Aquaporin-4 gene variant independently associated with oedema after intracerebral haemorrhage.

Introduction: Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is the prominent water-channel protein in the brain playing a critical role in controlling cell water content. After intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), perihematomal oedema (PHE) formation leads to a rapid increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) after the initial bleed. We sought to investigate the effect of a common genomic variant in the AQP4 gene on PHE formation after ICH.

Inflammation, negative nitrogen balance, and outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Objective: To analyze the impact of inflammation and negative nitrogen balance (NBAL) on nutritional status and outcomes after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

Methods: This was a prospective observational study of SAH patients admitted between May 2008 and June 2012. Measurements of C-reactive protein (CRP), transthyretin (TTR), resting energy expenditure (REE), and NBAL (g/day) were performed over 4 preset time periods during the first 14 postbleed days (PBD) in addition to daily caloric intake.

Functional outcome prediction following intracerebral hemorrhage.

The ICH score is a validated method of assessing the risk of mortality and morbidity after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We sought to compare the ability of the ICH score to predict outcome assessed with three of the most widely used scales: the Barthel Index (BI), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS). All patients with ICH treated at our institution between February 2009 and March 2011 were followed-up at three months using the mRS, GOS, and BI.

Variation in a locus linked to platelet aggregation phenotype predicts intraparenchymal hemorrhagic volume.

Objective: Alteration in platelet aggregation has been shown to promote bleeding and affect outcome after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).We investigated the influence of genetic variants of platelet aggregation, and their effects on admission ICH volume and clinical outcome.

Methods: Our prospective study analyzed selected candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) previously associated with platelet aggregation phenotype in previous genome-wide association studies, with regards to outcome and ICH volume.

von Willebrand factor genetic variant associated with hematoma expansion after intracerebral hemorrhage.

Background: Hematoma expansion, the leading cause of neurologic deterioration after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), remains one of the few modifiable risk factors for poor outcome. In the present study, we explored whether common genetic variants within the hemostasis pathway were related to hematoma expansion during the acute period after ICH.

Methods: Patients with spontaneous ICH who were admitted to the institutional Neuro-ICU between 2009 and 2011 were enrolled in the study, and clinical data were collected prospectively.

Osteochondroses: a clinical review for the pediatrician.

The purpose of this article is to provide the pediatrician with a thorough review of the variety of osteochondroses that affect children and adolescents. These conditions present in all different parts of the body in a wide range of patients: from the sedentary to athletic, the toddler to the pre-teen.The osteochondroses often are self-limiting and resolve with nonoperative management, but there are a few circumstances when operative treatment may be required.