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Objective: To investigate the relationship between neurocognitive deficits and structural changes on brain magnetic resonance imaging in people living with HIV (PLWH) with good virological control on combination antiretroviral therapy, compared with socioeconomically matched control participants recruited from the same communities. Methods: Brain magnetic resonance imaging scans, and clinical and neuropsychological data were obtained from virologically controlled PLWH (viral load of <50 c/mL and at least 1 year of combination antiretroviral therapy) and socioeconomically matched control participants. Magnetic resonance imaging was carried out on 3 T scanner with 8‐channel head coils and segmented using Classification using Derivative‐based Features. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the association between brain volume and various clinical and neuropsychiatric parameters adjusting for age, race, and sex. To evaluate longitudinal changes in brain volumes, a random coefficient model was used to evaluate the changes over time (age) adjusting for sex and race. Results: The cross‐sectional study included 164 PLWH and 51 controls, and the longitudinal study included 68 PLWH and 20 controls with 2 or more visits (mean 2.2 years, range 0.8–5.1 years). Gray matter (GM) atrophy rate was significantly higher in PLWH compared with control participants, and importantly, the GM and global atrophy was associated with the various neuropsychological domain scores. Higher volume of white matter hyperintensities were associated with increased atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease risk score, and decreased executive functioning and memory domain scores in PLWH. Interpretation: These findings suggest ongoing neurological damage even in virologically controlled participants, with significant implications for clinical management of PLWH. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:941–950 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Introduction/Aims: Hyperexcitable peripheral nerve disorders (HPNDs) are rare. Although their clinical and laboratory features have been well studied, information on treatment and follow‐up is limited. The aim of this study is to explore the long‐term clinical, investigative, and therapeutic profile of patients with acquired HPNDs. Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed patients from a single tertiary care center with HPND (January 2012 to January 2022). Patients were recruited according to published inclusion and exclusion criteria. Details of clinical features, diagnostic tests, therapeutic interventions, and follow‐up were recorded. This study included patients with follow‐up of 2 or more years. Results: A total of 32 patients (M = 26, F = 6) were studied. The common clinical features included myokymia, neuropathic or shock‐like pain, cramps, sleep disturbances, encephalopathy, cerebellar ataxia, and seizures. A total of 81.25% of patients responded favorably to corticosteroids and membrane stabilizers. Among the nonresponders, five received intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and one received plasma exchange (PLEX). Two patients required rituximab due to poor responses to the above treatments. The mean duration of response was 6 weeks (4–24 weeks) from the initiation of treatment. All patients had favorable outcomes, reaching clinical remission within 1–5 years from the initiation of treatment. Only two patients had relapses. Immunotherapy could be stopped in 78% of patients within 3 years and 100% by 5 years. Discussion: Chronic immunosuppression starting with corticosteroids is required for satisfactory outcomes of HPNDs. These disorders usually run a monophasic course, and relapses are uncommon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

A series of 1-(3-(1 H-benzoimidazol-2-yl)-5-aryl-4-5dihydro-1 H-pyrazol-1-yl)-2-(napthalene-1-yloxy)ethanones ( 5a- l) are synthesized and evaluated their antimicrobial activity against gram positive ( S. aureus and S. pyogenes), gram negative bacteria ( E. coli and P. aeruginosa), and strains of fungi ( C. albicans, A. niger, and A. clavatus). Compounds were characterized by spectroscopic techniques such as H NMR, C NMR, IR, and mass spectroscopy. The newly synthesized compounds 5b, 5i and 5j, 5k showed significant antimicrobial activity against tested microorganisms. Graphical abstract: [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...