Physical therapeutic options for residual sacrotuberous ligament pain after treatment of sacroiliac joint dysfunction.

[Purpose] To evaluate the incidence of pain originating from the sacrotuberous ligament after sacroiliac joint treatment, and to determine effective physical therapeutic options for sacrotuberous ligament pain. [Participants and Methods] Among 303 patients with sacroiliac joint dysfunction, 57 patients (20 males, 37 females) with persistent lower-buttock pain after sacroiliac joint injections were included in the study. The incidence of sacrotuberous ligament pain and the physical findings from the first evaluation were investigated by physical therapists. [Results] Diagnostic sacrotuberous ligament injections identified lower-buttock pain originating from the sacrotuberous ligament in 57.9% of the patients (33 out of 57 patients) after treatment of sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Of these, 11 patients experienced relief after sacrotuberous ligament injection alone; the others required physical therapy. Sacrotuberous ligament relaxation alone was effective in eight patients; biceps femoris relaxation was required in eight patients; and gluteus maximus contraction exercise was required in six patients. [Conclusion] After sacroiliac joint treatment, the incidence of residual sacrotuberous ligament pain in the persisting lower-buttock pain was 57.9%. In addition to sacrotuberous ligament relaxation, biceps femoris relaxation was effective in patients who showed both higher differences in the straight leg raising test and biceps femoris tenderness, while gluteus maximus contraction exercises were effective in patients with gluteus maximus weakness.

Criteria for Identifying Technically Difficult Cases when Performing Sacroiliac Intraarticular Injections Based on the Grade of Sacroiliac Arthrogram.

OBJECTIVE: An intraarticular sacroiliac joint (SIJ) injection cannot always be performed successfully. Based on the patterns of the sacroiliac arthrogram, we explored possible indicators of technically difficult and technically easy injections into the SIJ including demographic features and anatomical features evident on preprocedural imaging. DESIGN: Observational study. METHODS: We evaluated 76 patients with painful SIJ (total 108 joints) diagnosed by SIJ injections. The sacroiliac arthrogram was graded as follows: Grade (G) 0 = the margin of the joint was partially outlined; G1 = the margin was completely outlined; G2 = intraarticular space was substantially outlined; and G3 = intraarticular space was fully outlined. Two multivariable ordered logistic regression analyses were performed to test the relationships between gender, age, and Grade, as well as between computed tomography (CT) findings and grade. RESULTS: In men, the totals by Grade were G0 = 8 (joints); G1 = 33; G2 = 3; and G3 = 0. In women, these were G0 = 4; G1 = 28; G2 = 22; and G3 = 10. The Grade was significantly higher in women and was also higher with age (P < 0.05). Regarding morphological features in CT, minor osteophytes increased the odds in favor of better Grades of arthrogram (odds ratio = 3.50). Substantial vacuum phenomena strongly increased the odds of better arthrograms (20.52). CONCLUSIONS: Outlining the SIJ cavity fully is significantly more difficult in male patients of any age than in aged female patients. The presence of minor osteophytes and substantial vacuum phenomena on preprocedure CT scans can be reasonably reassuring to the practitioner that they are unlikely to encounter difficulties during injection.

Characterizing standard genetic parts and establishing common principles for engineering legume and cereal roots.

Plant synthetic biology and cereal engineering depend on the controlled expression of transgenes of interest. Most engineering in plant species to date has relied heavily on the use of a few, well-established constitutive promoters to achieve high levels of expression; however, the levels of transgene expression can also be influenced by the use of codon optimization, intron-mediated enhancement and varying terminator sequences. Most of these alternative approaches for regulating transgene expression have only been tested in small-scale experiments, typically testing a single gene of interest. It is therefore difficult to interpret the relative importance of these approaches and to design engineering strategies that are likely to succeed in different plant species, particularly if engineering multigenic traits where the expression of each transgene needs to be precisely regulated. Here, we present data on the characterization of 46 promoters and 10 terminators in Medicago truncatula, Lotus japonicus, Nicotiana benthamiana and Hordeum vulgare, as well as the effects of codon optimization and intron-mediated enhancement on the expression of two transgenes in H. vulgare. We have identified a core set of promoters and terminators of relevance to researchers engineering novel traits in plant roots. In addition, we have shown that combining codon optimization and intron-mediated enhancement increases transgene expression and protein levels in barley. Based on our study, we recommend a core set of promoters and terminators for broad use and also propose a general set of principles and guidelines for those engineering cereal species.

