Search

Background: Long non-coding ribonucleic acids (lncRNAs) have been implicated as possible circulating stroke indicators. This study focused on the expression status of antisense non-coding ribonucleic acid in the INK4 locus (ANRIL) and myocardial infarction associated transcript (MIAT) in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). Methods: In this study, fifty patients with CVT and one hundred age/gender-matched individuals as controls were included. The circulating levels of ANRIL and MIAT in the first 24 hours after admission were evaluated using the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. We compared the expression levels of ANRIL and MIAT between patients and controls using the independent two-sample t-test. Subgroup analysis was used to investigate the association of lncRNAs with clinical characteristics in patients with CVT. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were conducted to evaluate the diagnostic value of two lncRNAs in patient assessment. Results: The relative expression of lncRNAs ANRIL and MIAT significantly decreased in patients compared to the control. ANRIL and MIAT were shown as potential markers for discriminating patients with CVT from the healthy controls with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.98 and 0.99, respectively. Conclusion: For the first time, we found downregulation and diagnostic potential of lncRNAs-ANRIL and MIAT in the blood of patients with CVT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several laboratory markers derived from a complete blood count (CBC) have been proposed as potential indicators for assessing the risk of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT). However, limited and conflicting evidence exists regarding this association. This study aimed to evaluate the role of CBC parameters in CVT development and their link to disease characteristics. Methods: This case-control study included patients diagnosed with CVT between March 2018 and March 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inflammation is the major contributor to the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke (IS). Long non-coding ribonucleic acids (lncRNAs) metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) and tumor necrosis factor and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein L-related immunoregulatory (THRIL) have been demonstrated to be up-regulated in inflammation and atherosclerosis. Therefore, we aimed to study the expression profile of these lncRNAs after IS. Methods: This observational case-control study was conducted in Namazi Hospital, Shiraz, Iran. The real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) measured the sequential changes in circulating levels of MALAT1 and THRIL on days 1, 3, and 5 after IS. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to estimate the diagnostic and prognostic potential of lncRNAs with the area under the curve (AUC). Results: In patients with IS, the relative MALAT1 and THRIL expressions were significantly higher than the controls (P < 0.001 and P < 0.01, respectively), on days 1, 3, and 5 after stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dysphagia can be a life-threatening issue for post-stroke patients, with aspiration pneumonia (AP) being a common risk. However, there is hope through the potential combination of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and classical behavior therapy. Our study aims to investigate the effectiveness of this combination in diminishing the risk of AP in patients with dysphagia who suffered from stroke. Methods: In this randomized, parallel-group, blinded clinical trial, 48 patients were allocated into the sham group (speech therapy + 30 seconds of tDCS) and the real group (speech therapy + 20 minutes of tDCS). We used the Mann Assessment of Swallowing Ability (MASA) as an assessment tool. We assessed patients at baseline, one day after treatment, and at a onemonth follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medicinal oils were of the pharmaceutical dosage forms used since ancient Persian times to now in Iran. Chamomile oil is one of the medicinal oils prepared by the extraction of the chamomile flowers to sesame oil as an oily vehicle. It was widely used in the history of Persian medicine and is currently used by traditional practitioners of Persian Medicine in various disorders mainly in topical form. In this study, traditional chamomile oil was prepared based on the Qarabadin books. In advanced, 600 g of chamomile flower powder was boiled in 3.6 liter of water for 3 hours. Then, powder was removed and remained water (aqueous extract of chamomile) was boiled with 0.5 liter of sesame oil for 2 hours (until all the water was vaporized and oil remained). For standardization, the essential oil of chamomile oil was obtained via Clevenger apparatus method and then analyzed with the help of gas chromatography (GC)-mass method. In addition, total phenolic and flavonoid contents of the chamomile oil were calculated based on galic acid and quercetin, respectively. The results show that the main component of the essential oil were Caryophyllene (7.45%), Bisabolol Oxide B (2.05%), Bisabolone Oxide A (62.35%), Chamazulene (2.05%), Bisabolol Oxide A (15.54%) and Methyl ester 5,8,11-Heptadecatriynoic acid (5.52%). Besides, total phenolic and flavonoid contents were 11.0043 ± 0.4514 and 2.7640 ± 0.1776 mg/l, respectively. Our results show that the historical dosage form of chamomile oil in Persian medicine can be reproduced and is an stable and homogeneous oil and be standardized in our investigation

