Electrical Stimulation Method Research Articles

Вивчення корекції соматичного болю за умов експериментальної патології розсіяного склерозу

The purpose of the study was to experimentally substantiate the ways of pharmacological correction of somatic pain syndrome in conditions of the experimental equivalent of multiple sclerosis through a comparative system analysis and the use of complex methodological approaches. Materials and methods. To study multiple sclerosis, we used an experimental model with autoimmune mechanisms of inflammatory demyelination – a model of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis. To assess the antinociceptive activity of painkillers, we used the method of electrical stimulation of the rats’ tail root. The activity of the enzyme prostaglandin H-synthetase was also determined. Results and discussion. A comparative analysis of the analgesic activity indicators of combinations of methylprednisolone with analgesics under the condition of the formed experimental allergic encephalomyelitis showed that their antinociceptive potential (taking into account the basic therapy with methylprednisolone) decreased in the series meloxicam > lornoxicam ≈ ketorolac ≈ paracetamol > celecofenacoxib ≈ sodium diclofupene ≈ diclofupene ≈ diclofupene. Accordingly, the maximum effect on the threshold of nociception under these experimental conditions was exerted by meloxicam and lornoxicam. The combined administration of methylprednisolone with diclofenac sodium, celecoxib and meloxicam reduced the activity of prostaglandin N-synthetase in the brain structures by 49.8% (p <0.05), 50.4% (p <0.05) and 51% (p <0.05), respectively, compared with the indicators of the control group. The same drugs markedly reduced the activity of prostaglandin N-synthetase in the spinal cord by 23.9% (p <0.05) (Methylprednisolone + diclofenac), by 34% (p <0.05) (Methylprednisolone + celecoxib) and by 47.4% (p <0.05) (Methylprednisolone + meloxicam) compared with the control group. Our analysis of the analgesic activity of antidepressants and anticonvulsants as means of correcting nociceptive pain in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis found that their antinociceptive potential was inferior to the severity of the analgesic effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Conclusion. Among the studied non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, antidepressants and anticonvulsants, the maximum therapeutic efficacy as a means of correcting nociceptive pain in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis against the background of basic methylprednisolone therapy was shown by meloxicam, which gives grounds to recommend it as the analgesic of choice for eliminating somatic pain syndromes

Next-generation pacemakers: from electrical devices to biological pacemakers

The invention of an electric pacemaker in the middle of the 20th century led to a revolution in the treatment of cardiac conduction system diseases. The improvement of pacemakers continued. In 1962, the first small series of external pacemakers for percutaneous and direct stimulation was produced in Kaunas. After a while, electric pacemakers became more reliable, smaller and lighter in weight, but the problem of foreign body associated infection and limited service life remained unresolved. Modern high-tech medicine strives to create less invasive electric pacemakers, but nevertheless, biological pacemakers can expand the therapeutic arsenal for the treatment of cardiac patients, being the most physiological for humans. The concept of an artificial biological pacemaker consists of the creation of an organic structure that generates a spontaneous rhythm from the implantation site in the myocardium. Various gene and cellular approaches were used to create biological pacemakers: a functional reorganization approach (use of adenovirus vectors for hyperexpression of genes encoding ion channels in cardiomyocytes); hybrid approach (use of fibroblasts to deliver genes of ion channels that provide heart automation); somatic reprogramming approach (overexpression of the transcription factor TBX18 using adenoviral vectors, which reprograms cardiomyocytes into induced sinoatrial node cells, creating cardiac stimulatory activity); cellular approach (transplantation of stem cells to a specific place in the heart, thereby creating biological stimulation). Modern methods of electrical cardiac stimulation and the developed concepts of the biological pacemaker clearly show the possibility of eliminating current problems associated with the use of an artificial pacemaker by replacing it with a biological one. Each of the approaches (gene, cellular, hybrid-cellular, somatic reprogramming) has its own advantages and disadvantages, which predisposes to further study and improvement in order to introduce a biological pacemaker into clinical practice.

