Journal of the neurological sciences
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Intensive care unit-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) is an important complication of critical illness. The main risk factors, sepsis and the systemic inflammatory response syndrome, suggest an inflammatory pathogenesis. In this systematic translational review we summarize current knowledge on inflammation in muscle and nerve tissue in animal models of ICU-AW and in critically ill patients with ICU-AW. ⋯ This systematic translational review suggests a role for local inflammation in ICU-AW, but the available evidence is limited and studies have severe methodological limitations.
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To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of diflunisal in late-onset familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) in a Japanese endemic area. ⋯ Diflunisal might be effective especially for autonomic dysfunction in late-onset FAP with a TTR Val30Met mutation.
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To explore the role of middle latency evoked potentials (EPs) as predictors for favorable outcome in patients with severe ischemic brain injuries by comparing the prognostic ability of short latency somatosensory and auditory evoked potentials (SLSEP and BAEP) with middle latency somatosensory and auditory evoked potentials (MLSEP and MLAEP). ⋯ Compared with using N20 of SLSEP analysis alone, adding MLSEP improves the outcome prediction in patients with severe ischemic brain injuries. When an outcome is uncertain after initial evaluation using short-latency EPs, MLSEP is valuable to be used from the first week to further improve prognostication in these patients.
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To evaluate the factors related to the choice of a tracheostomy and invasive ventilation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and to determine survival time after a tracheostomy at a single institute in Japan between 1990 and 2010. ⋯ Tracheostomy and invasive ventilation are frequently used in Japan. Various factors impact patients' decisions to have these procedures. This study identified factors related to the decision-making process and post-tracheostomy survival.