Determining anatomically-safe corridors for placement of lateral mass screws in the first cervical vertebra of the Emirati population - a CT study.

The first cervical vertebra (C1) is atypical in shape and bears a complex relationship with important neurovascular structures such as the vertebral artery and cervical spinal cord which are at risk of injury during misplaced screw fixation of C1. Placement of screws into the lateral mass of C1 vertebra is performed for stabilization of the craniovertebral junction. The objective of this study was to describe ideal screw dimensions, precise entry points, safe bony corridors, and ideal trajectories for placement of lateral mass screws in the Emirati population.

Modifiable risk factors for early- and late-onset dementia using the Korean national health insurance service database.

Background: Early-onset dementia (EOD) and late-onset dementia (LOD) may have distinct modifiable risk-factor profiles.

Objective: To identify and compare factors associated with EOD and LOD using a nationwide cohort database.

Design: Nationwide two nested case-control studies.

Local delivery of mesenchymal stem cell-extruded nanovesicles through a bio-responsive scaffold for acute spinal cord injury treatment.

Intense inflammatory responses and elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) extremely exacerbate the pathological process of spinal cord injury (SCI). Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived extracellular vesicles (EV) can mitigate SCI-related inflammation but their production yield remains limited. Alternatively, MSC-extruded nanovesicles (NV) inherit the therapeutic potential from MSCs and have a markedly higher yield than EV.

Optimizing Surgical Strategies: A Systematic Review of the Effectiveness of Preoperative Arterial Embolization for Hypervascular Metastatic Spinal Tumors.

Background: The vertebral column is the most common site of bony metastasis. When indicated, surgical resection of hypervascular metastatic lesions may be complicated by significant blood loss, the need for blood transfusion, and incomplete tumor resection due to poor visualization and premature abortion of the operation. In select cases, preoperative arterial embolization of hypervascular metastatic tumors may help minimize intraoperative bleeding and reduce operative times.

Appropriate Use Criteria for Neoplastic Compression Fractures.

Background Context: Clinical outcomes are directly related to patient selection and treatment indications for improved quality of life. With emphasis on quality and value, it is essential that treatment recommendations are optimized.

Purpose: The purpose of the North American Spine Society (NASS) Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) is to determine the appropriate (ie, reasonable) multidisciplinary treatment recommendations for patients with metastatic neoplastic vertebral fractures across a spectrum of more common clinical scenarios.

A self-gelling hemostatic powder boosting radiotherapy-elicited NK cell immunity to combat postoperative hepatocellular carcinoma relapse.

Liver resection represents a main curative treatment for patients with early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but there is a rather high incidence of postoperative HCC relapse, which severely shortens long-term survival time. Currently, no standard adjuvant strategies are available for preventing HCC relapse in clinical practice. Impaired natural killer (NK) cell anti-tumor immunity has been disclosed as a crucial root of HCC relapse, indicating that reinstating NK cell anti-tumor immunity may show promise to curb HCC relapse.

Metabolomics approach to evaluate diclazuril-induced developmental toxicity in zebrafish embryo.

Anticoccidials, commonly used in veterinary medicine to treat coccidiosis in food-producing animals, particularly in poultry farming, are associated with potential environmental risks due to their excretion in manure and subsequent land-spreading. Diclazuril, a widely used anticoccidial, has been detected in groundwater, raising concerns about its impact on non-target species. This study investigates the developmental toxicity of diclazuril in zebrafish embryos over a 96-hour exposure period, utilizing biomarkers such as oxidative stress indicators and metabolomic profiles.

Intraoperative Facet Joint Block Reduces Pain After Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) results in less tissue damage than in other surgeries, but immediate postoperative pain occurs. Notably, facet joint widening occurs in the vertebral body after OLIF. We hypothesized that the application of a facet joint block to the area of widening would relieve facet joint pain.

Spine-Abductor Syndrome: Novel Associations Between Lumbar Spine Disease and Hip Gluteal Muscle Pathology.