Quadriceps muscle strength recovery with the use of high tone power therapy after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThere are no scientific reports clearly describing the effectiveness of the High Tone Power Therapy in patients after ACL reconstruction. This caused that in own research an attempt was made to present the possibilities of using the selected method of electrical stimulation in the treatment of an orthopaedic patient. The aim was to assess the effectiveness of electro stimulation of the quadriceps muscle in patients after ACL reconstruction, with the use of High Tone Power Therapy.MethodsIn randomized controlled trial took part thirty-five men, aged 21–50, after ACL reconstruction. The tests were carried prior to and 6 months following the ACL reconstruction. After the surgery, the patients were randomly divided into experimental group (17 patients) with the High Tone Power Therapy in rehabilitation and control group (18 patients) without the High Tone Power Therapy. Patients were subjected to 6-month rehabilitation. Research tools included the measurement of muscle strength torque, ROM, knee and thigh circumference measurements, the Lysholm and the VAS scale.ResultsAfter applying HiToP, the analysis showed a statistically significant improvement of muscle torque (p = 0.041, Es = 3.71), knee circumference (p = 0.039, Es = 1.65), thigh circumference (p = 0.049, Es = 1.26), knee extension (p < 0.001, Es = 2.20) in Experimental group compared to the control group. Only the results of the VAS scale did not differ statistically significantly both within a given group and between groups.ConclusionsThe results confirm the hypothesis that the use of HiToP in patients after ACLr have a beneficial effect on muscle strength, reduction of joint effusion, muscle mass gain and joint function. The assumption that HiToP significantly reduces pain levels is not supported - the results in both groups are statistically insignificant.Trial registrationThe research project was retrospectively registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR). Date of first registration 11.10.2016. Registration number: ACTRN12616001416482.

Organic electrolytic photocapacitors for stimulation of the mouse somatosensory cortex

Objective. For decades electrical stimulation has been used in neuroscience to investigate brain networks and been deployed clinically as a mode of therapy. Classically, all methods of electrical stimulation require implanted electrodes to be connected in some manner to an apparatus which provides power for the stimulation itself. Approach. We show the use of novel organic electronic devices, specifically organic electrolytic photocapacitors (OEPCs), which can be activated when illuminated with deep-red wavelengths of light and correspondingly do not require connections with external wires or power supplies when implanted at various depths in vivo. Main results. We stimulated cortical brain tissue of mice with devices implanted subcutaneously, as well as beneath both the skin and skull to demonstrate a wireless stimulation of the whisker motor cortex. Devices induced both a behavior response (whisker movement) and a sensory response in the corresponding sensory cortex. Additionally, we showed that coating OEPCs with a thin layer of a conducting polymer formulation (PEDOT:PSS) significantly increases their charge storage capacity, and can be used to further optimize the applied photoelectrical stimulation. Significance. Overall, this new technology can provide an on-demand electrical stimulation by simply using an OEPC and a deep-red wavelength illumination. Wires and interconnects to provide power to implanted neurostimulation electrodes are often problematic in freely-moving animal research and with implanted electrodes for long-term therapy in patients. Our wireless brain stimulation opens new perspectives for wireless electrical stimulation for applications in fundamental neurostimulation and in chronic therapy.

Complex Electrical Stimulation Systems in Motor Function Rehabilitation after Spinal Cord Injury

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is an existing incurable disease that brings great pain and life obstacles to patients. Spinal cord electrical stimulation is an effective means to alleviate spinal cord injury. However, its complicated mechanism of action is still unclear. This article aims to summarize several different spinal cord electrical stimulation methods, analyze the stimulation effect, and briefly describe the current understanding of its origin and mechanism of action. In recent years, several application cases of the electrical stimulation system of stimulation methods have confirmed its positive effects in spinal cord injury diseases and provided new perspectives for the improvement of spinal cord injury. Finally, the possible development direction and corresponding challenges of spinal cord electrical stimulation in the future are proposed.

Optimal Method of Electrical Stimulation for the Treatment of Upper Limb Dysfunction After Stroke: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

