Is Proximal Triangular Fixation Better than the Conventional Method in Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery?

In adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery, one of the key factors working to prevent proximal junctional kyphosis is the proximal anchor. The aim of this study was to compare clinical and radiographic outcomes of triangular fixation with conventional fixation as proximal anchoring techniques in ASD surgery. We retrospectively evaluated 54 patients who underwent corrective spinal fusion for ASD. Fourteen patients underwent proximal triangular fixation (Group T; average 74.6 years), and 40 patients underwent the conventional method (Group C; average 70.5 years). Clinical and radiographic outcomes were assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS) values for back pain and the Oswestry disability index (ODI). Radiographic evaluation was also collected preoperatively and postoperatively. Surgical times and intraoperative blood loss of the two groups were not significantly different (493 vs 490 min, 1,260 vs 1,173 mL). Clinical outcomes such as VAS and ODI were comparable in the two groups. Proximal junctional kyphosis in group T was slightly lower than that of group C (28.5% vs 47.5%, p=0.491). However, based on radiology, proximal screw pullout occurred significantly less frequently in the triangular fixation group than the conventional group (0.0% vs 22.5%, p=0.049). Clinical outcomes in the two groups were not significantly different

An Enriched Environment Alters DNA Repair and Inflammatory Responses After Radiation Exposure

After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, there is growing concern about radiation-induced carcinogenesis. In addition, living in a long-term shelter or temporary housing due to disasters might cause unpleasant stress, which adversely affects physical and mental health. It’s been experimentally demonstrated that “eustress”, which is rich and comfortable, has beneficial effects for health using mouse models. In a previous study, mice raised in the enriched environment (EE) has shown effects such as suppression of tumor growth and enhancement of drug sensitivity during cancer treatment. However, it’s not yet been evaluated whether EE affects radiation-induced carcinogenesis. Therefore, to evaluate whether EE suppresses a radiation-induced carcinogenesis after radiation exposure, in this study, we assessed the serum leptin levels, radiation-induced DNA damage response and inflammatory response using the mouse model. In brief, serum and tissues were collected and analyzed over time in irradiated mice after manipulating the raising environment during the juvenile or adult stage. To assess the radiation-induced DNA damage response, we performed immunostaining for phosphorylated H2AX which is a marker of DNA double-strand break. Focusing on the polarization of macrophages in the inflammatory reaction that has an important role in carcinogenesis, we performed analysis using tissue immunofluorescence staining and RT-qPCR. Our data confirmed that EE breeding before radiation exposure improved the responsiveness to radiation-induced DNA damage and basal immunity, further suppressing the chronic inflammatory response, and that might lead to a reduction of the risk of radiation-induced carcinogenesis

Is Proximal Triangular Fixation Better than the Conventional Method in Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery?

In adult spinal deformity (ASD) surgery, one of the key factors working to prevent proximal junctional kyphosis is the proximal anchor. The aim of this study was to compare clinical and radiographic outcomes of triangular fixation with conventional fixation as proximal anchoring techniques in ASD surgery. We retrospectively evaluated 54 patients who underwent corrective spinal fusion for ASD. Fourteen patients underwent proximal triangular fixation (Group T; average 74.6 years), and 40 patients underwent the conventional method (Group C; average 70.5 years). Clinical and radiographic outcomes were assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS) values for back pain and the Oswestry disability index (ODI). Radiographic evaluation was also collected preoperatively and postoperatively. Surgical times and intraoperative blood loss of the two groups were not significantly different (493 vs 490 min, 1,260 vs 1,173 mL). Clinical outcomes such as VAS and ODI were comparable in the two groups. Proximal junctional kyphosis in group T was slightly lower than that of group C (28.5% vs 47.5%, p=0.491). However, based on radiology, proximal screw pullout occurred significantly less frequently in the triangular fixation group than the conventional group (0.0% vs 22.5%, p=0.049). Clinical outcomes in the two groups were not significantly different

