No abstract

Study Design. A retrospective multicenter observational study. Objective. To investigate correction surgeries that were performed in relatively aged patients in terms of mechanical complications (MCs) and their predictive factors. Summary of Background Data. The risk factors associated with MCs have not yet been well examined, especially in aged populations. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed 230 surgically treated ASD patients with an average age of 72.2 years. Twenty-eight patients with ASD caused by vertebral fractures were excluded. The minimum follow-up was 2 years. Postoperative MCs were defined as proximal junction kyphosis, distal junction kyphosis, pseudoarthrosis, rod breakage, and vertebral fractures. We divided all the ASD patients into two groups: patients with MC (the MC (+) group) and patients without MC (the MC (−) group). Radiographic parameters were evaluated before and immediately after surgery. The SRS-Schwab ASD classification and global alignment and proportion (GAP) score were also evaluated. Results. Of the 202 patients, 91 (45.0%) had MCs. The age at surgery was significantly higher in the MC (+) group than in the MC (−) group. Regarding radiographic parameters, postoperative global tilt (GT), pre- and postoperative thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK), and postoperative thoracic kyphosis were significantly higher in the MC (+) group than in the MC (−) group. Other parameters, such as the proposed ideal alignment target of PI-LL<10, did not significantly affect MC rates. The GAP score was high in both groups and not significantly related to a higher rate of MC. Forward stepwise logistic regression indicated that the age at surgery, postoperative GT, and preoperative TLK were significant risk factors for MCs. Conclusion. Older age, higher postoperative GT, and higher pre and postoperative TLK can be risk factors for MCs. The GAP score was high in both groups and not significantly related to a higher rate of MC. Level of Evidence: 4

Using human cell models mimicking the central nervous system (CNS) provides a better understanding of the human CNS, and it is a key strategy to improve success rates in CNS drug development. In the CNS, neurons function as networks in which astrocytes play important roles. Thus, an assessment system of neuronal network functions in a co-culture of human neurons and astrocytes has potential to accelerate CNS drug development. We previously demonstrated that human hippocampus-derived neural stem/progenitor cells (HIP-009 cells) were a novel tool to obtain human neurons and astrocytes in the same culture. In this study, we applied HIP-009 cells to a multielectrode array (MEA) system to detect neuronal signals as neuronal network functions. We observed spontaneous firings of HIP-009 neurons, and validated functional formation of neuronal networks pharmacologically. By using this assay system, we investigated effects of several reference compounds, including agonists and antagonists of glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid receptors, and sodium, potassium, and calcium channels, on neuronal network functions using firing and burst numbers, and synchrony as readouts. These results indicate that the HIP-009/MEA assay system is applicable to the pharmacological assessment of drug candidates affecting synaptic functions for CNS drug development.

No abstract

No abstract