Usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging in differentiation between status epilepticus and acute ischemic stroke.

Background: Status epilepticus, characterized by the temporal neurological deficits, often mimics acute ischemic stroke. We investigated the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging for differentiation of status epilepticus from acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: A retrospective case series of patients with status epilepticus who underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging.

Increased skeletal muscle mass index was involved in glycemic efficacy following diabetes treatment, and changes in fat mass index correlated with the changes in the lipid ratio in type 2 diabetes.

Aim: This study aimed to investigate the association between changes in body composition, glycated hemoglobin, and lipid ratio during the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Methods: This retrospective analysis used data from outpatients with T2DM who had confirmed body composition and measured laboratories at administration and after treatment. The baseline characteristics and prescribed treatment were collected.

Sarcopenia is associated with the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index in elderly patients with poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aims/introduction: Diabetes and sarcopenia have a two-way relationship with each other with advanced age. Additionally, malnutrition is correlated with a higher risk of sarcopenia in elderly patients. This study evaluated the association between sarcopenia and geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Prior direct oral anticoagulant dosage and outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke and non-valvular atrial fibrillation: A sub-analysis of PASTA registry study.

Background And Purpose: Prescribing under-dose direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is alerted to increase cardiovascular events or death. However, the association between dose selection of DOACs and the clinical course remains unclear. This study aimed to propose a novel criterion for selecting the DOAC dose and investigate clinical characteristics of ischemic stroke (IS) under this criterion.

The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Those Supported in the Community with Long-Term Mental Health Problems: A Qualitative Analysis of Power, Threat, Meaning and Survival.

Research suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on those already living with mental health problems, though there is also evidence of resilience. However, to date there has been limited in-depth qualitative investigation. We interviewed 15 people living with long-term mental health problems who, before the pandemic, were being supported by third sector organisations, to explore how they experienced lockdowns and accessing services remotely.

Characteristics of Ischemic Versus Hemorrhagic Stroke in Patients Receiving Oral Anticoagulants: Results of the PASTA Study.

Objective Limited data exist regarding the comparative detailed clinical characteristics of patients with ischemic stroke (IS)/transient ischemic attack (TIA) and intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) receiving oral anticoagulants (OACs). Methods The prospective analysis of stroke patients taking oral anticoagulants (PASTA) registry, a multicenter registry of 1,043 stroke patients receiving OACs [vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) or non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOACs)] across 25 medical institutions throughout Japan, was used. Univariate and multivariable analyses were used to analyze differences in clinical characteristics between IS/TIA and ICH patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who were registered in the PASTA registry.

Multicenter Prospective Analysis of Stroke Patients Taking Oral Anticoagulants: The PASTA Registry - Study Design and Characteristics.

Objectives: The management of atrial fibrillation and deep venous thrombosis has evolved with the development of direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC), and oral anticoagulant (OAC) might influence the development or clinical course in both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. However, detailed data on the differences between the effects of the prior prescription of warfarin and DOAC on the clinical characteristics, neuroradiologic findings, and outcome of stroke are limited.

Design: The prospective analysis of stroke patients taking anticoagulants (PASTA) registry study is an observational, multicenter, prospective registry of stroke (ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, and intracerebral hemorrhage) patients receiving OAC in Japan.

Post Stroke Dysglycemia and Acute Infarct Volume Growth: A Study Using Continuous Glucose Monitoring.

Background: The aim of the present study was to clarify the effect of glucose profiles after stroke, which was assessed by a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) device.

Methods: Acute ischemic stroke patients within 24 h of onset were prospectively studied. CGM was performed for 72 h after admission.

[A case of cerebral embolism due to cardiac myxoma presenting with multiple cerebral microaneurysms detected on first MRI scans].

A 64-year-old man developed right arm weakness and dysarthria, and was admitted to our hospital. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed a high intensity area in the frontal lobe. T2*-weighted images showed multiple spotty low intensity lesions in bilateral cerebral hemispheres, mimicking cerebral microbleeds.

Decrease of Hyperintense Vessels on Fluid-Attenuated Inversion Recovery Predicts Good Outcome in t-PA Patients.

Background And Purpose: Hyperintense vessels (HV) detected on fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) indicate cerebral hypoperfusion. However, the clinical meaning of changes in HV is yet to be clarified. Here, we investigated serial changes to HV in patients with AIS who received tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) therapy.

Exploring the impact of music concerts in promoting well-being in dementia care.

Objectives: This study explores the specific effects of live music concerts on the clients with dementia, their families and nursing staff/caregivers.

Methods: Researchers attended 22 concerts in care facilities in England and Japan. Interviews were carried out with clients with dementia, nursing staff and family members.

Unilateral moyamoya phenomenon with a string-of-beads appearance in an elderly patient with the c.14576G>A heterozygous variant of RNF213.

