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Toxins (Basel) 2019 Feb 19;11(2). Epub 2019 Feb 19.

UMR U1179 INSERM/Université de Versailles Saint Quentin en Yvelines (UVSQ)-Paris Saclay, 78180 Montigny-le-Bretonneux, France.

A set of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) amplicon vectors expressing the light chains (LC) of botulinum neurotoxins (BoNT) A, B, C, D, E and F was constructed. Their properties have been assessed in primary cultures of rat embryonic dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons, and in organotypic cultures of explanted DRG from adult rats. Following infection of primary cultures of rat embryonic DRG neurons, the different BoNT LC induced efficient cleavage of their corresponding target Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive-factor Attachment protein Receptor (SNARE) protein (VAMP, SNAP25, syntaxin). Read More

IDCases 2019 5;15:e00503. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

Department of Internal Medicine, Quinnipiac University Frank H. Netter MD School of Medicine/Saint Vincent's Medical Center, Bridgeport, CT, USA.

Meningitis is defined as an inflammation of the protective covering of brain and spinal cord collectively called as meninges. Meningeal infection can be complicated by intraventricular empyema. There are 9 cases of intraventricular empyema described in the literature out of which only three are described to be caused by . Read More

Mil Med Res 2019 Feb 20;6(1). Epub 2019 Feb 20.

Xinqiao Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, 400037, China.

The battlefield treatments of spinal and spinal cord injury vary from civilian settings. However, there is no unified battlefield treatment guidelines for spine trauma in PLA. An expert consensus is reached, based on spine trauma epidemiology and the concepts of battlefield treatment combined with the existing levels of military medical care in modern warfare. Read More

Int Braz J Urol 2019 Feb 10;45. Epub 2019 Feb 10.

Serviço de Lesão Medular, Rede Sarah de Hospitais de Reabilitação, Brasília, DF, Brasil.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort of patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) that have been hospitalized for physical-functional rehabilitation purposes.

Objectives: To compare the incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) after urodynamic study (UDS) in three hospitals that adopted different protocols with regard to the preparation of patients.

Setting: Sarah Network of Rehabilitation Hospitals, Brazil. Read More

Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2019 12;5:18. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Department of Orthopaedics, Max Smart Super Specialty Hospital, New Delhi, India.

Introduction: The commonly recognized causes of post-operative neurological deterioration in spinal tuberculosis are inadequate decompression, damage to vascular supply of the spinal cord, and multi-drug resistant organisms. There are no known cases of syringomyelia developing after surgical decompression of spinal tuberculosis.

Case Presentation: A teenage girl presented with rapid onset quadriparesis secondary to a tubercular epidural abscess extending from C4-T8. Read More

Acta Ortop Bras 2019 Jan-Feb;27(1):64-68

Department of Nuclear Engineering, Laboratório Núcleo de Radiações Ionizantes, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.

Polymethylmetacrylte (PMMA) is used in the fields of dentistry and biomedicine as a constituent of bone cements. Hydroxyapatite (HAp) is a bioceramic produced naturally in the bones. PMMA and HAp are fundamental constituents in the preparation of bone cements. Read More

Neuroepidemiology 2019 Feb 14;52(3-4):205-213. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Swiss Paraplegic Research, Nottwil, Switzerland.

Background: Traumatic spinal cord injuries (TSCI) are a neurological condition associated with reduced well-being, increased morbidity and reductions in life expectancy. Estimates of all-cause and cause-specific mortality can aid in identifying targets for prevention and management of contributors for premature mortality.

Objectives: To compare all-cause and cause-specific rates of mortality to that of the Swiss general population; to identify differentials in risk of cause-specific mortality according to lesion characteristics. Read More

JMIR Res Protoc 2019 Feb 14;8(2):e12272. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety, Houston, TX, United States.

Background: Bacteriuria, either asymptomatic (ASB) or symptomatic, urinary tract infection (UTI), is common in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Current Veterans Health Administration (VHA) guidelines recommend a screening urinalysis and urine culture for every veteran with SCI during annual evaluation, even when asymptomatic, which is contrary to other national guidelines. Our preliminary data suggest that a positive urine culture (even without signs or symptoms of infection) drives antibiotic use. Read More

Am J Trop Med Hyg 2019 Feb 11. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Department of Neurology, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India.

