Romosozumab versus bisphosphonates for preventing subsequent vertebral fractures after balloon kyphoplasty: comparison using data from two prospective multicenter studies.

Preventing subsequent fractures after vertebral augmentation is a critical clinical concern. The purpose of this study was to compare the effect of romosozumab and bisphosphonate administration on the occurrence of subsequent vertebral fractures after balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) and to identify factors associated with the occurrence of subsequent vertebral fractures. The study compared 24 patients who underwent BKP and received romosozumab with 58 control patients who underwent BKP and received bisphosphonates, all within 2 months of acute osteoporotic vertebral fracture and showing unfavorable magnetic resonance imaging prognostic factors.

Effectiveness of ultra-early balloon kyphoplasty at one year after osteoporotic vertebral fracture.

Introduction: Balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) for osteoporotic vertebral fracture (OVF) has been reported to maintain quality of life (QOL). This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of ultra-early BKP performed within two weeks of injury (ultra-early group) to cases after two to four weeks post-injury (early group) and over four weeks (conventional group), assessing radiographic assessment such as subsequent fracture etc, questionarre such as QOL and back pain-related activities of daily living (ADL) one year after surgery.

Methods: Ninety cases of OVF treated with BKP (23 males, 67 females, average age 78.

Predictive Factors for Health-Related Quality of Life Post-Balloon Kyphoplasty in Patients with Osteoporotic Vertebral Compression Fractures.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: Balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) is a minimally invasive surgical treatment for osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCFs), with good clinical outcomes reported in short-term investigations. However, the impact of BKP on health-related QOL in the long term remains unclear.

How is recovery defined and measured in patients with low back pain? A mixed study systematic review.

Background: Despite the burden of low back pain (LBP) there is no currently accepted definition for its recovery, nor is there a gold standard for measurement. In addition, it is currently unclear how the perspective of patients are used in making recovery determinations. The purpose of this mixed study systematic review across both quantitative and qualitative literature was to (1) explore how recovery has been defined and measured for patients experiencing LBP, and (2) examine how the perspectives of patients and providers for recovery of LBP align or differ.

Comparative Evaluation of Postoperative Epidural Hematoma after Lumbar Microendoscopic Laminotomy: The Utility of Ultrasonography versus Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Introduction: Postoperative spinal epidural hematoma (PSEH) is a severe complication of spinal surgery that necessitates accurate and timely diagnosis. This study aimed to assess the accuracy of ultrasonography as an alternative diagnostic tool for PSEH after microendoscopic laminotomy (MEL) for lumbar spinal stenosis, comparing it with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Methods: A total of 65 patients who underwent MEL were evaluated using both ultrasound- and MRI-based classifications for PSEH.

Inhibition of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 reduces shedding and transmission during co-infection with influenza.

Transmission is the first step for a microorganism to establish colonization in the respiratory tract and subsequent development of infectious disease. is a leading pathogen that colonizes the mucosal surfaces of the human upper respiratory tract and causes subsequent transmission and invasive infections especially in co-infection with influenza A virus. Host factors contributing to respiratory contagion are poorly understood.

Effects of Ripasudil Hydrochloride on Epithelial Repair in a Mouse Cornea.

Purpose: Effect of topical administration of a Rho kinase inhibitor, ripasudil, on epithelial wound healing in a mouse cornea was investigated. Effects of treatment of cultured human corneal epithelial cell (HCEC) line and organ-cultured corneal epithelium with ripasudil on expression of p-ERK was also examined.

Methods: Epithelial defects with a diameter of 2.

Impact of individual factors and personality trait on psychological problems of family members living with staff of a COVID-19 frontline hospital: A cross-sectional self-administered anonymous questionnaire survey.

Aim: This study aims to evaluate the association between individual factors/personality traits and depression and anxiety in family members living with staff working on the frontline of COVID-19 care.

Methods: The subjects were family members over the age of 15 years living with staff members of a COVID-19 frontline hospital. Between March 27 and April 11, 2021, 204 self-administered anonymous questionnaires were distributed, and 149 responses were received.

Immunohistochemical findings of lens capsules obtained from patients with dead bag syndrome.

Purpose: To investigate the extracellular matrix and cellular components in lens capsules extracted from patients with dead bag syndrome (DBS) through immunohistochemistry.

Setting: Department of Ophthalmology, Wakayama Medical University School of Medicine, Wakayama, Japan, and Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, John A. Moran Eye Center, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.

Long-term efficacy of microendoscopic laminotomy for lumbar spinal stenosis in advanced degenerative spondylolisthesis with or without dynamic spinal instability: a propensity score-matching analysis.

