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Objective. To compare the cost-effectiveness of lumbar decompression alone (DA) with lumbar decompression with fusion (DF) for the management of adults undergoing surgery for lumbar stenosis with associated degenerative spondylolisthesis. Summary of Background Data. Rates of lumbar fusion have increased for all indications in the United States over the last 20 years. Recent randomized controlled trial data, however, have suggested comparable functional outcomes and lower reoperation rates for lumbar decompression and fusion as compared with DA in the treatment of lumbar stenosis with degenerative spondylolisthesis. Materials and Methods. A multistate Markov model was constructed from the US payer perspective of a hypothetical cohort of patients with lumbar stenosis with associated spondylolisthesis requiring surgery. Data regarding clinical improvement, costs, and reoperation were generated from contemporary randomized trial evidence, meta-analyses of recent prospective studies, and large retrospective cohorts. Base case, one-way sensitivity analysis, and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted, and the results were compared with a WTP threshold of $100,000 (in 2022 USD) over a two-year time horizon. A discount rate of 3% was utilized. Results. The incremental cost and utility of DF relative to DA were $12,778 and 0.00529 aggregated quality adjusted life years. The corresponding incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of $2,416,281 far exceeded the willingness to pay threshold of $100,000. In sensitivity analysis, the results varied the most with respect to rate of improvement after DA, rate of improvement after lumbar decompression and fusion, and odds ratio of reoperation between the two groups. Zero percent of one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses achieved cost-effectiveness at the willingness- to-pay threshold. Conclusions. Within the context of contemporary surgical data, DF is not cost-effective compared with DA in the surgical management of lumbar stenosis with associated spondylolisthesis over a two-year time horizon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Man‐made ceramics generally undergo harsh manufacturing conditions (e.g., high‐temperature sintering). In contrast, mineral structures with superior mechanical strength are generated in organisms under mild biocompatible conditions. Herein, it is reported that ceramic objects can be directly produced and strengthened by drying purely inorganic gels (PIGs), mimicking the biological tactic of fabricating continuous monoliths from hydrated amorphous precursors. The overall process is easy and biocompatible in that solutions of common iron and molybdate salts are mixed to generate a PIG, consisting of 80 wt% liquid water and amorphous mineral nanoparticles (hydrated iron molybdate: FeMo2H7O11), which, upon drying under mild temperature, turns into a residual stress‐strengthened ceramic block that displays a high mechanical performance (with a hardness/elastic modulus of 1.7/17.5 GPa). Analogous to the well‐known Prince Rupert's drop reinforced by residual stress upon quenching, the uneven volume shrinkage from the outside inwards during dehydration builds up residual stress that enables amorphous mineral fusion (with the assistance of hydration water) and strengthening. Furthermore, a dramatic bandgap reduction is achieved in the dried objects due to local structural changes of the Fe atoms under residual stress. This PIG‐dehydration approach holds promise for green ceramic manufacturing and offers insights into biomineralization puzzles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ependymal tumors are classified based on their location, histology, and molecular characteristics. Supratentorial ependymomas (ST‐EPNs) are a group of circumscribed supratentorial gliomas, which usually have pathogenic fusions involving either zinc finger translocation associated (ZFTA) (formerly C11orf95) or YAP1. A subtype of ependymoma was recently described and labeled ependymoma‐like tumors with mesenchymal differentiation (ELTMDs). We describe a case of a 5‐year‐old boy who presented with a right frontal tumor. The diagnosis was challenging, and a correct diagnosis could only be reached after reanalysis of methylation data with a more recent version of the classifier and RNA fusion testing, which revealed ZFTA:NCOA1 (nuclear receptor coactivator 1) fusion. There are only a handful of cases of this entity, which is being reported for its rarity and the diagnostic challenge it poses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depression and anxiety are common in patients undergoing spinal surgery and might negatively impact outcomes. This study investigates the possible effect of these diagnoses on patient reported outcomes following lumbar fusion. Retrospective review of a registry containing prospectively collected data of lumbar fusion procedures at a single institution was performed from May 23, 2012 to June 15, 2022. Patients with a minimum of two year follow-up were included. Demographic information, diagnoses, medications, patient-reported outcomes measures (PROMs), and complications data at preoperative, three months, six months, 1 year, and two years postoperative were collected. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t -tests, χ2, binomial correlation, odds ratios, logistic regression, and mean clinically important difference. A total of 156 patients were included (60 males, 96 females) with mean age 62.6 ± 11.1 years at surgery. Thirty-nine (25%) had depression and/or anxiety (DA). Baseline Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and EuroQol Group 5D questionnaire (EQ5D) scores were significantly worse in the DA cohort compared to controls (ODI 51.1 ± 18.3 vs. 42.9 ± 15.8; P = 0.010, EQ5D 0.46 ± 0.21 vs. 0.57 ± 0.21; P = 0.005). Both cohorts experienced similar relative improvement at two years (delta ODI −18.2 ± 27.9 vs. −17.8 ± 22.1; P = 0.924, EQ5D 6.8 ± 33.8 vs. 8.1 ± 32.9; P = 0.830). Absolute outcome scores were worse in the DA cohort at all intervals. DA were not independently predictive of changes in PROMs (delta ODI mean difference 4.49, r2 = 0.36, P = 0.924). The present study showed similar improvement in PROMs following lumbar fusion for patients with anxiety and depression compared to healthy controls. These data suggest these patients are no less likely to benefit from appropriately planned lumbar fusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis is frequently performed by foot and ankle surgeons in the management of complex ankle and hindfoot pathology. In this study, the authors describe the clinical and radiological outcomes of tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis using a solid posterior offset hindfoot arthrodesis nail. Forty-four consecutive patients underwent tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis by a single surgeon operating in two centers. Clinical and radiological outcomes were assessed preoperatively and at 6-month, 12-month and final follow-up (mean 47 months). Clinical outcomes were assessed with VAS, AOFAS and MOXFQ scores. Serial radiographs were used to assess union at each follow-up visit. Forty-four patients attended 12-month and final follow-up (mean 47 months). A total of 44 (100%) ankle joints and 44 (100%) subtalar joints were completely united at 12-month follow-up. The VAS score improved significantly from a mean of 6.5 preoperatively to a mean of 0.98 at final follow-up (P = <0.0001). AOFAS score improved significantly from a mean of 36.4 preoperatively to a mean of 73 at final follow-up (P = <0.0001). MOXFQ score improved significantly from a mean of 44.5 preoperatively to a mean of 12.7 at final follow-up (P = <0.0001). The mean change in frontal plane alignment was 5.7 degrees (P = 0.005). A total of 6 patients (13.6%) had an adverse event during the course of the study. Tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis with a solid posterior offset hindfoot arthrodesis nail is a safe and effective surgical option for patients with severe ankle and hindfoot pathology. It has a high union rate, low complication rate and significantly improves clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Lateral interbody fusion (LIF) is an increasingly popular minimally-invasive spine procedure. This study identifies notable trends in LIF literature and provides a detailed review of the bibliometric aspects of the top 100 most-cited articles. Methods: Articles were queried from the Web of Science database. Inclusion criteria consisted of peer-reviewed articles, full-text availability, and LIF focus. Network analysis including co-authorship mapping and bibliographic coupling were complemented by trend analysis to determine prominent contributors and themes. Analyses were conducted using VOSviewer and Bibliometrix (RStudio). Results: There has been a rapid increase in LIF publication and citation count since 1998. Leading journals were Spine (n = 24), Journal of Neurosurgery Spine (n = 22), and European Spine Journal (n = 12). NuVasive funded the most publications (n = 17), followed by DePuy Synthes Spine (n = 4). The United States was the most represented country (n = 81); however, trend analysis suggests a steadily growing international contribution. The most prolific author was J.S. Uribe (n = 16), followed by a tie in second place by E. Dakwar and L. Pimenta (n = 8). The most frequent keywords, "complication" (n = 34), "surgery" (n = 30), and "outcomes" (n = 24), demonstrated a patient-centric theme. Conclusions: This bibliometric analysis provides in-depth insights into the evolution and trends of LIF over the last two decades. The trends and themes identified demonstrate