Neuroinflammatory Response and Redox-regulation Activity of Hyperoside in Manganese-induced Neurotoxicity Model of Wistar Rats.

BACKGROUND: Excessive manganese exposure can lead to neurotoxicity with detrimental effects on the brain. Neuroinflammatory responses and redox regulation play pivotal roles in this process. Exploring the impact of hyperoside in a Wistar rat model offers insights into potential neuroprotective strategies against manganese-induced neurotoxicity. OBJECTIVE: The study investigated the neuroprotective efficacy of hyperoside isolated from the ethanol leaf extract of Gongronema latifolium (HELEGL), in the brain tissue of Wistar rats following 15 consecutive days of exposure to 30 mg/L of MnCl2. METHODS: Control animals in Group 1 had access to regular drinking water, while animals in groups 2-4 were exposed to MnCl2 in their drinking water. Groups 3 and 4 also received additional HELEGL at doses of 100 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg of body weight, respectively. In Group 5, HELEGL at a dose of 100 mg/kg of body weight was administered alone. Treatment with HELEGL commenced on day 8 via oral administration. RESULTS: HELEGL effectively mitigated MnCl2-induced memory impairment, organ-body weight discrepancies, and fluid intake deficits. Exposure to MnCl2 increased the activities or levels of various markers such as acyl peptide hydrolase, tumour necrosis factor-α, dipeptidyl peptidase IV, nitric oxide, IL-1ß, prolyl oligopeptidase, caspase-3, myeloperoxidase, H2O2, and malondialdehyde, while it decreased the activities or levels of others, including AChE, BChE, DOPA, serotonin, epinephrine, norepinephrine, GST, GPx, CAT, SOD, GSH, and T-SH (p < 0.05). In contrast, HELEGL effectively counteracted the adverse effects of MnCl2 by alleviating oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, mitochondrial dysfunction, cognitive deficits, and bolstering the antioxidant status. Moreover, HELEGL restored the normal histoarchitecture of the brain, which had been distorted by MnCl2. CONCLUSION: In summary, HELEGL reversed the causative factors of neurodegenerative diseases induced by MnCl2 exposure, suggesting its potential for further exploration as a prospective therapeutic agent in the management of Alzheimer's disease and related forms of dementia.

Bilateral simultaneous thalamic hematomas - Unusual presentation of intracerebral hemorrhage: A case report.

Background: Bilateral symmetrical simultaneous thalamic hemorrhages are extremely rare. Case presentation: A 52-year-old female patient with a history of untreated hypertension, ischemic heart disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus was admitted with somnolence, disorientation, 3/5 right-sided hemiparesis and blood pressure of 200/110 mmHg. Cranial CT scan showed bilateral thalamic hemorrhages, with bilateral intraventricular propagation and subarachnoid component along the frontal, parietal and occipital lobes. CT angiography did not show any source of bleeding or cerebral vein or sinus thrombosis. Coagulation laboratory parameters were in normal range.The patient was treated with a combination of intravenous and oral antihypertensive medication; five days later she become normotensive with improving motor function but was still somnolent.Six weeks later she was fully alert, motor functions continued to improve, but had severe cognitive deficit. Repeated neuropsychological assessment showed a slow and moderate improvement of a major neurocognitive impairment. At discharge her Mini Mental State Examination score was 13/30 and Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination III score was 42/100.Cranial MRI scan eight weeks later depicted subacute-chronic stages of the bilateral hemorrhages, regression of perifocal edema, cerebral microbleeds in the left external capsule and the pons.At discharge after 2 months, she was alert, had no focal neurological signs, but was unable to care for herself due to lack of motivation, spatial and temporal disorientation and severe cognitive deficit. Conclusion: Simultaneous bilateral thalamic hemorrhages are extremely rare, the most commonly observed symptom is cognitive impairment. Our case was caused by hypertensive crisis, but in the differential diagnosis, sinus thrombosis, hemorrhagic transformation of ischemic stroke and various hemophilias should be considered.

