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Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has emerged as a significant regenerative therapy used alone or combined mainly with stem cells, autologous fat grafts, hyaluronic acid, and biomaterials in a variety of medical fields, especially in hair regrowth, wound healing, and sports and rehabilitation medicine. However, the results obtained with this biologic therapy are heterogeneous and conflicting. The observed disparities in the effectiveness of PRP therapies may be due to a lack of standardization in blood processing and preparation. This article is aimed at reviewing the main biological parameters that need to be documented for a thorough reporting of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the PRP injected, to allow a comparison between the quality of samples and the clinically obtained results and advance the efforts towards treatment standardization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability. Gait impairment post-stroke has a major implication for health and it is an essential predictor for functional independence. A common gait impairment is the presence of genu recurvatum in post-stroke patients, whether spastic or non-spastic. Aims. To evaluate the efficacy of the rehabilitation program and botulinum toxin upon gait spatial and temporal parameters, muscle spasticity, functionality of lower limb and risk of fall in post-stroke patients with spastic and non-spastic genu recurvatum. Methods. We conducted a two-year prospective study (April 2018 - April 2020) of forty hemiparetic patients with spastic (20) and non-spastic (20) genu recurvatum who underwent a rehabilitation program for three weeks and ultrasound guided botulinum toxin injection for the spastic group. Results. In the non-spastic group, statistically significant differences were observed post-treatment (after 3 weeks) in the case of gait speed from 0.457 meters/sec (T0) to 0.6265 m/sec (T1), TUG from 16.3 (T0) to 14.15 (T1) and LEFS from 32.45 (T0) to 34.7 (T1). In the spastic group, gait speed also had significant differences, from 0.467 (T0) to 0.7145 (T1). LEFS had an increase from 32.45 (T1) to 34.75 (T2). MAS had a decrease from 2.65 (T0) to 1.55 at (T1). Conclusions. Following a 3-week rehabilitation program and using ultrasound guided botulinum toxin injections, in the case of spasticity, improves gait spatiotemporal asymmetry and ameliorates functionality, lowering the risk of fall in hemiparetic patients with post-stroke genu recurvatum whether spastic or non-spastic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system and the main cause of disability in young people. Drug therapy cannot completely control many disabling symptoms in MS, such as cramps, pain, depression, and cognitive impairment. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) technology can be used as a tool to regulate changes in cortical excitability and plasticity in MS patients, thereby improving the disability symptoms that affect such patients. Aims. Our objective was to explore the effectiveness and safety of non-invasive brain stimulation in the treatment of fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis. Methods. We performed a literature review in different databases: PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Medline, Google Scholar. Full text articles that used NIBS for exercise performance improvement in athletes were included (only articles in English were found). We searched for articles available in each database until 30 October 2019. We used articles published in journals, randomized or pseudo-randomized, sham-controlled clinical trials to evaluate the effects of noninvasive brain stimulation (NIBS). The main result is the fatigue score before and after stimulation; the secondary result is the adverse event. Results. The general inverse variance method was used to aggregate data from cross-group and parallel group studies. A total of 14 studies (tDCS 11, TMS 2 and tRNS 1) which recruited 186 patients were included in the study. No qualified tACS, transcranial electrical therapy stimulation or non-invasive cortical electrical stimulation study with reduced impedance was found. The short-term and long-term therapeutic effects are for tDCS, TMS is significant, and TMS and tRNS are not superior to sham stimulation. Existing evidence supports the effectiveness of the 1.5 mA subgroup and the bilateral S1 subgroup of tDCS. Adverse events are mild and transient, but are comparable between real and sham stimulation. Conclusions. tDCS is a safe and effective way to treat fatigue in MS patients. However, there is further research needed to confirm our results in a large population and investigate the effectiveness of other NIBS subtypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Spasticity is well known as one of the most common after stroke complications, providing a series of negative effects including decreased range of motion, muscle spasm, different levels of