Chinese Med J Peking
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Chinese Med J Peking · Nov 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialUltrasound facilitates identification of combined spinal-epidural puncture in obese parturients.
The palpation method is widely used in clinical practice to identify the puncture site of combined spinal-epidural (CSE) blocks, but it is usually difficult to accurately locate the puncture site in obese parturients. Accurate identification of the puncture site is crucial for successful CSE block. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of ultrasound imaging on the success rate of CSE puncture in obese parturients. ⋯ Ultrasound imaging improves the rate of successful puncture at the first puncture site and decreases the number of puncture attempts. It facilitates CSE puncture in obese parturients.
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Chinese Med J Peking · Nov 2012
Effect of deep brain stimulation on substantia nigra neurons in a rat model of Parkinson's disease.
Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease, which occurs mainly in the elderly. Recent studies have demonstrated that apoptosis plays an important role in the occurrence and development of PD. Subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) has been recognized as an effective treatment for PD. Recent clinical observations have shown that STN-DBS was able to delay early PD progression, and experiments in animal models have also demonstrated a protective effect of STN-DBS on neurons. However, the correlation between the neuron-protective effect of STN-DBS and the progression of substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc) neuronal apoptosis is still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect and potential mechanism of STN-DBS on SNc neurons in PD rats. ⋯ High-frequency stimulation of the STN has a protective effect on SNc neurons in PD rats. The possible molecular mechanism may be related to changes in the distribution and metabolism of neurotransmitters in the SNc region.