Sihler's Staining of the Thoracic Cutaneous Nerve and its Significance / Tinción de Sihler del Nervio Cutáneo Torácico y su Relevancia

SUMMARY: Our team has modified Sihler's intramuscular nerve staining method to allow for calculation of nerve density. Therefore, this study aimed to show the overall distribution pattern of the thoracic cutaneous nerves to provide a morphological basis for selecting and matching sensory reconstruction during skin flap transplantation. Twelve Chinese adult cadavers were dissected; the thoracic skin was removed, and the modified Sihler's staining method was performed. Centered around the nipple, the chest skin was divided into four regions: medial-superior, lateral-superior, lateral-inferior, and medial-inferior. The thoracic skin was not only innervated by the branches of the 1st to 7th intercostal and supraclavicular nerves, but also by a small number of nerves that directly reached the skin and passed through the pectoralis major muscle. There is a phenomenon of cross overlap between the branches of adjacent intercostal nerves. The branches of the 2nd to 7th intercostal nerves were distributed in the breast, and the branches of the lateral and anterior cutaneous branches were densely distributed around the nipple, forming a grid-like anastomosis. There was no cross-overlapping innervation between the anterior cutaneous branches on both sides. The density of nerve distribution in the four regions of the chest was in the order of the medial-superior, lateral-superior, lateral-inferior and medial-inferior region, respectively. These results may be used to map sensory regions when designing thoracic skin flaps for reconstruction surgery to obtain improved sensory recovery.

Nuestro equipo ha modificado el método de tinción nerviosa intramuscular de Sihler para permitir el cálculo de la densidad nerviosa. Por lo tanto, este estudio tuvo como objetivo mostrar el patrón de distribución general de los nervios cutáneos torácicos proporcionando una base morfológica para seleccionar y combinar la reconstrucción sensorial durante el trasplante de colgajo de piel. Se diseccionaron 12 cadáveres de individuos adultos chinos. Se eliminó la piel torácica y se realizó el método de tinción de Sihler modificado, centrada alrededor del pezón, la piel del pecho se dividió en cuatro regiones: medial- superior, lateral-superior, lateral-inferior y medial-inferior. La piel torácica no solo estaba inervada por los ramos de los nervios intercostal y supraclavicular 1º a 7º, sino también por un pequeño número de nervios que llegaban directamente a la piel y pasaban a través del músculo pectoral mayor. Existe un fenómeno de superposición cruzada entre los ramos de los nervios intercostales adyacentes. Los ramos de los nervios intercostales 2º a 7º se distribuyeron en la mama, y los ramos de los ramos cutáneos lateral y anterior se distribuyeron densamente alrededor del pezón, formando una anastomosis en forma de rejilla. No hubo inervación cruzada entre los ramos cutáneos anteriores en ambos lados. La densidad de la distribución nerviosa en las cuatro regiones del tórax estaba en el orden de región medial-superior, lateral-superior, lateral-inferior y medial-inferior, respectivamente. Estos resultados pueden ser útiles para mapear regiones sensoriales al diseñar colgajos de piel torácicos para utilizarlos en cirugía de reconstrucción y obtener así una mejor recuperación sensorial.

Clinical manifestations of nodo-paranodopathy with anti-neurofascin 186 antibody positive(report of one case) / 临床神经病学杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical manifestations of nodo-paranodopathy(NPP)with anti-neurofascin 186(NF186)antibody positive.Methods The clinical data of a NPP patient with cranial nerve damage caused by anti-NF186 antibody positive was retrospectively analyzed.Results The patient was a 70-year-old male with sudden speech disorder and dysphagia one month ago.Glucocorticoid therapy was discontinued after improvement.The patient's speech,swallowing,chewing,bristling,turning and head-up movements were laborious and progressively aggravated 5 days ago.The EMG examination of the limbs was normal,and the serum and CSF anti-NF186 antibody were positive.The curative effect of glucocorticoid treatment was not obvious,and the symptoms were significantly improved after plasma exchange treatment.Conclusions Anti-NF186 antibody-positive NPP has late onset age,severe illness and accompanied with cranial nerves damage.Conventional hormone therapy is not effective,but plasma exchange therapy is effective.

Clinical features of rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis with bilateral cranial nerves paralyze as the clinical manifestation(report of one case) / 临床神经病学杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical features of rhino-orbital-cerebral mucormycosis(ROCM)with bilateral cranial nerve palsies as the clinical manifestation.Methods The related clinical data about ROCM with bilateral cranial nerve palsy as a clinical manifestation was collected,analyzed as well as discussed in the manuscript.And the relevant literatures were reviewed.Results This patient was a healthy young man with new-onset diabetes and diabetic ketoacidosis.The patient developed rapidly with acute onset,bilateral blindness,blepharoptosis and extraocular muscle paralysis.The presence of mucormycosis was confirmed by CSF second-generation sequencing,fungal fluorescent staining and culture.Although effective antifungal therapy was performed early,but the patient quickly presented with cerebral hemorrhage and herniation.Eventually,the patient died after discharge.Conclusions ROCM is a rare and high-mortality infectious disease.This case indicated that the clinicians should consider the presence of ROCM in patients with diabetes/diabetic ketoacidosis when the bilateral cranial nerves paralysis are the clinical symptom,whicn can not be explained by other lesions.CSF next-generation sequencing is helpful for rapid diagnosis.

