scholarly journals Electrophysiological characteristics and anatomical differentiation of epileptic and non-epileptic myoclonus

Author(s):  
Mohammad Abu-Hegazy ◽  
Azza Elmoungi ◽  
Eman Eltantawi ◽  
Ahmed Esmael

Abstract Background Electrophysiological techniques have been used for discriminating myoclonus from other hyperkinetic movement disorders and for classifying the myoclonus subtype. This study was carried out on patients with different subtypes of myoclonus to determine the electrophysiological characteristics and the anatomical classification of myoclonus of different etiologies. This study included 20 patients with different subtypes of myoclonus compared with 30 control participants. Electrophysiological study was carried out for all patients by somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) and electroencephalography (EEG) while the control group underwent SSEP. SSEP was evaluated in patients and control groups by stimulation of right and left median nerves. Results This study included 50 cases with myoclonus of different causes with mean age of 39.3 ± 15.7 and consisted of 23 males and 27 females. Twenty-nine (58%) of the patients were epileptics, while 21 (42%) were non-epileptics. Cases were classified anatomically into ten cases with cortical myoclonus (20%), 12 cases with subcortical myoclonus (24%), and 28 cases with cortical–subcortical myoclonus (56%). There was a significant difference regarding the presence of EEG findings in epileptic myoclonic and non-epileptic myoclonic groups (P = 0.005). Also, there were significant differences regarding P24 amplitude, N33 amplitude, P24–N33 peak-to-peak complex amplitude regarding all types of myoclonus. Primary myoclonic epilepsy (PME) demonstrated significant giant response, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) demonstrated no enhancement compared to controls, while secondary myoclonus demonstrated lower giant response compared to PME. Conclusion Somatosensory evoked potential and electroencephalography are important for the diagnosis and anatomical sub-classification of myoclonus and so may help in decision-making regarding to the subsequent management.

2016 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 22
Author(s):  
Nazli Zainuddin ◽  
Nurul Azira Mohd Shah ◽  
Rosdan Salim

Introduction: The role of virgin coconut oil in the treatment of allergic rhinitis is controversial. Thus, the aim of the present study is to determine the effects of virgin coconut oil ingestion, in addition to standard medications, on allergic rhinitis. We also studied the side effects of consumption of virgin coconut oil. Methods: Fifty two subjects were equally divided into test and control groups. All subjects received a daily dose of 10mg of loratadine for 28 days. The test group was given 10ml of virgin coconut oil three times a day in addition to loratadine. The symptoms of allergic rhinitis were scored at the beginning and end of the study. Results:, the symptom score were divided into nasal and non-nasal symptom scores. Sneezing score showed a significant difference, however the score was more in control group than test group, indicating that improvement in symptom was more in control group. The rest of the nasal symptom and non-nasal symptom score showed no significant difference between test and control groups. Approximately 58% of the test subjects developed side effects from consumption of virgin coconut oil, mainly gastrointestinal side effects. Conclusion: In the present study, ingestion of virgin coconut oil does not improve the overall and individual symptoms of allergic rhinitis, furthermore it has side effects.


2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Roghieh Safari ◽  
Seyed Hossein Hoseinifar ◽  
Maryam Dadar ◽  
Hien Van Doan

AbstractThe present study investigated possible effects of dietary malic acid on the expression of immunity, antioxidant and growth related genes expression as well as skin mucus immune parameters in common carp. Common carp (Cyprinus carpio) fingerlings were fed diets supplemented with different levels (0 [control], 0.5%, 1%, 2%) of malic acid (MA) for 60 days. The results revealed highest expression levels of immune-related genes (tnf-alpha, il1b, il8 and lyz) in skin of common carp fed 2% MA (P < 0.05). Regarding 1% MA treatment comparison with control group, significant difference was noticed just in case of lyz (P < 0.05). Evaluation of growth related genes expression revealed no significant difference between treatments (P > 0.05). The study of antioxidant related genes (gsta and gpx) in common carp skin fed with MA, showed significant difference between treated groups and control (P < 0.05). Carps fed with 2% MA had highest alkaline phosphatase activity in skin mucus compared other treated groups and control (P < 0.05). There were no significant difference between 0.5% and 1% and control (P > 0.05). The study of total protein and total immunoglobulin (Ig) in common carp skin musus revealed no alteration following MA treatment (P > 0.05). The present data demonstrated that feeding with MA altered immune and antioxidant genes expression in skin mucus of common carp.


