Placement of ilio-sacral screws in fusionless technique for pediatric neuromuscular scoliosis utilizing planning software, in conjunction with intraoperative navigation, results in a safer optimal screw: a CT-based study.

PURPOSE: The insertion of ilio-sacral (IS) screws for distal anchoring in the instrumentation of pediatric neuromuscular scoliosis (NS) presents a significant challenge, often leading to elevated rates of complications. Utilizing computed tomography (CT) navigation and preoperative planning technology is proposed as a potential solution to mitigate these challenges. This study aims to assess the precision of IS screw placement through CT-graphic measurements, both with and without preoperative planning, followed by navigated IS screw insertion, in pediatric neuromuscular scoliosis. METHODS: Thirty-two treated patients were grouped based on surgical procedure: planned (P): 19 patients (n = 38 screws) and non-planned (NP): 13 patients (n = 26 screws). All screw placements (P and NP) took place under CT navigation. IS screw trajectories of P-group were drawn preoperatively on CT images with the cranial trajectory planning program and fused with the intraoperative CT images. There are several important anatomical structures that should be avoided when placing the IS screw (L5 root, spinal canal, L5S1 facet, SI joint, neurovascular structures anteriorly to the sacrum, S1 root in the S1 foramen and the intestines). Each trajectory was evaluated based on seven radiographical parameters whom we have enlisted partially based on the essentials of a good trajectory described by Miladi et al. (1: Ilium; 2: SI joint; 3: Promontorium; 4: Sacral plate; 5: Anterior sacral cortex; 6: S1 foramen; 7: Spinal canal). An independent sample T test was executed to compare both groups. RESULTS: The trajectories in the P group showed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher overall similarity and optimality (12.1 ± 2.1 vs 9.1 ± 2.2 points) compared to the non-planned trajectory. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative planning and navigated placement of IS screws on fusion images with intraoperative CT, results in a better trajectory of the ilio-sacral screws.

Spinal Muscular Atrophy Scoliosis in the Era of Background Therapies-A Review of the Literature.

Spinal deformities are considered an important complication of neuromuscular disorders such as spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). SMA patients typically develop progressive early-onset scoliosis, which is associated with increased functional decline, discomfort, and respiratory dysfunction. Over the second decade of the twenty-first century, a lot has changed in terms of the therapeutic options available to people with SMA. Specifically, the use of pharmaceutical agents such as nusinersen (Spinraza), onasemnogene abeparvovec (Zolgensma), and risdiplam (Evrysdi) has dramatically changed the landscape for SMA patients. These medications significantly alter motor- and respiratory functioning, as well as the natural progression of spinal deformities. When evaluating these agents and their impact on the development of scoliosis and motor functioning, it is important to consider the timing of treatment initiation. In patients treated after they had already developed symptoms, a shift of phenotype to a less severe subtype has been observed. This results in a delay in the onset of scoliosis for the less severe SMA types and an increase in early-onset scoliosis for the severe types in patients who would typically not live to develop scoliosis. Patients who receive treatment before they develop symptoms achieve almost normal motor functioning and will likely have a significant decrease in scoliosis prevalence or at least delay its onset.

Three- instead of two-dimensional evaluation of key parameters alters the choice of the lowest instrumented vertebra in Lenke 1 and 2 AIS patients.

PURPOSE: Treatment of AIS, a three-dimensional spinal (3D) deformity, is guided by a two-dimensional (2D) evaluation. Novel 3D approaches that address the 2D limitations have not been adopted in AIS care due to their lengthy and complex 3D reconstruction procedures. This study aims to introduce a simple 3D method that translates the 2D key parameters (Stable vertebra (SV), Lenke lumbar modifier, Neutral vertebra (NV)) into 3D and to quantitively compare these 3D corrected parameters to the 2D assessment. METHODS: The key parameters of 79 surgically treated Lenke 1 and 2 patients were measured in 2D by two experienced spine surgeons. Next, these key parameters were measured in 3D by indicating relevant landmarks on biplanar radiographs and using the 'true' 3D CSVL which was perpendicular to the pelvic plane. Differences between the 2D and 3D analysis were examined. RESULTS: A 2D-3D mismatch was identified in 33/79 patients (41.8%) for at least one of the key parameters. More specifically, a 2D-3D mismatch was identified in 35.4% of patients for the Sag SV, 22.5% of patients for the SV and 17.7% of patients for the lumbar modifier. No differences in L4 tilt and NV rotation were found. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight that a 3D evaluation alters the choice of the LIV in Lenke 1 and 2 AIS patients. Although, the true impact of this more precise 3D measurement on preventing poor radiographic outcome needs further investigation, the results are a first step toward establishing a basis for 3D assessments in daily practice.