Background: Risk factors for gluteal tears include age-related deterioration, female sex, and increased body mass index. As the literature that supports the sagittal relationship between the lumbar spine and the hip is increasing, there may be a parallel relationship between the perturbations in spinopelvic alignment caused by lumbar spine disease and gluteal muscle tears. Because no prior studies other than single-institution series have reported on this phenomenon, we investigated spine-abductor syndrome at the population level.

Global research trends in biological therapy for ankylosing spondylitis: A comprehensive visualization and bibliometric study (2004-2023).

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the spine and pelvic bones. Recently, many researchers have confirmed that biological therapy is effective for AS patients, which provides a new perspective for the treatment of AS. This study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of scientific research on AS and biological therapy worldwide and investigate research hotspots and the direction of future trends.

Restorative Neurostimulation Therapy Compared to Optimal Medical Management: A Randomized Evaluation (RESTORE) for the Treatment of Chronic Mechanical Low Back Pain due to Multifidus Dysfunction.

Introduction: Many interventional strategies are commonly used to treat chronic low back pain (CLBP), though few are specifically intended to target the distinct underlying pathomechanisms causing low back pain. Restorative neurostimulation has been suggested as a specific treatment for mechanical CLBP resulting from multifidus dysfunction. In this randomized controlled trial, we report outcomes from a cohort of patients with CLBP associated with multifidus dysfunction treated with restorative neurostimulation compared to those randomized to a control group receiving optimal medical management (OMM) over 1 year.

The role of paraspinal muscle degeneration in cervical spondylosis.

Purpose: To explore the relationship between paraspinal muscle degeneration and cervical spondylosis through cervical spine MRI and lateral X-ray.

Methods: A retrospective study included 83 cervical spondylosis patients as the experimental group, consisting of 28 axial joint pain (Group A), 29 cervical radiculopathy (Group B), and 26 myelopathy (Group C), as well as 29 healthy individuals as the control group (Group D). The cross-sectional area (CSA) of paraspinal muscles at the C3-4, C4-5, and C5-6 segments was measured, including the deep extensor area (DEA), deep flexor area (DFA), and superficial extensor area (SEA).

Impact of skeletal muscle mass of the trunk and extremities on standing spine parameters before and after surgery for adult spinal deformity with a minimum 2-year follow-up.

Purpose: The effect of skeletal muscle mass of the trunk and extremities on sagittal imbalance of the spine before and after surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD) has not been elucidated. The purpose of this study was to examine the correlation between reduced skeletal muscle mass of the trunk and extremities, as well as spinopelvic parameters, preoperatively, postoperatively and at least 2 years after surgery for ASD.

Methods: This retrospective observational study included 140 consecutive patients who had undergone surgery for ASD and were followed-up for at least 2 years and whose skeletal muscle mass could be measured preoperatively using whole-body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Effect of romosozumab on bone mineral density and trabecular bone score in premenopausal women with low bone mass.

Unlabelled: We investigated the efficacy of romosozumab in premenopausal women with low bone mass. Romosozumab substantially increased bone mineral density and trabecular bone score in these women, aligning with its proven therapeutic benefits for postmenopausal osteoporosis.

Purpose: Romosozumab, an anti-sclerostin antibody, is a promising anabolic agent that increases bone formation and decreases bone resorption.

Insights into Chronic Low Back Pain Etiology: Population-based genome-wide Association Study Identifies 18 Risk Loci.

Study Design: Genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analysis with downstream analyses.

Objective: To explore the genetic architecture of chronic low back pain (cLBP) and identify underlying biological mechanisms that contribute to its development.

Summary Of Background Data: Chronic low back pain is prevalent and debilitating, with many cases having no identifiable biological cause.

3D Printed Titanium Scaffolds with Bi-Directional Gradient QK-Functionalized Surface.

3D printed titanium scaffold has promising applications in orthopedics. However, the bioinert titanium presents challenges for promoting vascularization and tissue growth within the porous scaffold for stable osteointegration. In this study, a modular porous titanium scaffold is created using 3D printing and a gradient-surface strategy to immobilize QK peptide on the surface with a bi-directional gradient distribution.

Adie's pupil and systemic manifestations: a rare unilateral presentation.

