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Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Ultrasound imaging is an essential tool in anesthesiology, particularly for ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks (US-PNBs). However, challenges such as speckle...
Ultrasound imaging is an essential tool in anesthesiology, particularly for ultrasound-guided peripheral nerve blocks (US-PNBs). However, challenges such as speckle noise, acoustic shadows, and variability in nerve appearance complicate the accurate localization of nerve tissues. To address this issue, this study introduces a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN), specifically Scaled-YOLOv4, and investigates an appropriate network model and input image scaling for nerve detection on ultrasound images. Utilizing two datasets, a public dataset and an original dataset, we evaluated the effects of model scale and input image size on detection performance. Our findings reveal that smaller input images and larger model scales significantly improve detection accuracy. The optimal configuration of model size and input image size not only achieved high detection accuracy but also demonstrated real-time processing capabilities.
Topics: Nerve Block; Neural Networks, Computer; Humans; Ultrasonography; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Peripheral Nerves; Ultrasonography, Interventional
PubMed: 38894486
DOI: 10.3390/s24113696 -
Cells May 2024BAX plays an essential role in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death induced by optic nerve injury. Recently, we developed M109S, an orally bioactive and cytoprotective...
BAX plays an essential role in retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death induced by optic nerve injury. Recently, we developed M109S, an orally bioactive and cytoprotective small compound (CPSC) that inhibits BAX-mediated cell death. We examined whether M109S can protect RGC from optic nerve crush (ONC)-induced apoptosis. M109S was administered starting 5 h after ONC for 7 days. M109S was orally administered in two groups (5 mg/kg twice a day or 7.5 mg/kg once a day). The retina was stained with anti-BRN3A and cleaved Caspase-3 (active Caspase-3) that are the markers of RGC and apoptotic cells, respectively. ONC decreased the number of BRN3A-positive RGC and increased the number of active Caspase-3-expressing apoptotic cells. In ONC-treated retina, there were cells that were double stained with anti-BRN3A and ant-cleaved Caspase-3, indicating that apoptosis in BRN3A-positive RGCs occurred. M109S inhibited the decrease of BRN3A-positive cells whereas it inhibited the increase of active Caspase-3-positive cells in the retina of ONC-treated mice, suggesting that M109S inhibited apoptosis in RGCs. M109S did not induce detectable histological damage to the lungs or kidneys in mice, suggesting that M109S did not show toxicities in the lung or kidneys when the therapeutic dose was used. The present study suggests that M109S is effective in rescuing damaged RGCs. Since M109S is an orally bioactive small compound, M109S may become the basis for a portable patient-friendly medicine that can be used to prevent blindness by rescuing damaged optic nerve cells from death.
Topics: Animals; Retinal Ganglion Cells; Mice; Optic Nerve Injuries; Apoptosis; Nerve Crush; Male; Caspase 3; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Cytoprotection; Optic Nerve
PubMed: 38891043
DOI: 10.3390/cells13110911 -
BMC Oral Health Jun 2024Surgical extraction of impacted third molars (ITM) often leads to postoperative discomfort including pain, swelling, and limited function. Steroids like dexamethasone... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Observational Study
Comparison of perineural and systemic dexamethasone use in impacted third molar surgeries in terms of anesthesia duration and postoperative complaints: a controlled, randomized observational study.
BACKGROUND
Surgical extraction of impacted third molars (ITM) often leads to postoperative discomfort including pain, swelling, and limited function. Steroids like dexamethasone (DXN) are commonly used in oral surgery to manage pain and inflammation. Various administration routes for DXN exist, including intravenous (IV), perineural (PN), and oral applications, each with its advantages. Previous studies have shown that adding DXN to local anesthetics can prolong anesthesia duration and reduce postoperative sequelae. However, comparative studies on IV and PN applications with inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) of DXN in ITM surgeries are limited.
METHODS
This controlled, randomized observational study involved patients undergoing Class II position B ITM extraction. Patients were divided into three groups. IANB (1.8 ml of articaine hydrochloride + 1 ml of saline) was performed 1 h after IV-DXN (4 mg/ml DXN) was administered to the IV group. DXN along with IANB (1.8 ml of articaine hydrochloride + 1 ml of 4 mg/ml DXN) was applied to the PN group. Only IANB (1.8 ml of articaine hydrochloride + 1 ml of saline) was applied to the control group. Anesthesia duration was assessed as primary outcomes. Anesthesia duration was evaluated using a vitalometer from the molars. Secondary outcomes included postoperative pain and edema measured on the 1st, 3rd, and 7th days after surgery. Pain was evaluated postoperatively by using a visual analog scale. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
RESULTS
The study included 45 patients with similar demographic characteristics across groups. IV application significantly prolonged anesthesia duration compared to the control group. (p = 0.049) Both IV and PN administration of DXN reduced postoperative edema at 3rd (p = 0.048) and 7th day (p = 0.01). Post-procedure pain reduction was significant in the IV group (p = 0.011). On the other hand, it was observed that the pain did not decrease in the PN group at 3rd and 7th days compared to the control and IV groups.
