A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Stem Cell Therapies for Pain in Diabetic Neuropathy, Osteoarthritis, and Spinal Cord Injuries.

Purpose Of Review: The use of stem cell therapy is a rapidly evolving and progressing frontier of science that has been used to treat illnesses such as malignancies, immunodeficiencies, and metabolic syndromes. This review aims to give an overview of the use of stem cell therapy in the treatment of pain caused by diabetic neuropathy, osteoarthritis, and other spinal cord pathologies.

Recent Findings: Pain is defined as a generalized or localized feeling of distress related to a physical or emotional stimulus and can be caused by a multitude of pathologies.

Dosimetric and Radiobiological Impact of Patient Setup Errors in Intensity-modulated Radiotherapy for Esophageal Cancer.

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of patient setup errors on the dosimetry and radiobiological models of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for esophageal cancer.

Methods And Materials: This retrospective study with 56 patients in thermoplastic mask (TM) and vacuum bag (VB) groups utilized real setup-error (RSE) data from cone-beam CT scans to generate simulated setup-error (SSE) data following a normal distribution. The SSE data were applied to simulate all treatment fractions per patient by shifting the plan isocenter and recalculating the dose.

Surgical management of single-level thoracolumbar vertebral body segmentation and formation failure causing progressive thoracolumbar myelopathy in three adult large-breed dogs.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the medium-term outcome following spinal cord decompression and instrumented fixation of single-level congenital thoracolumbar vertebral malformations, characterized by combined failures of segmentation and formation, causing thoracolumbar myelopathy in three large-breed dogs.

Study Design: This was a retrospective clinical study.

Animals: The animals involved in the study were three large-breed dogs.

Neuropathology in 1984: a deadly shot into the heart of Europe.

Just 40 years ago, Europe was divided into the Eastern communist bloc, which included the Czechoslovak Socialist Republic (ČSSR) and was dominated by the now historical Soviet Union, and the Western bloc comprising democracies such as Austria. The Iron Curtain, a heavily guarded and deadly border zone, separated the two blocs and constrained, in prison style, the populations of the Eastern bloc. The present neuropathological article relates the sad fate of František Faktor, a 33 years-old Czech who was shot by ČSSR border guards when attempting to flee to Austria at the border between and .

Exoskeleton Training for Spinal Cord Injury Neuropathic Pain (ExSCIP): Protocol for a Phase 2 Feasibility Randomised Trial.

Background: Following Spinal Cord Injury (SCI), 53% of people develop neuropathic pain (NP). NP can be more debilitating than other consequences of SCI, and a persistent health issue. Pharmacotherapies are commonly recommended for NP management in SCI, although severe pain often remains refractory to these treatments in many sufferers.

Posterior Cerebral Circulation Insufficiency Due to Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis With an Atypical Vertebral Artery Originating From the Internal Carotid Artery Territory.

Aberrant anatomical variation of the vertebral artery (VA) from an internal carotid artery (ICA) is considered a rare finding. The incidence of this phenomenon can lead to patients suffering from posterior circulation neurological deficit if the ICA becomes significantly diseased. VA atypical anatomical origin is considered one of the rare pathologies, not only precipitating neurovascular incidents but equally leading to severe difficulty in VA dissection and surgical exposure, especially in carotid artery procedures.

Progression of Lumbar Spine Degeneration After Laminectomy.

Introduction: Lumbar canal stenosis (LCS) is a common degenerative lumbar spinal disease (DLSD) widely treated by decompression surgery, also known as laminectomy. Few cases have been observed where DLSD has progressed postoperatively, thus requiring reoperation. However, data on such cases are limited.

Case report of neurobrucellosis: a rare complication and neuroimaging findings of a common disease.

Background And Objective: Neurobrucellosis is a rare neurological disorder characterized by diverse clinical manifestations. Although several relevant cases were reported, our understanding of this disorder is limited. In this study, we presented the clinical and imaging characteristics of four cases of neurobrucellosis.

Humanized anti-CD11d monoclonal antibodies suitable for basic research and therapeutic applications.