Objective: In this study, the authors aimed to determine the mid- to long-term outcomes of microendoscopic laminotomy (MEL) for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) with degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) and identify preoperative predictors of poor mid- to long-term outcomes.

Methods: The authors retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 274 patients who underwent spinal MEL for symptomatic LSS. The minimum postoperative follow-up duration was 5 years.

Responsiveness of the Zurich Claudication Questionnaire in Patients With Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Undergoing Nonsurgical Treatment: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Study Design: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: We investigated the ability to distinguish patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) who improved from those who did not after receiving nonsurgical treatment. We used the disorder-specific Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ) satisfaction subscale as an external anchor and estimated the minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) for the ZCQ symptom severity and physical function subscales.

Effect of istradefylline on postural abnormalities in patients with Parkinson's disease: An association study of baseline postural angle measurements with changes in Unified Dystonia Rating Scale total score.

In our previous study, istradefylline treatment in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) improved postural abnormalities (PAs), as seen from a decrease in the mean Unified Dystonia Rating Scale (UDRS) total score from week 0 to week 24. A subgroup analysis based on baseline clinical characteristics investigated the association between improvement in the UDRS total score and istradefylline treatment. However, the association between an objective assessment of PAs and improvement in the UDRS total score is unclear.

Outcomes and Vertebral Osteophytes and Bulging Intervertebral Discs Occupancy as a Decision-Making Tool for Surgical Success in Patients Undergoing Microendoscopic Foraminotomy for Lumbar Foraminal Stenosis.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the long-term outcomes of microendoscopic foraminotomy in treating lumbar foraminal stenosis and identify the optimal extent of decompression that yields improved results and fewer complications.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study reviewed the medical records of 95 consecutive patients who underwent microendoscopic foraminotomy for lumbar foraminal stenosis. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association scoring system and visual analog scale for low back and leg pain.

Minimal clinically important differences in walking capacity and physical activity after nonsurgical treatment in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis: a secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Background Context: Little information is available about the minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) for objective physical measurements in people with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS).

Purpose: To use disorder-specific anchor and, multiple anchor-, and distribution-based approaches to determine the MCIDs for walking capacity and physical activity in patients with LSS receiving nonsurgical treatment.

Study Design/setting: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Engineered Knockout of TRPA1 Inhibits Laser-Induced Choroidal Neovascularization Along With Associated TGFβ1 Expression and Neutrophil Infiltration.

We examined the effects of gene ablation and chemical inhibition of transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) on the growth of experimental argon laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in mice. CNV was induced in the eyes of 6- to 8-week-old TRPA1-null (knockout [KO]) and wild-type (WT) mice by argon laser irradiation. Gene expression analysis was performed in laser-injured tissues at days 1 and 3.

Lumbar paraspinal muscle morphology is associated with spinal degeneration in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

Background Context: Lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) has been reported to induce changes in paraspinal muscle morphology, but objective physical function and degenerative spine conditions are rarely assessed.

Purpose: To identify factors associated with paraspinal muscle morphology using objective physical and degenerative spine assessments in patients with LSS.

Study Design/setting: Cross-sectional design.

[Varicella-zoster virus infection with concomitant lower cranial polyneuropathy in the absence of fever, headache and meningeal signs].

We present varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infection with concomitant lower cranial polyneuropathy in the absence of meningeal symptoms. Physical examination showed involvement of cranial nerves IX and X in Case 1 and of cranial nerves IX, X, and XI in Case 2. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed mild lymphocytic pleocytosis, normal protein levels, and absence of VZV-DNA based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis.

Residual Neuropathic Pain in Postoperative Patients With Cervical Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament.

Study Design: A prospective multi-institutional observational study.

Objective: To investigate and identify risk factors for residual neuropathic pain after surgery in patients with cervical ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (c-OPLL).

Summary Of Background Data: Patients with c-OPLL often require surgery for numbness and paralysis of the extremities; however, postoperative neuropathic pain can considerably deteriorate their quality of life.

Long-Term Outcomes after Selective Microendoscopic Laminotomy for Multilevel Lumbar Spinal Stenosis with and without Remaining Radiographic Stenosis: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study.

Introduction: Long-term clinical outcomes of microendoscopic laminotomy (MEL) for patients with multilevel radiographic lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSS) have not been widely explored. The clinical significance and natural progression of additional untreated levels (e.g.

An exploratory, open-label, randomized, multicenter trial of hachimijiogan for mild Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegeneration and is the most prevalent form of dementia. Intervention at an early stage is imperative. Although three acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) are currently approved for the treatment of mild AD, they are not sufficiently effective.