Safety and efficacy of intrathecal antibodies to Nogo-A in patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury: a randomised, double-blind, multicentre, placebo-controlled, phase 2b trial.

Background: Spinal cord injury results in permanent neurological impairment and disability due to the absence of spontaneous regeneration. NG101, a recombinant human antibody, neutralises the neurite growth-inhibiting protein Nogo-A, promoting neural repair and motor recovery in animal models of spinal cord injury. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of intrathecal NG101 on recovery in patients with acute cervical traumatic spinal cord injury.

Influence of atmospheric state on variability of long-term residual ambient sound level measurements in a subalpine valley.

Two natural influences on the acoustic environments of mountainous parks and communities are flowing water and shifting weather. A central purpose of the acoustic measurement design used by the United States National Park Service is to provide spectral estimates of residual ambient sound level metrics at a seasonal time scale. Acoustic monitoring sampling methodologies are often designed using a sequence of similar measurements.

Provision and use of assistive products in patients after stroke and spinal cord injury in Germany: a qualitative interview study.

Purpose: Mobility impairments are a common consequence of stroke and spinal cord injury (SCI). Assistive products (APs) such as wheelchairs are often needed for activities and participation. The aim of the study was to explore the provision and use of APs in Germany and to identify associated factors underlying this practice.

Mental health challenges and digital platform opportunities in patients and families affected by pediatric neuromuscular diseases - experiences from Switzerland.

Receiving the diagnosis of a severe disease may present a traumatic event for patients and their families. To cope with the related challenges, digital interventions can be combined with traditional psychological support to help meet respective needs. We aimed to 1) discuss the most common consequences and challenges for resilience in Neuro Muscular Disease patients and family members and 2) elicit practical needs, concerns, and opportunities for digital platform use.

Current practice of outpatient rehabilitation services in patients with mobility-impaired paralysis due to stroke or spinal cord injury: a qualitative interview study in Germany.

Purpose: When mobility deficits persist after stroke or spinal cord injury (SCI), outpatient neurorehabilitation services are required. This study aimed to explore the current practice of German outpatient neurorehabilitation services and identify factors associated to this practice.

Methods: This was a qualitative observational study in which semi-structured interviews were conducted with professionals from outpatient neurorehabilitation services and mobility-impaired patients.

Elevated high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T serum concentration in subjects with spinal cord injury.

Background: The biochemical analysis of high-sensitivity cardiac troponins (hs-cTn) from peripheral blood specimens has been established as biomarker for myocardial injury. Independently of myocardial injury, increased serum hs-cTn concentrations have been described in patients with myopathies. The relevance and frequency of noncardiac hs-cTn elevations in spinal cord injury (SCI) is unknown.

Stroke-associated infections in patients with and without cancer.

Background: Cancer in stroke patients is associated with higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers and unfavorable poststroke outcomes. We thus explored whether there is a link between cancer and stroke-associated infections.

Methods: Medical records of patients with ischemic stroke in 2014-2016 registered in the Swiss Stroke Registry of Zurich were retrospectively analyzed.

A risk model for prediction of diagnosis of cancer after ischemic stroke.

It remains controversial which characteristics may predict occult cancer in stroke patients. Characteristics of patients with ischemic stroke registered in the Zurich Swiss Stroke Registry (2014 to 2016) were tested for associations with cancer diagnosis after stroke with consideration of death as competing risk for cancer diagnosis. Among 1157 patients, 34 (3%) and 55 patients (5%) were diagnosed with cancer within 1 and 3 years after stroke.

Digital Platform Uses for Help and Support Seeking of Parents With Children Affected by Disabilities: Scoping Review.

Background: Receiving a diagnosis that leads to severe disability in childhood can cause a traumatic experience with long-lasting emotional stress for patients and family members. In recent decades, emerging digital technologies have transformed how patients or caregivers of persons with disabilities manage their health conditions. As a result, information (eg, on treatment and resources) has become widely available to patients and their families.

Early dietitian referral in lung cancer: use of machine learning.

Objectives: The Dietetic Assessment and Intervention in Lung Cancer (DAIL) study was an observational cohort study. It triaged the need for dietetic input in patients with lung cancer, using questionnaires with 137 responses. This substudy tested if machine learning could predict need to see a dietitian (NTSD) using 5 or 10 measures.

Site and land-use associations of soil bacteria and fungi define core and indicative taxa.

Soil microbial diversity has major influences on ecosystem functions and services. However, due to its complexity and uneven distribution of abundant and rare taxa, quantification of soil microbial diversity remains challenging and thereby impeding its integration into long-term monitoring programs. Using metabarcoding, we analyzed soil bacterial and fungal communities at 30 long-term soil monitoring sites from the three land-use types arable land, permanent grassland, and forest with a yearly sampling between snowmelt and first fertilization over five years.

Land-Use Type Drives Soil Population Structures of the Entomopathogenic Fungal Genus .

Species of the fungal genus are globally distributed pathogens of arthropods, and a number of biological control products based on these fungi have been commercialized to control a variety of pest arthropods. In this study, we investigate the abundance and population structure of spp. in three land-use types-arable land, grassland, and forest-to provide detailed information on habitat selection and the factors that drive the occurrence and abundance of spp.

