Aβ stimulates microglial activation through antizyme-dependent downregulation of ornithine decarboxylase.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders. Its pathology is associated with the deposition of amyloid β (Aβ), an abnormal extracellular peptide. Moreover, its pathological progression is closely accompanied by neuroinflammation.

Loading effects of anterior cervical spine fusion on adjacent segments.

Adjacent segment degeneration typically follows anterior cervical spine fusion. However, the primary cause of adjacent segment degeneration remains unknown. Therefore, in order to identify the loading effects that cause adjacent segment degeneration, this study examined the loading effects to superior segments adjacent to fused bone following anterior cervical spine fusion.

Traumatic subdural hematoma in the lumbar spine.

Traumatic spinal subdural hematoma is rare and its mechanism remains unclear. This intervention describes a patient with mental retardation who was suffering from back pain and progressive weakness of the lower limbs following a traffic accident. Magnetic resonance imaging of the spine revealed a lumbar subdural lesion.

Evaluation of unilateral cage-instrumented fixation for lumbar spine.

Background: To investigate how unilateral cage-instrumented posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) affects the three-dimensional flexibility in degenerative disc disease by comparing the biomechanical characteristics of unilateral and bilateral cage-instrumented PLIF.

Methods: Twelve motion segments in sheep lumbar spine specimens were tested for flexion, extension, axial rotation, and lateral bending by nondestructive flexibility test method using a nonconstrained testing apparatus. The specimens were divided into two equal groups.

Cadaveric comparison of two facial flap-harvesting techniques for alloplastic facial transplantation.

Background: Functional and aesthetic reconstruction of severe facial deformities presents a major challenge, and the results are rarely satisfactory. Recent clinical success of composite tissue allograft transplantation and improvements in autoimmune regulation have initiated efforts to reconstruct severe facial deformities with alloplastic tissue. Few reports address the full facial flap dissection approach, where lengthy procedural times remain a limiting factor in achieving optimal graft survival.

Microvascular reconstruction of nasal ala using a reversed superficial temporal artery auricular flap.

Microsurgical technique allows successful transfer of an auricular flap in a one-stage procedure, using the root of the helix. Although a free composite auricular flap with the superficial temporal artery pedicle provides a good solution to repair nasal defects, its vascular pedicle is so limited that a vein graft from other area of the body is usually needed to reach the recipient site, leaving an unpleasant scar on the donor site. The authors present a reversed superficial temporal artery auricular free flap for alar reconstruction by microsurgical transfer.

Nasal reconstruction using a split forehead flap.

Background: The pedicle paramedian flap is the most common method used to reconstruct the nose, but secondary operations for debulking are required. In addition, this flap is always limited in length, which makes it hard to form the distal part of the nose. In this study, the authors suggest a split forehead flap with an oblique orientation designed to overcome the disadvantages of the paramedian flap.

Vertebral axial rotation measurement method.

This study presents a new method for measuring axial rotation of vertebra. Anatomical landmarks of the vertebral body were first recognized in X-ray film. By employing appropriate geometrical relationships, vertebral body shape parameters and a computer iteration method, the rotation angle of vertebra on the transverse plane can rapidly be obtained.