Physiol Meas 2017 Jun 20. Epub 2017 Jun 20.

Medical Information Technology, Rheinisch - Westfalische Technische Hochschule Aachen, Aachen, GERMANY.

Lung contusion is the most common lung injury following blunt chest trauma which, in turn, is associated with high mortality rates (Gavelli et al., 2002). Lung contusion is characterized by hemorrhage and edema with consecutively reduced compliance. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2017 Jun 16. Epub 2017 Jun 16.

Department of Neurology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.

The early development of nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyography (EMG) was linked to the discovery of electricity. This relationship had been concluded by observing the effect of applying electricity to the body of an animal and discovering that nerves and muscles themselves could produce electricity. We attempt to review the historical evolution of NCS and EMG over the last three centuries by reviewing the landmark publications of Galvani, Adrian, Denny-Brown, Larrabee, and Lambert. Read More

Neural Regen Res 2017 May;12(5):677-686

Forensic Diagnostic Center of District Nine, Cambridge, OH, USA.

Injuries from lightning and electrical injuries involve multiple systems of the body, however neurological symptoms are very widely reported. A disabling neuropsychological syndrome is also noted. This paper presents a comprehensive review of neurological and neuropsychological symptoms. Read More

Acta Vet Scand 2017 Jun 12;59(1):37. Epub 2017 Jun 12.

Department of Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Cidade Universitária, Prof. Dr. Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, São Paulo, SP, 05508-270, Brazil.

Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and motor evoked potentials (MEPs) are non-invasive neurophysiological tests that reflect the functional integrity of sensory and motor pathways. Despite their extensive use and description in human medicine, reports in veterinary medicine are scarce. SSEPs are obtained via peripheral stimulation of sensory or mixed nerves; stimulation induces spinal and cortical responses, which are recorded when sensory pathways integrity is preserved. Read More

Int Urol Nephrol 2017 Jun 6. Epub 2017 Jun 6.

Department of Burns and Reconstructive Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road No. 87, Changsha, 41008, Hunan, People's Republic of China.

Objective: In the present study, we aimed to present our experience of an effective two-stage surgical approach using scrotal skin flap for patients with penile skin defects following severe burn injury.

Materials And Methods: A total of 17 patients with penile skin defects underwent scheduled two-stage reconstruction using scrotal skin flap from January 2004 to October 2016. Patients, who were selected as eligible candidates for scrotal flap, exhibited a wide range of indications, including iatrogenic injuries (e. Read More

J Ayub Med Coll Abbottabad 2016 Oct-Dec;28(4):702-705

Department of Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery, Punjab Medical College/ Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, Pakistan.

Background: Electrical burns are quite different from thermal and chemical burns. This study is from a centre which deals with job related electric burn injuries alone and thus can give a pure account of the electric burns and discuss the related peculiarities. Study aims to highlight the differences in the mechanism of electric burn injury, its mode of presentation, morbidity, complications and thus the treatment strategies as compared to rest of the burn injuries. Read More

J Spinal Cord Med 2017 Jun 5:1-10. Epub 2017 Jun 5.

a Cleveland FES Center , Cleveland , OH , USA.

Objective: To examine the prevalence of joint contractures in the upper limb and association with voluntary strength, innervation status, functional status, and demographics in a convenience sample of individuals with cervical spinal cord injury to inform future prospective studies.

Design: Cross-sectional convenience sampled pilot study.

Setting: Department of Veterans Affairs Research Laboratory. Read More

Clin Plast Surg 2017 Jul 21;44(3):657-669. Epub 2017 Apr 21.

Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Michigan School of Medicine, University of Michigan, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. Electronic address:

This article reviews the unique challenges presented by chemical, electrical, and radiation injuries. The authors discuss pathophysiology and diagnosis of these injuries and provide recommendations for management. Read More

Continuum (Minneap Minn) 2017 Jun;23(3, Neurology of Systemic Disease):862-871

Purpose Of Review: This article discusses neurologic complications resulting from environmental injuries and the treatment modalities for these conditions.

Recent Findings: Recent advances include improved management of altitude sickness. Relatively uncommon conditions, such as keraunoparalysis (lightning-induced paralysis) and high-pressure neurologic syndrome, are areas of ongoing study. Read More

J Burn Care Res 2017 May 26. Epub 2017 May 26.

From the *Michael and Marian Ilitch Department of Surgery, Detroit Medical Center, MI; and †Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Michigan, Detroit.