2017 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 138
Author(s):  
Mekar Dwi Anggraeni ◽  
Lutfatul Latifah ◽  
Aprilia Kartikasari ◽  
Ima Rismawati

Background and purpose: The earlier development of the attitude toward exclusive breastfeeding produces the longer exclusive breastfeeding duration. Considering the first marriage age among Indonesian, the attitude toward exclusive breastfeeding should be developed at the adolescence age. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of the attitude toward breastfeeding concept based comic on the adolescent's attitude toward exclusive breastfeeding. Method: This was a quasy experimental posttest only with control group study. The respondents were provided an comic. The respondent's attitude toward exclusive breastfeeding was measured using The Breastfeeding Attitude Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using independent and dependent t test. Results: The majority of respondents were aged 17 years old in both intervention (70%) and control grup (63%), first child in both intervention (23,3%) and control grup (26,7%), and had a nuclear family in both intervention (80%) and control grup (90%). The independent t test showed that there was a significant difference between post-test scores among the intervention and control groups (t = 5,602, p < 0,01). Conclusion and recommendation: Nurses may use the Attitude Toward Breastfeeding based comic to increase the Adolescence's attitude toward breastfeeding.Keywords: Comic, Attitudes Toward Exclusive Breastfeeding, Adolescence


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Hiroki Ushirozako ◽  
Tomohiko Hasegawa ◽  
Yu Yamato ◽  
Go Yoshida ◽  
Tatsuya Yasuda ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVESurgical site infection (SSI) after posterior spinal surgery is one of the severe complications that may occur despite administration of prophylactic antibiotics and the use of intraoperative aseptic precautions. The use of intrawound vancomycin powder for SSI prevention is still controversial, with a lack of high-quality and large-scale studies. The purpose of this retrospective study using a propensity score–matched analysis was to clarify whether intrawound vancomycin powder prevents SSI occurrence after spinal surgery.METHODSThe authors analyzed 1261 adult patients who underwent posterior spinal surgery between 2010 and 2018 (mean age 62.3 years; 506 men, 755 women; follow-up period at least 1 year). Baseline and surgical data were assessed. After a preliminary analysis, a propensity score model was established with adjustments for age, sex, type of disease, and previously reported risk factors for SSI. The SSI rates were compared between patients with intrawound vancomycin powder treatment (vancomycin group) and those without (control group).RESULTSIn a preliminary analysis of 1261 unmatched patients (623 patients in the vancomycin group and 638 patients in the control group), there were significant differences between the groups in age (p = 0.041), body mass index (p = 0.013), American Society of Anesthesiologists classification (p < 0.001), malnutrition (p = 0.001), revision status (p < 0.001), use of steroids (p = 0.019), use of anticoagulation (p = 0.033), length of surgery (p = 0.003), estimated blood loss (p < 0.001), and use of instrumentation (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in SSI rates between the vancomycin and control groups (21 SSIs [3.4%] vs 33 SSIs [5.2%]; OR 0.640, 95% CI 0.368–1.111; p = 0.114). Using a one-to-one propensity score–matched analysis, 444 pairs of patients from the vancomycin and control groups were selected. There was no significant difference in the baseline and surgical data, except for height (p = 0.046), between both groups. The C-statistic for the propensity score model was 0.702. In the score-matched analysis, 12 (2.7%) and 24 (5.4%) patients in the vancomycin and control groups, respectively, developed SSIs (OR 0.486, 95% CI 0.243–0.972; p = 0.041). There were no systemic complications related to the use of vancomycin.CONCLUSIONSThe current study showed that intrawound vancomycin powder was useful in reducing the risk of SSI after posterior spinal surgery by half, without adverse events. Intrawound vancomycin powder use is a safe and effective procedure for SSI prevention.


