120 research outputs found
Perfusion computed tomography in prediction of functional outcome in patients with acute ischaemic stroke
PURPOSE: To determine the value of perfusion computed tomography
(CT) in prediction of the clinical course and late functional
outcome in patients with acute ischaemic stroke who had
unremarkable initial brain CT examination.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Single slice perfusion CT was performed
in 55 consecutive patients (27 women, mean age 67 ±
± 11 years) with acute ischaemic stroke within 6 hours (median
2.26 hours) from onset of symptoms. Values of cerebral blood
flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), and mean transit time
(MTT) obtained from affected hemisphere were compared to
respective values in non-affected hemisphere (relative parameters).
Initial neurological deficits were estimated using NIH Stroke
Scale (NIHSS) score and correlated with perfusion CT values,
employing Spearman rank correlation coefficient (r). Values of
perfusion CT parameters in prediction of functional outcome were
determined by comparing against scores on modified Rankin
Scale (mRS) and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) after three
months of onset of stroke.
RESULTS: All perfusion CT parameters significantly correlated
with initial neurological deficit. The highest correlation with the
NIHSS was found for relative CBF, which correlated better than
absolute CBF (rCBF r = 0.69; CBF r = 0.50, P < 0.001). In prediction of favourable outcome (mRS ≤ 2) the commonly employed
thresholds (in parentheses) and associated sensitivity,
specificity, positive and negative predictive values were: 87%,
44%, 79%, and 58% for CBF (10 ml/min/100 g), 59%, 81%, 88%,
and 49% for rCBF (48%), 49%, 56%, 73%, and 31% for CBV
(2 ml/100 g), 87%, 44%, 79% and 58% for rCBV (60%), 41%,
81%, 84% and 36% for MTT (6 s) and 54%, 81%, 87% and 49%
for rMTT (145%), respectively, while for prediction of excellent
outcome (mRS ≤ 1), the only statistically significant respective
accuracy measures were for rCBV, 90%, 35%, 60%, 75%, and
for rCBF, 62%, 69%, 69% and 62%.
CONCLUSIONS: In patients within the first 6 hours from stroke
onset, and without a hypodensity sign on initial routine CT examination,
perfusion CT provides quantitative parameters that
correlate well with initial neurological status and late functional
outcome
Do Spinors Frame-Drag?
We investigate the effect of the intrinsic spin of a fundamental spinor field
on the surrounding spacetime geometry. We show that despite the lack of a
rotating stress-energy source (and despite claims to the contrary) the
intrinsic spin of a spin-half fermion gives rise to a frame-dragging effect
analogous to that of orbital angular momentum, even in Einstein-Hilbert gravity
where torsion is constrained to be zero. This resolves a paradox regarding the
counter-force needed to restore Newton's third law in the well known spin-orbit
interaction. In addition, the frame-dragging effect gives rise to a {\it
long-range} gravitationally mediated spin-spin dipole interaction coupling the
{\it internal} spins of two sources. We argue that despite the weakness of the
interaction, the spin-spin interaction will dominate over the ordinary inverse
square Newtonian interaction in any process of sufficiently high-energy for
quantum field theoretical effects to be non-negligible.Comment: V2: published version, mostly minor clarifications from V
Hemikraniektomia odbarczająca w udarze niedokrwiennym mózgu
Background and purpose
Hemispheric ischaemic stroke complicated by oedema is associated with high mortality. The results of randomized studies showed that decompressive hemicraniectomy performed in this group of patients could be beneficial. First experiences with implementation of hemicraniectomy in patients with brain infarct in our stroke centre are presented.
Material and methods
Between August 2007 and July 2008, four patients with hemispheric brain infarcts complicated by malignant oedema underwent decompressive hemicraniectomy within 72 hours from symptoms onset. Stroke severity was assessed with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Clinical outcome was assessed 3, 6 and 12 months after the event using the modified Rankin scale (mRS).
Results
In the first patient, the neurosurgical procedure included only decompressive hemicraniectomy, whereas in the other three duraplasty was performed additionally. The first patient died 23 days after the stroke onset due to acute respiratory failure. Another died at four months after the event, due to infectious complications. The remaining two patients presented severe functional disability 12 months after the procedure (mRS score 4).
Conclusions
Decompressive surgery with duraplasty can be a life-saving procedure for patients with brain oedema. To our knowledge, the presented cases are among the first reported cases of hemispheric ischaemic stroke treated with decompressive hemicraniectomy in Poland. Extended follow-up with a larger group of patients is necessary to assess long-term outcome.Wstęp i cel pracy
Półkulowy udar niedokrwienny mózgu powikłany obrzękiem mózgu obarczony jest dużą ś miertelnością. Wyniki badań z randomizacją wskazują na skuteczność kraniektomii odbarczającej w tej grupie chorych. W pracy przedstawiono pierwsze doświadczenia z zastosowania kraniektomii odbarczającej u chorych z udarem niedokrwiennym mózgu leczonych w Klinice Neurologii Wieku Podeszłego ŚUM w Katowicach.