Neurotropism and infiltration by of peripheral nerves causing neuropathy are well established, but reports of central nervous system (CNS) damage are exceptional. We report CNS magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities of the brain and spinal cord as well as lesions in nerve roots and plexus in leprosy patients. Eight patients aged between 17 and 41 years underwent detailed clinical, histopathological, and MRI evaluation. Read More

Pain Pract 2019 Feb 13. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Tondela Viseu Hospital Centre, Anesthesiology Service.Address: Centro Hospitalar Tondela Viseu, Anesthesiology Service, Serviço de Anestesiologia Rua Rei Dom Duarte, 3504-509, Viseu, Portugal.

Supplementary strategies, in combination with conventional analgesia, for pain control after lumbar fusion surgery remain limited. Here, we describe a 79-year-old woman who experienced pain (10/10 on a numerical rating scale) on post-operative day 1 after undergoing L2 to S1 spine fusion. Erector spinae plane (ESP) blocks were performed at T8 and, after a bolus of ropivacaine 0. Read More

Neurochirurgie 2019 Feb 8. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Department of neurosurgery, Sainte Anne Military Hospital, France. Electronic address:

Acute spinal cord compression usually results from trauma, infection, or cancer. Spinal subdural hematoma is an uncommon cause of spinal cord compression that occurs after spine trauma or spinal invasive procedure, especially in context of coagulopathy. In the following reported case, an 82-year-old woman with a history of rapidly progressive paraparesis after a sudden middle back pain, with no previous trauma or coagulopathy, due to an acute spontaneous spinal subdural hematoma. Read More

J Neurol 2019 Feb 9. Epub 2019 Feb 9.

Sorbonne Université, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Service de Médecine Interne 2, Centre National de Référence Maladies Systémiques Rares, Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière, 47-83 Boulevard de l'hôpital, 75651, Paris Cedex 13, France.

Objectives: Infliximab is increasingly used to treat neurosarcoidosis. We aimed to determine the efficacy and tolerance of an infliximab biosimilar for treating neurosarcoidosis.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective single-center study to describe the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of an infliximab biosimilar in neurosarcoidosis patients. Read More

Anaerobe 2019 Feb 7;56:57-60. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Pediatric Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Pediatric, King Saud University Medical City, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Spinal intramedullary abscesses are rare and potentially devastating lesions. Infection is mostly caused by staphylococci. Anaerobes are rare and often polymicrobial. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2019 Feb 6;20(3). Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.

Virus infections of the central nervous system (CNS) can manifest in various forms of inflammation, including that of the brain (encephalitis) and spinal cord (myelitis), all of which may have long-lasting deleterious consequences. Although the knowledge of how different viruses affect neural cells is increasing, understanding of the mechanisms by which cells respond to neurotropic viruses remains fragmented. Several virus types have the ability to infect neural tissue, and astrocytes, an abundant and heterogeneous neuroglial cell type and a key element providing CNS homeostasis, are one of the first CNS cell types to get infected. Read More

J Neurovirol 2019 Feb 7. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Guangzou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510623, China.

Enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) is a major causative agent for hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), especially severe HFMD characterized by neurologic involvement. The objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between the distribution of neurologic infection and the outcomes of severe HFMD. A total of 139 suspected severe HFMD cases (92 were confirmed as EV-A71 infection) underwent clinical and laboratory diagnosis as well as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the nervous system. Read More

PM R 2019 Feb 6. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.

Background: Pregnant women with congenital or acquired spinal cord injury face challenges due to compromised neurological function and mobility; factors that may also affect fetal/infant health. Few studies have examined pregnancy course and longer-term outcomes in this population.

Objective: To assess pregnancy outcomes among women with spinal cord injury, paralysis, or spina bifida using population-based data. Read More

Spinal Cord Ser Cases 2019 5;5:15. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

2Department of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care, Pt. B.D. Sharma PGIMS, Rohtak-124001 Haryana, India.

Introduction: Trochanteric pressure ulcers (PrUs) are difficult to treat and are often complicated by infection spreading to the hip joint. We review three cases from India where proximal femoral resection and pedicled Tensor Fascia Lata (TFL) flapping was used in the management of infected deep trochanteric ulcers communicating to the hip joint.

Case Presentation: Three patients had a total of four trochanteric PrUs communicating to the hip joint. Read More

Rinsho Ketsueki 2019 ;60(1):17-21

Division of Hematology, Ehime Prefectural Central Hospital.

