Methods: This study included 46 patients who underwent spinal reconstruction surgery for thoracolumbar osteoporotic vertebral fractures and kyphosis and were followed up for 1 year postoperatively. DJK was defined as an advanced kyphosis angle >10° between the LIV and one lower vertebra. The patients were divided into groups with and without DJK. The risk factors of the two groups, such as patient background, surgery-related factors, radiographic parameters, and clinical outcomes, were analyzed. Results: The DJK and non-DJK groups included 14 and 32 patients, respectively, without significant differences in patient background. Those with instability in the distal adjacent LIV disc had a significantly higher risk of DJK occurrence (28.6% vs. 3.2%, p=0.027). DJK occurrence significantly increased in those with the sagittal stable vertebra not included in the fixation range (57.1% vs. 18.8%, p=0.020). Other preoperative radiographic parameters were not significantly different. Instability in the distal adjacent LIV disc (adjusted odds ratio, 14.50; p=0.029) and the exclusion of the sagittal stable vertebra from the fixation range (adjusted odds ratio, 5.29; p=0.020) were significant risk factors for DJK occurrence. Conclusions Regarding spinal reconstruction surgery in patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures, instability in the distal adjacent LIV disc and the exclusion of the sagittal stable vertebra from the fixation range were risk factors for DJK occurrence in the short term.

Objectives: Infections with hepatitis B, C, and D virus (HBV, HCV, and HDV) are a major public health problem and lead to serious complications such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. We aimed to determine the seroprevalence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), anti-HCV, anti-HDV immunoglobulin G, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and dual and triple hepatitis virus infections in Mongolia. Methods: A total of 2313 participants from urban and rural regions were randomly recruited for this cross-sectional study. A questionnaire was used to identify the risk factors for hepatitis virus infections, and the seromarkers were measured using immunoassay kits. Results: Among all participants, the prevalence of HBV, HCV, and HDV was 15.6%, 36.6%, and 14.3%, respectively. The infection rates were significantly higher in females and participants with a lower education level, rural residence, older age, and a history of blood transfusion. HBV and HCV co-infection was found in 120 (5.2%) participants and HBV, HCV, and HDV triple infection was detected in 67 (2.9%) participants. The prevalence of elevated AFP was 2.7%, 5.5%, and 2.6% higher in participants who were seropositive for HBsAg (p=0.01), anti-HCV (p<0.001), and anti-HDV (p=0.022), respectively. Elevated AFP was more prevalent in participants co-infected with HBV and HCV (5.8%, p=0.023), HBV and HDV (6.0%, p<0.001), and triple-infected with HBV, HCV, and HDV (7.5%) than in uninfected individuals. Conclusions Nearly half (49.8%) of the study population aged ≥40 years were infected with HBV, HCV, or HDV, and 22.4% had dual or triple infections.

BACKGROUND: Ibaraki's Amabie-chan is a COVID-19 infection control system unique to Ibaraki prefecture, Japan. It requires residents to register each time they visit events, commercial facilities, and restaurants. The number of registrations has been limited, and its function alerting about people positive for COVID-19 infection seems not to be working. Nevertheless, registration with the system might have some impact on the user's behavior. In the current preliminary survey, the possible impact of Ibaraki's Amabie-chan on infection prevention behavior and fear of COVID-19 was investigated. METHODS: A cross-sectional, web-based, anonymous, and self-administered survey was conducted at two workplaces in Tsukuba Science City, Ibaraki, Japan. The first survey was conducted at one of the workplaces in November 2020, and the second survey, at the other workplace in February 2021. Variables of interest were sex, age group, marital status, employment status, Ibaraki's Amabie-chan use, COVID-19 Contact-Confirming Application use, ten items of infection prevention behaviors, and fear of COVID-19. Hierarchical linear regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: In both surveys, use of Ibaraki's Amabie-chan was significantly associated with COCOA use and with "physical condition management such as body temperature measurement." No association was found with other infection prevention behaviors or with fear of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS Our findings did not provide sufficient evidence for the effectiveness of Ibaraki's Amabie-chan in regard to users' infection control behavior. Further detailed study is needed to investigate the effectiveness in terms of infection prevention and the cost-effectiveness of Ibaraki's Amabie-chan.
COVID-19/prevention & control* ; Cohort Studies ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Fear ; Humans ; SARS-CoV-2

Methods: We investigated 154 foramina at L5–S1 in 77 patients. All the patients had degenerative lumbar disorders and had undergone both conventional MRI and 3D-MRI during the same visit. Differences between the FSRs calculated from conventional and 3D-MRI reconstructions and any correlations with the plain radiography findings were assessed. Results: In foramina that had a FSR of <50% on conventional MRI, the difference between the FSR obtained using conventional MRI and 3D-MRI was 5.1%, with a correlation coefficient of 0.777. For foramina with a FSR ≥50% on conventional MRI, the difference was 20.2%, with a correlation coefficient of 0.54. FSR obtained using 3D-MRI was significantly greater in patients who required surgery than in those who were successfully treated with conservative methods (88% and 42%, respectively). Segments with spondylolisthesis or lateral wedging showed higher FSRs than those without these conditions on both types of MRI. Conclusions FSRs <50% obtained using conventional MRI were sufficiently reliable; however, the results were inaccurate for FSRs ≥50%. Patients with high FSRs on 3D-MRI were more likely to require surgical treatment. Therefore, 3D-MRI is recommended in patients with suspected stenosis detected using conventional MRI or plain radiographs.

