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Study design:An in vivo study using a spinal cord compression model in rats.Objectives:To evaluate the effect of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) on the change in thoracic spinal cord blood flow and on hind-limb motor function.Background:Until now, effect of PGE1 on spinal cord blood flow at the point of compression has not been tested.Methods:Our newly developed blood flow measurement system was a combination of a noncontact-type Laser Doppler system and a spinal cord compression device. The rat thoracic spinal cord was exposed and spinal cord blood flow at the point of compression was measured before, during and after compression. The functioning of the animals' hind-limbs was evaluated by the BBB Scale and by measuring the frequency of voluntary standing.Results:During the compression period, spinal cord blood flow was significantly higher in the PGE1-treated rats than in the control rats, which did not receive PGE1. After decompression, the spinal cord blood flow rapidly recovered to about 60% of the precompression level in the control rats. When the animals were treated with PGE1, blood flow after decompression reached about 90% of the precompression level.Twenty-gram compression for 40 mins induced motor deficiencies in the rat hind-limbs. The application of PGE1 significantly improved motor function of the rat hind-limbs after spinal cord injury.Conclusions:The application of PGE1 increased spinal cord blood flow during and after spinal cord compression, and improved motor function after the spinal cord injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction Congenital hypoplasia of the atlas has rarely been reported. Myelopathy caused by the complete absence of the posterior arch of the atlas has not been reported. This case report describes the diagnosis and successful treatment of a myelopathy due to the complete absence of the posterior arch of the atlas. Case presentation A 59-year-old Japanese man experienced pain in his nuchal region with progressive spasticity, numbness and hypesthesia in his upper and lower limbs. Deep tendon reflexes in his upper and lower limbs were increased. The complete absence of the posterior arch of the atlas and atlantoaxial instability were found in a roentgenogram. Magnetic resonance imaging detected high signal intensity on T2-weighted images in his spinal cord at the level of cervical vertebrae 1 to 2. Our patient underwent posterior occipito-C4 fixation with pedicle screws. After the operation, the pain in his nuchal region disappeared and his symptoms of myelopathy improved. Only slight numbness of his upper limbs remained. Conclusions This is the first report of myelopathy due to the complete absence of the posterior arch of the atlas.

Background: Adenosine is an endogenous neuromodulator in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. Adenosine inhibits pain signals by hyperpolarizing neuronal membrane.Methods: To clarify the effects of adenosine on pain signals, we tested intrathecal adenosine injection in two neuropathic pains (spinal cord compression and chronic constriction of sciatic nerve) and postoperative pain (plantar incision).Results: In all three kinds of pain models, significant shortening of withdrawal latencies to thermal stimulation were detected from 24 h to 1 week after the surgery. Significant improvements of pain sensation were observed in all three models after intrathecal injection of Cl-adenosine 24 h after surgery. At 72 h after surgery, intrathecal Cl-adenosine injection inhibited hyperalgesia in the two neuropathic pain models but not in the postoperative pain model. Adenosine A1R messenger RNA (mRNA) expression significantly decreased in the plantar incision model. Adenosine A1R protein levels also decreased compared with the other two models and normal control.Conclusions: These results suggest that adenosine effectively inhibits pain signals in neuropathic pain but is less effective in postoperative pain because of the decrease in adenosine A1 receptors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design: This was a multicenter retrospective cohort study., Objective: We investigated the incidence of postoperative shoulder imbalance (PSI) and its risk factors in patients with Lenke types 1 and 2 scoliosis corrected using vertebral coplanar alignment (VCA)., Summary of Background Data: PSI in scoliosis affects patient quality of life. While other correction methods have reported a high correction rate for the main thoracic curve (MTC) in relation to PSI, this correlation has not been confirmed for the VCA technique., Methods: We studied 176 patients with Lenke types 1 and 2 scoliosis who underwent posterior corrective fusion surgery using the VCA technique at 11 institutions. At two years postoperatively, patients were divided into two groups based on radiographic shoulder height (RSH): PSI- (RSH<2 cm) and PSI+ (RSH≧2 cm) groups. We analyzed the risk factors for PSI., Results: The overall incidence of PSI two years postoperatively was 11.4% (20/176), with 9.2% (11/119) and 15.8% (9/57) in patients with Lenke types 1 and 2, respectively. Contrary to a previous study, a high MTC correction rate did not emerge as a risk factor for PSI. Instead, preoperative left shoulder elevation and low postoperative thoracic kyphosis and greater T1 tilt and high apical vertebral body-to-rib ratio were associated with PSI in patients with Lenke type 1. Preoperative left shoulder elevation and a low postoperative proximal thoracic curve (PTC) correction rate were identified as risk factors for PSI in patients with Lenke type 2., Conclusion: Our results suggest that proper correction of the PTC, rather than compromise MTC correction, may help prevent PSI in the VCA technique. This method is particularly advantageous for addressing Lenke type 1 scoliosis and yields favorable outcomes in shoulder balance. Patients with preoperative left shoulder elevation, especially Lenke type 2, are at high risk of developing PSI., Level of Evidence: 4., Competing Interests: No conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

