Effect of Low-Level Tragus Stimulation on Cardiac Metabolism in Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Transcriptomics-Based Analysis.

Abnormal cardiac metabolism precedes and contributes to structural changes in heart failure. Low-level tragus stimulation (LLTS) can attenuate structural remodeling in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The role of LLTS on cardiac metabolism is not known.

Transcutaneous Vagus Nerve Stimulation Ameliorates the Phenotype of Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction Through Its Anti-Inflammatory Effects.

Background: A systemic proinflammatory state plays a central role in the development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Low-level transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (LLTS) suppresses inflammation in animals and humans, mediated by an α7nAchR (alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor)-dependent pathway. We examined the effects of LLTS on cardiac function, inflammation, and fibrosis in the presence of α7nAchR pharmacological blockade in a rat model of HFpEF.

Larval morphology and temperature-dependent development models of Fannia pusio (Wiedemann): A forensic indicator with expanding distribution.

Fannia pusio (Wiedemann) is originally from tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, where it has repeatedly been collected from both animal carrion and human cadavers. This species is expanding its distributional range, and it has been introduced to Africa, Asia, Australia, Oceania, and Europe. Newly introduced species may be confused with native species of local arthropod necrophagous assemblages, which from a forensic entomology perspective may impact the accuracy of post-mortem interval (PMI) estimations based on insect evidence.

Neuromodulation of Inflammation to Treat Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

Background A systemic proinflammatory state plays a central role in the development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Low-level transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation suppresses inflammation in humans. We conducted a sham-controlled, double-blind, randomized clinical trial to examine the effect of chronic low-level transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation on cardiac function, exercise capacity, and inflammation in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Sex differences in the incidence and mode of death in rats with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

New Findings: What is the central question of this study? Prior studies failed to address the role of sex in modifying the pathophysiology and response to therapy in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), potentially introducing bias into translational findings. We aimed to explore sex differences in outcomes and sought to identify the underlying mechanisms in a well-established rat model of HFpEF. What is the main finding and its importance? Male rats with HFpEF exhibited worse survival compared with females and were at a higher risk for sudden death, attributable in part to QT prolongation, autonomic dysregulation and enhanced inflammation.

Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation attenuates proinflammatory cytokines and augments antioxidant levels in the brainstem and forebrain regions of Dahl salt sensitive rats.

The anti-inflammatory effects of vagus nerve stimulation are well known. It has recently been shown that low-level, transcutaneous stimulation of vagus nerve at the tragus (LLTS) reduces cardiac inflammation in a rat model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). The mechanisms by which LLTS affect the central neural circuits within the brain regions that are important for the regulation of cardiac vagal tone are not clear.

Inhibition of Dephosphorylation of Dolichyl Diphosphate Alters the Synthesis of Dolichol and Hinders Protein -Glycosylation and Morphological Transitions in .

The essential role of dolichyl phosphate (DolP) as a carbohydrate carrier during protein -glycosylation is well established. The cellular pool of DolP is derived from de novo synthesis in the dolichol branch of the mevalonate pathway and from recycling of DolPP after each cycle of -glycosylation, when the oligosaccharide is transferred from the lipid carrier to the protein and DolPP is released and then dephosphorylated. In , the dephosphorylation of DolPP is known to be catalyzed by the Cwh8p protein.

The role of Alg13 N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase in the expression of pathogenic features of Candida albicans.

Background: The pathogenic potential of Candida albicans depends on adhesion to the host cells mediated by highly glycosylated adhesins, hyphae formation and growth of biofilm. These factors require effective N-glycosylation of proteins. Here, we present consequences of up- and down-regulation of the newly identified ALG13 gene encoding N-acetylglucosaminyl transferase, a potential member of the Alg7p/Alg13p/Alg14p complex catalyzing the first two initial reactions in the N-glycosylation process.

Spatial memory formation differentially affects c-Fos expression in retrosplenial areas during place avoidance training in rats.

The retrosplenial cortex is involved in spatial memory function, but the contribution of its individual areas is not well known. To elucidate the involvement of retrosplenial cortical areas 29c and 30 in spatial memory, we analyzed the expression of c-Fos in these areas in the experimental group of rats that were trained in a spatial place avoidance task, i.e.

Corticomotor excitability in drug-naive patients with Parkinson disease.

Background And Purpose: This study aimed to assess the indices of corticomotor excitability (CE) in drug-naive Parkinson disease (PD) patients and to investigate its relationship with asymmetry and severity of clinical symptoms.

Material And Methods: Eleven (4 men) drug-naive PD patients (mean age: 53.1 ± 9.

Safety of nerve conduction studies in patients with implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.

Objective: A patient with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) may suffer from neuromuscular disorders and may need to undergo a nerve conduction study (NCS). However, a NCS may be a source of electromagnetic interference (EMI). The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the interference from NCS used in a standardised test protocol affects ICD function.

[Agility in treatment of children with type 1 diabetes--pilot study].

Introduction: Physical activity is a very important element in treatment of children with type 1 diabetes. However, it is difficult to find suitable exercises for the children due to their specific needs and psychophysiological condition. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of agility as a physical activity used to improve parameters of metabolic control in children with type 1 diabetes.

