Brain & development
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Brain & development · Aug 2014
No association between catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genotype and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Japanese children.
This study ascertained the association between attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in Japanese children and a polymorphism of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), a dopamine-control gene. The secondary aim of the study was the evaluation of a putative association between methylphenidate (MPH) effect/adverse effects and the COMT genotype. ⋯ These results showed a lack of association between the COMT Val/Val genotype and ADHD in Japan.
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Brain & development · Aug 2014
Case ReportsCervical spinal cord compression in a child with cervicofacial actinomycosis.
Actinomycosis is a rare, chronic, suppurative, and slowly progressive granulomatous disease caused by a group of filamentous gram-positive anaerobic bacteria belonging to the normal flora of the oral cavity, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tracts. It may involve several organs; however, spinal cord compression has rarely been reported. ⋯ Since actinomycosis was strongly suspected, she was treated with high dose of parenteral penicillin G followed by oral penicillin with complete recovery. The unusual features of our case suggested that actinomycosis should be considered as a differential diagnosis of neck mass and cervical spinal cord compression.
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Brain & development · Jun 2014
Nucleated red blood cell counts: an early predictor of brain injury and 2-year outcome in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in the era of cooling-based treatment.
Raised nucleated red blood cell (NRBC) counts in neonates may indicate in utero hypoxia and brain damage. ⋯ NRBC counts can predict brain injury and neurological outcomes in cooled and non-cooled asphyxiated neonates.
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Brain & development · Jun 2014
Case ReportsMarked elevation of interleukin-6 in mild encephalopathy with a reversible splenial lesion (MERS) associated with acute focal bacterial nephritis caused by Enterococcus faecalis.
This report describes two cases of mild encephalitis/encephalopathy with reversible splenial lesion (MERS) associated with acute focal bacterial nephritis (AFBN). The patients, who presented with fever and delirious behavior, exhibited hyponatremia and markedly elevated interleukin (IL)-6 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum. Enterococcus faecalis was detected in the urine culture. ⋯ Moreover, a diffusion-weighted MRI abnormality, i.e., intensified signals in splenium of the corpus callosum, disappeared. MERS is a possible complication of AFBN. Elevated CSF IL-6 levels suggest that remote activation of intracerebral immune response through the immune-neuroendocrine pathway might play an important role in the pathophysiology of MERS.
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Brain & development · Apr 2014
ReviewEvaluation of cerebral circulation and oxygen metabolism in infants using near-infrared light.
Bedside monitoring of cerebral circulation or oxygen metabolism in infants to appropriately manage circulation and establish the oxygen dose, aiming at improving the neurological prognosis, is needed in general clinical practice. Near-infrared spectroscopy is used for measurements of neonatal cerebral Hb oxygen saturation, cerebral blood volume, cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen. Near-infrared time-resolved spectroscopy is particularly useful for bedside evaluation of cerebral circulation and oxygen metabolism because of its simple measurement procedure. Combined evaluation of cerebral blood volume and cerebral Hb oxygen saturation is expected to contribute to treatment centering on the brain in neonatal medical care.