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(1) Background: Our team has previously introduced the Single-Step Pedicle Screw System (SSPSS), which eliminates the need for K-wires, as a safe and effective method for percutaneous minimally invasive spine (MIS) pedicle screw placement. Despite this, there are ongoing concerns about the reliability and accuracy of screw placement in MIS procedures without traditional tools like K-wires and Jamshidi needles. To address these concerns, we evaluated the accuracy of the SSPSS workflow by comparing the planned intraoperative screw trajectories with the final screw positions. Traditionally, screw placement accuracy has been assessed by grading the final screw position using postoperative CT scans. (2) Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients who underwent lumbar interbody fusion, using intraoperative 3D navigation for screw placement. The planned screw trajectories were saved in the navigation system during each procedure, and postoperative CT scans were used to evaluate the implanted screws. Accuracy was assessed by comparing the Gertzbein and Robbins classification scores of the planned trajectories and the final screw positions. Accuracy was defined as a final screw position matching the classification of the planned trajectory. (3) Results: Out of 206 screws, 196 (95%) were accurately placed, with no recorded complications. (4) Conclusions: The SSPSS workflow, even without K-wires and other traditional instruments, facilitates accurate and reliable pedicle screw placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patients diagnosed with cancer are frequent users of the emergency department (ED). While many visits are unavoidable, a significant portion may be potentially preventable ED visits (PPEDs). Cancer treatments have greatly advanced, whereby patients may present with unique toxicities from targeted therapies and are often living longer with advanced disease. Prior work focused on patients undergoing cytotoxic chemotherapy, and often excluded those on supportive care alone. Other contributors to ED visits in oncology, such as patient-level variables, are less well-established. Finally, prior studies focused on ED diagnoses to describe trends and did not evaluate PPEDs. An updated systematic review was completed to focus on PPEDs, novel cancer therapies, and patient-level variables, including those on supportive care alone. Methods: Three online databases were used. Included publications were in English, from 2012-2022, with sample sizes of ≥50, and reported predictors of ED presentation or ED diagnoses in oncology. Results: 45 studies were included. Six studies highlighted PPEDs with variable definitions. Common reasons for ED visits included pain (66%) or chemotherapy toxicities (69.1%). PPEDs were most frequent amongst breast cancer patients (13.4%) or patients receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy (20%). Three manuscripts included immunotherapy agents, and only one focused on end-of-life patients. Conclusion: This updated systematic review highlights variability in oncology ED visits during the last decade. There is limited work on the concept of PPEDs, patient-level variables and patients on supportive care alone. Overall, pain and chemotherapy toxicities remain key drivers of ED visits in cancer patients. Further work is needed in this realm. Patients diagnosed with cancer are frequent users of the emergency department. This review focuses on potentially preventable emergency department visits, novel cancer therapies, and patient-level variables, such as supportive care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article describes nanocomposites of triblock copolymer styrene–ethylene/butylene–styrene doping with 5 wt% of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) prepared by melt mixing process. The selection of processing temperature was made according to the state of macrodispersion of CNTs within polymer matrix. Afterwards, the relationship between rotational speed, mixing time and electrical conductivity has been noted. It was confirmed that the temperature of 300°C and rotational speed of 100 r/min lead to significant decreasing of CNT agglomerations resulting in high electrical conductivity equal to 8.0 S/m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remotely-controlled aircraft, together with acquisition of photographs from such platforms as well as generation and processing of acquired products, are all becoming more popular. These techniques are also more frequently and widely applied. Thus, "low-altitude photogrammetry" is becoming a rapidly-developing field. This popularity results from the wide accessibility of such platforms and from the availability of light and inexpensive photographic cameras and the computer software required for processing the photographs and generating useful products, among other things. The majority of photographic cameras use the CMOS type of sensors with electronic shutters of the rolling shutter type. Photographs from these cameras are geometrically distorted by shutter effect. The distortions may be modelled and corrected when the photographs are processed. This paper looks at distortions associated with rolling shutters. In the experimental part, 11 blocks of photographs from two test sites were adjusted; the photographs were acquired from the following UAS platforms: Quadcopter DJI Phantom 3 Professional and Quadcopter DJI Inspire One. Both platforms are equipped with Sony EXMOR cameras with electronic shutters. Blocks of photographs are characterized by different altitudes for data acquisition, overlap of photographs and the number of ground control. Using the Pix4Dmapper software tools the multi-variant block adjustment was performed, both with linear modelling of the rolling shutter effect and without such modelling. The obtained results are analysed. The validity and effectiveness of the linear modelling of the rolling shutter effect is discussed. The very high metric potential of low-altitude photographs is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBackgroundObjectiveMethodsResultsConclusionAmbulatory anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is a promising method, but not common in Poland.That is why the purpose of this study was to demonstrate the experience of performing ACDF in patients with degenerative spinal diseases.This study at the Spine Centre involved a single-center, multi-surgeon evaluation of 100 patients undergoing ACDF.Outcomes assessed included pain severity, measured by the visual analogue scale, which improved from 4.28 ± 0.76 preoperatively to 1.11 ± 0.59 one month postoperatively. The Core Outcome Measures Index-neck (COMI-neck) scale also showed significant improvement: before surgery, 30% of patients scored their condition severity between 4-6, and 70% scored 7-10; 6 months postoperatively, the scores were 0-3 for 55% of patients, 4-6 for 45%, and 7-10 for none. Only 2% of patients experienced moderate, temporary complications, with no serious complications or postoperative hematomas observed.The study supports the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of performing ACDF in an ambulatory setting, suggesting that with appropriate patient selection and surgical protocols, ambulatory ACDF can be more broadly implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Midline lumbar fusion (MIDLF) using cortical bone trajectory is an alternative method of transpedicular spinal fusion for degenerative disease. The new entry points' location and screwdriving direction allow the approach-related morbidity to be reduced., Aim: To present our preliminary experience with the MIDLF technique on the first 5 patients with lumbar degenerative disease and with follow-up of at least 6 months., Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed on the first 5 patients with foraminal (4) or central (1) stenosis operated on between December 2014 and February 2015. Three patients were fused at L4-L5 and two at the L5-S1 level., Results: No intra- or post-operative complications occurred with this approach. An improvement regarding the leading symptom in the early postoperative period (sciatica 4/4, claudication 1/1) was achieved in all patients. The mean improvements in the visual analogue scale for low back and leg pain were 2.2 and 4.8 respectively. The mean Oswestry Disability Index scores were 52% (range: 16-82%) before surgery and 33% (range: 12-56%) at 3-month follow-up (mean improvement 19%). At the most recent follow-up, 4 patients reported the maintenance of the satisfactory result. The early standing and follow-up X-rays showed satisfactory screw placement in all patients., Conclusions: In our initial experience, the MIDLF technique seems to be an encouraging alternative to traditional transpedicular trajectory screws when short level lumbar fusion is needed. Nevertheless, longer observations on larger groups of patients are needed to reliably evaluate the safety of the method and the sustainability of the results., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.