Determining the Incidence of Concomitant Traumatic Brain Injury in Patients With Acute Spinal Cord Injury: A 10-Year Cross-sectional Study.

Objective: A concomitant traumatic brain injury is often seen in patients with acute traumatic spinal cord injury. Unfortunately, the exact epidemiology of concomitant traumatic brain injury-traumatic spinal cord injury remains unknown. Our objective was to determine the incidence of concomitant traumatic brain injury-traumatic spinal cord injury and identify clinical factors associated with its occurrence.

Safety and Feasibility of Early Activity-Based Therapy Following Severe Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: Results from a Single-Arm Pilot Trial.

Early activity-based therapy (E-ABT) has the potential to decrease complications and radically improve neurofunctional recovery following traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI). Unfortunately, E-ABT after TSCI has never been attempted in humans due to practical obstacles and potential safety concerns. This study aims to report on the safety and feasibility outcomes of the Protocol for Rapid Onset of Mobilization in Patients with Traumatic SCI (PROMPT-SCI) trial: the first-ever trial of E-ABT in critically ill patients who suffered a severe TSCI.

Predicting Complete versus Incomplete Long-Term Functional Independence after Acute AIS Grade D Spinal Cord Injury: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: The proportion of patients with American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade D traumatic spinal cord injuries (tSCI) is increasing. Although initial motor deficits can be relatively mild, some individuals fail to recover functional independence.

Objectives: This study aims to identify factors associated with failure to reach complete functional independence after AIS grade D tSCI.

A classification algorithm for prioritizing surgery in Pediatric patients with idiopathic scoliosis when Long Surgical delays are expected.

Purpose: To identify the clinical phenotypes associated with the rate of progression while waiting for surgery and propose a classification scheme for identifying subgroups of patients to prioritize for surgery when long surgical delays are expected.

Methods: We reviewed the clinical and radiographic data of a prospective cohort of patients scheduled for IS surgery from 2004 to 2020 with a minimum 1-year wait prior to surgery. Candidate predictors consisted of age, sex, Risser sign, menarchal status, angle of trunk rotation, scoliotic curve type, and main Cobb angle at baseline when scheduled for surgery.

ASVmaker: A New Tool to Improve Taxonomic Identifications for Amplicon Sequencing Data.

The taxonomic assignment of sequences obtained by high throughput amplicon sequencing poses a limitation for various applications in the biomedical, environmental, and agricultural fields. Identifications are constrained by the length of the obtained sequences and the computational processes employed to efficiently assign taxonomy. Arriving at a consensus is often preferable to uncertain identification for ecological purposes.

Validation of a New Tool to Detect and Characterize Spinal Cord Injury in the Acute Trauma Patient: The Montreal Acute Classification of Spinal Cord Injury.

Study Design: Retrospective validation protocol.

Objective: The International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (ISNCSCI) is the most comprehensive tool for classifying spinal cord injuries (SCI), but it is not adapted for the evaluation of trauma patients. The objective is to develop and validate a streamlined tool, the Montreal Acute Classification of Spinal Cord Injury (MAC-SCI) that can be integrated in the evaluation of trauma patients to detect and characterize traumatic SCI (tSCI).

How do early perioperative changes in AIS grade correlate with long-term neurological recovery? A retrospective cohort study.

Providing accurate counseling on neurological recovery is crucial after traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI). The early neurological changes that occur in the subacute phase of the injury ( within 14 days of early decompressive surgery) have never been documented. The objective of this study was to assess peri-operative neurological improvements after acute TSCI and determine their relationship with long-term neurological outcomes, measured 6-12 months following the injury.

Does Improvement in American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale Grade Correlate With Functional Recovery in All Patients With a Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury?

Objective: The aim of the study is to determine what improvement on the American Spinal Injury Impairment Scale correlates with functional status after a traumatic spinal cord injury.

Design: We performed an observational cohort study, analyzing prospective data from 168 patients with traumatic spinal cord injury admitted to a single level 1 trauma center. A multivariable analysis was performed to assess the relationship between functional status (from the Spinal Cord Independence Measure) at 1-year follow-up and American Spinal Injury Impairment Scale grade (baseline and 1-yr follow-up), while taking into account covariables describing the sociodemographic status, trauma severity, and level of neurological injury.

A Decade of Hidden Phytoplasmas Unveiled Through Citizen Science.

Climate change is impacting agriculture in many ways, and a contribution from all is required to reduce the imminent losses related to it. Recently, it has been shown that citizen science could be a way to trace the impact of climate change. However, how can citizen science be applied in plant pathology? Here, using as an example a decade of phytoplasma-related diseases reported by growers, agronomists, and citizens in general, and confirmed by a government laboratory, we explored how to better value plant pathogen monitoring data.

Are early-onset spasms predictive of poor neurological recovery after traumatic spinal cord injury?