Monitoring the initial recovery after fusion surgery using activity trackers in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: going in the lumbar spine decreases the daily step count.

PURPOSE: Although the functional outcome (e.g. the return to daily activities) plays an important role in the evaluation of treatment success for the paediatric patient, clinicians currently cannot make accurate and objective predictions regarding the very early (≤ 6 weeks) functional outcome and its recovery over time. The purpose of the present study is to objectively measure initial postoperative physical activity levels and examine the relationship with patient characteristics, fusion levels and pain. METHODS: Step count (SC) was obtained pre- (Pre-Op) and postoperatively (Post-3W: 3 weeks after surgery; Post-6W: 6 weeks after surgery) using an accelerometer. Patients were grouped based on LIV (thoracic (T-group) and lumbar (L-group)) and fusion length (FL ≤ 10 levels = SF-group and FL ≥ 11 levels = LF-group). Differences in the daily SC between groups (LIV and FL) and the three timepoints was investigated using a two-way ANOVA. RESULTS: The SC was significantly lower at both Post-3W (p < 0.001) and Post-6W (p < 0.001) compared to the preoperative SC, and significantly (p < 0.001) increased from Post-3W to Post-6W (Pre-Op = 13,049 ± 3214 steps/day; Post-3W = 6486 ± 2925 steps/day; Post-6W = 8723 ± 3020 steps/day). At both post-op timepoints the T-group had a higher SC compared to the L-group. CONCLUSION: A fusion surgery with the LIV at L2 or below has a negative impact on the very early postoperative activity levels. The initial functional outcome level of AIS patients was not related to the presently collected patient characteristics. This suggests that objective activity trackers provide novel information and could have an added value in very early rehabilitation programs.

Hypertension alters the function and expression profile of the peptide cotransporters PEPT1 and PEPT2 in the rodent renal proximal tubule.

Hypertension is a major risk factor for kidney and cardiovascular disease. The treatment of hypertensive individuals by selected ACE inhibitors and certain di-and tripeptides halts the progression of renal deterioration and extends life-span. Renal reabsorption of these low molecular weight substrates are mediated by the PEPT1 and PEPT2 cotransporters. This study aims to investigate whether hypertension and ageing affects renal PEPT cotransporters at gene, protein expression and distribution as well as function in the superficial cortex and the outer medulla of the kidney. Membrane vesicles from the brush border (BBMV) and outer medulla (OMMV) were isolated from the kidneys of young Wistar Kyoto (Y-WKY), young spontaneously hypertensive (Y-SHR), and middle aged SHR (M-SHR) rats. Transport activity was measured using the substrate, ß-Ala-Lys (AMCA). Gene expression levels of PEPT genes were assessed with qRT-PCR while renal localisation of PEPT cotransporters was examined by immunohistochemistry with Western Blot validation. The Km and Vmax of renal PEPT1 were decreased significantly in SHR compared to WKY BBMV, whilst the Vmax of PEPT2 showed differences between SHR and WKY. By contrast to the reported cortical distribution of PEPT1, PEPT1-staining was detected in the outer medulla, whilst PEPT2 was expressed primarily in the cortex of all SHR; PEPT1 was significantly upregulated in the cortex of Y-SHR. These outcomes are indicative of a redistribution of PEPT1 and PEPT2 in the kidney proximal tubule under hypertensive conditions that has potential repercussions for nutrient handling and the therapeutic use of ACE inhibitors in hypertensive individuals.