A 63-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital with relapsed acute myeloid leukemia. On day10 after reinduction therapy, she became febrile. Computed tomography on day15 revealed right upper lobe consolidation. Read More

J Drug Target 2019 Feb 5:1-54. Epub 2019 Feb 5.

a Institut Galien Paris-Sud, UMR 8612, CNRS, Univ. Paris-Sud, Université Paris-Saclay, Faculté de Pharmacie , 5 rue JB Clément , 92296 Châtenay-Malabry , France.

The present review article covers the most important steps of the pioneering work of Patrick Couvreur and tries to shed light on his outstanding career that has been a source of inspiration for many decades. His discovery of the biodegradable poly(alkyl cyanoacrylate) (PACA) nanoparticles has opened large perspectives in nanomedicine. Indeed, nanoparticles made from different types of PACA monomers have been used in different applications such as the treatment of intracellular infections or the treatment of multidrug resistant hepatocarcinoma. Read More

Radiol Clin North Am 2019 Mar 5;57(2):397-413. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah, 30 North 1900 East, Room 1A71, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA. Electronic address:

Acute low back pain, defined as less than 6 weeks in duration, does not require imaging in the absence of "red flags" that may indicate a cause, such as fracture, infection, or malignancy. When imaging is indicated, it is important to rule out a host of abnormalities that may be responsible for the pain and any associated symptoms. A common mnemonic VINDICATE can help ensure a thorough consideration of the possible causes. Read More

Curr Urol Rep 2019 Feb 1;20(3):12. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Section of Urology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA.

Purpose Of Review: The purpose of this review is to critically analyze and summarize recent studies in the area of penile prosthesis surgery outcomes with a focus on infection prevention in high-risk patients.

Recent Findings: Reduction of surgical time in complex prosthesis surgery may reduce infection risk. Concomitant implant surgery is not associated with increased infection risk. Read More

Ann Indian Acad Neurol 2019 Jan-Mar;22(1):111-115

Division of Neuroradiology and Pediatric Radiology, University of Arkansas For Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.

Aicardi-Goutières syndrome (AGS) is a rare, genetic inflammatory disease due to mutations in any of the seven genes discovered to date (, and ). Clinical onset is seen most commonly or in infancy; irritability, feeding difficulties, jitteriness, microcephaly, abnormal movements, seizures, bone marrow suppression, and liver dysfunction are seen either during the neonatal age group or within the first few months of life with abrupt onset of neurologic regression and slowing of head growth. Diffusely abnormal white matters with swelling of frontal or temporal lobes, cerebral atrophy, and intracranial calcification are typical neuroradiologic abnormalities. Read More

Int J Infect Dis 2019 Jan 23;81:1-3. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Zhejiang-California International Nanosystems Institute, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China; Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, CA, USA. Electronic address:

We report a rare case of culture negative L4-L5 discitis and epidural abscess in an immunocompetent child who had dry cupping therapy performed to treat low back strain. The causative pathogen was identified as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia by shotgun metagenomic sequencing of spinal cord aspirate after more than one month of unsuccessful empirical treatment with 6 different antibiotics. The patient was successfully treated with Sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim and minocycline. Read More

Vet Rec 2019 Feb 25;184(6):191. Epub 2019 Jan 25.

Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.

A neurological syndrome of small ruminants, known locally as '', has been reported among pastoralist livestock keepers in Tanzania. This study was carried out in four affected pastoral communities to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors, characterise the clinical signs and investigate the aetiology of the syndrome. Questionnaires were administered at all households (n=480) within four study villages. Read More

MSMR 2019 Jan;26(1):17-19

In August 2018, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted an increased number of reports of patients in the U. Read More

Trials 2019 Jan 24;20(1):77. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Department of Neurology, Haukeland University Hospital, Jonas Lies vei 71, 5053, Bergen, Norway.

Background: Individuals with spinal cord injuries (SCI) are prone to pressure ulcers (PUs) because of the loss of sensorimotor function involved as well as increased skin moisture. Treatment of PU after SCI is complicated, involving different specialties and with need for long-lasting follow-up. This study should identify risk factors for PU after SCI, and find an effective and less time-consuming treatment for the condition among different available methods for follow-up. Read More

Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2019 Jan 11. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Paediatric Neurosciences, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, UK; Child Life and Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.

Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) was increasingly detected in recent years, coinciding with upsurges of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) infections. We reviewed the evidence for a causal relationship between both. Based on reported cases, we provide case definitions for AFM caused by EV-D68 infections to enable a standard procedure for affected patients. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2019 Jan 21;20(2). Epub 2019 Jan 21.

