Prospective Comparison of Posterior Decompression and ACDF for 1-2-Level Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy.

Study Design: Prospective multicenter cohort study.

Objective: To compare clinical outcomes between posterior decompression without fusion (PD) and anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) in patients with 1-2-level degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM).

Summary Of Background Data: While numerous studies have assessed surgical strategies for multilevel DCM, limited evidence is available for cases involving only one or two levels.

Addressing severe spinal deformities associated with neurofibromatosis type 1: Surgical strategies and outcomes.

Background: Surgical strategies for spinal deformities associated with neurofibromatosis type 1(NF-1) have been still controversial due to the wide variety of pathologies, particularly, for deformities with severe dystrophic changes in pediatric patients remained challenging with high complication and reoperation rates. The purpose of this study was to validate our surgical strategies by evaluating clinical and radiographical outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 22 cases who underwent correction surgeries for spinal deformities in our institute.

Inferior Outcomes of Posterior Correction and Fusion Surgery for Adults With Residual Lenke Type 5 Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Comparative Study With Adolescents.

Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine whether the outcomes of posterior correction and fusion surgery (PSF) in patients with residual adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) during adulthood (Lenke type 5 AdIS) are inferior to those in patients with AIS treated during adolescence.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated 48 patients with type 5 AdIS who underwent PSF after 20 years old.

Prevalence and Surgical Outcomes of Neuropathic Pain in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study.

Study Design: Prospective multicenter cohort study.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and surgical outcomes of neuropathic pain in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), using the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI).

Summary Of Background Data: Neuropathic pain is increasingly recognized as a major determinant of quality of life (QOL) in DCM.

Achieving the Minimum Clinically Important Difference in Japanese Orthopaedic Association Score After Surgery for Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Predictive Factors and Impact on Patient-Reported Outcome Measures.

Study DesignProspective multicenter cohort study.ObjectivesAlthough surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) often improves neurological function, predicting clinically meaningful recovery remains challenging. To identify preoperative predictors of achieving the minimum clinically important difference (MCID) in the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score and to evaluate its association with patient-reported outcomes.

Development and Mechanistic Evaluation of a Lithocholic Acid Derivative as an Environmentally Safe Rodenticide.

Control of rodents remains a critical global challenge due to their role in spreading zoonotic diseases and damaging ecosystems, but current rodenticides, such as anticoagulant rodenticides, have significant limitations, including the development of resistance in rodents and bioaccumulation leading to secondary toxicity in nontarget species. Dcha-20, a lithocholic acid derivative and vitamin D receptor agonist, was synthesized to potentially address these issues. This study investigates its rodenticidal efficacy, safety profile, and mechanism of action.

Increased Surgical Invasiveness but Favorable Scoliosis Research Society-22 Scores in Adult Idiopathic Scoliosis with Major Thoracic Curves: A Comparative Study with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Introduction: Surgical outcomes for adult patients with residual adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AdIS) with a major thoracic curve are expected to be inferior to those of AIS but have not been well reported. This study aimed to evaluate surgical, radiographical, and clinical results in adult patients with AdIS and to characterize these patients by comparing their results with those of patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods: Thirty-five patients with AdIS, who were diagnosed with AIS Lenke type 1 or 2 before the age of 19 years and underwent surgery after the age of 20 years, were included in the study.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Situs Inversus Totalis With Combined Indocyanine Green Fluorescence and Conventional Cholangiography: A Case Report.

Situs inversus totalis (SIT), a complete form of situs inversus of the viscera, is a rare congenital anomaly that presents technical challenges during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) due to mirror-image anatomy. We report a case of a 75-year-old female with known SIT and symptomatic cholelithiasis. After initial conservative management and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) for biliary sludge, elective LC was performed.

Ten-Year Clinical Outcomes After Decompression Surgery for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis: The Impact of Preoperative Modic Changes.

Study DesignRetrospective Cohort Study.ObjectiveModic changes (MCs) have been associated with low back pain; however, their prognostic value in surgical outcomes-particularly in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) treated with decompression alone-remains unclear. Few studies have investigated the progression and long-term clinical impact of MCs.

Surgical and clinical outcomes of ventral versus dorsal/lateral intradural extramedullary schwannomas: a retrospective comparative study.

Study Design: Retrospective comparative study.

Objectives: To compare the surgical and clinical outcomes of ventral intradural extramedullary (IDEM) schwannomas to those of dorsal/lateral IDEM schwannomas.

Setting: The single institution in Japan.

Proximal Thoracic Alignment Change Influences Cervical Sagittal Alignment After Correction Surgery in Patients With Lenke Type 2 Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

Objective: To examine the factors influencing cervical sagittal alignment (CSA) after posterior correction and fusion surgery (PSF) for patients with Lenke type 2 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods: A total of 102 female patients with Lenke 2 AIS and a minimum 2-year follow-up were included. The upper instrumented vertebra was T2 in all patients.

A New Class of Vitamin K Analogues Containing the Side Chain of Retinoic Acid Have Enhanced Activity for Inducing Neuronal Differentiation.