Attenuation of Seizures, Cognitive Deficits, and Brain Histopathology by Phytochemicals of Imperata cylindrica (L.) P. Beauv (Poaceae) in Acute and Chronic Mutant Drosophila melanogaster Epilepsy Models.

Imperata cylindrica is a globally distributed plant known for its antiepileptic attributes, but there is a scarcity of robust evidence for its efficacy. The study investigated neuroprotective attributes of Imperata cylindrica root extract on neuropathological features of epilepsy in a Drosophila melanogaster mutant model of epilepsy. It was conducted on 10-day-old (at the initiation of study) male post-eclosion bang-senseless paralytic Drosophila (parabss1) involved acute (1-3 h) and chronic (6-18 days) experiments; n = 50 flies per group (convulsions tests); n = 100 flies per group (learning/memory tests and histological examination). Administrations were done in 1 g standard fly food, per os. The mutant flies of study (parabss1) showed marked age-dependent progressive brain neurodegeneration and axonal degeneration, significant (P < 0.05) bang sensitivity and convulsions, and cognitive deficits due to up-regulation of the paralytic gene in our mutants. The neuropathological findings were significantly (P < 0.05) alleviated in dose and duration-dependent fashions to near normal/normal after acute and chronic treatment with extract similar to sodium valproate. Therefore, para is expressed in neurons of brain tissues in our mutant flies to bring about epilepsy phenotypes and behaviors of the current juvenile and old-adult mutant D. melanogaster models of epilepsy. The herb exerts neuroprotection by anticonvulsant and antiepileptogenic mechanisms in mutant D. melanogaster due to plant flavonoids, polyphenols, and chromones (1 and 2) which exert antioxidative and receptor or voltage-gated sodium ion channels' inhibitory properties, and thus causing reduced inflammation and apoptosis, increased tissue repair, and improved cell biology in the brain of mutant flies. The methanol root extract provides anticonvulsant and antiepileptogenic medicinal values which protect epileptic D. melanogaster. Therefore, the herb should be advanced for more experimental and clinical studies to confirm its efficacy in treating epilepsy.

Relationship between mechanism underlying electro-acupuncture-induced improvement of postoperative cognitive dysfunction and mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis in hippocampal neurons of aged rats / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective To evaluate the the relationship between the mechanism underlying electroacupuncture (EA)-induced improvement of postoperative cognitive dysfunction and mitochondrion-depend-ent apoptosis in hippocampal neurons of aged rats.Methods Seventy-two healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats,aged 18 months,weighing 500-550 g,were divided into 3 groups (n =24 each) using a random number table method:control group (group C),operation group (group O) and group EA.EA was performed at Baihui and Dazhui acupoints for 30 min using disperse-dense waves,with a frequency 2/15 Hz and intensity 1 mA,once a day for 5 consecutive days in group EA.Laparotomy was performed under 3％sevoflurane anesthesia after the end of EA stimulation in O and EA groups.Morris water maze test was performed on 1 day before operation and 3 and 7 days after operation to assess the cognitive function.Rats were sacrificed after the end of Morris water maze test,brains were removed,and hippocampal tissues were obtained for detection of apoptosis rate of hippocampal neurons and expression of hippocampal caspase-3 and cytochrome c (Cyt c) by Western blot.Results Compared with group C,the escape latency was significantly prolonged after operation,the frequency of crossing the original platform was reduced,the apoptotic rate of hippocampal neurons was increased,and the expression of caspase-3 and Cyt c was up-regulated in O and A groups (P＜0.05).Compared with group O,the escape latency was significantly shortened after operation,the frequency of crossing the original platform was increased,the apoptotic rate of hippocampal neurons was decreased,and the expression of caspase-3 and Cyt c was down-regulated in EA group (P＜0.05).Conclusion The mechanism by which EA improves postoperative cognitive dysfunction may be related to inhibiting mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis in hippocampal neurons of aged rats.

