Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy for Management of Residual Stones after Ureterolithotripsy versus Mini-Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy: A Retrospective Study

Purpose

To compare the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in managing residual stones after ureterolithotripsy and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective study was carried out of 71 patients with proximal urinary tract stones (greater than 10 mm) who underwent ureterolithotripsy or mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy at a single institution from 2009 to 2011. The 71 patients were divided into two groups: group I (n = 37) comprised patients who underwent ureterolithotripsy, and group II (n = 34) comprised patients who underwent mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Clinical characteristics, stone-free rates, stone demographics, and complications were evaluated.

Results

The overall stone-free rate was 90.1%. The stone-free rates in groups I and II were 97.3% and 82.4%, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in the stone-free rates between groups I and II (P = 0.035). Neither serious intraoperative nor postoperative complications were observed. No significant difference in complications was observed between the two groups (P = 0.472).

Conclusions

The results of our study suggest that extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is an effective and safe auxiliary procedure for managing residual stones after primary endoscopic surgery. This procedure is associated with a satisfactory stone-free rate and a low complication rate, particularly for residual stones after ureteroscopic procedures.     

输尿管镜下钬激光碎石与体外冲击波碎石术治疗输尿管结石的比较研究

目的:研究输尿管镜下钬激光碎石与体外冲击波碎石术治疗输尿管结石的效果。方法:选取2013年1月到2015年1月我院收治的输尿管结石患者100例,根据手术方法不同将患者分为A组(n=56例,直径≥1 cm者23例,直径1 cm者33例)和B组(n=44例,直径≥1 cm者17例,直径1 cm者27例),其中A组给予输尿管镜下钬激光碎石治疗,B组给予体外冲击波碎石术治疗,比较两组手术时间、结石排净、术后并发症。结果:A组直径≥1 cm和1 cm者手术时间为(55.9±1.6)min和(38.9±0.7)min显著低于B组的(72.8±1.4)min和(53.6±0.7)min(P0.05);A组直径≥1 cm者结石排净率为87%显著高于B组的58.8%(P0.05),A组直径1 cm者90.9%与B组88.9%相近(P0.05);两组并发症发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:输尿管镜下钬激光碎石相比体外冲击波碎石术治疗输尿管结石手术时间短,对于直径≥1 cm者效果较好。     

Impact of Colic Pain as a Significant Factor for Predicting the Stone Free Rate of One-Session Shock Wave Lithotripsy for Treating Ureter Stones: A Bayesian Logistic Regression Model Analysis

Purpose

This study was conducted to evaluate colic pain as a prognostic pretreatment factor that can influence ureter stone clearance and to estimate the probability of stone-free status in shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) patients with a ureter stone.

Materials and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1,418 patients who underwent their first SWL between 2005 and 2013. Among these patients, 551 had a ureter stone measuring 4–20 mm and were thus eligible for our analyses. The colic pain as the chief complaint was defined as either subjective flank pain during history taking and physical examination. Propensity-scores for established for colic pain was calculated for each patient using multivariate logistic regression based upon the following covariates: age, maximal stone length (MSL), and mean stone density (MSD). Each factor was evaluated as predictor for stone-free status by Bayesian and non-Bayesian logistic regression model.

Results

After propensity-score matching, 217 patients were extracted in each group from the total patient cohort. There were no statistical differences in variables used in propensity- score matching. One-session success and stone-free rate were also higher in the painful group (73.7% and 71.0%, respectively) than in the painless group (63.6% and 60.4%, respectively). In multivariate non-Bayesian and Bayesian logistic regression models, a painful stone, shorter MSL, and lower MSD were significant factors for one-session stone-free status in patients who underwent SWL.

Conclusions

Colic pain in patients with ureter calculi was one of the significant predicting factors including MSL and MSD for one-session stone-free status of SWL.     