Caseous calcification of mitral annulus (CCMA) is rare variant of mitral annular calcification (MAC). There is no clear consensus on the optimal management for CCMA. However, patients with CCMA have high risk of embolic strokes. We performed drainage and debridement in 3-cases of CCMA. All patients had a history of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and two of the three patients were undergoing hemodialysis. If a calcified mass at the mitral valve annulus is observed, especially in hemodialysis patients, CCMA should be recognized.

Methods: We investigated 154 foramina at L5–S1 in 77 patients. All the patients had degenerative lumbar disorders and had undergone both conventional MRI and 3D-MRI during the same visit. Differences between the FSRs calculated from conventional and 3D-MRI reconstructions and any correlations with the plain radiography findings were assessed. Results: In foramina that had a FSR of <50% on conventional MRI, the difference between the FSR obtained using conventional MRI and 3D-MRI was 5.1%, with a correlation coefficient of 0.777. For foramina with a FSR ≥50% on conventional MRI, the difference was 20.2%, with a correlation coefficient of 0.54. FSR obtained using 3D-MRI was significantly greater in patients who required surgery than in those who were successfully treated with conservative methods (88% and 42%, respectively). Segments with spondylolisthesis or lateral wedging showed higher FSRs than those without these conditions on both types of MRI. Conclusions FSRs <50% obtained using conventional MRI were sufficiently reliable; however, the results were inaccurate for FSRs ≥50%. Patients with high FSRs on 3D-MRI were more likely to require surgical treatment. Therefore, 3D-MRI is recommended in patients with suspected stenosis detected using conventional MRI or plain radiographs.

Background: Hybrid closed-wedge high tibial osteotomy (hybrid CWHTO) is an effective surgical treatment for medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee. Our study investigated whether the combination of a lateral locking plate and a single medial screw promoted bone union after hybrid CWHTO. Methods: The study cohort consisted of 30 patients (15 men and 15 women) who underwent hybrid CWHTO for medial compartment osteoarthritis or spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee. Sixteen knees were fixed with a lateral locking plate (LP group), and 17 were fixed with both a lateral locking plate and a cannulated cancellous screw on the medial side of the tibia (LPS group). The times to bone union, radiolucency, and callus formation at the osteotomy site were evaluated radiographically. Results: The mean postoperative time to radiographic confirmation of bone union was 5.5 ± 2.6 months in the LP group and 3.4 ± 1.5 months in the LPS group. Radiolucency at the osteotomy site and excess callus formation on the posterior side of the tibia were lower in the LPS group than in the LP group. Conclusions This modified hybrid CWHTO combining a lateral locking plate and a cannulated cancellous screw on the medial side of the tibia improves the stability of the osteotomy site and shortens the period of bone union.

Background: Hybrid closed-wedge high tibial osteotomy (hybrid CWHTO) is an effective surgical treatment for medial compartment osteoarthritis of the knee. Our study investigated whether the combination of a lateral locking plate and a single medial screw promoted bone union after hybrid CWHTO. Methods: The study cohort consisted of 30 patients (15 men and 15 women) who underwent hybrid CWHTO for medial compartment osteoarthritis or spontaneous osteonecrosis of the knee. Sixteen knees were fixed with a lateral locking plate (LP group), and 17 were fixed with both a lateral locking plate and a cannulated cancellous screw on the medial side of the tibia (LPS group). The times to bone union, radiolucency, and callus formation at the osteotomy site were evaluated radiographically. Results: The mean postoperative time to radiographic confirmation of bone union was 5.5 ± 2.6 months in the LP group and 3.4 ± 1.5 months in the LPS group. Radiolucency at the osteotomy site and excess callus formation on the posterior side of the tibia were lower in the LPS group than in the LP group. Conclusions This modified hybrid CWHTO combining a lateral locking plate and a cannulated cancellous screw on the medial side of the tibia improves the stability of the osteotomy site and shortens the period of bone union.

Adenocarcinoma currently accounts for 10–25% of all uterine cervical carcinomas and has a variety of histopathological subtypes. Among them, mucinous carcinoma gastric type is not associated with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and a poor prognosis, while villoglandular carcinoma has an association with high-risk HPV infection and a good prognosis. They show relatively characteristic imaging findings which can be suggested by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), though the former is sometimes difficult to be distinguished from lobular endocervical glandular hyperplasia. Various kinds of other tumors including squamous cell carcinoma should be also differentiated on MRI, while it is currently difficult to distinguish them on MRI, and HPV screening and pathological confirmation are usually necessary for definite diagnosis and further patient management.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mass Screening ; Prognosis ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; Uterus