Bibliometric Analysis of Brain Stimulation Technologies in Sleep Disorders.

BACKGROUND Sleep disorders are a common disease faced by people today and can lead to fatigue, lack of concentration, impaired memory, and even death. In recent years, the development of brain stimulation techniques has provided a new perspective for the treatment of sleep disorders. However, there is a lack of bibliometric analyses related to sleep disorders and brain stimulation techniques. Therefore, this study analyzed the application status and trend of brain stimulation technology in sleep disorder research. MATERIAL AND METHODS Articles and reviews published between 1999 and 2023 were retrieved from the Web of Science. CiteSpace was used to visually analyze the publications, countries, institutions, journals, authors, references, and keywords. RESULTS A total of 459 publications were obtained. The number of studies was shown to be on a general upward trend. The country with the largest number of publications was the United States; UDICE-French Research Universities had the highest number of publications; Neurology had the highest citation frequency; 90% of the top 10 references cited were from Journal Citation Reports Q1; Brigo was the author with the highest number of publications; and the most frequent keywords were "transcranial magnetic stimulation", "deep brain stimulation", and "Parkinson disease". CONCLUSIONS Our study used CiteSpace software to analyze 459 studies published since 1999 on brain stimulation techniques for the treatment of sleep disorders, revealing research trends and the current state of the field. Our results will help researchers to understand the existing research quickly and provide direction for future research.

Experiences of formal caregivers of elderly inpatients with physical disabilities in China: a qualitative study.

AIM: To explore the views and experiences of formal caregivers caring for older inpatients with physical disabilities. METHODS: It was a qualitative phenomenological study. Using purposive sampling, twelve formal caregivers were chosen in a tertiary comprehensive hospital in Hangzhou, China. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted, guided by open-ended questions that focused on gaining rich insights into participants' views and experiences. Coding reliability thematic analysis was used to guide data analysis and categorize, based on Lazarus and Folkman's theory of transactional coping. RESULTS: Four themes emerged from the data analysis: (1) Caregiving Threats. (2) motivations. (3) Responsibility Management. (4) Fear. CONCLUSION: Despite facing significant pressure at work, formal caregivers of elderly inpatients with physical disabilities possess the drive and various coping strategies to excel in their role. Identifying caregivers' experiences of care can be helpful in improving resilience to stress and maintaining stability in formal caregivers.

Pyrolysis-Free Synthesis of Synergistic Single-Atom/Nanocluster Electrocatalysts for Hydrogen Evolution.

Constructing catalysts that simultaneously containing single atom/metal nanocluster active sites is a promising strategy to enhance the original catalytic behavior and accelerate the catalysis involving multi-electron reactions or multi-intermediates. Herein, the pyrolysis-free synthetic method is developed to integrate single atoms and nanoclusters towards highly satisfactory catalytic performances for both acidic and alkaline hydrogen electrocatalysis. The controllable pyrolysis-free strategy allows the precise modulation of the active centers, realizing the optimization of the adsorption energy and the regulation of the synergistic active components. Specially, the as-prepared catalysts with hybrid single-atom/nanocluster sites exhibited superior catalytic activities for hydrogen evolution in both acidic and alkaline media with low over-potentials at -10 mA cm-2 of 25 mV and 8.6 mV, respectively, combining with outstanding durability towards high current density and methanol poisoning. This work developed a universal synthetic strategy for the single atom/nanocluster synergy systems and further demonstrated the superiority of heterogeneous components.

Transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation in a Patient with Ataxia-Ocular Apraxia 2: a Case Report.

Ataxia-ocular apraxia 2 (AOA2) is a rare neurodegenerative autosomal recessive disorder with no effective treatment. In this study, we present the case of a patient diagnosed with AOA2, who experienced walking instability and uncoordinated movement. The patient underwent transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) treatment for 4 weeks with follow-up after 1 month. The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated using the International Cooperative Ataxia Rating Scale (ICARS), the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA), the 9-Hole Peg Test (9HPT), and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Following treatment, the patient's ataxia symptoms showed significant improvement and continued to be alleviated during the follow-up period, suggesting a lasting effect of tACS treatment. Our findings from this case study provide compelling evidence for the potential of tACS as a treatment option for AOA2.

Visualization Analysis of Research Trends and Hotspots in Inspiratory Muscle Training.

