Electrical Stimulation Research Articles

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Neuropathic Pain.

The reported prevalence of neuropathic pain in the general population in Germany is from 6.9% to 10%. There are both medical and surgical treatment options. This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a selective search in PubMed, with consideration of clinical trials, meta-analyses, and guidelines. Neuropathic pain is diagnosed when pain of the appropriate character is accompanied by further features such as hypesthesia/anesthesia, allodynia, or hyperalgesia. It is generally treated initially with drugs (antidepressant drugs, anticonvulsant drugs, opioids, topical agents, and others); the number needed to treat (NNT) is between 7 and 8 for gabapentin and 3.6 for amitryptiline, as estimated in meta-analyses. For nerve compression and entrapment syndromes, surgical decompression is a treatment directed against the cause of the problem, which can therefore be curative. Microvascular decompression (MVD) is often used to treat supposed compression syndromes of cranial nerves, above all classic trigeminal neuralgia; according to a meta-analysis, MVD brings about a pain-free state in 92.9% [89.1; 96.8] of patients after 5 months to 5 years of follow-up. Ablative surgical procedures are used for symptom control in patients with refractory and/or cancer-related pain. Further symptom-directed treatment options for medically intractable neuropathic pain include neuromodulatory techniques, which involve minimally invasive electrical stimulation of neural structures, and the chronic intrathecal application of drugs such as opioids and ziconotide. The treatment of neuropathic pain can be either cause-directed or symptom-directed, depending on its origin. Multidisciplinary collaboration can facilitate both the diagnostic evaluation and the selection of the optional modality and timing of treatment.

Neuralgic amyotrophy with hourglass-like constrictions: A case report

BACKGROUND Neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) is a rare disease with sudden upper limb pain followed by affected muscle weakness. The most commonly affected area in NA is the upper part of the brachial plexus, and the paraspinal muscles are rarely affected (1.5%), making these cases difficult to distinguish from cervical radiculopathy. CASE SUMMARY A 76-year-old male presented to the emergency department with left hip pain post-fall. After undergoing left femoral neck fracture surgery, he experienced sudden left shoulder pain for 10 days with subsequent left arm weakness. Cervical spine computed tomography revealed mild right asymmetric intervertebral disc bulging with a decreased C5-6disc space. Three weeks later, an electrodiagnostic study confirmed brachial plexopathy findings involving the cervical root. Magnetic resonance neurography was performed for a differential diagnosis. Contrast enhancement was identified at the upper trunk of the brachial plexus, including the C5 nerve root. A suprascapular nerve hourglass-like focal constriction (HLFC) was also identified, confirming NA. After being diagnosed with NA, the patient received 15 mg prednisolone, twice daily, for 3 weeks. Physical therapy was initiated, including left arm strengthening exercises and electrical stimulation therapy. Left shoulder muscle strength significantly improved one month after comprehensive rehabilitation. CONCLUSION NA's unique features like HLFC and paraspinal involvement are crucial for accurate diagnosis, avoiding confusion with cervical radiculopathy.

Wireless Modular Implantable Neural Device with One-touch Magnetic Assembly for Versatile Neuromodulation.

Multimodal neural interfaces open new opportunities in brain research by enabling more sophisticated and systematic neural circuit dissection. Integrating complementary features across distinct functional domains, these multifunctional neural probes have greatly advanced the interrogation of complex neural circuitry. However, introducing multiple functionalities into a compact form factor for freely behaving animals presents substantial design hurdles that complicate the device or require more than one device. Moreover, fixed functionality poses challenges in meeting the dynamic needs of chronic neuroscience inquiry, such as replacing consumable parts like batteries or drugs. To address these limitations, the modular implantable neural device (MIND) is introduced with a one-touch magnetic assembly mechanism. Leveraging the seamless exchange of neural interface modules such as optical stimulation, drug delivery, and electrical stimulation, MIND ensures functional adaptability, reusability, and scalability. The versatile design of MIND will facilitate brain research by enabling simplified access to multiple functional modalities as needed.

Light touch alters vestibular-evoked balance responses: Insights into dynamics of sensorimotor reweighting.