Effect of ultrasound-guided internal branch of superior laryngeal nerve block on quality of anesthesia recovery in patients undergoing intracranial tumor surgery: a retrospective study / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the effect of ultrasound-guided internal branch of superior laryngeal nerve(ibSLN) block on the quality of anesthesia recovery in the patients undergoing intracranial tumor surgery.Methods:The data from patients of either gender, aged 18-65 yr, with a body mass index of 18-28 kg/m 2, who underwent intracranial tumor surgery from December 2022 to October 2023, were retrospectively collected. Patients were divided into control group (group C) and ultrasound-guided ibSLN block group (group U). Bilateral ibSLN block was performed with 0.375% ropivacaine hydrochloride 2 ml.The tracheal extubation time, emergence time, development of cardiovascular events within 15 min after extubation, emergence agitation, Ramsay sedation score, Steward recovery score, visual analogue scale scores at 10 min after extubation and development of postoperative sore throat and hoarseness in postanesthesia care unit were recorded. Results:Compared with group C, the incidence of emergence agitation, Ramsay sedation score, visual analogue scale scores and sore throat were significantly decreased, the incidence of hoarseness was increased ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the extubation time, emergence time and Steward recovery score in group U( P>0.05). No hypertension, hypotension, tachachycardia and bradycardia were found in two groups. Conclusions:Ultrasound-guided ibSLN block can improve the quality of anesthesia recovery in the patients undergoing intracranial tumor surgery.

Analysis of clinical characteristics of autoimmune encephalitis with antibodies against contactin-associated protein-like 2 / 中华神经科杂志

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics of patients with antibodies against contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CASPR2).Methods:The clinical data of 24 patients with anti-CASPR2 encephalitis diagnosed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2018 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the age of first onset, the patients were divided into early onset group (10 cases, onset age<45 years) and late onset group (14 cases, onset age≥45 years). The clinical data including clinical manifestations, auxiliary examinations, and treatment response between these 2 groups were compared.Results:Among the 24 patients, there were 13 cases with epilepsy, 13 cases with cognitive decline, 13 cases with mental disorders, 14 cases with autonomic dysfunction, 8 cases with peripheral nerve hyperexcitability, 5 cases with Morvan syndrome, 5 cases with unstable walking, and 8 cases with sleep disorders. Among the 10 cases of the early onset group, 7 cases are females, and 8 cases showed epilepsy. The incidence rate of epilepsy in the early onset group was higher than that in the late onset group (5/14, Fisher exact probability, P=0.047). Among the 14 cases of the late onset group, 6 cases are females, 9 cases showed cognitive impairment and 8 cases presented with mental disorders. There were 6 cases with abnormal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The cerebrospinal fluid protein of the late onset group [0.37 (0.29, 0.58) g/L] was higher than that in the early onset group [0.22 (0.16, 0.30) g/L; Z=-2.667, P=0.008]. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores before and after treatment were 3.29±0.83 and 1.50 (0.75, 2.25), which were higher than those in the early onset group [mRS scores before and after treatment were 2.10±0.99 and 0 (0, 1.00), t=-3.188, P=0.004; Z=-2.335, P=0.020]. Conclusions:There are various symptoms in patients with anti-CASPR2 encephalitis. The early onset patients are common in women, with a higher incidence of epilepsy. The late onset patients are common in males, with prominent manifestations of cognitive impairment and mental disorders, which have a greater impact on daily living abilities. And abnormal MRI findings are common, and the cerebrospinal fluid protein is higher in late onset patients. Anti-CASPR2 antibody may cause more severe immune damage to the nervous system in elderly patients.

Effects of cooling on the amplitude of vibration-induced sensory nerve action potentials / 中华物理医学与康复杂志

Objective:To observe any effect of cooling on the amplitude of vibration-induced sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) in human digits.Methods:The middle fingers of 15 healthy adults were either cooled to about 22℃ using an ice pack or kept at about 32℃. A vibrator was applied to the joint connecting the middle finger and the palm vibrating with an amplitude of 2mm at a frequency of 60Hz. The amplitudes of middle finger SNAPs before, during and right after the vibration were recorded.Results:The SNAP amplitude at a given temperature was lower during vibration than before it, but it immediately returned to the pre-vibration level after the vibration ceased. The middle finger SNAP amplitudes at 22℃ were significantly higher than those at 32℃ throughout. The decrease in amplitude at 32℃ (61.7±15.1%) was significantly greater than that at 22℃ (24.1±7.0%).Conclusions:Cooling significantly reduces the effect of vibration on the amplitude of digital SNAPs. That suggests a way to protect the sensory nerves in hand-arm vibration syndrome.

