Search Results (50)

Background/Objective: The anterior vertebral body tethering (AVBT) technique, which preserves spinal mobility and avoids possible fusion problems in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) patients, continues to be increasingly used in spine surgery. The study aims to report the early-to-early-mid postoperative radiological results of thoracolumbar/lumbar AVBT on sagittal alignment, and the second aim is to compare AVBT with selective thoracic fusion (STF) and non-selective fusion (NSF) groups in AIS patients. Methods: Patients with a diagnosis of AIS were retrospectively evaluated in the study. All patients were categorized into three groups based on the surgical technique performed: AVBT (n = 17), NSF (n = 19), and STF (n = 15). The major curvature degree, coracoid height difference (CHD), sacral slope (SS), pelvic tilt (PT), pelvic incidence (PI), lumbar lordosis (LL), thoracic kyphosis (TK), cervical lordosis (CL), C7 tilt, sagittal vertical axis (SVA), T1 pelvic angle (TPA), and T1 spinopelvic inclination (T1SPI) were measured for radiological comparison. Scoliosis Research Society-22 (SRS-22) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores were used at the final follow-up for functional evaluation. Results: The T1SPI value of the NSF group was significantly higher than the STF group in the final follow-up (p = 0.033). The mean decrease of 8.85 ± 7.85 units in the final follow-up value compared to the postoperative CHD value of the patients in the AVBT group was found to be significant (p = 0.028). Statistically significant differences were found between preoperative and the first postoperative CL and TPA measurements (p = 0.001 and p = 0.042, respectively), as well as between preoperative and final follow-up CL measurements in the AVBT group (p = 0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in CHD, SS, PT, PI, LL, TK, CL, C7 tilt, SVA, and TPA values (p > 0.05); similarly, the SRS-22 and ODI scores did not differ significantly among the groups (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Thoracolumbar/lumbar AVBT surgery led to significant improvements in shoulder asymmetry and cervical lordosis of AIS patients in the early to early-mid postoperative period. However, compared with spinal fusion techniques, thoracolumbar/lumbar AVBT did not demonstrate superiority in functional scores or sagittal parameters. The mid- to long-term benefits of thoracolumbar/lumbar AVBT remain uncertain and require further investigation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Transposable elements comprise over 50% of the human genome, yet their role in chromatin organization is insufficiently studied. This study was motivated by the hypothesis that transposable elements drive chromatin contacts through homotypic coupling—that is, pairs of identical TEs physically pull genomic regions together. Methods: Analyzing public Micro-C and Hi-C datasets, I compared focal contact areas that stand out from low backgrounds against contact-depleted regions at kilobase resolution. Results: I discovered that transposable elements show enrichment at these focal contact points and even stronger depletion in contact-poor regions. Ancient mammalian transposable element families (MIR, L2) preferentially form homotypic pairs at chromatin contacts, while young primate-specific families (Alu, SVA) actively avoid homotypic pairing. The depletion of homotypic pairs in contact-poor regions exceeded their enrichment at focal contacts, suggesting that homotypically coupled transposable elements may be sequestered in protein-protected compartments. Unexpectedly, sequence-unrelated families like MIR and L2 showed similarly strong pairing behavior, indicating a mechanism independent of DNA sequence similarity. While my data demonstrates clear homotypic specificity patterns reproducible across cell types and individuals, it cannot distinguish whether transposable elements actively drive chromatin contacts or are passive markers of chromatin states. Conclusions: Study findings reveal previously uncharacterized patterns of transposable element organization at chromatin contact and suggest that homotypic pairing may provide anchoring points for coherent chromatin folding. Full article

This study introduces an amplitude-based method that applies Spatially Variant Apodization (SVA) to reduce sidelobes in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data. Unlike conventional approaches, the filter is applied only to the amplitude while preserving the original interferometric phase, thereby enabling accurate Persistent Scatterer Interferometry (PSI) for dam deformation monitoring in Stanford Method for Persistent Scatterers (StaMPS) software. The SVA filter is integrated as an additional processing step within the Sentinel Application Platform (SNAP) for the SentiNel Application Platform to Stanford Method for Persistent Scatterers (SNAP2StaMPS) workflow. Filtering is performed in two dimensions (azimuth and range) separately on the In-phase (I) and Quadrature (Q) components of the coregistered data using a Python-based implementation via SNAP-Python (snappy). By recombining the SVA-filtered and original I and Q components, the method modifies only the amplitude while leaving the phase unchanged. The approach is evaluated in a proof-of-concept case study of the Sorpe Dam in Germany, where an Electronic Corner Reflector - C Band (ECR-C) produces sidelobe artifacts that degrade the Sentinel-1 (S-1) descending time series. The results demonstrated a successful integration of SVA filtering into the SNAP2StaMPS framework, achieving sidelobe reduction and improved Persistent Scatterer (PS) detection without compromising phase quality. The number of sidelobe-affected PS decreased by 39.26% after SVA filtering, while the amplitude-based approach preserved the original phase and deformation values, with a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of approximately 0.38 mm. Overall, this novel amplitude-based SVA approach extends the SNAP2StaMPS workflow by reducing strong sidelobes while preserving phase information for dam monitoring at the Sorpe dam site. Full article

