Connectivity measures suggest a sub-cortical generator of myoclonus in Angelman syndrome

ObjectiveThe clinical and neurophysiological characteristics of myoclonus in Angelman syndrome (AS) have been evaluated in single case or small cohorts, with contrasting results. We evaluated the features of myoclonus in a wide cohort of AS patients.MethodsWe performed polygraphic EEG-EMG recording in 24 patients with genetically confirmed AS and myoclonus. Neurophysiological investigations included jerk-locked back-averaging (JLBA), cortico-muscular coherence (CMC) and generalised partial directed coherence (GPDC). CMC and GPDC analyses were compared to those obtained from 10 healthy controls (HC).ResultsTwenty-four patients (aged 3–35 years, median 20) were evaluated. Sequences of quasi-continuous rhythmic jerks mostly occurred at alpha frequency or just below (mean 8.4 ± 1.4 Hz), without EEG correlate. JLBA did not show any clear transient preceding the jerks. CMC showed bilateral over-threshold CMC in alpha band that was prominent on the contralateral hemisphere in the patient group as compared to HC group. GPDC showed a significantly higher alpha outflow from both hemispheres toward activated muscles in the patient group, and a significantly higher beta outflow from contralateral hemisphere in the HC group.ConclusionsThese neurophysiological findings suggest a subcortical generator of myoclonus in AS.SignificanceMyoclonus in AS has not a cortical origin as previously hypothesised.     

直丝弓矫治器和Begg矫治器治疗安氏Ⅱ类1分类错[牙合]畸形疗效比较

目的:对比不同矫治器对错[牙合]畸形患者面高度及前后牙咬合关系的影响。方法:选取于笔者医院接受矫治的83例错[牙合]畸形患者,根据患者矫治器类型分为直丝弓组和Begg组,分别为42例和41例。比较并分析两组患者治疗前后牙咬合关系、硬组织、磨牙及面高度的变化情况。结果:矫治后,两组患者OJ-PPV、OB-PP、LMA-MPV、LMA-MPV均降低,Begg矫治组OJ-PPV水平显著高于直丝弓矫治组,OB-PP、LMA-MPV、LMA-MPV水平显著低于直丝弓矫治组,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组患者LAFH、LAFH/TAFH、PFH/TAFH水平均升高,其中Begg矫治组患者LAFH水平显著低于直丝弓矫治组,差异均具有统计学意义(P<0.05);两组患者LMA-MP、LMC-MP水平均升高,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);矫治前后,两组患者SNA、SNA、ANB水平均无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论:两种矫治器对错[牙合]畸形患者硬组织变化均无明显影响,其中Begg矫治对患者前后牙咬合关系改善作用更强,直丝弓对患者面高度的改善能力更强。     

Isolated Anisocoria as a Presenting Stroke Code Symptom is Unlikely to Result in Alteplase Administration

Background

Acute stroke codes may be activated for anisocoria, but how often these codes lead to a final stroke diagnosis or alteplase treatment is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the frequency of anisocoria in stroke codes that ultimately resulted in alteplase administration.

关节镜下TightRope治疗后交叉韧带撕脱骨折

目的探讨关节镜下使用TightRope治疗后交叉韧带(PCL)撕脱骨折的技术应用和临床疗效。方法 12例膝关节PCL撕脱骨折患者在关节镜下使用TightRope固定PCL撕脱骨块。术后1周开始在支具保护下被动活动膝关节,术后10个月评估膝关节功能恢复情况。结果 12例患者均获随访,时间10～14个月,平均12.6个月,骨折均Ⅰ期愈合。1例屈膝受限15°,无伸膝受限;2例后抽屉试验(+)。Lysholm膝关节功能评分术前(45.6±6.3)分,术后10个月(87.8±4.8)分,差异有统计学意义(P 0.05)。结论关节镜下使用TightRope治疗PCL撕脱骨折固定可靠,操作相对简单,疗效满意。     

Lingual lymph nodes: Anatomy,clinical considerations,and oncological significance

Lingual lymph nodes are an inconstant group of in-transit nodes, which are located on the route of lymph drainage from the tongue mucosa to the regional nodes in neck levels I and II. There is growing academic data on the metastatic spread of oral cancer, particularly regarding the spreading of oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma to lingual nodes. These nodes are not currently included in diagnostic and treatment protocols for oral tongue cancer. Combined information on surgical anatomy, clinical observations, means of detection, and prognostic value is presented. Anatomically obtained incidence of lingual nodes ranges from 8.6% to 30.2%. Incidence of lingual lymph node metastasis ranges from 1.3% to 17.1%. It is clear that lymph nodes that bear intervening tissues from the floor of the mouth should be removed to improve loco-regional control. Extended resection volume, which is required for the surgical treatment of lingual node metastasis, cannot be implied to every tongue cancer patient. As these lesions significantly influence prognosis, special efforts of their detection must be made. Reasonably, every tongue cancer patient must be investigated for the existence of lingual lymph node metastasis. Lymphographic tracing methods, which are currently implied for sentinel lymph node biopsies, may improve the detection of lingual lymph nodes.     

Inactivated influenza vaccine formulated with single-stranded RNA-based adjuvant confers mucosal immunity and cross-protection against influenza virus infection

Influenza vaccination is considered the most valuable means to prevent and control seasonal influenza infections, which causes various clinical symptoms, ranging from mild cough and fever to even death. Among various influenza vaccine types, the inactivated subunit type is known to provide improved safety with reduced reactogenicity. However, there are some drawbacks associated with inactivated subunit type vaccines, with the main ones being its low immunogenicity and the induction of Th2-biased immune responses. In this study, we investigated the role of a single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) derived from the intergenic region in the internal ribosome entry site of the Cricket paralysis virus as an adjuvant rather than the universal vaccine for a seasonal inactivated subunit influenza vaccine. The ssRNA adjuvant stimulated not only well-balanced cellular (indicated by IgG2a, IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α) and humoral (indicated by IgG1 and IL-4) immune responses but also a mucosal immune response (indicated by IgA), a key protector against respiratory virus infections. It also increases the HI titer, the surrogate marker of influenza vaccine efficacy. Furthermore, ssRNA adjuvant confers cross-protective immune responses against heterologous influenza virus infection while promoting enhanced viral clearance. Moreover, ssRNA adjuvant increases the number of memory CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells, which can be expected to induce long-term immune responses. Therefore, this ssRNA-adjuvanted seasonal inactivated subunit influenza vaccine might be the best influenza vaccine generating robust humoral and cellular immune responses and conferring cross-protective and long-term immunity.