Inflammatory biomarkers in blood of patients with acute brain ischemia

Although many failed surrogate markers are provided in the literature, inflammation may contribute to the outcome of ischemic stroke. In 50 consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke, in the absence of symptoms and signs of concomitant infection, we evaluated a panel of biomarkers reported to be variably associated with brain ischemia, and correlate their serum level with the brain lesion volume and clinical outcome. Infarct size was calculated on computed tomography (CT) scans by means of the Cavalieri's method. Neurological impairment was scored by using the Glasgow Coma Scale, Glasgow Outcome Scale and National Institutes of Health (NIH) scales at stroke onset and 3-month follow-up. Some markers showed a direct significant correlation with both initial and final NIH scale and with infarct size, particularly tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) (P=0.002), intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (P<0.01) and matrix metalloproteinase-2/9 (P=0.001). In contrast to previous reports, interleukin-6 (IL-6) serum level showed a significant inverse correlation with both final neurological impairment and infarct size (P<0.001). This novel finding allows us suggesting that IL-6, in the context of a complex pro-inflammatory network occurring during stroke, is associated with neuroprotection rather than neurotoxicity in patients with ischemic brain injury.     

The host age related occurrence of Alaria alata in wild canids in Latvia

Parasitology Research - The trematode Alaria alata has a complex life cycle in which carnivore mammals may become infected by feeding on mesocercariae-infected, second intermediate hosts or...     

Brief Report: Cognitive Performance in Autism and Asperger’s Syndrome: What are the Differences?

Autism spectrum disorders include autistic and Asperger’s Syndrome (AS), often studied in terms of executive functions (EF), with controversial results. Using Planning Attention Simultaneous Successive theory (PASS; Das et al. in Assessment of cognitive processes: the PASS theory of intelligence. Allyn and Bacon, Boston, MA, 1994), this research compares the cognitive profiles obtained by the Cognitive Assessment System (CAS; Naglieri and Das in Cognitive assessment system. Riverside, Itasca, IL, 1997) of 15 subjects with typical development, 18 with autistic disorder and 20 with AS. Results highlight lower profiles for children with autistic and AS compared with typical development and even lower Planning and Attention processes for the group with autistic disorders than that with Asperger’s. Subjects with Asperger’s diagnosis do not differ from those with typical development as regards Simultaneous and Successive processes. Results are discussed in the light of current studies about EF.     

Old and new synthetic cannabinoids: lessons from animal models

Abstract

Synthetic cannabinoids have long been studied for their therapeutic potentials. However, during the last decade, new generations of synthetic cannabinoid agonists appeared on the drug market. These new psychoactive substances are currently sold as ‘marijuana-like’ products as they claim to mimic the effects of the psychoactive component of cannabis, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Yet, their effects are more intense and potent than THC, typically last longer and are often associated to serious psychiatric consequences. Animal models of drug addiction are frequently used in preclinical research to assess the abuse potential of new compounds, evaluate drug positive reinforcing effects and analyze drug-induced behaviors. Some of these protocols have been used recently to study the newly synthesized cannabinoid agonists and have started elucidating their pharmacology and actions in the brain. The aim of this review is to summarize the major findings reported by animal studies that tested synthetic cannabinoids of first, second, and third generation by using self-administration and reinstatement models, drug discrimination and conditioned place preference procedures. Altogether, behavioral studies clearly indicate that synthetic cannabinoids possess abuse liability, are likely to activate the brain reward circuit and induce positive subjective and reinforcing effects.     

Phosphodiesterase 4D and 5-lipoxygenase activating protein genes and risk of ischemic stroke in Sardinians

Genetic factors contribute to the risk of ischemic stroke (IS). The phosphodiesterase-4D (PDE4D) and the 5-lipoxygenase activating protein (ALOX5AP) genes were identified as contributors to stroke in an Icelandic population. In an attempt to better define the contributory role of PDE4D and ALOX5AP genes to the risk of IS in humans, we carried out the present association study in a well-characterized, earlier published, genetically homogenous population from the island of Sardinia, Italy. In this cohort, including 294 cases and 235 controls, age, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and atrial fibrillation represent risk factors for IS. The PDE4D gene was evaluated by four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP32, SNP45, SNP83, SNP87) and by the microsatellite AC008818-1; the ALOX5AP gene was characterized by three SNPs (SG13S32, SG13S89, ALO2A). The results of our study provide no evidence of association between any single PDE4D and ALOX5AP gene variant with the risk of IS in the Sardinian cohort. Haplotype analysis, including that constructed with allele 0 of microsatellite AC008818-1 and SNP45 of the PDE4D gene, was also negative. In conclusion, we found no evidence of association between PDE4D and ALOX5AP genes and the risk of IS in a genetically homogenous population from Sardinia.     

Long‐term treatment with the oncolytic ECHO‐7 virus Rigvir of a melanoma stage IV M1c patient,a small cell lung cancer stage IIIA patient,and a histiocytic sarcoma stage IV patient‐three case reports

Oncolytic virotherapy is a recent addition to cancer treatment. Here, we describe positive treatment outcomes in three patients using Rigvir virotherapy. One of the patients is diagnosed with melanoma stage IV M1c, one with small cell lung cancer stage IIIA, and one with histiocytic sarcoma stage IV. The diagnoses of all patients are verified by histology or cytology. All patients started Rigvir treatment within a few months after being diagnosed and are currently continuing Rigvir treatment. The degree of regression of the disease has been determined by computed tomography. Safety assessment of adverse events graded according to NCI CTCAE did not show any value above grade 1 during Rigvir^® treatment. Using current standard treatments, the survival of patients with the present diagnoses is low. In contrast, the patients described here were diagnosed 3.5, 7.0, and 6.6 years ago, and their condition has improved and been stabile for over 1.5, 6.5, and 4 years, respectively. These observations suggest that virotherapy using Rigvir can successfully be used in long‐term treatment of patients with melanoma stage IV M1c, small cell lung cancer stage IIIA, and histiocytic sarcoma stage IV and therefore could be included in prospective clinical studies.