A retrospective case series of segmental zoster paresis of limbs: clinical, electrophysiological and imaging characteristics.

Background: Segmental zoster paresis (SZP) of limbs, characterized by focal weakness of extremity, is recognized as a rare complication of herpes zoster (HZ). The following study analyzes the clinical characteristics and data from electromyography and MRI scans in patients with motor weakness after zoster infection.

Methods: One thousand three hundred ninety-three patients from our database (Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital) suffering from HZ were retrospectively reviewed from June 2015 to July 2017.

A retrospective analysis of possible triggers of Guillain-Barre syndrome.

Antecedent infections have been found to be the most common trigger for Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). In the present study, we retrospectively analyzed 36 adult patients with GBS and found that surgery, trauma and treatment with ganglioside were also common before the onset of GBS. The proportion of the axonal subtype of GBS in post-surgical/traumatic patients was higher than that in non-surgical/traumatic patients (P=0.

[Effect of Acupotomy Lysis at Cervical Acupoints on Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase 1 and Changes of Pulpiform Nucleus Ultrastructure in Rats with Degenerated Cervical Intervertebral Discs].

Objective: To observe the effect of acupotomy lysis at acupoints around the neck on expression of matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), MMP-2 and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1) genes and ultrastructure of pulpiform nucleus in cervical intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) rats, so as to explore its mechanism underlying easing IVDD.

Methods: SD rats were randomly allocated to control (n = 15), model (n = 14), Jiaji (EX-B 2, n = 13), cervico-acupoint (n = 14) and medication groups (n = 14). The cervical IVDD model was established by using static-dynamic imbalance method.

[Effect of Acupotome Relaxing on Expression of Type I and II Collagens of Degenerative Cervical Inter- vertebral Discs in Rats].

Objective: To observe the effect of acupotome relaxing at cervical acupoints on type I and II collagens of degenerated cervical intervertebral discs in rats, so as to explore its potential mechanism underlying anti-degeneration of intervertebral discs.

Methods: Rats were randomly divided into control, model, Jiaji acupoints, cervical acupoints and medication groups (n = 15 in each group). The rat model of cervical intervertebral disc degeneration due to static-dynamic imbalance was made as previously specified.