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Semin Neurol 2018 Dec 6;38(6):627-633. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Neurology, University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, The State University of New York, Buffalo, New York.

Headache is a neurologic disorder that displays gender dichotomy. It is well established that there is a strong link between migraine headache and sex hormones, specifically estrogen, which influences the severity of migraines during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause. Furthermore, the epidemiology of headaches during pregnancy and the postpartum period is very distinct from that in males or nonpregnant females, in part due to the hemodynamic and hematologic changes that occur during pregnancy. Read More

Am Heart J 2018 Oct 25;208:11-20. Epub 2018 Oct 25.

Department of Cardiology, Flinders Medical Centre, Adelaide, Australia; College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia. Electronic address:

Background: Elevated troponin level findings among patients presenting with suspected acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or another intercurrent illness undeniably identifies patients at increased risk of mortality. Whilst enhancing our capacity to discriminate risk, the use of high-sensitivity troponin assays frequently identifies patients with myocardial injury (i.e. Read More

Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2018 Dec 1;176:47-52. Epub 2018 Dec 1.

Department of Neurosurgery, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Objectives: Suboccipital decompressive craniectomy (SDC) is considered the best treatment option in patients with space-occupying cerebellar infarction and clinical signs of deterioration. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate long-term functional outcome in patients one year after SDC for space-occupying cerebellar infarction, and secondly, to determine factors associated with outcome.

Patients And Methods: All patients treated with SDC due to space-occupying cerebellar infarction between January 2009 and October 2015 were included in the study. Read More

Atherosclerosis 2018 Nov 23;280:147-154. Epub 2018 Nov 23.

Department of Anesthesiology, Shuan Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan; Department of Anesthesiology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan; Department of Anesthesiology, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Health Policy Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Background And Aims: The risk of stroke in epileptic patients and the impact of epilepsy history on stroke patients' outcome have not been studied completely. Our purpose is to evaluate whether patients with epilepsy have increased risk of stroke or post-stroke mortality.

Methods: In Study I, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of 6746 patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy and 26,984 persons without epilepsy between 2000 and 2008, in the database of National Health Insurance in Taiwan. Read More

World Neurosurg 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Department of Neurosurgery, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.

Background: Plaque characteristics play pivotal roles in ischemic events, but stenosis severity does not accurately reflect carotid plaque volume due to expansive remodeling in some patients with low-grade stenosis (LGS).

Objective: This study aimed to assess the safety, efficacy, and durability of carotid endarterectomy (CEA) for symptomatic LGS.

Methods: Study participants comprised 61 consecutive patients who underwent CEA for symptomatic carotid stenosis. Read More

Heart Rhythm 2018 Nov 19. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Section of Cardiac Pacing and Electrophysiology, Heart and Vascular Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH. Electronic address:

Background: The Watchman™ device (Boston Scientific, MN), used for left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) was approved for stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and an appropriate rationale to avoid long-term oral anticoagulation. Patients with AF and prior intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) were excluded from clinical trials due to perceived risks of peri-operative anticoagulation.

Objective: We studied the efficacy and safety of LAAC using Watchman™ in patients with AF and prior ICH. Read More

Gene 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Unidad de Investigación Médica en Trombosis, Hemostasia y Aterogénesis, H.G.R. No 1. Dr. "Carlos Mac Gregor Sánchez Navarro" Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Gabriel Mancera No. 222, Colonia Del Valle, CP 03100 Ciudad de México, Mexico.

Objective: The renin-angiotensin system (RAS) is a hormonal signaling mechanism implicated in the atherosclerosis and regulation of blood pressure. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) a key enzyme in the RAS, plays important roles in vascular remodeling atherosclerosis, and ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to examine the possible contribution of the I/D in the ACE gene, M235T and T174M in the angiotensinogen (AGT) gene polymorphisms with ischemic stroke in young Mexican population. Read More

Exp Neurol 2018 Dec 3. Epub 2018 Dec 3.