Environmental Enrichment Increases Radiation-induced Apoptosis Not Spontaneous Apoptosis in Mouse Intestinal Crypt Cells

Abstract. Background: An enriched environment (EE) as an animal housing condition modifies apoptotic cell death and promotes cell proliferation in the central nervous system (CNS). However, few studies have examined the effects of an EE on apoptosis in non-CNS organs. Here we evaluated the effects of an EE on spontaneous and radiation-induced apoptosis of intestinal crypt cells. Materials and Methods: Juvenile (3 weeks after birth) and adult (11 weeks) male B6C3F1 mice were housed in a standard environment or EE for 8 weeks and then whole-body irradiated with 2 Gy X-rays. Apoptosis in the small intestine and colon was analyzed histologically by immunohistochemically using anti-cleaved caspase 3 antibody. Results: The EE used in this study significantly reduced body weight, adipose tissue weight, and serum levels of total-cholesterol, triglyceride, leptin, and insulin. Notably, although EE did not change the spontaneous apoptotic index without irradiation, it significantly increased the index after irradiation in the colonic crypt. Apoptosis therein was enhanced in the region where putative stem/progenitor cells are located. The apoptotic index in the small intestinal crypt showed similar patterns. Conclusion: EE enhances susceptibility to radiation-induced apoptosis of stem/progenitor cells in both small intestine and colon without affecting spontaneous apoptosis

P800SO3-PEG: a renal clearable bone-targeted fluorophore for theranostic imaging

Abstract Background Due to the deep tissue penetration and reduced scattering, NIR-II fluorescence imaging is advantageous over conventional visible and NIR-I fluorescence imaging for the detection of bone growth, metabolism, metastasis, and other bone-related diseases. Methods Bone-targeted heptamethine cyanine fluorophores were synthesized by substituting the meso-carbon with a sulfur atom, resulting in a bathochromic shift and increased fluorescence intensity. The physicochemical, optical, and thermal stability of newly synthesized bone-targeted NIR fluorophores was performed in aqueous solvents. Calcium binding, bone-specific targeting, biodistribution, pharmacokinetics, and 2D and 3D NIR imaging were performed in animal models. Results The newly synthesized S-substituted heptamethine fluorophores demonstrated a high affinity for hydroxyapatite and calcium phosphate, which improved bone-specific targeting with signal-background ratios > 3.5. Particularly, P800SO3-PEG showed minimum nonspecific uptake, and most unbound molecules were excreted into the urinary bladder. Histological analyses demonstrated that P800SO3-PEG remained stable in the bone for over two weeks and was incorporated into bone matrices. Interestingly, the flexible thiol ethylene glycol linker on P800SO3-PEG induced a promising photothermal effect upon NIR laser irradiation, demonstrating potential theranostic imaging. Conclusions P800SO3-PEG shows a high affinity for bone tissues, deeper tissue imaging capabilities, minimum nonspecific uptake in the major organs, and photothermal effect upon laser irradiation, making it optimal for bone-targeted theranostic imaging

Avaliação das emissões de N2O geradas por lodo granular aeróbio em reator em bateladas sequenciais para diferentes cargas orgânicas e nitrogenadas

Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Centro Tecnológico, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Engenharia Ambiental, Florianópolis, 2017.Os reatores em bateladas sequenciais com grânulos aeróbios (RBSG) têm sido propostos como uma opção promissora para o tratamento biológico de efluentes domésticos e industriais, alcançando elevadas remoções de matéria orgânica e de nutrientes. No entanto, a remoção biológica de nutrientes como o nitrogênio, por meio dos processos de nitrificação e desnitrificação, pode ter como consequência a geração e emissão de óxido nitroso (N2O). O presente trabalho avaliou a produção de óxido nitroso durante o processo de remoção de nitrogênio por lodo granular aeróbio (LGA) em um RBSG piloto, e o desempenho deste reator no tratamento de esgoto doméstico. A emissão de N2O do LGA, foi ainda, avaliada sob diferentes relações de carga orgânica e nitrogenada (DQO/NH4 de 1,55, 1,17 e 0) em um RBSG em escala de bancada. Durante todo o período monitorado, as eficiências de remoção de DBO5 no efluente tratado atingiram os critérios de qualidade de efluentes da lei estadual de Santa Catarina (= 60 mg / L ou 80% de eficiência para DBO5). A eficiência de remoção do nitrogênio amoniacal foi de 84%. A produção de N2O no reator piloto foi de 2,06 mg/L, com emissão de N2O de 2,26% do nitrogênio amoniacal oxidado durante o ciclo do reator. Observou-se nos experimentos realizados em escala de bancada uma produção total de N2O superior a 1,77 mg/L; 9,43% do nitrogênio amoniacal removido foi convertido em N2O para menor relação DQO/NH4. Constatou-se uma diminuição da taxa de remoção de nitrogênio amoniacal com a redução da razão DQO/NH4. A quantidade de N2O emitida no tempo foi de 1,41 mg N2O/ciclo na razão DQO/NH4 igual a 0, e diminuiu para 1,03 mg N2O/ciclo com o aumento da razão DQO/NH4 para 1,55. Os resultados apontaram que não foi observada nitrificação-desnitrificação simultânea significativa. Verificou-se a ocorrência de nitrificação parcial com acúmulo de nitrito e produção de N2O associada. A análise de hibridização in situ por fluorescência indicou alta abundância de bactérias oxidadoras de amônia (AOB), enquanto as bactérias oxidadoras de nitrito (NOB) foram encontradas em baixa abundância, corroborando os resultados de nitrificação parcial. A comunidade bacteriana que teve maior destaque foi representada pelas Pseudoxanthomonas sp., microrganismos desnitrificantes, encontrados em abundância relativa de 45%.Abstract : Aerobic granular sequencing batch reactors (AGSBR) have been used as a promised alternative to treat domestic and industrial wastewater because their high organic matter and nutrients removal efficiencies. However, nitrification and denitrification process used to remove nitrogen may produce and release nitrous oxide (N2O). This study evaluated the N2O production and release to atmosphere along the nitrogen removal by using a pilot-scale AGSBR. Besides, the reactor was evaluated regarding the wastewater treatment performance. Further, N2O were also evaluated in bench-scale AGSBR considering different carbon and nitrogen organic loads (COD/NH4+ as 1.55, 1.17 and zero). The effluent concentrations for BOD were always below the Environmental Santa Catarina State Directive - 14.675/2009 (= 60 mg/L or minimal BOD5 efficiency of 80%). The removal efficiency for ammonia nitrogen reached 84%. N2O production in the pilot-scale reactor ranged 2.06 mg/L while the N2O emission accounted 2.26% of the influent ammonia nitrogen oxided in the reactor. The highest N2O production (1.77 mg/L) was observed using the COD/NH4+ ratio at 1.77 while 9.3% of the ammonia nitrogen removed in the lower COD/NH4+ ratio (zero) was converted into nitrous oxide. Ammonia nitrogen removal efficiencies reduced accordingly with the reduction of COD/NH4+ ratios. The emission ranged 1.41 mg N2O/cycle at zero COD/NH4+ ratio. Then, it reduced to 1.03 mg N2O/cycle at 1.55 COD/NH4+ ratio. The results pointed that the simultaneous nitrification and denitrification process was negligible. Moreover, partial nitrification with nitrite accumulation associated to N2O production was depicted. In fact, the molecular technique in situ fluorescence hybridization highlighted higher abundance of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) than nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB), which supports the partial nitrification outcomes. The denitrify bacteria Pseudoxanthomonas sp. presented relative abundance of 45% and arose the greatest bacteria group found in granular sludge samples