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Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2021 Jun 10. Epub 2021 Jun 10.

Pediatric Cardiology, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.

Objectives: To identify medium-term results following cutting balloon angioplasty (CBA) for branch pulmonary artery stenosis (PAS) and predictors of successful intervention.

Background: CBA has emerged as a successful alternative therapy for PAS resistant to conventional balloon angioplasty techniques but there is little information on medium and long-term outcomes.

Methods: This is a descriptive, single center, retrospective chart review of pediatric patients who underwent CBA for PAS at Arkansas Children's Hospital between May 2005 and December 2020. Read More

Nature 2021 Jun 26;594(7862):277-282. Epub 2021 May 26.

Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO, USA.

Neurons have recently emerged as essential cellular constituents of the tumour microenvironment, and their activity has been shown to increase the growth of a diverse number of solid tumours. Although the role of neurons in tumour progression has previously been demonstrated, the importance of neuronal activity to tumour initiation is less clear-particularly in the setting of cancer predisposition syndromes. Fifteen per cent of individuals with the neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) cancer predisposition syndrome (in which tumours arise in close association with nerves) develop low-grade neoplasms of the optic pathway (known as optic pathway gliomas (OPGs)) during early childhood, raising  the possibility that postnatal light-induced activity of the optic nerve drives tumour initiation. Read More

Anim Genet 2021 May 6. Epub 2021 May 6.

Topigs Norsvin Research Center, Beuningen, The Netherlands.

The pig breeding system provides a unique framework to study recessive defects and the consequence on the phenotype. We examined a commercial synthetic Duroc population for recessive defects and identified a haplotype on chromosome 9 significantly affecting pre-weaning mortality. To identify the causal variant underlying the mortality, we examined sequence data of four carrier animals and 21 non-carrier animals from the same population. Read More

J Neurosurg Spine 2021 Apr 30:1-10. Epub 2021 Apr 30.

1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki; and.

Objective: Kyphotic deformity resulting from the loss of cervical lordosis (CL) is a rare but serious complication after cervical laminoplasty (CLP), and it is essential to recognize the risk factors. Previous studies have demonstrated that a greater flexion range of motion (fROM) and smaller extension ROM (eROM) in the cervical spine are associated with the loss of CL after CLP. Considering these facts together, one can hypothesize that an indicator representing the gap between fROM and eROM (gROM) is highly useful in predicting postoperative CL loss. Read More

Eur J Endocrinol 2021 May 21;185(1):47-55. Epub 2021 May 21.

Dutch Reference Center for Prader-Willi Syndrome, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Objective: Scoliosis is frequently seen in children with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). There is still concern that growth hormone (GH) treatment might increase the risk of onset or progression of scoliosis. Short-term data suggested no adverse effects of GH on scoliosis, but long-term effects of GH treatment on development of scoliosis in PWS are unknown. Read More

Cureus 2021 Mar 4;13(3):e13690. Epub 2021 Mar 4.

Pediatric Orthopaedic Surgery, Children's Hospital of Mississippi, Jackson, USA.

Purpose Patients who have neuromuscular scoliosis, such as cerebral palsy (CP), often develop spinal deformities that negatively impact quality of life. The vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) was designed for thoracic insufficiency syndrome (TIS), but it has also been utilized in patients with CP with restrictive lung disease and spine deformity. Few studies report on VEPTRs in neuromuscular scoliosis; however, none reports on their utilization specifically in patients with CP. Read More

J Craniovertebr Junction Spine 2020 Oct-Dec;11(4):287-292. Epub 2020 Nov 26.

Department of Neurosurgery, Hofstra School of Medicine, North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, NY, USA.

Introduction: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) predisposes to craniocervical instability (CCI) with resulting cranial settling and cervicomedullary syndrome due to ligamentous laxity. This study investigates possible differences in radiographic outcomes and operative complication rate between two surgical techniques in patients with EDS and CCI undergoing craniocervical fusion (CCF): occipital bone (OB) versus occipital condyle (OC) fixation.

Methods: A retrospective search of the institutional operative database between January 07, 2017, and December 31, 2019, was conducted to identify EDS patients who underwent CCF with either OB (Group OB) or OC (Group OC) fixation. Read More

Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 03 3;18(5). Epub 2021 Mar 3.

Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, CH 233, 1300 University Blvd, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA.

This report is part of a larger study designed to rapidly and efficiently screen potential treatments for Gulf War Illness (GWI) by testing nine different botanicals. In this placebo-controlled, pseudo-randomized, crossover clinical trial of 20 men with GWI, we tested three botanical agents with putative peripheral and central anti-inflammatory actions: curcumin (), boswellia (), and French maritime pine bark extract (). Participants completed 30 +/- 3 days of baseline symptom reports, followed by 30 +/- 3 days of placebo, 30 +/- 3 days of lower-dose botanical, and 30 +/- 3 days of higher-dose botanical. Read More

Cancer J 2021 Mar-Apr 01;27(2):119-125

From the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Department of Pediatrics.

Abstract: The successful application of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells for the treatment of relapsed and refractory B-cell malignancies has ushered in a new frontier for the immunotherapy of cancer. Despite its successes, CAR T-cell therapy presents several challenges. Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) triggered by robust and exponential CAR T-cell expansion is the most common adverse effect and may be severe or life-threatening. Read More

Zhongguo Gu Shang 2021 Jan;34(1):86-90

The Third Clinical Medical College of Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hangzhou 310053, Zhejiang, China.

Objective: To observe the clinical effect of lever positioning manipulation for the treatment of lumbar disc herniation and its effect on Cobb angle.

Methods: From December 2017 to November 2018, 67 patients with lumbar disc herniation were included in the study. The patients were randomly divided into treatment group and control group by digital table method. Read More

BJR Case Rep 2021 Feb 23;7(1):20200145. Epub 2020 Oct 23.

Department of Radiology, Kasr Al Ainy Hospital, Cairo, Egypt.

Cobb syndrome is a rare vascular disorder characterized by vascular skin lesions distributed in a dermatomal pattern, with corresponding muscular, osseous, paraspinal, and/or spinal vascular lesions occurring at the same body somite (metamere). We present a case of a 25-year-old man who presented with a history of right upper limb paresthesia followed by bilateral progressive upper and lower limb weakness and heaviness. Physical examination showed large cutaneous port wine stains on the right side of the chest, the nape, and along the whole right upper limb in a dermatomal distribution, with no corresponding limb hypertrophy or asymmetry. Read More

Med Arch 2020 Dec;74(6):433-438

Royal Medical Services (RMS), Amman, Jordan.

Introduction: Scoliosis could develop at the childhood age and progress beyond skeletal maturity. An early spinal fusion arrests growth of the spine and thorax, risking the development of secondary thoracic insufficiency syndrome. Vertical expandable prosthetic titanium rib (VEPTR) is a fusionless technique aiming to correct the deformity with preservation of growth potential. Read More

CNS Neurol Disord Drug Targets 2021 Feb 17. Epub 2021 Feb 17.

Chair of Clinical Pharmacology, Chair of Dermatology and Venereology, Russian National Research Medical University Named After Pirogov N.I., Moscow. Russian Federation.

Cobb Syndrome (Spinal Arteriovenous Metameric Syndrome 1-31 (SAMS 1-31)) is a rare, non-hereditary disorder. Approximately 100 cases of CS have been described to date. The actual incidence may be much higher since only symptomatic patients were documented. Read More

J Pediatr Neurosci 2020 Jul-Sep;15(3):290-293. Epub 2020 Nov 6.

Neurology Section, Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.

Sneddon syndrome is a rare, non-inflammatory vasculopathy that generally occurs in the third to fourth decade of life but may rarely present in the pediatric population. It is characterized by the skin finding of livedo racemosa and recurrent ischemic strokes. Other common neurologic manifestations include migraine and early cognitive decline. Read More

J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong) 2021 Jan-Apr;29(1):2309499020982084

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, 1065Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia.

Cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common compressive neuropathy of the upper limb. Endoscopic cubital tunnel decompression has gained popularity in recent years as this enables surgeons to achieve decompression of the ulnar nerve along its course using a small incision. This article describes the technical peals in performing endoscopic cubital tunnel decompression. Read More

N Engl J Med 2021 02 30;384(5):403-416. Epub 2020 Dec 30.