Cellular Neurobiology Laboratories, The Salk Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA.

Ischemic stroke is an acute neurodegenerative disease that is extremely devastating to patients, their families and society. Stroke is inadequately treated even with endovascular procedures and reperfusion therapy. Using an extensive translational screening process, we have developed a pleiotropic cytoprotective agent with the potential to positively impact a large population of brain ischemia patients and revolutionize the process used for the development of new drugs to treat complex brain disorders. Read More

Diabetes Metab Res Rev 2018 Dec 6:e3111. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Leicester Diabetes Centre, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK.

Aims: Diabetes treatment algorithms recommend intensive intervention in those with a shorter duration of disease. Screening provides opportunities for earlier multifactorial cardiovascular risk factor control. Using data from the ADDITION-Leicester study (NCT00318032), we estimated the effects of this approach on modelled risk of diabetes related complications in screen-detected patients. Read More

Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018 Nov 30;11:CD003177. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, UK, NR4 7TJ.

Background: Researchers have suggested that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from oily fish (long-chain omega-3 (LCn3), including eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)), as well as from plants (alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)) benefit cardiovascular health. Guidelines recommend increasing omega-3-rich foods, and sometimes supplementation, but recent trials have not confirmed this.

Objectives: To assess effects of increased intake of fish- and plant-based omega-3 for all-cause mortality, cardiovascular (CVD) events, adiposity and lipids. Read More

PLoS One 2018 6;13(12):e0208824. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.

Objectives: To quantify changes in anticoagulant use in Australia since the introduction of Non-vitamin K antagonist anticoagulants (NOACs) and to estimate government expenditure.

Design: Interrupted-time-series analysis quantifying anticoagulant dispensing, before and after first Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) NOAC listing in August 2009 for venous thromboembolism prevention; and expanded listing for stroke prevention in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) in August 2013, up to June 2016. Estimated government expenditure on PBS-listed anticoagulants. Read More

PLoS One 2018 6;13(12):e0208398. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Neuroepidemiology, Beijing Neurosurgical Institute, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Stroke is a serious threat to human health that often leads to severe complications, and currently ranks first as leading cause of death in China. However, reliable data on stroke burden in China in the 21st century are lacking. We used the data from NESS-China (National Epidemiological Survey of Stroke in China) for assessing the adverse health effects of stroke in Chinese population. Read More

PLoS One 2018 6;13(12):e0208127. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Queen Margaret University, Centre of Health, Activity and Rehabilitation Research, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.

Background: Stage 5 chronic kidney disease patients on haemodialysis (HD) often present with dizziness and pre-syncopal events as a result of the combined effect of HD therapy and cardiovascular disease. The dysregulation of blood pressure (BP) during orthostasis may be implicated in the aetiology of falls in these patients. Therefore, we explored the relationship between baroreflex function, the haemodynamic responses to a passive orthostatic challenge, and falls in HD patients. Read More

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2018 Dec 7;67(48):1342-1346. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Exposure to secondhand smoke from burning tobacco products can cause sudden infant death syndrome, respiratory infections, ear infections, and asthma attacks in infants and children, and coronary heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer in adult nonsmokers (1). There is no risk-free level of secondhand smoke exposure (2). CDC analyzed questionnaire and laboratory data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to assess patterns of secondhand smoke exposure among U. Read More

Rom J Intern Med 2018 Dec 1. Epub 2018 Dec 1.

TOBB Economy and Technology University, Cardiology Department, Ankara, Turkey.

Background: Platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) has been demonstrated as an risk and prognostic marker in many of cardiovascular diseases. Relationship between PLR and severity of carotid stenosis has been shown. The aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between PLR and all cause mortality in patients with carotid arterial disease. Read More

Aging Ment Health 2018 Dec 6:1-11. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

a Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, Faculty of Brain Sciences , University College London , London , UK.