[The diagnostic and therapeutic application of transcranial magnetic stimulation].

The functional abnormalities of the central motor structures and its contribution of rigidity, tremor and bradykinesia in Parkinson's disease seem mainly due to the degeneration of the nigro-striatal pathway. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the motor cortex may provide useful data on the pathophysiology of motor dysfunction in Parkinson's disease. Recent reviews on the basic mechanisms of TMS in Parkinson's disease show reduced inhibitory motor network at the cortical and spinal level.

[Spinocerebellar ataxias type 1 and 2: comparison of clinical, electrophysiological and magnetic resonance evaluation].

Background And Purpose: Spinocerebellar ataxias type 1 (SCA1) and type 2 (SCA2) belong to neurodegenerative disorders of autosomal dominant inheritance, genetically and clinically heterogeneous, caused by the expansion of CAG trinucleotides. Trunk and limb ataxia, dysarthria, dysphagia, gaze palsy, sensory and motor axonal neuropathy are the dominant features in both entities. The aim of the study was to evaluate the differences between genotype and phenotype based on clinical and electrophysiological assessment of the visual, auditory pathways, and EEG alterations in comparison with the cerebellar and brain atrophy in MRI.

Impairment of the peripheral nervous system in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Background: The clinical manifestations of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) primarily reflect involvement of the central nervous system. The coexistence of CJD with peripheral nervous system involvement has also been reported.

Objective: To analyze peripheral neuron electrophysiologic changes and to compare these data with neuropathologic features of spinal motor neurons in patients with definite CJD.

[Clinical picture of spinocerebellar ataxia type I (SCA1)].

Spinocerebellar ataxia is a group of diseases with autosomal dominant inheritance heterogenous both clinically and genetically. So called dynamic mutations underlie most these nosological units. The clinical patterns of various SCA types have not yet been defined completely.

Motor evoked potential studies in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Objectives: Motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were recorded in 7 cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) to asses the involvement of pyramidal motor pathways in these cases. The diagnosis of CJD was confirmed by autopsy in 5 cases and based on clinical data in two cases.

Methods: Transcranial (MEP-cortex), root magnetic (MEP-root) and electrical stimulation of peripheral nerves (F-wave, direct M-response) were performed.

Peculiarity of soleus motor potentials evoked by transcranial magnetic stimulation and electrical stimulation of tibial nerve.

Objective: To reveal and discuss the peculiarities of soleus muscle in comparison with electrophysiological features of other leg muscles.

Methods: Vastus lateralis (L3), tibialis anterior (L4), extensor digitorum brevis (L5) and soleus (S1) muscles were tested at rest. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) combined which electrical stimulation of relevant peripheral nerves were applied.

[Motor segmental conduction times for extensor digitorum brevis muscle: method and normative values].

Electrical stimulation of the peroneal nerves (60 nerves) and magnetic stimulation of the roots (L5) and motor cortex were performed on 30 normal controls. The muscle responses and F wave (peripheral stimulation) were recorded from extensor digitorum brevis muscle (60 muscles). The parameters of examined potentials were measured and the central, root, peripheral motor conduction times, were estimated.

[Segmental motor conduction time for abductor of the fifth finger muscle: methods and normative values].

Electrical stimulation of the ulnar nerves (60 nerves) and magnetic stimulation of the roots (C7) and motor cortex were performed on 30 normal controls. The muscle responses and F wave (peripheral stimulation) were recorded from abductor digiti minimi muscle (60 muscles). The parameters of examined potentials were measured and the central, root, peripheral motor conduction times were estimated.

Cortical excitability threshold for distal limb muscles in transcranial magnetic stimulation. Method--normative values.

Transcranial magnetic stimulation was carried out in 30 healthy subjects, aged 20 to 55 and 156 to 180 cm tall, in whom cortical excitability threshold was determined for musculus (m.) abductor digiti minimi (ADM) and m. extensor digitorum brevis (EDB).

Segmental conduction times in the motor nervous system.

The study was performed in 30 normal subjects (24 females and 6 males) with an age range between 18 and 55 years and a height range between 154 and 188 cm. Electrical stimulation was applied to the peroneal nerve with simultaneous recording of the orthodromic response (MEP-M) and F-wave (MEP-F) from the tibialis anterior (TA) and extensor digitorum brevis muscles (EDB). Magnetic stimulation of the L5 level and cerebral cortex was applied using different coils with simultaneous recording of responses from the right and left TA and EDB muscles.

[Segmental conduction times in motor pathways for the soleus muscle--methodology and normal values].

The study performed in 30 normal subjects (24F, 6M) with age range 18-55 years and height range 154-188 cm. Electrical stimulation was applied to the tibial nerves and direct response M and F-wave was recorded from right and left SOLEUS (60 examinations). Transcranial and paravertebral (S1 level) magnetic stimulation was applied with simultaneous recording of responses from both SOL.

The F-wave in the vastus lateralis M. and the segmental motor conduction times for L2/L4 motoneurons.

The study was performed in 30 normal subjects. Electrical stimulation was applied to the femoral nerves and the muscle evoked potential (CMAP) together with their late components were recorded from the vastus lateralis muscle bilaterally (60 nerves). Features of the late component demonstrating its antidromic nature (F-wave) were proved.