Clinical study on ultrasound-guided superior laryngeal nerve block combined with cricothyroid membrane puncture for awake tracheal intubation in difficult airways / 中国基层医药

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided superior laryngeal nerve block combined with cricothyroid membrane puncture for awake tracheal intubation in difficult airways.Methods:A total of 80 patients scheduled for general anesthesia surgery owing to difficult airways at Marine Police Corps Hospital of Chinese People's Armed Police Force from August 2019 to February 2023 were included in this prospective study. These patients were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group ( n = 40 per group). Both groups of patients underwent fiberoptic bronchoscope-guided awake tracheal intubation through the nasal route. Before intubation, the control group received surface anesthesia combined with cricothyroid membrane puncture anesthesia, while the observation group received superior laryngeal nerve block combined with cricothyroid membrane puncture anesthesia. During the intubation process, hemodynamic indicators of the patients were monitored, the duration of the intubation operation was recorded, and the degree of sedation and cough response was evaluated. Before and after intubation, the levels of serum stress response factors were determined, and the satisfaction level of patients with the intubation operation was investigated. Results:At the time points T1 (immediately after the tracheal tube enters the glottis) and T2 (after the tracheal tube enters the trachea), the heart rate in the observation group was (84.08 ± 8.25) times/minute and (82.64 ± 7.81) times/minute, respectively, and the mean arterial pressure in the observation group was (92.57 ± 8.32) mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) and (103.27 ± 9.16) mmHg, respectively, which were significantly lower compared with those in the control group ( t = 5.92-12.56, all P < 0.001). At T1 and T2, there was no significant difference in blood oxygen saturation (SpO 2) between the observation and control groups ( t = 0.34-0.43, P = 0.652-0.726). The duration of the intubation operation in the observation group was (8.96 ± 1.15) minutes, which was significantly shorter than (11.47 ± 1.39) minutes in the control group ( t = 6.84, P < 0.001). The Ramsay sedation score during intubation in the observation group was 3 (2,3) points, which was significantly higher than 2 (1,3) points in the control group ( Z = 9.26, P < 0.001). The cough response score in the observation group was 1 (0,1) point, which was significantly lower than 1 (0, 2) points in the control group ( Z = 4.37, P < 0.001). The serum levels of stress response factors norepinephrine and adrenaline in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( t = 14.58-25.94, both P < 0.05). The overall patient satisfaction in the observation group was 97.50%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group ( χ2 = 4.51, P = 0.034). Conclusion:Superior laryngeal nerve block combined with cricothyroid membrane puncture can be used for anesthetic management of awake nasal tracheal intubation in difficult airways. This combined approach can improve patient hemodynamic stability and sedation, shorten the duration of intubation, reduce stress responses during intubation, and enhance patient satisfaction.

Software educativo como herramienta para el aprendizaje de plexos nerviosos somáticos en estudiantes de medicina

Introducción: Las características morfofuncionales de los plexos nerviosos somáticos resulta imprescindible para entender las principales lesiones de estos y la realización del examen físico, por ello este tema se estudia en todas las especialidades de las Ciencias de la Salud. Objetivo: Elaborar un software educativo que facilite el aprendizaje de las características morfofuncionales de los plexos nerviosos somáticos. Métodos: Se realizó una innovación tecnológica para elaborar un software educativo referido a los plexos nerviosos somáticos, dirigido a estudiantes del primer año de medicina. La investigación se desarrolló de septiembre 2021 a febrero 2022, se utilizó el programa CrheaSoft versión 3.1, el software Adobe PhotoShop CS4 para el procesamiento de imágenes y la suite ofimática Microsoft Office 2003 para la elaboración de textos. Resultados: El software quedó estructurado en seis módulos: inicio, temario, juegos, ejercicios, mediateca, complemento y créditos-ayuda, que muestran la información recopilada del tema y permiten la interacción con los estudiantes en todas las actividades docentes en las que se puede utilizar el producto. En la validación por criterio de expertos y de usuario, todos los aspectos fueron evaluados en la categoría de excelente y bien. Conclusiones: La creación de este software educativo constituye una vía para que el estudiante tenga acceso a la información actualizada y científica, organizada sobre las características morfofuncionales de los plexos nerviosos somáticos, que facilite la asimilación de estos contenidos en una etapa en que se han producido cambios en los escenarios docentes y en los planes de estudio de las carreras de las Ciencias de la Salud.

Introduction: Morphological characteristics of the somatic nervous plexuses result very important to understand the main injuries of them and to do the physical examination, that's why this topic is studied in all the specialties of the Health Sciences. Objective: To elaborate an educational software that facilitates the learning process of the characteristic of the somatic nervous plexuses. Methods: A technological innovation to elaborate an educational software related to somatic nervous plexuses for the first year medical students was done. The investigation was performed from September 2021 to February 2021. It was used CrheaSoft program, version 3.1, the software Adobe PhotoShop CS4 to process the imagining and the suite Office 2003 for text writing. Results: The software was structured in six modules: presentation, contents, games, exercises, anatomical images, complements and credits-help, which shows the organized information by contents and the interactions with the students in all the teaching activities where this product could be used. In the validation by expert and user criteria, all the aspects of the software were evaluated in the category of excellent and good. Conclusions: The creation of this educational software constitute a way for the students to get access to the scientific, very well organized and updated information about morphological characteristics of the somatic nervous plexuses, that facilitate the assimilation of this topics at the present where important changes has taken place at the medical schools and the study plans of Health Sciences degrees.