Objective: The objectives of this systematic review were to: 1) understand how people living with dementia are involved in making decisions; 2) explore the different decisional styles and domains of decision-making that people living with dementia experience and 3) identify what influences the level of decisional involvement of people living with dementia.

Methods: A systematic review of literature identified studies from Medline, PsycINFO, HAPI and CINAHL databases. Search terms related to decision-making and dementia. Read More

G Ital Cardiol (Rome) 2018 Dec;19(12):714-720

Background: We sought to evaluate the epidemiology and the management of ST-elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI) in the Veneto Region (VENERE 2) in 2014, 10 years after a similar survey conducted in the early 2000s.

Methods: Between October 2014 and March 2015, all consecutive patients admitted to the Cardiology Divisions of the Veneto Region with STEMI were enrolled in an observational, prospective, multicenter register, called VENERE 2. The main diagnostic and therapeutic efficiency indicators were analyzed and compared with data from the previous VENERE study performed 10 years earlier. Read More

J Cardiovasc Nurs 2019 Jan/Feb;34(1):9-10

Anne M. Fink, PhD, RN, FAHA Assistant Professor, College of Nursing, University of Illinois at Chicago. Ruth E. Taylor-Piliae, PhD, RN, FAHA Associate Professor, College of Nursing, University of Arizona, Tucson.

Cardiol Rev 2018 Dec 4. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Division of Cardiology, New York Medical College/Westchester Medical Center, Valhalla, NY.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a substantially higher risk of thromboembolism, particularly stroke events, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Oral anticoagulation (OAC), while effective in reducing embolic events in AF patients, is associated with an increased bleeding risk. Thus, not all patients with AF are candidates for OAC and some are only candidates for OAC in the short term. Read More

Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2018 Dec 6;12:CD010284. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Cochrane Singapore, Singapore Clinical Research Institute, Nanos Building #02-01, 31 Biopolis Way, Singapore, Singapore, 138669.

Background: Traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM) is widely used for treating vascular dementia (VaD) in China. Recent studies of a number of TCHMs have demonstrated in vitro biological activity and therapeutic effects in animals, but the published clinical evidence has not been systematically appraised.

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of TCHMs listed in either the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (CP) or the Chinese National Essential Drug List (NEDL) that are used to treat VaD. Read More

Acta Bioeng Biomech 2018 ;20(4):107-113

Department of Physical Medicine, Medical University of Lodz, Łódź, Poland.

Purpose: Upper limb impairment in the early phase of brain stroke is one of the key problems in rehabilitation. An estimation of muscle force can be a helpful factor for functional improvement after a stroke. The primary goals of this study were to determine the muscles with the lowest force in the affected (A) and non-affected (non-A) upper limb. Read More

Can J Neurol Sci 2018 Dec 6:1-7. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary,University of Alberta,Edmonton, Alberta,Canada.

Background: Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) is a disease of abnormal vasculature where patients are predisposed to strokes of multiple etiologies. We assessed yearly stroke incidence among Albertans with HHT and compared with the general population. Given the tendency for stroke in HHT patients, we expected HHT patients to have higher stroke incidence, in particular at younger ages. Read More

Curr Neuropharmacol 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Laboratorio de Citoarquitectura y Plasticidad Neuronal, Instituto de Investigaciones Cardiológicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Buenos Aires. Argentina.

Hypoxic-ischemic brain injury is a complex network of factors, which is mainly characterized by a decrease in levels of oxygen concentration and blood flow, which lead to an inefficient supply of nutrients to the brain. Hypoxic-ischemic brain injury can be found in perinatal asphyxia and ischemic-stroke, which represent one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity in children and adults worldwide. Therefore, knowledge on underlying mechanisms triggering these insults may help establish neuroprotective treatments. Read More

Stroke 2018 Jan;49(Suppl_1):A79

Univ of Vermont, Burlington, VT.

