Core planar cell polarity genes VANGL1 and VANGL2 in predisposition to congenital vertebral malformations.

Congenital scoliosis (CS), affecting approximately 0.5 to 1 in 1,000 live births, is commonly caused by congenital vertebral malformations (CVMs) arising from aberrant somitogenesis or somite differentiation. While Wnt/ß-catenin signaling has been implicated in somite development, the function of Wnt/planar cell polarity (Wnt/PCP) signaling in this process remains unclear. Here, we investigated the role of Vangl1 and Vangl2 in vertebral development and found that their deletion causes vertebral anomalies resembling human CVMs. Analysis of exome sequencing data from multiethnic CS patients revealed a number of rare and deleterious variants in VANGL1 and VANGL2, many of which exhibited loss-of-function and dominant-negative effects. Zebrafish models confirmed the pathogenicity of these variants. Furthermore, we found that Vangl1 knock-in (p.R258H) mice exhibited vertebral malformations in a Vangl gene dose- and environment-dependent manner. Our findings highlight critical roles for PCP signaling in vertebral development and predisposition to CVMs in CS patients, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying this disorder.

SOX11 variants cause a neurodevelopmental disorder with infrequent ocular malformations and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and with distinct DNA methylation profile.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to undertake a multidisciplinary characterization of the phenotype associated with SOX11 variants. METHODS: Individuals with protein altering variants in SOX11 were identified through exome and genome sequencing and international data sharing. Deep clinical phenotyping was undertaken by referring clinicians. Blood DNA methylation was assessed using Infinium MethylationEPIC array. The expression pattern of SOX11 in developing human brain was defined using RNAscope. RESULTS: We reported 38 new patients with SOX11 variants. Idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism was confirmed as a feature of SOX11 syndrome. A distinctive pattern of blood DNA methylation was identified in SOX11 syndrome, separating SOX11 syndrome from other BAFopathies. CONCLUSION: SOX11 syndrome is a distinct clinical entity with characteristic clinical features and episignature differentiating it from BAFopathies.

Reinstrumentation for progressive hyper-kyphotic deformity after implant removal despite obtaining physiological alignment by posterior corrective surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis with flat back: a case report.

This case report describes a 13-year-old female patient with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) and flat back who experienced progressive kyphotic deformity after implant removal despite obtaining physiological alignment postoperatively. The patient underwent multiple surgeries, and a late-developing infection complicated her treatment course. Despite hard bracing to prevent kyphotic change, the kyphosis progressed to 74° within a year after implant removal, leading to a decrease in patient height and back pain. Revision surgery was eventually necessary. Possible factors for the kyphotic progression include injury to paraspinal back muscles due to multiple surgeries or insufficient bony fusion from late-developing infection. This case highlights the importance of thorough evaluation and follow-up for optimal patient outcomes after implant removal in AIS patients, particularly those with flat back.

Identification of a Functional Susceptibility Variant for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis that Upregulates Early Growth Response 1 (EGR1)-Mediated UNCX Expression.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a serious health problem affecting 3% of live births all over the world. Many loci associated with AIS have been identified by previous genome wide association studies, but their biological implication remains mostly unclear. In this study, we evaluated the AIS-associated variants in the 7p22.3 locus by combining in silico, in vitro, and in vivo analyses. rs78148157 was located in an enhancer of UNCX, a homeobox gene and its risk allele upregulated the UNCX expression. A transcription factor, early growth response 1 (EGR1), transactivated the rs78148157-located enhancer and showed a higher binding affinity for the risk allele of rs78148157. Furthermore, zebrafish larvae with UNCX messenger RNA (mRNA) injection developed body curvature and defective neurogenesis in a dose-dependent manner. rs78148157 confers the genetic susceptibility to AIS by enhancing the EGR1-regulated UNCX expression. © 2022 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).

Revision balloon kyphoplasty and vertebra-pediculoplasty using cannulated screws for osteoporotic vertebral fractures with cement dislodgement following conventional balloon kyphoplasty.

