scholarly journals The Role of Diagnostic Injections in Spinal Disorders: A Narrative Review

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 2311
Author(s):  
Brian Y. Kim ◽  
Tyler A. Concannon ◽  
Luis C. Barboza ◽  
Talal W. Khan
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Discogenic Pain ◽  
Nerve Blocks ◽  
Surgical Interventions ◽  
Spinal Injections ◽  
Facet Arthropathy

Neck and back pain is increasingly prevalent, and has increased exponentially in recent years. As more resources are dedicated to the diagnosis of pain conditions, it is increasingly important that the diagnostic techniques used are as precise and accurate as possible. Traditional diagnostic methods rely heavily upon patient history and physical examination to determine the most appropriate treatments and/or imaging studies. Though traditional means of diagnosis remain a necessity, in many cases, correlation with positive or negative responses to injections may further enhance diagnostic specificity, and improve outcomes by preventing unnecessary treatments or surgeries. This narrative review aims to present the most recent literature describing the diagnostic validity of precision injections, as well as their impact on surgical planning and outcomes. Diagnostic injections are discussed in terms of facet arthropathy, lumbar radiculopathy, discogenic pain and discography, and sacroiliac joint dysfunction. There is a growing body of evidence supporting the use of diagnostic local anesthetic injections or nerve blocks to aid in diagnosis. Spinal injections add valuable objective information that can potentially improve diagnostic precision, guide treatment strategies, and aid in patient selection for invasive surgical interventions.

scholarly journals Utility of biomarkers in traumatic brain injury: a narrative review

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 155-161
Author(s):  
Daniel A. Mendoza ◽  
Karen D. López ◽  
Raúl A. Echeverri ◽  
Laura Pastor ◽  
Steven Rueda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Clinical Utility ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Neurological Injury ◽  
The Past ◽  
Molecular Events

Introduction: With the evolution of diagnostic techniques in traumatic brain injury (TBI), the study of neurological injury has made progress based on the concepts of primary and secondary injury, leading to the era of proteomics to understand the complex molecular events involved in the process. Objectives: This narrative review is intended to discuss the state of the art of the most frequently used biomarkers in TBI, their clinical utility, and the implications for therapeutic decisionmaking protocols. Materials and methods: In order to fulfill the objective of this paper, a literature review was conducted of the most important databases. Results: Several biomarkers have been studied as prognostic factors in patients with TBI. Learning about their sensitivity and specificity in neurological injury, and its post-trauma evolution over time, has been the goal of various papers in the past few years. Conclusion: Breakthroughs in the study of protein degradation make it necessary to broaden the spectrumand knowledge of new diagnostic methods in TBI. Further studies are needed to define the role of biomarkers and to promote protocols integrating specific values.

The role of FDG PET/CT discovering the cause of fever of unknown origin

2012 ◽  
Vol 153 (6) ◽  
pp. 227-231
Author(s):  
Bernadett Szűcs ◽  
Edit Nagy ◽  
Stefan Talev ◽  
Ildikó Garai ◽  
László Galuska
Keyword(s):  
Case Report ◽  
Fever Of Unknown Origin ◽  
Unknown Origin ◽  
Diagnostic Procedures ◽  
Clinical Problem ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Pet Ct ◽  
Fdg Pet Ct

The fever of unknown origin from time to time constitutes a serious clinical problem and nearly all diagnostic methods are involved to discover urgently its cause. According to literature data 18F-fluoro-deoxyglucose PET/CT was successful in 25-70% of cases even in patients without any positive findings with conventional diagnostic techniques. The Hungarian National Health Fund does not include fever of unknown origin in the list of reimbursed 18F-fluoro-deoxyglucose PET/CT indications. The authors try to illustrate the clinical problem with this case report. Fever of unknown origin persisted in a patient for a year, but conventional diagnostic procedures were unsuccessful to find the cause of the fever. Finally, 18F-fluoro-deoxyglucose PET/CT indicated a metabolically active focus between the pancreas tail and the spleen. After a long-lasting antibiotic therapy the patient became symptomfree. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 227–231.

scholarly journals The Isolation of Vibrio crassostreae and V. cyclitrophicus in Lesser-Spotted Dogfish (Scyliorhinus canicula) Juveniles Reared in a Public Aquarium

2022 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 114
Author(s):  
Mattia Tomasoni ◽  
Giuseppe Esposito ◽  
Davide Mugetti ◽  
Paolo Pastorino ◽  
Nadia Stoppani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Rpob Gene ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Vibrio Species ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Isolation And Identification ◽  
Species Determination ◽  
Scyliorhinus Canicula ◽  
Public Aquarium

The genus Vibrio currently contains 147 recognized species widely distributed, including pathogens for aquatic organisms. Vibrio infections in elasmobranchs are poorly reported, often with identifications as Vibrio sp. and without detailed diagnostic insights. The purpose of this paper is the description of the isolation and identification process of Vibrio spp. following a mortality event of Scyliorhinus canicula juvenile reared in an Italian public aquarium. Following investigations aimed at excluding the presence of different pathogens of marine fish species (parasites, bacteria, Betanodavirus), several colonies were isolated and subjected to species identification using the available diagnostic techniques (a biochemical test, MALDI-TOF MS, and biomolecular analysis). Discrepancies were observed among the methods; the limits of biochemistry as a unique tool for Vibrio species determination were detected through statistical analysis. The use of the rpoB gene, as a diagnostic tool, allowed the identification of the isolates as V. crassostreae and V. cyclotrophicus. Although the pathogenic role of these microorganisms in lesser-spotted dogfish juveniles has not been demonstrated, and the presence of further pathogens cannot be excluded, this study allowed the isolation of two Vibrio species in less-studied aquatic organisms, highlighting the weaknesses and strengths of the different diagnostic methods applied.

