Teriparatide improves volumetric bone mineral density and fine bone structure in the UIV+1 vertebra, and reduces bone failure type PJK after surgery for adult spinal deformity.

Unlabelled: We conducted a prospective comparative study of the effect of teriparatide therapy for preventing vertebral-failure-type PJK after reconstructive surgery for adult spinal deformity. Prophylactic teriparatide improved the volumetric bone mineral density and fine bone structure of the vertebra above the upper-instrumented vertebra and reduced the incidence of vertebral-failure-type PJK.

Introduction: Proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) is a complication after corrective surgery for spinal deformity.

Thermal Sensitivity and Dimethyl Sulfoxide (DMSO).

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is commonly used as a solvent for hydrophobic substances, but the compound's innate bioactivity is an area of limited understanding. In this investigation we seek to determine the analgesic potential of DMSO. We addressed the issue by assessing the perception of thermal pain stimulus, using a 55 °C hotplate design, in conscious mice.

Walking sagittal balance correction by pedicle subtraction osteotomy in adults with fixed sagittal imbalance.

Purpose: Pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) is widely used to treat severe fixed sagittal imbalance. However, the effect of PSO on balance has not been fully documented. The aim of this study was to assess dynamic walking balance after PSO to treat fixed sagittal imbalance.

Application of q-Space Diffusion MRI for the Visualization of White Matter.

Unlabelled: White matter abnormalities in the CNS have been reported recently in various neurological and psychiatric disorders. Quantitation of non-Gaussianity for water diffusion by q-space diffusional MRI (QSI) renders biological diffusion barriers such as myelin sheaths; however, the time-consuming nature of this method hinders its clinical application. In the current study, we aimed to refine QSI protocols to enable their clinical application and to visualize myelin signals in a clinical setting.

Respiratory Toxicity of Dimethyl Sulfoxide.

Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is one of the most commonly used solvents for hydrophobic substances in biological experiments. In addition, the compound exhibits a plethora of bioactivities, which makes it of potential pharmacological use of its own. The influence on respiration, and thus on arterial blood oxygenation, of DMSO is unclear, contentious, and an area of limited study.

Traumatic Death due to Simultaneous Double Spine Fractures in Patient with Ankylosing Spondylitis.

The aim of this study is to report the rare occurrence of simultaneous double spine fractures in a patient with progressive ankylosing spondylitis (AS). An 82-year-old male with established AS had low-energy falls. He had sustained simultaneous double spine fractures and died.

Apex of deformity for three-column osteotomy. Does it matter in the occurrence of complications?

Background: Posterior vertebral column resection (PVCR) is a challenging but effective technique for the correction of complex spinal deformity. However, it has a high complication rate and carries a substantial risk for neurologic injury.

Purpose: The aim was to test whether the apex of the deformity influences the clinical outcomes and complications in patients undergoing PVCR.

Reoperation rate and risk factors of elective spinal surgery for degenerative spondylolisthesis: minimum 5-year follow-up.

Background Context: The favorable outcome of surgical treatment for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DS) is widely recognized, but some patients require reoperation because of complications, such as pseudoarthrosis, persistent pain, infection, and progressive degenerative changes. Among these changes, adjacent segmental disease (ASD) and same segmental disease (SSD) are common reasons for reoperation. However, the relative risks of the various factors and their interactions are unclear.

Incidence and Risk Factors for Major Surgical Complications in Patients With Complex Spinal Deformity: A Report From an SRS GOP Site.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected single-center database.

Objectives: To report the incidence of and identify risk factors for perioperative complications in surgically treated pediatric and adult patients with complex spine deformities in an underserved region and Scoliosis Research Society Global Outreach Program site.

Summary Of Background Data: Surgical treatment for complex spinal deformity is challenging and requires a multidisciplinary approach for optimal management.

Discordance of gravity line and C7PL in patient with adult spinal deformity--factors affecting the occiput-trunk sagittal discordance.

Background Context: During quiet standing, the gravity line (GL) can be located according to the sum of the ground reaction forces (GRFs) measured with a force platform. C7 plumb line (C7PL) is an easy method to estimate sagittal trunk balance, but discordance between C7PL and the GL is widely recognized. However, the prevalence of occiput-trunk (O-T) discordance (GL-C7PL>3 cm) and the factors affecting this type of discordance have not yet been determined.

Ultrahigh sensitivity endoscopic camera using a new CMOS image sensor: providing with clear images under low illumination in addition to fluorescent images.

Background: We developed a new ultrahigh-sensitive CMOS camera using a specific sensor that has a wide range of spectral sensitivity characteristics. The objective of this study is to present our updated endoscopic technology that has successfully integrated two innovative functions; ultrasensitive imaging as well as advanced fluorescent viewing.

Methods: Two different experiments were conducted.

Preliminary study for the assessment of physical activity using a triaxial accelerometer with a gyro sensor on the upper limbs of subjects with paraplegia driving a wheelchair on a treadmill.

Objective: This study aimed to examine whether, on the basis of the relationship between sensors attached on the upper limbs and energy expenditure (EE) at the time of wheelchair propulsion, there are differences in the measurement of EE depending on the sensor attachment site and whether addition of the angular velocity information to the acceleration value is advantageous. We also aimed to clarify the variables used to estimate EE as well as the estimated error.

Setting: Laboratory of the National Hospital Organization Murayama Medical Center, Japan.