Senecavirus A (SVA) causes a vesicular disease in pigs with clinical signs indistinguishable from those of other swine vesicular diseases. To enable serological differentiation infected from vaccinated animals (DIVA), we developed indirect ELISAs (iELISAs) based on recombinant non-structural proteins (NSPs). A His-tagged tandem antigen, r3AB-3C, was designed by integrating immunodominant B-cell epitopes from 3AB and 3C proteins, and was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli) and purified alongside the individual r3AB and r3C proteins. Serological evaluation results showed that the immunoreactivity of the r3AB-3C iELISA was superior to that of r3AB, which in turn was better than r3C. The r3AB-3C and r3AB iELISAs were subsequently validated. The cut-off values were established at sample-to-positive (S/P) ratios of ≥0.2635 for the r3AB-3C iELISA and ≥0.5775 for the r3AB iELISA. The r3AB-3C iELISA demonstrated higher sensitivity for detecting infection-induced antibodies than the r3AB iELISA, despite the later seroconversion of anti-NSP antibodies compared to neutralizing antibodies. In a serosurvey, the r3AB-3C iELISA revealed seropositivity rates of 35.2% in 2023 and 22.3% in 2024. In conclusion, the r3AB-3C iELISA is a valuable serological tool for monitoring SVA infection, effectively supporting DIVA strategies. Full article

Background and Objectives: The selection of the optimal distal level of fusion in long-level fusion surgery remains controversial. Fusion ending at L5 preserves motion but increases the risk of L5–S1 disc degeneration. The L5 laminar hook has been introduced to enhance distal fixation, but its indications and clinical effects remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the indication of the L5 laminar hook and its effect on adjacent segment degeneration when performing long-level fusion terminating at L5 in patients with degenerative sagittal imbalance (DSI). Materials and Methods: 112 patients with DSI who had undergone corrective surgery and ended at L5 were analyzed retrospectively. Finally, 64 were treated with an L5 laminar hook (Group I), while 48 were not (Group II). We compared radiographic spinopelvic parameters between the two groups and followed up disc degeneration at the L5–S1 level. Additional analysis was conducted within Group I to determine the indications for L5 laminar hook. Results: Preoperative C7 sagittal vertical axis (C7SVA), lumbar lordosis (LL), and pelvic incidence (PI)-LL mismatch were significantly greater in Group I than in Group II (p < 0.05). At 2 years of follow-up, advanced L5–S1 disc degeneration had developed in 14 patients (21.9%) in Group I and 36 patients (75%) in Group II. Patients in Group B (exacerbated L5–S1) had a significantly higher body mass index (BMI), larger preoperative C7SVA, and PI-LL mismatch than patients in Group A (preserved L5–S1). The C7SVA and PI-LL mismatch cut-off values for Group A were 15.8 cm and 40.8°, respectively. Conclusions: L5 laminar hook helps to reduce disc degeneration at the L5–S1 level and can be used to maintain the deformity correction ending at L5 in patients with DSI. We propose a series of indicators for the use of L5 laminar hooks in patients with DSI: a low BMI, a PI-LL mismatch < 40.8°, and a C7SVA < 15.8 cm. Full article

Transposable elements (TEs), once regarded as genomic “junk,” are now recognized as powerful regulators of gene expression, genome stability, and innate immunity. In the context of neurodegeneration, particularly Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), accumulating evidence implicates TEs as active contributors to disease pathogenesis. ALS is a fatal motor neuron disease with both sporadic and familial forms, linked to genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. While coding mutations explain a subset of cases, advances in long-read sequencing and epigenomic profiling have unveiled the profound influence of non-coding regions—especially retrotransposons such as LINE-1, Alu, and SVA—on ALS onset and progression. TEs may act through multiple mechanisms: generating somatic mutations, disrupting chromatin architecture, modulating transcriptional networks, and triggering sterile inflammation via innate immune pathways like cGAS-STING. Their activity is normally repressed by epigenetic regulators, including DNA methylation, histone modifications, and RNA interference pathways; however, these controls are compromised in ALS. Taken together, these insights underscore the translational potential of targeting transposable elements in ALS, both as a source of novel biomarkers for patient stratification and disease monitoring, and as therapeutic targets whose modulation may slow neurodegeneration and inflammation. This review synthesizes the current knowledge of TE biology in ALS; integrates findings across molecular, cellular, and systems levels; and explores the therapeutic potential of targeting TEs as modulators of neurodegeneration. Full article

