Educational campaigns at point of purchase in rural supermarkets improve stroke knowledge.

BACKGROUND: The number of elderly people is dramatically increasing, and this trend is especially pronounced in rural populations. The aim of the present study was to verify the effectiveness of stroke education in a rural area. METHODS: The stroke educational flyers were distributed for 3 weeks at the point of purchase within supermarkets. Questionnaires were used to determine knowledge about stroke and appropriate emergent action on identifying stroke. RESULTS: A total of 882 people responded to the questionnaires before (n = 409) and 3 months after (n = 473) the campaign. Of these, 686 (77.8%) were aged 65 years or older. The percentages of correct answers for hemiplegia and one-sided numbness (P < .05 for both) and calling emergency medical services (EMS) on identifying stroke occurrence (P < .001) were higher after the campaign compared with those before the campaign. Of the respondents aged 65 years or older, the percentages of correct answers for numbness on one side and calling for EMS on identifying stroke were higher after the campaign (P < .05 and P < .001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: A simple point-of-purchase stroke campaign using educational flyers could meaningfully affect stroke knowledge among elderly persons in a rural community.

Gait disturbance due to foot drop is refractory to treatment in nonsystemic vasculitic neuropathy.

BACKGROUND: Nonsystemic vasculitic neuropathy (NSVN) is a vasculitis syndrome clinically restricted to the peripheral nervous system. Although treatment may improve prognosis, daily activities of such patients after treatment have not been well studied. METHODS: We evaluated clinical features, laboratory data, nerve conduction, and sural nerve biopsy findings for 16 unbiased consecutive patients with NSVN. RESULTS: Initial symptoms included neuropathic pain (31%) and lower limb sensory disturbance (19%). The mean duration between disease onset and initial treatment was 4.1 ± 4.8 months. Mean modified Rankin scale scores were 3.13 at hospital admission and 2.69 at final follow-up. The poor outcome group had significantly decreased compound muscle action potentials of peroneal nerves and significantly more patients presenting with foot drop compared with the good outcome group. No other significant differences were found. CONCLUSION: Pretreatment foot drop signaled poor outcome in daily activities of patients with NSVN, and earlier treatment may be critical for these patients.

Discrimination of acute ischemic stroke from nonischemic vertigo in patients presenting with only imbalance.

Some patients who present with an acute feeling of imbalance are experiencing an ischemic stroke that is not evident on computed tomography (CT) scans. The aim of this study was to compare ischemic stroke and nonischemic vertigo patient groups and to investigate independent factors associated with ischemic stroke. We examined 332 consecutive patients with an acute feeling of imbalance who showed no neurologic findings or responsible lesions on CT scan at the hyperacute phase. We examined their clinical backgrounds, physical findings, and laboratory examinations, with ischemic stroke diagnosed by later CT and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We identified 41 (12.3%) ischemic stroke patients. Atrial fibrillation (odds ratio 4.1; 95% confidence interval 1.4-11.5), white blood cell count (10(3)/µL, 1.4; 1.2-1.6), head and/or neck pain (4.6; 2.1-10.3), first attack of imbalance feeling (3.3; 1.1-12.2), and dizziness (3.7; 1.7-8.3) were significant and independent factors associated with ischemic stroke among patients with an acute feeling of imbalance. We used these factors to calculate an "imbalance score"; 1 point was given for the presence of each factor and a score of 3-5 points was independently associated with ischemic stroke. An awareness of these factors may indicate that further examinations including MRI are necessary to rule out ischemic stroke.

Long-term outcome of polymyositis treated with high single-dose alternate-day prednisolone therapy.

BACKGROUND: We previously reported no difference in the efficacies of high-dose alternate-day (ADT) and daily-dose (DDT) prednisolone therapies in myositis patients, but that the incidence of side effects was lower in the former. The aim of the present study was to compare the long-term outcomes of both treatments in polymyositis patients. METHODS: We compared clinical courses, efficacies, adverse reactions, and outcomes of 115 consecutive, biopsy-proven polymyositis patients treated between 1970 and 2008 with ADT (32 patients) or DDT (83 patients). RESULTS: Mean onset ages, disease severity, incidences of malignancy, and response rates did not differ between the ADT and DDT groups. Adverse reactions (incidence of diabetes) were significantly higher in the DDT group. In this group, the incidences of hyperlipidemia, infection, hypertension, and psychiatric symptoms were also slightly higher, but not significantly so. The 20-year survival rate of the ADT group (68%) was significantly higher (p = 0.0112) than that of the DDT group (37%). CONCLUSION: ADT might be useful as an initial treatment option for polymyositis.