Integrated multisensory feedback plays a crucial role in balance control. Minimal fingertip contact with a surface (light-touch), reduces center of pressure (CoP) by adding sensory information about postural orientation and balance state. Electrical vestibular stimulation (EVS) can increase sway by adding erroneous vestibular cues. This juxtaposition of conflicting sensory cues can be exploited to explore the dynamics of sensorimotor adaptations. We used continuous stochastic EVS (0-25Hz; ±4mA; 200-300s) to evoke balance responses in CoP (Exp-1, Exp-2). Systems analyses (coherence, gain) quantified coupling and size of balance responses to EVS. We had participants either touch (TOUCH; <2N) or not touch (NO-TOUCH) a load cell during EVS (Exp-1, Exp-2), or we intermittently removed the touch surface (Exp-2) to measure the effects of light touch on vestibular-evoked balance responses. We hypothesized that coherence and gain between EVS and CoP would decrease, consistent with the CNS down-weighting vestibular cues that conflict with light touch. Light touch reduced CoP displacement, but increased variation in the CoP signal explained by EVS input. Significant coherence between EVS and CoP was observed up to ~30Hz in both conditions but was significantly greater in the TOUCH condition from 12-28.5-Hz. Conversely, EVS-CoP gain was 63% lower in TOUCH, compared to NO-TOUCH. Our findings show that light touch can reduce the size of vestibular-evoked responses but also increase high frequency vestibular contributions for sway. This suggests that the CNS can use discrete changes in sensory inputs to alter balance behavior but cannot fully suppress responses to a potent cue.

Sequential transcranial electrical stimulation in patients with dyscirculatory encephalopathy associated with post-COVID syndrome

BACKGROUND: The primary hypothesis for the use of sequential transcranial electrical stimulation therapy in the rehabilitation of patients with dyscirculatory encephalopathy associated with post-COVID syndrome is the potential synergistic effect on the central nervous system. Specifically, the method combines brain micropolarization — involving neocortex neurons and diencephalic brain stimulation — affecting limbic system structures. This synergy is expected to improve connections between cortical and subcortical structures, as well as neurohumoral regulation. AIM: To study the effectiveness of complex medical rehabilitation involving sequential transcranial electrical stimulation therapy in patients with dyscirculatory encephalopathy associated with post-COVID syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An open, prospective, randomized comparative study included 142 patients with dyscirculatory encephalopathy: 79 female (55.6%) and 63 male (44.4%) patients, aged 59 (45–69] years. The average disease duration was 8.4 years, with a period after coronavirus infection of 3.6 months. After randomization, patients in Group 1 (comparison group 1, n=48) received brain micropolarization; Group 2 (comparison group 2, n=46) received diencephalic brain stimulation; and Group 3 (main group, n=48) received both therapies sequentially. Treatment outcomes were evaluated based on changes in clinical symptoms over time and a battery of neuropsychological tests. RESULTS: In Group 3, which received sequential transcranial electrical stimulation therapy, all symptoms of dyscirculatory encephalopathy showed a significant improvement (1.2–1.6 times) compared to baseline (p 0.05–0.001). For brain micropolarization alone (Group 1), there was an average reduction in the severity of symptoms such as cranialgia, memory and attention deficits, irritability, and sleep disturbances by 1.2–1.4 times. In Group 2, diencephalic brain stimulation resulted in an improvement in tinnitus, fatigue, work productivity, and dizziness by 1.3–1.4 times. In the main group, there was an overall alleviation of all psychophysiological issues (1.1–2.0 times; p 0.05–0.01); in comparison groups 1 and 2, improvement was 1.1–1.5 times and 1.2–1.8 times, respectively. CONCLUSION: Medical rehabilitation using a combined approach (sequential application of brain micropolarization and diencephalic brain stimulation) alongside pharmacological support in patients with dyscirculatory encephalopathy associated with post-COVID syndrome is shown to be the most effective due to the pronounced neurotropic effect of the physical factors involved, allowing for the correction of a whole range of neurological, neuropsychological, and motor disorders.

Non-invasive neurostimulation: an emerging therapeutic modality in veterinary neurology

Non-invasive neurostimulation involves techniques that stimulate the nervous system without penetrating the skin. These techniques, which range from electrical and magnetic to other types of stimulation, are designed to alter the activity of nerve cells and the broader networks they form. Although these methods have proven effective and safe for treating certain neurological conditions in humans, their success varies significantly from one individual to another. This variability can be because of the lack of standardised stimulation protocols, biological differences among individuals and the particular state of the neural areas being targeted. Various non-invasive neurostimulation techniques have been investigated, particularly in human medicine, including transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation on various nerves, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation. Of these, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has emerged as the leading technique in research for human and veterinary medicine because of its potential in treating a wide range of neurological disorders. In the field of veterinary medicine, the use of non-invasive neurostimulation as a treatment approach is still in its early phases, with only a few reports documenting its application in managing seizures and behavioural issues in animals.