Background: Acute blood pressure (BP) elevation in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is common, yet the link with collateral circulation remains elusive due to lack of longitudinal data on premorbid hypertension (HTN) and serial BP changes within an individual. Precision medicine for AIS and management of HTN requires an understanding of collateral circulation.

Methods: The Interventional Management of Stroke III angiography core lab prospectively evaluated collateral circulation utilizing the ASITN scale prior to endovascular therapy. Read More

Stroke 2018 Jan;49(Suppl_1):A4

Dept of Neurology, Danville, PA.

Introduction: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are increasingly being administered for atrial fibrillation and stroke prevention. The risk of symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation (sHT) following intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) among stroke patients who take DOACs is not clear.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of literature through six different resources-PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Clinicaltrial. Read More

J Am Heart Assoc 2017 Dec;6(12):e004193

Cell Transplant 2018 Dec 6:963689718816990. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

1 Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Discipline of Neuroscience, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Stroke is the result of blockage or rupture of blood vessels in the brain and is the leading cause of death and disability in the world. Currently only a very limited number of therapeutic approaches are available for treatment of stroke patients, and the vast majority of neuroprotective agents that tested positively in pre-clinical studies failed in clinical trials. In recent years, the clinical value of the use of exosomes for stroke treatment has received widespread attention due their unique characteristics such as low immunogenicity, low toxicity and biodegradability, ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and their important role in communication between cells. Read More

Angiogenesis 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 6309 MBRB, Chapel Hill, NC, 27599-7545, USA.

Vascular dysfunction contributes to the progression and severity of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Patients with AD also sustain larger infarctions after ischemic stroke; however, the responsible mechanisms are unknown. Pial collaterals are the primary source of protection in stroke. Read More

Neuroradiology 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

ITAB-Institute of Advanced Biomedical Technologies, University "G. D'Annunzio" Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.

Purpose: To investigate modifications of Magnetic Resonance Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) and Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI) metrics in lateral white matter (WM) bundles of the cervical spinal cord in patients with previous stroke in the vascular territory of the middle cerebral artery (MCA).

Methods: Twenty consecutive patients with a previous ischemic stroke of the MCA territory and a varying degree of upper motor impairment were enrolled. DKI was centered at the C3C4 and C5C6 intervertebral level. Read More

Chin J Integr Med 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Collaborative Innovation Center for Rehabilitation Technology, Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Fuzhou, 350122, China.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of tai chi exercise on cardiac and static lung function for older community-dwelling adults at risk of ischemic stroke.

Methods: A total of 170 older community-dwelling adults (aged 55-75 years old) at risk of ischemic stroke were allocated to either tai chi training group (85 cases, five 60-min sessions of tai chi training per week for 12 weeks) or control group (85 cases, usual pbysical activity for 12 weeks) using a computer-generated randomization. The echocardiographic parameters of cardiac structure, cardiac function and static lung function were measured at baseline, after 12 weeks of intervention and additional 12-week follow-up period by a blinded professional staffmember using a color Doppler ultrasound imaging device or a cardiopulmonary function instrument. Read More

Dig Dis Sci 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Gastroenterology, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, 10595, USA.

Background: Gastrointestinal hemorrhage (GIH) is reported to occur in 1-8% of patients admitted with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). AIS is considered to be a relative contraindication to GIE.

Aims: Evaluate the outcomes of gastrointestinal endoscopy (GIE) in patients hospitalized with AIS and GIH. Read More

Heart Vessels 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine II, Kansai Medical University, 2-5-1, Shin-machi, Hirakata, 573-1010, Osaka, Japan.

Diastolic wall strain (DWS) was reported as a simple and feasible echocardiographic index in assessing left ventricular (LV) diastolic stiffness. We sought to evaluate whether DWS predicts age-related cardiovascular events. Patients referred for transthoracic echocardiogram, those with preserved LV ejection fraction and no clinical heart failure were studied. Read More

Neurosci Bull 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.

