(C) 2009 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3138812]“
“Obesity is now recognised as a low grade, chronic inflammatory disease that is linked to a myriad of disorders find more including cancer, cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes (T2D). With respect to T2D, work in the last decade has revealed that cells of the immune system are recruited to white adipose tissue beds (WAT), where they can secrete cytokines to modulate metabolism within

WAT. As many of these cytokines are known to impair insulin action, blocking the recruitment of immune cells has been purported to have therapeutic utility for the treatment of obesity-induced T2D. As inflammation is critical for host defence, and energy consuming in nature, the blockade of inflammatory processes may, however, result in unwanted complications. In this review, we outline the immunological changes that occur within the WAT with respect to systemic glucose homeostasis. In particular, we focus on the role of major immune cell types in regulating nutrient homeostasis and potential initiating stimuli for WAT inflammation.”
“This article investigates the performance of a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)

with a novel wavelike gas flow channel. Numerical simulations have been performed to investigate the effect of the wavelike channel profile on the gas flow characteristics, MK2206 temperature distribution, electrochemical reaction efficiency, and electrical performance. The simulation results show that compared to a conventional straight gas flow channel, the wavelike channel increases the fuel flow velocity, enhances the transport through the porous layer, and improves the temperature distribution. As a result, the PEMFC has improved fuel utilization efficiency and superior

selleck compound heat-transfer characteristics. Furthermore, the results show that the wavelike gas flow channel yields a higher PEMFC output voltage and improves the maximum power density by approximately 32.5%. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 111: 1440-1448, 2009″
“Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder, characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from insulin deficiency and/or insulin resistance. Recent evidence suggests that high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent oxidative stress are key contributors in the development of diabetic complications. The FOXOfamily of forkhead transcription factors including FOXO1, FOXO3, FOXO4, and FOXO6 play important roles in the regulation of many cellular and biological processes and are critical regulators of cellular oxidative stress response pathways.

A flexible microblade shaver system is able to traverse the foramen, removing bone and ligament, using a ventral to dorsal approach, rather than medial to lateral. This enables

it to effectively decompress the lateral recess and neural foramen while sparing posterior structures.

Methods. Brief literature review of current MIS decompression techniques is presented. MIS decompression using a flexible microblade shaver system is described with 1 year outcomes from a small pilot study and a retrospective chart review at 2 centers.

Results. A small postmarket pilot study (n = 9) with 1 year results showed positive patient outcomes using Visual Analog Scale (decrease by 73%), Oswestry Disability Index(50% improvement), Zurich Claudication

Questionnaire physical Torin 1 cell line function and symptom severity (improved by 72% and 31%, respectively), and Short-Form 36 (SF-36) Physical Component Score (36% improvement). Sixty-seven patients from a retrospective chart review at 2 centers had an average of 2 levels per patient decompressed using a flexible microblade shaver system. No patient has returned for additional surgery and there have been no cases of neurologic impairment.

Conclusion. GS-4997 cell line Current decompression techniques may result in inadequate decompression of the neural foramen or excessive resection of the facet joint. MIS decompression using a flexible microblade shaver system represents a way to perform an effective, facet-preserving Selleck Veliparib decompression for patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.”
“Solution culture has been used extensively to determine the phytotoxic effects of trace metals. A review of the literature from 1975 to 2009 was carried out to evaluate the effects of As(V), Cd(II), Co(II), Cu(II), Hg(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) on plants grown in solution. A total of 119 studies was selected using criteria that allowed

a valid comparison of the results; reported toxic concentrations varied by five orders of magnitude. Across a range of plant species and experimental conditions, the phytotoxicity of the trace metals followed the trend (from most to least toxic): Pb approximate to Hg > Cu > Cd approximate to As > Co approximate to Ni approximate to Zn > Mn, with median toxic concentrations of (mu M): 0.30 Pb, 0.47 Hg, 2.0 Cu, 5.0 Cd, 9.0 As, 17 Co, 19 Ni, 25 Zn, and 46 Mn. For phytotoxicity studies in solution culture, we suggest (i) plants should be grown in a dilute solution which mimics the soil solution, or that, at a minimum, contains Ca and B, (ii) solution pH should be monitored and reported (as should the concentrations of the trace metal of interest), (iii) assessment should be made of the influence of pH on solution composition and ion speciation, and (iv) both the period of exposure to the trace metal and the plant variable measured should be appropriate.

