The circadian intracranial pressure would be a prognostic factor in traumatic brain injury?

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) generally influences circadian rhythms and has been implicated changes in circadian rhythm. Whether TBI-induced changes in circadian rhythm may affect the prognosis or recovery from TBI remains to be investigated. Sixty-two patients with TBI were continuously monitored for intracranial pressure (ICP) during the first 24 hours after the implantation of ICP monitor. The data from each patient were analyzed using the least squares fit of a 24-h cosine function by single cosinor method. Parameters of circadian A (Amplitude)/M (MESOR) were used to evaluate the circadian rhythm of the patients. Student’s t-test and Pearson’s chi-squared test were utilized to analyze the differences between good prognosis group and poor prognosis. A linear regression analysis was then applied to calculate the correlation between circadian A/M of ICP and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) before discharge, the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS-E), the dosage of mannitol, and time spent in the intensive care unit (ICU), respectively. The results demonstrated that circadian A/M of patients’ ICP exhibited a positive correlation with GCS scores taken before discharge, GOS-E scores, and was negatively correlated with the amount of mannitol, and time spent in the ICU. We conclude that changes in the ICP circadian rhythm in TBI patients could reflect an internal signal of brain damage and, therefore, may be useful to predict a patient’s prognosis and recovery from TBI.     

单、双侧去骨瓣减压对单侧重型颅脑损伤术中脑膨出的疗效差异

目的:探讨在单侧或以单侧为主的重型颅脑损伤病例中,何种手术方式更适宜处理手术中出现的急性脑膨出。方法:对我科自2008年5月至2010年12月收治的以单侧为主的重型颅脑损伤且术中出现急性脑膨出的52例临床资料进行回顾性分析,研究单、双侧去骨瓣减压术对患者颅内压(ICP)及伤后6个月时的GOS评分的影响。结果:单侧去骨瓣减压患者29例,分为恢复良好组(GOS 4-5分,n=6),不良组(GOS 2-3分,n=9)和死亡组(GOS 1分,n=14);双侧去骨瓣减压患者23例亦分为恢复良好组(n=6),不良组(n=12)和死亡组(n=5);两种减压术的死亡率差异显著(P<0.05)。单侧和双侧去骨瓣减压术均明显降低ICP(P<0.05),但双侧减压的存活组其术后ICP(17.2±4.2 mmHg)显著低于单侧减压的存活组(25.0±5.4 mmHg)(P<0.05)。结论:对以单侧为主的重型颅脑损伤,同次行双侧去骨瓣减压术较单侧减压更能有效降低术中急性脑膨出所致高颅压,降低死亡率。     

应激性高血糖与急性自发性脑出血患者术后并发症和早期预后的相关性研究

目的:探讨应激性高血糖与自发性脑出血患者术后并发症及早期预后的关系。方法:回顾性分析我院收治的自发性脑出血患者358例,根据入院时血糖水平、糖化血红蛋白(HbAlc)及既往有无糖尿病史分为血糖正常组(96例)、应激性高血糖组(107例)及糖尿病组(155例),记录和比较各组入院时的血糖、格拉斯哥昏迷评分(GCS)、平均出血量及入院后30 d时各组的术后并发症发生情况、格拉斯哥预后评分(GOS)的差异。结果:糖尿病组入院时血糖水平、平均出血量、重型患者所占比率、脑出血破入脑室、颅内再出血、颅内感染、肺部感染、尿路感染及上消化道出血发生率、GOS分级植物状态或死亡发生率均明显高于应激性高血糖组(P0.05),GOS分级良好率低于应激性高血糖组(P0.05);而应激性高血糖组入院时血糖水平、平均出血量、重型患者所占比率、脑出血破入脑室、颅内再出血发生率、GOS分级植物状态或死亡发生率均明显高于血糖正常组(P0.05)。结论:自发性脑出血患者入院时应激性高血糖与患者的病情显著相关,可加重急性脑出血的不良预后。     

Intravenous fluid administration may improve post-operative course of patients with chronic subdural hematoma: a retrospective study

Background

The treatment of chronic subdural hematoma (cSDH) is still charged of significant risk of hematoma recurrence. Patient-related predictors and the surgical procedures themselves have been addressed in many studies. In contrast, postoperative management has infrequently been subjected to detailed analysis. Moreover variable intravenous fluid administration (IFA) was not reported in literature till now in the context of cSDH treatment.