Head and shoulders—The impact of an extended head model on the simulation and optimization of transcranial electric stimulation

Abstract Electric field calculations are increasingly used for dose characterization of transcranial electrical stimulation (tES), but existing open-source head models are inaccurate for extracephalic montages that include electrodes placed on the neck or shoulder. We introduce the “Ernie Extended” model, an MRI- and CT-derived open-source head model extending to the upper shoulder region. Simulations of extracephalic tES targeting the cerebellum and supplementary motor area show significant differences in electric fields when using Ernie Extended compared to the non-extended Ernie model. Additionally, we propose an electrode layout that complements the electroencephalography 10–20 system with extracephalic electrode positions. We demonstrate the use of this layout for optimizing multi-electrode tES montages for cerebellar stimulation, enhancing focality, and reducing off-target stimulation, particularly of the spinal cord. Our results highlight the practical value of the Ernie Extended model for accurately characterizing doses produced by extracephalic tES montages and when targeting more caudal brain regions.

The Effects of Swallowing Exercises in Healthy Older Adults: A Systematic Review.

Dysphagia, common among older adults, leads to significant morbidity and potential mortality. The role of preventative exercises in healthy, community-dwelling elderly people remains to be understood. In this systematic review, we aimed to understand whether preemptive exercise programs can improve swallowing in healthy older adults. Articles published from 1990 to 2023 were included and identified through searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases by a medical librarian using the keywords "presbyphagia" and" aging" and "dysphagia" and "management", as well as "therapy" and "treatment", "swallowing therapy", and the combinations of these keywords. Of 2269 abstracts initially screened, 15 full-text articles were included in this review, consisting of 454 patients. Of the 15 studies included, ten were randomized controlled, three non-randomized clinical trial, one a prospective cohort study, and one an interventional study. The reported age range of the participants was between 60 and 91years-old. Sixty-two percent of the participants were elderly females. In terms of interventions, nine studies employed tongue strengthening exercises, five utilized swallowing resistance techniques, two involved pronunciation and karaoke practice, two focused on recline and head lift exercises, one utilized high-speed jaw opening exercises, and one employed electrical stimulation of swallowing muscles. Swallowing exercises strengthen targeted muscle groups in healthy older adults and can be utilized to prevent swallowing problems that occur with aging. Further longitudinal studies are needed to understand the benefits of preventative therapy models. Level of Evidence: Level 4.

Current Practice Patterns in the Management of Bell's Palsy Among Physiotherapists of Sargodha, Pakistan

Objectives: We intend to find out current practice patterns in managing Bell’s palsy among the physiotherapists of Sargodha, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from May to August 2022. Data were obtained from 50 physiotherapists working in various clinical settings of Sargodha with more than 2 years of clinical experience. They were selected using convenient sampling. A self-designed questionnaire was used to gather all necessary information regarding the physical therapy practice patterns of Bell’s palsy. The obtained data were analyzed by using SPSS software, version 20. Results: Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) was the preferred (42%) neurodevelopmental technique used in current practice patterns to manage Bell’s palsy. The most used therapeutic exercises by the physiotherapists were facial expression coordination exercises (66%). Also, 44% of physiotherapists used electrical muscle stimulation as the preferred electrotherapeutic modality in their current practice. Soft tissue release (54%) was the most preferred manual therapy technique in Bell’s palsy patients. The combination of electrical muscle stimulation, facial exercises, and biofeedback was the most used (54%) among physiotherapists. Discussion: Current practice for Bell’s palsy treatment includes PNF techniques, facial expression coordination exercises, soft tissue release, and electrical muscle stimulation by most physiotherapists in Sargodha. The most preferred combination was facial exercises, electrical stimulation, and biofeedback.