A preliminary study of the localization of infectious laryngotracheitis virus glycoprotein E within specific peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) DNA has been detected in blood fractions, but the cell phenotype with which the virus is associated is unknown. This study investigated the presence of ILTV antigen in peripheral blood cells of six acutely ILTV-infected chickens (5 or 9 days post ocular inoculation with a virulent isolate) and three sham-inoculated chickens using immunofluorescent staining. Blood fractions were separated by Ficoll-Paque density gradient centrifugation, and smears were prepared from erythrocyte and leukocyte fractions. The smears were stained for ILTV glycoprotein E and the leukocyte markers CD4, CD8, Bu-1 (B cell), KUL01 (monocyte/macrophage), TCRγδ, and TCRαß/Vß2 and examined under a confocal microscope. In samples from infected birds, ILTV gE-specific fluorescence was localized in B cells and all evaluated T cell types, but not in monocytes and erythrocytes. The percentage of CD4, CD8, TCRγδ, TCRαß/Vß1, TCRαß/Vß2 and B cells positive for ILTV antigen ranged from 13.3% to 22.3%. None of the samples from the sham-inoculated chickens exhibited fluorescence for ILTV gE. The results of this pilot study suggest that ILTV has a tropism for peripheral blood T and B cells. Further research is required to investigate whether these cells support ILTV productive replication. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTSSelective tropism of ILTV for peripheral blood cells was demonstrated in acutely infected birds.The ILTV antigen gE was detected in blood CD4, CD8, TCRγδ, TCRαß and B cells but not in monocytes and erythrocytes.The highest percentage of ILTV antigen was observed in CD4 cells (22.3%) followed by TCRαß/Vß1 (20.6%), CD8 (15.4%), TCRαß/Vß2 or B cells (14.4%) and TCRγδ cells (13.3%).

Complication rate after scoliosis surgery in children with cerebral palsy.

Scoliosis is an important problem in children with cerebral palsy (CP). However, the choice for a spinal fusion has to be weighed against the risks of major surgery in this vulnerable population. Paediatricians are frequently consulted preoperatively to assess the (respiratory) risk involved, but data on this question specific for CP are rare. Therefore, we investigated the complication rate after scoliosis surgery in children with CP, compared to idiopathic scoliosis (IS), and we searched for risk factors for the most common complications. In a retrospective monocenter study we analyzed the medical records from all children with CP and IS undergoing scoliosis surgery from 2010 until 2014. Duration of hospitalization and postoperative complications were compared within a 6-month follow-up. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify risk factors. The study included 44 patients with CP (mean age 15y0mo) and 78 patients with IS (mean age 14y6mo). Children with CP experience a higher rate of complications : respiratory and cardiovascular, as well as wound infections and decubitus ulcers (p<0.05). Postoperative pneumonia was the most frequent complication in both patient groups (43% and 18% in CP and IS respectively), with epilepsy being a significant risk factor (OR 3.85, p= 0.037) in children with CP. Intensive care unit and total hospital stay were longer in the CP group (p<0.001). These results may add information on perioperative care and surgical decision making.

Risk and Resilience Predictors of Recovery After Spinal Fusion Surgery in Adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: This prospective study examined risk and resilience predictors of pain and functional recovery in the first 6 months after spinal fusion surgery in adolescents. METHODS: Adolescents with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis undergoing spinal fusion surgery (n=100, aged 12 to 18 y, 77% girls) completed assessments before surgery and at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, and 6 months after surgery. Recovery trajectories in pain, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and objectively registered physical activity were identified. Presurgical pain catastrophizing and pain intensity (risk), and psychological flexibility, and postsurgical pain acceptance (resilience) were examined as predictors of recovery. RESULTS: Latent growth class analyses revealed 4 distinct pain recovery trajectories (ie, Severe-Moderate [11%, n=9], Mild-No [58%, n=49], Moderate-Mild [24%, n=20], and Moderate-Severe [7%, n=6] pain trajectory), 2 HRQOL recovery trajectories; 2 trajectories characterizing recovery in average daily physical activity at moderate-to-vigorous intensity (MVPA); and 3 trajectories characterizing recovery in total physical activity volume characterized by the average daily number of steps. Subsequent multivariate analyses of variance revealed that presurgical pain intensity (partial η2=0.21, P<0.001) and pain catastrophizing (partial η2=0.13, P<0.01) were both predictive of poorer recovery in HRQOL, and pain catastrophizing additionally predicted poorer pain recovery (partial η2=0.15, P<0.05). Psychological flexibility (partial η2=0.25, P<0.001) and postsurgical pain acceptance (partial η2=0.07, P<0.05) were predictive of more favorable recovery trajectories in HRQOL, and psychological flexibility additionally predicted more favorable recovery trajectories in postsurgical pain (partial η2=0.15, P<0.05). Daily MVPA trajectories were not significantly predicted by any of the hypothesized factors, while presurgical pain catastrophizing levels were predictive of a delayed recovery trajectory in the daily amount of steps (partial η2=0.17 P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Presurgical screening could include assessment of pain intensity, pain catastrophizing, psychological flexibility, and pain acceptance to identify adolescents who are at risk for poorer recovery. These are potentially modifiable factors that can be targeted in presurgical interventions to prevent poor and foster adaptive outcomes after major surgery in adolescents.