We report the usefulness of revision balloon kyphoplasty (re-BKP) and vertebra-pediculoplasty using cannulated screws (VPCS) for osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF) following cement dislodgement of conventional BKP. Between 2015 and 2020, three patients with OVF developed symptomatic cement dislodgement following BKP and underwent re-BKP. All three patients showed a loose cemented mass and spinal instability. Balloon inflation was performed in the gap between the loosened cemented mass and the remaining cortical bone rim, and this extended gap was filled with cement. To prevent re-dislodgement of the cement mass, a cannulated screw was inserted into the cemented mass through the pedicle. All patients achieved early pain relief, and improved vertebral stability of the fractured vertebra and all related symptoms, with no perioperative complications. Re-BKP and VPCS are innovative concepts and could be an effective minimally invasive treatment for OVF following cement dislodgement of conventional BKP treatment.

Vertebra-Pediculoplasty: A New Approach to Treatment of Split-Type and Delayed-Union Osteoporotic Vertebral Fracture with a Risk of Cement Dislodgement.

BACKGROUND: The clinical outcomes of balloon kyphoplasty (BKP) for split-type osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF) are poor. These may be owing to the vertebral body bifurcating anteriorly and posteriorly when a load is applied and the filled cement being unstable. We report the usefulness of BKP combined with pediculoplasty using cannulated screws (vertebra-pediculoplasty) for OVF with a risk of cement dislodgement. METHODS: Between April 2020 and February 2021, this surgery was performed on 10 patients with split-type and delayed-union OVF. The diagnosis was made using imaging findings on preoperative computed tomography or intraoperative images during balloon inflation. Early postoperative ambulatory rehabilitation was performed, and clinical outcomes were evaluated. RESULTS: Early pain relief was obtained in all patients. The stability of the fractured vertebrae was demonstrated using both supine and seated radiographs from the early postoperative period, and good clinical results were obtained. The cement in this surgery was stabilized using a cannulated screw in the vertebral body, anteroposteriorly, and craniocaudally. The cement mass integrated with the cannulated screw was stabilized with the vertebral lamina and pedicle as a stopper. CONCLUSIONS: Vertebra-pediculoplasty could be an effective method for managing OVF with a high risk of cement dislodgement, which has been difficult to treat using conventional BKP.

Improvement of Lower Back Pain in Lumbar Spinal Stenosis After Decompression Surgery and Factors That Predict Residual Lower Back Pain.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. OBJECTIVES: There is no consensus to predict improvement of lower back pain (LBP) in lumbar spinal stenosis after decompression surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the improvement of LBP and analyze the preoperative predicting factors for residual LBP. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 119 patients who underwent lumbar decompression surgery without fusion and had a minimum follow-up of 1 year. LBP was evaluated using the numerical rating scale (NRS), Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) LBP score, and Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ). All patients were divided into LBP improved group (group I) and LBP residual group (group R) according to the NRS score. Radiographic images were examined preoperatively and at the final follow-up. We evaluated spinopelvic radiological parameters and analyzed the differences between group I and group R. RESULTS: LBP was significantly improved after decompression surgery (LBP NRS, 5.7 vs 2.6, P < .001; JOABPEQ LBP score, 41.3 vs 79.6, P < .001; RMDQ, 10.3 vs 3.6, P < .001). Of 119 patients, 94 patients were allocated to group I and 25 was allocated to group R. There was significant difference in preoperative thoracolumbar kyphosis between group I and group R. CONCLUSIONS: Most cases of LBP in lumbar spinal stenosis were improved after decompression surgery without fusion. Preoperative thoracolumbar kyphosis predicted residual LBP after decompression surgery.

Impact of leg numbness on patient satisfaction following decompression surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis.

Decompression surgery is the most common surgical treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Relatively low satisfaction rate was reported. Patients often complaint of residual numbness despite significant pain relief. We hypothesized that numbness had a significant impact on patient satisfaction, but had not been evaluated, which is associated with low satisfaction rate. This study aimed to examine how much numbness is associated with patient satisfaction. We retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data from consecutive patients who underwent decompression without fusion for LSS. We evaluated the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores of low back pain (LBP), leg pain, and leg numbness preoperatively and at the final follow-up visit. Improvement was evaluated using minimum clinically important differences (MCIDs). Patient satisfaction was evaluated using the question, "How satisfied are you with the overall result of your back operation?". There are four possible answers consisting of "very satisfied (4-point)", "somewhat satisfied (3-point)", "somewhat dissatisfied (2-point)", or "very dissatisfied (1-point)". Spearman correlation was used to evaluate the association between patient satisfaction and reaching MCIDs. A total of 116 patients were included. All three components had correlation with patient satisfaction with the correlation efficient of 0.30 in LBP, 0.22 in leg pain, and 0.33 in numbness. Numbness had greatest correlation efficient value. We showed that numbness has a greater impact than leg/back pain on patient satisfaction in patients undergoing decompression for LSS. We suggest not only LBP and leg pain but also numbness should be evaluated pre- and postoperatively.

