Connexin 36 Mediates Orofacial Pain Hypersensitivity Through GluK2 and TRPA1

Trigeminal neuralgia is a debilitating condition, and the pain easily spreads to other parts of the face. Here, we established a mouse model of partial transection of the infraorbital nerve (pT-ION) and found that the Connexin 36 (Cx36) inhibitor mefloquine caused greater alleviation of pT-ION-induced cold allodynia compared to the reduction of mechanical allodynia. Mefloquine reversed the pT-ION-induced upregulation of Cx36, glutamate receptor ionotropic kainate 2 (GluK2), transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), and phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase (p-ERK) in the trigeminal ganglion. Cold allodynia but not mechanical allodynia induced by pT-ION or by virus-mediated overexpression of Cx36 in the trigeminal ganglion was reversed by the GluK2 antagonist NS102, and knocking down Cx36 expression in Nav1.8-expressing nociceptors by injecting virus into the orofacial skin area of Nav1.8-Cre mice attenuated cold allodynia but not mechanical allodynia. In conclusion, we show that Cx36 contributes greatly to the development of orofacial pain hypersensitivity through GluK2, TRPA1, and p-ERK signaling.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1007/s12264-020-00594-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Similarities between interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome and vulvodynia: implications for patient management

Interstitial cystitis/bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS) and vulvodynia are chronic pain syndromes that appear to be intertwined from the perspectives of embryology, pathology and epidemiology. These associations may account for similar responses to various therapies.     

Severe lumbar spinal stenosis combined with Guillain-Barré syndrome: A case report

BACKGROUNDGuillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a rare disorder that typically presents with ascending weakness, pain, paraesthesias, and numbness, which mimic the findings in lumbar spinal stenosis. Here, we report a case of severe lumbar spinal stenosis combined with GBS.CASE SUMMARYA 70-year-old man with a history of lumbar spinal stenosis presented to our emergency department with severe lower back pain and lower extremity numbness. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of severe lumbar spinal stenosis. However, his symptoms did not improve postoperatively and he developed dysphagia and upper extremity numbness. An electromyogram was performed. Based on his symptoms, physical examination, and electromyogram, he was diagnosed with GBS. After 5 d of intravenous immunoglobulin (0.4 g/kg/d for 5 d) therapy, he gained 4/5 of strength in his upper and lower extremities and denied paraesthesias. He had regained 5/5 of strength in his extremities when he was discharged and had no symptoms during follow-up.CONCLUSIONGBS should be considered in the differential diagnosis of spinal disorder, even though magnetic resonance imaging shows severe lumbar spinal stenosis. This case highlights the importance of a careful diagnosis when a patient has a history of a disease and comes to the hospital with the same or similar symptoms.     

坐骨重叠征与发育性髋关节脱位手术后再脱位的相关性分析

目的提出坐骨重叠征(ischium overlap sign,IOS)的概念,并分析其与发育性髋关节脱位(developmental dysplasia of the hip,DDH)手术后再脱位的关系。方法回顾性分析2013年9月至2017年5月山东大学附属省立医院治疗的88例(105髋)DDH患儿病例资料,其中男童16例、女童72例;平均年龄12(5~24)个月,平均随访时间34(15~59)个月;双侧17例,左侧63髋,右侧42髋;1髋为髋臼发育不良,11髋半脱位,93髋全脱位。术中行髋关节造影检查,按照Bowen标准选择闭合或切开复位石膏固定术。IOS是指在人类位髋关节造影平片上股骨头软骨内缘与坐骨外缘的重叠关系,二者重叠为Ⅰ度,相接为Ⅱ度,分离为Ⅲ度。将93髋全脱位按照IOS分度进行分组,比较组间再脱位发生率。结果 1髋髋臼发育不良和11髋半脱位者IOS均为Ⅰ度。93髋全脱位中IOSⅠ度14髋,Ⅱ度39髋,此两组均行闭合复位石膏固定,无再脱位病例;Ⅲ度40髋中,闭合复位石膏固定17髋,6髋再脱位;切开复位石膏固定23髋,1髋再脱位。本研究发现Ⅲ度组的再脱位发生率(7/40,17.5%)高于其他两组(P=0.006)。IOS为Ⅲ度的40髋中,闭合复位的再脱位发生率(6/17,35.3%)高于切开复位(1/23,4.4%),差异有统计学意义(X^2=4.518,P=0.034)。结论 IOS与DDH术后再脱位有一定的关系,IOS为Ⅲ度的髋关节如行闭合复位,再脱位的风险较高。     

