The Differential Developmental Neurotoxicity of Valproic Acid on Anterior and Posterior Neural Induction of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells.

Valproic acid (VPA), widely used as an antiepileptic drug, exhibits developmental neurotoxicity when exposure occurs during early or late pregnancy, resulting in various conditions ranging from neural tube defects to autism spectrum disorders. However, toxicity during the very early stages of neural development has not been addressed. Therefore, we investigated the effects of VPA in a model where human pluripotent stem cells differentiate into anterior or posterior neural tissues. Exposure to VPA during the induction of neural stem cells induced different developmental toxic effects in a dose-dependent manner. For instance, VPA induced cell death more profoundly during anteriorly guided neural progenitor induction, while inhibition of cell proliferation and enhanced differentiation were observed during posteriorly guided neural induction. Furthermore, acute exposure to VPA during the posterior induction step also retarded the subsequent neurulation-like tube morphogenesis process in neural organoid culture. These results suggest that VPA exposure during very early embryonic development might exhibit cytotoxicity and subsequently disrupt neural differentiation and morphogenesis processes.

Gas supply apparatus using rotational motion of shaking incubator for flask culture of aerobic microorganisms.

Shake flask cultivation, a cornerstone in bioprocess research encounters limitations in supplying sufficient oxygen and exchanging gases, restricting its accuracy in assessing microbial growth and metabolic activity. In this communication, we introduce an innovative gas supply apparatus that harnesses the rotational motion of a shaking incubator to facilitate continuous air delivery, effectively overcoming these limitations. We measured the mass transfer coefficient (kLa) and conducted batch cultures of Corynebacterium glutamicum H36LsGAD using various working volumes to assess its performance. Results demonstrated that the gas supply apparatus significantly outperforms conventional silicone stoppers regarding oxygen delivery, with kLa values of 2531.7 h-1 compared to 20.25 h-1 at 230 rpm. Moreover, in batch cultures, the gas supply apparatus enabled substantial improvements in microbial growth, maintaining exponential growth even at larger working volumes. Compared to the existing system, an increase in final cell mass by a factor of 3.4-fold was observed when utilizing 20% of the flask's volume, and a remarkable 9-fold increase was achieved when using 60%. Furthermore, the gas supply apparatus ensured consistent oxygen supply and efficient gas exchange within the flask, overcoming challenges associated with low working volumes. This approach offers a simple yet effective solution to enhance gas transfer in shake flask cultivation, bridging the gap between laboratory-scale experiments and industrial fermenters. Its broad applicability holds promise for advancing research in bioprocess optimization and scale-up endeavors.

Association of Untreated Pre-surgical Depression With Pain and Outcomes After Spinal Surgery.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective Cohort Study. OBJECTIVE: Untreated pre-surgical depression may prolong post-surgical pain and hinder recovery. However, research on the impact of untreated pre-surgical depression on post-spinal surgery pain is lacking. Therefore, this study aimed to assess pre-surgical depression in patients and analyze its relationship with post-surgical pain and overall post-surgical outcomes. METHODS: We recruited 100 patients scheduled for lumbar spine surgery due to spondylolisthesis, degenerative lumbar disc diseases, and herniated lumbar disc diseases. Psychiatrists evaluated them for the final selection. We assessed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA), Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and EuroQoL 5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) scores, numerical back and leg pain scales, and medication dosage data collected before and at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: Ninety-one patients were included in this study; 40 and 51 were allocated to the control and depression groups, respectively. The pre- and post-surgical leg pain, back pain, and functional scores were not different. However, the depression group showed higher ODI and EQ-5D and lower JOA scores than the control group 3 months post-surgery. Partial correlation analysis revealed an inverse correlation between the JOA and BDI scores and a positive correlation between the EQ-5D and BDI scores at 3 months postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Untreated depression can prolong postoperative pain and hinder recovery. Detecting and treating depression in patients before spine surgery may improve their overall quality of life and functional recovery.

Microbial production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate), from lab to the shelf: A review.

Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are natural biopolyesters produced by microorganisms that represent one of the most promising candidates for the replacement of conventional plastics due to their complete biodegradability and advantageous material properties which can be modulated by varying their monomer composition. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) [P(3HB-co-3HV)] has received particular research attention because it can be synthesized based on the same microbial platform developed for poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] without much modification, with as high productivity as P(3HB). It also offers more useful mechanical and thermal properties than P(3HB), which broaden its application as a biocompatible and biodegradable polyester. However, a significant commercial disadvantage of P(3HB-co-3HV) is its rather high production cost, thus many studies have investigated the economical synthesis of P(3HB-co-3HV) from structurally related and unrelated carbon sources in both wild-type and recombinant microbial strains. A large number of metabolic engineering strategies have also been proposed to tune the monomer composition of P(3HB-co-3HV) and thus its material properties. In this review, recent metabolic engineering strategies designed for enhanced production of P(3HB-co-3HV) are discussed, along with their current status, limitations, and future perspectives.