From Brigham and Women's Hospital (L.R.B.), Boston, and Moderna, Cambridge (H.B., R.P., C.K., B.L., W.D., H.Z., S.H., M.I., J. Miller, T.Z.) - both in Massachusetts; Baylor College of Medicine (H.M.E.S.) and Centex Studies (J.S.) - both in Houston; Meridian Clinical Research, Savannah (B.E., S.K., A.B.), and Emory University (N.R.) and Atlanta Clinical Research Center (N.S.), Atlanta - all in Georgia; University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore (K.K., K.N.), and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda (D.F., M.M., J. Mascola, L.P., J.L., B.S.G.) - both in Maryland; Saint Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis (S.F.); University of Illinois, Chicago, Chicago (R.N.); George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC (D.D.); University of California, San Diego, San Diego (S.A.S.); Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville (C.B.C.); Quality of Life Medical and Research Center, Tucson, AZ (J. McGettigan); Johnson County Clin-Trials, Lenexa, KS (C.F.); Research Centers of America, Hollywood, FL (H.S.); and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle (L.C., P.G., H.J.).

Background: Vaccines are needed to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) and to protect persons who are at high risk for complications. The mRNA-1273 vaccine is a lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated mRNA-based vaccine that encodes the prefusion stabilized full-length spike protein of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes Covid-19.

Methods: This phase 3 randomized, observer-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted at 99 centers across the United States. Read More

Lancet Public Health 2021 01 11;6(1):e30-e38. Epub 2020 Dec 11.

The National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance at the University of Oxford, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; The National Institute for Health Research Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK; MRC Clinical Trials Unit at University College London, London, UK.

Background: Decisions about the continued need for control measures to contain the spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) rely on accurate and up-to-date information about the number of people testing positive for SARS-CoV-2 and risk factors for testing positive. Existing surveillance systems are generally not based on population samples and are not longitudinal in design.

Methods: Samples were collected from individuals aged 2 years and older living in private households in England that were randomly selected from address lists and previous Office for National Statistics surveys in repeated cross-sectional household surveys with additional serial sampling and longitudinal follow-up. Read More

J Orthop Surg Res 2020 Nov 30;15(1):567. Epub 2020 Nov 30.

Department of Spine Surgery and Orthopedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.

Introduction: Strong halo-femoral traction has been widely used in the field of severe rigid scoliosis correction. The objective of this study was to analyze the corrective contribution of strong halo-femoral traction in the treatment of severe rigid nonidiopathic scoliosis and discuss its meaning.

Material And Methods: A retrospective review was performed for patients with severe rigid nonidiopathic scoliosis who were treated with halo-femoral traction in our center from December 2008 to December 2015. Read More

Ann Am Thorac Soc 2021 04;18(4):632-640

Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Medicine.

No direct comparisons of clinical features, laboratory values, and outcomes between critically ill patients with coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and patients with influenza in the United States have been reported. To evaluate the risk of mortality comparing critically ill patients with COVID-19 with patients with seasonal influenza. We retrospectively identified patients admitted to the intensive care units (ICUs) at two academic medical centers with laboratory-confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) or influenza A or B infections between January 1, 2019, and April 15, 2020. Read More

Bone Joint J 2020 Nov;102-B(11):1560-1566

The Centre for Spinal Studies and Surgery, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust, Nottingham, UK.

Aims: To report the mid-term results of a modified self-growing rod (SGR) technique for the treatment of idiopathic and neuromuscular early-onset scoliosis (EOS).

Methods: We carried out a retrospective analysis of 16 consecutive patients with EOS treated with an SGR construct at a single hospital between September 2008 and December 2014. General demographics and deformity variables (i. Read More

J Pediatr Orthop 2021 Apr;41(4):e321-e327

Shriners Hospital for Children, Philadelphia, PA.

Background: Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic syndrome, with a prevalence of infantile scoliosis of ~23%. These curves are likely related to severe hypotonia. Approximately 15% of children with PWS will need surgical intervention for their scoliosis. Read More

JAAD Case Rep 2020 Dec 16;6(12):1360-1362. Epub 2020 Oct 16.