Histological transitional zone pull-through in Hirschsprung disease. Postoperative functional results and current recommendations / Descenso en zona de transición histológica en la enfermedad de Hirschsprung. Resultados funcionales postoperatorios y recomendaciones actuales

Abstract Background: Surgeons create a neorectum to repair patients with Hirschsprung´s disease (HD), which should be formed from a normoganglionic bowel. However, the neorectum is occasionally created with a transition zone (TZ) bowel. A neorectum created with a TZ has been postulated as a cause of postoperative enterocolitis or constipation. This study compares the incidence of enterocolitis and constipation in patients with TZ neorectum and normoganglionic bowel. Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of patients with rectosigmoid HD who underwent primary pull-through. Patients were divided into normoganglionic neorectum (NNR) and TZ neorectum. The diagnosis was based on the final histopathologic report of the proximal margin. The incidence of enterocolitis and constipation was compared between these two groups. Results: A total of 98 HD patients were analyzed. Seventy-one patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. 65 (92%) had a NNR, and six patients (8%) had a TZ neorectum. From these patients, 42 (59%) presented with enterocolitis or constipation. However, there was no significant difference between both groups. Conclusion: The present study showed no difference in the incidence of enterocolitis or postoperative constipation in HD patients with normoganglionic or TZ neorectum. These results suggest that TZ neorectum does not cause postoperative obstructive symptoms.

Resumen Introducción: Los cirujanos crean un neo-recto para tratar a los pacientes con enfermedad de Hirschsprung (EH), que debe formarse con intestino normogangliónico; sin embargo, en ocasiones el neo-recto se forma con intestino de la zona de transición. Se ha postulado que un neo-recto en zona de transición causa enterocolitis o estreñimiento postoperatorio. El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar la frecuencia de enterocolitis y estreñimiento en pacientes con neo-recto en zona de transición y con neo-recto normogangliónico. Métodos: Se llevó a cabo una revisión retrospectiva de pacientes con EH recto sigmoideo que se sometieron a descenso primario. Los pacientes se dividieron en el grupo neo-recto normogangliónico y el grupo con neo-recto en zona de transición. El diagnóstico del neo-recto se estableció con el informe histopatológico definitivo del margen proximal. Se comparó la frecuencia de enterocolitis y estreñimiento entre estos dos grupos. Resultados: Se analizó un total de 98 pacientes con EH, de los cuales 71 pacientes cumplieron los criterios de inclusión; 65 (92%) con neo-recto normogangliónico y seis (8%) con neo-recto en zona de transición. Posteriormente, 42 (59%) pacientes presentaron enterocolitis asociada a Hirschsprung (HAEC) o estreñimiento; sin embargo, no hubo diferencia significativa entre ambos grupos. Conclusiones: El presente estudio no demostró una diferencia en la frecuencia de HAEC o estreñimiento postoperatorio en pacientes con EH con neo-recto normogangliónico o en zona de transición. Estos resultados sugieren que un neo-recto en zona de transición no causa síntomas obstructivos postoperatorios.

Lower Four Cranial Nerves in the Management of Glomus Jugulare: Anatomical Study

Abstract Introduction The surgical management that achieves minimal morbidity and mortality for patients with glomus and non-glomus tumors involving the jugular foramen (JF) region requires a comprehensive understanding of the complex anatomy, anatomic variability, and pathological anatomy of this region. Objective The aim of this study is to propose a rational guideline to expose and preserve the lower cranial nerves (CNs) in the lateral approach of the JF. Methods The technique utilized is the gross and microdissection of 4 fixed cadaveric heads to revise the JF's surgical anatomy and high part of the carotid sheath compared with surgical cases to understand and preserve the integrity of lower CNs. The method involves radical mastoidectomy, microdissection of the JF, facial nerve, and high neck just below the carotid canal and the JF. The CNs IX, X, XI, and XII are microscopically dissected and kept in sight up to the JF. Results This study realized well the surgical and applied anatomy of the lower CNs with relation to the facial nerve and JF. Conclusions The JF anatomy is complicated, and the key to safely operate on it and preserving the lower CNs is to find the posterior belly of the digastric muscle, to skeletonize the facial nerve, to remove the mastoid tip preserving the stylomastoid foramen, to skeletonize the sigmoid sinus and posterior fossa dura not only anterior but also posteroinferior to reach and drill the jugular tubercle.

