Nasal high-frequency jet ventilation (NHFJV) as a novel means of respiratory support in extremely low birth weight infants.

Objective: Describe our experience of successfully using nasal high-frequency jet ventilation (NHFJV) in extremely low birth weight infants with respiratory failure.

Study Design: A retrospective review was conducted on 16 infants with birth weights <1000 g who received NHFJV from 2015 to 2019. Successful use was defined as avoiding intubation for at least 72 hours and demonstrating tolerance after being placed on NHFJV.

Electrical Impedance Myography for Assessing Paraspinal Muscles of Patients with Low Back Pain.

The objective of this study was to determine the potential value of electrical impedance myography (EIM) for assessing lumbosacral paraspinal muscle (LPM) condition in lower back pain (LBP) patients. Standard methods for assessing the condition of LPMs, such as magnetic resonance imaging, are inconvenient and expensive. One tool that could be useful for this purpose is electrical impedance myography (EIM) a technique that can be performed rapidly at the bedside.

A prospective, randomized, multicenter study of intraosseous basivertebral nerve ablation for the treatment of chronic low back pain.

Background Context: Current literature suggests that degenerated or damaged vertebral endplates are a significant cause of chronic low back pain (LBP) that is not adequately addressed by standard care. Prior 2-year data from the treatment arm of a sham-controlled randomized controlled trial (RCT) showed maintenance of clinical improvements at 2 years following radiofrequency (RF) ablation of the basivertebral nerve (BVN).

Purpose: The purpose of this RCT was to compare the effectiveness of intraosseous RF ablation of the BVN to standard care for the treatment of chronic LBP in a specific subgroup of patients suspected to have vertebrogenic related symptomatology.

Contralateral Oblique View Is Superior to the Lateral View for Lumbar Epidural Access.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to perform a comparative analysis of the contralateral oblique (CLO) view and the lateral view for lumbar interlaminar epidural access.

Design: After the epidural space was accessed, fluoroscopic images at eight different angles (antero-posterior view, multiple CLO, and lateral view) were prospectively obtained. Visualization and location of needle tip relative to bony landmarks were analyzed.

Exploration of sensory impairments associated with C6 and C7 radiculopathies.

Background Context: Cervical radiculopathy is a common disorder caused by compression of the cervical nerve roots and is characterized by arm pain and altered sensory-motor function. Incongruity in the locations of C6 and C7 dermatomes in competing versions of historical dermatome maps has plagued interpretation of impaired sensation associated with C6 and C7 radiculopathies. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows accurate identification of the C6 or C7 nerve root compression and therefore makes it possible to explore sensory findings that are associated with compression of specific nerve root.

Contralateral oblique view is superior to lateral view for interlaminar cervical and cervicothoracic epidural access.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the reliability of the lateral fluoroscopic view and several contralateral oblique (CLO) views at different angles in visualizing and accurately predicting the position of the needle tip at the point of access in the posterior cervical and cervicothoracic epidural space.

Design: After the epidural space was accessed but before confirmation with contrast fluoroscopy, we prospectively obtained fluoroscopic images at eight different angles. Subsequent contrast injection confirmed epidural spread.

Computed tomography-based muscle attenuation and electrical impedance myography as indicators of trunk muscle strength independent of muscle size in older adults.

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the associations of computed tomography-based x-ray attenuation and paraspinal electrical impedance myography measures of trunk muscles with absolute and relative (normalized by body weight) trunk extension strength, independent of muscle cross-sectional area.

Design: This is a cross-sectional study of mobility-limited community-dwelling older adults (34 women, 15 men; mean [SD] age, 78.2 [7.

Selective small molecule targeting β-catenin function discovered by in vivo chemical genetic screen.

The canonical Wnt signaling pathway, mediated by the transcription factor β-catenin, plays critical roles in embryonic development and represents an important therapeutic target. In a zebrafish-based in vivo screen for small molecules that specifically perturb embryonic dorsoventral patterning, we discovered a compound named windorphen that selectively blocks the Wnt signal required for ventral development. Windorphen exhibits remarkable specificity toward β-catenin-1 function, indicating that the two β-catenin isoforms found in zebrafish are not functionally redundant.

Spinal cord stimulation for radicular pain following retained bullet in the spinal canal.

We are reporting on the implantation of a spinal cord stimulator to treat intractable radicular pain following a retained bullet fragment in the spinal canal. Such retained fragments are associated with risks including pain, neurological deficit, infection, toxic effects, and migration. Our patient was a young man with radicular pain and history of a gunshot entering the abdomen.

Electrical impedance myography in the diagnosis of radiculopathy.

Introduction: We sought to determine whether electrical impedance myography (EIM) could serve as a diagnostic procedure for evaluation of radiculopathy.

Methods: Twenty-seven patients with clinically and radiologically diagnosed cervical or lumbosacral radiculopathy who met a "gold standard" definition underwent EIM and standard needle electromyography (EMG) of multiple upper or lower extremity muscles.

Results: EIM reactance values revealed consistent reductions in the radiculopathy-affected myotomal muscles as compared with those on the unaffected side; the degree of asymmetry was associated strongly with the degree of EMG abnormality (P < 0.

Iatrogenic hypercortisolism complicating triamcinolone acetonide injections in patients with HIV on ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitors.

