Clinical efficacy of plasma exchange in patients with autoimmune encephalitis.

Objective: To determine the clinical and antibody response after therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in patients with severe refractory antibody-associated autoimmune encephalitis (AE).

Methods: This single-center prospective cohort included all patients consecutively admitted to our hospital because of severe refractory AE over the period from July 2014 to June 2019. All patients received immunotherapy (steroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and/or TPE).

An Investigation and Suggestions for the Improvement of Brain Death Determination in China.

Background: Brain death is the irreversible cessation of the function of the brain including the brainstem. In 2013, the Brain Injury Evaluation Quality Control Centre (BQCC) of the National Health and Family Planning Commission issued criteria and practical guidelines for the determination of brain death. This study aimed to evaluate whether the institutions have adopted these guidelines and to make suggestions for the improvement of the current criteria and practical guidelines for brain death determination in China.

Thioredoxin is a novel diagnostic and prognostic marker in patients with ischemic stroke.

Serum thioredoxin (TRX), a redox-regulating protein with antioxidant activity, was recognized as an oxidative-stress marker. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential diagnostic and prognostic role of TRX in Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). From January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2013, all patients with first-ever acute ischemic stroke were recruited to participate in the study.

An overview of neurocritical care in China: a nationwide survey.

Background: Little quantitative evidence was available regarding the development of NICUs in China. The purpose of this survey was to evaluate the current situation of neurointensive care units (NICUs) across China.

Methods: The directors of NICUs from 100 tertiary care hospitals across China were contacted and asked to complete a closed response questionnaire regarding their NICUs.

Early prediction of poor outcome in severe hemispheric stroke by EEG patterns and gradings.

Objectives: To find out the EEG abnormal patterns in massive cerebral hemispheric infarction (MCHI) and their correlation with poor outcome, and to construct an EEG grading for predicting the outcome of MCHI patients.

Methods: Between 2000 and 2010, 162 patients with MCHI who met the selection criterions were selected for this study. All the patients underwent EEG examinations within 3 days after stroke onset and repeated on day 2 and 3.

Evaluation of neuro-intensive care unit performance in China: predicting outcomes of Simplified Acute Physiology Score II or Glasgow Coma Scale.

Background: Severity scoring systems are useful tools for measuring the severity of the disease and its outcome. This pilot study was to verify and compare the prognostic performance of the Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS II) and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) in neuro-intensive care unit (N-ICU) patients.

Methods: A total of 1684 patients consecutively admitted to the N-ICU at Xuanwu Hospital between January 1, 2005 and December 31, 2011 were enrolled in this study.

Predicting comatose patients with acute stroke outcome using middle-latency somatosensory evoked potentials.

Objective: To evaluate the prognostic value of middle-latency somatosensory evoked potential (MLSEP) in comatose patients with acute severe supratentorial stroke, considering both unfavourable outcome and death.

Methods: Eighty-eight patients with acute severe supratentorial stroke underwent MLSEP, short-latency somatosensory evoked potential (SLSEP), Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and cerebral computed tomography (CCT) within 1 week from onset. MLSEP and SLSEP were recorded in 25 normal controls.