Orihara Industrial (Japan)

Multicenter retrospective cohort study. To evaluate the impact of abscess presence and type on treatment duration and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing minimally invasive posterior fixation for thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis. Surgical management is increasingly favored for pyogenic spondylitis. Abscesses, particularly epidural and iliopsoas, have been linked to poorer prognoses, and empyema, though uncommon, tends to be particularly severe. However, the effect of specific abscess types on surgical outcomes remains unclear. This study included 92 patients who underwent minimally invasive posterior fixation across 10 centers between 2014 and 2024. Patients were classified into an abscess group (epidural, iliopsoas, empyema, or other) and a non-abscess group. Clinical outcomes, including total duration of intravenous antibiotics and unplanned additional surgeries, were compared. Subgroup and regression analyses were conducted to assess the impact of specific abscess type. Abscesses were present in 65 patients (71%): epidural (n=51), iliopsoas (n=38), and empyema (n=3), with some overlap. Compared with the non-abscess group (n=27; 29%), there were no significant differences in antibiotic duration or rates of unplanned additional surgery. However, iliopsoas abscess was associated with longer antibiotic duration (8.1 weeks vs. 6.6 weeks, p =0.044), while all empyema cases required additional surgery for poor infection control (p =0.000). Regression analysis identified iliopsoas abscess and age ≥65 years as independent predictors of prolonged antibiotic use, whereas epidural abscess was associated with shorter antibiotic duration. Iliopsoas abscesses were associated with longer antibiotic courses, while empyema was linked to poor infection control and a higher likelihood of additional surgery.

BackgroundLateral lumbar interbody fusion (LLIF) via a retroperitoneum approach has gained popularity due to minimal invasiveness, which avoids resection of the spinous process and laminae. However, as challenges in grafting autogenous bone persist, artificial bone has been tested in Japan to fill the spinal cage. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) contains growth factors and anti-inflammatory cytokines to promote cellular proliferation and repair damaged tissues. While the effects of PRP on tendon and ligament repair are widely known, any effects on bone healing are scarcely reported. However, PRP-loaded artificial bone carries potential to improve intervertebral bone fusion.ObjectiveThis study assessed whether PRP enhances intervertebral bone fusion in LLIF surgery using β-tricalcium phosphate artificial bone.MethodsThe current study was a prospective, randomized, controlled trial. We evaluated 13 consecutive patients undergoing LLIF surgery in our hospital. Patients received artificial bone impregnated with PRP or without PRP within the same fusion cage. The primary outcome was the intervertebral bone fusion rate at 6 and 12 months postoperatively, evaluated using CT imaging. The intervertebral bone fusion rates with and without PRP loading and with and without contact part between the endplate and the artificial bone were compared. Secondary outcomes included clinical evaluations using visual analog scale scores for low back pain, buttock-leg pain, and leg numbness from the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Back Pain Evaluation Questionnaire (JOA-BPEQ) and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), plus adverse events information.ResultsOf the 13 patients (29 vertebral segments) included, bone fusion was observed in 43.4% of the PRP group and 26.1% of the non-PRP group at 6 months (p = 0.216). At 12 months, fusion rates were 60.9% with PRP and 34.8% without PRP (p = 0.074). The fusion rate was significantly higher in cases with good contact between the vertebral endplate and the artificial bone (p = 0.0004). Clinical scores improved postoperatively. Adverse events were in accordance with expectations from LLIF surgery and no PRP-specific events occurred.ConclusionPRP did not significantly improve intervertebral bone fusion rates in LLIF surgeries, particularly in cases with poor contact between the vertebral endplate and artificial bone. While PRP may have a limited role in enhancing bone fusion, maintaining good contact between the vertebral endplate and artificial bone is crucial for successful outcomes. Further research is needed to explore optimal uses of PRP in spinal fusion surgeries.

