Readability and Reliability of Online Information Regarding Patellar Instability.

Background: Assessment of readability and reliability of online resources for orthopedic patients is an area of growing interest, but there is currently limited reporting on this topic for patellar instability (PI) and medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR).

Methods: Utilizing the Searchresponse.io dataset, we analyzed inquiries related to PI and MPFLR.

Role of low-pressure negative pleural suction in patients with thoracic trauma - a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Thoracic trauma frequently includes a pneumothorax, hemothorax, or hemopneumothorax, which may necessitate an Intercostal drainage (ICD) for air and fluid evacuation to improve breathing and circulatory function. It is a simple and life-saving procedure; nevertheless, it carries morbidity, even after its removal. Efforts have been made continuously to shorten the duration of ICD, but mostly in non-trauma patients.

Boosting Confidence: Enhancing Spinal Cord Stimulator Needle and Lead Placement Through Simulation Training.

Background This pilot study aims to examine the effectiveness of a spinal cord stimulator (SCS) simulator training system in improving the confidence of pain fellows in SCS placement. Methodology Five Ukrainian physicians (neurologists, neurosurgeons, and an anesthesiologist) completed a 10-item survey regarding their confidence in various aspects of SCS placement and their opinions on how effective SCS models were for educational purposes. After placing SCS leads using the SCS simulator, the physicians took the same survey again.

Tiny Guides, Big Impact: Focus on the Opportunities and Challenges of miR-Based Treatments for ARDS.

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by lung inflammation and increased membrane permeability, which represents the leading cause of mortality in ICUs. Mechanical ventilation strategies are at the forefront of supportive approaches for ARDS. Recently, an increasing understanding of RNA biology, function, and regulation, as well as the success of RNA vaccines, has spurred enthusiasm for the emergence of novel RNA-based therapeutics.

Neuromyelitis Optica Presenting as Non-Communicating Hydrocephalus: A Case Report.

Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) is a demyelinating disease predominantly involving optic nerves, spinal cord and peri-ventricular regions which are rich in Aquaporin-4 receptors. Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) antibodies are implicated in the pathogenesis of NMO. Association of hydrocephalus ( communicating and non communicating) with NMO is very rare.

Persistent chest pain following COVID-19 infection - A scoping review.

Persistent chest pain (PCP) following acute COVID-19 infection is a commonly reported symptom with an unclear etiology, making its management challenging. This scoping review aims to address the knowledge gap surrounding the characteristics of PCP following COVID-19, its causes, and potential treatments. This is a scoping review of 64 studies, including observational (prospective, retrospective, cross-sectional, case series, and case-control) and one quasi-experimental study, from databases including Embase, PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, Google Scholar, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Scopus.

Ultrasound-Guided Percutaneous Peripheral Nerve Stimulation of the Musculocutaneous Nerve for Refractory Antecubital ElbowPain-Brief Technical Report and Illustrative Case Report.

Chronic pain following distal biceps rupture (DBR) is often nonspecific in that it may arise due to the injury, subsequent surgical repair, or a combination of factors, making the painful symptoms challenging to treat. Peripheral nerve injury in the setting of DBR most commonly affects the musculocutaneous nerve or one of its terminal branches and may lead to chronic neuropathic pain involving the elbow and lateral/radial aspect of the forearm. In this brief technical report, we describe an ultrasound-guided (USG) technique for percutaneous implantation of a peripheral nerve stimulator (PNS) targeting the musculocutaneous nerve, along with an illustrative case report of successful treatment of chronic refractory pain following DBR utilizing this technique.

Validation Procedures for Quantification of Food Allergens by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA).

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is a widely used analytical technique for food allergen detection and quantification. Validating ELISA protocols is important for both assay developers and end users as it ensures method reliability. This chapter describes the protocols for validating the sensitivity, specificity, precision, accuracy, robustness, and ruggedness of an ELISA.

Characterization of Linear IgE-Binding Epitopes in Food Allergens.