Effect of transversus abdominis plane block on postoperative cognitive function in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia / 中华麻醉学杂志

Objective To evaluate the effect of transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block on postoperative cognitive function in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia.Methods Forty-eight male patients undergoing laparoscopic tension-free repair of inguinal hernia under general anesthesia,aged 65-75 yr,of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅱ or Ⅲ,with body mass index of 20-28 kg/m2,were divided into 2 groups (n =24 each) using a random number table method:TAP block combined with general anesthesia group (group TG) and general anesthesia group (group G).Anesthesia was induced with midazolam,cisatracurium besylate,sufentanil and etomidate,and the patients were mechanically ventilated after laryngeal mask airway insertion.TAP block was performed through the anterior superior iliac spine approach,and 0.25％ ropivacaine 30 ml was injected in group TG.Anesthesia was maintained by target-controlled infusion of propofol and remifentanil and muscle relaxation by intravenously injecting cisatracurium.The occurrence of cerebral regional oxygen saturation (rSO2) and low rSO2 events (rSO2 ＜60％) was recorded at 1 min before anesthesia induction (T0),5 min after inserting the laryngeal mask airway (T1),at skin incision (T2),30 min after skin incision (T3),and at the end of surgery (T4).The consumption of propofol and remifentanil was recorded during surgery.Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was used to evaluate the cognitive function of patients at 1 day before surgery and 7 days after surgery,and the development of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD,MoCA scores＜ 26) was recorded.Results Compared with group G,the intraoperative consumption of propofol and remifentanil was significantly reduced,rSO2 was increased at T2~,and the incidence of low rSO2 events was decreased,MoCA scores were increased at 7 days after surgery,and the incidence of POCD was decreased in group TG (P＜0.05).Conclusion TAP block can reduce the incidence of POCD in elderly patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery under general anesthesia.

Selective inhibition of endothelin receptor A improves white matter le-sions in hypertensive rats / 中国病理生理杂志

AIM:To observe whether selective inhibition of endothelin receptor A(ETRA)improves white matter lesions(WMLs),and explore the mechanism.METHODS:Sprague-Dawley rats(n=33)were randomly divided into sham operation group(n=9),treatment group[stroke-prone renovascular hypertensive rats-modified 2 vessel occlu-sion(RHRSP-modified 2VO)+ambrisentan(n=12)]and placebo group[RHRSP-modified 2VO +vehicle(n =12)].Drug and vehicle administration was performed from 17th to 20th week and monitoring of systolic arterial pressure was performed weekly.Morris water maze test was conducted to evaluate the function of cognition.The protein levels of en-dothelin-1(ET-1)in the cortex,corpus callosum and caudate putamen were quantitatively analyzed respectively.The se-verity of WMLs and the relationship between ET-1 and vessels were observed by the method of histopathology.RESULTS:The difference of systolic arterial pressure between treatment group and placebo group was not significant.The animals in treatment group exhibited shorter escape latency(P<0.05),more times of crossing platform(P<0.05), lower level of ET-1 in corpus callosum and caudate putamen(P<0.05),respectively,improved WMLs severity(P<0.05)and lower binding level of ET-1 to vessels compared with the placebo group.CONCLUSION: Selective inhibition of endothelin receptor A improves the severity of WMLs and ameliorates the cognitive function.

Relationship between plasma tau protein , p-tau protein and cognitive function in elderly patients with global brain atrophy / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Objective To investigate the relationship between plasma tau protein, phosphorylated tau protein (p-tau) protein and cognitive function in subjects with generalized brain atrophy. Methods A total of 100 subjects with moderate and severe brain atrophy were divided into two groups according to cognitive function: normal group (n=50 cases) and dementia group (n=50 cases). And their gender, age, educational level, etc. are recorded. The tau protein and p-tau protein content in plasma were measured by double antibody sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The differences between plasm tau and p-tau protein expression and their relationship with cognitive function were analyzed. Results Plasma tau protein and p-tau protein levels were significantly higher (P<0.05) in the dementia group [(210.92±43.79)pg/mL、(81.15±16.85)pg/mL] than in the normal group[(210.92±43.79)pg/mL、(81.15±16.85)pg/mL]. Plasma tau protein and p-tau protein levels were negatively correlated with the MMSE score (P<0.05) and had no significant correlation with the degree of brain atrophy (P>0.05). Conclusion Cognitive impairment may be associated with elevated tau protein levels in patients with extensive brain atrophy.

