Electroencephalographic Patterns in Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review of the Literature

The main objective of this study is to review and summarize recent findings on electroencephalographic patterns in individuals with chronic pain. We also discuss recent advances in the use of quantitative Electroencephalography (qEEG) for the assessment of pathophysiology and biopsychosocial factors involved in its maintenance over time. Data collection took place from February 2014 to July 2015 in PubMed, SciELO and PEDro databases. Data from cross-sectional studies and longitudinal studies, as well as clinical trials involving chronic pain participants were incorporated into the final analysis. Our primary findings related to chronic pain were an increase of theta and alpha EEG power at rest, and a decrease in the amplitude of evoked potentials after sensory stimulation and cognitive tasks. This review suggests that qEEG could be considered as a simple and objective tool for the study of brain mechanisms involved in chronic pain, as well as for identifying the specific characteristics of chronic pain condition. In addition, results show that qEEG probably is a relevant outcome measure for assessing changes in therapeutic studies.     

Exploring patterns of fine root morphological,chemical, and anatomical traits of 12 tree species from visible–near-infrared spectral reflectance

Plant and Soil - Root morphological response to localised phosphorus (P) application plays a crucial role in P acquisition. However, detailed knowledge of when and where roots respond to P patch...     

Thymidine phosphorylase deficiency causes MNGIE: an autosomal recessive mitochondrial disorder

Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy (MNGIE) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding thymidine phosphorylase (TP). The disease is characterized clinically by impaired eye movements, gastrointestinal dysmotility, cachexia, peripheral neuropathy, myopathy, and leukoencephalopathy. Molecular genetic studies of MNGIE patients' tissues have revealed multiple deletions, depletion, and site-specific point mutations of mitochondrial DNA. TP is a cytosolic enzyme required for nucleoside homeostasis. In MNGIE, TP activity is severely reduced and consequently levels of thymidine and deoxyuridine in plasma are dramatically elevated. We have hypothesized that the increased levels of intracellular thymidine and deoxyuridine cause imbalances of mitochondrial nucleotide pools that, in turn, lead to the mtDNA abnormalities. MNGIE was the first molecularly characterized genetic disorder caused by abnormal mitochondrial nucleoside/nucleotide metabolism. Future studies are likely to reveal further insight into this expanding group of diseases.     

Pr-SNTX,a short-chain three-finger toxin from Papuan pigmy mulga snake,is an antagonist of muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α2βδε)

Three-finger toxins (3FTxs) are one of the major components in snake venoms. In this study, we isolated a cDNA encoding a short-chain 3FTx, Pr-SNTX, from Pseudechis rossignolii. The amino acid sequence of Pr-SNTX is nearly identical to that of its ortholog in Pseudechis australis. Pr-SNTX protein inhibited muscle-type (α₂βδε), but not neuronal α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) activity.     

Extracts of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) fruits improve liver steatosis and injury in mice by preventing lipid accumulation and cell death

ABSTRACT

Bilberry has been reported to have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. We studied the effect of bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) fruits extracts (BEs) on the pathogenesis caused by lipid accumulation in fatty liver and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). 5 μg/ml of BEs was enough to suppress lipid accumulation in the fatty liver model of the mouse hepatic AML12 cells. BEs increased cell viability and anti-oxidant capacity, presumably by activating (phosphorylating) Akt/STAT3 and inducing MnSOD/catalase. BEs also significantly reduced Rubicon and induced p62/SQSTM1, possibly contributing to reduce cellular lipids (lipophagy). When the mice were fed supplemented with BEs (5% or 10%, w/w), hepatic steatosis, injury, and hypercholesterolemia/hyperglycemia were significantly improved. Furthermore, histological and cytokine studies indicated that BEs possibly suppress hepatic inflammation (hepatitis) and fibrosis. Therefore, BEs improved liver steatosis and injury, and potentially suppress fibrosis by suppressing inflammatory response, which therefore may prevent the progression of fatty liver to NASH.     