Retrospective multicenter study of surgical treatments for osteoporotic vertebral fractures.

BACKGROUND: Although many surgical procedures are available for treating osteoporotic vertebral fractures, there have been no comprehensive multicenter surveys in Japan focusing on surgical treatments for these fractures. This study aimed at (1) conducting a retrospective multicenter study to survey surgical treatments performed at referral center hospitals in various regions in Japan and (2) analyzing situations and problems related to the surgical treatments of osteoporotic vertebral fractures in Japanese hospitals. METHODS: Among 738 patients who were hospitalized in 13 hospitals in various regions in Japan between 2005 and 2006 for osteoporotic vertebral fractures, 84 patients (11.4%) who underwent spinal surgery were enrolled. These patients were retrospectively analyzed regarding cause of injury, preoperative symptoms, preoperative neurological function, surgical procedures, periods of bed rest, length of hospital stay, and ambulatory status at discharge from hospital. RESULTS: As to the cause of spinal fracture, 38 patients (45% of the surgical patients) could not identify a specific cause of their spinal fracture. Preoperative neurological motor weakness in legs was observed in 41 (49%). With regard to surgical treatment, posterior spinal reconstruction surgery was performed in 50 patients (60%), vertebroplasty in 26 (31%), anterior reconstruction surgery in 6 (7%), anterior and posterior combined reconstruction surgery in 1, and posterior decompression alone in 1 patient. In all, 70 patients (83.3%), whose periods of hospital stay averaged 52.8 days, could walk by themselves at the time of discharge; 14 (16.7%), whose periods of hospital stay averaged 44.7 days, could not walk by themselves at the time of discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Even after a large variety of surgical procedures were tried to treat osteoporotic vertebral fractures and long hospital stays, about 17% of the patients were unable to walk by themselves at the time of discharge from hospital.

Gender Differences in Pre- and Postoperative Health-Related Quality of Life Measures in Patients Who Have Had Decompression Surgery for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective chart audit. PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the gender difference in pre- and postoperative health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients who have had decompression surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE: Gender differences may contribute to variations in disease presentations and health outcomes. The influence of gender on pre- and postoperative HRQOL in spinal disorders remains unclear. METHODS: We reviewed 125 patients (79 men and 46 women) who had lumbar spinous process splitting laminectomy (LSPSL) for LSS. We assessed the following clinical information: Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score; numerical rating scale (NRS) for low back pain (LBP), leg pain, and leg numbness; Zurich Claudication Questionnaire; JOA Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire; Roland- Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ); and Short Form 8 (SF-8) as HRQOL. We compared the HRQOLs of men and women pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: Although the preoperative NRS results for LBP were significantly higher in women (p <0.05), there were no significant differences in clinical outcomes between men and women postoperatively. For HRQOL, the RMDQ scores were significantly worse in women preoperatively (p <0.05), but no significant differences were found postoperatively between men and women. Similarly, the SF-8 mental health score was also significantly lower in women preoperatively (p <0.05), but no significant differences were noted between the two groups postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: LSPSL greatly reduced LBP, leg pain, and leg numbness in both genders. There were limited differences in pain and several HRQOL questionnaire responses between men and women after surgery. We found that women had greater sensitivity to and/or lower tolerance for pain than men, which led to lower HRQOL mental health scores preoperatively.

