Botulinum toxin type-a in the prevention of migraine: a double-blind controlled trial.

Introduction: Migraine is a frequent medical complaint. In military populations, migraine can be detrimental to productivity and troop readiness, and can be disqualifying for service in some military duty specialties. This study assessed the effectiveness of botulinum neurotoxin type-A (BTX-A) in reducing the frequency of migraines in known migraineurs.

Characteristics of extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from horses.

The aim of the present study was to contribute to the knowledge on extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL's), AmpC beta-lactamases and integrons in Enterobacteriaceae isolated from horses, which is still limited. The susceptibility of 1581 clinical isolates from animals to ceftiofur was tested. Most of these isolates (n=1347) originated from horses.

Modafinil for treatment of fatigue in post-polio syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To determine if modafinil can improve fatigue in patients with post-polio syndrome.

Methods: We used a randomized, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Intervention with modafinil (400 mg/day) and placebo occurred over 6-week periods.

The onset of rapidly progressive neurologic deterioration after a brief gastrointestinal illness in a renal allograft recipient.

Renal transplant recipients are at increased risk for life-threatening complications, most commonly infections. Because of their impaired cell-mediated immunity, these patients are particularly susceptible to organisms that rely on intracellular survival and spread, such as Listeria monocytogenes. Despite being a food-borne pathogen, L.

A novel Salmonella genomic island 1 and rare integron types in Salmonella Typhimurium isolates from horses in The Netherlands.

Objectives: To investigate the genotypic resistance of integron-carrying Salmonella Typhimurium isolates from horses and their genetic relationship.

Methods: Sixty-one Salmonella isolates were screened for the presence of class 1 integrons by PCR. The gene cassettes of integron-positive isolates were detected by PCR, restriction fragment length polymorphism typing, and sequencing.

2-Arachidonylglyceryl ether and abnormal cannabidiol-induced vascular smooth muscle relaxation in rabbit pulmonary arteries via receptor-pertussis toxin sensitive G proteins-ERK1/2 signaling.

The receptor(s) used by cannabinoids to relax vascular smooth muscle is unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of 2-arachidonylglyceryl ether (2-AG ether), a metabolically stable endocannabinoid, and abnormal cannabidiol (abn-CBD) on relaxation of permeabilized pulmonary arterial strips monitored with force, and on extracellular signal-regulated mitogen-activated protein kinases (ERK1/2) phosphorylation in permeabilized vascular smooth muscle cells using immunoblotting. We found that 2-AG ether and abn-CBD caused relaxation and increased phosphorylation of ERK1/2.

Wartime traumatic cerebral vasospasm: recent review of combat casualties.

Objective: Blast-related neurotrauma is associated with the severest casualties from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). A consequence of this is cerebral vasospasm. This study evaluated all inpatient neurosurgical consults related to battle injury from OIF.

Comparison of the in vitro pathogenicity of two Salmonella Typhimurium phage types.

The in vitro pathogenicity of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium phage type (pt) 90 and pt 506 (also known as DT 104) isolates from human and porcine origin was studied in adhesion and invasion assays to the human cell line Caco-2 and the porcine cell line IPI-2. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) production by these two cell lines in response to stimulation by the two Salmonella phage types was also measured. Generally, Salmonella Typhimurium pt 506 and pt 90 adhered to and invaded Caco-2 cells and IPI-2 cells equally well.

Anesthesia for endovascular neurosurgery.

Endovascular neurosurgical procedures are complex, requiring significant planning, foresight, and coordination. The neuroanesthetist is an integral part of these procedures, organizing efforts of the technicians and nurses and responding to the needs of the neurointerventionalist. The purpose of this article is to review, in detail, the role of the neuroanesthetist in the endovascular operating room.

The endovascular operating room as an extension of the intensive care unit: changing strategies in the management of neurovascular disease.

Technological advances within the field of endovascular neurosurgery have influenced the management of the neurovascular patient within the intensive care unit (ICU). The endovascular operating room has, in fact, become an extension of the ICU in certain cases. Given the rapid development of new endovascular technologies, it is more important than ever for neurosurgeons to remain intimately involved with the care of their patients within the ICU.

Regulation of cytotoxin expression by converging eukaryotic-type and two-component signalling mechanisms in Streptococcus agalactiae.

Signal transducing mechanisms are essential for regulation of gene expression in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Regulation of gene expression in eukaryotes is accomplished by serine/threonine and tyrosine kinases and cognate phosphatases. In contrast, gene expression in prokaryotes is controlled by two-component systems that comprise a sensor histidine kinase and a cognate DNA binding response regulator.

A comparison of fatigue scales in postpoliomyelitis syndrome.