Bloqueos Nerviosos. Bases Anatómicas del Dolor Somático Abdomino-Pélvico / Nerve Blocks. Anatomy of the Somatic Innervation of the Abdomino-Pelvic Cavity

El dolor abdominal es una de las sintomatologías que afectan con frecuencia la cavidad abdomino-pélvica. Dicha cavidad posee una inervación somática en la que intervienen del séptimo a doceavo nervios intercostales, ramos colaterales y terminales del plexo lumbar y el nervio pudendo; siendo objetivo de este trabajo la descripción anatómica del dolor abdominopélvico a través del plexo lumbar, nervios intercostales y nervio pudendo, sus diferentes patrones y variaciones de conformación, y las implicancias de éstas últimas en las distintas maniobras clínico-quirúrgicas. Se realizó un estudio descriptivo, observacional y morfométrico de la inervación somática de la cavidad abdomino-pélvica, en 50 preparaciones cadavéricas, fijadas en solución de formaldehído, de la Tercera Cátedra de Anatomía, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, entre Agosto/2017-Diciembre/2019. La descripción clásica del plexo lumbar se encontró en 35 casos; la presencia del nervio femoral accesorio en ningún caso; así como también la ausencia del nervio iliohipogástrico en ningún caso; el nervio obturador accesorio se halló en 2 casos; el nervio genitofemoral dividiéndose dentro de la masa muscular del psoas mayor en 6 casos; el nervio cutáneo femoral lateral emergiendo únicamente de la segunda raíz lumbar en 6 casos y por último se encontró la presencia de un ramo del nervio obturador uniéndose al tronco lumbosacro en un caso. Los nervios intercostales y el nervio pudendo presentaron una disposición clásica en todos los casos analizados. Es esencial un adecuado conocimiento y descripción del plexo lumbar, nervios intercostales y nervio pudendo para un adecuado abordaje de la cavidad abdomino-pélvica en los bloqueos nerviosos.

SUMMARY: Abdominal pain is one of the symptoms that affect the abdominal-pelvic cavity. The abdominal-pelvic cavity has a somatic innervation involving the seventh to twelfth intercostal nerves, collateral and terminal branches of the lumbar plexus and the pudendal nerve. The objective of this work is the description of the lumbar plexus, intercostal nerves and pudendal nerve, its different patterns and structure variations, as well as its implications during pain management in patients. A descriptive, observational, and morphometric study of patterns and structure variations of the lumbar plexus, intercostal nerves and pudendal nerve was conducted in 50 formalin-fixed cadaveric dissections of the Third Chair of Anatomy at the School of Medicine in the Universidad de Buenos Aires from August 2017 to December/2019. The standard description of the lumbar plexus was found in 35 cases; accessory femoral nerve was not present in any of the cases; absence of the iliohipogastric nerve was also not found in any case, while the accessory obturating nerve was found in 2 cases; genitofemoral nerve dividing within the muscle mass of psoas in 6 cases; lateral femoral cutaneous nerve emerging only from the second lumbar root in 6 cases and finally, presence of a branch of the obturating nerve was found joining the lumbosacral trunk in one case. The pudendal and intercostal nerve patterns presented a typical pathway in all cases. Adequate knowledge and description of the lumbar plexus, intercostal nerves and pudendal nerve is essential for an adequate approach of the abdominal-pelvic cavity in nerve blocks.

Orbital Apex Syndrome – A Case Report

Orbital apex syndrome is characterized by vision loss and ophthalmoplegia due to the involvement of the orbital apex. The signs and symptoms vary depending upon the involvement of the structures within the orbital apex, the superior orbital fissure or the cavernous sinus. Clinical evaluation is the key to the diagnosis which is aided by neuro-imaging modalities including brain and orbital Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography scans. In rare instances, a biopsy may be needed to aid in diagnosis. Treatment depends on what the nature of the lesion.

Research progress on corneal nerves and substance P in viral keratitis / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

Diseases like viral keratitis can harm corneal nerves, which are necessary for maintaining the health and functionality of the cornea. Recent research has shown that corneal nerve pathology affects the infected eye as well as the contralateral one, and that aberrant changes in sympathetic nerves can be seen, with the exception of sensory nerves that correspond to corneal sensation. However, apart from in vivo confocal microscopy and corneal sensation, there have been no additional prognostic indicators that allow clinicians to assess the severity of corneal nerve damage. While multiple functions of corneal nerves are mediated by neuropeptides, substance P, the first topical neuropeptide used in ocular clinical practice, was proved to regulate the process of viral infections, and it is involved in bilateral corneal pathologies through pro-inflammatory and neurotrophic functions in viral keratitis, so it may be used as a diagnostic biomarker or a therapeutic target. Therefore, this review summarized the changes and roles of corneal nerves as well as substance P in viral keratitis, which may serve as a reference for further study into associated mechanisms and clinical applications.

