Neurological Dysfunction Research Articles

Development of a Water-Soluble Nanomicellar Formulation Loaded with Trans-Resveratrol Using Polyethylene Glycol Monostearate for the Treatment of Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background/Objectives: Trans-resveratrol (Res) has been reported to possess many biological activities, including neuroprotective effects, owing to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, Res has very low water solubility, which limits its therapeutic application. In this work, we formulated water-soluble micellar formulations incorporating Res using polyethylene glycol monostearate (stPEG). Methods: These formulations (stPEG/Res) were developed using five types of stPEG containing 10, 25, 40, 55 and 140 PEG repeat units. The formulations were characterized for Res content, water solubility, particle size, zeta potential, precipitation, biodistribution, and efficacy against neuronal and motor dysfunction in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Results: Intravenous administration of stPEG40/Res, which demonstrated particle size, water solubility, and biodistribution properties suitable for intravenous administration, suppressed neurological and motor dysfunction following in a collagenase-induced ICH mouse model. These effects were inhibited by zinc protoporphyrin-9, an inhibitor of the antioxidant enzyme heme oxygenase-1, suggesting that Res contributes to antioxidant enzyme expression and anti-inflammatory activity. Conclusions: The stPEG/Res micellar formulation developed in this study may offer a promising therapeutic approach for ICH treatment.

Equine assisted services - an intervention in the motor disorders of a child with cytomegalovirus sequelae

Cytomegalovirus infection (CMV) represents the most prevalent infection correlated with congenital neurological impairment. After infection occurs several factors contribute for the child to have motor development deficits and possibly present several neurological manifestations. Equine assisted services- therapeutic and educational method that uses the horse within an interdisciplinary approach has shown positive results in the intervention of neurological dysfunctions. The objective to analyze the effect of equine assisted services on the gross motor function of a participant with sequelae caused by CMV infection. A quantitative and descriptive case study. It consisted of assessments pre- and post-equine assisted services interventions using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM). The child participating in the study is classified as level III according to the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). The results indicate a percentage increase in the total average between the pre- and post-intervention assessments, with results of 31.9 and 50.3%, respectively, and evolution in three of the five dimensions assessed through the GMFM, which are: lying and rolling, sitting, crawling and kneeling. It is concluded that equine assisted services are an effective tool for improving gross motor function of a participant with sequelae caused by cytomegalovirus infection.

Effectiveness of Fenestration and Discectomy among Patients Presenting with Lumbar Disc Herniation

Background:Research-StackExchange47, BackgroundLumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a frequent cause of back pain and neurological dysfunction that often requires surgical treatment. There writing was another popular technique fenestration the other favorite disceyotomy, to relieve symptoms by decompressing ✓ spinal nerve roots. The study is an investigation of these existing methods and their comparison with the aim of evaluating efficacy in symptom relief as well as patient outcome. Objective: aim to compare the clinical outcomes of fenestration and discectomy in lumbar disc herniation. Study design : Descriptive case series comparative study. Place and duration of study. 6th September 2023 to 6the March, 2024 at the Department of Neurosurgery, Qazi Hussain Ahmad Medical Complex Nowshera. Methods: The patients were included in this descriptive case series study that was conducted from 6th September 2023 to 6the March, 2024 at the Department of Neurosurgery, Qazi Hussain Ahmad Medical Complex Nowshera. A sample size was determined at 46% success rate with the help of WHO software, a confidence interval of 95% and margin of error was set at 9%. Assessment of the outcomes in patients including pain and functional improvement were calculated using p-values between groups by standard deviation. Results: This retrospective study included 118 patients (34 females and 84 males) with lumbar disc herniation. Overall, the proportion of males to females was 2.47:1 In a total of 88 patients (74.58%), efficacy was reported, and the mean score for effective relief from symptoms was 3.5 ± 1.2 (SD). Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the techniques (p < 0.05) with fenestration being marginally superior. Conclusion: Fenestration and discectomy for lumbar disc herniation: a follow-up study. As for symptomatic relief, fenestration seemed to be slightly better. Conclusions. This study provides evidence for both surgical methods as valid surgical options; however, choice of technique should be individualized based on patient characteristics. It is recommended that future studies with larger samples, to provide for more inclusive results.

