Effect of piracetam on recovery and rehabilitation after stroke: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

The nootropic agent piracetam has been shown to improve learning and memory, and it may, by this means, facilitate recovery and rehabilitation after a stroke. We report the results of a pilot study exploring its effects in patients undergoing rehabilitation after acute cerebral infarction in the carotid artery territory. We compared piracetam and placebo, each given for 12 weeks, in a multicenter, double-blind, randomized trial of parallel-group design; testing was performed at baseline (6-9 weeks poststroke), weeks 5 and 12, and, in fewer patients, 12 weeks after termination of treatment.

Infections caused by Kingella kingae: report of four cases and review.

Kingella kingae, formerly known as Moraxella kingae, is a fastidious, non-motile, coccobacillary, fermentative Gram-negative rod that has been chiefly associated with two types of infections in man: bone and joint infections, and endocarditis. We describe four patients with K. kingae infections, one with septicaemia, two with endocarditis, and one with osteoarthritis.

Plasmapheresis combined with corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide in uncontrolled active systemic lupus erythematosus.

A case is described of severe systemic lupus erythematosus, uncontrolled with moderate dosage of corticosteroid and cyclophosphamide, which responded quickly after 3 courses of plasmapheresis. The result obtained with combination corticosteroids, cyclophosphamide and plasmapheresis was maintained for more than 18 months.