Dihydroartemisinin Regulates Neuro-microglia to Relieve Neuropathic Pain / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo evaluate the intervention effect of dihydroartemisinin （DHA） on hippocampal nerve injury in L5 spinal nerve ligation （SNL） model and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） hippocampal continuous injection model. In primary cultured microglia-hippocampal neurons， the regulatory pattern of DHA on microglia-hippocampal neuronal interactions was confirmed. MethodThe experimental animals were divided into Sham group， SNL group， and DHA group （16 mg·kg-1）， with 3 mice in each group. The hippocampal CA3 glutamatergic neurons were labeled with adeno-associated virus ［Calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ（CaMKⅡ） dTomato AAV］， and their contributions to the hippocampal CA1， prefrontal cortex （Frc）， anterior cortex （ACC）， projections of nucleus accumbens （Nac）， and Basolateral Amygdala （BLA） were traced by immunofluorescence staining. The experimental animals were divided into a Sham group， a TNF-α hippocampus continuous injection model group， DHA-L， DHA-M， and DHA-H groups （4， 8， 16 mg·kg-1）， and pregabalin group （25 mg·kg-1）， with 4 mice in each group. The morphology of pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions was counted by Golgi staining. The continuous activation of hippocampal primary neurons and microglia was induced， DHA intervention was given by co-culture， and the cell soma area and the expression of postsynaptic density protein 95 （PSD95） inside and outside the primary and secondary dendritic spines of neurons were counted by immunofluorescence. ResultCompared with the Sham group， the projection of CA3 glutamatergic neurons to CA1 region， Frc， and ACC in the SNL group was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， while the projection to Nac and BLA was significantly increased （P<0.01）. As compared with the SNL group， the projection of hippocampal CA3 glutamatergic neurons to CA1 region， Frc， and ACC was significantly increased in the DHA group （P<0.01）， while the projection to Nac and BLA was significantly reduced （P<0.01）. Golgi staining results showed that as compared with the Sham group， the density of dendritic spines and the number of dendritic branches in the CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons in the TNF-α hippocampal continuous injection model group were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. As compared with the TNF-α hippocampal continuous injection model， the density of dendritic spines and the number of dendritic branches in hippocampal CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons in the DHA-M and DHA-H groups were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with DHA-M group， the total dendrite length of CA1 pyramidal neurons in hippocampus in DHA-H group was significantly increased （P<0.01）， while the total dendrite length of CA1 neurons and the total dendrite base length of CA3 neurons in DHA-L group was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank control group， the cell soma area of the glycine group and glutamate group increased significantly （P<0.01）. As compared with the glycine group and glutamate group， the cell area of the glycine + glutamate group was significantly increased （P<0.01）， and as compared with the glutamate group， the cell soma area of the glutamate + DHA group was significantly reduced （P<0.01）. As compared with the glycine acid + glutamate group， the cell soma area of the glycine + glutamate + DHA group was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and as compared with the glutamate + DHA group， the cell soma area of the glycine + glutamate + DHA group was also significantly reduced （P<0.05）. Compared with the blank control group， the cell soma area of the glutamate group was significantly increased （P<0.01）. As compared with the glutamate group， the cell soma area of the glutamate + DHA-L， glutamate + DHA-M， and glutamate + DHA-H groups was significantly reduced （P<0.01）. As compared with the blank control group， the expression of the resting primary microglia + glycine group in primary and secondary dendritic internal and external postsynaptic density protein 95 （PSD95） was significantly increased （P<0.01）. As compared with the resting primary microglia + glycine group， the expression of PSD95 in the primary and secondary dendritic spinous and external neurons of the activated primary microglia + glycine group was significantly reduced （P<0.01）. As compared with the activated primary microglia + glycine group， the expression of PSD95 in the primary and secondary dendritic spinous and external neurons in the activated primary microglia + glycine + DHA group was significantly increased （P<0.01）. As compared with the activated primary microglia + DHA group， the expression of PSD95 in the primary and secondary dendritic spines and outside neurons in the activated primary microglia + glycine + DHA group was significantly increased （P<0.01）. ConclusionDHA has a significant repair effect on vertebral neuronal damage caused by hippocampal microglia and TNF-α overexpression in NP pathology， and this repair is closely related to the dual inhibition of neuronal-microglia by DHA.

Anti-inflammatory mechanism of electroacupuncture involves the modulation of multiple systems, levels and targets and is not limited to "driving the vagus-adrenal axis" / 中西医结合学报

In October 2021, an international collaborative study on the use of electroacupuncture (EA) to treat inflammation was published in the journal Nature by Dr. Qiufu Ma's team. Based on the results of EA on inflammation in the mouse model of lipopolysaccharide inflammatory storm, the study showed that the distal effect of acupuncture can be achieved by "driving the vagus-adrenal axis (through the adrenal medulla, by releasing catecholamines)." PROKR2Cre-marked sensory neurons, which innervate the deep hindlimb fascia but not the abdominal fascia, are crucial for driving this axis. The study suggests the existence of specificity distribution of acupoints, that different EA stimulation intensities or different needle penetration depths have different therapeutic effects, that photosensitive stimulation may be a substitute for needle acupuncture, and that massage, stretching and body movements may also activate PROKR2Cre-markable dorsal root ganglion sensory neurons and elicit anti-inflammatory effects. However, results of some other studies are contrary to the conclusions of Ma's team. For examples: low-intensity EA at GB30 point significantly reduced the inflammation in the rat model of persistent inflammation, which is more relevant to the real daily acupuncture practice, and this effect was partly related to the adrenal cortex and associated with the stimulation of corticosterone and adrenocorticotropic hormone; manual acupuncture (similar to the low-intensity EA) at KI3, Zhichuan point (an extra point), etc. was effective in a severe COVID-19 patient with sepsis; stimulating ST25 with low-intensity EA or manual acupuncture was effective against gastrointestinal inflammations; the above mentioned points are not in an area enriched with PROKR2Cre-marked sensory nerve endings. Evidence shows that the mechanism of EA against inflammation includes modulating multi-systems, multi-levels and multi-targets, which does not limit to "driving the vagus-adrenal axis." Please cite this article as: Fan AY. Anti-inflammatory mechanism of electroacupuncture involves the modulation of multiple systems, levels and targets and is not limited to "driving the vagus-adrenal axis." J Integr Med. 2023; 21(4):320-323.