Department of Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Bünteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany.

Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV), a naturally occurring, enteric pathogen of mice is a Cardiovirus of the Picornaviridae family. Low neurovirulent TMEV strains such as BeAn cause a severe demyelinating disease in susceptible mice following intracerebral infection. Furthermore, TMEV infections of mice cause acute polioencephalitis initiating a process of epileptogenesis that results in spontaneous recurrent epileptic seizures in approximately 50% of affected mice. Read More

J Thromb Haemost 2019 Jan 19. Epub 2019 Jan 19.

Canadian Blood Services, Center for Innovation, Vancouver, Canada.

Essentials The coagulation initiator, tissue factor (TF), is on the herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV1) surface. HSV1 surface TF was examined in mice as an antiviral target since it enhances infection in vitro. HSV1 surface TF facilitated infection of all organs evaluated and anticoagulants were antiviral. Read More

PLoS One 2019 17;14(1):e0208730. Epub 2019 Jan 17.

University of Messina, Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, Messina, Italy.

The disruption of coordinated control between the brain, spinal cord and peripheral nervous system caused by spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to several secondary pathological conditions, including lower urinary tract dysfunction. In fact, urinary tract dysfunction associated with SCI is urinary dysfunction could be a consequence of a lack of neuroregeneration of supraspinal pathways that control bladder function. The object of the current research was to explore the effects of adelmidrol + sodium hyaluronate, on bladder damage generated after SCI in mice. Read More

Reg Anesth Pain Med 2019 Jan;44(1):100-106

Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.

Background And Objectives: Dorsal root ganglion stimulation is an emerging therapy in the treatment of chronic pain. Compared with traditional spinal cord stimulation, it allows a discretely targeted stimulation profile and may act via differing mechanisms of action. Despite these advantages, little is known about the complications associated with this new modality. Read More

J Extracell Vesicles 2018 23;7(1):1535750. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

Jagiellonian University, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Department of Cell Biology, Kraków, Poland.

The last decade has seen a sharp increase in the number of scientific publications describing physiological and pathological functions of extracellular vesicles (EVs), a collective term covering various subtypes of cell-released, membranous structures, called exosomes, microvesicles, microparticles, ectosomes, oncosomes, apoptotic bodies, and many other names. However, specific issues arise when working with these entities, whose size and amount often make them difficult to obtain as relatively pure preparations, and to characterize properly. The International Society for Extracellular Vesicles (ISEV) proposed Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles ("MISEV") guidelines for the field in 2014. Read More

Spinal Cord 2019 Jan 9. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

Department of Neurological Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Saint-Jacques Hospital, Nantes University Hospital, Nantes, France.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness and complications of treatment for neurogenic stress urinary incontinence (nSUI) by Adjustable Continence Therapy (ACT™ and ProACT™).

Setting: France. Read More

J Spinal Cord Med 2019 Jan 9. Epub 2019 Jan 9.

b Dr DY Patil University , Pune , India.

Front Immunol 2018 10;9:2870. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Microbiology, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.

Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) induces different diseases in the central nervous system (CNS) and heart, depending on the mouse strains and time course, with cytokines playing key roles for viral clearance and immune-mediated pathology (immunopathology). In SJL/J mice, TMEV infection causes chronic TMEV-induced demyelinating disease (TMEV-IDD) in the spinal cord about 1 month post-inoculation (p.i. Read More

Neurosurg Focus 2019 Jan;46(1):E4

1Department of Neurosurgery, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana; and.

OBJECTIVEFew studies have been published specifically examining intravenous drug abuse (IVDA)-associated spinal epidural abscesses (SEAs), an unfortunate sequela of the opioid crisis in the United States. Here, the authors examined a series of patients with IVDA-associated SEAs in order to shed light on this challenging disease entity.METHODSThis study is a retrospective chart review of patients presenting with IVDA-associated SEAs at the authors' institution from 2013 to 2018, spanning the statewide implementation of opioid-prescribing restrictions. Read More

Neurosurg Focus 2019 Jan;46(1):E12

OBJECTIVEAlthough parasitic infections are endemic to parts of the developing world and are more common in areas with developing economies and poor sanitary conditions, rare cases may occur in developed regions of the world.METHODSArticles eligible for the authors' literature review were initially searched using PubMed with the phrases "parasitic infections" and "spine." After the authors developed a list of parasites associated with spinal cord infections from the initial search, they expanded it to include individual diagnoses, using search terms including "neurocysticercosis," "schistosomiasis," "echinococcosis," and "toxoplasmosis. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Jan 3. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

Division of Spine Surgery and Electrophysiological Center, Department of Orthopedics, Fujian Provincial Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the microscopic minimally invasive keyhole technique for surgical resection of thoracic spinal meningiomas.

