In Vivo Investigation of Polymer-Ceramic PCL/HA and PCL/β-TCP 3D Composite Scaffolds and Electrical Stimulation for Bone Regeneration

Critical bone defects are a major clinical challenge in reconstructive bone surgery. Polycaprolactone (PCL) mixed with bioceramics, such as hydroxyapatite (HA) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP), create composite scaffolds with improved biological recognition and bioactivity. Electrical stimulation (ES) aims to compensate the compromised endogenous electrical signals and to stimulate cell proliferation and differentiation. We investigated the effects of composite scaffolds (PCL with HA; and PCL with β-TCP) and the use of ES on critical bone defects in Wistar rats using eight experimental groups: untreated, ES, PCL, PCL/ES, HA, HA/ES, TCP, and TCP/ES. The investigation was based on histomorphometry, immunohistochemistry, and gene expression analysis. The vascular area was greater in the HA/ES group on days 30 and 60. Tissue mineralization was greater in the HA, HA/ES, and TCP groups at day 30, and TCP/ES at day 60. Bmp-2 gene expression was higher in the HA, TCP, and TCP/ES groups at day 30, and in the TCP/ES and PCL/ES groups at day 60. Runx-2, Osterix, and Osteopontin gene expression were also higher in the TCP/ES group at day 60. These results suggest that scaffolds printed with PCL and TCP, when paired with electrical therapy application, improve bone regeneration.

Effects of Electrotherapy on Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS)

In this article, the reasons for the occurrence of Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) and the effect of electrotherapy on it were discussed. Electrotherapy is a non-invasive and easy method to treat DOMS and muscle fatigue. As a result of intense and abnormal exercise, the creatine phosphokinase enzyme in the muscle increases and DOMS occur. DOMS can be treated with electrotherapy techniques such as micro-current electrotherapy. Micro-currents devices reduce the severity of DOMS symptoms by maintaining intracellular calcium homeostasis. Devices such as Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and Micro-Current Electrical Therapy (MET) belong to the category of micro-currents. The number of electrotherapy sessions after the occurrence of DOMS and the frequency of electrotherapy devices are two important factors in the treatment of DOMS. TENS conducts electrical current to the body through electrodes that attach to the skin, and helping to reduce pain by releasing endorphins, a natural painkiller, and blocking the passage of pain to the brain. MET uses resonant frequencies to aid in deeper and longer treatment, increase the body’s production of natural catalysts in the healing process, and is more useful in chronic pain than TENS. Research has shown that electrotherapy has been shown to improve DOMS symptoms.

The Defibrillation Conundrum: New Insights into the Mechanisms of Shock-Related Myocardial Injury Sustained from a Life-Saving Therapy

Implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) are recommended to prevent the risk of sudden cardiac death. However, shocks are associated with an increased mortality with a dose response effect, and a strategy of reducing electrical therapy burden improves the prognosis of implanted patients. We review the mechanisms of defibrillation and its consequences, including cell damage, metabolic remodeling, calcium metabolism anomalies, and inflammatory and pro-fibrotic remodeling. Electrical shocks do save lives, but also promote myocardial stunning, heart failure, and pro-arrhythmic effects as seen in electrical storms. Limiting unnecessary implantations and therapies and proposing new methods of defibrillation in the future are recommended.

Bradyarrhythmias and Physiologic Pacing in the ICU

Bradyarrhythmias represent a common pathology in the intensive care unit (ICU) with etiologies of varying severity. Treatment has often been focused on correcting underlying causes and may require pacing for urgent hemodynamic support. In recent years, there has been interest in physiologic pacing modalities which avoid the dyssynchrony from right ventricular (RV) only pacing. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) through biventricular pacing is a well-established device-based electrical therapy in patients with wide QRS and heart failure. Recently, it has been shown that biventricular pacing may also be pursued for hemodynamic rescue in the ICU setting. Efforts to re-engage the conduction system with His bundle pacing or further downstream have also emerged as alternative means to deliver resynchronization, with early applications in the ICU now being reported. The goal of the review is to examine bradyarrhythmia causes and management in the ICU as well as investigate new approaches in physiologic pacing and their potential roles in critically ill patients.