Efficacy of ultrasound-guided superior laryngeal nerve block combined with intravenous anesthesia for improving pediatric fiberoptic bronchoscopy / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided superior laryngeal nerve block(SLNB) combined with intravenous anesthesia for improving pediatric fiberoptic bronchoscopy.Methods:Forty pediatric patients of either sex, aged 3-6 yr, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classificationⅠor Ⅱ, with body mass index of 18-24 kg/m 2, undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy in Cangzhou Central Hospital in 2022, were divided into 2 groups ( n=20 each) by a random number table method: ultrasound-guided SLNB plus intravenous anesthesia group (group A) and topical anesthesia plus intravenous anesthesia group (group B). After sedation with dexmedetomidine and esketamine, ultrasound-guided bilateral SLNB was performed with 1% lidocaine 0.5 ml (for each side)in group A, and topical anesthesia was performed with 1% lidocaine in nasal and pharyngeal cavities in group B. After completion of the surgery procedure, propofol was continuously infused at 5 mg·kg -1·h -1 until completion of diagnosis and treatment. An increment of propofol 1 mg/kg was intravenously given if severe bucking or body movement occurred during operation. Mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR) and SpO 2 were recorded on admission to the operating room (T 0), immediately after sedation (T 1), immediately after bronchoscopy entering the glottis (T 2), 5 min after start of treatment (T 3) and at the end of examination (T 4). The occurrence of intraoperative hypoxemia, HR <60 bpm, and MAP <50 mmHg were recorded, and the additional dose of propofol was recorded. The venous blood samples were collected at T 0 and T 4 to determine plasma cortisol concentrations by chemiluminescence.The surgeon′s satisfaction score was recorded. The complications of SLNB were also recorded within 2 h after operation in group A. Results:Compared with group B, HR was significantly decreased at T 2 and T 3, SpO 2 was increased, the intraoperative additional dosage of propofol and incidence of hypoxemia were decreased, and the surgeon′s satisfaction score was increased, and the concentrations of cortisol were decreased at T 4 in group A ( P<0.05). No HR<60 bpm and MAP<50 mmHg were found in two groups. No SLNB-related complications were observed after operation in group A. Conclusions:Ultrasound-guided SLNB combined with intravenous anesthesia is safer for pediatric fiberoptic bronchoscopy and can improve the analgesic effect and is more helpful in inhibiting intraoperative stress responses when compared with conventional anesthesia.

Efficacy of ultrasound guided intercostal nerve pulse radiofrequency combined with nerve block in the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia / 中国基层医药

Objective:To analyze the efficacy and safety of ultrasound-guided intercostal nerve pulse radiofrequency combined with nerve block in the treatment of post-herpetic neuralgia.Methods:The clinical data of 62 patients with post-herpetic neuralgia who received treatment in The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from May 2017 to May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. These patients underwent nerve block (NB group, n = 30) or pulsed radiofrequency plus nerve block (PRF + NB group, n = 32). Before and after treatment, The Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) score and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score were compared between the two groups. After treatment, the occurrence of complications including pneumothorax, infection, and skin numbness was evaluated in each group. Results:Before treatment, there were no significant differences in NRS and PSQI scores between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Immediately, 1 week and 1 month after treatment, there was no significant difference in PSQI score between the two groups (all P > 0.05). At 3 and 6 months after treatment, the NRS score in the NB +PRF group was (1.71 ± 0.35) points and (1.68 ± 0.36) points, which were significantly lower than (2.72 ± 0.68) points and (3.26 ± 0.76) points in the NB group ( t = 54.40, 78.18, both P < 0.05). There were no treatment-related complications such as pneumothorax, infection, nerve numbness, or muscle weakness in the two groups. Conclusion:Ultrasound-guided pulsed radiofrequency combined with nerve block has a definite curative effect on post-herpetic neuralgia and is highly safe. The medium- and long-term efficacy of the combined therapy is superior to that of nerve block alone.