The association between sacroiliac joint-related pain following lumbar spine surgery and spinopelvic parameters: a prospective multicenter study.

PURPOSE: To prospectively calculate the incidence of postoperative sacroiliac joint-related pain (SIJP) and investigate the association between spinopelvic parameters and postoperative SIJP after lumbar spine surgery. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients who underwent lumbar spine surgery. We defined postoperative SIJP as unilateral buttock pain according to fulfillment of the following criteria within 3 months of the surgery: a sacroiliac joint (SIJ) score higher than 4/9 postoperatively; positive response to analgesic periarticular SIJ injection with fluoroscopy; no other complications related to the surgery. The patients were divided into the SIJP group and non-SIJP group. We compared the background information and analyzed the differences in spinopelvic parameters in both groups. Additionally, receiver-operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to evaluate the cutoff values of spinopelvic parameters. RESULTS: Of the 281 patients enrolled, 265 were included and eight developed postoperative SIJP (3.0%). There were no significant differences in the background information between groups. Preoperative and postoperative radiological evaluations revealed that the pelvic incidence (PI) in the SIJP group was significantly higher than that in the non-SIJP group, and there were no significant differences in lumbar lordosis (LL), pelvic tilt, sacral slope, and PI minus LL. For preoperative PI, the area under the curve, cutoff value, sensitivity, and specificity were 0.73739, 59, 62.5%, and 81.9%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of postoperative SIJP after lumbar spine surgery was 3.0%. Higher PI values were associated with a higher risk of postoperative SIJP. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.

Fluoroscopy-Guided Sacroiliac Intraarticular Injection via the Middle Portion of the Joint.

OBJECTIVE: Sacroiliac intraarticular injection is necessary to confirm sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain and is usually performed via the caudal one-third portion of the joint. However, this is occasionally impossible for anatomical reasons, and the success rate is low in clinical settings. We describe a technique via the middle portion of the joint. DESIGN: Observational study. SUBJECTS: Enrolled were 69 consecutive patients (27 men and 42 women, with an average age of 53 years) in whom the middle portion of 100 joints was targeted. METHOD: With the patient lying prone-oblique with the painful side down, a spinal needle was inserted into the middle portion of the joint. Subsequently, the fluoroscopy tube was angled at a caudal tilt of 25-30° to clearly detect the recess between the ilium and sacrum and the needle depth and direction. When the needle reached the posterior joint line, 2% lidocaine was injected after the contrast medium outlined the joint. RESULTS: The success rate of the injection method was 80% (80/100). Among 80 successful cases, four were previously unsuccessful when the conventional method was used. Intraarticular injection using the new technique was unsuccessful in 20 joints; in three of these cases, the conventional method proved successful, and no techniques were successful in the other 17 cases. CONCLUSION: The injection technique via the middle portion of the joint can overcome some of the difficulties of the conventional injection method and can improve the chances of successful intraarticular injection.

A Diagnostic Scoring System for Sacroiliac Joint Pain Originating from the Posterior Ligament.

Objective: Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) pain originating from the posterior ligament manifests in not only the buttocks but also the groin and lower extremities and thus may be difficult to discern from pain secondary to other lumbar disorders. We aimed to develop a simple clinical diagnostic tool to help physicians distinguish between patients with SIJ pain originating from the posterior ligament and those with lumbar disc herniation (LDH) or lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSS). Design: Prospective case-control study. Patients and Methods: We evaluated 62 patients with SIJ pain originating from the posterior ligament and 59 patients with LDH and LSS. Pain areas, pain increasing positions, provocation test, and tenderness points were investigated. A scoring system based on multivariate logistic regression equations using the investigated items was developed. Results: Two pain areas (the posterosuperior iliac spine (PSIS) detected by the one-finger test and groin), pain while sitting on a chair, provocation test, and two tenderness points (PSIS and the sacrotuberous ligament) had high odds ratios (range, 25.87­1.40) and were used as factors in the scoring system. An integer score derived from the regression coefficient and clinical experience was assigned to each identified risk factor. The sum of the risk score for each patient ranged from 0­9. This scoring system had a sensitivity of 90.3% and a specificity of 86.4% for a positivity cutoff point of 4. Conclusion: The scoring system can help distinguish between patients with SIJ pain originating from the posterior ligament and those with LDH and LSS.