坦洛新对输尿管下段结石患者体外冲击波碎石术后排石及血清IL-6，IL-10和CRP水平的影响

目的:探讨输尿管下段结石行体外冲击波碎石术(ESWL)后应用坦洛新辅助排石的临床效果及对患者血清白细胞介素-6(IL-6)、白细胞介素-10(IL-10)、C反应蛋白(CRP)水平的影响。方法:选取我院2015年1月～2016年12月收治的122例输尿管下段结石患者,采用随机数字表法均分为两组。于ESWL术后,对照组给予硝苯地平治疗,观察组予以坦洛新治疗。记录比较两组术后排石效果、疼痛情况,治疗前后血清IL-6、IL-10和CRP水平的变化及不良反应的发生情况。结果:治疗后,观察组无石率(91.8%)明显高于对照组(78.7%)(P0.05);观察组排石时间短于对照组,排石直径大于对照组(P0.05);观察组患者血清IL-6,IL-10及CRP水平均显著低于对照组(P0.05)。与对照组相比,观察组肾绞痛发生率、镇痛剂使用率及VAS评分均较低(P0.01)。用药期间,两组均未发生明显不良反应(P0.05)。结论:坦洛新能有效提高输尿管下段结石患者体外冲击波碎石术的排石效果,减轻机体损伤,缓解术后疼痛,并且安全性较高。     

Optimal Skin-to-Stone Distance Is a Positive Predictor for Successful Outcomes in Upper Ureter Calculi following Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy: A Bayesian Model Averaging Approach

Objectives

To investigate whether skin-to-stone distance (SSD), which remains controversial in patients with ureter stones, can be a predicting factor for one session success following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) in patients with upper ureter stones.

Patients and Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 1,519 patients who underwent their first ESWL between January 2005 and December 2013. Among these patients, 492 had upper ureter stones that measured 4–20 mm and were eligible for our analyses. Maximal stone length, mean stone density (HU), and SSD were determined on pretreatment non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT). For subgroup analyses, patients were divided into four groups. Group 1 consisted of patients with SSD<25^th percentile, group 2 consisted of patients with SSD in the 25^th to 50^th percentile, group 3 patients had SSD in the 50^th to 75^th percentile, and group 4 patients had SSD≥75^th percentile.

Results

In analyses of group 2 patients versus others, there were no statistical differences in mean age, stone length and density. However, the one session success rate in group 2 was higher than other groups (77.9% vs. 67.0%; P = 0.032). The multivariate logistic regression model revealed that shorter stone length, lower stone density, and the group 2 SSD were positive predictors for successful outcomes in ESWL. Using the Bayesian model-averaging approach, longer stone length, lower stone density, and group 2 SSD can be also positive predictors for successful outcomes following ESWL.

Conclusions

Our data indicate that a group 2 SSD of approximately 10 cm is a positive predictor for success following ESWL.     

PiCCO监测在感染性休克患者中的应用研究

目的:通过对感染性休克患者进行Pi CCO监测,对比CVP与GEDVI对循环血容量的判断价值,探讨Pi CCO治疗方案在感染性休克早期液体复苏中的应用价值。方法:选取入ICU时APACHEⅡ大于15分的感染性休克患者18例,行气管插管机械通气。经锁骨下静脉置管,经股动脉置入股动脉型热稀释导管,行Pi CCO监测。Pi CCO建立即刻为T0,每小时一次热稀释测量,连续测量6小时(T1~T6)。以CI、GEDVI、EVLWI为指导,按Pi CCO治疗方案进行液体管理。结果:以GEDVI为金标准,CVP对低血容量判断的灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值分别是4%、100%、100%、64%。CVP对高血容量判断的灵敏度、特异度、阳性预测值、阴性预测值分别是17%、55%、21%、48%。CVP与CI无相关性,ΔCVP与ΔCI无相关性,CVP与GEDVI无相关性。而GEDVI与CI明显相关,ΔGEDVI与ΔCI明显相关。GEDVI与EVLWI有相关性,而CVP与EVLWI无相关性.在各时点,CI与GEDVI变化趋势基本一致,而CI与CVP变化趋势相反。结论:对于需要机械通气的感染性休克患者,CVP对低血容量判断的特异度高,但不灵敏。GEDVI能够更好的反映心脏的前负荷,对低血容量的判断敏感,更适合感染性休克病人的液体管理。Pi CCO治疗治疗方案可以避免因CVP不敏感而导致的液体复苏不足现象的发生。     

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Treatment (ESWT) Improves In Vitro Functional Activities of Ruptured Human Tendon-Derived Tenocytes