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the association between the level of lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and individual spinopelvic anatomy. Material and methods: Spinopelvic parameters were retrospectively evaluated in 57 patients with symptomatic LDH at L4/5 and L5/S1 undergoing minimal invasive sequestrectomy at our institution. LDH was diagnosed in 23 patients at L5/S1 and in 34 patients at L4/5. Patients with further segment degeneration at the index level were excluded from the study. Results: Spinopelvic parameters between the two groups were significantly different. Patients with LDH at L5/S1 had statistically significant lower Pelvic Incidence (PI), Pelvic Tilt (PT), Relative Lumbar Lordosis (RLL) and PI-LL than patients with LDH at L4/5. C7 Sagittal Vertical Axis (C7SVA) was statistically significant lower in patients with LDH at L5/S1. Both groups had no sagittal imbalance. Patients with LDH at L5/S1 were significantly younger than patients with LDH at L4/5. There was a significant positive correlation between age and PT. We observed no significant differences for preoperative values of Lumar Lordosis (LL) and Sacral Slope between the two groups. Conclusions: This is the first study to reveal individual spinopelvic anatomy and, in particular, PI to be associated with the distinct level of LDH. These findings substantiate the biomechanical influence of the sagittal profile on the pathogenesis of LDH. Individual spinopelvic compensatory mechanisms were available independently of the patient’s age. Minimal invasive sequestrectomy is a reliable treatment for symptomatic LDH without further segment degeneration. Full article

In this paper, we report the design and verification methodology of a SystemVerilog-based I²C protocol Verification IP (VIP) based not only on assertion-based verification but also on the new checkout error injection techniques. The resulting VIP is designed as a set of loose-coupled modules for protocol description, transaction generation, and automatic protocol checking with SystemVerilog Assertions (SVAs). Timing, multi-master arbitration, and error recovery related to I²C protocol verification challenges are achieved using embedded assertion monitors and focused error injection scenarios on the testbench. The paper describes the inclusion of assertion-based monitors used for checking real-time protocol compliance as well as the ability for systematic error injection to expose corner-case bugs and verify the strength of the DUT and the verification environment. We present our experimental results that demonstrate the effectiveness of proposed strategies on coverage, bug leakage, and reduction in debug cycles. The approach also provides a useful guideline for verification engineers who need to build protocol VIPs or wish to improve the efficiency of their verification flow with assertion-led methods. Full article

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to identify radiographic predictors and optimal cut-off values for determining the need for additional pedicle subtraction osteotomy (PSO) in patients with iatrogenic flatback syndrome following short-segment (≤3 levels) fusion surgery. Materials and Methods: From 2011 to 2022, a total of 49 patients who underwent deformity correction for iatrogenic flatback following short-segment fusion at a single institution were included. We divided all patients into group A (n = 33, only anterior column realignment, ACR) and group B (n = 16, ACR combined with PSO). Among group A patients, we further divided them into two subgroups: The Excessive group, who developed excessive anterior disc height distraction (EADH) during surgery, and the Non-excessive group, who did not. The Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the cut-off values for spinopelvic parameters associated with the decision to perform additional PSO. Results: Group A had a significantly lower number of previously fused segments compared to Group B (p < 0.001). Preoperative C7 sagittal vertical axis (C7SVA, p = 0.026) and its correction (p = 0.003) in group B were greater than those in group A. Group B showed a significantly more kyphotic preoperative fused segment angle (FSA) compared to Group A (p = 0.001). Postoperatively, EADH occurred in 7 patients (21.2%) in Group A, while no cases were observed in Group B. Subgroup analysis revealed that the dynamic segment angle (DA) was significantly lower in the Excessive group compared to the Non-excessive group (p < 0.001). The optimal cut-off values of preoperative radiographic parameters for selecting PSO were: C7-SVA > 242.8 mm, FSA > −3.2°, and DA < 4.3°. Conclusions: ACR alone and ACR combined with PSO showed satisfactory outcomes in patients with iatrogenic flat back. For selected patients with preoperative C7SVA > 242.8 mm, FSA > −3.2°, or DA < 4.3°, additional PSO may be reasonable to help optimize sagittal alignment. Full article

