فهرست مطالب
Archives of Neuroscience
Volume:8 Issue: 1, Jan 2021
- تاریخ انتشار: 1399/12/19
- تعداد عناوین: 12
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Page 1Background
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction (SIJD) is considered an origin of low-back pain. It can change the motor control strategy and postural control (PC).
ObjectivesWe aimed to find any probable differences in PC between subjects with and without SIJD and determine the effects of the pelvic belt (PB) on PC.
MethodsThirty-eight subjects were assigned into two equal groups with and without SIJD. They started to walk from the place marked on a force plate for 10 seconds after hearing an auditory signal and performed three attempts for each foot. They repeated six more ones with PB. Raw data were imported to an excel software (version 2007) spreadsheet to calculate the reaction time (RT) and anticipatory postural adjustment (APA) as the components of PC.
ResultsOur results showed a significant difference in RT between the SIJD-affected and non-affected sides (P = 0.035), but there was no significant difference in APA (P = 0.057). There were significant differences in RT and APAs between the control and SIJD-affected side groups (P = 0.001 and P = 0.010, respectively). The PB application showed a significant difference in RT and APAs of the SIJD-affected side (P = 0.001 and P = 0.047, respectively).
ConclusionsIt seems pain could lead to the postural sway into instability and change the motor control strategy. The proprioception signals from the neuromuscular system of SIJ improved after PB. Therefore, PB, as a feasible tool, can be recommended for PC improvement.
Keywords: Postural Balance, Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction, Pelvic Belt, Low-back Pain -
Page 2Background
Migraine is a complex disorder triggered by an interaction of multiple abnormalities involving genes, blood vessels, and brain structures. It is characterized by throbbing headaches, mostly on one side of the head. It is one of the most common causes of disability, as announced by the Global Burden of the Diseases (GBD).
ObjectivesWe aimed at assessing disabilities in Saudi migraine patients and addressing the relation between migraine-associated disabilities and social factors in Saudi Arabia.
MethodsWe conducted a web-based survey randomly through social media channels to the general population around Saudi Arabia. Basic personal information, along with a confirmation of the migraine diagnosis, were included in the first part of the questionnaire, and the respondent’s eligibility was determined to complete the survey. Specified questions about the sociodemographic characteristics, migraine attacks and medications, and the items of Migraine Disability Assessment score (MIDAS), were included in the next parts of the survey.
ResultsOf the 480 total responses, 250 (52.1%) eligible participants were included (mean age of 34.84 ± 10.14 years; 83.2% females). Most of the participants were married (59.6%), had three or more kids (50.7%), had a bachelor’s degree (60.8%), and 52.8% were employed. Only 16.4% of the subjects did regular exercise, and 16.8% were current smokers. No significant association was detected between the MIDAS score and most of the social characteristics, including marital status, number of kids, education level, occupation, and smocking.
ConclusionsMost of the migraineurs in Saudi Arabia had a severe disability according to the MIDAS score. Gender, regular exercise, the severity of the disease, and frequency of attack had a statistically significant relationship with migraine-related disabilities. Migraine treatment and prophylaxis were incompetent in decreasing migraine severity and related disabilities in our selected participants.
Keywords: Headache, Migraine, Smoking, Disability, MIDAS -
Page 3Background
Primary hyperhidrosis is a sympathetic disorder characterized by prolonged and uncontrollable sweating. It is associated with emotional stress or psychological causes that preferably affects the axillae, palms, feet, and face. Video-assisted thoracoscopic sympathetic surgery is currently a globally recognized treatment for primary palmar hyperhidrosis (PH). However, compensatory sweating (CS) is the most prominent long-term adverse effect of thoracoscopic sympathectomy.
ObjectivesHere, we aim to perform selective sympathetic ramicotomy for primary palmar hyperhidrosis patients and evaluate the clinical outcomes of satisfaction, as well as the effect on the frequency, location, and severity of compensatory sweating.
MethodsIn this single-arm trial study, 24 sympathectomies were carried out on 12 patients with primary palmar hyperhidrosis who were candidates for bilateral thoracoscopic selective sympathectomy (ramicotomy) at Imam Khomeini Hospital. The patients’ demographic information was interviewed and followed up using telephone questionnaires in the health center one week after surgery. Then, the rates of compensatory sweating, satisfaction, and failure or recurrence were retrospectively analyzed.
