Therapeutic Potential of Bovine Amniotic Membrane in Wound Healing: Insights from a Mouse Model.

Wound healing involves complex interplay between cellular and molecular events. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of the bovine amniotic membrane (BAM) in wound healing using a mouse model. Twelve male C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups: negative control (Vehicle), positive control (DuoDERM Extra Thin), amniotic membrane attachment (Amniotic Membrane), and compressed amniotic membrane attachment (Amniotic Membrane with Compression).

Effectiveness of a Facet Joint Block Versus a Medial Branch Block in Spinal Pain Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objective: Facet joint injections (FJIs) and medial branch blocks (MBBs) are commonly used interventions for chronic spinal pain, but their comparative effectiveness remains unclear. This meta-analysis aimed to compare the pain relief, functional improvement, complications, and patient satisfaction associated with FJI and MBB.

Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and observational studies were conducted.

Effect of electroencephalography-based motor imagery neurofeedback on mu suppression during motor attempt in patients with stroke.

Objective: The primary aim of this study was to explore the neurophysiological effects of motor imagery neurofeedback using electroencephalography (EEG), specifically focusing on mu suppression during serial motor attempts, and to assess its potential benefits in patients with subacute stroke.

Methods: A total of 15 patients with hemiplegia following subacute ischemic stroke were prospectively enrolled in this randomized cross-over study. This study comprised two experiments: neurofeedback and sham.

Volunteering in adaptive sport: effects of altruistic and egoistic motivation on performance and sustained intention.

Introduction: Adaptive sport events provide a unique volunteer setting emphasizing inclusion, accessibility, and individualized support for athletes with disabilities. Volunteers are essential not only to event operations but also to fostering a positive and empowering experience for athletes. Despite extensive research on sport volunteerism, studies focusing specifically on the adaptive sport context remain limited.

Intraoperative Facet Joint Block Reduces Pain After Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) results in less tissue damage than in other surgeries, but immediate postoperative pain occurs. Notably, facet joint widening occurs in the vertebral body after OLIF. We hypothesized that the application of a facet joint block to the area of widening would relieve facet joint pain.

Understanding the Measurement of Pressure Within the Spinal Cord to Optimize Spinal Cord Perfusion Pressure Using a Porcine Model of Spinal Cord Injury.

Recent studies have reported that monitoring spinal cord perfusion pressure (SCPP) using a pressure probe to measure "intraspinal pressure" (ISP) within the subdural space at the injury site may improve the hemodynamic management of acute spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. This study aimed to investigate, within a pig model of SCI, the relationship between the ISP measured within the subdural space and the "spinal cord pressure" (SCP) measured within the spinal cord itself. Specifically, we sought to characterize the changes to ISP and SCP over time, both rostral and caudal to the injury epicenter, and in relation to native spinal cord morphometry.

Postoperative urinary retention after oblique lumbar interbody fusion under the systematic management protocol.

Oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) is a minimally invasive lateral lumbar fusion technique and patients are discharged 1-2 days after surgery. Because OLIF utilizes a retroperitoneal approach close to the superior hypogastric plexus, postoperative urinary retention (POUR) may not be an uncommon problem. The purpose of this study was to present the incidence and outcomes of POUR with a systematic care protocol.

Validation of a newly developed low-cost, high-accuracy, camera-based gait analysis system.

Background: Gait analysis is essential for evaluating locomotor function and fall risk, particularly in the elderly and in various musculoskeletal disorders. Traditional gait analysis systems face challenges such as technical difficulties, high cost, and complexity of use. Therefore, there is a need for a more accessible and cost-effective system with a wider clinical applicability.

Clinical implementation, barriers, and unmet needs of rTMS and neuro-navigation systems in stroke rehabilitation: a nationwide survey in South Korea.

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the implementation, clinical barriers, and unmet needs of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and neuro-navigation systems for stroke rehabilitation.

Design: We employed a nationwide survey via Google Forms (web and mobile) consisting of 36 questions across rTMS and neuro-navigation systems, focusing on their implementation, perceptions, and unmet needs in stroke recovery. The survey targeted physiatrists registered in the Korean Society for Neuro-rehabilitation and in rehabilitation hospitals in South Korea.

Surgical Strategy for Dumbbell-Shaped Cervical Schwannoma at the Vicinity of the Vertebral Artery: The Utilization of Anatomic Layer.

Background And Objectives: In cases where dumbbell-shaped cervical schwannoma encases the vertebral artery (VA), there is a risk of VA injury during surgery. The objective of this study is to propose a strategy for preserving the VA during the surgical excision of tumors adjacent to the VA through the utilization of anatomic layers.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 37 patients who underwent surgery for dumbbell-shaped cervical schwannoma with contacting VA from January 2004 to July 2023.

Customized Hydrogel Films for MicroRNA Super-Resolution Imaging in Liquid Biopsies.