Methodology/Principal Findings

A total of 45 patients with cSDH were operated in our department via two burr hole craniostomy within one calendar year. Downward drainage was routinely left in hematoma cavity for a one day. Independent variables selected for the analysis were related to various aspects of patient management, including IFA. Two dependent variables were chosen as measure of clinical course: the rate of hematoma recurrence (RHR) and neurological status at discharge from hospital expressed in points of Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed. Hematoma recurrence with subsequent evacuation occurred in 7 (15%) patients.Univariate regression analysis revealed that length of IFA after surgery influenced both dependent variables: RHR (p = 0.045) and GOS (p = 0.023). Multivariate regression performed by backward elimination method confirmed that IFA is a sole independent factor influencing RHR. Post hoc dichotomous division of patients revealed that those receiving at least 2000 ml/day over 3 day period revealed lower RHR than the group with less intensive IFA. (p = 0.031).

Conclusions/Significance

IFA has been found to be a sole factor influencing both: RHR and GOS. Based on those results we may recommend administration of at least 2000 ml per 3 days post-operatively to decrease the risk of hematoma recurrence.     

PICCO在重型颅脑损伤患者容量管理中的临床应用价值研究

目的:探讨脉搏指数连续心输出量(PICCO)技术在重型颅脑损伤患者液体管理中的临床应用价值。方法:回顾性分析重型颅脑损伤患者46例(男性27例,女性19例),以应用PICCO技术监测血流动力学指标指导液体管理的患者为治疗组(n=26),未应用PICCO技术指导液体管理的患者为对照组(n=20)。比较两组患者的日平均液体量、格拉斯哥昏迷评分(GCS)、急性生理与慢性健康评分(APACHE II)、肺水肿发生率、住院时间、住院总费用以及治疗6个月后的格拉斯哥预后评分(GOS)、生存率、颅脑损伤恢复良好率。结果:治疗期间,治疗组的GCS评分以及APACHEII评分均优于对照组,而治疗组的住院总费用高于对照组,但差异并无统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗组的日平均液体量、肺水肿发生率及住院时间均明显少于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。治疗6个月后,治疗组患者的GOS评分、生存率和颅脑损伤恢复良好率均高于对照组,但差异亦无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:应用PICCO技术监测血流动力学指标指导重型颅脑损伤患者的容量管理可在一定程度上缩短危重患者的住院时间并降低肺水肿的发生率,但并不能明显改善患者的预后。     

Adjuvant Docetaxel and Cyclophosphamide (DC) with Prophylactic Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) on Days 8 &12 in Breast Cancer Patients: A Retrospective Analysis

Purpose

Four cycles of docetaxel/cyclophosphamide (DC) resulted in superior survival than doxorubicin/cyclophosphamide in the treatment of early breast cancer. The original study reported a 5% incidence of febrile neutropenia (FN) recommending prophylactic antibiotics with no granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) support. The worldwide adoption of this protocol yielded several reports on substantially higher rates of FN events. We explored the use of growth factor (GF) support on days 8 and 12 of the cycle with the original DC protocol.

Methods

Our study included all consecutive patients with stages I–II breast cancer who were treated with the DC protocol at the Institute of Oncology, Davidoff Center (Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel) from April, 2007 to March, 2012. Patient, tumor characteristics, and toxicity were reported. Results: In total, 123 patients received the DC regimen. Median age was 60 years, (range, 25–81 years). Thirty-three patients (26.8%) were aged 65 years and older. Most of the women (87%) adhered to the planned G-CSF protocol (days 8 &12). 96% of the patients completed the 4 planned cycles of chemotherapy. Six patients (5%) had dose reductions, 6 (5%) had treatment delays due to non-medical reasons. Thirteen patients (10.6%) experienced at least one event of FN (3 patients had 2 events), all requiring hospitalization. Eight patients (6.5%) required additional support with G-CSF after the first chemotherapy cycle, 7 because of FN and one due to neutropenia and diarrhea.

