Annals of neurology
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Annals of neurology · Dec 2010
Variants at APOE influence risk of deep and lobar intracerebral hemorrhage.
Prior studies investigating the association between APOE alleles ε2/ε4 and risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) have been inconsistent and limited to small sample sizes, and did not account for confounding by population stratification or determine which genetic risk model was best applied. ⋯ APOE ε2 and ε4 are independent risk factors for lobar ICH, consistent with their known associations with amyloid biology. In addition, we present preliminary findings on a novel association between APOE ε4 and deep ICH. Finally, we demonstrate that an additive model for these APOE variants is superior to other forms of genetic risk modeling previously applied.
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Annals of neurology · Dec 2010
Clinical TrialCapsaicin induces degeneration of cutaneous autonomic nerve fibers.
To determine the effects of topical application of capsaicin on cutaneous autonomic nerves. ⋯ Topical capsaicin leads to degeneration of sudomotor, vasomotor, and pilomotor nerves accompanied by impairment of sudomotor, vasomotor, and pilomotor function. These results suggest the susceptibility and/or pathophysiologic mechanisms of nerve damage may differ between autonomic and sensory nerve fibers treated with capsaicin and enhances the capsaicin model for the study of disease-modifying agents. The data suggest caution should be taken when topical capsaicin is applied to skin surfaces at risk for ulceration, particularly in neuropathic conditions characterized by sensory and autonomic impairment.
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Annals of neurology · Dec 2010
Predictors of neurologic outcome in hypothermia after cardiac arrest.
To evaluate the predictive value of neurologic prognostic indicators for patients treated with hypothermia after surviving cardiopulmonary arrest. ⋯ Clinical examination (brainstem reflexes, motor response, and presence of myoclonus) at Day 3 after cardiac arrest remains an accurate predictor of outcome after therapeutic hypothermia. Sedative medications in both hypothermic and nonhypothermic patients may confound the clinical exam. NSE > 33 ng/ml has a high false-positive rate in patients treated with hypothermia and should be interpreted with caution.
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Authorship of scientific publications holds great importance for basic and clinical researchers. Academic appointments and promotions, grant funding, and salary support depend to some extent on published recognition through authorship. Peer-recognition and personal satisfaction are additional incentives for authorship. ⋯ We recommend that authorship of reports of the primary results of multicenter or multidisciplinary studies should be in the name of the group of investigators collaborating on the work. Given the availability of digital methods that could apportion credit quantitatively, academic leaders, including funding agencies and promotions committees, should consider challenging outmoded authorship conventions. Authorship is too important to be left to chance.