Association study between genetic polymorphisms in MTHFR and stroke susceptibility in Egyptian population: a case-control study.

Stroke is a major global disability cause, and genetic variables for multifactorial illnesses like stroke are crucial for precision medicine. The purpose of this study is to see if genetic variants in the MTHFR gene are associated with a higher risk of ischemic stroke among the Egyptian population. A case-control study was conducted at Mansoura University Hospital, involving 100 stroke patients and 150 healthy volunteers as the control group. Peripheral blood genomic DNA was isolated and single-nucleotide polymorphisms were genotyped using ARMS-PCR. The CT and TT genotypes of the C677T gene polymorphism exhibited substantial risks for having stroke disease [(OR 3.856; P ≤ 0.001); (OR 4.026; P ≤ 0.001), respectively]. The T allele was significantly more prevalent among patients compared to controls. (OR 2.517; (P = 0.001)). The over-dominant and dominant models demonstrated a substantial relationship between stroke groups at risk of developing stroke but not the Recessive model. An extensive connection was found between the MTHFR A1298C and stroke danger in three different inheritance models: dominant (CC + CA vs. AA), over-dominant (AA + CC vs AC), and allelic (C allele) (P < 0.001). A highly significant difference in blood pressure, total cholesterol, and triglycerides levels was found between patients and control. While there was no meaningful link discovered between genetic polymorphism with SBP, DBP, TG, LDL, VLDL among stroke group (P > 0.05 for each) except the CC genotype that was significantly associated with lower levels of TC and HDL when compared to CT + TT genotypes. The study evaluates a strong link among MTHFR mutations in genes and the probability to get stroke. The research significantly supports the use of MTHFR ((rs1801133) and (rs1801131) variations in stroke prediction.

Stroke services in the Middle East and adjacent region: A survey of 34 hospital-based stroke services.

Background: Acute stroke care is complex and requires multidisciplinary networking. There are insufficient data on stroke care in the Middle East and adjacent regions in Asia and Africa. Objective: Evaluate the state of readiness of stroke programs in the Middle East North Africa and surrounding regions (MENA+) to treat acute stroke. Method: Online questionnaire survey on the evaluation of stroke care across hospitals of MENA+ region between April 2021 and January 2022. Results: The survey was completed by 34/50 (68%) hospitals. The median population serviced by participating hospitals was 2 million. The median admission of patients with stroke/year was 600 (250-1,100). The median length of stay at the stroke units was 5 days. 34/34 (100%) of these hospitals have 24/7 CT head available. 17/34 (50%) have emergency guidelines for prehospital acute stroke care. Mechanical thrombectomy with/without IVT was available in 24/34 (70.6%). 51% was the median (IQR; 15-75%) of patients treated with IVT within 60 min from arrival. Thirty-five minutes were the median time to reverse warfarin-associated ICH. Conclusion: This is the first large study on the availability of resources for the management of acute stroke in the MENA+ region. We noted the disparity in stroke care between high-income and low-income countries. Concerted efforts are required to improve stroke care in low-income countries. Accreditation of stroke programs in the region will be helpful.

Transvenous Embolization of Brain Arteriovenous Malformations: Up-to-Date Meta-Analysis.

AIM: To conduct an up-to-date meta-analysis to assess the success and complication rates of transvenous embolization (TVE) of brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs), and to determine its efficacy and safety. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Relevant and potentially relevant studies from 1982 to February 2021 were searched; after which those that satisfied our eligibility criteria and reported the main outcomes (endovascular occlusion and complication rates) were included. RESULTS: Ultimately seven studies were selected. In total, 154 patients were comprehensively reviewed for BAVMs characteristics and endovascular TVE techniques. The weighted mean rate of immediate endovascular total occlusion, overall technical complication, and overall good functional outcome (mRs < 2) were 93% (95% confidence intervals (CI), 89.1%?96.9%, I2 = 0%, p=0.487), 10.5% (95% CI, 4.3%?16.6%, I2 = 30.8%, p=0.193), and 90.9% (95% CI, 85.3%?96.6%, I2 = 26.6%, p=0.241), respectively. CONCLUSION: TVE for BAVMs was found to be generally safe and effective in certain selected patients. However, the complementary role of TAE to TVE as a definitive endovascular treatment for BAVMs cannot be separated. More studies regarding this role need to be conducted.

Global Impact of COVID-19 on Stroke Care and IV Thrombolysis.