Background and Objectives: Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM), a major subtype of degenerative cervical disorders, presents with diverse sagittal alignment patterns. However, radiography-based phenotyping remains underexplored. This study aimed to identify distinct cervical alignment subgroups using unsupervised clustering analysis and to explore their potential clinical relevance. Materials and Methods: We analyzed 1371 lateral cervical radiographs of patients with DCM. C3–C7 sagittal vertical axis (SVA), lordosis, vertical length, and curved length were determined. K-means clustering was applied, and the optimal cluster number was determined using the elbow method and silhouette analysis. Clustering validity was assessed using the Calinski–Harabasz and Davies–Bouldin indices. Results: The final clustering solution was validated with a high Calinski–Harabasz index (1171.70) and an acceptable Davies–Bouldin index (0.99) at k = 3, confirming the stability and robustness of the classification. Cluster 1 (forward-head type) exhibited low lordosis (8.3° ± 4.7°), moderate SVA (95.9 ± 60.2 mm), and a compact cervical structure, consistent with kyphotic alignment and forward-head displacement. Cluster 2 (normal) showed the highest lordosis (24.1° ± 6.8°), moderate SVA (70.6 ± 50.2 mm), and balanced sagittal alignment, indicating a biomechanically stable cervical posture. Cluster 3 (long-neck type) displayed the highest SVA (135.6 ± 76.7 mm), the longest vertical and curved lengths, and moderate lordosis, suggesting a structurally elongated cervical spine with anterior head displacement. Significant differences (p < 0.01) were observed across all clusters, confirming distinct phenotypic patterns in cervical sagittal alignment. Conclusions: This exploratory clustering analysis identified three distinct radiographic phenotypes of DCM, reflecting biomechanical heterogeneity. Although prospective studies linking these phenotypes to clinical outcomes are warranted, our findings provide a framework for personalized spinal care in the future. Full article

Foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) is a highly pathogenic virus that mainly infects cloven hooved animals, such as pigs. The establishment of a rapid, sensitive and accurate point-of-care detection method is critical for the timely identification and elimination of infected pigs for controlling this disease. In this study, a RT-RAA-CRISPR/Cas13a method was developed for the detection of FMDV serotype O in pigs. Six pairs of RT-RAA primers were designed based on the conserved gene sequence of FMDV serotype O, and the optimal amplification primers and reaction temperatures were screened. The CRISPR-derived RNA (crRNA) was further designed based on the optimal target band sequence and the most efficient crRNA was screened. The results revealed that FMDV-O-F4/R4 was the optimal primer set, and the optimal temperature for the RT-RAA reaction was 37 °C. Moreover, crRNA4 exhibited the strongest detection signal among the six crRNAs. The established RT-RAA-CRISPR/Cas13a method demonstrated high specificity and no cross-reactivity with other common swine pathogens such as Senecavirus A (SVA), porcine reproductive and respiratory virus (PRRSV), porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), classical swine fever virus (CSFV), and pseudorabies virus (PRV), additionally, it was observed to be highly sensitive, with a detection limit of 19.1 copies/µL. The repeatability of this method was also observed to be good. This method could produce stable fluorescence and exhibited good repeatability when three independent experiments yielded the same results. A validation test using three types of simulated clinical samples (including swab, tissue, and serum samples) revealed a 100% concordance rate. The detection results could be visualized via a fluorescence reader or lateral flow strips (LFSs). Thus, a highly specific and sensitive RT-RAA-CRISPR/Cas13a detection method was developed and is expected to be applied for the rapid detection of FMDV serotype O in situ. Full article

In today’s semiconductor verification field, SystemVerilog Assertions (SVAs) are one of the most important methodologies for functional verification. A representative verification technique is Universal Verification Methodology (UVM)-based verification, which utilizes a SystemVerilog class library. On the other hand, Assertion-Based Verification (ABV) using SVA allows hardware designs to be verified without requiring knowledge of SystemVerilog’s Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) concepts or UVM. Its syntax is intuitive and concise, enabling rapid detection of RTL (Register Transfer Level) bugs during the design and verification phases. This methodology significantly enhances productivity by drastically reducing the time required for semiconductor development. This paper proposes an ABV verification environment using SVA that is reusable in other verification environments for verifying the main functions of the Inter-Integrated Circuit (I2C), one of the serial synchronous communication protocols. Finally, through the development of the RTL design and simulation of the core functionalities of I2C, the key characteristics of I2C were verified using ABV with SVA. Full article

