Predictors of poor outcomes after posterior decompression surgery in patients with degenerative cervical myelopathy.

Study Design: Retrospective multicenter study.

Objectives: To identify predictors associated with failure of neurological improvement after posterior decompression surgery for degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM).

Setting: 17 institutions in Japan.

A comprehensive analysis of clinical factors interacting with ectopic intrathyroidal thymus in children and adolescents: The Fukushima Health Management Survey.

The ectopic intrathyroidal thymus (EIT) is located anywhere in the thyroid gland along the developmental pathway of thymic descent due to thymic migration during embryogenesis. Ultrasonographic findings of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) resemble those of EIT, which is frequently found in children. We comprehensively evaluated the clinical factors associated with EIT to understand its physiological implications and to explore helpful information for clinical discrimination between EIT and PTC.

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.

Association of with Non-Syndromic Cleft Lip with or without Cleft Palate in a Japanese Population.

Non-syndromic cleft lip with or without palate (NSCL/P) is a common, multifactorial congenital anomaly. As genetic associations can be population-specific, this study aimed to investigate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the , , and genes for association with NSCL/P in a Japanese cohort. A case-control study was conducted with 310 Japanese patients with NSCL/P and 308 ethnically matched healthy controls from Aichi Gakuin Dental Hospital.

Gene-Sex Interaction in Non-Syndromic Orofacial Cleft Subtypes: A Case-Control Study Among the Vietnamese Population.

Background: Non-syndromic orofacial clefts (NSOFCs) are one of the common congenital malformations in Vietnam, with 1.4 per 1000 live births, with notable sex differences in occurrence. This case-control study aims to investigate potential sex-specific interactions of and polymorphisms across NSOFC subtypes in a Vietnamese population.

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.

Upcycling whey through the production of edible Aspergillus oryzae cell biomass.

Whey is a byproduct in the manufacturing of dairy products. Its use is limited and its nutrients make it expensive for its disposal. Therefore, we attempted to develop its upcycling method.

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.

Morbidity and Mortality of Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery Using the Japanese Orthopedic Association National Registry/Japanese Society for Spine Surgery and Related Research Database (JOANR/JSSR-DB).

Introduction: The study investigated the complications of adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery in Japan in 2022 using the Japanese Orthopedic Association National Registry/Japanese Society for Spine Surgery and Related Research Database (JOANR/JSSR-DB).

Methods: Among the 158,407 patients registered in JOANR/JSSR-DB, 4,822 patients aged ≥19 years (1,115 males [23.1%], 3,707 females [76.

First quantitative evidence of territorial behavior in squid near spawning substrates.

In loliginid squids, solitary large males have been observed near the spawning grounds in several species, but little is known about their reproductive behavior. Here we describe the behavior of spear squid Heterololigo bleekeri in a 300 m tank near spawning substrates. Observations were recorded on their proximity to the spawning substrates, agonistic behavior, and mating behavior.

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.

Increasing age at diagnosis raises malignancy risk and aminosalicylate intolerance influences therapeutic strategies in ulcerative colitis: a multicenter I‑BRITE cohort study.

Background: The management and characteristics of ulcerative colitis (UC) have evolved over time. We aimed to clarify how changing clinical profiles and treatment options affect patient outcomes.

Methods: This retrospective multicenter study of 13 hospitals divided diagnostic era into six periods: Era 1 (before June 30, 1998) and five subsequent 5-year intervals, with Era 6 (July 1, 2018-June 30, 2023) representing the most recent period.

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.

Association Between Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonist Use With Worsening Renal Function and Prognosis in Patients With Acute Heart Failure.

Background: Prognostic implications of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA) initiation in the context of worsening renal function (WRF) in patients with acute heart failure (AHF) remain unknown.

Methods: This was a post hoc analysis using data from Japanese AHF registries (NARA-HF [Nara Registry and Analyses for Heart Failure], WET-HF [West Tokyo Heart Failure], REALITY-AHF [Registry Focused on Very Early Presentation and Treatment in Emergency Department of Acute Heart Failure]). MRA-naïve patients at baseline were included, comprising 1632 patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and 2407 with heart failure with mildly reduced or preserved ejection fraction (HFmr/pEF).

Multimodal treatments for patients with locally advanced synchronous esophageal and head and neck cancer.

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) sometimes synchronously exist. In this study, we aim to investigate survival outcome and late adverse events (AEs) in patients with locally advanced synchronous ESCC and HNSCC (LA-SEHNC).

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients with LA-SEHNC who underwent curative-intent surgery or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for HNSCC and ESCC between 2007 and 2024.

Systemic lupus erythematosus-disease activity score remission and low disease activity were similarly associated with patient-reported outcomes compared with definition of remission in systemic lupus erythematosus remission and lupus low disease activity state.

Objectives: The treat-to-target (T2T) approach for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has recently been proposed. However, the most suitable criterion for determining remission or low disease activity (LDA) using patient-reported outcomes (PROs) remains unknown. This study aimed to compare the relationship between PROs and various remission criteria, including the definition of remission in SLE (DORIS), SLE disease activity score (SLE-DAS) remission, lupus low disease activity state (LLDAS), and SLE-DAS LDA.

Dumbbell-shaped angiolipoma at the lumbar spine.

Angiolipomas in the lumbar spine are rare, with only a few reported cases presenting in a dumbbell shape. We report a case of a dumbbell-shaped lumbar angiolipoma extending not only into the spinal canal and the intervertebral foramen but also extensively into the iliopsoas muscle. A male patient in his early 60s, presenting with an 8-month history of low back pain and bilateral lower extremity pain, was referred to our department for treatment.

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.