Rejected

In this review, we present a comprehensive clinical approach to restorative neurostimulation, a novel form of stimulation for refractory chronic mechanical low back pain, targeting impaired neuromuscular control and degeneration of the multifidus muscle. We focus on patient identification, technique guidance, and review of the scientific background and clinical evidence. As our understanding of back pain grows, there is clear evidence that impaired neuromuscular control and consequent degeneration of the multifidus muscle contribute to mechanical low back pain development and maintenance. We provide clinical guidance regarding an implantable restorative neurostimulation system that targets impaired neuromuscular control. Supported by results from a randomized, active-sham-controlled clinical trial with long-term follow-up, we provide clinicians with a comprehensive overview and practical clinical guidance for the adoption of this therapy modality.

Vaccination against any disease is critical in improving and maintaining public health. However, the overall effectiveness of a vaccine largely depends on the willingness of a population to receive it. The main aim of this study was to assess the side effects and perceptions about COVID-19 vaccines among adults following vaccination in Saudi Arabia.

A growing number of studies have suggested that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) may represent a novel technique with both investigative and therapeutic potential for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, a full spectrum of the adverse effects (AEs) of TMS used in ASD has not been specifically and systematically evaluated.

As a member state of the European Union, where vaccines against COVID-19 are available and affordable, Bulgaria reports the lowest immunization coverage and the most pronounced vaccine distrust. The present study aimed to assess the self-reported adverse reactions following COVID-19 vaccination as a possible tool to increase the trust in vaccines. A cross-sectional survey-based study, covering 761 vaccinated respondents, was conducted in Plovdiv (469 with an mRNA vaccine and 292 with an adenoviral vector vaccine). Descriptive statistics parametric and non-parametric methods were applied. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. The median age of the respondents was 42 years, females (72.5%). At least one adverse reaction was reported in 89.9% of those immunized with mRNA vaccine and 93.8% in the adenoviral vector vaccine group (p>0.05). They were mild to moderate and resolved within several days. The levels of local reactions were comparable: 91.7% in those who received mRNA and 89.7% in those who received an adenoviral vector vaccine (p = 0.366). The most common types of systemic reactions were fatigue, headache, and muscle pains. An association was found between the systemic reactions and the type of vaccine administered: 59.7% in mRNA recipients and 89.4% in adenoviral vector vaccinees (p<0.001). None of the registered systemic reactions required medical attention. There were 3 reports of generalized urticaria after an mRNA and 2 after an adenoviral vector vaccine. The reported reactions are relatively high but expected and no adverse events have been reported that are not listed in the official Summary of Product Characteristics.

To analyze the investigation of the application effects of different doses of dexmedetomidine (Dex) with combined spinal and epidural anesthesia nursing on analgesia after transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) by intelligent algorithm-based magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), MRI imaging segmentation model of mask regions with convolutional neural network (Mask R-CNN) features was proposed in the research. Besides, the segmentation effects of Mask R-CNN, U-net, and V-net algorithms were compared and analyzed. Meanwhile, a total of 184 patients receiving TURP were selected as the research objects, and they were divided into A, B, C, and D groups based on random number table method, each group including 46 cases. Patients in each group were offered different doses of Dex, and visual analogue scale (VAS) and Ramsay scores of different follow-up visit time, use of other analgesics, the incidence of postoperative cystospasm, and nursing satisfaction of patients in four groups were compared. The results demonstrated that Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) value, specificity, and positive predictive value of Mask R-CNN algorithm were 0.623 ± 0.084, 98.61%, and 69.57%, respectively, all of which were higher than those of U-net and V-net algorithms. Pain VAS scores and the incidence of cystospasm at different time periods of groups B and C were both significantly lower than those of group D ( < 0.05). Ramsay scores of groups B and C at 8 hours, 12 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours after the operation were all remarkably higher than those in group D ( < 0.05). Besides, nursing satisfaction of groups B and C was obviously superior to that in group D, and the difference demonstrated statistical meaning ( < 0.05). The differences revealed that Dex showed excellent analgesic and sedative effects and could effectively reduce the incidence of complications after TURP, including cystospasm and nausea. In addition, it helped improve nursing satisfaction and patient prognosis.

While the benefits of direct skeletal attachment of artificial limbs are well recognized, device failure due to infection and insufficient osseointegration remain obstacles to obtaining consistently successful outcomes. Currently, the potential for device failure is assessed by subjective pain, clinical function scores, radiographic evidence of bone atrophy, and the presence of radiolucent lines at the bone-implant interface, and subjective pain and function scores. Our hypothesis is that measurable biological indices might add another objective means to assess trends toward bone and stomal healing. This longitudinal cohort study was undertaken to identify potential serological biomarkers suggestive of bone remodeling and the presence of stomal tissue inflammation.

Migraine is a recurrent headache disorder that has a still unclear pathophysiology, involving several circuits of both the central and peripheral nervous system. Monoclonal antibodies acting on the calcitonin gene-related (CGRP) pathway (CGRP-MAbs) are the first drugs specifically designed for migraine; those drugs act peripherally on the trigeminal ganglion without entering the blood-brain barrier. Conversely, neuromodulation techniques such as transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) act centrally by increasing or decreasing the neuronal firing rate of brain cortical areas. The aim of the study will be to evaluate whether tDCS, in addition to CGRP-MAbs, is an effective add-on treatment in reducing headache frequency, intensity and acute medication use in patients with migraine. To demonstrate the biological effects of tDCS, the electroencephalographic (EEG) power changes after tDCS will be assessed.

The surgical strategy for falcotentorial junction tumors remains complex. Different approaches are selected according to the location and growth pattern of the tumor and the operator's experience. This report reviews our single-institution experience in the surgical management of falcotentorial junction tumors.

This study aimed to quantify the different quadrants of the optic nerve head (ONH) and macular parameters and their changes during exposure to high altitude, and to assess their correlation with high-altitude headache (HAH). Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to quantify changes in the retinal structure in 109 healthy subjects during acute exposure to high altitude (3,700 m). Self-reported symptoms of HAH and acute mountain sickness AMS were assessed using Lake Louise Score (LLS), alongside measurements of physiological parameters (oxygen saturation [SpO], heart rate [HR], hemoglobin level [Hb], and red blood cell [RBC] count). Measurements were taken before and after exposure to the high-altitude environment. The correlations of these parameters and changes at ONH were examined. With the exposure to high altitude, the incidence of AMS was 44.0% and the frequency of HAH was 67.0% (54.1% mild, 12.9% moderate-severe). As for systemic parameters measured at high altitude, the participants exhibited significantly lower SpO, higher resting HR, higher Hb, and a higher RBC (all < 0.05). Key stereometric parameters used to describe ONH [superior, inferior, nasal, temporal, and mean retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness] and macula (macular thickness) increased at high altitude compared with baseline. Most parameters of ONH changed, especially superior, inferior, and mean RNFL thickness ( < 0.05). There was a significant correlation between the ratios of RNFL at ONH and HAH [mean thickness (r = 0.246, = 0.01); inferior (r = 0.216, = 0.02); nasal (r = 0.193, = 0.04)]. No associations between parameters of ONH and AMS or LLS were observed. The high-altitude environment can increase RNFL thickness at ONH. Furthermore, we found that the ratios of mean thickness, inferior area, and nasal area correlated positively with HAH, which provides new insights for understanding of the underlying pathological mechanisms of high-altitude retinopathy (HAR).

To investigate the clinical effect of minocycline plus zinc oxide eugenol cement in the treatment of acute pulpitis and its effect on the levels of HIF-1, Bcl-2, and tumor necrosis factor .