BackgroundThe obstacle of limb motor caused by stroke, especially the decline of motor function of upper limbs, can directly affect the activities of daily living of stroke patients with hemiplegia. Based on long-term clinical practice, the treatment effect of electrical stimulation methods for stroke limb dysfunction has been widely recognized and supported by authoritative guidelines and systematic reviews. However, which electrical stimulation method is the optimum in the treatment of stroke limb dysfunction is still a controversial issue.ObjectiveIn this paper, we adopted Network Meta-Analysis (NMA) to rank the priorities of various electrical stimulation methods, so as to select the optimal electrical stimulation method and discuss its rationality in guiding clinical practice.MethodsWe carried out a systematic review by searching a total of 6806 studies from 8 databases and 2 clinical trial registries, and finally screened out 34 studies for further investigation. Then, pairwise meta-analysis and Bayesian network meta-analysis were employed to evaluate the effectiveness and ranking of various interventions. The primary outcome measure was Fugl-Meyer Assessment Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), and the secondary outcome measures were Modified Barthel Index (MBI) and Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). Finally, the risk of bias, publication bias and sensitivity of the Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) were evaluated.ResultsOn the basis of comprehensive rehabilitation treatment (RT), the Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) was superior than other electrical stimulation methods in improving both FMA-UE and MBI. Meanwhile, the results indicated that the Transcutaneous Electrical Acupoint Stimulation (TEAS) was the only electrical stimulation method that showed treatment advantages in reducing MAS.ConclusionThe study showed that FES had the optimal overall rehabilitation effect on upper limb dysfunction of stroke patients based on the comprehensive RT, while the treatment effect of TEAS on upper limb spasticity after stroke was the most significant.

Body-mediated energy loss conversion for personalized cell vitalization

Unlike chemotherapy, physical stimulation is body-friendly method which does not introduce foreign substances into the human body; however, since the use of the separate power source is dominant, there are forced restrictions. Herein, we report an innovative electrical stimulation method using the body-mediated energy loss conversion (BELC) system. The BELC system is a structure-concept-device that concentrates a local electric field in the desired area by utilizing energy loss from body movement as a power source; and the human body as an energy transfer medium. Concentrated electrical energy in the BELC system induces a low-frequency electric field that vitalizes the cell functions locally. Results from 3D simulation, designed cloth (patch, sleeve, athleisure) containing the BELC system and ex-vivo experiments demonstrate the electric field concentration through the human body without additional electrical components. Vitalization of cells and skins by the BELC system was inspected via in-vitro and in-vivo model; and insignificant side-effects of energy transfer pass-through mouse body were investigated. • New electrical stimulation method which can stimulate cells internally and personally via body-mediated was proposed. • This study clarified the mechanism of body-mediated energy loss conversion (BELC). • Design of cloth-wear with BELC system was proposed to avoid user discomfort. • BELC enhanced wound regeneration without damage to organs on its the pathway or immune response.

Вплив штучної гіпоінсулінемії на синаптичну активність та пластичність глутаматергічної нейропередачі в культурі нейронів гіпокампа

We investigated the effect of chronic hypoinsulinemia on the level of synaptic activity and short-term plasticity in cultured hippocampal neurons. Hypoinsulinemia was induced by culturing mature (16-20 days in vitro) rat’s hippocampal neurons without insulin for 1, 2, and 4 days. The control insulin concentration was 100 nM. Spontaneous and evoked glutamatergic excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSC and eEPSC, respectively) in these neurons were analyzed using the whole-cell patch-clamp method and the method of local electrical stimulation of individual axon. Hypoinsulinemia during the 1st, 2nd and 4th days led to significantly reduction of the mean sEPSC’s frequency to 49.9 ± 15.8% (n = 6), 8.5 ± 7.7% (n = 6) and 16.6 ± 5.2% (n = 8) respectively, relative to control. Also, there was a decrease of the average sEPSC’s amplitudes to 52.6 ± 5.5% (n = 6), 36.6 ± 5.8% (n = 6) and 43.9 ± 8.4% (n = 8), respectively, relative to control. Quantal analysis of the sEPSC’s amplitudes showed a decrease of multivesicular glutamate release at the synapses under such conditions. Hypoinsulinemia caused a shift in the direction of short-term plasticity in glutamatergic hippocampal synapses from potentiation to depression. The paired-pulse ratio decreased from 1.83 ± 0.25 in the control to 0.59 ± 0.07, 0.77 ± 0.07, and 0.80 ± 0.06 after the 1st, 2nd, and 4th days under cultivation without insulin. Accordingly, the ratio of the coefficients of variation of eEPSC’s amplitudes (CV2/ CV1) increased from 0.82 ± 0.07 to 1.30 ± 0.28, 1.52 ± 0.27, and 1.61 ± 0.24. The presented results indicate a significant reduction of synaptic activity and decrease in the probability of multivesicular release of glutamate at the synapses of cultured hippocampal neurons under hypoinsulinemia.