Background: Immunomodulatory agents targeting the CD11d/CD18 integrin are in development for the treatment of several pathophysiologies including neurotrauma, sepsis, and atherosclerosis. Murine anti-human CD11d therapeutic antibodies have successfully improved neurological and behavioral recovery in rodent neurotrauma models. Here, we present the progression of CD11d-targeted agents with the development of humanized anti-CD11d monoclonal antibodies.

BRAF inhibitor monotherapy in BRAFV600E-mutated pediatric low-grade glioma: a single center's experience.

Background: Pediatric low-grade gliomas (pLGGs) have an overall survival of over 90%; however, patients harboring a BRAF alteration may have worse outcomes, particularly when treated with classic chemotherapy. Combined BRAF/MEK inhibition following incomplete resection demonstrated improved outcome in BRAF altered pLGG compared to combined carboplatin/vincristine chemotherapy and is now considered the standard FDA-approved treatment for this group of tumors. The aim herein was to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of single agent BRAF inhibitor treatment in BRAF altered pLGG.

Incidence of HTLV-1-associated myelopathy in the UK from 1991 to 2024: a longitudinal observational cohort study.

Introduction: Human T-cell lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) may cause spinal cord inflammation, leading to HTLV-1-associated myelopathy (HAM). HAM is a chronic and progressive neurological disorder that is associated with increased mortality and impaired quality of life. There are limited data on the incidence of HAM, with higher rates seen in Latin America and the Caribbean compared to Japan.

Analysis and comparison of the trends in burden of spinal cord injury in China and worldwide from 1990 to 2021: an analysis of the global burden of disease study 2021.

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a globally prevalent neurological condition, often resulting in motor, sensory, and autonomic dysfunctions that lead to permanent disability. However, outdated epidemiological data hinder the development and implementation of effective public health policies. This study aimed to examine and compare trends in the burden of spinal cord injury-specifically incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability (YLD)-in China and worldwide from 1990 to 2021, and to project these trends over the next 15 years.

The relationship between non-HDL-C/HDL-C ratio and bone mineral density: an NHANES study.

Background: The non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (NHHR) is a newly developed lipid parameter. However, the current research has only explored the relationship with lumbar spine bone mineral density, lacking studies on bone mineral density at other sites, total body bone mineral density, and an analysis of risk factors. This study aims to determine the potential association between NHHR and lumbar BMD, increase awareness of the impact of lipid levels on bone health.

A novel approach to completely alleviate peripheral neuropathic pain in human patients: insights from preclinical data.

Neuropathic pain is a pervasive health concern worldwide, posing significant challenges to both clinicians and neuroscientists. While acute pain serves as a warning signal for potential tissue damage, neuropathic pain represents a chronic pathological condition resulting from injury or disease affecting sensory pathways of the nervous system. Neuropathic pain is characterized by long-lasting ipsilateral hyperalgesia (increased sensitivity to pain), allodynia (pain sensation in response to stimuli that are not normally painful), and spontaneous unprovoked pain.

Lower urinary tract dysfunction following stroke: From molecular mechanisms to clinical anatomy.

Bladder dysfunction is a common clinical problem in stroke patients and a strong prognostic factor of disability and exerts an enormous impact on health and economy. The aim of this narrative review was tο examine the pathophysiological mechanisms of lower urinary tract symptoms after stroke, as well as the relevant clinical anatomy. Normal micturition is achieved through complex coordination between brain regions, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves, and anatomic brain connectivity is crucial to lower urinary tract physiology.

Plasmalogens Activate AKT/mTOR Signaling to Attenuate Reactive Oxygen Species Production in Spinal Cord Injury.

Background: Plasmalogens, the primary phospholipids in the brain, possess intrinsic antioxidant properties and are crucial components of the myelin sheath surrounding neuronal axons. While their neuroprotective effects have been demonstrated in Alzheimer's disease, their potential benefits in spinal cord injury remain unexplored. This study investigates the reparative effects of plasmalogens on spinal cord injury and the underlying mechanisms.

Separation Surgery Followed by Conformal Postoperative Spine Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy Does Not Increase Risk of Adjacent Spine Level Progression in the Management of Spine Metastases.

