Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Semin Neurol 2018 Dec 6;38(6):634-639. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.

Back pain is a top primary and urgent care complaint; radicular pain can be caused by herniation of the nucleus pulposus (intervertebral disc), spinal stenosis, or degenerative changes to the vertebrae. The focus of this clinical review will be the clinical approach and treatment of lumbar radicular pain, cervical radicular pain, and spinal stenosis. Usually localized through neurological history, exam, and imaging, specific signs and symptoms for lumbar radicular, spinal stenosis, and cervical radicular pain can help determine etiology. Read More

Int J Surg Case Rep 2018 Nov 24;54:55-59. Epub 2018 Nov 24.

Department of Orthopaedic and Traumatology, Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital - Faculty of Medicine Universitas, Jl. Pangeran Diponegoro No. 71, Salemba, Central Jakarta, 10430, Indonesia. Electronic address:

Introduction: Both gluteal abscess and sacral tuberculosis are rare entities in spinal tuberculosis cases. Even in endemic country, this atypical presentation may be the cause of delayed diagnosis and treatment.

Presentation Of Case: A 51-year-old woman was admitted with painless massive lump on both of her thighs that have been enlarging for the past 6 months. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology and Minia University Hospital, Mohammed Badway str., 61111, El-Minia, Egypt; Minia University Spine Unit (MUSU), Faculty of Medicine, Minia University. Minia University Hospital, Mohammed Badway str., 61111, El-Minia, Egypt. Electronic address:

Background Data: Complexity in ventral surgical exposure, presence of scapula and large para-scapular musculature during posterior surgery are the main obstacles in operative treatment of Upper Thoracic Spine Compressive Lesions (UTSCL) like trauma, tuberculosis and neoplasm. Recently, the advantages of combined ventro-dorsal surgery could be successfully gained using 1-stage posterior salvage technique with enough accessibility to all three spinal columns.

Purpose: Retrospective evaluation of 35 patients with UTSCL treated by Posterior Extensive Circumferential Decompressive Reconstructive (PECDR) procedure. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Neurological Surgery, Policlinico "G. Rodolico" University Hospital, Via Santa Sofia 86, 95123 - Catania, Italy.

Background: Arachnoiditis ossificans (AO) is a rare condition often associated with previous spine surgery. Here we describe a unique case of a patient affected by ankylosing spondylitis (AS), presenting with progressive neurological deterioration due to AO. We also review the literature on evaluation and management of patients suffering from AO. Read More

Neurosci Lett 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Anesthesiology, Tianjin First Central Hospital, Tianjin 300192, China. Electronic address:

Background: Iron is pivotal for life, but it is toxic if in excess. Iron overload mediated by divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) in the central nervous system has participated in various neuroinflammatory diseases. Chemokine-induced neuroinflammation involves the development of pathological pain. Read More

Antiviral Res 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Institute for Antiviral Research, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States; Department of Animal, Dairy and Veterinary Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, United States; Utah Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Logan, UT, United States. Electronic address:

Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) is a non-polio enterovirus that affects the respiratory system and can cause serious complications, especially in children and older people with weakened immune systems. As an emerging virus, there are no current antiviral therapies or vaccines available. Our goal was to develop a mouse model of human EV-D68 infection that mimicked the disease observed in humans and could be used for evaluation of experimental therapeutics. Read More

Brain Res 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Norwegian Center for Stem Cell Research, Oslo University Hospital, Norway. Electronic address:

The spinal locomotor central pattern generator (CPG) in neonatal mice exhibits diverse output patterns, ranging from sub-rhythmic to multi-rhythmic to fictive locomotion, depending on its general level of excitation and neuromodulatory status (Sharples and Whelan, 2017). We have recently reported that the locomotor CPG in neonatal mice rapidly recovers the ability to produce neurochemically induced fictive locomotion following an upper lumbar spinal cord compression injury (Züchner et al., 2018). Read More

Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Professorand Head, Department of Orthopaedics, Smt. Kashibai Navale Medical College and General Hospintal, Pune, Maharashatra, India.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of spinal mobilization with leg movement (SMWLM) on low back and leg pain intensity, disability, pain centralization and patient satisfaction in subjects with lumbar radiculopathy.

Design: A double blind randomized controlled trial.

