OBJECTIVE The current study aims to investigate whether computer generated (CG) expressions of emotion evoke similar emotional appraisal processing in the lateral orbitofrontal cortex (lOFC) compared to real human expressions, as well as how speech cues would influence the processing. METHODS Functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used to measure the neural activations in the prefrontal cortex during emotion recognition task. Thirty normal participants were asked to view videos of dynamic facial expressions and selected the emotions that were best matches with the expressions. RESULTS CG expressions evoked less activation in the lOFC comparing to real human expressions. Furthermore, speech cues increased the activation in the lOFC for CG expressions but not real expressions. CONCLUSION Comparing to real expressions, CG expressions evoked less appraisal processing related to motivational values although this disadvantage can be compensated to some extent by presenting the expressions with speech cues.STUDY DESIGN This was a retrospective study. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to demonstrate the different change patterns in reciprocal sagittal alignment values after selective thoracic fusion (STF) in Lenke type 1 adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) according to preoperative thoracic kyphosis (TK). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Several studies have found significant increase in TK after STF, while other studies have reported decrease in TK postoperatively. Similar inconclusive results on changes in lumbar lordosis (LL) have been reported, showing LL increase, decrease, or no change. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ninety-three patients presenting with Lenke type 1 AIS treated by posterior STF with a minimum follow-up of 2 years were included in this study. Using whole spine radiographs, sagittal parameters including TK, LL, and upper lumbar lordosis (ULL) were compared preoperatively and at the last follow-up between a hypokyphosis group (preoperative TK less then 20 degrees) and a normokyphosis group (preopge in the normokyphosis group. Despite the final mean value of the TK in the hypokyphosis group increasing by 7.7 degrees, it was statistically significantly lower than the final mean TK value in the normokyphosis group which did not increase after STF surgery by posterior approach. However, HRQOL showed no significant difference between the 2 groups.INTRODUCTION Obesity is associated with acceleration of musculoskeletal degenerative diseases and functional impairment secondary to spinal disorders. Bariatric surgery (BS) is an increasingly common treatment for severe obesity but can affect bone and mineral metabolism. The effect of BS on degenerative spinal disorders is yet to be fully described. The aim of our study was to analyze changes in bariatric patients' risk for spinal degenerative diseases and spinal surgery. METHODS Retrospective analysis of the prospectively collected New York State Inpatient Database (NYSID) years (2004-2013) using patient linkage codes. The incidence of degenerative spinal diagnoses and spinal surgery was queried using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD)-9 codes for morbidly obese patients (ICD-9 278.01) with and without a history of BS. The incidence of degenerative spinal diagnoses and spinal surgery was determined using χ tests for independence. Logistic testing controlled for age, sex, and comoher likelihood of spinal diagnoses and procedures. In addition, bariatric patients had a lower comorbidity burden than morbidly obese patients without a history of BS. CONCLUSIONS Morbidly obese BS patients have a dramatically higher incidence of spinal diagnoses and procedures, relative to morbidly obese patients without BS. Further study is necessary to determine if there is a pathophysiological mechanism underlying this higher risk of spinal disease and intervention in bariatric patients, and the effect of BS on these rates following treatment. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level III.The Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS) is dedicated to advancing the care of patients with cervical spine pathology. The authors present here highlights of the 2019 CSRS-Asia Pacific Traveling Fellowship.STUDY DESIGN This was a retrospective questionnaire study at a single academic medical center. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to obtain information on rates of return to sport following lumbar fusion as well as sport-specific effects to improve evidence-based preoperative patient counseling. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Lumbar spinal fusion is one of the fastest-growing surgical procedures, with the majority being in patients aged 60 years and older.  https://www.selleckchem.com/products/azd9291.html  Remaining active is an important consideration for elderly patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion. Golf, swimming, and biking are common forms of recreational exercise for an older population in whom lumbar fusion is often performed. There is a lack of data in the current literature regarding rates of return to recreational sporting activities following elective lumbar fusion. METHODS Following Institutional Review Board approval, all patients undergoing lumbar fusion at a single institution from 2012 to 2016 were screened and included in this study. A likely has an adverse effect on their golfing ability with an increase in handicap and an expected reduction in driving distance.STUDY DESIGN A prospective multicenter study. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to assess bacterial contamination in current practices of pedicle screw handling and comparing it to a novel method of using an intraoperative, sterile implant guard for screws. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA Postoperative infections occur at the higher end of 2%-13%, as cited in the literature, and are underestimated due to various reasons in such publications. Despite concerns associated with vancomycin application immediately before closure, it is theoretically impossible to irrigate the screw-bone interface postimplantation. Consequently, any contamination of pedicle screw before implantation is permanent, and has the potential to cause deep-bone infection, or hardware loosening due to encapsulation of biofilm between the bone and the screw. Therefore, continued vigilance and effective preventive measures should be undertaken if available. MATERIALS AND METHODS Two groups of presterile individually-packaged pedicle screws, one incased in a sterile, protective guard (group 1 G) and the other without such a guard (group 2 NG), 31 samples in each group were distributed over 28 spinal fusion surgeries at 5 independent hospitals groups.