scholarly journals Small calcified lesions suggestive of neurocysticercosis are associated with mesial temporal sclerosis

2014 ◽  
Vol 72 (7) ◽  
pp. 510-516 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcos C. B. Oliveira ◽  
Maria G. M. Martin ◽  
Miriam H. Tsunemi ◽  
Gilson Vieira ◽  
Luiz H. M. Castro

Recent studies have suggested a possible relationship between temporal lobe epilepsy with mesial temporal sclerosis (MTS) and neurocysticercosis (NC). We performed a case-control study to evaluate the association of NC and MTS. Method: We randomly selected patients with different epilepsy types, including: MTS, primary generalized epilepsy (PGE) and focal symptomatic epilepsy (FSE). Patients underwent a structured interview, followed by head computed tomography (CT). A neuroradiologist evaluated the scan for presence of calcified lesions suggestive of NC. CT results were matched with patients’ data. Results: More patients in the MTS group displayed calcified lesions suggestive of NC than patients in the other groups (p=0.002). On multivariate analysis, MTS was found to be an independent predictor of one or more calcified NC lesions (p=0.033). Conclusion: After controlling for confounding factors, we found an independent association between NC calcified lesions and MTS.

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (14) ◽  
pp. 1329-1339
Author(s):  
Xiaochun Ma ◽  
Huibo Ma ◽  
Yan Yun ◽  
Shanghao Chen ◽  
Xiaofeng Zhang ◽  
...  

Aim: This study examined the role of lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), an inflammatory biomarker, in predicting the severity of calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) in a Chinese case–control study. Results: The LMR significantly decreased in the patients with CAVS compared with healthy controls. An inverse correlation was observed between the severity of stenosis and LMR in the patients. Additionally, the LMR was identified in the multivariate analysis as an independent predictor of severe CAVS. Conclusion: This study provides evidence of an inverse correlation between the severity of CAVS and LMR. LMR could potentially be applied as an independent predictor of severe CAVS and could be incorporated into a novel predictive model.


Stroke ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicolas Martinez-Majander ◽  
Daniel Gordin ◽  
Jani Pirinen ◽  
Juha Sinisalo ◽  
Mika Lehto ◽  
...  

Background: Worldwide, ≈1.3 million annual ischemic strokes (IS) occur in young adults (<50 years of age), of which up to 50% remain cryptogenic after a complete diagnostic work-up. In a pilot case-control study, we studied the value of arterial stiffness and related subendocardial viability in the search of underlying pathophysiology in these patients. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 51 patients aged 18-49 with recent imaging-positive cryptogenic IS and 51 age- and sex-matched stroke-free controls (NCT01934725). Measurements were done with an applanation tonometry (SphygmoCor). Augmentation Index (AIx) served as a measure of stiffness in small arteries. Aortic and brachial pulse wave velocities (aPWV; bPWV) reflected stiffness in large and intermediate-sized arteries, respectively. Subendocardial viability ratio (SEVR) was derived from radial artery waveform measures, reflecting myocardial oxygen supply and demand. Related-samples statistics were applied for univariate case-control analyses and linear regression to explore the relationship between parameters with significant association in case-control analysis. Results: AIx, aPWV, bPWV, heart rate, and systolic or diastolic blood pressures did not differ statistically between patients and controls. Mean SEVR was significantly lower in patients compared with controls (148±35 vs. 161±29, P=0.003). In patients, higher heart rate was inversely associated with SEVR (P<0.001). Age, sex, migraine with and without aura, smoking, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure showed no independent association with SEVR. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report to show an association between SEVR and stroke. Yet unrecognized subtle cardiovascular pathology may play a role in early-onset cryptogenic IS.


2010 ◽  
Vol 197 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adrienne Rivlin ◽  
Keith Hawton ◽  
Lisa Marzano ◽  
Seena Fazel

BackgroundAlthough male prisoners are five times more likely to die by suicide than men of a similar age in the general population, the contribution of psychiatric disorders is not known.AimsTo investigate the association of psychiatric disorders with near-lethal suicide attempts in male prisoners.MethodA matched case–control study of 60 male prisoners who made near-lethal suicide attempts (cases) and 60 prisoners who had never carried out near-lethal suicide attempts in prison (controls) was conducted. Psychiatric disorders were identified with the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI), and information on sociodemographic characteristics and criminal history was gathered using a semi-structured interview.ResultsPsychiatric disorders were present in all cases and 62% of controls. Most current psychiatric disorders were associated with near-lethal suicide attempts, including major depression (odds ratio (OR) = 42.0, 95% CI 5.8–305), psychosis (OR = 15.0, 95% CI 2.0–113), anxiety disorders (OR = 6.0, 95% CI 2.3–15.5) and drug misuse (OR = 2.9, 95% CI 1.3–6.4). Lifetime psychiatric disorders associated with near-lethal attempts included recurrent depression and psychoses. Although cases were more likely than controls to meet criteria for antisocial personality disorder, the difference was not statistically significant. Comorbidity was also significantly more common among cases than controls for both current and lifetime disorders.ConclusionsIn male prisoners, psychiatric disorders, especially depression, psychosis, anxiety and drug misuse, are associated with near-lethal suicide attempts, and hence probably with suicide.