ASSESSMENT OF THE LABOR COURSE AND POSTNATAL PERIOD DEPENDING ON THE TYPES OF CONDUCTING ANTINATAL PREPARATION

The aim – to conduct a comparative assessment of the condition of newborns, dependingon different types of antenatal preparation.Material and methods. The study was carried out on the basis of the maternitydepartment for pregnants and parturient women with obstetric pathology of the StateInstitution “Institute of Pediatrics of Obstetrics and Gynecology named after V.I. acad.EAT. Lukyanova National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine ". The first groupincluded 45 pregnant women who underwent a course of psychophysical training withpositive motivation for partner childbirth. The second group consisted of 45 pregnantwomen, also underwent a course of psychophysical training with positive motivation forpartner labor, but had a desire not to carry out pain relief during childbirth, therefore,they chose training using the method of transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) of brainstructures. All pregnant women underwent a determination of their psychoemotional stateto define the level of situational anxiety according to the method of Ch.D. Spielberger andYu.L. Khanin. The second group of pregnant women was tested after the fourth EFTprocedure and again the day before delivery. The threshold of pain sensitivity of apregnant woman in each group was also determined. Subjective assessment was carriedout for women in labor on the first day after delivery and using a verbal descriptivescale for assessing pain (Verbal Descriptor Scale, 1990). To assess the condition of thefetus during childbirth, cardiotocographic studies were carried out, and after birth – anassessment on the Apgar scale at the first and fifth minutes.Results. In women who underwent a course of psychophysical training with positivemotivation for partner childbirth together with the method of transcranial electricalstimulation, physiological childbirth proceeded 1.2 times more often than in womenpatients who did not undergo prenatal training (88.9 % versus 75.6 %, respectively).Allchildbirth, occurred in the second group, began on their own and did not require laborinduction, but in the first group this indicator was 6.3% of cases.Conclusions. It has been established that prenatal preparation has a positive effect notonly on the condition of the woman, but also on the condition of the fetus and newborn.Psychophysical preparation for childbirth with motivation for partner support using theTES method significantly increases the pain tolerance threshold, improves the courseof childbirth and the possibility of adaptive mechanisms of the mother and fetus, asevidenced by the assessment of points on the Apgar scale, adaptation of newborns, earlyattachment to the breast, joint stay of mother and child.

Surgical treatments for Parkinson’s disease

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive, incurable degenerative disease of the central nervous system, leading to a significant limitation of the functional state of patients. Modern medicine has several methods of medical and surgical treatment for this pathology. In the review, all stages of the surgical treatment of PD are considered, starting with the descriptions of the resection of the precentral gyrus of historical interest to stereotaxic lesions by various methods of exposure and electrical stimulation of the deep brain structures. The indications for each of the methods, their advantages and disadvantages, the principles of patient selection are presented. Indications for neurosurgical treatment are determined taking into account the international CAPSIT-PD criteria. Stereotactic lesions lead to irreversible changes in the medulla, therefore their widespread use is limited. Stimulation with deep electrodes has advantages in disease progression due to the possibility of changing the stimulation parameters and the possibility of a bilateral effect on motor symptoms. Surgical treatment of PD does not mean the cancelling of drug therapy, but it can reduce the dose of anti-Parkinsonian drugs and reduce their side effects. The best result can be achieved with timely operation and correct selection of patients by a multidisciplinary medical team with considering the characteristics of the course of the disease, the possibility of long-term postoperative observation of the patient and correction of stimulation parameters.