Materiał i metody
W okresie od sierpnia 2007 r. do lipca 2008 r. u 4 chorych z półkulowym udarem niedokrwiennym mózgu powikłanym obrzękiem mózgu przeprowadzono zabieg kraniektomii odbarczającej maksymalnie do 72 godz. od wystąpienia objawów udaru. Stan neurologiczny chorych oceniono, stosując skalę National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Oceny stanu funkcjonalnego dokonano przy użyciu zmodyfikowanej skali Rankina w 3., 6. i 12. miesiącu po udarze.
Wyniki
U pierwszego chorego wykonano jedynie kraniektomię odbarczającą, a u kolejnych 3 dodatkowo plastykę opony twardej. Pierwszy z pacjentów zmarł w 23. dobie od wystąpienia udaru w wyniku niewydolności oddechowej, kolejny w 4. miesiącu z powodu powikłań infekcyjnych. U pozostałych dwóch pacjentów w 12. miesiącu od udaru utrzymywał się duży stopień niesprawności (4 stopień w skali Rankina).
Wnioski
Kraniektomia odbarczająca może być zabiegiem ratującym życie chorych z obrzękiem mózgu. Przedstawione przypadki są jednymi z pierwszych w Polsce opisanymi przy-padkami zastosowania hemikraniektomii odbarczającej u chorych z półkulowym udarem niedokrwiennym. Konieczna jest dłuższa obserwacja większej grupy chorych, aby ocenić odległe efekty leczenia
On the extension of the concept of Thin Shells to The Einstein-Cartan Theory
This paper develops a theory of thin shells within the context of the
Einstein-Cartan theory by extending the known formalism of general relativity.
In order to perform such an extension, we require the general non symmetric
stress-energy tensor to be conserved leading, as Cartan pointed out himself, to
a strong constraint relating curvature and torsion of spacetime. When we
restrict ourselves to the class of space-times satisfying this constraint, we
are able to properly describe thin shells and derive the general expression of
surface stress-energy tensor both in its four-dimensional and in its
three-dimensional intrinsic form. We finally derive a general family of static
solutions of the Einstein-Cartan theory exhibiting a natural family of null
hypersurfaces and use it to apply our formalism to the construction of a null
shell of matter.Comment: Latex, 21 pages, 1 combined Latex/Postscript figure; Accepted for
publication in Classical and Quantum Gravit
Negative Energy Densities in Extended Sources Generating Closed Timelike Curves in General Relativity with and without Torsion
Near a spinning point particle in (2+1)-dimensional gravity (or near an
infinitely thin, straight, spinning string in 3+1 dimensions) there is a region
of space-time with closed timelike curves. Exact solutions for extended sources
with apparently physically acceptable energy-momentum tensors, have produced
the same exterior space-time structure. Here it is pointed out that in the case
with torsion, closed timelike curves appear only for spin densities so high
that the spin energy density is higher than the net effective energy density.
In models without torsion, the presence of closed time-like curves is related
to a heat flow of unphysical magnitude. This corroborates earlier arguments
against the possibility of closed timelike curves in space-time geometries
generated by physical sources.Comment: (to be published in Phys. Rev. D), 5 pages, REVTEX 3.0, NORDITA 93/62
A (Sept. 10/Revised Nov. 1, 1993
Multiple sclerosis: oral health, behaviours and limitations of daily oral hygiene — a questionnaire study
Clinical rationale for the study. Neurological deficits and progressing disability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) may hamper daily oral hygiene, but their relations with oral problems have not yet been clearly determined.Aim of the study. The aim of this study was to identify the most significant dental problems and limitations of daily oral hygiene in Polish patients with MS.Material and methods. 199 patients with diagnosed MS (median age 37 years) treated in the neurological outpatient clinic were interviewed using a paper-based questionnaire. They provided answers on oral health, behaviours and the limitations of their daily oral hygiene. Clinical information regarding symptoms, MS phenotype, relapses, medication and degrees of disability was based on medical records.Results. The most frequent symptoms were dry mouth (43.2%) and bleeding from gums (28.1%). Dry mouth was more frequent in patients with secondary-progressive MS (SPMS) than relapsing-remitting MS (65.4% vs 41.3%, p = 0.023). Patients with bleeding from gums had had MS for a longer duration (median 6 vs 4 years, p = 0.002). Difficulties in daily oral hygiene were more frequent in patients with SPMS (24.0% vs 8.1%; p = 0.016). Greater proportions of patients with muscle weakness of limbs, imbalance or pain brushed their teeth irregularly. Frequent (i.e. at least every six months) visits to the dentist’s surgery were uncommon in patients with SPMS (12.0% vs 39.7%, p = 0.010).Conclusions and clinical implications. Dry mouth and bleeding from gums are more frequent in patients with longer lasting and more advanced types of MS. Daily oral hygiene and oral health self-control is limited in patients with MS, mainly due to motor deficits, balance problems and pain, and this becomes worse with disease duration. To minimise the burden of the disease, patients with MS require better education and improvement in their awareness regarding proper oral health control, such as the use of electric toothbrushes. In addition, patients with chronic and progressive disability from multiple sclerosis may benefit from better organised access to dental care
