Neurological research
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Neurological research · Sep 2014
Activation of microglia and induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the hippocampus of type 2 diabetic rats.
The majority of immune cells in the brain are comprised of microglia, which undergo morphological changes when activated to remove damaged neurons and infectious agents from the brain tissue. In this study, we investigated the effects of type 2 diabetes on microglial activation and the subsequent secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), in the hippocampus using Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats and Zucker lean control (ZLC) rats at various diabetic stages. ⋯ These results suggest that chronic diabetes activates microglia and significantly increases pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in the hippocampus.
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Neurological research · Aug 2014
Morphometric predictors of posterior circulation aneurysms risk rupture.
Intracranial aneurysms (IAs) of the posterior circulation (PC) rupture more frequently and their morbidity and mortality rates are higher compared to anterior circulation. Morphological parameters such as size ratio (SR), inflow angle and parent artery geometry are believed to contribute significantly in determining IA risk rupture. The aim of this study is to establish angiography-based morphometric predictors of PC IA risk rupture. ⋯ The SR and inflow angle proved to be relevant predictors in estimating the aneurysm risk rupture of the posterior cerebral circulation.
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Neurological research · Jul 2014
Comparative Study Clinical TrialImproved diagnostic value of a TCD-based non-invasive ICP measurement method compared with the sonographic ONSD method for detecting elevated intracranial pressure.
To compare the diagnostic reliability of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) ultrasonography with a transcranial Doppler (TCD)-based absolute intracranial pressure (ICP) value measurement method for detection of elevated ICP in neurological patients. The ONSD method has been only tested previously on neurosurgical patients. ⋯ The non-invasive ICP measurement method based on two-depth TCD technology has a better diagnostic reliability on neurological patients than the ONSD method when expressed by the sensitivity and specificity for detecting elevated ICP >14·7 mmHg.
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Neurological research · Jul 2014
ReviewAudit report and systematic review of orolingual angioedema in post-acute stroke thrombolysis.
Post-intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA) orolingual angioedema (PIROLA), including the life-threatening form, is an underappreciated complication of ischaemic stroke treatment. ⋯ About 17‰ acute ischaemic stroke patients receiving r-tPA develop PIROLA, occurring essentially among those on concomitant ACEI. PIROLA occurrence should be actively monitored, particularly within the first few hours as some may require urgent lifesaving procedures.
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Neurological research · Jun 2014
ReviewEn bloc resection of primary tumors of the thoracic spine: indications, planning, morbidity.
We aimed to describe surgical planning, technique, and complications of en bloc resection in the thoracic spine in patients who opted for surgery with en bloc resection and a tumor-free margin. ⋯ En bloc resection is a demanding procedure and requires careful planning after a careful decision-making process. The patient has to correctly understand the purpose of the surgery, based on oncological staging, in order to accept or decide against the procedure after weighing the possible morbidity and functional loss against the expected final result. TECHNIQUES OF EN BLOC RESECTION: Seven different strategies to perform en bloc resection in the thoracic spine, based on four combinations of surgical approaches (anterior, posterior, anterior followed by posterior, and posterior followed by simultaneous anterior and posterior) are identified and proposed. This planning is based on Weinstein-Boriani-Biagini (WBB) surgical staging. The surgical plan was designed to achieve the required oncologic margin with the minimum achievable morbidity.