European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
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To determine the safe range of shortening the spinal column at middle thoracic spine and to observe the changes in blood-spinal cord barrier (BSCB), microglia/macrophage activation and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) activity after shortening-induced spinal cord injury. ⋯ It is safe to shorten the spinal cord within 1/3 of a vertebral height in middle thoracic spine under two-segment laminectomy in canine. The BSCB disruption, macrophage activation, and increased iNOS activity were observed in the acute phase of the injury. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
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This retrospective study aimed to determine the efficacy of an integrated active, rehabilitation protocol in patients ≥ 65 years of age with chronic mechanical low back pain and compare the results in similar patients in 50-64 years age group. ⋯ Although mean NPRS and ODI scores achieved were significantly better in patients of 50-64 years of age, our integrated active, rehabilitation protocol helped achieve significant improvement in NPRS score, MCID thresholds for NPRS and ODI scores and treatment outcomes in patients ≥ 65 years of age, similar to patients in the 50-64 years of age group, at the end of 3 months of treatment. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
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To report evidence of chronic physical illnesses, mental health disorders, and psychological features as potential risk factors for back pain in children, adolescents, and young adults. ⋯ Psychological features are the most likely risk factors for back pain in young people. Several other factors were associated with back pain, but their potential as risk factors was unclear due to risk of bias. Additional high-quality research is needed to better elucidate these relationships. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
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Review Meta Analysis
Defining and measuring imaging appropriateness in low back pain studies: a scoping review.
Patients with low back pain (LBP) rarely have serious underlying pathology but frequently undergo inappropriate imaging. A range of guidelines and red flag features are utilised to characterise appropriate imaging. This scoping review explores how LBP imaging appropriateness is determined and calculated in studies of primary care practice. ⋯ Greater clarity is needed on how we define and measure imaging appropriateness for LBP, which also accounts for the problem of failing to image when indicated. An internationally agreed methodology for imaging appropriateness studies would ultimately lead to an improvement in the care delivered to patients. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
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To investigate the association between plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1-β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, and the soluble TNF receptor 1 [sTNF-R1]), disability, and risk of falls in older women with acute low back pain (LBP). ⋯ This study showed an association between risk of falls and IL-6, pain, gait speed, and educational level in older women with LBP. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.