Nerve Centre

Traumatic brachial plexus injuries (TBPI) are life-changing and can lead to permanent changes in function and pain within the arm and hand. Historically, TBPI research has reflected the priorities of researchers and clinicians rather than those with personal experience of living with a TBPI. The James Lind Alliance (JLA), supported by the National Institute for Health Research, has developed a rigorous methodology for increasing public engagement in research by giving an equal voice to patients, carers, and healthcare providers to ensure that their concerns are represented in future health research programmes. These projects are called priority setting partnerships (PSPs). A JLA PSP, comprising patients, carers and clinicians, was created and completed to agree future research priorities in adult TBPI. The JLA PSP methodology was followed throughout. One-hundred and fifty-four respondents replied to an initial survey generating 704 questions. These were assessed, grouped and combined to create 68 summary questions or 'uncertainties'. Three were excluded after literature review suggested they had already been answered by research. Seventy-nine respondents answered an interim prioritization survey, choosing their top ten from the summary questions. In a workshop, nine patients, two carers and 11 clinicians met, discussed and ranked the top 22 questions from the interim survey to identify the top 10 research priorities. Psychology, physical therapy treatments and management pathways were among the top ranked priorities. These results will inform researchers and funding bodies about research priorities for patients, carers and clinicians to direct future research on TBPI. V.

Product ratings on the internet significantly influence the buying behavior of consumers, yet the increasing number of fake or deceptive reviews is still a major problem for both consumers and retailers. This study proposes a machine-learning pipeline that is supervised and automated for the classification of the reviews into genuine and false based on both the textual and linguistic features. The whole process started with the pre-processing of a total of 40,432 product reviews that had undergone text cleaning, normalization, and removal of noise, and then each review was assigned a binary credibility label. The TF-IDF vectorization was used for cleaning the text and, with a total of 5,000 features, the numerical representation was achieved. Logistic Regression and Random Forest classifiers were trained and their performance was assessed in terms of accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score metrics. The models that have been trained can now be applied to predict the real-time credibility of reviews thus helping the platform gain more trust and consumers in their decision-making.

The crucial role of coastal wetlands supporting diverse terrestrial wildlife is often asserted but has not been demonstrated in broad-scale field evaluations; a comprehensive assessment of wildlife use of these vital habitats is therefore needed. Our

Abstract Background Short interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) remains the most sensitive parameter to assess motor cortical function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). While an initial value of SICI has been utilised to support a diagnosis of ALS, less is known about progression of change. Methods Motor cortex function was prospectively assessed in ALS patients, through serial threshold tracking transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) assessment over more than 12 months. Motor cortical potentials were recorded from the abductor pollicis brevis (APB). Demographic information and clinical variables were analysed. Results A cohort of 52 ALS patients (69.2% limb-onset disease; 47.2% right-side) were assigned to undergo longitudinal assessment of cortical motor function. Mean ALSFRS-R score at baseline was 39.5 ± 1.0 denoting relatively milder clinical deficits at study commencement. Cortical motor dysfunction was evident at baseline, with reduction in averaged SICI (p = 0.004) when compared to healthy controls. In terms of disease trajectory, ALS patients experienced a significant decline in averaged SICI overtime. When compared to initial assessment, averaged SICI was significantly reduced after 12 months (p = 0.004). There was no significant main effect of site of onset on averaged SICI (p = 0.78). The progressive change in averaged SICI was more robust in the dominant hemisphere, with the proportion of ALS patients who demonstrated a clinically abnormal averaged SICI value (< 5.5%) increasing by 50%, compared to 15.4% for the non-dominant hemisphere. Conclusion ALS patients demonstrate progressive cortical motor abnormalities, evident through longitudinal assessment. While SICI represents a diagnostic biomarker, the rate of decline in the present series is consistent with disease progression, suggesting a potential role to monitor the efficacy of therapeutic intervention.

