Development and validation of a nomogram to provide individualized predictions of functional outcomes in patients with convulsive status epilepticus at 3 months: The modified END-IT tool.

Aims: The prediction of outcomes in convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) remains a constant challenge. The Encephalitis-Nonconvulsive Status Epilepticus-Diazepam Resistance-Image Abnormalities-Tracheal Intubation (END-IT) score was a useful tool for predicting the functional outcomes of CSE patients, excluding cerebral hypoxia patients. With further understanding of CSE, and in view of the deficiencies of END-IT itself, we consider it necessary to modify the prediction tool.

Long-Term Outcomes among Patients with Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term survival and functional outcomes of patients with prolonged disorders of consciousness (pDoC) 1-8 years after brain injuries.

Methods: Retrospective study to assess the long-term survival and functional outcomes of patients with pDoC was conducted. We performed Cox regression and multivariate logistic regression to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) for the outcome of survival and to identify risk factors of the functional outcome.

Detecting residual brain networks in disorders of consciousness: A resting-state fNIRS study.

Functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is an emerging non-invasive technique that allows bedside measurement of blood oxygenation level-dependent hemodynamic signals. We aimed to examine the efficacy of resting-state fNIRS in detecting the residual functional networks in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC). We performed resting-state fNIRS in 23 DOC patients of whom 12 were in minimally conscious state (MCS) and 11 were in unresponsive wakefulness state (UWS).

Prognostic roles of sleep electroencephalography pattern and circadian rhythm biomarkers in the recovery of consciousness in patients with coma: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: To investigate the potential prognostic value of sleep electroencephalography (EEG) pattern and serum circadian rhythm biomarkers in the recovery of consciousness in patients at the acute stage of coma.

Methods: A prospective observational study which included 75 patients with coma was conducted. Twenty-four-hour continuous polysomnography (PSG) was performed to determine the sleep EEG pattern according to the modified Valente's Grade (mVG) that we proposed.

Development and validation of a new score for predicting functional outcome of neurocritically ill patients: The INCNS score.

Aims: To develop and validate a novel score for prediction of 3-month functional outcome in neurocritically ill patients.

Methods: The development of the novel score was based on two widely used scores for general critical illnesses (Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, APACHE II; Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, SAPS II) and consideration of the characteristics of neurocritical illness. Data from consecutive patients admitted to neurological ICU (N-ICU) between January 2013 and June 2016 were used for the validation.

Prediction of functional outcome in patients with convulsive status epilepticus: the END-IT score.

Background: Prediction of the functional outcome for patients with convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) has been a challenge. The aim of this study was to characterize the prognostic factors and functional outcomes of patients after CSE in order to develop a practicable scoring system for outcome prediction.

Methods: We performed a retrospective explorative analysis on consecutive patients diagnosed with CSE between March, 2008 and November, 2014 in a tertiary academic medical center in northwest China.

Predictive value of EEG-awakening for behavioral awakening from coma.

Background: A reliable predictor for early recovery of consciousness in comatose patients is of great clinical significance. Here we aimed to investigate the potentially prognostic value of electroencephalogram-reactivity (EEG-R) in combination with sleep spindles, termed EEG-awakening, for behavioral awakening in etiologically diverse comatose patients.

Methods: We performed a prospectively observational study on a sample of patients, all of whom were in coma lasting longer than 3 days.

Brain response to thermal stimulation predicts outcome of patients with chronic disorders of consciousness.

Objective: To study the role of brain responses to thermal stimulation in outcome prediction of patients in either vegetative or minimally conscious states.

Methods: We performed a prospective study with 22 patients and used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and EEG reactivity (EEG-R) tests in conjunction with thermal stimulation. We conducted thermal stimulation on patients by stimulating either their feet (fMRI) or hands (EEEG-R) with warm water (42±2°C).

Development of a simple score to predict outcome for unresponsive wakefulness syndrome.

Introduction: Accurate assessment of prognosis for patients with unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS; formerly vegetative state) may help clinicians and families guide the type and intensity of therapy; however, there is no suitable and accurate means to predict the outcome so far. We aimed to develop a simple bedside scoring system to predict the likelihood of awareness recovery in patients with UWS.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 56 patients (age range 10 to 73 years) with UWS 3 to 12 weeks post-onset.

Neuroprotective effects of (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on paraquat-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells.

Green tea, owing to its beneficial effect on health, is becoming more and more popular worldwide. (-)-Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the main ingredient of green tea polyphenols, is a known protective effect on injured neurons in neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. Paraquat (PQ) is a widely used herbicide that possesses a similar structure to MPP(+) and is toxic to mesencephalic dopaminergic neurons.