BACKGROUND Inspiratory muscle training (IMT) aims to train inspiratory muscles based mainly on the diaphragm by applying a load resistance during the inspiratory process. Many papers related to IMT have been published in various journals; however, no articles objectively and directly present the development trends and research hotspots of IMT. Therefore, this study used CiteSpace to visually analyze recent IMT-related publications to provide valuable information for future IMT-related studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS CiteSpace was applied to analyze the IMT-related publications by countries, institutions, journals, authors, references, and keywords. RESULTS We included 504 papers. The number of IMT-related publications trended upward between 2009 and 2022. Leuven had the highest number of publications by an institution. The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine was the most frequently co-cited journal. Half of the top 10 references cited were from Journal Citation Reports (JCR) Q1 and half were about the application of IMT in chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. Gosselink was the author with the highest number of publications and Aldrich was the author with the highest co-citation frequency. The preponderance of studies on the surgical population and postoperative pulmonary complications reflects potential application of IMT in enhanced recovery after surgery. CONCLUSIONS This study provides scholars with important information related to IMT research. It analyzes IMT research trends and status, which can help researchers identify primary topics in the field and find ways to explore new research directions to promote the application of IMT in clinical practice and the cooperation of IMT-related disciplines.

A bibliometric analysis of transcranial alternating current stimulation.

Background: Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) can apply currents of varying intensity to the scalp, modulating cortical excitability and brain activity. tACS is a relatively new neuromodulation intervention that is now widely used in clinical practice. Many papers related to tACS have been published in various journals. However, there are no articles that objectively and directly introduce the development trend and research hotspots of tACS. Therefore, the aim of this study is to use CiteSpace to visually analyze the recent tACS-related publications, systematically and in detail summarize the current research hotspots and trends in this field, and provide valuable information for future tACS-related research. Material and methods: The database Web of Science Core Collection Science Citation Index Expanded was used and searched from build to 4 August 2023. Using the CiteSpace to analyze the authors, institutions, countries, keywords, co-cited authors, journals, and references. Results: A total of 677 papers were obtained. From 2008 to 2023, the number of publications shows an increasing trend, albeit with some fluctuations. The most productive country in this field was Germany. The institution with the highest number of publications is Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg (n = 50). According to Bradford's law, 7 journals are considered core journals in the field. Herrmann, CS was the author with the most publications (n = 40), while Antal, A was the author with the highest number of co-citations (n = 391) and betweenness centrality (n = 0.16). Disease, neural mechanisms of the brain and electric stimulation are the major research areas in the field. The effect of tACS in different diseases, multi-site stimulation, combined treatment and evaluation are the future research hotspots and trends. Conclusion: tACS has research value and research potential, and more and more researchers are paying attention to it. The findings of this bibliometric study provide the current status and trends in the clinical research of tACS and may help researchers to identify hotspots s and explore new research directions in this field.

Effect of tDCS combined with virtual reality for post-stroke cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled trial study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) not only increases patient mortality and disability, but also adversely affects motor function and the ability to perform routine daily activities. Current therapeutic approaches for, PSCI lack specificity, primarily relying on and medication and traditional cognitive therapy supplemented by a limited array of tools. Both transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and virtual reality (VR) training have demonstrated efficacy in improving cognitive performance among PSCI patients. Previous findings across various conditions suggest that implementing a therapeutic protocol combining tDCS and VR (tDCS - VR) may yield superior in isolation. Despite this, to our knowledge, no clinical investigation combining tDCS and VR for PSCI rehabilitation has been conducted. Thus, the purpose of this study is to explore the effects of tDCS - VR on PSCI rehabilitation. METHODS: This 4-week, single-center randomized clinical trial protocol will recruit 200 patients who were randomly assigned to one of four groups: Group A (tDCS + VR), Group B (tDCS + sham VR), Group C (sham tDCS + VR), Group D (sham tDCS + sham VR). All four groups will receive conventional cognitive rehabilitation training. The primary outcome measurement utilizes the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Secondary outcome measures include the Montreal Cognitive Assessment, Frontal Assessment Battery, Clock Drawing Test, Digital Span Test, Logic Memory Test, and Modified Barthel Index. Additionally, S-YYZ-01 apparatus for diagnosis and treating language disorders assesses subjects' speech function. Pre- and post-four-week intervention assessments are conducted for all outcome measures. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is employed to observe changes in oxygenated hemoglobin (HbO), deoxy-hemoglobin (HbR), and total hemoglobin (HbT) in the cerebral cortex. DISCUSSION: Our hypothesis posits that the tDCS - VR therapy, in opposed to individual tDCS or VR interventions, could enhance cognitive function, speech ability and daily living skills in PSCI patients while concurrently augmenting frontal cortical activity. This randomized study aims to provide a robust theoretical foundation supported by scientific evidence for the practical implementation of the tDCS - VR combination as a secure and efficient PSCI rehabilitation approach. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chictr.org.cn Identifier: ChiCTR2300070580. Registered on 17th April 2023.