Mutational analysis of pig tissue factor pathway inhibitor α to increase anti-coagulation activity in pig-to-human xenotransplantation.

Blood coagulation mediated by pig tissue factor (TF), which is expressed in pig tissues, causes an instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction during pig-to-human xenotransplantation. Previously, we generated a soluble pig tissue factor pathway inhibitor α fusion immunoglobulin (TFPI-Ig) which inhibits pig TF activity more efficiently than human TFPI-Ig in human plasma. In this study, we generated several pig TFPI-Ig mutants and tested the efficacy of these mutants in preventing pig-to-human xenogeneic blood coagulation. Structurally important amino acid residues of pig TFPI-Ig were changed into different residues by site-directed mutagenesis. Subsequently, a retroviral vector encoding each cDNA of several pig TFPI-Ig mutants was cloned and transduced into CHO-K1 cells. After establishing stable cell lines expressing each of the pig TFPI-Ig mutants, soluble proteins were produced and purified for evaluating their inhibitory effects on pig TF-mediated blood coagulation in human plasma. The replacement of K36 and K257 with R36 and H257, respectively, in pig TFPI-Ig more efficiently blocked pig TF activity in human plasma when compared with the wild-type pig TFPI-Ig. These results may provide additional information to understand the structure of pig TFPIα, and an improved pig TFPI-Ig variant that more efficiently blocks pig TF-mediated blood coagulation during pig-to-human xenotransplantation.

Lytic transglycosylase repertoire diversity enables intrinsic antibiotic resistance and daughter cell separation in Escherichia coli under acidic stress.

Peptidoglycan (PG) is an important architectural element that imparts physical toughness and rigidity to the bacterial envelope. It is also a dynamic structure that undergoes continuous turnover or autolysis. Escherichia coli possesses redundant PG degradation enzymes responsible for PG turnover; however, the advantage afforded by the existence of numerous PG degradation enzymes remains incompletely understood. In this study, we elucidated the physiological roles of MltE and MltC, members of the lytic transglycosylase (LTG) family that catalyze the cleavage of glycosidic bonds between disaccharide subunits within PG strands. MltE and MltC are acidic LTGs that exhibit increased enzymatic activity and protein levels under acidic pH conditions, respectively, and deletion of these two LTGs results in a pronounced growth defect at acidic pH. Furthermore, inactivation of these two LTGs induces increased susceptibility at acidic pH against various antibiotics, particularly vancomycin, which seems to be partially caused by elevated membrane permeability. Intriguingly, inactivation of these LTGs induces a chaining morphology, indicative of daughter cell separation defects, only under acidic pH conditions. Simultaneous deletion of PG amidases, known contributors to daughter cell separation, exacerbates the chaining phenotype at acidic pH. This suggests that the two LTGs may participate in the cleavage of glycan strands between daughter cells under acidic pH conditions. Collectively, our findings highlight the role of LTG repertoire diversity in facilitating bacterial survival and antibiotic resistance under stressful conditions.