Gravitational field around a screwed superconducting cosmic string in scalar-tensor theories
We obtain the solution that corresponds to a screwed superconducting cosmic
string (SSCS) in the framework of a general scalar-tensor theory including
torsion. We investigate the metric of the SSCS in Brans-Dicke theory with
torsion and analyze the case without torsion. We show that in the case with
torsion the space-time background presents other properties different from that
in which torsion is absent. When the spin vanish, this torsion is a
-gradient and then it propagates outside of the string. We investigate
the effect of torsion on the gravitational force and on the geodesics of a
test-particle moving around the SSCS. The accretion of matter by wakes
formation when a SSCS moves with speed is investigated. We compare our
results with those obtained for cosmic strings in the framework of
scalar-tensor theory.Comment: 22 pages, LaTeX, presented at the "XXII - Encontro Nacional de Fisica
de Particulas e Campos", Sao Lourenco, MG, Brazi
Volterra Distortions, Spinning Strings, and Cosmic Defects
Cosmic strings, as topological spacetime defects, show striking resemblance
to defects in solid continua: distortions, which can be classified into
disclinations and dislocations, are line-like defects characterized by a delta
function-valued curvature and torsion distribution giving rise to rotational
and translational holonomy. We exploit this analogy and investigate how
distortions can be adapted in a systematic manner from solid state systems to
Einstein-Cartan gravity. As distortions are efficiently described within the
framework of a SO(3) {\rlap{\supset}\times}} T(3) gauge theory of solid
continua with line defects, we are led in a straightforward way to a Poincar\'e
gauge approach to gravity which is a natural framework for introducing the
notion of distorted spacetimes. Constructing all ten possible distorted
spacetimes, we recover, inter alia, the well-known exterior spacetime of a
spin-polarized cosmic string as a special case of such a geometry. In a second
step, we search for matter distributions which, in Einstein-Cartan gravity, act
as sources of distorted spacetimes. The resulting solutions, appropriately
matched to the distorted vacua, are cylindrically symmetric and are interpreted
as spin-polarized cosmic strings and cosmic dislocations.Comment: 24 pages, LaTeX, 9 eps figures; remarks on energy conditions added,
discussion extended, version to be published in Class. Quantum Gra
Gravitational Phase Operator and Cosmic Strings
A quantum equivalence principle is formulated by means of a gravitational
phase operator which is an element of the Poincare group. This is applied to
the spinning cosmic string which suggests that it may (but not necessarily)
contain gravitational torsion. A new exact solution of the Einstein-
Cartan-Sciama-Kibble equations for the gravitational field with torsion is
obtained everywhere for a cosmic string with uniform energy density, spin
density and flux. A novel effect due to the quantized gravitational field of
the cosmic string on the wave function of a particle outside the string is used
to argue that spacetime points are not meaningful in quantum gravity.Comment: 22 pages, to be published Phys. Rev. D. Some minor changes have been
made and a reference has been added to the paper of D.V. Gal'tsov and P.S.
Letelier, Phys. Rev. D 47 (1993) 4273, which first contained the metric (2.2)
external to the cosmic string. The present paper extends this solution to a
regular solution inside the string as wel
Gravitational field around a time-like current-carrying screwed cosmic string in scalar-tensor theories
In this paper we obtain the space-time generated by a time-like
current-carrying superconducting screwed cosmic string(TCSCS). This
gravitational field is obtained in a modified scalar-tensor theory in the sense
that torsion is taken into account. We show that this solution is comptible
with a torsion field generated by the scalar field . The analysis of
gravitational effects of a TCSCS shows up that the torsion effects that appear
in the physical frame of Jordan-Fierz can be described in a geometric form
given by contorsion term plus a symmetric part which contains the scalar
gradient. As an important application of this solution, we consider the linear
perturbation method developed by Zel'dovich, investigate the accretion of cold
dark matter due to the formation of wakes when a TCSCS moves with speed and
discuss the role played by torsion. Our results are compared with those
obtained for cosmic strings in the framework of scalar-tensor theories without
taking torsion into account.Comment: 21 pages, no figures, Revised Version, presented at the "XXIV-
Encontro Nacional de Fisica de Particulas e Campos ", Caxambu, MG, Brazil, to
appear in Phys. Rev.
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