Hemoglobin LjGlb1-1 is involved in nodulation and regulates the level of nitric oxide in the Lotus japonicus-Mesorhizobium loti symbiosis.

Leghemoglobins transport and deliver O2 to the symbiosomes inside legume nodules and are essential for nitrogen fixation. However, the roles of other hemoglobins (Hbs) in the rhizobia-legume symbiosis are unclear. Several Lotus japonicus mutants affecting LjGlb1-1, a non-symbiotic class 1 Hb, have been used to study the function of this protein in symbiosis. Two TILLING alleles with single amino acid substitutions (A102V and E127K) and a LORE1 null allele with a retrotransposon insertion in the 5'-untranslated region (96642) were selected for phenotyping nodulation. Plants of all three mutant lines showed a decrease in long infection threads and nodules, and an increase in incipient infection threads. About 4h after inoculation, the roots of mutant plants exhibited a greater transient accumulation of nitric oxide (NO) than did the wild-type roots; nevertheless, in vitro NO dioxygenase activities of the wild-type, A102V, and E127K proteins were similar, suggesting that the mutated proteins are not fully functional in vivo The expression of LjGlb1-1, but not of the other class 1 Hb of L. japonicus (LjGlb1-2), was affected during infection of wild-type roots, further supporting a specific role for LjGlb1-1. In conclusion, the LjGlb1-1 mutants reveal that this protein is required during rhizobial infection and regulates NO levels.

Increasing Incidence of Degenerative Spinal Diseases in Japan during 25 Years: The Registration System of Spinal Surgery in Tohoku University Spine Society.

Spinal disorders affect mainly older people and cause pain, paralysis and/or deformities of the trunk and/or extremities, which could eventually disturb locomotive functions. For ensuring safe and high-quality treatment of spinal disorders, in 1987, the Tohoku University Spine Society (TUSS) was established by orthopedic departments in Tohoku University School of Medicine and its affiliated hospitals in and around Miyagi Prefecture. All spine surgeries have been enrolled in the TUSS Spine Registry since 1988. Using the data from this registration system between 1988 and 2012, we demonstrate here the longitudinal changes in surgical trends for spinal disorders in Japan that has rushed into the most advanced "aging society" in the world. In total, data on 56,744 surgeries were retrieved. The number of spinal surgeries has annually increased approximately 4-fold. There was a particular increase among patients aged ≥ 70 years and those aged ≥ 80 years, with a 20- to 90-fold increase. Nearly 90% of the spinal operations were performed for degenerative disorders, with their number increasing approximately 5-fold from 705 to 3,448. The most common disease for surgery was lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) (35.9%), followed by lumbar disc herniation (27.7%) and cervical myelopathy (19.8%). In 2012, approximately half of the patients with LSS and cervical myelopathy were ≥ 70 years of age. In conclusion, the number of spinal operations markedly increased during the 25-year period, particularly among older patients. As Japan has a notably aged population, the present study could provide a near-future model for countries with aging population.

Referred pain location depends on the affected section of the sacroiliac joint.

PURPOSE: Pain referred from the sacroiliac joint (SIJ) may originate in the joint's posterior ligamentous region. The site of referred pain may depend on which SIJ section is affected. This study aimed to determine the exact origin of pain referred from four SIJ sections. METHODS: The study included 50 patients with SIJ dysfunction, confirmed by more than 70 % pain relief after periarticular injection of local anesthetic into the SIJ. The posterior SIJ was divided into four sections-upper, middle, lower, and other (cranial portion of the ilium outside the SIJ)-designated sections 1, 2, 3, and 0, respectively. We then inserted a needle into the periarticular SIJ under fluoroscopy. After the patient identified the area(s) in which the needle insertion produced referred pain, we injected a mixture of 2 % lidocaine and contrast medium into the corresponding SIJ section. RESULTS: Referred pain from SIJ section 0 was mainly located in the upper buttock along the iliac crest; pain from section 1, around the posterosuperior iliac spine; pain from section 2, in the middle buttock area; pain from section 3, in the lower buttock. In all, 22 (44.0 %) patients complained of groin pain, which was slightly relieved by lidocaine injection into SIJ sections 1 and 0. CONCLUSIONS: Dysfunctional upper sections of the SIJ are associated with pain in the upper buttock and lower sections with pain in the lower buttock. Groin pain might be referred from the upper SIJ sections.

