Polathoff2025

Causes of revision surgery in L5 group were distal junctional failure in 5 patients and foraminal stenosis at L5-S1 in 1. All of them underwent additional spinal fusion to the sacrum. Whereas, causes of revision surgery in S1 group were rod fracture in 2 patients and proximal junctional failure in 1. Conclusion Although fusion to L5 was conducted for selected ASD patients with less severe disability (better ODI) and less complex deformity (type N), 50 % of the patients required additional fusion to the pelvis. Decision making to stop the long fusion at L5 for ASD patients ≥50 years of age should be made with careful considerations.Objective The application of novel advanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques in clinical practice has significantly improved diagnostic accuracy in early detection of acute ischemic stroke (AIS), additionally allowing outcome prediction. The introduction of arterial spin labeling (ASL) perfusion sequence as a standard in MRI protocols is a significant milestone in neuroradiology. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the potential of ASL sequence for the detection of absolute (aCBF) and relative (rCBF) cerebral blood flow values for an ischemic area and to examine the correlation of the obtained values with the functional outcome of patients. Patients and methods The study included 205 patients of both sexes over the age of 18 years, suspected with AIS, who met the inclusion criteria. Brain MRI examination according to the protocol for ischemia with fast three-dimensional pseudocontinuous (3D PCASL) ASL technique was used. Statistical analysis of the collected data was performed with SPSS 15.0. Results The appearance of the ROC curve indicated good diagnostic characteristics of aCBF in assessing a favorable stroke outcome, demonstrating a high statistical significance (p less then 0.001), and high conclusion validity. The value of the rCBF was significantly higher in patients with a favorable outcome compared with patients with a poor outcome (p less then 0.001). The sum of sensitivity and specificity was the highest using aCBF cut-off value of 19.140 mL/100 g/min, and rCBF cut-off of 49.700 of the contralateral side percentage value. Conclusion Our study shows that ASL perfusion sequence allows precise detection of perfusion values and provides a reliable insight into outcome prediction.Honey is a natural product, containing flavonoids and phenolic acids, appreciated for its therapeutic abilities since ancient times. Although the bioactive potential is linked to the composition, that is variable depending on mainly the botanical origin, honey has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, honey, administered alone or in combination with conventional therapy, might result useful in the management of chronic diseases that are commonly associated with oxidative stress and inflammation state. Obesity is a metabolic disorder characterized by visceral adiposity. The adipose tissue becomes hypertrophic and undergoes hyperplasia, resulting in a hypoxic environment, oxidative stress and production of pro-inflammatory mediators that can be responsible for other disorders, such as metabolic syndrome and neurodegeneration. Experimental evidence from animals have shown that honey improves glycemic control and lipid profile with consequent protection from endothelial dysfunction and neurodegeneration. The purpose of the present review is to summarize the current literature concerning the beneficial effects of honey in the management of the obesity-related dysfunctions, including neurodegeneration. Based on the key constituents of honey, the paper also highlights polyphenols to be potentially responsible for the health benefits of honey. Further well-designed and controlled studies are necessary to validate these benefits in humans.Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are critical for optimal brain health and are involved in psychiatric and neurological ailments. Here, we report the effects of higher endogenous omega-3 PUFA on memory impairment in the hippocampus by studying mice with transgenic expression of the fat-1 gene that converts omega-6 to omega-3 PUFA. We performed Y-maze and passive avoidance tests to evaluate the memory function of fat-1 mice treated with scopolamine. Fat-1 mice showed induced alternation in the Y-maze test and increased latency in the passive avoidance test. The effects of scopolamine on hippocampal neurogenesis were confirmed by increases in the number of Ki-67- and DCX-positive cells in the fat-1 mice. Western blotting revealed increased brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein levels, and lower scopolamine-induced apoptosis based on the cleaved-caspase 3 protein level in fat-1 mice. These findings suggest that higher endogenous omega-3 PUFA prevented granular cell loss, increased BDNF signaling, and decreased apoptosis signaling in scopolamine-treated fat-1 mice. These processes may underlie granular cell survival and suggest potential therapeutic targets for memory impairment.Brucellosis is the most common zoonotic disease worldwide and still there is no vaccine for human use. The commercial animal vaccines also have major problems that limit their use. Therefore, there is a need for an effective Brucella vaccine which is multivalent and produces a good protective immunity with minimal disadvantages. Due to their heterogeneous composition and diverse functions, OMVs are promising acellular vaccine candidates against brucellosis. In the present study, the potential of Poly(IC) or CpG ODN 1826+ Montanide ISA 70 VG adjuvant formulations were evaluated to enhance the immunity and protection levels conferred by OMVs against Brucella challenge in mice. The results indicated that both vaccine regimens were able to induce strong Th1-biased responses and confer protective levels significantly higher than REV.1 live vaccine. With regard to the results, it is concluded that OMVs in either adjuvant can be introduced as a new vaccine candidate against B. melitensis infection.Background BMP9, originating from the liver, and BMP10 are circulating BMPs that preserve vascular endothelial integrity. We assessed BMP9, BMP10 and soluble endoglin (sEng) levels and their relationships to liver disease severity and associated pulmonary vascular syndromes in a cohort of well-characterised liver disease patients. Methods Plasma samples from patients with liver disease (n = 83) and non-disease controls (n = 21) were assayed for BMP9, BMP10 and sEng. Levels were also assessed in a separate cohort of controls (n = 27) and PoPH patients (n = 8). Expression of mRNA and immunohistochemical staining was undertaken in liver biopsy specimens. Plasma BMP activity was assessed using an endothelial cell bioassay. Findings Plasma BMP9 and BMP10 levels were normal in patients with compensated cirrhosis or fibrosis without cirrhosis, but markedly reduced in patients with decompensated cirrhosis, including those with hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) or portopulmonary hypertension (PoPH). selleck kinase inhibitor Liver biopsy specimens revealed reduced mRNA expression and immunostaining for these ligands.