Analysis of electrophysiological characteristics and influencing factors of peripheral neuropathy in Parkinson's disease / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective:To analyze the electrophysiological characteristics and influencing factors of peripheral neuropathy in Parkinson's disease(PD)patients.Methods:Totally 68 PD patients and 30 controls were selected for neuroelectrophysiological evaluation, including items such as limb motor nerve terminal latency(LP)and amplitude and sensory nerve conduction velocity(SCV)and amplitude.Age, sex, serum folate, vitamin B 12, homocysteine and hemoglobin levels were also recorded for the two groups.The Hoehn-Yahr scale was used to assess patients and levodopa daily doses and levodopa equivalent daily doses were calculated.According to the criteria for neuroelectrophysiological abnormalities, 31 PD patients were found to have peripheral neuropathy and 37 PD patients did not have peripheral neuropathy. Results:In PD patients, a total of 952 peripheral nerves were examined, with 21.7% having motor nerve involvement(118/544)and 72.8%(297/of 408)having sensory nerve involvement.In the control group, a total of 420 peripheral nerves were examined, with 4.2%(10/240)having motor nerve involvement and 26.1%(47/180)having sensory nerve involvement.Compared with the control group, the wave amplitudes of motor nerve terminals were reduced in the PD group for the ulnar nerve( t=2.172/2.345, right/left), median nerve( t=2.104/2.543, right/left), and tibial nerve( t=2.340/2.444, right/left)(all P<0.05); compared with the control group, the wave amplitudes of sensory nerve terminals of the ulnar nerve( Z=3.535/3.439, right/ left), median nerve( Z=3.076/2.937, right/left), and peroneal nerve( Z=2.795/2.795, right/left)were all reduced in the PD group(all P<0.05); compared with the control group, sensory conduction velocities of the ulnar nerve( t=2.326/2.487, right/left), median nerve( t=3.269/2.386, right/left), and peroneal nerve( t=2.551/2.418, right/left)were prolonged(all P<0.05). The rate of abnormalities with the sensory nerve terminal wave amplitude( χ2=149.814, P<0.001)was higher than that of abnormalities with motor nerve terminal wave amplitude in PD patients; the rate of abnormalities with the sensory nerve terminal wave amplitude( χ2=58.364, P<0.001)was higher than that of abnormalities with sensory conduction velocities.Logistic regression analysis showed that increased folic acid( OR=0.825, 95% CI: 0.637-0.990)and vitamin B 12( OR=0.996, 95% CI: 0.991-1.000)were protective factors for PD peripheral neuropathy; H-Y score, levodopa daily dose( OR=1.009, 95% CI: 1.003-1.015), and increased homocysteine( OR=1.151, 95% CI: 1.041-1.273)were risk factors for PD peripheral neuropathy.After excluding confounding factors, H-Y classification( OR=3.213, 95% CI: 1.342-7.713)remained an independent risk factor for peripheral nerve injury in PD patients. Conclusions:In PD patients with peripheral neuropathy, both motor nerves and sensory nerves are involved, sensory nerves are more significantly involved, and axonal damage is more important than myelin loss; increased H-Y classification is an independent risk factor for peripheral nerve injury in PD patients.

Optimization strategies of anesthesia for modified radical mastectomy: pecto-intercostal fascial block-pectoral nerve block type Ⅱ-general anesthesia / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of pecto-intercostal fascial block (PIFB)-pectoral nerve block type Ⅱ (PECS Ⅱ block)-general anesthesia for modified radical mastectomy.Methods:Forty-six patients, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification Ⅰ or Ⅱ, aged 40-65 yr, scheduled for elective modified radical mastectomy, were divided into 2 groups ( n=23 each) using a random number table method: PECS Ⅱ block-general anesthesia group (group P+ G) and PIFB-PECS Ⅱ block-general anesthesia group (group P+ P+ G). The patients received ultrasound-guided PECS Ⅱ block (P+ G group) or PIFB combined with PECS Ⅱ block (P+ P+ G group) in the pre-anesthesia room. Then the patients were admitted to the operating room, and midazolam, propofol, sufentanil and cisatracurium were used for anesthesia induction, and sevoflurane, remifentanil and cisatracurium were used for anesthesia maintenance. The intraoperative consumption of remifentanil, emergence time and extubation time were recorded. Flurbiprofen axetil 50 mg was intravenously injected as rescue analgesic after operation, and visual analog scale score was maintained ≤3 at rest. The requirement for rescue analgesia and occurrence of nausea and vomiting within 24 h after operation were recorded. Results:Compared with group P+ G, the intraoperative consumption of remifentanil was significantly decreased, the emergence time and extubation time were shortened, the rate of rescue analgesia within 24 h after operation was decreased, the time of first rescue analgesia was prolonged ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the incidence of nausea and vomiting in group P+ P+ G ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with PECS Ⅱ block-general anesthesia, PIFB-PECS Ⅱ block-general anesthesia can reduce the amount of intraoperative opioids, inhibit postoperative hyperalgesia and promote early postoperative recovery when used for modified radical mastectomy.

The key points in diagnosis of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy / 中华神经科杂志

The diagnosis of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy relies on clinical features, demyelinating changes on motor and sensory nerve conduction studies, elevated cerebrospinal fluid protein, peripheral nerve image, nerve pathology, and response to immune therapy. Each diagnostic proof should be interpreted in light of clinical background and other findings, to avoid misdiagnosis or overdiagnosis, treatment delay or unnecessary treatment with immunotherapy.