Setting: General Hospital PARTICIPANTS: Sixty adults (mean age 44 years) with sub-acute lumbar radiculopathy INTERVENTIONS: Subjects were randomly allocated to receive SMWLM, exercise and electrotherapy (n = 30) or exercise and electrotherapy alone (n = 30). Read More

Acta Ortop Mex 2018 May-Jun;32(3):182-187

Hospital Centro Médico de Occidente. Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS). Guadalajara, Jalisco. México.

The term «vertebral destruction syndrome» comprises pathologies causing structural changes in the spine, mainly in the vertebral body, producing mechanical deformity and neurological involvement. The pathologies found in this definition may be infectious, metabolic or tumoral. Vertebral osteomyelitis is a disease that occurs mainly in adults > 50 years; we speak of spondylodiscitis when the condition affects the disc and vertebral body. Read More

Int Braz J Urol 2018 Oct 30;44. Epub 2018 Oct 30.

Department of Neuro-Urology, CTO - Spinal Unit, Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy.

Purpose: The aim of our study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ATOMS® system for the treatment of postoperative male stress urinary incontinence (SUI).

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively evaluated all patients treated at our institution for postoperative male SUI with ATOMS® implant. We excluded patients with low bladder compliance (< 20 mL / cmH2O), uncontrolled detrusor overactivity, detrusor underactivity (BCI < 100), urethral or bladder neck stricture and low cystometric capacity (< 200 mL). Read More

Pain Med 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Newcastle, Australia.

Objectives.: To determine the extent and strength of evidence that supports the belief that cervical intervertebral discs are a source of neck pain. The evidence from anatomical, laboratory, experimental, diagnostic, and treatment studies was summarized and analyzed for concept validity, face validity, content validity, and construct validity. Read More

Eur J Anaesthesiol 2019 Jan;36(1):72-75

From the Department of Anaesthesiology (S-ET, PHY, PKH, SLT), Epidemiology and Biostatistics Centre (Y-JC) and Department of Anaesthesiology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua City, Changhua County, Taiwan (YJH).

J Neurotrauma 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

ICORD/UBC, Medicine , 6270 University Blv. , Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada , V6T 1Z4.

N/a. Read More

J Neurotrauma 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Emory University School of Medicine, 12239, Department of Physiology , 615 Michael Street , Atlanta, Georgia, United States , 30322 ;

Previously, we showed that noxious stimulation of the tail produces numerous detrimental effects after spinal cord injury (SCI), including an earlier onset and increased magnitude of mechanical hypersensitivity. Expanding on these observations, this study sought to determine whether localized peripheral inflammation similarly impacts the expression of mechanical hypersensitivity after SCI. Adult rats received a moderate contusion injury at thoracic level (Tl0) or sham surgery, and were administered complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) or vehicle in one hind paw 24 hours later. Read More

J Cell Biochem 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Anestheiology, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, Shandong, China.

Neuropathic pain is a somatosensory disorder which is caused by disease or nerve injury that affects the nervous system. microRNAs (miRNAs) are proved to play crucial roles in the development of neuropathic pain. However, the role of miR-202 in neuropathic pain is still unknown. Read More

J Comp Neurol 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Physiology, Teikyo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.

The central projection patterns of cutaneous afferents from the forelimb and shoulder of mice were studied in the spinal dorsal horn after intracutaneous injection of AlexaFluor 488-conjugated and/or 594-conjugated cholera toxin subunit B (CTB). Based on their dermatomes, the following eight skin regions are thought to be innervated by spinal nerves from the sixth to eighth cervical spinal nerve roots: the dorsal surface of the shoulder, brachium, proximal forearm, distal forearm, hand, palmar surface of the second and third digits, and palm. The termination areas of afferents from the dorsal surface of the shoulder and forearm were narrow, distributed in a dorsoventral direction, and aligned in order from lateral to medial within the sixth to eighth cervical dorsal horns. Read More

Neuroradiology 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

ITAB-Institute of Advanced Biomedical Technologies, University "G. D'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.

Purpose: To investigate modifications of Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI) metrics in lateral white matter (WM) bundles of the cervical spinal cord in patients with previous stroke in the vascular territory of the middle cerebral artery (MCA).