Alleviating effect of lycorine on CFA­induced arthritic pain via inhibition of spinal inflammation and oxidative stress.

Chronic pain is the primary symptom of osteoarthritis affecting a patient's quality of life. Neuroinflammation and oxidative stress in the spinal cord contribute to arthritic pain and represent ideal targets for pain management. In the present study, a model of arthritis was established by intra-articular injection of complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA) into the left knee joint in mice. After CFA inducement, knee width and pain hypersensitivity in the mice were increased, motor disability was impaired, spinal inflammatory reaction was induced, spinal astrocytes were activated, antioxidant responses were decreased, and glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK-3ß) activity was inhibited. To explore the potential therapeutic options for arthritic pain, lycorine was intraperitoneally injected for 3 days in the CFA mice. Lycorine treatment significantly reduced mechanical pain sensitivity, suppressed spontaneous pain, and recovered motor coordination in the CFA-induced mice. Additionally, in the spinal cord, lycorine treatment decreased the inflammatory score, reduced NOD-like receptor protein 3 inflammasome (NLRP3) activity and IL-1ß expression, suppressed astrocytic activation, downregulated NF-κB levels, increased nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 expression and superoxide dismutase activity. Furthermore, lycorine was shown to bind to GSK-3ß through three electrovalent bonds, to inhibit GSK-3ß activity. In summary, lycorine treatment inhibited GSK-3ß activity, suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation, increased the antioxidant response, reduced spinal inflammation, and relieved arthritic pain.

[Plasma gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase level as a cardiovascular risk factor in elderly patients with hypertension or hypertension with diabetes mellitus].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate plasma gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GGT) level as a cardiovascular risk factor in elderly patients with hypertension or hypertension with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: Forty-nine elderly patients of hypertension and 42 elderly patients of hypertension with diabetes mellitus and 39 healthy elderly subjects were enrolled in the study. The height, weight and blood pressure of patients were measured, serum C reactive protein and other biochemical indicators were detected. The relation between plasma γ-GGT and cardiovascular risk factors in three groups were analyzed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in plasma γ-GGT levels among three groups. There was a positive correlation of plasma γ-GGT levels with systolic pressure, pulse pressure, hemoglobin A1c and CRP in control group. While in hypertension with diabetes mellitus group, plasma γ-GGT levels were correlated with systolic pressure, mean arterial pressure, fasting blood sugar and cystatin. CONCLUSION: Plasma γ-GGT might be a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, and may be used as a predictive indicator for kidney injury in early patients with hypertension with diabetes mellitus.

Inter-chain double-site synergistic photocatalytic hydrogen evolution in robust cuprous coordination polymers.

Here, we evaluate photocatalytic H2 generation of three stable Cu-based coordination polymers (CPs), where each two-coordinated Cu(i) is stabilized in interchain -[Cu-imidazole(R)-Cu]- units. Importantly, a record-high H2 evolution rate of 57.64 mmol g-1 h-1 is identified for Cu-MIM. Theoretical calculations reveal that the excellent catalytic performances are due to the delicate synergies of the inter-chain double-site Cu atoms.

VEGF levels in plasma in relation to metabolic control, inflammation, and microvascular complications in type-2 diabetes: A cohort study.

The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level in human circulation may reflect the severity of endothelial dysfunction in patients with diabetes mellitus, which leads to diabetic microvascular complications.We determined plasma VEGF levels as well as metabolic control and inflammatory factors in 26 healthy subjects and 52 type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with or without diabetic microvascular complications. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the associations among those indices.The results showed that VEGF levels in plasma were positively correlated with fasting blood glucose level, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level, type 1 helper T cell (Th1) percentage, and Th1/Th2 ratio, while they were negatively correlated with regulatory T cell percentage. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that HbA1c and Th1/Th2 ratio were the independent predictors of VEGF levels in T2DM patients.Thus, in T2DM patients with poor glycemic control as well as an elevated Th1/Th2 cell ratio, more VEGF might be released.