The role of frontal lobe functional rating score in identifying two subtypes of vascular cognitive impairment / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To compare 6 sub-function scale differences of frontal lobe function rating scale or a Frontal Assessment Battery(FAB)among patients with two subtypes of vascular cognitive impairment(VCI) to provide clues for the distinctive intervention and disease prevention and control of patients with two subtypes.Methods Totally 220 non-dementia vascular cognitive impairment (NDVCI)patients and 68 patients with vascular dementia(VaD)with final diagnosis were selected.The overall function and six sub-function scores were tested by FAB.Analyzing the score difference and probing a progress tendency from NDVCI to VaD were performed.Results The scores of frontal lobe function rating scale were higher in NDVCI(14.0 ± 2.8)than in VaD (9.5±2.0) patients with significant difference(t =29.92,P =0.00).The scales of frontal lobe function rating score of conceptualization ability (t =6.24,P =0.00),intelligence flexibility (t =7.00,P =0.00),antiinterference ability(t =7.21,P =0.00) and attention suppression(t =5.32,P =0.00) were lower in VaD group than in NDVCI group.The conceptualization weight capacity was significantly lower in VaD group than in NDVCI group(0.04 versus 0.32).Conclusions During a transitive process from NDVCI to VaD,it is important to focus on the mutation and deterioration of conceptualization capacity.

Impact of delirium on weaning from mechanical ventilation in medical patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Delirium is an important predictor of negative clinical outcomes in intensive care unit (ICU), including prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV). However, delirium has not yet proven to be directly linked to weaning difficulties. The objective of this cohort study was to evaluate the association between delirium, as observed on the day of the weaning trial, and subsequent weaning outcomes in medical patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis with prospectively collected data on weaning from mechanical ventilation (MV) and delirium, as assessed by bedside ICU nurses using the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM-ICU) between October 2011 and September 2013. RESULTS: During the study period, a total of 393 patients with MV support underwent a spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) according to the standardized protocol. Of these patients, 160 (40.7%) were diagnosed with delirium on the day of the first SBT. Patients without delirium were more successfully extubated than those with delirium (81.5% vs 69.4%, P = 0.005). Delirium was found to be associated with final weaning outcomes, including difficult (OR 1.962, 95% CI 1.201-3.205) and prolonged weaning (OR 2.318, 95% CI 1.272-4.226) when simple weaning was used as a reference category. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, delirium was still significantly associated with difficult weaning (adjusted OR 2.073, 95% CI 1.124-3.822), but not with prolonged weaning (adjusted OR 2.001, 95% CI 0.875-4.575). CONCLUSION: Delirium, as assessed by the CAM-ICU at the time of first weaning trial, was significantly associated with weaning difficulties in medical patients.

Research on characteristics of resting-state functional connectivity strengths in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment / 中华放射学杂志

