T12

Calcifying pseudoneoplasms of the neuraxis (CAPNON) are rare, non-neoplastic, slow-growing tumors that can present anywhere throughout the central nervous system. While the etiology of these lesions remains unknown, the mainstay of treatment is surgical excision. We describe a case of CAPNON at our institution in a 66 year-old female patient who presented with 5 months of pain and burning sensation in her thigh. On MRI, an intradural extramedullary lesion was identified at the level of T11-T12. The mass was surgically excised and the patient reported resolution of her symptoms by her six week follow-up appointment...

PURPOSE: In the context of medical literature, a significant lacuna exists in understanding median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS). While clinical aspects are well documented, literature lacks a robust exploration of the anatomical relationship between the celiac trunk and the median arcuate ligament (MAL). METHODS: Morphometric parameters, including the vertebral level of MAL origin, MAL thickness, celiac trunk (CeT) origin level, diameter, and distances between CeT/Superior Mesenteric Artery (SMA) and the MAL center were observed on 250 CT angiograms...

Cadmium (Cd), being a heavy metal, tends to accumulate in soils primarily through industrial activities, agricultural practices, and atmospheric deposition. Maize, being a staple crop for many regions, is particularly vulnerable to Cd contamination, leading to compromised growth, reduced yields, and potential health risks for consumers. Biochar (BC), a carbon-rich material derived from the pyrolysis of organic matter has been shown to improve soil structure, nutrient retention and microbial activity. The choice of biochar as an ameliorative agent stems from its well-documented capacity to enhance soil quality and mitigate heavy metal stress...

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the ability of MRI-based synthetic CT (sCT), low-dose CT (ldCT) and radiography to detect spinal new bone formation (NBF) in patients with axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA). METHODS: Radiography of lumbar and cervical spine, ldCT and sCT of the entire spine were performed in 17 patients with axSpA. sCT was reconstructed using the BoneMRI application (V.1.6, MRIGuidance BV, Utrecht, NL), a quantitative three-dimensional MRI-technique based on a dual-echo gradient sequence and a machine learning processing pipeline that can generate CT-like MR images...

Introduction: Musculoskeletal multibody models of the spine can be used to investigate the biomechanical behaviour of the spine. In this context, a correct characterisation of the passive mechanical properties of the intervertebral joint is crucial. The intervertebral joint stiffness, in particular, is typically derived from the literature, and the differences between individuals and spine levels are often disregarded. Methods: This study tested if an optimisation method of personalising the intervertebral joint stiffnesses was able to capture expected stiffness variation between specimens and between spine levels and if the variation between spine levels could be accurately captured using a generic scaling ratio...

The photoperiod, which is defined as the period of time within a 24-hour time frame that light is available, is an important environmental regulator of several physiological processes in phytoplankton, including harmful bloom-forming phytoplankton. The ichthyotoxic raphidophyte Heterosigma akashiwo is a globally distributed bloom-forming phytoplankton. Despite extensive studies on the ecological impact of H. akashiwo, the influence of the photoperiod on crucial biological processes of this species remains unclear...

Occlusal stabilization splints are the most common treatment for controlling the deleterious effects of sleep bruxism. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a low-cost, mixed occlusal splint (MOS) compared to that of a rigid splint. A randomized clinical trial was performed on 43 adults of both sexes with possible sleep bruxism and satisfactory dental conditions. They were divided into rigid occlusal splint (ROS) (n = 23) and MOS (n = 20) groups. Masticatory muscle and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain intensity (visual analog scale), quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF), indentations in the oral mucosa, anxiety, and depression (HADS), number of days of splint use, and splint wear were evaluated...

The aim of this study was to describe one-point (preiliac approach) and two-point (preiliac and retrocostal approach) blocks of the Transversus Abdominis Plane (TAP) on a cadaveric model. For this purpose, ultrasound-guided infiltration of the plane between the internal oblique and transversus abdominis muscles was performed and, after dissection of tissues, the areas and percentage of nerve fibers involved were analyzed. Injection into the TAP plexus of a 1 mL/kg solution of 2% lidocaine and 1% methylene blue (1:1) was performed in 30 rabbit cadavers...

BACKGROUND: To quantitatively evaluate CT lung abnormalities in COVID-19 survivors from the acute phase to 24-month follow-up. Quantitative CT features as predictors of abnormalities' persistence were investigated. METHODS: Patients who survived COVID-19 were retrospectively enrolled and underwent a chest CT at baseline (T0) and 3 months (T3) after discharge, with pulmonary function tests (PFTs). Patients with residual CT abnormalities repeated the CT at 12 (T12) and 24 (T24) months after discharge...

PURPOSE: Prevalence of osteoporotic fracture (OPF) is increasing with ageing, resulting in a significant financial burden for healthcare. However, research on the nationwide epidemiological data of OPF in Chinese elderly is still scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of OPF in Chinese population aged 60 years or order. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in an elderly Chinese population in five centres...

