Publications by authors named "Kai-Uwe LewandrowskI"

Article Synopsis
  • The opioid crisis has evolved into a global issue affecting various socioeconomic and cultural areas, with traditional treatment methods proving insufficient.
  • A narrative review was conducted using multiple databases to explore the complex factors contributing to this epidemic, acknowledging the potential for bias in article selection.
  • Despite some progress with Opioid Substitution Therapy, U.S. overdose deaths remain alarmingly high and are projected to increase; the authors suggest a need for a new treatment approach that targets brain neurotransmitter systems for better management.
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Unlabelled: This case study demonstrates that craniocervical spinal alignment with the EPIC technique spinal procedure appears to have a potential positive impact on ocular function. This paper will report the case of a patient with cranial nerve VI palsy and dizziness, and the clinical improvements following treatment with the soundwave technology of the EPIC technique spinal procedure [1].

Objective: To report the case of a patient with cranial nerve VI (CN VI) palsy and the clinical changes that occurred after receiving treatment using the EPIC (Evolutionary Percussion Instrument Corrections) technique spinal procedure.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) refers to a range of addictive behaviors affecting many people, prompting research on KB220 and its variants to tackle these issues.
  • - The studies focus on various impacts of KB220, including cravings, substance abuse prevention, and mental health conditions like ADHD and eating disorders.
  • - The review posits that KB220 is more effective than GLP-1 analogs in improving brain functions related to reward and dopamine balance without negatively affecting the reward system.
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Background: The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery hosted the second of a series of 4 webinars on endoscopic spine surgery techniques. The second webinar focused on the application of unilateral biportal endoscopy for discectomy and laminectomy in combination with interbody fusion and interspinous process spacers. This series was intended to identify current trends with contemporary modern endoscopic spine surgery techniques.

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Background: The fourth webinar in a 4-part series hosted by the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery explored contemporary endoscopic spine surgery techniques. This session covered complex revision strategies, endoscopic management of grades 1-3 spondylolytic spondylolisthesis, cervical foraminotomy, and decompression techniques for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM).

Objective: The aim was to assess surgeon endorsement of the discussed endoscopic spine surgery techniques both before and after the webinar using polytomous Rasch analysis.

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Background: The authors conducted a comprehensive review and integration of insights from 4 webinars hosted by the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS) to arrive at recommendations for best clinical practices for guideline development for endoscopic spine surgery. This perspective article discusses the limitations of traditional surgical trials and amalgamates surgeons' experience and research on various cutting-edge techniques.

Methods: Data were extracted from surveys conducted during each webinar session involving 3639 surgeons globally.

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Background: The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery hosted the third in a series of webinars focused on innovative endoscopic spine surgery techniques. This session aimed to discuss and evaluate advanced treatments for lumbar spinal stenosis and related conditions utilizing multiportal endoscopic approaches; articulating instruments; unilateral biportal endoscopy; transforaminal techniques for facet cysts, herniated disc, and spinal stenosis; as well as percutaneous endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (PELIF).

Objective: To analyze the level of surgeon endorsement for the presented endoscopic spine surgery techniques before and after the webinar, utilizing polytomous Rasch analysis, and to evaluate the potential for these insights to inform clinical guideline recommendations.

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Background: Recently, there has been a significant evolution in our understanding of the molecular pathways causing the genesis and progression of cancer via the inter-individual variations. Thus, one-size-fits-all methods for cancer treatment have been replaced by precision oncology (PO) targeting individual cancer symptoms, offering increased effectiveness, and decreased safety concerns and cost load.

Objective: The identification of novel actionable indications, rapid, precise, and comprehensive detection of complex phenotypes in every individual, pioneering clinical trial projects with enhanced response feedback, and widespread availability of innovative targeted anticancer management for every patient are vital for the effective implementation of next-generation precision oncology.

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Background: The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery hosted the first of a series of 4 webinars on endoscopic spine surgery techniques, focusing on end§oscopic discectomy, foraminotomy, instrumented endoscopic fusion, standalone lumbar interbody fusion with innovative materials, and the role of patient feedback in awake procedures. This series aims to share knowledge and discuss the complexities and clinical evidence of modern endoscopic spine surgery.

Objective: To analyze the level of surgeon endorsement for the presented endoscopic spine surgery techniques before and after the webinar, utilizing polytomous Rasch analysis, and to evaluate the potential for these insights to inform clinical guideline recommendations.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study compares two surgeries for unilateral cervical radiculopathy: cervical disc replacement (CDR) and posterior endoscopic cervical decompression (PECD), looking at clinical and radiographic outcomes.
  • Both surgeries showed significant improvement in pain and disability scores, with high satisfaction rates (over 87%), but no major differences in overall clinical outcomes were found.
  • PECD had advantages like less blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and quicker return-to-work times, while CDR had shorter operation times and better disc height restoration.
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Background And Objectives: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a chronic musculoskeletal pain syndrome characterized by widespread pain and a variety of other symptoms, including fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, and sleep disturbances. Recent research has highlighted the potential role of pro-inflammatory cytokines and neurotransmitters in the pathophysiology of FM. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and serotonin with the clinical parameters observed in patients with fibromyalgia.