Chest wall pain following lung stereotactic body radiation therapy using 48 Gy in three fractions: A search for predictors

Purpose

Chest wall pain is an uncommon but bothersome late complication following lung stereotactic body radiation therapy. Despite numerous studies investigating predictors of chest wall pain, no clear consensus has been established for a chest wall constraint. The aim of our study was to investigate factors related to chest wall pain in a homogeneous group of patients treated at our institution.

胸痹心痛病患者的中医心脏康复护理意义研究

目的探讨胸痹心痛病患者的中医心脏康复护理意义。方法选取2018年1月-2019年1月在大连中医医院内一病房就诊的80例胸痹心痛病患者,经辨证分型为气虚血瘀型胸痹,随机分为试验组和对照组,对照组40例采取常规护理,试验组40例在对照组的基础上使用中医心脏康复护理,主要包括:证候施护、饮食护理、中医特色技术、情志护理、健康指导等。通过中医证候评分对治疗的有效率进行观察。结果试验组有效率为92.5%,对照组有效率为77.5%,试验组优于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论对胸痹心痛病患者的中医心脏康复护理,可以有效提高临床有效率,改善临床症状,提高患者生活质量,值得在临床推广。     

卡马西平与左乙拉西坦治疗成人癫痫的效果及对认知功能和骨密度的影响分析

目的探究卡马西平与左乙拉西坦治疗成人癫痫的效果及对认知功能、骨密度的影响。方法92例成人癫痫患者作为研究对象,随机分为左乙拉西坦组与卡马西平组,各46例。左乙拉西坦组采用左乙拉西坦治疗,卡马西平组采用卡马西平治疗。比较两组患者治疗前及治疗6个月后认知功能[语言智商(VIQ)、操作智商(PIQ)、总智商(FIQ)]评分、骨密度(腰椎、股骨大转子、股骨颈)变化情况。结果治疗6个月后,两组患者VIQ、PIQ、FIQ评分均较治疗前显著提升,且左乙拉西坦组患者VIQ评分(101.2±3.1)分、PIQ评分(108.1±2.3)分、FIQ评分(105.2±1.8)分均明显高于卡马西平组的(95.1±2.8)、(94.1±2.0)、(93.5±1.6)分,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗6个月后,卡马西平组患者腰椎、股骨大转子、股骨颈骨密度均较治疗前显著下降,且明显低于卡马西平组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);左乙拉西坦组治疗6个月后腰椎、股骨大转子、股骨颈骨密度与治疗前比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论左乙拉西坦与卡马西平治疗成人癫痫,左乙拉西坦更能明显提升患者认知功能,且对患者骨密度无影响。     

A modality-specific somatosensory evoked potential test protocol for clinical evaluation: A feasibility study

ObjectiveWe aimed to establish an objective neurophysiological test protocol that can be used to assess the somatosensory nervous system.MethodsIn order to assess most fiber subtypes of the somatosensory nervous system, repetitive stimuli of seven different modalities (touch, vibration, pinprick, cold, contact heat, laser, and warmth) were synchronized with the electroencephalogram (EEG) and applied on the cheek and dorsum of the hand and dorsum of the foot in 21 healthy subjects and three polyneuropathy (PNP) patients. Latencies and amplitudes of the modalities were assessed and compared. Patients received quantitative sensory testing (QST) as reference.ResultsWe found reproducible evoked potentials recordings for touch, vibration, pinprick, contact-heat, and laser stimuli. The recording of warm-evoked potentials was challenging in young healthy subjects and not applicable in patients. Latencies were shortest within Aβ-fiber-mediated signals and longest within C-fibers. The test protocol detected function loss within the Aβ-fiber and Aδ-fiber-range in PNP patients. This function loss corresponded with QST findings.ConclusionIn this pilot study, we developed a neurophysiological test protocol that can specifically assess most of the somatosensory modalities. Despite technical challenges, initial patient data appear promising regarding a possible future clinical application.SignificanceEstablished and custom-made stimulators were combined to assess different fiber subtypes of the somatosensory nervous system using modality-specific evoked potentials.