Factors Influencing Patient Satisfaction After Decompression Surgery Without Fusion for Lumbar Spinal Stenosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. OBJECTIVES: Decompression without fusion is a standard surgical treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) with reasonable surgical outcomes. Nevertheless, some studies have reported low patient satisfaction (PS) following decompression surgery. The cause of the discrepancy between reasonable clinical outcomes and PS is unknown; moreover, the factors associated with PS are expected to be complex, and little is known about them. This study aimed to identify satisfaction rate and to clarify the factors related to PS following decompression surgery in LSS patients. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 126 patients who underwent lumbar decompression with a minimum follow-up of 1 year. Patients were divided into 2 groups based on the PS question. The Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores, and the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores of low back pain (LBP), leg pain, and leg numbness were compared between the 2 groups preoperatively and at the latest visit. To identify the prognostic factors for dissatisfaction, multiple logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: Overall satisfaction rate was 75%. The JOA recovery rate, NRS improvement, and Short Form-8 (SF-8) were significantly higher in the satisfied group. Postoperative NRS scores of LBP, leg pain, and leg numbness were significantly lower in the satisfied group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that smoking and scoliosis were significant risk factors for dissatisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Overall satisfaction rate was 75% in patients with LSS undergoing decompression surgery. This study found that smoking status and scoliosis were associated with patient dissatisfaction following decompression in LSS patients.

Minimum clinically important difference of major patient-reported outcome measures in patients undergoing decompression surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: A minimum clinically important difference (MCID) has been increasingly well known in the current era of patient-centered care because it reflects a smallest change that is meaningful for patients following a clinical intervention. Previous studies suggested MCID values are disease and/or procedure dependent. No MCID values have been reported on the lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) following decompression surgery despite LSS is the most common spinal disease and the main treatment is decompression surgery. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the MCID values as major outcome measures including the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) of back pain, leg pain and numbness, Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), and Physical Component Summary (PCS) and Mental Component Summary (MCS) of Short Form 8 (SF-8) for patients with LSS undergoing decompression surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study using prospectively collected data from consecutive patients who underwent lumbar decompression without fusion for LSS at a single institution between May 2014 and March 2016. Inclusion criteria were 1) minimum 1-year follow-up 2) a complete set of preoperative and final follow-up questionnaires available, including the NRS, RMDQ, and SF-8. Revision surgery or non-degenerative etiology such as infection or tumor was excluded. MCIDs of each outcome measure were determined using two major approaches, distribution- and anchor-based methods. The distribution-based method uses the distributional characteristics of the sample. This method expresses the observed degree of variation to obtain a standardized metric such as the standard deviation or standard error of measurement. The anchor-based method uses an external criterion known as anchor to determine the factors that should be considered by patients for an important improvement. Anchor-based methods assess how much changes in the measurement instrument correspond with a minimal important change defined on the anchor. We used symptom severity, physical function, and satisfaction scores from Zurich Claudication Questionnaire as anchors for NRS and RMDQ, PCS, and MCS, respectively. RESULTS: A total of 126 patients were included. From the anchor-based method, MCIDs were determined to be 2 points for back pain, 4 points for leg pain and numbness, 5 points for RMDQ, 5 points for PCS, and 2 points for MCS. From the distribution-based method, MCIDs were determined to be 2 points for back pain, leg pain and numbness, 3-4 points for RMDQ, 6 points for PCS, and 5 points for MCS. CONCLUSION: We first identified the MCIDs of the NRS, RMDQ, and SF-8 specific to patients undergoing decompression surgery for LSS.

Risk factors for persistent numbness following decompression surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: Decompression surgery is a mainstay of surgical treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). However, up to 30% of patients have low satisfaction due to residual symptoms. In the clinical setting, improvements in leg pain are more significant than those in leg numbness. Residual numbness could be related to the relatively low satisfaction rate. However, few studies have focused on numbness; thus, elucidating the risk factors and rate of residual numbness would benefit surgeons and patients. This study aimed to clarify the risk factors for and rate of residual numbness after decompression surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data from consecutive patients who underwent lumbar decompression without fusion for LSS at a single institution between January 2014 and March 2016. Patients were included if preoperative and final follow-up questionnaires and radiographs were available. A minimum one-year follow-up was required. We evaluated the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores of low back pain, leg pain, and leg numbness preoperatively and at the final follow-up visit. Residual numbness was defined as a postoperative NRS ≥ 1, whereas persistent numbness was defined as a postoperative NRS ≥ 5. We compared the clinical data of patients with or without residual numbness to those of patients with or without persistent numbness. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for residual and persistent numbness. RESULTS: A total of 116 patients (73 men, 43 women) were included. Of them, 60% had residual numbness with a mean follow-up period of 25 months. Only durotomy differed significantly between patients with and those without residual numbness. However, the significance did not persist after logistic regression analysis. A total of 16% had persistent numbness. Diabetes mellitus, intraoperative durotomy, and preoperative NRS of numbness were identified as risk factors. There were no differences in smoking status, presence of spondylolisthesis or scoliosis, or severity of stenosis. CONCLUSIONS: We found three risk factors for persistent numbness following decompression surgery for LSS; diabetes mellitus and durotomy were modifiable, whereas preoperative numbness was not. Our findings would help surgeons minimize the incidence of persistent numbness by adequately controlling diabetes and avoiding durotomy during surgery. Providing information about the potential for residual numbness during the informed consent process is important to ensuring realistic patient expectations.