Electrical burns in train climbers treated in the Helsinki Burn Centre during the last 30years.

Patients who climb onto the roof of a stationary train carriage and sustain a high voltage electrical injury from the overhead cables represent a rare type of electrical injury. The aim of this study was to review all the electrical burns and their outcomes in train climbers treated in the Helsinki Burn Centre during the last three decades. 18 patients who had climbed onto the roof of a stationary electric train between November 1993 and December 2022 were included. Trauma- and outcome-related variables were collected. The primary outcome endpoints were in-hospital mortality and major amputations. 16 (88.9%) patients were male. The median age was 15.5years (range: 13-29years). All the burns were high-voltage electrical burns. The mean burn size was 45% of the total body surface area. Three (16.7%) patients died in hospital. The mean length of the Burn Centre stay was 50days. On average, the patients underwent 5 operations (range: 0-32) during their inpatient stay. Three patients required major amputation. Eight of the patients underwent late operations. Seven (38.9%) patients exhibited late neurological dysfunction or neuropsychological symptoms at long term follow-up. In conclusion, train climbers represent a rare group of young patients with electrical burns. Precautionary strategies should be implemented to prevent these injuries that are associated with high morbidity and mortality.

Abstract Sa1108: The Aberrant Autophagy-Apoptosis regulation Mediates the Severe Neurological Dysfunction after Cardiac Arrest in Diabetic Mice

Background: Patients with diabetes have lower survival and worse neurological outcome after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) compared with non-diabetes. Previous studies have mentioned the aberrant autophagy in diabetic mice. However, whether this abnormal autophagy exacerbates neuronal apoptosis and neurological outcome in diabetic mice remains unclear. Methods: Patients were divided into non-diabetic cardiac arrest (CA) patients and diabetic CA patients, and the survival and neurological outcomes at discharge and day 28 after ROSC were compared between these two groups. Diabetic mice were fed with high fat diet (HFD), and CA model was established by inducing ventricular fibrillation electrically. The neurological prognosis was assessed by open field test (OPT), novel object recognition (NOR) and Y-maze. Neuronal apoptosis and autophagy were evaluated by immunofluorescence and western blotting, including TUNEL, cleaved caspase 3, LC3B, p62 and beclin1. Results: Compared with non-diabetic patients, the survival at discharge and at day 28 after ROSC are significantly lower in IHCA patients with diabetes. Meanwhile, the neurological deficits at discharge and at day 28 after ROSC are much severer in diabetic-CA patients. In addition, the lower survival and worse neurological function have been discovered, and the cognition impairment is more significant after ROSC in HFD mice. Neuronal apoptosis is severer in HFD mice. In ND mice, the activated autophagy has been revealed after CA-CPR-ROSC, however, autophagy can not be activated after ROSC in HFD mice since the baseline autophagy is at a higher level when compared with ND mice. Neuronal apoptosis is exacerbated after autophagy inhibition by 3-MA in ND mice, while after autophagy activation by rapamycin in HFD mice, apoptosis is attenuated after ROSC. Conclusion: Diabetes is the risk factor for neurological outcome in IHCA patients. The aberrant autophagy regulation in cortex neurons contributes to the severe apoptosis and neurological deficits after ROSC in diabetic mice.

Rasmussen Encephalitis: Clinical Features, Pathophysiology, and Management Strategies—A Comprehensive Literature Review

Rasmussen encephalitis (RE) is a rare and progressive form of chronic encephalitis that typically affects one hemisphere of the brain and primarily occurs in pediatric individuals. The current study aims to narratively review the literature about RE, including historical information, pathophysiology, and management of this condition. RE often occurs in individuals with normal development, and it is estimated that only a few new cases are identified each year in epilepsy centers. Approximately 10% of cases also occur in adolescents and adults. The hallmark feature of RE is drug-resistant focal seizures that can manifest as epilepsia partialis continua. Also, patients with RE usually develop motor and cognitive impairment throughout the years. Neuroimaging studies show progressive damage to the affected hemisphere, while histopathological examination reveals T-cell-dominated encephalitis with activated microglial cells and reactive astrogliosis. The current therapy guidelines suggest cerebral hemispherotomy is the most recommended treatment for seizures in RE, although significant neurological dysfunction can occur. Another option is pharmacological management with antiseizure medications and immunomodulatory agents. No significant progress has been made in understanding the pathophysiology of this condition in the last decades, especially regarding genetics. Notably, RE diagnosis still depends on the criteria established by Bien et al., and the accuracy can be limited and include genetically different individuals, leading to unexpected responses to management.