Clinical Features Requiring Sacroiliac Joint Arthrodesis in Patients with Sacroiliac Joint Pain.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to reveal the clinical features requiring sacroiliac joint (SIJ) arthrodesis, which was performed for patients who complain of severe SIJ pain. METHODS: The differences in clinical features between a surgical treatment group (n=20) and a conservative treatment group (n=66) were investigated. All patients were definitively diagnosed with SIJ pain by the use of SIJ injections. RESULTS: Six significant features were identified in the surgical treatment group, namely, sitting tolerance (<15 minutes), walking with a cane, pain in the supine position, pain while lying on the painful side, numbness in the lower limbs, and any accident that induced SIJ pain (P<0.01). Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that sitting tolerance <15 minutes (odds ratio : 31.73), pain in the supine position (13.07), and pain while lying on the painful side (18.30) showed a high odds ratio. CONCLUSIONS: Sitting tolerance (<15 minutes), walking with a cane, pain in the supine position, pain while lying on the painful side, numbness in the lower limbs, and a history of any accident that induced SIJ pain may be considered as indicators for surgery after >?6 months of continued substantial conservative treatment. J. Med. Invest. 70 : 123-128, February, 2023.

Reactive Sulfur Species Produced by Cystathionine γ-lyase Function in the Establishment of Mesorhizobium loti-Lotus japonicus Symbiosis.

Reactive sulfur species (RSS) are present in root nodules; however, their role in symbiosis and the mechanisms underlying their production remain unclear. We herein investigated whether RSS produced by the cystathionine γ-lyase (CSE) of microsymbionts are involved in root nodule symbiosis. A cse mutant of Mesorhizobium loti exhibited the decreased production of hydrogen sulfide and other RSS. Although the CSE mutation of M. loti did not affect the early stages of symbiosis, i.e., infection and nodulation, with Lotus japonicus, it reduced the nitrogenase activity of nodules and induced their early senescence. Additionally, changes in the production of sulfur compounds and an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) were observed in the infected cells of nodules induced by the cse mutants. The effects of CSE inhibitors in the L. japonicus rhizosphere on symbiosis with M. loti were also investigated. All three CSE inhibitors suppressed infection and nodulation by M. loti concomitant with decreased RSS levels and increased ROS and nitric oxide levels. Therefore, RSS derived from the CSE activity of both the microsymbiont and host plant are required for symbiosis, but function at different stages of symbiosis, possibly with crosstalk with other reactive mole-cular species.

Three-Year Clinical Outcomes after Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Arthrodesis Using Triangular Implants in Japan: A Pilot Study of Five Cases.

INTRODUCTION: Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) arthrodesis using a minimally invasive technique, particularly the triangular implant system, is performed in patients with SIJ dysfunction in the United States and Europe. We report three-year clinical outcomes of the first minimally invasive SIJ arthrodesis procedures using the implants performed in Japan. METHODS: Five patients (one man and four women; age: 56.4±16.9 years) with SIJ pain who underwent SIJ arthrodesis using a triangular implant system in 2017 were included. In addition to operation time and blood loss, pain intensity (visual analog scale [VAS]) and functional impairment (Oswestry disability index [ODI]) were assessed preoperatively and at a 36-month follow-up. Implant loosening and osseous bridging across the joint were evaluated using computed tomography images, and patients' satisfaction with the surgery was also assessed at 12 and 36 months. RESULTS: The surgical time was 67.7±13.1 minutes, and blood loss was 7.4±6.9 mL. The mean VAS value improved significantly from 88.0±8.4 mm to 33.6±31.9 mm at 3 months and was maintained at 46.4±30.9 mm at 36 months (P<0.05). The mean ODI improved significantly from 76.4%±3.8% to 46.2%±21.9% at 6 months postoperatively (P<0.05) but had no significant improvements thereafter: 46.94±23.7% (12 months) and 66.4±8.6% (36 months). Three of five patients presented with at least one implant loosening on the sacrum side. No patient had osseous bridging across the joint. A total of 80% (4/5) of patients reported satisfaction with the surgery at 12 months and 60% (3/5) at 36 months. CONCLUSIONS: The mean VAS value and ODI significantly improved until 6 months after the surgery. However, the mean ODI was reaggravated at 36 months after the surgery. Osseous bridging across the joint was not observed in all patients. We should carefully keep an eye on further long-term results to evaluate the implant.