Headache is a common symptom that constitutes a major health problem to all countries in the world. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of migraine and tension -type headaches(TTH), its associated occupational risk factors among Shiraz hospitals staffs, and to report on clinical characteristics of migraine and TTH with using the International Headache Society (IHS) diagnosis criteria. A random sample of 1023 staffs constituting a 20% sample of the hospitals staff population was selected. Sampling method was categorical random sampling. Within each group sampling was carried out systematically. Data were collected by screening questionnaire followed by clinical interviews, general physical and neurological examination, and diagnostic criteria of IHS. Prevalence of migraine, TTH and coexisting migraine and TTH were estimated as 11.2% (115 cases), 19.5% (199 subjects) and 3.2% (33 subjects) respectively. In this study , clinical characteristics of headache including type, site, number , intensity ,concomitant symptom of headaches had been surveyed. TTH and migraine headaches were significantly associated with self reported abnormal sleep pattern and female gender (P < 0.001). Also TTH was negatively associated with total 24hr duration of sleep and history of involvement in second job significantly (P

Background: Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a sudden-onset transient memory impairment along with intact neurologic examinations. Even though it is a benign neurologic condition with many differential diagnoses, the incidence rate of TGA is reported to have increased since the onset of the pandemic. Therefore, this systematic scoping review aims to investigate TGA in that context. Methods: MEDLINE, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were systematically searched for relevant articles with a string of specified keywords. Results: The primary search yielded 90 studies. After all the necessary screening rounds were carried out, we were left with six included studies. One study was also identified through a search in other relatively relevant databases. Finally, seven case reports were accepted including three TGA patients with positive and one with negative test for coronavirus disease- 2019 (COVID-19), respectively. COVID-19 status was unclear in the others. Conclusion: The reported COVID-19 positive cases had presentations similar to those with TGA before the pandemic. Therefore, we think that TGA might occur concomitantly with the COVID-19 infection or due to the psychological impact of the pandemic. In the confirmed cases of TGA and COVID-19, the abnormal findings may be due to COVID-19 infection. However, the reports were not as complete as desired. Therefore, providing the readers with more detailed reports in future cases is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Headache is a common symptom that constitutes a major health problem to all countries in the world. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of migraine and tension -type headaches(TTH), its associated occupational risk factors among Shiraz hospitals staffs, and to report on clinical characteristics of migraine and TTH with using the International Headache Society (IHS) diagnosis criteria. A random sample of 1023 staffs constituting a 20% sample of the hospitals staff population was selected. Sampling method was categorical random sampling. Within each group sampling was carried out systematically. Data were collected by screening questionnaire followed by clinical interviews, general physical and neurological examination, and diagnostic criteria of IHS. Prevalence of migraine, TTH and coexisting migraine and TTH were estimated as 11.2% (115 cases), 19.5% (199 subjects) and 3.2% (33 subjects) respectively. In this study , clinical characteristics of headache including type, site, number , intensity ,concomitant symptom of headaches had been surveyed. TTH and migraine headaches were significantly associated with self reported abnormal sleep pattern and female gender (P < 0.001). Also TTH was negatively associated with total 24hr duration of sleep and history of involvement in second job significantly (P

Introduction: Otorrhagia is not a common manifestation of petrous internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm. Besides idiopathic cases, different etiologies, including trauma, infection, and radiation, have been suggested for petrous ICA aneurysms/pseudoaneurysms. However, there is limited experience in the management of this rare aneurysm/pseudoaneurysm with coil embolization. Case Presentation: A 58-year-old man, who was a known case of chronic otitis media, was referred from the otorhinolaryngology ward with intractable bleeding from the right ear. A pseudoaneurysmal lesion (7mm x 5mm)was detected in the petrous segment of the internal carotid artery. The patient underwent coil embolization with no complications. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of petrous ICA pseudoaneurysm, presenting with only intractable otorrhagia. The patient was successfully treated with coil embolization, with no need for further interventions. Besides, a review of petrous ICA aneurysms or pseudoaneurysms presenting with otorrhagia was performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) has been proposed as a possible potential treatment for ischemic stroke. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of micro-embolic brain infarcts after RIPC in patients with stroke who underwent elective carotid artery stenting (CAS) treatment. Methods: This study was managed at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in southwest Iran. Patients undergoing CAS were randomly allocated into RIPC and control groups. Patients in the RIPC group received three intermittent cycles of 5-minute arm ischemia followed by reperfusion using manual blood cuff inflation/deflation less than 30 minutes before CAS treatment. Afterward, stenting surgery was conducted. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), was acquired within the first 24 hours after CAS. Results: Seventy-four patients were recruited (79.7% men, age: 72.30 ± 8.57). Both groups of RIPC and control had no significant difference in baseline parameters (P > 0.05). Fifteen patients (40.5%) in the RIPC group and 19 (54.1%) patients in the control group developed restricted lesions in DWI MRI. In DWI+ patients, there were no significant differences according to the number of lesions, lesion surface area, largest lesion diameter, cortical infarcts percent, and ipsilateral and bilateral infarcts between the two groups. Conclusion: Although RIPC is a safe and non-invasive modality before CAS to decrease infarcts, this study did not show the advantage of RIPC in the prevention of infarcts following CAS. It may be because of the small sample size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There is evidence that supports the neuroprotective effects of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) in stroke. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) has both anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. We investigated the neuroprotective effects of DMF via Nrf2 activation in the cortex, striatum, and diencephalon in a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model of stroke. Methods: 22 Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomized into 3 groups. In DMF-treated group (n = 8), rats received 15 mg/kg oral DMF twice daily by gavage from day 0 to 14 after a 60-minute MCAO. The vehicle group (n = 7) underwent MCAO and were given methocel/H2O, using the same method and schedule. In the sham group (n = 7), neck was opened, but neither middle cerebral artery (MCA) was occluded nor any drug was administered. After 14 days, the animals were sacrificed. The infarct volume were assessed by stereology method. Nrf2 expression was evaluated in the cortex, striatum, and diencephalon by immunohistochemistry method. Results: Ratio of infarct to total brain volume was significantly lower in the DMF-treated group (5.76%) in comparison with the vehicle group (22.39%) (P < 0.0001). Nrf2 expression was higher in DMF-treated group in comparison with both the vehicle and sham groups in cortex, striatum, diencephalon, and total brain (P < 0.0001). In the DMF-treated group, significant negative correlation between Nrf2 expression and infarct volume was observed in cortex, striatum, diencephalon, and total brain. Conclusion: DMF induces Nrf2 expression and its neuroprotective effects in different brain anatomical regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim was to assess the reliability and the validity of the translated version of the stroke specific quality of life (SS-QOL) questionnaire in Iranian post-stroke patients. Methods: This project was performed at the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, between 12 April 2010 and 24 February 2011. The English version of the SS-QOL was translated into Persian by "forward-backward" translation, cognitive inquiring and cultural adaptation process. The reliability and internal consistency were measured by Cronbach's alpha coefficient. Validity was assessed using convergent and divergent validity through Spearman's correlation coefficient. Results: Our study included 117 post-stroke patients, consisting of 57 (48.7%) men and 60 (51.3%) women. The mean age of the patients was 81.60 ± 7.52 (range 60-88) years. The Persian version of the SS-QOL proved reliable (Cronbach's α = 0.96). Internal consistency was excellent for both demographic and patients' clinical characteristics (Cronbach's α ≥ 0.70). The scaling success rates were 100% for convergent validity of each scale. Divergent validity for all 12 scales was considered acceptable, whereas each scale had a 100% scaling success rate for convergent validity. Conclusion: The Persian version of SS-QOL should be mentioned as a noteworthy instrument to specify different aspects of health related QOL of patients suffering stroke and hence that clinicians, researchers and epidemiologist can exploit it trustfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Morning glory syndrome (MGS) is a rare congenital optic disc anomaly characterized by a funnel-shaped, excavated optic disc surrounded by chorioretinal pigmentary disturbance. The main ophthalomoscopic feature of the MGS is enlarged optic disc with a funnel shaped scleral defect; elevated peripapillary chorioretinal pigmentation; and pale fluffy tissue of glial hyperplasia overlying the optic disc. Although most of the reported cases were isolated ocular abnormality, but it may occurs in association with other ophthalmic abnormalities such as cyst of the optic nerve atrophy, congenital cataract, microophthalmos, and aniridia. Craniofacial deformities such as cleft lip and palate, hypertelorism, dysplatic ears; renal abnormalities; and cardiac defects have also been reported with MGS. Herein, we present a case of MGS associated with multiple sclerosis - a rather unusual concurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) is an acute immune-mediated peripheral neuropathy usually after an incident. This study was performed to investigate the basic epidemiologic features of GBS in south of Iran., Methods: We studied consecutive patients with GBS in Nemazi Hospital of Shiraz, southern Iran. Demographic characteristics of the subjects, i.e. age, sex, and length of hospital stay were extracted. Information regarding yearly admissions for the entire hospital was also gathered. The prevalence of GBS per 10,000 hospital admissions was calculated and stratified by sex and year. Yearly prevalence was compared using the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI)., Results: From January 2000 to December 2009, 389 (232 males and 157 females) patients with GBS were admitted in our center. The mean age of patients was 29.8 ± 23.0 years and their mean length of hospital stay was 12.9 ± 11.6 days. The overall mortality rate was 6%. The ratio of admissions due to GBS to the total admissions was significantly higher in 2009, the year of an influenza A (H1N1) virus pandemic., Conclusion: There appears to be an increase in the incidence of GBS in Shiraz. This is in parallel with the increasing trend of some other autoimmune diseases.