Article
Psychology, Biological
Ali Gholamrezaei, Ilse Van Diest, Qasim Aziz, Johan W. S. Vlaeyen, Lukas Van Oudenhove
Summary: The study did not support the hypothesis that adding an inspiratory load to slow, deep breathing enhances its hypoalgesic effects. While pain intensity was slightly lower during SDB with load compared to normal-frequency controlled breathing, the difference was minimal. Heart rate variability was higher during SDB, but emotional responses were less favorable when using load.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Junseung Mun, Jiho Lee, Eunkyoung Park, Sung-Min Park
Summary: Objective: To investigate the antihypertensive effect of auricular vagus nerve stimulation (aVNS) considering the frequency-dependent depression characteristic in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) synapse. Approach: NTS activation and blood pressure (BP) reduction induced by aVNS and direct secondary neuron stimulation (DS) at different frequencies were explored. Main results: The BP recovery time constant was significantly dependent on the frequency of DS and aVNS, suggesting that the antihypertensive effect of aVNS is influenced by the characteristics of frequency-dependent synaptic depression in the NTS neuron. Significance: Further understanding of the neurological properties of the baroreflex associated with aVNS is critical to improve its antihypertensive effect.
JOURNAL OF NEURAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Ali Gholamrezaei, Ilse Van Diest, Qasim Aziz, Ans Pauwels, Jan Tack, Johan W. S. Vlaeyen, Lukas Van Oudenhove
Summary: The study found that slow, deep breathing can reduce visceral pain intensity, which is not specific to the frequency of slow breathing and is not mediated by autonomic or emotional responses.
NEUROGASTROENTEROLOGY AND MOTILITY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Bartlomiej Paleczny, Rafal Seredynski, Beata Ponikowska
Summary: This study compared the cardiovascular effects of respiratory-gated taVNS in healthy subjects. The results showed that expiratory-gated and non-respiratory-gated taVNS had cardioinhibitory effects in subjects with high pre-stimulatory heart rate, while inspiratory-gated taVNS did not affect heart rate. The cardiac and vascular effects of taVNS depended on the pre-stimulatory heart rate.
CLINICAL AUTONOMIC RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Danesh Soltani, Bayan Azizi, Sepehr Sima, Kiarash Tavakoli, Negin Sadat Hosseini Mohammadi, Abdol-Hossein Vahabie, Kaveh Akbarzadeh-Sherbaf, Ali Vasheghani-Farahani
Summary: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the effect of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation on heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity in healthy populations. Twenty-one studies were included in the review, which found significant changes in heart rate variability parameters but only one study detected a significant change in baroreflex sensitivity. Further studies with comparable designs are needed to determine the optimal stimulation parameters and clarify the significance of autonomic indices as a reliable marker of neuromodulation responsiveness.
CLINICAL AUTONOMIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Susanna Longo, Jacopo M. Legramante, Stefano Rizza, Massimo Federici
Summary: Syncope is a short-term transient loss of consciousness with rapid onset and complete spontaneous recovery. Vasovagal syncope (VVS) is the most common form, characterized by global cerebral hypoperfusion due to inadequate blood supply to the brain. Although VVS is generally harmless, its frequent occurrence can negatively impact quality of life and increase the risk of adverse events. Understanding the multifaceted nature of VVS is crucial for developing preventative strategies.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INTERNAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Caroline Sevoz-Couche, Sylvain Laborde
Summary: Slow-paced breathing has been extensively studied in clinical research and has shown beneficial effects on cardiovascular functioning, executive functions, and stress management. By reducing breathing rate to the resonant frequency, the cardiac oscillations increase, leading to improved heart rate variability and baroreflex sensitivity. Additionally, slow-paced breathing stimulates interoceptive and limbic areas, resulting in multiple peripheral and central benefits.
NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Jorge A. Ramos-Castaneda, Carlos Federico Barreto-Cortes, Diego Losada-Floriano, Sandra Milena Sanabria-Barrera, Federico A. Silva-Sieger, Ronald G. Garcia
Summary: This systematic review summarizes the scientific evidence on the safety and efficacy of Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) on upper limb motor recovery after stroke. The results demonstrate that VNS, together with physical rehabilitation, significantly improves upper limb motor function in stroke patients and is a safe intervention.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Josh McGovern, Stephen Leadbitter, Gillian Miller, Adam Hounat, Irvine Kamande, Ross D. D. Dolan, Paul G. G. Horgan, David K. K. Chang, Nigel B. B. Jamieson, Donald C. C. McMillan
Summary: In this study, high vagal nerve activity, as measured by HRV, was not significantly associated with TNM stage, co-morbidity, systemic inflammation, or survival in patients undergoing potentially curative surgery for colorectal cancer (CRC). These findings suggest that HRV may not be a relevant factor in the treatment and survival of CRC.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Matthew J. McGinley, Steven T. Lee
Summary: This article investigates the mechanistic aspects of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in clinical applications and finds that VNS timed with positive reinforcement improves motor learning and cortical function through a cholinergic mechanism.
