Interference Pattern Analysis Research Articles

Sensitivity of non-conventional electro-diagnostic techniques to detect neuropathy in patients with hepatitis “C” viral infection

BackgroundHepatitis “C” virus (HCV) infection has become a growing global health concern. Chronic HCV infection is usually accompanied by extra-hepatic manifestations. Peripheral neuropathies are the most common neurological complications. Electrophysiological tests play an important role in diagnosing polyneuropathy and identifying its pathophysiology. This study aimed at highlighting the sensitivity of non-conventional, quantitative, electrophysiological techniques in the detection of neuropathy in patients having HCV infection. Forty-five HCV patients were recruited for this study. Conventional motor and sensory conduction studies (NCS) were initially performed followed by interference pattern analysis (IPA). Two quantitative nerve conduction scores were also studied: motor amplitude score (MAS) and sensory amplitude score (SAS).ResultsIn the two patients’ subgroups (having numbness versus having no numbness), MAS showed a significant difference, while the SAS showed a non-significant difference. In the two subgroups (with normal NCS versus those with abnormal/suspected NCS), the MAS and the SAS mean values were significantly different. Also, there was a positive significant correlation found between the IPA mean amplitude and the SAS parameter. Finally, we presented the results of the diagnostic performance of the MAS and the SAS in detecting abnormal NCS.ConclusionsMAS and/or SAS scores could be used as good screening tools for the detection of neuropathy. We here recommend expanding the non-conventional NCSs to other etiologies of polyneuropathy.

Mathematical modeling of the parameters of an electro-optic modulator in the Mach–Zehnder interferometer configuration based on thin lithium niobate films

Subject of study. An electro-optic modulator in a Mach–Zehnder interferometer configuration based on ridge waveguides made of a thin lithium niobate film was studied. Aim of study. The study aimed to mathematically model the parameters of an electro-optic modulator in a Mach–Zehnder interferometer configuration based on ridge waveguides made of a thin lithium niobate film. Method. The dependence of the optical losses introduced by a Y-branch splitter on the angle of the splitter was investigated using a beam propagation method based on the fast Fourier transform. Main results. The results of mathematical simulation of the parameters of the electro-optic modulator in the Mach–Zehnder interferometer configuration based on thin lithium niobate films were presented. The dependence of the optical losses, introduced by the Y-splitter, on the waveguide separation angle was obtained. Images of interference patterns occurring in the output waveguide were examined. A comparison revealed that the effectiveness of the proposed interferometer configuration was higher than that of the alternative solutions available in the literature. The novelty of the results is that the configuration of the electro-optic modulator investigated in this study was fabricated in the form of an integrated optical circuit based on ridge waveguides of thin-film lithium niobate. Such a solution enables a reduction in the dimensions of the final device and increases the sensitivity compared with that of existing analogs based on bulk electro-optic crystals. Additionally, owing to the use of a semiconductor substrate, an electronic circuit can possibly be integrated into the substrate, which enables the implementation of an electro-optic sensor system on a single chip. Practical significance. The method for interference pattern analysis proposed in this study provides information on the magnitude of the voltage applied to the arm of the interferometer and enables the development of requirements for its further modernization for increasing the accuracy of measurements and developing optoelectronic devices based on thin lithium niobate films, including integrated optical electric-field sensors.

On the establishment of reference values of clouds of electromyography interference pattern by linear regression method and percentile method and comparison of sensitivity and specificity of both methods.