Deep venous thrombosis in patients with neurological diseases: A multicenter, prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with neurological diseases are liable to develop deep venous thrombosis (DVT) due to various factors. We investigated the prevalence, related factors, and prognosis of DVT in patients with neurological diseases. METHODS: Patients admitted to four hospitals due to neurological diseases were prospectively recruited. Those with cerebrovascular diseases were excluded. To screen for DVT, ultrasonography was performed in patients with possible DVT risk, such as D-dimer > 1.0 µg/dL, recent surgery, active malignant diseases, recent bone fracture, decreased activity, or treatment with immunoglobulin or steroid therapy. Clinical characteristics were compared between patients with and without DVT. RESULTS: A total of 106 patients (54 women, median 71 years old) were included. DVT was detected in 27 patients (26.0%) at the first assessment. All had DVT only in the calf; encephalopathy/meningitis (n = 4, 40.0%) had the highest prevalence of DVT among the underlying neurological diseases, followed by parkinsonian syndrome (n = 6, 37.5%). Independent predictors for DVT detection were malignant diseases (odds ratio, 11.7; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-301.4), modified Rankin Scale score ≥ 4 (5.4; 1.9-16.6), and D-dimer ≥ 2.0 µg/dL (5.7; 2.1-16.7). Ten patients were treated with anticoagulants, and no patients developed a symptomatic pulmonary embolism. No clinically evident pulmonary embolisms, systemic embolisms, or severe bleeding complications were observed in patients with DVT. CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic DVT is not rare in patients with neurological diseases, especially in those with malignancy, decreased activity, or elevated D-dimer. The overall prognosis is favorable, but the potential risk of development of a pulmonary embolism should be recognized.

[A case report of serial MRI findings of cerebral fat embolism].

A 16-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of the motorbike accident On admission, her consciousness was alert, and she had lower lip laceration and left femur open wound. Brain CT showed no abnormality, but chest CT revealed slight left lungs sprain and her left femur was fractured in the radiograph. Debridement and the art of the steel wire pulling of the left femur fracture part were enforced under general anesthesia about two hours coming to a hospital later. Her awaking from anesthetizing after the operation was delayed, and the consciousness level gradually decreased. Head MRI diffusion weighted image (DWI) after about 36 hours coming to a hospital showed diffuse high signal region centering on the cerebral white matter. We diagnosed her as having cerebral fat embolism based on clinical course and MRI findings. DWI abnormal signals disappeared in three weeks and the symptoms had improved gradually. It is thought that head MRI-DWI is useful to diagnose and evaluate the pathophysiology of cerebral fat embolism.

Tongue strength in patients with subacute myelo-optico-neuropathy.

Subacute myelo-optico-neuropathy (SMON) is a neurodegenerative disease that may be caused by overdose or prolonged oral administration of clioquinol. Recently, dysphagia has attracted attention as a complication of SMON. To investigate lingual control in SMON, we examined patients with SMON using assessments of maximum tongue pressure, compared with dysphagia-related diseases, such as sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and healthy volunteer. The mean maximum tongue pressure (Pmax) in patients with SMON was 14.7 ±â€¯5.8 kPa, while it was 33.6 ±â€¯4.4 kPa in the controls. In contrast, the mean Pmax for patients with ALS with or without bulbar involvement was 7.8 ±â€¯2.7 kPa and 34.4 ±â€¯5.7 kPa, respectively, while it was 29.4 ±â€¯8.2 kPa in patients with sIBM. Pmax values correlated with lower limb weakness in SMON patients. Decreases in Pmax may be involved in the development of dysphagia in patients with SMON.

[A case report of streptococcus oralis meningitis after dental manipulation].

A 75-year-old man was admitted to our hospital because of high fever and disturbance of consciousness 4 days after dental treatment including scaling, irrigation, and oral antibiotic for dental caries without gingivitis. A lumber puncture revealed cloudy cerebrospinal fluid (CSF): it contained 984 leukocytes/mm3, 680 mg/dl of protein, 5 mg/dl of glucose (blood sugar 233 mg/dl), and Streptococcus oralis, one of common microorganisms on the gingival, was isolated from the CSF. He was successfully treated with intravenous antibiotics. The authors believe this patient's meningitis developed as a result of bacteremia after the dental scaling in the present case.

Helicobacter pylori strain-specific modulation of gastric inflammation in Mongolian gerbils.