We herein report the synthesis, characterizations, and synchrotron X-ray charge-density studies of oxo-centered triruthenium(II,III,III) clusters [Ru 3 O(CHCl 2 COO) 6 (py) 3 ] ( 1 ) and [Ru 3 O(CHCl 2 COO) 6 (CO)(py) 2 ] ( 2 ) (py = pyridine). Dichloroacetate was chosen for its large scattering factor of the Cl atom, and its electron-withdrawing nature results in significant stabilization of the targeted lower-valent Ru 3 II,III,III state in the cluster framework. Multipole analysis revealed that the difference in electron populations between two crystallographically independent Ru centers is small for 1 (Δ = 0.30 e) but large for 2 (Δ = 1.46 e). Remarkable differences between 1 and 2 are also found in their static deformation density maps; substantial local charge depletion was found around the central μ 3 O atom for 1 , which is less pronounced for 2 . According to the topological characterization of Ru-μ 3 O bonds associated with the bond critical point, bcp, the electron density, ρ bcp , is in the range of 0.79-0.89 e Å -3 , and the total energy density, H bcp , is in the range of -0.21 to -0.05 hartree Å -3 . These findings represent the first charge-density distribution analysis of mixed-valence multinuclear Ru complexes including comparison between 3d and 4d transition-metal systems.

We formulated two phase-field models to compute interfacial compositions, characterized by their high computational accuracy and efficiency. The inaugural model utilizes convergence calculations to fulfill the equal diffusion potential condition, while the subsequent model obviates the need for such calculations. Despite this, its computational outcomes strongly agree with those of the preceding model. Notably, in these models, the alteration in composition attributable to interfacial curvatures aligns with the Gibbs-Thomson effect within the equilibrium system. In this study, the solidification processes of Ni-Al-Cr and Ag-Cu-Sn alloys serve as case studies to underscore the computational precision and swiftness of the proposed models.

Introduction: The treatment of nasal septum perforation solely by surgical intervention presents significant challenges. This study evaluated the effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in combination with collagen/gelatin on wound healing of nasal septum perforation in a rabbit animal model., Methods: A nasal septum perforation rabbit model was created. bFGF was added to a collagen/gelatin fixture and placed adjacent to the perforation, which is a complete defect. The rabbits were divided into three groups: the sham group that underwent the surgical procedure only, bFGF (-) group that received collagen/gelatin fixture without bFGF, and bFGF(+) group that received collagen/gelatin fixture with bFGF. The dimensions of the perforations were measured after 4 weeks, and the septum was subjected to histological examination., Results: All perforations remained open in the sham group (closure rate: 20.4%-83.1%). The closure rates of the bFGF(-) and bFGF(+) groups were 49.4%-68.8% and 72.7%-100%, respectively. No significant difference was noted in the closure rates between the sham and bFGF(-) groups; however, significant differences were observed between the sham and bFGF(+) groups, and the bFGF(-) and bFGF(+) groups (p < 0.05), indicating that bFGF promoted perforation closure., Conclusions: The study demonstrated that bFGF with collagen/gelatin carrier promoted wound healing in a rabbit model of nasal septum perforation., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Japanese Society for Regenerative Medicine. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.)

Background:  It has been documented that diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) exhibits a higher prevalence among elderly, male, and obese individuals. Additionally, diabetes mellitus and other comorbidities are more frequently observed in this patient population. However, there is a lack of reports exploring the correlation between the extent of ossification and these demographic and clinical characteristics., Objective: To examine the correlation between comorbidities and the severity of ossification of the anterior longitudinal ligament in patients with DISH., Materials and Methods: The study included 468 patients who visited our hospital in 2018-2022. They were divided into DISH and non-DISH groups based on computed tomography image evaluation according to the Resnick criteria. The patients in the two groups were matched for age and sex. We compared comorbidity-related factors including body mass index (BMI), serum markers for metabolic syndrome and renal function, and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels between the matched groups. Moreover, we examined the correlation between the number of fused vertebral bodies and comorbidity-related factors, age, and sex within the DISH group., Results: The DISH group included significantly more men and elderly patients than the non-DISH group. Furthermore, the average BMI and HbA1c levels were significantly higher in the matched-DISH group than in the matched-non-DISH group, whereas no differences were observed in other markers. In the DISH group, the number of fused vertebral bodies did not correlate with age, sex, BMI, or HbA1c levels., Discussion: BMI and HbA1c levels were significantly higher in patients with DISH than those without; however, the number of fused vertebral bodies and the possibility of having coexisting obesity or diabetes mellitus showed no correlation with the age or sex of the patient. Therefore, each patient should be carefully assessed for ossification severity regardless of age, sex, and the comorbidities they possess., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright © 2023, Ishimura et al.)