ObjectiveTurn-amplitude clouds were widely used in automatic electromyography (EMG) interference pattern analysis. Earlier works employed the intercept ± 2SD (standard deviation) of the linear regression equation as the upper and lower boundaries of the clouds. The goal of this study was to employ the linear regression method and percentile method to calculate the reference value of turn-amplitude clouds, identify the determining criteria in accordance with the receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC), and analyze the sensitivity and specificity of the linear regression cloud, percentile cloud, and quantitative assessment of the motor unit potential (QMUP).MethodsFirst, we explore what factors affect the number of turns per second and the mean amplitude. Then, their logarithms were taken for the normal test. All muscle data were used to calculate the reference values of percentile clouds. However, the reference values of the linear regression clouds were obtained for the muscles with a bivariate normal distribution, homogeneous variances and a linear correlation. We calculated the prediction interval with the standard errors of the intercept and slope of the linear regression equation, which can determine the upper and lower boundaries of the linear regression clouds. Furthermore, we obtained ROCs of these clouds, which were used as the determining criteria to determine the optimum cut-off values. Finally, our study analyzed the sensitivity and specificity of the linear regression cloud, percentile cloud, and QMUP.ResultsWe here presented the reference values and ROCs of the linear regression clouds and percentile clouds. We suggest the determining criteria be based on ROCs. The areas under the curve (AUC) of both clouds are larger than 0.8, revealing that they have significant diagnostic value. Our results display that the specificities of the linear regression clouds, percentile clouds, and QMUP are almost identical to each other, whereas the sensitivity of percentile cloud is higher than those of QMUP and linear regression clouds.ConclusionAccording to ROCs, the researchers determine the determining criteria of the linear regression clouds and percentile clouds. Our findings suggest that the percentile clouds possess a wide application range and significant diagnostic value, therefore it may be the optimum for automatic EMG interference pattern analysis.

Assessment of neuromuscular electrical stimulation effect on contralateral quadriceps muscle

BackgroundIn the field of rehabilitation, the acute application of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) causes not only peripheral muscle contraction but also involve the central nervous system by the transient increase in spinal motor neuron and cortical activity. Therefore it has been used in several fields of rehabilitation. Previous studies used surface electromyography to assess this effect. But we conducted our study to assess the effect of NMES on contralateral quadriceps muscle in normal individuals using another method needle electromyography. MethodsA study carried out on 20 normal males, who were subjected to (i) NMES Training Program for 60 min for the right quadriceps muscle. (ii) Assessment of EMG activity for rectus femoris muscle (RF) on the contralateral side. An assessment was done for minimal volition and maximal volition or interference pattern analysis, this assessment was done twice: before the start of NMES and during the session. ResultsEMG of voluntary activity (Minimal volition) and Maximum voluntary activity analysis for RF muscles showed increased duration (in millisecond), amplitude (in millivolt) (P < 0.01), increased activity in turn per second, amplitude/turn (M) (uV) compared to the result before NMES application. ConclusionOur study provides a new evident date that the acute NMES application to the contralateral quadriceps muscles, leads to significant facilitation of the maximal voluntary power in the ipsilateral muscles through activation of efferent neural control. This facilitating effect of motor neurons in the contralateral muscles is likely due to the complex combination interaction between spinal and supraspinal control. Trial registrationTrial registration: PACTR202010887172053.

Developing normal number of small segments-activity clouds of the electromyography interference pattern.

Number of small segments (NSS) and activity analysis is a mature method for electromyographic automatic interference pattern analysis (IPA), but there are few reports on the application of this technique. Our objective was to establish normal reference values of NSS-activity clouds. The NSS and activity data of the sternocleidomastoid, deltoid, biceps brachii (long head), extensor digitorum communis, abductor digiti minimi, vastus medialis, tibialis anterior, and gastrocnemius (lateral head) muscles were obtained from 34 men and 25 women, aged 15-80 years, using concentric needle electrodes. A linear regression of log(NSS) vs log(activity) was performed and the slope, intercept and standard deviation were calculated for each muscle. These variables were transformed back to the original parameters to yield clouds. Normal NSS-activity clouds for the above eight muscles were obtained. Normal reference values of NSS-activity may facilitate detection of early and mild neurogenic and myogenic abnormalities.