Evaluation of autofluorescence quenching techniques on formalin- fixed chicken tissues.

Autofluorescence (AF) in formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded tissues limit their use in immunofluorescence staining techniques. Various methods have been used to reduce AF in human and animal tissues but no protocol has been optimized for avian tissues. The present study was undertaken to evaluate different treatment methods including ammonium chloride, glycine, Trypan blue, sodium borohydride, Sudan Black B, potassium permanganate, LED light, cupric sulphate combined with glycine, ammonium chloride and cupric sulphate in reducing AF in FFPE chicken tissues for the detection of FITC labelled antibodies against immune cell markers. Chicken tissues including conjunctiva, trachea and Harderian gland presented intense non-homogenous AF in cells resembling erythrocytes, connective cells and melanocytes. Only Sudan Black B effectively reduced AF in FFPE tissues; however, no specific fluorescent signal was observed for six FITC labelled antibodies against immune cell markers. Specific fluorescent signal from the FITC-labelled antibodies was observed in frozen chicken tissue sections with minimal AF, suggesting that the AF in FFPE tissues is related to the use of formaldehyde fixatives. In conclusion, this study demonstrates for the first time that AF quenching methods commonly used for other animal species are not appropriate for use in avian tissues and that frozen tissue sections are recommended for immunofluorescence staining techniques in poultry.

Intra operative assessment of the coronal balance in spinal deformity surgery : a technical note and retrospective study.

Obtaining a spine that is well balanced after fusion for scoliotic deformity is primordial for the patients' quality of life. A simple T-shaped instrument combined with standard intraoperative fluoroscopy can be of great help to evaluate the coronal alignment quickly. The aim of this study was to evaluate if a T-shaped device could predict the postoperative coronal balance. Before finalization of the rod fixation, the balance was checked by verifying the relationship between the T-shaped instrument and the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV), and final adjustments were made to correct the coronal balance. A retrospective study was conducted on 48 patients who underwent surgery to correct scoliotic deformity. Intraoperative and postoperative coronal alignment was measured independently by two observers. The mean intraoperative horizontal offset measured between T-shaped instrument and the center of the UIV was 1,69mm to the right with a standard deviation (SD) of 12,43 mm. On postoperative full spine radiographs, the mean offset between the centra sacral vertical line and the center of the UIV was 2,44mm to the left with a SD of 13,10mm. There is no significant difference in coronal balance between both measurements (p=0,12). With this technique we were able to predict the postoperative coronal balance in all but one patient (97,92%). We conclude that the use of a simple T-shaped instrument can provide adequate intraoperative assessment of coronal balance in correcting scoliotic deformity. Level of evidence : IV - case series.

Effect of ageing and hypertension on the expression and activity of PEPT2 in normal and hypertrophic hearts.

