Four novel species of the genus Aquimarina isolated from marine sponges: Aquimarina callyspongiae sp. nov., Aquimarina mycalae sp. nov., Aquimarina discodermiae sp. nov., and Aquimarina penaris sp. nov.

Four Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, catalase- and oxidase-positive bacterial strains, designated 2201CG5-10, 2201CG14-23, 2201CG1-2-11, and 2304DJ70-9 were isolated from marine sponges collected in the Republic of Korea. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequences revealed that these strains represent a distinct phyletic lineage within the genus Aquimarina. Based on the whole-genome sequence comparisons, the closest phylogenetic relatives of the four novel strains were Aquimarina latercula DSM 2041, Aquimarina pacifica SW150, and Aquimarina mytili PSC33, which shared average nucleotide identity values below 81.

Expandable Cage in Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion: Comparative Data with Static Cage from Single Institution, Single Surgeon.

Background: Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) is widely adopted for the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease. Expandable cages are now increasingly used in MIS-TLIF to facilitate disc height restoration in narrow spaces. Despite theoretical advantages, the clinical and radiologic outcomes of expandable cage compared to static cage remain controversial.

Surgical treatment for complex adult lumbosacral lipomas excluding retethered cases: what are the benefits?

Objective: Although spinal dysraphism is a congenital anomaly, it is also diagnosed and treated in adults. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical outcomes of adult patients with complex lumbosacral lipomatous malformations (LLMs).

Methods: Patients aged 19 years and older who were diagnosed with LLMs from January 2000 to December 2023 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed.

Sestrin2 Overexpression Inhibits Proliferation and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition and Induces Autophagy Through the AMPK/mTOR Signaling Pathway in Human Prostate Cancer Cells.

Prostate cancer is the most common malignancy in men. Sestrin2 (SESN2) has antitumor activity against several types of cancers. However, the effect of SESN2 on prostate cancer is not well known.

The Role of K-Line and Canal-Occupying Ratio in Surgical Outcomes for Multilevel Cervical Ossification of the Posterior Longitudinal Ligament: A Retrospective Multicenter Study.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of the K-line and canal-occupying ratio (COR) on surgical outcomes in patients with multilevel cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL).

Methods: Patients with cervical myelopathy due to multilevel OPLL who underwent decompression surgery (anterior or posterior) from 2013 to 2022, with 2-year minimum follow-up, were enrolled. Radiological evaluations included K-line, COR, OPLL type/level, and cervical parameters (C2 slope [C2S], T1 slope [T1S], K-line tilt).

A New Polymer-Coated Xenogeneic Extracellular Matrix to Prevent Postoperative Adhesion Readily Applicable in the Clinic.

Post-neurosurgical dura reconstruction is crucial for preventing CSF leakage and reducing infection risk. When primary closure is not possible, synthetic and semisynthetic dura substitutes are commonly used, but postoperative adhesions remain a major complication, particularly in reoperations for brain tumors and spinal surgeries. To address this, the use of initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) is investigated to create a polymer-coated dura substitute that minimizes adhesions.

Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament Growth in the C1/2 Segment and its Clinical Significance: Is C2 Total Decompression Necessary?

Study Design: A retrospective analysis at a single institution.

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) growth in the C1/2 area remains clinically uneventful despite visible radiologic enlargement.

Background: In cervical decompressive surgery for OPLL, preserving the C2 lamina is preferred for stability, and the larger spinal canal space above C2 tends to mitigate clinical issues caused by OPLL growth.

sp. nov., isolated from a marine invertebrate and () .

Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic bacterium, designated strain 2208YS6-2-32, was isolated from a marine invertebrate, () collected by trawl in the south coastal sea of the Republic of Korea. The cells were motile, short-rod, non-spore-forming and contained carotenoid pigments. Catalase and oxidase activities were positive.

Sestrin2 ameliorates age-related spontaneous benign prostatic hyperplasia via activation of AMPK/mTOR dependent autophagy.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), characterized as a chronic disease with unregulated enlargement of prostatic gland, is commonly observed in elderly men leading to lower urinary tract dysfunction. Sestrin2 plays a role in the maintenance of cellular homeostasis and protects organisms from various stimuli. The exact role of Sestrin2 in the etiology of BPH, a common age-related disease, remains unknown.

sp. nov., Isolated from the Marine Sponge, , and Reclassification of as comb. nov.

A Gram-stain-negative, facultative anaerobic rods, designated as strain 219JJ12-13, was isolated from a marine sponge, , in Jeju-do, Republic of Korea. The cells displayed catalase and oxidase activity and were non-motile. Strain 219JJ12-13 grew at 10-37°C (optimum, 25-30°C), pH 6.

Application of Transverse Process Hooks at Distal Thoracic Vertebrae in Uppermost Vertebral Instrumentation for Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery: Special Focus on Delayed-Onset Neurologic Deficits.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the incidence of delayed-onset neurological deficits (DONDs), DOND-related reoperation rates following adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery, and efficacy of transverse process hooks (TPHs) at the uppermost instrumented vertebra (UIV) compared to pedicle screws (PSs).