Methods: Twenty consecutive patients with a previous ischemic stroke of the MCA territory and a varying degree of upper motor impairment were enrolled. DKI was centered at the C3C4 and C5C6 intervertebral level. Read More

Int J Comput Assist Radiol Surg 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, 1098 Research Transition Facility, 8308-114 Street, Edmonton, AB, T6G 2V2, Canada.

Purpose: Determine the positional, rotational and reconstruction accuracy of a 3D ultrasound system to be used for image registration in navigation surgery.

Methods: A custom 3D ultrasound for spinal surgery image registration was developed using Optitrack Prime 13-W motion capture cameras and a SonixTablet Ultrasound System. Temporal and spatial calibration was completed to account for time latencies between the two systems and to ensure accurate motion tracking of the ultrasound transducer. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2018 1;2018:8925345. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

Dpt. of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine in Plzen, Charles University, Plzen, Czech Republic.

The fluid challenge (FC) is a well-established test of preload reserve. Only limited data exist in regard to the FC efficacy based on infusion time. Slow administration may be associated with lack of effect based on fluid redistribution and external conditions changes. Read More

Cureus 2018 Sep 28;10(9):e3380. Epub 2018 Sep 28.

Neurosurgery, The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA.

Hemangioblastomas are rare, slow-growing, highly vascularized tumors of the central nervous system which often occur in the spinal cord. When presenting as sporadic, isolated tumors without Von-Hippel Lindau disease, they are curable through surgery with a low rate of recurrence. Tumor recurrence in these cases is usually associated with prior subtotal resection. Read More

Cureus 2018 Sep 28;10(9):e3379. Epub 2018 Sep 28.

Neurosurgery, Seattle Science Foundation, Seattle, USA.

Among the occult spinal dysraphisms, neurenteric cysts (NECs) are rare and are thought to arise due to a failure of the separation of the primitive endoderm and ectoderm. Patients experience various neurological symptoms depending on the location of the lesion. As the epithelial morphology of NECs share similarities with other intracranial and intraspinal cystic growths, the definitive diagnosis of NEC can be made after a histochemical analysis with endodermal markers. Read More

Pharmacol Res Perspect 2018 Dec 29;6(6):e00447. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Roche Pharma Research and Early Development Roche Innovation Center Basel Switzerland.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare, inherited neuromuscular disease caused by deletion and/or mutation of the Survival of Motor Neuron 1 ( gene. A second gene, , produces low levels of functional SMN protein that are insufficient to fully compensate for the lack of . Risdiplam (RG7916; RO7034067) is an orally administered, small-molecule pre-mRNA splicing modifier that distributes into the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral tissues. Read More

Pharmacol Res Perspect 2018 Dec 22;6(6):e00446. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Ipsen Bioinnovation Abingdon Oxford UK.

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is a major therapeutic agent. Of seven native BoNT serotypes (A to G), only A and B are currently used in the clinic. Here we compared the potency of commercially available purified native serotypes A1 to F1 across in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo assays. Read More

Pharmacol Res Perspect 2018 Dec 28;6(6):e00444. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Translational Science and Intelligence Grünenthal GmbH Aachen Germany.

Cebranopadol (trans-6'-fluoro-4',9'-dihydro--dimethyl-4-phenyl-spiro[cyclohexane-1,1'(3'H)-pyrano[3,4-b]indol]-4-amine) is a novel analgesic nociceptin/orphanin FQ opioid peptide (NOP) and classical opioid receptor (MOP, DOP, and KOP) agonist with highly efficacious and potent activity in a broad range of rodent models of nociceptive, inflammatory, and neuropathic pain as well as limited opioid-type side effects such as respiratory depression. This study was designed to explore contribution and interaction of NOP and classical opioid receptor agonist components to cebranopadol analgesia in the rat spinal nerve ligation (SNL) model. Assessing antihypersensitive activity in SNL rats intraperitoneal (IP) administration of cebranopadol resulted in ED values of 3. Read More

Basic Clin Neurosci 2018 Jul-Aug;9(4):251-260. Epub 2018 Jul 1.

Nutritional Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.

Introduction: According to studies, statins possess analgesics and anti-inflammatory properties. In the present study, we examined the antinociceptive, anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of rosuvastatin in an experimental model of Chronic Constriction Injury (CCI).