Some dipeptides have been implicated in myocardial protection, but little is known about their membrane transporter PEPT2. The aim of this study was to determine whether the expression and activity of the cardiac-type PEPT2 cotransporter could be affected by ageing and/or hypertension. Sarcolemmal vesicles (SV) were isolated from the hearts of all rat groups using a standard procedure to investigate the transport activity and protein abundance by fluorescence spectroscopy and Western blot, respectively. SLC15A2 "PEPT2" gene expression was relatively quantified by RT-qPCR. In the Wistar rat groups, the protein and gene expression of PEPT2 were upregulated with ageing. These changes were accompanied by corresponding increases in the competitive inhibition and the transport rate (Vmax) of ß-Ala-Lys (AMCA) into SV isolated from middle-aged hearts. Although, the transport rate of ß-Ala-Lys (AMCA) into SV isolated from old hearts was significantly the lowest compared to middle-aged and young adult hearts, the inhibition percentage of ß-Ala-Lys (AMCA) transport by Gly-Gln was the highest. In the WKY and SHR rat groups, Y-SHR hypertrophied hearts showed an increase in PEPT2 gene expression accompanied by a significant decrease in protein expression and activity. With advanced age, however, M-SHR hypertrophied hearts revealed significantly lower gene expression, but higher protein expression and activity than Y-SHR hearts. These findings suggest that increased expression of PEPT2 cotransporter in all types of middle-aged hearts could be exploited to facilitate di-and tripeptide transport by PEPT2 in these hearts, which subsequently could result in improved myocardial protection in these populations.

The prevalence of scoliosis within Belgian myelomeningocele population and the correlation with ambulatory status and neurological comorbidities: a chart audit.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart audit. OBJECTIVES: Firstly determining the prevalence of scoliosis in myelomeningocele (MMC) patients of the University Hospitals Leuven. Secondly analyzing whether there are differences concerning distribution of radiological level, ambulatory status, hydrocephalus, tethered cord, and syringomyelia in MMC patients with/without scoliosis. SETTING: University Hospitals Leuven, spina bifida convention. METHODS: The following data were collected: age, gender, radiograph type, age at the time of the radiograph, position during radiograph, presence of fusion, age at the time of fusion, diagnosis of hydrocephalus, tethered cord, or syringomyelia, radiological level of MMC, ambulatory status, main Cobb angle, main curve convexity, and main curve location. Correlation between prevalence of scoliosis and ambulatory status, neurological comorbidities, and radiological level were investigated. RESULTS: There were 116 patients remaining, after excluding patients without MMC or useful images. The scoliosis prevalence in MMC patients was 78.4% (95% CI, 71.0-85.8) for Cobb angle ≥10°; 60.3% (95% CI, 51.4-69.2) for ≥20°, 52.6% (95% CI, 43.5-61.7) for ≥30°, and 36.6% (95% CI, 27.7-45.5) for an angle ≥40°. Wheelchair users had 4 to 8 times more chance of having scoliosis than patients able to walk on all surfaces without aid. Thoracolumbar and lumbar radiological levels had a slightly higher prevalence of scoliosis than sacral levels. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of scoliosis warrants a thorough screening and follow-up for MMC. There was no statistically significant difference between hydrocephalus, tethered cord, or syringomyelia regarding scoliosis. Future studies should focus on the interactions of the neurological comorbidities associated with MMC and scoliosis.

Effect of methionine feeding on oxidative stress, intracellular calcium and contractility in cardiomyocytes isolated from male and female rats.

Homocysteine (Hcy) is a breakdown product of methionine metabolism. The risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) correlates with an increase in plasma Hcy levels. The aim of this study was to investigate whether 1% methionine supplementation of adult rats altered intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, intracellular Ca2+ content, and contractile activity in freshly isolated cardiomyocytes. This was measured under normal conditions and during oxidative stress in freshly isolated cardiomyocytes. Single rat cardiomyocytes from both sexes were isolated by enzymatic and mechanical dispersion techniques. Fluorescence microscopy was used to measure ROS production and intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Cell contraction was measured using a video camera. During exposure to 200 µM, H2O2 female cardiomyocytes produced significantly fewer ROS and had a higher intracellular Ca2+ concentration compared to male cardiomyocytes in control and methionine-fed conditions. The contractility of cardiomyocytes isolated from male rats was insignificantly decreased after methionine feeding compared to control, while the contractility of cardiomyocytes from female rats insignificantly reduced after methionine feeding and acute exposure to oxidative stress. These findings provide evidence that during exposure to 200 µM H2O2, cardiomyocytes from female rats produce less ROS and have higher intracellular Ca2+ levels. There were no significant effects on contractility in cardiomyocytes from either gender and under any of the different conditions.