Context: Following spinal cord injury (SCI), early spasms are associated with decreased functional recovery. It has also been hypothesized that early spasticity might sign underlying maladaptive neuroplasticity, which could translate in worse neurological outcomes.

Objective: In this context, this paper aims to evaluate if early-onset spasms are also associated with neurological outcomes after SCI.

Acute Effects of High-Frequency Insular Stimulation on Interictal Epileptiform Discharge Rates in Patients with Refractory Epilepsy.

Rationale: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of several sites, such as the thalamus, has been shown to reduce seizure frequency and interictal epileptiform activity in patients with refractory epilepsy. Recent findings have demonstrated that the insula is part of the ‘rich club’ of highly connected brain regions. This pilot study investigated short-term effects of high-frequency (HF) insular DBS on interictal epileptiform discharge (IED) rate in patients with refractory epilepsy.

Does Older Age Affect the Likelihood to Achieve Normal Quality of Life After Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury? A Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

Previous studies suggest that health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is impaired after a traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) and may be worse with older age. This study determines whether the expectations to achieve normal HRQoL in Canadians after a TSCI is indeed influenced by older age. A prospective observational study was conducted on adult patients admitted acutely at a single level-1 trauma center after a TSCI.

Does Wait Time During Acute Care for Transfer to Rehabilitation Admission Impact the Outcomes After a Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury?: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Background: The objective of this study was to determine the impact of wait time in acute care for inpatient functional rehabilitation admission on the inpatient functional rehabilitation length of stay and functional outcome after a traumatic spinal cord injury.

Methods: A retrospective cohort including 277 patients admitted to a single level 1 spinal cord injury acute care center was completed. Partial correlations were used between wait time (in days) for transfer to inpatient functional rehabilitation, the inpatient functional rehabilitation length of stay, and the Spinal Cord Independence Measure total score in the chronic period, adjusting for confounding variables.

Protocol for rapid onset of mobilisation in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (PROMPT-SCI) study: a single-arm proof-of-concept trial of early in-bed leg cycling following acute traumatic spinal cord injury.

Introduction: Activity-based therapy (ABT) is an important aspect of rehabilitation following traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI). Unfortunately, it has never been adapted to acute care despite compelling preclinical evidence showing that it is safe and effective for promoting neurological recovery when started within days after SCI. This article provides the protocol for a study that will determine the feasibility and explore potential benefits of early ABT in the form of in-bed leg cycling initiated within 48 hours after the end of spinal surgery for SCI.

Early Clinical Prediction of Independent Outdoor Functional Walking Capacity in a Prospective Cohort of Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury Patients.

Objective: The first objective was to identify a method for early prediction of independent outdoor functional walking 1 yr after a traumatic spinal cord injury using the motor and sensory function derived from the International Standards for Neurological Classification of Spinal Cord Injury assessment during acute care. Then, the second objective was to develop a clinically relevant prediction rule that would be accurate, easy to use, and quickly calculated in clinical setting.

Design: A prospective cohort of 159 traumatic spinal cord injury patients was analyzed.

Who Recovers Independent Bowel Management During the First Year After a Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury?: A Case-Control Study.

Objectives: The aims of the study were (1) to document the characteristics of patients with impaired bowel functioning during the subacute and chronic phases and (2) to identify factors associated with recovery of independent bowel functioning during the first year after traumatic spinal cord injury in patients who present impaired bowel functioning during the subacute phase, when bowel rehabilitation is completed.

Design: This is a case-control study on 123 adult traumatic spinal cord injury patients. Bowel function assessments using item 7 of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure III were obtained 3 mos after traumatic spinal cord injury and during the early chronic phase.

An evaluation of the representativeness of a national spinal cord injury registry: a population-based cohort study.

Study Design: Population-based cohort study for the western part of Quebec.

Objectives: To determine the impact of declining to participate in a national spinal cord injury (SCI) registry on patient outcomes and continuum of care.

Setting: Level-1 trauma center specialized in SCI care in Montreal, Canada.

Clinical Protocol for Identifying and Managing Bladder Dysfunction during Acute Care after Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury.

Bladder dysfunction is widespread following traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI). Early diagnosis of bladder dysfunction is crucial in preventing complications, determining prognosis, and planning rehabilitation. We aim to suggest the first clinical protocol specifically designed to evaluate and manage bladder dysfunction in TSCI patients during acute care.

Factors associated with discharge destination following inpatient functional rehabilitation in patients with traumatic spinal cord injury.

Study Design: Retrospective review of data from a prospective database of a Level 1 trauma center.

Objectives: This project aims to identify factors collected during the acute and rehabilitative care following a traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) associated with success and failure to return home after inpatient intensive functional rehabilitation (IFR).

Setting: Level 1 trauma center specialized in TSCI care in Montreal, Canada.