Spine
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An analysis of pathologic changes after different degrees of cauda equina compression. ⋯ Mild cauda equina compression induces TNF-alpha expression and demyelination. Moderate and strong cauda equina compression induces TNF-alpha expression and degeneration associated with macrophage invasion. Neither demyelination nor degeneration in the cauda equina induced mechanical allodynia. Nerve lesions proximal to the dorsal root ganglion do not produce significant mechanical allodynia. Dorsal root ganglion apoptosis may be important for pain.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Early versus late enteral feeding in patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury: a pilot study.
A prospective randomized clinical pilot study to compare early versus late enteral feeding in patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury. ⋯ This pilot study failed to detect any differences in the incidence of infection, nutritional status, feeding complications, number of ventilator hours, or length of stay between patients receiving early versus late initiation of enteral feeding. These data will assist in the determination of an adequate sample size for future studies.
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We compared the prevalence of chronic back pain (CBP) at two points 4 years apart and examined socio-demographic, health, and pain-related factors associated with its onset and persistence. ⋯ CBP is a common and lasting problem, whose persistence and onset are predicted by clinical (especially pain) and help-seeking behavior factors, rather than socio-demographic. Prevention should focus on these factors.
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Post-traumatic inflammatory response was studied in 11 human cases of acute spinal cord contusion injury. ⋯ Endogenous cells (neurons and microglia) in the human spinal cord, not the blood-borne leukocytes, contribute to the early production of interleukin-1beta, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the post-traumatic inflammatory response, and microglia are involved the early response to traumatic axonal injury.