ResultsNo significant differences were observed between age, gender, weight, BMI, and compensatory sweating rates. Notwithstanding, there was a statistically significant difference in the severity of compensatory sweating with patients’ height (P = 0.016). Compensatory sweating occurred in 66.7% of the patients; 50% of the patients were mild, 16.7% of the patients were moderate, and there was no intolerable compensatory sweating or recurrence. The most incidence of compensatory sweating was on the lower back. The rate of satisfaction was 94.5 ± 7.8%.
ConclusionsSelective thoracoscopic sympathectomy (ramicotomy) is an effective surgical procedure with a very high level of precision and satisfaction. This technique hence should be considered the method of choice for the treatment of primary palmar hyperhidrosis.
Keywords: Hyperhidrosis, Sympathicotomy, Thoracoscopic, Ramicotomy -
Page 4Background
Compression of the spinal cord induces alterations in protein expression of neurons and glia cells, which in turn triggers a cascade of pathophysiologic events. It's well-documented that activation of inhibitory proteins following spinal cord injury stimulates activation of the RhoA via neurotrophin receptor p75 (p75NTR), which causes promotion of apoptotic cell death and inhibiting axon outgrowth. Elucidating the underlying factors driving the expressions during sustained compression is important to develop new therapeutic strategies.
ObjectivesTo investigate the impact of compression duration on the RhoA, P75, and S100 expression in spinal cord injury model in rats.
MethodsWe investigated the impact of compression duration on the expression of RhoA, p75NTR, and S100β in rats with spinal cord injury (SCI). Initially, rats were subjected to SCI using an aneurism clip at the T9 vertebrae lamina for 3 sec or 10 min. Sham group was subjected to laminectomy only. We compared spinal cord histopathology at 3 and 14 days after injury for both short and prolonged compressive surgery groups. At the respective scarify times points, the rats were sacrificed, and the pathology of the injury was studied using light microscopy and immunohistochemistry.
ResultsWe found a greater expression level of p75NTR, S100β, and RhoA in the prolonged compression group compared to the short compression group. The difference was statistically significant, indicating that earlier decompression can prevent the progress of secondary injuries due to higher expression levels of p75NTR, S100, and RhoA.
ConclusionsThis study demonstrated that early decompression of the spinal cord through the changes in p75NTR, S100β, and RhoA expression may modulate secondary injury events. Besides, it was found that using different inhibitors, especially for RhoA, might improve SCI-induced regeneration.
Keywords: Immunohistochemistry, Spinal cord injury, Compression, p75NTR, S100β -
Page 5Objectives
The current study aimed to compare between the chronic non-specific low back pain (CNSLBP) and healthy subjects during four phases of the trunk flexion-extension task (standing, flexion, relaxation, and extension phases) by using pool coherence as well as pairwise coherence of Beta band Intermuscular coherence (Bb-IMC) and flexion relaxation phenomena.
MethodsTwenty-four men with CNSLBP and 20 healthy men voluntarily participated in this study. All subjects performed three tests of Flexion-extension task (F-ET) while the surface electromyography (sEMGs) were recorded from the right erector spinal muscle of the lumbar region “1”, left erector spinal muscle of the lumbar region “2”, right gluteus maximus muscle”3”, left gluteus maximus muscle”4”, right hamstring muscle”5” and left hamstring muscle”6”. Accordingly, group A contains muscles 1, 4, and 6 and group B consists of muscles 2, 3, and 5. The pool coherence (PC) and the pairwise coherence (PWC) for all the above-mentioned muscles were calculated using Beta-band intermuscular coherence analysis. Thereafter, the mean pool coherence (mPC) was considered for group A and group B for four phases of F-ET in three groups as following: CNSLBP patients group, healthy subjects group and the third group included all subjects that participated in this study, whether patients or healthy and it was called the general group. Moreover, the mean pairwise coherence (mPWC) among each pair of group A and B muscles was calculated for four phases of F-ET using Bb-IMC in CNSLBP patients and healthy subjects.
ResultsThese results indicated a high value of A mPC in the general group and healthy subjects in the flexion phase, whereas the same A mPC in CNSLBP patients was high in all phases of F-ET. On the other hand, while B mPC was high in the general group and healthy subjects in the extension phase; it was high in all phases of F-ET in CNSLBP patients; B mPC in CNSLBP patients was high in extension, standing, and flexion phases. A mPWC and B mPWC were not significantly different between CNSLBP patients and healthy subjects in all phases of F-ET. However, only A mPWC “1 - 4” and the A mPWC “4 - 6” were significantly smaller in CNSLBP patients compared to the healthy subjects in the relaxation and flexion phases, respectively. Hence, we suggest pool coherence of Bb-IMC, not pairwise coherence of Bb-IMC, to compare CNSLBP patients and healthy subjects.