The multifaceted nature of diabetic erectile dysfunction: uncovering the intricate mechanisms and treatment strategies

BackgroundOne of the most common complications of diabetes mellitus is diabetic erectile dysfunction (DMED), a condition that has grown more common in recent years and has a significant impact on patients’ daily lives. The complicated pathophysiological changes of DMED, involving vascular, neurological, muscular, and endocrine variables, have not been well addressed by any one treatment technique, and no widely approved treatment strategy has been developed.AimThe objective of this study was to thoroughly examine the complex nature of the pathogenic mechanism of DMED and discover new therapeutic approaches that could improve DMED symptoms.MethodsStudies and review articles from the past 10 years were considered.ResultsThe pathogenesis of DMED encompasses vascular dysfunction, endothelial cell damage, cavernous smooth muscle defects, neurological dysfunction, endocrine/metabolic factors, leukomalacia fibrosis, and psychosocial factors, elucidating complex interplay among the mechanisms underlying DMED. It underscores the need of integrating traditional herbal medicine, energy-based medicine treatments, and advanced techniques like stem cell and gene therapy to enhance therapeutic outcomes. Furthermore, it expresses optimism on the therapeutic potential of new nanobiomaterials in DMED.ConclusionThrough integrating a complete description of DMED etiology and current therapy methods, this work offers a helpful resource for researchers, doctors, and patients dealing with this difficult condition.

A retrospective analysis of a clinician-initiated high-intensity locomotor training implementation project in an inpatient rehabilitation facility.

The Academy of Neurologic Physical Therapy's Intensity Matters campaign recommends the implementation of high-intensity locomotor training for all patients with neurologic dysfunction with goals to improve walking. Retrospectively determine the effectiveness of a clinician-initiated implementation project on the adoption, reach, and fidelity of high-intensity locomotor training for patients with stroke during inpatient rehabilitation and, determine whether the project led to changes in patient outcomes. Retrospective analysis of electronic medical records from 1 year before and after the project. Patients admitted with a stroke diagnosis were included. Demographic information, the number of high-intensity sessions, the percentage of time spent in the target heart rate zone, standardized assessment scores for motor function, functional mobility, balance, gait speed and endurance, and discharge destination were extracted for descriptive and linear mixed model analysis. Clinician reach was 75%, and adoption of high-intensity training varied between clinicians from 47.1% and 83.3%. Of eligible patients, 55% received the target intervention at least once, reflecting the patient reach. Implementation fidelity was 18.84%. Linear mixed effects modeling revealed a statistically significant effect of time (p < .001) but not group allocation or group × time interaction. Although statistically significant differences in patient outcomes compared to pre-implementation were not found, results highlight the limitations associated with adopting high-intensity locomotor training for patients post-stroke in this setting .It remains unclear whether the implementation fidelity achieved was sufficient to impact patient outcomes. Further research is needed to establish fidelity targets and identify barriers to successful implementation projects by clinicians.

Exploring bacterial metabolites in microbe-human host dialogue and their therapeutic potential in Alzheimer's diseases.

