Publications by authors named "Billet B"

Background: Dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRGS) is an established method for treating persistent and severe pain conditions. However, performing DRGS has significant challenges. Current DRGS systems are expensive, hindering accessibility for many patients and health care systems.

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Introduction: Dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRGS) has emerged as a promising treatment for chronic neuropathic pain. However, its safety and complications are not fully understood, with existing literature primarily based on case reports, observational studies, and data base analyses. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to assess the prevalence of noninfectious complications associated with DRGS, focusing on the trial phase, postimplantation period, and revisions, while identifying risk factors for these outcomes.

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Article Synopsis
  • There is increasing interest in neuromodulation techniques, like spinal cord and peripheral nerve stimulation, as alternatives for managing chronic pain, focusing on their effects on the autonomic nervous system (ANS).
  • A systematic review analyzed 43 studies from various databases, assessing how neuromodulation impacts the ANS in chronic pain patients, with cardiovascular parameters being the most common outcome measured.
  • Results showed a variety of ANS function indicators, emphasizing the need for better understanding of neuromodulation's role in chronic pain treatment and its interaction with the ANS.
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Background: Differential target multiplexed spinal cord stimulation (DTM SCS) was shown to be superior to conventional SCS for treating chronic low back pain (CLBP) in subjects with persistent spinal pain syndrome with previous spinal surgery (PSPS-T2) or ineligible for it (PSPS-T1). This study reports 24-month efficacy and safety of DTM SCS vs. conventional medical management (CMM) in PSPS-T1 subjects across four European countries.

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Objectives: Different types of spinal cord stimulation (SCS) have been evaluated for the management of chronic nonsurgical refractory back pain (NSRBP). A direct comparison between the different types of SCS or between closed-loop SCS with conventional medical management (CMM) for patients with NSRBP has not been previously conducted, and therefore, their relative effectiveness and cost-effectiveness remain unknown. The aim of this study was to perform a systematic review, network meta-analysis (NMA) and economic evaluation of closed-loop SCS compared with fixed-output SCS and CMM for patients with NSRBP.

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Introduction: Spinal cord stimulation is a common treatment option for neuropathic pain conditions. Despite its extensive use and multiple technological evolutions, long term efficacy of spinal cord stimulation is debated. Most studies on spinal cord stimulation include a rather limited number of patients and/or follow-ups over a limited period.

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Article Synopsis
  • Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is a surgical method used to treat severe chronic neuropathic pain and is thought to have a carryover effect, where pain perception is delayed after the device is turned off.
  • An international study was conducted with 158 eligible patients to systematically measure the carryover time, defined as the duration between deactivation and reactivation of the SCS device.
  • The findings revealed a median carryover time of five hours, with various factors like the type of pain and stimulation influencing the length of this carryover time.
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The numerical rating scale and visual analogue scale are used to quantify pain intensity. However, it has not yet been explored whether these scores are interchangeable in adults with chronic pain. Data from the prospective multicentre cross-sectional INTERVAL study were used to evaluate the one-dimensionality and agreement between numerical rating scale scores and visual analogue scale scores in adults with chronic pain.

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Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) aptamer-based assays using metallic nanostructures or chelates as exogenous tags have gained growing attention in the last decade. We describe here a proof-of-concept study based on the exploitation of a simple organic molecule as a tag, i.e.

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The search towards more objective outcome measurements and consequently surrogate markers for pain started decades ago; however, no generally accepted biomarker for pain has qualified yet. The goal is to explore the value of heart rate variability (HRV) as surrogate marker for pain intensity chronic pain setting. Pain intensity scores and HRV were collected in 366 patients with chronic pain, through a cross-sectional multicenter study.

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Background: A previously developed educational e-health tool considers both clinical and psychosocial factors when selecting patients with chronic pain for spinal cord stimulation (SCS). The validity of the composite recommendations was evaluated in a retrospective study, demonstrating a strong relationship with patient outcomes after SCS.

Methods: An additional retrospective analysis was performed to determine the added value of a psychosocial evaluation as part of the decision-making process on SCS.