AIM: The cag pathogenicity island (PAI) is one of potential virulence determinants of Helicobacter pylori. The Mongolian gerbil is a suitable experimental animal for the screening of virulence factors of H pylori. METHODS: Five-week-old Mongolian gerbils were inoculated with a standard H pylori strain (ATCC 43504) possessing the cag PAI or a clinical isolate lacking the genes' cluster (OHPC-0002). The animals were killed at 2, 4, 8, 24 and 48 wk after inoculation (n = 5 each), and macroscopic and histopathological findings in the stomachs were compared. RESULTS: In gerbils infected with ATCC 43504, a more severe degree of infiltration of polynuclear and mononuclear cells and lymphoid follicles was observed from 4 wk after inoculation compared to gerbils infected with OHPC-0002 especially in the antrum and transitional zone from the fundic to pyloric gland area. In addition, glandular atrophy, intestinal metaplasia, gastric ulcer and hyperplastic polyps were noted in gerbils infected with ATCC 43504, whereas only mild gastric erosions occurred in those infected with OHPC-0002. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that the cag PAI could be directly involved in gastric immune and inflammatory responses in the Mongolian gerbils, leading to a more advanced gastric disease.

[Normalization of physical activity on acute ischemic stroke].

The purpose of present study is to clarify the association between early normalization, orthostatic hypotension (OH) and neurological deterioration in patients with acute ischemic stroke. The authors retrospectively performed scheduled ambulation in 162 consecutive patients who were diagnosed as having ischemic stroke without them being comatose. Blood pressure and neurological findings were examined during the orthostatic tolerance test. OH was occurred in 86 (53.1%) of all patients. Neurological worsening were found in 22 of them during all clinical course, although worsening closely associated with orthostatic tolerance was only two of them. Significant OH was occurred in the patients with cerebral arterial stenosis on head-tilt 60 degrees after 15 minutes (p = 0.001). And the patients who have atrial fibrillation also yield OH on sitting immediately after (p = 0.041) and 5 minutes after moving (p = 0.035). Because symptomatic OH were rarely observed in the patients with acute ischemic stroke without them being comatose, early ambulation could be achieved safely.

Usefulness of intraventricular infusion of antifungal drugs through Ommaya reservoirs for cryptococcal meningitis treatment.

INTRODUCTION: Cryptococcal meningitis is a severe infection among immunosuppressed individuals, with a high mortality rate. Although amphotericin B is the first-choice drug for treatment, its use is restricted when adverse effects are clinically problematic. The usefulness of intraventricular infusion of antifungal drugs through Ommaya reservoirs for cryptococcal meningitis treatment has been unconfirmed. We evaluated the efficacy of intraventricular infusion of amphotericin B through Ommaya reservoirs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 10 consecutive patients with cryptococcal meningitis who were refractory to systemic administration of antifungal drugs. RESULTS: Fever or nausea occurred in most patients. However, no patient complained of serious complications such as renal toxicity. Seven patients recovered completely or partially, whereas three patients died. CONCLUSIONS: To establish the efficacy of the intraventricular infusion of antifungal drugs through Ommaya reservoirs for cryptococcal meningitis, a prospective investigation should be designed to compare those treated according to the updated guidelines and those treated with antifungal drugs through the Ommaya reservoirs.

Analysis of p53 mutations and Helicobacter pylori infection in human and animal models.

BACKGROUND: p53 gene mutations are believed to play a critical role in the development of gastric carcinoma. We examined the relation between Helicobacter pylori infection and p53 gene mutations of the gastric mucosa in human and animal models. METHODS: To detect the original p53 DNA sequences of the Japanese monkey and Mongolian gerbil, the p53 genes of these animals were amplified using the nested polymerase chain reaction method with primers for the human p53 gene. Direct DNA sequencing of exons 5, 6, 7, and 8 of the p53 genes was performed by the dideoxy terminator method for gastric mucosa of humans, the Japanese monkey, and the Mongolian gerbil. The expression of p53 was examined immunohistochemically in a Japanese monkey model. RESULTS: Mutations of the p53 gene were identified in 52.4% of human H. pylori-positive mucosa and in 100% of monkey H. pylori-positive mucosa. However, no mutations of the p53 gene were found in the H. pylori-positive gastric mucosa of Mongolian gerbils. There were no mutations in H. pylori-negative gastritis mucosa of humans, monkeys, or Mongolian gerbils. Nuclear staining of p53 was seen in the glandular cells of the H. pylori-infected mucosa of Japanese monkeys, especially in the neck region of the glands. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that the H. pylori infection can induce p53 point mutations in humans and the Japanese monkey and appear to be involved in the pathway leading to dysplasia or carcinoma. However, our direct DNA sequencing method showed no p53 mutations in the Mongolian gerbil model at present. Further studies with this model are needed.