An IgE epitope is a part of an allergen that is capable of binding to IgE antibodies and eliciting an immune response. Identifying and characterizing human-allergy-relevant epitopes are important for diagnosis and prognosis of food allergy and development of immunotherapy treatments. This chapter describes the protocol for manual synthesis of overlapping peptides on a cellulose membrane and subsequent dot blotting of the peptides with allergic patients' IgE to map the linear IgE-binding epitopes in food allergens.

Purification of Food Allergens from Their Natural Sources: Chromatographic Methods.

Isolation of food allergens from natural sources enables their characterization in a naturally occurring state. Low-pressure liquid chromatographic methods can be used to purify such allergens with high purity and yield. In this chapter, we describe the protocol for isolating a nut seed protein from its natural source.

Ultrasound-guided procedures for the management of chronic thoracic back pain: a technical review.

Pain arising from the thoracic region has been reported to be potentially as debilitating as cervical or lumbar back pain, and may stem from a vast number of spinal sources, including zygapophysial, costovertebral and costotransverse joints, intervertebral discs, ligaments, fascia, muscles, and nerve roots. Over the last two decades, the use of ultrasound in interventional spinal procedures has been rapidly evolving, due to the ultrasound capabilities of visualizing soft tissues, including muscle layers, pleura, nerves, and blood vessels, allowing for real-time needle tracking, while also reducing radiation exposure to both patient and physician, when compared to traditional fluoroscopy guidance. However, its limitations still preclude it from being the imaging modality of choice for some thoracic spinal procedures, notably epidural (interlaminar and transforaminal approaches) and intradiscal injections.

Assessment of Psychological Well-being Among Medical Professionals Working with Patients Who Suffer from Physical Trauma: An Observational Study from India.

Background: Healthcare providers working with victims of physical trauma are exposed to significant human suffering at work. This may place them at risk of burnout, secondary traumatic stress (STS), and other psychological disturbances. This study aimed to evaluate the professional quality of life and psychological well-being among trauma professionals.

Preventing occludin tight-junction disruption via inhibition of microRNA-193b-5p attenuates viral load and influenza-induced lung injury.

Virus-induced lung injury is associated with loss of pulmonary epithelial-endothelial tight junction integrity. While the alveolar-capillary membrane may be an indirect target of injury, viruses may interact directly and/or indirectly with miRs to augment their replication potential and evade the host antiviral defense system. Here, we expose how the influenza virus (H1N1) capitalizes on host-derived interferon-induced, microRNA (miR)-193b-5p to target occludin and compromise antiviral defenses.

Preoperative HbA1c and Postoperative Outcomes in Spine Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of previous studies on HbA1c in preoperative risk stratification in patients undergoing spinal procedures and provide an overview of the consensus recommendations.

Summary Of Background Data: Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hyperglycemia have been shown to be independent risk factors for increased surgical complications.

TLIF is Associated With Lower Rates of Adjacent Segment Disease and Complications Compared to ALIF: A Matched-Cohort Analysis.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort.

Objective: To compare the rate of adjacent segment disease (ASD) in patients undergoing anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) versus transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) for the treatment of degenerative stenosis and spondylolisthesis.

Summary Of Background Data: ALIF and TLIF are frequently used to treat Lumbar stenosis and spondylolisthesis.

Bariatric Surgery Before Spine Surgery is Associated With Fewer Postsurgical Complications: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the rate of adverse events after spine surgery in patients who underwent bariatric surgery (BS).

Summary Of Background Data: Obesity is an established risk factor for postoperative complications after spine surgery.

Do Obese Patients Lose Weight After Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Obesity is a major health care concern in the United States and is associated with high rates of postoperative complications after spine surgery. Obese patients assert that weight reduction is not possible unless spine surgery first relieves their pain and concomitant immobility. We describe the post-spine surgery effects on patient weight, with an emphasis on obesity.

Laminectomy With Fusion is Associated With Greater Functional Improvement Compared With Laminectomy Alone for the Treatment of Degenerative Lumbar Spondylolisthesis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Study Design: Systematic review and Meta-analysis.

Objective: To compare outcomes and complications profile of laminectomy alone versus laminectomy and fusion for the treatment of degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis (DLS).

Summary Of Background Data: Degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis is a common cause of back pain and functional impairment.