Cue-based modulation of pain stimulus expectation: do ongoing oscillations reflect changes in pain perception? A registered report.

A promising stream of investigations is targeting ongoing neural oscillations and whether their modulation could be related to the perception of pain. Using an electroencephalography (EEG) frequency-tagging approach, sustained periodic thermonociceptive stimuli perceived as painful have been shown to modulate ongoing oscillations in the theta, alpha and beta bands at the frequency of stimulation. Nonetheless, it remains uncertain whether these modulations are indeed linked to pain perception.

Electroencephalogram synchronization measure as a predictive biomarker of Vagus nerve stimulation response in refractory epilepsy: A retrospective study.

There are currently no established biomarkers for predicting the therapeutic effectiveness of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS). Given that neural desynchronization is a pivotal mechanism underlying VNS action, EEG synchronization measures could potentially serve as predictive biomarkers of VNS response. Notably, an increased brain synchronization in delta band has been observed during sleep-potentially due to an activation of thalamocortical circuitry, and interictal epileptiform discharges are more frequently observed during sleep.

A novel process for the complete recycling of exhausted coffee capsules with a fully circular approach: Design of the industrial plant and Techno-Economic analysis of the process.

The objective of this paper is to present the technical and feasibility analysis of an innovative mechanical recycling system for exhausted coffee capsules. This recycling process involved the sorting of spent coffee grounds (SGC) and the subsequent drying and melt-mixing of a portion of these grounds with the remaining capsule components, mainly composed of polypropylene (PP), along with optional virgin PP. These newly developed composite materials exhibited mechanical and rheological properties comparable or even surpassing those of virgin PP.

The role of ongoing oscillation in pain perception: Absence of modulation by a concomitant arithmetic task.

Sustained nociceptive stimuli have been shown to modulate the amplitude of ongoing neural oscillations in the theta, alpha and beta frequency bands at the frequency of stimulation, suggesting a relationship between these ongoing oscillations and pain perception. Yet, whether these ongoing oscillations are actually related to the pain experience remains unclear. If it were the case, then cognitive processes that are known to affect pain intensity should also affect these ongoing oscillations.

Characterization of vagus nerve stimulation-induced pupillary responses in epileptic patients.

Background: Modulation of the locus coeruleus (LC)-noradrenergic system is a key mechanism of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). Activation of the LC produces pupil dilation, and the VNS-induced change in pupil diameter was demonstrated in animals as a possible dose-dependent biomarker for treatment titration.

Objective: This study aimed to characterize VNS-induced pupillary responses in epileptic patients.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation Elicits Sleep EEG Desynchronization and Network Changes in Responder Patients in Epilepsy.

Neural desynchronization was shown as a key mechanism of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) action in epilepsy, and EEG synchronization measures are explored as possible response biomarkers. Since brain functional organization in sleep shows different synchrony and network properties compared to wakefulness, we aimed to explore the effects of acute VNS on EEG-derived measures in the two different states of vigilance. EEG epochs were retrospectively analyzed from twenty-four VNS-treated epileptic patients (11 responders, 13 non-responders) in calm wakefulness and stage N2 sleep.

Transcutaneous auricular VNS applied to experimental pain: A paired behavioral and EEG study using thermonociceptive CO2 laser.

Background: Transcutaneous auricular Vagal Nerve Stimulation (taVNS) is a non-invasive neurostimulation technique with potential analgesic effects. Several studies based on subjective behavioral responses suggest that taVNS modulates nociception differently with either pro-nociceptive or anti-nociceptive effects.

Objective: This study aimed to characterize how taVNS alters pain perception, by investigating its effects on event-related potentials (ERPs) elicited by different types of spinothalamic and lemniscal somatosensory stimuli, combined with quantitative sensory testing (detection threshold and intensity ratings).

Insular responses to transient painful and non-painful thermal and mechanical spinothalamic stimuli recorded using intracerebral EEG.

Brief thermo-nociceptive stimuli elicit low-frequency phase-locked local field potentials (LFPs) and high-frequency gamma-band oscillations (GBOs) in the human insula. Although neither of these responses constitute a direct correlate of pain perception, previous findings suggest that insular GBOs may be strongly related to the activation of the spinothalamic system and/or to the processing of thermal information. To disentangle these different features of the stimulation, we compared the insular responses to brief painful thermonociceptive stimuli, non-painful cool stimuli, mechano-nociceptive stimuli, and innocuous vibrotactile stimuli, recorded using intracerebral electroencephalograpic activity in 7 epileptic patients (9 depth electrodes, 58 insular contacts).

Dynamics of the perception and EEG signals triggered by tonic warm and cool stimulation.

Thermosensation is crucial for humans to probe the environment and detect threats arising from noxious heat or cold. Over the last years, EEG frequency-tagging using long-lasting periodic radiant heat stimulation has been proposed as a means to study the cortical processes underlying tonic heat perception. This approach is based on the notion that periodic modulation of a sustained stimulus can elicit synchronized periodic activity in the neuronal populations responding to the stimulus, known as a steady-state response (SSR).

Brain-Machine Interface in Chronic Stroke: Randomized Trial Long-Term Follow-up.

Background: Brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) have been recently proposed as a new tool to induce functional recovery in stroke patients.

Objective: Here we evaluated long-term effects of BMI training and physiotherapy in motor function of severely paralyzed chronic stroke patients 6 months after intervention.

Methods: A total of 30 chronic stroke patients with severe hand paresis from our previous study were invited, and 28 underwent follow-up assessments.

Tonic thermonociceptive stimulation selectively modulates ongoing neural oscillations in the human posterior insula: Evidence from intracerebral EEG.