Neurological dysfunction in association with aging, dementia, and cognitive impairment is the major cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Current AD therapies often yield unsatisfactory results due to their poor mechanism in treating the underlying mechanism of the disease. Recent studies suggested that metabolites from the gut microbiota facilitate brain-gut communication. A systematic network pharmacology study and the structure- and analog-based approaches are employed to investigate the metabolites produced by gut microbiota to treat AD. The microbiota metabolites available in the gutMGene database were considered in this study. Two servers, namely Swiss Target Prediction (STP) and Similarity Ensemble Approach (SEA), were used to identify the possible AD targets for the selected metabolites. Detailed KEGG pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis on identified hub genes highlighted the importance of IL6, AKT1, and GSK3B in AD pathophysiology. MMTSp (Microbiota Metabolites Target Signaling pathways) network analysis elucidated that there is a strong relationship with microbiota (Paraprevotella xylaniphila YIT 11841, Bifidobacterium dentium, Paraprevotella clara YIT 11840, Enterococcus sp. 45, Bacteroides sp. 45, Bacillus sp. 46, Escherichia sp. 33, Enterococcus casseliflavus, Bacteroides uniformis, Alistipes indistinctus YIT 12060, Bacteroides ovatus, Escherichia sp. 12, and Odoribacter laneus YIT 12061) and AD pathogenesis. In addition to this, we performed molecular docking to study the metabolite interactions in the AD drug targets. The ADME/T properties of these metabolites were also calculated and the results are discussed in detail.

Comprehensive analysis of water and sediment from holy water body ‘Pokhri’ reveals presence of biomolecules that may educe skin, gastroenterological and neurological dysfunction

‘Pokhri mai’ refers to the natural pond amidst the hilly forest slopes of the Buxa tiger reserve (BTR) nearby Jayanti considered to be sacred by the local ethnic groups serving as the prime source of water for wild animals and occasionally by neighbouring inhabitants. However, the water body is designated to be noxious by a group of native people with no scientific validation. This paper focuses to explore its toxicity status and allied environmental concerns through Pokhri water and sediment sample analysis through physicochemical assessment, in vitro antioxidant assay, microbiological investigation followed by AAS, GC–MS and in silico study. pH of soil and water samples were found to be quite high (>6.8) with organic matter, carbon and available nitrogen content being 1.5308 ± 0.28 %, 0.89 ± 0.17 % and 0.072 ± 0.34 % respectively. Profuse microbial growths were observed in both sediment and water samples with consortia obtained exhibiting tolerance against a range of antifungals and antibiotics. Inhibition zone was absent for sediment consortium whereas consortium of water samples portrayed susceptibility against various heavy metals viz. Cu2+, Pb2+, Zn2+, Fe3+ and Al3+ salts with corresponding AAS quantified values of sediment samples being 133, 223.3, 86.8, 1449 and 481.5 ppm. A summative of 18 metabolites were identified by GC–MS in Pokhri lake sediment among which 13 (occupying 96.35 % peak area) were investigated to be potentially toxic with 2,4-Di-tert-butylphenol (53.38 %) as the major compound. Biomolecular characterization, ADMET test and molecular docking study with dermal, gastrointestinal and neural peptides exhibiting high binding affinity scores (ranging between −2.6 to −8.3 kcal/mol) further affirmed the toxicity attributes of the GC–MS deciphered molecules. The findings clearly justifies the local ‘myth’ of Pokhri water to be deleterious with prospective dermatotoxic, neurotoxic and being evident of gastrointestinal toxicity emphasizing ecological risk to the environment, wildlife and microflora of the adjoining forests.

Beyond acute infection: mechanisms underlying post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC).

Immune dysregulation is a key aspect of post-acute sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (PASC), also known as long COVID, with sustained activation of immune cells, T cell exhaustion, skewed B cell profiles, and disrupted immune communication thereby resulting in autoimmune-related complications. The gut is emerging as a critical link between microbiota, metabolism and overall dysfunction, potentially sharing similarities with other chronic fatigue conditions and PASC. Immunothrombosis and neurological signalling dysfunction emphasise the complex interplay between the immune system, blood clotting, and the central nervous system in the context of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Clear research gaps in the design of PASC studies, especially in the context of longitudinal research, stand out as significant areas of concern.

An Objective Assessment of Neuromotor Control Using a Smartphone App After Repeated Subconcussive Blast Exposure.

