-
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2023This systematic review documents the protocol characteristics of studies that used neuromuscular electrical stimulation protocols (NMES) on the plantar flexors [through...
This systematic review documents the protocol characteristics of studies that used neuromuscular electrical stimulation protocols (NMES) on the plantar flexors [through triceps surae (TS) or tibial nerve (TN) stimulation] to stimulate afferent pathways. The review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) statement, was registered to PROSPERO (ID: CRD42022345194) and was funded by the Greek General Secretariat for Research and Technology (ERA-NET NEURON JTC 2020). Included were original research articles on healthy adults, with NMES interventions applied on TN or TS or both. Four databases (Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) were systematically searched, in addition to a manual search using the citations of included studies. Quality assessment was conducted on 32 eligible studies by estimating the risk of bias with the checklist of the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool. Eighty-seven protocols were analyzed, with descriptive statistics. Compared to TS, TN stimulation has been reported in a wider range of frequencies (5-100, vs. 20-200 Hz) and normalization methods for the contraction intensity. The pulse duration ranged from 0.2 to 1 ms for both TS and TN protocols. It is concluded that with increasing popularity of NMES protocols in intervention and rehabilitation, future studies may use a wider range of stimulation attributes, to stimulate motor neurons via afferent pathways, but, on the other hand, additional studies may explore new protocols, targeting for more optimal effectiveness. Furthermore, future studies should consider methodological issues, such as stimulation efficacy (e.g., positioning over the motor point) and reporting of level of discomfort during the application of NMES protocols to reduce the inherent variability of the results.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Humans; Afferent Pathways; Checklist; Electric Stimulation; Fishes; Leg; Tibial Nerve
PubMed: 36850945
DOI: 10.3390/s23042347 -
Physiological Reviews Jan 2023Taste and smell play a key role in our ability to perceive foods. Overconsumption of highly palatable energy-dense foods can lead to increased caloric intake and... (Review)
Review
Taste and smell play a key role in our ability to perceive foods. Overconsumption of highly palatable energy-dense foods can lead to increased caloric intake and obesity. Thus there is growing interest in the study of the biological mediators of fat taste and associated olfaction as potential targets for pharmacologic and nutritional interventions in the context of obesity and health. The number of studies examining mechanisms underlying fat taste and smell has grown rapidly in the last 5 years. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review is to summarize emerging evidence examining the biological mechanisms of fat taste and smell. A literature search was conducted of studies published in English between 2014 and 2021 in adult humans and animal models. Database searches were conducted using PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science for key terms including fat/lipid, taste, and olfaction. Initially, 4,062 articles were identified through database searches, and a total of 84 relevant articles met inclusion and exclusion criteria and are included in this review. Existing literature suggests that there are several proteins integral to fat chemosensation, including cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) and G protein-coupled receptor 120 (GPR120). This systematic review will discuss these proteins and the signal transduction pathways involved in fat detection. We also review neural circuits, key brain regions, ingestive cues, postingestive signals, and genetic polymorphism that play a role in fat perception and consumption. Finally, we discuss the role of fat taste and smell in the context of eating behavior and obesity.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Feeding Behavior; Obesity; Smell; Taste; Taste Buds
PubMed: 36409650
DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00061.2021 -
International Journal of Molecular... May 2022Currently, myofascial pain has become one of the main problems in healthcare systems. Research into its causes and the structures related to it may help to improve its... (Review)
Review
Currently, myofascial pain has become one of the main problems in healthcare systems. Research into its causes and the structures related to it may help to improve its management. Until some years ago, all the studies were focused on muscle alterations, as trigger points, but recently, fasciae are starting to be considered a new, possible source of pain. This systematic review has been conducted for the purpose of analyze the current evidence of the muscular/deep fasciae innervation from a histological and/or immunohistochemical point of view. A literature search published between 2000 and 2021 was made in PubMed and Google Scholar. Search terms included a combination of fascia, innervation, immunohistochemical, and different immunohistochemical markers. Of the 23 total studies included in the review, five studies were performed in rats, four in mice, two in horses, ten in humans, and two in both humans and rats. There were a great variety of immunohistochemical markers used to detect the innervation of the fasciae; the most used were Protein Gene Marker 9.5 (used in twelve studies), Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (ten studies), S100 (ten studies), substance P (seven studies), and tyrosine hydroxylase (six studies). Various areas have been studied, with the thoracolumbar fascia being the most observed. Besides, the papers highlighted diversity in the density and type of innervation in the various fasciae, going from free nerve endings to Pacini and Ruffini corpuscles. Finally, it has been observed that the innervation is increased in the pathological fasciae. From this review, it is evident that fasciae are well innerved, their innervation have a particular distribution and precise localization and is composed especially by proprioceptors and nociceptors, the latter being more numerous in pathological situations. This could contribute to a better comprehension and management of pain.
