Australian Headache Epidemiology Data (AHEAD): a pilot study to assess sampling and engagement methodology for a nationwide population-based survey.

Background: There are no robust population-based Australian data on prevalence and attributed burden of migraine and medication-overuse headache (MOH) data. In this pilot cross-sectional study, we aimed to capture the participation rate, preferred response method, and acceptability of self-report questionnaires to inform the conduct of a future nationwide migraine/MOH epidemiological study.

Methods: We developed a self-report questionnaire, available in hard-copy and online, including modules from the Headache-Attributed Restriction, Disability, Social Handicap and Impaired Participation (HARDSHIP) questionnaire, the Eq.

Effects of somatostatin, a somatostatin agonist, and an antagonist, on a putative migraine trigger pathway.

Objective: To determine whether somatostatin (SST) could be a cortico-brainstem neurotransmitter involved in producing the headache of migraine.

Background: There is evidence to support the idea that a cortico-brainstem-trigeminal nucleus neuraxis might be responsible for producing migraine headache; we have suggested that SST may be one of the neurotransmitters involved.

Methods: Rats were anesthetised and prepared for recording neurons in either the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) or nucleus raphe magnus (NRM), as well as the trigeminal nucleus caudalis (TNC).

Most endovascular thrombectomy patients have Target Mismatch despite absence of formal CT perfusion selection criteria.

Endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is the standard of care for large vessel occlusion stroke. Use of Computed Tomographic Perfusion (CTP) to select EVT candidates is variable. The frequency of treatment and outcome in patients with unfavourable CTP patterns is unknown.

Specific Learning Disorders: Variation Analysis of 15 Candidate Genes in 9 Multiplex Families.

: Specific Learning Disorder (SLD) is a complex neurobiological disorder characterized by a persistent difficult in reading (dyslexia), written expression (dysgraphia), and mathematics (dyscalculia). The hereditary and genetic component is one of the underlying causes of SLD, but the relationship between genes and the environment should be considered. Several genetic studies were performed in different populations to identify causative genes.

The effect of blood pressure lowering medications on the prevention of episodic migraine: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Currently, only a few specific blood pressure-lowering medications are recommended for migraine prevention. Whether benefits extend to other classes or drugs is uncertain.

Methods: Embase, MEDLINE, and the Cochrane Central Registry of Controlled Trials were searched for randomized control trials on the effect of blood pressure-lowering medications compared with placebo in participants with episodic migraine.

Possible role of low dose dexamethasone administration in listeria monocytogenes meningoencephalitis: A case series.

is a gram-positive, non-sporulating, facultatively anaerobic bacillus transmitted to humans through ingestion of contaminated foods. Listeriosis represents the third most common cause of death from foodborne illness, with a mortality rate of 20-30%, especially for patients affected by an invasive disease, which typically affects immunocompromised patients, pregnant women, the elderly, and neonates. It causes several clinical syndromes, of which meningitis, meningoencephalitis, and sepsis are the most challenging to deal with.

Bacteremia during SARS-CoV2 Infection: Case Report, Literature Review, and Clinical Considerations.

Bacterial infections, especially those in hospital settings, represent a major complication of COVID-19 patients, complicating management and worsening clinical outcomes. is a non-diphtheric actinobacterium that has been reported as being the causative agent of several different infections, affecting both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. Recently, has been recognized as a nosocomial pathogen that is responsible for severe infection in critical patients, as well as in fragile and immunocompromised subjects.

Clinical characteristics and predictors of death among hospitalized patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 in Sicily, Italy: A retrospective observational study.

Since late December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has spread across the world, which resulted in the World Health Organization declaring a global pandemic. Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents a highly variable spectrum with regard to the severity of illness. Most infected individuals exhibit a mild to moderate illness (81%); however, 14% have a serious disease and 5% develop severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), requiring intensive care support.

Ampicillin plus ceftriaxone therapy against Enterococcus faecalis endocarditis: A case report, guidelines considerations, and literature review.

Enterococcus faecalis infective endocarditis (EFIE) continues to be a very serious disease, showing considerable morbidity and mortality rates which are influenced by the spread of multi-drug resistant strains occurred in the last decades. Although aminoglycosides were considered the treatment of choice of EIFE, in recent years several studies have investigated alternative therapeutic approaches, including combinations of beta-lactams, mainly because of the aminoglycoside-renowned nephrotoxicity and the widespread development of high-level aminoglycosides resistance (HLAR). In this scenario, we reported a case involving a prosthetic valve infective endocarditis caused by an aminoglycoside-resistant E.

Ampicillin Plus Ceftriaxone Regimen against Endocarditis: A Literature Review.

infective endocarditis (EFIE) continues to represent a potentially fatal infectious disease characterized by elevated morbidity and mortality. Despite advances in antimicrobial therapy, changing demographics and the reduced availability of useful antibiotics combined with the dissemination of multi-drug resistant strains, the mortality rate remained unchanged in the last decades. Nowadays, optimizing the antibiotic regimen is still of paramount importance.

A potential role for two brainstem nuclei in craniovascular nociception and the triggering of migraine headache.

Aim: To use an animal model of migraine to test whether migraine headache might arise from a brainstem-trigeminal nucleus pathway.