A strong linear relationship between Turns/Amplitude peak ratio and ratio at maximal effort

In EMG interference pattern analysis, the peak value of turns to mean amplitude ratio [peak(T/A)] is an established clinically significant marker, but its calculation requires specific software available only in few EMG apparatuses. On the contrary, the turns to mean amplitude ratio obtained at maximal muscle contraction (T/Amax) is easily calculated but less well standardized. We aimed to quantitatively assess the association between T/Amax and peak(T/A). Data were derived from 642 muscle contractions (Nc) from 270 consecutive patients (Np) who underwent EMG at our laboratory (software Dantec Keypoint, QEMG) from May 2015 to September 2016 and had interference patterns obtained from at least one of the following muscles: triceps-lateral head, brachioradialis, extensor digitorum communis and biceps. Statistics were calculated separately for normal and neurogenic muscles. Peak(T/A) was calculated by the built-in “peak ratio” function. T/Amax was calculated by the built-in Interference Pattern analysis function. The ratio with the highest amplitude was selected as T/Amax. Linear regression models provided high Pearson correlation coeffficientscoefficients (R) between peak(T/A) and T/Amax for all 4 muscles, normal or neurogenic, except a subgroup of biceps in patients aged <40y. Specifically, R were: (A) triceps normal 0.79 (Nc = 99), neurogenic 0.83 (Nc = 50) (B) brachioradialis normal 0.81 (Nc = 84), neurogenic 0.78 (Nc = 66) (C) extensor digitorum communis normal 0.72 (Nc = 92), neurogenic 0.73 (Nc = 61) (D) biceps (age > 40y) normal 0.77 (Nc = 77), neurogenic 0.67 (Nc = 62). We conclude that T/Amax has a strong linear association with peak(T/A) and, therefore, the former may be further investigated as a potentially useful quantitative diagnostic marker, especially in cases where the latter is not available.

Azimuth angle orientation by side scattering for side-polishing of photonic crystal fibers

We propose and demonstrate a nondestructive and contamination-free method for azimuth angle orientation of the photonic crystal fiber (PCF) and its application for fiber side-polishing. This technique is based on the interference pattern analysis of the light forward-scattered from the PCF that is side illuminated by a laser beam. The scattering pattern is analyzed by introducing a characteristic value which is the sum over the intensities of the upper-half or lower-half regions of the scattering pattern. The characteristic value correlates closely with the azimuth angle of PCF, which enables characterizing the azimuth angle through scattering pattern analysis. Three kinds of PCFs are studied for the determination of their azimuth angles, and an angular accuracy better than 0.5° is obtained. This method is subsequently applied to orient the angular azimuth in side-polishing of the PCF, and the accuracy of polishing angle is about 0.5°. This technique is nondestructive, contamination-free, easy to implement, and able to serve for in-line angular orientation during the fabrication of PCF-based optical devices and manipulation of the PCF.

Standard characteristics of functional state of the rectal obturator muscles obtained from neurophysiological examination

The objective was to evaluate standard neurophysiological characteristics of the external anal sphincter and pelvic floor muscles using electromyography interference pattern analysis. Materials and methods . Electromyography was performed in 33 volunteers without complaints of bowel incontinence or bowel evacuation disorders: 20 (60.6 %) men (mean age 57.3 ± 9.4 years) and 13 (39.4 %) women (mean age 55.3 ± 12.8 years). Intra-anal electrode registered cumulative values of contractile force of sphincter ani externum: background and voluntary bioelectrical activity (BEA). Integral values of mean and maximal BEA amplitude for the rectal obturator muscles at rest, for voluntary contraction, during straining, and with increased intra-abdominal pressure were calculated. Results. Standard values of BEA of the rectal obturator muscles were obtained. These values can be used for qualitative and quantitative evaluation of pelvic floor muscles function and in additional multicenter studies aimed at development of a unified algorithm of rectal obturator and pelvic floor muscles evaluation.

51. Reference data for quantitative motor unit potential and interference pattern analysis in the genioglossus muscle

Needle electromyography (EMG) of the genioglossus muscle is a useful tool in patients with swallowing problems, that are common in many muscle and nerve diseases. Characteristic changes in motor unit potentials (MUPs) can be distinguished with MUP and interference pattern (IP) analysis. The purpose of this study was to establish reference intervals for MUP parameters using template operated multi-MUP analysis and to evaluate the IP features in the genioglossus muscle (GM) of healthy adults. We studied 28 healthy volunteers (11 men, 17 women, mean age 39 ± 12 years) with standard disposable concentric EMG needles (recording area 0.07 mm2) and an EMG system with standard settings (filters: 5 Hz–10 kHz), using an inframandibular approach. For each MUP parameter (amplitude, duration, turns) mean values and outlier limits (5th and 95th percentile) were calculated from the first 20 sampled MUPs. Data from IP plots (turns/amplitude, activity/envelope and activity/NSS) were collected in order to build normal clouds which contain >90% of the data points. MUP parameters obtained from the GM are similar to those published in literature. IP analysis is not available for healthy GM to our knowledge and could be an objective tool to quantitate the degree of abnormality in muscle and nerve diseases.

