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The Journal of Hand Surgery, European... Nov 2019Tumours involving Pacinian corpuscles are rare. The literature identifies two main pathological disorders: the Pacinian corpuscle neuroma or hyperplasia and the Pacinian...
Tumours involving Pacinian corpuscles are rare. The literature identifies two main pathological disorders: the Pacinian corpuscle neuroma or hyperplasia and the Pacinian corpuscle neurofibroma. Published data are confusing and at times conflicting. This systematic review summarizes the available data in order to support clinicians in the differential diagnosis with other tumours responsible for unclear symptoms in the hands and fingers. We identified 67 pertinent articles. Although some similarities have been described, the two tumours have relevant differences, specifically when comparing age of the patient, location, symptoms, characteristic of a mass, and aetiology. All these factors should be taken into account in order to improve diagnostic accuracy. Despite the low incidence of unsuccessful surgeries, extraordinary measures are occasionally necessary to achieve complete resolution of symptoms.
Topics: Diagnosis, Differential; Hand; Humans; Hyperplasia; Neurofibroma; Neuroma; Pacinian Corpuscles
PubMed: 31156019
DOI: 10.1177/1753193419852118 -
Survey of Ophthalmology 2022Studies reporting alteration in retinal thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT) have been performed in different populations with various degrees of... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Studies reporting alteration in retinal thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT) have been performed in different populations with various degrees of refractive error, producing inconsistent results. Therefore, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the alterations in retinal OCT measurements in myopic and hyperopic patients compared to controls. Evaluation of different retinal layers' thickness may have significance for developing novel approaches for preventing, diagnosing, and treating refractive errors and their complications. We searched PubMed and EMBASE to identify articles that reported OCT measurements of different retinal layers and regions, including macular, foveal, parafoveal, perifoveal, foveolar, ganglion cell complex (GCC), retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL), and ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thickness in addition to macular volume, and optic disc area in myopes and hyperopes comparing their differences with controls. We applied either a fixed-effects or random-effects model for the meta-analysis of these differences based on the assessed heterogeneity level. Furthermore, subgroup analyses and metaregression, as well as publication bias and quality assessment, were conducted for the eligible studies. Forty-seven studies with a total of 12223 eyes, including 8600 cases and 3623 non-cases, are included in this meta-analysis. Our results showed that, in comparison to controls, highly myopic eyes had a significantly lower value for mean macular thickness, macular GCC, macular GC-IPL, parafoveal, perifoveal, foveal, foveolar, RNFL, and pRNFL thickness. Compared to controls, moderately myopic eyes showed a significantly thinner mean macular GCC layer and pRNFL. On the other hand, hyperopic eyes had significantly thicker average pRNFL than controls. Several other significant differences were also observed in various regional analyses. The findings of the current study affirm the retinal OCT measurement differences between myopic and hyperopic eyes compared to controls, emphasizing OCT measurements' advantages as potential biomarkers of ocular pathologies.
Topics: Humans; Nerve Fibers; Optic Disk; Refractive Errors; Retinal Ganglion Cells; Tomography, Optical Coherence
PubMed: 34343537
DOI: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2021.07.007 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jan 2017Glaucoma is a heterogeneous group of conditions involving progressive damage to the optic nerve, deterioration of retinal ganglion cells, and ultimately visual field... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Glaucoma is a heterogeneous group of conditions involving progressive damage to the optic nerve, deterioration of retinal ganglion cells, and ultimately visual field loss. It is a leading cause of blindness worldwide. Open angle glaucoma (OAG), the most common form of glaucoma, is a chronic condition that may or may not present with increased intraocular pressure (IOP). Neuroprotection for glaucoma refers to any intervention intended to prevent optic nerve damage or cell death.