Outcome measures reflecting patient satisfaction following decompression surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis: Comparison of major outcome measures.

OBJECTIVE: Decompression surgery is the standard treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS); however, despite the good clinical outcomes reported for this procedure, a relatively high dissatisfaction rate has been reported. We hypothesized that the previously used outcome measures do not accurately reflect patient satisfaction (PS). This study aimed to examine which outcome measures reflect PS accurately in patients undergoing decompression for LSS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with LSS treated with lumbar decompression surgery between January 2014 and March 2016 were enrolled if they had the preoperative and final follow-up questionnaires including the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ), and Short Form-8 (SF-8). PS was evaluated using the question, "How satisfied are you with the overall result of your back operation?". There are four possible answers consisting of "very satisfied (4-point)", "somewhat satisfied (3-point)", "somewhat dissatisfied (2-point)", or "very dissatisfied (1-point)". The Spearman correlation coefficient between PS and each questionnaire was calculated. RESULTS: Postoperative JOABPEQ had strong correlation with PS (r > 0.6) whereas NRS, RMDQ and SF-8 had moderate correlation (0.4

Impact of sagittal spinopelvic alignment on clinical outcomes and health-related quality of life after decompression surgery without fusion for lumbar spinal stenosis.

OBJECTIVEPatients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) tend to bend forward to relieve neurological symptoms. They therefore have a positive sagittal vertical axis (SVA). The importance of the SVA value is well known in the field of adult spinal deformity; however, little is known about its impact on LSS. The authors sought to investigate the impact of sagittal spinopelvic alignment on clinical outcome and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after decompression surgery for LSS.METHODSThe authors retrospectively reviewed 83 patients who underwent lumbar decompression without fusion between January 2014 and September 2015 with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Standing whole-spine radiographs were examined preoperatively and at final follow-up. Based on the SVA, patients were allocated to a sagittal balance group (group B; SVA < 50 mm) or a sagittal imbalance group (group I; SVA ≥ 50 mm). The authors compared the groups using Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA), Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ), Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ), and the 8-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-8) scores.RESULTSPreoperative groups B (group pre-B) and I (group pre-I) included 58 and 25 patients, respectively. Preoperative sagittal malalignment had negative effects on the JOA score recovery rate, postoperative ZCQ physical function domain score, and numeric rating scale (NRS) score of postoperative low-back pain (LBP), but no significant effects were observed for RMDQ and SF-8 domain scores. Postoperatively, groups B (group post-B) and I (group post-I) included 60 and 23 patients, respectively. Group post-I had a significantly worse JOA score recovery rate, postoperative symptom severity domain score in the ZCQ, and NRS score for postoperative LBP. Similarly, the postoperative RMDQ score and the Physical Component Summary score of the SF-8 were significantly worse in group post-I.CONCLUSIONSPositive SVA had significantly negative effects on clinical outcome and HRQOL in LSS patients after lumbar decompression surgery.

Impact of decompression surgery without fusion for lumbar spinal stenosis on sagittal spinopelvic alignment: minimum 2-year follow-up.

