Biopsy-Proven Amyloid-Beta Related Angiitis with Unusual Presentation and Long-Term Follow-Up.

Amyloid-beta related angiitis (ABRA) is a rare central nervous system inflammatory and vasculitic process. It is seen in patients with cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) and thought to be mediated by an autoimmune reaction against cerebrovascular β-amyloid. We describe the case of a patient with ABRA with clinical information and brain imaging over a 10-year period.

3D Printed Hydrogels with Aligned Microchannels to Guide Neural Stem Cell Migration.

Following traumatic or ischemic brain injury, rapid cell death and extracellular matrix degradation lead to the formation of a cavity at the brain lesion site, which is responsible for prolonged neurological deficits and permanent disability. Transplantation of neural stem/progenitor cells (NSCs) represents a promising strategy for reconstructing the lesion cavity and promoting tissue regeneration. In particular, the promotion of neuronal migration, organization, and integration of transplanted NSCs is critical to the success of stem cell-based therapy.

Preserving stroke care during the COVID-19 pandemic: Potential issues and solutions.

The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic requires drastic changes in allocation of resources, which can affect the delivery of stroke care, and many providers are seeking guidance. As caregivers, we are guided by 3 distinct principles that will occasionally conflict during the pandemic: (1) we must ensure the best care for those stricken with COVID-19, (2) we must provide excellent care and advocacy for patients with cerebrovascular disease and their families, and (3) we must advocate for the safety of health care personnel managing patients with stroke, with particular attention to those most vulnerable, including trainees. This descriptive review by a diverse group of experts in stroke care aims to provide advice by specifically addressing the potential impact of this pandemic on (1) the quality of the stroke care delivered, (2) ethical considerations in stroke care, (3) safety and logistic issues for providers of patients with stroke, and (4) stroke research.

Impact of Stroke Call on the Stroke Neurology Workforce in the United States: Possible Challenges and Opportunities.

Background: The Stroke & Vascular Neurology Section of the American Academy of Neurology was charged to identify challenges to the recruitment and retention of stroke neurologists and to make recommendations to address any identified problems. The Section initiated this effort by determining the impact of stroke on-call requirements as a barrier to the recruitment and retention of vascular neurologists.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional survey of a sample of US Neurologists providing acute stroke care.

Targeting Pioglitazone Hydrochloride Therapy After Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack According to Pretreatment Risk for Stroke or Myocardial Infarction.

Importance: There is growing recognition that patients may respond differently to therapy and that the average treatment effect from a clinical trial may not apply equally to all candidates for a therapy.

Objective: To determine whether, among patients with an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack and insulin resistance, those at higher risk for future stroke or myocardial infarction (MI) derive more benefit from the insulin-sensitizing drug pioglitazone hydrochloride compared with patients at lower risk.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A secondary analysis was conducted of the Insulin Resistance Intervention After Stroke trial, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of pioglitazone for secondary prevention.

Analysis of steroid hormones and their conjugated forms in water and urine by on-line solid-phase extraction coupled to liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry.

Background: In recent years, endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) have been found in rivers that receive significant inputs of wastewater. Among EDCs, natural and synthetic steroid hormones are recognized for their potential to mimic or interfere with normal hormonal functions (development, growth and reproduction), even at ultratrace levels (ng L(-1)). Although conjugated hormones are less active than free hormones, they can be cleaved and release the unconjugated estrogens through microbial processes before or during the treatment of wastewater.

On-line solid-phase extraction coupled to liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry for the analysis of cyanotoxins in algal blooms.

An analytical method based on on-line SPE-LC-HESI-MS/MS has been developed for the detection and quantification of eight selected cyanotoxins in algal bloom waters that include mycrocystins, anatoxin-a and cylindrospermopsin. The injection volume was 2 mL according to the expected concentration of cyanotoxins in matrix. The method provides an analysis time of 7 min per sample, acceptable recovery values (91-101%), good precision (RSD < 13%) and method limits of detection at the sub-microgram per liter levels (0.

Central Nervous System Complications and Outcomes After Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation.

Background: Central nervous system complications (CNSC) can be the cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). We aimed to determine the incidence of CNSC and its impact on survival.

Patients And Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients with hematologic disorders who received allo-HSCT between 2002 and 2011 at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Biodegradation of multiple microcystins and cylindrospermopsin in clarifier sludge and a drinking water source: Effects of particulate attached bacteria and phycocyanin.

The effects of particulate attached bacteria (PAB) and phycocyanin on the simultaneous biodegradation of a mixture of microcystin-LR, YR, LY, LW, LF and cylindrospermopsin (CYN) was assessed in clarifier sludge of a drinking water treatment plant (DWTP) and in a drinking water source. The biomass from lake water and clarifier sludge was able to degrade all microcystins (MCs) at initial concentrations of 10µgL(-1) with pseudo-first order reaction half-lives ranging from 2.3 to 8.

Cervical arterial dissections and association with cervical manipulative therapy: a statement for healthcare professionals from the american heart association/american stroke association.