contracture, local pain in the affected area. Aims. Clinical-functional evaluation of the short and medium term effect of ultrasonographically guided injections with botulinum toxin type A (TxB-A) on the spasticity of the upper limb in post-stroke patients and the quantification of effects on international scales of spasticity and functionality. Methods. The groups studied were composed of 60 patients, which were divided based on the doses provided in each muscle of the hand and wrist flexors (250 IU versus 333 IU). Every patient received a total dose of 1000 IU of TxB-A. The parameters that were assessed were: Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Activities of Daily Living Scale (ADL), international scales for spasticity and functionality. The moments evaluated were: T0 (the initial time - injection time), T1 (one month after the injection) and T2 (3 months from T0 or 2 months from T1). Results. Evaluation of MAS and ADL scales from T0 to T1 and T2 for the 250 IU group shows great improvements at T1 on both scales, MAS (<0.001) and ADL (<0.001), while maintaining the efficacy at T2, MAS (p-value 0.214 ), ADL (p-value 0.166). Evaluation of MAS and ADL scales from T0 to T1 and T2 for the 333 IU group also shows effective improvements on both scales at T1, MAS (<0.001), ADL (<0.001), and T2, MAS (0.849), ADL (0.013). Correlations between the two groups, 250 IU vs 333 IU, performed for each of the scales used in the study evidenced better results at T1 in favor of the 333 IU group on both MAS (p-value 0.034) and ADL score (p-value 0.078), with the proportion maintained in favor of the 333 IU group at T2, MAS (p-value 0.024), ADL (p-value 0.035). Conclusions. a) TxB-A is efficient as a prime line treatment for spasticity, helping the patients in the muscle neurorehabilitation effort; b) TxB A is effective in reducing spastic muscle tone (MAS); c) TxB A is a useful asset in managing hand function (ADL). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pathogenesis of chronic wounds (CW) involves a multifaceted interplay of biochemical, immunological, hematological, and microbiological interactions. Biofilm development is a significant virulence trait which enhances microbial survival and pathogenicity and has various implications on the development and management of CW. Biofilms induce a prolonged suboptimal inflammation in the wound microenvironment, associated with delayed healing. The composition of wound fluid (WF) adds more complexity to the subject, with proven pro-inflammatory properties and an intricate crosstalk among cytokines, chemokines, microRNAs, proteases, growth factors, and ECM components. One approach to achieve information on the mechanisms of disease progression and therapeutic response is the use of multiple high-throughput 'OMIC' modalities (genomic, proteomic, lipidomic, metabolomic assays), facilitating the discovery of potential biomarkers for wound healing, which may represent a breakthrough in this field and a major help in addressing delayed wound healing. In this review article, we aim to summarize the current progress achieved in host–microbiome crosstalk in the spectrum of CW healing and highlight future innovative strategies to boost the host immune response against infections, focusing on the interaction between pathogens and their hosts (for instance, by harnessing microorganisms like probiotics), which may serve as the prospective advancement of vaccines and treatments against infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lately, easier and shorter tests have been used in the functional evaluation of cardiac patients. Among these, walking speed (WS) and Timed Up and Go (TUG) tests are associated with all-cause mortality, mainly cardiovascular and the rate of re-hospitalization, especially in the elderly population. We prospectively analyzed a group of 38 patients admitted to the Cardiology Clinic from Elias Hospital, Romania, with chronic coronary syndrome (CCS) (n=22) and STEMI (n=16). We assessed the patients immediately after admission and before discharge with G-WALK between the 1st and 30th of September 2019. Our study group had a mean age of 62.7±12.1 years. Patients with a low WS were older (69.90±12.84 vs. 59.90±10.32 years, p=0.02) and had a lower serum hemoglobin (12.38±1.20 vs. 13.72±2.07 g/dl, p=0.02). The WS significantly improved during hospitalization (p=0.03) after optimal treatment. The TUG test performed at the time of admission had a longer duration in patients with heart failure (14.05 vs. 10.80 sec, p=0.02) and was influenced by patients' age (r=0.567, p=0.02), serum creatinine (r=0.409, p=0.03) and dilation of right heart chambers (r=0.399, p=0.03). WS and TUG tests can be used in patients with CCS and STEMI, and are mainly influenced by age, thus having a greater value among the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasonography is a well-tolerated procedure that aids in the targeted esthetic therapies of special cutaneous regions, as well as in the prevention (vascular mapping, identification of previous filler, and others) and management of potential complications (vascular occlusion, external vascular compression, product misplacement or migration, inflammatory reactions, and others). It has lately been promoted as the first-line imaging tool to address injectables. In this article, we aim to review the evolving role of ultrasonography in cosmetic filler procedures, from the fundamental ultrasound characterization of cosmetic fillers to the ultrasound-enhanced detection and management of cosmetic filler complications, including ultrasound's role in hyaluronidase-guided injections for cosmetic filler dissolution. Furthermore, the paper explores the integral role played by ultrasound in enhancing the precision, efficacy, and safety of additional minimally invasive aesthetic techniques such as mesotherapy, radiofrequency, cryolipolysis, and polydioxanone procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We evaluated the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) therapy on functional capacity and oxidative stress in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure (AHF). Design: We included 30 consecutive patients admitted for AHF with a left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 50% who were randomized into two groups: NMES therapy added on conventional rehabilitation (CR) (n = 15, 67.2 ±13.35 years) and CR alone (n = 15, 63.26 ± 10.29 years). NMES therapy was performed at the level of the quadriceps muscle bilaterally, daily, for 60 minutes with a frequency of 10 Hz. Results: The mean duration of NMES therapy was 6.93 ± 2.54 days. Functional capacity assessed by the 6 minute walk test was significantly improved in the group with NMES therapy (p=0.036). The oxidized LDL value showed a decreasing trend compared to the admission value in the group with NMES therapy, but without statistical significance. Conclusion: This paper shows that for patients with AHF, NMES therapy used for a short term and initiated early during the hospitalization period improves exercise tolerance, suggesting the importance and possible necessity of including it as standard cardiac recovery therapy. NMES did not influence the plasmatic value of oxidized LDL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: AMD (age-related macular degeneration) is the main cause of central vision loss in the population over 60 years old. AMD does not affect peripheral vision and complete blindness does not occur, instead, central vision is affected both for distance and for near. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the neovascular form of AMD treatment and compare ocular and systemic effects after intravitreal injection of aflibercept, respectively after bevacizumab when administered in comparable dosages and regimens. We conducted a retrospective, single-center study from June 2021 to December 2022 and enrolled 20 patients with neovascular AMD who had not received any prior treatment for this condition. We randomly assigned them to two groups of 10: group one received aflibercept and group two received bevacizumab as intravitreal injections under aseptic conditions. We excluded 2 patients who did not meet the criteria and ended up with two groups of 9 patients who received monocular treatment. We gave the patients 3 monthly injections of anti-VEGF agent and followed them up at 1 month, 3 months, and 9 months after the treatment. We assessed their visual acuity, intraocular pressure and OCT appearance at each follow-up visit. The primary outcome was visual acuity. All 18 patients included in the study reported an improvement in visual acuity after the intervention. When comparing the two anti-VEGF agents, data revealed the effect of aflibercept was prompter and more long-lasting. Areas of retinal ischemia appeared in both cases. However, they were observed faster in the case of patients treated with aflibercept. Thus, neovascular AMD is a disease that occurs with age, it can be early detected by OCT and slowed the progression to central blindness with intravitreal treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic wounds encompass a myriad of lesions, including venous and arterial leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs), pressure ulcers, non-healing surgical wounds and others. Despite the etiological differences, chronic wounds share several features at a molecular level. The wound bed is a convenient environment for microbial adherence, colonization and infection, with the initiation of a complex host–microbiome interplay. Chronic wound infections with mono- or poly-microbial biofilms are frequent and their management is challenging due to tolerance and resistance to antimicrobial therapy (systemic antibiotic or antifungal therapy or antiseptic topicals) and to the host's immune defense mechanisms. The ideal dressing should maintain moisture, allow water and gas permeability, absorb wound exudates, protect against bacteria and other infectious agents, be