Factors Associated with Survival from In-Hospital Cardiac Arrest in the Service Wards and Intensive Care Units of a Tertiary Hospital

Background. Despite the recent advances in advanced cardiac life support (ACLS), there has been no significant improvement in survival among patients who undergo cardiac arrest. To date, there are no local guidelines on the requirements or standards of in-hospital cardiac arrest teams in the Philippines. In addition, there are still no studies on the outcomes of cardiac arrests among adult patients in a tertiary hospital in the Philippines. Objectives. The objective of this study is to investigate patient-, event-, and hospital-related factors associated with survival among adult patients who underwent in-hospital cardiac arrest in the service wards and intensive care units of a tertiary hospital. Methods. This is a prospective cross-sectional study conducted over three months in 2018. Patient-, event- and hospital-related data were collected from each patient with a cardiac arrest event who was referred to the cardiac arrest teams based on the modified Utstein form of reporting cardiac arrests. Survival to discharge from cardiac arrest was the main outcome. Results. The study included 119 patients, 47.9% male, with a mean age of 50.1 years (SD 16.7). Survival rate was 6.7%. The mean response time did not differ between survival group (1.46 minutes) and mortality group (1.82 minutes) (p value = 0.26). The presence of a shockable initial rhythm (3.6% vs 3/8; p value = 0.01), shorter lag time to initiation of electrical therapy (6.0 vs 9.3 ± 5.6 min; p value = 0.02), shorter time to establishment of an airway (2.75 ± 1.6 vs. 6.98 ± 5.2 min; p value = 0.01), and shorter duration of resuscitation (7 ± 4.6 vs. 13.0 ± 7.9 min; p value = 0.01) were significantly associated with survival. The presence of underlying illnesses is associated with higher mortality. The most common hospital-related problems identified were the need to cover long distances, delay in the call, and the lack of elevators. Conclusion. The survival rate of patients who underwent cardiac arrest and resuscitation by a cardiac arrest team is low. The initial presenting rhythm, lag time to initiation of electrical therapy, time to establishment of airway, duration of resuscitation, as well as the underlying disease can significantly affect survival. Streamlining the resources of the hospital to address these matters can have an impact on survival.

Ultra-stretchable and multifunctional wearable electronics for superior electromagnetic interference shielding, electrical therapy and biomotion monitoring

TAMF exhibits outstanding electromagnetic shielding, excellent Joule heating, high breathability and favorable mechanosensation performances.

Exercise Programs Targeting Scapular Kinematics and Stability Are Effective in Decreasing Neck Pain: A Critically Appraised Topic

Clinical Scenerio: Neck pain is a costly symptom in both civilian and military worlds. While traditional treatments include deep neck flexor stabilizing exercises, manual therapy, electrical therapy, and other nonsurgical interventions, scapular orientation and stability training has emerged as a possible tool to reduce neck pain severity. Methods that can be coached at a distance could be of value in virtual appointments or circumstances where access to a qualified manual therapist is limited. Focused Clinical Question: What is the effectiveness of including exercise programs targeting scapular kinematics and stability to decrease neck pain? Summary of Key Findings: Exercise programs targeting scapular kinematics and stability, with coaching and individualized progressions, appear to reduce neck pain severity. Clinical Bottom Line: Evidence supports the inclusion of exercises for scapular kinematics and stability at a prescription of 3 sessions per week, with a duration of 4 or 6 weeks. Exercise programs should include a “learning” or coaching phase to ensure exercises are performed as intended, and exercise progressions should be based on participant ability rather than predetermined timelines. Further research is needed to better understand the benefits of this potential strategy and the statistical impact of scapular-focused exercise interventions on neck pain in specific populations like military and athletes. Strength of Recommendation: There is ‘Fair’ to ‘Good’ evidence from 2 level 1b single-blind randomized control studies and 1 level 2b pre-post test control design study supporting the inclusion of exercise programs targeting scapular kinematics and stability to decrease chronic neck pain severity.

Synergistic Therapy of Celecoxib-Loaded Magnetism-Responsive Hydrogel for Tendon Tissue Injuries

Tendon tissue injury is very common and always associated with pain, tissue swelling and even malformation if not treated on time. Traditional therapeutic strategies, such as cryotherapy, electrical therapy, ultrasound therapy and anti-inflammatory drug, are still unsatisfying. In this work, a synergistic therapy, based on the combination of celecoxib drug and pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) regimens, was developed for the treatment of tendon injury. This celecoxib-loaded magnetism-responsive hydrogel dressing (gelatin/Fe3O4/celecoxib) showed good biocompatibility and coordinated drug release behavior under the PEMF, which could effectively reduce the inflammatory reaction of macrophage cells with the incremental proportion of M2 macrophages at the injury site. CatWalk gait analysis further verified this synergistic effect of combination therapy for achieving the outstanding recovery of the injured tendon tissue. Thus, this magnetism-responsive hydrogel may represent a promising alternative strategy in clinics for promoting tendon healing.