Serum Coenzyme Q10 Is Associated with Clinical Neurological Outcomes in Acute Stroke Patients

Disruption of prooxidant-antioxidant balance may lead to oxidative stress which is known as a mechanism contributing to ischemic stroke. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an endogenous antioxidant that could be effective in preventing oxidative stress. However, the contribution of serum levels of CoQ10 in clinical neurological outcomes following ischemic stroke has not been clearly established. This study aims at measuring serum concentration of CoQ10 along with major indicators of antioxidant and oxidant among patients within 24 h after onset of the stroke symptoms, and investigating their relation with the clinical status of patients. Serum levels of CoQ10, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in 76 patients and 34 healthy individuals. Severity of the neurological deficit, functional disability, and cognitive status in ischemic subjects were respectively studied with the National Institutes of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin Scale (MRS), and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Stroke patients had significantly lower serum level of CoQ10 and SOD as compared to controls (27.34?±?35.40 ng/ml, 18.58?±?0.76 μ/ml, respectively; p?<?0.05), whereas the serum MDA level was significantly higher (38.02?±?2.61 μm, p?<?0.05). A significant negative correlation was detected between the serum CoQ10 level and scores of NIHSS and MRS. A similar association was discerned between the SOD level and the neurological deficit score. The serum MDA level was also found to be strongly correlated with all three neurological scales. These findings suggest that the serum level of CoQ10 like other antioxidant and oxidant markers can significantly change early after ischemic stroke and they are substantially associated with clinical neurological outcomes.     

双眼屈光不正性弱视和远视的相关性研究

目的：探讨在远视、眼正位儿童中双眼屈光不正性弱视与远视患病率的关系。方法：选取56例两眼对称远视儿童,平均年龄5.5岁,分为两组,双眼远视≤＋4.0D等效球镜组和双眼远视〉＋4.0D等效球镜组。评估两组双眼屈光不正性弱视的患病率,并进行比较。结果：在32例双眼远视≤＋4.0D等效球镜组中,4例（13%）患双眼屈光不正性弱视;24例双眼远视〉＋4.0D等效球镜组中,15例（63%）患双眼屈光不正性弱视。统计学分析显示两组双眼屈光不正的儿童中弱视患病率有显著性差异（P〈0.01）。结论：双眼屈光不正性弱视在双眼远视的儿童中并不罕见,尤其是当远视度数大于＋4.0D等效球镜时。基于本次调查,双眼远视〉＋4.0D的儿童有13%～63%发展成两眼屈光不正性弱视。由此说明远视〉＋4.0D的儿童患两眼屈光不正性弱视的几率较大。     

Isolation of a lytic bacteriophage against extensively drug‐resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections and its dramatic effect in rat model of burn infection

Objectives Acinetobacter Baumannii is an opportunistic nosocomial pathogen belonging to the Moraxellaceae family. The emergence of multidrug resistant strains of this pathogen caused many problems for hospitals and patients. The aim of the current study was to isolate, identify, and morphologically, physiologically, and in vivo analyze a new lytic bacteriophage targeting extensively drug‐resistant (XDR) A. baumannii.Materials and MethodsDifferent wastewater samples were tested for isolation of lytic bacteriophage against 19 A. baumannii isolates obtained from patients hospitalized in a hospital in Arak, Iran, from January 2019 to March 2019. The phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of A. baumannii strains (resistance genes including: adeA, adeB, adeC, adeR, adeS, ISAba1, blaOXA‐23, blaOXA‐24) were analyzed. The isolated phage characteristics including adsorption time, pH and thermal stability, host range, one‐step growth rate, electron microscopy examination, and therapeutic efficacy of the phage were also investigated. Therapeutic efficacy of the phage was evaluated in a rat model with burn infection of XDR A. baumannii. The lesion image was taken on different days after burning and infection induction and was compared with phage untreated lesions.ResultsThe results showed unique characteristics of the isolated phage (vB‐AbauM‐Arak1) including high specificity for Acinetobacter baumannii, stability at a relatively wide range of temperatures and pH values, short adsorption time, short latent period, and large burst size. In relation to the therapeutic efficacy of the phage, the lesion area decreased in phage‐treated groups over 14 days than in those untreated, significantly (p < 0.05).ConclusionOur findings demonstrated that isolated lytic phage was able to eliminate burn infections caused by XDR A. baumannii in a rat model. So, it may be recommended as alternative options toward to developing a treatment for extensively drug resistant Acinetobacter infections.     

Injectable soft tissue filler infection with a similar appearance to an odontogenic abscess

Infection of an injectable soft tissue filler may involve fascial spaces and appears similar to an odontogenic abscess. This case report addresses a 32‐year‐old female patient with facial swelling who was referred to the department of endodontics for the treatment of a suspected odontogenic infection.     

Follow‐up of 25 patients with treatable ataxia: A comprehensive case series study

Autosomal recessive cerebellar ataxias are a group of heterogeneous early‐onset progressive disorders that some of them are treatable. We performed a 4‐year follow‐up for 25 patients who had treatable ataxia. According to our study, patients would benefit from early detection of treatable ataxia, close observation, and follow‐up.     

Insights on Mpox virus infection immunopathogenesis

An immunocompromised status has been associated with more odds of being infected with Mpox virus (MPXV) and progressing to severe disease. This aligns with the importance of immune competence for MPXV control and clearance. We and others have previously reviewed parallels between MPXV and other viruses belonging to the Poxviridae in affecting the immune system. This article reviews studies providing direct evidence of the MPXV-immune interactions. The wide-ranging effects of MPXV on the immune system, from stimulation to modulation to memory, are broadly categorised, followed by a detailing of these effects on the immune cells and molecules, including natural killer cells, macrophages, neutrophils, lymphocytes, cytokines, interferons, chemokines, and complement.     

Bell's palsy after Sputnik V COVID‐19 (Gam‐COVID‐Vac) vaccination

A possible association between Bell''s palsy and COVID‐19 vaccination has been suggested previously. Here, we report two cases of facial nerve hemiparalysis following the Sputnik V COVID‐19 vaccination in a 27‐year‐old female patient and a 58‐year‐old male patient who were both clinically diagnosed with Bell''s palsy.