the innovative, collaborative, and patient-focused characteristics of this subfield. Future researchers can use this as a foundation for understanding the past and present state of LIF research while designing investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During D-T fusion operations the capture, purification, and recycling of unburned tritium will be crucial, as the formation of tritium containing molecules require additional processing. Removing the tritium can require costly processing to be unbound from the tritium-containing molecules and improvements to these processes will be necessary moving forward. Existing techniques using sorbent material beds to remove tritium-containing molecules from process gas streams undergo repeated high-heat cycling which leads to diminished bed lifespans, necessitating replacement and associated downtime. This work demonstrates the capture and isotopic exchange technique of deuterated ammonia (ND 3), used as a surrogate for tritium, at ambient temperature using a Pt catalyst-loaded 13X molecular sieve. Unmodified 13X molecular sieve is capable of adsorbing and retaining the ND 3 however, incorporation of a catalyst facilitates the isotopic exchange of the hydrogen isotopes. The effluent gas streams were analyzed in conjunction with desorbed ammonia isotopologues post-exchange to verify these results. Isotopically exchanging and removing heavier hydrogen isotopes using this technique provides an alternative to traditional removal methods. • Hydrogen isotopes successfully exchanged at ambient temperature with Pt catalyst present on support material. • Pt-loaded 13X demonstrates higher capacity for ND 3 when compared to 13X • Pt-loaded 13X requires lower temperatures for full desorption of ND 3 when compared to 13X [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vertebral hemangiomas (VHs) are the most common benign tumors of the spinal column and are often encountered incidentally during routine spinal imaging. Methods: A retrospective review of the inpatient and outpatient hospital records at our institution was performed for the diagnosis of VHs from January 2005 to September 2023. Search filters included "vertebral hemangioma," "back pain," "weakness," "radiculopathy," and "focal neurological deficits." Radiographic evaluation of these patients included plain X-rays, CT, and MRI. Following confirmation of a diagnosis of VH, these images were used to generate the figures used in this manuscript. Moreover, an extensive literature search was conducted using PubMed for the literature review portion of the manuscript. Result: VHs are benign vascular proliferations that cause remodeling of bony trabeculae in the vertebral body of the spinal column. Horizontal trabeculae deteriorate leading to thickening of vertical trabeculae which causes a striated appearance on sagittal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT), "Corduroy sign," and a punctuated appearance on axial imaging, "Polka dot sign." These findings are seen in "typical vertebral hemangiomas" due to a low vascular-to-fat ratio of the lesion. Contrarily, atypical vertebral hemangiomas may or may not demonstrate the "Corduroy" or "Polka-dot" signs due to lower amounts of fat and a higher vascular component. Atypical vertebral hemangiomas often mimic other neoplastic pathologies, making diagnosis challenging. Although most VHs are asymptomatic, aggressive vertebral hemangiomas can present with neurologic sequelae such as myelopathy and radiculopathy due to nerve root and/or spinal cord compression. Asymptomatic vertebral hemangiomas do not require therapy, and there are many treatment options for vertebral hemangiomas causing pain, radiculopathy, and/or myelopathy. Surgery (corpectomy, laminectomy), percutaneous techniques (vertebroplasty, sclerotherapy, embolization), and radiotherapy can be used in combination or isolation as appropriate. Specific treatment options depend on the lesion's size/location and the extent of neural element compression. There is no consensus on the optimal treatment plan for symptomatic vertebral hemangioma patients, although management algorithms have been proposed. Conclusion: While typical vertebral hemangioma diagnosis is relatively straightforward, the differential diagnosis is broad for atypical and aggressive lesions. There is an ongoing debate as to the best approach for managing symptomatic cases, however, surgical resection is often considered first line treatment for patients with neurologic deficit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Percutaneous transpedicular screw fixation was recently introduced as a minimally invasive approach for the treatment of thoracolumbar spine fracture. This approach is superior to the traditional open surgical approaches in decreasing intraoperative blood loss, infection rates, and paraspinal muscle damage with less hospital stay. Objective: This study aims to report our surgical experience, the feasibility and safety of percutaneous transpedicular screw fixation of thoracolumbar spine fractures. Method: we retrospectively reviewed the charts of all adult patients with thoracolumbar spine fractures who underwent percutaneous transpedicular screw fixation during the period between January 2020 to January 2023 at Ain Shams University Hospitals and Prince Mohamed Ibn Abdelaziz Hospital. Collected data included: demographics, pre- and postoperative neurological assessment, radiological data including type of fracture and cobb's angle pre- and postoperatively, operative time and amount of intraoperative blood loss. Results: Forty-three percutaneous pedicle screw fixation procedures were done for 42 patients. Thirty patients were males. Dorsal spine fractures accounted for 18 cases. Preoperative American spinal injury Association score was E in 37 cases. Mean operative time was 133 min (± 46.5), and mean intraoperative blood loss was 107.1 ml (± 84). The mean follow-up period was 8 months, and the average hospital stay was 7.7 days. Radiological complete bony fusion was achieved in 77% of fractures, and 93% had improved kyphotic angle with a mean correction degree of 7.9 (± 9). Conclusion: Percutaneous transpedicular screw fixation is a safe and effective treatment option for the management of thoracolumbar spine fractures with or without spine decompression that provides satisfactory functional outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the leading causes of disease development. Dysfunctional mitochondria limit energy production, increase reactive oxygen species generation, and trigger apoptotic signals. Photobiomodulation is a noninvasive, nonthermal technique involving the application of monochromatic light with low energy density, inducing non‐thermal photochemical effects at the cellular level, and it has been used due to its therapeutic potential. This review focuses on the mitochondrial dynamic's role in various diseases, evaluating the possible therapeutic role of low‐power lasers (LPL) and light‐emitting diodes (LED). Studies increasingly support that mitochondrial dysfunction is correlated with severe neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Huntington's, Alzheimer's, and Charcot–Marie‐Tooth diseases. Furthermore, a disturbance in mitofusin activity is also associated with metabolic disorders, including obesity and type 2 diabetes. The effects of PBM on mitochondrial dynamics have been observed in cells using a human fibroblast cell line and in vivo models of brain injury, diabetes, spinal cord injury, Alzheimer's disease, and skin injury. Thus, new therapies aiming to improve mitochondrial dynamics are clinically relevant. Several studies have demonstrated that LPL and LED can be important therapies to improve health conditions when there is dysfunction in mitochondrial dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The syncytiotrophoblast is a multinucleated structure that arises from fusion of mononucleated cytotrophoblasts, to sheath the placental villi and regulate transport across the maternal–fetal interface. Here, we ask whether the dynamic mechanical forces that must arise during villous development might influence fusion, and explore this question using in vitro choriocarcinoma trophoblast models. We demonstrate that mechanical stress patterns arise around sites of localized fusion in cell monolayers, in patterns that match computational predictions of villous morphogenesis. We then externally apply these mechanical stress patterns to cell monolayers and demonstrate that equibiaxial compressive stresses (but not uniaxial or equibiaxial tensile stresses) enhance expression of the syndecan-1 and loss of E-cadherin as markers of fusion. These findings suggest that the mechanical stresses that contribute towards sculpting the placental villi may also impact fusion in the developing tissue. We then extend this concept towards 3D cultures and demonstrate that fusion can be enhanced by applying low isometric compressive stresses to spheroid models, even in the absence of an inducing agent. These results indicate that mechanical stimulation is a potent activator of cellular fusion, suggesting novel avenues to improve experimental reproductive modelling, placental tissue engineering, and understanding disorders of pregnancy development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laser‐based powder‐bed fusion can be combined with casting into a hybrid manufacturing process. This is done to simultaneously utilize advantages of both processes. To examine related challenges stemming from this combination when using aluminium alloys, first experiments were conducted with EN AC‐42000 alloy, an alloy common in both standalone processes. EN AC‐42000 alloy samples with different surface treatments were placed into a sand mould and cast on to with an aluminium melt. The contact region between the partially molten insert and the cast material was examined with light microscopy. The main challenges were shown to be comprised of bonding issues due to present oxides and a high porosity. The high porosity was traced back to a porosity increase in the laser‐based powder‐bed fusion insert. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondria are an indispensable component of multicellular life. They undergo morphological changes and spatial rearrangement to meet the needs of cells and maintain energy balance through fusion and fission, a process called mitochondrial dynamics. A large number of studies have shown that mitochondria participate in a variety of cell biological processes such as apoptosis, cell proliferation, cell migration, and energy metabolism through fusion and fission. In recent years, respiratory diseases have become a major global health problem. Recent studies have found that mitochondrial dynamics disorder plays an important role in the formation of many respiratory diseases. The study of mitochondrial dynamics disorders provides a new perspective for the formation mechanism of respiratory diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of deep learning, solving problems often requires combining multiple modal information for reasoning and decision-making, among which visual and language information are two important modalities in the interaction process. In many application scenarios, processing multi-modal tasks often faces problems such as complex model architecture organization and inefficient training methods. Based on the above problems, this paper reviewed the representative achievements in the field of multimodal image text in the past five years. This paper first started from the mainstream multi-modal tasks and introduced related text and image multi-modal datasets and pre-training targets. Secondly, considering the visual language model based on Transformer and the feature extraction method, this paper analyzed from the perspectives of multi-modal organization architecture and cross-modal fusion methods, and summarized and compared the commonalities and differences of different processing strategies. Then it introduced the lightweight method of the model from data input, structural components and other aspects. Finally, it prospected the future research direction of multimodal methods based on image text. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Posterior and transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF, TLIF) are well-established procedures for spinal fusion. However, little is known about load sharing between cage, dorsal construct, and biological tissue within the instrumented lumbar spine. The aim of this study was to quantify the forces acting on cages under axial compression force with and without posterior instrumentation. Biomechanical cadaveric study. Ten lumbar spinal segments were tested under uniaxial compression using load cell instrumented intervertebral cages. The force was increased in 100N increments to 1000N or a force greater than 500N on one load cell. Each specimen was tested after unilateral PLIF (uPLIF), bilateral PLIF (bPLIF) and TLIF each with/without posterior instrumentation. Dorsal instrumentation was performed with 55N of compression per side. Cage insertion resulted in median cage preloads of 16N, 29N and 35N for uPLIF, bPLIF, and TLIF. The addition of compressed dorsal instrumentation increased the median preload to 224N, 328N, and 317N, respectively. With posterior instrumentation, the percentage of the external load acting on the intervertebral cage was less than 25% at 100N (uPLIF: 14.2%; bPLIF: 16%; TLIF: 11%), less than 45% at 500N (uPLIF: 31.8%; bPLIF: 41.1%; TLIF: 37.9%) and less than 50% at 1000N (uPLIF: 40.3%; bPLIF: 49.7%; TLIF: 43.4%). Without posterior instrumentation, the percentage of external load on the cages was significantly higher with values above 50% at 100N (uPLIF: 55.6%; bPLIF: 75.5%; TLIF: 66.8%), 500N (uPLIF: 71.7%; bPLIF: 79.2%; TLIF: 65.4%), and 1000N external load (uPLIF: 73%; bPLIF: 80.5%; TLIF: 66.1%). For absolute loads, preloads and external loads must be added together. Without posterior instrumentation, the intervertebral cages absorb more than 50% of the axial load and the load distribution is largely independent of the loading amplitude. With posterior instrumentation, the external load acting on the cages is significantly lower and the load distribution becomes load amplitude dependent, with a higher proportion of the load transferred by the cages at high loads. The bPLIF cages tend to absorb more force than the other two cage configurations. Cage instrumentation allows some of the compression force to be transmitted through the cage to the screws below, better distributing and reducing the overall force on the pedicle screws at the end of the construct and on the rods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A first-of-its-kind, inductively driven micro-particle (Pellet) accelerator and injector have been developed and operated successfully in ADITYA-U circular plasma operations, which may ably address the critical need for a suitable disruption control mechanism in ITER and future tokamak. The device combines the principles of electromagnetic induction, pulse power technology, impact, and fracture dynamics. It is designed to operate in a variety of environments, including atmospheric pressure and ultra-high vacuum. It can also accommodate a wide range of pellet quantities, sizes, and materials and can adjust the pellets' velocities over a coarse and fine range. The device has a modular design such that the maximum velocity can be increased by increasing the number of modules. A cluster of lithium titanate/carbonate (Li2TiO3/Li2CO3) impurity particles with variable particle sizes, weighing ∼50–200 mg are injected with velocities of the order of ∼200 m s−1 during the current plateau in ADITYA-U tokamak. This leads to a complete collapse of the plasma current within ∼5–6 ms of triggering the injector. The current quench time is dependent on the amount of impurity injected as well as the compound, with Li2TiO3 injection causing a faster current quench than Li2CO3 injection, as more power is radiated in the case of Li2TiO3. The increase in radiation due to the macro-particle injection starts in the plasma core, while the soft x-ray emission indicates that the entire plasma core collapses at once. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of deep learning (DL) techniques has revolutionized tumor detection and classification in medical imaging, with multimodal medical imaging (MMI) gaining recognition for its precision in diagnosis, treatment, and progression tracking. This review comprehensively examines DL methods in transforming tumor detection and classification across MMI modalities, aiming to provide insights into advancements, limitations, and key challenges for further progress. Systematic literature analysis identifies DL studies for tumor detection and classification, outlining methodologies including convolutional neural networks (CNNs), recurrent neural networks (RNNs), and their variants. Integration of multimodality imaging enhances accuracy and robustness. Recent advancements in DL-based MMI evaluation methods are surveyed, focusing on tumor detection and classification tasks. Various DL approaches, including CNNs, YOLO, Siamese Networks, Fusion-Based Models, Attention-Based Models, and Generative Adversarial Networks, are discussed with emphasis on PET-MRI, PET-CT, and SPECT-CT. The review outlines emerging trends and future directions in DL-based tumor analysis, aiming to guide researchers and clinicians toward more effective diagnosis and prognosis. Continued innovation and collaboration are stressed in this rapidly evolving domain. Conclusions drawn from literature analysis underscore the efficacy of DL approaches in tumor detection and classification, highlighting their potential to address challenges in MMI analysis and their implications for clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Integrating quantitative trait loci (QTL) data related to molecular phenotypes with genome-wide association study (GWAS) data is an important post-GWAS strategic approach employed to identify disease-associated molecular features. Various types of molecular phenotypes have been investigated in neuropsychiatric disorders. However, these findings pertaining to distinct molecular features are often independent of each other, posing challenges for having an overview of the mapped genes. Methods: In this study, we comprehensively summarized published analyses focusing on four types of risk-related molecular features (gene expression, splicing transcriptome, protein abundance, and DNA methylation) across five common neuropsychiatric disorders. Subsequently, we conducted supplementary analyses with the latest GWAS dataset and corresponding deficient molecular phenotypes using Functional Summary-based Imputation (FUSION) and summary data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR). Based on the curated and supplemented results, novel reliable genes and their functions were explored. Results: Our findings revealed that eQTL exhibited superior ability in prioritizing risk genes compared to the other QTL, followed by sQTL. Approximately half of the genes associated with splicing transcriptome, protein abundance, and DNA methylation were successfully replicated by eQTL-associated genes across all five disorders. Furthermore, we identified 436 novel reliable genes, which enriched in pathways related with neurotransmitter transportation such as synaptic, dendrite, vesicles, axon along with correlations with other neuropsychiatric