Effectiveness of low-intensity electrical current in accelerating the en-masse retraction of the upper anterior teeth following first-premolar extraction in young adult patients with Class II division 1 malocclusion: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Many efforts have been made to shorten fixed appliance orthodontic treatment time by accelerating the rate of tooth movement. Low-intensity electrical stimulation (LIES) is one of the proposed physical methods that has not yet been well studied in the medical literature. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of LIES in accelerating orthodontic tooth movement in cases of en-mass retraction of the upper anterior teeth. Patients who attended the Department of Orthodontics at the Faculty of Dentistry, University of Damascus, between September 2019 and February 2021, for treatment were carefully checked. All patients who met the eligibility criteria were invited to participate in this RCT. Young adult patients having class II division I malocclusion were equally and randomly assigned into the low-intensity electrical stimulation group (LIES), and traditional en-masse retraction group (TRAD). The mini-implants assisted en-masse retraction technique was used to close the extracted upper first premolar spaces in both groups. NiTi closed coil springs (250g/side) were used. Electrical stimulation of 15-20μA for each tooth was applied on the upper anterior teeth using a recently developed intraorally removable device in the LIES group. The primary outcome was the en-masse retraction rate, the secondary outcomes were changes in the first molar position, intermolar width, and intercanine width. These outcomes were measured on the digital photographs of the maxilla cast using the Image J program. Two-sample t-test with Bonferroni's correction was utilized to explore any significant differences between the two groups in all studied variables. Of the 168 patients examined by the researcher, 38 patients with Class II division I malocclusion (30 females and 8 males; mean age: 21.1±2.31 years) were finally recruited in this RCT. The overall en-masse retraction rate was significantly greater in the LIES group compared to the TRAD group (1.02±0.08, 0.73±0.04mm/month respectively; P<0.001). In addition, the monthly rate of space closure was significantly greater in this group at all evaluation times (P<0.001). A small increase was noted in the intercanine width (1.60±0.27, and 1.65±0.33mm respectively). Negligible changes were noted in the first molar positions and intermolar width, with insignificant differences between the two groups. LIES according to the protocol applied in this trial accelerated the upper anterior teeth en-masse retraction rate by approximately 28% compared to the traditional en-masse retraction method. While this acceleration was statistically significant, may not have substantial clinical implications. This trial protocol was registered in the Clinical Trials database (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05350280).

Electric field stimulation on electronic, electro-optical and non-linear optical properties of some fluoro-isothiocyanate and fluorinated alkyl terphenyl liquid crystals: A comparative DFT approach

Employing density functional theory, electronic, electro-optical, and NLO properties of some fluorinated NCS terphenyl and fluorinated terphenyl liquid crystals have been investigated in the presence of static electric field. Two DFT functionals, in this study, includes M06-2X and ωB97XD combined with 6–311 + G(d,p) basis set have been used. All the computations have been performed on Gaussian 16 W program and visualized on GaussView6.0. A comparative analysis of computational outcomes has been done in order to forecast mesogens’ improved electronic characteristics, global descriptors, NLO and UV–vis spectra. All of the chosen LC molecules exhibit properties that make them suitable materials for NLO applications.

Cryopreservation of Human Adult Ventricular Tissue for the Preparation of Viable Myocardial Slices.

Living myocardial slices (LMS) are ultrathin sections of adult myocardium that can be maintained in culture. These slices provide a unique platform for studying interactions between cardiomyocytes (CMs), other cardiac cell types, and the extracellular matrix while maintaining the cytoarchitecture and electrical phenotype of CMs over extended periods. Despite their advantages over other cardiac models, LMS have limitations, particularly their reliance on slice quality. The primary factor influencing the quality of the slices is the method used to process the cardiac tissue block. Current methods typically require immediate slice preparation following the excision of the tissue block, which restricts the timing of experiments. To address this limitation, we developed a simple procedure for cryopreserving human adult myocardium, allowing the preparation of LMS at a later stage. The protocol provides a list of required equipment and reagents, as well as a detailed description of the methodology for processing the myocardium and slice preparation. We present typical results demonstrating that cryopreserved human cardiac tissue retains biomass and structural integrity comparable to freshly obtained myocardium. Furthermore, we assessed the LMS derived from both fresh and cryopreserved samples. Histological analysis confirmed the preservation of viability, normal cytomorphology, and gap junctions between CMs in all LMS after 24 h and up to 5 days of culture in the absence of electrical stimulation. Cryopreservation extends the interval between tissue collection and LMS preparation, facilitating longer-term and more complex experiments. Further research into the impact of cryopreservation on various cardiac cell types will promote better donor organ management and efficient banking of cardiac samples from a multitude of donors and disease states. © 2024 The Author(s). Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Preparation and preservation of human adult myocardium Basic Protocol 2: Preparation of adult living myocardial slices from cryopreserved blocks.

