Journal of neurotrauma
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Journal of neurotrauma · Feb 2006
ReviewA Web-based systematic review on traumatic spinal cord injury comparing the "citation classics" with the consumers' perspectives.
Although the citation index of an article is not a direct measure of its quality or importance, it is a measure of recognition that may suggest its impact on the scientific community. This study was undertaken to examine the characteristics of the top 100 most frequently cited articles (so-called "citation classics") on traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) that were published between 1986 and 2003, and to compare this selected professional literature with the consumers' perspective on the key issues in SCI research. The 100 top-cited articles on traumatic SCI were identified using the Internet database of the Science Citation Index Expanded and the Web of Science with the terms "spinal cord injury" and "spinal cord injuries." Meeting abstracts, letters, and editorials were excluded. ⋯ This bibliometric analysis, for the first time, identifies the key features of the citation classics on traumatic SCI between 1986 and 2003, a period that represents one of an unprecedented increase in knowledge in this field. The 100 top-cited peer-reviewed articles have been predominantly focused on basic science SCI research indicating a need for greater bench-to-bedside translational studies in SCI research. Although the body of this top-cited professional literature mostly matches with the consumers' perspective, most of this research has been focused on motor function assessment and recovery following SCI.
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Epilepsy is a major unfavorable long-term consequence of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Moreover, TBI is one of the most important predisposing factors for the development of epilepsy, particularly in young adults. ⋯ The goal of this review is to (1) provide a description of PTE in humans, which is critical for the development of clinically relevant models of PTE, (2) review the characteristics of currently available PTE models, and (3) provide suggestions for the development of future models of PTE based on our current understanding of the mechanisms of TBI and epilepsy. The development of clinically relevant models of PTE is critical to advance our understanding of the mechanisms of post-traumatic epileptogenesis and epilepsy, as well as for producing breakthroughs in the development and testing of novel antiepileptogenic treatments.
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Journal of neurotrauma · Feb 2006
Controlled cortical impact in swine: pathophysiology and biomechanics.
Investigations of the basic pathological, cellular, and molecular mechanisms of traumatic brain injury (TBI) over the past two decades have been carried out primarily in rodents. Unfortunately, these studies have not translated into improved outcome in patients with TBI. To better model human TBI, a swine model of controlled cortical impact (CCI) was developed. ⋯ Immunohistological staining with Neu-N, MAP-2, and Fluoro Jade B revealed evidence of degenerating neurons, axonal disruption, and impending cell death. These results indicate that the swine model of CCI results in a defined and reproducible injury with pathological features similar to human TBI. Physiological parameters after injury are readily monitored in a setting mimicking conditions of an intensive care unit, establishing a more clinically relevant experimental model for future investigations.
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Journal of neurotrauma · Feb 2006
Traumatic brain injury outcomes in pre- and post- menopausal females versus age-matched males.
Gender differences in outcomes from major trauma have been described previously, and exogenous female hormone administration appears to be neuroprotective following traumatic brain injury (TBI). This analysis explored outcomes in pre- and post-menopausal females versus age-matched males. A total of 13,437 patients (n = 3,178 females, n = 10,259 males) with moderate-to-severe TBI (head AIS > or = 3) were identified from our county trauma registry. ⋯ In addition, Revised Trauma Score and Injury Severity Score (TRISS) was used to calculate probability of survival (PS); all patients were then stratified by decade of life, and males and females were compared with regard to mean survival differential (outcome - PS). The identical pattern of improved outcomes in post-menopausal but not pre-menopausal females versus age-matched males was observed. These data suggest that endogenous female sex hormone production is not neuroprotective.
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Journal of neurotrauma · Feb 2006
Mechanisms and consequences of neuronal stretch injury in vitro differ with the model of trauma.
The deformation to the brain that occurs during traumatic brain injury (TBI) results in a complex strain distribution throughout the brain tissue. Recently, many in vitro models of neuronal injury have been developed to simplify the mechanics which occur during TBI. We hypothesized that the type of mechanical insult imparted onto neurons would significantly alter both the mechanism and severity of the neuronal response to injury. ⋯ Despite the large ([Ca2+]i) transients, neither injury profile resulted in death within 24 h of injury. Interestingly, though, uniaxially stretched neurons exhibited enhanced [Ca+2]i influx following NMDA stimulation 24 h after trauma, compared to both control and biaxially stretched neurons. These data point out that the type of mechanical insult will influence the acute mechanisms of injury in vitro, can cause differences in the response to potential secondary excitotoxic injury mechanisms, and emphasizes the need to further study how these mechanical conditions can separately affect cell fate following mechanical injury.