We have previously reported that Cystatin C (CysC) is a pivotal mediator in the neuroprotection induced by hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) preconditioning; however, the underlying mechanism and how CysC changes after stroke are not clear. In the present study, we demonstrated that CysC expression was elevated as early as 3 h after reperfusion, and this was further enhanced by HBO preconditioning. Concurrently, LC3-II and Beclin-1, two positive-markers for autophagy induction, exhibited increases similar to CysC, while knockdown of CysC blocked these elevations. Read More

Neurocrit Care 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Cerebrovascular Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.

Background: The radiographic appearance of infectious intracranial aneurysms (IIAs) of infective endocarditis (IE) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain is varied. We aimed to describe the IIA-specific MRI features in a series of patients with IIAs.

Methods: Records of patients with active IE who had digital subtraction angiography (DSA) at a tertiary medical center from January 2011 to December 2016 were reviewed. Read More

Herz 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Heart Center & Beijing Key Laboratory of Hypertension, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, 8 Gongren Tiyuchang Nanlu, Chaoyang District, 100020, Beijing, China.

Background: Inflammation plays a key role in the progression of atrial fibrillation and its related prothrombotic state. The platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is an easily obtainable biomarker of inflammatory burden. Decreased left atrial appendage flow velocity (LAA-FV) reflects blood stasis, and left atrial strain is a manifestation of atrial remodeling. Read More

Brain Neurosci Adv 2018 ;2:2398212818810689

Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.

Since the inception of the British Neuroscience Association, there have been major advances in our knowledge of the mechanistic basis for stroke-induced brain damage. Identification of the ischaemic cascade led to the development of hundreds of new drugs, many showing efficacy in preclinical (animal-based) studies. None of these drugs has yet translated to a successful stroke treatment, current therapy being limited to thrombolysis/thrombectomy. Read More

Open Med (Wars) 2018 19;13:551-555. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Division of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Acute Medicine, Nihon University School of Medicine, 30-1 Oyaguchi Kamimachi, Itabashi-ku, Tokyo Japan.

Many reports focus on the probability of intracranial hemorrhage as a complication after recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) therapy. However, thromboembolic complications are not well discussed. We experienced a case in which severe thromboembolic complications occurred in the right radial and right ulnar artery. Read More

Biomed Res Int 2018 4;2018:2439312. Epub 2018 Nov 4.

Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Sahmyook University, Republic of Korea.

Background: The monitoring and rehabilitation of pulmonary function can be immensely important for long-term performance of daily life activities in stroke patients. In recent times, smartphone game-based assessment (SGA) has been gaining in popularity as an alternative to laboratory assessments. Hence, the aims of this study were (1) to quantify the reliability and validity of SGA for pulmonary function and (2) to assess the validity of SGA in comparison to spirometry. Read More

World J Methodol 2018 Nov 29;8(3):40-43. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand.

Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is useful for investigation of intracranial arterial blood flow and can be used to detect a real-time embolic signal. Unfortunately, artefacts can mimic the embolic signal, complicating interpretation and necessitating expert-level opinion to distinguish the two. Resolving this situation is critical to achieve improved accuracy and utility of TCD for patients with disrupted intracranial arterial blood flow, such as stroke victims. Read More

IEEE J Transl Eng Health Med 2018 18;6:2101009. Epub 2018 Oct 18.

Industrial Design DepartmentEindhoven University of Technology5612AZEindhovenThe Netherlands.

The objective is to evaluate to which extent that a garment equipped with sensors that can support posture monitoring can be used in upper extremity rehabilitation training of stroke patients. Seventeen stroke survivors (mean age: 55 years old, SD =13.5) were recruited in three hospitals in Shanghai. Read More

Rehabil Res Pract 2018 4;2018:6183654. Epub 2018 Nov 4.

State University of Piauí, Department of Physical Therapy, Teresina, PI, Brazil.

