Inhibitory effect on acute herpes and prevention of postherpetic neuralgia in herpes simplex virus-1-infected mice using a plant extract Ricinus communis.

The present study aimed to examine the impact of Ricinus communis and valacyclovir (VACV) on the progression of skin lesions and pain responses in mice infected with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Mice were infected with HSV-1 and treated with R. communis (8, 16, or 48 mg/kg) or VACV (8, 25, or 90 mg/kg) twice daily on days 2-8 post-infection.

Clinical and functional characterization of a novel STUB1 mutation in a Chinese spinocerebellar ataxia 48 pedigree.

Background: Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) encompass a wide spectrum of inherited neurodegenerative diseases, primarily characterized by pathological changes in the cerebellum, spinal cord, and brainstem degeneration. Autosomal dominant spinocerebellar ataxia type 48 (SCA48) is a newly identified subtype of SCA, marked by early-onset ataxia and cognitive impairment, and is associated with mutations in the STIP1 homology and U-box-containing protein 1 (STUB1) gene. The STUB1 gene encodes the protein CHIP (C-terminus of HSC70-interacting protein) which functions as E3 ubiquitin ligase and is crucial to the development of neural systems.

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.

Efficacy of combined electroacupuncture and moxibustion for treatment of neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury: A retrospective analysis.

This retrospective study evaluates the clinical efficacy of combined electroacupuncture and moxibustion for the treatment of neurogenic bladder in patients with spinal cord injury. Ninety patients with neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury who were admitted to the hospital between January 2021 and August 2023 were included. The patients were divided into the study and control groups (n = 45 each) using a random number table method.

Clinical study of short-term spinal cord stimulation for herpes zoster-associated pain.

Background: Zoster-associated neuralgia refers to neuropathic pain from herpes zoster, which can persist as postherpetic neuralgia (PHN). Preventing the progression to chronic PHN is crucial, yet optimal interventions is still not clear.

Objectives: This study evaluates the efficacy of short-term spinal cord stimulation (tSCS) in patients with subacute and chronic PHN.

Cervical spinal cord injury following osteophyte excision for respiratory distress caused by diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis associated with ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament: a case report and literature review.

Background: Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a systemic non-inflammatory disorder characterized by enthesopathy and osteophyte formation. DISH can also cause several other symptoms. Limited range of motion (ROM) is the most common symptom; however, dysphagia and respiratory distress are clinically important symptoms.

Zika virus infection and acute transverse myelitis: a comprehensive systematic review.

The Zika virus (ZIKV) has been associated with several complications, including acute transverse myelitis (ATM), an acute inflammation of the spinal cord, with rapid development of motor, sensory and dysautonomic symptoms. It is a rare disease, and its clinical features, as well as differences in relation to idiopathic ATMs, are still not completely known. The objective of this paper is to review the literature in search of clinical features and complementary exams of ATM post-ZIKV infection, alone or in association with other neurological conditions (mixed diseases), as well as its treatments and prognoses.

Transverse Myelitis in a Healthy Adult Female Patient: A Rare Viral Etiology.

Transverse myelitis (TM) is an uncommon but extensively documented neurological disorder marked by acute spinal cord inflammation, resulting in a spectrum of impairments including motor, sensory, and autonomic disturbances. We outline a rare case of viral-induced TM linked to COVID-19 and Coxsackie B viral infections. A 25-year-old healthy female patient presented with acute bilateral upper and lower extremity weakness, paresthesia, and urinary retention.

Torticollis as an early manifestation of basilar invagination in a paediatric patient.

This case report describes the clinical journey of a male patient in early childhood with developmental delay, failure to thrive, worsening right-sided head tilt torticollis and regression of motor skills with spasticity of the lower limbs. The case was complex due to the early onset and gradually worsening symptoms, including a decline in established motor milestones. Genetic testing to investigate the delayed neurodevelopment revealed a variant that did not fully explain the patient's phenotype.

Fusion Free Median Corpectomy - Long-Term Consequence of Foregoing Fusion and Fixation: A Serendipitous Observation.

Background: Anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) involves placement of a graft/implant to ensure fusion and stabilization along with neural decompression. We share our experience with a subset of ACCF patients in whom graft/implant could not be placed post decompression for varying reasons but had a favorable long-term outcome. The necessity for routine fusion after corpectomy is critically analyzed, and the feasibility of an alternative surgical option without graft/implant is discussed.

Long-Term Decision Regret and Associated Factors Following Urinary Reconstruction in Underserved Patients with Spinal Cord Injury.