In vitro models of human tenocytes derived from healthy as well as from ruptured tendons were established, characterized and used at very early passage (P1) to evaluate the effects of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Treatment (ESWT). The molecular analysis of traditional tenocytic markers, including Scleraxis (Scx), Tenomodulin (Tnm), Tenascin-C (Tn-C) and Type I and III Collagens (Col I and Col III), permitted us to detect in our samples the simultaneous expression of all these genes and allowed us to compare their levels of expression in relationship to the source of the cells and treatments. In untreated conditions, higher molecular levels of Scx and Col I in tenocytes from pathological compared to healthy samples have been detected, suggesting – in the cells from injured tendon – the natural trigger of an early differentiation and repairing program, which depends by Scx and requires an increase in collagen expression. When ESWT (at the dose of 0.14 mJ/mm²) was applied to cultured tenocytes explanted from injured source, Scx and Col I were significantly diminished compared to healthy counterpart, indicating that such natural trigger maybe delayed by the treatment, in order to promote cellular repair. Herein, we show for the first time that ESWT enhances in vitro functional activities of ruptured tendon-derived tenocytes, such as proliferation and migration, which could probably contributes to tendon healing in vivo.     

A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study to Evaluate the Effect of Calcium Fructoborate on Systemic Inflammation and Dyslipidemia Markers for Middle-Aged People with Primary Osteoarthritis

The objective of this pilot study was to determine whether 15?days of dietary supplementation with calcium fructoborate could acutely modulate inflammatory and lipid blood markers in individuals diagnosed with primary osteoarthritis. During 2?weeks, a placebo-controlled, randomized, double-blind study was conducted on 116 subjects that were initially recruited. Seventy-two subjects started the study, being divided into four groups, and only 60 completed the study as designed. The aim was to compare the effects of calcium fructoborate to placebo on subjects diagnosed with knee primary osteoarthritis. The obtained outcomes were inflammation biomarkers (C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate) and lipid markers (triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol). No serious adverse events were reported. The calcium fructoborate showed beneficial effect on the inflammatory markers for all groups subjected to the treatment when compared with the placebo group and slight changes in the lipid metabolism. This study suggests that short-term (2?weeks) calcium fructoborate supplementation in patients with osteoarthritis symptoms has a favorable prognosis on inflammation diseases.     

A Pilot Study of Demographic and Dopaminergic Genetic Contributions to Weight Change in Kidney Transplant Recipients

Kidney transplant recipients often experience a significant amount of weight gain in the first year post-transplantation. While demographic factors such as age, race, and sex have been associated with weight gain in this population, these factors do not explain all of the variability seen. A number of studies have suggested that genetics also plays a critical role in weight changes. Recently, alterations in the activity of the neurotransmitter dopamine have been associated with weight change, and gene expression studies in kidney transplant recipients have supported this association. The purpose of this pilot study is to first examine the feasibility and methodology, and then to examine the associations of age, race, sex, and genotype for 13 SNPs and 3 VNTRs in 9 dopaminergic pathway genes (ANKK1, DRD2, DRD3, DRD4, SLC6A3/DAT1, MAOA, MAOB, COMT, CPE) for associations with percent weight change at 12 months post-transplantation. Seventy kidney transplant recipients had demographic and clinical data collected as a part of a larger observational study. DNA was extracted from repository buffy coat samples taken at the time of transplant, and genotyped using Taqman and PCR based methods. Three SNPs were independently associated with percent weight change: ANKK1 rs1800497 (r = -0.28, p = 0.05), SLC6A3/DAT1 rs6347 (p = 0.046), and CPE rs1946816 (p = 0.028). Stepwise regression modelling confirmed the combined associations of age (p = 0.0021), DRD4 VNTR 4/5 genotype (p = 0.0074), and SLC6A3/DAT1 rs6347 CC genotype (p = 0.0009) and TT genotype (p = 0.0004) with percent weight change in a smaller sample (n = 35) of these kidney transplant recipients that had complete genotyping. These associations indicate that there may be a genetic, and an age component to weight changes post transplantation.     

Mifepristone Treatment for Mild Autonomous Cortisol Secretion Due to Adrenal Adenomas: A Pilot Study

