Characteristics associated with 30-day post-stroke readmission within an academic urban hospital network.

Objectives: Hospital readmissions are associated with poor health outcomes including illness severity and medical complications. The objective of this study was to identify characteristics associated with 30-day post-stroke readmission in an academic urban hospital network.

Materials And Methods: We collected data on patients admitted with stroke from 2017 through 2022 who were readmitted within 30 days of discharge and compared them to a subset of non-readmitted stroke patients.

Relapse after cessation of weekly tocilizumab for giant cell arteritis: a multicentre service evaluation in England.

Objectives: The National Health Service in England funds 12 months of weekly subcutaneous tocilizumab (qwTCZ) for patients with relapsing or refractory giant cell arteritis (GCA). During the COVID-19 pandemic, some patients were allowed longer treatment. We sought to describe what happened to patients after cessation of qwTCZ.

Detecting desertification in the ancient oases of southern Morocco.

Understanding what led to desertification in the long-term is crucial for adaptation to climate change and pressures on resources in North Africa, but existing maps do not accurately show the extent of degraded land or the traditional water systems which underpinned cultivation. These products rely on recent vegetation trends and hindcasted statistical data. Desertification which occurred prior to the later twentieth century is poorly represented, if at all.

Pre-admission antithrombotic use is associated with 3-month mRS score after thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke.

In patients who undergo thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke, the relationship between pre-admission antithrombotic (anticoagulation or antiplatelet) use and both radiographic and functional outcome is not well understood. We sought to explore the relationship between pre-admission antithrombotic use in patients who underwent thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke at two medical centers in New York City between December 2018 and November 2020. Analyses were performed using analysis of variance and Pearson's chi-squared tests.

Hypoxanthine is a pharmacodynamic marker of ischemic brain edema modified by glibenclamide.

Brain edema after a large stroke causes significant morbidity and mortality. Here, we seek to identify pharmacodynamic markers of edema that are modified by intravenous (i.v.

Tachycardia is associated with mortality and functional outcome after thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke.

Background: The relationship between cardiac function and mortality after thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke is not well elucidated.

Methods: We analyzed the relationship between cardiac function and mortality prior to discharge in a cohort of patients who underwent thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke at two large medical centers in New York City between December 2018 and November 2020. All analyses were performed using Welch's two sample t-test and logistic regression accounting for age, initial NIHSS and post-procedure ASPECTS score, where OR is for each unit increase in the respective variables.

Secukinumab as a potential trigger of inflammatory bowel disease in ankylosing spondylitis or psoriatic arthritis patients.

Objective: Real-world secukinumab gastrointestinal-related adverse events (GIRAE) data during treatment for AS and PsA are lacking. We aimed to obtain this through baseline evaluation of pre-existing IBD rates and predictors of GIRAE.

Methods: Patient electronic and paper records commencing secukinumab from 10 UK hospitals between 2016 and 2019 were reviewed.

High-throughput metabolite profiling: identification of plasma taurine as a potential biomarker of functional outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Objective: Metabolite profiling (or metabolomics) can identify candidate biomarkers for disease and potentially uncover new pathways for intervention. The goal of this study was to identify potential biomarkers of functional outcome after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

Methods: The authors performed high-throughput metabolite profiling across a broad spectrum of chemical classes (163 metabolites) on plasma samples taken from 191 patients with SAH who presented to Massachusetts General Hospital between May 2011 and October 2016.

Reduced Intracerebral Hemorrhage and Perihematomal Edema Volumes in Diabetics on Sulfonylureas.

Background and Purpose- Sulfonylurea medications have been linked to reduced brain edema and improved outcome following ischemic stroke, but their effects on primary intracerebral hemorrhage (pICH) have not been thoroughly explored. Increasing ICH volume and perihematomal edema (PHE) volume are predictors of poor outcome in pICH. We investigated whether preexisting sulfonylurea use influenced ICH volume, PHE volume, and discharge disposition in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus presenting with pICH.

Comparative Analysis of Markers of Mass Effect after Ischemic Stroke.

Background And Purpose: Midline shift determined on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) images is a well-validated marker of mass effect after large hemispheric infarction and associated with mortality. In this study, we targeted a population with moderately sized strokes. We compared midline shift to other imaging markers and determined their ability to predict long-term outcome.