Objective To explore a new index for reflecting the topological information of brain functional networks in patients at high risk of Alzheimer disease using characteristics of resting-state functional connectivity strengths(FCS) in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment(aMCI). Methods Thirty-one aMCI patients and 42 age, gender and years of education matched normal controls were enrolled between September 2009 and April 2011 in this study. The resting-state functional MRI (rs-fMRI) data of all participants were acquired and preprocessed. Then the whole-brain functional connectivities were constructed for exploring the distribution characteristics of hub regions which had higher FCS values. Using two-sample t test to compare group differences in age, years of education and each neuropsychological assessment. In addition, using Chi-squared test to compare group differences in gender. Group differences in FCS values were analyzed by general linear model. Finally, correlation analyses were used to evaluate the relationships between the FCS values of the brain regions with group differences and behavioral scores in aMCI patients. Results The hub regions of the functional networks in the aMCI patients were mainly located in the association cortices such as the precuneuses, posterior cingulate cortices, medial prefrontal cortices, angular gyri, superior occipital gyri, fusiform gyri and lingual gyri. The distribution models in the aMCI patients were consistent with those in the normal controls. However, the FCS values of these brain regions were significantly lower in the aMCI patients than those in the normal controls. In comparison to the normal controls, the aMCI patients had significantly decreased FCS values in the bilateral fusiform gyri, lingual gyri, superior occipital gyri, left middle occipital gyrus and postcentral gyrus (the cluster was 389, 230, 187 and 107 voxels, respectively;P<0.05, respectively), and they had decreased trends of FCS values in the bilateral posterior cingulate cortices and right insulas. The correlation analysis with uncorrected conditions showed that the FCS values of the left postcentral gyri were correlatid with the clock drawing test (CDT) scores (r=0.436, P=0.026). Conclusions aMCI mainly attacks the hub regions of brain functional networks. The changes of functional connectivities in aMCI may reflect the early pathophysiologic alterations of AD.

Alleviating simulator sickness with galvanic cutaneous stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: In a driving simulation, we investigated the efficacy of galvanic cutaneous stimulation (GCS) provided during curves or intermittently during the whole circuit to mitigate simulator syndrome (SS). BACKGROUND: The literature on how GCS decreases SS, although scarce, has demonstrated the effectiveness of this technique. Stimulation with this and similar techniques has usually been provided in curves or continuously during the whole circuit but never intermittently. This stimulation method could generate a continued activation of processes related to GCS mitigating SS. METHOD: Fifteen drivers (8 men; mean age = 25.5 years) participated in this experiment. We compared the total scores of the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) across three stimulation conditions: (a) curve GCS condition, whereby GCS was provided in curves; (b) intermittent GCS condition, whereby GCS was provided intermittently during the whole circuit; and (c) no-stimulation condition, whereby no stimulation was provided (baseline condition). RESULTS: The experimental outcomes revealed that GCS decreased SS in both the curve and intermittent stimulation conditions. CONCLUSION: We provide evidence that GCS is an effective countermeasure to decrease SS. It could be applied indifferently in curves or intermittently during the whole circuit. APPLICATION: For future interventions, we recommend the use of GCS to mitigate SS with similar intermittent stimulation programs. These programs have a crucial advantage as they are easily integrated into the simulator setup without the necessity of generating a complicated experimental design to stimulate during the curves.

Dexmedetomidine on cognitive function of elderly patients who underwent hip orthopedic surgery / 天津医药

Objective To observe the effect of a variety dosage of dexmedetomidine on circulatory and cognitive func?tions in elderly patients who underwent hip orthopedic surgery. Methods A total of 120 patients who underwent hip ortho?pedic surgery, with age over 65 years old were recruited from 06/2013 to 09/2014 and were administered intravenously dex?medetomidine after epidural anesthesia. Based on the dosage of dexmedetomidine, patients were randomly divided into 3 groups with 40 cases in each group:Group A were given 0.2μg·h-1·kg-1 dexmedetomidine;Group B were given dexmedeto?midine 0.4μg · h-1 · kg-1, and group C were given 0.6μg · h-1 · kg-1. The heart rate (HR),mean arterial pressure (MAP), and pulse oxygen saturation (SpO2) were recorded at 6 time points, including the time entering operating room (T0), 10 min (T1), 20 min (T2) after drug administration, the time of drug withdrawal (T3), 10 min after drug withdrawal (T4) and the terminal time of surgery (T5) respectively. Cognitive function was evaluated by mini-mental state examination (MMSE) at the time points of 24 hours before surgery (t1), 12 hours (t2), 24 hours (t3), and 72 hours (t4) after surgery. Results All 3 groups of pa?tients show no significant difference of MAP, HR and SpO2 at T0 (P>0. 05).A significant decrease in MAP and HR were ob?served in Group C at T2 and T3 time points compared to those in Group A or Group B (P 0.05). However, compared to that in group A or group C, MMSE increased significantly at time point T2, T3 in group B (P<0.05). In addition, compared to group A or group C, the pa?tients in group B exhibited lower incidence of postoperative cognitive function disorder (P < 0.05). Conclusion Continu?ous intravenous infusion of Dexmedetomidine can be used in elderly patient who underwent hip orthopedic surgery at the dose of 0.4μg·h-1·kg-1 safely with little interference to circulatory and cognitive function in perioperative period.

