinal infections in patients with chronic liver disease: illustrative case and systematic review.

Background: Pyogenic spinal infections (PSIs) are a group of uncommon but serious infectious diseases that are characterized by inflammation of the endplate-disc unit. PSIs are considered more prevalent and aggressive among patients with chronic immunocompromised states. Association between PSIs and liver disease has not been systematically analyzed.

Primary spinal infections in patients with solid organ transplant: a systematic literature review and illustrative case.

Background: Primary spinal infections (PSIs) are a group of uncommon but serious infectious diseases considered more prevalent and aggressive among patients with chronic immunocompromised states. Association of PSI and solid organ transplant has not been systematically analyzed. The authors performed a systematic review analyzing clinical presentation and mortality of patients with PSI in the setting of solid organ transplant.

Preoperative hypoalbuminemia and dialysis increase morbidity/mortality after spine surgery for primary pyogenic spinal infections (ACS-NSQIP Study).

Background: We analyzed the role of hypoalbuminemia, dialysis, and other risk factors that increase morbidity/ mortality following surgery for primary pyogenic spinal infections (PSIs). The American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP) that included 627 patients was utilized as our database.

Methods: Primary spinal surgery for spondylodiscitis was evaluated in a ACS-NSQIP database involving 627 patients between 2010 and 2019.

Algorithm Improves Acetabular Fracture Radiograph Interpretation Among Inexperienced Practitioners.

Acetabular fractures are often first evaluated in the emergency department, where physicians with little experience reading pelvic radiographs may be required to make an accurate diagnosis and early management decisions. In this study, medical students classified radiographs of 20 acetabular fractures and repeated the exercise three weeks later with the aid of a previously described algorithm; half the students were given a lesson prior to using the algorithm. The pre-algorithm accuracy was 4/20 and the post-algorithm accuracy was 8.

Risk Factors for Development of a Recalcitrant Femoral Nonunion: A Single Surgeon Experience in 122 Patients.

Objectives: The goals of the study were (1) to document the healing rates of femoral nonunions stratified by those that healed as intended, healed after a subsequent intervention, and those that did not heal; (2) to report the prevalence of recalcitrant femoral nonunions and (3) to identify specific demographic, injury, and treatment-related risk factors for the development of a recalcitrant nonunion.

Design: Longitudinal observational cohort study.

Setting: Academic Level 1 trauma center.

Accuracy of Radiographic Displacement Measurement in a Pelvic Ring Injury Model.

Background: Pelvic ring injury outcome studies rely on radiographic assessment. To date, no study investigates the accuracy of radiographic measurement. The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy and interobserver reliability of pelvic ring displacement measurement in an injury model.