The purpose of this study was to examine the utility of electrocardiograms (EKGs) for low-risk, low-voltage pediatric electrical burn victims. A retrospective chart review was conducted on 86 pediatric patients who presented to the children's hospital between 2000 and 2015 after sustaining electrical burns. Variables included source and estimated voltage, extent of injuries, length of stay, high risk factors, and EKG results. Read More

Osteoarthritis Cartilage 2017 May 27. Epub 2017 May 27.

Department of Applied Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland; Diagnostic Imaging Center, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland. Electronic address:

Front Neurosci 2017 12;11:261. Epub 2017 May 12.

The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'AnnaPisa, Italy.

Introduction: Spasticity is a typical motor disorder in patients affected by stroke. Typically post-stroke rehabilitation consists of repetition of mobilization exercises on impaired limbs, aimed to reduce muscle hypertonia and mitigate spastic reflexes. It is currently strongly debated if the treatment's effectiveness improves with the timeliness of its adoption; in particular, starting intensive rehabilitation as close as possible to the stroke event may counteract the growth and postpone the onset of spasticity. Read More

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2017 ;161(0):D1520

Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen, afd. Traumachirurgie, Groningen.

Objective: Analysing injury types, injury severity and mortality in victims of accidents with electric bicycles in comparison with conventional bicycles.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Method: Data of patients treated at the Accident & Emergency Department of the University Medical Center Groningen after a bicycle accident are being entered in a database since 2014. Read More

Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl 2017 Aug 30;77:1302-1315. Epub 2017 Mar 30.

Centre for Biomaterials, Cellular and Molecular Theranostics, VIT University, Vellore 632014, Tamilnadu, India. Electronic address:

The treatment of nerve injuries has taken a new dimension with the development of tissue engineering techniques. Prior to tissue engineering, suturing and surgery were the only options for effective treatment. With the advent of tissue engineering, it is now possible to design a scaffold that matches the exact biological and mechanical properties of the tissue. Read More

Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2017 May 17. Epub 2017 May 17.

Occupational Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Tanta University, Tanta, Egypt.

Hospital workers are exposed to many occupational hazards that may threaten their health and safety. Physical hazards encountered in hospital working environment include temperature, illumination, noise, electrical injuries, and radiation. To assess the awareness of healthcare workers (HCWs) about physical hazards in Tanta university hospitals, this cross-sectional study included 401 HCWs (physicians, nurses, technicians, and workers) from seven departments (general surgery, orthopedics, radiology, ophthalmology, kitchen, incinerator, and laundry). Read More

Brain Inj 2017 May 16:1-8. Epub 2017 May 16.

d The 306th Hospital of the People's Liberation Army , Beijing , P.R. China.

Primary Objective: To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of paediatric inpatients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in China.

Research Design: The Chinese Trauma Database (CTD), a nationwide register system based on hospital admission data, contains diagnosis and treatment information for trauma inpatients in over 200 military-managed public-service hospitals in China. Using the ICD-9 coding, the data for children with TBI aged 0-17 years between 2001 and 2007 were retrieved. Read More

Ann Rehabil Med 2017 Apr 27;41(2):318-322. Epub 2017 Apr 27.

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Yeungnam University College of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.

We present the case of a 33-year-old man who experienced a 10,000-V electrical shock when working with electrical wiring. He suffered third-degree burns on his scalp at the right occiput (entry wound) and on his left arm (exit would), and a second-degree burn on his left foot (exit wound). He presented with severe spasticity of both lower extremities, motor weakness with a Medical Research Council grade of 3, and sensory impairments below thoracic level 11 that included an inability to sense light touch and defects in proprioception. Read More

Acta Neurochir (Wien) 2017 May 12. Epub 2017 May 12.

Department of Neurosurgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA.

From time to time it is thoughtful and productive to review a medical field and reflect upon what are the major issues that need to be addressed and what is being done to do so. This review article is not meant to be all-inclusive but rather focuses on four evolving areas in the field of peripheral nerve disorders and treatments: (1) nerve surgery under ultrasound guidance using a new ultra-minimally invasive thread technique; (2) evolving magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound imaging techniques that are helping to both diagnose and treat a variety of peripheral nerve problems including entrapment neuropathies, traumatic nerve injuries, and masses arising from nerves; (3) promoting recovery after nerve injury using electrical stimulation; and (4) developing animal models to reproduce a severe nerve injury (neurotmetic grade in continuity) that requires a surgical intervention and repair. In each area we first describe the current challenges and then discuss new and emerging techniques and approaches. Read More

Neurology 2017 May 10;88(22):2141-2149. Epub 2017 May 10.