Objective: To analyze the time trends of recidivism of acquired cholesteatoma using the Kaplan-Meier method., Study Design: We conducted a retrospective, observational study of 256 patients having their first cholesteatoma surgery. The cumulative recidivism-free rate was calculated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis related to the follow-up period, pathophysiology, the extent of the disease, and recidivism pathologies., Results: Pars flacida cholesteatoma with tympanic cavity progression had a high likelihood of recurrence disease. Pars tensa cholesteatoma led to more recurrence of the disease than the residual disease. In both pars flacida and pars tensa cholesteatoma, the incidence of disease recurrence increased even 3 years after surgery. On the contrary, the incidence of residual disease peaked within 3 years after surgery, and thereafter, the incidence of residual disease tended to be small. In particular, pars flacida cholesteatoma extending into the mastoid cavity or tympanic cavity tended to recur up to 5 years postoperatively., Conclusions: We calculated the cumulative recidivism-free rates of 256 patients with cholesteatoma using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. These results can lead to better estimates of the length of the follow-up period., Level of Evidence: Level IV evidence from case-control studies., Competing Interests: The authors disclose no conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023, Otology & Neurotology, Inc.)

Purpose: Although treatment outcomes for childhood cancer have improved in recent years, some patients continue to experience physical symptoms and psychological stress several years after the end of treatment. This study aimed to examine the correlation between the quality-of-life (QOL) scores of childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) aged 18-39 and (1) their families and (2) the time since the end of treatment. Methods: Measuring the QOL of CCSs attending the long-term follow-up (LTFU) and those of their families. The Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) was used for CCSs and the Caregiver Quality of Life Index-Cancer (CQOLC) for their families. Spearman's rank correlation analyses were used to examine the relationship between the CCSs' and their families' QOL and the time since the end of treatment. Results: Twenty-nine CCSs (mean age, 24.2 years; mean the time since the end of treatment, 13.9 years), each paired with one family member, were included. Time since the end of treatment was positively correlated with the CCSs' QOL on the physical component score ( ρ  = 0.42, p  = 0.03) and negatively correlated with mental health (MH) ( ρ  = -0.50, p  = 0.01), a subscale of the mental component score (MCS). Furthermore, the CCSs' QOL on the MCS was positively correlated with their families' QOL scores ( ρ  = 0.58, p  < 0.01). Conclusion: Psychological stress may persist in CCSs long after treatment, even when physical symptoms improve. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a comprehensive support system for the LTFU of CCSs, including MH care and QOL monitoring for patients and their families.

Introduction: Some patients who have not been diagnosed with diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) (patients in the preclinical stage of DISH [pre-DISH]) may develop DISH in the future. However, there are currently no clearly defined diagnostic criteria for pre-DISH. This study aims to define pre-DISH by analyzing the change in the ossification extent in each intervertebral space in the thoracic and lumbar spines over time using computed tomography (CT)., Methods: Of the patients who underwent CT of the thoracic to pelvic region at least twice from 2009 to 2018, 188 who underwent CT at an interval of 5 years to 5 years and 2 months were enrolled. The prevalence of DISH during the first and second CT scans was investigated. The pre-DISH feature was defined, and the prevalence of pre-DISH on the first CT and the change after 5 years in patients with pre-DISH was investigated., Results: Of the 188 patients, 37 (19.7%) and 48 (25.5%) were diagnosed with DISH on the first and second CT scans, respectively. Pre-DISH was defined as the ossification characterized by the modified Mata score of three contiguous intervertebral spaces with a score of ≥2 points (222; 2 points, ligament ossification of half or more of the intervertebral disc height but incomplete fusion), and 52 patients were diagnosed with pre-DISH. Of the 52 patients with a score of ≥(222), 11 (21.2%) were diagnosed with DISH 5 years later., Conclusions: Patients who have three contiguous intervertebral spaces with a modified Mata score of 2 or 3 points should be considered pre-DISH., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare that there are no relevant conflicts of interest., (Copyright © 2023 The Japanese Society for Spine Surgery and Related Research.)