Developing Normal Turns-Amplitude Clouds for Upper and Lower Limbs.

Turns and amplitude analysis (T&A) is a frequently used method for automatic EMG interference pattern analysis. The T&A normal values have only been developed for a limited number of muscles. Our objective was to obtain normal T&A clouds for upper and lower extremity muscles for which no normal values exist in the literature. The T&A normative data using concentric needle electrodes were obtained from 68 men and 56 women aged 20 to 60 years. Normal upper and lower extremity T&A clouds were obtained and presented in this article. The T&A normal values collected in this study maybe used to detect neurogenic and myopathic abnormalities in men and women at low-to-moderate muscle contractions. The effect of turns-amplitude data obtained at high force level of muscle contraction and its potential to falsely show neurogenic abnormalities are discussed.

The use of electromyography interference pattern analysis to determine muscle force of the deep digital flexor muscle in healthy and laminitic horses

ABSTRACTBackground: In equine laminitis, the deep digital flexor muscle (DDFM) appears to have increased muscle force, but evidence-based confirmation is lacking.Objectives: The purpose of this study was to test if the DDFM of laminitic equines has an increased muscle force detectable by needle electromyography interference pattern analysis (IPA).Animals and Methods: The control group included six Royal Dutch Sport horses, three Shetland ponies and one Welsh pony [10 healthy, sound adults weighing 411 ± 217 kg (mean ± SD) and aged 10 ± 5 years]. The laminitic group included three Royal Dutch Sport horses, one Friesian, one Haflinger, one Icelandic horse, one Welsh pony, one miniature Appaloosa and six Shetland ponies (14 adults, weight 310 ± 178 kg, aged 13 ± 6 years) with acute/chronic laminitis. The electromyography IPA measurements included firing rate, turns/second (T), amplitude/turn (M) and M/T ratio. Statistical analysis used a general linear model with outcomes transformed to geometric means.Results: The firing rate of the total laminitic group was higher than the total control group. This difference was smaller for the ponies compared to the horses; in the horses, the geometric mean difference of the laminitic group was 1.73 [geometric 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.29–2.32], and in the ponies this value was 1.09 (geometric 95% CI 0.82–1.45).Conclusion and clinical relevance: In human medicine, an increased firing rate is characteristic of increased muscle force. Thus, the increased firing rate of the DDFM in the context of laminitis suggests an elevated muscle force. However, this seems to be only a partial effect as in this study, the unchanged turns/second and amplitude/turn failed to prove the recruitment of larger motor units with larger amplitude motor unit potentials in laminitic equids.

Clinical Research Abstracts of the British Equine Veterinary Association Congress 2015.

In cases of laminitis, an increased muscle force or contracture of the deep digital flexor muscle (DDFM) is suggested, but evidence-based research is lacking. To test if the DDFM of laminitic equines shows an increased muscle force detectable by needle-EMG including Interference Pattern Analysis (IPA). Cross-sectional study. Three groups consisted of Group 0 (control): 6 Royal Dutch Sport horses, 3 Shetland ponies and one Welsh pony (healthy, sound adults, mean ± s.d. weight 411 ± 217 kg). Group 1: 3 Royal Dutch Sport horses, one Friesian, one Haflinger, one Icelandic horse, 2 Welsh ponies, one miniature Appaloosa and 6 Shetland ponies (adults, mean ± s.d. weight 310 ± 172 kg) suffering from acute or chronic laminitis. EMG measurements including firing frequency (F) and IPA parameters Turns/Second (T), Amplitude/Turn (M) and Ratio M/T (R) were performed. ANOVA was used to analyse data. P values of P<0.05 were considered significant. Mean ± s.d. F of Group 0 and Group 1 was 53 ± 11 and 72 ± 21 Hz, mean ± s.d. T was 112 ± 57 and 106 ± 42, mean ± s.d. M was 284 ± 51 and 254 ± 38 μV and mean ± s.d. R was 0.39 ± 0.17 and 0.42 ± 0.16%, respectively. The firing frequency of Group 1 was significantly higher compared to Group 0 (P = 0.02), whereas other differences were not significant. In human medicine, an increased firing frequency is a characteristic of increased muscle force [1,2]. Thus, the increased firing frequency of the DDFM in case of laminitis suggests an elevated muscle force. As all parameters show a high variance, a repeated study including a larger test group is advised. Ethical animal research: Data collection from controls was approved by the Animal Welfare Committee of Utrecht University, approval number 2008.III.07.061 and 2013.III.01.012. Clinical cases were privately owned and written owner consent was obtained. None. Competing interests: None declared.