Nipah virus (NiV) is a severe zoonotic pathogen that substantially threatens public health. Pigs are the natural hosts of NiV and can potentially transmit this disease to humans. Establishing a rapid, sensitive, and accurate point-of-care detection method is critical in the timely identification of infected pig herds. In this study, we developed an NiV detection method based on reverse transcription–recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RAA) and the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein 13a (Cas13a) system for the precise detection of NiV. The highly conserved region of the NiV gene was selected as the detection target. We first designed eleven pairs of RT-RAA primers, and the optimal primer combination and reaction temperature were identified on the basis of RT-RAA efficiency. Additionally, the most efficient crRNA sequence was selected on the basis of the fluorescence signal intensity. The results revealed that the optimal reaction temperature for the developed method was 37 °C. The detection limit was as low as 1.565 copies/μL. Specificity testing revealed no cross-reactivity with nucleic acids from six common swine viruses, including Seneca virus A (SVA), foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), classical swine fever virus (CSFV), porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV), African swine fever virus (ASFV), and pseudorabies virus (PRV). A validation test using simulated clinical samples revealed a 100% concordance rate. The detection results can be visualized via a fluorescence reader or lateral flow strips (LFSs). Compared with conventional detection methods, this RT-RAA-CRISPR/Cas13a-based method is rapid and simple and does not require scientific instruments. Moreover, the reagents can be freeze-dried for storage, eliminating the need for cold-chain transportation. This detection technology provides a convenient and efficient new tool for the point-of-care diagnosis of NiV and for preventing and controlling outbreaks. Full article

Mechanically improved polymeric membranes with high ionic conductivity (IC) and good permeability are highly desired for next-generation anion exchange membranes (AEMs) in order to reduce Ohmic losses and enhance water management in alkaline membrane fuel cells. To move towards the fabrication of such high-performance membranes, the creation of hydrophilic ion-conducting double gyroid (DG) nanochannels within block copolymer (BCP) AEMs is a promising approach. However, this attractive solution remains difficult to implement due to the complexity of constructing a well-developed ion-conducting DG morphology across the entire membrane thickness. To deal with this issue, water permeable polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) membranes with ion-conducting DG nanochannels were produced by combining a solvent vapor annealing (SVA) treatment with a methylation process. Here, the SVA treatment enabled the manufacture of DG-forming BCP AEMs while the methylation process allowed for the conversion of pyridine sites to N-methylpyridinium (NMP⁺) cations via a Menshutkin reaction. Following this SVA-methylation method, the IC value of water-permeable (~384 L h⁻¹ m⁻² bar⁻¹) DG-structured BCP AEMs in their OH⁻counter anion form was measured to be of ~2.8 mS.cm⁻¹ at 20 °C while a lower IC value was probed, under the same experimental conditions, from as-cast NMP⁺-containing analogs with a non-permeable disordered phase (~1.2 mS.cm⁻¹). Full article

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the radiographic results, mechanical complications, and clinical outcomes between anterior and posterior lumbar interbody fusion at L5–S1 (ALIF51 and PLIF51 groups, respectively) using a matched cohort of patients undergoing long fusion for adult spinal deformity (ASD). Methods: Patients who underwent hybrid surgery of ≥5-level fusion to the pelvis with a minimum follow-up duration of 2 years were included. The baseline characteristics of the groups were controlled using a propensity score matching analysis. The radiographic results, mechanical complications such as proximal junctional kyphosis/failure and metal failure, and clinical outcomes were compared between the groups. Results: In total, 79 patients were assigned to each group with comparable baseline data, except for a higher frequency of anterior column realignment procedures in the PLIF51 group than in the ALIF51 group (49.4% vs. 31.6%). At the last follow-up, L5–S1 segmental lordosis (SL) was significantly greater in the ALIF51 group than in the PLIF51 group (12.1° vs. 7.3°, p < 0.001). The final C7–sagittal vertical axis (SVA) was significantly smaller in the ALIF51 group than in the PLIF51 group (25.4 mm vs. 35.5 mm, p = 0.032). However, other global sagittal parameters were comparable between the groups. The mechanical complication rates, including metal failure at L5–S1, and the final clinical outcomes were comparable between the groups. Conclusions: ALIF51 has modest advantages over PLIF51 in terms of better restoring L5–S1 SL and C7–SVA with avoiding more invasive procedures above the L5–S1 levels. Other sagittal parameters, mechanical complication rates, and clinical outcomes did not differ between the groups. Full article