scholarly journals Design and Analysis of a Whole-Body Noncontact Electromagnetic Subthreshold Stimulation Device with Field Modulation Targeting Nonspecific Neuropathic Pain

2019 ◽  
pp. 85-123 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergey Makarov ◽  
Gene Bogdanov ◽  
Gregory Noetscher ◽  
William Appleyard ◽  
Reinhold Ludwig ◽  
...  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. e243459
Author(s):  
Matthew McWilliam ◽  
Michael Samuel ◽  
Fadi Hasan Alkufri

A 61-year-old man with no significant medical history developed fever, headache and mild shortness of breath. He tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 and self-isolated at home, not requiring hospital admission. One week after testing positive, he developed acute severe burning pain affecting his whole body, subsequently localised distally in the limbs. There was no ataxia or autonomic failure. Neurological examination was unremarkable. Electrophysiological tests were unremarkable. Skin biopsy, lumbar puncture, enhanced MRI of the brachial plexus and MRI of the neuroaxis were normal. His pain was inadequately controlled with pregabalin but improved while on a weaning regimen of steroids. This case highlights the variety of possible symptoms associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection.


Author(s):  
Anna L.J. Verhulst ◽  
Hans H.C.M. Savelberg ◽  
Gerard Vreugdenhil ◽  
Massimo Mischi ◽  
Goof Schep

The objective was to study the effect of whole-body vibration (WBV) on strength, balance and pain in patients with peripheral neuropathies and to consider its significance for the rehabilitation of patients suffering from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). Using a broad search strategy, PubMed was searched for clinical trials on WBV interventions aimed at improving strength, balance or pain in patients with peripheral neuropathies, which were published in English until 5th June 2014. The search was performed by the first author and generated a total of 505 results, which yielded 5 articles that met the inclusion criteria, being studies: i) published in English; ii) involving adult human subjects’ peripheral neuropathies; iii) evaluating the effect of WBV as a therapeutic intervention; and iv) reporting findings for at least one of the following outcomes: strength, balance or pain. Methodological quality of included studies was assessed independently by first and second author, using the physiotherapy evidence database scale. The overall methodological quality of included studies was low. Two studies found a beneficial effect of WBV on neuropathic pain, but another study failed to find the same effect. One study found significant improvements in both muscle strength and balance, while another study found improvements only in some, but not all, of the applied tests to measure muscle strength and balance. The results of this literature search suggest insufficient evidence to assess the effectiveness for the effects of WBV on neuropathic pain, muscle strength and balance in patients with peripheral neuropathies. More high-quality trials are needed to guide the optimization of rehabilitation programs for cancer survivors with CIPN in particular.


2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 1763-1766 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis Poncet‐Megemont ◽  
Radhouane Dallel ◽  
Carine Chassain ◽  
Antoine Perrey ◽  
Sophie Mathais ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Bruce Wilson ◽  
Julian Peiser-Oliver ◽  
Alexander Gillis ◽  
Sally Evans ◽  
Claudia Alamein ◽  
...  

Background and Purpose: Changes to spinal glycinergic signalling are a feature of pain chronification. Normalising those changes by inhibiting glycine transporter-2 (GlyT2) is a promising treatment strategy. However, existing GlyT2 inhibitors e.g. ORG25543 are limited by narrow therapeutic windows and severe dose-limiting side effects such as convulsions, and are therefore poor candidates for clinical development. Experimental Approach: Analgesic and side-effect properties of intraperitoneally administered oleoyl-D-lysine, a lipid-based GlyT2 inhibitor, were characterised in mice. Analgesia was assessed in models of chronic neuropathic and inflammatory pain via the von Frey test, and acute nociception via hotplate. Side effects were scored via numerical rating scale, convulsions score, the Rotarod test and whole-body plethysmography for respiratory depression. Key Results: Oleoyl-D-lysine produced significant analgesia/anti-allodynia in the model for chronic neuropathic pain but not for chronic inflammatory or acute pain. No side effects were seen at the peak analgesic dose, 30 mg kg-1. Mild side effects were observed at the highest dose, 100 mg kg-1, in the numerical rating score, but no convulsions. These results contrasted markedly with ORG25543, which produced significant analgesia only at the lethal or near-lethal dose of 50 mg kg-1. At this dose, ORG25543 caused severe side effects on the numerical rating score, severe convulsions, and Rotarod impairment. Oleoyl-D-lysine (30 mg kg-1) did not cause any respiratory depression, a problematic side effect of opiates. Conclusions and Implications: Oleoyl-D-lysine safely and effectively reverses neuropathic pain in mice. GlyT2 inhibitors may be better suited to treating pain of neuropathic origin over other pain aetiologies.