OBJECTIVEThe importance of global sagittal alignment is well known. Patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) generally tend to bend forward to relieve their neurological symptoms, i.e., they have a positive sagittal vertical axis (SVA). We hypothesized that the positive SVA associated with LSS is symptom related and should improve after surgery. However, little is known about the changes in sagittal alignment in LSS patients after decompression surgery. In this study the authors aimed to evaluate midterm radiographical changes in sagittal spinopelvic alignment after decompression surgery for LSS and to determine the factors influencing the improvement in sagittal spinopelvic alignment.METHODSThe authors retrospectively reviewed 89 patients who underwent lumbar decompression without fusion between January 2014 and September 2015 with a minimum follow-up of 2 years. Standing whole-spine radiographs at the preoperative stage and at the final follow-up were examined. We analyzed SVA, lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic tilt (PT), pelvic incidence (PI), thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK), and thoracic kyphosis (TK).RESULTSLL and TK were significantly increased postoperatively. SVA and PI minus LL (PI-LL) were significantly decreased. There were no significant differences between the preoperative and postoperative PT, PI, SS, or TLK. Twenty-nine patients had preoperative sagittal malalignment with SVA > 50 mm. Thirteen of the 29 patients improved to SVA < 50 mm after decompression surgery. Lower ASA grade, preoperative higher LL, and lower PI-LL were related to patient improvement. A receiver operating characteristic curve for the preoperative PI-LL had an area under the curve value of 0.821, indicating moderate accuracy (p = 0.003). A cutoff value for preoperative PI-LL of 19.2° showed a sensitivity of 93.5% and a specificity of 71.4%.CONCLUSIONSLumbar decompression can lead to a reactive improvement in the lumbar and global sagittal alignment. However, some of the sagittal malalignment in LSS was irreversible. Preoperative PI-LL was a useful predictor to distinguish reversible from irreversible sagittal malalignment.

Minimally clinically important differences for the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) following decompression surgery for lumbar spinal stenosis.

Decompression surgery is the standard treatment in lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS). Recent studies have shown that patient satisfaction following decompression surgery does not correspond well with outcomes measured by conventional patient-reported outcome measurements. Recent study reported that the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ) is the most accurate outcome measurement to reflect patient satisfaction. Nevertheless, the JOABPEQ was not studied enough, especially along with the minimally clinically important differences (MCIDs), as JOABPEQ is relatively new questionnaire. The MCID is the minimum score change which patients perceive as beneficial. Thus, knowing the MCID is critical evaluating the efficacy of intervention. The aim of this study was to determine the MCIDs of the JOABPEQ for patients with LSS undergoing decompression surgery. Patients who underwent decompression surgery for LSS were consecutively enrolled if they had a complete set of questionnaires. We determined the MCIDs of each domain in the JOABPEQ using distribution-based and anchor-based methods. The MCIDs were determined to be 20.4 in low back pain, 15.6 in lumbar function, 16.8 in walking ability, 13.4 in social life function, and 9.4 in mental health by the distribution-based method. Using the anchor-based method, the MCIDs were determined to be 28.5, 16.5, 25.0, 21.5, and 14.5, respectively. The MCIDs of the JOABPEQ in LSS were slightly different from 20-point, which was proposed in the JOABPEQ user's manual. Our findings should be considered when evaluating LSS patients undergoing decompression surgery as JOABPEQ is not LSS specific.

The influence of preoperative mental health on clinical outcomes after laminectomy in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.

OBJECTIVE: The influence of preoperative mental health on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the influence of preoperative mental health HRQOL after laminectomy in patients with LSS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 122 patients who had lumbar spinous process splitting laminectomy (LSPSL) for LSS. We assessed clinical information; Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score; numerical rating scale (NRS) for low back pain, for leg pain, and for leg numbness; Zurich Claudication Questionnaire (ZCQ); JOA Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOABPEQ); Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ); and Short Form 8 (SF-8) as patient reported outcomes. Patients were divided into two groups (Group L ≤ 36.2 points and Group NL > 36.2 points) based on the results of the preoperative mental health (MH) score in SF-8 to examine the influence of MH in LSS. We compared the HRQOL between the two groups postoperatively. RESULTS: The JOA score, NRS, and ZCQ score significantly improved after surgery. HRQOL outcomes including JOABPEQ, RMDQ, and SF-8 showed that the LSPSL improved not only the physical but also the mental function in patients with LSS. All HRQOL outcomes in Group L exhibited significantly worse scores preoperatively; however, no significant differences between two groups were found postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: LSPSL greatly reduced low back pain, leg pain, and leg numbness. LSPSL resulted in a significant improvement based on HRQOL questionnaires even in patients with preoperative depressive mood. Not only the physical status but also the mental health may improve after LSPSL even in patients with LSS with a depressive mood preoperatively.

