Axial Symptoms and Spinal-pelvic Parameters After Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis.

Context: Degenerative spondylolisthesis (DS) is a prevalent degenerative condition affecting the lumbar spine. Local spinal parameters play a pivotal role in surgical complications and in the QoL that adults with spinal deformities experience. Treatment can effectively alleviate radicular symptoms, but it doesn't significantly mitigate postoperative axial symptoms (AS). Objective: The study intended to investigate the correlation between postoperative axial symptoms (AS) and spinal-pelvic parameters for patients with DS of the lumbar spine. Design: The research team conducted a prospective cohort study. Setting: The study took place at the Huai'an Hospital of Huai'an City in the Huai'an District of Huai'an City in JiangSu Province, China. Participants: Participants were 120 patients with DS who had been admitted to the department of orthopedics at the hospital between January 2016 and December 2022 and 120 healthy volunteers during the same period. Intervention: The research team created two groups, each with 120 participants: (1) the intervention group with DS who received posterior laminar decompression + pedicle-screw internal fixation + intervertebral-space bone grafting and fusion, and (2) the control group, the healthy volunteers. Outcome Measures: The research team: (1) measured both group's spinal-pelvic parameters at baseline and at 6 months postintervention, (2) evaluated both group's motor functions at baseline and at 6 months postintervention, using the Japanese Orthopedic Association (OAS) scale and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), (3) examined the intervention group's postoperative AS, and (4) analyzed the correlation between the intervention group's spinal-pelvic parameters and its postoperative AS and motor function. Results: At 6 months postintervention, the intervention group's spinal-pelvic parameters-lumbar lordosis (LL) and sacral slope (SS) were significantly lower-and-pelvic incidence (PI), pelvic tilt (PT), thoracic kyphosis (TK), segmental lumbar lordosis (SLL), and sagittal vertical axis (SVA) were significantly higher than those of the control group (all P = .000). The intervention group's JOA and ODI scores were significantly lower than those of the control group postintervention (both P = .000). Postintervention compared to the non-AS group, the AS group's LL (P = .000), PI (P = .000), and SS (P = .020) were significantly lower and PT (P = .002), TK (P = .000), SLL (P = .002), and SVA (P = .000) were significantly higher. Postoperative AS was negatively correlated with LL, PI, SS, and positively correlated with PT, TK, SLL, and SVA (all P = .000). The JOA and ODI scores were positively correlated with LL, PI, and SS, and negatively correlated with PT, TK, SLL, and SVA (all P = .000). Conclusions: Postoperative AS in patients with DS is significantly correlated with spinal-pelvic parameters, providing convincing evidence for the evaluation of postoperative dysfunction. However, generalizing to other patients is limited due to the small sample size, which might have resulted in bias in spinal-pelvic parameters. Hence, ongoing trials with large samples are warranted.

The deubiquitinase USP6 affects memory and synaptic plasticity through modulating NMDA receptor stability.

Ubiquitin-specific protease (USP) 6 is a hominoid deubiquitinating enzyme previously implicated in intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. Although these findings link USP6 to higher brain function, potential roles for USP6 in cognition have not been investigated. Here, we report that USP6 is highly expressed in induced human neurons and that neuron-specific expression of USP6 enhances learning and memory in a transgenic mouse model. Similarly, USP6 expression regulates N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptor (NMDAR)-dependent long-term potentiation and long-term depression in USP6 transgenic mouse hippocampi. Proteomic characterization of transgenic USP6 mouse cortex reveals attenuated NMDAR ubiquitination, with concomitant elevation in NMDAR expression, stability, and cell surface distribution with USP6 overexpression. USP6 positively modulates GluN1 expression in transfected cells, and USP6 down-regulation impedes focal GluN1 distribution at postsynaptic densities and impairs synaptic function in neurons derived from human embryonic stem cells. Together, these results indicate that USP6 enhances NMDAR stability to promote synaptic function and cognition.

The Role of Retinoic Acid in Spermatogenesis and Its Application in Male Reproduction.

Spermatogenesis in mammalian testes is essential for male fertility, ensuring a continuous supply of mature sperm. The testicular microenvironment finely tunes this process, with retinoic acid, an active metabolite of vitamin A, serving a pivotal role. Retinoic acid is critical for various stages, including the differentiation of spermatogonia, meiosis in spermatogenic cells, and the production of mature spermatozoa. Vitamin A deficiency halts spermatogenesis, leading to the degeneration of numerous germ cells, a condition reversible with retinoic acid supplementation. Although retinoic acid can restore fertility in some males with reproductive disorders, it does not work universally. Furthermore, high doses may adversely affect reproduction. The inconsistent outcomes of retinoid treatments in addressing infertility are linked to the incomplete understanding of the molecular mechanisms through which retinoid signaling governs spermatogenesis. In addition to the treatment of male reproductive disorders, the role of retinoic acid in spermatogenesis also provides new ideas for the development of male non-hormone contraceptives. This paper will explore three facets: the synthesis and breakdown of retinoic acid in the testes, its role in spermatogenesis, and its application in male reproduction. Our discussion aims to provide a comprehensive reference for studying the regulatory effects of retinoic acid signaling on spermatogenesis and offer insights into its use in treating male reproductive issues.

Triple-Endobutton and clavicular hook: A propensity score matching analysis.

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 635 patients with acute acromioclavicular dislocation, who underwent surgery in our hospital between May 2014 and June 2020. Patients were divided into group A (clavicular hook plate) and group B (Triple-Endobutton plates via double-incision). The propensity score analysis using one to one match was performed for comparisons. We obtained 292 matched patients' data. The matched preoperative clinical characteristics were a balance between the two groups. All clinical parameters showed insignificant differences (P > 0.05). Compared with group A, group B has longer operative time (P < 0.001) and more blood loss (P < 0.001); however, the mean incision length (P < 0.001) and length of hospitalization (P < 0.001) were shorter in group B than in the group A. The mean VAS in group B were significantly lower than in group A at each time point (P < 0.001), and the UCLA shoulder score was higher in the group B. The CMS scores were also higher in group B than in group A, including before removal and 12 weeks after removal (P < 0.001). The clinical efficacy of the double-incision Triple-Endobutton plate is better than the clavicular hook plate technology, and achieves anatomical reduction by reconstructing coracoclavicular ligament.

The role of Mg value and moisture content of decomposed products during the decomposition process of carnallite in aqueous solution: a novel monitoring method.

The amount of water is the crucial factor for the decomposition of carnallite in aqueous solution. A novel method for monitoring the decomposition process of carnallite in aqueous solution based on the Mg value and moisture content of the decomposed products was investigated in this study. Based on the principle of mass conservation of MgCl2 during the decomposition of carnallite in aqueous solution, a functional model of Mg value in decomposed products was established. The functional model of moisture content in decomposed products was obtained by the water equilibrium condition of the reaction system. The experiments were performed by dissolving carnallite in aqueous solution under different water conditions, and the Mg value and moisture content were determined for the decomposed products. The results showed that: (1) the Mg value and moisture content of the decomposed products have a nonlinear variation when the amount of water used to dissolve carnallite is not suitable, and (2) an excess amount of water used to dissolve carnallite would lead to a linear change in the Mg value and moisture content of the decomposed products. It was found that the intersection of these two changes is the appropriate location for the decomposition of carnallite in aqueous solution. The Mg value and moisture content of the decomposed products are thus presented as a novel monitoring method for these applications within the potash processing industry.