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this review was to systematically examine the evidence regarding the effectiveness of neuroprotective agents for slowing the progression of OAG in adults compared with no neuroprotective agent, placebo, or other glaucoma treatment.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched CENTRAL (which contains the Cochrane Eyes and Vision Trials Register) (2016, Issue 7), Ovid MEDLINE, Epub Ahead of Print, In-Process & Other Non-Indexed Citations, Ovid MEDLINE Daily (January 1946 to August 2016), Embase (January 1980 to August 2016), Latin American and Caribbean Literature on Health Sciences (LILACS) (January 1982 to August 2016), the ISRCTN registry (www.isrctn.com/editAdvancedSearch), ClinicalTrials.gov (www.clinicaltrials.gov), and the World Health Organization (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (www.who.int/ictrp/search/en). We did not use any date or language restrictions in the electronic searches for trials. We last searched the electronic databases on 16 August 2016.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in which topical or oral treatments were used for neuroprotection in adults with OAG. Minimum follow-up time was four years.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently reviewed titles and abstracts from the literature searches. We obtained full-text copies of potentially relevant studies and re-evaluated for inclusion. Two review authors independently extracted data related to study characteristics, risk of bias, and outcomes. We identified one trial for this review, thus we performed no meta-analysis. Two studies comparing memantine to placebo are currently awaiting classification until study investigators provide additional study details. We documented reasons for excluding studies from the review.
MAIN RESULTS
We included one multicenter RCT of adults with low-pressure glaucoma (Low-pressure Glaucoma Treatment Study, LoGTS) conducted in the USA. The primary outcome was progression of visual field loss after four years of treatment with either brimonidine or timolol. Of the 190 adults enrolled in the study, the investigators excluded 12 (6.3%) after randomization; 77 participants (40.5%) did not complete four years of follow-up. The rate of attrition was unbalanced between groups with more participants dropping out of the brimonidine group (55%) than the timolol group (29%).Of those remaining in the study at four years, participants assigned to brimonidine showed less progression of visual field loss than participants assigned to timolol (risk ratio (RR) 0.35, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.14 to 0.86; 101 participants). Because of high risk of attrition bias and potential selective outcome reporting, we graded the certainty of evidence for this outcome as very low. At the four-year follow-up, the mean IOP was similar in both groups among those for whom data were available (mean difference 0.20 mmHg, 95% CI -0.73 to 1.13; 91 participants; very low-certainty evidence). The study authors did not report analyzable data for visual acuity or any data related to vertical cup-disc ratio, quality of life, or economic outcomes. The most frequent adverse event was ocular allergy to the study drug, which affected more participants in the brimonidine group than the timolol group (RR 5.32, 95% CI 1.64 to 17.26; 178 participants; very low-certainty evidence).
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Although the only trial we included in this review found less visual field loss in the brimonidine-treated group, the evidence was of such low certainty that we can draw no conclusions from this finding. Further clinical research is needed to determine whether neuroprotective agents may be beneficial for individuals with OAG. Such research should focus on outcomes important to patients, such as preservation of vision, and how these outcomes relate to cell death and optic nerve damage. As OAG is a chronic, progressive disease with variability in symptoms, RCTs designed to measure the effectiveness of neuroprotective agents require a long-term follow-up of five years or longer to detect clinically meaningful effects.
Topics: Adult; Antihypertensive Agents; Brimonidine Tartrate; Disease Progression; Glaucoma, Open-Angle; Humans; Neuroprotective Agents; Optic Nerve; Optic Nerve Diseases; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Retinal Ganglion Cells; Timolol
PubMed: 28122126
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006539.pub4 -
Journal of Neurology Nov 2021The peripapillar nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thinning in different retinal quadrants or sectors remains controversy. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The peripapillar nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thinning in different retinal quadrants or sectors remains controversy. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the pattern of pRNFL thinning in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients to provide a biomarker for PD differential diagnosis.
METHODS
We systematically searched PubMed and EMBASE to identify studies comparing pRNFL thickness in PD patients and health controls using spectral domain-optical coherence tomography from inception to April 25, 2020. Random effects mode was used to pool mean difference (μm) of the average thickness of pRNFL and the thickness of pRNFL in four quadrants (superior, inferior, nasal and temporal) and in the subdivisions of superior (superonasal and superotemporal sectors) and inferior quadrants (inferonasal and inferotemporal sectors) between PD patients and health controls.
