Non-invasive Intracranial Pressure Waveform Analysis in Chiari Malformation Type 1: A Pilot Trial.

Objective: This pilot study aimed to investigate the role of Posterior Fossa Decompression (PFD) on the intracranial pressure (ICP) waveform in patients with Chiari Malformation type 1 (CM1). It also sought to explore the relationship between symptom improvement and ICP waveform behavior.

Methods: This exploratory cohort study evaluated adult patients diagnosed with CM1.

Conservative rehabilitation for a patient presenting with severe orthostatic hypotension after surgical management of brainstem tumor: illustrative case.

Background: Blood pressure (BP) dysregulation is frequently observed in patients after surgical management of brainstem lesions; however, there has been no standard rehabilitation. Considering the conflicting risks for hypoperfusion and disuse syndrome in these patients, a safe and effective rehabilitative strategy is warranted.

Observations: A 50-year-old man who had undergone craniotomy for resection of a recurrent dorsal medullary epidermoid cyst developed persistent orthostatic hypotension.

Effect of Foot Reflexology Protocol on Premenstrual Syndrome Symptoms in Nursing Students: a Pre-Post Pilot Study.

Background: Premenstrual syndrome is a highly prevalent cyclical disorder among women of childbearing age which interferes with daily activities, mood, and quality of life.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of a foot reflexology protocol on relieving premenstrual syndrome symptoms in nursing students.

Setting: Nursing School, São Paulo University, Brazil.

Brazilian version of the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire.

Background: After a traumatic brain injury, post-concussion symptoms are commonly reported by patients. Although common, these symptoms are difficult to diagnose and recognize. To date, no instruments evaluating post-concussion symptoms have been culturally translated or adapted to the Brazilian context.

Effectiveness and Safety of Transvenous Removal of Cardiac Pacing and Implantable Cardioverter-defibrillator Leads in the Real Clinical Scenario.

Background: Transvenous lead extraction (TLE) of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED) is an uncommon procedure and requires specialized personnel and adequate facilities.

Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the removal of CIED leads and to determine risk factors for surgical complications and mortality in 30 days.

Methods: Prospective study with data derived from clinical practice.

Recovery from spinal cord injury via M2 microglial polarization induced by Polygalae Radix.

Background: Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a refractory neurodegenerative disease caused by inflammation. M1 microglia induce inflammation, whereas M2 suppress inflammation and exhibit neuroprotective effects. Following SCI, M1 cells are more predominant than M2 cells, and hence, increasing the predominance of M2 microglia may improve SCI.

Validity Evidence of the Brazilian Version of the Florida Shock Anxiety Scale for Patients with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators.

Background: In spite of proven effectiveness of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), shock therapy delivered by the device may result in increased levels of anxiety and depression, leading to deleterious effects on quality of life.

Objective: To carry out the translation, cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Florida Shock Anxiety Scale (FSAS) scale into Brazilian Portuguese.

Methods: In this psychometric study, construct validity was performed by exploratory (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) factor analyses, and by item response theory (IRT).

Comparing Structure-Function Relationships Based on Drasdo's and Sjöstrand's Retinal Ganglion Cell Displacement Models.

Purpose: To compare structure-function relationships based on the Drasdo and Sjöstrand retinal ganglion cell displacement models.

Methods: Single eyes from 305 patients with glaucoma and 55 heathy participants were included in this multicenter, cross-sectional study. The ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness was measured using spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

Prediction of Early TBI Mortality Using a Machine Learning Approach in a LMIC Population.

In a time when the incidence of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is increasing in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs), it is important to understand the behavior of predictive variables in an LMIC's population. There are few previous attempts to generate prediction models for TBI outcomes from local data in LMICs. Our study aim is to design and compare a series of predictive models for mortality on a new cohort in TBI patients in Brazil using Machine Learning.

Comparative analysis of stilbene and benzofuran neolignan derivatives as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors with neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory activities.

Stilbenes and benzofuran neolignans are important groups of plant phenolics therefore they play a significant role in plants and human health. The objective of this study was to investigate the structure-activity relationships of naturally occurring stilbene and benzofuran neolignan derivatives as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. A series of these compounds were prepared and assessed for their inhibition on acetylcholinesterase activity.