In Conclusion

Primary prophylactic G-CSF support on days 8 and 12 of the cycle provides a tolerable option to deliver the DC protocol. Our results are in line with other retrospective protocols using longer schedules of GF support.     

Significance of differential expression of thymidylate synthase in normal and primary tumor tissues from patients with colorectal cancer

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of enhanced, intensive, immuno-suppressive therapy with umbilical cord blood support for severe aplastic anemia (SAA).

Methods

A total of 25 patients with SAA received enhanced, intensive, immuno-suppressive therapy and a cord blood transfusion. Therapy protocol: Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) 2.5 mg/(kg?d) × 5d; Cyclophosphamide 50 mg/(kg?d) × 2d; cyclosporin A (CsA) maintenance therapy.

Result

25 patients were enrolled. 18 underwent a complete recovery, 4 made significant improvements, 1 did not respond, and 2 died. Therefore, the efficacy rate was 88%. The median follow-up time was 35 months (range 13-47 months), and the 3-year overall survival rate was 92%. Patients rapidly achieved reconstitution of hematopoiesis. The median time to neutrophil ANC > 0.5 × 10⁹/L was 18 days (range 8-36), platelets >20 × 10⁹/L was 34 days (range 12-123), and Hb > 100 g/L 95 dyas (range 35-173).

Conclusion

Enhanced, intensive, immuno-suppressive therapy with umbilical cord blood support may be an effective option for SAA therapy.     

不同手术时机治疗颅内前循环动脉瘤破裂疗效及预后分析

目的:比较不同手术时机治疗颅内前循环动脉瘤破裂患者的疗效及对患者远期预后的影响。方法:回顾性分析我院2010年3月~2015年10月收治的120例颅内前循环动脉瘤破裂患者的临床资料,所有患者均接受显微手术夹闭治疗,按手术时机分为超早期组(24 h,n=43)、早期组(24-72 h,n=36)、延期组(≥10 d,n=41),比较各组术后颅内动脉栓塞改善程度,统计各组术中及术后并发症发生情况,采用格拉斯哥量表(GOC)评定患者术后恢复情况,采用改良Rankin(m RS)表评定患者远期预后。结果:超早期组完全栓塞率略高于早期组、延期组,但对比差异无统计学意义(P0.05);超早期组术中、术后各并发症发生率略低于早期组、延期组,但对比差异无统计学意义(P0.05);术后6、12、24个月,超早期组、延期组GOS评分高于早期组、m RS评分低于早期组,超早期组GOS评分高于延期组,m RS评分低于延期组(P0.05)。结论:不同手术时机治疗颅内前循环动脉瘤破裂手术效果无明显差异,但超早期、延期手术患者术后恢复及预后评分稍优于早期手术。     

Determinants of Recovery from Severe Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome

Objective

Few outcome data are available about posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). We studied 90-day functional outcomes and their determinants in patients with severe PRES.

Design

70 patients with severe PRES admitted to 24 ICUs in 2001–2010 were included in a retrospective cohort study. The main outcome measure was a Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) of 5 (good recovery) on day 90.

