Expanded application of unilateral biportal endoscopy in adult thoracic disease: report of three cases and literature review.

Background: Traditional surgery for degenerative thoracic disorder can be extremely invasive and accompanied by complications. Unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE), a newly developed technique in the field of spin surgery, is minimally invasive and its popularity and indications have been increasing. In this study, we report three cases of different thoracic diseases treated using UBE.

Cervical Open-Door Laminoplasty for Myelopathy Caused by Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: Correlation Between Spinal Canal Expansion and Clinical Outcomes.

: This study investigated the relationship between spinal canal expansion and clinical outcomes in patients with myelopathy due to ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) who underwent cervical open-door laminoplasty. : A retrospective study was conducted on 36 OPLL patients who underwent open-door laminoplasty between 2009 and 2021. Preoperative and two-year postoperative radiologic parameters, including bony canal area (BCA) and spinal canal area (SCA), were measured.

Surgery for spinal deformity with osteoporosis: Achieving successful fusion.

The objectives of fusion surgery for spinal deformities include decompressing neural elements and achieving balanced spinal alignment. Particularly, in cases where spinal deformities coexist with osteoporosis, successful surgery requires careful consideration due to the susceptibility to fixation failure and non-union. Various efforts are being made to restore spinal alignment through surgery in osteoporotic patients.

Endoscopic decompression of severe post-tuberculosis kyphosis related ossification of the ligamentum flavum: case report and literature review.

Purpose: Spinal tuberculosis, if not promptly treated, can lead to kyphotic deformity, causing persistent neurological abnormalities and discomfort. Spinal cord compression can occur due to ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OLF) at the apex of kyphosis. Traditional surgical interventions, including osteotomy and fixation, pose challenges and risks.

The Effects of Longer Use of Teriparatide on Clinical and Radiographic Outcomes after Spinal Fusion in Geriatric Patients.

: Teriparatide is an anabolic agent for osteoporosis and is believed to improve the bone healing process. Previous studies showed that teriparatide could enhance not only fracture healing but also spine fusion. It has been reported that use of teriparatide could promote the spine fusion process and decrease mechanical complications.

Association among Lifestyle and Risk Factors with SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a major health burden worldwide, with over 600 million confirmed cases and 6 million deaths by 15 December 2022. Although the acute phase of COVID-19 management has been established, the long-term clinical course and complications due to the relatively short outbreak is yet to be assessed. The current COVID-19 pandemic is causing significant morbidity and mortality around the world.

Comparison of Clinical Outcomes after Total Knee Arthroplasty with and without Patellar Resurfacing in the Same Patients.

Background: Patellar resurfacing is performed in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) to improve pain in the anterior compartment of the knee joint and to restore proper coordination and movement of the patellofemoral joint. The purpose of this study was to analyze differences in clinical outcomes according to patellar resurfacing in patients who underwent bilateral TKA.

Methods: Forty-three patients who underwent bilateral primary TKA with patellar resurfacing on one side only were included.

Management of blunt cerebrovascular injuries at a Canadian level 1 trauma centre: Are we meeting the grade?

Background: Untreated blunt cerebrovascular injuries (BCVIs) are associated with high rates of death and disability due to stroke. We assessed alignment of clinical practice at our centre with current recommendations for management of BCVIs and examined rates of new and recurrent in-hospital stroke.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the BC Trauma Registry to identify all adult (age > 18 yr) patients with trauma with BCVIs at the largest level 1 trauma centre in British Columbia, Canada, from Apr.

Direct Pattern Growth of Carbon Nanomaterials by Laser Scribing on Spin-Coated Cu-PI Composite Films and Their Gas Sensor Application.

The excellent physical and chemical properties of carbon nanomaterials render them suitable for application in gas sensors. However, the synthesis of carbon nanomaterials using high-temperature furnaces is time consuming and expensive. In this study, we synthesize a carbon nanomaterial using local laser-scribing on a substrate coated with a Cu-embedded polyimide (PI) thin film to reduce the processing time and cost.

Fabrication of Carbon Nanomaterials Using Laser Scribing on Copper Nanoparticles-Embedded Polyacrylonitrile Films and Their Application in a Gas Sensor.

Carbon nanomaterials have attracted significant research attention as core materials in various industrial sectors owing to their excellent physicochemical properties. However, because the preparation of carbon materials is generally accompanied by high-temperature heat treatment, it has disadvantages in terms of cost and process. In this study, highly sensitive carbon nanomaterials were synthesized using a local laser scribing method from a copper-embedded polyacrylonitrile (CuPAN) composite film with a short processing time and low cost.

Post-Pandemic Patient Safety Culture: A Case from a Large Metropolitan Hospital Group in Taiwan.