The human insula is an important target for spinothalamic input, but there is still no consensus on its role in pain perception and nociception. In this study, we show that the human insula exhibits activity preferential for sustained thermonociception. Using intracerebral EEG recorded from the insula of 8 patients (2 females) undergoing a presurgical evaluation of focal epilepsy (53 contacts: 27 anterior, 26 posterior), we "frequency-tagged" the insular activity elicited by sustained thermonociceptive and vibrotactile stimuli, by periodically modulating stimulation intensity at a fixed frequency of 0.

Habituation of phase-locked local field potentials and gamma-band oscillations recorded from the human insula.

Salient nociceptive and non-nociceptive stimuli elicit low-frequency local field potentials (LFPs) in the human insula. Nociceptive stimuli also elicit insular gamma-band oscillations (GBOs), possibly preferential for thermonociception, which have been suggested to reflect the intensity of perceived pain. To shed light on the functional significance of these two responses, we investigated whether they would be modulated by stimulation intensity and temporal expectation - two factors contributing to stimulus saliency.

Poliosis and Neurofibromatosis Type 1: Two Familiar Cases and Review of the Literature.

Two brothers were referred to our clinic for reevaluation of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1). Both brothers presented a peculiarity that is not so common in NF1: poliosis overlying plexiform neurofibromas on the scalp. Poliosis overlying plexiform neurofibromas is rarely reported in the literature.

Gamma-Band Oscillations Preferential for Nociception can be Recorded in the Human Insula.

Transient nociceptive stimuli elicit robust phase-locked local field potentials (LFPs) in the human insula. However, these responses are not preferential for nociception, as they are also elicited by transient non-nociceptive vibrotactile, auditory, and visual stimuli. Here, we investigated whether another feature of insular activity, namely gamma-band oscillations (GBOs), is preferentially observed in response to nociceptive stimuli.

EEG frequency tagging using ultra-slow periodic heat stimulation of the skin reveals cortical activity specifically related to C fiber thermonociceptors.

The recording of event-related brain potentials triggered by a transient heat stimulus is used extensively to study nociception and diagnose lesions or dysfunctions of the nociceptive system in humans. However, these responses are related exclusively to the activation of a specific subclass of nociceptive afferents: quickly-adapting thermonociceptors. In fact, except if the activation of Aδ fibers is avoided or if A fibers are blocked, these responses specifically reflect activity triggered by the activation of Type 2 quickly-adapting A fiber mechano-heat nociceptors (AMH-2).

Neonatal Alopecia Due to Birth Trauma: Case Report and Trichoscopic Findings.

A 4-day-old boy was referred for evaluation of an oval patch of occipital alopecia associated with caput succedaneum and ipsilateral eyelid ecchymoses. Based on the history of a prolonged, difficult labor with vacuum-assisted delivery, the diagnosis of neonatal alopecia associated with birth trauma was made. Trichoscopy showed purple dots corresponding to blood extravasation and follicular ostia.

Lifelong widespread warts associated with human papillomavirus type 70/85: a new diagnostic entity?

We present a patient with HPV 70/85-positive widespread cutaneous warts characterized by clinical and histological features atypical for classic generalized verrucosis or epidermodysplasia verruciformis. The cutaneous HPV infection is characterized by verrucous papules or plaques variable in size, number, and distribution depending on the genotype of HPV involved and the immune status of the patient. Human papillomaviruses comprise five genera (alpha, beta, gamma, mu, and nu papillomavirus) with different life-cycle characteristics, epithelial tropisms, and disease associations.

Nociceptive Local Field Potentials Recorded from the Human Insula Are Not Specific for Nociception.

The insula, particularly its posterior portion, is often regarded as a primary cortex for pain. However, this interpretation is largely based on reverse inference, and a specific involvement of the insula in pain has never been demonstrated. Taking advantage of the high spatiotemporal resolution of direct intracerebral recordings, we investigated whether the human insula exhibits local field potentials (LFPs) specific for pain.

Extracting neurophysiological signals reflecting users' emotional and affective responses to BCI use: A systematic literature review.

Background: Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) allow persons with impaired mobility to communicate and interact with the environment, supporting goal-directed thinking and cognitive function. Ideally, a BCI should be able to recognize a user's internal state and adapt to it in real-time, to improve interaction.

Objective: Our aim was to examine studies investigating the recognition of affective states from neurophysiological signals, evaluating how current achievements can be applied to improve BCIs.

Residual Upper Arm Motor Function Primes Innervation of Paretic Forearm Muscles in Chronic Stroke after Brain-Machine Interface (BMI) Training.

Background: Abnormal upper arm-forearm muscle synergies after stroke are poorly understood. We investigated whether upper arm function primes paralyzed forearm muscles in chronic stroke patients after Brain-Machine Interface (BMI)-based rehabilitation. Shaping upper arm-forearm muscle synergies may support individualized motor rehabilitation strategies.

Developing brain-computer interfaces from a user-centered perspective: Assessing the needs of persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, caregivers, and professionals.

By focus group methodology, we examined the opinions and requirements of persons with ALS, their caregivers, and health care assistants with regard to developing a brain-computer interface (BCI) system that fulfills the user's needs. Four overarching topics emerged from this analysis: 1) lack of information on BCI and its everyday applications; 2) importance of a customizable system that supports individuals throughout the various stages of the disease; 3) relationship between affectivity and technology use; and 4) importance of individuals retaining a sense of agency. These findings should be considered when developing new assistive technology.

Homocysteine plasma levels in psoriasis patients: our experience and review of the literature.

Background: People with psoriasis are at higher cardiovascular risk. Plasma levels of homocysteine over the normal range have been recognized as marker of cardiovascular risk. Psoriasis patients express higher levels of plasma homocysteine than healthy people.