Epidural corticosteroid injection is a commonly used approach for managing back pain of several etiologies. The risk of clinical complications from systemic absorption is felt to be rare. Ritonavir is a protease inhibitor whose potent cytochrome P450 3A4 inhibition is exploited for pharmacologic boosting in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.

Utilizing a handheld electrode array for localized muscle impedance measurements.

Introduction: Electrical impedance myography (EIM) is a noninvasive technique used for assessment of muscle health in which a high-frequency, low-amplitude electric current is applied to the skin overlying a muscle, and the resulting surface voltage is measured. We have previously used adhesive electrodes, application of which is inconvenient. We present data using a handheld electrode array (HEA) that we devised to expedite the EIM procedure in a clinical setting.

The Drosophila homolog of MCPH1, a human microcephaly gene, is required for genomic stability in the early embryo.

Mutation of human microcephalin (MCPH1) causes autosomal recessive primary microcephaly, a developmental disorder characterized by reduced brain size. We identified mcph1, the Drosophila homolog of MCPH1, in a genetic screen for regulators of S-M cycles in the early embryo. Embryos of null mcph1 female flies undergo mitotic arrest with barrel-shaped spindles lacking centrosomes.

Musculocutaneous nerve injury after simulated freefall in a vertical wind-tunnel: a case report.

We report a case of a skydiver with isolated musculocutaneous nerve injury, which occurred after prolonged positioning of the arm during simulated freefall in a vertical wind-tunnel. Musculocutaneous nerve injury is rare, and the mechanism of isolated injury to this nerve is not entirely understood. Isolated peripheral nerve injuries such as this easily mimic other injuries and can be difficult to diagnose.

ROCK-I regulates closure of the eyelids and ventral body wall by inducing assembly of actomyosin bundles.

Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) I mediates signaling from Rho to the actin cytoskeleton. To investigate the in vivo functions of ROCK-I, we generated ROCK-I-deficient mice. Loss of ROCK-I resulted in failure of eyelid closure and closure of the ventral body wall, which gave rise to the eyes open at birth and omphalocele phenotypes in neonates.

Massive wear of an incompatible metal-on-metal articulation in total hip arthroplasty.

We report on a case of massive wear because of an incompatible metal-on-metal combination. In a 62-year-old man, a cobalt-chromium (CoCr) inlay and a stainless steel head were paired by accident. Because of persistent pain, revision surgery was performed 7 months later.

Targeted disruption of the mouse rho-associated kinase 2 gene results in intrauterine growth retardation and fetal death.

Rho-associated kinase (ROCK), including the ROCK-I and ROCK-II isoforms, is a protein kinase involved in signaling from Rho to actin cytoskeleton. However, in vivo functions of each ROCK isoform remain largely unknown. We generated mice deficient in ROCK-II by gene targeting.

Pharmacological properties of Y-27632, a specific inhibitor of rho-associated kinases.

Y-27632 [(+)-(R)-trans-4-(1-aminoethyl)-N-(4-pyridyl)cyclohexanecarboxamide++ + dihydrochloride] is widely used as a specific inhibitor of the Rho-associated coiled-coil forming protein serine/threonine kinase (ROCK) family of protein kinases. This study examined the inhibition mechanism and profile of actions of Y-27632 and a related compound, Y-30141 [(+)-(R)-trans- 4-(1-aminoethyl)-N-(1H-pyrrolo[2, 3-b]pyridin-4-yl)cyclohexan-ecarboxamide dihydrochloride]. Y-27632 and Y-30141 inhibited the kinase activity of both ROCK-I and ROCK-II in vitro, and this inhibition was reversed by ATP in a competitive manner.

Altered cortical excitability in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Objective: To assess cortical inhibitory and excitatory mechanisms in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).

Background: Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) studies have found decreased neuronal inhibition and a reduced cortical silent period in the primary motor area in Tourette's syndrome, focal dystonia, and other disorders believed to involve dysfunction of subcortical structures, including the basal ganglia. Dysfunction of the basal ganglia and linked regions also has been implicated in OCD, which has significant clinical and familial overlap with tic disorders.

Menstrual cycle effects on cortical excitability.

Objective: To determine whether there are menstrual cycle-related effects on cortical excitability in normal women.

Background: Ovarian steroid hormones affect neurotransmission in the brain. Data from animal experiments have shown that progesterone metabolites enhance the action of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the cortex, producing benzodiazepine-like (e.

Seasonal mood change and neuroticism: the same construct?

The personality trait of neuroticism has been found to be associated with a polymorphism in the regulatory region of the serotonin (5-HT) transporter gene (5-HTTLPR). This same genetic polymorphism has also been associated with seasonal changes in mood and behavior, or seasonality. The purpose of the current study was to determine whether seasonality and neuroticism are actually the same construct given that they are both associated with the same genetic polymorphism.

Established acute respiratory distress syndrome: benefit of corticosteroid rescue therapy.

Unlabelled: The mortality of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is still very high. There is some evidence based on case series suggesting that corticosteroids may be beneficial in the chronic fibroproliferative state of the disease. In a retrospective study we analysed the data of 31 non-trauma ARDS patients who had been on mechanical ventilation for at least 7 days.

TEACCH-supported employment program.

Division TEACCH has served over 100 persons with autism through its supported employment program. Three models of supported employment are utilized: individual placement model, dispersed enclave model, and mobile crew model. Within each of these models there is an emphasis on utilizing individual strengths and interests, identifying appropriate jobs, and providing extensive long-term support.