Quantitative EMG of external urethral sphincter in neurologically healthy men with prostate pathology

There are no data on quantitative electromyography (EMG) of the external urethral sphincter (EUS) in men. The aim of this study was to obtain reference data from a group of neurologically healthy continent men with prostate pathology using a standardized technique. Sixty-six subjects without neurological disorders were included. Motor unit potential (MUP) and interference pattern (IP) analysis were performed using multi-MUP and turns/amplitude techniques, respectively. Of 66 patients, 51 (mean age, 65.17; SD, 6.70) had localized prostate cancer (PCa), and 15 (mean age 61.67, SD 6.25) had benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). Descriptive MUP parameters and IP-clouds were obtained, respectively in the BPH and PCa groups. No group differences were found. This study provides quantitative EMG measures of EUS functionality in continent men with prostate pathology. The data could be used as reference values for patients undergoing prostate surgery to identify postoperative changes in EUS function possibly influencing continence.

PD11-03 NEW APPROACH AND SET OF REFERENCE VALUES FOR QUANTITATIVE ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF THE EXTERNAL URETHRAL SPHINCTER IN MEN

You have accessJournal of UrologyUrodynamics/Incontinence/Female Urology: Incontinence Evaluation1 Apr 2014PD11-03 NEW APPROACH AND SET OF REFERENCE VALUES FOR QUANTITATIVE ELECTROMYOGRAPHIC ANALYSIS OF THE EXTERNAL URETHRAL SPHINCTER IN MEN Francesca Bianchi, Matteo Ferrari, Giovanni La Croce, Marco Cursi, Andrea Salonia, Cristophe Germann, Giancarlo Comi, Ubaldo Del Carro, Hansjörg Danuser, and Agostino Mattei Francesca BianchiFrancesca Bianchi More articles by this author , Matteo FerrariMatteo Ferrari More articles by this author , Giovanni La CroceGiovanni La Croce More articles by this author , Marco CursiMarco Cursi More articles by this author , Andrea SaloniaAndrea Salonia More articles by this author , Cristophe GermannCristophe Germann More articles by this author , Giancarlo ComiGiancarlo Comi More articles by this author , Ubaldo Del CarroUbaldo Del Carro More articles by this author , Hansjörg DanuserHansjörg Danuser More articles by this author , and Agostino MatteiAgostino Mattei More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.juro.2014.02.536AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES Aim of the present study is to evaluate the external urethral sphincter (EUS) function using a new approach to measure quantitative electromyography (EMG) in neurologically healthy men with prostatic pathology and to set reference values of EUS-EMG for men. METHODS 66 continent and neurologically healthy men (mean age: 64 range 51-86) were studied. With the patient in lithotomy position a concentric EMG needle was introduced transperineally in the EUS under triple guidance (transrectal ultrasound (TRUS), oscilloscopic and auditory). Motor Unit Potentials (MUPs) and Interference Pattern (IP) analysis were obtained using multi-MUP and turns/amplitude analysis. MUPs were collected at slight voluntary and reflex activation and only EUS with 15 or more MUPs sampled were included. IP samples were recorded from different sites in both parts of EUS, at different level of voluntary and reflex muscle activation. Patients, after prostate biopsies, were divided in benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and Prostate cancer (PC). The mean values for individual MUP and IP parameters and the turn/amplitude cloud, obtained using the Stalberg's method, were determined for the 2 groups. RESULTS A mean of 22 (range: 15-40) different MUPs was collected from each EUS, for a total of 1290. No statistical differences were found between the 2 groups, therefore values from the BPH and PC groups have been joined to create a reference pool of data. A mean of 33 (range: 15-50) different IP samples were obtained from each patient, for a total of 2086. The regression analysis on log-transformed turns and amplitude values was performed for the 2 groups. The resulting regression lines had slope and intercept: bBPH=0.234, aBPH=1.962 and bPC=0.233, aPC=1.956 respectively. The statistical comparison between the 2 regression lines was not significant, so the distribution of the 2 clouds can be considered identical (Fig1). CONCLUSIONS Using a new approach, the largest consecutive series of male quantitative EUS-EMG is reported. Our data could be considered a valid reference to compare EMG parameters of patients developing urinary incontinence after prostatic surgery, in order to verify a possible involvement of EUS on continence status. © 2014FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 191Issue 4SApril 2014Page: e287 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2014MetricsAuthor Information Francesca Bianchi More articles by this author Matteo Ferrari More articles by this author Giovanni La Croce More articles by this author Marco Cursi More articles by this author Andrea Salonia More articles by this author Cristophe Germann More articles by this author Giancarlo Comi More articles by this author Ubaldo Del Carro More articles by this author Hansjörg Danuser More articles by this author Agostino Mattei More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Quantitative Electromyography of the Frontalis Muscle