Purpose: Patients with refractory neurogenic bladder dysfunction may require urinary reconstruction due to severe incontinence, difficulty with catheterization, and to prevent upper urinary tract compromise. We evaluated long-term decisional regret and associated factors following urinary reconstruction in spinal cord injury patients.

Materials And Methods: We interviewed patients with spinal cord injuries who underwent bladder reconstruction surgery at least ten years ago, administering validated surveys on bowel quality of life and dysfunction, urinary tract infections, and decisional regret.

Meta-analysis and review of rechargeable implantable pulse generators for spinal cord stimulation and deep brain stimulation.

Introduction: Neuromodulation through deep brain stimulation (DBS) and spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has become a successful therapy for various neurological disorders, such as movement disorders and chronic pain. Implantable pulse generators (IPGs) are pivotal in these therapies, available as either rechargeable (r-IPGs) or non-rechargeable (nr-IPGs).

Research Question: To perform a meta-analysis on r-IPGs.

Peripheral immune reactions following human traumatic spinal cord injury: the interplay of immune activation and suppression.

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) damages the nerve tissue of the spinal cord, resulting in loss of motor and/or sensory functions at and below the injury level. SCI provokes a long-lasting immune response that extends beyond the spinal cord and induces changes in the composition and function of the peripheral immune system. Seemingly contradictory findings have been observed, as both systemic immune activation, including inflammation and autoimmunity, and immune suppression have been reported.

[Fire needle therapy combined with bladder function training for neurogenic bladder caused by spinal cord injury: a randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To observe the clinical effect and safety of fire needle therapy combined with bladder function training on neurogenic bladder (NB) caused by spinal cord injury.

Methods: A total of 60 patients with NB caused by spinal cord injury were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group , with 30 cases in each group. On the basis of conventional treatment with western medicine, the bladder function training was adopted in the control group, once a day and for 4 weeks.

Neuroprotective Effects of Folic Acid: A Review.

Folic acid also known as folate and vitamin B9 is of the class of B complex vitamins. It is crucial for homeostatic function of the biological system and is not endogenously produced. It is medically approved for the treatment of megaloblastic anemia.

Holocord intramedullary pilocytic astrocytoma mimicking holocord spinal abscess: a case report and literature review.

Purpose: This report aims to present a case of a child with holocord pilocytic astrocytoma and review the existing literature to provide insights into current management strategies.

Case Presentation: An 11-month-old patient presented with progressive quadriplegia and was initially diagnosed with a spinal abscess. MRI revealed a heterogeneously enhancing cystic intramedullary lesion extending from the cervicomedullary region to the conus medullaris.

An emergency medicine review: Multiple myeloma and its complications.

Introduction: Multiple myeloma (MM) and its complications carry a high rate of morbidity and mortality.

Objective: This review evaluates MM and its complications, including presentation, diagnosis, and management in the emergency department (ED) based on current evidence.

Discussion: MM is the second most common hematologic cancer and associated with monoclonal plasma cell proliferation.

External validation of the Spinal Infection Treatment Evaluation score: a single-center 19-year review of de novo spinal infections.

Objective: The escalating incidence of de novo spinal infections poses a substantial neurological impact on patients. This has prompted a growing interest in discerning which patients would derive greater benefit from medical as opposed to surgical management of these occurrences. The authors assessed the predictive applicability of the Spinal Infection Treatment Evaluation (SITE) score in discerning between surgical intervention and medical management.

Evaluation of Postoperative Kyphotic Changes in Patients Who Underwent Cervical Laminectomy.

Background: The stenosis of the cervical canal due to spondylotic changes is one of the common causes of spinal cord compression. Without adequate treatment, it results in progressive neurological deterioration. However, despite the wide acceptance of newer techniques, such as laminoplasty and laminectomy with fusion, in most situations, especially in resource-constraint situations, the role of laminectomy alone is pertinent.

Red flags for potential serious pathologies in people with neck pain: a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines.

Introduction: We conducted a systematic review of clinical practice guidelines to identify red flags for serious pathologies in neck pain mentioned in clinical practice guidelines, to evaluate agreement in red flag recommendations across guidelines, and to investigate the level of evidence including what study type the recommendations are based on.

Methods: We searched for guidelines focusing on specific and nonspecific neck pain in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PEDro up to June 9, 2023. Additionally, we searched for guidelines through citation tracking strategies, by consulting experts in the field, and by checking guideline organization databases.