Contact heat evoked potentials reveal distinct patterns of spinal cord impairment in degenerative cervical myelopathy beyond MRI lesions.

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging may suggest spinal cord compression and structural lesions in degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) but cannot reveal functional impairments in spinal pathways. We aimed to assess the value of contact heat evoked potentials (CHEPs) in addition to MRI and hypothesized that abnormal CHEPs may be evident in DCM independent of MR-lesions and are related to dynamic mechanical cord stress.

Methods: Individuals with DCM underwent neurologic examination including segmental sensory (pinprick, light touch) and motor testing.

TET3-facilitated differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells into oligodendrocyte precursor cells for spinal cord injury recovery.

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) inflicts a severe burden on patients and lacks effective treatments. Owing to the poor regenerative capabilities of endogenous oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) following SCI, there is a growing interest in alternative sources, such as human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUCMSCs). TET3 is a key DNA demethylase that plays an important role in neural differentiation, but its role in OPC formation is not well understood.

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.

Return to play in professional football players following traumatic cervical spine injury: expert opinions from the National Football League spine surgeons.

Objective: There is a paucity of high-quality return-to-play (RTP) data following treatment of cervical spine injuries in contact sports. In this study, the authors gathered insights from National Football League (NFL) team spine surgeon consultants to highlight current practices in treating cervical spine injuries and report decision-making regarding RTP in professional American football players.

Methods: A cross-sectional, online survey was distributed to all NFL consulting physicians specializing in the management of spine injuries.

Presentation, management, and outcome of traumatic spine injuries in Africa: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Traumatic spinal injury (TSI) involves diverse etiologies, posing different risks among patient populations worldwide. Discrepancies in TSI treatment and outcomes between high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries highlight the critical necessity for tailored management approaches for this global challenge. This study delves into the presentation, management, and outcomes of TSI in Africa.

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.

Neurophysiological Effects of Latent Trigger Point Dry Needling on Spinal Reflexes.

Deep dry needling (DDN) is a method to treat muscle trigger points (TrPs) often found in persons with neuromuscular pain and spasticity. Currently, its neurophysiological actions are not well established. Thus, to understand how DDN affects spinal cord physiology, we investigated the effects of TrP DDN on spinal reflexes.

Validity and test-retest reliability of a modified version of the upper quarter Y balance test in athletes with spinal cord injury and lower limb amputation.

Background: The Upper Quarter Y Balance Test (YBT-UQ) assesses upper limb dynamic balance in able-bodied individuals but lacks a reliable version for those with disabilities.

Objective: This study aimed to introduce a modified YBT-UQ (mYBT-UQ) for physically impaired individuals (PI) and establish its validity and reliability.

Methods: The study involved 33 male athletes aged 18-55, divided into three equal groups: able-bodied, spinal cord injury with trunk control (SCI), and below-the-knee amputation (BKA).

Extracellular vesicles epitopes as potential biomarker candidates in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury.

Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs), a heterogeneous group of cell-derived, membrane-enclosed vesicles bearing cell-specific epitopes, have been demonstrated to play a crucial role in neuronal-glial communication and the orchestration of neuroinflammatory processes. However, the existing evidence regarding their function as biomarkers and their role in the pathobiology of traumatic spinal cord injuries (tSCI), particularly in humans, is scarce.

Objective: The primary goal of this study was to investigate whether a distinct pattern of EV surface epitopes detected in the plasma of individuals suffering from spinal cord injury is indicative of tSCI.

The Potential of Hair-Follicle-Associated Pluripotent (HAP) Stem Cells for Regenerative Medicine.

Nestin-expressing hair-follicle-associated pluripotent (HAP) stem cells from mouse and human have been shown to differentiate into neurons, glia, keratinocytes, smooth muscle cells, cardiac muscle cells, and melanocytes in vitro. HAP stem cells have promoted the recovery of peripheral nerve and spinal cord injuries in mouse models by differentiating into glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-positive Schwann cells. HAP stem cells enclosed on polyvinylidene fluoride membranes (PFM) were transplanted into the severed thoracic spinal cord of nude mice.

Verification of a system utilizing heartbeat-induced acoustic pulse waves for estimating the time at which bladder urine increases to a level requiring drainage among individuals with spinal cord injury.