OBJECTIVE: To measure the global impact of COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of IV thrombolysis (IVT), IVT transfers, and stroke hospitalizations over 4 months at the height of the pandemic (March 1 to June 30, 2020) compared with 2 control 4-month periods. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, observational, retrospective study across 6 continents, 70 countries, and 457 stroke centers. Diagnoses were identified by their ICD-10 codes or classifications in stroke databases. RESULTS: There were 91,373 stroke admissions in the 4 months immediately before compared to 80,894 admissions during the pandemic months, representing an 11.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] -11.7 to -11.3, p < 0.0001) decline. There were 13,334 IVT therapies in the 4 months preceding compared to 11,570 procedures during the pandemic, representing a 13.2% (95% CI -13.8 to -12.7, p < 0.0001) drop. Interfacility IVT transfers decreased from 1,337 to 1,178, or an 11.9% decrease (95% CI -13.7 to -10.3, p = 0.001). Recovery of stroke hospitalization volume (9.5%, 95% CI 9.2-9.8, p < 0.0001) was noted over the 2 later (May, June) vs the 2 earlier (March, April) pandemic months. There was a 1.48% stroke rate across 119,967 COVID-19 hospitalizations. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was noted in 3.3% (1,722/52,026) of all stroke admissions. CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with a global decline in the volume of stroke hospitalizations, IVT, and interfacility IVT transfers. Primary stroke centers and centers with higher COVID-19 inpatient volumes experienced steeper declines. Recovery of stroke hospitalization was noted in the later pandemic months.

The Effect of Cannabis on the Clinical and Cytokine Profiles in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Multiple studies have reported that cannabis administration in multiple sclerosis patients is associated with decreased symptom severity. This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of cannabis abuse in multiple sclerosis cases and to evaluate the effect of cannabis on serum cytokines in such cases. Patients and Methods. A total of 150 multiple sclerosis cases along with 150 healthy controls were included during the study period. All cases were subjected to history taking, neurological examination, and routine investigations. Cases were asked about cannabis intake which was confirmed by a urine test. Serum cytokines including IL-1, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-12, IL-17, IL-22, IFN-γ, IFN-ß1, and TNF-α were ordered for all cases and controls. RESULTS: Twenty-eight cases were cannabis abusers (MS/cannabis group, 18.67%). The remaining 122 cases represented the MS group. There was no significant difference between the three groups regarding age, disease duration, or MS type. Male gender was more predominant in the MS/cannabis group, and the number of relapses was significantly lower in the same group. Fifteen cases (53.6%) reported that their symptoms were improved by cannabis. Proinflammatory cytokines were significantly elevated in the MS group compared to the MS/cannabis and control groups. Additionally, anti-inflammatory cytokines had significantly lower values in the MS group compared to the MS/cannabis and control groups. Most clinical symptoms were significantly improved in the MS/cannabis group compared to the MS group apart from sexual dysfunction, bladder symptoms, and visual disturbances. Mild side effects of cannabis were also reported. CONCLUSION: Cannabis may have a positive impact on the cytokine and clinical profiles in cases with multiple sclerosis.

Radiological predictors of hemorrhagic transformation after acute ischemic stroke: An evidence-based analysis.

Hemorrhagic transformation (HT) is one of the most common adverse events related to acute ischemic stroke (AIS) that affects the treatment plan and clinical outcome. Identification of a sensitive radiological marker may influence the controversial thrombolytic decision in the setting of AIS and may at a minimum indicate more intensive monitoring or further prophylactic interventions. In this article we summarize possible radiological biomarkers and the role of different radiological modalities including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging, angiography, and ultrasound in predicting HT. Different radiological indices of early ischemic changes, large ischemic lesion volume, severe blood flow restriction, blood-brain barrier disruption, poor collaterals and high blood flow velocities have been reported to be associated with higher risk of HT. The current levels of evidence of the available studies highlight the role of the different CT perfusion parameters in predicting HT. Further large standardized studies are recommended to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the different radiological markers combined and delineate the most reliable predictor.

Venous sinus stenting for idiopathic intracranial hypertension: a review of the literature.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is characterized by headache, papilledema, visual field changes and tinnitus with elevated cerebral spinal fluid opening pressures on lumbar puncture. Left untreated, this condition can lead to permanent visual loss. Previous treatment modalities include medical management, therapeutic lumbar puncture and optic nerve sheath fenestration. They have proved to be effective but carry high rates of symptom recurrence or procedural complications. Focal dural venous sinus stenoses have been identified in many patients with IIH, leading to development of treatment through venous sinus angioplasty and stenting. A review of the literature was performed which identified patients with IIH treated with venous sinus stenting. The procedural data and outcomes are presented. A total of 143 patients with IIH (87% women, mean age 41.4 years, mean body mass index 31.6 kg/m(2)) treated with venous sinus stenting were included in the analysis. Symptoms at initial presentation included headache (90%), papilledema (89%), visual changes (62%) and pulsatile tinnitus (48%). There was a technical success rate of 99% for the stent placement procedure with a total of nine complications (6%). At follow-up (mean 22.3 months), 88% of patients experienced improvement in headache, 97% demonstrated improvement or resolution of papilledema, 87% experienced improvement or resolution of visual symptoms and 93% had resolution of pulsatile tinnitus. In patients with IIH with focal venous sinus stenosis, endovascular stent placement across the stenotic sinus region represents an effective treatment strategy with a high technical success rate and decreased rate of complications compared with treatment modalities currently used.