From the Departments of Neurology, Anesthesiology-Critical Care Medicine, and Neurosurgery (R.G.G.), Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD; Department of Neurology (E.W., A.R.), Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Neurology (M.J.A.), University of Florida-McKnight Brain Institute, Gainesville; Department of Neurology and Neurocritical Care Unit (M.D.), Cambridge University Hospitals; The Ipswich Hospital (M.D.), Cambridge, UK; Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery (S.A.M.), Mount Sinai-Icahn School of Medicine, New York, NY; Departments of Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine (Cardiology) (J.P.O.), Virginia Commonwealth University College of Medicine, Richmond; Department of Neurology (J.I.S.), Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery (M.T.T.), Ohio State University, Columbus; Department of Neurology (R.M.D.), Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City; and Department of Neurology (J.L.), University of Toronto, Canada.

Objective: To assess the evidence and make evidence-based recommendations for acute interventions to reduce brain injury in adult patients who are comatose after successful cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Methods: Published literature from 1966 to August 29, 2016, was reviewed with evidence-based classification of relevant articles.

Results And Recommendations: For patients who are comatose in whom the initial cardiac rhythm is either pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT) or ventricular fibrillation (VF) after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), therapeutic hypothermia (TH; 32-34°C for 24 hours) is highly likely to be effective in improving functional neurologic outcome and survival compared with non-TH and should be offered (Level A). Read More

PLoS One 2017 8;12(5):e0176893. Epub 2017 May 8.

Department of Cardiology, Zentrum für Forschung in der klinischen Medizin (ZFKM), HELIOS Klinikum Wuppertal, University Witten/Herdecke, Wuppertal, Germany.

Background: Medical devices such as implant delivery systems are commonly used during minimally invasive procedures in the cardiovascular system. These devices often have lubricious polymer coatings to reduce friction between the device and blood vessels but coatings may separate and potentially cause serious injuries to patients.

Methods: Lubricious coated eSheaths for transcatheter heart valve implantation were assessed for luminal integrity at the proximal, medial and distal part. Read More

J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2017 May 8. Epub 2017 May 8.

Bio-Acoustic-MEMS in Medicine (BAMM) Laboratories, Canary Center at Stanford for Early Cancer Detection, Department of Radiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, USA.

The ability to cryopreserve human oocytes has significant potential for fertility preservation. Current cryopreservation methods still suffer from the use of conventional cryoprotectants, such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), causing loss of viability and function. Such injuries result from the toxicity and high concentration of cryoprotectants as well as mechanical damage of cells due to ice crystal formation during the cooling and rewarming processes. Read More

Sensors (Basel) 2017 May 6;17(5). Epub 2017 May 6.

School of Automation Science and Electrical Engineering, Beihang University, XueYuan Road No. 37, HaiDian District, Beijing 100191, China.

Metal roof sheathings are widely employed in large-span buildings because of their light weight, high strength and corrosion resistance. However, their severe working environment may lead to deformation, leakage and wind-lift, etc. Thus, predicting these damages in advance and taking maintenance measures accordingly has become important to avoid economic losses and personal injuries. Read More

Stud Health Technol Inform 2017 ;237:163-168

Electric Engineering Graduate Program, Istanbul Technical University, Turkey.

Falling is a major problem among the people globally, frequently due to some health problems including vision loss or balance disorder as a consequence of aging. As a result of the falling in elder people; injuries, complications, neurological problems and mortality are generally occurred. This situation also affects the patients' families psychologically. Read More

J Neurotrauma 2017 May 5. Epub 2017 May 5.

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Neurology , 707 N. Broadway , Baltimore, Maryland, United States , 21205.

Myelination in central nervous system (CNS) is a dynamic process that includes birth of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), their differentiation into oligodendrocytes, and ensheathment of axons. Regulation of myelination by neuronal activity has emerged as a new mechanism of CNS plasticity. Indeed, activity-dependent myelination has been shown to regulate sensory, motor and cognitive functions. Read More

Neural Regen Res 2017 Mar;12(3):458-463

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.

Peripheral nerve injuries with a poor prognosis are common. Evening primrose oil (EPO) has beneficial biological effects and immunomodulatory properties. Since electrical activity plays a major role in neural regeneration, the present study investigated the effects of electrical stimulation (ES), combined with evening primrose oil (EPO), on sciatic nerve function after a crush injury in rats. Read More

Int Neurourol J 2017 Apr 21;21(Suppl 1):S17-23. Epub 2017 Apr 21.

