Search

WOS: 000461427300003, Objective: SCUBE1 [signal peptide-CUB (complement C1r/C1 s)-EGF (epidermal growth factor)-like domain-containing protein 1] is a novel biochemical marker. SCUBE1 is thought to play roles both in platelet activation and inflammation, which are important stages for the development of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The purpose of our study was to determine the diagnostic and prognostic values and temporal change of plasma SCUBE1 levels in AIS patients. Materials and methods: Thirty-five patients diagnosed with AIS at the Cumhuriyet University Faculty of Medicine Neurology Department, between June and December 2017, and a control group of 35 healthy volunteers were included. Results: Median first day SCUBE1 value in the patient group was 97.51 ng/mL, and the median 7th day SCUBE1 value was 32.72 ng/mL. Median control group SCUBE1 value was 27.51 ng/mL. The first day SCUBE1 levels were significantly higher than the 7th day and the control group SCUBE1 levels (p = 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). The ROC analysis showed that SCUBE1 levels above 68.8 ng/mL can be used as an indicator with high sensitivity and specificity for AIS diagnosis. Multivariate analysis revealed that the first day SCUBE1 had significant independent effects on development of AIS. In correlation analysis, plasma SCUBE1 levels showed a significantly positive correlation with lesion volume, NIHSS and MRS values (p < 0.01). Conclusion: First day plasma SCUBE1 values in AIS patients rised at significant levels compared to the control group. SCUBE1 could use both in the early diagnosis and prediction of prognosis and lesion volume of AIS patients.

WOS: 000428392000005, PubMed ID: 28864326, Objective: The inflammatory process is a very important stage in the development and prognosis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The monocyte to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio (MHR) is accepted as a novel marker for demonstrating inflammation. However, the role of MHR as a predictor of mortality in patients with AIS remains unclear. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 466 patients who were referred to our clinic within the first 24 hours of symptom presentation and who were diagnosed with AIS between January 2008 and June 2016. Four hundred and eight controls of similar age and gender were also included. The patient group was classified into two groups according to 30-day mortality. The groups were compared in terms of monocyte counts, HDL, and MHR values. Results: The patient group had significantly higher monocyte counts and lower HDL levels; therefore, this group had higher values of MHR compared to controls. Additionally, the monocyte count and MHR value were higher, and the HDL level was lower in non-surviving patients (p < 0.001). The MHR value was also observed as a significant independent variable of 30-day mortality in patients with AIS (p < 0.001). The optimum cut-off value of MHR in predicting the 30-day mortality for patients with AIS was 17.52 (95% CI 0.95-0.98). Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that a high MHR value is an independent predictor of 30-day mortality in patients with AIS. (c) 2017 Polish Neurological Society. Published by Elsevier Sp. z o.o. All rights reserved.

WOS: 000414535300031, PubMed ID: 28733122, Introduction: Inflammation may determine the prognosis of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), which has high mortality and morbidity rates. Recent studies have increasingly demonstrated eosinopenia as a prognostic factor, particularly in bacteremia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and myocardial and cerebral infarction. Nonetheless, its significance regarding the determination of prognosis in patients with ICH has not yet been clarified. Materials and Methods: Our study included 296 patients who presented to our clinic within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms and who were diagnosed with ICH between January 2008 and June 2016, along with 180 age- and sex-matched controls. During their hospitalization, 120 of these 296 patients died. Patients and controls were compared in terms of neutrophil count/percentage and eosinophil count/percentage; these were also compared between nonsurviving and surviving patients. The significance of eosinopenia in predicting mortality was also evaluated. Results: Patients had a significantly higher neutrophil count/percentage and a significantly lower eosinophil count/percentage than controls; these results were similar between nonsurviving and surviving patients (P < .001). Consequently, the patient group was divided into 4 subgroups depending on the presence of eosinopenia and/or neutrophilia. The mortality rate was highest (62%) in the group that had both eosinopenia and neutrophilia. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses indicated that neutrophilia and eosinopenia were independent predictors of mortality in ICH (P = .002; P = .004) Discussion: These results indicate that eosinopenia can occur in patients with ICH and that although the mechanism is unclear, eosinopenia is closely associated with mortality in these patients, particularly when accompanied by neutrophilia.

WOS: 000407514800007, PubMed ID: 28606022, Objective: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sensory motor disorder. RLS an urge to move the extremities that may be accompanied by dysesthesias, and significantly affects quality of life of affected patients. The frequency of RLS is higher in different systemic inflammatory diseases. Familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) is an inherited inflammatory disease characterized by attacks of polyserositis, arthritis, and fever. The prevalence of RLS in patients with FMF is unknown. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence rate of RLS in a sample of patients with FMF and compare this prevalence with that of a matched normal population. Method: A total of 60 patients with FMF and 60 healthy controls were studied. All participants underwent a neurological examination. Diagnostic criteria as proposed by the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group (IRLSSG) were used to define RLS. The IRLSSG rating scale for the severity of RLS was applied to determine the severity of symptoms. Results: The prevalence of RLS was not significantly different between patients and controls. Although the mean International Restless Legs Syndrome Rating Scale (IRLSRS) scores tended to be higher in patients compared with controls, this difference was not significant. When each item of the severity scale was compared between the two groups, significantly higher scores were found in some items of the IRLSRS in patients with FMF compared with controls. Conclusion: According to this result, RLS symptoms in patients with FMF were more frequent and lasted longer than those in controls.

WOS: 000458367000042, PubMed ID: 30761870, Background/aim: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common neurological disorder that can be a leading cause of nontraumatic disability in several countries. Recent reports have indicated a moderate to high risk of MS in European countries. In this study, we examined the prevalence of MS in a well-defined urban population of provincial center in Sivas Province in Turkey. Materials and methods: This study sampled all registered residents of urban areas of provincial center in Sivas Province in April 2017 and 2018 January. All the included patients met the McDonald 2010 criteria. Medical records were reviewed, including all available previously acquired magnetic resonance imaging data. All patients were subsequently subjected to neurologic examination to confirm the MS diagnosis. Results: We identified 21 possible MS patients, with MS diagnosis confirmed in 19. The prevalence of MS was 288 per 100,000 inhabitants. Conclusion: For future studies, these high ratio results can be used in regional and national comparisons to determine cofactors contributing to the high prevalence of MS in our region and can help health-decision makers to better plan healthcare policies to improve neurological services and awareness about multifaceted clinical presentations of MS.

WOS: 000374078200050, PubMed ID: 27000260, Background and aim: Cerebral hemiatrophy (CHA) is a congenital or acquired loss of volume in one hemisphere of the brain. The MR findings of the affected hemisphere have been a subject of many studies, however, the contra-lateral hemisphere has not been investigated. There is, in fact, an integrity between two hemispheres of the brain through transverse connection fibers. The aim of this study is to investigate the changes in the contralateral hemisphere in CHA. Materials and methods: Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values were measured in deep gray and white matter areas in the normal-appearing contralateral hemisphere in 23 patients with CHA, in order to get in vivo information about a possible Wallerian degeneration or microstructural changes. Results were compared with the control group. Results: Normal ADC values were encountered in the contralateral hemisphere in all (100%) CHA patients. The difference between the ADC values of gray and white matter in CHA patients and the control group was not statistically significant. Conclusion: Normal ADC values in the contralateral hemisphere in CHA patients suggests a compensatory mechanism restricting Wallerian degeneration or diffusion alteration. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.