ConclusionsAccording to the present findings, we suggest using the pool coherence of Bb-IMC in the clinical examination for CNSLBP patients and studying the probable cortical effects and the effectiveness of various treatments on corticospinal tract function in CNSLBP.
Keywords: Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain, Flexion-Extension Task, Beta Band Intermuscular Coherence, Pool Coherence, Pairwise Coherence, Flexion Relaxation Phenomena -
Page 6Background
Executive functions as a group of complex mental processes and cognitive abilities necessary for our goal-directed behavior to control the skills. Acculturation is a process in which an individual acquires and adjusts to a new cultural environment.
ObjectivesThe present study aimed to predict the ethnically diverse students’ brain executive functions based on their acculturation.
MethodsIn this correlational survey study, 1,019 high school students in the city of Kabodar Ahang, a multicultural city in Hamedan Province, are investigated. In total, 280 bilingual as ethnically diverse students were selected using a relative stratified random method. The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functions (BRIEF) and Marin acculturation scale were used to collect data. The Pearson correlation coefficient, multiple regression, and step-by-step regression were employed to collect the data.
ResultsThere is a positive association between acculturation and brain functions and inhibition components, task completion, working memory, and organization (P ≤ 0.001). In other words, increased students' acculturation leads to fostered brain executive functions in subscales of inhibition, task completion, working memory, and mental organization. Also, the multiple regression indicated that acculturation can predict 30% of the students' brain function variance.
ConclusionsTeachers working in multicultural regions can use the findings of the present study to gain an appropriate understanding about students' individual differences according to their capacity of executive functions and organizing the process of learning based on their working memory and the complexity of the task.
Keywords: Acculturation, Brain Executive Functions, Ethnically Diverse Students, Multicultural Schools -
Page 7Background
Proprioceptive deficits are one of the most important challenges after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).
ObjectivesThe current study aimed to investigate the effects of incorporating innovative land-based proprioceptive training into the conventional accelerated land-based rehabilitation protocol, as compared to the conventional accelerated land-based rehabilitation protocol alone, on knee function and joint position sense in male athletes after ACLR.
MethodsThirty male athletes with ACLR were randomly assigned to two rehabilitation groups. The conventional therapy (CT) group (n = 15) received conventional rehabilitation for six weeks, and the proprioception training (PT) group (n = 15) received the same conventional rehabilitation in addition to 12 sessions of innovative land-based proprioceptive training. Outcomes included joint position sense (JPS) errors, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) form, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS).
ResultsThere were significant differences in absolute errors (AE) (FAE = 56.81, P < 0.001) and variable errors (VE) (FVE = 60.95, P < 0.001) between the two groups. No significant differences were found in constant error (CE), VAS, and IKDC score between the two groups (P > 0.05). Both groups showed significant changes in terms of AE, VE, VAS, and IKDC after the intervention (P < 0.05). Percent changes after the intervention for AE, VE, CE, VAS, and IKDC were greater in the PT group than in the CT group, which were 70.19%, 69.22%, 66.20%, 38.50%, and 39.61%, respectively.
ConclusionsInnovative land-based proprioceptive training incorporated into the conventional accelerated rehabilitation protocol offers the improvement of proprioception efficiency for individuals with ACL reconstruction, and therefore, it could be useful for clinicians when designing rehabilitation protocols to ensure the optimal engagement of proprioception.
Keywords: Rehabilitation, Sports Injury, ACL, Anterior Cruciate Ligament, Reconstruction, Proprioception Training, Joint Position Sense, Foam Roller -
Page 8Background
External ventricular drains (EVDs) infection is a life-threatening complication.
ObjectivesTo investigate the rate of EVDs infection and its predictive factors in neurosurgery patients hospitalized at a tertiary teaching hospital in Iran.
MethodsIn this survey, all patients referred to a subspecialty hospital in Tehran (Iran) with an external ventricular drain (EVDs) from Jun 23, 2018, to Jun 23, 2019, are monitored within 30 days of EVDs placement for infection. Data on demographic information, underlying diseases, number of EVD replacements, length of hospital stay, type consumed antibiotic before neurosurgery, length of tunneling, type of airway, duration of mechanical ventilation, duration of surgery(hours), surgeon name, APACHE II score, length of intensive care unit stay are collected. The diagnosis was based on the Center for Diseases Control and Prevention criteria for meningitis/ventriculitis and clinical vision of infectious or critical care specialists. A logistic regression model was developed to identify factors that can predict the infection.