Objective: To examine the applicability and validity of traditional fatigue questionnaires in postpoliomyelitis syndrome (PPS) patients with disabling fatigue.

Design: Cross-sectional study. PPS and disabling fatigue were ascertained according to published criteria.

Antibiotic resistance, integrons and Salmonella genomic island 1 among non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars in The Netherlands.

The objective of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial resistance patterns, integron characteristics and gene cassettes as well as the presence of Salmonella genomic island 1 (SGI1) in non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) isolates from human and animal origin. Epidemiologically unrelated Dutch NTS strains (n=237) originating from food-producing animals and human cases of salmonellosis were tested for their susceptibility to 15 antimicrobial agents. Resistance to 14 of these antimicrobials, including the third-generation cephalosporins, was detected.

Effect of induction therapy protocols on transplant outcomes in crossmatch positive renal allograft recipients desensitized with IVIG.

Here we retrospectively examine the efficacy of two antibody induction regimens using Zenapax or Thymoglobulin in patients with positive complement-dependent cytotoxicity crossmatches (CDC-CMXs) desensitized with IVIG (intravenous immunoglobulin). Between January 1999 and March 2005, 97 patients with (+) CDC-CMXs received kidney transplants (43 deceased donors/54 living donors). All patients received at least 2 g/kg IVIG (maximum four doses) until an acceptable CMX was obtained.

Class 1 integrons in Dutch Salmonella enterica serovar Dublin isolates from clinical cases of bovine salmonellosis.

Fifty-nine Salmonella enterica serovar Dublin (Salmonella Dublin) isolates from clinical cases of bovine salmonellosis between 1993 and 2004 were tested for their susceptibility to 15 antimicrobial agents and the presence of class 1 integrons. Integrons were further analyzed by conserved segment PCR-RFLP. DNA sequencing was used to identify the inserted gene cassette.

Multimodal monitoring during emergency hemicraniectomy for vein of Labbe thrombosis.

Introduction: Cortical venous thrombosis is a rarely encountered mechanism for intracerebral hemorrhage. Multimodal monitoring may guide neurosurgical and critical care treatment in the setting of cerebral venous thrombosis.

Methods: We report a 37-year-old service member who was admitted to a local field hospital for complaints of severe headache and left ear pain during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Assessing risk propensity in American soldiers: preliminary reliability and validity of the Evaluation of Risks (EVAR) scale--English version.

Risk-taking propensity is a critical component of judgment and decision-making in military operations. The Evaluation of Risks scale (EVAR) was recently developed to measure state and trait aspects of risk proneness. The scale, however, was psychometrically normed in French and no data are available for the English translation.

Eosinophilic meningitis after implantation of a rifampin and minocycline-impregnated ventriculostomy catheter in a child. Case report.

Eosinophilic meningitis has been defined as meningitis in which a total cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample is found to have more than 10 eosinophils per millimeter or is composed of greater than 10% eosinophils. The differential diagnosis is broad and the clinical presentation, lacking an internalized CSF diversion system, is often nonspecific. With respect to patients with shunt systems, a positive correlation exists between CSF eosinophilia and eventual shunt failure requiring revision.

Intravenous gammaglobulin (IVIG): a novel approach to improve transplant rates and outcomes in highly HLA-sensitized patients.

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) products are derived from pooled human plasma and have been used for the treatment of primary immunodeficiency disorders for more than 24 years. Shortly after their introduction, IVIG products were also found to be effective in the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. Over the past 2 decades, the list of diseases where IVIG has a demonstrable beneficial effect has grown rapidly.

Testing the exportability of a tool for detecting operational problems in VA teaching clinics.

Background: Recurrent operational problems in teaching clinics may be caused by the different medical preferences of patients, residents, faculty, and administrators. These preference differences can be identified by cultural consensus analysis (CCA), a standard anthropologic tool.

Objective: This study tests the exportability of a unique CCA tool to identify site-specific operational problems at 5 different VA teaching clinics.

Distribution of Salmonella enterica serovars from humans, livestock and meat in Vietnam and the dominance of Salmonella Typhimurium phage type 90.

Epidemiologically unrelated non-typhoid Salmonella isolates from humans (n = 56) and animal origin (n = 241, from faeces, carcasses and meat) in Vietnam were investigated. Salmonella Typhimurium, S. Anatum, S.

Successful use of oral ganciclovir for the treatment of intrauterine cytomegalovirus infection in a renal allograft recipient.

Congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection occurs in approximately 1% of newborns and is the leading infectious cause of congenital birth defects. Female renal allograft recipients who develop CMV infection during pregnancy are at risk for both graft dysfunction and fetal morbidity. DNA-based analysis of amniotic fluid (AF) from at-risk pregnancies has been suggested as an adjunct/substitute for traditional culture.