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain is poorly studied in developing countries. Severe pain after surgery remains a major problem, occurring in 50-70% of the patients. Differences exist across countries. Despite numerous published studies, the degree of pain following many types of surgery in everyday clinical practice is unknown. To improve postoperative pain-treatment and develop procedure-specific, optimized pain-treatment protocols, the prevalence and severity of postoperative pain must first be identified...

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of an ammonia-based and a water-based silver-containing solutions on bonding performance and matrix-metalloproteinases (MMPs) activity of a universal adhesive to dentin after 1 year of artificial aging. METHODS: Mid-coronal dentin surfaces of 60 sound human molars were exposed and the following groups were formed according to the surface pre-treatment and etching mode of the universal adhesive (Zipbond Universal, SDI) (n = 10): G1) Zipbond in the self-etch mode (ZSE); G2) Riva Star (SDI) applied before ZSE; G3) Riva Star Aqua (SDI) applied before ZSE; G4) Zipbond in the etch-and-rinse mode (ZER); G5) Riva Star applied before ZER; G6) Riva Star Aqua applied before ZER...

This study describes a transversal (TV) ultrasound-guided erector spinae plane (ESP) block technique over the transverse process of T12. And evaluates the distribution of the dye and affected nerves branches compared to a longitudinal (LNG) approach over the transverse process of T12 in canine cadavers. Secondly, it also compares de anatomy and dimensions of the transverse processes of T12 with T9 and T5. For this double-masked, cadaveric experimental study, 12 adult Beagle cadavers were injected with 0.6mL/kg of dye/contrast...

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the pathogenicity of Acanthamoeba strains with T4, T5, T11, and T12 genotypes by comparing the osmotolerance and thermotolerance characteristics of Acanthamoeba strains isolated from genotype groups, within species with the same genotype, and from environmental and keratitis cases. METHODS: In this study, after axenic cultures of 22 Acanthamoeba strains with T4 (Neff, A, B, D, E), T5, T11, and T12 genotypes isolated from clinical and environmental samples, thermotolerance (37 °C, 39 °C and 41 °C) and osmotolerance (0...

In this study, we present a novel series of (E)-4-((2-(pyrazine-2-carbonyl) hydrazineylidene)methyl)phenyl benzenesulfonate (T1-T8) and 4-((E)-(((Z)-amino(pyrazin-2-yl)methylene)hydrazineylidene)methyl)phenyl benzenesulfonate (T9-T16) derivatives which exert their inhibitory effects on decaprenylphosphoryl-β-D-ribose 2'-epimerase (DprE1) through the formation of hydrogen bonds with the pivotal active site Cys387 residue. Their effectiveness against the M. tuberculosis H37Rv strain was examined and notably, three compounds (namely T4, T7, and T12) exhibited promising antitubercular activity, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1...

BACKGROUND: The management of congenital scoliosis poses a significant challenge for treating surgeons. The aim of our study was to provide insight into the long-term clinical results of spinal fusion in congenital scoliosis. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the scoliosis database in our institution for the period 1976 until 2002 identifying 43 patients with congenital scoliosis who underwent spinal fusion. Patient demographics, diagnosis, levels fused, and radiographs were evaluated...

OBJECTIVES: To quantitatively investigate the age- and sex-related longitudinal changes in trabecular volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and vertebral body volume at the thoracolumbar spine in adults. METHODS: We retrospectively included 168 adults (mean age 58.7 ± 9.8 years, 51 women) who received ≥7 MDCT scans over a period of ≥6.5 years (mean follow-up 9.0 ± 2.1 years) for clinical reasons. Level-wise vBMD and vertebral body volume were extracted from 22720 thoracolumbar vertebrae using a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based framework with asynchronous calibration and correction of the contrast media phase...

PURPOSE: This study aimed to compare the biomechanical effects of different bone cement distribution methods on osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (OVCF). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Raw CT data from a healthy male volunteer was used to create a finite element model of the T12-L2 vertebra using finite element software. A compression fracture was simulated in the L1 vertebra, and two forms of bone cement dispersion (integration group, IG, and separation group, SG) were also simulated...

PURPOSE: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is characterized by coronal scoliosis and often a sagittal hypokyphosis. The effect of bracing on the sagittal profile is not well understood. The aim of this study is to assess the effect of night-time bracing on the sagittal profile in patients with AIS. METHODS: We retrospectively included AIS patients with a main curve of 25-45° treated with a night-time brace in our institution between 2005 and 2018. Patients with estimated growth potential based on either Risser stage, hand X-rays, or menarchal status were included...

BACKGROUND: The evaluation of microvascular alterations might provide clinically useful information for patients with an increased cardiovascular (CV) risk, such as those with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), being the small artery remodeling the earliest form of target organ damage in primary CV diseases, such as arterial hypertension. The evaluation of retinal arterioles is a non-invasive technique aimed to identify an early microvascular damage, represented by the increase of the wall-to-lumen ratio (WLR) index...