Topics: Animals; Fascia; Horses; Mechanoreceptors; Mice; Musculoskeletal Physiological Phenomena; Pain; Rats; Sensory Receptor Cells
PubMed: 35628484
DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105674 -
PloS One 2022Previous studies proposed possible applications of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) measurements in prognosticating pathologies observed in... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Previous studies proposed possible applications of spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) measurements in prognosticating pathologies observed in overweight/obesity, including ocular, vascular, and neurologic consequences. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the changes in the in SD-OCT measurements of the patients with higher body mass index (BMI) compared to normal weight individuals.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We conducted a systematic search on PubMed, Scopus, and Embase. The search results underwent two-phase title/abstract and full-text screenings. We then analyzed SD-OCT measurements differences in patients with high BMI and controls, and performed meta-regression, sub-group analysis, quality assessment, and publication bias assessment. The measurements included macular thickness, cup to disc ratio, ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) and its sub-sectors, RNFL and peripapillary RNFL (pRNFL) and their sub-layers, and choroidal thickness and its sub-sectors.
RESULTS
19 studies were included in this meta-analysis accounting for 1813 individuals, 989 cases and 824 controls. There was an overall trend towards decreased thickness in high BMI patients, but only two measurements reached statistical significance: temporal retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) (Standardized mean difference (SMD): -0.33, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.53 to -0.14, p<0.01) and the choroidal region 1.0 mm nasal to fovea (SMD: -0.38, 95% CI: -0.60 to -0.16, p<0.01).
CONCLUSION
Some ocular layers are thinner in patients with higher BMI than the controls. These SD-OCT measurements might correlate with adverse events related to increased body weight and have prognostic abilities. As SD-OCT is a robust, rapid and non-invasive tool, future guidelines and studies are needed to evaluate the possibility of their integration into care of the patients with obesity.
Topics: Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Nerve Fibers; Obesity; Retinal Ganglion Cells; Tomography, Optical Coherence
PubMed: 35476846
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0267495 -
Cells Mar 2022Galanin is a neuropeptide expressed in a small percentage of sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia and the superficial lamina of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord.... (Review)
Review
Galanin is a neuropeptide expressed in a small percentage of sensory neurons of the dorsal root ganglia and the superficial lamina of the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. In this work, we systematically reviewed the literature regarding the role of galanin and its receptors in nociception at the spinal and supraspinal levels, as well as in chronic pain conditions. The literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, OVID, TRIP, and EMBASE using "Galanin" AND "pain" as keywords. Of the 1379 papers that were retrieved in the initial search, we included a total of 141 papers in this review. Using the ARRIVE guidelines, we verified that 89.1% of the works were of good or moderate quality. Galanin shows a differential role in pain, depending on the pain state, site of action, and concentration. Under normal settings, galanin can modulate nociceptive processing through both a pro- and anti-nociceptive action, in a dose-dependent manner. This peptide also plays a key role in chronic pain conditions and its antinociceptive action at both a spinal and supraspinal level is enhanced, reducing animals' hypersensitivity to both mechanical and thermal stimulation. Our results highlight galanin and its receptors as potential therapeutic targets in pain conditions.
Topics: Animals; Chronic Pain; Galanin; Ganglia, Spinal; Sensory Receptor Cells; Spinal Cord
PubMed: 35269462
DOI: 10.3390/cells11050839 -
Pflugers Archiv : European Journal of... Apr 2022Sensory neurons are responsible for the generation and transmission of nociceptive signals from the periphery to the central nervous system. They encompass a broadly... (Review)
Review
Sensory neurons are responsible for the generation and transmission of nociceptive signals from the periphery to the central nervous system. They encompass a broadly heterogeneous population of highly specialized neurons. The understanding of the molecular choreography of individual subpopulations is essential to understand physiological and pathological pain states. Recently, it became evident that species differences limit transferability of research findings between human and rodents in pain research. Thus, it is necessary to systematically compare and categorize the electrophysiological data gained from human and rodent dorsal root ganglia neurons (DRGs). In this systematic review, we condense the available electrophysiological data defining subidentities in human and rat DRGs. A systematic search on PUBMED yielded 30 studies on rat and 3 studies on human sensory neurons. Defined outcome parameters included current clamp, voltage clamp, cell morphology, pharmacological readouts, and immune reactivity parameters. We compare evidence gathered for outcome markers to define subgroups, offer electrophysiological parameters for the definition of neuronal subtypes, and give a framework for the transferability of electrophysiological findings between species. A semiquantitative analysis revealed that for rat DRGs, there is an overarching consensus between studies that C-fiber linked sensory neurons display a lower action potential threshold, higher input resistance, a larger action potential overshoot, and a longer afterhyperpolarization duration compared to other sensory neurons. They are also more likely to display an infliction point in the falling phase of the action potential. This systematic review points out the need of more electrophysiological studies on human sensory neurons.
