脑脊液hs-CRP、IGF-1及IL-6水平与高血压性脑出血神经功能损害程度的相关性

目的 探讨脑脊液超敏C-反应蛋白（hs-CRP）、胰岛素样生长因子-1（IGF-1）、白介素-6（IL-6）水平与高血压性脑出血病人神经功能损伤程度的关系。方法 选择2017年1月~2019年12月收治高血压性脑出血164例和按4:1比例匹配同期行蛛网膜下腔神经阻滞采集脑脊液标本但无神经系统疾病的41例作为对照组。发病6 h、48 h、1周检测脑脊液hs-CRP、IGF-1、IL-6水平,采用美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表（NIHSS）评定神经损害程度。结果 发病6 h,脑出血病人脑脊液hs-CRP、IGF-1、IL-6均明显高于对照组（P<0.05）。发病48 h,脑脊液hs-CRP、IGF-1、IL-6水平及NIHSS评分较发病6 h均明显提高（P<0.05）,发病1周较发病6 h均明显降低（P<0.05）。发病6、48 h,脑脊液hs-CRP（r=0.258,P<0.05）、IL-6（r=0.497,P<0.05）水平与NIHSS评分均呈正相关;发病1周,脑脊液hs-CRP、IL-6水平与NIHSS评分均无明显相关性（P>0.05）。发病6 h、48 h、1周,脑脊液IGF-1水平与NIHSS评分均无明显相关性（P>0.05）。结论 脑脊液hs-CRP、IL-6与高血压性脑出血病人神经功能损伤程度呈正相,有望作为评估脑出血进展的有效生物学标志物。     

Age-related gait development in children with autism spectrum disorder

BackgroundA better understanding of gait development and asymmetries in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may improve the development of treatment programs and thus, patient outcomes.Research questionDoes age affect walking kinematics and symmetry in children with ASD?MethodTwenty-nine children (aged 6–14 years old) with mild ASD (level one) were recruited and assigned to one of the three groups based on their ages: 6–8 years (U8), 9–11 years (U11) and 12–14 years (U14). Walking kinematics were captured using an inertia measurement unit system placed bilaterally on participants’ foot, lower leg, upper leg, upper arm, pelvis, and thoracic spine. Joint angles were computed and compared among the age groups. Symmetry angles were used to assess the gait symmetry and were compared among the age groups.ResultsOlder children exhibited less ankle dorsiflexion and knee flexion angles at heel-strike and greater plantarflexion angles at toe-off compared with younger children. In addition, a decreased pelvis and thorax axial rotation range of motion and increased shoulder flexion/extension range of motion were observed for older children. However, no age-related difference in gait symmetry was observed.SignificanceThese findings could suggest that older children with ASD may develop gait kinematics to a more energy-efficient walking pattern.     

Single-cell approaches to investigate B cells and antibodies in autoimmune neurological disorders

Autoimmune neurological disorders, including neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis, anti-MOG antibody-associated disorders, and myasthenia gravis, are clearly defined by the presence of autoantibodies against neurological antigens. Although these autoantibodies have been heavily studied for their biological activities, given the heterogeneity of polyclonal patient samples, the characteristics of a single antibody cannot be definitively assigned. This review details the findings of polyclonal serum and CSF studies and then explores the advances made by single-cell technologies to the field of antibody-mediated neurological disorders. High-resolution single-cell methods have revealed abnormalities in the tolerance mechanisms of several disorders and provided further insight into the B cells responsible for autoantibody production. Ultimately, several factors, including epitope specificity and binding affinity, finely regulate the pathogenic potential of an autoantibody, and a deeper appreciation of these factors may progress the development of targeted immunotherapies for patients.     

Hcy、NSE及IL-8水平变化与脑卒中患者神经功能恢复的关系研究

目的分析半胱氨酸(Hcy)、神经元特异性烯醇化酶(NSE)及白介素-8(IL-8)水平变化与脑卒中患者神经功能恢复的关系。方法选取2017年4月至2019年4月本科室收治的116例缺血性脑卒中急性期后康复患者作为研究组,根据急性期神经功能缺损程度,以及稳定期Brunnstrom分期和ADL指数另分为三个亚组:轻度依赖组46例,中度依赖组40例,重度依赖组30例。同时纳入同期本院健康体检正常者108例作为对照组。比较研究组与对照组Hcy、NSE及IL-8水平差异及Hcy、NSE及IL-8水平在神经功能缺损评分中的表达情况。绘制散点图,采用Pearson相关分析分别观察脑卒中患者Hcy、NSE及IL-8水平与神经功能评分的关系。结果研究组患者Hcy、NSE、IL-8水平显著高于对照组,差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05);不同神经缺损患者血清Hcy、NSE、IL-8水平:重度依赖组>中度依赖组>轻度依赖组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);脑卒中患者Hcy、NSE及IL-8与NIHSS评分呈正相关,与Brunnstrom分期和ADL指数呈负相关(P<0.05)。结论 Hcy、NSE及IL-8水平对脑卒中患者神经功能及康复指标具有重要意义,临床工作者可通过加强监测这三项指标,评估疾病进展与预后情况。     

The development and psychometric evaluation of the Clinicians' Attitudes towards Responding and Escalating care of Deteriorating patients scale