Silicone-based AC102-loaded cochlear implant coatings protect residual hearing in an animal model of cochlear implantation

Cochlear implant users with residual hearing benefit synergistically from combined electrical stimulation via the cochlear implant and preserved residual hearing after surgery. However, direct mechanical trauma and subsequent inflammation may deteriorate hearing function. AC102, a novel otoprotective pyridoindole with anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative properties significantly improved hearing recovery following cochlear implantation when administered intratympanically prior to surgery. Additionally, AC102 exerts neurotrophic effects, possibly aiding in the preservation of auditory nerve fibers and spiral ganglion neurons. Rapid clearance of the drug, however, might be a limiting factor to further attenuate the inflammatory response and maintain neuronal health. The aim of the current study was to design an AC102-loaded electrode array for sustained drug delivery and investigate its effects in hearing preservation cochlear implantation.First, the release-kinetics of AC102 were investigated in vitro and modelled by the Higuchi equation of drug release. An electrode array coated with 10% AC102 was manufactured, its release kinetics evaluated, and subsequently tested in vivo. 20 normal hearing Mongolian gerbils were unilaterally implanted with an AC102-loaded or an unloaded control electrode. Compound action potentials were measured prior to cochlear implantation and serially over 28 days. Hair cells, inner hair cell synapses, and auditory nerve fibers were quantified in cochlear whole-mounts by immunofluorescence staining.AC102 release from silicone coating could be predictably modelled by the Higuchi equation of drug release. The electrode array with an AC102-silicone depot enabled non-linear sustained drug release with initially higher release concentrations. In vivo, the AC102-loaded electrode array significantly recovered auditory threshold shifts near the maximum insertion depth over 28 days. In the apical region, a significant recovery was noticed only until day 14, after which threshold shifts aligned between groups. Histologically, AC102-loaded electrodes significantly preserved outer hair cells apical of the maximum insertion depth and inner hair cells and neuronal structures at the tip of the inserted electrode.In conclusion, the drug-loaded electrode arrays could predictably release AC102 over a period of 28 days. AC102 enabled the restoration of auditory thresholds near the area of maximum insertion, which is the desired region to be preserved in cochlear implant recipients with residual hearing.

Early Hearing Outcomes and Audiological Experiences With a Novel Fully Implanted Cochlear Implant.

To review audiological experiences and early hearing outcomes from the early feasibility study of a fully implanted cochlear implant. Prospective cohort. Tertiary academic medical center. Three adults (two-male, one female) with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss. Implantation with a fully implanted cochlear implant as part of an early feasibility study. Postoperative unaided and aided pure-tone audiometry, tympanometry, mapping parameters, speech perception, battery life, and quality-of-life assessment. All patients in the early feasibility study of this fully implanted cochlear implant now use their devices regularly. Preoperative and postoperative audiometric measurements showed that their residual hearing in the implanted ear decreased slightly after surgery but was preserved. All patients had type A tympanograms after their transient middle ear effusion resolved. Electrical stimulation levels were comparable to those routinely used in traditional cochlear implants. Two of the three patients use a hearing aid in the implanted ear for additional gain and show significant improvement in speech perception since implantation. Average battery life before recharging is 4 days. All patients are regular users with two showing improvement in quality-of-life metrics after receiving the fully implanted cochlear implant. The patient experience and hearing outcomes from the early feasibility study of a novel fully implanted cochlear implant are detailed in this study and demonstrate ease of operation and daily use by all participants. All patients obtained hearing, but two of three use a hearing aid with their device to overcome unanticipated implant circuitry noise and achieve improved speech perception scores. Current work is focused on reducing this system noise to allow for the device to be used as intended, without a hearing aid.