Objective: Adrenal incidentalomas are increasingly detected with the widespread use of thoracic and abdominal imaging. The most common secretory syndrome in adrenal nodules is autonomous cortisol secretion (ACS). Recent data show that even mild cortisol excess is associated with adverse outcomes. The glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone has been used in patients with overt Cushing syndrome and hyperglycemia. The purpose of our study was to determine the effect of mifepristone on metabolic parameters in patients with ACS and concomitant prediabetes or diabetes.Methods: Eight patients with either unilateral or bilateral adrenal nodules with ACS were included in the study. Fasting laboratory tests including glucose and insulin levels to calculate homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were performed at baseline and again after either 3 months (3 patients) or 6 months (5 patients) on mifepristone 300 mg daily treatment. Patients also completed several validated surveys on mood and quality of life at baseline and follow-up.Results: There were significant reductions in fasting glucose measurements and insulin resistance as measured by HOMA-IR in the 6 of 8 study patients in whom these measurements were available (P = .03).Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrates that mifepristone treatment of ACS is associated with a significant decrease in fasting glucose and insulin resistance as measured by HOMA-IR scores. Mifepristone treatment of ACS may be considered as a medical option for patients with ACS due to adrenal adenomas with concomitant abnormal glucose parameters in whom surgical removal is not being considered.Abbreviations: ACS = autonomous cortisol secretion; ACTH = adrenocorticotropic hormone; AI = adrenal incidentaloma; DHEAS = dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate; GR = glucocorticoid receptor; HbA1c = hemoglobin A1c; HOMA-IR = homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance; ODT = overnight dexamethasone suppression test; QoL = quality of life; STAI = state trait anxiety inventory; TSH = thyroid stimulating hormone; UFC = urinary free cortisol     

输尿管软镜与经皮肾镜钬激光碎石术对肾结石患者肾功能的影响

目的：观察输尿管软镜下钬激光碎石术与经皮肾镜下钬激光碎石术治疗肾结石对患者肾功能影响。方法：选择本院于2012 年5 月-2015 年5 月收治的单发肾结石且结石直径均≤ 2 cm的患者180 例作为研究对象,根据配对分组法分为两组,每组90 例,A组采取输尿管软镜下钬激光碎石术治疗,B组采取经皮肾镜下钬激光碎石术治疗。分别于手术前后测定两组患者尿Kim-1 及血清NGAL、Cys-C水平,评估患者肾功能。结果：两组术前及术后6 h、12 h、24 h、72 h尿Kim-1 水平比较均无统计学差异（P>0. 05）;A 组术后48 h尿Kim-1 水平显著低于B组（P<0.05）。两组术后6 h、12 h、24 h尿Kim-1 水平均高于术前（P<0.05）。两组术后 6 h、12 h、24 h、48 h、72 h血清NGAL水平均高于术前,P<0.05。两组患者术前2 h、术后6 h血清Cys-C 水平均无显著统计学差异 （P>0.05）;术后12 h、24 h、48 h、72 h血清Cys-C 水平均A 组均高于B 组（P<0.05）。结论：输尿管软镜下钬激光碎石术与经皮肾镜 下钬激光碎石术治疗肾结石均对患者肾功能造成损伤,但输尿管软镜下钬激光碎石术对肾小球损伤更为严重,经皮肾镜下钬激 光碎石术对肾小管损伤较为严重,临床应注意。     

A Preliminary Pilot Randomized Crossover Study of Uzara (Xysmalobium undulatum) versus Ibuprofen in the Treatment of Primary Dysmenorrhea

Objective

Preliminary evaluation of efficacy and safety of uzara use in treatment of moderate and severe primary dysmenorrhea in comparison to ibuprofen.

Materials and Methods

This randomized, comparative two way cross-over study comprised 60 single female students at Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Egypt, aged 19–28 years with moderate (n = 46) or severe (n = 14) primary dysmenorrhea. Participants were randomized to take either uzara (80 mg/8 hours for two doses, then 40 mg/8 hours) then ibuprofen (400 mg/6 hours) in two subsequent cycles or vice versa. The pain intensity, using VAS, was recorded immediately before taking the medication (0 hour) and after 4, 12, 24, 48–60, 96–120 hours. Main outcome measures included effectiveness of pain relief defined as drop of VAS to 3 or less, patient''s global evaluation of the drug, absence from school, the use of a rescue medication, and, in those who continued the treatment, the pain intensity difference (PID) at different points after start of medication and its sum (SPID).

Results

Uzara was comparably effective to ibuprofen (78.3% vs. 86.7% of cycles; respectively), with comparable rates of effectiveness on global evaluation (being around 50% for either drug), and rates of school absences (11.7% vs. 13.3%; respectively). The need for rescue medication was different (18.3% and 10%; respectively), albeit with no statistical significance. The means of PID at different time points and SPID were comparable, with significantly lower average mean of VAS scores compared to that felt with no medication (1.6 vs. 6.8, p<0.001). Side effects were less with uzara than ibuprofen (0% vs. 8.3%, p<0.05).