Department of Urology, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Korea.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to perform a histological analysis of the effect of a ytterbium-doped fiber (YDF) laser on oral buccal mucosa tissue in vivo to simulate its effect on the mucosa of the lower urinary tract.

Methods: A total of 90 8-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized with urethrane (1.2 g/kg intraperitoneally). Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2017 Apr;96(17):e6726

aPhysiotherapy Department, Physical Therapy and Health Sciences Research Group, Faculty of Health, Exercise and Sport, European University of Madrid, Villaviciosa de Odón, Madrid bResearch, Health and Podiatry Unit, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Nursing and Podiatry, Universidade da Coruña, Ferrol cNursing and Physical Therapy Department, Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of León, León, Spain.

Background: Several new rehabilitation modalities have been proposed after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. Among these, trigger point dry needling (TrP-DN) might be useful in the treatment of myofascial pain syndrome associated with ACL reconstruction to reduce pain intensity, increase knee flexion range and modify the mechanical properties of the quadriceps muscle during late-stage rehabilitation. To date, this is the first randomized clinical trial to support the use of TrP-DN in the early rehabilitation process after ACL reconstruction. Read More

Eur Heart J 2017 Apr 20. Epub 2017 Apr 20.

Cardiology Department, European Georges Pompidou Hospital, 20 rue Leblanc, 75015 Paris, France.

Electrical injuries are a commonly encountered hazard in both the home and workplace. However, clinicians are often uncomfortable when faced with the patient who presents with an electric shock due to sparse literature and lack of systematic recommendations on this topic. Electrical injuries can range from minor skin burns to life threatening internal organ damage. Read More

Malays Orthop J 2017 Mar;11(1):74-76

Department of Orthopaedics, Government Multispecialty Hospital, Chandigarh, India.

The incidence of bilateral gleno-humeral joint dislocation is rare, is almost always posterior and is usually caused by sports injuries, epileptic seizures, electrical shock, or electroconvulsive therapy. Bilateral fracture-dislocation is even rarer, with a few cases reported in the literature. We report an unusual case with dislocation of the both glenohumeral joints in opposite direction after a seizure episode, with fracture of greater tuberosity on one side and of the lesser tuberosity on the contralateral side. Read More

J Trauma Acute Care Surg 2017 May;82(5):946-951

From the Department of Surgery (G.H., P.W., C.V., J.C-D., C.C.F., D.N.H., L.K.B.), University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas; Shriners Hospitals for Children-Galveston, Galveston, Texas (G.H., P.W., C.V., J.C-D., C.C.F., D.N.H., L.K.B.); Division of Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery (P.W., J.C-D.), Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria; Sealy Center for Molecular Medicine and the Institute for Translational Sciences, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas (C.C.F.); and School of Medicine, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas (A.F., V.C.).

Background: Multiple organ failure (MOF) is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in burned children. While various complications induced by electrical injuries have been described, the incidence and severity of single organ failure (SOF) and MOF associated with this type of injury are unknown. The study was undertaken to compare the incidence and severity of SOF and MOF as well as other complications between electrically and thermally burned children. Read More

Poult Sci 2017 Apr 17. Epub 2017 Apr 17.

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different stunning frequencies and electrical current waveforms on chicken welfare and meat quality. Two-hundred-thirty-two Cobb broilers, 48 d of age and 2.76 ± 0. Read More

J Hand Surg Am 2017 Jun 12;42(6):443-446.e2. Epub 2017 Apr 12.

Pediatric Hand Surgery and Microsurgery Unit, Hospital Sant Joan de Deu, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. Electronic address:

Purpose: To report the distribution of the different patterns of stretch brachial plexus injuries (BPIs) in a retrospective cohort of patients operated at our institution during an 11-year period.

Methods: From September 2002 to June 2012, we evaluated and operated on 565 patients with traction injuries of the brachial plexus. Average age was 26. Read More

Tissue Eng Part A 2017 May 15. Epub 2017 May 15.

4 Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno , Fisciano, Italy .

At present, injuries or rupture of tendons are treated by surgical repair or conservative approaches with unpredictable clinical outcome. Alternative strategies to repair tendon defects without the undesirable side effects associated with the current options are needed. With this in mind, a tissue engineering approach has gained considerable attention as a promising strategy. Read More

Burns 2017 Jun 8;43(4):e7-e10. Epub 2017 Apr 8.