The Safety Profile of Flunixin and its Pharmacological Effects in Chicks

Background: Flunixin meglumine is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used in the treatment of several conditions in veterinary medicine. Objective: The study was aimed to investigate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of flunixin meglumine in chicks. Methods: The up and down method was used to assess the median lethal dose (LD50) and effective median analgesic dose (ED50) of flunixin meglumine administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) and orally (p.o.) in chicks. From the obtained values we determined the drug safety indices. Electric stimulation method was used to determination the dose-dependent analgesic effect of flunixin meglumine in chicks. Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects were dignified via the formalin test. Results: The median lethal doses (LD50) of flunixin were 143.24mg/kg intraperitoneally and 170.77mg/kg orally. The effective median analgesic doses (ED50) of flunixin meglumine in chicks were 9.34 mg/kg and 11.75 mg/kg for intraperitoneally and orally respectively. The Therapeutic Index, Standard Safety Margin and Therapeutic Ratio of flunixin through intraperitoneal and oral route were (15.35 , 14.53), (0.15 , 0.14) and ( 5.11 , 4.84) respectively. The dose-dependent analgesic effect of flunixin meglumine at 9 mg/kg, 18 mg/kg ip and 12 mg/kg, 24 mg/kg p.o started at 15 min after treatment and lasted over 120 min of treatment. The analgesic effect peak of flunixin meglumine through intraperitoneal and oral routes was 30 minutes after treatment. In formalin test, flunixin meglumine caused a significant rise in the latency to lift right foot in comparison with the control value, along with a significant decline in foot lifting frequency. A substantial decrease in foot thickness compared to control value has been demonstrated by the anti-inflammatory effects of flunixin meglumine. Conclusion: These results shows that the flunixin has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects and form the backbone for further pharmacological studies as well as the medication could be safely administered to chicken.

Boundary element fast multipole method for modeling electrical brain stimulation with voltage and current electrodes

Objective. To formulate, validate, and apply an alternative to the finite element method (FEM) high-resolution modeling technique for electrical brain stimulation—the boundary element fast multipole method (BEM-FMM). To include practical electrode models for both surface and embedded electrodes. Approach. Integral equations of the boundary element method in terms of surface charge density are combined with a general-purpose fast multipole method and are expanded for voltage, shunt, current, and floating electrodes. The solution of coupled and properly weighted/preconditioned integral equations is accompanied by enforcing global conservation laws: charge conservation law and Kirchhoff’s current law. Main results. A sub-percent accuracy is reported as compared to the analytical solutions and simple validation geometries. Comparison to FEM considering realistic head models resulted in relative differences of the electric field magnitude in the range of 3%–6% or less. Quantities that contain higher order spatial derivatives, such as the activating function, are determined with a higher accuracy and a faster speed as compared to the FEM. The method can be easily combined with existing head modeling pipelines such as headreco or mri2mesh. Significance. The BEM-FMM does not rely on a volumetric mesh and is therefore particularly suitable for modeling some mesoscale problems with submillimeter (and possibly finer) resolution with high accuracy at moderate computational cost. Utilizing Helmholtz reciprocity principle makes it possible to expand the method to a solution of EEG forward problems with a very large number of cortical dipoles.

Simulation analysis of equivalent circuit model of skin-electrode impedance for transcutaneous electrical stimulation

For more than 50 years, transcutaneous electrical stimulation method has been used to cure the spinal cord injury, stroke or cerebral palsy. This method works by activating the excitable nerves, muscle fibers by electrical current stimulation through electrode to skin interface. Electrode to skin interface requires equivalent circuit to overcome the inability of measuring the skin resistivity directly. We have learned several previous models, which are from Lawler, Moineau and Keller and Kuhn. Unfortunately, Moineau model neglects the capacitance effect, while Lawler and Keller and Kuhn include capacitive and resistive nature of skin in their equivalent circuits. Both models consisted of only one parallel RC block. Therefore, this paper presents the simulation results of the proposed equivalent circuit model using two parallel RC circuits. Simulation of the proposed model is conducted in MATLAB 2015a and compared with two previous models using certain parameters. Results show that the proposed model obtained the impedance of 10.830 kΩ when it is simulated using 100Hz frequency, for Lawler model the impedance is 5.340 kΩ and Keller and Kuhn model the impedance obtained is 6.490 kΩ. The proposed model has the refined impedance compared with other models and is expected to deliver better electrical stimulation.

Characterization of Venom Components of Two Medically Important Scorpion Species, Hottentota tamulus (Fabricius, 1798) and Androctonus finitimus (Pocock, 1897)

Scorpion venom is being used for many biomedical applications. In the present study, venom components of Hottentota tamulus (Fabricius, 1798) and Androctonus finitimus (Pocock, 1897) were characterized. Venom was extracted using the electrical stimulation method and subjected to High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) for characterization of its components from which dominant fractions were collected and dried in a concentrator. Crude venom and selected fractions were further analyzed by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) to obtain mass fingerprint data. Over 100 components ranging from 3,000 – 8,000 m/z in molecular masses were detected in the venom of both scorpion species. Some of them were analogous to a short chain and long chain toxins, which act on potassium and sodium ion channels, respectively. The venom components may be used for the development of novel drugs, e.g. drugs for neurological disorders, cardiovascular diseases, analgesics and cancer.