Methods: Our study was conducted on four groups; sham, CCI (the control group), CCI+rosuvastatin (i. Read More

J Cancer 2018 18;9(22):4139-4149. Epub 2018 Oct 18.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

Lung adenocarcinoma has a strong tendency to develop into bone metastases, especially spinal metastases (SM). Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in regulating several biological processes in cancer cells. However, the mechanisms underlying the roles of lncRNAs in the development of SM have not been elucidated to date. Read More

Case Rep Neurol 2018 Sep-Dec;10(3):309-313. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Internal Medicine, Mount Carmel West Hospital, Columbus, Ohio, USA.

Thiamine deficiency is a condition characterized by several different presentations, but one of the most devastating is dry beriberi. It is associated with polyneuropathy and muscle weakness which typically affects the lower extremities and progressively involves the upper extremities. This case outlines a case of a 41-year-old man that presented to the hospital with diffuse weakness and decreased sensation in his legs and hands over a 3-day period. Read More

Front Neurosci 2018 13;12:808. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Department of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom.

Following spinal cord injury in mammals, maladaptive inflammation, and matrix deposition drive tissue scarring and permanent loss of function. In contrast, axolotls regenerate their spinal cord after severe injury fully and without scarring. To explore previously unappreciated molecules and pathways that drive tissue responses after spinal cord injury, we performed a 4-way intersection of rat and axolotl transcriptomics datasets and isolated shared genes with similar or differential expression at days 1, 3, and 7 after spinal cord injury in both species. Read More

J Pain Res 2018 8;11:2791-2796. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Institute of Clinical Research, Jiaxing university, Jiaxing, China,

Background: It was reported that epidural volume extension could decrease the ED of intrathecal plain bupivacaine. In this study, we investigated the ED of intrathecal hyperbaric ropivacaine followed by epidural normal saline bolus for cesarean section.

Methods: Sixty parturients were allocated into two groups in this prospective study. Read More

Spinal Cord 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Kinesiology, Brock University, 1812 Sir Isaac Brock Way, St. Catharines, L2S 3A1, ON, Canada.

Study Design: Cohort cross-sectional study.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between cardiac vagal activity and left ventricular filling at rest and during vagal stimulation, via the cold face test (CFT), in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Setting: University-based laboratory at Brock University, St. Read More

Spinal Cord 2018 Dec;56(12):1115

University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.

Sci Transl Med 2018 Dec;10(470)

Neurimmune AG, 8952 Schlieren, Switzerland.

Mutations in the gene encoding superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) lead to misfolding and aggregation of SOD1 and cause familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS). However, the implications of wild-type SOD1 misfolding in sporadic forms of ALS (SALS) remain unclear. By screening human memory B cells from a large cohort of healthy elderly subjects, we generated a recombinant human monoclonal antibody (α-miSOD1) that selectively bound to misfolded SOD1, but not to physiological SOD1 dimers. Read More

J Pediatr Surg 2018 Nov 6. Epub 2018 Nov 6.

Department of Radiology.

Purpose: Approximately 25% of patients with anorectal malformation have tethered cord. The traditional way of determining conus medullaris level on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) relies on counting vertebrae, which may be challenging due to vertebral numeric variation, segmentation anomalies, as well as transitional vertebral body anatomy. The purpose of this study was to utilize more reliable anatomic landmarks (foramen magnum, conus termination, and the upper limit of the iliac crest) to establish a consistent ratio that may differentiate patients with normal and low-lying conus. Read More

J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Centre for Orthopedics, Trauma Surgery and Spinal Cord Injury, Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg, Germany.

Background: Products from metal wear have been identified as a potential cause of adverse local tissue reactions and implant failure in total hip arthroplasty. However, the role of metal ion exposure in patients after total shoulder replacement is unclear. The objective of the present study was to determine in vivo blood metal ion levels of cobalt, chromium, and titanium in patients after anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) or reverse TSA. Read More

Trials 2018 Dec 5;19(1):671. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

The Spine Institute for Quality, 102 2nd Street, Davenport, IA, 52801,, USA.

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a common cause of disability among U.S. military personnel. Read More

J Child Neurol 2018 Dec 5:883073818811544. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

1 Ersta Sköndal Bräcke University College, Department of Health Care Sciences, Palliative Research Centre, Stockholm, Sweden.