Reperfusion after ischemic stroke is associated with reduced brain edema.

Rapid revascularization is highly effective for acute stroke, but animal studies suggest that reperfusion edema may attenuate its beneficial effects. We investigated the relationship between reperfusion and edema in patients from the Echoplanar Imaging Thrombolysis Evaluation Trial (EPITHET) and Mechanical Retrieval and Recanalization of Stroke Clots Using Embolectomy (MR RESCUE) cohorts. Reperfusion percentage was measured as the difference in perfusion-weighted imaging lesion volume between baseline and follow-up (day 3-5 for EPITHET; day 6-8 for MR RESCUE).

Early neurological stability predicts adverse outcome after acute ischemic stroke.

Background Deterioration in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) in the early days after stroke is associated with progressive infarction, brain edema, and/or hemorrhage, leading to worse outcome. Aims We sought to determine whether a stable NIHSS score represents an adverse or favorable course. Methods Brain magnetic resonance images from a research cohort of acute ischemic stroke patients were analyzed.

The Impact of Lipoprotein-Associated Oxidative Stress on Cell-Specific Microvesicle Release in Patients with Familial Hypercholesterolemia.

Objective. Microvesicles (MVs) are small cell-derived particles shed upon activation. Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) particularly when associated with Achilles tendon xanthomas (ATX) predisposes to atherosclerosis, possibly through oxLDL-C interaction with the CD36 receptor.

Elevated atherosclerosis-related gene expression, monocyte activation and microparticle-release are related to increased lipoprotein-associated oxidative stress in familial hypercholesterolemia.

Objective: Animal and in vitro studies have suggested that hypercholesterolemia and increased oxidative stress predisposes to monocyte activation and enhanced accumulation of oxidized LDL cholesterol (oxLDL-C) through a CD36-dependent mechanism. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that elevated oxLDL-C induce proinflammatory monocytes and increased release of monocyte-derived microparticles (MMPs), as well as up-regulation of CD36, chemokine receptors and proinflammatory factors through CD36-dependent pathways and that this is associated with accelerated atherosclerosis in subjects with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH), in particular in the presence of Achilles tendon xanthomas (ATX).

Approach And Results: We studied thirty FH subjects with and without ATX and twenty-three healthy control subjects.

Predictors for delayed ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement after external ventricular drain removal in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Objective: Hydrocephalus after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) requires temporary cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage using an external ventricular drain (EVD). This drain is removed if patients pass a clamp trial, or a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) is placed. Little is known about the risk factors for delayed VPS placement in patients who pass a clamp trial and have their EVD removed.

Psychosocial adjustment to multiple sclerosis: exploration of identity redefinition.

Purpose: As multiple sclerosis (MS) often occurs in the prime of life and is unpredictable in nature, there is likely to be a strong psychological effect, with changes in values and beliefs and how the individual sees him or her self. This article presents the findings of a focus group study which aimed to explore the subjective experiences of living with, and adjusting to, MS.

Method: Seven individuals who had been diagnosed with MS for at least 5 years reflected on their reactions to being diagnosed, how they cope with the day to day challenges of the disease, and the changes that they have experienced.

Family-based interpersonal psychotherapy for depressed preadolescents: an open-treatment trial.

Aim: To conduct an open-treatment trial to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability and clinical outcomes of using a family-based adaptation of Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depressed Adolescents with a sample of preadolescents (ages 9-12) presenting for outpatient treatment for depression.

Methods: Sixteen preadolescents who met criteria for a depressive disorder according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition participated in this open-treatment trial of family-based interpersonal psychotherapy (FB-IPT). Parents chose whether their preadolescents should receive FB-IPT only (n = 10) or FB-IPT with antidepressant medication (n = 6).

Challenge of percutaneous nephrolithotomy in patients with spinal neuropathy.

Objective: To assess the technical difficulties, associated complications and stone clearance rates in patients with spinal neuropathy undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy.

Methods: Twenty-nine patients with spinal neuropathy underwent percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the two centers studied between October 1995 and January 2002. They were nine patients with traumatic spinal cord injury, 10 patients with spina bifida and 10 with other heterogeneous causes for their spinal neuropathy.