Withdrawal reflexes in the upper limb adapt to arm posture and stimulus location

Introduction: Withdrawal reflexes in the leg adapt in a context‐appropriate manner to remove the limb from noxious stimuli, but the extent to which withdrawal reflexes adapt in the arm remains unknown. Methods: We examined the adaptability of withdrawal reflexes in response to nociceptive stimuli applied in different arm postures and to different digits. Reflexes were elicited at rest, and kinetic and electromyographic responses were recorded under isometric conditions, thereby allowing motorneuron pool excitability to be controlled. Results: Endpoint force changed from a posterior–lateral direction in a flexed posture to predominantly a posterior direction in a more extended posture [change in force angle (mean ± standard deviation) 35.6 ± 5.0°], and the force direction changed similarly with digit I stimulation compared with digit V (change = 22.9 ± 2.9°). Conclusions: The withdrawal reflex in the human upper limb adapts in a functionally relevant manner when elicited at rest. Muscle Nerve 49 : 716–723, 2014     

Crossed responses found in human trapezius muscles are not H‐reflexes

Introduction: We sought to confirm the presence of crossed short‐latency reflexes in trapezius. Methods: Mmax and Hmax were measured in the ipsilateral trapezius in 10 subjects by percutaneous electrical stimulation of the accessory nerve and the cervical nerves of C3/4 respectively. Repeated stimulation of the C3/4 cervical nerves was performed during 3 different tasks (relaxation, contraction of ipsilateral side, contraction of contralateral side). Results: Ipsilaterally, responses increased significantly with an increase in the prestimulus electromyogram (EMG) and decreased significantly with a decrease in prestimulus EMG. Contralateral potentials increased significantly with contraction of the trapezius ipsilateral to the stimulus compared with contraction of the muscle in which they were recorded and decreased significantly with increasing distance from the ipsilateral side. Conclusions: We found ipsilateral and contralateral responses consistent with previous findings. However, we conclude that the contralateral response in trapezius is not a crossed reflex. Muscle Nerve 49 :362–369, 2014     

重复经颅磁刺激联合康复训练治疗腰椎间盘突出症的疗效观察

目的观察重复经颅磁刺激(rTMS)联合康复训练治疗腰椎间盘突出症(LDH)的疗效。方法选取LDH患者72例, 按照随机数字表法将其分为rTMS组、训练组、联合组, 每组24例。rTMS组给予2 Hz rTMS治疗, 训练组给予康复训练(麦肯基力学疗法和腰背部核心肌群稳定性训练), 联合组给予康复训练和rTMS治疗, 每日治疗1次, 每周6次, 连续8周。治疗前、治疗8周后(治疗后)、治疗结束后8周(随访时), 采用视觉模拟评分法(VAS)、Oswestry功能障碍指数(ODI)对3组患者的疼痛和功能障碍程度进行评定。治疗后, 采用改良的Macnab标准评估治疗效果。所有患者均随访12个月, 记录复发情况。结果治疗前, 3组患者VAS、ODI评分比较, 差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。治疗后, 3组患者的疼痛和功能障碍均有所缓解(P<0.05)。与rTMS组比较, 训练组治疗后和随访时的VAS评分较高、ODI评分较低。联合组治疗后和随访时的VAS、ODI评分均较rTMS组和训练组低(P<0.05)。治疗后, rTMS组、训练组、联合组的总有效率分别为62.5%、95....     

Electrical impedance myography for the in vivo and ex vivo assessment of muscular dystrophy (mdx) mouse muscle

Introduction: Sensitive, non‐invasive techniques are needed that can provide biomarkers of disease status and the effects of therapy in muscular dystrophy. Methods: We evaluated electrical impedance myography (EIM) to serve in this role by studying 2‐month‐old and 18‐month‐old mdx and wild‐type (WT) animals (10 animals in each of 4 groups). Results: Marked differences were observed in EIM values between mdx and WT animals; the differences were more pronounced between the older age groups (e.g., reactance of 92.6 ±4.3 Ω for mdx animals vs. 130 ± 4.1 Ω for WT animals, P < 0.001). In addition, in vivo EIM parameters correlated significantly with the extent of connective tissue deposition in the mdx animals. Conclusions: EIM has the potential to serve as a valuable non‐invasive method for evaluating muscular dystrophy. It can be a useful biomarker to assist with therapeutic testing in both pre‐clinical and clinical studies. Muscle Nerve 49 : 829–835, 2014     

经颅磁刺激联合背根神经节脉冲射频治疗带状疱疹神经痛的疗效观察

目的 观察重复经颅磁刺激（rTMS）联合背根神经节脉冲射频（RF）治疗急性期带状疱疹神经痛的临床疗效。 方法 采用随机数字表法将84例带状疱疹神经痛患者(病程≤7 d)分为对照组、rTMS组、RF组及观察组,每组21例。所有患者均给予加巴喷丁、伐昔洛韦、甲钴胺等药物口服,rTMS组在此基础上辅以rTMS治疗,每周治疗5 d,连续治疗2周,RF组于入组后第15天时辅以背根神经节RF治疗,观察组则给予rTMS及RF联合治疗（方法同上）。于治疗前、治疗后3 d、7 d、16 d、30 d、60 d时分别采用疼痛视觉模拟评分法（VAS）、汉密尔顿抑郁量表（HAMD）、汉密尔顿焦虑量表（HAMA）、生活质量评估量表（QOL-SF36）及匹兹堡睡眠质量指数（PSQI）量表对各组患者进行疗效评定。 结果 治疗后3 d、7 d、16 d、30 d、60 d时观察组疼痛VAS、HAMA、HAMD、QOL-SF36及PSQI评分均较治疗前明显改善（P＜0.05）。与同期对照组比较,观察组疼痛VAS、HAMA、HAMD、QOL-SF36及PSQI评分在治疗后16 d、30 d、60 d时均明显改善（P＜0.05）;与同期rTMS组比较,观察组疼痛VAS、HAMA及HAMD评分在治疗后16 d、30 d、60 d时均显著改善（P＜0.05）;与同期RF组比较,观察组疼痛VAS、HAMA、HAMD及PSQI评分在治疗后30 d、60 d时均显著改善（P＜0.05）。 结论 rTMS联合背根神经节RF治疗能有效缓解早期带状疱疹神经痛患者疼痛症状,减轻焦虑、抑郁程度,显著改善患者睡眠及生活质量,该联合疗法值得临床推广、应用。     

