An emerging role of mast cells in cerebral ischemia and hemorrhage

Mast cells (MCs) are perivascularly located resident cells of hematopoietic origin, recognized as effectors in inflammation and immunity. Their subendothelial location at the boundary between the intravascular and extravascular milieus, and their ability to rapidly respond to blood- and tissue-borne stimuli via release of potent vasodilatatory, proteolytic, fibrinolytic, and proinflammatory mediators, render MCs with a unique status to act in the first-line defense in various pathologies. We review experimental evidence suggesting a role for MCs in the pathophysiology of brain ischemia and hemorrhage. In new-born rats, MCs contributed to brain damage in hypoxic-ischemic insults. In experimental cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, MCs regulated permeability of the blood-brain barrier, brain edema formation, and the intensity of local neutrophil infiltration. MCs were reported to play a role in the tissue plasminogen activator-mediated cerebral hemorrhages after experimental ischemic stroke, and to be involved in the expansion of hematoma and edema following intracerebral hemorrhage. Importantly, the MC-stabilizing drug cromoglycate inhibited MC-mediated adverse effects on brain pathology and improved survival of experimental animals. This brings us to a position to consider MC stabilization as a novel initial adjuvant therapy in the prevention of brain injuries in hypoxia-ischemia in new-borns, as well as in ischemic stroke and intracerebral hemorrhage in adults.     

Cementless Total Hip Arthroplasty With Modified Oblique Femoral Shortening Osteotomy in Crowe Type IV Congenital Hip Dislocation

Midterm results of cementless total hip arthroplasty in patients with Crowe type IV congenital dislocation of the hip were evaluated. A modified oblique subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy was used in all patients. A cylindrical femoral stem was used in all patients to stabilize the osteotomy. Mean follow-up was 82 months in 20 hips of 16 patients. Mean Merle D'Aubigné pain score increased from 2.52 to 5.65 points, function score improved from 4.0 to 5.3 points, and mobility score improved from 3.95 to 5.35. Mean greater trochanter height relative to the estimated hip center was 6.8 ± 2.0 cm preoperatively and − 1 ± 0.2 cm postoperatively. Complications were dislocations in 3 patients, which were successfully managed without redislocation and fracture of greater trochanter in 3 patients, which healed uneventfully in 2 but with residual Trendelenburg gait in one. Total hip arthroplasty with modified oblique subtrochanteric shortening osteotomy is an effective technique for the treatment for Crowe type IV hip dislocation.     

Selection of distal fusion level in terms of distal junctional kyphosis in Scheuermann kyphosis. A comparison of 3 methods

Objective

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of distal fusion level selection on the distal junctional kyphosis (DJK) in Scheuermann kyphosis (SK) patients who underwent posterior fusion.

Reimaging in pediatric blunt spleen and liver injury

Background

APSA guidelines do not recommend routine reimaging for pediatric blunt liver or spleen injury (BLSI). This study characterizes the symptoms, reimaging, and outcomes associated with a selective reimaging strategy for pediatric BLSI patients.

Is mechanical dispersion superior to global longitudinal strain in the assessment of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus?

The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging -     

tDCS combined with optokinetic drift reduces egocentric neglect in severely impaired post-acute patients

Visuospatial neglect is a disabling syndrome resulting in impaired activities of daily living and in longer durations of inpatient rehabilitation. Effective interventions to remediate neglect are still needed. The combination of tDCS and an optokinetic task might qualify as a treatment method. A total of 32 post-acute patients with left (n?=?20) or right-sided neglect were allotted to an intervention or a control group (both groups n?=?16). The intervention group received eight sessions of 1.5–2.0?mA parietal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) during the performance of an optokinetic task distributed over two weeks. Additionally they received standard therapy for five hours per day. The control group received only the standard therapy. Patients were examined twice before (with 3–4 days between examinations) and twice after treatment (5–6 days between examinations). Compared to the control group and controlling for spontaneous remission, the intervention group improved on spontaneous body orientation and the Clock Drawing Test. Intragroup comparisons showed broad improvements on egocentric but not on allocentric symptoms only for the intervention group. A short additional application of tDCS during an optokinetic task led to improvements of severe neglect compared to a standard neurological early rehabilitation treatment. Improvements seem to concern primarily egocentric rather than allocentric neglect.     

Effect of Solanum vegetables on memory index,redox status,and expressions of critical neural genes in Drosophila melanogaster model of memory impairment

Metabolic Brain Disease - African eggplant (Solanum macrocarpon L) (AE) and Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum L) (BN) leaves are green leafy vegetables with nutritional and ethnobotanical values. We...     