Efficiency of using the technology of functional electrical stimulation in gait disorder in patients with cerebral palsy

Cerebral palsy is a group of developmental disorders affecting motor skills and postural maintenance, leading to motion defects due to non-progressive damage and/or a developing brain anomaly in the fetus or the newborn child. Leg muscle weakness and spasticity associated with cerebral palsy limit the range of motion in the ankle joint and negatively affect the childs motor ability. This article reviews scientific studies on an innovative method of functional electrical stimulation of walking in children with cerebral palsy. We searched for information in the Scopus, Web of Science, Medline, The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Pedro, Scholar, eLibrary, and CyberLeninka databases. The efficiency of remedial treatment of motion using functional electrical stimulators was assessed using biomechanical and neurophysiological methods of evidence-based medicine. When children are rehabilitated using electrical stimulation techniques such as functional electrical stimulation, the gait is restored significantly, dorsiflexion is improved, the gait pattern is normalized, stability when walking is increased, the number of falls is decreased, and the need for additional support is reduced. The effect of functional electrical stimulation on the normalization of walking speed, gait kinematics and symmetry, the ability to overcome obstacles, and the range of motion of the ankle joint and foot clearance during walking are discussed. In addition, the work analyzes the effect of functional electrical stimulation on reducing the patients energy consumption when walking, normalizing muscle tone, decreasing the risk of falls, and increasing confidence and comfort when walking. As part of this analysis, the speed of adaptation and patient tolerance of the devices for functional electrical stimulation are also discussed. A comparative characteristic of functional electrical stimulation using ankle joint orthoses is provided.&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: For many years, movement dynamics have used functional electrical stimulation technologies to rehabilitate neurological patients after stroke and multiple sclerosis. It is only a matter of time before these technologies also become the standard treatment for children with cerebral palsy in rehabilitation programs.

An Investigation of the Impacts of Three Anesthetic Regimens on Task-Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Functional Connectivity Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Sprague Dawley and Wistar Rats.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate basic task-functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) or resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) results on Sprague Dawley (SD) rats and Wistar rats under three anesthetic regimens. Introduction: SD rats and Wistar rats are the two-most commonly used rat strains in medical research and neuroimaging studies. It still lacks a direct comparison of basic task-fMRI and rs-fMRI results between the Wistar rats and SD rats under different anesthetic regimens. Methods: Two rat strains and different time points were adopted to investigate task-fMRI activation and rs-fMRI functional connectivity (FC) results under three kinds of anesthetic regimens (2-2.5% isoflurane only, dexmedetomidine bolus combined with a continuous infusion, and dexmedetomidine bolus combined with 0.3-0.5% isoflurane). The electrical forepaw stimulation method and seed-based FC results were used to compare the task-fMRI brain activation and rs-fMRI FC patterns between the two rat strains. Results: The results showed that Wistar rats had more robust brain activation in task fMRI experiments while exhibiting a less specific interhemispheric FC than that of SD rats under the two dexmedetomidine anesthetic regimens. Moreover, even low-level isoflurane could significantly affect task-fMRI and rs-fMRI results in both rat strains. Conclusions: SD and Wistar rats showed different brain activations and interhemispheric FC patterns under the two dexmedetomidine anesthetic regimens. These results may serve as reference information for small-animal fMRI studies. Impact statement Our study demonstrates different stimulation-induced blood oxygen level-dependent responses and functional connectivity patterns between Sprague Dawley rats and Wistar rats under three anesthetics. This study provides some reference results for different anesthetics' effects on different rat strains in different functional magnetic resonance imaging modalities.

Accelerated Skin Wound Healing by Electrical Stimulation.