2012 ◽  
Vol 116 (2) ◽  
pp. 415-431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yi-Ju Tsai ◽  
Chun-Ta Huang ◽  
Shih-Chang Lin ◽  
Jiann-Horng Yeh

Background Neuroprotective effects of hypothermia on peripheral nerve injury remain uncertain. This study investigated the efficacy of hypothermia in attenuating neuropathic pain and glial activation in the cuneate nucleus in a median nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI) model. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 246) that underwent median nerve ligature at the elbow received various degrees of regional and whole-body hypothermia 15 min before CCI and 5 h, 1, 3, and 5 days after CCI. Hypothermia was maintained for 4 h. Seven days after CCI, behavioral and electrophysiological testings were conducted. Immunohistochemistry, immunoblotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used for qualitative and quantitative analysis of glial activation and measuring pro-inflammatory cytokines, respectively. Results Mild (32°C) and deep (28°C) regional hypothermia administered preinjury and 5 h postinjury attenuated neuropathic pain and glial activation. Application of whole-body hypothermia preinjury and 5 h postinjury provided a similar therapeutic effect. However, whole-body hypothermia, but not regional hypothermia, applied 1, 3, and 5 days postinjury attenuated glial activation and neuropathic pain. Similarly, on days 1, 3, and 5 postinjury, only whole-body hypothermia was effective in decreasing proinflammatory cytokine levels. The increase in injury discharge observed after CCI could be suppressed by regional or whole-body hypothermia at different stages of nerve injury. Conclusions At the early stage following nerve injury, regional and whole-body hypothermia suppresses ectopic discharges, and consequently inhibits glial activation and neuropathic pain. At the later stage, pain processing is mediated mainly by cytokines released from activated microglia; therefore, only whole-body hypothermia is effective in modulating pain.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sergey N. Makarov ◽  
Gene Bogdanov ◽  
Gregory M. Noetscher ◽  
William Appleyard ◽  
Reinhold Ludwig ◽  
...  

AbstractThis study describes a whole-body, non-contact electromagnetic stimulation device based on the concept of a conventional MRI Radio Frequency (RF) resonating coil, but at a much lower resonant frequency (100–150 kHz), with a field modulation option (0.5–100 Hz) and with an input power of up to 3 kW. Its unique features include a high electric field level within the biological tissue due to the resonance effect and a low power dissipation level, or a low Specific Absorption Rate (SAR), in the body itself. Because of its large resonator volume together with non-contact coupling, the subject may be located anywhere within the coil over a longer period at moderate and safe electric field levels. The electric field effect does not depend on body position within the resonator. However, field penetration is deep anywhere within the body, including the extremities where muscles, bones, and peripheral tissues are mostly affected. A potential clinical application of this device is treatment of chronic pain. Substantial attention is paid to device safety; this includes both AC power safety and exposure of human subjects to electromagnetic fields. In the former case, we employ inductive coupling which eliminates a direct current path from AC power to the coil. Our design enhances overall device safety at any power level, even when operated under higher-power conditions. Human exposure to electromagnetic fields within the coil is evaluated by performing modeling with two independent numerical methods and with an anatomically realistic multi-tissue human phantom. We show that SAR levels within the body correspond to International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) safety standards when the input power level of the amplifier driver does not exceed 3 kW. We also show that electric field levels generally comply with International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection safety standards if the input power level does not exceed 1.5 kW.


