Parkinson's disease rigidity: relation to brain connectivity and motor performance.

Objective: (1) To determine the brain connectivity pattern associated with clinical rigidity scores in Parkinson's disease (PD) and (2) to determine the relation between clinically assessed rigidity and quantitative metrics of motor performance.

Background: Rigidity, the resistance to passive movement, is exacerbated in PD by asking the subject to move the contralateral limb, implying that rigidity involves a distributed brain network. Rigidity mainly affects subjects when they attempt to move; yet the relation between clinical rigidity scores and quantitative aspects of motor performance are unknown.

Morphine sensitization in the pentylenetetrazole-induced clonic seizure threshold in mice: role of nitric oxide and μ receptors.

Behavioral sensitization occurs after repeated administration of μ-opioid receptor agonists following a drug-free period. It seems that the changes in dopaminergic systems induced by μ-opioid receptor agonists play a crucial role in behavioral sensitization to opioids. Nitric oxide also plays a role in some behavioral effects of morphine, including sensitization to the locomotor-stimulating effect.

Huge hydrocephalus: definition, management, and complications.

Objective: Lack of comprehensive knowledge and numerous socioeconomic problems may make the parents leave hydrocephalic children untreated, leading to progressive hydrocephalus and eventual unordinary big head. Management of huge hydrocephalus (HH) differs from common hydrocephalus. We present our experience in the management of these children.

Cephalocele: report of 55 cases over 8 years.

Objective: Cephalocele is a central nervous system (CNS) birth defect. Various CNS and extra-CNS anomalies, as well as prognostic factors have been reported with cephalocele. The aim of this study was to discuss prognostic factors and current possible theories explaining associated anomalies seen in a series of 55 patients with cephalocele.

Concurrence of klinefelter syndrome with hypospadias and chordee in identical twins: a rare presentation.

Klinefelter syndrome (KFS), is the most common disorder of the sex chromosomes, affecting 1/1000 male births, and presents with underdeveloped secondary sexual characteristics, infertility, and increased urinary excretion of gonadotropin. External genitourinary malformations in KFS are not common, except for small testes. We present identical twins with a 47XXY karyotype and discordant hypospadias and concomitant chordee.