Section of Neuroradiology, Trauma Center Murnau, Germany. Electronic address:

Purpose: Electrical injury to the central nervous system may lead to neurologic compromise via pleiotropic mechanisms. It may cause current-related, thermal or nonthermal damage followed by secondary mechanisms.

Methods: We herein report a case of a 20-year old man, who experienced a low-voltage electric injury due to an occupational accident. Read More

J Neurotrauma 2017 Apr 10. Epub 2017 Apr 10.

4 Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore, Maryland.

Diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is a debilitating consequence of traumatic brain injury (TBI) attributed to abnormal stretching of axons caused by blunt head trauma or acceleration of the head. We developed an anatomically accurate, subject-specific, three-dimensional (3D) computational model of the human brain, and used it to study the dynamic deformations in the substructures of the brain when the head is subjected to rotational accelerations. The computational head models use anatomy and morphology of the white matter fibers obtained using MRI. Read More

Mayo Clin Proc 2017 Apr;92(4):544-554

Department of Neurologic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Rehabilitation Medicine Research Center, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN; Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN. Electronic address:

We report a case of chronic traumatic paraplegia in which epidural electrical stimulation (EES) of the lumbosacral spinal cord enabled (1) volitional control of task-specific muscle activity, (2) volitional control of rhythmic muscle activity to produce steplike movements while side-lying, (3) independent standing, and (4) while in a vertical position with body weight partially supported, voluntary control of steplike movements and rhythmic muscle activity. This is the first time that the application of EES enabled all of these tasks in the same patient within the first 2 weeks (8 stimulation sessions total) of EES therapy. Read More

J Neural Eng 2017 Apr 6;14(4):046003. Epub 2017 Apr 6.

Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain.

Objective: As artificial prostheses become more refined, they are most often used as a therapeutic option for hand amputation. By contrast to extra- or intraneural interfaces, regenerative nerve electrodes are designed to enable electrical interfaces with regrowing axonal bundles of injured nerves, aiming to achieve high selectivity for recording and stimulation. However, most of the developed designs pose an obstacle to the regrowth mechanisms due to low transparency and cause impairment to the nerve regeneration. Read More

Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res 2017 Jan-Feb;22(1):26-30

Psychosocial Injuries Research Center, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.

Introduction: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) through the skin is a nonpharmacological method of pain relief. The present study aimed to compare TENS and lidocaine on episiotomy complication in primiparous women.

Material And Methods: In a randomized, controlled clinical trial, 80 participants were included from March to July 2011 at the antenatal clinic and postdelivery ward in the Social Security Organization Hospital, Khorramabad, Lorestan, Iran. Read More

Sci Rep 2017 Apr 4;7:45825. Epub 2017 Apr 4.

The Queensland Brain Institute, University of Queensland, Brisbane QLD 4072, Australia.

Despite their common use as model organisms in scientific experiments, pain and suffering in insects remains controversial and poorly understood. Here we explore potential pain experience in honeybees (Apis mellifera) by testing the self-administration of an analgesic drug. Foragers were subjected to two different types of injuries: (i) a clip that applied continuous pressure to one leg and (ii) amputation of one tarsus. Read More

J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2017 Mar 30. Epub 2017 Mar 30.

Urological Diseases Research Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

Surgical repair of caustic oesophageal injuries with autologous gastrointestinal segments is often associated with dysmotility, dysphagia and donor site morbidity, and therefore alternative graft options are needed. Bilayer silk fibroin (BLSF) scaffolds were assessed for their ability to support functional restoration of damaged oesophageal tissues in a rat model of onlay oesophagoplasty. Transient exposure of isolated oesophageal segments with 40% NaOH led to corrosive oesophagitis and a 91% reduction in the luminal cross-sectional area of damaged sites. Read More

Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol 2017 Apr 1:1-8. Epub 2017 Apr 1.

a Motion Study Laboratory, Louis Stokes Cleveland, Affairs Medical Center , Cleveland , OH , USA.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to detect and classify potentially destabilizing conditions encountered by manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injuries (SCI) to dynamically increase stability and prevent falls.

Methods: A volunteer with motor complete T11 paraplegia repeatedly propelled his manual wheelchair over level ground and simulated destabilizing conditions including sudden stops, bumps and rough terrain. Wireless inertial measurement units attached to the wheelchair frame and his sternum recorded associated accelerations and angular velocities. Read More

Hand Clin 2017 May 21;33(2):243-256. Epub 2017 Feb 21.