1988 ◽  
Vol 62 (01) ◽  
pp. 126-132 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas S. Jones ◽  
Roger W. Portell

Whole body asteroid fossils are rare in the geologic record and previously unreported from the Cenozoic of Florida. However, specimens of the extant species,Heliaster microbrachiusXantus, were recently discovered in upper Pliocene deposits. This marks the first reported fossil occurrence of the monogeneric Heliasteridae, a group today confined to the eastern Pacific. This discovery provides further non-molluscan evidence of the close similarities between the Neogene marine fauna of Florida and the modern fauna of the eastern Pacific. The extinction of the heliasters in the western Atlantic is consistent with the pattern of many other marine groups in the region which suffered impoverishment following uplift of the Central American isthmus.


Author(s):  
R.F. Dodson ◽  
L.W-F Chu ◽  
N. Ishihara

The extent of damage surrounding an implanted electrode in the cerebral cortex is a question of significant importance with regard to attaining consistency and validity of physiological recordings. In order to determine the extent of such tissue changes, 150 micron diameter platinum electrodes were implanted in the cortex of four adult baboons, and after eight days the animals were sacrificed by whole body perfusion with a 3% glutaraldehyde in 0.1M phosphate fixative.The calvarium was carefully removed and the electrode tracts were readily discernible in the firm, glutaraldehyde fixed tissue.Careful dissection of the zone of the electrode tract resulted in a small block which was further sectioned into tip, mid-tract and surface areas. Ultrastructurally, damage extended from the electrode sheath to the greatest extent of from 0.2 to 3.5 mm.


Author(s):  
J. Hanker ◽  
B. Giammara ◽  
G. Strauss

Only a fraction of the UV radiation emitted by the sun reaches the earth; most of the UVB (290-320nm) is eliminated by stratospheric ozone. There is increasing concern, however, that man-made chemicals are damaging this ozone layer. Although the effects of UV on DNA or as a carcinogen are widely known, preleukemia and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have only rarely been reported in psoriasis patients treated with 8-methoxypsoralen and UV (PUVA). It was therefore of interest to study the effects of UV on the myeloperoxidase (MP) activity of human neutrophils. The peroxidase activity of enriched leukocyte preparations on coverslips was shown cytochemically with a diaminobenzidine medium and cupric nitrate intensification.Control samples (Figs. 1,4,5) of human bloods that were not specifically exposed to UV radiation or light except during routine handling were compared with samples which had been exposed in one of several different ways. One preparation (Fig. 2) was from a psoriasis patient who had received whole-body UVB phototherapy repeatedly.


2019 ◽  
Vol 133 (22) ◽  
pp. 2317-2327 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolás Gómez-Banoy ◽  
James C. Lo

Abstract The growing prevalence of obesity and its related metabolic diseases, mainly Type 2 diabetes (T2D), has increased the interest in adipose tissue (AT) and its role as a principal metabolic orchestrator. Two decades of research have now shown that ATs act as an endocrine organ, secreting soluble factors termed adipocytokines or adipokines. These adipokines play crucial roles in whole-body metabolism with different mechanisms of action largely dependent on the tissue or cell type they are acting on. The pancreatic β cell, a key regulator of glucose metabolism due to its ability to produce and secrete insulin, has been identified as a target for several adipokines. This review will focus on how adipokines affect pancreatic β cell function and their impact on pancreatic β cell survival in disease contexts such as diabetes. Initially, the “classic” adipokines will be discussed, followed by novel secreted adipocyte-specific factors that show therapeutic promise in regulating the adipose–pancreatic β cell axis.


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