Synthesis of coumarin derivatives and their cytoprotective effects on t-BHP-induced oxidative damage in HepG2 cells.

Coumarins are ubiquitous in higher plants and exhibit various biological actions. The aim of this study was to investigate the structure-activity relationships of coumarin derivatives on tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative damage in human hepatoma HepG2 cells. A series of coumarin derivatives were prepared and assessed for their cytoprotective effects.

Decreased long-chain acylcarnitines from insufficient β-oxidation as potential early diagnostic markers for Parkinson's disease.

Increasing evidence shows that metabolic abnormalities in body fluids are distinguishing features of the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease. However, a non-invasive approach has not been established in the earliest or pre-symptomatic phases. Here, we report comprehensive double-cohort analyses of the metabolome using capillary electrophoresis/liquid chromatography mass-spectrometry.

Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Post-Concussion Syndrome: Study Protocol for a Randomized Crossover Trial.

Background: Mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) represents 70-80% of all treated brain injuries. A considerable proportion of MTBI patients experience post-concussion symptoms for a prolonged period after MTBI, and these symptoms are diagnosed as persistent post-concussion syndrome (PPCS). PPCS is defined as a range of physical, cognitive, and emotional symptoms.

Massage and Reiki used to reduce stress and anxiety: Randomized Clinical Trial.

Objective: to evaluate the effectiveness of massage and reiki in the reduction of stress and anxiety in clients at the Institute for Integrated and Oriental Therapy in Sao Paulo (Brazil).

Method: clinical tests randomly done in parallel with an initial sample of 122 people divided into three groups: Massage + Rest (G1), Massage + Reiki (G2) and a Control group without intervention (G3). The Stress Systems list and the Trace State Anxiety Inventory were used to evaluate the groups at the start and after 8 sessions (1 month), during 2015.

Current clinical approach to patients with disorders of consciousness.

In clinical practice, hospital admission of patients with altered level of consciousness, sleepy or in a non-responsive state is extremely common. This clinical condition requires an effective investigation and early treatment. Performing a focused and objective evaluation is critical, with quality history taking and physical examination capable to locate the lesion and define conducts.

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) for the cognitive rehabilitation of traumatic brain injury (TBI) victims: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS) has been proposed as a new tool in neurological rehabilitation of victims of traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, its usefulness to treat this condition has never been tested rigorously. The primary goal is to conduct a study protocol to determine whether rTMS used to cognitive rehabilitation of victims of TBI with diffuse axonal injury (DAI) is a safe instrument and if it enhances cognitive function recovery.

A case of in-situ reconstruction with a rifampicin-bonded gelatin-sealed woven dacron graft for prosthetic graft infection with pseudoaneurysms after ascending aortic replacement for type a dissection.

A 74-year-old woman underwent replacement of the ascending aorta for acute type A aortic dissection. The patient suffered from bacteremia postoperatively and repeated computed tomography showed an increasing diameter of pseudoaneurysms at the site of the proximal anastomosis due to graft infection. Re-mechanical Bentall operation and arch replacement were therefore performed using a composite graft of a rifampicin-bonded gelatin-sealed 24-mm woven Dacron graft and a mechanical valve.

Mother-to-child transmission of congenital Chagas disease, Japan.

We report a patient with congenital Chagas disease in Japan. This report reemphasizes the role of neglected and emerging tropical diseases in the era of globalization. It also indicates the need for increased vigilance for detecting Chagas disease in non-disease-endemic countries.

Caspase-8 mediates mitochondrial release of pro-apoptotic proteins in a manner independent of its proteolytic activity in apoptosis induced by the protein synthesis inhibitor acetoxycycloheximide in human leukemia Jurkat cells.

The cysteine protease caspase-8 plays an essential role in apoptosis induced by death receptors. The protein synthesis inhibitor acetoxycycloheximide (Ac-CHX) has been previously shown to induce rapid apoptosis mediated by the release of cytochrome c in human leukemia Jurkat cells. In this study, the novel molecular mechanism that links caspase-8 to the mitochondrial release of pro-apoptotic proteins has been identified.