We herein report a case of ischemic stroke in a 69-year-old man with unilateral moyamoya vessels originating from the proximal portion of the left middle cerebral artery. In addition, digital-subtraction angiography demonstrated a string-of-beads-like appearance in the cavernous portion of the left internal carotid artery. A genetic analysis revealed a heterozygous c.

B-type natriuretic peptides help in cardioembolic stroke diagnosis: pooled data meta-analysis.

Background And Purpose: Determining the underlying cause of stroke is important to optimize secondary prevention treatment. Increased blood levels of natriuretic peptides (B-type natriuretic peptide/N-terminal pro-BNP [BNP/NT-proBNP]) have been repeatedly associated with cardioembolic stroke. Here, we evaluate their clinical value as pathogenic biomarkers for stroke through a literature systematic review and individual participants' data meta-analysis.

The susceptibility vessel sign at the proximal M1: a strong predictor for poor outcome after intravenous thrombolysis.

Background: Half of acute stroke patients have poor outcomes at 3 months even when treated with intravenous thrombolysis using tissue-plasminogen activator (t-PA) therapy. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of the susceptibility vessel sign (SVS) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) T2* at the proximal portion of the middle cerebral artery (M1 proximal SVS) on clinical outcome in anterior circulation stroke patients treated with t-PA.

Methods: The presence of the M1 proximal SVS was assessed before t-PA therapy.

Brain natriuretic peptide level on admission predicts recurrent stroke after discharge in stroke survivors with atrial fibrillation.

Objective: We investigated whether brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels could be used as a marker to predict recurrent stroke in ischemic stroke survivors.

Methods: From April 2007 to March 2011, consecutive patients within 24h of onset of ischemic stroke were prospectively enrolled, and admission plasma BNP levels were measured. Survivors were followed up to 12 months after stroke onset.

Risk of intracerebral hemorrhage after thrombolysis in patients with asymptomatic hemorrhage on T2*.

Background: Intravenous thrombolysis using the tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) is contraindicated for patients with a history of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). T2*-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is able to detect asymptomatic ICH. If there is an association between asymptomatic ICH on T2* before t-PA therapy and ICH after t-PA therapy, we may be able to take preventive measures before starting t-PA therapy in patients with MRI-proven hemorrhage.

Chronic kidney disease is an independent predictor of adverse clinical outcomes in patients with recent small subcortical infarcts.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with cerebral small vessel diseases (SVD) and predicts stroke, cardiovascular events and mortality. However, its association with recent small subcortical infarcts (RSSI), a novel subtype of cerebral SVD, has not yet been established in stroke patients. The aim of this longitudinal study was to clarify whether CKD can predict clinical outcome in patients with RSSI.

Plasma brain natriuretic Peptide as a predictive marker of early recurrent stroke in cardioembolic stroke patients.

Background: Whether brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels are associated with early recurrent stroke in cardioembolic stroke patients was investigated.

Methods: From January 2010 to March 2014, consecutive patients within 24 hours of onset of cardioembolic stroke were prospectively enrolled, and admission plasma BNP levels were measured. Recurrent stroke was identified as the occurrence of additional neurologic deficits and the appearance of a new infarct on neuroimaging.

[Importance of transient neurological attacks (TNAs)].

Transient neurological attacks (TNAs) are attacks with temporary (< 24 h) neurological symptoms, and reported in 1975. Ischemic cerebral infarction often occurres after transient neurological symptoms which are not sometimes involved in transient ischemic attack (TIA) criteria. The purpose of this study was to clarity transient neurological symptoms before the onset of ischemic stroke.

[Lesion of intractable hiccups due to medullary infarction].

The frequency and clinical characteristics of intractable hiccups due to the medullary infarction is unknown. The aim of this study was to identify the lesions of hiccups using by brain MRI. Ninety acute medullary patients admitted to our stroke center within 14 days of stroke onset between April 2004 and August 2012 were retrospectively studied.

Elevated glucose level adversely affects infarct volume growth and neurological deterioration in non-diabetic stroke patients, but not diabetic stroke patients.

Background And Purpose: Hyperglycemia is recognized as a common occurrence associated with a high risk of poor outcome in ischaemic stroke patients. However, little is known about the association between elevated glucose level, growth of infarct volume and neurological deterioration in ischaemic stroke patients without diabetes. The present study aimed to clarify this issue in acute ischaemic stroke patients with arterial occlusion.

Brain natriuretic peptide upon admission as a biological marker of short-term mortality after intracerebral hemorrhage.

Background And Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is associated with short-term mortality after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH).

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 271 patients (median age 72 years; 109 females) who were admitted within 24 h of ICH onset between April 2007 and July 2011 and in whom plasma BNP levels were measured upon admission. The patients were assigned to two groups according to survival within 1 month of ICH.