Accelerated fusion dynamics by recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 following transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion, particularly in osteoporotic conditions.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Early fusion is crucial in interbody procedures to minimize mechanical complications resulting from delayed union, especially for patients with osteoporosis. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are used in spinal fusion procedures; however, limited evaluation exists regarding time-to-fusion for BMP use, particularly in patients with osteoporosis. PURPOSE: To evaluate the difference in time-to-fusion after single-level transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) surgery between recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) usage and nonusage groups according to bone density. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective single-center cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLE: This study enrolled 132 patients (mean age, 65.25±8.66; male patients, 40.9%) who underwent single-level TLIF for degenerative disorders between February 2012 and December 2021, with pre and postoperative computed tomography (CT). OUTCOME MEASURE: The interbody fusion mass and bone graft status on postoperative CT scans was obtained annually, and time-to-fusion was recorded for each patient. METHODS: The patients were divided into 2 groups based on rhBMP-2 use during the interbody fusion procedure. Patients were further divided into osteoporosis, osteopenia, and normal groups based on preoperative L1 vertebral body attenuation values, using cutoffs of 90 and 120 Hounsfield units. It was strictly defined that fusion is considered complete when a trabecular bone bridge was formed, and therefore, the time-to-fusion was measured in years. Time-to-fusion was statistically compared between BMP group and non-BMP groups, followed by further comparison according to bone density. RESULTS: The time-to-fusion differed significantly between BMP and non-BMP groups, with half of the patients achieving fusion within 2.5 years in the BMP group compared with 4 years in the non-BMP group (p<.001). The fusion rate varied based on bone density, with the maximum difference observed in the osteoporosis group, when half of the patients achieved fusion within 3 years in the BMP group compared to 5 years in the non-BMP group (p<.001). Subgroup analysis was conducted, revealing no significant associations between time-to-fusion and factors known to influence the fusion process, including age, gender, medical history, smoking and alcohol use, and medication history, except for rh-BMP2 use and bone density. CONCLUSIONS: RhBMP-2 usage significantly reduced time-to-fusion in single-level TLIF, especially in patients with osteoporosis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Isolation, characterization, and application of bacteriophage on Vibrio parahaemolyticus biofilm to control seafood contamination.

OBJECTIVE: This study intended to isolate a Vibrio-particular phage from the natural environment, analyse its characteristics and genome sequence, and investigate its reduction effect on V. parahaemolyticus biofilm as a biocontrol agent in squid and mackerel. METHODS: Among 21 phages, phage CAU_VPP01, isolated from beach mud, was chosen for further experiments based on host range and EOP tests. When examining the reduction effect of phage CAU_VPP01 against Vibrio parahaemolyticus biofilms on surfaces (stainless steel [SS] and polyethylene terephthalate [PET]) and food surfaces (squid and mackerel). RESULTS: The phage showed the most excellent reduction effect at a multiplicity-of-infection (MOI) 10. Three-dimensional images acquired with confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) analysis were quantified using COMSTAT, which showed that biomass, average thickness, and roughness coefficient decreased when treated with the phage. Colour and texture analysis confirmed that the quality of squid and mackerel was maintained after the phage treatment. Finally, a comparison of gene expression levels determined by qRT-PCR analysis showed that the phage treatment induced a decrease in the gene expression of flaA, vp0962, andluxS, as examples. CONCLUSION: This study indicated that Vibrio-specific phage CAU_VPP01 effectively controlled V. parahaemolyticus biofilms under various conditions and confirmed that the isolated phage could possibly be used as an effective biocontrol weapon in the seafood manufacturing industry.

plantMASST - Community-driven chemotaxonomic digitization of plants.

Understanding the distribution of hundreds of thousands of plant metabolites across the plant kingdom presents a challenge. To address this, we curated publicly available LC-MS/MS data from 19,075 plant extracts and developed the plantMASST reference database encompassing 246 botanical families, 1,469 genera, and 2,793 species. This taxonomically focused database facilitates the exploration of plant-derived molecules using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) spectra. This tool will aid in drug discovery, biosynthesis, (chemo)taxonomy, and the evolutionary ecology of herbivore interactions.

Guidelines for Manufacturing and Application of Organoids: Brain.

This study offers a comprehensive overview of brain organoids for researchers. It combines expert opinions with technical summaries on organoid definitions, characteristics, culture methods, and quality control. This approach aims to enhance the utilization of brain organoids in research. Brain organoids, as three-dimensional human cell models mimicking the nervous system, hold immense promise for studying the human brain. They offer advantages over traditional methods, replicating anatomical structures, physiological features, and complex neuronal networks. Additionally, brain organoids can model nervous system development and interactions between cell types and the microenvironment. By providing a foundation for utilizing the most human-relevant tissue models, this work empowers researchers to overcome limitations of two-dimensional cultures and conduct advanced disease modeling research.