Sacrotuberous Ligament Pain in Patients who Underwent Sacroiliac Joint Arthrodesis: Incidence and Management of Post-Surgical Lower-Buttock Pain.

Introduction: Most sacroiliac joint (SIJ) disorders are conservatively treated; however, patients with severe pain occasionally require SIJ arthrodesis after failure of continuous conservative management for more than 6 months. We investigated the incidences of preoperative tenderness in the sacrotuberous ligament (STL) and postoperative lower-buttock pain originating from the STL to determine the best way to manage these symptoms to achieve good outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively investigated 33 patients (14 men and 19 women) with a mean age of 47.7 years (range: 25-79 years) who underwent SIJ arthrodesis for severe pain confirmed using diagnostic SIJ injections between April 2009 and December 2019. We investigated the pain improvement at or around the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS) pre- and postoperatively using the visual analogue scale (VAS) values, incidence of tenderness of the STL before surgery, rate of the persisting STL tenderness, incidence of new-onset STL pain, and treatment options for STL pain postoperatively. Results: The mean VAS value at or around the PSIS was significantly relieved postoperatively from 85.6 to 31.5 mm (P<0.001). Preoperative tenderness of the STL was identified in 21 of 33 patients (63.6%). The STL tenderness resolved after surgery in 12 of these 21 patients (57.1%); however, it persisted in nine patients (42.9%), all of whom were women. Of the 12 patients who did not have preoperative STL tenderness, 4 (33.3%) developed lower-buttock pain and had STL tenderness. In total, 9 (27.3%) of the 33 patients whose progress could be followed up after SIJ arthrodesis had pain originating from the STL; the STL pain in 8 of the 9 patients was relieved after the STL injections and physical therapy. Conclusions: The STL pain can occur pre- and postoperatively, and management of both persisting and new-onset STL pain after SIJ arthrodesis should be considered to achieve better outcomes.

The psoas major muscle is essential for bipedal walking - An analysis using a novel upright bipedal-walking android model.

BACKGROUND: Bipedalism is a unique function in humans. Various investigations in bipedal walking have assessed the kinetic chain from the pelvis to the lower limbs. However, few studies have investigated the functions of the upper body including the psoas major muscles. In the present study, a bipedal-walking human full-body skeletal model, "the bipedal android model", was generated by attaching air cylinder devices to simulate the contraction and relaxation of various muscles required for bipedal walking, including the psoas major muscles. The bipedal-walking principle was discussed using the model. METHODS: Every part of a human full-body skeletal model was connected by wires or cables to retain the mobility of each joint. Then the psoas major (PM), gluteus minimus (GM), long head of biceps femoris (BF), quadriceps femoris (QF), and semimembranosus (SM) muscles were simulated in the skeletal model using air cylinders. The gait pattern was observed by synchronizing the contraction of PM, GM, QF and SM, and relaxation of BF of the ipsilateral side together with the reversed patterns in the contralateral side, and then switching the phase by every step. The gait pattern in dysfunction of PM or GM muscles was also observed by disconnecting the corresponding air cylinders. RESULTS: The synchronized contraction of PM, GM, QF and SM generates the force to tilt the upper body to ipsilateral side, followed by elevation of the lower limb together with the forward rotation of the pelvis in the contralateral side to swing the leg forward. The next step was generated by reversing the contraction phase at the landing of the swung leg. The dysfunction of PM muscle disabled effective gait in the model, while GM did not. SIGNIFICANCE: The bipedal android model indicated that the psoas major muscles play a crucial role in bipedal walking in human.