Conclusions

Uzara might be as effective as ibuprofen in management of primary dysmenorrhea but with less side effects. These findings need to be confirmed by a properly designed trial with a larger sample size.

Trial Registration

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN25618258     

塑料胆道支架引流术治疗复杂性胆总管结石的临床研究

目的:探讨内镜下逆行胰胆管造影术(ERCP)下塑料胆道支架引流术治疗复杂性胆总管结石的临床疗效和安全性。方法:回顾性分析2011年9月至2013年9月在我院经ERCP下胆道支架引流术治疗的32例复杂性胆总管结石患者的临床病例资料。结果:32例患者塑料胆道支架引流术全部成功,平均手术时间15-30分钟。术后,2例发生高淀粉酶血症,经禁食72小时后恢复正常,无穿孔、消化道大出血等ERCP严重并发症发生。术后1周,患者腹痛、发热消失,转氨酶及胆红素水平明显下降,平均住院时间6-15天。3个月复查B超,发现结石缩小19例,结石碎裂1例,支架脱落1例。术后7天、术后3个月的肝功能指标与术前比较均显著改善,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:ERCP下塑料胆道支架引流术是一种复杂性胆总管结石安全有效的治疗方法,具有创伤小、风险较低、操作时间短、患者易耐受及手术成功率高等优点。     

Increased Risk of Active Tuberculosis following Acute Kidney Injury: A Nationwide,Population-Based Study

Background

Profound alterations in immune responses associated with uremia and exacerbated by dialysis increase the risk of active tuberculosis (TB). Evidence of the long-term risk and outcome of active TB after acute kidney injury (AKI) is limited.

Methods

This population-based-cohort study used claim records retrieved from the Taiwan National Health Insurance database. We retrieved records of all hospitalized patients, more than 18 years, who underwent dialysis for acute kidney injury (AKI) during 1999–2008 and validated using the NSARF data. Time-dependent Cox proportional hazards model to adjust for the ongoing effect of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) was conducted to predict long-term de novo active TB after discharge from index hospitalization.

Results

Out of 2,909 AKI dialysis patients surviving 90 days after index discharge, 686 did not require dialysis after hospital discharge. The control group included 11,636 hospital patients without AKI, dialysis, or history of TB. The relative risk of active TB in AKI dialysis patients, relative to the general population, after a mean follow-up period of 3.6 years was 7.71. Patients who did (hazard ratio [HR], 3.84; p<0.001) and did not (HR, 6.39; p<0.001) recover from AKI requiring dialysis had significantly higher incidence of TB than patients without AKI. The external validated data also showed nonrecovery subgroup (HR = 4.37; p = 0.049) had high risk of developing active TB compared with non-AKI. Additionally, active TB was associated with long-term all-cause mortality after AKI requiring dialysis (HR, 1.34; p = 0.032).

Conclusions

AKI requiring dialysis seems to independently increase the long-term risk of active TB, even among those who weaned from dialysis at discharge. These results raise concerns that the increasing global burden of AKI will in turn increase the incidence of active TB.     

Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) Therapy and Vitamin D Insufficiency in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) in raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH)]D) levels and reducing parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).MethodsIn this double-blind, randomized controlled pilot study, participants with CKD stage 3 and 4 (estimated glomerular filtration rate, 15-59 mL/min/1.73 m²), vitamin D insufficiency (serum 25[OH]D < 30 ng/mL), and serum intact PTH levels > 70 pg/mL were randomly assigned to receive either 50 000 IU of cholecalciferol or placebo once weekly for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes (25[OH]D and PTH levels) were measured at baseline, week 6, and week 12. Secondary outcomes (1,25-dihydroxvitamin D and bone turnover markers) were measured at baseline and week 12. Because of skewed data distribution, statistical analyses were performed on a logarithmic scale. The difference between the group means was exponentiated to provide the geometric mean ratio. A linear mixed model using an unstructured variance-covariance matrix was used to examine change in the primary and secondary outcomes over time.ResultsGeometric mean serum 25(OH)D concentrations of the study groups were similar at baseline (P = .77). At week 6, a significant difference between the treatment and placebo groups was detected (P = .001); this difference was maintained at week 12 (P = .002). Among cholecalciferol- treated participants, serum 25(OH)D concentration increased on average from 17.3 ng/mL (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.8-25.2) at baseline to 49.4 ng/mL (95% CI, 33.9-72.0) at week 12. As-treated analysis indicated a trend toward lower PTH levels among cholecalciferol-treated participants (P = .07).ConclusionWeekly cholecalciferol supplementation appears to be an effective treatment to correct vitamin D status in patients with CKD. (Endocr Pract. 2008;14:10-17)     