Main Results

Consciousness impairment was the most common clinical sign, occurring in 66 (94%) patients. Clinical seizures occurred in 57 (81%) patients. Median mean arterial pressure was 122 (105–143) mmHg on scene. Cerebral imaging abnormalities were bilateral (93%) and predominated in the parietal (93%) and occipital (86%) white matter. Median number of brain areas involved was 4 (3–5). Imaging abnormalities resolved in 43 (88%) patients. Ischaemic and/or haemorrhagic complications occurred in 7 (14%) patients. The most common causes were drug toxicity (44%) and hypertensive encephalopathy (41%). On day 90, 11 (16%) patients had died, 26 (37%) had marked functional impairments (GOS, 2 to 4), and 33 (56%) had a good recovery (GOS, 5). Factors independently associated with GOS<5 were highest glycaemia on day 1 (OR, 1.22; 95%CI, 1.02–1.45, p = 0.03) and time to causative-factor control (OR, 3.3; 95%CI, 1.04–10.46, p = 0.04), whereas GOS = 5 was associated with toxaemia of pregnancy (preeclampsia/eclampsia) (OR, 0.06; 95%CI, 0.01–0.38, p = 0.003).

Conclusions

By day 90 after admission for severe PRES, 44% of survivors had severe functional impairments. Highest glycaemia on day 1 and time to causative-factor control were strong early predictors of outcomes, suggesting areas for improvement.     

Individual Organ Failure and Concomitant Risk of Mortality Differs According to the Type of Admission to ICU – A Retrospective Study of SOFA Score of 23,795 Patients

Introduction

Organ dysfunction or failure after the first days of ICU treatment and subsequent mortality with respect to the type of intensive care unit (ICU) admission is poorly elucidated. Therefore we analyzed the association of ICU mortality and admission for medical (M), scheduled surgery (ScS) or unscheduled surgery (US) patients mirrored by the occurrence of organ dysfunction/failure (OD/OF) after the first 72h of ICU stay.

Methods

For this retrospective cohort study (23,795 patients; DIVI registry; German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive Care Medicine (DIVI)) organ dysfunction or failure were derived from the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score (excluding the Glasgow Coma Scale). SOFA scores were collected on admission to ICU and 72h later. For patients with a length of stay of at least five days, a multivariate analysis was performed for individual OD/OF on day three.

Results

M patients had the lowest prevalence of cardiovascular failure (M 31%; ScS 35%; US 38%), and the highest prevalence of respiratory (M 24%; ScS 13%; US 17%) and renal failure (M 10%; ScS 6%; US 7%). Risk of death was highest for M- and ScS-patients in those with respiratory failure (OR; M 2.4; ScS 2.4; US 1.4) and for surgical patients with renal failure (OR; M 1.7; ScS 2.7; US 2.4).

Conclusion

The dynamic evolution of OD/OF within 72h after ICU admission and mortality differed between patients depending on their types of admission. This has to be considered to exclude a systematic bias during multi-center trials.     

Platelet Count and Early Outcome in Patients with Spontaneous Cerebellar Hemorrhage: A Retrospective Study

Introduction

The importance of coagulation, hematology, and biochemical variables have been investigated in the stroke population but have not been systemically surveyed in cerebellar hemorrhage (CH) population. The aim of the study was to explore the predictive value of these factors for early outcome in this population.

Materials and Methods

Eighty patients with acute spontaneous CH were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical and laboratory data were collected on admission for analysis. The patients were divided by Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) score at discharge into the good outcome group (GOS score 4 or 5) and the poor outcome group (GOS score 1, 2, or 3). The association between early outcome and clinical or laboratory variables were investigated by binary logistic regression.

Results

There were 46 (57.5%) patients in the poor outcome group and 34 (42.5%) in the good outcome group. The platelet count (PC) was significantly lower in the poor outcome group (187.3 ± 53.0 × 10⁹/l) compared with good outcome group (244.9 ± 63.9 × 10⁹/l) (p < 0.001). Moreover, PC (OR 0.97; p = 0.004) was the strong predictor with poor early outcome.

Conclusions

We firstly show that lower PC is the independent predictor for poor early outcome in patients with spontaneous CH.     