Methods: We measured evoked and spontaneous activity of second-order trigeminovascular neurons in rats to test whether the activity of these neurons increased following the induction of cortical spreading depression or the imposition of light flash - two potential migraine triggers, or headache provokers. We then tested whether drugs that could activate, or inactivate, neurons of the nucleus raphe magnus or the periaqueductal gray matter, would affect any such increases selectively for the dura mater.

Rapid emergence of cryptococcal fungemia, Mycobacterium chelonae vertebral osteomyelitis and gastro intestinal stromal tumor in a young HIV late presenter: a case report.

Background: Highly active antiretroviral therapy has significantly changed the natural history of HIV infection, leading to a dramatic reduction of HIV-related morbidity and mortality. Late Presenters, Very Late Presenters and AIDS presenters still represent, also in Europe, including Italy, a huge challenge in terms of diagnostic and therapeutic management.

Case Presentation: A 35-year-old male with a history of fever and back pain.

Thrombectomy in stroke of unknown onset, wake up stroke and late presentations: Australian experience from 2 comprehensive stroke centres.

Two recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showed selected patients treated with endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) more than 6 h from acute ischemic stroke (AIS) onset had significant improvement in functional outcome at 90 days compared with standard care alone. Our aim is to determine the outcome and predictors of good outcome in AIS patients undergoing EVT with unknown-onset, or late presentation, stroke after 6 h from time last seen well, or witnessed stroke onset, at two Australian comprehensive stroke centres. A retrospective analysis of functional outcome and mortality at 90-days from a prospective cohort of 56 consecutive patients with unknown-onset, or late presentation, stroke with large vessel occlusion (LVO) in the anterior cerebral circulation undergoing EVT over a 15-month period (2016-2017).

Endovascular Thrombectomy >24-hr From Stroke Symptom Onset.

Trials have demonstrated efficacy for endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for anterior circulation acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) up to 24-h from symptom onset. The magnitude of effect suggests benefit may exist beyond 24-h. To perform a retrospective review of all patients undergoing EVT for anterior circulation LVO stroke beyond 24-h from symptom onset and assess safety and efficacy.

Isolated painful trigeminal neuropathy as an unusual presentation of chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids: A case report.

Background: Chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids (CLIPPERS) is an inflammatory central nervous system disorder, typically presenting with subacute symptoms referable to brainstem and cerebellar pathology. This is the first report of CLIPPERS presenting with a painful trigeminal neuropathy.

Case Report: We report an unusual case of CLIPPERS presenting with facial pain and sensory symptoms, in the absence of other brainstem or cerebellar signs.

Does somatostatin have a role to play in migraine headache?

Migraine is a condition without apparent pathology. Its cardinal symptom is the prolonged excruciating headache. Theories about this pain have posited pathologies which run the gamut from neural to vascular to neurovascular, but no observations have detected a plausible pathology.

Treatment of the Patient with Refractory Headache.

Purpose Of Review: To review recent studies outlining the management of refractory primary headache patients, including emerging therapies such as neuromodulation. This includes both noninvasive and invasive neuromodulation techniques. Recent studies on the management of medication overuse headache were also reviewed.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide and migraine.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase activating peptide (PACAP) is found in human trigeminocervical complex and can trigger migraine. PACAP levels were measured using a sensitive radioimmunoassay. Stimulation of the superior sagittal sinus (SSS) in cat elevated PACAP levels in cranial blood.

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome.

Reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (RCVS) is a clinical-radiological syndrome characterised by severe thunderclap headaches with or without other neurological symptoms and multifocal constriction of cerebral arteries that usually resolves spontaneously within 3 months. Most patients recover completely, but up to 10% have a permanent neurological disability and some even die. Previously RCVS has been described in many clinical contexts and under different names with the term RCVS first being suggested in 2007 to unify the group.

An illustrative case of primary angiitis of the central nervous system.

Primary angiitis of the central nervous system is a rare idiopathic vasculitis affecting small- and medium-sized vessels, isolated to the brain, leptomeninges and spinal cord. We report a case of biopsy-proven primary angiitis of the central nervous system, displaying some atypical features. This case highlights several key diagnostic and management issues of the disorder as well as its potential heterogeneity.

Stimulation of dural vessels excites the SI somatosensory cortex of the cat via a relay in the thalamus.

Aim: We carried out experiments in cats to determine the thalamo-cortical projection sites of trigeminovascular sensory neurons.

Methods: 1) We stimulated the middle meningeal artery (MMA) with C-fibre intensity electrical shocks and made field potential recordings over the somatosensory cortical surface. 2) We then recorded neurons in the ventroposteromedial (VPM) nucleus of the thalamus in search of neurons which could be activated from the skin, MMA and superior sagittal sinus.

Nutritional risk, functional status and mortality in newly institutionalised elderly.

Previous studies have reported a close relationship between nutritional and functional domains, but evidence in long-term care residents is still limited. We evaluated the relationship between nutritional risk and functional status and the association of these two domains with mortality in newly institutionalised elderly. In the present multi-centric prospective cohort study, involving 346 long-term care resident elderly, nutritional risk and functional status were determined upon admission by the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI) and the Barthel Index (BI), respectively.