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We describe herein an aptamer-based sensing approach that signal the presence of small-molecule targets when fluorescent DNA probes are challenged with the Ni or Co quencher metal ions. Functional oligonucleotides targeting L-tyrosinamide (L-Tym), adenosine (Ade) or cocaine (Coc) were end-labeled by the Texas-Red fluorophore. A fluorescence quenching occurred upon association of these transition metal ions with the free conjugates.

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Objectives: To support rational decision-making on spinal cord stimulation (SCS), a European expert panel developed an educational e-health tool using the RAND/University of California at Los Angeles Appropriateness Method. This retrospective study aimed to determine the applicability and validity of the tool using data from patients for whom SCS had been considered.

Materials And Methods: A total of 12 European implant centers retrieved data from 25 to 50 consecutive patients for whom SCS was considered in 2018-2019.

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Introduction: Dorsal root ganglion stimulation (DRG-S), has demonstrated superiority in the treatment of complex regional pain syndrome and causalgia. Lead migration and fracture impact DRG-S therapeutic stability. Lead anchoring reduces DRG-S lead migration without increasing lead fracture.

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Chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP) is a common complication of surgery. This study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of paresthesia-free, 10-kHz spinal cord stimulation (SCS) as a treatment for CPSP. Subjects in this prospective, single-arm study had an average pain intensity of ≥5 cm on a 10-cm visual analog scale.

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We introduced an aptamer switch design that relies on the ability of post-transition/transition metal ions to trigger, through their coordination to nucleobases, substantial DNA destabilization. In the absence of molecular target, the addition of one such metal ion to usual aptamer working solutions promotes the formation of an alternative, inert DNA state. Upon exposure to the cognate compound, the equilibrium is shifted towards the competent DNA form.

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Background: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) is an established treatment for chronic neuropathic, neuropathic-like and ischaemic pain. However, the heterogeneity of patients in daily clinical practice makes it often challenging to determine which patients are eligible for this treatment, resulting in undesirable practice variations. This study aimed to establish patient-specific recommendations for referral and selection of SCS in chronic pain.

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Article Synopsis
  • A new method for creating self-healing polymers was developed, using dynamic imine and metal-coordinating bonds to achieve high stretchability and controlled degradability.
  • These polymers can stretch up to 800% and regain 88% of their mechanical strength after damage due to their unique chemical bonding system.
  • The materials were successfully applied in self-healable electronics, specifically a capacitive pressure sensor that maintained sensitivity and performance even after healing.
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A new strategy for influencing the solid-state morphology of conjugated polymers was developed through physical blending with a low-molecular-weight branched polyethylene. This nontoxic and low-boiling-point additive was blended with a high-charge-mobility diketopyrrolopyrrole-based conjugated polymer, and a detailed investigation of the new blended materials was performed by various characterization tools, including X-ray diffraction, UV-vis spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. Interestingly, the branched additive was shown to reduce the crystallinity of the conjugated polymer while promoting aggregation and phase separation in the solid state.

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Objective: Evaluation of the efficacy of a wireless high-frequency stimulator placed over selected DRG of exiting nerve roots for the treatment of chronic low back pain.

Design: Feasibility.

Subjects: Six subjects with chronic, intractable back pain refractory to standard medical treatment.

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Objective: To evaluate the analgesic effect of a dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation technology utilizing high-frequency pulse rates to treat intractable chronic back and leg pain.

Methods: This case study presents the outcomes, with a novel, wireless, minimally invasive miniature neurostimulator system in a case of chronic back pain. The subject was implanted bilaterally with a Freedom 4A quadripolar electrode array at the L2 dorsal root ganglion.

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Background: Peripheral nerve stimulation of primary afferent neurons provides control of localized chronic pain. This technique applies permanent electrical stimulation at the target area via a minimally invasive, subcutaneous placement of an electrode.

Objective: To assess the analgesic effects of minimally invasive wireless neuromodulation in the treatment of chronic intractable pain secondary to post-herpetic neuralgia.

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In an effort to broaden the search for high-capacity hydrogen storage materials, three triborane compounds, NaB(3)H(8), NH(3)B(3)H(7), and NH(4)B(3)H(8), were studied. In addition to hydrogen, thermal decomposition also releases volatile boranes, and the relative amounts and species depend on the cations (Na(+), NH(4)(+)) and the Lewis base (NH(3)). Static-sample hydrogen NMR is used to probe molecular motion in the three solids.

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