Topics: Action Potentials; Animals; Electrophysiological Phenomena; Ganglia, Spinal; Humans; Pain; Rats; Sensory Receptor Cells
PubMed: 35031856
DOI: 10.1007/s00424-021-02656-6 -
Lin Chuang Er Bi Yan Hou Tou Jing Wai... Jun 2021As one of the neurotrophic factors and insulin family, insulin like growth factor-1(IGF-1) can promote cell synthesis and metabolism in tissues and organs, activate... (Review)
Review
As one of the neurotrophic factors and insulin family, insulin like growth factor-1(IGF-1) can promote cell synthesis and metabolism in tissues and organs, activate cell growth, proliferation and differentiation, and inhibit cell apoptosis. Sensorineural hearing loss is the most common manifestation of the inner ear disease, which is mainly caused by the damage of cochlear hair cells. The lack of IGF-1 directly affects the growth, development and differentiation of cochlear hair cells, thus IGF-1 participates in the maintenance of cell survival and repair during inner ear cell injury. This article systematically reviews the recent research progress on the protective mechanism of IGF-1 on the inner ear.
Topics: Ear, Inner; Hair Cells, Auditory; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural; Humans; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Nerve Growth Factors; Spiral Ganglion
PubMed: 34304523
DOI: 10.13201/j.issn.2096-7993.2021.06.020 -
Journal of Ophthalmology 2021Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is an uncommon vision-threatening disorder that can be caused by ocular or head trauma and is categorized into direct and indirect TON.... (Review)
Review
Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is an uncommon vision-threatening disorder that can be caused by ocular or head trauma and is categorized into direct and indirect TON. The overall incidence of TON is 0.7-2.5%, and indirect TON has a higher prevalence than direct TON. Detection of an afferent pupillary defect in the presence of an intact globe in a patient with ocular or head trauma with decreased visual acuity strongly suggests TON. However, afferent pupillary defects may be difficult to detect in patients who have received narcotics that cause pupillary constriction and in those with bilateral TON. Mechanical shearing of the optic nerve axons and contusion necrosis due to immediate ischemia from damage to the optic nerve microcirculation and apoptosis of neurons is a probable mechanism. The proper management of TON is controversial. High-dose corticosteroid therapy and decompression of the optic nerve provide no additional benefit over observation alone. Intravenous erythropoietin may be a safe and efficient treatment for patients with TON.
PubMed: 33728056
DOI: 10.1155/2021/5553885 -
Eye (London, England) Mar 2021The purpose of this study is to systematically review the reported data of normal optical coherence tomography (OCT) results in the paediatric population. A systematic... (Review)
Review
The purpose of this study is to systematically review the reported data of normal optical coherence tomography (OCT) results in the paediatric population. A systematic literature search was performed using the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases, using the keywords "optical coherence tomography"; "normative data" or "healthy eyes"; "children" or "paediatric population". Studies with at least 50 participants were included, irrespective of the OCT equipment employed. We excluded the OCT angiography studies or the studies investigating the choroidal thickness. Seventy-four studies were included in the final analysis and information on study design, number of participants, demographic characteristics, type of OCT equipment, OCT parameters and results was collected. Due to the high variability of OCT instruments and parameters used, a meta-analysis was not feasible. We report the normative values for the peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and the macular retinal thickness for each ETDRS quadrant, as provided by the studies included in the present analysis. We also report the influence of ethnicity, age, gender, eye laterality, ISNT rule, spherical equivalent, and axial length on OCT results.
Topics: Child; Choroid; Cross-Sectional Studies; Humans; Refraction, Ocular; Retina; Retinal Ganglion Cells; Tomography, Optical Coherence
PubMed: 32929184
DOI: 10.1038/s41433-020-01177-3 -
Eye (London, England) May 2021To comprehensively assess diabetic retinopathy neurodegeneration (DRN) as quantified by retinal neuronal and axonal layers measured with spectral-domain optical... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVES
To comprehensively assess diabetic retinopathy neurodegeneration (DRN) as quantified by retinal neuronal and axonal layers measured with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) in subjects with diabetes mellitus (DM).
METHODS
Articles on the topic of examining macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (m-GCIPL), macular retinal nerve fibre layer (m-RNFL), macular ganglion cell complex (m-GCC), and peripapillary RNFL (p-RNFL) measured with SD-OCT in DM subjects without DR (NDR) or with non-proliferative DR (NPDR) were searched in PubMed and Embase up to November 31, 2019. Standardized mean difference (SMD) as effect size were pooled using random-effects model.
RESULTS
Thirty-six studies searched from online databases and the CUHK DM cohort were included in the meta-analysis. In the comparison between NDR and control, macular measures including mean m-GCIPL (SMD = -0.26, p = 0.003), m-RNFL (SMD = -0.26, p = 0.046), and m-GCC (SMD = -0.28; p = 0.009) were significantly thinner in the NDR group. In the comparison between NPDR and NDR, only mean p-RNFL was significantly thinner in the NPDR group (SMD = -0.27; p = 0.03), but not other macular measures.
CONCLUSIONS
Thinning of retinal neuronal and axonal layers at macula as measured by SD-OCT are presented in eyes with NDR, supporting DRN may be the early pathogenesis in the DM patients without the presence of clinical signs of DR. In the future, these SD-OCT measures may be used as surrogates of DRN to stratify DM patients with a high risk of DR, and may be used as a therapeutic target if neuroprotection treatment for DR is available.
Topics: Humans; Macula Lutea; Nerve Fibers; Retina; Retinal Ganglion Cells; Tomography, Optical Coherence
PubMed: 32581390
DOI: 10.1038/s41433-020-1020-z