Factors Associated with Thickening of the Ligamentum Flavum on Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients with Lumbar Spinal Canal Stenosis.

STUDY DESIGN: Experimental study of the ligamentum flavum (LF) thickness among patients with lumbar spinal canal stenosis (LSCS). OBJECTIVES: To elucidate the factors associated with thickening of the LF on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Thickening of the LF is a major contributor to LSCS. This thickening is attributed to tissue hypertrophy or buckling of the ligament, and there may be several associated factors on MRI; however, these factors remain unclear. METHODS: We studied the LF in 56 patients (a total of 106 ligaments) with LSCS, who underwent decompressive surgery; among them, 23 were receiving haemodialysis. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to assess relationships between the thickness of the LF on MRI and the thickness of the LF tissue, age, disc height, disc degeneration, and disc level. Patients were also categorised into 2 groups based on whether they were undergoing haemodialysis, and the relationships were assessed similarly. RESULTS: Among patients with LSCS, the thickness of the LF on MRI showed a significant positive linear relationship with the thickness of the LF tissue, and no association with disc height. Except for in those receiving haemodialysis, the thickness of the LF on MRI showed a significant positive relationship with age, disc degeneration, and disc level among patients with LSCS. CONCLUSION: In patients with LSCS, thickening of the LF on MRI appears to represent tissue hypertrophy. The association between the thickness of the LF on MRI and age, disc degeneration, and disc level may indicate simultaneous alterations of spine components along with aging that was cancelled by the effects of haemodialysis.

Nitric oxide production induced in roots of Lotus japonicus by lipopolysaccharide from Mesorhizobium loti.

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a bacterial molecule that induces nitric oxide (NO) production and triggers defense systems in plant-pathogen interactions. NO production is induced in the roots of Lotus japonicus after inoculation of the roots with its microsymbiont Mesorhizobium loti. However, the rhizobial molecule that induces NO production has not yet been identified. We investigated NO production in the roots of L. japonicus by treatment with LPS of M. loti. LPS was prepared by phenol-hot water extraction and separated into several fractions: polysaccharide, lipooligosaccharide, oligosaccharide and lipid A. In the roots of L. japonicus, NO production was observed with an NO-specific fluorescent dye 4, 10 and 24 h after treatment with each fraction of LPS. NO production was detected 4 h after treatment with all fractions. NO production was also detectable 24 h after treatment, except after treatment with the polysaccharide and oligosaccharide fractions. Expression of a class 1 hemoglobin gene and application of an NO scavenger showed that the treatment with LPS and LOS induced a similar response to inoculation with M. loti. These data suggest that LPS of M. loti induces NO production after inoculation with M. loti.

Surgical Outcomes of Patients with Sacroiliac Joint Pain: An Analysis of Patients with Poor Results Regarding Activities of Daily Living.

INTRODUCTION: Sacroiliac joint (SIJ) arthrodesis is the last resort for patients with severe SIJ pain. However, this technique does not always provide good outcomes regarding activities of daily living (ADL). This study aims to reveal the preoperative clinical features associated with poor outcomes of SIJ arthrodesis. METHODS: Twenty-six consecutive patients who underwent SIJ arthrodesis between 2009 and 2018 were evaluated. Good-outcome was defined as ≥30% improvement in ADL, quantified by the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ). The good-outcome group (17 patients; 10 men and 7 women, 42.5±8.4 years old) and the poor-outcome group (9 patients; 1 man and 8 women, 47.0±17.9 years old) were compared to identify the preoperative clinical features of poor surgical outcomes. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between the two groups regarding age, preoperative RDQ score, time between onset and the confirmed diagnosis of SIJ pain, and the time between diagnosis and surgical treatment. The following preoperative clinical features associated with poor surgical outcomes were identified: female sex, pain in multiple regions, walking with a cane, and the use of a wheelchair before surgery (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated that poor postoperative outcomes in patients with severe SIJ pain were associated with the following preoperative clinical features: female sex, pain in multiple regions, walking with a cane, or use of a wheelchair. Ample attention is warranted in patients with such features who are indicated for surgical treatments.

Quantitative evaluation of the sacroiliac joint fixation in stress reduction on both sacroiliac joint cartilage and ligaments: A finite element analysis.