Background And Aims:: Children with severe spinal muscular atrophy have complex care needs due to progressive muscle weakness, eventually leading to respiratory failure. To design a care system adapted to families' needs, more knowledge about parents' experience of care and its coordination between settings is required. This study explores (1) whether parents felt that health professionals took every opportunity to help the child feel as good as possible, (2) parents' satisfaction with various care settings, and (3) parents' satisfaction with coordination between settings. Read More

Asian Spine J 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Neurological Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA.

This literature review examines the relative placement of the interbody cage with respect to the unilateral screw construct to address the need for bilateral screw placement versus unilateral screw placement. Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) has become a widely used technique for correcting lumbar intervertebral pathologies. This review addresses the necessity for further study on the effects of the relative position of intervertebral cage placement on the outcome of lumbar spine surgery after TLIF with unilateral pedicle screw fixation. Read More

Brain Sci 2018 Dec 4;8(12). Epub 2018 Dec 4.

School of Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire ST5 5BG, UK.

Unravelling the complex molecular pathways responsible for motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) remains a persistent challenge. Interest is growing in the potential molecular similarities between these two diseases, with the hope of better understanding disease pathology for the guidance of therapeutic development. The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis of published proteomic studies of ALS and SMA, seeking commonly dysregulated molecules to be prioritized as future therapeutic targets. Read More

Med Probl Perform Art 2018 Dec;33(4):251-257

University of Music Franz Liszt Weimar, Platz der Demokratie 2/3, 99423 Weimar, Germany. Tel +491706264778.

Aims: Back strain is a common musculoskeletal complaint affecting musicians, which may be related to unsuitable playing positions causing fatigue and muscle tension. In this study, three saxophone-carrying systems (neck-strap, shoulder-strap, and Saxholder) were examined for their effects on spinal column kinematics.

Methods: The influence of saxophone-carrying systems was investigated in 14 physically healthy alto saxophonists using ultrasound topometry. Read More

Spine J 2018 Nov 30. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

NHMRC Centre of Clinical Research Excellence in Spinal Pain, Injury and Health, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia.

Background Context: Low back pain (LBP) is a multifactorial problem with complex interactions among many biological, psychological and social factors. It is difficult to fully appreciate this complexity because the knowledge necessary to do so is distributed over many areas of expertise that span the biopsychosocial domains.

Purpose: This study describes the collaborative modeling process, undertaken among a group of participants with diverse expertise in LBP, to build a model to enhance understanding and communicate the complexity of the LBP problem. Read More

Ann Thorac Surg 2018 Nov 30. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Heart Centre Freiburg University, Faculty of Medicine, Freiburg, Germany.

Background: Our study aim was to evaluate the impact of left subclavian artery (LSA) flow preservation during thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) on outcome.

Methods: Between 08/2001-10/2016, 176 patients (mean age 61.3±15. Read More

Disabil Rehabil 2018 Dec 3:1-7. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

a Faculty of Kinesiology , University of New Brunswick , Canada.

Purpose: Investigate the construct validity of prognostic factors purported to predict clinical success with stabilization exercise for low back pain by exploring their associations with lumbar multifidus composition.

Methods: Patients with low back pain were recruited from a hospital imaging department. The presence of fivepredictors (age <40 years, positive prone instability test, aberrant trunk flexion movements, straight leg raise range of motion >91°, spinal hypermobility) were identified by standardized physical examination. Read More

J Spinal Cord Med 2018 Dec 3:1-10. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

f VA RR&D National Center for the Medical Consequences of SCI, James J. Peters VAMC , Bronx , New York , USA.

Context/objective: Cognitive deficits can impact as many as 60% of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). In an effort to identify the nature of cognitive deficits in SCI, we examined neuropsychological test performance in individuals with SCI, age matched healthy controls and older healthy controls.

Design: Participants completed a motor-free neuropsychological test battery assessing attention, working memory, information processing speed, new learning /memory and executive control. Read More

J Spinal Cord Med 2018 Dec 3:1-8. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

d Neurology Unit , Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico , Milan , Italy.

Objective: Hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) represents a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by progressive spasticity and lower limb weakness. We assessed the effects of transcutaneous spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) in HSP.

Design: A double-blind, randomized, crossover and sham-controlled study. Read More