BackgroundMinimally invasive posterior fixation surgery for pyogenic spondylitis is known to reduce invasiveness and complication rates; however, the outcomes of concomitant insertion of pedicle screws (PS) into the infected vertebrae via the posterior approach are undetermined. This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of PS insertion into infected vertebrae in minimally invasive posterior fixation for thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis.MethodsThis multicenter retrospective cohort study included 70 patients undergoing minimally invasive posterior fixation for thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis across nine institutions. Patients were categorized into insertion and skip groups based on PS insertion into infected vertebrae, and surgical data and postoperative outcomes, particularly unplanned reoperations due to complications, were compared.ResultsThe mean age of the 70 patients was 72.8 years. The insertion group (n = 36) had shorter operative times (146 versus 195 min, p = 0.032) and a reduced range of fixation (5.4 versus 6.9 vertebrae, p = 0.0009) compared to the skip group (n = 34). Unplanned reoperations occurred in 24% (n = 17) due to surgical site infections (SSI) or implant failure; the incidence was comparable between the groups. Poor infection control necessitating additional anterior surgery was reported in four patients in the skip group.ConclusionsPS insertion into infected vertebrae during minimally invasive posterior fixation reduces the operative time and range of fixation without increasing the occurrence of unplanned reoperations due to SSI or implant failure. Judicious PS insertion in patients with minimal bone destruction in thoracolumbar pyogenic spondylitis can minimize surgical invasiveness.

市原市は、国指定天然記念物「養老川流域田淵の地磁気逆転地層」、そして日本初のGSSP認定を得たチバニアンの地層を適切に保護し、その価値と魅力を後世に伝えるため、本地層を所管する自治体の役割として、対象地の公有地化、関連条例の制定、見学環境整備等の諸活動に取り組んでいる。

Herein, NASICON-type Li1.15Y0.15Zr1.85P3O12 glass ceramics (a-LYZP) were synthesized from amorphous materials. Compared with samples prepared by the solid-state reaction (s-LYZP), a-LYZP showed a higher total ionic conductivity of 7.0 × 10−5 S cm−1 at 298 K and improved inter-particle contact. The structure of this glass ceramic effectively reduced the resistance of the Li1.15Y0.15Zr1.85P3O12. In the temperature range 263–298 K, the activation energy of a-LYZP was 0.43 eV, which was smaller than that for s-LYZP (0.63 eV). Rietveld analysis of XRD patterns suggested that the longer a-axis and larger unit lattice volume of a-LYZP prevented phase change from rhombohedral to triclinic.

Recent ultrahigh-tensile-strength steel sheets have become indispensable for improving fuel economy through their incorporation into skeletal parts of automobiles to reduce the weight. To enable the forming of ultrahigh-tensile-strength steel sheets, a high-performance upper cushion is indispensable. The developed high-performance frictional gas cushion device applies as cushion force by frictional force generated by sliding between metal parts of the shaft parts and the hole parts having interference. Frictional cushion force mechanism was added to the upper piston shaft portion of the gas cushion device. In this apparatus, in addition to the repulsive force (gas cushion force) generated by the gas when the piston is pushed into the cylinder, frictional force (frictional cushioning force) due to interference between the inner surface of the cylinder and the outer surface of the piston shaft can be obtained. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a higher cushioning force than that with the conventional gas cushioning apparatus, which generates cushioning force only by the repulsive force of the gas.

