Role of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists in Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and Parkinson's Disease (PD) are common complications of diabetes, arising from insulin resistance, inflammation, and other pathological processes in the central nervous system. The potential of numerous antidiabetic agents to modify neurodegenerative disease progression, both preclinically and clinically, has been assessed. These agents may provide additional therapeutic benefits beyond glycemic control.

Role of vitamin B12 and folic acid in treatment of Alzheimer's disease: a meta-analysis of randomized control trials.

Vitamin B12 and folic acid could reduce blood homocysteine levels, which was thought to slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), but previous studies regarding the effect of vitamin B12 and folic acid in treatment of AD have not reached conclusive results. We searched PubMed and Embase until January 12, 2023. Only randomized control trials involving participants clearly diagnosed with AD and who received vitamin B12 and folic acid were enrolled.

Brain Age Is Associated with Cognitive Outcomes of Cholinesterase Inhibitor Treatment in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Background: The effect of cholinesterase inhibitor (ChEI) on mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is controversial. Brain age has been shown to predict Alzheimer's disease conversion from MCI.

Objective: The study aimed to show that brain age is related to cognitive outcomes of ChEI treatment in MCI.

Cilostazol plus Aspirin vs. Clopidogrel plus Aspirin in Acute Minor Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack.

Aim: This study compared the effectiveness, safety, and mortality risks between cilostazol plus aspirin and clopidogrel plus aspirin treatment for patients with acute minor ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

Methods: This retrospective cohort study employed a new-user design and utilized data from the nationwide Health and Welfare Database in Taiwan. Patients were included if they were discharged with newly initiated cilostazol plus aspirin or clopidogrel plus aspirin after primary acute minor ischemic stroke or TIA hospitalization between 2009 and 2018.

Outcomes of Endovascular Treatment versus Standard Medical Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke with Basilar Artery Occlusion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Although endovascular treatment (EVT) is beneficial for large vessel occlusion in anterior circulation stroke, whether these benefits exist for basilar artery occlusion (BAO) remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis compared the outcomes of patients with BAO undergoing EVT and standard medical treatment (SMT).

Methods: The PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for eligible randomized control trials (RCTs) and non-RCTs involving patients with acute ischemic stroke and BAO undergoing EVT or SMT.

XGBoost-Based Simple Three-Item Model Accurately Predicts Outcomes of Acute Ischemic Stroke.

An all-inclusive and accurate prediction of outcomes for patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is crucial for clinical decision-making. This study developed extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost)-based models using three simple factors-age, fasting glucose, and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores-to predict the three-month functional outcomes after AIS. We retrieved the medical records of 1848 patients diagnosed with AIS and managed at a single medical center between 2016 and 2020.

Risk factor identification and prediction models for prolonged length of stay in hospital after acute ischemic stroke using artificial neural networks.

Background: Accurate estimation of prolonged length of hospital stay after acute ischemic stroke provides crucial information on medical expenditure and subsequent disposition. This study used artificial neural networks to identify risk factors and build prediction models for a prolonged length of stay based on parameters at the time of hospitalization.

Methods: We retrieved the medical records of patients who received acute ischemic stroke diagnoses and were treated at a stroke center between January 2016 and June 2020, and a retrospective analysis of these data was performed.

Advantages of DES over BMS in Preventing the Risk of Myocardial Infarction, Ischemic Stroke, and Mortality in Various Populations.

Previous studies have demonstrated that drug-eluting stents (DESs) are more effective than bare metal stents (BMSs) in reducing the risk of myocardial infarction in the short term, but the long-term preventive benefits for myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and mortality are not clear. This study deeply analyzed the long-term (within 3 years) advantages of the use of DESs in preventing the risk of myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and mortality in various populations compared with those of using BMSs. This was a retrospective observational cohort study.

Probiotics treatment for Parkinson disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials.

Background And Aims: People with Parkinson disease (PwP) exhibit gut dysbiosis and considerable gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Probiotics, beneficial strains of microorganisms, supplement and optimize the intestinal environment and alleviate GI symptoms among elderly people. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials to investigate the effects of probiotics on PwP.

Safety and efficacy of endovascular thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke treated with anticoagulants: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is an effective therapy in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) with large vessel occlusion, especially for those who are unsuitable for intravenous thrombolysis. However, the safety and efficacy of EVT in AIS patients who receiving oral anticoagulants (OACs) is unclear, especially for the risk of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH).  METHODS: Database of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched from Jan 1, 2000, through the final search date of Jun 2, 2021.

Cholinesterase inhibitors for gait, balance, and fall in Parkinson disease: a meta-analysis.

Gait disturbance and imbalance are the major symptoms of Parkinson disease (PD), with fall being the most undesirable consequence. However, few effective evidence-based treatments are available for alleviating these symptoms and preventing falls. Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) are a well-established treatment for PD dementia with possible impacts on gait, balance, and fall reduction.

Blood Neurofilament Light Chain in Parkinson's Disease: Comparability between Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) and Asian Cohorts.

Elevated blood neurofilament light chain (NfL), which indicates the loss of neuronal integrity, is increasingly implicated as a diagnostic and outcome-predicting biomarker for neurological diseases. However, its diagnostic implication for Parkinson's disease (PD) remains unclear, with conflicting data reported by several studies. This may result from the demographic heterogeneity of the studied cohorts.

