Robotically assisted mitral valve repair using the butterfly technique in a patient with a narrow chest.

Background: Minimally invasive cardiac surgery for mitral regurgitation is challenging in patients with narrow chests due to limited thoracic space. The butterfly technique can prevent systolic anterior motion in patients with degenerative mitral regurgitation and redundant posterior leaflets, but it is difficult to perform via minimally invasive cardiac surgery. Few reports have described mitral valve repair using the butterfly technique or in a narrow chest.

Cucurbitacin IIb mitigates concanavalin A-induced acute liver injury by suppressing M1 macrophage polarization.

Cucurbitacins are a class of triterpenoid compounds extracted from plants and possess various pharmacological applications. Cucurbitacin IIb (CuIIb), extracted from the medicinal plant Hemsleya amabilis (Cucurbitaceae), has served as a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of bacterial dysentery and intestinal inflammation. CuIIb has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory activity; however, the protective effect of CuIIb against concanavalin A (Con A)-induced acute liver injury (ALI) and the fundamental mechanism remain unelucidated.

Intelligent measurement of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis x-ray coronal imaging parameters based on VB-Net neural network: a retrospective analysis of 2092 cases.

Background: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a complex three-dimensional deformity, and up to now, there has been no literature reporting the analysis of a large sample of X-ray imaging parameters based on artificial intelligence (AI) for it. This study is based on the accurate and rapid measurement of x-ray coronal imaging parameters in AIS patients by AI, to explore the differences and correlations, and to further investigate the risk factors in different groups, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the diagnosis and surgical treatment of AIS.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 3192 patients aged 8-18 years who had a full-length orthopantomogram of the spine and were diagnosed with AIS at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2019 to March 2024.

Delta large-channel endoscopy versus unilateral biportal endoscopy decompressive laminectomy for lumbar spinal stenosis: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Background: Delta large-channel endoscopy and unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) are prominent minimally invasive techniques for treating lumbar spinal stenosis, known for minimal tissue damage, clear visualization, and quick recovery. However, rigorous controlled research comparing these procedures is scarce, necessitating further investigation into their respective complications and long-term effectiveness. This randomized controlled trial aims to compare their perioperative outcomes, focusing on postoperative recovery and complications over time.

Altered 3D genome reorganization mediates precocious myeloid differentiation of aged hematopoietic stem cells in inflammation.

Inflammation is a driving force of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) aging, causing irreversible exhaustion of functional HSCs. However, the underlying mechanism of HSCs erosion by inflammatory insult remains poorly understood. Here, we find that transient LPS exposure primes aged HSCs to undergo accelerated differentiation at the expense of self-renewal, leading to depletion of HSCs.

Analysis of the risk factors for loss of cervical lordosis after surgical removal of cervical spinal cord tumor.

Loss of cervical lordosis (LOCL) is the most common postoperative cervical deformity. This study aimed to identify the predictors of LOCL by investigating the relationship between various factors and LOCL development after surgery for cervical spinal cord tumors. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 51 patients who underwent cervical spinal tumor resection at a single center.

Multi-Planar Cervical Motion Dataset: IMU Measurements and Goniometer.

This data descriptor presents a comprehensive and replicable dataset and method for calculating the cervical range of motion (CROM) utilizing quaternion-based orientation analysis from Delsys inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors. This study was conducted with 14 participants and analyzed 504 cervical movements in the Sagittal, Frontal and Horizontal planes. Validated against a Universal Goniometer and tested for reliability and reproducibility.

Reliability of the OMERACT Giant cell arteritis Ultrasonography Score (OGUS): results of a patient-based exercise involving experts and non-experts in vascular ultrasonography.

Objective: To test the reliability of the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Giant cell arteritis (GCA) Ultrasonography Score (OGUS) and other composite scores in a patient-based exercise involving experts and non-experts in vascular ultrasonography.

Methods: Six GCA patients were scanned twice (two rounds separated ≥3 hours) by 12 experts and 12 non-experts. Non-experts received 90 min of theoretical and 240 min of practical training between rounds 1 and 2.

Molecular hydrogen reduces dermatitis-induced itch, diabetic itch and cholestatic itch by inhibiting spinal oxidative stress and synaptic plasticity via SIRT1-β-catenin pathway in mice.

Chronic itch which is primarily associated with dermatologic, systemic, or metabolic disorders is often refractory to most current antipruritic medications, thus highlighting the need for improved therapies. Oxidative damage is a novel determinant of spinal pruriceptive sensitization and synaptic plasticity. The resolution of oxidative insult by molecular hydrogen has been manifested.

Decoding the role of SLC25A5 in osteosarcoma drug resistance and CD8+ T cell exhaustion: The therapeutic potential of phyllanthin.

Osteosarcoma is an aggressive malignant bone tumor with an obscure etiology, as well as high prevalence and poor prognosis in children and adolescents. We aimed to investigate the pathogenesis of osteosarcoma through a comprehensive analysis of the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) using multiple single-cell RNA sequencing datasets. SLC25A5, a gene implicated in cellular aging, significantly influenced osteosarcoma development by altering the TIME and promoting CD8+ T cell exhaustion, which contributed to reduced chemosensitivity.

Neighborhood-level measures of socioeconomic status impact healthcare utilization and surgical outcomes in cervical spondylotic myelopathy patients in the Deep South.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association of neighborhood-level and individual-level measures of socioeconomic status with readmission, complication rates, and postoperative length of stay of patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) in the Deep South.