Effects of comprehensive intensive therapies on the change of intima-media thickness of carotid arteries in type 2 diabetic patients: A report of 4-year follow-up with a literature review.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to evaluate the effect of comprehensive intensive therapy on the carotid and femoral arteries of intima-media thickness in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus after 4-year follow-up. METHODS: In this prospective 4-year study, patients (N = 210) with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes received either comprehensive intensive therapy (n = 110) or conventional therapy (n = 100). Blood pressure, blood glucose and lipid levels were monitored every 3-6 months, and carotid and femoral arteries of intima-media thickness were monitored with ultrasonography. For the literature review, various databases were searched until 20 December 2014 for studies that evaluated effects of intensive multi-factorial therapies on comprehensive intensive therapy in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. RESULTS: The comprehensive intensive therapy group had a smaller rate of carotid intima-media thickness increase than the conventional therapy (control) group (p < 0.05). The carotid intima-media thickness in comprehensive intensive therapy group remained stable while the adjusted rate of carotid intima-media thickness increase was 12.55% in the control group. The femoral intima-media thickness change was also smaller in comprehensive intensive therapy group but the difference over time did not reach significance. CONCLUSION: The carotid intima-media thickness remained stable in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients who received comprehensive intensive therapy, suggesting that multi-factorial intensive therapies might have potential in reducing macro-vascular events in these patients.

Serious response during tilt-table test in elderly and its prophylactic management.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the serious response during tilt-table test (TTT) and its prophylactic management. METHOD: Seventy-six elderly patients were tested at a tilt angle of 70 degrees for a maximum of 45 min and then subjected to isoproterenol-provocative tilt testing. ECG and blood pressure were monitored during the test and patients were kept at normal saline condition through a peripheral intravenous duct. RESULTS: Fifty-one of 76 patients were defined as positive including 23 having serious response; 6 of the 23 patients had arteriosclerosis involving internal carotid arteries and 7 cases had bradycardia, two of which were associated with II degrees -I A-V block and the others with chronic atrial fibrillation. The serious response consisted of cardiac arrest for more than 5 s (6 cases), or serious bradycardia for more than 1 min (7 cases) or serious hypotension for more than 1 min (10 cases). Those with serious response were managed by returning to supine position, thus driving up legs and intravenous atropine, CPR (2 cases with cardiac arrest) and needing oxygen supplementation (11 cases). Only 2 hypotension patients recovered gradually by 10 min after emergency management, while others recovered rapidly with no complications. CONCLUSION: Although non-invasive, TTT may result in serious response, especially in elderly. Therefore proper patient selection, control of isoproterenol infusion and close observation of vital signs are decisive for a safe consequence.

[Establishment and pathophysiological observation of an experimental animal model of traumatic optic neuropathy].

OBJECTIVE: To establish an animal model of traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) that resemble to clinical state and study the mechanical principle and change of pathophysiology of its nerve injury for clinical diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: New Zealand white rabbits were used as the research objects. The method introduced by Wang Yi was repeated and improved. Mild and severe animal models of TON were established by reformed Wang Yi operation separately. After the spring gun struck, all animals were observed on pupils and direct light reflex and received the examinations of pattern reversal visual evoked potentials (PR-VEP). The pathophysiology of normal and injury optic nerve was observed. RESULTS: After recovery from anesthesia, the mydriasis and disappearance or dullness of direct light reflex happened in all injured eyes. No brain contusion, infection, orbital fracture and death were found. One optic nerve was broken with complete tunica vaginalis. The latency and amplitude of injured eyes deteriorated gradually. In group B, the waves became flat rapidly. After injury, the optic nerve underwent 3 stages: edema, hyperplasia and atrophy. The pathomorphological changes of injured eyes in group B were more serious than that in group A in any time. CONCLUSIONS: The reformed operation can establish constant nerve injury with high success rate. In mildly injured eyes, the injury deteriorated gradually. However, part visual function remained. In severely injured eyes, the pathomorphological changes were irreversible sooner after struck, and the visual function lost completely. There is a good correlation between PR-VEP and pathomorphology. PR-VEP can guide the clinical diagnosis and treatment.