Methods: Seventeen consecutive patients with thoracic spinal meningiomas were included in the series from May 2015 to August 2017. All patients were treated using a microscopic keyhole technique through a tubular retractor system. Read More

World J Urol 2019 Jan 2. Epub 2019 Jan 2.

Victorian Spinal Cord Service, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Vic, Australia.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the rate of urinary tract infection (UTI) in patients with a new spinal cord injury (SCI) and identify which bladder management technique is associated with the lowest rate of UTI.

Methods: Adults admitted to the Victorian Spinal Cord Service with a new SCI from 2012 to 2014 were enrolled. Data collected included patient characteristics, SCI level, bladder management and diagnosis of UTI. Read More

J Family Med Prim Care 2018 Sep-Oct;7(5):1148-1149

Department of Clinical Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Brain Sci 2018 Dec 24;9(1). Epub 2018 Dec 24.

Departments of Neurology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS 39216, USA.

West Nile virus (WNV) infection results in a spectrum of neurological symptoms, ranging from a benign fever to severe WNV neuroinvasive disease with high mortality. Many who recover from WNV neuroinvasive infection present with long-term deficits, including weakness, fatigue, and cognitive problems. While neurons are a main target of WNV, other cell types, especially astrocytes, play an important role in promoting WNV-mediated central nervous system (CNS) damage. Read More

Glia 2019 Apr 26;67(4):668-687. Epub 2018 Dec 26.

Institute of Infection, Immunity, and Inflammation, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK.

The lack of endogenous repair following spinal cord injury (SCI) accounts for the frequent permanent deficits for which effective treatments are absent. Previously, we demonstrated that low sulfated modified heparin mimetics (LS-mHeps) attenuate astrocytosis, suggesting they may represent a novel therapeutic approach. mHeps are glycomolecules with structural similarities to resident heparan sulfates (HS), which modulate cell signaling by both sequestering ligands, and acting as cofactors in the formation of ligand-receptor complexes. Read More

Pharmacy (Basel) 2018 Dec 23;7(1). Epub 2018 Dec 23.

Paediatric Infectious Diseases Research Group, Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's, University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK.

Introduction: Dengue virus (DENV) is one of the most common arbovirus diseases, with a wide spectrum of presentation. Spinal cord involvement in dengue infection (DF) is rare. However, the risk of transverse myelitis (TM) following Dengue has not been systematically assessed. Read More

J Orthop Sci 2018 Dec 20. Epub 2018 Dec 20.

AUVA Trauma Center Salzburg, Academic Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria. Electronic address:

Background: Although nonunions of the proximal humerus are rare, they cause significant disability to patients. Surgical reconstruction is challenging, especially with small and excavated head fragments. A promising surgical option is open reduction and stabilization using the Humerusblock device along with tension wires. Read More

Global Spine J 2018 Dec 13;8(4 Suppl):68S-84S. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objectives: Past research has demonstrated increased speed and severity of progression for spinal epidural abscesses (SEAs) of the thoracic level, specifically, when compared with SEAs of other spinal cord levels. Untreated, this infection can result in permanent neurological sequelae with eventual progression to death if inadequately managed. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Dec 19;11(1). Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Oxford University Clinical Research Unit, Patan Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal.

Surg Neurol Int 2018 19;9:231. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Department of Neurosurgery, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.

Background: The management of traumatic upper thoracic spine fractures (T1-T6) is complex due to the unique biomechanical/physiological characteristics of these levels and the nature of the injuries. They are commonly associated with multiple other traumatic injuries and severe spinal cord injuries. We describe the safety and efficacy of surgery for achieving stability and maintaining reduction of upper thoracic T1-T6 spine fractures. Read More

Front Immunol 2018 5;9:2802. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Neurology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.

Autoimmune glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy is an autoimmune disease of the nervous system first defined in 2016. GFAP autoantibody, especially IgG that binds to GFAPα, has been reported in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum of patients with GFAP astrocytopathy. The positive predictive value of GFAP antibody in the CSF is higher than in the serum. Read More