CONCLUSIONS
PN and IV DXN administration prolonged anesthesia duration and reduced postoperative edema in ITM surgeries. However, PN DXN administration was associated with increased postoperative pain compared to IV DXN and control groups. Further studies comparing different doses and administration routes of DXN are needed to determine optimal strategies for managing postoperative discomfort in ITM surgeries.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
This study was conducted at Ahmet Keleşoğlu Faculty of Dentistry with the permission of Karamanoğlu Mehmetbey University Faculty of Medicine Ethics Committee (#04-2022/101). Trial registration is also available at clinicaltrail.gov. (NCT06318013, 26/05/2024).
Topics: Humans; Molar, Third; Dexamethasone; Tooth, Impacted; Male; Female; Pain, Postoperative; Tooth Extraction; Nerve Block; Adult; Anesthesia, Dental; Anesthetics, Local; Young Adult; Pain Measurement; Mandibular Nerve; Carticaine; Time Factors; Edema
PubMed: 38890655
DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04483-4 -
High Blood Pressure & Cardiovascular... Jun 2024New therapies for resistant hypertension (RH), including renal denervation (RDN), have been studied. (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
New therapies for resistant hypertension (RH), including renal denervation (RDN), have been studied.
AIM
Access the safety and effectiveness of radiofrequency-based RDN vs pharmacological treatment for RH.
METHODS
A thorough literature search was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane databases, focusing on studies that compared the effects of radiofrequency-based RDN versus pharmacological treatment for RH. Treatment effects for binary and continuous endpoints were pooled and used, respectively, odds-ratio (OR) and mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) to analyze continuous outcomes.
RESULTS
In the 10 included studies, involving 1.182 patients, 682 received radiofrequency-based RDN. The follow-up period ranged from 6 to 84 months. Analysis revealed that the RDN group had a significant reduction in office systolic blood pressure (BP) (MD - 9.5 mmHg; 95% CI - 16.81 to - 2.29; P = 0.01), office diastolic BP (MD - 5.1 mmHg; 95% CI - 8.42 to - 2.80; P < 0.001), 24 h systolic BP (MD - 4.8 mmHg; 95% CI - 7.26 to - 2.42; P < 0.001). For 24 h diastolic BP RDN did not have a significant reduction (MD - 2.3 mmHg; 95% CI - 4.19 to - 0.52; P = 0.012). The heterogeneity between the studies was high, visible in the funnel and Baujat plots. The OR was non-significant for non-serious adverse events, but also clinically significant for hypertensive crises and strokes for the RDN group.
CONCLUSIONS
While the pharmacological regimen of 3 or more anti-hypertensive, including a diuretic, still be the first-line option for RH treatment, our results support that radiofrequency-based RDN is superior in reducing global BP and is safe.
PubMed: 38890242
DOI: 10.1007/s40292-024-00660-2 -
Circulation. Heart Failure Jun 2024Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a common subtype of heart failure marked by impaired left ventricular diastolic function and decreased... (Review)
Review
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a common subtype of heart failure marked by impaired left ventricular diastolic function and decreased myocardial compliance. Given the limited availability of evidence-based pharmacological treatments for HFpEF, there is a growing interest in nonpharmacological interventions as viable therapeutic alternatives. This review aims to explore the pathophysiology of HFpEF and present recent advancements in nonpharmacological management approaches, encompassing noninvasive therapies, invasive procedures and targeted treatments for comorbidities. An extensive literature review was undertaken to identify and synthesize emerging nonpharmacological treatment options for HFpEF, assessing their potential to enhance patient outcomes. Nonpharmacological strategies, such as vagus nerve stimulation, percutaneous pulmonary artery denervation, renal denervation, transcatheter insertion of atrial shunts and pericardial resection, demonstrate promising potential for alleviating HFpEF symptoms and improving patient prognosis. Moreover, addressing comorbidities, such as hypertension and diabetes, may offer additional therapeutic benefits. These cutting-edge techniques, in conjunction with well-established exercise therapies, pave the way for future research and clinical applications in the field. Nonpharmacological interventions hold promise for advancing HFpEF patient care and fostering a deeper understanding of these treatment approaches, which will facilitate new clinical applications and contribute to the development of more targeted therapies.
PubMed: 38887946
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.123.011269 -
International Journal of Oral Science Jun 2024Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) associated pain commonly predicts adverse events among patients. This clinical feature indicates the engagement of nociceptors on...
Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) associated pain commonly predicts adverse events among patients. This clinical feature indicates the engagement of nociceptors on sensory neurons during the development of malignancy. However, it is yet to be determined if targeting oncometabolite-associated nociception processes can hinder OSCC progression. In this study, we reported that nociceptive endings infiltrating both clinical samples and mouse tumor xenografts were associated with poorer clinical outcomes and drove tumor progression in vivo, as evidenced by clinical tissue microarray analysis and murine lingual denervation. We observed that the OSCC microenvironment was characteristic of excessive adenosine due to CD73 upregulation which negatively predicted clinical outcomes in the TCGA-HNSC patient cohort. Notably, such adenosine concentrative OSCC niche was associated with the stimulation of adenosine A receptor (AR) on trigeminal ganglia. Antagonism of trigeminal AR with a selective AR inhibitor SCH58261 resulted in impeded OSCC growth in vivo. We showed that trigeminal AR overstimulation in OSCC xenograft did not entail any changes in the transcription level of CGRP in trigeminal ganglia but significantly triggered the release of CGRP, an effect counteracted by SCH58261. We further demonstrated the pro-tumor effect of CGRP by feeding mice with the clinically approved CGRP receptor antagonist rimegepant which inhibited the activation of ERK and YAP. Finally, we diminished the impact of CGRP on OSCC with istradefylline, a clinically available drug that targets neuronal AR. Therefore, we established trigeminal AR-mediated CGRP release as a promising druggable circuit in OSCC treatment.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Mouth Neoplasms; Receptor, Adenosine A2A; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Humans; Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide; Disease Progression; Trigeminal Nerve; Cell Line, Tumor; Adenosine A2 Receptor Antagonists; Pyrimidines; Triazoles
PubMed: 38886342
DOI: 10.1038/s41368-024-00308-w -
Zhurnal Nevrologii I Psikhiatrii Imeni... 2024Based on an analysis of modern medical literature, to study the main clinical characteristics of pain in patients with transitional lumbosacral vertebrae. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVE
Based on an analysis of modern medical literature, to study the main clinical characteristics of pain in patients with transitional lumbosacral vertebrae.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
A search was made for articles in the scientific electronic libraries CYBERLENINKA, eLIBRARY, Google Scholar, and the electronic database of biomedical publications PubMed. Sixty-eight scientific publications corresponded to the stated goal.
RESULTS
The review of literature shows that the localization of pain in patients with transitional vertebrae corresponds to the zone of pseudarthrosis between the enlarged transverse process of the L vertebra and the wing of the sacrum. In most patients, the pain is deep, not superficial. Pain intensity ranges from 3.0 to 8.4, reaching an average of 6.0 on the visual analog scale. Pain can radiate to one of the buttocks and the lower limb. The intensity of pain in the leg at the same time, on average, reaches 5.4 points. The pain syndrome can last for months, the course of the disease acquires a sluggish, undulating character with periodic exacerbations. The causes of exacerbations of pain may be excessive loads on the spine, concomitant vertebrogenic diseases and spinal injuries, excess weight, and in women, a history of pregnancy. Pain management can be either conservative or surgical. The scope of conservative treatment consists of using acupuncture and taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The greatest therapeutic effect is achieved with local injection therapy of analgesics and glucocorticoids at the neoarticulation point. The effectiveness of the course of therapeutic blockades reaches a period from several months to a year. The arsenal of surgical techniques includes pseudoartrectomy, radiofrequency denervation, minimally invasive endoscopic surgery, and transpedicular fusion. In most patients, after surgical treatment, complete relief of pain is noted.
CONCLUSION
The review provides information on the predominant localization of pain in patients with transitional vertebrae, its nature, intensity, irradiation, duration, causes of exacerbation, as well as the effectiveness of the methods of conservative and surgical treatment.
Topics: Humans; Lumbar Vertebrae; Pain Measurement; Low Back Pain; Sacrum; Female; Lumbosacral Region; Male
PubMed: 38884424
DOI: 10.17116/jnevro20241240517 -
The Laryngoscope Jun 2024To characterize the effect of facial reanimation using masseteric nerve transfer on the masseter muscle itself, examining whether there is any demonstrable atrophy...
OBJECTIVES
To characterize the effect of facial reanimation using masseteric nerve transfer on the masseter muscle itself, examining whether there is any demonstrable atrophy postoperatively.
METHODS
Electronic medical records of adult patients who underwent facial reanimation using masseteric nerve transfer at our institution over a 15-year period were reviewed. To account for the impact of postoperative radiation, randomly selected patients who underwent radical parotidectomy without nerve transfer and received postoperative radiation served as controls in a 1:1 fashion against those who underwent masseteric nerve transfer with postoperative radiation.