Department of Dermatology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island.

Crit Care Med 2021 02;49(2):201-208

Department of Neurology, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta University, Augusta, GA.

Objectives: There is limited data regarding outcomes after in-hospital cardiac arrest among coronavirus disease 2019 patients. None of the studies have reported the outcomes of in-hospital cardiac arrest in coronavirus disease 2019 patients in the United States. We describe the characteristics and outcomes of in-hospital cardiac arrest in coronavirus disease 2019 patients in rural Southwest Georgia. Read More

Int J Surg Case Rep 2020 28;76:85-89. Epub 2020 Sep 28.

Department of Orthopaedic & Traumatology, Cipto Mangunkusumo National Central Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jalan Diponegoro No. 71, Jakarta Pusat, Jakarta, 10430, Indonesia. Electronic address:

Introduction: Although common, it is not always easy to treat scoliosis in Marfan Syndrome. The distinguished anatomical components make it harder to treat the entity, albeit managing the whole patient. It is already widely known that the correction requires an immersive preoperative planning as well as a vast surgeon experience in order to preparedly face the possible that may happen intra operatively and post operatively. Read More

Spine Deform 2021 Jan 18;9(1):285-292. Epub 2020 Sep 18.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.

Study Design: Case report.

Objectives: To describe the first reported use of corrective surgery combined with C7 vertebral column resection (VCR) to treat an extremely rare case of severe, rigid cervical kyphotic deformity associated with synovitis, acne, pustulosis, hyperostosis, and osteitis (SAPHO) syndrome.

Background Data: Spinal lesions reportedly occur in 32-45% in SAPHO syndrome. Read More

J Fam Pract 2020 09;69(7):353-356

Family Medicine Residency Program, JPS Health Network, Fort Worth, TX, USA. Email:

► Fever ► Generalized rash ► Recent history of calcaneal osteomyelitis. Read More

J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong) 2020 Sep-Dec;28(3):2309499020945014

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery (NOCERAL), Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a rare but serious complication following scoliosis surgery. Early diagnosis and management are key factors for successful conservative treatment to avoid the need for emergency laparotomies which causes higher morbidity or even mortality. We report two adolescent idiopathic scoliosis patients with Cobb angle of 49° and 132°, respectively, and low body mass index who presented with SMA syndrome following posterior spinal fusion from T2 to L3 and were treated successfully with conservative management. Read More

Am J Cardiol 2020 11 28;135:150-153. Epub 2020 Aug 28.

Department of Cardiology, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital, Albany, Georgia.

This study aimed to determine if cardiac troponin I (cTnI) is an independent predictor of clinical outcomes and whether higher values are associated with worse clinical outcomes in Covid-19 patients. This case-series study was conducted at Phoebe Putney Health System. Participants were confirmed Covid-19 patients admitted to our health system between March 2, 2020 and June 7, 2020. Read More

Pediatrics 2020 09;146(3)

Pediatrics, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, California.

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) have recently been reported to have a high incidence of somatic KRAS mutations suggesting potential for treatment with mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitors. In this case report, we describe genotype-targeted treatment of a KRAS mutant metameric AVM in a patient with Cobb syndrome using the mitogen-activated protein kinase inhibitor trametinib. Therapeutic response was monitored with phase-contrast magnetic resonance angiography to quantify AVM arterial inflow as an imaging biomarker. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 11 19;143:454-461. Epub 2020 Aug 19.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Shinshu University Hospital, Matsumoto, Japan.

Background: Musculocontractural Ehlers-Danlos syndrome caused by pathogenic variants in CHST14 (mcEDS-CHST14) is a recently delineated connective tissue disorder characterized by multisystem congenital malformations and progressive connective tissue fragility-related manifestations. With only 2 cases of mcEDS-CHST14 containing precise information on surgical spinal correction being reported to date, there remains no consensus on treatment standards. This study describes the detailed clinical and radiologic outcomes of the third known patient with mcEDS-CHST14 who successfully underwent surgery for severe kyphoscoliosis. Read More