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Objective Methods Results Conclusions Due to the low incidence of achondroplasia (Ach), there is a relative lack of research on the treatment and management of spinal complications of Ach. Characteristics and interventions for spinal complications in patients with Ach are in urgent need of investigation. This study aimed to summarize the common spinal complications in patients with Ach and the corresponding treatment strategies.This study is a retrospective case series. We retrospectively collected and analyzed Ach cases who presented to our hospital with neurological symptoms due to skeletal anomalies between February 2003 and October 2023. A total of seven patients were included, four males (57.1%) and three females (42.9%) with a mean age of 38.57 years. Patient pain/numbness visual analog scale (VAS), preoperative Oswestry disability index (ODI), development of neurological complaints, and presentation of skeletal abnormalities were collected and followed up routinely at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively. The relevant literature was reviewed.Seven patients were included in this series. The mean preoperative VAS was 4, and the mean preoperative ODI was 50.98%. All patients had concomitant spinal stenosis, four with thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK), and one with scoliosis. Six of the seven patients underwent surgery, and one patient received conservative treatment. In the routine follow‐ups, all patients experienced satisfactory relief of symptoms. Only one of the seven patients developed a new rare lesion adjacent to the primary segments. Six months after the first surgery, a follow‐up visit revealed thoracic spinal stenosis caused by ossification of the ligamentum flavum, and his symptoms were relieved after thoracic decompression surgery.Ach seriously affects the skeletal development of patients and can lead to the development of spinal stenosis, spinal deformities, and other complications of the locomotor system. Surgery remains the primary treatment for complications of the musculoskeletal system. Specific surgical approaches and comprehensive, long‐term management are critical to the treatment of patients with spinal complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consequences of prenatal maternal depressive symptoms on infant health are well established. But the results of infants' sex differences of such consequences are mixed. The current study examines whether any association exists between prenatal maternal depressive symptoms and infant physical health different for the sex of newborns. A sample of 84 women pregnant with twins reported depressive symptoms using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) in the late gestational stage. The Apgar scores of newborns were assessed by healthcare providers at 1, 5, and 10 minutes after birth. The relationship of maternal prenatal depressive symptoms and newborns' physical health was moderated by infant sex. Higher depressive symptoms were associated with a lower Apgar index among newborn boys but not girls. Fetus environment or biomarkers related to sex may be a key mechanism of the effect of prenatal depression symptoms on newborns' health. Tailored interventions targeting maternal depression symptoms may be warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design: Retrospective observational study., Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether paraspinal muscle could influence postoperative coronal balance and its transition in degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS)., Summary of Background Data: Although the importance of the paraspinal muscles (PSM) in sagittal alignment is well recognized, there is no information about its role in coronal balance., Methods: The study included 102 DLS patients. Evaluation of the PSM on magnetic resonance imaging were conducted at baseline. Coronal measurements included coronal balance distance (CBD), major Cobb angle, L4 coronal tilt, and L5 coronal tilt. The cohort was divided based on postoperative parameters into persistent coronal balance (PCB), worsened coronal imbalance (WCIB), recurrent coronal balance (RCB), and persistent coronal imbalance (PCIB) according to immediate postoperative and follow-up coronal balance. Multivariate logistic regression models for postoperative CIB, follow-up WCIB and follow-up RCB were utilized to identify statistically significant associations while accounting for confounders., Results: The cohort was divided into 57 with PCB, 13 with WCIB, 10 with RCB, and 22 with PCIB. The follow-up groups with CIB exhibited more severe fatty infiltration in the extensor muscle compared to the balanced groups. Specifically, the WCIB group demonstrated the most severe extensor muscle degeneration, particularly on the concave sides, and the most prominent asymmetrical degeneration of the PSM among the four groups. Furthermore, patients with CIB had worse sagittal malalignment compared to those with CB at the last follow up., Conclusion: Patients exhibiting stronger extensor muscle mass were prone to immediate postoperative CB and more likely to experience spontaneous improvement or recurrence of coronal balance during follow-up. Severe extensor muscle degeneration and prominent asymmetrical bilateral PSM degeneration represent potential risk factors for persistent CIB and recurrent CIB. It is crucial to assess the dynamic change during the follow-up period as long-term prognosis may be impacted if CB deteriorates, or otherwise develops during follow-up., Level of Evidence: 3., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest: The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

As nitrate contamination causes serious environmental problems, it is necessary to develop stable and efficient electrocatalysts for efficient electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (ENRR). Here, a nonprecious Co 3 O 4 /carbon felt (CF) electrode with a 3D structure was prepared by integrating electrodeposition with calcination methods. This 3D structured Co 3 O 4 /CF electrode exhibits a high-rate constant of 1.18 × 10 -4 s -1 cm -2 for the ENRR, surpassing other Co 3 O 4 electrodes in previous literature. Moreover, it also has an excellent stability with a decrease of 6.4% after 10 cycles. Density functional theory calculations, electron spin resonance analysis, and cyclic voltammetry were performed to study the mechanism of the ENRR on the Co 3 O 4 /CF electrode, proving that atomic H* (indirect pathway) plays a prominent role in NO 3 - reduction and clarifying the synergistic effect of Co(III) and Co(II) in the Co(II)-Co(III)-Co(II) redox cycle for the ENRR: Co(III) prefers the adsorption of NO 3 - and Co(II) favors the production of H*. Based on this synergy, a relatively large amounts of Co(II) on the surface of the Co 3 O 4 /CF electrode (1.3 Co(II)/Co(III) ratio) was maintained by controlling the temperature of calcination to 200 °C with a lower energy barrier of H* formation of 0.46 eV than other ratios, which is beneficial for forming H* and enhancing the performance of the ENRR. Thus, this study suggests that building 3D structure and optimizing Co(II)/Co(III) ratio are important for designing efficient Co 3 O 4 electrocatalyst for ENRR.