Degenerative changes of the hip following in situ fixation for slipped capital femoral epiphysis: a minimum 18-year follow-up study.

INTRODUCTION: In situ fixation (ISF) is currently still the 'gold standard' treatment for slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) and has shown acceptable results at mid-term follow-up. This study aims to evaluate functional, clinical and radiographic long-term outcomes after this procedure. METHODS: We reviewed 64 SCFE patients (76 SCFE hips) treated with ISF between 1983 and 1998. 82.9% were stable hips and 17.1% unstable according to Loder's definition. Initial radiographs demonstrated a mild slip in 50%, moderate in 41.3% and severe in 8.7% based on the Southwick angle. Long-term outcomes were assessed using the modified Harris Hip Score (mHHS), University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) and Tegner activity scores, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain, VAS function, flexion-adduction-internal rotation (FADIR) test, extent of internal-rotation at 90° of hip flexion and Tönnis classification for hip osteoarthritis (OA). RESULTS: 10 (15.6%) SCFE hips were converted to a total hip replacement (THR) after a mean of 16 years. 38 (59.4%) patients underwent a clinical and radiographic examination after a mean follow-up of 23 (range 18-33) years. 12 (18.8%) patients were lost to follow-up. 74% of SCFE hips demonstrated degenerative change on radiography or were converted to THR (Tönnis 1: 33.3%, 2: 18.5%, 3 or THR: 22.2%). There were 3 cases of avascular necrosis (AVN) all in unstable hips. Mean mHHS was 86.8/100, UCLA activity score 7.5/10, Tegner activity score 3.8/10, VAS pain 1.7/10 and VAS function 1.5/10. 20% of SCFE hips were found to have a positive FADIR-test and a limited internal-rotation of 19.7° versus 36.1° (p < 0.001) in contralateral normal hips. DISCUSSION: This long-term follow-up study of ISF for SCFE shows that although complication rates in terms of AVN are low, a high number of patients become symptomatic and have a limited function. Degenerative changes are common with 22.2% of hips developing end-stage hip OA (Tönnis 3 or THR). It is important that patients and parents are informed about these risks.

Profilin: many facets of a small protein.

Profilin is a ubiquitously expressed protein well known as a key regulator of actin polymerisation. The actin cytoskeleton is involved in almost all cellular processes including motility, endocytosis, metabolism, signal transduction and gene transcription. Hence, profilin's role in the cell goes beyond its direct and essential function in regulating actin dynamics. This review will focus on the interactions of Profilin 1 and its ligands at the plasma membrane, in the cytoplasm and the nucleus of the cells and the regulation of profilin activity within those cell compartments. We will discuss the interactions of profilin in cell signalling pathways and highlight the importance of the cell context in the multiple functions that this small essential protein has in conjunction with its role in cytoskeletal organisation and dynamics. We will review some of the mechanisms that control profilin expression and the implications of changed expression of profilin in the light of cancer biology and other pathologies.

The Transverse Gravitational Deviation Index, a Novel Gravity Line-Related Spinal Parameter, Relates to Balance Control and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults With Spinal Deformity.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional case-control study design. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the relation between balance control as well as health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD), with a novel gravity line (GL)-related 3D spinal alignment parameter, the transverse gravitational deviation index (TGDI), defined to quantify the transverse plane position of any vertebra with respect to the GL. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Demographic data and balance control have both been identified as important determinants of HRQOL in ASD patients during a preoperative setting. Therefore, a better understanding of the relation between spinal alignment and balance is required. METHODS: After informed consent, 15 asymptomatic healthy volunteers (mean age 60.1 ±â€Š11.6 years old) and 55 ASD patients (mean age 63.5 ±â€Š10.1 years old) were included. Relation between performance on BESTest as well as core outcome measures index (COMI) with spinopelvic alignment was explored using General Linear Modeling (GLM). A P-value ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: The L3 TGDI was identified to relate to balance control in the total ASD population after correction for confounding demographic factors (P = 0.001; adjusted R = 0.500) and explained 19% of the observed variance in balance performance. In addition, COMI is related to L3 TGDI in a subgroup of ASD patients with combined coronal and sagittal malalignment of L3 (P = 0.027; slope B = 0.047), despite significant influence of age (P = 0.020). CONCLUSION: In ASD patients with a combined coronal and sagittal malalignment of the L3 vertebra, both the level of balance impairment as well as HRQOL are related to the distance component of the L3 TGDI, that is, the offset between the center of the L3 vertebral body and the GL in the transverse plane. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2.