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The traditional open midline posterior cervical spine fusion procedure has several shortcomings. It can cause soft tissue damage, muscle atrophy, compromise of the lateral masses and painful prominent posterior cervical instrumentation or spinous process if there is dehiscence of the fascia. Additionally, patients frequently experience the rapid development of adjacent segment disease, which can result in the reemergence of debilitating pain and functional impairment.

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The severity and invasiveness of clinical outcomes from organic responses to trauma are influenced by individual, surgical, and anesthetic factors. A stress response elicits neuroendocrine and immune reactions that may lead to multi-organ dysfunction. The degree of neuroinflammatory reflex activation from trauma can increase pro-inflammatory cytokine production, leading to endothelial dysfunction, glycocalyx damage, neutrophil activation, and multisystem tissue destruction.

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3D-printing technology has revolutionized spinal implant manufacturing, particularly in developing personalized and custom-fit titanium interbody fusion cages. These cages are pivotal in supporting inter-vertebral stability, promoting bone growth, and restoring spinal alignment. This article reviews the latest advancements in 3D-printed titanium interbody fusion cages, emphasizing their relevance in modern personalized surgical spine care protocols applied to common clinical scenarios.

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Clonidine operates through agonism at the alpha-2A receptor, a specific subtype of the alpha-2-adrenergic receptor located predominantly in the prefrontal cortex. By inhibiting the release of norepinephrine, which is responsible for withdrawal symptoms, clonidine effectively addresses withdrawal-related conditions such as anxiety, hypertension, and tachycardia. The groundbreaking work by Gold .

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Several trends toward patient-centered multi-care models employing translational research strategies are currently emerging in orthopaedics. These align seamlessly with epigenetics discussions in pain, a clinical approach to pain management that prioritizes tailoring healthcare to individual needs, preferences, and circumstances. Recognizing the unique genetic and epigenetic factors influencing pain perception, healthcare providers can integrate personalized insights into their patient-centered approach, offering more targeted and effective pain management strategies tailored to each individual's experience.

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Article Synopsis
  • The rise of ultra-minimally invasive endoscopic spine surgery is changing how patients with heart conditions are assessed before elective spine surgeries, as it leads to shorter surgery times and less trauma.
  • Traditional extensive cardiac evaluations and medication stoppage are becoming less necessary due to the safer profile of these newer surgical techniques.
  • The article calls for updated guidelines to improve patient safety and surgical outcomes, urging future research on evolving preoperative protocols for patients with cardiac comorbidities.
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The Continuous Visual Attention Test (CVAT) is a test that detects visuomotor reaction time (RT, alertness), variability of reaction time (VRT, sustained attention), omission errors (OE, focused attention), and commission errors (CE, response inhibition). The standard test takes 15 min, while the ultrafast version only 90 s. Besides overall task length, the two versions differ by target probability (20% and 80% in the 15-min vs.

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Considering the variability in individual responses to opioids and the growing concerns about opioid addiction, prescribing opioids for postoperative pain management after spine surgery presents significant challenges. Therefore, this study undertook a novel pharmacogenomics-based in silico investigation of FDA-approved opioid medications. The DrugBank database was employed to identify all FDA-approved opioids.

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Exercise promotes health and wellness, including its operation as a protective factor against a variety of psychological, neurological, and chronic diseases. Selenium and its biomarker, selenoprotein P (SEPP1), have been implicated in health, including cancer prevention, neurological function, and dopamine signaling. SEPP1 blood serum levels were compared with a one-way ANOVA between sedentary (SED), moderately exercised (MOD) [10 m/min starting at 10 min, increasing to 60 min], and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) exercised rats [30 min in intervals of 2-min followed by a 1-min break, speed progressively increased from 10 to 21 m/min].

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Background: X-linked mutations are highly important in clinical diagnosis, and at least 533 disorders are related to the genes located on the X chromosome.

Case Presentation: A 21-year-old Caucasian woman with a 24-year-old Caucasian man as her fiancé referred Clinical genetic lab for premarital genetic counseling (carrier screening). None of them had any abnormal manifestations.

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Annotated bibliography of genetic addiction risk severity (GARS) publications, pro-dopamine regulation in nutraceuticals (KB220 nutraceutical variants), and policy documents. Further research is required to encourage the field to consider "Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS) Anti-addiction Modeling" which involves early risk identification by means of genetic assessment similar to GARS, followed by induction of dopamine homeostasis by means of genetically guided pro-dopamine regulation similar to KB220. These results suggest that genetically based treatments may be a missing piece in the treatment of substance use disorder (SUD).

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Background: Effective 1 January 2017, single-level endoscopic lumbar discectomy received a Category I Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code 62380. However, no work relative value units (RVUs) are currently assigned to the procedure. An international team of endoscopic spine surgeons conducted a study, endorsed by several spine societies, analyzing the learning curve, difficulty, psychological intensity, and estimated work RVUs of endoscopic lumbar spinal decompression compared with other common lumbar spine surgeries.

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