Long-term stability of soil bacterial and fungal community structures revealed in their abundant and rare fractions.

Despite the importance of soil microorganisms for ecosystem services, long-term surveys of their communities are largely missing. Using metabarcoding, we assessed temporal dynamics of soil bacterial and fungal communities in three land-use types, i.e.

In chronic complete spinal cord injury supraspinal changes detected by quantitative MRI are confined to volume reduction in the caudal brainstem.

There is much controversy about the potential impact of spinal cord injury (SCI) on brain anatomy and function, which is mirrored in the substantial divergence of findings between animal models and human imaging studies. Given recent advances in quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) we sought to tackle the unresolved question about the link between the presumed injury associated volume differences and underlying brain tissue property changes in a cohort of chronic complete SCI patients. Using the established computational anatomy methods of voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and voxel-based quantification (VBQ), we performed statistical analyses on grey and white matter volumes as well as on parameter maps indicative for myelin, iron, and free tissue water content in the brain of complete SCI patients (n = 14) and healthy individuals (n = 14).

Cancer is associated with inferior outcome in patients with ischemic stroke.

Background: Whether patients with stroke and cancer exhibit specific characteristics has remained controversial.

Methods: Medical records of patients with ischemic stroke in 2014 or 2015 registered in the Swiss Stroke Registry of Zurich were retrospectively analyzed and integrated with regional cancer registry data. Associations of clinical and outcome parameters with cancer diagnosed up to 5 years prior to stroke were tested.

Goal attainment in mobility after acute rehabilitation of mobility-restricting paralysis syndromes with regard to the ambulatory therapeutic level of participation NeuroMoves : A German national multicenter observational cohort study.

Background: A central goal of rehabilitation in patients with paralysis syndromes after stroke or spinal cord injury (SCI) is to restore independent mobility as a pedestrian or wheelchair user. However, after acute rehabilitation, the mobility frequently deteriorates in the ambulatory setting, despite the delivery of rehabilitative interventions such as physical therapy or the prescription of assistive devices. The aim of the NeuroMoves study is to identify factors that are associated with changes of mobility in the ambulatory setting after acute inpatient rehabilitation, with a particular focus on participation according to the ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health).

Nutritional status and symptom burden in advanced non-small cell lung cancer: results of the dietetic assessment and intervention in lung cancer (DAIL) trial.

Introduction: European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism guidelines recommend that patients with cancer should be screened for malnutrition at diagnosis. The dietetic assessment and intervention in lung cancer study investigated the nutritional status of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and the need for dietetic intervention.

Methods: In this observational cohort pilot study, patients with stage 3b and 4 NSCLC were assessed prior to starting first line systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) with a range of measurements and questionnaires.

Dietetic assessment and intervention in lung cancer.

Purpose Of Review: Systemic therapy for lung cancer is increasing in intensity and duration. European nutrition guidelines suggest screening for weight loss and malnutrition, however acknowledges there is a lack of evidence. We discuss current data round this issue and identify opportunities for further research.

Ulnar nerve integrity predicts 1-year outcome in cervical spinal cord injury.

Background: Accurate predictors of neurological recovery after cervical spinal cord injury are needed. Particularly, to tailor adequate rehabilitation plans. However, objective and quantifiable predictors are sparse.

Molecular detection and quantification of slug parasitic nematodes from the soil and their hosts.

Terrestrial gastropod molluscs are widely distributed and are well known as pests of many types of plants that are notoriously difficult to control. Many species of nematodes are able to parasitize land snails and slugs, but few of them are lethal to their host. Species and/or populations of mollusc-parasitic nematodes (MPNs) that kill their hosts are promising for biological control purposes.

Sepsis in mechanically ventilated patients with spinal cord injury: a retrospective analysis.

Study Design: Retrospective analysis.

Objectives: Sepsis, one of the most frequent and life-threatening complications on intensive care units (ICUs), is associated with a need for mechanical ventilation (MV) as well as adverse respiratory outcomes in hospitalized individuals. However, it has poorly been investigated in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI); a population at high risk for pulmonary and infectious complications.

[Diagnostics and conservative treatment of cervical and lumbar spinal stenosis].

Background: Degenerative stenotic spondylosis is not an uncommon cause of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) and cauda equina lesions in the aged population. Limited standardization exists with respect to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Objective: Literature review with respect to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for neurologically relevant cervical and lumbar spinals stenosis.

[Risk factors for the development of rotator cuff tears in individuals with paraplegia : A cross-sectional study].

Question: Shoulder pain and rotator cuff tears are highly prevalent among wheelchair dependent individuals with paraplegia. The purpose of this study was to identify potential risk factors associated with the development of rotator cuff tears in this population.

Methods: A total of 217 wheelchair dependent individuals with paraplegia were included in this cross-sectional study (level of evidence III).

Impact of spine alignment on the rotator cuff in long-term wheelchair users.

Background: We investigated the impact of poor seated posture on the prevalence of rotator cuff tears (RCTs) among wheelchair-dependent individuals with long-standing paraplegia.

Methods: The study included 319 patients. Lateral radiographs of the spine were collected from a database and analyzed to assess the global spinopelvic alignment (SPA).