Impact of family support improvement behaviors on anti diabetic medication adherence and cognition in type 2 diabetic patients.

BACKGROUND: Glycaemic control is the main goal of treatment for type 2 diabetic patients. Hyperglycaemia may result in cognitive decline. More family support may increase medication adherence and decrease glycaemic level. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of family support improvement behavior on anti diabetic medication adherence and cognition in type 2 diabetic patients. METHOD: The randomized control trial study was conducted on 91 patients from an outpatient diabetes clinic. They were randomly divided to intervention (n = 45) and control (n = 46) group. Data on the patients' demographic information and their family gathered using a questionnaire, For two groups Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS), drug administration part of Diabetes Social Support Questionnaire - family version (DSSQ), Number Connection Test (NCT) were applied and hemoglobin A1C was measured two times in the onset of study and three months later for control group and before and after intervention for intervention group. The key family members of the intervention group were taught according to their educational needs in small groups. RESULT: In intervention group mean of NCT score was significantly decreased after intervention (P = 0.006) however in the control group there was no significant difference after three months. In intervention group a significant correlation was noted between DSSQ scores and MMAS scores after intervention(r =0.67, P < 0.001) but, there was no significant correlation in the control group. CONCLUSION: Family support instruction based on the educational needs of family members, may improve medication adherence through direct effect and cognitive status with indirect effect.

Relationship between the changes of cognitive function and the expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 10 in hippocampus of diabetic rats / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objective To observe changes of cognitive function and the expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α),interleukin 10(IL-10) in hippocampus of diabetic rats,and assess the role of inflammation in the possible pathogenesis of diabetic encephalopathy (DE).Methods 30 male SD rats were randomly divided into control group and diabetes mellitus group.After 4 weeks of feeding high fat diet,diabetes mellitus group according to 30mg/kg injected with streptozotocin to establish type 2 diabetic rat model.At the end of the experiment,cognition were evaluated using water maze test.The concentration of beta-amyloid(Aβ) in hippocampus of diabetic rats were detected through enzyme linked immunosorbent assay,and the expression of TNF-α,IL-10 were detected by Western blotting.The expression of Aβ,TNF-α,IL-10 were observed through immunohistochemistry.Results Time spent in the target quadrant in diabetes mellitus group was shorter than that in control group ((38.21± 3.68)s vs (42.10±2.62)s,t=3.105,P＜0.01).The frequency of crossing original platform site was less than that in control group((2.62±0.77) vs(3.69±0.95),t=3.184,P＜0.01).Compared with control group the expression of Aβ,TNF-α were higher(BothP＜0.01),and IL-10 were lower(P＜0.01)in diabetes mellitus group.The positive expression of Aβ,TNF-α were obviously and IL-10 were less obviously observed in diabetes mellitus group according to immunohistochemistry.Conclusion The cognitive decline in diabetic rats is possibly related to inflammatory cytokines expressing out of balance.