Identification of abnormal motor unit potentials (MUP), in particular those caused by myopathic processes, is generally difficult in facial muscles because the MUPs are already low in amplitude and short in duration. Therefore, quantitative measures for the limits of abnormality are needed more frequently for these muscles, especially for the pathological processes predominantly affecting the craniofacial area. In this study, we aimed to determine some quantitative values that may help us to differentiate "myogenic" and "neurogenic" processes in periocular muscles. The frontalis muscle was examined unilaterally with multi-MUP and interference pattern analyses in 32 normal subjects, 31 patients with different types of myopathy, and 13 patients with facial palsy. Abnormality limits were calculated by using five previously suggested methods, two of which were based on group means and the other three on determining the outlier values. The sensitivity and specificity of multi-MUP and interference pattern parameters in discriminating abnormal findings by using these different methods were analyzed. Statistically significant differences for all MUP parameters, except for the frequency, was found between the groups (P < 0.001). Motor unit potential duration, size index, and amplitude were the most valuable parameters for distinguishing the individual abnormalities. However, their discriminating power was higher for neuropathies than for myopathies. Interference pattern analysis was found not to have any superior sensitivity to MUP analysis. In this study, the outlier analysis that depends on the 5th to 95th percentile limits of the pooled data provided the best power for the discrimination of both neuropathies and myopathies from normal subjects. Multi-MUP analysis seems to be helpful in differentiating the patients with neurogenic and-to a lesser extent-myogenic facial muscle involvement.

127. A quantitative EMG analysis of the external urethral sphincter in continent males with prostatic pathology

Our aim was to evaluate the functional integrity of external urethral sphincter (EUS) in men undergoing prostate biopsy (PBx) and the presence of predictive factors for post-surgery urinary incontinence. 53 continent men without pelvic or neurological disorders were included. Before the PBx an EMG analysis of EUS was performed. Motor Unit Potentials (MUPs) and Interference Pattern (IP) analysis were obtained from each muscle using multi-MUP and turn/amplitude automatic analysis. A mean of 30 MUPs from each muscle were sampled. Mean values (± SD) of MUP parameters were: amplitude 493,48 μ V (± 372,18), duration 7,11 ms (± 2,27), area 423,05 μ Vms (± 364,22), phases 3,76 (± 1,83), turns 2,33 (± 1,71). From 49 muscle 1799 IP samples were obtain. Mean (± SD) values were: turn/s were 274,87 (± 218,82), amplitude/turn 327,35 (± 127,47), turns/amplitude ratio 3,25 (± 4,37). The turn/amplitude “cloud” was determined. Our results represent a control data to assess any neurophysiological changes in patients who develop urinary incontinence after surgery.