Background: Programs to prevent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in female basketball players are scarce. Also, ACL injury prevention training that focuses on hip joint function has not been reported. Purpose: To determine the effectiveness of a hip-focused ACL injury prevention program in female basketball players. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A prospective intervention study was conducted for 12 years. Incidence rates of ACL injuries were collected in the first 4 years (observation period) from college female basketball players. After the observation period, a hip-focused ACL injury prevention program was implemented for 8 years (intervention period). A total of 309 players (mean ± SD age, 19.6 ± 1.2 years; height, 163.7 ± 5.6 cm; weight, 59.1 ± 5.1 kg; body mass index, 22.0 ± 1.4) were tracked in the observation period and compared with 448 players (age, 19.6 ± 1.1 years; height, 162.6 ± 5.8 cm; weight, 58.0 ± 5.7 kg; body mass index, 21.9 ± 1.5) who participated in the intervention period. Athlete-exposures (AEs), ACL numbers and mechanisms of injury (MOIs), relative risk (RR), absolute risk reduction (ARR), numbers needed to treat (NNT), and compliance were analyzed. Results: There were 16 ACL injuries (13 noncontact MOIs) in the 4-year observation period, whereas 9 ACL injuries (8 noncontact MOIs) were recorded in the 8-year intervention period. The overall ACL injury incidence was 0.25/1000 AEs in the 4-year observation period compared with 0.10/1000 AEs in the 8-year intervention period, respectively. Compared with the 4-year observation period, significant RR reduction was observed (0.38; 95% CI, 0.17-0.87; P = .017) with ARR and NNT of 0.032 (95% CI, 0.027-0.037) and 31.6 (95% CI, 27.1-37.7), respectively, in the 8-year intervention period. The noncontact ACL injury incidence was 0.21 per 1000 AEs during the 4-year observation period compared with 0.08/1000 AEs in the 8-year intervention period, which also showed significant RR reduction (0.37; 95% CI, 0.15-0.92; P = .026), with ARR and NNT of 0.024 (95% CI, 0.020-0.029) and 41.3 (95% CI, 34.6-51.3), respectively. The mean compliance rate during the intervention periods (8 years) was 89%. Conclusion: A hip-focused injury prevention program demonstrated significant reduction in the incidence of ACL injury in female collegiate basketball players.

Altyapı niteliğinde bir faktör olan enerji tüketiminin büyüme üzerindeki etkisini öngörebilmek için söz konusu iki değişken arasındaki ilişkiyi belirlemek gerekir. Bu çalışmada Türkiye’nin 1960-2014 yıllarındaki verilerine dayalı olarak anılan ilişki incelenmiştir. Analiz sonucunda büyüme ve enerji tüketimi arasında güçlü ölçülerde olumlu bir ilişki olduğu saptanmış ve Türkiye’de yüksek ölçülerde büyüme sağlayabilmek için büyüme oranına yakın yükseklikte enerji tüketiminin gerekli olduğu saptanmıştır. Dolayısıyla, politika yapıcılar Türkiye için sürekli büyüme hedefliyorsa, enerji çeşitliliği arttırılarak enerji tüketimindeki dalgalanmalar en aza indirilmelidir.

This study aimed to clarify the effect of calcium phosphate (CaP)-hybridized tendon grafting versus unhybridized tendon grafting on the morphological changes to the bone tunnels at the aperture 1year after anatomic single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Seventy-three patients were randomized to undergo the CaP (n=37) or the conventional method (n=36). All patients underwent computed tomography (CT) evaluation 1week and 1year post-operatively. The femoral and tibial tunnels at the aperture were evaluated on reconstructed 3D CT images. Changes in the cross-sectional area (CSA) and diameters of the femur and the tibia, and the translation rate of the tunnel walls and the morphological changes of both tunnels were assessed. There was a significant reduction in the increase in the CSA and the anterior-posterior and proximal-distal tunnel diameters on the femoral side in the CaP group as compared with the conventional group. On the femoral side, the translation rate of the posterior wall was significantly larger in the CaP group than in the conventional group, whereas the translation rate of the distal wall was significantly smaller in the CaP group than in the conventional group. As compared with the conventional method, the CaP-hybridized tendon graft reduced bone tunnel enlargement on the femoral side 1year after anatomic single-bundle ACL reconstruction due to an anterior shift of the posterior wall and reduced distal shift in the femoral bone tunnel. Clinically, the CaP-hybridized tendon grafts can prevent femoral bone tunnel enlargement in anatomic single-bundle ACL reconstruction. I.