Impact of BDNF -196 G>A and BDNF -270 C>T polymorphisms on stroke rehabilitation outcome: sex and age differences.

BACKGROUND: Genetic factors, including gene polymorphisms, are promising in determining stroke rehabilitation outcome. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is one of the most attractive because of its role in neuroplasticity and brain repair. OBJECTIVE: The aim of present study was to assess the role of BDNF -196 G≯A (val66met) and -270 C≯T on clinical parameters and functional outcome in patients with ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. Additional analyses according to sex and age (≤55 and ≯55 years) were performed. METHODS: Three hundred thirty-eight patients (287 with ischemic and 51 with hemorrhagic stroke) were evaluated in terms of neurological deficit (National Institute of Heath Stroke Scale [NIHSS]), activities of daily living (Barthel Index [BI]), and everyday functionality (Rankin score [RS]) before and after rehabilitation. BDNF polymorphism genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. RESULTS: In multivariative analysis, unfavorable outcome of stroke rehabilitation (RS ≥2) was associated with independent factors: ischemic stroke (odds ratio [OR], 2.59; 95% CI, 1.03-6.47), female gender (OR, 2.80; 95% CI, 1.39-5.64), depression (OR, 4.24; 95% CI, 1.45-12.35), falls (OR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.16-5.87), and BDNF -196 GG polymorphism (OR, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.09-4.35). The differences of functional parameters measured with BI and RS on admission and at discharge are apparent only for comparisons between patients ≤55 and ≯55 years old carrying BDNF -196 GA+AA genotypes but not in those carrying -196 GG genotype; the differences were evident in women but not in men. CONCLUSIONS: BDNF -196 G≯A polymorphism might affect functional outcome of stroke rehabilitation, but this hypothesis needs further verification.

[Clinical and laboratory features of mumps in hospitalized children in 2003-2004 epidemics]. / Kliniczne i laboratoryjne wykladniki swinki u dzieci hospitalizowanych w sezonie epidemicznym 2003-2004.

OBJECTIVES: The frequency and duration of hospitalization as well as symptoms and chosen laboratory tests in children with mumps hospitalized during 2003-2004 epidemics. METHODS: The inpatients records of children with mumps hospitalized from January 2003 to September 2004 at the Clinic of Pediatric Infectious Diseases in Bialystok were reviewed. RESULTS: At this time, the percentage of hospitalizations due to mumps increased from 1.6% up 34.3% in December 2003. The main cause of hospitalizations was mumps meningitis (81.4%). Children with mumps orchitis (3.4%), pancreatitis (1.9%) and mixed symptomatology i.e. meningitis with pancreatitis (2.3%) or meningitis with orchitis (1.1%) were also hospitalized. Children with pancreatitis needed the most longer time of hospitalization (16 days). The analysis of the laboratory tests revealed that serum lipase has the most diagnostic value for mumps pancreatitis and lymphocytic pleocytosis for meningitis. CONCLUSION: Mumps-associated morbidity could be limited if susceptible children population