Patient safety is the core goal of medical institutions. The present study focuses on the patient safety culture and staff well-being admit the COVID-19 pandemic. In a large metropolitan hospital group, 337 employees who had participated in the quality improvement interventions completed an anonymous questionnaire of patient safety culture and personal well-being.

Lifestyle intervention to prevent Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common neurodegenerative disease that leads to significant morbidities in elderly. The major pathological hallmark of AD is beta-amyloid plaques (Aβ) and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) deposition in hippocampus of the brain. These abnormal protein deposition damages neuronal cells resulting in neurodegeneration and cognitive decline.

The Impact of Epinephrine in the Periarticular Injection Cocktail using Ropivacaine for Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Comparison Study.

Background: Epinephrine is used in periarticular injection using ropivacaine to produce a synergistic effect when used with local anesthetic agents but the effect has not been proven yet. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how effective epinephrine is on postoperative clinical outcomes in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Methods: One hundred sixteen cases (89 patients) who underwent primary TKA were randomized into 2 groups depending on whether epinephrine was mixed.

Outcomes of Balloon Kyphoplasty for the Treatment of Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fracture in Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Case-control Study.

Background: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have higher rate of osteoporosis and vertebral fracture than individuals without RA. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of balloon kyphoplasty (KP) performed to treat osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) in RA patients with the outcomes in non-RA patients.

Materials And Methods: The patients who received KP for OVCF and could be followed up at least 1 year were included in the study.

Psychological Changes and Employment Outcomes After Kyphosis Correction in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis.

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Objective: To evaluate the psychological changes and employment outcomes following corrective osteotomy in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Summary Of Background Data: To date, no study has investigated the changes in psychological status and subsequent improvement in employment outcome after correction of kyphotic deformities in patients with AS.

Evaluation of the Acromioclavicular Joint Morphology for Minimizing Subacromial Erosion after Surgical Fixation of the Joint Using a Clavicular Hook Plate.

Background: Subacromial erosion remains a major concern after surgical fixation of acromioclavicular (AC) joint using a clavicular hook plate. To minimize postoperative subacromial erosion, we investigated the structural relationship between distal clavicle and acromion around the AC joint by considering the surgical fixation of the joint using the hook plate technique.

Methods: Computed tomography scans of 101 AC joints without any inherent pathology were analyzed.

Percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty for the treatment of very severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures: a case-control study.

Background Context: Controversy exists regarding percutaneous balloon kyphoplasty (PBK) in patients with a very severe osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (vsOVCF).

Purpose: The study was conducted to investigate the clinical and radiological outcomes of PBK for the treatment of vsOVCF compared with those of non-vsOVCF.

Study Design/setting: This is a retrospective, case-control study.

Geographic distribution of vestibular schwannomas in West Scotland between 2000-2015.

Background: Although the natural history of vestibular schwannomas (VS) has been previously studied, few studies have investigated associated epidemiological factors, primarily because of the lack of large available cohorts.

Objective: The objective of this study was to perform a multi-scale geographical analysis of the period prevalence of VS in West Scotland from 2000 to 2015.

Methods: Adults diagnosed with sporadic VS were identified through the National Health Services of West Scotland database and geocoded to the unit postcode.

PDGFRα Regulates Follicular Cell Differentiation Driving Treatment Resistance and Disease Recurrence in Papillary Thyroid Cancer.

Dedifferentiation of follicular cells is a central event in resistance to radioactive iodine and patient mortality in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). We reveal that platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα) specifically drives dedifferentiation in PTC by disrupting the transcriptional activity of thyroid transcription factor-1 (TTF1). PDGFRα activation dephosphorylates TTF1 consequently shifting the localization of this transcription factor from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in the Elderly: a Systematic Review.

The prevalence of severe obesity in the elderly is increasing. This systematic review reviews the literature in reference to the efficacy and safety of bariatric surgery on the elderly patient ≥ 65 years. A comprehensive search of electronic databases was completed.

Autotaxin is an inflammatory mediator and therapeutic target in thyroid cancer.

Autotaxin is a secreted enzyme that converts extracellular lysophosphatidylcholine to lysophosphatidate (LPA). In cancers, LPA increases tumour growth, metastasis and chemoresistance by activating six G-protein coupled receptors. We examined >200 human thyroid biopsies.

Leiomyosarcoma of the Face.

Leiomyosarcoma is a rare form of soft tissue neoplasm, with only 1% to 5% occurring in the head and neck region. Current recommended treatment suggests surgical excision with a wide lateral margin, but no definite guidelines regarding excisional margin have been established yet. Recently, complete excision with a narrow surgical margin has been recommended, and the authors present a case of cutaneous leiomyosarcoma on the face that was successfully managed by complete removal with a narrow excisional margin.