Methods: The authors identified all patients undergoing surgical intervention for the treatment of CSM from November 2010 to February 2022 using Current Procedural Terminology and ICD-9/ICD-10 codes. Patient demographic, socioeconomic, perioperative, and postoperative data for each patient were collected via review of the electronic medical record.

Advances in neurosurgical education: literature review of mixed-reality simulation models and novel mixed-reality spine prototype.

Objective: Mixed-reality (MR) applications provide opportunities for technical rehearsal, education, and estimation of surgical performance without the risk of patient harm. In this study, the authors provide a structured literature review on the current state of MR applications and their effects on neurosurgery training. They also introduce an MR prototype for neurosurgical spine training.

The economic burden of diabetes in spinal fusion surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Purpose: This study aimed at comparing the costs of spinal fusion surgery between patients with and without diabetes.

Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search of four databases was conducted. A meta-analysis was performed on comparative studies examining diabetic versus non-diabetic adults undergoing cervical/lumbar fusion in terms of cost.

MRI in early stages of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis indicates a neuro-osseous growth mismatch associated with curve progression.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between spinal cord anatomy and the risk of curve progression in mild to moderate adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods: We prospectively included patients presenting with mild or moderate AIS (< 40 degrees). Irrespective of curve severity, patients underwent 3-dimensional MRI and were followed until skeletal maturity or surgery.

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: Cerebrovascular alterations and innate immune activation are key features of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the mechanisms that link blood-brain barrier disruption to neurodegeneration are poorly understood and well-defined druggable targets at the neurovascular interface are limited.

Method: By developing a multiomic and genetic loss-of-function pipeline, we reported the transcriptomic and global phosphoproteomic landscape of blood-induced microglia activation and the causal role for fibrin in induction of neurodegenerative genes and oxidative stress pathways in innate immune cells.

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Motor proteins play a key role in neuronal functions and morphology that are important for learning and memory. We have previously reported that increased expression KIF11/Kinesin-5 overrides Aß-mediated effects on dendritic spine density and long-term potentiation in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease (AD), effectively maintaining cognitive function in the face of Aß pathology. Here, we evaluated the association of key AD phenotypes with mRNA expression levels of a select set of Dynein motor proteins METHOD: We utilized measurements of gene expression, AD neuropathology burden, and cognition provided by the ROS/MAP study to determine whether an association exists between AD phenotypes and expression of genes for cytoplasmic and axonemal dynein heavy chains.

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: The proteasome plays key roles in synaptic plasticity and memory by regulating protein turnover, quality control, and elimination of oxidized/misfolded proteins. Here, we investigate proteasome function and localization at synapses in Alzheimer's disease (AD) post-mortem brain tissue and in experimental models.

Method: We used primary hippocampal cultures, amyloid-β oligomers (AβO)-injected or transgenic animal models, and human brain tissue to determine brain proteasome function and subcellular localization.

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: Chronic stress promotes life-long risk for neuropsychiatric decline by increasing neuroinflammation and disrupting synaptic health and plasticity. Our lab and others have recently demonstrated that non-invasive gamma sensory stimulation (flicker) modulates immune signaling, restores microglial function, and improves cognitive performance in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, no research to date has studied the effects of flicker in the context of stress.

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: PhospholipaseC γ2 (PLCG2) is known to have direct link with genetic risk factors for Alzheimer's like dementia (AD). PLCG2 has been previously demonstrated to have association with Aß uptake through microglia. And mostly expressed in dentate gyrus (DG) network of hippocampus.

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: Understanding the neuronal mechanisms of learning and memory is one of the major goals in neurophysiology and neuropsychology. Disorders related to memory consolidation are often the consequences of dynamic plasticity changes, which may lead to a reduction in spine number and density, impairing neural networks. Sleep is one of the major physiological prerequisites for memory consolidation, especially during NREM sleepwhen glymphatic system clearance takes place, too.

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: F-actin plays crucial roles in establishment and maintenance of synapses including post synaptic density organization, facilitation of vesicle trafficking, anchoring of postsynaptic receptors, and involvement in translational machinery. Proteomic analysis of actin-interacting proteins revealed the interaction of PSD-95 with actin in synaptosomes from brain cortex of APP/PS1 mice. PSD-95 functions as a critical scaffold for the assembly of neurotransmitter receptors at the synapse, playing a pivotal role in regulating synaptic strength and plasticity.

Basic Science and Pathogenesis.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the memory-related neurodegenerative disorder, contributing to 70% of the cases globally. Synaptic dysfunction is a well-known early event that causes progressive cognitive decline in AD. The latest AD therapeutics on the forefront only offer a moderate symptomatic relief with significant off-target effects.

Clinical Manifestations.

Background: Postoperative complications of major surgical interventions include delirium. Delirium is a risk factor for dementia, and in some cases, may signal underlying neuropathological processes. Cognitive tests that accurately predict post-operative outcomes could identify patients with cognitive vulnerabilities who may benefit from preoperative counseling and postoperative interventions.

Association Between Kyphosis and Sleep Disturbance in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: The Locomotive Syndrome and Health Outcome in Aizu Cohort Study.

Purpose: Worsening sagittal alignment of the spine, particularly kyphosis, may cause difficulty in assuming a supine position, restricting sleeping posture and movement and potentially leading to sleep disturbances. However, no studies have explored the relationship between sagittal spinal alignment and sleep disturbance. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between sagittal spinal alignment and sleep disturbance.