Ensemble responses of auditory midbrain neurons in the cat to speech stimuli at different signal-to-noise ratios

Originally reserved for those who are profoundly deaf, cochlear implantation is now common for people with partial hearing loss, particularly when combined with a hearing aid. This combined intervention enhances speech comprehension and sound quality when compared to electrical stimulation alone, particularly in noisy environments, but the physiological basis for the benefits is not well understood. Our long-term aim is to elucidate the underlying physiological mechanisms of this improvement, and as a first step in this process, we have investigated in normal hearing cats, the degree to which the patterns of neural activity evoked in the inferior colliculus (IC) by speech sounds in various levels of noise allows discrimination between those sounds. Neuronal responses were recorded simultaneously from 32 sites across the tonotopic axis of the IC in anaesthetised normal hearing cats (n=7). Speech sounds were presented at 20, 40 and 60dB SPL in quiet and with increasing levels of additive noise (signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) –20, –15, –10, –5, 0, +5, +10, +15, +20dB). Neural discrimination was assessed using a Euclidean measure of distance between neural responses, resulting in a function reflecting speech sound differentiation across various SNRs. Responses of IC neurons reliably encoded the speech stimuli when presented in quiet, with optimal performance when an analysis bin-width of 5-10ms was used. Discrimination thresholds did not depend on stimulus level and were best for shorter analysis binwidths. This study sheds light on how the auditory midbrain represents speech sounds and provides baseline data with which responses to electro-acoustic speech sounds in partially deafened animals can be compared.

Overexpression of enhanced yellow fluorescent protein fused with Channelrhodopsin-2 causes contractile dysfunction in skeletal muscle.

Skeletal muscle activation using optogenetics has emerged as a promising technique for inducing noninvasive muscle contraction and assessing muscle function both invivo and invitro. Transgenic mice overexpressing the optogenetic fusion protein, Channelrhodopsin 2-EYFP (ChR2-EYFP) in skeletal muscle are widely used; however, overexpression of fluorescent proteins can negatively impact the functionality of activable tissues. In this study, we characterized the contractile properties of ChR2-EYFP skeletal muscle and introduced the ChR2-only mouse model that expresses light-responsive ChR2 without the fluorescent EYFP in their skeletal muscles. We found a significant reduction in the contractile ability of ChR2-EYFP muscles compared with ChR2-only and WT mice, observed under both electrical and optogenetic stimulation paradigms. Bulk RNAseq identified the downregulation of genes associated with transmembrane transport and metabolism in ChR2-EYFP muscle, while the ChR2-only muscle did not demonstrate any notable deviations from WT muscle. The RNAseq results were further corroborated by a reduced protein-level expression of ion channel-related HCN2 in ChR2-EYFP muscles and gluconeogenesis-modulating FBP2 in both ChR2-EYFP and ChR2-only muscles. Overall, this study reveals an intrinsic skeletal dysfunction in the widely used ChR2-EYFP mice model and underscores the importance of considering alternative optogenetic models, such as the ChR2-only, for future research in skeletal muscle optogenetics.

Nano‐Biosensors for mRNA‐Based Cell Sorting Using Intracellular Markers at the Early Stage of Cell Reprogramming

AbstractCell reprogramming and manufacturing have broad applications in tissue regeneration and disease treatment. However, many derived cell types lack unique cell surface markers for protein‐based cell sorting, making it difficult to isolate these cells from mixed populations. Additionally, there is a need to identify and isolate cells of interest at the early stages of cell expansion. To address this challenge, a nucleic acid‐based gold nanorod (NAGNR) fluorescent biosensor was engineered to detect the mRNA expression of intracellular markers for cell sorting. Its application is demonstrated in isolating induced neuronal (iN) cells from dermal fibroblast populations during the early stages of cell reprogramming. Cell sorting based on the mRNA of the neuronal transcriptional factor Ascl1 resulted in an enrichment of iN cells from 3% to 72%, and additional sorting with the transcriptional factor Scn2 further increased iN enrichment. Moreover, NAGNR biosensors can be used in conjunction with protein marker‐based cell sorting. NAGNR‐sorted iN cells show a functional response to electrical stimulation in a co‐culture of iN cells and muscle cells. These findings demonstrate that NAGNR‐based cell sorting offers great potential for cell identification and isolation at an early stage of cell reprogramming and manufacturing.

Electric stimulation: a versatile manipulation technique mediated microbial applications.