Predictive diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarkers obtained from routine blood biochemistry in patients with solitary intracranial tumor

BackgroundRadiological and/or laboratory tests may be sometimes inadequate distinguishing glioblastoma from metastatic brain tumors. The aim of this study was to find possible predictive biomarkers produced from routine blood biochemistry analysis results evaluated preoperatively in each patient with solitary brain tumor in distinguishing glioblastoma from metastatic brain tumors as well as revealing short-term prognosis.MethodsPatients admitted to neurosurgery clinic between January 2015 and September 2018 were included in this study and they were divided into GLIOMA (n=12) and METASTASIS (n=17) groups. Patients'' data consisted of age, gender, Glasgow Coma Scale scores, duration of stay in hospital, Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) scores and histopathological examination reports, hemoglobin level, leukocyte, neutrophil, lymphocyte, monocyte, eosinophil, basophil and platelet count results, neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-lymphocyte ratio values, C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) levels were evaluated preoperatively.ResultsThe CRP levels of METASTASIS group (143.10 mg/L) were higher than those of GLIOMA group (23.90 mg/L); and it was 82% sensitive and 75% specific in distinguishing metastatic brain tumor from glioblastoma if CRP value was >55.00 mg/L. A positive correlation was determined between GOS score and hemoglobin level and between ESR and CRP values. However, GOS scores were negatively correlated with the ESR level and duration of stay in hospital.ConclusionsStudy results demonstrated that CRP values could be predictive biomarker in distinguishing metastatic brain tumor from glioblastoma. In addition, ESR, CRP, hemoglobin levels and duration of stay in hospital could be prognostic biomarkers in predicting short-term prognosis of patients with solitary brain tumor.     

30-Day Mortality in Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Prognostic Value of Clinical Scores and Anamnestic Features

Purpose

Identification of high-risk patients with pulmonary embolism is vital. The aim of the present study was to examine clinical scores, their single items, and anamnestic features in their ability to predict 30-day mortality.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective, single-center study from 06/2005 to 01/2010 was performed. Inclusion criteria were presence of pulmonary embolism, availability of patient records and 30-day follow-up. The following clinical scores were calculated: Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, original and simplified pulmonary embolism severity index, Glasgow Coma Scale, and euroSCORE II.

Results

In the study group of 365 patients 39 patients (10.7%) died within 30 days due to pulmonary embolism. From all examined scores and parameters the best predictor of 30-day mortality were the Glasgow Coma scale (≤ 10) and parameters of the circulatory system including presence of mechanical ventilation, arterial pH (< 7.335), and systolic blood pressure (< 99 mm Hg).

Conclusions

Easy to ascertain circulatory parameters have the same or higher prognostic value than the clinical scores that were applied in this study. From all clinical scores studied the Glasgow Coma Scale was the most time- and cost-efficient one.     

Clinical Prognosis in Neonatal Bacterial Meningitis: The Role of Cerebrospinal Fluid Protein

Neonates are at high risk of meningitis and of resulting neurologic complications. Early recognition of neonates at risk of poor prognosis would be helpful in providing timely management. From January 2008 to June 2014, we enrolled 232 term neonates with bacterial meningitis admitted to 3 neonatology departments in Shanghai, China. The clinical status on the day of discharge from these hospitals or at a postnatal age of 2.5 to 3 months was evaluated using the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS). Patients were classified into two outcome groups: good (167 cases, 72.0%, GOS = 5) or poor (65 cases, 28.0%, GOS = 1–4). Neonates with good outcome had less frequent apnea, drowsiness, poor feeding, bulging fontanelle, irritability and more severe jaundice compared to neonates with poor outcome. The good outcome group also had less pneumonia than the poor outcome group. Besides, there were statistically significant differences in hemoglobin, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, C-reaction protein, procalcitonin, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glucose and CSF protein. Multivariate logistic regression analyses suggested that poor feeding, pneumonia and CSF protein were the predictors of poor outcome. CSF protein content was significantly higher in patients with poor outcome. The best cut-offs for predicting poor outcome were 1,880 mg/L in CSF protein concentration (sensitivity 70.8%, specificity 86.2%). After 2 weeks of treatment, CSF protein remained higher in the poor outcome group. High CSF protein concentration may prognosticate poor outcome in neonates with bacterial meningitis.     

