Number of teeth is independently associated with ischemic stroke: A case-control study.

Poor oral health has been suggested as a potential risk factor for the occurrence of cardiovascular events. The present study aimed to test the hypothesis that the number of permanent natural teeth (NT) is independently associated with the occurrence of ischemic stroke (IS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in a southern Brazilian population. This case-control study enrolled 458 subjects, 229 hospital patients diagnosed with IS or TIA (cases) and 229 patients with no history of cardiovascular disease (controls). NT was assessed through a head and neck multidetector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) and panoramic radiographs. The participants were matched by age and sex. Sociodemographic and medical confounding variables were obtained from the hospital charts and through a structured questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analysis were carried out to estimate the association between NT and the occurrence of IS or TIA. The mean age was 58.37 ± 10.75 years, with 46.7% males. Adjusted analyses showed an independent association between IS or TIA and hypertension (OR = 6.34, 95%CI = 3.93-10.24), smoking (OR = 4.70, 95%CI = 2.76-7.99) and NT (lower quartile: ≤7 teeth) (OR = 5.59, 95%CI = 2.88-10.86). The number of permanent natural teeth was inversely and independently associated with the occurrence of IS or TIA in this population. Present findings suggest a gradient effect on the association between oral health and IS.

Detection of autoantibodies in central nervous system inflammatory disorders: Clinical application of cell-based assays.

The identification of autoantibodies in central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory disorders improves diagnostic accuracy and the identification of patients with a relapsing disease. Usual methods to detect autoantibodies are usually divided into 3 categories: tissue-based assays, protein-based assays and cell-based assays (CBA). Tissue-based assays are commonly used for initial identification of autoantibodies based on staining patterns and co-localization. Once the antigen is known, autoantibodies can be detected using other antigen-specific methods based on recombinant proteins and CBA using transfected cells expressing the protein in their cell membranes. Compared to traditional methods using recombinant proteins such as ELISA and western blot, the CBA have advantage of detecting conformational sensitive antibodies using natively folded proteins in the cell membrane. This article reviews the utility of CBA into the clinical practice.

Correlation between the corpus callosum index and brain atrophy, lesion load, and cognitive dysfunction in multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The corpus callosum index (CCI) can be easily and reliably obtained from conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and has been proposed as a possible marker of brain atrophy in MS. However, further validation of its correlation with volumetric measurements is still warranted. OBJECTIVE: To assess the correlation of the CCI with the corpus callosum volume (CCV), brain and lesion volumes, and level of disability in MS. METHODS: Cross-sectional, exploratory study including patients with relapsing-remitting MS. Clinical assessment comprised of physical and cognitive disability scales. MRI parameters included conventional volumetric measurements, the CCI (manual), and the CCV (automated). RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were included. There was a strong correlation between the CCI and CCV. The CCI correlated strongly with the white matter and lesion volumes, and moderately with the whole brain volume and scores on the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test and MS Functional Composite. There were no correlations between the CCI and either gray matter volume or scores on the Expanded Disability Status Scale, the 9-Hole Peg Test, or the Timed 25-Foot Walk test. CONCLUSION: The findings support the validity of the CCI as an easy-to-obtain marker of brain atrophy, lesion load, and cognitive dysfunction in patients with MS.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy After Acute Thoracic Spinal Cord Injury: Improvement of Locomotor Recovery in Rats.

STUDY DESIGN: A controlled laboratory study. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze the effectiveness of hyperbaric therapy (HT) using mild and moderate models of spinal cord injury (SCI). SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: SCI can cause permanent impairment with socioeconomic consequences. The motor deficit occurs by two mechanisms: destruction of neuronal cells and local inflammatory response, resulting in hypoxia. HT acts by increasing oxygen in the injured area. METHODS: Thoracic laminectomy was performed in 72 female Wistar rats. The MASCIS impactor was used at 12.5 mm (n = 35) and 25 mm (n = 35) of height to perform, respectively, mild and moderate SCI. Muscle strength was assessed through the Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan scale (BBB) on days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28 after SCI. The animals were randomized into five subgroups with seven animals each: (1) control group had SCI without HT; (2) HT 30 minutes after SCI; (3) HT 30 minutes after SCI and daily for 7 days; (4) HT 12 hours after SCI; and (5) HT 12 hours after SCI and daily for 7 days. HT was performed at 2.5 atm for 1 hour. RESULTS: There was a linear relationship between injury severity and motor deficit until day 21, with similar BBB scores on day 28. A pattern of uniform lesions was observed in the mild SCI, with lower variation of BBB when compared with moderate SCI. All animals that underwent HT had significant improvement in motor function and histology when compared with control group. Regardless of the injury model, animals submitted to 7-day protocols had an early improvement in motor function and a smaller area of histological injury. CONCLUSION: The present study reported that the sooner HT is begun after mild and moderate SCI and the larger the number of sessions, the greater and earlier is the motor recovery and smaller is the tissue injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: N/A.