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
A. Chao-Ecija, M. S. Dawid-Milner
Summary: This study proposes a new tool called BaroWavelet for evaluating baroreflex sensitivity using wavelet analysis methods. The effectiveness of the tool was validated through analysis of simulated data and recordings from actual patients. Results demonstrated that BaroWavelet accurately detected changes in baroreflex sensitivity and provided additional information about baroreflex dynamics.
COMPUTER METHODS AND PROGRAMS IN BIOMEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Robson Luiz Bandoni, Pamela Nithzi Bricher Choque, Humberto Delle, Tercio Lemos de Moraes, Maria Helena Mattos Porter, Bruno Durante da Silva, Gizele Alves Neves, Maria-Claudia Irigoyen, Katia de Angelis, Valentin A. Pavlov, Luis Ulloa, Fernanda Marciano Consolim-Colombo
Summary: Cholinergic stimulation with pyridostigmine increases parasympathetic tone and induces anti-inflammatory responses in the heart and spleen, fostering cardiac recovery after acute myocardial infarction in SHRs.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Padinhare Cholakkal Harikesh, Chi-Yuan Yang, Han-Yan Wu, Silan Zhang, Mary J. Donahue, April S. Caravaca, Jun-Da Huang, Peder S. Olofsson, Magnus Berggren, Deyu Tu, Simone Fabiano
Summary: Biointegrated neuromorphic hardware offers new protocols for recording and regulating signaling in biological systems. Previous artificial neural circuits based on silicon or negative differential resistance lack biocompatibility and ion/chemical-based modulation features. This study introduces a biorealistic conductance-based organic electrochemical neuron (c-OECN) that can emulate critical biological neural features, demonstrate stochastic spiking, and enable neurotransmitter/chemical/ion-based modulation. These c-OECNs have the potential for in vivo stimulation of biological nerves.
Review
Cell Biology
Giovanni Cirillo, Flor Negrete-Diaz, Daniela Yucuma, Assunta Virtuoso, Sohaib Ali Korai, Ciro De Luca, Eugenijus Kaniusas, Michele Papa, Fivos Panetsos
Summary: This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the pathogenesis and therapeutic approaches for inflammatory bowel diseases. The interaction between the enteric and central nervous systems and the role of the vagus nerve in autoimmune diseases are highlighted. Neuroprosthetic stimulation of the vagus nerve, particularly transcutaneous stimulation of the auricular branch, has been suggested as a potential therapeutic approach for controlling intestinal inflammation.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Chia-Hao Su, Yung-Chien Hsu, Suresh Thangudu, Wei-Yu Chen, Yu-Ting Huang, Chun-Chieh Yu, Ya-Hsueh Shih, Ching-Jen Wang, Chun-Liang Lin
Summary: Diabetic nephropathy is a major cause of kidney failure, with a lack of sensitive and specific biomarkers for early identification of renal function/fibrosis. This study used MRI techniques to explore fibrosis progression in diabetes and validate the potential renal protective role of miR29a.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Bin Feng, Tiantian Guo
JOURNAL OF NEURAL TRANSMISSION
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Y. Zhao, B. Feng, J. Lee, N. Lu, D. M. Pierce
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2020)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Franz Maier, Saeed Siri, Stephany Santos, Longtu Chen, Bin Feng, David M. Pierce
Summary: Visceral pain from the distal colon and rectum is a major symptom in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. This study used nonlinear imaging to quantify the thickness and orientations of collagen fibers in different layers of the colorectum, finding that collagen is concentrated in the submucosal layer with the largest diameter. Collagen fibers aligned with muscle fibers in the two muscular layers.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Y. Zhao, S. Siri, B. Feng, D. M. Pierce
Summary: The study establishes constitutive models for different layers of the colorectum using biaxial extension tests on mouse tissues, showcasing the biomechanical heterogeneity of the distal colorectum. The modeling framework enables analysis of the impact of organ/tissue biomechanics on mechanotransduction, structure-function relationships, and growth and remodeling in health and disease, as well as specific applications such as device design and biomedical research.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Tiantian Guo, Shivam Patel, Dhruv Shah, Ling Chi, Sharareh Emadi, David M. Pierce, Martin Han, Pablo R. Brumovsky, Bin Feng
Summary: Genetic labeling and optical clearing techniques were used to visualize extrinsic sensory nerve fibers in whole-mount colorectum, revealing the widespread presence of axons in the submucosal layer. Remarkably, axons in the submucosa were meandering and curvy, in contrast to axons in other layers generally aligned with the basal tissues. Intracolonic TNBS treatment led to pronounced changes in nerve fiber density and curviness, suggesting nerve fiber morphologies as potentially contributing factors to sensory sensitization.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-GASTROINTESTINAL AND LIVER PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Zichao Bian, Tiantian Guo, Shaowei Jiang, Longtu Chen, Jia Liu, Guoan Zheng, Bin Feng
Summary: The study introduces a turnkey microscopy system for simultaneous Ca2+ imaging at two parallel focal planes from intact dorsal root ganglia, providing a cost-effective solution for high-throughput recordings of visceral afferent activities. The system allows for convenient recordings of multiple DRGs and characterization of mechanical neural encoding of visceral afferents, which can expedite functional understanding of visceral innervations.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jia Liu, Nishanth Ganeshbabu, Noha Shalaby, Longtu Chen, Tiantian Guo, Bin Feng
Summary: Recent reports suggest that TRAAK and TREK-1 channels play important roles in action potential repolarization in mammalian peripheral nerves. A new in vitro approach was developed to study the effects of mechanical stretch on nerve conduction, showing that axial stretch leads to increased conduction delay in both myelinated A-fibers and unmyelinated C-fibers. These results highlight the potential for pharmacological and mechanical activation of K2P channels in modulating peripheral nerve function.
