Relationship between EMG-detected and ultrasound-detected fasciculations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A prospective cohort study

ObjectivesFasciculation potentials (FP) are an important consideration in the electrophysiological diagnosis of ALS. Muscle ultrasonography (MUS) has a higher sensitivity in detecting fasciculations than electromyography (EMG), while in some cases, it is unable to detect EMG-detected fasciculations. We aimed to investigate the differences of FP between the muscles with and without MUS-detected fasciculations (MUS-fas).MethodsThirty-one consecutive patients with sporadic ALS were prospectively recruited and in those, both needle EMG and MUS were performed. Analyses of the amplitude, duration, and number of phases of EMG-detected FPs were performed for seven muscles per patient, and results were compared between the muscles with and without MUS-fas in the total cohort.ResultsThe mean amplitude and phase number of FP were significantly lower in patients with EMG-detected FP alone (0.39 ± 0.25 mV and 3.21 ± 0.88, respectively) than in those with both FP and MUS-fas (1.22 ± 0.92 mV and 3.74 ± 1.39, respectively; p < 0.0001 and p = 0.017, Welch’s t-test).ConclusionSmall FP may be undetectable with MUS. MUS cannot replace EMG in the diagnostic approach for ALS.SignificanceClinicians should use a combination of EMG and MUS for the detection and quantitative analysis of fasciculation in ALS.     

人格特征对男性喉鳞状细胞癌患者术后近期心理状况的影响

目的 探讨人格特征对喉鳞状细胞癌（LSCC）患者术后近期心理健康状况的影响。方法 纳入2017年1月—2019年12月在湖北省肿瘤医院行手术治疗的119例男性LSCC患者，术后5~7 d采用SCL-90、SAS、SDS自评量表评估术后心理状态，采用EPQ问卷测评患者的人格特征。多元线性逐步回归方法分析LSCC患者术后近期SAS和SDS评分的影响因素。结果 男性LSCC患者术后SCL-90、SAS、SDS得分显著高于中国常模（P≤0.05），EPQ中精神质（P）量表和神经质（N）量表得分高于中国常模（P<0.01）。男性LSCC患者术后躯体化、强迫、焦虑、抑郁、敌对、恐怖、偏执、精神病性因子得分均显著高于中国常模（P<0.05）。家庭收入、手术方式、术后近期是否行放化疗、P和N人格特征是术后SAS评分的影响因素（均P<0.01）；家庭收入、手术方式、术后近期是否行放化疗和N人格特征是术后SDS评分的影响因素（P<0.01）。结论 LSCC患者术后近期存在抑郁、焦虑等心理障碍；具有P和N人格特征；家庭收入、手术方式、术后近期是否行放化疗以及P和N人格特征是影响术后SAS及SDS评分的独立危险因素。     

丙泊酚复合瑞芬太尼喉罩全麻的效果分析与研究

目的 探讨丙泊酚复合瑞芬太尼喉罩全身麻醉(全麻)的效果。方法 62例腹腔镜、泌尿科、骨科、肛肠科、妇科等手术治疗的患者,随机分为实验组和对照组,每组31例。对照组采用常规气管插管静脉复合全麻,实验组给予靶控输注丙泊酚复合瑞芬太尼喉罩全麻。比较两组患者插入喉罩(插管)、插管1 min、插管3 min、拔出喉罩(拔管)1 min、拔管3 min时心率(HR)和平均动脉压(MAP)水平;不良反应发生情况、麻醉效果;全麻起效时间、维持全麻时间、术后苏醒时间。结果 实验组插管时、插管1 min、插管3 min、拔管1 min、拔管3 min的HR水平分别为(77.52±6.36)、(73.26±5.56)、(72.01±4.69)、(75.35±7.63)、(72.34±6.79)次/min,均低于对照组的(92.34±7.85)、(87.97±5.25)、(78.85±5.20)、(95.69±9.21)、(85.63±7.43)次/min,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。实验组插管时、插管1 min、插管3 min、拔管1 min、拔管3 min的MAP水平分别为(90.25±6.73)、(87.65±7.98)、(88.79±7.65)、(88.09±5.61)、(88.52±5.16)mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa),均低于对照组的(109.51±7.85)、(103.27±12.43)、(102.52±8.21)、(106.74±7.68)、(104.62±7.71)mm Hg,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。实验组不良反应发生率3.23%低于对照组的19.35%,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。实验组麻醉总有效率96.77%均高于对照组的80.65%,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。实验组全麻起效、维持全麻、术后苏醒时间分别为(1.61±0.23)、(100.59±6.72)、(17.99±3.52)min,均短于对照组的(2.93±0.41)、(123.61±7.85)、(36.87±4.16)min,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 针对腹腔镜等手术患者应用丙泊酚复合瑞芬太尼喉罩全麻对血液动力学影响小,不良反应发生率低,麻醉效果良好,降低对机体损伤,值得推广应用。     