The epidemiological profile of a middle-aged population with low back pain in southern Brazil.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence and the general characteristics of low back pain (LBP) in a middle-aged population living in southern Brazil. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: LBP is a widespread musculoskeletal condition. It is the main cause of disability in developed countries. It is necessary and relevant to study the risk factors for LBP to plan preventative action. A cross-sectional study of a middle-aged population in the South of Brazil was designed to look at the prevalence and general characteristics of LBP. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was developed in a city located in southern Brazil. Data were collected from 1005 individuals at randomized public locations. A protocol was designed to evaluate the general characteristics of the population: age, sex, level of education, socioeconomic status, body mass index, occupation, smoking, physical activity, anxiety, and depression. After the initial evaluation, the individuals were asked if they had had low back pain at least once in their lifetime. Those who answered "Yes" continued the questionnaire that evaluated pain intensity, characteristics, and related disability. After the entire group was analyzed (N = 1005), a separate study was performed on the participants younger than 40 years (N = 701). RESULTS: The mean age was 33.74 years (±14.76) and 61.6% of the participants were females. Seventy-two percent of the participants had had LBP at least once in their lives. The mean of visual analogue scale intensity of pain was 4.51 (±2.27). The prevalence of female sex (P = 0.006) and anxiety (P < 0.001) was higher in those with LBP. In the group younger than 40 years, the prevalence of LBP was 69.7% and anxiety (P < 0.001) was the only factor related to LBP. CONCLUSION: Low back pain is a highly prevalent condition in a middle-aged population living in southern Brazil. Higher levels of anxiety and female sex were related to this condition in all groups, but when it was analyzed in the participants younger than 40 years, anxiety was the only significant variable related with LBP. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 3.

Association between primary headaches and depression in young adults in southern Brazil / Estudo da relação entre enxaqueca primária e depressão em jovens da região sul do Brasil

OBJECTIVE: To verify the association between depression and headache in young adults, as well as to identify the features of headache associated with depression and the influence of this mood disorder on headache-related disability. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with self-administered questionnaires about headache and depression was conducted at the Universidade de Caxias do Sul. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) were used to evaluate depressive symptoms and headache-related disability, respectively. Depression was considered if BDI > 15. RESULTS: A thousand and thirteen young adults were included in the study. A clear relationship was observed between headache and depression among the participants. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that nausea or vomiting related to headache and higher headacherelated disability scores were independent factors associated with depression. Migraine was more associated with depression than the other types of headache. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate an association between headache and depression. Depressive symptoms are more likely to be found in young adults with more disabling headaches.

OBJETIVO: Verificar a associação entre depressão e cefaleia em adultos jovens, assim como identificar as características da cefaleia relacionadas com depressão e a influência da depressão na incapacidade decorrente da cefaleia. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com questionários autoadministrados sobre cefaleia e depressão foi conduzido na Universidade de Caxias do Sul. O Inventário de Depressão de Beck (BDI) e o questionário de avaliação da incapacidade por enxaqueca (MIDAS) foram utilizados para avaliação dos sintomas depressivos e incapacidade, respectivamente. Depressão foi definida como BDI > 15. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos no estudo 1.013 adultos jovens. Observou-se uma clara relação entre cefaleia e depressão entre os participantes. Análisesmultivariadas demonstraramque náuseas ou vômitos relacionados à cefaleia e incapacidade decorrente da dor foram fatores independentes associados à depressão. Enxaqueca foi mais associada com depressão que os outros tipos de cefaleia. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados demonstram associação entre cefaleia e depressão. Sintomas depressivos são mais comuns em adultos jovens com cefaleias mais incapacitantes.

Association between primary headaches and depression in young adults in southern Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To verify the association between depression and headache in young adults, as well as to identify the features of headache associated with depression and the influence of this mood disorder on headache-related disability. METHODS: A cross-sectional study with self-administered questionnaires about headache and depression was conducted at the Universidade de Caxias do Sul. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Migraine Disability Assessment (MIDAS) were used to evaluate depressive symptoms and headache-related disability, respectively. Depression was considered if BDI ≥ 15. RESULTS: A thousand and thirteen young adults were included in the study. A clear relationship was observed between headache and depression among the participants. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that nausea or vomiting related to headache and higher headache-related disability scores were independent factors associated with depression. Migraine was more associated with depression than the other types of headache. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate an association between headache and depression. Depressive symptoms are more likely to be found in young adults with more disabling headaches.