Cutoffs on severity metrics for minimal manifestations or better status in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis.

International consensus guidance and Japanese clinical guidelines for myasthenia gravis (MG) recommend achieving minimal manifestations or better status (MM-or-better) as the severity component of the treatment goal. However, the subjective nature of determining MM can result in ambiguity regarding this category in clinical practice and clinical trials. This study analyzed severity metrics in a large number of MG patients to propose criteria for MM-or-better.

Chronic Myelomonocytic Leukemia with Central Nervous System Involvement in a Dog.

An 8 yr old, male, mixed-breed dog was presented with a 2 mo history of progressive weakness, worsened in the last 2 days before examination. Neurological examination revealed ambulatory tetraparesis, ataxia, and proprioceptive deficits in all four limbs. Menace response was reduced in the right eye and discomfort was detected on neck manipulation.

Investigation of brain volume changes associated with aging: Results from the fourth research on osteoarthritis/osteoporosis against disability survey.

Aim: This study aims to investigate the impact of aging on brain volume among community residents in Japan, focusing on trends over time and specific brain structures.

Methods: We analyzed data from the fourth survey (2015-2016) of the Research on Osteoarthritis/Osteoporosis Against Disability project, encompassing 2146 community residents from Japan's mountainous and coastal regions. A total of 1755 participants (81.

Helicobacter pylori-Related Chronic Gastritis as a Risk Factor for Lower Bone Mineral Density.

We evaluated the role of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-related chronic gastritis in the development of osteoporosis in a population-based study. A total of 1690 subjects in the cohort of the Research on Osteoarthritis/ osteoporosis Against Disability (ROAD) were investigated, and the association between gastritis and osteoporosis was evaluated by the presence of serologically assessed H.

Complementary effects of postoperative delirium and frailty on 30-day outcomes in spine surgery.

Background Context: With an increasingly older population, the number of frail patients requiring surgical management for degenerative spine diseases is rapidly increasing. Older patients are at increased risk of developing postoperative delirium (POD), which increases the odds of postoperative morbidity and mortality in spine surgery patients. Therefore, frail spine surgery patients may be at greater risk of developing POD and subsequent adverse outcomes.

Reduced Functional Connectivity in the Default Mode Network in EEGs without Other Abnormalities in Early Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease.

Introduction: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare, neurodegenerative disorder that is incurable, always fatal, and transmissible. EEG is an integral part of the diagnostic workup with typical periodic sharp wave complexes indicative of CJD, but early in the disease EEG is often unaltered. Accordingly, we aimed at evaluating disruption of brain network functional connectivity (FC) in regions belonging to the default mode network (DMN) as a potential early marker in CJD when EEG is considered visually normal.

[Clinical characterisation of creatine transporter deficiency associated with SLC6A8 gene variants].

To analyze the clinical features of creatine transporter(CRTR) deficiency associated with SLC6A8 gene variants. The clinical data (clinical presentation, brain imaging, creatine metabolism test and gene variants) of 5 patients admitted to Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University and diagnosed with CRTR deficiency associated with SLC6A8 gene variants from January 2016 to June 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 5 patients, all male, presented with the onset of the disease at 1 year and 1 month old to 1 year and 10 months old, and diagnosis at 1 year and 3 months to 9 years old.

CAR-engineered NK cells versus CAR T cells in treatment of glioblastoma; strength and flaws.

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive primary brain tumor that carries a grim prognosis. Because of the dearth of treatment options available for treatment of GBM, Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR)-engineered T cell and Natural Killer (NK) therapy could provide alternative strategies to address the challenges in GBM treatment. In these approaches, CAR T and NK cells are engineered for cancer-specific immunotherapy by recognizing surface antigens independently of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules.

Transcutaneous spinal cord stimulation neuromodulates pre- and postsynaptic inhibition in the control of spinal spasticity.

Aside from enabling voluntary control over paralyzed muscles, a key effect of spinal cord stimulation is the alleviation of spasticity. Dysfunction of spinal inhibitory circuits is considered a major cause of spasticity. These circuits are contacted by Ia muscle spindle afferents, which are also the primary targets of transcutaneous lumbar spinal cord stimulation (TSCS).

Analysis of the Recovery Process and Activities of Daily Living Independence in Pusher Behavior and Unilateral Spatial Neglect.

Objective: To investigate the recovery processes of pusher behavior (PB) and unilateral spatial neglect (USN) based on the severity of PB and USN, and to determine the relationship between activities of daily living (ADL) independence levels.