disorders. Finally, we identified ten multiple molecular involved regulation patterns (MMRP), which may provide valuable insights into understanding the contribution of molecular regulation network targeting these disease-associated genes. Conclusions: The analyses prioritized novel and reliable gene sets related with five molecular features based on published and supplementary results for five common neuropsychiatric disorders, which were missed in the original GWAS analysis. Besides, the involved MMRP behind these genes could be given priority for further investigation to elucidate the pathogenic molecular mechanisms underlying neuropsychiatric disorders in future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design. Observational cohort study. Objective. To describe the postoperative costs associated with both anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) in the two-year period following surgery. Summary of Background Data. CDA has become an increasingly common alternative to ACDF for the treatment of cervical disc disorders. Although a number of studies have compared clinical outcomes between both procedures, much less is known about the postoperative economic burden of each procedure. Materials and Methods. By analyzing a commercial insurance claims database (Marketscan, Merative), patients who underwent one-level or two-level ACDF and CDA procedures between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2017 were identified and included in the study. The primary outcome was the cost of payments for postoperative management in the two-year period following ACDF or CDA. Identified postoperative interventions included in the study were: (i) physical therapy, (ii) pain medication, (iii) injections, (iv) psychological treatment, and (iv) subsequent spine surgeries. Results. Totally, 2304 patients (age: 49.0 ±9.4 yr; male, 50.1%) were included in the study. In all, 1723 (74.8%) patients underwent ACDF, while 581 (25.2%) underwent CDA. The cost of surgery was similar between both groups (ACDF: $26,819± 23,449; CDA: $25,954±20,620; P= 0.429). Thirty-day, 90-day, and two-year global costs were all lower for patients who underwent CDA compared with ACDF ($31,024 vs. $34,411, $33,064 vs. $37,517, and $55,723 vs. $68,113, respectively). Conclusion. Lower two-year health care costs were found for patients undergoing CDA compared with ACDF. Further work is necessary to determine the drivers of these findings and the associated longer-term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to cellular metabolic and signaling cues, the mitochondrial network employs distinct sets of membrane-shaping factors to dynamically modulate organellar structures through a balance of fission and fusion. While these organellar dynamics mediate mitochondrial structure/function homeostasis, they also directly impact critical cell-wide signaling pathways such as apoptosis, autophagy, and the integrated stress response (ISR). Mitochondrial fission is driven by the recruitment of the cytosolic dynamin-related protein-1 (DRP1), while fusion is carried out by mitofusins 1 and 2 (in the outer membrane) and optic atrophy-1 (OPA1) in the inner membrane. This dynamic balance is highly sensitive to cellular stress; when the transmembrane potential across the inner membrane (Δψm) is lost, fusion-active OPA1 is cleaved by the overlapping activity with m-AAA protease-1 (OMA1 metalloprotease, disrupting mitochondrial fusion and leaving dynamin-related protein-1 (DRP1)-mediated fission unopposed, thus causing the collapse of the mitochondrial network to a fragmented state. OMA1 is a unique regulator of stress-sensitive homeostatic mitochondrial balance, acting as a key upstream sensor capable of priming the cell for apoptosis, autophagy, or ISR signaling cascades. Recent evidence indicates that higher-order macromolecular associations within the mitochondrial inner membrane allow these specialized domains to mediate crucial organellar functionalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Gene rearrangements frequently act as oncogenic driver mutations and determine the onset and progression of cancer. RNA-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) is being used with increasing frequency for solid tumors. The purpose of our study is to investigate the feasibility and utility of an RNA-based NGS fusion panel for solid tumors. Methods We conducted a retrospective, single-institution review of fusion panels requested between May 2022 and March 2023. Demographic, clinical, pathologic, and molecular findings of the patients were reviewed. The utility of the RNA-based NGS fusion panel for the pathologic diagnosis of solid tumors was assessed. Results Our study included 345 cases, and a fusion event was identified in 24.3% (78/321) of cases. Among the 110 cases submitted for diagnostic purposes, a fusion event was detected in 42.7% (47/110) of cases. The results led to refinement or clarification of the initial diagnosis in 31.9% (15/47) of cases and agreement or support for the initial diagnosis in 59.6% (28/47) of cases. Furthermore, our study indicated that the overall cellularity (tumor and normal tissue) of the tested specimen influences the success of the testing process. Conclusions In summary, this study demonstrated the feasibility and utility of an RNA-based NGS fusion panel for a wide variety of solid tumors in the appropriate clinicopathologic context. These findings warrant further validation in larger studies involving multiple institutional patient cohorts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design.: A systematic review with meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and comparative retrospective cohort studies. Objective.: The purpose of this study is to compare the 10-year outcomes of cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) with those of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for the treatment of cervical degenerative disc disease (CDDD). Summary of Background Data.: ACDF is the gold standard for the treatment of CDDD. However, the loss of motion at the operative level may accelerate adjacent segment disease (ASD). The preservation of motion with CDA attempts to prevent this complication of cervical fusion. Short-term and mid-term data reveal comparable results for CDA versus ACDF; however, long-term results are unknown. Materials and Methods.: A systematic review with meta-analysis was performed to determine if CDA had improved outcomes compared with ACDF at 10-year follow-up. PubMed and Web of Science database searches through 2023 were performed to identify randomized controlled trials and comparative retrospective cohort studies involving treatment of one-level or two-level CDDD. Results.: Six studies were eligible for analysis. CDA had significantly improved neck disability index and visual analog scale scores but lower Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores compared to ACDF at 10-year follow-up (P < 0.05). None of these results met minimal clinically important differences. CDA had significantly fewer secondary surgeries and adverse events compared to ACDF (P <0.05). There were no significant differences in neurological success. Conclusions.: The authors found that significantly fewer secondary surgeries and adverse events were seen after CDA than after ACDF at 10-year follow-up. CDA had statistically, but not clinically, improved neck disability index and visual analog scale scores but lower Japanese Orthopaedic Association scores in comparison to ACDF. CDA was not significantly different from ACDF in terms of a successful neurological outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experimental research aimed to formulate a cake made from the mixture of squash and pineapple. It utilized a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with three (3) treatments and evaluated as to its sensory qualities and acceptability in terms of appearance, aroma, taste and texture by 40 evaluators composed of experts and consumers. Score cards with Nine (9) Point Hedonic Scale was used to evaluate the product. The mean and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) were used to analyze the data with alpha set at 0.01 level of significance. Findings on the evaluation of sensory qualities and acceptability of the three (3) treatments showed that Treatment C with the proportion of 100grams combination of squash and pineapple showed the most preferred among the treatments with verbal interpretation of "Liked Extremely" in terms of appearance, aroma, taste and texture based on the evaluation of experts and consumers. The finding led to the conclusion that the squash-pineapple cake was acceptable in terms of its appearance, aroma, taste and texture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a finite abelian p -group A and a subgroup $\Gamma \le \operatorname {\mathrm {Aut}}(A)$ , we say that the pair $(\Gamma ,A)$ is fusion realizable if there is a saturated fusion system ${\mathcal {F}}$ over a finite p -group $S\ge A$ such that $C_S(A)=A$ , $\operatorname {\mathrm {Aut}}_{{\mathcal {F}}}(A)=\Gamma $ as subgroups of $\operatorname {\mathrm {Aut}}(A)$ , and. In this paper, we develop tools to show that certain representations are not fusion realizable in this sense. For example, we show, for $p=2$ or $3$ and $\Gamma $ one of the Mathieu groups, that the only ${\mathbb {F}}_p\Gamma $ -modules that are fusion realizable (up to extensions by trivial modules) are the Todd modules and in some cases their duals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The non-uniform illumination in underwater causes degradation of images as when light propagates through water, it gets scattered and absorbed due to various factors. The captured underwater images are mainly suffer from color distortion, color cast, low contrast, poor illumination, and blurred details due to the optical properties of water. Underwater image enhancement plays a preprocessing stage for high-level vision tasks. Therefore, to restore the degraded image and for visual enhancement, we proposed a fusion method for an effective output. This method generates two versions of color-corrected input image and one is given for contrast limited adaptive brightness preservance histogram equalization(CLABPHE) and the other for uniform illuminated sharpened image. The two are fused using their weight maps: Luminance weight map, and Saliency detection weight map, and they are normalized and then multi-layered fused using Laplacian pyramid-based decomposition to get an enhanced output image. The quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the proposed method works effectively for several datasets. The qualitative evaluation shows our method is better than the other algorithms compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The objective of this meta-analysis was to determine the incidence of disc degeneration in patients with surgically treated adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and identify the associated risk factors. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Cochrane Collaboration Library databases were searched. The outcomes of interest were the incidence of disc degeneration, SRS-22, and radiological risk factors. The lower instrumented vertebra (LIV) was also evaluated. Fixed effects were used if there was no evidence of heterogeneity. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager. Results: A meta-analysis was conducted including nine studies with a total of 565 patients. The analysis revealed that the global incidence of intervertebral disc degeneration in patients with surgically treated AIS patients was 24.78% (95% CI 16.59–32.98%) 10 years after surgery, which significantly increased to 32.32% (95% CI 21.16–43.47% at an average of 13.8 years after surgery. Among patients with significant degenerative disc changes, the SRS-22 functional, self-image, and satisfaction domains showed significantly worse results (MD − 0.25, 95% CI − 0.44 to − 0.05; MD − 0.50, 95% CI − 0.75 to − 0.25; and MD − 0.34, 95% CI − 0.66 to − 0.03, respectively). Furthermore, instrumentation at or above the L3 level was associated with a lower incidence of intervertebral disc degeneration compared to instrumentation below the L3 level (OR 0.25, 95% CI 0.10–0.64). It was also found that the preoperative and final follow-up lumbar curve magnitudes (MD 8.11, 95% CI 3.82–12.41) as well as preoperative and final follow-up lumbar lordosis (MD 0.42, 95% CI − 3.81 to 4.65) were associated with adjacent disc degeneration. Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrated that the incidence of intervertebral disc degeneration significantly increased with long-term follow-up using fusion techniques, reaching up to 32% when patients were 28 years of age. Incomplete correction of deformity and fusion of levels below L3, were identified as negative prognostic factors. Furthermore, patients with disc degeneration showed worse functional outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study explored a potentially significant player in the spread of metastatic cancer: "hybrid cells" (HCs) combining features of both epithelial (common in tissues) and immune cells (such as macrophages). HCs were found in more than one type of tumor (THC) and showed a unique transcriptional profile including the activation of functional pathways, potentially explaining their mobility, dissemination into circulation, and metastatic progression. Normal healthy tissue also showed hybrid cells (NHC), but they were rare and could be easily distinguished from THCs based on their gene expression profile. The study also developed a way to identify HCs in large datasets generated at the single-cell level, paving the way for further research on their function and as potential therapeutic targets. Metastatic cancer is a leading cause of death in cancer patients worldwide. While circulating hybrid cells (CHCs) are implicated in metastatic spread, studies documenting their tissue origin remain sparse, with limited candidate approaches using one–two markers. Utilizing high-throughput single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, we identified tumor hybrid cells (THCs) co-expressing epithelial and macrophage markers and expressing a distinct transcriptome. Rarely, normal tissue showed these cells (NHCs), but their transcriptome was easily distinguishable from THCs. THCs with unique transcriptomes were observed in breast and colon cancers, suggesting this to be a generalizable phenomenon across cancer types. This study establishes a framework for HC identification in large datasets, providing compelling evidence for their tissue residence and offering comprehensive transcriptomic characterization. Furthermore, it sheds light on their differential function and identifies pathways that could explain their newly acquired invasive capabilities. THCs should be considered as potential therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The clinical and radiographic degenerative spondylolisthesis (CARDS) classification is a new classification that has been introduced for degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS). It has four categories. Our study aimed to analyse the functional and radiographic outcome following DS surgery based on the preoperative CARDS classification. Methods: A retrospective study of the prospectively collected Australian Spine Registry database was performed. Data on demographics, patient reported outcome measures including the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and EQ-5D-3 L scores, and changes in radiographic measurements were analysed. Based on the preoperative findings all x-rays were classified applying the CARDS classification. Results: Between 2018 and 2021 a total of 54-patients were identified as having had surgery for DS at L4/5. The mean age was 65.3 ± 11.3years and females were predominantly affected (61%). Most cases were of CARDS type C (46%), followed by type B (29%). CARDS type A and D were observed in 18% and 6% respectively. Preoperatively, the L4/5 lordosis was 19.8 ± 6.3° and lumbar lordosis 43.9 ± 12.8°. Postoperatively the L4/5 lordosis alignment changed significantly to 23.5 ± 8.8° (p < 0.05). Preoperatively, the CARDS classification was 34.8 ± 17.4 (type A), 40.5 ± 11.0 (type B), 43.8 ± 12.9 and 50.0 ± 14.4 for type D (Pearson-coefficient 0.284, p = 0.041). Postoperatively this changed to 22.7 ± 16.1, 28.7 ± 21.2, 12.5 ± 13.1, and 6.5 ± 2.1 respectively. Similar improvements were observed for the EQ-5D-3 L. Conclusion: This study shows that the CARDS classification correlates with preoperative functional scores as well as helping to predict response to surgery. CARDS will likely assist in operative planning and prognostication. Level of evidence: III, therapeutic and prognostic study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In a certain proportion of dichorionic twin pregnancies, the two placentas are fused. The clinical significance of this finding remains unclear. Our objective was to compare outcomes of dichorionic twin pregnancies with fused versus separate placentas as determined on first-trimester ultrasound. Methods: Retrospective study of patients with dichorionic twins followed at a tertiary center between 2014 and 2022. The co-primary outcomes were fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia. Associations between fused placentas and the study outcomes were estimated using multivariable Poisson regression and were reported as adjusted relative risk (aRR) with a 95%-confidence interval (CI). Results: Of the 328 eligible patients, 175 (53.4%) and 153 (46.6%) had fused and separate placentas, respectively. Compared with pregnancies with separate placentas, patients with fused placentas had a lower risk of preeclampsia [aRR 0.48 (95%-CI 0.24–0.97)] but a higher risk of fetal growth restriction [aRR 1.23 (95%-CI 1.02–1.48)] and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit [aRR 1.31 (95%-CI 1.01–1.71)]. In addition, pregnancies with fused placentas were more likely to have a total placental weight below the 10th percentile than those with separate placentas [aRR 1.93 (95%-CI 1.16–3.21)]. Discussion: Dichorionic twin pregnancies with fused placentas have a lower risk of preeclampsia but are more likely to be complicated by fetal growth restriction, observations that may be attributed to the lower total placentas mass in pregnancies with fused compared with separate placentas. Fused placentas can be used as a potential biomarker for the prediction of pregnancy complications in dichorionic twin pregnancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Talonavicular (TN) fusion is a common treatment for TN arthritis or deformity correction. There is incongruous evidence regarding remaining motion at the talocalcaneal and calcaneocuboid joints after TN fusion. Additionally, the effects of a malaligned TN fusion are not well understood and alignment of the fusion may be important for overall foot integrity. This project assessed the kinematic and kinetic effects of neutral and malaligned TN fusions. Ten cadaveric feet were tested on a gait simulator in four conditions: unfused, fused in neutral, fused in varus, and fused in valgus. The fusions were simulated with external fixation hardware. An eight‐camera motion analysis system and a 10‐segment foot model generated kinematic data, and a pressure mat captured pressure data. Simulated TN fusion was achieved in eight feet. From unfused to fused‐neutral, range of motion (ROM) was not eliminated