Early blastocysts showed better survival versus extended/hatching blastocysts (P<0.01). Of the morphological parameters analysed, immediate re-expansion (P<0.05) and hatching, (P<0.001) were positive predictors of the rates of implantation, pregnancy and live birth. The opposite holds for extensive cytoplasmic granulation (P<0.05), which was negatively related. Accurate scoring of warmed blastocysts (within the first 2 h) allows for prediction of pregnancy Outcome, and thus will help to further reduce

the number of transferred embryos.”
“Ranpirnase (onconase; ONC) is an endoribonuclease obtained from the frog Rana pipiens. This enzyme exhibits anticancer properties mediated by degradation of cellular RNA and induction of apoptosis. In this study we assessed cytotoxicity of ONC in combination with currently used anticancer drugs on a human diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)-derived cell line (Toledo). Cytotoxic this website activity was measured by the exclusion of propidium iodide assay while apoptosis was assessed using the annexin-V binding method. Additionally, flow cytometry was used to assess the decline of mitochondrial potential and to determine activation of caspases 3, 8 and 9. It was observed that in vitro treatment with ONC in combination with rituximab, mafosfamide, vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone

(drugs corresponding LBH589 solubility dmso with elements of R-CHOP regimen) resulted in increased cytotoxicity. As a result ONC showed marked cytotoxicity against Toledo cells. Importantly, in combination of ONC with drugs imitating the R-CHOP regimen, Selumetinib cost this effect was significantly intensified. The main mechanism responsible for this event was induction of apoptosis along a mitochondrial dependent pathway. In conclusion, these data indicate that further preclinical and eventually clinical studies assessing activity of ONC+R-CHOP treatment are warranted.”
“Objective: The primary goal of this study was to determine the ultrasonographic signs of asynclitic and transverse head positioning. In addition, we

compared the performance of intrapartum ultrasound to vaginal digital examination. Material & Methods: 150 women were evaluated by 2D transabdominal and translabial ultrasound (US) to detect the asynclitic and deep transverse positions. Transvaginal sterile digital examinations were performed immediately after each intrapartum US assessments, the examinations were repeated at intervals of 45-90 minutes. Examiners were blinded to each other’s findings (clinical or sonographic). Data were reviewed and analyzed by an independent reviewer. Results: The efficacy of digital examination was significantly lower than US evaluation for the detection of either transverse position or asynclitism. The most frequent transverse position was the left one, while the most frequent asynclitism was the anterior one.

The catheters with the balloons were removed on day 30 after re-operation. This method is easy, simple and inexpensive for the treatment of hepatic venous outflow block after partial liver transplantation.”
“The resistivities and microstructures for 50 nm Cu wires fabricated by high heating rate (3 K/s) and short time (1 min) annealing using infrared rapid thermal annealing equipment have been selleck inhibitor investigated as a function of annealing temperature and compared to those properties for wires fabricated by a slow heating rate (0.08 K/s), long time (30 min) conventional H(2) annealing process. The resistivity of wires annealed by the new process

decreased substantially with increasing annealing temperature from 573 to 773 K. The resistivity had its lowest value between 773 and 873 K, and it increased rapidly with annealing temperature above 923 K. The average rho value was 2.98 mu Omega cm for 773 K new process wires, whereas average rho values were about 3.55 mu Omega cm for 573 K and 3.42 mu Omega cm for 673 K conventionally H(2) annealed wires. This

resistivity value for the new process wires was about 16% lower than the value for wires annealed at 573 K and 13% lower than the value for the wires annealed at 673 K by the conventional H(2) annealing process. The substantial resistivity decrease in the new process Cu wires is mainly attributed to uniform grain size coarsening and high (111) orientation effects by the high temperature and high rate heating, while the resistivity increase at higher heating temperatures above 923 K for new process wires is mainly attributed to the reaction between BIIB057 in vivo Cu and Ta/TaN barriers; the greater the extent of the reaction, the higher the resistivity. (C) 2010 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3474663]“
“Objective: The goal of the work described here was to evaluate relationships among resection volume, seizure outcome,

and cognitive morbidity after temporal lobectomy for intractable epilepsy.