ResultsOf 81 patients with EVDs, 39 (48.1%) were infected. The mean age of patients was 44.33 ± 19.5 years, and 55.6% of them were male. According to the multiple logistic regression analysis, mechanical ventilation for more than 6 days (OR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.6 - 3.56, P = 0.04) and length of tunneling > 5 cm (OR: 1.98, 95%CI: 1.87 - 4.76, P = 0.02) were identified as factors that could predict EVD infection. Also, consuming ceftazidime + vancomycin, as a prophylaxis agent, had a lower odds ratio for EVD infection (OR:0.4, 95% CI: 0.08 - 0.84, P = 0.04).
ConclusionsRegarding the predictive factors of EVDs infection, either in the present study or other studies, there should be strategies to manage this life-threatening infection in neurosurgery patients.
Keywords: Infection, Neurosurgery, External Ventricular Drain -
Page 10Background
Dexmedetomidine protective effects on apoptosis in the brain and peripheral organs have been reported in vivo and in vitro. Apoptotic factors of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) may influence the prognosis of patients undergoing open discectomy surgery.
ObjectivesThis study evaluated the effect of intrathecal dexmedetomidine administration on the CSF levels of apoptotic factors and clinical outcomes in patients undergoing lumbar discectomy.
MethodsThis clinical trial was conducted on patients undergoing open lumbar discectomy. Forty patients were randomly divided into control and dexmedetomidine groups. In the dexmedetomidine group, 0.1 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine was intrathecally injected after anesthesia induction. Patients’ hemodynamic status during surgery was recorded; additionally, their pain scores were recorded by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) in the recovery room. The levels of apoptotic factors including Bax/Bcl-2 and caspase-3 in the CSF were measured at the beginning and end of discectomy, and the results were compared between the two groups.
ResultsOf the 40 evaluated patients, the mean levels of caspase-3 in the intervention and control groups were 2.28 ± 0.35 and 2.34 ± 0.32 ng/mL before surgery and 2.56 ± 0.42 and 2.72 ± 0.39 ng/mL after surgery, respectively. The levels of Bax/Bcl-2 in the intervention and control groups were 1.01 ± 0.11 and 0.89 ± 0.07 before surgery and 1.28 ± 0.14 and 1.16 ± 0.19 after surgery, respectively. The levels of these two factors were not significantly different. However, the NRS scores were significantly lower in the dexmedetomidine group than in the control group.
ConclusionsIntrathecal dexmedetomidine could significantly and safely reduce the NRS score in the intervention group but did not have any significant effect on the CSF levels of apoptotic factors before and after lumbar discectomy surgery.
Keywords: Apoptosis, Dexmedetomidine, CSF, Intrathecal, Apoptotic Factors, Lumbar Spine Surgery, Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase-3 -
Page 11Background
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has become a pandemic, and patients receiving immunosuppressive agents could be at a higher risk of the infection. Patients’ knowledge and behavior play a major role in their health. Physicians should provide patients with enough information regarding medication use, prevention strategies, and treatment choices in case of infection.
ObjectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the attitude and knowledge of Iranian patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) about COVID-19, as provided by physicians.
MethodsA google form was designed, and the patients consented to fill out the survey. The participants’ basic characteristics were collected. Moreover, they were asked about COVID-19 transmission routes and prevention strategies, their concerns regarding MS-related checkups during the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 infection tests, COVID-19 symptoms, and information they received from their physicians about what to do in case of COVID-19 infection.
ResultsFour hundred and ten forms were collected. The mean age of the patients and the mean duration of the disease were 34.5 ± 8 and 7.2 ± 5.7 years, respectively. Nearly 80% of the respondents believed that patients with MS were at a higher risk of COVID-19 infection, and 75% of them thought that wearing a face mask could prevent the infection transmission. Moreover, only 21% of 410 the physicians informed their patients of when to stop their medication if they were suspected to have COVID-19, and 22% of them informed their patients of where to refer in case of COVID-19 suspicion. Nearly half of all physicians prescribed immune-boosting supplements, such as selenium, zinc, and vitamin D.
ConclusionsThe results showed that Iranian MS patients had good knowledge regarding COVID-19 prevention strategies and transmission routes. However, they received less information from their physicians regarding medication use control, centers for admission, and physician consultation in case of COVID-19 infection.
Keywords: Iran, Multiple Sclerosis, Attitude, Knowledge, COVID-19