in the adjacent joints, but the positions of the joints changed significantly throughout stance phase. Furthermore, the ROM increased at the tibiotalar joint. Plantar pressure and center of pressure shifted laterally with neutral fusion. The malalignments marginally affected the ROM but changed joint positions throughout stance phase. Pressure patterns were shifted laterally in varus malalignment and medially in valgus malalignment. The residual motion and the altered kinematics at the joints in the triple joint complex after TN fusion may subsequently increase the incidence of arthritis. Clinical significance: This study quantifies the effects of talonavicular fusion and malalignment on the other joints of the triple joint complex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the potential of protein therapeutics, the cytosolic delivery of proteins with high efficiency and bioactivity remains a significant challenge owing to exocytosis and lysosomal degradation after endocytosis. Therefore, it is important to develop a safe and efficient strategy to bypass endocytosis. Inspired by the extraordinary capability of filamentous‐actin (F‐actin) to promote cell membrane fusion, a cyanine dye assembly‐containing nanoplatform mimicking the structure of natural F‐actin is developed. The nanoplatform exhibits fast membrane fusion to cell membrane mimics and thus enters live cells through membrane fusion and bypasses endocytosis. Moreover, it is found to efficiently deliver protein cargos into live cells and quickly release them into the cytosol, leading to high protein cargo transfection efficiency and bioactivity. The nanoplatform also results in the superior inhibition of tumor cells when loaded with anti‐tumor proteins. These results demonstrate that this fusogenic nanoplatform can be valuable for cytosolic protein delivery and tumor treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondria-Associated Endoplasmic Reticulum Membranes (MAMs) mediate the communication between the Endoplasmic Reticulum (ER) and the mitochondria, playing a fundamental role in steroidogenesis. This study aimed to understand how D-aspartate (D-Asp), a well-known stimulator of testosterone biosynthesis and spermatogenesis, affects the mechanism of steroidogenesis in rat testes. Our results suggested that D-Asp exerts this function through MAMs, affecting lipid trafficking, calcium signaling, ER stress, and mitochondrial dynamics. After 15 days of oral administration of D-Asp to rats, there was an increase in both antioxidant enzymes (SOD and Catalase) and in the protein expression levels of ATAD3A, FACL4, and SOAT1, which are markers of lipid transfer, as well as VDAC and GRP75, which are markers of calcium signaling. Additionally, there was a decrease in protein expression levels of GRP78, a marker of aging that counteracts ER stress. The effects of D-Asp on mitochondrial dynamics strongly suggested its active role as well. It induced the expression levels of proteins involved in fusion (MFN1, MFN2, and OPA1) and in biogenesis (NRF1 and TFAM), as well as in mitochondrial mass (TOMM20), and decreased the expression level of DRP1, a crucial mitochondrial fission marker. These findings suggested D-Asp involvement in the functional improvement of mitochondria during steroidogenesis. Immunofluorescent signals of ATAD3A, MFN1/2, TFAM, and TOMM20 confirmed their localization in Leydig cells showing an intensity upgrade in D-Asp-treated rat testes. Taken together, our results demonstrate the involvement of D-Asp in the steroidogenesis of rat testes, acting at multiple stages of both MAMs and mitochondrial dynamics, opening new opportunities for future investigation in other steroidogenic tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, then mitochondrial dynamics are the power grid that regulates how that energy output is directed and maintained in response to unique physiological demands. Fission and fusion dynamics are highly regulated processes that fine-tune the mitochondrial networks of cells to enable appropriate responses to intrinsic and extrinsic stimuli, thereby maintaining cellular and organismal homeostasis. These dynamics shape many aspects of an organism's healthspan including development, longevity, stress resistance, immunity, and response to disease. In this review, we discuss the latest findings regarding the mechanisms and roles of mitochondrial dynamics by focussing on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. Whole live-animal studies in C. elegans have enabled a true organismal-level understanding of the impact that mitochondrial dynamics play in homeostasis over a lifetime. [Display omitted] • Mitochondrial fission in C. elegans is mediated by DRP-1 and aided by FIS-1/2 and MFF-1/2. • Inner and outer membrane fusion is facilitated by EAT-3 and FZO-1, respectively. • Mitochondrial dynamics are critical for maintaining organismal homeostasis. • C. elegans is used to study dynamics during development, ageing, and disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Far lateral lumbar disc herniations are distinct from intracanal herniations in clinical, radiological, and surgical aspects. This study aimed to assess surgical outcomes and recurrence risk factors for far lateral disc herniations treated with trans pars microsurgery. Methods: Retrospective analysis included patients diagnosed with far lateral disc herniation who underwent Microscopic Transpars Discectomy at our university hospital between 2017 and 2022. Data encompassed demographics, pain characteristics, neurological status, radiological findings, surgical duration, pre/postoperative visual analog scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, and late postoperative satisfaction rates. Results: Of 91 patients (58.2% men, 41.8% women; mean age 57.42 ± 10.47 years), 76.92% had excellent outcomes, 16.48% good, and 6.5% fair; recurrence occurred in 5.5%. No significant differences were found between recurrent and non-recurrent cases in sex, age, herniation side, operation time, or levels (p > 0.05). Similarly, there were no significant differences in recurrent cases for pre/postoperative VAS (p > 0.05) or ODI scores (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Microdiscectomy performed via transpars intervention is a safe and effective technique for the surgical treatment of far lateral disc herniation; age, sex, herniation level, herniation side, and VAS and ODI scores were not identified as recurrence risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design. Prospective randomized controlled trial. Objective. Compare range of motion (ROM) and adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) following cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA) versus anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) at 20-year follow-up. Summary of Background Data. Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion is the standard of treatment for single-level cervical disc degeneration causing radiculopathy. CDA is claimed to reduce shear strain, and adjacent-level ROM changes are hypothesized to hasten ASD with ACDF. Materials and Methods. This study collected data on 47 patients randomized to ACDF or CDA. Lateral cervical spine radiographs were evaluated preoperatively, postoperatively, and at 20 years for alignment, ROM, ASD, and heterotopic ossification. Results. Eighty-two percent (18/22) of CDA patients and 84% (21/25) of ACDF patients followed up at 20 years. At 20 years, total cervical (C2--C7) ROM was statistically different between the CDA and fusion groups (47.8° vs. 33.4°, P=0.005). Total cervical ROM was not significantly different between preoperative and 20-year periods following CDA (45.6° vs. 47.4°, P=0.772) or ACDF (40.6° vs.33.0°, P=0.192). Differences in postoperative and 20-year index-level ROM following CDA were not significant (10.1° vs. 10.2°, P=0.952). Final ASD grading was statistically lower following CDA versus ACDF at both adjacent levels (P<0.005). Twenty-year adjacent-level ossification development was increased following ACDF versus CDA (P<0.001). Polyethylene mean thickness decreased from 9.4 mm immediately postoperatively to 9.1 mm at 20-year follow up (P=0.013). Differences in adjacent-level ROM from preoperative to 20-year follow-up in both the ACDF and CDA groups did not meet statistical significance (P>0.05). Conclusions. Cervical disc arthroplasty maintains index-level and total cervical ROM with very long-term follow-up. Total cervical ROM was higher at 20 years in CDA relative to ACDF. CDA results in lower rates of ASD and adjacent-level ossification development than ACDF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In December 2022, a scientific breakthrough in fusion energy resulted in widespread media attention with a focus on fusion as a key strategy to mitigate climate change. In this article, we draw from Herbert Marcuse's work on technological rationality to examine fusion technology in this context. We explore if fusion is seen as a way to master nature, if it protects current power relations, and if a focus on fusion might detract attention and resources from alternatives. Illustrating technological rationality, much attention is being given to the potential achievement of fusion energy, it is being championed by already powerful economic actors, and despite that it is unlikely to be ready in time to support necessary climate mitigation, it may be detracting support for more effective and just strategies that already exist. In this context, framing fusion as a solution to climate change represents what Marcuse calls 'one-dimensional thinking'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emotion classification using physiological signals is a promising approach that is likely to become