The predictive value of lesion and disconnectome loads for upper limb motor impairment after stroke

Neurological Sciences - The putative effect of lesion-induced brain damage on post-stroke upper limb motor impairment can be estimated by overlaying a patient's lesion or its surrogate with key...     

Comparison of visual outcomes after two types of mix-and-match implanted trifocal extended-depth-of-focus and trifocal intraocular lenses

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology - To compare visual outcomes between two types of mix-and-match implanted trifocal extended-depth-of-focus (EDoF) and trifocal...     

Augmentation of natural cytotoxicity by chronic low-dose ionizing radiation in murine natural killer cells primed by IL-2

The possible beneficial effects of chronic low-dose irradiation (LDR) and its mechanism of action in a variety of pathophysiological processes such as cancer are a subject of intense investigation. While animal studies involving long-term exposure to LDR have yielded encouraging results, the influence of LDR at the cellular level has been less well defined. We reasoned that since natural killer (NK) cells constitute an early responder to exogenous stress, NK cells may reveal sentinel alterations in function upon exposure to LDR. When purified NK cells received LDR at 4.2 mGy/h for a total of 0.2 Gy in vitro, no significant difference in cell viability was observed. Likewise, no functional changes were detected in LDR-exposed NK cells, demonstrating that LDR alone was insufficient to generate changes at the cellular level. Nonetheless, significant augmentation of cytotoxic, but not proliferative, function was detected when NK cells were stimulated with low-dose IL-2 prior to irradiation. This enhancement of NK cytotoxicity was not due to alterations in NK-activating receptors, NK1.1, NKG2D, CD69 and 2B4, or changes in the rate of early or late apoptosis. Therefore, LDR, in the presence of suboptimal cytokine levels, can facilitate anti-tumor cytotoxicity of NK cells without influencing cellular proliferation or apoptosis. Whether these results translate to in vivo consequences remains to be seen; however, our data provide initial evidence that exposure to LDR can lead to subtle immune-enhancing effects on NK cells and may explain, in part, the functional basis underlying, diverse beneficial effects seen in the animals chronically exposed to LDR.     

Sputum TWEAK expression correlates with severity and degree of control in non‐eosinophilic childhood asthma

Background

Tumor necrosis factor‐like weak inducer of apoptosis (TWEAK) is known to play a role in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory diseases. However, no study has been performed on childhood asthma.

Methods

Ninety‐five children with asthma and 78 controls aged 5‐18 years were included. Sputum induction, pulmonary function test (PFT), and methacholine challenge test were performed. The subjects were divided into the eosinophilic airway (EA) and non‐EA (NEA) groups based on sputum analysis and into the high and low TWEAK groups according to the TWEAK cutoff level (263.0 pg/mL). TWEAK in induced sputum supernatant was measured through enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

Children with asthma had higher TWEAK levels than healthy controls (493.0 [157.1‐904.3] vs 118.2 (67.5‐345.5) pg/mL, P < .001). Sputum TWEAK levels were significantly correlated with PFT parameters reflecting airway obstruction. This association was particularly prominent in subjects with NEA inflammation. Significant differences in FEF_25‐75 (maximum mid‐expiratory flow, % predicted; P = .017), AX (reactance area; P < .001), R5‐R20 (difference between resistance at 5 and 20 Hz; P = .025), and X5 (reactance at 5 Hz, % predicted; P < .001) were noted between the high and low TWEAK groups within the NEA group. Sputum TWEAK level also showed significant positive correlations with asthma severity (r = .358, P = .001) and control status (r = .470, P < .001), distinctively in subjects with NEA inflammation.

Conclusions

Airway TWEAK may play a role in small airway inflammation especially in children with non‐eosinophilic asthma.     

Endoscope-Assisted Microsurgical Removal of an Epidermoid Tumor within the Cavernous Sinus

Epidermoid tumor of the cavernous sinus is rare. The aim of this case report is to discuss the role of neuroendoscopes in the removal of such lesions. A 21-year-old man presented with 6-year history of progressive headache, diplopia, and visual disturbance. Work-up revealed an epidermoid tumor located in the right cavernous sinus. An extradural transcavernous approach was utilized via a traditional frontotemporal craniotomy with endoscopic assistance. The postoperative course was uneventful with immediate improvement of the patient''s headache. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated complete removal of the tumor. There were no signs of recurrence during a 2-year follow-up period. The endoscope is a useful tool for removing epidermoid tumors from the cavernous sinus and enhances visualization of areas that would otherwise be difficult to visualize with microscopes alone. Endoscopes also help minimize the retraction of neurovascular structures.