Lumbar total disk replacement versus microsurgical lumbar discectomy in treatment of radicular and back pain in railway workers: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Background: Currently, there remains a high percentage of complications after lumbar discectomy, while there is no uniform tactic to prevent their development. Purpose of the study was to compare the clinical efficacy and return to work rate (RWR) after total disk replacement (TDR) and microsurgical lumbar discectomy (MLD) in railway workers with lumbar disk herniation (LDH).

Methods: We randomly assigned 75 patients out of a total of 81 patients, between 25 and 35 years of age who had one level LDH to undergo single-level TDR surgery (group I, n=37) or MLD surgery (group II, n=38) in the L4-L5 or L5-S1 segments.

Salivary Flow Rate in Patients with Sjögren's Syndrome: Correlations with Salivary Gland Ultrasound Findings and Biomarkers of Disease Activity.

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a slowly progressive, chronic autoimmune inflammatory condition characterized by the affliction of the exocrine glands, with issues that derive from it markedly decreasing the quality of life of these patients. Salivary gland involvement can be identified through imaging methods. Among them, salivary gland ultrasonography (SGUS) is used as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in pSS.

It Looks Like a Zebra but Is Not: [F]FDG PET/CT in a Giant Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma Mimicking Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Cutaneous malignant melanoma (MM) is the most aggressive form of skin cancer, associated with high mortality and rising incidence rates in Europe despite prevention efforts. Nodular MM, the most aggressive subtype, often mimics other skin tumors, complicating diagnosis. We present the case of a 66-year-old woman with a large, ulcerated tumor beneath the left scapula, along with multiple nodular lesions on the left arm and chest.

Bempegaldesleukin plus nivolumab in first-line advanced/metastatic urothelial carcinoma: Results from a phase II single-arm study (PIVOT-10).

Background: In PIVOT-02, bempegaldesleukin (BEMPEG), a pegylated interleukin-2 cytokine prodrug, in combination with nivolumab (NIVO), a Programmed cell death protein 1 inhibitor, demonstrated the potential to provide additional benefits over immune checkpoint inhibitor monotherapy in patients with urothelial carcinoma, warranting further investigation. We evaluated BEMPEG plus NIVO in cisplatin-ineligible patients with previously untreated locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma.

Methods: This open-label, multicenter, single-arm, phase II study enrolled patients with locally advanced/surgically unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma and who were ineligible for cisplatin-based treatment.

Review of Guideline Recommendations for Optimal Anti-VEGF Therapy in Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration is a progressive, blinding macular disease that has become a burden both in healthcare systems and the global economy. The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the main agent involved in the pathogenic process of the disease. The main goal of the age-related macular degeneration treatment is to maintain and improve visual acuity by injecting intravitreal anti-VEGF agents in either a reactive or proactive manner.

Long-term results and surgical strategy development for degenerative disease treatment in athletes: a retrospective single-center study.

Purpose: To analyze of the results of spine surgical treatment of athletes with lumbar degenerative disease and development of a surgical strategy based on the preoperative symptoms and radiological changes in the lumbar spine.

Methods: For 114 athletes with lumbar degenerative disease were included in the present study. Four independent groups were studied: (1) microsurgical/endoscopic discectomy (n = 35); (2) PRP therapy in facet joints (n = 41); (3) total disc replacement (n = 11); (4) lumbar interbody fusion (n = 27).

Bempegaldesleukin Plus Nivolumab Versus Sunitinib or Cabozantinib in Previously Untreated Advanced Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Phase III Randomized Study (PIVOT-09).

Purpose: Bempegaldesleukin (BEMPEG) is a pegylated interleukin (IL)-2 cytokine prodrug engineered to provide controlled and sustained activation of the clinically validated IL-2 pathway, with the goal of preferentially activating and expanding effector CD8 T cells and natural killer cells over immunosuppressive regulator T cells in the tumor microenvironment. The open-label, phase III randomized controlled PIVOT-09 trial investigated the efficacy and safety of BEMPEG plus nivolumab (NIVO) as first-line treatment for advanced/metastatic clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) with intermediate-/poor-risk disease.

Methods: Patients with previously untreated advanced/metastatic ccRCC were randomly assigned (1:1) to BEMPEG plus NIVO, or investigator's choice of tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI; sunitinib or cabozantinib).

Surgical tactics of two-segmental cervical degenerative diseases: risk factors retrospective assessment and preoperative planning.

Background: Currently, in the specialized literature there are no substantiated clinical and radiological indications for differentiated use of anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) and anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) in the treatment of patients with two-segmental cervical degenerative diseases. The objectives of this study were to (I) identify risk factors that were associated with unsatisfactory results of two-level ACDF and one-level ACCF in the treatment of patients with cervical degenerative diseases despite current perioperative management, and (II) develop a clinical and radiological algorithm for personalized surgical tactics.

Methods: We retrospectively identified risk factors for the development of unsatisfactory clinical postoperative results after two-level ACDF (n=81) and one-level ACCF (n=78), operated in the period of 2009-2019 for two-segmental cervical degenerative disease.

Prospective Randomized Comparison of Minimally Invasive Tlif versus Open Tlif: Clinical Effectiveness and Restoration of Working Capacity in Railway Workers.

Study Design: Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy and restoration of working capacity after MI (minimally invasive)-TLIF and O (open)-TLIF in railway workers with lumbar degenerative disease.