the most prevalent method. Bio-signals such as those derived from Electrocardiograms (ECGs) and the Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) are more reliable than facial and voice recognition signals because they are not influenced by the participant's subjective perception. However, the precision of emotion classification with ECG and GSR signals is not satisfactory, and new methods need to be developed to improve it. In addition, the fusion of the time and frequency features of ECG and GSR signals should be explored to increase classification accuracy. Therefore, we propose a novel technique for emotion classification that exploits the early fusion of ECG and GSR features extracted from data in the AMIGOS database. To validate the performance of the model, we used various machine learning classifiers, such as Support Vector Machine (SVM), Decision Tree, Random Forest (RF), and K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN) classifiers. The KNN classifier gives the highest accuracy for Valence and Arousal, with 69% and 70% for ECG and 96% and 94% for GSR, respectively. The mutual information technique of feature selection and KNN for classification outperformed the performance of other classifiers. Interestingly, the classification accuracy for the GSR was higher than for the ECG, indicating that the GSR is the preferred modality for emotion detection. Moreover, the fusion of features significantly enhances the accuracy of classification in comparison to the ECG. Overall, our findings demonstrate that the proposed model based on the multiple modalities is suitable for classifying emotions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MADS-box transcription factors have crucial functions in numerous physiological and biochemical processes during plant growth and development. Previous studies have reported that two MADS-box genes, SlMBP21 and SlMADS1, play important regulatory roles in the sepal development of tomato, respectively. However, the functional relationships between these two genes are still unknown. In order to investigate this, we simultaneously studied these two genes in tomato. Phylogenetic analysis showed that they were classified into the same branch of the SEPALLATA (SEP) clade. qRT-PCR displayed that both SlMBP21 and SlMADS1 transcripts are preferentially accumulated in sepals, and are increased with flower development. During sepal development, SlMBP21 is increased but SlMADS1 is decreased. Using the RNAi, tomato plants with reduced SlMBP21 mRNA generated enlarged and fused sepals, while simultaneous inhibition of SlMBP21 and SlMADS1 led to larger (longer and wider) and fused sepals than that in SlMBP21-RNAi lines. qRT-PCR results exhibited that the transcripts of genes relating to sepal development, ethylene, auxin and cell expansion were dramatically changed in SlMBP21-RNAi sepals, especially in SlMBP21-SlMADS1-RNAi sepals. Yeast two-hybrid assay displayed that SlMBP21 can interact with SlMBP21, SlAP2a, TAGL1 and RIN, and SlMADS1 can interact with SlAP2a and RIN, respectively. In conclusion, SlMBP21 and SlMADS1 cooperatively regulate sepal development in tomato by impacting the expression or activities of other related regulators or via interactions with other regulatory proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rotational vertebrobasilar artery syndrome, or bow hunter syndrome, is a rare yet well-documented pathology. This study presents a surgical approach to a latent manifestation of dynamic, extension-only, bilateral codominant vertebral artery compression in the V3 segment, associated with craniocervical instability and central canal stenosis. The clinical presentation involves the treatment of positional vertigo resulting from left and high-grade right vertebral artery stenosis during neck extension only. Diagnosis was confirmed through a formal angiogram under provocative maneuvers. Surgical intervention, detailed in this section, employed a multidisciplinary approach, including intraoperative angiograms to ensure patent vertebral arteries precraniocervical fusion. The surgical treatment demonstrated success in addressing extension-only vertebrobasilar syndrome and associated complications of C1-2 pannus and craniocervical instability. Intraoperative angiograms confirmed vertebral artery patency pre- and postsurgical positioning, ensuring the effectiveness of the multidisciplinary approach. This study concludes by highlighting the successful multidisciplinary surgical treatment of a patient with nonunion of a C1 Jefferson fracture, leading to extension-only vertebrobasilar syndrome complicated by C1-2 pannus and craniocervical instability. The importance of considering vertebral artery dynamic stenosis in cases of positional vertigo or transient neurological symptoms following an injury is emphasized. Surgical stabilization, particularly when conservative measures prove ineffective, is recommended, with careful attention to pre- and postsurgical positioning to verify vertebral artery patency and posterior vasculature integrity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Pseudarthrosis after cervical spine surgery represents an underreported and challenging complication. Using a large multi-center surgical database, we sought to: (1) report the incidence of cervical pseudarthrosis, (2) evaluate changes in rates of cervical pseudarthrosis, and (3) describe risk factors for suboptimal outcomes after cervical pseudarthrosis surgery. Methods: The American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 2012 to 2019 was used. The primary outcome was occurrence of a cervical fusion procedure with a prior diagnosis of pseudarthrosis. Fusion for pseudarthrosis was divided into anterior and posterior approaches. Post-operative complications were classified as major or minor. Prolonged LOS was defined as exceeding the 75th percentile for total hospital stay. Results: A total of 780 patients underwent cervical fusion for pseudarthrosis, and a significant increase in rates of surgery for pseudarthrosis was seen (0.25–1.2%, p < 0.001). The majority of cervical pseudarthrosis was treated with a posterior approach (66.5%). Postoperatively, 38 (4.9%) patients suffered a complication and 247 (31.7%) had a prolonged LOS. The three strongest risk factors for complications and extended LOS were > 10% weight loss preoperatively, congestive heart failure, and pre-operative bleeding disorder. Conclusion: Results from a large multi-center national database revealed that surgery to treat cervical pseudarthrosis has increased from 2012 to 2019. Most pseudarthrosis was treated with a posterior approach. Reoperation to treat cervical pseudarthrosis carried risk, with 5% having complications and 32% having an extended LOS. These results lay the groundwork for a future prospective study to discern the true incidence of cervical pseudarthrosis and how to best avoid its occurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Several studies have advocated for the higher accuracy of transpedicular screw placement under cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) compared to conventional 2-dimensional (2D) fluoroscopy. The superiority of navigation systems in perioperative and postoperative outcomes remains a topic of debate. This study aimed to compare operative time, screw placement time and accuracy, total radiation dose, perioperative and postoperative outcomes in patients who underwent transpedicular screw fixation for degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS) using intraoperative CBCT navigation versus 2D fluoroscopy. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients affected by single-level DLS who underwent posterior lumbar instrumentation with transpedicular screw fixation using surgical CBCT navigation (NV group) or 2D fluoroscopy-assisted freehand technique (FH group). Demographics, screw placement time and accuracy, operative time, total radiation dose, intraoperative blood loss, screw revision rate, complications, and length of stay (LOS) were assessed. Results: The study included a total of 30 patients (NV group: n = 15; FH group: n = 15). The mean screw placement time, operative time, and LOS were significantly reduced in the NV group compared to the FH group (p < 0.05). The total radiation dose was significantly higher in the NV group (p < 0.0001). No significant difference was found in terms of blood loss and postoperative complications. Conclusion: This study suggests that intraoperative CBCT-navigated single-level lumbar transpedicular screw fixation is superior in terms of mean screw placement time, operative time, and LOS compared to 2D fluoroscopy, despite a higher intraoperative radiation exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer is often triggered by genetic alterations that result in the expression of oncogenic tyrosine kinases. Specifically, ALK, RET, and ROS1 chimeric receptor tyrosine kinases are observed in approximately 5–7%, 1–2%, and 1–2% of NSCLC patients, respectively. The presence of these fusion genes determines the response to tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Thus, accurate detection of these gene fusions is essential in cancer research and precision oncology. To address this need, we have developed a multiplexed RT-qPCR assay using xeno nucleic acid (XNA) molecular clamping technology to detect lung cancer fusions. This assay can quantitatively detect thirteen ALK, seven ROS1, and seven RET gene fusions in FFPE samples. The sensitivity of the assay was established at a limit of detection of 50 copies of the synthetic template. Our assay has successfully identified all fusion transcripts using 50 ng of RNA from both reference FFPE samples and cell lines. After validation, a total of 77 lung cancer patient