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Background Theta burst stimulation is a type of pattern-specific repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation that requires less stimulation time and lower intensity to induce long-lasting effects comparable to those of other repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation protocols. This pilot study investigated whether continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) on the primary motor cortex reduced headache frequency in patients with migraine. Methods Nine patients with migraine were recruited into our study. All patients received 20 cTBS sessions (bursts of 3 50-Hz TMS pulses at 200-ms intervals for 40 seconds), administered every weekday for 4 consecutive weeks. All patients kept headache diaries for 4 weeks before stimulation (baseline; T1), during stimulation (T2), and 4 weeks after stimulation (T3). The primary outcome measures were the changes of total headache and migraine days from baseline (Wilcoxon signed-rank test; T2 and T3 vs. T1). Results The number of total headache days was reduced at T2 and T3 compared with T1 [9.4 ± 6.2 days ( p = 0.024) and 8.7 ± 10.1 days ( p = 0.012) vs. 13.4 ± 10.1 days]. The number of migraine days was also reduced at T2 and T3 compared with T1 [2.9 ± 2.7 days ( p = 0.021) and 1.0 ± 1.6 days ( p = 0.008) vs. 8.6 ± 8.7 days]. Conclusion Our results indicate that cTBS on the primary motor cortex might reduce the number of total headache and migraine days in patients with migraine. However, large-scale randomized controlled trials are necessary to further validate the findings.

Background Glycine receptors (GlyRs) are involved in the development of spinal pain sensitization. The GlyRα3 subunit has recently emerged as a key factor in inflammatory pain pathways in the spinal cord dorsal horn (DH). Our study is to identify the extent of location and cell types expressing different GlyR subunits in spinal cord and dorsal root ganglion (DRGs). To tease out the possible actions of GlyRs on pain transmission, we investigate the effects produced by GlyRs on acute inflammatory pain by behavioral testing using prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) intrathecal injection models. Furthermore, we investigate the changes of GlyR expression in DRGs and spinal cord in rats after the induction of acute inflammatory pain. Results Compared to the vehicle administration, the PGE2 intrathecal injection model produced significantly higher hyperalgesia, which started 3 h after PGE2 injection and lasted more than 5 h. PGE2 intrathecal injection significantly decreased GlyRα1 and GlyRα3 protein expressions in the L5 DH at 1 h and lasted to 5 h, and similar results were observed in the L5 DRG at 5 h. Confocal microscopic images showed the co-existence of punctate gephyrin and GlyRα3 immunoreactivity (IR) throughout the gray matter of the spinal cord, mainly in DH laminae I–III neurons and in ventral horn neurons. It also showed the co-existence of punctate gephyrin and GlyRα3 IR in DRG neurons. Conclusions In this study, PGE2 intrathecal injection significantly decreased protein expression of gephyrin, GlyRα1 and GlyRα3 in spinal cord DH and DRG. The gephyrin and GlyRα3 were localized on neuron cells both in the DH and DRG. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12868-018-0470-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Recently, cold atmospheric-pressure (CAP) plasma have become a novel and popular tools in biomedical applications. It has been proved that CAP plasma treatment will induce cancer cells death. With different CAP plasma treatment parameters, cells will have different fate including proliferation, apoptosis and cell membrane damage. It has been reported that a low energy plasma will cause cell proliferation while a longer exposures lead to cell death. So, the aim for this study is to induce melanoma cells apoptosis in a short time by CAP plasma-jet. We first evaluate the optimal working condition of CAP plasma-jet including treatment time, voltage, flow-rate and plasma-gas composition. Then we use CAP plasma-jet treat on melanoma cells with different medium volume, cell number and treating times to find a suitable condition for the cell culture. Results demonstrate that with medium 0.6 ml and seeding 104 cells have highest cell viability while treat 180 s and 360 s are significantly decreased. In the migration assay, cells migration ability is both decreased when treat with plasma for 180 s and 360 s. We also do the Hoechst 33258 stain, after treating with CAP plasma melanoma cells are detach from the bottom and have DNA condensation. Finally, we examine ROS expression present/ absent ROS inhibitor sodium pyruvate (SP). Data shows that after CAP plasma treatment ROS expression is induced while cell viability is reduced. But cell viability is recovered by pretreat with ROS inhibitor SP. In conclusion, both cell viability and cell migration ability are inhibited by CAP plasma-jet via ROS mediation in melanoma cells.