We present a case of a young woman who presented with blurring of vision in her right eye, worsening on near work. Detailed ophthalmic and neurological evaluation was done, which revealed light near dissociation, vermiform iris movements, constriction to diluted pilocarpine with absent deep tendon reflexes. Laboratory investigation indicated mild iron deficiency anemia and reduced vitamin D3 level.

Identifying Predictors of Extended Intensive Care Unit Stay Following Posterior Spinal Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: An Analysis of 101 ACS NSQIP Pediatric Participating Centers.

Background: While prolonged operative time and increased levels fused have been shown to increase the risk of prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) length-of-stay (LOS), studies are limited in guiding decision-making regarding the need for intensive care postoperatively. This is especially the case among the cohort of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion (PSF); associations between comorbidities and ICU LOS are not well-delineated.

Methods: AIS patients who underwent PSF from January 1st, 2016 to December 1st, 2016 at 101 participating centers were identified using the American College of Surgeons (ACS) National Surgical Quality Im-provement Project (NSQIP) Pediatric database.

The Efficacy of Prophylactic Vancomycin in Decreasing Surgical Site Infections in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients: A Large Multicenter Cohort Study.

Background: The use of vancomycin powder in spine surgery has been supported in adult populations, however, its efficacy in preventing postoperative surgical site infections in AIS patients is yet to be determined.

Methods: A multi-center review was conducted from June 2010 to February 2019, using ICD and CPT codes to identify AIS patients who underwent primary PSF. The patients were divided into two groups: the vancomycin cohort (receiving local vancomycin powder prior to wound closure) and the non-vancomycin cohort.

Did the Covid-19 Pandemic Impact Time to Surgery, Length of Hospital Stay, or Discharge Location for Subaxial Cervical Spine Fractures Requiring Surgical Intervention?

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted healthcare systems across the United States resources were consumed caring for COVID-19 patients. Past research on trauma activations during COVID-19 has found changes to hospital length of stay and discharge locations. Subaxial spine fractures are potentially debilitating injuries that require timely surgery and extensive rehabilitation.

The Impact of Contemporary Glucagon-like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists on the Onset, Severity, and Conversion to Arthroplasty in Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis.

Background: The growing popularity of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1-RAs) for weight loss could significantly impact joint preservation and arthroplasty. While this will in part be driven by the association between obesity, osteoarthritis (OA), and total joint arthroplasty (TJA), recent evidence also indicates that GLP-1-RAs may have direct joint-protective, anti-inflammatory effects.

Purpose: To evaluate the association between GLP-1-RA use and the onset and progression of hip and knee OA in an obese population.

Thoracolumbar fractures: Factors predicting failure of percutaneous short- and long-segment posterior fixation.

Introduction: Thoracolumbar (TL) transition trauma is frequent and challenging. Although short- (SSPF) and long-segment posterior fixation (LSPF) are its mainstay treatment, little is known about their failure rates and reasons behind it.

Research Question: understand why TL instrumentations fail and what factors influence it.

Additional dorsal interspinous stabilisation has no advantage after decompression of degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis.

Introduction: Interspinous devices are an alternative to instrumented fusion for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) with radiological instability or deformity. The devices claim to improve clinical symptoms by indirect foraminal decompression with fewer complications and similar functional outcomes compared to conventional fusion techniques, and by avoiding a (further) deterioration of the anatomy of the spine while being less invasive than instrumented fusion.

Research Question: Do interspinous devices provide a benefit in combination with a decompression of degenerative LSS?

Material And Methods: In this observational study, 117 patients were treated by decompression surgery alone (n = 37), decompression plus instrumented spinal screw fixation and anterior cage support (n = 41) or decompression plus stabilisation with interspinous devices (n = 39).

Stress Response of the Juvenile Tri-Spine Horseshoe Crab Tachypleus tridentatus to Hypoxia: Insights From Phenotypic, Metabolomic, and Microbial Analyses.

Over the past few decades, ocean hypoxia has been increasing due to human activities. Hypoxic stress, characterized by a reduced level of dissolved oxygen, is an escalating threat to marine ecosystems, with potentially devastating effects on the viability of endangered species such as the tri-spine horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus. Even though this species is remarkably resilient to low oxygen levels, persistent hypoxia can negatively impact its population's survivability.