Vitamin K, primarily known for its roles in coagulation and bone metabolism, has recently been implicated in neuroprotection and neuronal differentiation, particularly via its bioactive form, menaquinone-4 (MK-4). Here, we synthesized 12 vitamin K compounds with retinoic acid-conjugated side chains and methyl ester modifications to enhance neuroactive properties. Among these, compound demonstrated superior stability, robust transcriptional activation via steroid and xenobiotic receptor and retinoic acid receptor, and efficient induction of neuronal differentiation in mouse neural progenitor cells.

Comprehensive molecular docking on the AlphaFold-predicted protein structure proteome: identifying target protein candidates for puberulic acid.

Identifying the molecular targets of toxic compounds remains a major challenge in toxicology, particularly when adverse effects occur in off-target organs and the mechanism of action is unknown. To address this issue, a comprehensive computational pipeline was developed to perform high-throughput molecular docking across the entire AlphaFold2-predicted structural proteome of representative organisms such as human and mouse, followed by enrichment analysis to estimate biological processes potentially affected by ligand binding. The pipeline was first evaluated using six known drug-target pairs.

Clinical Indicators of Surgical Outcomes in Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy Assessed Using the JOACMEQ: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

Study Design: Prospective multicenter cohort study.

Objective: To identify clinical indicators associated with postoperative functional and quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire (JOACMEQ).

Summary Of Background Data: Although surgical intervention is the standard treatment for DCM, a subset of patients experiences suboptimal postoperative outcomes.

Efficacy of Airway Management Protocol for Cervical Anterior Surgery, Posterior Occipitocervical Fusion, and Intramedullary Tumor Resection.

Introduction: Surgical interventions for cervical spine and spinal cord diseases may lead to life-threatening postoperative airway obstruction, requiring urgent airway management. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of our respiratory management protocol for patients undergoing anterior cervical approaches, posterior occipitocervical fusion, and intramedullary tumor resection.

Methods: This single-center retrospective study consisted of 497 patients who underwent cervical surgeries, including anterior fusion, posterior occipitocervical fusion, combined anterior and posterior fusions, and intramedullary tumor resection between January 2006 and June 2022.

Symptom-specific Analysis of Surgical Outcomes and Predictors of Residual Symptoms in Patients with Mild Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: An Analysis of Cases with Severe Cord Compression or Progressive Symptoms.

Study Design: A retrospective multicenter study.

Objectives: To analyze symptom-specific surgical outcomes in patients with mild degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) and identify predictors of postoperative residual symptoms.

Summary Of Background Data: DCM is the most common cause of spinal cord impairment in adults.

Identification of Risk Factors for Long-Term Surgical Outcomes Following Laminoplasty for Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament.

Study DesignRetrospective multi-institutional study.ObjectivesAlthough previous studies have evaluated the surgical outcomes of laminoplasty in patients with cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), the long-term results remain unclear. The purpose of this study is to assess outcomes more than 10 years post-surgery and identify to identify factors that affect the long-term prognosis.

How many cases of spinal intramedullary ependymoma surgery are required to achieve stability? - Analysis using X-bar charts.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: To evaluate surgical consistency and clinical outcomes in intramedullary ependymoma (WHO grade II) cases by using X-bar charts as a tool to assess procedural stability.

Setting: The single institution in Japan.

Protective function of the voltage-gated potassium channel Kv11.3 in a mouse model of cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels contribute to repolarization in excitable tissues such as nerves and cardiac muscle; consequently, they control the firing frequency and duration of action potential. Their dysfunction can thus cause neurological disorders and cardiac disorders with arrhythmias. The dysfunction of Kv11.

Effects of Preoperative Cervical Range of Motion on Clinical Outcomes Following Posterior Decompression: A Multicenter Study of Patients With Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament.

Study DesignRetrospective multicenter study.ObjectivesTo investigate the impact of preoperative cervical range of motion (ROM) on clinical outcomes after posterior decompression for cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).MethodsWe analyzed data from 156 patients with cervical OPLL who underwent posterior decompression and were followed for at least 2 years.

Effect of the discrepancy between sacral and pelvic obliquity on postoperative disk wedging below the lower instrumented vertebra in patients with Lenke type 5 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a retrospective study in Japan.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of discrepancies between sacral and pelvic obliquity on postoperative disk wedging below the lower instrumented vertebra in Lenke type 5 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Overview Of Literature: Previous studies have not fully explored the effect of discrepancies between sacral and pelvic obliquity on postoperative outcomes in patients with Lenke type 5 AIS.

Surgical outcomes of cervical spinal cord tumor in elderly patients assessed by the Japanese Orthopedic Association Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire.

Study Design: Single-institution retrospective study.

Objectives: To assess postoperative functional and quality of life (QOL) outcomes in elderly patients who underwent cervical spinal cord tumor surgery using the Japanese Orthopedic Association Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire (JOACMEQ).

Setting: Single university hospital.

A deep learning-based prediction model for prognosis of cervical spine injury: a Japanese multicenter survey.

Purpose: Cervical spine injuries in the elderly (defined as individuals aged 65 years and older) are increasing, often resulting from falls and minor trauma. Prognosis varies widely, influenced by multiple factors. This study aimed to develop a deep-learning-based predictive model for post-injury outcomes.