Stellate Ganglion Block Therapy for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Sympathetic ganglion block (SGB) technique is becoming increasingly prevalent in the treatment of complex regional pain syndromes (CRPS). Given the varied reported effectiveness of these techniques and the heterogeneity of treatment regimens, there is an urgent need for consistent and high-quality evidence on the efficacy and safety of such procedures.

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the efficacy of SGB therapy for CRPS-related pain.

Quantitative proteomics reveals effects of environmental radiofrequency electromagnetic fields on embryonic neural stem cells.

The effects of environmental radiofrequency electromagnetic fields (RF-EMF) on embryonic neural stem cells have not been determined, particularly at the proteomic level. This study aims to elucidate the effects of environmental levels of RF-EMF radiation on embryonic neural stem cells. Neuroectodermal stem cells (NE-4C cells) were randomly divided into a sham group and an RF group, which were sham-exposed and continuously exposed to a 1950 MHz RF-EMF at 2 W/kg for 48 h.

Moderate white light exposure enhanced spatial memory retrieval by activating a central amygdala-involved circuit in mice.

Light exposure can profoundly affect neurological functions and behaviors. Here, we show that short-term exposure to moderate (400 lux) white light during Y-maze test promoted spatial memory retrieval and induced only mild anxiety in mice. This beneficial effect involves the activation of a circuit including neurons in the central amygdala (CeA), locus coeruleus (LC), and dentate gyrus (DG).

Single cell molecular alterations reveal target cells and pathways of conditioned fear memory.

Objectives: Recent evidence indicates that hippocampus is important for conditioned fear memory (CFM). Though few studies consider the roles of various cell types' contribution to such a process, as well as the accompanying transcriptome changes during this process. The purpose of this study was to explore the transcriptional regulatory genes and the targeted cells that are altered by CFM reconsolidation.

Transient neurogenesis in ischemic cortex from Sox2 astrocytes.

The adult cortex has long been regarded as non-neurogenic. Whether injury can induce neurogenesis in the adult cortex is still controversial. Here, we report that focal ischemia stimulates a transient wave of local neurogenesis.

Diversity of cellular physiology and morphology of Purkinje cells in the adult zebrafish cerebellum.

This study was designed to explore the functional circuitry of the adult zebrafish cerebellum, focusing on its Purkinje cells and using whole-cell patch recordings and single cell labeling in slice preparations. Following physiological characterizations, the recorded single cells were labeled for morphological identification. It was found that the zebrafish Purkinje cells are surprisingly diverse.

IRES-mediated Wnt2 translation in apoptotic neurons triggers astrocyte dedifferentiation.

Reactive astrogliosis usually bears some properties of neural progenitors. How injury triggers astrocyte dedifferentiation remains largely unclear. Here, we report that ischemia induces rapid up-regulation of Wnt2 protein in apoptotic neurons and activation of canonical Wnt signaling in reactive astrocytes in mice, primates and human.

Protein kinase G signaling pathway is involved in sympathetically maintained pain by modulating ATP-sensitive potassium channels.

Background: Sympathetically maintained pain (SMP) involves an increased excitability of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons to sympathetic nerve stimulation and circulating norepinephrine. The current treatment of SMP has limited efficacy, and hence more mechanistic insights into this intractable pain condition are urgently needed.

Methods: A caudal trunk transection (CTT) model of neuropathic pain was established in mice.

Effects of pulsed electromagnetic fields on tumor cell viability: a meta-analysis of in vitro randomized controlled experiments.

Malignant tumor treatment remains a big challenge till now, and expanding literature indicated that pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) is promising in tumor treatment with the advantage of safety and being economical, but it is still controversial on whether PEMF could affect the tumor cell viability. Therefore, we conducted the meta-analysis to evaluate effects of PEMF on tumor cell viability. The PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for studies published up to February 2021.

Effects of 5.8 GHz microwave on hippocampal synaptic plasticity of rats.

