Connectivity measures suggest a sub-cortical generator of myoclonus in Angelman syndrome

ObjectiveThe clinical and neurophysiological characteristics of myoclonus in Angelman syndrome (AS) have been evaluated in single case or small cohorts, with contrasting results. We evaluated the features of myoclonus in a wide cohort of AS patients.MethodsWe performed polygraphic EEG-EMG recording in 24 patients with genetically confirmed AS and myoclonus. Neurophysiological investigations included jerk-locked back-averaging (JLBA), cortico-muscular coherence (CMC) and generalised partial directed coherence (GPDC). CMC and GPDC analyses were compared to those obtained from 10 healthy controls (HC).ResultsTwenty-four patients (aged 3–35 years, median 20) were evaluated. Sequences of quasi-continuous rhythmic jerks mostly occurred at alpha frequency or just below (mean 8.4 ± 1.4 Hz), without EEG correlate. JLBA did not show any clear transient preceding the jerks. CMC showed bilateral over-threshold CMC in alpha band that was prominent on the contralateral hemisphere in the patient group as compared to HC group. GPDC showed a significantly higher alpha outflow from both hemispheres toward activated muscles in the patient group, and a significantly higher beta outflow from contralateral hemisphere in the HC group.ConclusionsThese neurophysiological findings suggest a subcortical generator of myoclonus in AS.SignificanceMyoclonus in AS has not a cortical origin as previously hypothesised.     

Evaluation of vilazodone for the treatment of depressive and anxiety disorders

Introduction: Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) significantly contribute to the global burden of disease. Vilazodone, a combined serotonin reuptake inhibitor and 5-HT1A partial agonist, is an approved therapy for the treatment of MDD and which has been further investigated for GAD.

Areas covered: This article covers the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of vilazodone and provides an evaluation of the clinical usefulness of vilazodone for the treatment of MDD and anxiety disorders. A literature search was performed using PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library.

Expert opinion: Studies have shown that vilazodone is significantly superior to placebo. However, vilazodone cannot as yet be recommended as a first-line treatment option for MDD as it is unclear whether the drug’s dual mechanism of action provides greater efficacy than prevailing treatment options. Moreover, more phase IV studies are needed to establish its efficacy and long-term safety in larger and more diverse populations. Although vilazodone may have an additional advantage for the treatment of anxiety symptoms in MDD, here also additional studies are required to confirm its efficacy over and above SSRI alternatives and other antidepressant treatments. Therefore, presently, vilazodone should be considered as a second- or third-line treatment option for MDD and GAD.     

Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus: High Incidence of Complex Partial Status

Nonconvulsive status epilepticus may be subdivided into generalized (absence) status and complex partial status. The latter is regarded as a rarity, whereas the former constitutes the dominant part of the hitherto reported cases. We report 10 consecutive cases of adult patients with nonconvulsive status epilepticus, all documented by ictal electroencephalographic (EEG) recordings. Five had a complex partial status; the origin of the complex partial status appeared to be frontal in four of these patients. Three had recurrent complex partial seizures with incomplete recovery between seizures, and two had more continuous symptoms. One of the latter exhibited neither motor phenomena nor automatisms. The effect of diazepam or clonazepam was immediate in all 10 cases though transient in eight. A lasting control of the status was not achieved in six patients until i.v. phenytoin was added. The difficulties in the differentiation between complex partial status and absence status despite ictal EEG recordings are discussed, illustrated by a case with seizure discharges of a focal onset which rapidly generalized. The study indicates that complex partial status may be more common and the clinical expressions of absence status more variable than hitherto recognized.     

Influence of moderate hypothermia on cerebral oxygenation in pigs with intracranial hypertension

BACKGROUND: Moderate hypothermia is one of the effective therapeutic methods for head injury in recent years, there are many mechanisms of moderate hypothermia for brain protection, and its influence on cerebral oxygenation is also one of them. OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of moderate hypothermia on cerebral oxygenation of animals with acute intracranial hypertension, and further investigate the protective mechanism of moderate hypothermia. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Department of Neurosurgery, Renji Hospital affiliated to the Medical College of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. MATERIALS: Twenty healthy little pigs, either male or female, weighing 4.5–5.5 kg, were used. Neurotrend-typed multiparameter monitoring system (Diametrics Company, British); CMA/100 micro-injection pump (Carnegie Company, Sweden). METHODS: The experiment was conducted in the Changzheng Hospital affiliated to the Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA in November, 2001. The pigs were randomized into two groups: the normothermia group (control group, n =10) and moderate hypothermia group (n =10). ① Bilateral femoral arteries were separated, one was connected to pressometer for monitoring mean arterial pressure (MEP), and the other for analysis of blood gases [including peripheral blood pH value, arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), HCO3–]. ② Rectal temperature was monitored with mercurial thermometer. ③ Intracranial pressure was monitored using Camino optic ICP probe placed in the subdural space. ④ Neurotrend multiparameter monitoring sensor was inserted into the white matter for about 4 cm to determine cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP, CPP=MAP(ICP), brain tissue partial oxygen pressure (PO2), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2), HCO3– and brain temperature. The rectal temperature of animals in the moderate hypothermia group was lowered to 34 ℃ using ice bags, and the body temperature was maintained at 33–35 ℃ for 2 hours. The changes of the parameters were observed continuously, and the pigs in the normothermia group were not treated with cooling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① MAP, ICP, rectal temperature, CCP; Indexes of cerebral oxygenation detected with Neurotrend-typed multiparameter monitoring system; ② Results of blood gases analysis in the moderate hypothermia group. RESULTS: All the 20 pigs were involved in the analysis of results. ① MAP, ICP, rectal temperature, CCP and indexes of cerebral oxygenation: In the moderate hypothermia group, the ICP after cooling was obviously lower than that before cooling [(3.31±1.19), (5.33±0.95) kPa, P < 0.05], CCP was higher, brain tissue PCO2 [(12.03±1.73), (10.59±2.01) kPa, P < 0.05], and brain tissue pH value was higher [(7.03±1.63), (9.40±1.30) kPa, P < 0.05], whereas the brain temperature was decreased as compared with that before cooling [(34.9±0.3), (37.2±0.2) ℃, P < 0.05]. ② Results of blood gases analysis in the moderate hypothermia group: There were no significant differences in the parameters of peripheral arterial blood gases analysis before and after cooling in the moderate hypothermia group (P > 0.05) CONCLUSION: Moderate hypothermia will not impair the cerebral oxygenation, and it can reduce brain tissue CO2 and decrease brain tissue acidosis.     

