Vertebra-disc ratio as a new predictor for curve progression in early thoracic AIS with bracing treatment.

Objectives: Previous studies have reported various predictors for curve progression in braced adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients. However, the reported predictors might be insufficient for patients with early AIS. The aim was to investigate whether the initial vertebra-disc ratio (VDR) could serve as an effective predictor for curve progression in early thoracic AIS (premenarchal and Risser 0) undergoing brace treatment.

Does kyphotic configuration on upright lateral radiograph correlate with instability in patients with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis?

Objective: To investigate the segmental instability of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS) with a kyphotic configuration at the involved segment, and to determine the most useful diagnostic modalities in the evaluation of instability.

Patients And Methods: This study reviewed a consecutive series of patients with L DLS between July 2010 and May 2016. The enrolled patients were divided into two groups based on preoperative neutral radiographs: the kyphotic group (Group K) and non-kyphotic group (Group NK).

Higher Improvement in Patient-Reported Outcomes Can Be Achieved After Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion for Clinical and Radiographic Degenerative Spondylolisthesis Classification Type D Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis.

Background: Clinical and radiographic degenerative spondylolisthesis (CARDS) classification defines a distinct subset of patients with kyphotic angulation at the involved segment (type D). Research using CARDS classification to investigate motion characteristics at involved segments or patient-related outcomes (PROs) following surgical intervention is sparse. We investigated the relationship between CARDS type D spondylolisthesis and dynamic instability and PROs in type D versus non-type D spondylolisthesis.

Incidence, Risk Factors, and Evolution of Proximal Junctional Kyphosis After Posterior Hemivertebra Resection and Short Fusion in Young Children With Congenital Scoliosis.

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Objective: To investigate the incidence, risk factors, and evolution of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) in young children who underwent posterior hemivertebra resection and short fusion.

Summary Of Background Data: PJK is an undesired, but common complication following posterior spinal fusion.

Adding Satellite Rods to Standard Two-rod Construct With the Use of Duet Screws: An Effective Technique to Improve Surgical Outcomes and Preventing Proximal Junctional Kyphosis in Posterior-Only Correction of Scheuermann Kyphosis.

Study Design: A retrospective matched-cohort comparative study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the surgical results after the use of duet screw based satellite rods and bilateral satellite rods (S-RC) versus a standard two-rod construct (2-RC) across osteotomy sites in a matched cohort with Scheuermann kyphosis (SK).

Summary Of Background Data: Multiple Ponte osteotomies are frequently employed to correct SK via a posterior-only approach, with a 2-RC across the osteotomy sites.

Coronal Decompensation After Posterior-only Thoracolumbar Hemivertebra Resection and Short Fusion in Young Children With Congenital Scoliosis.

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Objective: To determine the incidence and risk factors of coronal decompensation after posterior-only thoracolumbar hemivertebra (HV) resection and short fusion in patients younger than 5-years old.

Summary Of Background Data: Postoperative coronal decompensation may occur in operated patients during the follow up.

Proximal Junctional Kyphosis After Posterior Spinal Instrumentation and Fusion in Young Children With Congenital Scoliosis: A Preliminary Report on its Incidence and Risk Factors.

Study Design: A retrospective study.

Objective: To determine the incidence and risk factors of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) in young children who underwent posterior instrumented spinal fusion.

Summary Of Background Data: PJK is a well-recognized postoperative complication in adults and adolescents.

Does addition of crosslink to pedicle-screw-based instrumentation impact the development of the spinal canal in children younger than 5 years of age?

Purpose: Use of pedicle screws has been popularized in the treatment of pediatric spinal deformity. Despite many studies regarding the effect of pedicle screws on the immature spine, there is no study concerning the impact of addition of crosslink to pedicle-screw-based instrumentation on the development of the spinal canal in young children. This study aims to determine the influence of the screw-rod-crosslink complex on the development of the spinal canal.

Square structures and photophysical properties of Zn(2)Ln(2) complexes (Ln = Nd, Eu, Sm, Er, Yb).

Heterotetranuclear Zn(2)Ln(2) (Ln = Nd , Eu , Sm , Er , Yb ) complexes {Zn(2)(Mq)(2)(tpyO)(2)}{(Ln(hfac)(3))(2)} (HMq = 2-methyl-8-hydroxylquinoline, tpyOH = [2,2':6'2'']terpyridin-4'-ol, hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetonate) display novel square structures ligated by bifunctional ligands tpyO (mono- and tridentate) and Mq (chelating and bridging mu-phenoxo). These compounds exhibit sensitized lanthanide emission upon photo-excitation of ZnMq/tpy antenna chromophores. By virtue of the dual luminescence with complementary colors, the ZnMq/tpyO-based cyan emission and Sm(III)-centered orange luminescence are combined to generate a white-light emission in Zn(2)Sm(2) (4) complex.

Sensitization of lanthanide luminescence by two different Pt-->Ln energy transfer pathways in PtLn3 heterotetranuclear complexes with 5-ethynyl-2,2'-bipyridine.

Reactions of 5-[2-(trimethylsilyl)-1-ethynyl]-2,2'-bipyridine (Me3SiC-Cbpy) with Pt(bpy)C12 (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridine) and Pt(bpyC[triple bond]C-C[triple bond]Cbpy)Cl2 (bpyC[triple bond]C-C[triple bond]Cbpy=bis(2,2'-bipyridin-5-yl)butadiyne) induced isolation of Pt(bpy)(C[triple bond]Cbpy)2 (1) and Pt(bpyC[triple bond]C-C[triple bond]Cbpy)(C[triple bond]Cbpy)2 (5), respectively. Incorporating Ln(hfac)3(H2O)2 (hfac = hexafluoroacetylacetone) with 1 or 5 gave the corresponding PtLn2 (Ln = Nd (2), Eu (3), Yb (4)) or PtLn3 arrays (Ln=Nd (6), Eu (7), Gd (8), Yb (9)). With excitation at 360 < or = lamda(ex)0 < or =480 nm, which is the MLCT absorption region of the Pt(2,2'-bipyridyl)(acetylide)2 chromophore, sensitized lanthanide luminescence is successfully attained by efficient Pt-->Ln energy transfer from the Pt(II) antenna chromophores.

[Safety destruction of tetramethylene disulfotetramine and its medical waste].

Objective: To develop suitable methods for safety destruction of tetramethylene disulfotetramine (TETS) and the medical wastes polluted by TETS.

Methods: The chemical stability of TETS was evaluated under the conditions of acid, alkali and high temperature. TETS was treated with sodium hydroxide, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and nitric acid under various treatment conditions, i.