Electric stimulation (ES) is a versatile technique that uses an electric field to manipulate microorganisms individually. Over the past several decades, the capabilities of ES have expanded from bioremediation to the precise motion control of cells and microorganisms. However, there is limited information on the underlying mechanisms, latest advancement and broader microbial applications of ES in various fields, such as the production of extracellular polymers with upgraded properties. This review article summarizes recent advancements in ES and discusses it as a unique external manipulation technique for microorganisms with wide applications in bioremediation, industry, biofilm deactivation, disinfection, and controlled biosynthesis. One specific application of ES discussed in this review is the extracellular biosynthesis, regulation, and organization of extracellular polymers, such as bacterial cellulose nanofibrils, curdlan, and microbial nanowires. Overall, this review aims to provide a platform for microbial biotechnologists and synthetic biologists to leverage the manipulation of microorganisms using ES for bio-based applications, including the production of extracellular polymers with enhanced properties. Researchers can engineer, manipulate, and control microorganisms for various applications by harnessing the potential of electric fields.

Non-Invasive and Quantitative Evaluation for Disuse Muscle Atrophy Caused by Immobilization After Limb Fracture Based on Surface Electromyography Analysis

Background: The clinical evaluation for disuse muscle atrophy usually depends on qualitative rating indicators with subjective judgments of doctors and some invasive measurement methods such as needle electromyography. Surface electromyography, as a non-invasive method, has been widely used in the detection of muscular and neurological diseases in recent years. In this paper, we explore how to evaluate disuse muscle atrophy based on surface electromyography; Methods: Firstly, we conducted rat experiments using hind-limb suspension to create a model of disuse muscle atrophy. Five groups of rats were suspended for 0, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days, respectively. We induced leg electromyography of rats through electrical stimulation and used fluorescence staining to obtain the fiber-type composition of rats’ leg muscles. We obtained the best-fitting frequency bands of power spectrum density of surface electromyography for type I and type II fibers in rats’ leg muscles by changing the frequency band boundaries. Secondly, we conducted tests on the human body and collected the electromyography of the atrophied muscles of the subjects over a period of 21 days. The changes in muscle fiber composition were evaluated using the frequency bands of power spectrum density obtained from rat experiments. The method was to evaluate the changes in type I fibers by the changes in the area of the best-fitting frequency band of type I fibers and to evaluate the changes in type II fibers by the changes in the area of the best-fitting frequency band of type II fibers. Results: The results of rat experiments showed that type I fibers best fit the frequency band of 20–330 Hz and type II fibers best fit the frequency band of 176–500 Hz. The results of human testing showed that the atrophy of the two types of fibers was consistent with the changes in the areas of the corresponding best-fitting frequency bands. Conclusions: The test results demonstrate the feasibility of using surface electromyography to evaluate muscle fiber-type composition and subsequently assess muscle atrophy. Further research may contribute to the diagnosis and treatment of disuse muscle atrophy.

Effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for pain reduction following chest tube removal: A systematic review and network meta-analysis

ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the most effective non-pharmacological intervention for pain relief following chest tube removal in adult patients. MethodsWe performed a systematic review with network meta-analysis, searching electronic databases for randomized controlled trials up to January 20, 2024. Compared to control or placebo groups, the trials included adult patients receiving non-pharmacological interventions, such as cold therapy, relaxation exercises, music therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or aromatherapy. Data analysis utilized a random-effects model, reporting standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), and treatment ranking was determined through surface under the cumulative ranking analysis and forest plots. ResultsSixteen studies enrolling 1,342 patients were included, with moderate to high heterogeneity. Cold therapy and relaxation exercises effectively reduced pain after chest tube removal, with SMD of −1.84 (95 % CI: −2.81 to −0.87) and −2.04 (95 % CI: −3.43 to −0.65), respectively, from baseline to immediately post-removal. From baseline to ten to twenty minutes after removal, both therapies continued to show significant pain reduction, with SMD of −1.96 (95 % CI: −3.14 to −0.77) for cold therapy and −2.01 (95 % CI: −3.75 to −0.28) for relaxation exercises. Sensitivity analysis supported these findings, and cold therapy’s efficacy appeared unaffected by obesity. However, publication bias, possibly due to small study samples, was noted. ConclusionsCold therapy and relaxation exercises proved most effective for reducing pain immediately and up to ten to twenty minutes after chest tube removal. Given their cost-effectiveness, lack of side effects, and ease of use, we recommend relaxation exercises as a practical alternative to cold therapy. Nonetheless, further studies are needed to comprehensively assess non-pharmacological options for managing chest tube removal pain. Implications for clinical practiceIncorporate cold therapy and relaxation exercises into post-chest tube removal pain management to improve patient comfort and minimize reliance on pharmacological interventions.