Long-Term Incidence of Adjacent Segmental Pathology After Minimally Invasive vs. Open Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of adjacent segmental pathology (ASP) following minimally invasive (MI) vs open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) and to identify factors linked to ASP requiring reoperation. METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed the outcomes of patients who underwent MI-TLIF or open TLIF. Radiographic ASP (RASP) was evaluated using X-ray imaging to distinguish between degenerative changes, spondylolisthesis, and instability in the adjacent spinal segment. Clinical ASP (CASP) was assessed with the visual analog scale score for leg and back pain and the Oswestry disability index. Patient data were collected 1, 2, 5, and 10 years postoperatively. The timing and frequency of ASP reoperation were analyzed. RESULTS: Five years postoperatively, the RASP rate was 35.23% and 45.95% in the MI-TLIF and open TLIF groups. The frequency of CASP differed significantly between the MI-TLIF and open TLIF groups at 1 year postoperatively. The rates of RASP, CASP, and ASP necessitating reoperation were not significantly different 10 years postoperatively. Cranial facet violation significantly affected ASP in both groups. In the open TLIF group, preoperative adjacent segment disc degeneration significantly influenced ASP. CONCLUSION: The RASP rate at 5 years postoperatively and the CASP rate at 1 year postoperatively differed significantly between groups. There was no difference in the rate of ASP requiring reoperation. Cranial facet violation is a crucial driving factor for ASP after both surgical procedures.

Potential Prebiotic Properties of Whey Protein and Glycomacropeptide in Gut Microbiome.

Proteins in whey have prebiotic and antimicrobial properties. Whey protein comprises numerous bioactive proteins and peptides, including glycomacropeptide (GMP), a hydrophilic casein peptide that separates with the whey fraction during cheese making. GMP has traditionally been used as a protein source for individuals with phenylketonuria and also has prebiotic (supporting the growth of Bifidobacterium and lactic acid bacteria) and antimicrobial activities. GMP supplementation may help positively modulate the gut microbiome, help treat dysbiosis-related gastrointestinal disorders and improve overall health in consumers.

Effect of saline irrigation temperature difference on postoperative acute pain and hypothermia during biportal endoscopic spine surgery.

BACKGROUND: Recently, enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have attracted attention; they emphasize on avoiding intraoperative hypothermia while performing lumbar fusion surgery. However, none of the studies have reported the protocol for determining the temperature of saline irrigation during biportal endoscopic spine surgery (BESS) procedure. This study evaluated the effectiveness of warm saline irrigation during BESS in acute postoperative pain and inflammatory reactions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-five patients who underwent BESS procedure were retrospectively analyzed for the incidence of perioperative hypothermia (< 36oC), postoperative inflammatory factors (white blood cells (WBC), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), serum amyloid A (SAA)), and clinical outcomes (back visual analog scale (VAS) score, postoperative shivering). The patients were divided into the warm and cold saline irrigation groups. RESULTS: Hemoglobin, WBC, ESR, creatine kinase, and creatine kinase-muscle brain levels did not significantly differ between the warm and cold saline groups. The mean CRP, IL-6, and SAA levels were significantly higher in the cold saline group than in the warm saline group (p = 0.0058, 0.0028, and 0.0246, respectively); back VAS scores were also higher with a statistically significant difference until two days postoperatively (p < 0.001). During the entire procedure, the body temperature was significantly lower in the cold saline irrigation group, but the hypothermia incidence rate significantly differed 30 min after the operation was started. CONCLUSIONS: Using warm saline irrigation during BESS is beneficial for early recovery after surgery, as it is associated with reduced postoperative pain and complication rates.

Prophylactic efficacy of baicalin and carvacrol against Salmonella Typhimurium biofilm on food and food contact surfaces.

This study examines the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effectiveness of baicalin and carvacrol against Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium on food contact surfaces and chicken meat. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for baicalin and carvacrol were found to be 100 µg/mL and 200 µg/mL, respectively, which aligns with findings from previous studies. The compounds exhibited a concentration-dependent decrease in microbial populations and biofilm formation. When used together, they displayed a remarkable synergistic effect, greatly augmenting their antibacterial activity. The assessment of food quality demonstrated that these treatments have no negative impact on the sensory characteristics of chicken meat. The impact of the structure on biofilms was observed through the use of Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) and Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy (CLSM), revealing disrupted biofilm architectures and decreased cell viability. Crucially, RT-PCR analysis revealed a marked downregulation of quorum sensing (luxS), virulence (hilA), and stress response (rpoS) genes, highlighting the multifaceted antimicrobial mechanism of action. This gene-specific suppression suggests a targeted disruption of bacterial communication and virulence pathways, offering insight into the comprehensive antibiofilm strategy. This provides further insight into the molecular mechanisms that contribute to their antibiofilm effects.

Risk Factors and Characteristics of In-Hospital Falls After Spine Surgery: A Retrospective, Single-Center Cohort Study in the Republic of Korea.