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) often leads to the loss of urinary sensation, making urination difficult. In a previous experiment involving six healthy participants, we measured heartbeat-induced acoustic pulse waves (HAPWs) at the mid-back, calculated time-series power spectra of heart rate gradients at three ultralow/very low frequencies, distinguished and formulated waveform characteristics (one characteristic for each power spectrum, nearly uniform across participants) at times of increased urine in the bladder and heightened urges to urinate, and developed an algorithm with five of these power spectra to identify when urination is needed by extracting the waveform portion (continuous timepoints) where all of the characteristics were consistent with the formulated characteristics. The objective of this study was to verify the validity of the algorithm fed with data from measured HAPW of participants with SCI and to adapt the algorithm for these individuals.

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.

A research protocol to study the critical time window for rehabilitation after incomplete spinal cord injury: early vs. late locomotor training.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often results in severe motor and sensory deficits, leading to significant disability. Preclinical studies and retrospective studies suggest that a critical window of enhanced neuroplasticity may exist immediately after SCI, during which therapeutic interventions could yield greater functional improvements. The impact of time interval since SCI on efficacy of rehabilitation has not been directly assessed and is the focus of this clinical trial.

Self-Management Support Apps for Spinal Cord Injury: Results of a Systematic Search in App Stores and Mobile App Rating Scale Evaluation.

Background: The use of mobile technology to meet health needs, widely referred to as mobile health (mHealth), has played a critical role in providing self-management support for chronic health conditions. However, despite its potential benefits, mHealth technologies such as self-management support apps for spinal cord injury (SCI) have received little research attention, and an understanding of their public availability is lacking. Therefore, an overview of these apps is needed to complement findings from the literature for a complete understanding of mHealth self-management support tools for SCI to support the selection and improvement of existing apps and the development of new ones.

Interleukin-3 Modulates Macrophage Phagocytic Activity and Promotes Spinal Cord Injury Repair.

Background: Effective clearance of lipid-rich debris by macrophages is critical for neural repair and regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI). Interleukin-3 (IL-3) has been implicated in programming microglia to cluster and clear pathological aggregates in neurodegenerative disease. Yet, the influence of IL-3 on lipid debris clearance post-SCI is not well characterized.

Regulation of dynamic spatiotemporal inflammation by nanomaterials in spinal cord injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a common clinical condition of the central nervous system that can lead to sensory and motor impairment below the injury level or permanent loss of function in severe cases. Dynamic spatiotemporal neuroinflammation is vital to neurological recovery, which is collectively constituted by the dynamic changes in a series of inflammatory cells, including microglia, neutrophils, and astrocytes, among others. Immunomodulatory nanomaterials can readily improve the therapeutic effects and simultaneously overcome various drawbacks associated with treatment, such as the off-target side effects and loss of bioactivity of immune agents during circulation.

Improving the rehabilitation of individuals admitted to England's National Spinal Injuries Centre with traumatic brain injury.

Study Design: Mixed methods service improvement project. Retrospective analysis of clinical documentation and qualitative focus group with clinicians.

Objectives: Although traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI) often co-occur, many barriers have been found to identifying TBI in SCI rehabilitation and adapting treatment accordingly.

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.

Peer-supported interventions for people with spinal cord injury.

This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (intervention). The objectives are as follows: Primary objective To assess the effects of peer-supported interventions on quality of life and self-management compared with control (i.e.

The current physical activity in persons with disability in Qatar: a cross-sectional study.

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to measure and quantify the current level of physical activity among persons with disability in Qatar. The secondary objective was to assess and analyze the duration of sedentary behavior among individuals with disability in Qatar.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional epidemiological study of persons with disability living in Qatar.

Physicochemical Property Effects on Immune Modulating Polymeric Nanoparticles: Potential Applications in Spinal Cord Injury.

Nanoparticles (NPs) offer promising potential as therapeutic agents for inflammation-related diseases, owing to their capabilities in drug delivery and immune modulation. In preclinical studies focusing on spinal cord injury (SCI), polymeric NPs have demonstrated the ability to reprogram innate immune cells. This reprogramming results in redirecting immune cells away from the injury site, downregulating pro-inflammatory signaling, and promoting a regenerative environment post-injury.

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.

The Impact of Sports Training on the Spinal Cord Injury Individual's Balance.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) causes major challenges to mobility and daily life activities and maintaining balance becomes a crucial issue. Individuals with SCI often need to adopt new strategies to manage balance with minimal discomfort. Sports and physical activities have become one of the most popular rehabilitation methods for people with SCI.

Transitional Care for Spinal Cord Injuries in Hong Kong SAR, China: A Narrative Review of the Local Experience.

Spinal cord injuries (SCI) are devastating conditions which often cause multiple permanent physical impairments and psychosocial complications. Discharge from hospital is often delayed and precious health resources are consumed. In Hong Kong SAR, China, the government welfare system and the public hospital system have worked together to address these problems through partnership with non-governmental organizations.