Subconcussive blast exposure has been shown to alter neurological functioning. However, the extent to which neurological dysfunction persists after blast exposure is unknown. This longitudinal study examined the potential short- and long-term effects of repeated subconcussive blast exposure on neuromotor performance from heavy weapons training in military personnel. A total of 214 participants were assessed; 137 were exposed to repeated subconcussive blasts and 77 were not exposed to blasts (controls). Participants completed a short stepping-in-place task while an Android smartphone app placed on their thigh recorded movement kinematics. We showed acute suppression of neuromotor variability 6 h after subconcussive blast exposure, followed by a rebound to levels not different from baseline at the 72 h, 2-week, and 3-month post-tests. It is postulated that this suppression of neuromotor variability results from a reduction in the functional degrees of freedom from the subconcussive neurological insult. It is important to note that this change in behavior is short-lived, with a return to pre-blast exposure movement kinematics within 72 h.

Manifestation of Psychosis and Impairments of Executive Functions Emphasize the Interaction of Psychological and Neurological Dysfunctions in People Who Use Methamphetamine

Aim: Cumulative evidence has demonstrated the neurotoxic effect of methamphetamine (Meth) on the central nervous system. Meth can induce psychotic symptoms and impairments of cognitive abilities, including executive function (EF). Method: In this study, we hypothesized the interaction of the neurotoxic effects of Meth on psychotic symptoms and EF performances. The Stroop test evaluated the EF performances, Go/No-Go task, one-back test (OBT), and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) in people who use Meth with psychosis (MWP) and without psychosis (MWOP) compared with healthy control participants. Result: The results showed that MWOP and MWP exhibited EF deficits in attention, working memory, and initial conceptualization. Moreover, a deficit in inhibition was observed in MWOP, while poorer processing speed and cognitive flexibility were found in MWP. Conclusion: The correlation between psychotic symptoms and poor EF performances was observed in MWP. These findings underline the interaction of the mechanistic neurotoxic effect of Meth to induce psychological and neurological dysfunctions in people who use Meth.

The protective effect of rutin on sciatic nerve injury in acrylamide-exposed rats and its mechanisms

Rutin (Rut) is a flavonoid with pharmacological activities such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. Acrylamide (ACR) is a toxic substance widely found in human life that can induce neurotoxicity. Some studies have confirmed that neurotoxicity caused by ACR induces myelin damage, which in turn causes neurological dysfunction. Therefore, we established a rutin intervention model to investigate the protective effect of Rut on ACR-induced sciatic nerve injury in rats and its mechanism. The results showed that superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and glutathione (GSH) content increased and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity decreased in the middle and high dose groups of Rut compared with the ACR group, and the expression of Myelin basic protein (MBP), Extracellular-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2), Phosphorylated extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 (P-ERK1/2), and Nuclear factor E-2-associated factor (Nrf2) was promoted in the Rut-protected group, which suggests that Rutin has a protective effect on ACR-induced sciatic nerve injury and that the mechanism of Rutin's protective effect is related to activation of the ERK1/2 pathway and alleviation of oxidative stress injury.

Risk Factors for Early Subsidence of 3D-Printed Artificial Vertebral After Anterior Cervical Corpectomy and Fusion

ObjectiveThe subsidence of vertebral body replacement may occur after anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF) , which may lead to cervical kyphosis, spinal cord compression and neurological dysfunction. The authors aim to investigate the risk factors for early subsidence of 3D printed artificial vertebral (3D-PAVB) after ACCF surgery and to provide guidance for clinical practice. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of consecutive patients with cervical spondylosis who underwent ACCF surgery at Bethune Hospital of Shanxi from 2017 to 2020. The statistical data included age, gender, disease type, body mass index (BMI), surgical segment, vertebral height, Cobb Angle, and Hounsfeld Units (HU) values of the vertebral body and endplate. The clinical efficacy of the surgery was evaluated using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA), and Neck Disability Index (NDI). Follow-up data, such as VAS, JOA, NDI, and Cobb Angle, were obtained using a repeated-measures ANOVA analysis. Univariate analysis was conducted to identify the factors contributing to the early subsidence of the3D-PAVB, and independent risk factors were determined using logistic regression. The HU value was analyzed using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve and the area under the Area Under Curve (AUC) to predict the subsidence of the 3D-PAVB. ResultsA total of 66 patients were included in the study, out of which 19 patients experienced subsidence of 3D-PAVB,resulting in an incidence rate of 28.8%. The postoperative JOA, VAS, and NDI scores showed significant improvement in both the subsidence and non-subsidence groups. Upon conducting univariate analysis, significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of age, diabetes, smoking, and lower vertebral Computed Tomography (CT) values. The average HU value of the subsidence group (251.39±52.615, n=19) was significantly lower than that of the non-subsidence group (317.06±73.587, n=47, p＜0.01). Multivariate analysis revealed that smoking and HU of the lower vertebra were independent risk factors for 3D-PAVB subsidence, with an AUC of 0.772 and an optimal threshold of 272 for HU (sensitivity 78.9%, specificity 74.5%). ConclusionThe occurrence of early subsidence of 3D-PAVB post ACCF surgery is influenced by two independent risk factors - smoking and low HU. To predict the likelihood of this outcome, it is advisable to consider smoking history and measure CT HU value prior to surgery. A lower CT HU value is indicative of a greater risk of subsidence.

