The effect of lithium in post-stroke motor recovery: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial.

Objective: Evidences from cultured cells and animal models of ischemia suggest that lithium has neuroprotective and neurotrophic effects and may play a desirable role in reducing infarct volume and even improving the brain insults from stroke. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of lithium in early motor recovery of patients after ischemic stroke.

Methods: Eighty patients with first ever stroke, allocated randomly in lithium, 300 mg twice daily, or placebo.

Engaging HIV-HCV co-infected patients in HCV treatment: the roles played by the prescribing physician and patients' beliefs (ANRS CO13 HEPAVIH cohort, France).

Background: Treatment for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) may be delayed significantly in HIV/HCV co-infected patients. Our study aims at identifying the correlates of access to HCV treatment in this population.

Methods: We used 3-year follow-up data from the HEPAVIH ANRS-CO13 nationwide French cohort which enrolled patients living with HIV and HCV.

Care of hepatitis C virus infection in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients: modifications in three consecutive large surveys between 2004 and 2009.

Background & Aims: To analyze the care of HCV infection in HIV-HCV coinfected patients and its progression between 2004 and 2009.

Methods: Three hundred eighty HIV-HCV coinfected patients were prospectively included from November 22 to 29, 2004 (2004 survey), 416 patients from April 3 to 10, 2006 (2006 survey), and 419 patients from June 15 to 22, 2009 (2009 survey).

Results: The rate of liver biopsy decreased (14% vs.

Inter- and intra-observer variability of the Los Angeles classification: a reassessment.

Background: Los Angeles classification is widely adopted for reporting endoscopic gastroesophageal reflux disease. We assessed the inter- and intra-observer variability of the Los Angeles classification.

Methods: Still images (n = 254) of the lower esophagus were presented to 9 gastroenterologists (6 experts and 3 trainees) and they were asked to report the images according to the Los Angeles classification.

Hereditary risk factors for the development of gastric cancer in younger patients.

Background: It is believed that the development of gastric cancer (GC) before the age of 50 has a hereditary basis. Blood group A and history of gastric cancer in first-degree relatives have been shown to be risk factors for GC.

Methods: In this case-control study, we enrolled patients with GC who were diagnosed before the age of 50.

Endoscopic esophageal cancer survey in the western part of the Caspian Littoral.

After a hiatus of 30 years an attempt is now being made to re-assess the previously reported very high esophageal cancer incidence rates in the Caspian Littoral. The extraordinarily high incidence rates found in the eastern side of the Littoral, were re-confirmed five years ago for the Turkoman region, using esophageal balloon cytology supplemented by esophagoscopy of suspected cases. The focus this time was on the Ardabil province in the western side of the Caspian Littoral, where the rates reported 30 years ago were moderately high.

Mycobacterium kansasii septic arthritis: French retrospective study of 5 years and review.

Septic arthritis due to Mycobacterium kansasii is rare; only 40 cases have been published. A French national inquiry revealed the occurrence of 10 new cases between 1992 and 1997 (8 men and 2 women: mean age, 37 years; range, 25-54 years). Seven had an underlying condition: AIDS (n=4), chronic skin psoriasis and AIDS (n=2), or a renal transplant (n=1).

Myocardial preconditioning using adenosine: review and clinical experience.

Adenosine is an endogenous nucleotide and a breakdown product of adenosine triphosphate. Adenosine has been proposed as a mediator of the ischaemic preconditioning phenomenon. Ischaemic reperfusion injury incurred during and following cardiopulmonary bypass contributes to depressed myocardial function after cardiac surgery.

[Mesenteric venous thrombosis and antithrombin III deficiency: diagnosis before an acute digestive hemorrhage].

Mesenteric venous thromboses are often associated with antithrombin III deficiency. We can suspect this clinical diagnosis in patients with nonspecific abdominal pain syndrome and personal or familial history of mesenteric venous thrombosis. We report the case of a 63-old-male caucasian with antithrombin III deficiency and rectal bleeding who was diagnosed with mesenteric venous thrombosis at exploratory laparotomy.

The effect of low-dose epsilon-aminocaproic acid on patients following coronary artery bypass surgery.

The effect of low-dose epsilon-aminocaproic acid (EACA) on the postoperative course of 46 patients was studied. Patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly selected in two groups. Group 1 (20 patients) received 5 g EACA upon initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Coronary artery bypass grafting in a patient with haemophilia B.

Patients with coagulation disorders present the entire open-heart surgical team with an increased challenge. A patient with a known history of moderately severe Factor IX deficiency (2.4% activity) was evaluated for coronary artery disease.

Surgical treatment of pulmonary aspergilloma.

Fourteen patients with aspergilloma (fungus ball) were reviewed. Hemoptysis was the major symptom (93%). Chest roentgenograms disclosed a "fungus ball" in every patient, and the mycelia of Aspergillus fumigatus were recovered from all resected specimens.