As fraturas e luxações vertebrais são as principais causas de lesões medulares ocasionando graus variáveis de injúrias. A cirurgia de coluna é baseada em três procedimentos: exploração, descompressão e fixação. Objetivo: Relatar um caso de estabilização de fratura em T12 em cão. Relato do caso: Um cão, raça yorkshire, macho, castrado, 4,3 kg, 6 anos, foi atendido na Clínica Veterinária Mania de Pet, Mossoró-RN. Na anamnese, o tutor relatou que o animal foi atacado por outro cão há 4 dias e perdeu o movimento dos membros pélvicos (MP). No exame físico, notou-se que o animal apresentava-se paraplégico e ausência de nocicepção profunda em MP bilateral, além disso o animal apresentava incontinência urinária e fecal. No exame radiográfico, foram observadas fraturas nos processos espinhoso e transverso da vértebra T12. O animal foi encaminhado para cirurgia de estabilização da coluna vertebral. Visando descomprimir a medula espinhal foi realizada laminectomia dorsal e fixados com parafusos corticais do sistema 2.0mm, Focus, os parafusos mediam 24 mm. Após a descompressão e distração, os parafusos foram fixados em T11 e T13 e conectados a pinos de 2.0 mm. Em seguida, procedeu-se à fixação dos implantes com cimento ósseo estéril. Realizou-se a miorrafia com sutura simples contínua, a síntese do subcutâneo em sutura Cushing, ambos com o fio Poliglecaprone 2-0 em, e a sutura de pele com náilon 3-0, simples interrompido. Discussão: As técnicas cirúrgicas empregadas foram satisfatórias, tendo em vista a ausência de complicações. Neste caso, a avaliação radiográfica foi decisiva para realização da estabilização com as técnicas empregadas, visto que estas promovem uma boa estabilidade devido a ancoragem nas vértebras adjacentes. Salienta-se ainda que cirurgias descompressivas devem ser realizadas o mais precocemente possível, a fim de obter melhores desfechos neurológicos. Conclusão: Dessa maneira, fica evidenciado a importância de realizar a descompressão e estabilidade de vértebras fraturadas, visando um melhor prognóstico ao paciente.

Kim Scott's True Country (1993) is a compelling exploration of identity, cultural hybsridity, and storytelling as acts of resistance against colonial erasure. Set in a remote Aboriginal community, the novel navigates the journey of Billy, an Aboriginal teacher, as he grapples with his dual heritage and seeks to reconcile his fragmented sense of self. Through a nuanced learning model—delearning, relearning, and learning—the narrative examines themes of cultural renewal, systemic injustice, and communal agency. Scott juxtaposes the enduring strength of Indigenous oral traditions and spirituality with the socio-economic challenges faced by Aboriginal communities. By portraying teachers as catalysts for dialogue between cultures, the novel highlights the transformative potential of education in fostering understanding and collaborative growth. Simultaneously, True Country underscores the resilience and complexity of Aboriginal identities, offering a vision of hope grounded in respect and reconciliation.

Më datën 15 maj 2023, në sallën “Europa” të Fakultetit të Gjuhëve të Huaja të Universitetit të Tiranës u zhvillua konferenca shkencore “Poliedriku Ernest Koliqi në 120-vjetorin e lindjes”, e organizuar nga Qendra e Studimeve dhe e Publikimeve për arbëreshët dhe Instituti i Gjuhësisë dhe i Letërsisë (Akademia e Studimeve Albanologjike), në bashkëpunim me Fakultetin Histori-Filologji (Universiteti i Tiranës) dhe Qendrën e Studimeve Albanologjike (Universiteti i Shkodrës “Luigj Gurakuqi”). Në këtë veprimtari shkencore u sollën kontribute me vlerë që ceknin aspekte të personalitetit të Ernest Koliqit si shkrimtar e studiues, me theks si në aspekte të veçanta e të shkrimtarisë së tij, ashtu dhe në pikëpamje të përvijimit të revistave shkencore të rëndësishme për nga prurjet dhe tradita në lidhje me gjurmimet albanologjike. Interesimi për trashëgiminë kulturore të botës shqiptare dhe lidhjet e vazhdueshme me botën arbëreshe qenë dy prej linjave kryesore që u theksuan që në kumtimet e para të kësaj veprimtarie.

The development of nerve wraps for use in the repair of peripheral nerves has shown promise over recent years. A pharmacological effect to improve regeneration may be achieved by loading such materials with therapeutic agents, for example ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with neuroregenerative properties. In this study, four commercially available polymers (polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL) and two co-polymers containing different ratios of PLA to PCL) were used to fabricate ibuprofen-loaded nerve wraps using blend electrospinning. In vitro surgical handling experiments identified a formulation containing a PLA/PCL 70/30 molar ratio co-polymer as the most suitable for in vivo implantation. In a rat model, ibuprofen released from electrospun materials significantly improved the rate of axonal growth and sensory recovery over a 21-day recovery period following a sciatic nerve crush. Furthermore, RT-qPCR analysis of nerve segments revealed that the anti-inflammatory and neurotrophic effects of ibuprofen may still be observed 21 days after implantation. This suggests that the formulation developed in this work could have potential to improve nerve regeneration in vivo.