Methods: Thirty patients with mesial temporal sclerosis were Wortmannin evaluated pre- and postoperatively with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale III, Wechsler Memory Scale III, and three-dimensional coronal spoiled gradient recall acquisition MRI. Preoperative whole-brain volumes were calculated with Statistical Parametric Mapping. Resection volume was calculated by manual tracing. Systat was used for statistical analysis.

Results: All resections included the temporal tip, at least 1 cm of the superior temporal gyrus, and 3 to 5 cm of the middle and inferior temporal gyri. Left were significantly smaller than right temporal resections. Seizure-free patients had significantly larger resections. Immediate verbal memory was significantly worse after left temporal lobectomy. Surgical outcome and resection volume did not affect postoperative neuropsychological results.

To investigate the interactions between SO(2) and B(a)P, male Wistar rats were exposed to intratracheally instilled with B(a)P or SO(2) inhalation alone or together. We detected mRNA expression of CYP1A1 and 1A2, 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD), JAK pathway and methoxyresorufin O-demethylase (MROD) activities in livers. The mRNA and protein levels of several cancer-related genes were analyzed in livers by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The EROD/MROD activities and CYP1A1/2

expression were down-regulated by SO(2) but up-regulated by B(a)P alone. Exposure of SO(2) alone induced c-fos, c-jun, c-myc, H-ras, and p53 expression, and depressed p16 and Rb expression in livers. The effects of B(a)P on the above gene were similar to SO(2) except c-fos expression. Furthermore, SO(2) + B(a)P exposure increased the expression of c-fos, c-jun, c-myc, and p53, and decreased p16 and Rb expression in livers compared with exposed to SO(2) or B(a)P alone. However, no synergistic effects

were observed BAY 73-4506 on H-ras and CYP1A1/2 after SO(2) + B(a)P exposure. Our findings indicate that multiple cell cycle regulatory proteins play key roles in the toxicity of SO(2) and B(a)P in livers. It might involve the activation of c-fos, c-jun, c-myc, and p53. And p16-Rb pathway might also participate in the progress. Although the gene products we studied are classed as oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, their functions actually relate to more general processes of control of cell proliferation, survival, and/or apoptosis. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 25: 169-179, 2010.”
“Long

spinal deformity fusions in elderly patients continue to be controversial. However, there is a PFTα molecular weight growing population of elderly patients with spinal deformities that may be optimally treated by reconstructive surgery requiring a long fusion to the sacrum. This study evaluated clinical outcomes in elderly (> 65) adult deformity patients who underwent posterior instrumented reconstruction consisting of fusion from the thoracic spine to the sacrum with iliac fixation.

Patients in a prospective database for adult spinal deformity who had a posterior reconstruction with an instrumented fusion from the thoracic spine to the sacrum that included iliac fixation with minimum 2-year follow-up were identified. Two cohorts were compared: patients 65 years and older and patients 55 years and younger. Student’s t test for independent groups was used to determine any significant differences between continuous variables. Chi-square was used to compare categorical demographic variables between the two groups.

The 65 and older group consisted of 15 patients with an average age of 71 years (range 65-78 years). The 55 and younger group consisted of 25 patients with an average age of 45 years (range 30-55 years). The older group had a worse mean co-morbidity score (4.6 vs.

