Effects of percutaneous neuromodulation in neuromusculoskeletal pathologies: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Percutaneous neuromodulation (PNM) consists in using electrical stimulation on a peripheral nerve by using a needle as an electrode in order to lessen the pain and restore both neuromuscular and nervous system functions. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the current scientific evidence of the effects of PNM on pain and physical capabilities in neuromusculoskeletal injuries. METHODS: Data sources: There was used the PRISMA protocol. In order to do the literature research, there were used the PubMed, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Study selection or eligibility criteria: There were also included experimental clinical trials published between 2010 and nowadays, tested on humans, which feature treatment based on needles with electrical stimulation in order to treat neuromusculoskeletal injuries. Study appraisal and synthesis methods: A quality assessment was performed according to the PEDro scale and reviewed the impact factor and quartile of the journal. RESULTS: The treatment resulted in significant improvement in terms of pain intensity, pressure pain threshold, balance, muscular endurance, functionality/disability, subjective improvement, function of the descending pain modulatory system, and intake of drugs. Limitations: the lack of previous research studies on the subject and the lack of data on opioid intake in the selected studies. CONCLUSION: Treatment based on PNM may be an alternative when treating injuries in soft tissues without significant side effects. However, there are few articles investigating the effects of PNM so more evidence is needed to draw solid conclusions.

Nitrous oxide: What do we know about its use disorder potential? Results of the French Monitoring Centre for Addiction network survey and literature review.

Background: Nitrous oxide (N2O) is used worldwide for analgesia and anesthesia. It is also used for recreational purposes by some people. N2O can have major side effects (myeloneuropathy, delusions, emphysema) when used to excess. In France, N2O is available as an equimolar mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide (EMONO). Its substance use disorder potential is monitored by the French Monitoring Centre for Addiction (CEIP-A) network. Our objective is to provide an overview of the substance use disorder potential of N2O in general, and of EMONO in particular. Methods: This paper is based on a systematic review of the literature for case reports involving N2O use disorder and on CEIP-A network cases involving EMONO use disorder. We characterized use disorder in accordance with DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition) criteria. Furthermore, we considered data relating to medical history, age, gender, and N2O consumption habits. Results: We identified 59 cases of N2O use disorder in the literature and 17 cases of EMONO use disorder from the CEIP-A network. More than 90% of the cases used N2O in larger quantities and for longer than intended. Conversely, more negative as opposed to positive cases have been documented regarding tolerance and failed attempts to reduce usage. Conclusions: A specific profile of substance use disorder starts to emerge from all the cases studied here. Furthermore, we identified another way N2O use disorder can appear: through exposure for medical purposes.

[18F]Fludarabine-PET in a murine model of multiple myeloma.

PURPOSE: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a haematological malignancy that affects plasma cells in the bone marrow. Recently, [18F]fludarabine has been introduced as an innovative PET radiotracer for imaging lymphoma. It demonstrated a great potential for accurate imaging of lymphoproliferative disorders. With the goal to question the usefulness of [18F]fludarabine-PET in other haematological diseases, an in vivo MM model was investigated. METHODS: RPMI8226-GFP-Luc MM cells expressing the green fluorescent protein (GFP) as well as the luciferase reporter (Luc) were derived from the parental RPMI8226 cells. They were injected subcutaneously into the flank of nude mice. Myeloma tumour growth was followed using bioluminescence-based imaging (BLI) and characterised by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The tumour specificity of [18F]fludarabine was evaluated and compared to [18F]FDG. RESULTS: The tumoural uptake of [18F]FDG was greater than that of [18F]fludarabine. However, the quantitative data extracted from IHC stainings were in better agreement with [18F]fludarabine, when compared to [18F]FDG. The relationship between the tumoural uptake of [18F]-labelled tracers and the BLI quantitative data was also in favour of [18F]fludarabine. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that [18F]fludarabine-PET might represent an alternative and perhaps more specific modality for MM imaging when compared to [18F]FDG. Nevertheless, more investigations are required to extend this conclusion to humans.