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Arthrozheal®, a Bioactive Fibrin Scaffold for Joint Cartilage, Tendon and Soft Tissue Lesions. Latest Results and Application Perspectives.

Treatment of articular cartilage, tendon and soft tissue damage remains a challenge for the practicing orthopaedic surgeon. Due to the multifactorial aetiology of these lesions, there is a narrow therapeutic window within which they can be treated successfully, thus preventing progression to other musculoskeletal tissues. Recently, a new material that combines platelet-rich fibrin with collagen and is applied as a gel scaffold (ArthroZheal®, Vivostat A/S, Allerød, Denmark) has been shown to provide unique results in these patients. We arthroscopically treated 210 patients (114 knees, 32 hips, 52 shoulders, 12 ankle joints) with ArthroZheal®. The basic idea was to adjust treatment to the individual patient and to repair related and/or contributing problems before or along with treatment of chondral/tendon/ligament injuries. Arthroscopy was our preferred surgical method; the goal was to restore and preserve function, alleviate pain and minimise progression to osteoarthritis. We excluded cases of inflammatory arthropathy, unstable or malaligned joint, "kissing lesions" (bipolar), infection, obesity, massive rotator cuff rupture and multiligament instability. Our results were more than promising. We observed improved mobility in 93%, reduced pain in 95% at 3 months and further improvement at 6 months, with near-normal ROM (97% ) and pain-free status (98%). The MRI at 12 months post application showed cartilage restoration/reformation in 94% of patients, improved cartilage quality (84% )-by 2nd-look arthroscopic confirmationand normal tendon or ligament reconstruction (without stitching of the affected area)(95%). We were concerned about bone marrow oedema and rehab compliance among elderly patients. For successful regeneration of tissue lesions and osteochondral defects, natural gel bioscaffolds, combined with platelet rich fibrin (PRF) with chondroinductive and osteoinductive growth factor stimulators (ArthroZheal®) are required. There is no "gold standard" in the treatment of cartilage defect/tissue lesions or preferred treatment option. Many algorithms are used, which mostly rely on the surface area of the defect/site of lesion and on surgeon experience. An important issue is that rehabilitation depends on the treatment mode used and on the defect/lesion characteristics (classification and qualification). While a return to functional work and sports is possible with all procedures, different lengths of time are needed.

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Safety of mRNA BNT162b2 COVID-19 (Pfizer-BioNtech) vaccine in children aged 5-11 years: Results from an active pharmacovigilance study in central Italy.

This survey investigated on adverse events after vaccination with mRNA BNT162b2 (Comirnaty, Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine in children aged 5-11 years in central Italy through active surveillance reporting. During December 2021-January 2022, parents of children who undergone vaccination were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. 197 out of 208 contacted parents participated (94.7% response rate), of whom 166 (84.3%) had one child. Of the 229 children, the mean age was 8.9 years, 50.7% were female. 193 (84.3%) had at least one adverse event after the first dose (mean age 9.1 years; 54.4% female), and 146 (73.4%) of 199 after the second (mean age 8.9 years; 54.8% female), which was not administered to 30 children due to previous COVID-19 history. Local symptoms after the first and second dose occurred in 183 (94.8%) and 141 (96.6%) recipients (p = .435), respectively, while systemic reactions in 62 (32.1%) and 34 (23.3%) ( = .074). Mild events were reported by 81.7% and 69.8% children after the first and second dose, followed by moderate (3.9% and 10.6%) and severe (1.3% and 0.5%). After each dose, injection site reactions (79.5% and 68.8%) were the most frequent, followed by headache (13.1%) and lymphadenopathy (8.5%) after the first and second dose, respectively. The adverse events were reported to pediatricians only for 5.7% and 3.9% of children and treated for 17.6% and 15.8%. This is the first report about safety profile through active surveillance of mRNA BNT162b2 among children in Italy, revealing temporary and mild-to-moderate symptoms with no serious events after each vaccine dose.

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A case of giant cell arteritis complicated by polymyalgia rheumatica with scalp necrosis and refractory jaw claudication.

Scalp necrosis is a rare complication of giant cell arteritis; however, it is a predictor of severe disease. In this case study, a patient presented with giant cell arteritis complicated by polymyalgia rheumatica with scalp necrosis. An 86 year-old woman was admitted to the hospital for pulsating headache, scalp pain, jaw claudication, and generalized pain. Bilateral temporal arteries were found to be distended and pulseless, and scalp necrosis was observed in the parietal region. Simultaneous high-resolution contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging sequences of the head, shoulder, and hip showed staining around the bilateral shallow temporal arteries, shoulder, and hip joints, which was confirmed as giant cell arteritis with polymyalgia rheumatica using other examination findings. After treatment with early induction remission therapy, scalp necrosis healed but jaw claudication persisted. Six months after the start of treatment, scalp necrosis was cured to full hair growth. Despite remission induction therapy combined with tocilizumab, the patient had persistent jaw claudication for several months. At that time, a high-resolution contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging re-examination was useful in assessing disease activity. Giant cell arteritis with scalp necrosis may cause prolonged jaw claudication reflecting the progression of ischemic lesions, whereas the disease activity can be accurately assessed by combining magnetic resonance imaging studies.

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Neck pain and Headache Complicated by Persistent Syringomyelia After Foramen Magnum Decompression for Chiari I Malformation: Improvement with Multimodal Chiropractic Therapies.