Association of postoperative shoulder balance with adding-on in Lenke Type II adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Study Design: A retrospective, multicenter study.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between postoperative shoulder balance and adding-on in Lenke type 2 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Summary Of Background Data: Postoperative shoulder imbalance (PSI) and adding-on are the main postoperative complications occurring at the proximal to upper instrumented vertebra and the distal to the lower instrumental vertebra (LIV), respectively.

Characterization and surgical outcomes of proximal junctional failure in surgically treated patients with adult spinal deformity.

Study Design: Retrospective case series of surgically treated patients with adult spine deformity (ASD).

Objective: To report the incidence of proximal junctional failure (PJF), characterize PJF and evaluate the outcome of revision surgery for PJF. A modified classification is also proposed.

The hypoxic ventilatory response and TRPA1 antagonism in conscious mice.

Aim: Recently, TRPA1 channels, richly expressed in both peripheral and central neural systems, have been proposed as novel sensors of changes in oxygen concentration along the hypoxic-hyperoxic continuum. In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that TRPA1 channels blockade should profoundly affect the hypoxic ventilatory response (HVR).

Methods: We examined the chemosensory ventilatory responses in conscious mice before and after intraperitoneal administration of the specific TRPA1 antagonist HC-030031 in two doses of 50 and 200 (cumulative dose 250) mg kg(-1) .

Adult thoracolumbar and lumbar scoliosis treated with long vertebral fusion to the sacropelvis: a comparison between new hybrid selective spinal fusion versus anterior-posterior spinal instrumentation.

Background Context: Combined anteroposterior spinal fusion with instrumentation has been used for many years to treat adult thoracolumbar/lumbar scoliosis. This surgery remains a technical challenge to spine surgeons, and current literature reports high complication rates.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to validate a new hybrid technique (a combination of single-rod anterior instrumentation and a shorter posterior instrumentation to the sacrum) to treat adult thoracolumbar/lumbar scoliosis.

Complications and Unfavorable Clinical Outcomes in Obese and Overweight Patients Treated for Adult Lumbar or Thoracolumbar Scoliosis With Combined Anterior/Posterior Surgery.

Background Context: Combined anterior/posterior (A/P) spinal fusion with instrumentation has been used for many years in the treatment of adult thoracolumbar and lumbar (TL/L) scoliosis. However, the risk factors for complications and poor clinical outcomes with this procedure are not well known.

Purpose: To assess the risk factors for poor clinical outcomes in a series of adult lumbar or scoliosis patients undergoing combined A/P-instrumented spinal fusion.

Outcome of Revision Surgery in Pediatric Spine Deformity Patients.

Study Design: Retrospective case series.

Objectives: To report the complications and outcomes of pediatric revision spine surgery and review the surgical indications and treatment methods.

Background Summary: Recent reports have shown the necessity of revision spine surgery for pediatric deformities.

Incidence, risk factors, and natural course of proximal junctional kyphosis: surgical outcomes review of adult idiopathic scoliosis. Minimum 5 years of follow-up.

Study Design: A retrospective case series of surgically treated patients with adult scoliosis.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence, risk factors, and natural course of proximal junctional kyphosis (PJK) in a long-term follow-up of patients with adult idiopathic scoliosis undergoing long instrumented spinal fusion.

Summary Of Background Data: Although recent reports have showed the prevalence, clinical outcomes, and the possible risk factors of PJK, quite a few reports have showed long-term follow-up outcome.

Rapid 3-dimensional imaging of embryonic craniofacial morphology using microscopic computed tomography.

Objective: Microscopic computed tomography (microCT) has been recently applied to morphological evaluation of mouse embryos with or without congenital malformations, and 3-dimensional (3D) digital images of the whole embryo can be obtained. In the present study, the authors report a modified, rapid technique of 3D embryonic microCT without processing with osmium tetroxide.

Methods: Normal embryonic days 10.

Hedgehog signaling: a biophysical or biomechanical modulator in embryonic development?

Although embryonic development is inevitably affected by biophysical or biomechanical processes, it has yet to be elucidated to what extent molecular mechanisms of development are modulated by such physical factors. The hedgehog family, including Sonic hedgehog (Shh), is the most well-known morphogens involved in the developmental pattern formation of various organs, such as the nervous system, face, limbs, and skin appendages. There are several unique features in hedgehog signaling including long-range diffusion or positive and negative feedback loops, suggesting the possible modification of hedgehog signaling by biophysical or biomechanical factors.

Neurospheres from human adipose tissue transplanted into cultured mouse embryos can contribute to craniofacial morphogenesis: a preliminary report.

Adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) are one of the most promising stem cell populations that differentiate into the mesodermal as well as neural lineages in vitro. In this study, we examined the neural differentiating potential of human ASCs by a neurosphere culture method. Neurospheres derived from human ASCs expressed Nestin and Musashi-1 genes, which are marker genes for neural stem cells.

Defects in aortic fusion and craniofacial vasculature in the holoprosencephalic mouse embryo under inhibition of sonic hedgehog signaling.

Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is a well-known morphogen indispensable in facial and nervous development, and recently it has also garnered much attention as a potent angiogenic factor. We previously created an animal model of holoprosencephaly by administration of cyclopamine, a specific inhibitor of hedgehog signaling, to the mouse embryos cultured in vitro, and found several types of angiogenic defects. In this study, we focused on other angiogenic phenotypes in the same model.