Long-term results of posterior anchorage of subaxial vertebra in acute unstable trauma

Aim: to study long-term results of posterior anchorage of subaxial vertebra in acute trauma. Material and Methods. We conducted an analysis of long-term results of posterior anchorage of subaxial vertebra in 17 patients with acute unstable trauma which had undergone complex clinical neurological and instrumental investigation, surgical treatment performed from dorsal approach, and the estimation of long-term results in preoperative period. Results. The obtained data indicate the method of transarticular anchorage to be effective and safe and not to have any negative effect on biomechanical properties of cervical spine in the long-term postoperative period. Conclusion. The use of posterior anchorage in acute unstable trauma is most reasonable in subaxial injuries accompagnied by the deformities of medial and posterior spinal columns.</p

The tactics of surgical treatment in metastatic lesions of upper cervical spine.

We demonstrated a successful case of surgical treatment of the patient with metastatic lesion of upper cervical spine with respect to multidisciplinary approach. We performed simultaneous two-stage surgical intervention, the first stage being occipitospondylodesis by multi-segment construction; and second —tumor resection from expanded combined access. It has been stated that the proposed surgical tactics allows performing curative resection in one surgical session without neurological deficit buildup in the postoperative period.</p

Measurements of spin rotation parameter A in pion-proton elastic scattering at 1.62 GeV/c

The ITEP-PNPI collaboration presents the results of the measurements of the spin rotation parameter A in the elastic scattering of positive and negative pions on protons at P_beam = 1.62 GeV/c. The setup included a longitudinally-polarized proton target with superconductive magnet, multiwire spark chambers and a carbon polarimeter with thick filter. Results are compared to the predictions of partial wave analyses. The experiment was performed at the ITEP proton synchrotron, Moscow.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures. To be published in Phys. Lett.

Professor I.Ya. Livshits and his contribution to the development of national neurosurgery

The article traces the professional path of Professor Lev Yakovlevich Livshits, assesses his scientific contribution to the development of national neurosurgery. The concept of minimally invasive surgical treatment of trigeminal nerve neuralgia, developed by L. Ya. Livshits, allowed developing an original method of puncture surgical treatment of pain syndrome by directed hydrothermal destruction of the sensitive trigeminal root. The concept of "growing radicalism" created by Professor L. Ya. Livshits allowed his students elaborating algorithms for treating severe chronic pain syndromes of any localization and etiology.</p

Membranes with a boundary

We investigate the recently developed theory of multiple membranes. In particular, we consider open membranes, i.e. the theory defined on a membrane world volume with a boundary. We first restrict our attention to the gauge sector of the theory. We obtain a boundary action from the Chern-Simons terms. Secondly, we consider the addition of certain boundary terms to various Chern-Simons theories coupled to matter. These terms ensure the full bulk plus boundary action has the correct amount of supersymmetry. For the ABJM model, this construction motivates the inclusion of a boundary quartic scalar potential. The boundary dynamics obtained from our modified theory produce Basu-Harvey type equations describing membranes ending on a fivebrane. The ultimate goal of this work is to throw light on the theory of fivebranes using the theory of open membranes.Comment: 48 pages, Latex, v2 references adde

Correction of immune disorders in patients with malignant tumors at level of craniovertebral junction and upper cervical spine

Objective: To study the cellular and humoral immunity in patients with malignant tumors of the upper cervical spine. Material and methods: The study included 22 patients with malignant tumors of the craniovertebral junction and upper cervical spine. To assess the function of the immune system the methods of population and subpopulation immuno-phenotyping of peripheral blood lymphocytes have been applied. Cytokine parameters and functional status (cytotoxic) activity of NK-cells have been studied using immunofermental methods. The indices have been presented in absolute and relative terms. All the patients have been subjected to the adjuvant therapy. Results: Correction of cellular immunity has led to significant increase in CD3 + (T-lymphocytes) and CD3 + CD8 + (T-killers). Cytokine levels in the groups studied in the dynamics have not been significantly altered. The changes of cytotoxic (functional) activity of NK-cells in the first group after the combined treatment have been considered to be higher than before the treatment. Cytotoxic index of (functional) activity of NK-cells in the second group under the study after the combined treatment has been determined to be lower than before the treatment. Conclusion: It has been found out that the application of complex treatment accompanied by immunotropic therapy may positively influence the immune status

Comparative retro- and prospective analysis of treatment outcomes in patients with SCI and cervical spine injuries in acute and early periods of traumatic disease

The aim: to conduct comparative retro- and prospective study of treatment outcomes in patients with cervical spine and SC injuries on the basis of assessment scale analysis. Material and Methods. 217 patients with closed cervical spine and SC injuries commeasurable by age, degree of neurological deficit, acute physiological and chronic state disorders were enrolled into the study. 177 patients comprised the main group (prospective study) and 40 — comparison group (retrospective study). To compare treatment outcomes we used Karnofsky score (Karnofsky, 1949), a quantitative assessment score for general patient status scales, APACHE II, Acute Physiology and Chronic State Evaluations (Knaus — Draper, 1985) and SCIM II, Spinal Cord Independence Measure Scale. Results. Comparative analysis based on the quantitative values of assessment scales, indicates an improvement of short-term treatment outcomes in patients with SC and cervical spine injuries in the main group. Conclusion. Complex approach to differentiated surgical treatment management and unique neuroprotection methods significantly improves short-term treatment outcomes having positive effect on general patient status, severity of acute physiological and chronic state disorders and patients' independence in the post-surgical period.</p