High-mobility group box 1 accelerates distraction osteogenesis healing via the recruitment of endogenous stem/progenitor cells.

BACKGROUND AIMS: While distraction osteogenesis (DO) achieves substantial bone regeneration, prolonged fixation may lead to infections. Existing stem cell and physical therapies have limitations, requiring the development of novel therapeutic approaches. Here, we evaluated high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) as a novel therapeutic target for DO treatment. METHODS: Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) analysis and histological staining of samples obtained from tibial DO model mice was performed. Transwell migration, wound healing, and proliferation assays were also performed on cultured human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) and human umbilival vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Tube formation assay was performed on HUVECs, whereas osteogenic differentiation assay was performed on hMSCs. RESULTS: Micro-CT analysis and histological staining of mouse samples revealed that HMGB1 promotes bone regeneration during DO via the recruitment of PDGFRα and Sca-1 positve (PαS+) cells and endothelial progenitor cells. Furthermore, HMGB1 accelerated angiogenesis during DO, promoted the migration and osteogenic differentiation of hMSCs as well as the proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of HUVECs in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that HMGB1 has a positive influence on endogenous stem/progenitor cells, representing a novel therapeutic target for the acceleration of DO-driven bone regeneration.

Determining factors that maintain physical function or increase frailty using the Kihon checklist among community-dwelling older adults: a six-year longitudinal study in Agano, Japan.

BACKGROUND: A significant increase in the older adult population in Japan will significantly increase healthcare costs. This study aimed to examine the risk factors contributing to robustness transitioning to frailty in older residents. METHODS: Participants were aged 70 in 2016 and 76 in 2022. Participants were evaluated using the Kihon Checklist (KCL). RESULTS: Participants for this longitudinal study included 444 older persons who completed the KCL surveys in 2016 and 2022. The follow-up rate was 80.6%; therefore, 358 participants were included in the analysis. The median KCL score increased significantly from 2 to 2016 to 3 in 2022 (p < 0.001). The prevalence of robustness significantly decreased from 60.9 to 48.6% (p = 0.042). In a stepwise logistic regression analysis, robustness was independently associated with regular continuous walks for 15 min and a body mass index of above 18.5%. The following variables were associated with the transition to prefrailty: experiencing a fall in the past year and not going out at least once a week. For the transition to frailty, the variables were turned to family or friends for advice, experienced a fall in the past year, and felt helpless in the last two weeks. The independent factor for the transition from prefrailty to frailty was having a BMI of less than 18.5. In contrast, the independent factor for improving from frailty to robustness or prefrailty was going out at least once a week. CONCLUSIONS: We recommend maintaining continuous walking for more than 15 min, maintaining a BMI of at least 18.5, and going out more than once a week to improve being house-bounded and depressive mood, not only to prevent the transition to prefrailty or frailty but also to improve frailty.

Indication for drainage for a hematogenous iliopsoas abscess: Analysis of patients initially treated without drainage.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to determine the indications for drainage in extended haematogenous iliopsoas abscesses (IPAs), which include both primary and vertebral osteomyelitis-related IPAs. METHODS: Sixty-three IPA patients who were initially treated with only antibiotics and no drainage were enrolled. The success (S) group included patients who were cured without drainage, while the failure (F) group included those who required open or percutaneous drainage or died. RESULTS: Compared with patients in the S group, patients in the F group (n = 15) had a higher incidence of end-stage renal disease on hemodialysis, compromised immunity, vertebral osteomyelitis of the cervicothoracic spine, other musculoskeletal infections, and multilocular abscesses. The IPAs in the F group had larger transverse and longitudinal diameters. In receiver operating characteristic curve analyses for the diameter of IPAs, the most valuable cut-off points predicting the F group were a longitudinal diameter of 5.0 cm (sensitivity, 1.0; specificity, 0.67) and a transverse diameter of 2.3 cm (sensitivity, 0.73; specificity, 0.73). A combination of both diameter cut-offs had high specificity (sensitivity, 0.73; specificity, 0.90). CONCLUSIONS: Drainage should be applied in case of a larger abscess with transverse diameter ≥ 2.3 cm and longitudinal diameter ≥ 5.0 cm. Conversely, IPAs with longitudinal diameter <5 cm do not require drainage. Haemodialysis, compromised immunity, vertebral osteomyelitis of the cervicothoracic spine, and musculoskeletal infections are risk factors of conservative treatment failure.