Effectiveness of posterior structures in the development of proximal junctional kyphosis following posterior instrumentation: A biomechanical study in a sheep spine model

IntroductionProximal junctional kyphosis – PJK has been defined by a 10 or greater increase in kyphosis at the proximal junction as measured by the Cobb angle from the caudal endplate of the uppermost instrumented vertebrae (UIV) to the cephalad endplate of the vertebrae 1 segments cranial to the UIV. In this biomechanical study, it is aimed to evaluate effects of interspinosus ligament complex distruption and facet joint degeneration on PJK development.Materials and methodsPosterior instrumentation applied between T2 – T7 vertebrae using pedicle screws to randomly selected 21 sheeps, divided into 3 groups. First group selected as control group (CG), of which posterior soft tissue and facet joints are protected. In second group (spinosus group, SG) interspinosus ligament complex which 1 segment cranial to UIV has been transected, and third group (faset group-FG) was applied facet joint excision. 25 N, 50 N, 100 N, 150 N and 200 N forces applied at frequency of 5 Hertz as 100 cycles axial to the samples. Then, 250 N, 275 N and 300 N forces applied static axially. Interspinosus distance, kyphosis angle and discus heights was measured in radiological evaluation. Abnormal PJK was defined by a proximal junctional angle greater than 10⁰ and at least 10⁰ greater than the corresponding preoperative measurement.ResultsIn CG group, average interspinosus distance was 6,6 $\pm$ 1.54 mm and kyphosis angle was 2,2 $\pm$ 0.46° before biomechanical testing, and they were measured as 9,4 $\pm$ 1.21 mm and 3,3 $\pm$0.44° respectively after forces applied to samples. In SG group, average interspinosus distance was 6,2 $\pm$ 1.72 mm and kyphosis angle was 2,7 $\pm$ 1.01° before experiment, and they were measured as 20,8 $\pm$ 5.66 mm and 15,1 $\pm$ 2.34° respectively after forces applied to samples. In FG group, average interspinosus distance was 4,8 $\pm$ 1.15 mm and kyphosis angle was ?1 $\pm$ 4.14° before experiment, and they were measured as 11,1 $\pm 1.96$mm and 11 $\pm$ 2.87° respectively after forces applied to samples. In comparison to group CG, statistically significant junctional kyphosis was seen on both FG and SG group after statistical analysis. (p < 0.05). PJK was seen statistically significant more on SG group than FG group. (p < 0.05). Not any statistically significant difference was seen on measurement of disk distances among three groups. (p > 0.05)ConclusionsProtecting interspinosus ligament complex and facet joint unity during posterior surgical treatment for spine deformation is vital to prevent PJK development. Based on our literature review, this is the first biomechanical study that reveals interspinosus ligament complex are more effective on preventing PJK development than facet joints.     

The relationship of age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity ındex and diurnal variation of blood pressure

Backgrounds: Charlson Comorbidity index (CCI) is a scoring system to predict prognosis and mortality. It exhibits better utility when combined with age, age-adjusted Charlson Comorbidity Index (ACCI). The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between ACCI and diurnal variation of blood pressure parameters in hypertensive patients and normotensive patients.

Methods: We enrolled 236 patients. All patients underwent a 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) for evaluation of dipper or non-dipper pattern. We searched the correlation between ACCI and dipper or non-dipper pattern and other ABPM parameters. To further investigate the role of these parameters in predicting survival, a multivariate analysis using the Cox proportional hazard model was performed.

Results: 167 patients were in the hypertensive group (87 patients in non-dipper status) and 69 patients were in the normotensive group (41 patients in non-dipper status) of all study patients. We found a significant difference and negative correlation between AACI and 24-h diastolic blood pressure (DBP), awake DBP, awake mean blood pressure (MBP) and 24-h MBP and awake systolic blood pressure(SBP). Night decrease ratio of blood pressure had also a negative correlation with ACCI (p = 0.003, r = ?0.233). However, we found a relationship with non-dipper pattern and ACCI in the hypertensive patients (p = 0.050). In multivariate Cox analysis sleep MBP was found related to mortality like ACCI (p = 0.023, HR = 1.086, %95 CI 1.012–1.165)

Conclusion: ACCI was statistically significantly higher in non-dipper hypertensive patients than dipper hypertensive patients while ACCI had a negative correlation with blood pressure. Sleep MBP may predict mortality.