Spine
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Prospective cohort study. ⋯ Minimally invasive TLIF as a management of 1-level degenerative lumbar diseases is superior to the traditional open procedure in terms of postoperative back pain, total blood loss, need for transfusion, time to ambulation, length of hospital stay, soft-tissue injury, and functional recovery. However, this procedure takes longer operative duration and requires close attention to the risk of technical complications. Longer-term studies involving a larger sample are needed to validate the long-term efficacy of minimally TLIF.
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Prospective cohort study. ⋯ We found that 27% patients with lumbar spinal compression disorders had lower urinary tract symptoms; the anteroposterior diameter of dural sac measured on axial MRI is correlated with the lower urinary tract symptoms. After the decompressive surgery, the most sensitive indicator of bladder dysfunction was subjective symptoms and postvoid residual voiding volume.
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In this study, normal intervertebral disc (IVD) tissues and degenerative human IVD tissues were compared for presence of fibronectin (FN) mRNA splice variants and for FN fragments (FN-f). ⋯ The data indicate that higher levels of EDB isoform and FN-f are associated with IVD degeneration. This shift in alternative splicing may reflect an attempt of tissue repair and remodeling. Novel information gathered in this study will lead to a better understanding of pathologic processes associated with disc malfunction and degeneration.
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Before and after intervention trials. ⋯ Altogether, our results suggest that subjects were able to take advantage of vision and increased neck cutaneous information provided by the by strips of adhesive bandage applied to the neck to improve postural control during unperturbed stance and cervical joint position sense.
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A structured questionnaire. ⋯ PEEK rods possess radiolucent properties that can alter patient perceptions of clinical outcomes when compared with images of other equally unfavorable scenarios. The significance of these patient perceptions must still be demonstrated. However, they may play an important role in clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.