Objective: 5.8 GHz spectrum is gaining more attention in wireless technology. To explore the potential hazards, we investigated the effect of exposure to 5.

Hyperpolarization-activated cation currents in medium-size dorsal root ganglion cells are involved in overactive bladder syndrome in rats.

Background: To investigate the functions of the hyperpolarization-activated cation currents in medium-size dorsal root ganglion cells in a rat model of overactive bladder syndrome.

Methods: Rats with OAB were screened using a urodynamic testing device. The whole-cell patch clamp technique was used to investigate changes in excitability and hyperpolarization-activated cation current (I) of medium-size cells in the L6 dorsal root ganglia (DRG) of the OAB rats.

Spinal CCL2 Promotes Pain Sensitization by Rapid Enhancement of NMDA-Induced Currents Through the ERK-GluN2B Pathway in Mouse Lamina II Neurons.

Previous studies have shown that CCL2 (C-C motif chemokine ligand 2) induces chronic pain, but the exact mechanisms are still unknown. Here, we established models to explore the potential mechanisms. Behavioral experiments revealed that an antagonist of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibited not only CCL2-induced inflammatory pain, but also pain responses induced by complete Freund's adjuvant.

tDCS Accelerates the Rehabilitation of MCAO-Induced Motor Function Deficits via Neurogenesis Modulated by the Notch1 Signaling Pathway.

Ischemic stroke carries a high mortality rate and is a leading cause of severe neurological disability. However, the efficacy of current therapeutic options remains limited. We aimed to investigate the treatment efficacy of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in motor function rehabilitation after ischemic stroke and explore the underlying mechanisms.

Use of In Vivo Single-fiber Recording and Intact Dorsal Root Ganglion with Attached Sciatic Nerve to Examine the Mechanism of Conduction Failure.

Single-fiber recording has been a classical and effective electrophysiological technique over the last few decades because of its specific application for nerve fibers in the central and peripheral nervous systems. This method is particularly applicable to dorsal root ganglia (DRG), which are primary sensory neurons that exhibit a pseudo-unipolar structure of nervous processes. The patterns and features of the action potentials passed along axons are recordable in these neurons.

A safety study of 500 μA cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation in rat.

Background: Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive neural control technology that has become a research hotspot. To facilitate further research of tDCS, the biosafety of 500 μA cathodal tDCS, a controversial parameter in rats was evaluated.

Results: 24 animals were randomly divided into two groups: a cathodal tDCS group (tDCS, n = 12) and control group (control, n = 12).

Blocking of Dendrodendritic Inhibition Unleashes Widely Spread Lateral Propagation of Odor-evoked Activity in the Mouse Olfactory Bulb.

The olfactory circuitry in mice involves a well-characterized, vertical receptor type-specific organization, but the localized inhibitory effect from granule cells on action potentials that propagate laterally in secondary dendrites of mitral cell remains open to debate. To understand the functional dynamics of the lateral (horizontal) circuits, we analyzed odor-induced signaling using transgenic mice expressing a genetically encoded Ca indicator specifically in mitral/tufted and some juxtaglomerular cells. Optical imaging of the dorsal olfactory bulb (dOB) revealed specific patterns of glomerular activation in response to odor presentation or direct electric stimulation of the olfactory nerve (ON).

Enhancement of X-ray Induced Apoptosis by Mobile Phone-Like Radio-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields in Mouse Spermatocyte-Derived Cells.

To explore the combined effects of environmental radio-frequency (RF) field and X-ray, mouse spermatocyte-derived (GC-1) cells were exposed to 1950 MHz RF field at specific absorption rate (SAR) of 3 W/kg for 24 h combined with or without X-ray irradiation at 6 Gy. After treatment, the cell proliferation level was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) Assay and 5-Bromo-2-deoxy Uridine (BrdU) enzyme linked immunosorbent (ELISA) Assay. The apoptosis level was detected by annexin V flow cytometry assay, transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) Assay and Caspase-3 Activity Assay.