2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 98-106
Author(s):  
Benjamin S. Strnad ◽  
Hilary L. P. Orlowski ◽  
Matthew S. Parsons ◽  
Amber Salter ◽  
Sonika Dahiya ◽  
...  

2014 ◽  
Vol 143 (12) ◽  
pp. 2635-2638 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. HORNUNG ◽  
B. C. THUONG ◽  
J. GYGER ◽  
C. KEBBI-BEGHDADI ◽  
S. VASILEVSKY ◽  
...  

SUMMARYIn this case-control study, we investigated the seroprevalence and molecular evidence of Chlamydia trachomatis and Waddlia chondrophila in ectopic pregnancies (EP) and uneventful control pregnancies in 343 women from Vietnam. Whereas presence of C. trachomatis IgG was strongly associated with EP [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 5·41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2·58–11·32], its DNA remained undetected in all tubal lesions. We confirmed an independent association between antibodies against Waddlia and previous miscarriage (aOR 1·87, 95% CI 1·02–3·42). Further investigations are needed to understand the clinical significance of Waddlia's high seroprevalence (25·9% in control pregnancies) in this urban population.


2015 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 126-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Voll ◽  
Lizbeth Hernández-Ronquillo ◽  
Samantha Buckley ◽  
Jose F. Téllez-Zenteno

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shanghao Chen ◽  
Zezhong Wu ◽  
Yan Yun ◽  
Hechen Shen ◽  
Diming Zhao ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS) represents a serious public health threat to elderly patients. Post-calcific stenotic aortic dilatation, a common feature in CAVS patients, might progress into aneurysm and even dissection, potentially lethal consequences of CAVS, and predicts a dismal prognosis. This study sought to testify the role of lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR), an inflammatory biomarker, in predicting the severe post-calcific stenotic aortic dilatation in a Chinese case-control study.Materials and Methods: 208 consecutive patients with CAVS were recruited retrospectively in a Chinese case- control study, from July 1, 2015 to June 31, 2018. The LMR was statistically analyzed for its prognostic value in the severe post-calcific stenotic aortic dilatation.Results: The LMR was significantly reduced in patients with severe post-calcific stenotic aortic dilatation (2.72 vs. 3.53, p=0.002<0.05) compared to patients without severe post- calcific stenotic aortic dilatation. There was an inverse correlation observed between the maximal diameter of ascending aorta and the LMR in the overall patients (r=-0.217, p=0.002<0.05). For severe post-calcific stenotic aortic dilatation, the incidence of high- LMR group was statistically lower than that of low-LMR group (19.7% vs. 43.9%, p<0.001). And maximal diameter of ascending aorta was significantly reduced in the high-LMR group (4.35vs. 4.76, p=0.003<0.05) compared to low-LMR group. Additionally, the LMR was identified in the multivariate analysis as an independent predictor of severe post-calcific stenotic aortic dilatation (OR 0.743, 95% CI: [0.573- 0.964], p=0.025).Conclusions: This study provided the evidence of an inverse correlation between the severe post- calcific stenotic aortic dilatation and LMR. And the LMR is potentially applied as an independent predictor of severe post-calcific stenotic aortic dilatation.


Author(s):  
Lei Cao ◽  
Yajuan Wu ◽  
Yuanbo Huang ◽  
Zhongming Li ◽  
Jing Zhu ◽  
...  

Background: Androgenetic alopecia is considered to be an independent predictor of mortality from diabetes mellitus and heart disease. However, whether androgenetic alopecia causes changes in microcirculation is unknown. Objective: The objective of the study was to investigate whether alterations in nailfold capillaries occur in androgenetic alopecia patients. Methods: The nailfold capillaroscopy images of androgenetic alopecia patients and matched controls were collected and analyzed. Results: The frequencies of avascular areas, dilated, bushy and bizarre capillaries and capillary disorganization, nailfold capillaroscopy scores of 2 or scores both 2 and 3 were significantly higher in the androgenetic alopecia group than in the healthy controls (9.0% vs. 0%, 57.7% vs. 19.2%, 3.8% vs. 0%, 2.8% vs. 1.3%, 3.8% vs. 0%, 38.5% vs. 12.8% and 39.7% vs. 12.8%, respectively). Limitations: The results of this study may be biased on account of the limited sample size or the presence of an undiagnosed disease in participants which could alter the nailfold capillaries. Conclusion: Bushy, bizarre and dilated capillaries, capillary disorganization, avascular areas and nailfold capillaroscopy scores of 2 or 2 and 3 were more common in androgenetic alopecia patients than in healthy controls. These findings indicate that abnormalities in microcirculation may be involved in androgenetic alopecia.


2018 ◽  
Vol 174 ◽  
pp. 144-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilary L.P. Orlowski ◽  
Matthew D. Smyth ◽  
Matthew S. Parsons ◽  
Sonika Dahiya ◽  
Nima Sharifai ◽  
...  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document