对诊断PADAM的游离睾酮指数的评估

目的 评价诊断中老年男子部分雄激素缺乏综合征（PADAM）的游离睾酮指数（FTI）.方法 对129例45岁以上健康男性的FTI进行年龄相关分析.以推算的游离睾酮（CFT）值为依据,对FTI进行有效性检验.结果 男子在中老年期FTI与增龄呈明显的负相关.FTI敏感性97.78%,特异性58.33%.结论 计算简单的FTI可用于PADAM病人的筛选和随访,尤其对70岁以上男子是血清FT较为有效的参数.     

后腹腔镜下肾肿瘤剜除术的临床疗效观察(附5例报告)

目的：探讨后腹腔镜下肾肿瘤剜除术的操作要点及临床价值。方法：采用后腹腔镜下肾肿瘤剜除术治疗肾肿瘤5例，其中肾癌3例，肾错钩瘤2例，瘤体直径1．5～4．0cm。具体方法是：①暴露瘤体和肾动脉；②采用硅胶管牵拉肾动脉，必要时可暂时阻断肾动脉；③于瘤体1cm正常肾组织处用电钩切除瘤体；④采用生物蛋白胶、止血纱布缝合加压处理创面出血。结果：手术均获成功。手术时间150～210min，术中出血80～350ml。术后1～2天肠道功能恢复并可床上活动，1～4天可下床活动。术后住院5～9天，平均7天。结论：后腹腔镜下肾肿瘤剜除术具有创伤小、康复快、安全、住院时间短等优点；对外生性生长、直径小于4cm瘤体，该法可作为首选手术方法。     

The efficacy and safety of laparoscopic nephrectomy in patients with three or more comorbidities

OBJECTIVES: Laparoscopic surgery for kidney treatment is a common procedure. However, the efficacy of this procedure in patients with several comorbidities has not been well investigated. We conducted a retrospective comparison of results of laparoscopic surgery between patients with several comorbidities and patients with no comorbidity to access the efficacy and safety of this procedure. METHODS: The subjects were 20 patients with three or more comorbidities (group A) and 46 patients with less than three comorbidities (group B). These 66 patients were 48 men and 18 women with a mean age of 62.3 years (age range, 24-83 years). The data from these two groups were compared for American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) physical status score, previous surgical history, duration of surgery, estimated blood loss, tumor size, complications during and after surgery, conversion rates, time to oral intake, and length of hospital stay. RESULTS: The initial ASA score and age were significantly higher for the patients with comorbidities (P < 0.0001, P = 0.0008, respectively). All other variables before, during, and after surgery were similar for both laparoscopic groups. However, the incidence of atelectasis of laparoscopy was higher than that of open surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Laparoscopic nephrectomy for patients with comorbidities is safe and minimally invasive. Further investigation to prevent atelectasis is necessary.     

Sequential bilateral minimum incision endoscopic radical nephrectomy in dialysis patients with bilateral renal cell carcinomas

Since 1998, we have performed minimum incision endoscopic surgery (MIES) for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). For seven dialysis patients with bilateral RCC, we have performed sequential bilateral MIES radical nephrectomy. It was carried out by retroperitoneal approach through a single minimum incision that narrowly permitted extraction of the specimen using endoscopy and direct stereovision, without trocar ports, without gas insufflation and without the insertion of the hands of operators into the operative field. Although six of the seven patients had multiple complications in addition to chronic renal failure (CRF), bilateral kidneys were successfully removed by sequential MIES radical nephrectomy without major operative complication. Postoperative recovery was prompt with all patients resuming oral feeding and walking by the second postoperative day. Sequential bilateral MIES radical nephrectomy, leaving the peritoneal cavity intact and without imposing circulatory stress caused by gas insufflation, is a feasible treatment for bilateral RCCs in dialysis patients.