Internet-Based Biofeedback-Assisted Relaxation Training in the Treatment of Hypertension: A Pilot Study

The effectiveness of biofeedback-assisted behavioral treatment with Internet-based client-therapist contact for hypertension was tested in outpatient settings. A pilot study with a randomized controlled design was adopted with two conditions (treatment versus passive controls), lasting for 8 weeks. There were two assessment time points (pre-treatment and post-treatment) measuring clinic systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) and administration of a questionnaire collecting demographic and subjective data. Participants included 19 Swedish adults diagnosed with hypertension. The treatment group lowered their SBP 5.9 mm Hg and their DBP 7.6 mm Hg while the control group lowered their SBP 0.8 mm Hg and DBP 3.0 mm Hg. The effect of treatment was significant for DBP but not for SBP. There were no other significant effects of treatment. This pilot study shows encouraging results regarding Internet-based biofeedback treatment for hypertensive adults. However, further research using a larger sample is needed.     

Perceived Parenting Mediates Serotonin Transporter Gene (5-HTTLPR) and Neural System Function during Facial Recognition: A Pilot Study

This study examined changes in prefrontal oxy-Hb levels measured by NIRS (Near-Infrared Spectroscopy) during a facial-emotion recognition task in healthy adults, testing a mediational/moderational model of these variables. Fifty-three healthy adults (male = 35, female = 18) aged between 22 to 37 years old (mean age = 24.05 years old) provided saliva samples, completed a EMBU questionnaire (Swedish acronym for Egna Minnen Beträffande Uppfostran [My memories of upbringing]), and participated in a facial-emotion recognition task during NIRS recording. There was a main effect of maternal rejection on RoxH (right frontal activation during an ambiguous task), and a gene × environment (G×E) interaction on RoxH, suggesting that individuals who carry the SL or LL genotype and who endorse greater perceived maternal rejection show less right frontal activation than SL/LL carriers with lower perceived maternal rejection. Finally, perceived parenting style played a mediating role in right frontal activation via the 5-HTTLPR genotype. Early-perceived parenting might influence neural activity in an uncertain situation i.e. rating ambiguous faces among individuals with certain genotypes. This preliminary study makes a small contribution to the mapping of an influence of gene and behaviour on the neural system. More such attempts should be made in order to clarify the links.     

A Pilot Study of EEG Source Analysis Based Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation for the Treatment of Tinnitus

Objective

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) is a novel therapeutic tool to induce a suppression of tinnitus. However, the optimal target sites are unknown. We aimed to determine whether low-frequency rTMS induced lasting suppression of tinnitus by decreasing neural activity in the cortex, navigated by high-density electroencephalogram (EEG) source analysis, and the utility of EEG for targeting treatment.

Methods

In this controlled three-armed trial, seven normal hearing patients with tonal tinnitus received a 10-day course of 1-Hz rTMS to the cortex, navigated by high-density EEG source analysis, to the left temporoparietal cortex region, and to the left temporoparietal with sham stimulation. The Tinnitus handicap inventory (THI) and a visual analog scale (VAS) were used to assess tinnitus severity and loudness. Measurements were taken before, and immediately, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks after the end of the interventions.

Results

Low-frequency rTMS decreased tinnitus significantly after active, but not sham, treatment. Responders in the EEG source analysis-based rTMS group, 71.4% (5/7) patients, experienced a significant reduction in tinnitus loudness, as evidenced by VAS scores. The target site of neuronal generators most consistently associated with a positive response was the frontal lobe in the right hemisphere, sourced using high-density EEG equipment, in the tinnitus patients. After left temporoparietal rTMS stimulation, 42.8% (3/7) patients experienced a decrease in tinnitus loudness.

Conclusions

Active EEG source analysis based rTMS resulted in significant suppression in tinnitus loudness, showing the superiority of neuronavigation-guided coil positioning in dealing with tinnitus. Non-auditory areas should be considered in the pathophysiology of tinnitus. This knowledge in turn can contribute to investigate the pathophysiology of tinnitus.