RESULTS
We included 32 studies (33 sets of data) enrolling 2126 PD eyes and 2318 health control eyes. Between the eyes of PD patients and that of health controls, the pooled mean difference (μm) of average pRNFL was - 4.85 (95% CI [- 6.12, - 3.58]); the pooled mean difference (μm) of four quadrants were - 2.30 (95% CI [- 3.32, - 1.28], nasal), - 2.74 (95% CI [- 4.34, - 1.14], temporal), - 5.24 (95% CI [- 7.04, - 3.43], superior) and - 7.29 (95% CI [- 9.23, - 5.34], inferior); those of four sectors were - 5.16 (95% CI [- 7.70, - 2.62], superotemporal), - 3.55 (95% CI [- 5.87, - 1.23], superonasal), - 9.19 (95% [- 13.27, - 5.12], inferotemporal) and - 7.62 (95% CI [- 11.84, - 3.40], inferonasal).
CONCLUSION
In PD patients, pRNFL thinning followed a specific pattern with inferotemporal thinning most and nasal quadrant thinning least.
Topics: Humans; Nerve Fibers; Optic Disk; Parkinson Disease; Retinal Ganglion Cells; Tomography, Optical Coherence
PubMed: 32691237
DOI: 10.1007/s00415-020-10094-0 -
International Journal of Stroke :... Aug 2015Autonomic nervous system dysfunction is common after acute stroke and is associated with elevated risk of cardiac arrhythmia and mortality. Heart rate variability and... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Autonomic nervous system dysfunction is common after acute stroke and is associated with elevated risk of cardiac arrhythmia and mortality. Heart rate variability and baroreceptor sensitivity have been investigated as parameters of autonomic nervous system dysfunction for the prediction of stroke outcome.
SUMMARY
We performed a systematic literature review on heart rate variability and baroreceptor sensitivity as parameters for autonomic nervous function in acute stroke. Twenty-two studies were included. Associations between heart rate variability or baroreceptor sensitivity and stroke severity, early and late complications, dependency and mortality were reported. However, interpretability of most studies and extrapolation to general stroke population are limited due to many confounding factors such as varying methodology, small sample sizes, survival selection, and exclusion of patients with frequently occurring comorbidities in stroke. Key issues, such as the effect of thrombolytic therapy on autonomic function, autonomic nervous system dysfunction in the hyperacute phase of stroke, and correlation with the risk of recurrent stroke have not been investigated. Also, nonlinear techniques have remained largely unexplored in this domain, in spite of their advantage to provide more solid evaluation in the occurrence of arrhythmia.
KEY MESSAGES
Cardiac autonomic dysfunction, represented by reduced heart rate variability or impaired baroreceptor sensitivity, is associated with stroke severity, early and late complications, dependency, and mortality. Large-scale prospective studies applying internationally accepted standards of measures for analysis of heart rate variability and baroreceptor sensitivity are needed in patients with acute stroke.
Topics: Baroreflex; Heart Rate; Humans; Pressoreceptors; Stroke
PubMed: 26202709
DOI: 10.1111/ijs.12573 -
Archives of Oral Biology Jun 2017This critical review summarizes the current knowledge of the structural and functional characteristics of periodontal mechanoreceptors, and understands their role in the... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
This critical review summarizes the current knowledge of the structural and functional characteristics of periodontal mechanoreceptors, and understands their role in the signal pathways and functional motor control.
METHOD
A systematic review of the literature was conducted. Original articles were searched through Pubmed, Cochrane Central database and Embase until january 2016.
RESULT
1466 articles were identified through database searching and screened by reviewing the abstracts. 160 full-text were assessed for eligibility, and after 109 exclusion, 51 articles were included in the review process. Studies selected by the review process were mainly divided in studies on animal and studies on humans. Morphological, histological, molecular and electrophysiological studies investigating the periodontal mechanoreceptors in animals and in humans were included, evaluated and described.