Luminescence properties of the mixed J-aggregate of oxacyanine dye and thiacyanine dye. Formation of a persistence-type aggregate.

The monolayer assemblies incorporating the J-aggregates of oxacyanine dye, N,N'-dioctadecyloxacyanine perchlorate (S9), and thiacyanine dye, N,N'-dioctadecylthiacyanine perchlorate (S11), S9(J) + S11(J), have been fabricated by the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique. The mole fraction X of S11, X = [S11]/([S9] + [S11]), was varied from 0 to 1. Steady-state absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra, and picosecond fluorescence decay curves of the monolayer assemblies have been measured. Spectroscopic properties of the monolayer assemblies incorporating the individual dye aggregates, S9 J-aggregate (S9(J), X = 0) or S11 J-aggregate (S11(J), X = 1), are characterized by a distinct J-band and resonance fluorescence at lambda(ab) = 403 nm and lambda(em) = 403 nm for S9(J) and lambda(ab) = 456 nm and lambda(em) = 463 nm for S11(J). On the other hand, absorption spectra of the S9(J) + S11(J) assemblies for X = 0.1-0.9 display two absorption bands, a shorter wavelength one and a longer wavelength one, whose peak positions are blue-shifted from those of the corresponding J-bands of the S9 J-aggregate and the S11 J-aggregate, respectively. Furthermore, fluorescence spectra are characterized by a single band (longer wavelength fluorescence) which is somewhat blue-shifted from the resonance fluorescence of the S11 J-aggregate. The fluorescence lifetimes of the S11 J-aggregate and isolated S11 molecules in LB films appear to be tau = 110 and 1900 ps, respectively, while the fluorescence lifetime of the longer wavelength fluorescence of the S9(J) + S11(J) assemblies takes practically a constant value of tau = 170-180 ps for X = 0.2-0.8. These observations would indicate that S9 and S11 molecules in the S9(J) + S11(J) assembly can form a specific mixed aggregate distinct from the individual S9 and S11 J-aggregates. From detailed considerations of the former works on luminescence properties of the S9 J-aggregate doped with isolated S11 molecules, as well as the mosaic-type mixed J-aggregate (M-aggregate) composed of a certain thiacyanine dye, 3,3'-disulfopropyl- 5,5'-dichlorothiacyanine sodium salt, and thiacarbocyanine dye, meso-substituted 3,3'-disulfopropyl-5,5'-dichlorothiacarbocyanine potassium salt, it is suggested that S9 and S11 can form a homogeneous aggregate of the persistence type (HP-aggregate). The HP-aggregate is distinguished from the M-aggregate because it is characterized by homogeneous mixing of two component dyes and persistence of two absorption bands.

Tuning of the spectroscopic properties of composite nanoparticles by the insertion of a spacer layer: effect of exciton-plasmon coupling.

Composite nanoparticles (NPs) having a double-shell structure, Au core, spacer layer (inner shell), and J-aggregate (JA) layer (outer shell) (Au/spacer/JA) have been synthesized. The spacer layer composed of N,N,N-trimethyl(11-mercaptoundecyl)ammonium chloride played an important role in promoting the J-aggregation of anionic cyanine dyes on the surface, as evidenced by the successful formation of the JA layers with four kinds of anionic cyanine dyes. It was found that the presence of a spacer layer causes a significant change in the line shape of the absorption spectrum, particularly near the J-band; there is the appearance of a peak type absorption for the composite NPs with the double-shell structure, while there is a dip type absorption for the ones without the spacer layer. The change from the peak type absorption to the dip type absorption in the Au/spacer/JA NPs occurs when the size of the Au core is varied from 5 to 15 nm. These observations would indicate that the strength of exciton-plasmon coupling between the Au core and the JA layer is enhanced with the increase in the core size or the decrease in the separation between the Au core and the JA shell. The photoluminescence arising from the JA can be detected for the composite NPs with the double-shell structure, showing that the quenching by the Au core is effectively suppressed by the spacer layer.