A novel intrinsic analgesic mechanism: the enhancement of the conduction failure along polymodal nociceptive C-fibers.

Although conduction failure has been observed in nociceptive C-fibers, little is known regarding its significance or therapeutic potential. In a previous study, we demonstrated that C-fiber conduction failure, which is regarded as an intrinsic self-inhibition mechanism, was reduced in circumstances of painful diabetic neuropathy. In this study, we extend this finding in the complete Freund's adjuvant model of inflammatory pain and validate that the degree of conduction failure decreased and led to a greater amount of pain signals conveyed to the central nervous system.

Differential dopaminergic regulation of inwardly rectifying potassium channel mediated subthreshold dynamics in striatal medium spiny neurons.

The dorsal striatum plays a key role in motor control and cognitive processes. Proper functioning of the striatum relies on the fine dynamic balance between the direct pathway projection medium spiny neurons (MSNs) that express D1 dopamine receptor (D1 MSNs) and indirect pathway projection MSNs that express D2 dopamine receptor (D2 MSNs). The inwardly rectifying K(+) channels (Kir), which express on both D1 and D2 MSNs, participate in the subthreshold dynamics including the membrane resonance and dendritic integration.

Electrophysiological Features of Neurons in the Mesencephalic Trigeminal Nuclei.

Mesencephalic trigeminal nucleus (Mes V) neurons represent an uncommon class of primary sensory neurons. Besides receiving somatosensory information, Mes V neurons are also involved in regulating multisensory information. The present review first describes the passive features as well as three important currents, followed by a distinct excitability classification and a description of the excitability transition of Mes V neurons.

Long-term outcomes of facial nerve schwannomas with favorable facial nerve function: tumor growth rate is correlated with initial tumor size.

Objective: The study aimed to report long-term outcomes of facial nerve schwannomas (FNS) with favorable facial nerve function by observation, and to discuss about the relationship between initial tumor size and tumor growth.

Methods: 21 facial nerve schwannoma cases with favorable facial nerve function were managed by observation. They were divided into larger size group (size ≥10mm) and smaller size group (size <10mm) according to initial tumor size.

Facile synthesis of size controllable dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles.

The synthesis of highly uniform mesoporous silica nanospheres (MSNs) with dendritic pore channels, particularly ones with particle sizes below 200 nm, is extremely difficult and remains a grand challenge. By a combined synthetic strategy using imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) with different alkyl lengths as cosurfactants and Pluronic F127 nonionic surfactants as inhibitors of particle growth, the preparation of dendritic MSNs with controlled diameter between 40 and 300 nm was successfully realized. An investigation of dendritic MSNs using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and nitrogen physisorption revealed that the synthesis of dendritic MSNs at larger size (100-300 nm) strongly depends on the alkyl lengths of cationic imidazolium ILs; while the average size of dendritic MSNs can be controlled within the range of 40-100 nm by varying the amount of Pluronic F127.

Resonance characteristic and its ionic basis of rat mesencephalic trigeminal neurons.

Intrinsic resonant frequency properties of neurons in the brain provide a basis for different behavioral states and determine the responding modality (i.e. excitability) of different neurons.

Saikosaponin a mediates the anticonvulsant properties in the HNC models of AE and SE by inhibiting NMDA receptor current and persistent sodium current.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders, yet its treatment remains unsatisfactory. Saikosaponin a (SSa), a triterpene saponin derived from Bupleurum chinensis DC., has been demonstrated to have significant antiepileptic activity in a variety of epilepsy models in vivo.

Dorsal root ganglion compression as an animal model of sciatica and low back pain.

As sciatica and low back pain are among the most common medical complaints, many studies have duplicated these conditions in animals. Chronic compression of the dorsal root ganglion (CCD) is one of these models. The surgery is simple: after exposing the L4/L5 intervertebral foramina, stainless steel rods are implanted unilaterally, one rod for each vertebra, to chronically compress the lumbar dorsal root ganglion (DRG).