Plasma extracellular vesicles tau and β-amyloid as biomarkers of cognitive dysfunction of Parkinson's disease.

The contribution of circulatory tau and β-amyloid in Parkinson's disease (PD), especially the cognitive function, remains inconclusive. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) cargo these proteins throughout the bloodstream after they are directly secreted from many cells, including neurons. The present study aims to investigate the role of the plasma EV-borne tau and β-amyloid as biomarkers for cognitive dysfunction in PD by investigating subjects with mild to moderate stage of PD (n = 116) and non-PD controls (n = 46).

Plasma Extracellular Vesicle α-Synuclein Level in Patients with Parkinson's Disease.

Background: The most established pathognomonic protein of Parkinson's disease (PD), α-synuclein, is extensively investigated for disease diagnosis and prognosis; however, investigations into whether the free form of α-synuclein in the blood functions as a PD biomarker have not been fruitful. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted from cells and present in blood transport molecules are novel platforms for biomarker identification. In blood EVs, α-synuclein originates predominantly from the brain without the interference of the blood-brain barrier.

Cytokine Profile in Plasma Extracellular Vesicles of Parkinson's Disease and the Association with Cognitive Function.

Plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing various molecules, including cytokines, can reflect the intracellular condition and participate in cell-to-cell signaling, thus emerging as biomarkers for Parkinson's disease (PD). Inflammation may be a crucial risk factor for PD development and progression. The present study investigated the role of plasma EV cytokines as the biomarkers of PD.

The effect of monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors on the alleviation of depressive symptoms in Parkinson's disease: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Depression is a major nonmotor symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, few treatments exist for PD depression. Monoamine oxidase-B inhibitors (MAOB-Is) provide symptomatic relief for the motor symptoms of PD and exert antidepressive effects.

Neurofilament light chain level in plasma extracellular vesicles and Parkinson's disease.

Background: Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is essential for axonal maintenance and reflects neuronal damage. Extracellular vesicles (EVs), especially exosomes, secreted by cells into the blood, are emerging as novel biomedical research platforms of physiological and pathological processes. The present study investigated the possible association between plasma EV NfL and Parkinson's disease (PD).

A real-world observational study of drug utilization and clinical outcomes of direct-acting antivirals and interferon therapy for hepatitis C treatment in Taiwan.

Objective: In this study, we investigated the use of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), medical expenses and clinical outcomes since the initiation of national health insurance coverage in Taiwan.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational study. We obtained claims data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database in 2017.

Plasma Exosomal Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Correlated with the Postural Instability and Gait Disturbance-Related Motor Symptoms in Patients with Parkinson's Disease.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an essential neurotrophin, responsible for neuronal development, function, and survival. Assessments of peripheral blood BDNF in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) previously yielded inconsistent results. Plasma exosomes can carry BDNF, so this study investigated the role of plasma exosomal BDNF level as a biomarker of PD.

Hand fine motor skill disability correlates with dementia severity.

Background: The progression of dementia, which impairs motor skills and cognitive function, is a warning of greater disability. The present study investigated the association between hand fine motor skills, assessed according to the Functioning Disability Evaluation Scale - Adult Version (FUNDES-Adult), and dementia severity.

Methods: People with mild and moderate to severe dementia were identified from the Taiwan Data Bank of Persons with Disability.

Hand Fine Motor Skill Disability Correlates with Cognition in Patients with Moderate-to-Advanced Parkinson's Disease.

In older individuals, hand fine motor skill disability is associated with cognitive levels. Similarly, patients with moderate-to-advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) often have cognitive dysfunction. Here, we investigated the association between hand fine motor skill and cognitive dysfunction in patients with moderate-to-advanced PD.

Dementia-Related Functional Disability in Moderate to Advanced Parkinson's Disease: Assessment Using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0.

Dementia is a common nonmotor condition among people with moderate or advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). Undoubtedly, profound motor symptoms cause remarkable impairment in daily activities; however, dementia-related disabilities have not been thoroughly investigated, especially not with consideration of differences according to sex. The present study used the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.

Coexisting myasthenia gravis, myositis, and polyneuropathy induced by ipilimumab and nivolumab in a patient with non-small-cell lung cancer: A case report and literature review.

Rationale: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have led to the development of new approaches for cancer treatment with positive outcomes. However, checkpoint blockade is associated with a unique spectrum of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which may cause irreversible neurological deficits and even death.

Patient Concerns: We presented a case of a 57-year-old man with non-small-cell lung cancer.

Organic dyes containing a coplanar indacenodithiophene bridge for high-performance dye-sensitized solar cells.

A series of new organic dyes exploiting coplanar indacenodithiophene as the central π-spacer of the classical donor-(π-spacer)-acceptor configuration were synthesized and characterized for dye-sensitized solar cells. The coplanarity of the indacenodithiophene core facilitates efficient donor to acceptor charge transfer, imparting the new organic dyes significant bathochromic shifts and remarkable power conversion efficiencies of up to 6.7% (DTInDT) under AM 1.