scholarly journals The Role of Molecular Tests in the Diagnosis of Disseminated Histoplasmosis

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
Izadora Clezar da Silva Vasconcellos ◽  
Daiane Flores Dalla Lana ◽  
Alessandro C. Pasqualotto
Keyword(s):  
Severe Infection ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Antigen Detection ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Clinical Samples ◽  
Molecular Tests ◽  
Disseminated Histoplasmosis ◽  
Satisfactory Performance ◽  
Polymerase Chain

Histoplasmosis is an emerging fungal disease, with global distribution. The disseminated form of the disease is a more severe infection, generally associated with AIDS. Classic diagnostic methods for histoplasmosis consist of microscopy, culture, and histopathology. More recently, the importance of Histoplasma antigen detection has dominated the literature on histoplasmosis diagnosis, but the relevance of molecular assays has not been as much studied. Here we describe the results of a systematic literature review focusing on studies that mainly compared immunological techniques (Histoplasma urine antigen detection) with molecular tests for the diagnosis of histoplasmosis. In addition to the review of comparative studies using such diagnostic techniques, the literature on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests in patients with disseminated histoplasmosis is also summarized. Two studies reported the comparison between immunological and molecular methods applied simultaneously for the diagnosis of disseminated histoplasmosis. PCR demonstrates a satisfactory performance assisting in the detection of Histoplasma spp. DNA in clinical samples.

Forensic research of staff fraud

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (5) ◽  
pp. 585-600
Author(s):  
V.A. Timchenko
Keyword(s):  
Effective Means ◽  
Criminal Activity ◽  
Diagnostic Techniques ◽  
Scientific Basis ◽  
Diagnostic Methods ◽  
Structural Units ◽  
Forensic Research ◽  
Economic Information ◽  
Commercial Organizations ◽  
Original Approach

Subject. This article deals with the issues of forensic diagnostics, which is an effective means of detecting, preventing and suppressing staff fraud. Objectives. The article aims to present an original approach to the development of methods of forensic diagnosis of staff fraud based on the modeling method. It is also intended to identify a structure of staff fraud patterns and justify the need to classify the staff fraud methods. Methods. For the study, I used the methods of comparative analysis, systematization, induction, and deduction. Results. The article defines approaches to the formation of diagnostic methods of staff fraud and presents typical inconsistencies that arise in economic information under the influence of fraudulent actions of staff. It describes some diagnostic techniques that can detect staff fraud elements that occur in certain ways of criminal activity. Conclusions and Relevance. The proposed original approach helps develop standard and specific methods for diagnosing staff fraud on a scientific basis. The provisions outlined in the article can serve as a basis for scholarly discussion, contribute to the effectiveness of research on counter-fraud in the field of personnel fraud, and can be applied to the practical activities of structural units and individuals whose task is to combat staff fraud in commercial organizations.

The Role of Inflammasomes in Atherosclerosis and Stroke Pathogenesis

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (34) ◽  
pp. 4234-4245
Author(s):  
Deepaneeta Sarmah ◽  
Aishika Datta ◽  
Swapnil Raut ◽  
Ankan Sarkar ◽  
Birva Shah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atherosclerotic Plaque ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Cerebrovascular Diseases ◽  
Cellular Injury ◽  
Inflammatory Reactions ◽  
Inflammatory Pathways

Inflammation is a devastating outcome of cerebrovascular diseases (CVD), namely stroke and atherosclerosis. Numerous studies over the decade have shown that inflammasomes play a role in mediating inflammatory reactions post cellular injury occurring after a stroke or a rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque. In view of this, targeting these inflammatory pathways using different pharmacological therapies may improve outcomes in patients with CVD. Here, we review the mechanisms by which inflammasomes drive the pathogenesis of stroke and atherosclerosis. Also, discussed here are the possible treatment strategies available for inhibiting inflammasomes or their up-stream/down-stream mediators.

COVID-19 and Comorbidities: is Inflammation the Underlying Condition in Children? A narrative Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Pinna ◽  
Lavinia Sanfilippo ◽  
Pier Paolo Bassareo ◽  
Vassilios Fanos ◽  
Maria Antonietta Marcialis
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factor ◽  
Severe Form ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Underlying Condition ◽  
Pathogenic Mechanisms ◽  
Associated Diseases ◽  
Potential Link

: This paper examines the potential link between COVID-19 and the presence of comorbidities and assesses the role of inflammation in this correlation. In COVID-19 patients, the most frequently associated diseases share a pathogenic inflammatory basis and apparently act as a risk factor in the onset of a more severe form of the disease, particularly in adulthood. However, in children, the understanding of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms is often complicated by the milder symptoms presented. A series of theories have therefore been put forward with a view of providing a better understanding of the role played by inflammation in this dramatic setting. All evidence available to date on this topic is discussed in this review.

Role of Flavonoids in Neurodegenerative Disorders with Special Emphasis on Tangeritin

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 581-597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ambreen Fatima ◽  
Yasir Hasan Siddique
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plants ◽  
Mechanism Of Action ◽  
Neurodegenerative Disorders ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Dietary Supplementation ◽  
Plant Polyphenols ◽  
Promising Candidate ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
The Brain

Flavonoids are naturally occurring plant polyphenols found universally in all fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants. They have emerged as a promising candidate in the formulation of treatment strategies for various neurodegenerative disorders. The use of flavonoid rich plant extracts and food in dietary supplementation have shown favourable outcomes. The present review describes the types, properties and metabolism of flavonoids. Neuroprotective role of various flavonoids and the possible mechanism of action in the brain against the neurodegeneration have been described in detail with special emphasis on the tangeritin.

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