[Therapeutic efficacy of combined treatment with surgical decompression and drug for traumatic optic neuropathy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of combined treatment with surgical decompression and drug for traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) and analyze the influential factors. METHODS: A retrospective study on 69 patients (70 eyes) with TON treated with optic canal decompression through transnasal endoscopic approach and drug was conducted. The visual acuity was divided into 5 grades: no light perception (NLP), light perception (LP), hand move, count finger, > 0.02, marked as I-V respectively. Of 40 eyes with grade I, 18 eyes received emergency operation for severe optic canal fracture confirmed by CT; 22 eyes received corticosteroid therapy firstly and then operation. Of 30 eyes above grade I, 16 eyes with optic canal fracture confirmed by CT received emergency operation; 14 eyes received corticosteroid therapy firstly and 3 days later received operation. Postoperative follow-up lasted 3-12 months to observe the recovery of visual acuity. RESULTS: The therapeutic efficacy of patients with the visual acuity of LP and above LP was better than that of NLP (90.0% to 27.5%), the difference had statistical significance (chi(2) = 26.98, P < 0.001). In operated group, the therapeutic efficacy in patients whose visual acuity was improved from NLP after glucocorticoid therapy (80.0%) was better than that of the patients with no improvement (5.9%), the difference had statistical significance (chi(2) = 12.09, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The imaging findings of optic canal fracture can not be used as determinants for operation. The patients with NLP whose visual acuity had no improvement after corticosteroid therapy are poor candidates for surgical decompression. The visual acuity before treatment is the main factor affecting the therapeutic efficacy.

[Treatment of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea via transnasal endoscopic approach and its combination with frontal approach].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the clinical experience in diagnosing and managing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea via transnasal endoscopic approach and its combination with frontal approach. METHODS: A retrospective study of 58 patients with CSF rhinorrhea was conducted. Fifty eight cases were all under CT. Fifty six cases underwent surgical treatment Among them, 45 patients were treated with transnasal endoscopic approach, 11 whose cerebrospinal fistulas located in back wall of frontal sinus and orbital-frontal part with fronto-rhinal approach. Two were without any surgical treatment. Among 56 cases who underwent surgical treatment, 31 cases were under normal CT, of which 25 were accurate. Another 25 cases were under thin-section spiral CT scan and three-dimensional reconstruction, of which 23 were accurate. Eight cases locating the fistulas inaccurately by CT found the fistulas by operation. RESULTS: Postoperative follow-up lasted from 6 months to 5 years, a median follow-up period of 3 years. Among 45 cases with transnasal endoscopic approach, 43 were cured after the first attempt, one was cured after the second attempt; one died because of the intracranial infection. Among 11 cases with fronto-rhinal reossification, 10 were cured after the first attempt, one with orbital-frontal absence after the fifth attempt. Two left hospital and lost following-up without any surgical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Thin-section spiral CT scan and three-dimensional reconstruction make the leak locating more accurate. Combination of frontal approach may deal with transnasal endoscopic surgery's demerit to the unreachable site and enhance the achievement ratio of the first attempt.

[Clinical research on delayed traumatic epistaxis and pseudoaneurysm].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the diagnosis and treatment of delayed traumatic epistaxis and put forward a concept of arteriola pseudoaneurysmal epistaxis originated from maxillofacial medium-sized artery. METHODS: The clinical data of 53 patients who had the typical symptoms of delayed traumatic epistaxis and received digital subtraction angiography examination and treated in recent 10 years were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Among the 53 patients, 8 patients suffered from interval carotid artery pseudoaneurysm. For these 8 patients, 1 died of massive epistaxis before embolization, 7 received transcatheter arterial embolization( 6 cured and 1 died). Twenty patients suffered from traumatic carotid cavernous fistula, all were cured with endovascular occlusion by detachable balloon. Twenty-five patients suffered from maxillofacial artery hemorrhage. For these 25 patients, 21 were treated by transcatheter arterial embolization with gelatin sponge and coils, 4 by anterior ethmoidal artery ligation. The followed-up ranged from 6-72 months (median 5 years). All patients were successfully treated without serious complications and recurrent hemorrhage, except one patient who had recurred hemorrhage three weeks after transcatheter arterial embolization. This patient was again successfully treated by artery ligation. CONCLUSIONS: Interval carotid artery pseudoaneurysm, carotid cavernous fistula and maxillofacial medium-sized artery and arteriola pseudoaneurysm are the main causes of delayed traumatogenic epistaxis. Early diagnosis by digital subtraction angiography examination and transcatheter arterial embolization or artery ligation are the useful methods to treat delayed traumatic epistaxis and pseudoaneurysm.