ALDH2 polymorphism for the risk of cervical carcinogenesis

To investigate the clinical significance of ALDH2 genetic polymorphisms in cervical carcinogenesis. ALDH2 polymorphisms together with human papillomavirus (HPV) types were examined in a total of 195 cervical smear in exfoliated cervical cell samples using Real-Time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) System. The frequency for the AG+AA genotype was seven in the normal group (70.0 %), 16 in the LSIL group (57.1 %), and 27 in the HSIL group (90.0 %). A significant difference was found between the LSIL and HSIL groups (P = 0.0064). Patients with HSIL lesions frequently had high-risk HPV infections and concurrently belonged to the AG+AA group. ALDH2 genotype in cervical cell samples may be associated with more severe precancerous lesions of the cervix in a Japanese population.     

Relationship among coronary plaque compliance, coronary risk factors and tissue characteristics evaluated by integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the mechanical properties of coronary plaques and plaque behavior, and to elucidate the relationship among tissue characteristics of coronary plaques, mechanical properties and coronary risk factors using integrated backscatter intravascular ultrasound (IB-IVUS). Methods: Non-targeted plaques with moderate stenosis (plaque burden at the minimal lumen site: 50-70%) located proximal to the site of the percutaneous coronary intervention target lesions were evaluated by IB-IVUS. Thirty-six plaques (less calcified group: an arc of calcification [less than or equal to]10) in 36 patients and 22 plaques (moderately calcified group: 10< an arc of calcification [less than or equal to]60) in 22 patients were evaluated. External elastic membrane volume (EEMV) compliance, lumen volume (LV) compliance, plaque volume (PV) response (difference between PV in systole and diastole), EEM area stiffness index were measured at the minimal lumen site. Relative lipid volume (lipid volume/internal elastic membrane volume) was calculated by IB-IVUS. Results: In the less calcified group, there was a significant correlation between EEMV compliance and the relative lipid volume (r=0.456, p=0.005). There was a significant inverse correlation between EEM area stiffness index and the relative lipid volume (p=0.032, r =-0.358). The LV compliance and EEM area stiffness index were significantly different in the diabetes mellitus (DM) group than in the non-DM group (1.32 +/- 1.49 vs. 2.47 +/- 1.79 %/10 mmHg, p =0.014 and 28.3 +/- 26.0 vs. 15.7 +/- 17.2, p =0.020). The EEMV compliance and EEM area stiffness index were significantly different in the hypertension (HTN) group than in the non-HTN group (0.77 +/- 0.68 vs. 1.57 +/- 0.95 %/10 mmHg, p =0.012 and 26.5 +/- 24.3 vs. 13.0 +/- 16.7, p =0.020). These relationships were not seen in the moderately calcified group. Conclusion: The present study provided new findings that there was a significant correlation between mechanical properties and tissue characteristics of coronary arteries. In addition, our results suggested that the EEMV compliance and the LV compliance were independent and the compliance was significantly impaired in the patients with DM and/or HTN. Assessment of coronary mechanical properties during PCI may provide us with useful information regarding the risk stratification of patients with coronary heart disease.     

Simple and tunable Förster resonance energy transfer-based bioprobes for high-throughput monitoring of caspase-3 activation in living cells by using flow cytometry

Sensing systems based on F?rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) can be used to monitor enzymatic reactions, protein-protein interactions, changes in conformation, and Ca2+ oscillations in studies on cellular dynamics. We developed a series of FRET-based chimeric bioprobes, each consisting of fluorescent protein attached to a fluorescent dye. Green and red fluorescent proteins were used as donors and a series of Alexa Fluor dyes was used as acceptors. The basic fluorescent proteins were substituted with appropriate amino acids for recognition of the target (caspase-3) and subjected to site-directed modification with a fluorescent dye. Variants that retained similar emission profiles to the parent proteins were readily derived for use as FRET-based bioprobes with various fluorescent patterns by incorporating various fluorescent proteins and dyes, the nature of which could be adjusted to experimental requirements. All the constructs prepared functioned as bioprobes for quantitative measurement of caspase-3 activity in vitro. Introduction of the bioprobes into cells was so simple and efficient that activation of caspase-3 upon apoptosis could be monitored by means of cytometric analysis. FRET-based bioprobes are valuable tool for high-throughput flow-cytometric analysis of many cellular events when used in conjunction with other fluorescent labels or markers. Statistical dynamic studies on living cells could provide indications of paracrine signaling.