Blood glutamate scavenging as a novel glutamate-based therapeutic approach for post-stroke depression.

Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a major complication of stroke that significantly impacts functional recovery and quality of life. While the exact mechanism of PSD is unknown, recent attention has focused on the association of the glutamatergic system in its etiology and treatment. Minimizing secondary brain damage and neuropsychiatric consequences associated with excess glutamate concentrations is a vital part of stroke management.

The effect of depressive-like behavior and antidepressant therapy on social behavior and hierarchy in rats.

Background: Depression is common and results in a significant morbidity and economic burden. Depression is associated with pervasive impairments in social functioning, and antidepressant treatments are highly variable in improving these impairments. The objectives of this study were to test the effects of depression on social organization and behavior in a rodent model of depression, and to study the effectiveness of antidepressant medication in improving both symptoms of depression and the social function of depressed animals.

Establishment of novel technical methods for evaluating brain edema and lesion volume in stroked rats: A standardization of measurement procedures.

Stroke plays a role in high morbidity and mortality. Deciphering its mechanisms and pathophysiology is critical for the creation of new drugs and therapies. Most of the previous animal models of stroke, aimed at identifying the extent and location of brain injury following stroke, require animal sacrifice, which, besides ethical considerations, also negates the ability for follow up studies with the same rats.

Blood Glutamate Reducing Effect of Hemofiltration in Critically Ill Patients.

Glutamate toxicity plays a well-established role in secondary brain damage following acute and chronic brain insults. Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis in reducing blood glutamate levels. However, these methods are not viable options for hemodynamically unstable patients.

Clinical outcome of critically ill patients with thrombocytopenia and hypophosphatemia in the early stage of sepsis.

Background: Hypophosphatemia and thrombocytopenia may both be independent risk factors for the development of multiple organ failure and correlate well with the severity of sepsis. In the present study we wanted to analyze the potential clinical role and prognostic significance of both early hypophosphatemia and thrombocytopenia on clinical outcomes of critically ill ICU patients with severe sepsis.

Methods: We analyzed the clinical data, including the outcome of critically ill ICU patients with severe sepsis who presented during a 5 year period with early hypophosphatemia and thrombocytopenia.

Positive fluid balance as a major predictor of clinical outcome of patients with sepsis/septic shock after ICU discharge.

Introduction: Sepsis and septic shock continue to be syndromes that carry a high mortality rate worldwide. Early aggressive fluid and vasopressor support have resulted in significant improvement in patient outcomes. The prognostic clinical significance of a positive fluid balance in septic intensive care unit (ICU) patients remains undetermined.

Neuroprotection by Estrogen and Progesterone in Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury.

In recent years there has been a growing body of clinical and laboratory evidence demonstrating the neuroprotective effects of estrogen and progesterone after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and spinal cord injury (SCI). In humans, women have been shown to have a lower incidence of morbidity and mortality after TBI compared with age-matched men. Similarly, numerous laboratory studies have demonstrated that estrogen and progesterone administration is associated with a mortality reduction, improvement in neurological outcomes, and a reduction in neuronal apoptosis after TBI and SCI.

Anesthetic Management of Patients with Congenital Insensitivity to Pain with Anhidrosis: A Retrospective Analysis of 358 Procedures Performed Under General Anesthesia.

Background: Congenital insensitivity to pain with anhidrosis (CIPA) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by recurrent episodic fevers, anhidrosis, absent reaction to noxious stimuli, self-mutilating behavior, and mental retardation. The anesthetic management of patients with CIPA is challenging. Autonomic nervous system abnormalities are common, and patients are at increased risk for perioperative complications.

Epidemiology of new-onset paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in the General Intensive Care Unit population and after discharge from ICU. A retrospective epidemiological study.

Background: Evidence of various cardiac arrhythmias in septic patients has been demonstrated by multiple clinical reports and observations. Most cardiac arrhythmias in sepsis are new-onset and may be related to sepsis-induced myocardial dysfunction. We propose to investigate and analyze data of new-onset paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) in a critically ill septic population.

Establishment of an animal model of depression contagion.

Background: Depression is a common and important cause of morbidity, and results in a significant economic burden. Recent human studies have demonstrated that that depression is contagious, and depression in family and friends might cumulatively increase the likelihood that a person will exhibit depressive behaviors. The mechanisms underlying contagion depression are poorly understood, and there are currently no animal models for this condition.

Use of early inhaled nitric oxide therapy in fat embolism syndrome to prevent right heart failure.

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is a life-threatening condition in which multiorgan dysfunction manifests 48-72 hours after long bone or pelvis fractures. Right ventricular (RV) failure, especially in the setting of pulmonary hypertension, is a frequent feature of FES. We report our experience treating 2 young, previously healthy trauma patients who developed severe hypoxemia in the setting of FES.

Association between Hypophosphatemia and Cardiac Arrhythmias in the Early Stage of Sepsis: Could Phosphorus Replacement Treatment Reduce the Incidence of Arrhythmias?

It is well known that new-onset arrhythmias are common in septic patients. It is thought that hypophosphatemia in the early stages of sepsis may contribute to the development of new arrhythmias. In this study, we hypothesized that intravenous (IV) phosphorus replacement may reduce the incidence of arrhythmias in critically ill patients.

The influence of aging on poststroke depression using a rat model via middle cerebral artery occlusion.

Poststroke depression (PSD) is the most frequent psychological sequela following stroke. While previous studies describe the impact of age on brain infarct volume, brain edema, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) breakdown following ischemia, the role of age on PSD has yet to be described. Here, we examine the influence of age on PSD progression in a rat model of PSD by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).