Video-assisted swallowing therapy for patients with Parkinson's disease

BackgroundConventional swallowing therapy for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and swallowing difficulties has poor carryover to everyday life. Herein, we test the effectiveness of visual information while treating swallowing disturbances in patients with PD.MethodsForty two non-demented PD patients with swallowing disturbances were randomly divided into two groups. An experimental group received video-assisted swallowing therapy (VAST) and a control group (n = 21) was given conventional therapy. Both groups were given 6 interventional sessions by the same speech and swallowing therapist. Patients in the VAST group were exposed to video of the swallowing process in general as well as of their own, as part of all therapy sessions. Swallowing function was assessed before and post-intervention by fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES). Quality of life, quality of care and the degree of pleasure from eating were also assessed by questioners pre and post-intervention.ResultsThere was a significant improvement in swallowing functions following both interventions. The FEESs demonstrated a significantly greater reduction in food residues in the pharynx in the VAST group compared to the conventional treatment group. There were significant group improvement in some parameters of the quality of life, quality of care and pleasure of eating scales.ConclusionIn cognitively intact patients with PD with swallowing disturbances VAST was associated with improved swallowing related QOL and less food residues in the pharynx.     

Absolute and relative temporal order memory for performed activities following stroke

Reconstructing the temporal order of events is a crucial part of episodic memory. The temporal dimension, however, is often discarded in clinical settings, and measurements of true temporal aspects of episodic memory are scarce. The present study assessed temporal memory in stroke patients and in age- and education-matched healthy controls. Both groups underwent a standardized neuropsychological examination. We asked participants afterwards to reconstruct the order of tests they had performed, measured in absolute temporal order (event placed on correct moment in sequence) and relative temporal order (event placed correctly relative to directly preceding and following events). The aim of the study was to examine how serial-position curve effects (measuring absolute temporal order anchored in exact time) and how relative temporal order memory (anchored to other events) may differ in a group of cerebral stroke patients. Another aim was to link temporal order memory deficits with established neuropsychological measures of cognitive functioning. Although item identification was comparable in both groups, absolute temporal order memory was impaired in patients: A total of 43% of the patients lacked the expected primacy and recency effects (serial position effect). In addition, relative temporal order memory was affected in this group as well, F(1, 70) = 4.08, p < .05; 25% of the patients were impaired in reconstructing the relative temporal order (p = .019, Fisher’s Exact Test). Both absolute and relative temporal order memory performance related to the domains of executive functioning and memory. Our results suggest that it is important to test both absolute and relative temporal order memory, especially because these types of memory depend on different anchors, either on time or on adjacent events.     

Hyperpolarized product selective saturating‐excitations for determination of changes in metabolic reaction rates in real‐time

Investigation of hyperpolarized substrate metabolism has been showing utility in real‐time determination of in‐cell and in vivo enzymatic activities. Intracellular reaction rates may vary during the course of a measurement, even on the very short time scales of visibility on hyperpolarized MR, due to many factors such as the availability of the substrate and co‐factors in the intracellular space. Despite this potential variation, the kinetic analysis of hyperpolarized signals typically assumes that the same rate constant (and in many cases, the same rate) applies throughout the course of the reaction as observed via the build‐up and decay of the hyperpolarized signals. We demonstrate here an acquisition approach that can null the need for such an assumption and enable the detection of instantaneous changes in the rate of the reaction during an ex vivo hyperpolarized investigation, (i.e. in the course of the decay of one hyperpolarized substrate dose administered to a viable tissue sample ex vivo). This approach utilizes hyperpolarized product selective saturating‐excitation pulses. Similar pulses have been previously utilized in vivo for spectroscopic imaging. However, we show here favorable consequences to kinetic rate determinations in the preparations used. We implement this acquisition strategy for studies on perfused tissue slices and develop a theory that explains why this particular approach enables the determination of changes in enzymatic rates that are monitored via the chemical conversions of hyperpolarized substrates. Real‐time changes in intracellular reaction rates are demonstrated in perfused brain, liver, and xenograft breast cancer tissue slices and provide another potential differentiation parameter for tissue characterization.     

Picosecond 532-nm neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser—a promising modality for the management of verrucous epidermal nevi

The verrucous epidermal nevus (VEN) is the most common type of epidermal nevi. As lesions can be disfiguring, treatment is often sought. Many therapeutic approaches have been reported, with variable efficacy and safety. Picosecond (PS) lasers are novel laser devices designated to target small chromophores. A side effect of these lasers is blistering due to epidermal-dermal separation. We aimed to harness this side effect of the PS lasers to treat patients with VEN. The purpose of this study was to report our experience treating VEN using a PS 532-nm laser. We present a retrospective case series of six patients with large VEN who were treated using a PS 532-nm laser (2–6 treatments, 8–10 weeks apart). Response in clinical photographs was assessed by two independent dermatologists and graded on a scale of 0 (exacerbation) to 4 (76–100% improvement). Patient satisfaction was recorded on a scale of 1–5. All patients demonstrated significant improvement. Average improvement was 3.7 on the quartile scale of improvement. Patient satisfaction rate averaged 4.7. The PS 532-nm laser is a promising novel modality for the treatment of large VEN.     

Iatrogenic forearm compartment syndrome in a cardiac intensive care unit induced by brachial artery puncture and acute anticoagulation

A previously healthy patient developed late compartment syndrome in the cardiac intensive care unit after a brachial artery puncture due to acute heparinization after successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) and stent implantation. The cardiologists recognized the problem and immediately consulted an orthopedic surgeon, who promptly performed surgery. The latter consisted of decompression and fasciotomy. The patient recovered excellent hand function without any neurologic or muscular deficits. Knowledge and understanding of the clinical aspects of this complication are crucial in this devastating syndrome.     