Encephalomyelopathy associated with HTLV-I a primary disease or coexisting with multiple sclerosis / Encefalomielopatia associada ao HTLV-I: doença primária ou coexistência com esclerose múltipla

HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (HAM/TSP) is the most common neurological manifestation of HTLV-I, causing progressive weakness, sensory disturbance, and sphincter dysfunction. Although motor disorders have been well described, few studies have associated cognitive disorders and HTLV-I infection. In areas endemic for HTLV-I infection, the differential diagnosis between HAM/TSP and other myelopathy etiologies can be difficult, particularly if the patient has signs and symptoms of brain involvement, since seropositive HTLV-I patients can present other neurological diseases. Here, we report one case initially diagnosed as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) which, upon further investigation, was found to be HTLV-I seropositive.

HTLV-I causando fraqueza progressiva, alterações de sensibilidade e disfunção esfincteriana. As alterações motoras são bem descritas, mas ainda são poucos os estudos que examinam a possibilidade de ocorrência de transtornos cognitivos na infecção pelo HTLV-I. Em áreas endêmicas para o HTLV-I, o diagnóstico diferencial com outras causas de mielopatias pode ser difícil, particularmente se o paciente tem sinais e sintomas de acometimento encefálico, já que a sorologia positiva para o HTLV-I pode ser detectada em pacientes com outras doenças neurológicas. Aqui relata-se o caso de uma paciente inicalmente diagnosticada com Esclerose Múltipla e que, na investigação posterior, foi encontrado soropositividade para HTLV-I.

Encephalomyelopathy associated with HTLV-I a primary disease or coexisting with multiple sclerosis?

HTLV-I-associated myelopathy (HAM/TSP) is the most common neurological manifestation of HTLV-I, causing progressive weakness, sensory disturbance, and sphincter dysfunction. Although motor disorders have been well described, few studies have associated cognitive disorders and HTLV-I infection. In areas endemic for HTLV-I infection, the differential diagnosis between HAM/TSP and other myelopathy etiologies can be difficult, particularly if the patient has signs and symptoms of brain involvement, since seropositive HTLV-I patients can present other neurological diseases. Here, we report one case initially diagnosed as Multiple Sclerosis (MS) which, upon further investigation, was found to be HTLV-I seropositive.

A mielopatia associada ao HTLV­I (HAM/TSP) é a manifestação neurológica mais frequente do HTLV-I causando fraqueza progressiva, alterações de sensibilidade e disfunção esfincteriana. As alterações motoras são bem descritas, mas ainda são poucos os estudos que examinam a possibilidade de ocorrência de transtornos cognitivos na infecção pelo HTLV-I. Em áreas endêmicas para o HTLV-I, o diagnóstico diferencial com outras causas de mielopatias pode ser difícil, particularmente se o paciente tem sinais e sintomas de acometimento encefálico, já que a sorologia positiva para o HTLV-I pode ser detectada em pacientes com outras doenças neurológicas. Aqui relata-se o caso de uma paciente inicalmente diagnosticada com Esclerose Múltipla e que, na investigação posterior, foi encontrado soropositividade para HTLV-I.

Comparison and application of three visual rating scales for white matter lesions in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment / 中华老年医学杂志