Hand Fellowship, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, Campus Box 8238, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. Electronic address:

Upper extremity electrical injuries present with unique pathophysiologic considerations due to the differing mechanisms of injury produced by the electromagnetic field. The initial phase of treatment consists of recognition of other life-threatening injuries, stabilization of patients, and multisystem resuscitation. The second phase of treatment consists of excising devitalized tissue, appropriate wound care to prevent delayed infection, providing temporary and definitive coverage over vital structures, and preventing contracture and joint stiffness via aggressive therapy. Read More

Arch Plast Surg 2017 Mar 15;44(2):117-123. Epub 2017 Mar 15.

Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.

Background: Upper extremity soft tissue defects with complete circumferential involvement are not common. Coupled with the unique anatomy of the upper extremity, the underlying etiology of such circumferential soft tissue defects represent additional reconstructive challenges that require treatment to be tailored to both the patient and the wound. The aim of this study is to review the various options for soft tissue reconstruction of complete circumferential defects in the upper extremity. Read More

Addiction 2017 Mar 20. Epub 2017 Mar 20.

Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada.

Background And Aims: Low-risk alcohol drinking guidelines require a scientific basis that extends beyond individual or group judgements of risk. Life-time mortality risks, judged against established thresholds for acceptable risk, may provide such a basis for guidelines. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate alcohol mortality risks for seven European countries based on different average daily alcohol consumption amounts. Read More

Ann Burns Fire Disasters 2016 Dec;29(4):259-263

Department of Plastic Surgery, SKIMS, Srinagar, Kashmir, India.

The objective was to study the clinical profile of high voltage electrical injuries in Kashmir, and various prevention and safety measures to bring down the incidence of such injuries in the future. All patients (176) with high voltage electrical injuries reporting to our centre from January 2001 to December 2010 were included in the study. The most common age group was 20-40 years, with mean age of 29. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2017 9;2017:5326962. Epub 2017 Feb 9.

Research Center for Soil & Water Resources and Natural Disaster Prevention (SWAN), National Yunlin University of Science & Technology, 123 Section 3, University Road, Douliou, Yunlin 640, Taiwan; Department and Graduate School of Safety and Environment Engineering, National Yunlin University of Science & Technology, 123 Section 3, University Road, Douliou, Yunlin 640, Taiwan.

For out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients, every second is vital for their life. Shortening the prehospital time is a challenge to emergency medical service (EMS) experts. This study focuses on the on-scene time evaluation of the registered nurses (RNs) participating in already existing EMS teams, in order to explore their role and performance in different EMS cases. Read More

Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2016 Aug;2016:5030-5033

The paper describes a novel unpowered energy-stored exoskeleton (ES-EXO) for spinal cord injured patients in consideration of patients' characteristics and injured levels. It proposed a method to optimize the energy-stored element to decrease the hip joint moment in walking. EMG patterns, ground reaction force and motion data from one participant with complete spinal cord injury at T10 were recorded. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2017 May 3;39:16-27. Epub 2017 Mar 3.

IRCCS Centro Neurolesi "Bonino-Pulejo", Messina, Italy. Electronic address:

The present paper aims at providing an objective narrative review of the existing non-pharmacological treatments for spasticity. Whereas pharmacologic and conventional physiotherapy approaches result well effective in managing spasticity due to stroke, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy and incomplete spinal cord injury, the real usefulness of the non-pharmacological ones is still debated. We performed a narrative literature review of the contribution of non-pharmacological treatments to spasticity management, focusing on the role of non-invasive neurostimulation protocols (NINM). Read More

J Acupunct Meridian Stud 2017 Jan 29;10(1):53-54. Epub 2016 Nov 29.

Health Science Unit (PEC), Hong Kong Physically Handicapped & Able Bodied Association, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong. Electronic address:

Sensory loss in a complete spinal cord injury (SCI) can be described as an injury that removes the ability of the brain to receive electrical afferent signals generated below the site of the injury. The sensory nervous system appears to be the same as the meridians in the concept of Oriental medicine, thus, we assumed that a complete SCI would lead to discontinuation of the meridians in humans. In this case series report with a cross-sectional view, we observed quantitative changes in heart rate variability induced by laser acupuncture at bilateral GB34 and ST36 points for 15 minutes in eight patients with complete SCIs between the levels of T8 and T12, and eight healthy individuals as a control group. Read More