Methods: 83 patients, who were indicated for two-level lumbar decompression and fusion were randomly assigned to one of two groups: group 1 (n = 44) had MI-TLIF procedure and group 2 (n = 39) had O-TLIF procedure.

Bacteriophage Treatment of Infected Diabetic Foot Ulcers.

Diabetic foot ulcers occur as a common complication of diabetes. The concomitant infection significantly delays the healing of the ulcers. Antibiotic treatment of infected ulcers is complicated by the formation of microbial biofilms, which are often heterogeneous and resistant to antibiotics.

Treatment of the two-level degenerative cervical disk diseases based on algorithmic anterior approach: a multicenter prospective study.

To analyze the effectiveness of an algorithmic anterior approach to the surgical treatment of patients with two-level cervical degenerative disk disease based on the preoperative clinical and imaging parameters. The study included 244 patients with two-level cervical degenerative disk disease. Three groups of patients were evaluated at 3 neurosurgical centers between 2016-2019.

Guselkumab in Patients With Moderately to Severely Active Ulcerative Colitis: QUASAR Phase 2b Induction Study.

Background & Aims: The QUASAR Phase 2b Induction Study evaluated the efficacy and safety of guselkumab, an interleukin-23p19 subunit antagonist, in patients with moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC) with prior inadequate response and/or intolerance to corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and/or advanced therapy.

Methods: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-ranging, induction study, patients were randomized (1:1:1) to receive intravenous guselkumab 200 or 400 mg or placebo at weeks 0/4/8. The primary endpoint was clinical response (compared with baseline, modified Mayo score decrease ≥30% and ≥2 points, rectal bleeding subscore ≥1-point decrease or subscore of 0/1) at week 12.

New Treatment Horizons in Uveal and Cutaneous Melanoma.

Melanoma is a complex and heterogeneous malignant tumor with distinct genetic characteristics and therapeutic challenges in both cutaneous melanoma (CM) and uveal melanoma (UM). This review explores the underlying molecular features and genetic alterations in these melanoma subtypes, highlighting the importance of employing specific model systems tailored to their unique profiles for the development of targeted therapies. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in unraveling the molecular and genetic characteristics of CM and UM, leading to notable advancements in treatment options.

Laminectomy with Laminar Reconstruction for Resection of Intradural Tumors at the Thoracolumbar Junction: A Technical Note.

Objective: To introduce a new laminar reconstruction technique to treat primary spinal cord tumors.

Methods: Laminectomy and laminoplasty techniques have been used to treat intradural spinal tumors. The advantage of laminectomy is its superior exposure of the spinal cord, whereas the advantage of laminoplasty is the reconstruction of the dorsal roof of the spine.

Differences and Similarities in Epidemiology and Risk Factors for Cutaneous and Uveal Melanoma.

Both cutaneous melanoma (CM) and uveal melanoma (UM) represent important causes of morbidity and mortality. In this review, we evaluate the available knowledge on the differences and similarities between cutaneous melanoma and uveal melanoma, focusing on the epidemiological aspects and risk factors. Uveal melanoma is a rare condition but is the most prevalent primary intra-ocular malignant tumor in adults.

Evaluation of long-term clinical outcomes and the incidence of adjacent proximal segment degenerative disease with algorithmic transforaminal interbody fusion: A multicenter prospective study.

Study Design: This was a prospective multicenter study.

Background: Adjacent segment degenerative disease (ASDd) is a common complication of open transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (O-TLIF), the leading cause of which is initial adjacent segment degeneration (ASD). To date, various surgical techniques for the prevention of ASDd have been developed, such as, simultaneous use of interspinous stabilization (IS) and preventive rigid stabilization of the adjacent segment.

A standardized anesthetic/analgetic regimen compared to standard anesthetic/analgetic regimen for patients with high-risk factors undergoing open lumbar spine surgery: a prospective comparative single-center study.

The objective of the study is to improve the results of patients undergoing lumbar spine surgery who are at high risk for anesthesia and/or surgical complications. Two independent groups were compared: the study group (SG, n = 40) (standardized neuroanesthetic protocol with multimodal analgesia) and the control group (CG, n = 40) (intravenous anesthesia based on propofol and fentanyl). The data were collected using prospective observation of early and long-term results of lumbar fusion.

Clinical and radiological outcomes of one-level cervical corpectomy with an expandable cage for three-column uncomplicated subaxial type «B» injures: a multicenter retrospective study.

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical and radiological results of the operative management of three-column uncomplicated type «B» subaxial injures treated with a one-level cervical corpectomy with an expandable cage.

Methods: This study included 72 patients with a three-column uncomplicated type «B» subaxial injures who met the inclusion criteria, underwent a one-level cervical corpectomy with an expandable cage at one of three neurosurgical departments between 2005 and 2020, and were followed up for clinical and radiological outcomes at a minimum 3-yr follow-up.

Results: There was a decrease in the VAS pain score from an average of 80 mm to 7 mm (p = 0.

Laminoplasty versus Laminectomy in the Treatment of Primary Spinal Cord Tumors in Adult Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies.

The present systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to compare the safety and efficacy of the two approaches for primary spinal cord tumors (PSCTs) in adult patients (laminoplasty [LP] vs. laminectomy [LE]). LE is one of the most common procedures for PSCTs.