Background: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an adjunctive therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy. Noninvasive evoked potential recordings in laryngeal muscles (LMEPs) innervated by vagal branches may provide a marker to assess effective vagal nerve fiber activation. We investigated VNS-induced LMEPs in patients with epilepsy in acute and chronic settings.
Materials And Methods: A total of 17 of 25 patients underwent LMEP recordings at initiation of therapy (acute group); 15 of 25 patients after one year of VNS (chronic group); and 7 of 25 patients were tested at both time points (acute + chronic group). VNS-induced LMEPs were recorded following different pulse widths and output currents using six surface laryngeal EMG electrodes to calculate input/output curves and estimate LMEP latency, threshold current for minimal (I), half-maximal (I), and 95% of maximal (I) response induction and amplitude of maximal response (V). These were compared with the acute + chronic group and between responders and nonresponders in the acute and chronic group.
Results: VNS-induced LMEPs were present in all patients. I and I values ranged from 0.25 to 1.00 mA and from 0.42 to 1.77 mA, respectively. Estimated mean LMEP latencies were 10 ± 0.1 milliseconds. No significant differences between responders and nonresponders were observed. In the acute + chronic group, I values remained stable over time. However, at the individual level in this group, V was lower in all patients after one year compared with baseline.
Conclusions: Noninvasive VNS-induced LMEP recording is feasible both at initiation of VNS therapy and after one year. Low output currents (0.25-1.00 mA) may be sufficient to activate vagal Aα-motor fibers. Maximal LMEP amplitudes seemed to decrease after chronic VNS therapy in patients.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neurom.2022.01.014 | DOI Listing |
BMC Public Health
January 2025
Centre for Prevention, Lifestyle and Health, National Institute for Public Health and The Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
Background: A new paradigm of hybrid working exists, with most office workers sharing their work between the office and home office environment. Working from home increases time spent or prolonged sitting, which is associated with an increased risk of chronic disease. Interventions to reduce sitting time, specifically designed for both the office and home-office environments, are required to address this growing public health issue.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRespir Res
January 2025
Microbial Antibodies and Technologies, Research and Early Development, Vaccines and Immune Therapies, BioPharmaceuticals R&D, AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, MD, USA.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease characterized by airway obstruction and inflammation. Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) lung infections are common in COPD, promoting frequent exacerbations and accelerated lung function decline. The relationship with immune responses and NTHi are poorly understood.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Infect Dis
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Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shebeen El-Kom, Egypt.
Background: Liver transplantation (LT) is a critical intervention for individuals with end-stage liver disease; yet, post-transplant problems, especially infections, graft rejection, and chronic liver disease, are often linked to systemic inflammation. Cytokines, small signaling molecules, significantly influence immune responses during and post-liver transplantation. Nonetheless, the intricate relationships among cytokines, immune responses, and the gut microbiota, especially gut dysbiosis, are still inadequately comprehended.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMC Nephrol
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Department of Renal Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 35, Aarhus N, 8200, Denmark.
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Methods: All first-time dialysis and kidney transplantation patients aged 18-65 years in Denmark from 2005 to 2019 were identified using the Danish Nephrological Register and linked with information about social security benefits.
BMC Nephrol
January 2025
Department of Nephrology-Dialysis-Transplantation, University of Liège, CHU Sart Tilman, Liège, Belgium.
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