Statins as potential disease-modifying therapy of Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis with trial sequential analysis.

Background: Recent evidence indicates that statins have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, leading to several investigations of whether statins have a neuroprotective effect and may benefit patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the potential mechanisms of this class of medications as modifiers of the course of PD in already diagnosed patients is still unclear.

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of statins as modifiers of established PD.

Efficacy and safety of stereotactic radiosurgery with gamma knife machine in patients with essential tremor: a systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis.

Essential tremor (ET) is identified as the most prevalent movement disorder, primarily characterized by tremors in both upper extremities. The spectrum of surgical options for ET includes gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) and other stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) modalities. Despite the limitations of these options, SRS is deemed an essential and indispensable approach.

Efficacy and safety of intravenous tirofiban versus standard medical treatment in acute ischemic stroke: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Introduction: Tirofiban is a fast-acting glycoprotein IIb-IIIa inhibitor that inhibits the final common pathway to platelet aggregation and has been studied as adjuvant therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Since the prior meta-analysis new randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have been published. This meta-analysis aimed to update the current knowledge on the efficacy of tirofiban for patients with AIS not submitted to reperfusion therapies.

Heterogenous relapse and efficacy endpoint definitions for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder studies: A systematic review.

Background: Over the last years, multiple studies have been dedicated to evaluate the efficacy of different treatment options for Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD). However, there is a wide variety of endpoints employed across these studies. Our goal is to conduct a systematic review describing the endpoints utilized in studies related to NMOSD.

Safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke with volume over 50 mL and significant perfusion mismatch.

Background: This study aims to address the safety and efficacy of mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in acute ischemic stroke with an established infarction equal to or >50 mL with a significant difference between penumbra and established infarction detected by perfusion cerebral computed tomography (CT) with the Rapid system.

Methods: This was a retrospective case-control study. Patients diagnosed with established and extensive ischemic stroke, defined by an ischemic volume equal to or >50 mL on CT or magnetic resonance imaging perfusion using the RAPID system, were examined.

Direct oral anticoagulants in embolic stroke of undetermined source: an updated meta-analysis.

The efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) in patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) remains unclear. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing DOACs versus aspirin in patients with ESUS. Risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed for binary endpoints.

Role of Dapagliflozin in Ischemic Preconditioning in Patients with Symptomatic Coronary Artery Disease-DAPA-IP Study Protocol.

Ischemic preconditioning (IP) is a powerful cellular protection mechanism. The cellular pathways underlying IP are extremely complex and involve the participation of cell triggers, intracellular signaling pathways, and end-effectors. Experimental studies have shown that sodium-glucose transport protein 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors promote activation of 5'-adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), the main regulator of adenosine 5'-triphosphate homeostasis and energy metabolism in the body.

Switching Vancomycin Monitoring From Trough Concentration to Area Under the Curve Estimation by Bayesian Forecasting: A Short Communication on a Cost-Benefit Study in Resource-Limited Settings.

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the cost-benefit indicators of a vancomycin monitoring protocol based on area under the curve estimation using commercial Bayesian software.

Methods: This quasi-experimental study included patients who were aged >18 years with a vancomycin prescription for >24 hours. Patients who were terminally ill or those with acute kidney injury (AKI) ≤24 hours were excluded.

Evaluation of deep learning algorithms in detecting moyamoya disease: a systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis.

The diagnosis of Moyamoya disease (MMD) relies heavily on imaging, which could benefit from standardized machine learning tools. This study aims to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of deep learning (DL) algorithms for MMD by analyzing sensitivity, specificity, and the area under the curve (AUC) compared to expert consensus. We conducted a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for articles published from inception to February 2024.

The Effects of Head Elevation on Intracranial Pressure, Cerebral Perfusion Pressure, and Cerebral Oxygenation Among Patients with Acute Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Head elevation is recommended as a tier zero measure to decrease high intracranial pressure (ICP) in neurocritical patients. However, its quantitative effects on cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP), jugular bulb oxygen saturation (SjvO), brain tissue partial pressure of oxygen (PbtO), and arteriovenous difference of oxygen (AVDO) are uncertain. Our objective was to evaluate the effects of head elevation on ICP, CPP, SjvO, PbtO, and AVDO among patients with acute brain injury.

Efficacy and safety of neuroendoscopy surgery versus craniotomy for supratentorial intracerebral hemorrhage: an updated meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Neuroendoscopy (NE) surgery emerged as a promising technique for the treatment of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). A previous meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) analyzed the efficacy and safety of NE compared to craniotomy, but NE did not present a significant improvement in functional outcomes. However, a new study provided an opportunity to update the current knowledge.

Efficacy and safety of brexpiprazole for the treatment of agitation in Alzheimer's disease: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have shown a benefit of brexpiprazole in managing agitation in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, its efficacy and safety remain unclear. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library for RCTs comparing brexpiprazole with placebo in patients with agitation and AD.

Neuropsychological outcomes in patients with ruptured anterior communicating artery aneurysms treated by clipping versus coiling: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Ruptured anterior communicating artery (ACoA) aneurysms are frequently associated with neuropsychological deficits. This review aims to compare neuropsychological outcomes between surgical and endovascular approaches to ACoA. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for studies comparing the endovascular and surgical approaches to ruptured ACoA aneurysms.

Relationship Between Brain Tumors and Intracranial Aneurysms: A Systematic Review.

Aim: To investigate the possible relationship between intracranial aneurysms and brain neoplasms.

Material And Methods: A comprehensive literature review involving a search of the databases PubMed and Embase to identify relevant articles was conducted in March 2021. The initial search retrieved 451 articles.

Ticagrelor versus clopidogrel in dual antiplatelet therapy after minor stroke or transient ischemic attack: an updated network meta-analysis.

Background: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with clopidogrel plus aspirin is a well-established practice after a minor stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). However, ticagrelor plus aspirin may be an alternative.

Aims: We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central from inception to January 2024.

Sepsis death risk factor score based on systemic inflammatory response syndrome, quick sequential organ failure assessment, and comorbidities.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the death risk factors of patients included in the sepsis protocol bundle, using clinical data from qSOFA, SIRS, and comorbidities, as well as development of a mortality risk score.

Design: This retrospective cohort study was conducted between 2016 and 2021.

Setting: Two university hospitals in Brazil.

Myocardial tissue expression of mRNA and preoperative neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio in children undergoing congenital heart surgery.

Background: The neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an easily accessible and inexpensive biomarker that has been shown to predict morbidity and mortality in congenital cardiac surgery. However, its regulatory mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to compare and correlate the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and IL-10 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) with the NLR in patients with tetralogy of Fallot (ToF) and ventricular septal defect (VSD).