BackgroundValidated measures of ward nurses' safety cultures in relation to escalations of care in deteriorating patients are lacking.ObjectivesThis study aimed to develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Clinicians' Attitudes towards Responding and Escalating care of Deteriorating patients (CARED) scale for use among ward nurses.MethodsThe study was conducted in two phases: scale development and psychometric evaluation. The scale items were developed based on a systematic literature review, informant interviews, and expert reviews (n = 15). The reliability and validity of the scale were examined by administering the scale to 617 registered nurses with retest evaluations (n = 60). The factor structure of the CARED scale was examined in a split-half analysis with exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The internal consistency, test–retest reliability, convergent validity, and known-group validity of the scale were also analysed.ResultsA high overall content validity index of 0.95 was obtained from the validations of 15 international experts from seven countries. A three-factor solution was identified from the final 22 items: ‘beliefs about rapid response system’, ‘fears about escalating care’, and ‘perceived confidence in responding to deteriorating patients’. The internal consistency reliability of the scale was supported with a good Cronbach's alpha value of 0.86 and a Spearman-Brown split-half coefficient of 0.87. An excellent test–retest reliability was demonstrated, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.92. The convergent validity of the scale was supported with an existing validated scale. The CARED scale also demonstrated abilities to discriminate differences among the sample characteristics.ConclusionsThe final 22-item CARED scale was tested to be a reliable and valid scale in the Singaporean setting. The scale may be used in other settings to review hospitals' rapid response systems and to identify strategies to support ward nurses in the process of escalating care in deteriorating ward patients.     

托吡酯与卡马西平治疗对脑梗死后继发癫痫患者神经功能缺损、日常活动能力及认知功能的影响

目的分析托吡酯与卡马西平治疗对脑梗死后继发癫痫患者神经功能缺损、日常活动能力和认知功能的影响,为临床治疗提供思路。方法选取2017年3月至2019年8月我院收入的脑梗死后继发癫痫138例患者。按随机数字表法分为A组(治疗上加以卡马西平)和B组(治疗上加以托吡酯)各69例。治疗6个月后比较两组临床效果,治疗前后神经功能缺损、日常活动能力和认知功能的评分及不良反应发生情况。结果治疗后B组疗效高于A组(P<0.05);B组神经功能缺损较治疗前明显下降,且低于A组,不同时间评估分神经功能缺损情况差异有统计学意义(P<0.001);两组日常活动能力和认知功能评分均较治疗前升高,且B组评分高于A组(P<0.05);两组不良反应发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论托吡酯的临床疗效优于卡马西平,对脑梗死后继发癫痫患者的预后恢复疗效更好,且不良反应程度轻微,值得临床推广。     

Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin or Dual Antiplatelet Therapy Is More Effective Than Aspirin Alone in Preventing Early Neurological Deterioration and Improving the 6-Month Outcome in Ischemic Stroke Patients

Background and Purpose

Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAT) with clopidogrel and aspirin has been shown to confer greater protection against early neurological deterioration (END) and early recurrent ischemic stroke (ERIS) than aspirin alone in patients who have experienced an acute ischemic stroke. However, few studies have compared the effects of anticoagulation therapy with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), DAT, and aspirin.

Methods

Patients with acute ischemic stroke (n=1,467) were randomized to therapy groups receiving aspirin (200 mg daily for 14 days, followed by 100 mg daily for 6 months), DAT (200 mg of aspirin and 75 mg of clopidogrel daily for 14 days, then 100 mg of aspirin daily for 6 months), or LMWH (4,000 antifactor Xa IU of enoxaparin in 0.4 mL subcutaneously twice daily for 14 days, followed by 100 mg of aspirin daily for 6 months). The effects of these treatment strategies on the incidence of END, ERIS, and deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) were observed for 10-14 days after treatment, and their impacts on a good outcome were evaluated at 6 months.

Results

The DAT and LMWH were associated with a more significant reduction of END and ERIS within 14 days compared with aspirin-alone therapy. In addition, LMWH was associated with a significantly lower incidence of DVT within 14 days. At 6 months, DAT or LMWH improved the outcome among patients aged >70 years and those with symptomatic stenosis in the posterior circulation or basilar artery compared with aspirin.

Conclusions

LMWH or DAT may be more effective than aspirin alone for reducing the incidence of END and ERIS within 14 days, and is associated with improved outcomes in elderly patients and those with stenosis in the posterior circulation or basilar artery at 6 months poststroke.     

Recreational drug overdose-related cardiac arrests: Break on through to the other side

IntroductionThe annual rate of recreational overdose (OD)-related death is increasing exponentially, making unintentional overdose the leading cause of injury-related death in America. Unfortunately, little attention in the resuscitation community has focused on the post-arrest care of this rapidly growing population.MethodsWe included patients presenting between January 2009 and February 2014 after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and abstracted baseline clinical characteristics and neurological outcomes. We considered an arrest to be an OD OHCA if toxicology screens were positive and not explained by therapeutic medication administration or home medications; or if there was a history strongly suggestive of OD. We compared the baseline clinical characteristics and outcomes between the OD and non-OD cohorts.ResultsIn total, 591 OHCA patients were admitted, of which 85 (14%) arrests were OD-related. OD OHCA patients were significantly younger, had fewer medical comorbidities, were more likely to present with non-shockable rhythms and had worse baseline neurological function. However, overall survival, neurological outcomes and length of stay did not vary between groups. OD OHCA patients who survived to discharge had a significantly higher rate of favorable discharge dispositions (83% of OD OHCA survivors discharged to home or acute rehabilitation vs 62% of non-OD OHCA (P = 0.03)).ConclusionPatients who have suffered an OD OHCA make up a significant proportion of the overall OHCA population. Despite poor baseline prognostic factors, survival after OD OHCA was no worse than after non-OD OHCA, and among survivors a majority had a good neurological outcome.