Drastic therapy for listerial brain abscess involving combined hyperbaric oxygen therapy and antimicrobial agents.

BACKGROUND: Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) is a rare causative pathogen of brain abscess that is often found in immunocompromised patients. Although patients with supratentorial listerial abscesses showed a longer survival with surgical drainage, the standard therapy for patients with subtentorial lesions has not been established. CASE REPORT: We report herein a patient with supra- and subtentorial brain abscesses caused by L. monocytogenes infection. These abscesses did not respond to antibiotics, and his symptoms gradually worsened. Drainage was not indicated for subtentorial lesions, and the patient was additionally treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, which dramatically reduced the volume of abscesses and improved the symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report of drastic therapy for a patient with listerial brain abscesses involving combined antibiotics and hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The findings suggest that hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a good option for treating patients with deep-seated listerial abscesses and for who surgical drainage is not indicated.

Bilateral basal ganglia lesions as initial manifestation of CNS invasion in adult T-cell leukemia.

We describe the case of a 67-year-old man who exhibited unsteadiness in walking, topographical disorientation, and urinary incontinence. Neurological examination revealed somnolence and mild weakness in the lower limbs with slight rigidity in the upper limbs. Cerebrospinal fluid examination showed pleocytosis with "flower cells" and an extremely high level of soluble interleukin-2 receptor. T2-weighted brain imaging revealed symmetrical high-intensity lesions in the bilateral caudate putamen. Positron emission tomography demonstrated intense uptake of 2-[fluorine-18]-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose in the same region. He was diagnosed with central nervous system invasion by adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) and received chemotherapy. Interestingly, chemotherapy ameliorated the lesions and terminally caused the gray matter itself to atrophy in the bilateral caudate nuclei, which may be evidence for the direct infiltration of ATL tumors.

Muscle biopsy findings predictive of malignancy in rare infiltrative dermatomyositis.

OBJECTIVE: The characteristic pathological muscular findings of polymyositis (PM) and dermatomyositis (DM) have been shown to reflect their different pathogeneses. Here, we characterized the muscle biopsy findings of PM and DM patients with or without malignancy. METHODS: We evaluated the muscle biopsy findings of 215 consecutive PM and DM patients admitted to our hospital between 1970 and 2009. Pathology of the lesion biopsy sections was classified into 3 types: endomysial infiltration-type, perivascular infiltration-type, and rare-infiltrative-type. RESULTS: There was no difference between the muscle pathology of PM patients with and without malignancy. However, the incidence of rare-infiltrative type muscle pathology in DM patients with malignancy was significantly higher than in those without such tumors (p=0.0345). CONCLUSION: The incidence of rare-infiltrative type muscle pathology may be a predictive marker of DM with malignancy.

Enterocromaffin-like cell tumor induced by Helicobacter pylori infection in Mongolian gerbils.

BACKGROUND: Gastric carcinoids are strongly associated with chronic atrophic gastritis A, and it is suggested that hypergastrinemia plays a critical role in development of gastric carcinoids. Since Helicobacter pylori infection causes hypergastrinemia, it is held that H. pylori infection produces gastric carcinoids. We followed the histological changes of H. pylori-infected stomachs of Mongolian gerbils for a long time. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five-week-old-male Mongolian gerbils were infected with H. pylori ATCC 43504 with cagA gene, expressing vacuolating cytotoxin. Determination of the serum gastrin and histopathological examination of the stomach at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after H. pylori inoculation was studied and compared with uninfected animals. RESULTS: In infected animals, the gastric carcinomas appeared 18 and 24 months after infection. Endocrine cell dysplasias and carcinoids with marked atrophic gastritis of the oxyntic mucosa were observed in the infected animals 24 months after H. pylori inoculation. The serum gastrin level in the infected group increased from an average of 86.2 pg/ml at the beginning of the study to an average of 498 pg/ml and 989 pg/ml at 18 and 24 months after infection, respectively. These changes in the serum gastrin levels were significant compared with uninfected controls that showed no changes. CONCLUSIONS: H. pylori infection caused not only gastric carcinomas but also enterochromaffin-like cell tumors in Mongolian gerbils, due to hypergastrinemia. This model is thought to be useful to study the relationship between hypergastrinemia and gastric carcinoids.