Background: Falls after orthopaedic surgery can cause serious injuries, which lengthen hospital stays and increase medical expenses. This has prompted hospitals to implement various fall-prevention protocols. The aims of this study were to determine the incidence of in-hospital falls after spine surgery, to analyze the overall risk factors, to discern factors that have a major influence on falls, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the fall-prevention protocol that we implemented. Methods: This was a retrospective, single-center study including patients who underwent spine surgery from January 2011 to November 2021 at the National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital (NHISIH) in Goyang, Republic of Korea. Reported falls among these patients were examined. Patient demographics; surgery type, date, and diagnosis; and fall date and time were evaluated. Results: Overall, 5,317 spine surgeries were performed, and 128 in-hospital falls were reported (overall incidence: 2.31%). From the multivariable analyses, older age and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score were identified as independent risk factors for in-hospital patient falls (multivariable adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] for age 70 to 79 years, 1.021 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01 to 1.031]; for age ≥80 years, 1.035 [1.01 to 1.06]; and for ASA score of 3, 1.02 [1.01 to 1.031]). Similar results were seen in the subgroup who underwent primary surgery. Within 2 weeks following surgery, the highest frequency of falls occurred at 3 to 7 days postoperatively. The lowest fall rate was observed in the evening (6 to 10 p.m.). Morbidities, including rib, spine, and extremity fractures, were recorded for 14 patients, but none of these patients underwent operative treatment related to the fall. The NHISIH implemented a comprehensive nursing care service in May 2015 and a fall protocol in May 2017, but the annual incidence rate did not improve. The fall rate was higher after thoracolumbar surgeries (2.47%) than after cervical surgeries (1.20%). Moreover, a higher fall rate was observed in thoracolumbar cases with a greater number of fusion levels and revision spine surgeries. Conclusions: Patients with advanced age, more comorbidities, a greater number of fusion levels, and revision surgeries and who are female are more vulnerable to in-hospital falls after spine surgery. Novel strategies that target these risk factors are warranted. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Prebiotic Strategies to Manage Lactose Intolerance Symptoms.

Lactose intolerance, which affects about 65-75% of the world's population, is caused by a genetic post-weaning deficiency of lactase, the enzyme required to digest the milk sugar lactose, called lactase non-persistence. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea. Genetic variations, namely lactase persistence, allow some individuals to metabolize lactose effectively post-weaning, a trait thought to be an evolutionary adaptation to dairy consumption. Although lactase non-persistence cannot be altered by diet, prebiotic strategies, including the consumption of galactooligosaccharides (GOSs) and possibly low levels of lactose itself, may shift the microbiome and mitigate symptoms of lactose consumption. This review discusses the etiology of lactose intolerance and the efficacy of prebiotic approaches like GOSs and low-dose lactose in symptom management.

Tivozanib-induced activation of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and suppression of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in oral squamous cell carcinoma.

The potential of tivozanib as a treatment for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) was explored in this study. We investigated the effects of tivozanib on OSCC using the Ca9-22 and CAL27 cell lines. OSCC is a highly prevalent cancer type with a significant risk of lymphatic metastasis and recurrence, which necessitates the development of innovative treatment approaches. Tivozanib, a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor inhibitor, has shown efficacy in inhibiting neovascularization in various cancer types but has not been thoroughly studied in OSCC. Our comprehensive assessment revealed that tivozanib effectively inhibited OSCC cells. This was accompanied by the suppression of Bcl-2, a reduction in matrix metalloproteinase levels, and the induction of intrinsic pathway-mediated apoptosis. Furthermore, tivozanib contributed to epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) inhibition by increasing E-cadherin levels while decreasing N-cadherin levels. These findings highlight the substantial anticancer potential of tivozanib in OSCC and thus its promise as a therapeutic option. Beyond reducing cell viability and inducing apoptosis, the capacity of tivozanib to inhibit EMT and modulate key proteins presents the possibility of a paradigm shift in OSCC treatment.

The reduced growth due to elevated CO2 concentration hinders the sexual reproduction of mature Northern pipevine (Aristolochia contorta Bunge).