2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (5) ◽  
pp. 743-748
Author(s):  
Ana R.S. de Oliveira ◽  
Kyria J.C. Cruz ◽  
Jennifer B.S. Morais ◽  
Juliana S. Severo ◽  
Jéssica B. Beserra ◽  
...  

Background: The role of minerals in preventing the generation of oxidative stress in obese individuals has been evaluated. Magnesium is an antioxidant nutrient and a cofactor of enzymes involved in the cell membrane stabilization, attenuating the effects of oxidative stress. Objective: To evaluate the association between magnesium and concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in patients with obesity and eutrophic women. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 73 women, divided into two groups: case group (patients with obesity, n=27) and control group (eutrophic women, n=46). Measurements of body mass index and waist circumference were performed. Dietary magnesium intake was assessed by the three-day food record using the NutWin software. Urinary magnesium concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry method. Plasma concentrations of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were also determined. Results: Mean values of dietary magnesium intake were 161.59 ± 60.04 and 158.73 ± 31.96 for patients with obesity and control group, respectively, with no significant difference between the groups studied (p >0.05). The value of urinary excretion of magnesium was lower than the reference values in both groups, with no significant difference between the groups studied (p >0.05). The plasma concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances was significantly higher in patients with obesity compared to the control group (p <0.001). There was no correlation between levels of magnesium biomarkers and the concentration of TBARS (p >0.05). Conclusion: Patients with obesity showed a reduced dietary magnesium intake which seems to induce hypomagnesuria as a compensatory mechanism. The marker of oxidative stress evaluated in this study was not influenced by magnesium.


2021 ◽  
pp. 037957212110254
Author(s):  
Harleen Kaur ◽  
Neerja Singla ◽  
Rohini Jain

Objective: India is the second country after China having the highest population prevalence of diabetes. Several research studies investigating diabetes have been done, but not much work has been done on prediabetes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of nutrition and lifestyle modification on prediabetic females. Methods: A total of 120 prediabetic females from Ludhiana city were divided into 2 matched groups: control group (n = 60) and experimental group (n = 60). Impact of nutrition intervention for dietary and lifestyle modification (for 3 months) was assessed on the anthropometric, dietary, biochemical parameters, and diabetes risk score of the experimental group and control group (no intervention). Results: All the selected 120 subjects completed the study (experimental group = 60; control group = 60). There was significant difference in the changes between the 2 groups throughout the study. The fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin A1c levels of the experimental group subjects reduced significantly ( P ≤ .01). However, no change was observed among the control group subjects. The lipid profile of the experimental group showed a significant improvement ( P ≤ .01). Conclusion: Nutrition counselling of the prediabetics regarding dietary and lifestyle modification is recommended so as to improve their metabolic control, thus preventing them from being diabetics.


2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melek Pehlivan ◽  
Tülay K. Ayna ◽  
Maşallah Baran ◽  
Mustafa Soyöz ◽  
Aslı Ö. Koçyiğit ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives There are several hypotheses on the effects of the rs1738074 T/C single nucleotide polymorphism in the TAGAP gene; however, there has been no study on Turkish pediatric patients. We aimed to investigate the association of celiac disease (CD) and type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) comorbidity with the polymorphism in the TAGAP gene of Turkish pediatric patients. Methods Totally, 127 pediatric CD patients and 100 healthy children were included. We determined the polymorphism by the allele-specific polymerase chain reaction method. We used IBM SPSS Statistics version 25.0 and Arlequin 3.5.2 for the statistical analyses. The authors have no conflict of interest. Results It was determined that 72% (n=154) of only CD patients had C allele, whereas 28% (n=60) had T allele. Of the patients with celiac and T1DM, 42.5% (n=17) and 57.5% (n=23) had T and C alleles, respectively. Of the individuals in control group, 67% (n=134) had C allele, whereas 33% (n=66) had T allele. Conclusions There was no significant difference in the genotype and allele frequencies between the patient and control groups (p>0.05). There was no significant association between the disease risk and the polymorphism in our study group.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Sevde Aksu ◽  
Pelin Palas Karaca