Purpose: Cervical artery dissections (CDs) are among the most common causes of stroke in young and middle-aged adults. The aim of this scientific statement is to review the current state of evidence on the diagnosis and management of CDs and their statistical association with cervical manipulative therapy (CMT). In some forms of CMT, a high or low amplitude thrust is applied to the cervical spine by a healthcare professional.

Total microcystins analysis in water using laser diode thermal desorption-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-tandem mass spectrometry.

A new approach for the analysis of the cyanobacterial microcystins (MCs) in environmental water matrices has been developed. It offers a cost efficient alternative method for the fast quantification of total MCs using mass spectrometry. This approach permits the quantification of total MCs concentrations without requiring any derivatization or the use of a suite of MCs standards.

Determination of six chemotherapeutic agents in municipal wastewater using online solid-phase extraction coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

Due to the increased consumption of chemotherapeutic agents, their high toxicity, carcinogenicity, their occurrence in the aquatic environment must be properly evaluated. An analytical method based on online solid-phase extraction coupled to liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was developed and validated. A 1 mL injection volume was used to quantify six of the most widely used cytotoxic drugs (cyclophosphamide, gemcitabine, ifosfamide, methotrexate, irinotecan and epirubicin) in municipal wastewater.

On-line solid-phase extraction coupled to liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry optimized for the analysis of steroid hormones in urban wastewaters.

An analytical method based on on-line SPE-LC-APCI-MS/MS has been developed for the detection and quantification of eight selected estrogenic and progestagenic steroid hormones; estrone (E1), 17β-estradiol (E2), estriol (E3), 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), levonorgestrel (LEVO), medroxyprogesterone (MEDRO), norethindrone (NORE) and progesterone (PROG) in wastewater matrices. The injection volume could range from 1 to 10-mL according to the expected concentration of steroid hormones in matrix. The method characteristics are: analysis time per sample (<15 min), acceptable recovery values (71-95%), good precision (RSD ≤ 10%) and limits of detection at the low-nanogram per liter levels in affluent and effluent wastewaters (8-60 ng L(-1)).

Degradation of progestagens by oxidation with potassium permanganate in wastewater effluents.

Background: This study investigated the oxidation of selected progestagenic steroid hormones by potassium permanganate at pH 6.0 and 8.0 in ultrapure water and wastewater effluents, using bench-scale assays.

Using a novel sol-gel stir bar sorptive extraction method for the analysis of steroid hormones in water by laser diode thermal desorption/atmospheric chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry.

A new coating material was used for a stir bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) method coupled to a high throughput sample analysis technique. This allowed for a simple procedure for fast determinations of eight steroid hormones (estriol, estradiol, ethynylestradiol, estrone, progesterone, medroxyprogesterone, levonorgestrel, northindrone) in water. Sample pre-treatment was performed using an in-house SBSE method based on a polydimethylsiloxane/phenyltrimethylsiloxane/β-cyclodextrin sol-gel material.

Development of a new multi-residue laser diode thermal desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry method for the detection and quantification of pesticides and pharmaceuticals in wastewater samples.

A new solid phase extraction (SPE) method coupled to a high throughput sample analysis technique was developed for the simultaneous determination of nine selected emerging contaminants in wastewater (atrazine, desethylatrazine, 17β-estradiol, ethynylestradiol, norethindrone, caffeine, carbamazepine, diclofenac and sulfamethoxazole). We specifically included pharmaceutical compounds from multiple therapeutic classes, as well as pesticides. Sample pre-concentration and clean-up was performed using a mixed-mode SPE cartridge (Strata ABW) having both cation and anion exchange properties, followed by analysis by laser diode thermal desorption atmospheric pressure chemical ionization coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LDTD-APCI-MS/MS).

Stroke survivors control the temporal structure of variability during reaching in dynamic environments.

Learning to control forces is known to reduce the amount of movement variability (e.g., standard deviation; SD) while also altering the temporal structure of movement variability (e.

The influence of visual perception of self-motion on locomotor adaptation to unilateral limb loading.

Self-perception of motion through visual stimulation may be important for adapting to locomotor conditions. Unilateral limb loading is a locomotor condition that can improve stability and reduce abnormal limb movement. In the present study, the authors investigated the effect of self-perception of motion through virtual reality (VR) on adaptation to unilateral limb loading.

Selective infarction of the anterior genu fornices associated with giant cell arteritis.

We report a middle-aged woman presenting with acute confusion and anterograde amnesia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an acute infarction of the anterior genu fornices. Evaluation of an elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate led to the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA).

Laser diode thermal desorption/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry analysis of selected steroid hormones in wastewater: method optimization and application.

A rapid and reliable method enabling high-throughput sample analysis for quicker data generation, detection, and monitoring of eight selected steroid hormones in water matrixes was developed and validated. Our approach is based on a novel sample introduction method, the laser diode thermal desorption/atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (LDTD/APCI) coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). The optimization of instrumental parameters and a method application are presented.