Journal of the neurological sciences
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The aim of this study is to assess the prognostic value of systemic inflammation, as measured by the inflammatory biomarkers PCT and Hs-CRP, to predict the long-term mortality in ischemic stroke patients. ⋯ Serum levels of PCT and HS-CRP at admission were independent predictor of long-term mortality after ischemic stroke in a Chinese sample.
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The ultra-short-acting mu-opioid receptor (MOR) agonist remifentanil induces postoperative hyperalgesia both in preclinical and clinical research studies. However, the precise mechanisms remain unclear, although changes in opioid receptor expression might be a correlative feature. Neuron-restrictive silencer factor (NRSF) functions as a crucial regulator of MOR expression in specific neuronal cells. Using a mouse model of incisional postoperative pain, we assessed the expression of MOR and NRSF and investigated whether disruption of NRSF expression could prevent the postoperative nociceptive sensitization induced by surgical incision and subcutaneous infusion of remifentanil. ⋯ NRSF functions as a negative regulator of MOR in PAG and contributes to remifentanil-induced postoperative hyperalgesia. NRSF in PAG may be a potential target for this pain therapy.
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Letter Case Reports
Metronidazole-induced encephalopathy with contrast enhancing lesions on MRI.
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Oxidative stress is considered a major contributing factor in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Phloretin, a dihydrochalcone belonging to the flavonoid family, is particularly rich in apples and apple-derived products. A large body of evidence demonstrates that phloretin exhibits anti-oxidant properties, and phloretin has potential implications for treating oxidative stress injuries in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. ⋯ However, phloretin pretreatment dramatically suppressed these oxidative stress processes. Furthermore, phloretin upregulated Nrf2 mRNA and protein expression of in ischemia/reperfusion brain tissue. Taken together, phloretin exhibited neuroprotective effects in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, and the mechanisms are associated with oxidative stress inhibition and Nrf2 defense pathway activation.
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Statin induced necrotizing autoimmune myopathy (SINAM) is a recently characterized entity belonging to the spectrum of statin myotoxicity. It is a more severe form, and is usually associated with significant proximal muscle weakness, strikingly elevated creatine kinase levels and persistent symptoms despite statin discontinuation. The characteristic pathological finding is a marked muscle fiber necrosis with minimal or no inflammation on muscle biopsy. ⋯ However, anti-HMGCR positive myopathies are also caused by unknown etiologies other than statin exposure, especially in the younger population. SINAM should be promptly recognized as immunosuppressive therapy can improve its clinical outcome significantly. Further research is needed to elucidate its pathogenesis and provide evidence based guidelines for management.