<b><i>Aim:</i></b> The research was conducted as a randomized controlled pilot study to evaluate the effects of reflexology on lactation in mothers who delivered by cesarean section (CS). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> A single-blind randomized controlled experimental study was conducted with a total of 60 postpartum women in the reflexology application (<i>n</i> = 30) and control groups (<i>n</i> = 30). After the CS, the mothers in the control group were given approximately 3-h routine nursing care after recovering from the effects of anesthesia; the introductory information form was applied, and the Breastfeeding Charting System and Documentation Tool (LATCH) and visual analog scale (VAS) for the signs of the onset of lactation were implemented on the first and second days. Reflexology was applied to the women in the intervention group after an average of 3 h following the mother’s condition had become stable and she had recovered from the effects of anesthesia. Reflexology was applied a total of 20 min – 10 min for the right foot, 10 min for the left foot – twice a day with 8-h intervals on the first and second days after CS. After the last reflexology application, the LATCH and VAS for the signs of the onset of lactation were applied. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Of the women, 70% breastfed their babies within 60 min after delivery; 46.7% of the mothers received breastfeeding training and 81.7% needed support for breastfeeding after the CS. The LATCH breastfeeding scores of the women in the intervention group on both days were significantly higher compared to those of the women in the control group (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.001). On the first day after the CS, apart from breast pain, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of breast heat and breast tension (<i>p</i> &#x3e; 0.05). On the second day after the CS, apart from breast tension, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of breast heat and breast pain (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). In the study, women in the intervention group were found to have higher scores in terms of all three symptoms compared to the control group (<i>p</i> &#x3c; 0.05). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> In the study, it was determined that LATCH scores and signs of the onset of breastfeeding increased in the mothers who received reflexology after CS.


Author(s):  
Elif Karatoprak ◽  
Samet Paksoy

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the thyroid functions in children receiving levetiracetam or valproate monotherapy. We retrospectively reviewed the records of children with controlled epilepsy receiving valproic acid (VPA group) or levetiracetam monotherapy (LEV group) for at least 6 months. Free thyroxine 4 levels (fT4) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were compared between VPA group, LEV group, and age- and gender-matched healthy children (control group). A total of 190 children were included in the study: 63 were in the VPA, 60 in the LEV, and 67 in the control group. Although there was no significant difference regarding average fT4 levels, higher TSH levels were found in the VPA group when compared with the LEV and control groups (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). There was no significant difference in terms of fT4 and TSH values in the LEV group when compared with the control group (p = 0.56 and p = 0.61, respectively). Subclinical hypothyroidism (defined as a TSH level above 5 uIU/mL with a normal fT4 level was detected in 16% of patients in the VPA group, none in the LEV and control groups. Our study found that VPA therapy is associated with an increased risk of subclinical hypothyroidism while LEV had no effect on thyroid function tests.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 2604
Author(s):  
Jin-Young Park ◽  
Kyung-A Ko ◽  
Ji-Yeong Lee ◽  
Jae-Woon Oh ◽  
Hyun-Chang Lim ◽  
...  

Background: Mangosteen and propolis extracts (MAEC) have been potential therapeutic agents known to exhibit powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the clinical and immunological efficacy of MAEC as well as safety and patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) on gingivitis and incipient periodontitis. Methods: This study was performed on 104 patients diagnosed with gingivitis or incipient periodontitis. At baseline, the participants were randomly allocated to either the test group, with daily intake of a single capsule containing 194 mg of MAEC for eight weeks, or control group, with placebo. Clinical periodontal evaluation and immunological parameters from saliva and gingival sulcular fluid were assessed at baseline, four, and eight weeks. Individual PROMs were assessed by OHIP-14 questionnaires. Results: There was a significant difference of modified gingival index at four and eight weeks between the test and control groups. In the test group, crevicular interleukin (IL)-6 was reduced, and the salivary matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 was increased after eight weeks. PROMs were improved up to four weeks compared to placebo. Conclusion: Oral administration of MAEC would have a potential to reduce gingival inflammation clinically and immunologically in the patients with gingivitis and incipient periodontitis.


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