Molecular changes to the rat renal cotransporters PEPT1 and PEPT2 due to ageing.

Renal PEPT1 and PEPT2 cotransporters play an important role in the balance of circulating body oligopeptides and selected peptidomimetic drugs. We aim to comprehensively characterise age-related changes of the renal PEPT cotransporters at the gene, protein, and functional level. Brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) and outer medulla membrane vesicles (OMMV) were isolated from the kidneys of young, middle-aged and old rats. The protein expression of PEPT1 was not only increased in BBMV from old rats, but PEPT1 also appeared in OMMV from middle-aged and old rats. SLC15A1 gene expression in the renal cortex increased in middle-aged group. PEPT2 protein expression was not only increased with ageing, but PEPT2 also was found in BBMV from middle-aged and old groups. SLC15A2 gene expression in the renal outer medulla increased in the old group. These changes in the expressions and localisations of PEPT1 and PEPT2 could explain the changes to transport activity in BBMV and OMMV. These findings provide novel insights that would be useful for maintaining protein nutrition and optimising the delivery of some peptidomimetic drugs in elderly individuals.

Cofilin and profilin: partners in cancer aggressiveness.

This review covers aspects of cofilin and profilin regulations and their influence on actin polymerisation responsible for cell motility and metastasis. The regulation of their activity by phosphorylation and nitration, miRs, PI(4,5)P2 binding, pH, oxidative stress and post-translational modification is described. In this review, we have highlighted selected similarities, complementarities and differences between the two proteins and how their interplay affects actin filament dynamics.

The Prevalence of Scoliosis in Spina Bifida Subpopulations: A Systematic Review.

Prevalence of scoliosis within spina bifida subpopulations is important for diagnostics and therapeutic purposes. This review determined the prevalence of scoliosis within spina bifida subpopulations by means of a systematic literature review by using the following databases: Medline PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Pedro. All Dutch- and English-written literature using the MESH terms "spinal dysraphism," "neural tube defects," and "scoliosis" was analyzed using the exclusion criteria: animal studies, case reports, studies regarding the prevalence of spina bifida among patients with scoliosis, studies with inclusion of patients with scoliosis of less than 11 degrees without possibility to identify subgroups with scoliosis of greater than 10 degrees, studies without an own study group, articles comprising the same patient group as another article, neural tube defects besides spina bifida, and articles without specification of spina bifida subtype. It resulted in six articles, two concerning diastematomyelia (103 patients, 82 females and 21 males) and four about myelomeningocele (479 patients, 283 females and 196 males) with an overall weighted prevalence of scoliosis (20-degree Cobb angle cutoff) of 44.4% and 52.5%, respectively. It can be concluded that most studies have a lot of methodological flaws, so there is a need for further research with standardization of data collection to allow comparison of different data.

1D Self-Assembly and Ice Recrystallization Inhibition Activity of Antifreeze Glycopeptide-Functionalized Perylene Bisimides.

Antifreeze glycoproteins (AFGPs) are polymeric natural products that have drawn considerable interest in diverse research fields owing to their potent ice recrystallization inhibition (IRI) activity. Self-assembled materials have emerged as a promising class of biomimetic ice growth inhibitor, yet the development of AFGP-based supramolecular materials that emulate the aggregative behavior of AFGPs have not yet been reported. This work reports the first example of the 1D self-assembly and IRI activity of AFGP-functionalized perylene bisimides (AFGP-PBIs). Glycopeptide-functionalized PBIs underwent 1D self-assembly in water and showed modest IRI activity, which could be tuned through substitution of the PBI core. This work presents essential proof-of-principle for the development of novel IRIs as potential supramolecular cryoprotectants and glycoprotein mimics.