Tissue biopsy for early diagnosis and monitoring comes with several challenges, such as its invasiveness, and issues related to tissue heterogeneity in sampling. To address these issues, researchers have proposed a noninvasive approach called liquid biopsy, which uses blood samples to detect specific noncoding RNA (microRNA, miRNA). However, the current process of isolating and amplifying miRNA can be time-consuming and yield nonspecific results.

Feasibility of Computerized Visuomotor Integration System for Visual Field Defects and Spatial Neglect in Poststroke Patients.

Objective: To develop a computerized visuomotor integration system for assessment and training of visual perception impairments and evaluate its safety and feasibility in patients with a stroke. Visual field defects and spatial neglect lead to substantial poststroke impairment. Most diagnostic assessments are anchored in traditional methods, and clinical effects of rehabilitation treatments are limited.

Traumatic spinal cord injury in South Korea for 13 years (2008-2020).

Traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) has significant physical, psychological, and socioeconomic impacts. However, the epidemiological characteristics and treatment patterns of TSCI in South Korea remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate TSCI incidence and treatment behaviors in South Korea from 2008 to 2020.

Navigation-Guided/Robot-Assisted Spinal Surgery: A Review Article.

The development of minimally invasive spinal surgery utilizing navigation and robotics has significantly improved the feasibility, accuracy, and efficiency of this surgery. In particular, these methods provide improved accuracy of pedicle screw placement, reduced radiation exposure, and shortened learning curves for surgeons. However, research on the clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of navigation and robot-assisted spinal surgery is still in its infancy.

Modification of Superabsorbent Polymer Granules and Fibers for Antimicrobial Efficacy and Malodor Control.

Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) granules, typically used in personal care devices such as diapers, incontinence devices, hygiene pads, and wound dressings, and granular particles of zeolite and bentonite were each subjected to modification by exposure to solutions of 1-chloro-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-4-imidazolidinone (MC) in ethanol at room temperature. The air-dried granules showed newly acquired properties attributable to the presence of active chlorine (Cl). The treated particles effectively oxidized the malodorant 3-mercapto-3-methylbutanol (3M3MB).

A Pneumatically Controlled Prosthetic Socket for Transfemoral Amputees.

Amputees typically experience changes in residual limb volume in their daily lives. It causes an uncomfortable fit of the socket by applying high pressure on the sensitive area of the residual limb or by loosening the socket. In this study, we developed a transfemoral prosthetic socket for above-the-knee amputees that ensures a good socket fit by maintaining uniform and constant contact pressure despite volume changes in the residual limb.

Fusion Assessment of Oblique Lumbar Interbody Fusion Using Demineralized Bone Matrix: A 2-Year Prospective Study.

Objective: Although several studies have reported successful fusion rates after oblique lumbar interbody fusion (OLIF) using allografts or dimerized bone matrix (DBM) instead of autografts, whether OLIF can achieve satisfactory solid fusion without the use of autografts remains unclear. This study investigated the real fusion rates after OLIF using allografts and DBM, which were evaluated using both dynamic radiographs and computed tomography scans.

Methods: We enrolled 79 consecutive patients who underwent minimally invasive OLIF followed by percutaneous pedicle screw fixation.

Electrical stimulation promotes functional recovery after spinal cord injury by activating endogenous spinal cord-derived neural stem/progenitor cell: an in vitro and in vivo study.

Background Context: Electrical stimulation is a noninvasive treatment method that has gained popularity in the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). Activation of spinal cord-derived neural stem/progenitor cell (SC-NSPC) proliferation and differentiation in the injured spinal cord may elicit considerable neural regenerative effects.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the effect of electrical stimulation on the neurogenesis of SC-NSPCs.

Biomechanical Effects of Different Sitting Postures and Physiologic Movements on the Lumbar Spine: A Finite Element Study.

This study used the finite element method(FEM) to investigate how pressure on the lumbar spine changes during dynamic movements in different postures: standing, erect sitting on a chair, slumped sitting on a chair, and sitting on the floor. Three load modes (flexion, lateral bending, and axial rotation) were applied to the FEM, simulating movements of the lumbar spine. Results showed no significant difference in pressure distribution on the annulus fiber and nucleus pulposus, representing intradiscal pressure, as well as on the cortical bone during movements between standing and erect sitting postures.

Comparing zero-profile and conventional cage and plate in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion using finite-element modeling.

Conventional cage and plate (CCP) implants usually used in ACDF surgery, do have limitations such as the development of postoperative dysphagia, adjacent segment degeneration, and soft tissue injury. To reduce the risk of these complications, zero-profile stand-alone cage were developed. We used finite-element modeling to compare the total von Mises stress applied to the bone, disc, endplate, cage and screw when using CCP and ZPSC implants.

Clinical Practice Guideline for Stroke Rehabilitation in Korea-Part 1: Rehabilitation for Motor Function (2022).

This clinical practice guideline (CPG) is the fourth edition of the Korean guideline for stroke rehabilitation, which was last updated in 2016. The development approach has been changed from a consensus-based approach to an evidence-based approach using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE) method. This change ensures that the guidelines are based on the latest and strongest evidence available.