FFPE samples were tested, demonstrating the effectiveness of the XNA-based fusion gene assay with clinical samples. Importantly, this assay is adaptable to highly degraded RNA samples with low input amounts. Future steps involve expanding the testing to include a broader range of clinical samples as well as cell-free RNAs to further validate its applicability and reliability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is a subtype of mature B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Most cases exhibit CCDN1/IGH translocation; however, reports indicate that amplification of the fusion gene is extremely rare. A 72-year-old male patient diagnosed with an MCL blastoid variant was referred to us. Amplified CCDN1(11q13)/IGH(14q32.3) fusion genes were observed in 75% of the interphase nuclei of the patient. We present the first case of blastoid variant MCL with multiple IGH/CCND1 fusion signals by interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization. Our patient exhibited an aggressive course and passed away on the second day of treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design. A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Objective. To report the decision-making process for decompression alone (DA) and decompression and fusion (DF) at a tertiary orthopedic center and compare the operative outcomes between both groups. Background. Controversy exists around the optimal operative treatment for DLS, either with DF or DA. Although previous studies tried to establish specific indications, clinical decision-making algorithms are needed. Materials and Methods. Patients undergoing spinal surgery for DLS at L4/5 were retrospectively analyzed. A survey of spine surgeons was performed to identify factors influencing surgical decision-making, and their association with the surgical procedure was tested in the clinical data set.We then developed a clinical score based on the statistical analysis and survey results. The predictive capability of the score was tested in the clinical data set with a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis. To evaluate the clinical outcome, two years follow-up postoperative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), postoperative low back pain (LBP) (Numeric Analog Scale), and patient satisfaction were compared between the DF and DA groups. Results. A total of 124 patients were included in the analysis; 66 received DF (53.2%) and 58 DA (46.8%). Both groups showed no significant differences in postoperative ODI, LBP, or satisfaction. The degree of spondylolisthesis, facet joint diastasis and effusion, sagittal disbalance, and severity of LBP were identified as the most important factors for deciding on DA or DF. The area under the curve of the decision-making score was 0.84. At a cutoff of three points indicating DF, the accuracy was 80.6%. Conclusions. The two-year follow-up data showed that both groups showed similar improvement in ODI after both procedures, validating the respective decision. The developed score shows excellent predictive capabilities for the decision processes of different spine surgeons at a single tertiary center and highlights relevant clinical and radiographic parameters. Further studies are needed to assess the external applicability of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defect detection on rail lines is essential for ensuring safe and efficient transportation. Current image analysis methods with deep neural networks (DNNs) for defect detection often focus on the defects themselves while ignoring the related context. In this work, we propose a fusion model that combines both a targeted defect search and a context analysis, which is seen as a multimodal fusion task. Our model performs rule-based decision-level fusion, merging the confidence scores of multiple individual models to classify rail-line defects. We call the model "hybrid" in the sense that it is composed of supervised learning components and rule-based fusion. We first propose an improvement to existing vision-based defect detection methods by incorporating a convolutional block attention module (CBAM) in the you only look once (YOLO) versions 5 (YOLOv5) and 8 (YOLOv8) architectures for the detection of defects and contextual image elements. This attention module is applied at different detection scales. The domain-knowledge rules are applied to fuse the detection results. Our method demonstrates improvements over baseline models in vision-based defect detection. The model is open for the integration of modalities other than an image, e.g., sound and accelerometer data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Prone Transpsoas (PTP) approach to lumbar spine surgery, emerging as an evolution of lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF), offers significant advantages over traditional methods. PTP has demonstrated increased lumbar lordosis gains compared to LLIF, owing to the natural increase in lordosis afforded by prone positioning. Additionally, the prone position offers anatomical advantages, with shifts in the psoas muscle and lumbar plexus, reducing the likelihood of postoperative femoral plexopathy and moving critical peritoneal contents away from the approach. Furthermore, operative efficiency is a notable benefit of PTP. By eliminating the need for intraoperative position changes, PTP reduces surgical time, which in turn decreases the risk of complications and operative costs. Finally, its versatility extends to various lumbar pathologies, including degeneration, adjacent segment disease, and deformities. The growing body of evidence indicates that PTP is at least as safe as traditional approaches, with a potentially better complication profile. In this narrative review, we review the historical evolution of lateral interbody fusion, culminating in the prone transpsoas approach. We also describe several adjuncts of PTP, including robotics and radiation-reduction methods. Finally, we illustrate the versatility of PTP and its uses, ranging from 'simple' degenerative cases to complex deformity surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondria perform a myriad of essential functions that ensure organismal homeostasis, including maintaining bioenergetic capacity, sensing and signalling the presence of pathogenic threats, and determining cell fate. Their function is highly dependent on mitochondrial quality control and the appropriate regulation of mitochondrial size, shape, and distribution during an entire lifetime, as well as their inheritance across generations. The roundworm Caenorhabditis elegans has emerged as an ideal model organism through which to study mitochondria. The remarkable conservation of mitochondrial biology has allowed C. elegans researchers to investigate complex processes that are challenging to study in higher organisms. In this review, we explore the key recent contributions of C. elegans to mitochondrial biology through the lens of mitochondrial dynamics, organellar removal, and mitochondrial inheritance, as well as their involvement in immune responses, various types of stress, and transgenerational signalling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predictions of the scrape‐off layer (SOL) plasma conditions from the 2D multi‐fluid code EDGE2D‐EIRENE are compared to the OEDGE 1D fluid code for JET low‐confinement mode (L‐mode) plasmas. In the low‐recycling divertor conditions (divertor target plasma collisionality νe≈30$$ {\nu}_e\approx 30 $$), OEDGE and EDGE2D‐EIRENE agree on the electron temperature, the ion temperature, and the electron density within 10% in the low‐field side (LFS) divertor X‐point region (divertor SOL) and within 25% in the LFS midplane region. In high‐recycling conditions (νe≈55,000$$ {\nu}_e\approx 55,000 $$), the predictions of both codes agree on the electron temperature within 20%, while differences in the ion temperature and electron density increase to as high as 50% in the divertor SOL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Both instrumented and stand-alone lateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) have been widely used to treat lumbar degenerative disease. However, it remains controversial as whether posterior internal fixation is required when LLIF is performed. This meta-analysis aims to compare the radiographic and clinical results between instrumented and stand-alone LLIF. Methods: PubMed, EMBASE and Cochrane Collaboration Library up to March 2023 were searched for studies that compared instrumented and stand-alone LLIF in the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease. The following outcomes were extracted for comparison: interbody fusion rate, cage subsidence rate, reoperation rate, restoration of disc height, segmental lordosis, lumbar lordosis, visual analog scale (VAS) scores of low-back and leg pain and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores. Results: 13 studies involving 1063 patients were included. The pooled results showed that instrumented LLIF had higher fusion rate (OR 2.09; 95% CI 1.16–3.75; P = 0.01), lower cage subsidence (OR 0.50; 95% CI 0.37–0.68; P < 0.001) and reoperation rate (OR 0.28; 95% CI 0.10–0.79; P = 0.02), and more restoration of disc height (MD 0.85; 95% CI 0.18–1.53; P = 0.01) than stand-alone LLIF. The ODI and VAS scores were similar between instrumented and stand-alone LLIF at the last follow-up. Conclusions: Based on this meta-analysis, instrumented LLIF is associated with higher rate of fusion, lower rate of cage subsidence and reoperation, and more restoration of disc height than stand-alone LLIF. For patients with high risk factors of cage subsidence, instrumented LLIF should be applied to reduce postoperative complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]