biocompatible, be non-allergenic, be non-toxic and biodegradable, be easy to use and remove and, last but not least, it should be cost-efficient. Although many wound dressings possess intrinsic antimicrobial properties acting as a barrier to pathogen invasion, adding anti-infectious targeted agents to the wound dressing may increase their efficiency. Antimicrobial biomaterials may represent a potential substitute for systemic treatment of chronic wound infections. In this review, we aim to describe the available types of antimicrobial biomaterials for chronic wound care and discuss the host response and the spectrum of pathophysiologic changes resulting from the contact between biomaterials and host tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic had a great negative impact on nursing homes, with massive outbreaks being reported in care facilities all over the world, affecting not only the residents but also the care workers and visitors. Due to their advanced age and numerous underlying diseases, the inhabitants of long-term care facilities represent a vulnerable population that should benefit from additional protective measures against contamination. Recently, multiple countries such as France, Spain, Belgium, Canada, and the United States of America reported that an important fraction from the total number of deaths due to the SARS-CoV-2 infection emerged from nursing homes. The scope of this paper was to present the latest data regarding the COVID-19 spread in care homes worldwide, identifying causes and possible solutions that would limit the outbreaks in this overlooked category of population. It is the authors' hope that raising awareness on this matter would encourage more studies to be conducted, considering the fact that there is little information available on the impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic on nursing homes. Establishing national databases that would register all nursing home residents and their health status would be of great help in the future not only for managing the ongoing pandemic but also for assessing the level of care that is needed in this particularly fragile setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health organization in early March 2020. The disease typically presents with viral respiratory symptoms that could progress to acute respiratory distress syndrome. Emerging evidence suggests different possible dermatologic manifestations of COVID-19, including: acral lesions (pernio-like, pseudo-chillblain), vesicular eruptions, macular and papular exanthema, urticaria, livedoid, purpuric and petechial rashes. However, specific skin manifestations of the COVID-19 disease have not yet been clearly established and the relationship between the appearance of skin lesions and SARS-CoV-2 infection is still unclear. These highly variable skin changes could represent a direct consequence of the viral infection, an immunological response to viral nucleotides, adverse reactions to drugs frequently used for the treatment of COVID-19, or other disorders. In a global effort to comprehend the exact cutaneous features of COVID-19, several international dermatological societies have initiated nationwide studies to analyze COVID-19 cutaneous manifestations during this pandemic. This paper represents a literature review of the scientific data available on the clinical characteristics and symptoms of the cutaneous manifestations associated with COVID-19. Such findings are extremely useful in establishing if dermatological manifestations in COVID-19 patients could harbor a diagnostic significance and subsequently be used as prognostic factors for outcomes of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemotherapy (ECT) is an effective bioelectrochemical procedure that uses controlled electrical pulses to facilitate the increase of intracellular concentration of certain substances (electropermeabilization/ reversible electroporation). ECT using antitumor drugs such as bleomycin and cisplatin is a minimally invasive targeted therapy that can be used as an alternative for oncologic patients not eligible for surgery or other standard therapies. Even though ECT is mainly applied as palliative care for metastases, it may also be used for primary tumors that are unresectable due to size and location. Skin neoplasms are the main clinical indication of ECT, the procedure reporting good curative results and high efficiency across all tumor types, including melanoma. In daily practice, there are many cases in which the patient's quality of life can be significantly improved by a safe procedure such as ECT. Its popularity must be increased because it has a safe profile and minor local adverse reactions. The method can be used by dermatologists, oncologists, and surgeons. The aim of this paper is to review recent literature concerning electrochemotherapy and other clinical applications of electroporation for the targeted therapy of metastatic melanoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]