Exploration and validation of the effects of robust co-expressed immune-related genes on immune infiltration patterns and prognosis in laryngeal cancer

ObjectivesLaryngeal cancer is a common malignant tumor that originates from the larynx, yet its molecular mechanisms have not been thoroughly explored. The purpose of this study was to identify and evaluate immune-related genes in laryngeal cancer through gene co-expression networks, which may serve as biomarkers for its immunotherapy.MethodsWe applied ESTIMATE to evaluate the immune-infiltration landscape of tumor microenvironment. The co-expression networks were constructed by weighted gene co expression network analysis (WGCNA) and compared with the existing human immune related genes (IRGs) to determine the co-expressed IRGs. GSVA combined with CIBERSORT and ssGSEA illustrated the correlation of hub genes and immune infiltration patterns. TIDE algorithm and Subclass mapping evaluated the function of hub genes in predicting immune function and immunotherapeutic sensitivity. The pRRophetic was employed in the sensitivity prediction of chemotherapeutic drugs.ResultsA total of 23 co-expressed IRGs were identified and showed robust expression characteristics. These genes were significantly related to immune infiltration patterns, immune function and sensitivity prediction of immunotherapy and chemotherapeutic drugs for laryngeal cancer patients. Genetic alteration in somatic mutation level and related pathways were also revealed.ConclusionThe 23 co-expressed IRGs may act as immunotherapeutic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for laryngeal cancer with certain expression robustness. The molecular mechanisms deserve further investigation, which will guide clinical treatment in the future.     

On the relation of PAG neurons to laryngeal and respiratory muscles during vocalization in the monkey

Despite evidence from previous unit recording, microstimulation, lesioning and anatomical studies, the functions of the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) remain unclear. We attempted to clarify the function of the PAG by recording activity of PAG units along with laryngeal and respiratory electromyograms (EMG) during vocalization in awake monkeys. PAG units were classified with respect to vocalization on the basis of their discharge patterns as 'early burst', 'late burst', 'tonic-increase' and 'tonic-off', with the vast majority being of the early- and late-burst type. Early-burst cells were correlated most frequently with inspiratory muscles of the respiratory system and laryngeal abductor muscles. Late-burst cells were most clearly correlated with laryngeal adductor and expiratory respiratory muscles. Data from spike-triggered averaging and parametric correlations indicate that most cells are related to single muscles, but a significant number were related to functionally related groups of two or more muscles. The results suggest that the PAG determines qualitative aspects of vocalization by the multisynaptic action its cells have on laryngeal and respiratory motoneurons.     

Single fiber electromyography of extraocular muscles: A sensitive method for the diagnosis of ocular myasthenia gravis

We performed single fiber electromyography (SFEMG) in the superior rectus and levator palpebralis (SR-LP) muscles of 17 patients with pure ocular myasthenia gravis (MG) and 9 controls. Thirteen patients were also assessed with SFEMG in the orbicularis oculi (OO) muscle. All the MG patients but none of the control subjects showed abnormal SFEMG jitter in the SR-LP muscles. On the other hand, only 62% of the MG patients had abnormal SFEMG jitter in the OO muscle. The procedure was well tolerated by the patients, and complications were minor. We conclude that SFEMG of the SR–LP muscles is a safe and highly sensitive technique for the diagnosis of ocular MG. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Possible mechanisms related to contraction of the bovine iris sphincter in the presence of acetylcholine and carbachol

Using tension-recording methods, we compared the effects of acetylcholine (Ach) and carbachol on the bovine iris sphincter. The isolated muscle strips were mounted in a 0.2 ml organ bath, through which Krebs solution at 36 °C flowed continuously. There was a tenthousandfold difference in potency between carbachol and Ach in this tissue. Neostigmine or eserine, acetylcholinesterase (AchE) inhibitors, produced a larger contraction of the muscle than did Ach. Ach-induced contractions were potentiated by low doses of anti-AchEs and were inhibited by atropine.This in vitro study suggests that Ach and/or endogenous chemical agents may be spontaneously released from tissues and that AchE activities in this tissue strongly inhibit or mask the Ach action, probably in order to protect the nerve terminals from released Ach.