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Background: The lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve (LACN) is the terminal sensory branch of the musculocutaneous nerve and is rarely entrapped or injured. This study describes the electrodiagnostic (EDX) findings and etiologies of LACN neuropathy. Methods: This is a review of 49 patients with pain and/or paresthesia of the forearm who underwent EDX studies. The diagnosis of LACN neuropathy was based on clinical and sensory conduction abnormalities. Results: The most common etiology of LACN neuropathy was iatrogenic injury in 30 (61.2%) patients, primarily due to biceps tendon repair at the elbow (11 [36.7%]) and phlebotomy (5 [16.7%]). Fifteen (30.6%) patients sustained a non-iatrogenic injury at the proximal forearm/elbow, consisting of six (60%) laceration injuries and five (33.3%) stretch injuries. Four (8.2%) patients comprised the "other" etiology category, including two mass lesions causing LACN compression. Pain, paresthesia, and/or numbness in the LACN distribution were reported in 33 (67.3%), 27 (55.1%), and 23 (46.9%) patients, respectively. Hypoesthesia was detected in 45 (91.8%) patients, and dysesthesia in 7 (14.3%). The sensory nerve action potentials (SNAPs) of the LACN on the symptomatic side were absent in 44 (89.8%) patients. Of the five patients whose SNAPs of the LACN were detected, all had a decreased amplitude, and two had increased sensory latency. Conclusions: The most common etiology for LACN neuropathy in this series was iatrogenic injury; repair of biceps tendon at the elbow was the most frequent provoking cause. Protection of the LACN during surgical procedures at the elbow and forearm is vital to prevent iatrogenic injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to investigate the seepage process of fractured rock mass at a mesoscopic level, using the discrete element method. To this end, an improved pipe flow algorithm is proposed within the framework of particle flow code, including the heterogeneity of initial micro‐cracks and the deformation of solid skeleton. A series of numerical samples with a single non‐penetrating fracture are then studied. The relationships between the rock permeability and different properties of fracture (i.e., the aperture, dip angle and length) are investigated. The influence of fracture properties on the distribution of pore pressure in the rock mass is also analyzed. The obtained numerical results exhibit that the seepage properties of rock mass with non‐penetrating fracture depend strongly on the dip angle and length of fracture and are slightly disturbed by the fracture aperture. Moreover, its permeability is almost of the same order as that of non‐fractured rock. The numerical results and mesoscale analysis can help us understand the influence of fracture properties on the permeability of host rock and provide practical guidance for the prevention of hydraulic disasters and the development of mineral resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy and rarely develops after drug therapy. This study describes the clinical, electrodiagnostic (EDX), and ultrasound (US) findings in seven patients who experienced CTS due to anti-cancer therapeutic agents. Methods: All patients underwent EDX testing, and four patients had an US study. Results: CTS occurred in four patients with aromatase inhibitors, two with immune checkpoint inhibitors, and one with a selective estrogen receptor modulator. The mean duration between initiation of the anti-cancer therapeutic agents and symptom onset was 6 weeks (range: 2–12 weeks). Decreased digit sensation was noted in all patients; wasting and weakness of the abductor pollicis brevis (APB) was observed in three (42.8%) patients. The compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) of the APB and sensory nerve action potentials of the second or third digit could not be recorded in two (28.5%) and four (57.1%) patients, respectively. The needle EMG detected fibrillations and positive sharp waves in the APB in two patients. The motor unit potentials of the APB were decreased with large polyphasics in three (42.8%) patients. Of the four patients who underwent US testing, all had increased cross-sectional area of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel inlet, three (75%) had thenar muscle atrophy, and two (50%) had a loss of fascicular pattern. Three (42.8%) patients underwent a CTR. Conclusions: Physicians should be cognizant of the relationship between anti-cancer therapeutic agents and CTS. EDX studies and US play important roles in the diagnostic assessment of such patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C19H18N2O2, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 9.832(2) Å, b = 10.590(2) Å, c = 17.794(3) Å, α = 77.080(3)°, β = 81.720(4)°, γ = 64.958(3)°, V = 1633.7(5) Å3, Z = 4, Rgt(F) = 0.0634, wRref(F2) = 0.1964, T = 296 K.

Background: Potential modification of the association between maternal particulate matter (PM) exposure and preterm delivery (PTD) by folic acid (FA) supplementation has not been studied. Objective: We examined whether FA supplementation could reduce the risk of PTD associated with maternal exposure to PM in ambient air during pregnancy. Method: In a cohort study covering 30 of the 31 provinces of mainland China in 2014, 1,229,556 primiparas of Han ethnicity were followed until labor. We collected information on their FA supplementation and pregnancy outcomes and estimated each participant's exposure to PM with diameters of [less than or equal to]10 [micro]m ([PM.sub.10]), 2.5 [micro]m ([PM.sub.2.5]), and 1 [micro]m ([PM.sub.1]) using satellite remote-sensing based models. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to examine interactions between FA supplementation and PM exposures, after controlling for individual characteristics. Results: Participants who initiated FA [greater than or equal to]3 months prior to pregnancy (38.1%) had a 23% [hazard ratio (HR) =0.77 (95% CI: 0.76, 0.78)] lower risk of PTD than women who did not use preconception FA. Participants with PM concentrations in the highest quartile had a higher risk of PTD [HR = 1.29 (95% CI: 1.26, 1.32) for [PM.sub.1], 1.52 (95% CI: 1.46, 1.58) for [PM.sub.2.5], and 1.22 (95% CI: 1.17, 1.27) for [PM.sub.10]] than those with exposures in the lowest PM quartiles. Estimated associations with a 10-[micro]g/[m.sup.3] increase in [PM.sub.1] and [PM.sup.2.5] were significantly lower among women who initiated FA [greater than or equal to]3 months prior to pregnancy [HR =1.09 (95% CI: 1.08, 1.10) for both exposures] than among women who did not use preconception FA [HR = 1.12 (95% CI: 1.11, 1.13) for both exposures; [p.sub.interaction] < 0.001]. The corresponding association was also significantly lower for a 10-[micro]g/[m.sup.3] increase in [PM.sub.10] [HR=1.03 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.03) for FA [greater than or equal to]3 months before pregnancy vs. 1.04 (95% CI: 1.03, 1.04) for no preconception FA; [p.sub.interaction] < 0.001]. Conclusion: Our findings require confirmation in other populations, but they suggest that initiating FA supplementation [greater than or equal to]3 months prior to pregnancy may lessen the risk of PTD associated with PM exposure during pregnancy among primiparas of Han ethnicity. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP6386, Introduction According to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) report, preterm delivery (PTD) contributed to 35% of the 3.1 million neonatal deaths per year, acting as the leading cause of [...]