RESULTS
Twenty patients were identified who underwent masseteric nerve transfer and had sufficient pre- and postoperative imaging to assess masseter volume (mean age 58.2, 60% female). Of the four patients who did not receive postoperative radiation, each demonstrated masseteric atrophy on the side of their nerve transfer, with a mean reduction in masseter volume of 20.6%. The remaining 16 patients were included in the case-control analysis accounting for radiation. When compared with controls, those in the study group were found to have a statistically significant difference in atrophy (p = 0.0047) and total volume loss (p = 0.0002). The overall reduction in masseter volume in the study group was significantly higher compared with the control group, at 41.7% and 16.6%, respectively (p = 0.0001).
CONCLUSION
Facial reanimation utilizing masseteric nerve transfer appears to result in atrophy of the denervated masseter when compared with the contralateral muscle. This volume deficit may lead to further facial asymmetry for patients undergoing comprehensive reanimation surgery.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE
3 Laryngoscope, 2024.
PubMed: 38884344
DOI: 10.1002/lary.31576 -
Journal of Thoracic Disease May 2024Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent clinical arrhythmia with a high incidence of disability and mortality. Autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a crucial role in the... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent clinical arrhythmia with a high incidence of disability and mortality. Autonomic nervous system (ANS) plays a crucial role in the onset and persistence of AF, and can lead to electrophysiological changes and alterations in atrial structure. Both animal models and clinical findings suggest that parasympathetic and sympathetic activity within the cardiac ANS could induce atrial remodeling and AF. Remodeling of the cardiac autonomic nerves is a significant structural basis for promoting AF. Given the challenges faced by conventional pharmacological and atrial ablation techniques in the treatment of AF, increasing attention has been paid to autonomic intervention strategies for AF. Current research has demonstrated that the frequency and severity of AF episodes can be significantly reduced by modulating the activity of ANS. ANS neuromodulation is expected to lead more effective and personalized treatment options for patients with AF. The objective of this review is to provide a broader perspective for future related studies by reviewing preclinical and clinical studies of neuromodulation methods for the treatment of AF, searching for relevant approaches to treat AF, as well as identifying the strengths and weaknesses demonstrated by current relevant studies, and providing researchers with a broader overview of the latest neurological treatments for AF.
METHODS
A narrative review was conducted on the literature on PubMed, WanFang data, and Google Scholar, including all relevant studies published until November 2023.
KEY CONTENT AND FINDINGS
In this review, we delve into the innervation of cardiac autonomic nerves, the role of the ANS in the development and maintenance of AF, and the current neuromodulation methods for AF treatment. These methods include stellate ganglion (SG) resection or ablation, vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), thoracic subcutaneous nerve stimulation (ScNS), renal denervation (RDN) therapy, ganglionated plexus (GP) ablation, and epicardial botulinum toxin or CaCl injection. More and more research suggests that neuromodulation methods for the treatment of AF have broad prospects.
CONCLUSIONS
ANS plays a crucial role in AF development and maintenance through cardiac autonomic nerve remodeling. Modulating ANS activity can significantly reduce AF frequency and severity, offering more personalized treatment options. Current research on autonomic interventions for AF shows promise for more effective and personalized treatments.
PubMed: 38883655
DOI: 10.21037/jtd-23-1981 -
Cureus May 2024Road traffic accidents lead to extensive damage to superficial as well as deep components in the body. Neurological structures that are affected due to open injuries...
Road traffic accidents lead to extensive damage to superficial as well as deep components in the body. Neurological structures that are affected due to open injuries have major impairments in the day-to-day life of an individual. High trauma incidents lead to nerve injuries, which are a common occurrence secondary to fractures after such falls. Nerve entrapment, nerve compression, nerve denervation, or demyelination usually result in the wasting of muscles supplied by it, which eventually causes muscle atrophy. Muscle atrophy limits the ability of an individual to move the extremities to achieve functional activities. Sensory neuropathy, in addition to motor neuropathy, is an associated complication. Physical therapy interventions are observed to play a significant role in nerve and muscle injury rehabilitation courses, thus improving quality of life. This report presents a case of a 43-year-old male who came to the hospital with complaints of pain and inability to move the shoulder after his bike was hit by a truck from behind and he experienced a fall. The patient presented to an orthopedic surgeon who took X-ray, electromyography (EMG), and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) investigations and confirmed fracture of greater tuberosity of the humerus and motor neuropathy of the suprascapular nerve. He was surgically treated and was referred to the physiotherapy outpatient department for postoperative management. A well-planned physical therapy program aimed to improve the range of motion and strength of the affected shoulder joint while preventing atrophy, thus improving quality of life.
PubMed: 38882973
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.60509