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Anesthesiology
Longtu Chen, Tiantian Guo, Shaopeng Zhang, Phillip P. Smith, Bin Feng
Summary: Clinical evidence indicates that dorsal root ganglion (DRG) stimulation effectively reduces pain without evoking paresthesia. This study explored the mechanisms and parameters of DRG stimulation and found that subkilohertz stimulation frequency showed the best blocking effect on afferent neural transmission.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Shaowei Jiang, Chengfei Guo, Pengming Song, Niyun Zhou, Zichao Bian, Jiakai Zhu, Ruihai Wang, Pei Dong, Zibang Zhang, Jun Liao, Jianhua Yao, Bin Feng, Michael Murphy, Guoan Zheng
Summary: The article introduces a resolution-enhanced parallel coded ptychography technique that achieves high imaging throughput and the highest numerical aperture. The technique involves moving samples on a specially designed surface for imaging and collecting lensless diffraction data. A new coherent diffraction imaging model is proposed by considering the spatial and angular responses of pixel readouts.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yunmei Zhao, Bin Feng, David M. Pierce
Summary: Mechanotransduction plays a crucial role in converting micro mechanical stresses and strains into neural signals in the distal colon and rectum. The colorectum demonstrates strong through-thickness and longitudinal heterogeneity, with collagen concentrated in the submucosa and sensory nerve endings most densely located in this layer. Biomechanical heterogeneity in the colorectum influences the mechanical stimuli surrounding nerve endings embedded in different layers, which is critical for mechanotransduction. This study aimed to calibrate and validate a computational model of the colorectum, predict stress and strain distributions during mechanical stimulation ex vivo, and establish a methodology to calculate local mechanical stresses and strains around nerve endings in the colorectum.
JOURNAL OF THE MECHANICAL BEHAVIOR OF BIOMEDICAL MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Shaowei Jiang, Chengfei Guo, Tianbo Wang, Jia Liu, Pengming Song, Terrance Zhang, Ruihai Wang, Bin Feng, Guoan Zheng
Summary: This article introduces the integration of a blood-coated image sensor with a modified Blu-ray drive for high-throughput cytometric analysis. Through the recording of coherent diffraction patterns from samples mounted on a rotating Blu-ray disc, the acquired data is used for image reconstruction using a lensless coherent diffraction imaging modality. The device exhibits high resolution and theoretically unlimited field of view.
Article
Nursing
Jie Chen, Yiming Zhang, Zahra Amirkhanzadeh Barandouzi, Joochul Lee, Tingting Zhao, Wanli Xu, Ming-Hui Chen, Bin Feng, Angela Starkweather, Xiaomei Cong
Summary: This study investigated the effect of self-management programs on young adults with irritable bowel syndrome. The results showed that both online education and nurse-led interventions were effective in reducing pain and improving quality of life. The nurse-led intervention had better outcomes in improving quality of life compared to online education alone.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NURSING STUDIES
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Shaopeng Zhang, Longtu Chen, Bin Feng
Summary: This study presents an optimized protocol for assessing visceral pain in mice under deep anesthesia, enabling objective evaluations of neuromodulation strategies for pain management. The protocol involves prolonged urethane infusion and recording of visceral motor responses to colorectal distension.
FRONTIERS IN PAIN RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Pengming Song, Chengfei Guo, Shaowei Jiang, Tianbo Wang, Patrick Hu, Derek Hu, Zibang Zhang, Bin Feng, Guoan Zheng
Summary: This study presents a fully on-chip, lensless microscopy technique called optofluidic ptychography, which allows high-resolution quantitative complex imaging in a lab-on-a-chip setup. By integrating ptychographic microscopy into microfluidic devices, the technology can achieve high-resolution ptychographic reconstruction at video framerate and address a wide range of biomedical needs.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Saeed Siri, Yunmei Zhao, Franz Maier, David M. Pierce, Bin Feng
BIOENGINEERING-BASEL
(2020)