Efficacy of Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation in Management of Cancer Pain: a Meta Analysis.

Purpose Of Review: The present investigation assesses efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) on relief of cancer or chemotherapy-related pain. Patients with cancer experience a relatively high prevalence of pain that is reportedly undertreated. Therefore, this analysis is pertinent to determine if TENS is a useful complementary therapy considering its increase in accessibility and minimal side effect profile.

Efficacy of Immunotherapy for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Narrative Review.

Purpose Of Review: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a chronic condition characterized by disproportional pain typically affecting an extremity. Management of CRPS is centered around specific symptomatology, which tends to be a combination of autonomic dysfunction, nociceptive sensitization, chronic inflammation, and/or motor dysfunction. Targeting the autoimmune component of CRPS provides a way to both symptomatically treat as well as minimize progression of CRPS.

Efficacy, Indications, and Safety of Intrathecal Baclofen Pump: A Narrative Review.

Purpose Of Review: Baclofen, a muscle relaxant that reduces the release of excitatory neurotransmitters in the pre-synaptic neurons stimulating inhibitory neuronal signals in post-synaptic neurons, has been around for over 5 decades. Baclofen is used primarily for spasticity and since 1982, has had a role as an intrathecal agent. In the present investigation, we review research trends and updates on safety and efficacy of intrathecal baclofen (ITB) pumps.

Efficacy of Transversus Thoracic Plane Block for Pain Management in Cardiac Surgeries.

Purpose Of Review: Effective pain management in cardiac surgery presents as a continuous challenge related to the intensity of postoperative pain and reliance on opioid therapy. The dependance of opioid-based therapies is concerning, as these therapies carry risk future addiction and potential severe side effects. The transversus thoracic plane block (TTPB) has emerged as a promising regional anesthesia technique that blocks the anterior branches of the intercostal nerves in the chest wall, potentially providing improved analgesia for cardiac surgery patients.

Rhomboid Intercostal and Subserratus Plane Block for Acute Pain Management after Abdominal Surgeries: A Narrative Review.

Purpose Of Review: The rhomboid intercostal and subserratus plane (RISS) block is an effective, safer alternative for managing postoperative acute pain following abdominal surgeries. The RISS block offers several advantages over traditional approaches, including reduced incidence of puncture-related complications, lower rates of systemic opioid consumption, and more consistent analgesic coverage of lower thoracic dermatomes.

Recent Findings: Despite a favorable safety profile, the RISS block carries potential risks, such as pneumothorax and local anesthetic systemic toxicity, particularly when long-acting anesthetics such as bupivacaine or ropivacaine are used.

Spinal Cord Stimulation for Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review.

Purpose Of Review: Chronic low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent and debilitating condition affecting millions worldwide. Among emerging interventions, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has gained attention as a potential alternative for managing chronic LBP, particularly when alternative approaches fail to provide adequate relief.

Recent Findings: This systematic review focuses on both residual pain levels and ability to perform daily tasks after treatment with SCS.

Overview and Comparison of Interscalene Block Techniques for Brachial Plexus Pain Management.

Purpose Of Review: Peripheral nerve blocks are performed using local anesthetics that are commonly performed prior to surgery to either be the sole anesthetic and/or for postoperative pain management. Interscalene blocks are a specific type of nerve block that targets the superior and middle trunks of the brachial plexus inhibiting transmission of pain signals from the upper extremities to the central nervous system making them useful in mitigating pain following surgeries involving the shoulder, upper arm, and elbow.

Recent Findings: Previously, interscalene blocks were performed with a nerve stimulator, which is an instrument designed to generate a twitch in surrounding muscles to verify the anesthetic block was placed in the correct location.

Sex Disparities Affecting Postoperative Outcomes After Total Elbow Arthroplasty.

Purpose: To investigate sex disparities in 30-day postoperative outcomes of total elbow arthroplasty.

Methods: The American College of Surgeons-National Surgical Quality Improvement Program files were queried for all patients who underwent a total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) between 2006 and 2020. Sex disparities in preoperative variables were studied using Fisher exact tests.

The Role of Vitamin D Deficiency in Hepatic Encephalopathy: A Review of Pathophysiology, Clinical Outcomes, and Therapeutic Potential.

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a neuropsychiatric condition frequently associated with cirrhosis and portosystemic shunting (PSS). It imposes a significant clinical and economic burden, with increasing attention toward identifying modifiable factors that could improve outcomes. Emerging evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency (VDD), prevalent in patients with cirrhosis, may contribute to the development and severity of HE.

The Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin Use in Service Members and Veterans with Migraine and Post-Traumatic Headache Disorders: A Scoping Review.

Objective: To delineate the trend of use of botulinum toxin, including onabotulinum toxinA (OTA), in active military personnel and veterans with the diagnoses of migraine and post-traumatic headache (PTH) and describe the efficacy of botulinum toxin administration.