Objective To compare the clinical value of three visual rating scales (VRS) for white matter lesions (WML) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Methods Totally 184 subjects (including 107 AD patients,47 MCI patients and 30 normal controls)were recruited.All subjects underwent comprehensive neuropsychological tests and were examined with a standard protocol of MR imaging.WML burden was rated with the Age-Related White Matter Changes (ARWMC) rating scale,Cholinergic Pathways Hyperintensities Scale (CHIPS) and Fazekas scale.Consistence of the three rating scales were analyzed,and detection results of WML in AD/ MCI/NC group with the three rating scales were compared.The relationship between WML and cognitive function in AD and MCI groups were explored.Results ARWMC rating scale,CHIPS and Fazekas scales were moderately to highly correlated with WML (r=0.61-0.78,all P＜0.01).ARWMC showed that WML were in the left and right frontal lobes in AD and MCI groups and in the right frontal lobe and left temporal lobe in NC group,which had significant differences (F=4.20,4.69,4.69,3.36,respectively,all P＜0.05).WML in the left temporal lobe had a significant difference between MCI group and NC group (F=3.36,P＜0.05).CHIPS showed that WML in the front left side of centrum semiovale in AD and MCI groups had significant difference as compared with that in NC group (F=4.88,P＜0.05),and WML in the rear right side of low external capsule had a significant difference between AD and NC groups (F=3.04,P＜0.05).Fazekas scale showed that there was no difference in WML among AD,MCI and NC groups.ARWMC showed that scores of WML in right temporal lobe were positively correlated with concentration and visual construction,and bilateral basal ganglia were negatively correlated with the concentration.Fazekas scale showed that scores of WML in periventricular were negatively correlated with concentration,MMSE and orientation,scores of WML in deep white matter were negatively correlated with concentration,abstraction and judgment,and the whole scores were negatively correlated with concentration.CHIPS showed that the scores of WML in the rear left side of low external capsule were negatively correlated with short-term memory in MCI group.Conclusions The three rating scales well consistent with each other.ARWMC rating scale and CHIPS can detect the differences in WML between AD,MCI and NC groups.The scores of CHIPS in WML are related with cognition in MCI group,while scores of ARWMC and Fazekas scale in WML are correlated with many aspects in cognitive function in AD group.In general speaking,CHIPS in MCI patients and ARWMC rating scale in AD patients show more advantages in the detection of WML and have better correlation with cognitive function.

Screening effects of Montreal Cognitive Assessment for sepsis associated encephalopathy / 中华全科医师杂志

A total of 192 patients with sepsis were tested by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) for a preliminary diagnosis of whether or not there was sepsis associated encephalopathy (SAE) according to their test results.SAE was diagnosed or excluded after consultations and comprehensive analysis on the basis of clinical manifestations and auxiliary examination results.The scores of the patients in this group were (25.7 ± 3.3) points.The sensitivity of MoCA for screening SAE was 0.776 and its specificity 0.963.The rate of diagnostic coincidence between MoCA and comprehensive analysis for SAE was 0.880.The diagnostic concordance between two diagnostic methods of SAE was excellent (kappa value =0.753 ± 0.048,P =0.000).The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of MoCA for screening SAE was 0.929 ± 0.019 (P =0.000) ; the optimal cutoff value was 25.5 points; and its sensitivity was 0.779 and specificity 0.962.And negative correlations existed between score of MoCA and age,disease course and co-existing shock or multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (P ＜ 0.05).

The reliability and validity of Chinese version of AD8 / 中华内科杂志

Objective To examine the validity and reliability of the application of Chinese version of AD8 among patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD),and to explore the discriminative properties of AD8 including score boundaries,sensitivity and specificity in differentiating AD and normal controls.Methods A total of 240 subjects were recruited,including 75 cognitively intact subjects as normal control and 165patients with AD.Normal control and patients with AD were assessed with Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR),Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE),and Clock Drawing Test (CDT).All informed normal controls and informants of patients with AD were asked about Chinese version of AD8,among which,158informants of patients with AD received AD8 examination again.Results (1) The Cronbach alpha for Chinese version of AD8 was 0.78.The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of retest reliability was 0.96(P ＜ 0.01).(2) The correlation coefficients between each item of AD8 ranged from 0.36 to 0.69(P＜ 0.01).Chinese version of AD8 total scores were strongly positively correlated with CDR global score (r =0.82,P ＜ 0.01),and CDR-SB(r =0.80,P ＜ 0.01),and negatively correlated with the total score of MMSE (r =-0.75,P ＜0.01)and CDT(r =-0.53,P ＜0.01).(3) For discrimination between normal controls and patients with AD,the AUC was 0.93.Using a cutoff of 2 or greater on Chinese version of AD8 to discriminate dementia,the sensitivity was 93.9％,and specificity was 76.0％.Conclusion Chinese version of AD8 is a brief and sensitive screening measure with good validity and reliability.