BACKGROUND: The sacroiliac joint fixation is the last resort for patients with prolonged and severe joint pain. Although the clinical results of anterior fixations are conclusive, there exist several inevitable drawbacks with the surgical method such as the difficulty performing the surgery due to the presence of many organs. The posterior fixation technique has thus been developed to overcome those inconveniences. This study aims to assess in silico the mechanical environment following posterior and anterior fixations, focusing on stresses in both the sacroiliac cartilage and dorsal ligamentous part, as well as loads experienced by the pelvic ligaments. METHODS: Sacroiliac joint cartilage, dorsal ligamentous part stresses and pelvic ligaments loads were evaluated with three types of fixation models. A vertical load of 600 N was applied, equally distributed via both acetabula when standing and sitting. FINDINGS: Results show that the anterior sacroiliac joint fixation reduced von Mises stresses in the cartilage and dorsal ligamentous part and decreased ligaments loads more extensively than the posterior fixation when compared to the untreated model as a reference. However, the posterior fixation still remains the desirable and preferential treatment. INTERPRETATION: The anterior sacroiliac joint fixation showed better performances compared to the posterior one; however, the lower invasive aspect of the latter is a fundamental clinical advantage which also has the possibility to be improved by considering various screws and cages configurations. This study provides a beneficial suggestion to improve the current fixation technique.

Effects of a calcium-channel blocker (CV159) on hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats: evaluation with selective NO/pO2 electrodes and an electron paramagnetic resonance spin-trapping method.

Nitric oxide (NO) and the partial pressure of oxygen (pO(2)) in the liver were simultaneously quantified in rats with partial hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury (PHIRI). Real-time NO/pO(2) monitoring and immunohistochemical analysis for superoxide dismutase and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and endothelial NOS (eNOS) were performed to evaluate the protective effects of a dihydropyridine-type calcium-channel blocker--CV159--on PHIRI. Serum high-mobility-group box-1 (HMGB-1) was measured to assess cellular necrosis. Moreover, we used in vitro/ex vivo electron paramagnetic resonance spin trapping to assess the hydroxyl radical (*OH)-scavenging activity (OHSA) of CV159 and the liver tissue. The NO levels were significantly higher in CV159-treated rats than in control rats throughout the ischemic phase. Immediately after reperfusion, the levels temporarily increased in waves and then gradually decreased in the treated rats but remained constant in the control rats. pO(2) was continually higher in the treated rats. In these rats, hepatic eNOS expression increased, whereas iNOS expression decreased. The treated rats exhibited significantly higher cytosolic and mitochondrial concentrations NOx (NO(2)+NO(3)). The serum HMGB-1 levels significantly decreased in the treated rats. Moreover, CV159 directly scavenged *OH and both mitochondrial and cytosolic OHSA were preserved in the treated rats. Thus, CV159-mediated inhibition of intracellular Ca(2+) overloading may effectively minimize organ damage and also have *OH-scavenging activity and the cytoprotective effects of eNOS-derived NO.

Reactive Sulfur Species Interact with Other Signal Molecules in Root Nodule Symbiosis in Lotus japonicus.

Reactive sulfur species (RSS) function as strong antioxidants and are involved in various biological responses in animals and bacteria. Few studies; however, have examined RSS in plants. In the present study, we clarified that RSS are involved in root nodule symbiosis in the model legume Lotus japonicus. Polysulfides, a type of RSS, were detected in the roots by using a sulfane sulfur-specific fluorescent probe, SSP4. Supplying the sulfane sulfur donor Na2S3 to the roots increased the amounts of both polysulfides and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the roots and simultaneously decreased the amounts of nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS). RSS were also detected in infection threads in the root hairs and in infected cells of nodules. Supplying the sulfane sulfur donor significantly increased the numbers of infection threads and nodules. When nodules were immersed in the sulfane sulfur donor, their nitrogenase activity was significantly reduced, without significant changes in the amounts of NO, ROS, and H2S. These results suggest that polysulfides interact with signal molecules such as NO, ROS, and H2S in root nodule symbiosis in L. japonicus. SSP4 and Na2S3 are useful tools for study of RSS in plants.