Exercise training is indicated for underweight patients with COPD.”
“Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the nature and extent of depressive symptoms among patients with epilepsy. Methods: Ninety patients were investigated over a three-month period: 42 were suffering from generalized TPX-0005 cell line epilepsy, 29 from focal epilepsy and 19 from

undetermined epilepsy. ALL completed the Zung self-rating scale for assessment of the depressive symptoms. Results: Sixty-seven patients felt stigmatized because of epilepsy (67%): 73.6% in the undetermined epilepsy group, 55.1% in the focal epilepsy group and 88% in the generalized epilepsy group. Moreover, among the 90 epileptic patients studied, symptoms of irritability, indecisiveness, personal devaluation and emptiness showed a constant increasing trend for their presence from the undetermined epilepsy group through the generalized epilepsy group to the focal epilepsy group. Conclusions: These findings indicate that although the focal epilepsy patients felt Less stigmatized, they did not

differ greatly in terms of depressive symptoms, in relation to the undetermined epilepsy and generalized epilepsy patients.”
“Purpose: To develop sustained release matrix tablets of diltiazem hydrochloride (DTZ) using modified karaya gum (MK).

Methods: MK was prepared by cross-linking karaya gum with tri-sodium tri-metaphosphate (STMP) which was used as a cross linker. Matrix tablets of DTZ were prepared this website using varying ratios of unmodified karaya gum (K) and MK by direct compression. The matrix tablets were evaluated for pharmacotechnical properties and in vitro release. The optimized formulation was compared with a reference, Dilzem (R) SR. MK and the formulations were also characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

Results: Tablets formulated with MK showed higher mean dissolution time (MDT)

and lower dissolution efficiency than those prepared with karaya gum. Drug release was by water uptake, diffusion and erosion mechanisms. Drug release for tablets prepared with pure K was 99.9% at the end of 10 h while that tablet made with MK was 68.2% at the end of 12 h. MK sufficiently Bcl-2 inhibitor controlled the drug release unlike K which exhibited rapid drug release efficiency. SEM images of the tablets before and after dissolution showed some morphological changes on the tablet surface while FTIR and DSC thermogram studies confirmed that there was no chemical interaction between the drug and the polymers in MK formulation. Formulation F6 compared well with Dilzem (R) SR (reference) (p < 0.05) in terms of release characteristics.

Conclusion: The results of the study demonstrate that modified karaya gum is a potential matrix material for formulating suitable sustained-release matrix tablets of diltiazem.

This investigation employs a 2-inch LGP injection mold as the experimental carrier, and compares the replication effect on the microstructure of induction heating with that of conventional oil-heating. Temperature increases on the mold plate are examined using a thermal video system. The experimental results show that (1) the flat induction coil design promotes rapid surface heating. (2) Induction-heating the mold surface to 110 degrees C improves the replication rate

of the height of the micro-structure by LIP to 95%. (3) The LGP produced by induction heating has no significant residual stress. (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 113:1345-1354, 2009″
“Study Design. Randomized double blind controlled clinical trial.

Objective. To evaluate the pain relief effect of locally injected corticosteroid treatment in BAY 80-6946 nmr women with long-lasting sacral low back pain with onset during pregnancy.

Summary

of Background Data. Pregnancy-related low back pain is a global problem. Almost 1 of 10 women still experienced disabling daily back pain 2 years after childbirth with high impact on the individual, family, and society. On spite of this, the sources of pain and effective treatment are uncertain.

Methods. Thirty-six women were allocated to injection treatment, with slow-release triamcinolone and lidocaine or saline and lidocaine, given at the sacrospinous ligament insertion on the ischiadic spine bilaterally with 4 weeks follow-up time. Primary outcome measure was reported pain intensity dbcAMP on visual analogue scale and secondary outcome measures selleck inhibitor number of pain-drawing locations and pain-provoking test results.

Results. The triamcinolone treatment group had significantly

reduced pain intensity, number of pain locations, and pain-provoking test results between baseline and follow-up as compared with the saline treatment group. The absolute median change of visual analogue scale score in the triamcinolone treatment group was -24 mm and in the saline group +4.5 mm (P < 0.05). A reduced number of pain drawing locations was reported by 16 of 18 women in the triamcinolone group as compared with 10 of 18 in the saline group (P < 0.05). In the triamcinolone treatment group, 17 of 18 women had an improved pain provocation test result as compared with 9 of 18 in the saline treatment group (P < 0.01).