Design: This retrospective study aimed to examine the temporal changes and their association with ADL independence levels based on the severity of PB and USN.

Setting: Recovery ward of Moriyama Neurological Center Hospital between March 2017 and October 2022.

Focused Ultrasound Pallidothalamic Tractotomy in Cervical Dystonia: A Pilot Study.

Background: No clinical trials have been reported on the use of focused ultrasound (FUS) for treating cervical dystonia.

Objective: We aimed to confirm the efficacy and safety of FUS pallidothalamic tractotomy for cervical dystonia.

Methods: This was a prospective, open-label, non-controlled pilot study.

Validity and Reliability of the Japanese Version of the Frontal Assessment Battery in Patients with Stroke.

Background: The Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB), which is used to assess executive function, has been translated into several languages and shown to be valid and reliable. However, the validity and reliability of the Japanese version in patients with stroke are unknown. This study aimed to investigate the validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the FAB in patients with stroke.

A Comprehensive Revision of Radiation Immunotherapy and the Abscopal Effect in Central Nervous System Metastases: Reassessing the Frontier.

Seventy years ago, Robin Mole introduced the concept of the abscopal effect to describe a rare phenomenon. This occurs when local radiation triggers an immune-mediated reduction in tumors outside the treated area but within the same organism. Observing this effect has been linked to improved overall and progression-free survival in patients who experience it.

Surgical Anatomy of the Supraretinacular Fat Pad: Sensory Innervation and Preservation in Open Carpal Tunnel Release.

Background And Objectives: Postoperative pain may occur following open carpal tunnel release (OCTR). Various causes have been postulated. During OCTR, adipose tissue located between the palmar aponeurosis and the flexor retinaculum is exposed.

Outcomes of Mechanical Thrombectomy for Patients With Stroke Presenting With Low Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score in Early and Late Time Windows.

Background And Objectives: This study aimed to compare outcomes of low Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) patients with stroke who underwent mechanical thrombectomy (MT) within 6 hours or 6 to 24 hours after stroke onset.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from a large multicenter international registry from 2013 to 2023. Patients with low ASPECTS (2-5) who underwent MT for anterior circulation intracranial large vessel occlusion were included.

The effect of intravenous thrombolysis in stroke patients with unsuccessful thrombectomy.

Background: The benefit of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is well established. We aim to study the benefits of IVT in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with large vessel occlusion (LVO) who underwent unsuccessful mechanical thrombectomy (MT).

Methods: We included AIS patients who underwent MT for anterior circulation LVO with failed recanalization (modified treatment in cerebral ischemia [mTICI] score ≤ 2A).

Degenerative Atypia in Clival Chordoma: Two Case Reports.

In this study, we report surgical management combined with radiotherapy in two patients with typical chordoma. Different types of radiation have varied effects on chordomas when they are radiated. Classical cases display cellular atypia and fibrosis following irradiation, while necrosis and fibrosclerosis are observed after carbon ion therapy, implying that it is possible to control the tumor more effectively using carbon ion therapy with minimal side effects.

Parvovirus B19 and Parvovirus 4 infections among healthy blood donors; A prevalence report from Iran.

Background: Parvoviruses, characterized by their tropism for blood cells, can manifest as asymptomatic infections. With their ability to persist in blood, assessing the prevalence of Parvovirus B19 (B19V) and Parvovirus 4 (PARV4) among healthy blood donors is essential for evaluating the potential transmission risks through blood transfusions, emphasizing the need for comprehensive screening protocols.

Methods: Four hundred blood donors participated in the study, with their blood specimens subjected to Real-Time PCR analysis for B19V and PARV4 nucleic acids after obtaining informed consent.

Association of Well-Being in Middle-Aged and Older Adults With Enhanced Personal Health and Social Support: A Nationally Representative Cohort Study.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the relationship between multidimensional factors, such as environment, health status, behavior, social support, and the well-being of middle-aged and older adults.

Methods: This study utilized data from 2 waves of the nationally representative Taiwan Longitudinal Study on Aging Survey Report (TLSA) conducted in 2015 and 2019. The TLSA assesses socioeconomic status, physical and health status, the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5 index), and social support.

Efficacy and safety of alfaxalone compared to propofol in canine refractory status epilepticus: a pilot study.

Introduction: Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) is defined as seizure activity that is minimally responsive to first- or second-line antiseizure medications. Constant rate infusion (CRI) intravenous propofol (PPF) is commonly used to treat RSE in dogs and cats. The antiseizure activity of alfaxalone (ALF) in RSE has been demonstrated in various experimental studies.