Methods: We included 90 consecutive patients who underwent instrumented fusion from the sacrum to the distal thoracic spine for ASD, with a minimum follow-up of 24 months. Clinical and radiological outcomes were compared between 33 patients in the TPH group and 57 patients in the PS group, using the Scoliosis Research Society-22 Outcomes questionnaire (SRS-22), Medical Outcomes Study Questionnaire Short-Form 36 (SF-36), and various spinal sagittal parameters.

Comparative Outcomes of Biportal Endoscopic Decompression, Conventional Subtotal Laminectomy, and Minimally Invasive Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion for Lumbar Central Stenosis.

Objective: Spinal stenosis is a prevalent condition; however, the optimal surgical treatment for central lumbar stenosis remains controversial. This study compared the clinical outcomes and radiological parameters of 3 surgical.

Methods: unilateral laminectomy bilateral decompression with unilateral biportal endoscopy (ULBD-UBE), conventional subtotal laminectomy (STL), and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF).

Comparison of Outcomes After Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion Using Bioactive Glass-Ceramic Spacer-7 (NOVOMAX-FUSION) and an Allograft Spacer: A Retrospective, Case-Matched, Multicenter Study.

The bioactive glass-ceramic spacer (BGS)-7, a biosynthetic intervertebral fusion material introduced in 2014, has not been the subject of comparative clinical studies on anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) surgery. This study, for the first time, aims to compare the radiological and clinical outcomes of the renewed BGS-7, released in 2019, with those of an allograft spacer. The comparison includes a finite element analysis of the biomechanical properties of each implant, adding a novel dimension to the research.

Transdural location as a predictor of recurrence in spinal cord meningiomas.

Spinal cord meningiomas are typically benign, rare tumors that pose clinical challenges owing to their location and potential for spinal cord compression. This study aimed to assess the radiological features of spinal cord meningiomas and the key factors associated with their recurrence. We conducted a retrospective, single-institution study on 67 patients with pathologically confirmed spinal cord meningiomas who were surgically treated between January 2016 and December 2023.

Image characteristics of retained medullary cord in secondary neurulation arrest: an observational study.

Retained medullary cord (RMC) is a recently defined term denoting closed spinal dysraphism arising from the failure of regression in secondary neurulation. Despite the acknowledgment of this condition, there needs to be more literature elucidating the radiologic manifestations of RMC. This study aimed to describe the MR imaging findings of RMC.

sp. nov., isolated from the marine sponge, .

A facultative anaerobic Gram-negative bacterium, designated as strain 2205BS29-5, was isolated from a marine sponge, , in Beomseom on Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, and taxonomically characterized. The cells were catalase and oxidase positive, non-motile, coccoid-rod shaped and capable of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate production. Growth was observed at 10-37 °C (optimum, 25 °C) and pH 5.

Assembly of glioblastoma tumoroids and cerebral organoids: a 3D in vitro model for tumor cell invasion.

Glioblastoma (GBM) has a fatal prognosis because of its aggressive and invasive characteristics. Understanding the mechanism of invasion necessitates an elucidation of the relationship between tumor cells and the tumor microenvironment. However, there has been a scarcity of suitable models to investigate this.

Proteomic profiling of cerebrospinal fluid reveals TKT as a potential biomarker for medulloblastoma.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) plays an important role in brain tumors, including medulloblastoma (MBL). Recent advancements in mass spectrometry systems and 'Omics' data analysis methods enable unbiased, high proteome depth research. We conducted proteomic profiling of the total CSF in MBL patients with the purpose of finding a potential diagnostic biomarker for MBL.

Longitudinal analysis of cranial growth using comprehensive craniometric measurements after fronto-orbital advancement in coronal craniosynostosis.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the longitudinal changes in cranial growth following fronto-orbital advancement (FOA) surgery in patients with unilateral and bilateral coronal craniosynostosis.

Methods: This retrospective review analyzed head circumference (HC) and CT data during preoperative (T0), immediate postoperative (T1), and final follow-up (T2) visits in 40 patients (23 female, 17 male) who underwent FOA using either the open approach or distraction osteogenesis (DO) between 1987 and 2018. The mean follow-up period was 90.

Chengkuizengella axinellae sp. nov., a symbiotic bacterium isolated from a marine sponge of the genus Axinella.

A Gram-stain-positive, strictly aerobic, creamy-white colored, endospore-forming and non-motile rods strain, designated as strain 2205SS18-9, was isolated from a marine sponge, Axinella sp. collected from Seopseom Island, Republic of Korea. Optimal growth of strain 2205SS18-9 was observed at 25-30 °C, pH 6.

Korean red ginseng alleviates benign prostatic hyperplasia by dysregulating androgen receptor signaling and inhibiting DRP1-mediated mitochondrial fission.

Panax ginseng (C.A. Mey.