When the integrity of the skin got damaged, an endogenous electric field will be generated in the wound and a series of physiological reactions will be initiated to close the wound. The existence of the endogenous electric field of the wound has a promoting effect on all stages of wound healing. For wounds that cannot heal on their own, the exogenous electric field can assist the treatment. In this review, the effects of exogenous electrical stimulation on wound healing, such as the inflammation phase, blood flow, cell proliferation and migration, and the wound scarring is overviewed. This article also reviews the new electrical stimulation methods that have emerged in recent years, such as small power supplies, nanogenerators (NGs), and other physical, chemical or biological strategies. These new electrical stimulation methods and devices are safe, low-cost, stable, and small in size. The challenge and perspective are discussed for the future trends of the electrical stimulation treatment in accelerating skin wound healing.

Ineffective sham-blinding assessment during 2mA transcranial direct current stimulation.

Non-invasive electrical stimulation methods are often used in experimental settings to investigate the possible modulation of antinociceptive mechanisms. Studies using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) typically incorporate a fade-in, short-stimulation, fade-out sham (placebo) protocol, which is assumed to be indistinct from a 10-30min active protocol on the scalp. However, many studies report that participants can dissociate active stimulation from sham, even during low-intensity 1mA currents. In the present study we assessed whether delivery of a high-intensity 2mA current would exacerbate differences in the perception of active and sham protocols. Two protocols were delivered to 32 healthy, pain-free adults in a double-blinded, within-subjects design (active: 10min of 2mA, and sham: 20s of 2mA), with the anode over the left primary motor cortex and the cathode on the right forehead. Participants were asked “Is the stimulation on?” and “How sure are you?” at 30s intervals during and after stimulation. The differences between active and sham were more consistent and sustained during 2mA than during 1mA. We then quantified how well participants were able to track the presence and absence of stimulation (i.e. their sensitivity) during the experiment using cross-correlations. A good classifier of sensitivity during active tDCS was current strength, but exhibited only moderate specificity during sham. The accuracy of the end-of-study guess was no better than chance at predicting sensitivity. Our results from this methodological approach indicate that the traditional end-of-study guess poorly reflects the sensitivity of participants to stimulation, and may not be a valid method of assessing sham blinding. Further research should be carried out into inter-individual responses to sham-blinding and assessment methods in pain studies and the broader neurostimulation field. Wellcome Trust.

Intravenous lidocaine and magnesium on responses of A-δ and A-β nerve fibers at non-affected and affected areas in three cases of neuralgias

Intravenous magnesium and lidocaine have been used for the management of intractable pain individually or in combination. A study reported on the positive effects when used in combination on neuralgia when antiepileptic drugs failed, but nobody has clarified how the combination works. The aim of the present case report is to see how a combination of intravenous magnesium and lidocaine influenced electrically-evoked responses of peripheral A-δ and A-β nerve fibers at non-affected and affected areas in three patients with neuralgia. For nociceptive stimulation, a method of intraepidermal electrical stimulation (IES) was used for the selective activation of cutaneous A-δ fibers, using a stainless steel concentric bipolar needle electrode. For tactile stimulation, similar cutaneous sites were stimulated for cutaneous A-β fibers using the same electrode. Three patients with intractable trigeminal neuralgia or intercostal neuralgia were treated using an intravenous infusion of a combination of 1.2g of magnesium and 100mg of lidocaine for one hour. Although all patients experienced sound pain relief after the combined intravenous infusion therapy, the combination had a different effect on electrically-evoked responses of peripheral A-δ and A-β nerve fibers at non-affected and affected areas in each patient.

Effect of Carcass Electrical Stimulation and Suspension Methods on Meat Quality Characteristics of Longissimus lumborum of Young Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Bulls.

Buffalo animals are slaughtered at their early age and carcasses are chilled rapidly which deteriorates its meat quality and decreases the consumer likeliness of buffalo meat. This study investigated the appropriate methods to prevent the quality deterioration of buffalo meat during chilling. Twenty four 18-mon-old buffalo bulls were slaughtered, electrically stimulated and suspended either by hip or achilles tendon. After 24 h postmortem, meat quality characteristics were recorded. Results showed that electrical stimulation (ES) led to rapid decline of carcass pH compared to non-ES method (p<0.05). Furthermore, electrically stimulated meat presented lower shear force accompanied with the higher CIE L*, a*, and b* values (p<0.05). Suspension methods only affect the meat shear values and were lowered in hip suspended samples. It can be concluded that ES combined with hip suspension can be adopted to prevent the meat quality deterioration of young buffalo bulls during postmortem storage.