The phenology has gained considerably more attention in recent times of climate change. The transition from vegetative to reproductive phases is a critical process in the life history of plants, closely tied to phenology. In an era of climate change, understanding how environmental factors affect this transition is of paramount importance. This study consisted of field surveys and a greenhouse experiment on the reproductive biology of Northern pipevine (Aristolochia contorta Bunge). During field surveys, we investigated the environmental factors and growth characteristics of mature A. contorta, with a focus on both its vegetative and reproductive phases. In its successful flowering during the reproductive phase, A. contorta grew under the conditions of 40% relative light intensity and 24% soil moisture content, and had a vertical rhizome. In the greenhouse experiments, we examined the impact of increased CO2 concentration on the growth and development of 10-year-old A. contorta, considering the effect of rhizome direction. Planted with a vertical rhizome direction, A. contorta exhibited sufficient growth for flowering under ambient CO2 concentrations. In contrast, when planted with a horizontal rhizome direction, it was noted to significantly impede successful growth and flowering under elevated CO2 concentrations. This hindered the process of flowering, highlighting the pivotal role of substantial vegetative growth in achieving successful flowering. Furthermore, we observed a higher number of underground buds and shoots under the conditions of elevated CO2 concentration and a horizontal rhizome direction instead of flowering. Elevated CO2 concentrations also exhibited diverse effects on mature A. contorta's flower traits, resulting in smaller flower size, shorter longevity, and reduced stigma receptivity, and pollen viability. The study shed light on elevated CO2 concentrations can hinder growth, potentially obstructing sexual reproduction and diminishing genetic diversity.

Proximity Between Screw and Endplate of Upper Instrumented Vertebra Using a Cortical Bone Trajectory Screw can Increase Radiographic Adjacent Segment Degeneration Risks in Patients With Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. OBJECTIVE: To determine the proximity between screw and endplate of the upper instrumented vertebra (UIV) using a cortical bone trajectory (CBT) screw as a predictive factor for radiographic adjacent segment degeneration (ASD) in patients surgically treated with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) with CBT screws (CBT-TLIF) with lumbar spinal stenosis. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The risk factors for radiographic ASD after CBT-TLIF remain unknown. METHODS: Among patients surgically treated with CBT-TLIF at a single institute, 239 consecutive patients (80 males and 159 females) were enrolled. ASD was defined by the presence of one or more of the following three radiologic criteria on the adjacent segment: >3 mm anteroposterior translation, >10° segmental kyphosis, or >50% loss of disc height comparing immediate postoperative and 1-year follow-up radiographs. Clinical and radiological features associated with the development of ASD were retrospectively measured. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors associated with radiographic ASD. RESULTS: Radiographic ASD was observed in 71 (29.7%) cases at 1-year postoperative follow-up. The preoperative Pfirrmann grade of the adjacent segment (>grade 2), multi-level fusion (>2 levels), and proximity between the tip of CBT screws and endplate on the UIV were significantly associated with radiographic ASD (OR = 3.98, 95% CI [1.06-15.05], P=0.042 versus OR = 3.03, 95% CI [1.00-9.14], P=0.049 versus OR = 0.53, 95% CI [0.40-0.72], P<0.001). The cut-off value of the distance between the tip of the screw and endplate on UIV for radiographic ASD was approximately 2.5 mm (right-sided CBT screw; cut-off value 2.48 mm/ left-sided CBT screw; cut-off value 2.465 mm). CONCLUSION: Radiographic adjacent segment degeneration progression can occur when the cortical trajectory bone screw is close to the endplate of the upper instrumented vertebrae in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis undergoing fusion surgery.

Mononuclear Fe(III) complexes with 2,4-dichloro-6-((quinoline-8-ylimino)methyl)phenolate: synthesis, structure, and magnetic behavior.

Three Fe(III)-based coordination complexes [Fe(dqmp)2](NO3)·H2O (1), [Fe(dqmp)2](BF4)·2CH3COCH3 (2), and [Fe(dqmp)2](ClO4) (3) were synthesized from Fe(NO3)3·9H2O/Fe(ClO4)3·xH2O, NaBF4, and 2,4-dichloro-6-((quinoline-8-ylimino)methyl)phenol (Hdqmp) in methanol/acetone and characterized. The structures of complexes 1-3 were determined via single-crystal X-ray crystallography at 100 K and room temperature, and their magnetic properties in the solid and solution forms were investigated. All complexes showed meridional structures with two tridentate dqmp- ligands coordinated with Fe(III) cations. In the solid state, complex 1 showed an abrupt and complete spin crossover at 225 K, whereas complexes 2 and 3 exhibited an incomplete spin crossover at 135 and 150 K, respectively. In a dimethylformamide solution, the complexes showed counterion-dependent spin transitions. In contrast to the solid state, in solution, complex 1 did not exhibit complete spin crossover. However, complexes 2 and 3 showed more complete spin transitions in solutions than in the solid state. The relaxation times, T1 and T2, for 1 and 2 were determined and both increased with temperature from 220 to 380 K. The T1 of 1 was larger than that of 2 at 380 K, and the T1 values were larger than the T2 values.