Effectiveness of Ocrelizumab on Disease Progression and Disability Status in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Two-Year Prospective Cohort Study.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by inflammation and neurodegeneration. Ocrelizumab, a humanized anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, has shown promise in reducing disease activity in MS patients. This prospective study aims to assess the effectiveness of ocrelizumab in reducing confirmed disability progression in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and secondary progressive MS (SPMS) over a two-year period.

An Uncommon Overlap Syndrome Between Ankylosing Spondylitis and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-Case Report.

This case report describes an uncommon overlap syndrome between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Initially, the patient was diagnosed with AS, for which he received various specific treatments, including TNF-α inhibitors. After five years of treatment with TNF-α inhibitor etanercept, the patient was referred for a full neurological assessment after he reported balance disturbances, postural instability, muscle weakness, and other neurological symptoms that indicated the presence of a neurological disorder.

Safety, tolerability, and efficacy of subcutaneous efgartigimod in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (ADHERE): a multicentre, randomised-withdrawal, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial.

Background: Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) is an autoimmune disease of the peripheral nervous system that can lead to severe disability from muscle weakness and sensory disturbances. Around a third of patients do not respond to currently available treatments, and many patients with a partial response have residual neurological impairment, highlighting the need for effective alternatives. Efgartigimod alfa, a human IgG1 antibody Fc fragment, has demonstrated efficacy and safety in patients with generalised myasthenia gravis.

The Effects of Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Nutritional Supplementation in the Management of Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review of Clinical Trials.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, debilitating neurological condition for which current treatments often focus on managing symptoms without curing the underlying disease. Recent studies have suggested that dietary supplements could potentially modify disease progression and enhance quality of life. This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) as a dietary supplement in patients with MS, with a specific focus on its impact on disease progression, symptom management, and overall quality of life.

Parsonage-Turner Syndrome following COVID-19 Vaccination: A Systematic Review.

Background: Parsonage-Turner syndrome (PTS) is an inflammatory condition of the brachial plexus, with more than half of patients presenting a trigger, such as infection or vaccination. Our objective was to synthesize the clinical and paraclinical features, therapeutic responses, and outcomes of PTS post-COVID-19 vaccination.

Methods: We systematically reviewed two databases (LitCOVID and the WHO database on COVID-19) up to January 2024 following a published protocol (OSF registries).

Levodopa-Carbidopa-Entacapone Intestinal Gel in Advanced Parkinson Disease: A Multicenter Real-Life Experience.

Background: For Parkinson disease (PD) patients who have been diagnosed with advanced disease that can no longer be effectively controlled with optimized oral or transdermal medications, a range of device-aided therapies (DAT) are available, comprising either deep brain stimulation or infusion therapies providing continuous dopaminergic stimulation. Levodopa-entacapone-carbidopa intestinal gel (LECIG) infusion is the latest DAT for advanced PD (APD) that was approved in Romania in 2021.

Study Question: What is the experience to date in real-world clinical practice in Romania regarding the efficacy and tolerability of LECIG in APD?

Study Design: A retrospective evaluation of 74 APD patients treated with LECIG at 12 specialized APD centers in Romania.

Emerging Trends in Complications Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has presented a remarkable challenge to global health, sparking a surge in research aimed at understanding the multifaceted impacts of the virus [...

Caries Lesion Assessment Using 3D Virtual Models by Examiners with Different Degrees of Clinical Experience.

: Dental caries is a preventable, reversible disease in its early stages. This study evaluated the intra-rater agreement of International Caries Assessment and Detection System (ICDAS) scores with Medit i500 and Omnicam scanners versus traditional clinical examinations and the inter-rater agreement using the Omnicam among senior dentists and dental students and between these two groups. : A total of 24 patients aged between 21 and 34 years, randomly selected from dental students and interns, underwent four examinations (three intraoral scans and one clinical examination), and the corresponding ICDAS scores were recorded by a randomly selected rater out of the 31 available examiners.

Chorea following SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination: a systematic review of reported cases.

Objectives: Chorea following SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination, has been increasingly recognized. We aimed to synthesize clinical and paraclinical characteristics, treatment responses, and outcomes of this neurologic complication.

Methods: We systematically reviewed LitCOVID, the World Health Organization database on COVID-19, and MedRxiv up to March 2023, following a published protocol.

Levodopa Carbidopa Intestinal Gel in Advanced Parkinson's Disease: DUOGLOBE Final 3-Year Results.

Background: Levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) improves motor and non-motor symptoms in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (aPD).

Objective: To present the final 36-month efficacy and safety results from DUOGLOBE (DUOdopa/Duopa in Patients with Advanced Parkinson's Disease - a GLobal OBservational Study Evaluating Long-Term Effectiveness; NCT02611713).

Methods: DUOGLOBE was an international, prospective, long-term, real-world, observational study of patients with aPD initiating LCIG in routine clinical care.

Parsonage-Turner Syndrome Following SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Systematic Review.

Parsonage-Turner syndrome (PTS) is an inflammatory disorder of the brachial plexus. Hypothesized underlying causes focus on immune-mediated processes, as more than half of patients present some antecedent event or possible predisposing condition, such as infection, vaccination, exercise, or surgery. Recently, PTS was reported following the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

Assessment and Diagnosis of HIV-Associated Dementia.

