Abbreviations: AP 5 adductor pollicis; BAMPS 5 bilateral anterior magnetic phrenic nerve stimulation; CINMA 5 critical illness neuromuscular abnormality; CDAP 5 compound diaphragm action potential; CMS 5 cervical magnetic stimulation; ES 5 bilateral electrical phrenic nerve stimulation; ETT 5 endotracheal tube; GBS 5 Guillain-Barré syndrome; LFF 5 low-frequency fatigue; Pimax 5 maximal inspirat...

We demonstrate that rogue waves provide a powerful tool to actively control a nonlinear system with minimal effort. Specifically, optical rogue waves--rare, bright flashes of broadband light arising in subthreshold supercontinuum generation--are initiated by an exceedingly weak stimulus. Using this effect, we produce an optically switchable, ultrastable, and bright supercontinuum with greatly e...

Several authors have reported functional and therapeutic benefits after the application of electrical stimulation to children with neurological disorders (1-3). A functional movement can be induced by electrical neuromuscular stimulation of the paralysed muscles with intact excitability of their peripheral innervation. A long-term use of electrical neuromuscular stimulation can strengthen the w...

In the present study, we have demonstrated that ACh is the predominant fast excitatory transmitter used by identified motor neurons innervating feeding muscles in Aplysia. A detailed study of ACh metabolism was then carried out in a well-characterized neuromuscular preparation, intrinsic muscle 5 (15). This neuromuscular system has a high-affinity uptake system for choline. The rate of uptake o...

The esophagogastric junction (EGJ) is guarded by two sphincters, a smooth muscle lower esophageal sphincter (LES) and a skeletal muscle crural diaphragm. These two sphincters relax simultaneously under certain physiological conditions, i.e., swallowing, belching, vomiting, transient LES relaxation, and esophageal distension. Esophageal distension-induced crural diaphragm relaxation is mediated ...

Tetanic stimulation influences subsequent neuromuscular responses. In addition, the tetanus-induced changes in neuromuscular responses differ according to the level of neuromuscular block at which tetanic stimulation is delivered. We studied the tetanus-induced effect on subsequent train-of-four (TOF) responses at various levels of vecuronium-induced neuromuscular block in 45 anaesthetized pati...

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation in patients with dysphagia caused by stroke. METHODS Thirty-six subjects were randomized into experimental and control groups. The control group was given thermal-tactile stimulation treatment only, while in the experimental group neuromuscular electrical stimulation and thermal-tactile sti...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate and compare the effects of neuromuscular electrical stimulation combined with conventional physical therapy on muscle thickness in critically ill patients. DESIGN Double-blind, randomized controlled trial. PATIENTS Twenty-five patients participated in the study. METHODS Patients on mechanical ventilation for 24-48 h were randomized to an intervention group (neuromusc...

BACKGROUND Neuromuscular complications after critical illness are common and can be severe and persistent. To ameliorate complications, there is growing interest in starting physical medicine and rehabilitation therapy immediately after physiologic stabilization. The introduction of physical medicine and rehabilitation-related technology into the intensive care unit may help facilitate delivery...