Background/aim: To evaluate, in this pilot study, the effects of the mirror (MT) and vibration therapies (VT) on the functionality of hemiparesis patients after stroke.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-one individuals after stroke with upper limb hemiparesis were randomized into control group (CG), Mirror Therapy Group (MTG), and Vibration Therapy Group (VTG). The functionality was evaluated before and after 12 sessions with three tests (i) Mobility Index Rivermead, (ii) Motor Function Wolf Test (time, functional ability), and (iii) Jebsen Taylor Test. Read More

Front Neurol 2018 21;9:988. Epub 2018 Nov 21.

Department of Neurology, Kyung Hee University Hospital, Seoul, South Korea.

Some patients with acute stroke symptoms do not show hyperintensities on diffusion-weighted image (DWI). A few case reports have indicated that acutely developed cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) might cause focal symptoms. This study sought to investigate the incidence and characteristics of symptomatic CMBs in the patients with acute stroke symptoms but without DWI ischemic lesions. Read More

Case Rep Neurol 2018 Sep-Dec;10(3):322-327. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Department of Neurology, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Bucheon, Republic of Korea.

Cerebral ischemia may be rarely associated with a hypoplastic vertebrobasilar system. Intracranial lipoma is also a very rare congenital malformation. We report the case of a 52-year-old woman with vertebrobasilar transient ischemic attack associated with basilar artery hypoplasia and coincidental intracranial lipoma. Read More

Front Neurosci 2018 21;12:833. Epub 2018 Nov 21.

Department of Neurology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.

Silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (Sirt1), a nicotine adenine dinucleotide (NAD)-dependent enzyme, is well-known in playing a part in longevity. Ischemic stroke is a major neurological disorder and is a leading cause of death and adult disability worldwide. Recently, many studies have focused on the role of Sirt1 in ischemic stroke. Read More

Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2018 8;11:717-728. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Beirut Arab University, Beirut, Lebanon,

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic noncommunicable disease characterized by hyperglycemia and is associated with chronic complications affecting the overall quality of life. As of 2017, the prevalence of diabetes in Lebanon is estimated to be 14.6%. Read More

Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2018 13;14:3073-3080. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK.

Background: Poststroke depression (PSD) is the most common and important neuropsychiatric consequences of stroke, which can result in longer hospital stay, compromise the effectiveness of rehabilitation, and reduce the patients' quality of life. However, Iranian studies have reported different and conflicting prevalence rates for PSD.

Objective: The present systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the overall prevalence of PSD in Iranian patients. Read More

Sci Rep 2018 Dec 5;8(1):17656. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Institute of Physiology I/Neurophysiology, Jena University Hospital - Friedrich Schiller University Jena, Jena, Germany.

The tachykinin substance P (SP) increases neuronal excitability, participates in homeostatic control, but induces brain oedema after stroke or trauma. We asked whether SP is able to induce cortical spreading depression (CSD) which often aggravates stroke-induced pathology. In anesthetized rats we applied SP (10, 10, 10, or 10 mol/L) to a restricted cortical area and recorded CSDs there and in remote non-treated areas using microelectrodes. Read More

Int J Obes (Lond) 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA.

Objective: To describe the relationship between metabolic health parameters and depressive symptoms and perceived stress, and whether the co-occurrence of these two psychological stressors has an additive influence on metabolic dysregulation in adults at different levels of body mass index (BMI) without diabetes.

Methods: Participants without diabetes (N = 20,312) from the population-based REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study (recruited between 2003-2007) who had a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 18.5 kg/m were included in this cross-sectional analysis. Read More

J Hum Hypertens 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

3rd Department of Internal Medicine, Hypertension-24h Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring Center, Papageorgiou General Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers are drugs commonly used for the treatment of hypertension. However, studies on their comparative efficacy have not been extensively investigated. The current systematic review and network meta-analysis studied the comparative efficacy of the two antihypertensive treatment categories in reducing blood pressure, mortality, and morbidity in essential hypertension patients. Read More