Randomised controlled trial assessing the impact of a nurse delivered,flow monitored protocol for optimisation of circulatory status after cardiac surgery

Objective To assess whether a nurse led, flow monitored protocol for optimising circulatory status in patients after cardiac surgery reduces complications and shortens stay in intensive care and hospital.Design Randomised controlled trial.Setting Intensive care unit and cardiothoracic unit of a university teaching hospital.Participants 174 patients who underwent cardiac surgery between April 2000 and January 2003.Interventions Patients were allocated to conventional haemodynamic management or to an algorithm guided by oesophageal Doppler flowmetry to maintain a stroke index above 35 ml/m².Results 26 control patients had postoperative complications (two deaths) compared with 17 (four deaths) protocol patients (P = 0.08). Duration of hospital stay in the protocol group was significantly reduced from a median of nine (interquartile range 7-12) days to seven (7-10) days (P = 0.02). The mean duration of hospital stay was reduced from 13.9 to 11.4 days, a saving in hospital bed days of 18% (95% confidence interval -12% to 47%). Usage of intensive care beds was reduced by 23% (-8% to 59%).Conclusion A nurse delivered protocol for optimising circulatory status in the early postoperative period after cardiac surgery may significantly shorten hospital stay.     

Changes in Body Temperature Rhythm after Traumatic Brain Injury

We performed this study to determine whether in head injured patients body temperature rhythmicity exists outside the usual spectrum. Temperature data of in total 22 patients with head injury were analyzed using the Regressive and Iterative Cosinor methods. We found that circadian rhythm often remained, and usually was combined with rhythms in ultradian or infradian ranges. Tau shifts over consecutive days were observed in three severely head injured patients (Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤ 8). To validate the results we used surrogate data. Detection of temperature rhythms in this study may serve to estimate the clinical importance of biological rhythms in head injury.     

The Prognostic Value of Serum Neuron-Specific Enolase in Traumatic Brain Injury: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Several studies have suggested that neuron-specific enolase (NSE) in serum may be a biomarker of traumatic brain injury. However, whether serum NSE levels correlate with outcomes remains unclear. The purpose of this review was to evaluate the prognostic value of serum NSE protein after traumatic brain injury.

Methods

PubMed and Embase were searched for relevant studies published up to October 2013. Full-text publications on the relationship of NSE to TBI were included if the studies concerned patients with closed head injury, NSE levels in serum after injury, and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) or Extended GOS (GOSE) scores or mortality. Study design, inclusion criteria, assay, blood sample collection time, NSE cutoff, sensitivity and specificity of NSE for mortality prediction (if sufficient information was provided to calculate these values), and main outcomes were recorded.

Results

Sixteen studies were eligible for the current meta-analysis. In the six studies comparing NSE concentrations between TBI patients who died and those who survived, NSE concentrations correlated with mortality (M.D. 0.28, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.21 to 0.34; I² 55%). In the eight studies evaluating GOS or GOSE, patients with unfavorable outcomes had significantly higher NSE concentrations than those with favorable outcomes (M.D. 0.24, 95% CI, 0.17 to 0.31; I² 64%). From the studies providing sufficient data, the pooled sensitivity and specificity for mortality were 0.79 and 0.50, and 0.72 and 0.66 for unfavorable neurological prognosis, respectively. The areas under the SROC curve (AUC) of NSE concentrations were 0.73 (95% CI, 0.66–0.80) for unfavorable outcome and 0.76 (95% CI, 0.62–0.90) for mortality.

Conclusions

Mortality and unfavorable outcome were significantly associated with greater NSE concentrations. In addition, NSE has moderate discriminatory ability to predict mortality and neurological outcome in TBI patients. The optimal discrimination cutoff values and optimal sampling time remain uncertain because of significant variations between studies.     