Conclusion. The anatomic region around the sacrospinous ligament insertion on the ischial spine is suggested to be one source of long-lasting sacral low back pain with onset during pregnancy. The pain was relieved by slow-release corticosteroid injection treatment to the ischial spine.”
“Tuberculous peritonitis is a rare complication during peritoneal dialysis (PD). This report presents the case of a patient with clinical signs and symptoms indicative of bacterial peritonitis, but without culture growth of conventional bacteria or fungi.

“
“Background: Major trauma is the leading worldwide cause of death in young adults. The mortality from traumatic

cardiac arrest remains high but survival with good neurological outcome from cardiopulmonary arrest following major trauma has been regularly reported. Rapid, effective intervention is required to address potential reversible C59 nmr causes of traumatic cardiac arrest if the victim is to survive. Current ILCOR guidelines do not contain a standard algorithm for management of traumatic cardiac arrest. We present a simple algorithm to manage the major trauma patient in actual or imminent cardiac arrest.

Methods: We reviewed the published English language literature on traumatic cardiac arrest and major trauma management. A treatment algorithm was developed based on this and the experience of treatment of more than a thousand traumatic cardiac arrests by a physician – paramedic pre-hospital trauma service.

Results: The algorithm addresses the need treat potential reversible causes of traumatic cardiac arrest. This includes immediate resuscitative thoracotomy in cases of penetrating

chest trauma, airway management, optimising oxygenation, correction of hypovolaemia and chest decompression to exclude tension pneumothorax.

Conclusion: The requirement to rapidly address a number of potentially reversible pathologies in a short time period lends the management of traumatic

cardiac arrest to a simple treatment algorithm. A standardised approach may prevent NSC 750424 delay in diagnosis and treatment and improve current poor survival click here rates. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Gene expression microarrays are high throughput technologies that can simultaneously measure the expression levels of most known genes in the human genome within a biological sample. The study of gene expression has revealed new understanding into the biological complexities of the cell and can impact the field of medicine by providing new insights into disease. Examining gene expression in samples from patients with pulmonary disease can elucidate molecular mechanisms responsible for disease pathogenesis or uncover novel molecular subtypes within a disease. Gene expression signatures of disease pathogenesis can further be used to suggest novel therapeutic compounds. Biomarkers can be developed from gene expression data that can aid clinicians in diagnosing disease or can guide clinicians in tailoring therapeutic strategies to individual patients. To demonstrate the applications of gene expression microarray technology, we will review several studies in pulmonary disease that utilize gene expression profiling techniques to gain biological insights into disease or to develop clinically relevant biomarkers for disease management.

Am J Clin Nutr 2010; 92: 77-82.”
“We investigate Selleck PX-478 the thermodynamics of phase decomposition in magnetic alloy semiconductors (MASs) using the statistical Flory-Huggins

lattice model. Based on this model, we propose a method to determine experimentally the interaction parameter chi and apply it to draw the phase decomposition diagram of (GaMn)As. The interaction energy of (GaMn) As was estimated to be about 5.7 mRy, which is close to the first principle calculation of 4.2 mRy. Using this phase diagram, we fabricated MnAs nanoparticles with a rectangular lattice structure utilizing the spinodal decomposition. We discuss the formation of rectangular and triangular lattice structures at the late stage of spinodal decomposition in MASs using the Ginzburg-Landaulike free energy function. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3567112]“
“A new class of biodegradable copolyesters was synthesized by the catalyst-free melt condensation of sorbitol with citric acid, tartaric acid, and sebacic acid. The resulting polymers were designated as poly(sorbitol citric sebacate) [p(SCS)]