BACKGROUND Patients with Arnold-Chiari Malformation I (CM-I) treated with foramen magnum decompression (FMD) can have ongoing neck pain, headaches, and other symptoms complicated by persistent syringomyelia, yet there is little research regarding treatment of these symptoms. CASE REPORT A 62-year-old woman with a history of residual syringomyelia following FMD and ventriculoperitoneal shunt for CM-I presented to a chiropractor with progressively worsening neck pain, occipital headache, upper extremity numbness and weakness, and gait abnormality, with a World Health Organization Quality of Life score (WHO-QOL) of 52%. Symptoms were improved by FMD 16 years prior, then progressively worsened, and had resisted other forms of treatment, including exercises, acupuncture, and medications. Examination by the chiropractor revealed upper extremity neurologic deficits, including grip strength. The chiropractor ordered whole spine magnetic resonance imaging, which demonstrated a persistent cervico-thoracic syrinx and findings of cervical spondylosis, and treated the patient using a multimodal approach, with gentle cervical spine mobilization, soft tissue manipulation, and core and finger muscle rehabilitative exercises. The patient responded positively, and at the 6-month follow-up her WHO-QOL score was 80%, her grip strength and forward head position had improved, and she was now able to eat using chopsticks. CONCLUSIONS This case highlights a patient with neck pain, headaches, and persistent syringomyelia after FMD for CM-I who improved following multimodal chiropractic and rehabilitative therapies. Given the limited, low-level evidence for these interventions in patients with persistent symptoms and syringomyelia after FMD, these therapies cannot be broadly recommended, yet could be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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Evaluation of the Effect of Excess Synovial Fluid on Knee Joint Pain in Patients with Osteoarthritis.

Joint pain and swelling are common symptoms of osteoarthritis. The fluid collects mainly in the suprapatellar bursa. Persisting excess synovial fluid accelerates the degeneration of joint tissues and contributes to limited mobility.

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Probiotics and gastrointestinal diseases.

During the past decades, scientists have discovered the intimate role of the gut microbiome in human health, and since then, several papers have been published to investigate if the use of biotics (probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and postbiotics) may have a beneficial impact on human health both in treatment and prevention. We now ask ourselves whether we have reached the finish line or just a new starting point, as the evidence supporting the use of biotics in several still needs a lot of work. Many questions remain unanswered today because the evidence differs depending on the indication, used strain, and amount and duration of administration. Herein we will summarize the evidence on probiotics in some gastrointestinal diseases such as infantile colic, functional abdominal pain disorders, celiac disease, acute gastroenteritis, inflammatory bowel disease, and Helicobacter Pylori infection.

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Predictors for physical activity and its change after active physical therapy in people with spinal pain and insomnia: Secondary analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

In healthy people and people with nonspecific chronic spinal pain (nCSP) and/or insomnia, participation in physical activity on a regular basis has several physical and psychological health benefits. However, people with chronic conditions often tend to reduce physical activity participation which can lead to deconditioning over time. Currently, there are no known predictors for an (in)active lifestyle (before and after physical therapy treatment) in people with chronic spinal pain and comorbid insomnia.

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A Rehabilitation Program for Individuals With Chronic Low Back Pain: Protocol for a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Physical exercise, as a treatment, is beneficial for the improvement of quality of life in patients with LBP, and it is widely accepted.

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A retrospective study of cases of canine demodicosis submitted to a commercial diagnostic laboratory servicing the United Kingdom and Ireland (2017-2018) part 2; Aerobic culture and antimicrobial susceptibility results.

Clinical diagnostic reports from 508 cases of canine demodicosis diagnosed either by histological or skin scraping analysis from a United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accredited veterinary diagnostic laboratory servicing the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland were evaluated. Of the 508 cases, 284 had skin swabs submitted for culture on the same day the skin biopsy and/or skin scraping were obtained. Dogs with juvenile-onset (JO) demodicosis represented 57.4% of these cases, whilst adult-onset (AO) cases comprised 42.6%. The data revealed that overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria was more common in AO demodicosis cases (75.2%) in comparison to the JO cases (57%). Adult-onset cases also had increased involvement of bacteria belonging to multiple genera and/or yeast (28.9%) in comparison to JO cases (18.4%). Pruritus was significantly associated with an overgrowth of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (p < 0.001). Resistance to one or more antimicrobial classes was noted in S. pseudintermedius isolates from 56.3% of JO cases with 10.3% of these cases being classified as Multi-Drug Resistant (MDR). Similarly, 51.9% of S. pseudintermedius isolates from the AO cases were noted to be resistant to one or more antimicrobial class with 8.6% of these cases being considered MDR. Cephalosporins were the most frequently administered antimicrobial class noted in submission histories, followed by the penicillin and fluoroquinolone classes. Whilst our findings reveal a high prevalence of concurrent overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria warranting therapeutic intervention in canine demodicosis, the presence of resistance within isolates highlights the need for prudent selection and targeted use of antimicrobial therapy that encompass the key principles of antimicrobial stewardship.

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Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Initiatives in Cleft Lip and Palate Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Cleft lip and/or palate repair techniques require continued reevaluation of best practice through high-quality evidence. The objective of this systematic review was to highlight the existing evidence for patient safety and quality improvement (QI) initiatives in cleft lip and palate surgery.

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