Objectives: To determine if piecemeal separation surgery, in conjunction with smaller treatment volumes utilized with spine stereotactic radiation therapy (S-SBRT), increased the risk of adjacent level progression (ALP).

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of adult spine oncologic patients who underwent SBRT to the spine at University of Michigan from 2010 to 2021. We compared ALP in patients undergoing SBRT who had pretreatment surgery with those who did not.

Measurement properties of the Traumatic Brain Injury Quality of Life (TBI-QoL) and Spinal Cord Injury Quality of Life (SCI-QoL) measurement systems: a systematic review.

Purpose: Traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury impact all areas of individuals' quality of life. A synthesis of available evidence for the Traumatic Brain Injury Quality of Life (TBI-QoL) and Spinal Cord Injury Quality of Life (SCI-QoL) measurement systems could inform evidence-based clinical practice and research. Thus, we aimed to systematically review the literature of existing evidence on the measurement properties of SCI-QoL and TBI-QoL among rehabilitation populations.

Anterior Controllable Antedisplacement Fusion (ACAF) in Revision Surgery for Iatrogenic Cervical Kyphosis: Technical Note and Case Series.

Background: Iatrogenic cervical kyphosis (ICK) often requires complex anterior and posterior correction, which is associated with multiple complications. Consequently, there is a need to investigate alternative treatment approaches that streamline the operative process and markedly diminish postoperative complications. This study, therefore, aimed to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of a single-stage anterior controllable antedisplacement fusion (ACAF) in revision surgeries for ICK.

ASRA Pain Medicine consensus practice infection control guidelines for regional anesthesia and pain medicine.

Background: To provide recommendations on risk mitigation, diagnosis and treatment of infectious complications associated with the practice of regional anesthesia, acute and chronic pain management.

Methods: Following board approval, in 2020 the American Society of Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine (ASRA Pain Medicine) commissioned evidence-based guidelines for best practices for infection control. More than 80 research questions were developed and literature searches undertaken by assigned working groups comprising four to five members.

Balancing central control and sensory feedback produces adaptable and robust locomotor patterns in a spiking, neuromechanical model of the salamander spinal cord.

This study introduces a novel neuromechanical model employing a detailed spiking neural network to explore the role of axial proprioceptive sensory feedback, namely stretch feedback, in salamander locomotion. Unlike previous studies that often oversimplified the dynamics of the locomotor networks, our model includes detailed simulations of the classes of neurons that are considered responsible for generating movement patterns. The locomotor circuits, modeled as a spiking neural network of adaptive leaky integrate-and-fire neurons, are coupled to a three-dimensional mechanical model of a salamander with realistic physical parameters and simulated muscles.

Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy in Alzheimer Disease: A Comparison Between Different Versions of the Boston Criteria.

Objectives: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is the main driver of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIAs) in Alzheimer disease (AD). We compared different versions of the Boston criteria for CAA diagnosis in AD.

Methods: This article presents a single-center analysis (outpatient neurodegenerative clinic) of patients with AD with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early dementia, meeting NIA-AA criteria and having biological amyloid confirmation (CSF or imaging).

Healthcare Costs of Pressure Injuries among Patients with a Spinal Cord Injury within a Dutch Rehabilitation Center.

Objective: To assess the healthcare costs of pressure injuries (PIs) among patients with a spinal cord injury (SCI) in a Dutch rehabilitation center and determine if those costs were associated with patients' age or sex.

Methods: The direct healthcare costs of PIs were estimated using data from electronic health records of a Dutch rehabilitation center. This dataset contained demographic, clinical, and resource use information of all patients with an SCI or a PI who were treated at the rehabilitation center because of a PI between 2009 and 2022.

The efficacy and safety of tyrosine kinase inhibitors in the treatment of advanced or metastatic chordoma: a single-arm meta-analysis.

Chordoma is a rare malignant tumor with a higher incidence in males than in females. There is an increasing number of clinical studies related to tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), yet the efficacy and safety of different drugs vary. In this single-arm meta-analysis evaluating the efficacy and safety of TKIs for chordoma treatment, 12 studies involving 365 patients were analyzed.