CONCLUSION
Our knowledge of the periodontal mechanoreceptors, let us conclude that they are very refined neural receptors, deeply involved in the activation and coordination of the masticatory muscles during function. Strictly linked to the rigid structure of the teeth, they determine all the functional physiological and pathological processes of the stomatognathic system. The knowledge of their complex features is fundamental for all dental professionists. Further investigations are of utmost importance for guiding the technological advances in the respect of the neural control in the dental field.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Mastication; Masticatory Muscles; Mechanoreceptors; Periodontium; Stress, Mechanical
PubMed: 28226300
DOI: 10.1016/j.archoralbio.2017.02.010 -
Journal of Neurology Sep 2017The aim of this study was to summarise existing findings regarding optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements of ganglion cell layer (GCL) alterations in optic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
The aim of this study was to summarise existing findings regarding optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements of ganglion cell layer (GCL) alterations in optic neuritis (ON) and multiple sclerosis (MS). Peer-reviewed studies published prior to April 2016 were searched using PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Scopus. Studies were included if they measured GCL thickness using OCT in patients with either ON, MS or clinically isolated syndrome. For the meta-analysis, we compared GCL thickness in MS patients with and without prior ON, to healthy controls. 42/252 studies were reviewed. In acute ON, studies showed significant thinning of the GCL within the first 5 weeks (n = 5), earlier than retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thinning. GCL thinning at 1-2 months after acute ON predicted visual function at 6 months (n = 3). The meta-analysis showed that the thickness of the GCL was significantly reduced in MS patients both with and without previous ON compared to healthy controls. GCL thinning was associated with visual function in most studies (n = 10) and expanded disability status scale (EDSS) scores (n = 6). In acute ON, thinning of the GCL is measurable prior to RNFL thinning, and GCL thickness after 1-2 months may predict visual function after 6 months. Furthermore, GCL thinning occurs in MS both with and without prior ON, and may be associated with visual function and EDSS score. This suggests that the GCL is a promising biomarker, which may be used to examine in vivo neurodegeneration in ON and MS.
Topics: Databases, Bibliographic; Humans; Multiple Sclerosis; Nerve Fibers; Optic Neuritis; Retinal Ganglion Cells; Tomography, Optical Coherence
PubMed: 28567539
DOI: 10.1007/s00415-017-8531-y -
Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in... Jun 2023Blindness due to rod-cone dystrophies is a significant comorbidity and cause of reduced quality of life worldwide. Optogenetics uses adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors... (Review)
Review
Blindness due to rod-cone dystrophies is a significant comorbidity and cause of reduced quality of life worldwide. Optogenetics uses adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors to bypass lost photoreceptors and transfect remnant cell populations of the degenerated retina aiming to restore vision via the ectopic expression of opsins. The optogenetic targeting of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) has been remarkably successful and several studies have advanced to clinical trials over the recent years. The inner retina and specifically ON bipolar cells represent even more appealing targets due to their intrinsically coded tasks in parallel processing and fine-tuning of visual signals before reaching the output: RGCs. However, present success with pursuing inner and outer retinal cells for optogenetic vision restoration is limited by multiple factors, including AAV tropism, promoter specificity, and retinal morphofunctional remodeling. Here we provide a review of the evolution of optogenetics, its greatest challenges, and solutions from bench to bedside.
Topics: Humans; Optogenetics; Inventions; Quality of Life; Retinal Ganglion Cells; Retina; Retinal Degeneration
PubMed: 36376079
DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041304 -
Prosthetics and Orthotics International Dec 2016Central nervous system receives information from foot mechanoreceptors in order to control balance and perform movement tasks. Subthreshold random noise seems to improve... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Central nervous system receives information from foot mechanoreceptors in order to control balance and perform movement tasks. Subthreshold random noise seems to improve sensitivity of the cutaneous mechanoreceptor.