Transcriptomic imputation identifies tissue-specific genes associated with cervical myelopathy

Degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM) is a progressive spinal condition that can lead to severe neurological dysfunction. Despite its degenerative pathophysiology, family history has shown to be a largely important factor in incidence and progression, suggesting that inherent genetic predisposition may play a role in pathophysiology. To determine the tissue-specific, functional genetic basis of hereditary predisposition to cervical myelopathy. Retrospective case-control study using patient genetics and matched EHR from the Mount Sinai BioMe Biobank. In a large, diverse, urban biobank of 32,031 individuals, with 558 individuals with cervical myopathy, we applied transcriptomic imputation to identify genetically regulated gene expression signatures associated with DCM. We performed drug-repurposing analysis using the CMAP database to identify candidate therapeutic interventions to reverse the cervical myelopathy-associated gene signature. We identified 16 genes significantly associated with DCM across five different tissues, suggesting tissue-specific manifestations of inherited genetic risk (upregulated: HES6, PI16, TMEM183A, BDH2, LINC00937, CLEC4D, USP43, SPATA1; downregulated: TTC12, CDK5, PAFAH1B2, RCSD1, KLHL29, PTPRG, RP11-620J15.3, C1RL). Drug repurposing identified 22 compounds with the potential to reverse the DCM-associated signature, suggesting points of therapeutic intervention. The inherited genetic risk for cervical myelopathy is functionally associated with genes involved in tissue-specific nociceptive and proliferative processes. These signatures may be reversed by candidate therapeutics with nociceptive, calcium channel modulating, and antiproliferative effects. Understanding the genetic basis of DCM provides critical insights into the hereditary factors contributing to the disease, allowing for more personalized and targeted therapeutic approaches. The identification of candidate drugs through transcriptomic imputation and drug repurposing analysis offers potential new treatments that could significantly improve patient outcomes and quality of life by addressing the underlying genetic mechanisms of DCM.

Regenerative medicine for spinal cord injury using induced pluripotent stem cells: from animals to humans

Abstract Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in permanent neurological dysfunction and neuropathic pain. To address this pathology, we recently conducted a clinical study in which we transplanted neural precursor cells (NPCs) derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells into patients during the subacute phase of SCI. One of the therapeutic mechanisms of cell transplantation is the formation of synaptic connections with the host's neural tissues, which we demonstrated using a chemogenetic tool. In addition, we have developed innovative strategies to enhance the effectiveness of cell transplantation through gene therapy. Moreover, our current study is focused on developing cell therapy for chronic SCI, a more challenging pathology characterized by the formation of cavities and scar tissue. In such situations, transplanting NPCs with neurogenic properties could effectively penetrate scar tissue and form functional synapses with the host neurons. To improve the outcomes of cell transplantation alone, we have found that incorporating rehabilitation is beneficial. In animal models of SCI, we have established an effective rehabilitative training program in which NPCs were transplanted during the chronic phase. Robotic rehabilitation has demonstrated improvements in gait ability and trunk function in clinical situations. Therefore, regenerative medicine shows promise for chronic SCI, particularly when rehabilitation strategies are incorporated.