Impact of L4/5 Posterior Interbody Fusion With or Without Decompression on Spinopelvic Alignment and Health-related Quality-of-Life Outcomes.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective case control study. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to determine the impact of single-level interbody fusion at L4/5 with or without concomitant decompression on various spinopelvic parameters and health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) outcomes. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Recently, focus has swayed from a regional concern to a global sagittal alignment, more comprehensive approach in multilevel, corrective fusion for adult spinal deformity. However, only a few comprehensive studies have investigated the relationships between the various related spinopelvic parameters and HRQOL outcomes using single-level interbody fusion. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 119 patients with lumbar degenerative disorders (mean age, 68 y; 38 males and 81 females) who underwent L4/5 single-level posterior interbody fusion with a minimum 2-year follow-up were included. Participants were divided into 2 groups according to preoperative sagittal modifiers of the SRS-Schwab adult spinal deformity classification. The correlation between spinopelvic parameters and HRQOL outcomes was investigated. Negative or positive values indicated lordosis. HRQOL outcomes were assessed using visual analog scale scores, Japanese Orthopedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaires (JOABPEQ), and short form-36 (SF-36). RESULTS: L4/5 local lordosis increased from 6.4±4.4 degrees preoperatively to 11.3±4.5 degrees at 2 years postoperatively (P<0.0001). Further analysis of the results also showed a correlation between change in L4/5 local lordosis and change in lumbar lordosis (LL) (rs=0.229, P=0.0143). The high pelvic incidence-LL (≥20 degrees, n=28) and high sagittal vertical axis groups (≥5 cm, n=29) had lower scores in walking ability, social life domains of JOABPEQ, and physical component summary scores of SF-36 preoperatively, and 2 years postoperatively. Fusion status did not affect the HRQOL outcomes, except that concomitant decompression at the adjacent disk level yielded lower SF-36 physical component summary scores 2 years postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Improvement in L4/5 local lordosis possibly triggers a simultaneous sequence of change in total LL after posterior single-level fusion. HRQOL outcomes were negatively affected by both preoperative and postoperative pelvic incidence-LL mismatch and global sagittal malalignment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

A novel concept of posterior decompression and instrumented fusion with selective lordotic correction for cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament.

PURPOSE: The recovery rate of Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score with K-line (-) cervical ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) for posterior decompression with in-situ fusion (PDF) tends to be lower than that of anterior decompression with fusion (ADF). However, ADF is a technically demanding operation and has ADF-specific complications. This prospective report introduced a novel concept of PDF with selective lordotic correction as well as prophylactic foraminal decompression. METHODS: Six consecutive patients (four men and two women; mean age, 61.8 years) were included. PDF was performed, attempting to create cervical lordosis to acquire a posterior shift of the spinal cord, while preventing postoperative C5 palsy by prophylactic facetectomy and selective lordotic correction. RESULTS: The mean recovery rate of JOA score at the final follow-up was 70.9 ±â€¯20.3%. The mean C2-C7 angle preoperatively and at final follow-up was 5.5 ±â€¯3.9° and 12.2 ±â€¯4.8°, respectively. No symptomatic nerve root palsy, except one case with transient C7 root iatrogenic palsy, was found. CONCLUSIONS: A novel concept of PDF with selective lordotic correction obtained recovery rates of JOA scores comparable to those of ADF. We believe that this method can improve PDF outcomes in patients with K-line (-) OPLL.

Challenges to prevent secondary fractures in patients with hip fractures in Joetsu Myoko, Japan through the increased use of osteoporosis treatment and collaboration with family doctors.

The Niigata Prefectural Central Hospital (NPCH) is one of the main hospitals for the cities of Joetsu and Myoko, Niigata Prefecture, Japan, an area with a population of 240,141, of whom 26.7 % were aged ≥65 years in 2009. In the NPCH, patients with hip fractures are admitted to an orthopedic ward within 4 h, 89.2 % of patients are operated on within 48 h during working hours, and the prevalence of pressure ulcers is 1.5 %. To reduce the incidence of hip fractures, two major challenges emphasizing secondary fracture prevention were initiated in 2012. The first challenge used a team approach-hospital pharmacists asked patients about their drug use histories, orthopedic surgeons began drug therapy for osteoporosis after explaining to patients its importance for the prevention of secondary hip fractures, nurses assessed the risk of falling, and physiotherapists conducted rehabilitation with the aim of preventing falls. The second challenge focused on maintaining treatment for osteoporosis after discharge, when patients were under the oversight of family doctors. The percentages of patients with primary hip fractures who were taking anti-osteoporosis medications at the time of discharge in 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were 21, 33, 41, and 43 %, respectively. The 12-month incidences of hip fractures on the unaffected side in 2009, 2012, 2013 and 2014 were 7.4, 2.2, 0, and 2.4 %, respectively, and the 24-month incidences of such fractures in 2009, 2012 and 2013 were 12, 7.6, and 5.2 %, respectively. Our challenges were effective at decreasing the incidence of secondary fractures.

Clinical features, outcomes, and survival factor in patients with vertebral osteomyelitis infected by methicillin-resistant staphylococci.

PURPOSE: To elucidate clinico-radiological features, therapeutic outcomes, and survival factors of vertebral osteomyelitis patients infected by methicillin-resistant staphylococci (MRS). METHODS: Vertebral osteomyelitis patients admitted to the orthopaedic department between 2007 and 2011 (n = 248) were selected for this multicenter study. We compared patients' backgrounds, therapeutic course, and in-hospital mortality between MRS and methicillin-susceptible staphylococci (MSS). We also examined survival factors of vertebral osteomyelitis due to MRS. RESULTS: Sixteen patients of MRS vertebral osteomyelitis and 55 patients of MSS were included in this study. In MRS vertebral osteomyelitis, the rates of comorbid diabetes mellitus, involvement of >2 vertebral bodies, in-hospital mortality, and operation of surgical debridement were higher compared to those in MSS vertebral osteomyelitis. Univariate analysis showed that operation of surgical debridement was a factor related to survival in MRS patients. CONCLUSIONS: Higher rate of comorbid diabetes mellitus, involvement of >2 vertebral bodies, in-hospital mortality, and performing surgical debridement are peculiar features of MRS vertebral osteomyelitis compared to MSS vertebral osteomyelitis. If patients with MRS vertebral osteomyelitis respond poorly to antibiotic therapy, it might be better to consider surgical debridement not to lose an opportunity of operation due to exacerbation of systemic conditions.