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to systematically review published evidence conducted to evaluate the clinical and biomechanical effects of subthreshold random noise on the plantar surface of the foot in diabetic patients and elder people.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review.
METHODS
A literature search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Knowledge, CINAHL, and EMBASE databases based on population, intervention, comparison, outcomes, and study method. Quality of studies was assessed using the methodological quality assessment tool, using Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale.
RESULTS
In all, 11 studies were selected for final evaluation based on inclusion criteria. Five studies evaluated the effects of subthreshold random noise in diabetic patients and six in elder people. In seven studies, biomechanical (balance and gait parameters) effects and in four studies clinical (pressure and vibration sensations) effects of subthreshold random noise were investigated. All reviewed studies were scored fair (2) to good (9) quality in terms of methodological quality assessment using Physiotherapy Evidence Database scale.
CONCLUSION
The results indicated that subthreshold random noise improves balance and sensation in diabetic patients and elder people. Also gait variables can be improved in elder people with subthreshold random noise. However, further well-designed studies are needed.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE
The previous studies reported that subthreshold random noise may improve gait, balance, and sensation, but more studies are needed to evaluate the long-term effect of subthreshold random noise in shoe or insole for daily living tasks in diabetic patients and elder people.
Topics: Age Factors; Aged; Biomechanical Phenomena; Diabetes Mellitus; Foot; Humans; Mechanoreceptors; Sensory Thresholds; Stochastic Processes; Touch
PubMed: 26951143
DOI: 10.1177/0309364616631351 -
Der Urologe. Ausg. A Apr 2016Urodynamic studies are utilised for identification and follow-up of functional disorders of the lower urinary tract. Provocation tests are used to determine disorders... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Urodynamic studies are utilised for identification and follow-up of functional disorders of the lower urinary tract. Provocation tests are used to determine disorders which could not be revealed in standard cystometry. The ice water test is a simple test to identify neurogenic bladder dysfunction and to screen the integrity of the upper motor neuron in neurogenic bladder dysfunction.
OBJECTIVES
Development and significance of the ice water test is presented in this review against the background of physiology and pathophysiology of the lower urinary tract.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic review of PubMed and ScienceDirect databases was performed in April 2015. No language or time limitation was applied. The following key words and Medical Subject Heading terms were used to identify relevant studies: "ice water test", "bladder cooling reflex", "micturition" and "neuronal control". Review articles and bibliographies of other relevant studies identified were hand searched to find additional studies.
RESULTS
The ice water test is performed by rapid instillation of 4-8 °C cold fluid into the urinary bladder. Hereby, afferent C fibers are activated by cold receptors in the bladder leading to the bladder cooling reflex. It is a spinal reflex which causes an involuntarily contraction of the urinary bladder. The test is normally positive in young infants during the first 4 years of life and become negative with maturation of the central nervous system afterwards by inhibition of the reflex. The damage of the upper motor neuron causes the recurrence of the reflex in the adulthood and indicates spinal and cerebral lesions.
DISCUSSION
The ice water test is utilised to identify lesions of the upper motor neuron. However, in the case of detrusor acontractility the test will always be negative and can not be utilized to distinguish between neurogenic or muscular causes. Furthermore, the test is also positive in a small percentage of cases of non-neurogenic diseases, e.g. in prostate-related bladder outlet obstruction or idiopathic overactive bladder. Although no clear explanation exists, a positive ice water test could be the first sign of an otherwise asymptomatic neurological disease.
CONCLUSIONS
Due to the simple procedure, the ice water test is a reliable possibility to identify neurologic bladder hyperactivity subsequent to standard cystometry.
Topics: Cold Temperature; Diagnosis, Differential; Diagnostic Techniques, Urological; Humans; Reflex; Reproducibility of Results; Sensitivity and Specificity; Urinary Bladder; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic; Urination; Urination Disorders
PubMed: 26459574
DOI: 10.1007/s00120-015-3981-2