Sacral neuromodulation remote programming in patients with refractory lower urinary tract dysfunction: China's experience during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: Sacral neuromodulation is an effective, minimally invasive treatment for refractory lower urinary tract dysfunction. However, regular postoperative programming is crucial for the maintenance of the curative effects of electronic sacral stimulator devices. The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) limited the ability of practitioners to perform traditional face-to-face programming of these stimulators. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the application of remote programming technology for sacral neuromodulation during the COVID-19 pandemic in China. Materials and methods: We retrospectively collected data including baseline and programming information of all patients with lower urinary tract dysfunction who underwent sacral neuromodulation remote programming in China after the outbreak of COVID-19 (i.e., December 2019). The patients also completed a self-designed telephone questionnaire on the subject. Results: A total of 51 patients from 16 centers were included. They underwent 180 total remote programming visits, and 118, 2, 25, and 54 voltage, current, pulse width, and frequency adjustments, respectively, were performed. Additionally, remote switching on and off was performed 8 times; impedance test, 54 times; and stimulation contact replacement, 25 times. The demand for remote programming was the highest during the first 6 months of sacral neuromodulation (average, 2.39 times per person). In total, 36 out of the 51 patients completed the questionnaire survey. Of these, all indicated that they chose remote programming to minimize unnecessary travel because they had been affected by COVID-19. The questionnaire also showed that remote programming could reduce the number of patient visits to the hospital, save time, reduce financial costs, and would be easy for patients to master. All surveyed patients indicated that they were satisfied with remote programming and were willing to recommend it to other patients. Conclusion: Remote programming for sacral neuromodulation is feasible, effective, safe, and highly recommended by patients with refractory lower urinary tract dysfunction. Remote programming technology has great development and application potential in the post-pandemic era.

Sigma-1 Receptor Modulates Neuroinflammation After Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a significant clinical problem and contributes to one-third of all injury-related deaths. Activated microglia-mediated inflammatory response is a distinct characteristic underlying pathophysiology of TBI. Here, we evaluated the effect and possible mechanisms of the selective Sigma-1 receptor agonist 2-(4-morpholinethyl)-1-phenylcyclohexanecarboxylate (PRE-084) in mice TBI model. A single intraperitoneal injection 10 µg/g PRE-084, given 15 min after TBI significantly reduced lesion volume, lessened brain edema, attenuated modified neurological severity score, increased the latency time in wire hang test, and accelerated body weight recovery. Moreover, immunohistochemical analysis with Iba1 staining showed that PRE-084 lessened microglia activation. Meanwhile, PRE-084 reduced nitrosative and oxidative stress to proteins. Thus, Sigma-1 receptors play a major role in inflammatory response after TBI and may serve as useful target for TBI treatment in the future.

[Individualized neurosurgical treatments of spastic cerebral palsy].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the outcomes of individualized neurosurgical treatments of spastic cerebral palsy. METHODS: A total of 452 spastic cerebral palsy patients undergoing microneurosurgery during March 2006 and December 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. Performed on the basis of clinical manifestations, comprehensive procedures included selective cutting of neck or lumbosacral dorsal root ganglia (SPR, n = 182) for multiple muscle spasm, selective peripheral neurotomy (SPN, n = 270) for focal muscle spasm, line tendon lengthening or cutting and orthopedic surgery (n = 116) for tendon contracture plus limb deformities and carotid artery adventitia endarterectomy (n = 46) for salivation plus athetoid. RESULTS: The average follow-up period was 18 (10-24) months. The limb spasm relief rate of SPR was 95.6% and that of SPN 98.3%. And the postoperative symptom improvement rate of common carotid arterial adventitia stripping was 91.3%. There were 8 cases (4.4%) of recurrent spasticity after SPR and 28 (10.4%) after SPN. CONCLUSION: Offering individualized microsurgical treatments on the basis of clinical manifestations is essential for patients with spastic cerebral palsy.