The modern combined antiretroviral treatment (cART) for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection has substantially lowered the incidence of HIV-associated dementia (HAD). The dominant clinical features include deficits in cognitive processing speed, concentration, attention, and memory. As people living with HIV become older, with high rates of comorbidities and concomitant treatments, the prevalence and complexity of cognitive impairment are expected to increase.

Levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel in advanced Parkinson's disease: long-term results from COSMOS.

Background: While immediate benefits of levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) are evident in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), long-term LCIG effects require further study.

Objectives: We explored long-term LCIG on motor symptoms, nonmotor symptoms (NMS), and LCIG treatment settings in patients with advanced PD (APD).

Methods: Data were obtained (medical records and patient visit) from COSMOS, a multinational, retrospective, cross-sectional post-marketing observational study in patients with APD.

Quality of acute stroke care in Romania: Achievements and gaps between 2017 and 2022.

Romania has one of the highest incidences of stroke and one of the highest mortality rates in Europe. The mortality rate due to treatable causes is also very high and is associated with the lowest public spending on healthcare in the European Union. Nonetheless, significant achievements in acute stroke care have been made in Romania in the last 5 years, most notably the increase of the national thrombolysis rate from 0.

Wernicke Encephalopathy Presenting with Dysphagia: A Case Report and Systematic Literature Review.

Wernicke encephalopathy (WE) is a well-known neurological condition caused by thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency that occurs in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic populations. We aimed to report a case of a patient with WE who presented with dysphagia and dysphonia and later developed typical symptoms of thiamine deficiency and to conduct a systematic review of the literature on this rare presentation of WE. We searched two databases (PubMed and Scopus) and included publications up to November 2022.

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Protocol for A Scoping Review.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a life-threatening condition associated with high mortality and substantial long-term morbidity. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is a new pathogen that causes a disease with variable clinical manifestations. Although the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with hypercoagulopathy, patients may also present with cerebral hemorrhage, including SAH.

Montreal Cognitive Assessment for Evaluating Cognitive Impairment in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a severe condition with high mortality and extensive long-term morbidity. Although research has focused mainly on physical signs and disability for decades, in recent years, it has been increasingly recognized that cognitive and psychological impairments may be present in many patients with SAH, negatively impacting their quality of life. We performed a systematic review aiming to provide a comprehensive report on the diagnostic accuracy of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test for evaluating the presence of cognitive impairment in patients with SAH.

Levodopa-Carbidopa Intestinal Gel in Advanced Parkinson's Disease: Observations and Dilemmas after 10 Years of Real-Life Experience.

Advanced Parkinson's disease (APD) cannot be treated efficiently using the classical medications however, in recent decades invasive therapeutical methods were implemented and confirmed as effective. One of these methods makes it possible to continue the levodopa (LD) supplementation as a gel administered directly into the upper intestine. However, there are a number of unanswered questions regarding this method.

Conservative versus aggressive antiplatelet strategy for emergent carotid stenting during stroke thrombectomy.

Background: There is no consensus regarding optimal antiplatelet regimen for emergent carotid stenting during stroke thrombectomy. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of an aggressive periprocedural antiplatelet strategy focused on preserving stent patency, in comparison with conservative antiplatelet strategy consisting of aspirin monotherapy.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective review of a prospectively collected database in a comprehensive stroke center, including all cases of emergent carotid stenting for tandem lesions stroke between 01.

Outcomes Impacting Quality of Life in Advanced Parkinson's Disease Patients Treated with Levodopa-Carbidopa Intestinal Gel.

Background: It is believed that motor symptoms, including dyskinesia, and non-motor symptoms impact health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), and that improvements in these metrics are correlated.

Objective: Investigate the relationship between HRQoL and measures of PD severity and treatment efficacy, including motor and non-motor symptoms.

Methods: This was a planned investigation of an international, prospective, single-arm, post-marketing observational study of the long-term effectiveness of levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) in patients with advanced PD.

Advanced Parkinson's Disease Treatment Simplification and Long-Term Outcomes with Levodopa Carbidopa Intestinal Gel: COSMOS Romanian Subanalysis.

The aim of the COmedication Study assessing Mono- and cOmbination therapy with levodopa-carbidopa inteStinal gel (COSMOS) was to assess the use of levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) as monotherapy in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (APD) in routine clinical practice. COSMOS was an international observational study with one cross-sectional visit and retrospective data collection. In Romania, 95 adult patients with APD on LCIG treatment for at least 12 months were enrolled and stratified according to their LCIG therapy after 12 months: monotherapy (without any add-on PD medication), monotherapy with night PD medication and LCIG + add-on medication.

DUOGLOBE: One-Year Outcomes in a Real-World Study of Levodopa Carbidopa Intestinal Gel for Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) is an established treatment for improving motor and some non-motor symptoms (NMS) in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). Prospective long-term data in routine clinical practice are limited.

Objective: Assess LCIG effectiveness and safety in patients with advanced PD after 12 months during real-world routine clinical practice.