In vitro suppression of immune responses using monocyte-derived tolerogenic dendritic cells from patients with primary Sj?gren's syndrome

Introduction

Therapeutic vaccination with antigen-specific tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDC) might become a future option of individualized therapy for patients with autoimmune diseases. In this study, we tested the possibility of generating monocyte-derived tolDC from patients with primary Sjögren''s syndrome (pSS). We analyzed phenotype, cytokine production and ability to suppress Ro/La-specific immune responses.

Methods

Monocyte-derived tolDC from patients with pSS were generated in the presence of dexamethasone, vitamin D3 and lipopolysaccharide (DexVD3 DC). The phenotype was analyzed by flow cytometry and the cytokine profile was investigated using a 25-plex Luminex assay and ELISA. The capacity to both stimulate Ro/La-specific T cells and suppress this response was evaluated by autologous mixed lymphocyte reaction (MLR).

Results

DC generated from patients with pSS had a similar phenotype and cytokine profile to those from healthy controls. DexVD3 DC from pSS patients induced little antigen-specific T cell proliferation, but DexVD3 DC-primed lymphocytes successfully suppressed Ro/La-specific T cell responses.

Conclusions

DexVD3 DC presenting Ro/La antigens might be a promising new therapeutic option for patients with pSS.     

Craniofacial trauma: an assessment of risk related to timing of surgery

Following the retrospective analysis of approximately 4000 head-injury patients, 49 were identified with a combination of displaced facial fractures and significant cerebral trauma. The purpose of this study was to define clinical and radiographic features in these patients that are associated with a poor prognosis, which in turn might influence the timing of facial fracture repair. The presence of an upper-level facial fracture, low Glasgow coma score, intracranial hemorrhage, displacement of normally midline cerebral structures, and multisystem trauma was associated with a statistically significant poorer prognosis. Additionally, in demographically similar groups of patients (age, sex, concomitant injury) preselected for intracranial pressures of less than 15 mmHg at the time of surgery, no significant difference in survival was appreciated in patients who underwent early (0 to 3 days), middle (4 to 7 days), or late (greater than 7 days) surgical repair. Early surgical repair of facial fractures in these circumstances does not appear to have a negative impact on recovery.     

Comparison of Gender Differences in Intracerebral Hemorrhage in a Multi-Ethnic Asian Population

BackgroundIntracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) accounts for 10–15% of all first time strokes and with incidence twice as high in the Asian compared to Western population. This study aims to investigate gender differences in ICH patient outcomes in a multi-ethnic Asian population.MethodData for 1,192 patients admitted for ICH were collected over a four-year period. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors and odds ratios were computed for 30-day mortality and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) comparing males and females.ResultMales suffered ICH at a younger age than females (62.2 ± 13.2 years vs. 66.3 ± 15.3 years; P<0.001). The occurrence of ICH was higher among males than females at all ages until 80 years old, beyond which the trend was reversed. Females exhibited increased severity on admission as measured by Glasgow Coma Scale compared to males (10.9 ± 4.03 vs. 11.4 ± 4.04; P = 0.030). No difference was found in 30-day mortality between females and males (F: 30.5% [155/508] vs. M: 27.0% [186/688]), with unadjusted and adjusted odds ratio (F/M) of 1.19 (P = 0.188) and 1.21 (P = 0.300). At discharge, there was a non-statistically significant but potentially clinically relevant morbidity difference between the genders as measured by GOS (dichotomized GOS of 4–5: F: 23.7% [119/503] vs. M: 28.7% [194/677]), with unadjusted and adjusted odds ratio (F/M) of 0.77 (P = 0.055) and 0.87 (P = 0.434).ConclusionIn our multi-ethnic Asian population, males developed ICH at a younger age and were more susceptible to ICH than women at all ages other than the beyond 80-year old age group. In contrast to the Western population, neurological status of female ICH patients at admission was poorer and their 30-day mortality was not reduced. Although the study was not powered to detect significance, female showed a trend toward worse 30-day morbidity at discharge.