Background: Service members and veterans represent a unique population in the medical management of headache disorders, particularly migraine. They exhibit higher susceptibility to pain of greater intensity and longer durations, possibly due to their history of exposure to combat, trauma, and the associated psychological stresses.

Discovery of novel fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors as anti-alzheimer agents via in-silico-based drug design, virtual screening, molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulation, DFT, and non-clinical studies.

Aim: To identify some novel fatty acid hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitors that may contribute to the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods: In-silico pharmacophore modelling including ligand-based pharmacophore modelling, virtual screening, molecular docking, molecular dynamics modelling, density functional theory and in-silico pharmacokinetics and toxicological studies were employed for the retrieving of novel FAAH inhibitors. Further, these compounds were evaluated for FAAH inhibitory activity using an in vitro enzymatic assay, and later, an in vivo streptozotocin (STZ)-induced AD model was examined in mice.

Viral microRNA regulation of Akt is necessary for reactivation of Human Cytomegalovirus from latency in CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells and humanized mice.

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) actively manipulates cellular signaling pathways to benefit viral replication. Phosphatidyl-inositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling is an important negative regulator of HCMV replication, and during lytic infection the virus utilizes pUL38 to limit Akt phosphorylation and activity. During latency, PI3K/Akt signaling also limits virus replication, but how this is overcome at the time of reactivation is unknown.

Does Metabolic Manager Show Encouraging Outcomes in Alzheimer's?: Challenges and Opportunity for Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1b Inhibitors.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1b (PTP1b) is a member of the protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) enzyme group and encoded as PTP1N gene. Studies have evidenced an overexpression of the PTP1b enzyme in metabolic syndrome, anxiety, schizophrenia, neurodegeneration, and neuroinflammation. PTP1b inhibitor negatively regulates insulin and leptin pathways and has been explored as an antidiabetic agent in various clinical trials.

Diagnostic yield and therapeutic implications of vascular imaging in acute ischemic stroke: prospective and consecutive study of small vessel versus large vessel ischemia.

Introduction: To evaluate patients acute cerebral ischemia in order to assess for factors which may help to differentiate patients with small vessel involvement from those with large vessel involvement in an effort to determine diagnostic yield of vascular imaging.

Material And Method: We prospectively and consecutively evaluated all acute ischemic stroke patients at our medical center from May 16, 2021 to December 10, 2021. Distinction between small vessel and large vessel involvement was based upon clinical presentation, the results of brain imaging and either computed tomographic angiography, in the vast majority, or magnetic resonance angiography.

A unique strain to study gastric cancer development.

colonizes a majority of the human population worldwide and can trigger development of a variety of gastric diseases. Since the bacterium is classified as a carcinogen, elucidation of the characteristics of that influence gastric carcinogenesis is a high priority. To this end, the Mongolian gerbil infection model has proven to be an important tool to study gastric cancer progression.

Kratom: A Narrative Review of the Possible Clinical Uses and Dangers of This Opioid-Like Plant.

The term "kratom" refers to a plant species formally known as  Kratom is composed of over 40 alkaloids, a type of organic compound that contains nitrogen. These compounds work primarily via binding to opioid receptors expressed on neurons, where they stimulate signal transduction mechanisms involving the activation of G proteins. Kratom has been shown to cause both a stimulant-like effect and a sedative effect in humans.

Viral susceptibility and innate immune competency of bat cells produced for virological studies.

Multiple viruses that are highly pathogenic in humans are known to have evolved in bats. How bats tolerate infection with these viruses, however, is poorly understood. As viruses engage in a wide range of interactions with their hosts, it is essential to study bat viruses in a system that resembles their natural environment like bat-derived cellular models.

The Impact of Anesthesia on Dermatological Outcomes: A Narrative Review.

Anesthesia is an essential component of dermatologic procedures, influencing pain management and patient outcomes, including wound healing, infection control, and cosmetic appearance. This review examines the impact of various anesthetic techniques, topical, local, regional, and general, on dermatological outcomes. The findings reveal that while local anesthesia is preferred due to its efficacy and safety, specialized considerations are necessary for pediatric, geriatric, and high-risk patients.

ACSL3 is a promising therapeutic target for alleviating anxiety and depression in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the leading cause of dementia, affects over 55 million people worldwide and is often accompanied by depression and anxiety. Both significantly impact patients' quality of life and impose substantial societal and economic burdens on healthcare systems. Identifying the complex regulatory mechanisms that contribute to the psychological and emotional deficits in AD will provide promising therapeutic targets.

Ketone ester-enriched diet ameliorates motor and dopamine release deficits in MitoPark mice.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor dysfunction and dopamine deficits. The MitoPark (MP) mouse model of PD recapitulates several facets of Parkinson's disease, including gradual development of motor deficits, which enables the study of potential therapeutic interventions. One therapeutic strategy involves decreasing the mitochondrial metabolic load by inducing ketosis and providing an alternative energy source for neurons, leading to decreased neuronal oxidative stress.