and poly(sorbitol tartaric sebacate) [p(STS)]. The synthesized polymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, (1)H-NMR spectroscopy, PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitor 3 datasheet and differential scanning calorimetry analysis. Porous spongelike scaffolds were prepared with a salt-leaching technique and characterized with scanning electron microscopy. Tensile testing of the p(SCS) and p(STS) polymers showed that they exhibited a wide range of mechanical properties. The Young’s modulus and tensile strengths of the polymers ranged from 1.06 +/- 0.12 to 462.65 +/- 34.21 MPa and from 0.45 +/- 0.04 to 20.32 +/- 2.54 MPa, respectively. In vitro degradation studies were performed on disc-shaped polymer samples. The half-life of the polymers ranged from 0.54 to 38.52 days. The percentage hydration of the polymers was in the range 9.36 +/- 1.26 to 78.25 +/- 1.91, with sol contents of 2-14%. At any given polymer composition, the Young’s

modulus and PLX-4720 mouse tensile strength of p(SCS) was higher than that of p(STS), whereas the degradation rates of p(SCS) was lower than that of p(STS). This was attributed to the structural difference between the citric and tartaric monomers and to the degree of crosslinking. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 121: 2861-2869, 2011″
“Background: Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are intrinsically insulin resistant and have a high risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Weight loss improves risk factors, but the optimal diet composition is unknown. Low-glycemic index (low-GI) diets are recommended without evidence of their clinical effectiveness.

Objective: We compared changes in insulin sensitivity and clinical outcomes after similar weight losses after consumption of a low-GI diet compared with a conventional healthy diet in women with PCOS.

32, 95%CI 1.22-8.99 and RR 4.61, 95%CI 1.69-12.59, respectively).

CONCLUSION: Strategies to accelerate accurate diagnosis of smear-negative TB and increase patient retention during treatment, especially in HIV co-infected individuals, are needed to reduce poor treatment outcomes in Kenya.”
“The detailed investigation of endophytic Streptomyces

sp. T1B1 was performed during a search for new structural and active compounds. The strain T1B1 was isolated Thiazovivin from the old bast tissue of Taxus yunnanensis and determined to be a member of Streptomyces, according to the 16S rRNA analysis. The extracts from the PDA solid fermentation media of Streptomyces sp. T1B1 were purified and four beta-lactones were isolated. They were identified as 4 alpha-(3,5-dihydroxy hexyl)-3 alpha-methyl-2-oxetanone (1), 4 alpha-(3-methyl-4-formyloxy-hexyl)-3 alpha-methyl-2-oxetanone (2), 4 alpha-(3,5-dihydroxy-heptyl)-3 alpha-methyl-2-oxetanone (3) and 4 alpha-(3-methyl-4-formyloxy-heptyl)-3 alpha-methyl-2-oxetanone (4) on the basis

of spectral data. (C) 2013 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Phytochemical Society of Europe.”
“Background: Selleckchem CH5183284 Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2) on an absorbable collagen sponge has been shown to be a safe and effective replacement for iliac crest bone graft when used with a threaded fusion device in anterior lumbar interbody arthrodesis. Use of rhBMP-2 on an absorbable collagen sponge in posterolateral lumbar arthrodesis requires the addition of a bulking agent to provide resistance against compression and to serve as an osteoconductive scaffold for new bone formation.

Methods: We performed a prospective, randomized, multicenter pilot study to investigate the use of rhBMP-2 on an absorbable collagen sponge combined with a ceramic-granule bulking agent as a replacement for autogenous iliac crest bone graft in single level posterolateral lumbar arthrodesis with instrumentation. The investigational group (twenty-five patients) was treated with a 1.5 mg/mL solution of rhBMP-2

on two strips of absorbable collagen sponge (total dose of rhBMP-2, 12 mg) combined with 10 cm(3) of ceramic granules. The control group (twenty-one patients) received iliac crest bone graft. Clinical outcomes were assessed with use of well-established learn more instruments. Radiographs were reviewed to assess consolidation of fusion.

Results: Eighty-eight percent (twenty-two) of the twenty-five patients in the investigational group and 86% (eighteen) of the twenty-one patients in the control group were considered to have completed the twenty-four-month follow-up. At all follow-up intervals, there were significant improvements in the clinical outcome measures, including the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores, Short Form-36 scores, and back and leg pain scores, in both groups. At twenty-four months, the improvement in the mean ODI score, as compared with the preoperative score, was 28.