Neurosciences最新文献

Objectives: To investigate the effects of various arm positions on median nerve conduction studies (NCSs).

Methods: This prospective cohort study, conducted at Adana City Training and Research Hospital between January and July 2023, included 20 healthy participants. Median NCSs were performed on the participants in three different standing positions with the elbow as the stimulation point: 1) with the arm adducted (P1), 2) with the arm anteflexed (P2), and 3) with the arm raised upwards (P3). We obtained median nerve compound muscle action potential (CMAP) latency, duration, peak-to-peak (PP) amplitude, onset-to-negative peak (OP) amplitude, negative area/duration. Three CMAPs were obtained in each position, and the mean and minimum/maximum values at each position were analyzed.

Results: The mean age (minimum-maximum) of the participants (11 male, 9 female) was 28.5±6.5 (20-42) years. Median nerve CMAP means (median) of latency/negative duration in the P1, P2, and P3 positions were 6.82±0.59 (6.83)/5.50±0.76 (5.39) ms, 6.99±0.56 (7.02)/5.72±0.73 (5.73) ms, and 7.03±0.58 (7.12)/5.79±0.80 (5.83) ms. Median nerve CMAP mean/minimum latency and negative duration were lowest in the P1 position (p<0.05). The mean median nerve CMAP OP amplitude was highest in P3 than P1 or P2 (p=0.042 and p=0.048).

Conclusion: Median NCS results differed based on the position of the arm.

Objectives: To determine the effects of all-trans-retinoic acid (ATRA) on the post-stroke inflammatory response and elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms.

Methods: This animal experiment was conducted at Central Laboratory, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China during 2020-2022. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 1.5 h, and treated with ATRA at 2 and 24 h after reperfusion. Neurological deficit scores on behavioral tests, and cerebral infarct volume, microglial polarization, and the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines and proteins associated with TLR4/NF-κB signaling were assessed.

Results: The ATRA administration reduced cerebral infarct volume and ameliorated neurological deficit scores in MCAO rats. Additionally, ATRA relieved cerebral edema and downregulated the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines after stroke. Finally, ATRA attenuated the polarization of the microglia toward the M1 phenotype and promoted the activation of the beneficial M2 phenotype; the underlying mechanism potentially involved the suppression of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Conclusion: The ATRA treatment promoted functional recovery in an experimental model of ischemic stroke by attenuating neural inflammation. ATRA potentially modulated microglia-mediated neuroinflammation via the downregulation of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, which makes it a candidate treatment for post-stroke neuroinflammation.

Objectives: To evaluate the changes in optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) caused by this pressure applied to the dura mater and postoperative complications.

Methods: The study was conducted between 01.01.2022 and 01.06.2022 at Private Medicabil Hospital. The ONSD was measured 3 mm behind the eyeball using US at 5 time points: T1 (in the supine position after anesthesia induction), T2 (after conversion to the prone position), T3 (in the prone position after applying pressure to the dura mater), T4 (in the prone position after the discontinuation of applying pressure to the dura mater), T5 (after conversion to the supine position). Postoperative complications were recorded.

Results: The ONSD at T3 was higher than those at all time points. For an ONSD value >5.3 mm, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive, and negative predictive values were 87.5%, 71.9%, 50.9%, and 94.5%, respectively (Area under the curve 0.830, 95% Confidence Interval: 0.761-0.899, p<0.001) CONCLUSION: We think that the hydrostatic pressure applied to the dura mater in unilateral biportal endoscopic (UBE) surgeries causes changes in the ONSD sheath diameter and that monitoring ONSD with peroperative USG can reduce the possible complications in order to reduce the effects of this pressure on the central nervous system.

Objectives: To assess and evaluate the mental health and psychological changes in weight loss injection users and bariatric surgery.

Methods: A descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2022 to December 2022. A self-administered questionnaire was given among participants using social media platforms. The questionnaire included socio-demographic characteristics, weight-loss-related characteristics, General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) to measure anxiety, and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to measure depression experienced by the patients.

Results: Of the 721 patients, 73.9% were females, and 30.1% were aged between 30 to 39 years old. The prevalence of patients who underwent weight loss by surgery and injection was 47.7% and 41.2%, respectively. Overall, symptoms of anxiety and depression were detected in 19.7% and 24%, respectively. Independent risk factor of anxiety and depression was the symptom of the psychiatric disorder prior to surgery, while the independent protective factor for anxiety and depression was older age. Depression was higher in weight loss injection users.

Conclusion: Nearly one-quarter of the study population experienced anxiety or depression following weight loss treatment. Weight loss treatment by injections increases the risk of depression. However, improved self-confidence, mood, and relationships with family and friends were some of the positive changes exhibited by the patients after undergoing weight loss treatment. Appropriate psychiatric evaluation is necessary before and after weight loss intervention.

Arachnoid cysts (ACs) are more commonly seen intracranially rather than intraspinally, with most being asymptomatic. This case report presents a rare association between symptomatic AC and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). In a 71-year-old man who exhibited long-standing bilateral shoulder pain and severe left brachialgia despite an unremarkable physical examination. Radiologic investigations revealed a left C5-6 cervical arachnoid cyst, and during treatment, the patient was diagnosed with IIH. Surgical excision of the cyst failed, so the patient was treated with a lumbar puncture (LP) shunt that required several revisions. During these revisions, IIH was diagnosed, leading to the insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt, which improved the symptoms. Early diagnosis of IIH through lumbar puncture in cases of spinal arachnoid cysts allows for earlier treatment with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion via a VP shunt, reducing repeated hospital admissions and surgical interventions.

Objectives: To assess the social stigma towards multiple sclerosis in Saudi Arabia.

Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional online survey study was done in Saudi Arabia. It targets social stigma among multiple sclerosis patients in Saudi Arabia. This questionnaire was filled out by patients using Google Forms, and the questionnaire was designed to measure the demographic data and social Stigma using a validated RSS-MS scale.

Results: After we applied the exclusion criteria, we received 381 MS patients who completed the study questionnaire. The results of the study showed that there are regions in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia where the societal stigma towards multiple sclerosis is high compared to other regions in the Northern region (25.5±10.0) and the lowest among Eastern region patients (17.3±7.2). The study also, showed that unmarried people have a higher stigma compared to married patients (21.0±8.3 vs. 18.9±8.0, respectively; p=.011).

Conclusion: Our study showed the extent of societal stigma towards patients with multiple sclerosis in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We recommend more psychological and social support for patients with multiple sclerosis and more volunteer campaigns for the disease.