Effect of IMOD™ on the inflammatory process after acute ischemic stroke: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: Considering the role of inflammation in acute cerebrovascular accidents, anti-inflammatory treatment has been considered as an option in cerebrovascular diseases. Regarding the properties of Setarud (IMOD™) in immune regulation, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of this medication in treating patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial, 99 patients with their first ever acute ischemic stroke were divided into two groups of IMOD™ (n = 49) and control (n = 50). The control group underwent routine treatment and the intervention group underwent routine treatment plus daily intermittent infusion of IMOD™ (250mg on the first day and then 375mg into DW5% serum during a 30-minute period for 7 days). The serum levels of inflammatory markers were evaluated on the first day (baseline) and on 4th and 7th days. Data were analyzed and the results were compared. RESULTS AND MAJOR CONCLUSION: 58 males (58.6%) and 41 females (41.4%) with a mean age of 67.00 ± 8.82 years, who had their first ever stroke attack, were enrolled in this trial. Treatment with IMOD™ showed a decreasing trend in IL-6 levels compared to the control group (p = 0.04). In addition, the treatment resulted in the control of increasing serum levels of hsCRP after 7 days compared to the control group (p = 0.02). There was an insignificant decrease in TNF-α and IL-1 levels in the IMOD™ group. Considering the prominent role of inflammation after an ischemic cerebral damage, it appears that treatment with IMOD™ improves the inflammatory profile. Therefore, IMOD™ (Setarud) might be considered as a therapeutic option in the acute ischemic stroke. However, future studies are necessary on its long-term results and clinical efficacy.

Relationship between the use of electronic devices and susceptibility to multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune condition influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Dirty electricity generated by electronic equipment is one of the environmental factors that may directly or indirectly impact MS susceptibility. The current Study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the usage time of electronic equipment and susceptibility to MS in North-West Iranian people. This approach was carried out upon 471 MS-diagnosed patients and 453 healthy participants as control group in East Province of Azerbaijan. By utilizing structured questionnaires, the information of all participants about usage status of some electronic devices was obtained. Data were analyzed by IBM SPSS Statistics version 18.0 and the quantitative variables were analyzed by Chi Square and Independent sample t tests. P values below or equal to 0.05 were considered as significant. Among the evaluated items in this approach, the utilization of cell phones and satellite television dishes were significantly higher in MS patients (p < 0.001, p = 0.07). Furthermore, a correlation was observed between sleeping with cell phone and/or laptop under the pillow (p = 0.011) and MS disease; however, there was no significant differences between MS patients and controls in computer using and television watching. Our study reinforces the concept that the utilization of some electronic devices and the continuous exposure to dirty electricity would increase the risk of MS disease thereupon by enhancing the cognizance of adverse effects of dirty electricity and reducing the time spent over electronic devices during adolescence and adulthood the occurrence probability of MS could be declined.

Independent role of hypertension in Bell's palsy: a case-control study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: In this case-control study, our aim was to check for a possible independent role of hypertension in increasing the risk of developing Bell's palsy. METHODS: All patients diagnosed as having Bell's palsy referred to a neurology clinic were enrolled as cases. Controls were selected among other patients referred to the same clinic. Data were analyzed using the Stata 8 statistical software package. To detect the independent effect of exposure variables, a multiple logistic regression test was used. RESULTS: Bivariate analysis showed an increased risk of Bell's palsy for patients with diabetes or hypertension. Logistic regression results stratified for patients younger than 40 years of age and others showed that diabetes was the independent predictor of Bell's palsy in both age groups. Logistic regression results showed that hypertension could not independently predict the occurrence of Bell's palsy among patients younger than 40 years but for older ones it could. CONCLUSION: Hypertension may increase the risk of Bell's palsy among those aged above 40 years. Researchers should be very cautious when declaring an independent role of hypertension as a cause of Bell's palsy.

Renal Dysfunction Is an Independent Risk Factor for Poor Outcome in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Treated with Intravenous Thrombolysis: A New Cutoff Value.

Objective. This study was set to assess the effect of renal dysfunction on outcome of stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT). Methods. This multicenter research involved 403 patients from January 2009 to March 2015. Patients were divided into two groups: (1) control group with GFR ≥ 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 and (2) low GFR group with GFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m2. Outcome measurements were poor outcome (mRS 3-6) and mortality at 3 months and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) within the first 24-36 hours. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed, and odds ratios (ORs) were determined at 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results. Univariate analyses determined that every decrease of GFR by 10 mL/min/1.73 m2 significantly increased the risk of poor outcome (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.09-1.30, p < 0.001) and mortality (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.06-1.32, p = 0.002). In multivariate regression, adjusted for all variables with p value < 0.1, low GFR (GFR < 45 versus GFR equal to or more than 45) was associated with poor outcome (OR adjusted 2.15, 95% CI 1.01-4.56, p = 0.045). Conclusion. In IVT for acute stroke, renal dysfunction with GFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m2 before treatment determined increased odds for poor outcome compared to GFR of more than 45 mL/min/1.73 m2.

OPLS statistical model versus linear regression to assess sonographic predictors of stroke prognosis.

The objective of the present study was to assess the comparable applicability of orthogonal projections to latent structures (OPLS) statistical model vs traditional linear regression in order to investigate the role of trans cranial doppler (TCD) sonography in predicting ischemic stroke prognosis. The study was conducted on 116 ischemic stroke patients admitted to a specialty neurology ward. The Unified Neurological Stroke Scale was used once for clinical evaluation on the first week of admission and again six months later. All data was primarily analyzed using simple linear regression and later considered for multivariate analysis using PLS/OPLS models through the SIMCA P+12 statistical software package. The linear regression analysis results used for the identification of TCD predictors of stroke prognosis were confirmed through the OPLS modeling technique. Moreover, in comparison to linear regression, the OPLS model appeared to have higher sensitivity in detecting the predictors of ischemic stroke prognosis and detected several more predictors. Applying the OPLS model made it possible to use both single TCD measures/indicators and arbitrarily dichotomized measures of TCD single vessel involvement as well as the overall TCD result. In conclusion, the authors recommend PLS/OPLS methods as complementary rather than alternative to the available classical regression models such as linear regression.