耳穴贴压法改善大肠癌术后化疗患者胃肠道反应的临床观察

为观察耳穴贴压法对改善大肠癌术后化疗患者胃肠道反应的效果,将80例大肠癌术后化疗患者随机分为治疗组和对照组,各40例,治疗组在常规治疗的基础上于化疗当天给予耳穴贴压,对照组给予常规治疗。根据NCI分级标准对80例患者化疗期间每天的恶心、呕吐、食欲分级进行记录。结果显示,治疗组恶心程度、呕吐程度、食欲下降程度明显低于对照组。结果表明,耳穴贴压法能明显降低大肠癌术后化疗患者的恶心、呕吐、食欲下降程度,疗效满意。     

经皮穴位电刺激对反复着床失败冻融胚胎移植患者的影响

目的观察经皮穴位电刺激(transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation,TEAS)对胚胎移植后反复着床失败的患者冻融胚胎移植周期子宫内膜、妊娠结局的影响。方法将176例反复着床失败行冻融胚移植的患者随机化分为两组:观察组82例:常规冻胚移植前内膜准备,月经第10天起给予TEAS;对照组94例:常规冻融胚移植前内膜准备,不予其他干预措施。比较两组患者移植前与月经第10天内膜增厚差值、生化妊娠率、临床妊娠率、胚胎着床率的差异。结果观察组生化妊娠率大于对照组,但差异无统计学意义;观察组内膜生长差值、着床率、临床妊娠率均大于对照组,且差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 TEAS可提高反复着床失败患者的子宫内膜容受性,提高此类患者冻融胚移植成功率。     

输注速度和刺激对全麻诱导时依托咪酯所致肌阵挛的影响

目的 通过观察不同给药速度以及在麻醉诱导过程中给予刺激对依托咪酯进行全麻诱导时发生肌阵挛的影响,分析肌阵挛的诱发因素.方法 200例ASA Ⅰ～Ⅱ级的患者随机分为四组：慢诱导组（S组）、慢诱导刺激组（S-s组）、快诱导组（F组）、快诱导刺激组（F-s组）,各50例.四组患者麻醉诱导均采用依托咪酯0.3 mg/kg.S组与S-s组输注时间均为1 min,F组与F-s组输注时间为10s.S组与F组待睫毛反射消失、呼吸变浅后开始行辅助通气,S-s组与F-s组待意识消失即刻开始行正压机械通气.记录四组患者麻醉前、依托咪酯注药后3 min内平均动脉压（MAP）、心率（HR）、脉搏血氧饱和度（SPO2）变化;观察静脉注射依托咪酯后肌阵挛的发生情况以及严重程度.结果 S组患者与F组患者肌阵挛发生率无明显差异,S-s组与S组相比以及F-s组与F组相比,其肌阵挛发生率均增高（P＜0.01）,但S-s组与F-s组相比肌阵挛发生率稍低（P＜0.01）.此外S-s组与F-s组注药后MAP及HR较基础值有所升高,SPO2则呈下降趋势（P＜0.01）,其余两组无明显变化.结论 全麻诱导时,加快输注速度并不会增加依托咪酯所致肌阵挛的发生率,但若在麻醉深度不够时给予了刺激则易诱发肌阵挛的发生.     

脊柱结核临床治疗要点回顾分析

目的 探讨脊柱结核临床治疗的要点。方法 回顾性分析2001-01-2010-01,我科收治的脊柱结核并脊髓损伤患者105例。化疗后3-4周手术,采用一期前路病灶清除、植骨、内固定手术治疗,术后严格强化四联抗结核治疗,术后3个月改三联化疗9-15个月。神经功能障碍改善情况采用ASIA神经功能评价,对其神经功能恢复、病灶愈合及内固定情况等进行分析研究。结果 1例术后3月后因结核性脑膜炎医治无效死亡。1例术后4月出现臀部脓肿复发,原发病灶未复发,再次手术清除后治愈。所有患者获随访4-12年,平均7.8年。脊柱病灶无复发。血沉均恢复正常,随访末期X线片均获骨性融合。结论 脊柱结核临床治疗要点应在标准化疗基础上尽早手术,一期病灶清除、植骨、内固定治疗,效果满意。     

Sensitivity analysis for a partially missing binary outcome in a two‐arm randomized clinical trial

Although recent guidelines for dealing with missing data emphasize the need for sensitivity analyses, and such analyses have a long history in statistics, universal recommendations for conducting and displaying these analyses are scarce. We propose graphical displays that help formalize and visualize the results of sensitivity analyses, building upon the idea of ‘tipping‐point’ analysis for randomized experiments with a binary outcome and a dichotomous treatment. The resulting ‘enhanced tipping‐point displays’ are convenient summaries of conclusions obtained from making different modeling assumptions about missingness mechanisms. The primary goal of the displays is to make formal sensitivity analysesmore comprehensible to practitioners, thereby helping them assess the robustness of the experiment's conclusions to plausible missingness mechanisms. We also present a recent example of these enhanced displays in amedical device clinical trial that helped lead to FDA approval. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.