The association between systolic blood pressure reduction during clonidine suppression testing and the decrease in plasma catecholamines and metanephrines

Borderline isolated norepinephrine (NE) and normetanephrine (NMT) elevation is common among patients with suspected pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma (PPGL). The clonidine suppression test (CST) may help establish the etiology in these cases. Prolonged laboratory processing and/or paucity of reliable biochemical assays may limit the utility of CST. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether blood pressure (BP) reduction during CST is associated with alterations in plasma NMT/NE, thereby potentially providing an immediate indication of CST results. In this cross‐sectional study, the authors included all consecutive patients with suspected PPGL who underwent CST from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2019. Linear regression models were conducted to evaluate the association between BP reduction and decrease in plasma NMT/NE. The final analysis included 36 patients (17 males). The decrease in systolic BP (SBP) 90 minutes postclonidine was associated with a decrease in plasma NMT (R = 0.668, P = .025) and NE (R = 0.562, P = .005). A 40% decrease in NMT and NE correlated with a 9.74% and 7.16% decrease in SBP, respectively. Subgroup analyses demonstrated that the association between SBP reduction and the decrease in plasma NMT (R = 0.764, P = .046) and NE (R = 0.714, P = .003) strengthens among patients with hypertension and among those with diabetes mellitus (R = 0.974, P = .026 for NMT). In conclusion, SBP reduction during CST is associated with plasma NMT and NE decrease. Therefore, the decrease in SBP 90 minutes postclonidine may serve as an immediate complementary clinical tool for PPGL diagnosis.     

Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment following the first demyelinating event suggestive of multiple sclerosis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) has been reported to reduce disease activity in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. We assessed the effect of IVIg treatment in patients after the first neurological event suggestive of demyelinative disease and evaluated the occurrence of a second attack and dissemination in time demonstrated by brain magnetic resonance imaging within the first year from onset. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study in 91 eligible patients enrolled within the first 6 weeks of neurological symptoms. Patients were randomly assigned to receive IVIg treatment (2-g/kg loading dose) or placebo, with boosters (0.4 g/kg) given once every 6 weeks for 1 year. Neurological and clinical assessments were done every 3 months, and brain magnetic resonance imaging was performed at baseline and the end of the study. RESULTS: The cumulative probability of developing clinically definite multiple sclerosis was significantly lower in the IVIg treatment group compared with the placebo group (rate ratio, 0.36 [95% confidence interval, 0.15-0.88]; P = .03). Patients in the IVIg treatment group had a significant reduction in the volume and number of T2-weighted lesions and in the volume of gadolinium-enhancing lesions as compared with the placebo group (P = .01, P = .01, and P = .03, respectively). Treatment was well tolerated, compliance was high, and incidence of adverse effects did not differ significantly between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment for the first year from onset of the first neurological event suggestive of demyelinative disease significantly lowers the incidence of a second attack and reduces disease activity as measured by brain magnetic resonance imaging.     

Sleep-wake patterns in children with intrauterine growth retardation

The purpose of this study was to characterize the sleep patterns of children with intrauterine growth retardation, known to be at risk for neurodevelopmental disorders, and seek a possible correlation with behavior, concentration, and attention problems. The sleep patterns of 26 children with intrauterine growth retardation aged 4 to 7 years were compared with those of 47 control children using activity monitors (actigraphs). In addition, data were collected from the parents regarding sleep habits, behavior, concentration, and attention. Children with intrauterine growth retardation aged 4 to 7 years were found to have a tendency toward poorer quality of sleep than their matched controls. This inclination was statistically significant only for one sleep measure, the true sleep time. A tendency toward increased fragmentation of sleep, prolonged waking, and decreased sleep efficiency, although not statistically significant in this study, was demonstrated. Our results showed that 58% of the children with intrauterine growth retardation, compared with 40% of the children in the control group, could be defined as "poor sleepers" (sleep efficiency lower than 90% or three or more waking episodes per night). This disturbed sleep profile is probably an integral part of the neurodevelopmental profile typical of these at-risk children. No significant correlations were found between sleep quality and behavior, concentration, and attention problems.     

A chimeric peptide composed of a dermaseptin derivative and an RNA III-inhibiting peptide prevents graft-associated infections by antibiotic-resistant staphylococci

Staphylococcal bacteria are a prevalent cause of infections associated with foreign bodies and indwelling medical devices. Bacteria are capable of escaping antibiotic treatment through encapsulation into biofilms. RNA III-inhibiting peptide (RIP) is a heptapeptide that inhibits staphylococcal biofilm formation by obstructing quorum-sensing mechanisms. K(4)-S4(1-13)(a) is a 13-residue dermaseptin derivative (DD(13)) believed to kill bacteria via membrane disruption. We tested each of these peptides as well as a hybrid construct, DD(13)-RIP, for their ability to inhibit bacterial proliferation and suppress quorum sensing in vitro and for their efficacy in preventing staphylococcal infection in a rat graft infection model with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) or S. epidermidis (MRSE). In vitro, proliferation assays demonstrated that RIP had no inhibitory effect, while DD(13)-RIP and DD(13) were equally effective, and that the chimeric peptide but not DD(13) was slightly more effective than RIP in inhibiting RNA III synthesis, a regulatory RNA molecule important for staphylococcal pathogenesis. In vivo, the three peptides reduced graft-associated bacterial load in a dose-dependent manner, but the hybrid peptide was most potent in totally preventing staphylococcal infections at the lowest dose. In addition, each of the peptides acted synergistically with antibiotics. The data indicate that RIP and DD(13) act in synergy by attacking bacteria simultaneously by two different mechanisms. Such a chimeric peptide may be useful for coating medical devices to prevent drug-resistant staphylococcal infections.