One of the reason caused the production of scar is the excessive sediment or the overtime precipitation during the wounds healing. So far amount all the medical supplies, hydrocolloid dressings which used to repair the burn wounds and the normal trauma are bass on promotion of wound healing. Nevertheless there are no medical supplies combine hydrocolloid dressings with anti-pigmentation drugs; therefor our research has focused on preparing gelatin nanoparticle. First, prepared different size of particles by controlling the parameters. Second, loaded various concentrations of ascorbic acid into particles, analyzed the drug entrapment efficiency and the rate of drug release. Last, co-culture nanoparticle with fibroblast, research the effect of nanoparticle on the fibroblast, in order to prepare a successful anti pigmentation gelatin nanoparticle. Under distinct condition, particle size 150nm ~ 300nm of gelatin nanoparticle could be prepared, furthermore the effective concentration of ascorbic acid 0.3%~10% is successfully completed and the drug-loaded nanoparticles are able to extend the life-span of the fibroblast.

This study attempted to enhance the efficacy of peripheral nerve regeneration using our previously developed gelatin-tricalcium phosphate (GTG) conduits by incorporating them with nerve growth factors and cultured Schwann cells. The nerve growth factors were covalently immobilized onto the GTG conduits (GEN) using carbodiimide. Schwann cells were harvested from neonatal Lewis rats, cultured for seven days and injected into the GEN conduits. The experiment was performed in three groups: GTG conduits, GEN conduits and GEN conduits with Schwann cells injected (GEN+Sc). The effects of different conduits (GTG, GEN and GEN with Schwann cells) on the peripheral nerve regeneration were evaluated in rat sciatic nerve repair model. 24 weeks after implantation of conduits, degradation of the conduits in all groups was illustrated by the fragmentation of the conduits. All conduits were well tolerated by the host tissue. Under microscopic evaluations, regenerated nerve tissue with myelinated and unmyelinated axons presented in all groups. Histomorphometrically, the total nerve area of GEN+Sc group was significantly higher than GTG group. Conversely, the autotomy score evaluated 12 weeks after nerve repair showed better results for GTG group. Besides, GEN+Sc group had the highest average recovery index of compound muscle action potential, but the difference among each group did not reach statistical significance. Although the electrophysiological recovery of nerve was not significantly improved with GEN+Sc conduit, nerve repair using tissue engineered conduits still provided better histological results. However, it should be noticed that autotomy may be the price paid for enhanced peripheral nerve.

We previously developed a biodegradable composite with potentially good biocompatibility composed by tricalcium phosphate and gluataraldehyde cross-linking gelatin (GTG) with good mechanical property feasible for surgical manipulation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of immobilizing nerve growth factor (NGF) onto the composite (GTG) with carbodiimide (GEN composite). Cultured Schwann cells were seeded onto the GTG and GEN composites. For comparison, GTG membrane soaked in NGF solution without carbodiimide (GN composite) as cross-linking agent was also used to culture Schwann cells. Cell morphology was observed by a scanning electron microscope. Cell survival, cytotoxicity and cellular metabolism on the NGF-grafted GTG membrane were assessed quantitatively in terms of cell protein content, leakage of cytosolic lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity and by the well-established MTT assay, respectively. The result of LDH study did not show significant difference among GTG, NGF-modified GTG and control group. This indicated that GTG composite, whether cross-linking with NGF or not, has little cytotoxic effect. Comparing the protein content and MTT assay among GEN, GN composite and control group, the data confirmed more attachment of Schwann cells on GEN composite. Although GTG cross-linking with NGF did not promote Schwann cell proliferation, the techniques we used in this study provided a method to fabricate a novel biomaterial incorporation of Schwann cells and covalently immobilized NGF.

Background Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) has been associated with Guillain-Barre syndrome in rare cases. Here we report a patient in whom PRES was the presenting manifestation of Bickerstaff’s brainstem encephalitis. Case presentation A 75-year-old woman presented with acute onset of hypertension, headache, blurred vision, and left eyelid drooping. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed characteristic PRES lesions involving the parietal and occipital lobes bilaterally. On the 6th day after symptom onset, the patient developed complete ptosis and external ophthalmoplegia of both eyes, progressive ataxia, and bilateral lower limb weakness. Cerebrospinal fluid analyses revealed albuminocytological dissociation (protein: 66.6 mg/dL, WBC: 0/μl), and nerve conduction studies showed demyelinating sensorimotor polyneuropathy. The patient developed somnolence and a left extensor plantar response on the 8th day. A diagnosis of Bickerstaff’s brainstem encephalitis was made. Treatment with plasmapheresis led to a rapid improvement of clinical symptoms. To date, only five similar cases have been reported, but this is the only case in which PRES developed prior to treatment. Conclusions PRES can be a comorbid condition with Bickerstaff’s brainstem encephalitis, either preceding or following treatment; caution should be used in patients with either syndrome who exhibit atypical presentations.