Neurological dysfunction and fatal encephalitis due to Halicephalobus gingivalis in two horses in Belgium

SummaryTwo horses kept on different farms at a geographical distance of 150 km were presented with acute neurological dysfunction. Ante‐mortem diagnostic tests including bloodwork, CT scan and cerebrospinal fluid analysis did not provide a diagnosis in either case. Due to rapid deterioration, both horses were euthanised shortly after admission. Postmortem histopathological examination revealed granulomatous meningoencephalitis with intralesional nematodes that were morphologically identified as Halicephalobus gingivalis. This is the first documentation of central nervous system infestation by H. gingivalis in horses residing in Belgium, emphasising the importance of considering aberrant parasitic migration in the differential diagnosis of acute neurological dysfunction.

Galangin Regulates Astrocyte Phenotypes to Ameliorate Cerebral Ischemia-reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting the RhoA/ROCK/LIMK Pathway.

This study aimed to explore whether Galangin (Gal) could improve cerebral Ischemia- reperfusion (I/R) injury by regulating astrocytes, and clarify its potential molecular mechanism. An I/R injury model of rats was established using the Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion/Reperfusion (MCAO/R) method, followed by the administration of Gal (25, 50, 100 mg/kg) via gavage for 14 consecutive days. Besides, astrocytes were isolated from the rats to construct an Oxygen-Glucose Deprivation/Re-oxygenation (OGD/R) cell model, with treatments of Gal or the Ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA)/Rho-associated Coiled-coil containing protein Kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632. Subsequently, the severity of nerve injury was assessed using the modified Neurological Severity Score (mNSS) test; behavioral disorders in I/R rats were observed through the open field and ladder-climbing tests. Pathological damages and neuron survival in the peri-infarct zone were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining and NeuN staining, respectively. Additionally, immunofluorescence staining was employed to determine astrocyte polarization and TUNEL staining was carried out to measure the level of cell apoptosis; also, western blot was performed to detect the expression of proteins related to the RhoA/ROCK/LIM domain Kinase (LIMK) pathway. Gal significantly ameliorated the neurological and motor dysfunctions caused by I/R in rats, reduced pathological damage in the peri-infarct zone, and promoted neuronal survival. Additionally, Gal increased the number of A2 astrocytes, while it decreased the number of A1 astrocytes. In vitro experiments revealed that the effect of Gal was consistent with that of Y-27632. Additionally, Gal significantly enhanced the survival of OGD/R cells, increased the number of A2 astrocytes, and inhibited the expression of proteins associated with the RhoA/ROCK pathway. Gal could reduce the level of apoptosis, promote the polarization of A2 astrocytes, and improve cerebral I/R injury, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of the RhoA/ROCK pathway.

Effect of Unimanual Versus Bimanual Training on Impairment, Disability and Quality of Life Among Post Stroke Individuals: A Comparative Study

Background: Stroke is a significant global health issue caused by sudden interruptions in blood flow to the brain, leading to neurological dysfunction that can result in ischemic or hemorrhagic conditions. Effective rehabilitation approaches, such as unilateral and bilateral training, play a vital role in restoring upper limb function and overall recovery through targeted neural adaptations. Evaluation tools like the (SIS) provide critical insights into post-stroke recovery and improvements in quality of life, underscoring the need for comprehensive care and early intervention in managing this complex medical condition. Aim: To find out the effectiveness of unimanual and bimanual training on impairment, disability, and quality of life among post stroke individuals. Study design: comparative study Method: Firstly, ethical clearance was taken from the committee for comparative study. Samples were collected by lottery allotment sampling method. Thirty participants were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The details of the treatment were explained and written consent was taken from the participants. Experimental group treated with unimanual training and bimanual training for 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Outcome measure: Stroke impact scale Results: Data was analysed using SPSS Version29. According to statistical analysis, improvement seen in group B compared to group A. Conclusions: Bimanual training showed greater effective in impairment, disability and quality of life compared to unimanual training. KEYWORDS: Bimanual training, Unimanual training, stroke impact scale, quality of life, stroke.