The effect of Clostridium botulinum toxin type A injections on motor unit activity of the deep digital flexor muscle in healthy sound Royal Dutch sport horses

Therapeutic reduction of the activity of the deep digital flexor (DDF) muscle may play a role in treatment of laminitic horses. Clostridium botulinum toxin type A induces reduced muscle activity and has a spasmolytic effect in horses. In this study, the effectiveness of 200IU C. botulinum toxin type A on reduction of DDF muscle activity was measured in seven healthy, sound, adult Royal Dutch sport horses. C. botulinum toxin type A was injected using ultrasound and electromyographic (EMG) guidance. The effectiveness was assessed by interference pattern analysis (IPA) and motor unit action potential (MUAP) analysis. All needle EMG MUAP variables, along with IPA amplitude/turn and turns/s, were significantly reduced after C. botulinum toxin type A injections. The strongest effect occurred within the first 3days after injection. The reduced muscle induced by C. botulinum toxin type A may have benefits in the treatment of horses with laminitis.

잠수함 수동소나에서 방사소음의 간섭패턴 분석

잠수함 수동소나에서 방사소음의 간섭패턴 분석

Increased turn/amplitude parameters following subvastus approach in total knee arthroplasty

To compare the improvement of the vastus medialis component of the quadriceps muscle electrophysiologically after the subvastus and medial parapatellar approaches in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). A total 26 patients that underwent primary unilateral in TKA were included into the study. TKAs were carried out via subvastus approach in 15 patients, while 11 patients were operated via medial parapatellar approach. The electrophysiological evaluations were carried out blindly with regard to the type of the surgical approach before the operation and at 6th week post-operatively. Non-surgical side was also evaluated as a control. Assessments were patellar tendon reflex analysis, motor unit potential analysis and interference pattern analysis (IPA) including turn-amplitude analysis and IPA during maximum contraction. When they were compared to the pre-operative values, "the total mean amplitude" and "the mean turn/sec" parameters were significantly increased in group of subvastus approach (p = 0.017 and p = 0.009, respectively) at the post-operative 6th week. We would not be able to find any difference regarding the other electrophysiological parameters. There was also no significant difference between groups. If there was no significant difference in all the electrophysiological parameters, the increase in turn-amplitude analysis in the group of subvastus approach would be considered as an indicator of a faster functional improvement of knee extensor mechanism in these cases.

Neuromuscular Characterization of the Urethra in Continent Women

: The study's objective was to describe quantitative urethral function parameters in a racially diverse group of continent women. : After institutional review board approval, we recruited women without urinary incontinence from the community. To be considered continent, participants answered "never" to the first 6 questions on the stress subscale of the Medical, Epidemiologic, and Social Aspects of Aging urinary incontinence questionnaire. Participants all underwent quantitative concentric urethral electromyography (EMG) and urodynamic testing. : Thirty-one women with a mean (SD) age of 39 (14) years underwent EMG and urodynamic testing. The cohort was racially diverse with 13 (43%) white women, 13 (43%) African American women, and 4 (14%) Hispanic women. Body mass index (P = 0.12, 0.06), age (P = 0.40, 0.64), and vaginal parity (P = 0.53, 0.76) did not differ by race or ethnicity. We did not detect differences in any EMG parameter by race, ethnicity, or vaginally parity. A mean (range) of 30 (10-55) motor unit action potential (MUP) analyses was identified and analyzed in multiple MUP analysis, and 14 (8-21) were identified and analyzed in interference pattern (IP) analysis. On average, 37% (20%) (mean [SD]) MUPs were polyphasic.Age significantly correlated with several measures of urethral sphincter function. Increasing age was inversely correlated with IP turns (r = -0.57, P = 0.001), IP amplitude (r = -0.43, P = 0.02), IP turns-amplitude ratio (r = -0.54, P = 0.003), and maximum urethral closure pressures (r = -0.41, P = 0.04). Similarly, maximum urethral closure pressures correlated with IP amplitude (r = 0.38, P = 0.04). : These urethral neuromuscular function data on the largest cohort of continent women fully characterized with quantitative urethral EMG demonstrate significant neuropathic MUP changes with advancing age.