Comparison of Orexin-A and neurofilament light chain levels in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: A pilot study = Orexin-A- és neurofilamentum-könnyűlánc fehérjeszintek relapszáló-remittáló sclerosis multiplexben szenvedőknél: pilot vizsgálat

Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disease of the central nervous system, with myelin degeneration and Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (RRMS) as the most common type. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of Neurofilament Light Chain (NFL) and Orexin-A (OXA) in patients with RRMS and compare it with healthy control subjects’ data. In this case-control study of 61 subjects, serum and cerebrospinal fluid samples were collected from 23 RRMS patients and 38 healthy control subjects. NFL and OXA levels were determined in cerebrospinal fluid and serum samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Self-reported questionnaires were also administered to evaluate fatigue severity and impact. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the optimal cut-off value of NFL and OXA. The NFL and OXA concentrations in cerebro­spinal fluid of RRMS patients were significantly higher than those of the control group (p < 0.001), but no sig­nificant difference was found in the serum concentrations (p = 0.842, p = 0.597, respectively). The cut-off values were found to be 1.194 ng/ml for NFL and 77.81 pg/ml for OXA in cerebrospinal fluid. A positive correlation was found between the Expanded Disability Status Scale and Epworth Sleepiness Scale in RRMS patients (ρ = 0.49, p = 0.045). These results suggest that increased levels of both NFL and OXA in cerebrospinal fluid reflect neuronal destruction in RRMS. Further research of neurodegeneration should focus on neuropeptides to determine the possible roles in RRMS pathogenesis

Comparison of the efficacy of different concentrations of diclofenac sodium phonophoresis (1.16% vs 2.32%) in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A randomized double -blind controlled trial

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The objective of the present study is to compare the efficacy of two different concentrations of diclofenac sodium phonophoresis (DSPH) (1.16% vs 2.32%) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). MATERIAL AND METHODS A randomized, double-blind, controlled design was applied. Ninety patients (mean age SD, 59.98 8.89 years) who had Kellgren-Lawrence (K-L) grades II to III knee OA were randomly allocated into three groups; 1.16% DSPH, 2.32% DSPH, TUS (30 in each group). Each patient was treated five sessions per week for two weeks. A 100-mm visual analogue scale (VAS) for usual pain and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) were evaluated before and after treatment in all groups. RESULTS The VAS pain and WOMAC scores were significantly improved after treatment in all groups (p < 0.05). The 2.32% DSPH showed more significant effects than the 1.16% DSPH, both in improving WOMAC- pain and physical function scores (p = 0.020, p = 0.008) and reducing the VAS pain measure, although it did not reach the level of significance (p = 0.077). The 2.32% DSPH was superior to the TUS, both in reducing the VAS pain measure (p < 0.001) and in improving WOMAC-pain, stiffness, physical function and total scores (p = 0.022, p = 0.016, p < 0.001, p < 0.001 respectively). 1.16% DSPH significantly reduced stiffness and physical function scores compared with TUS (p = 0.042, p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS DSPH and TUS are effective treatments for knee OA. Our results indicated that 2.32% DSPH produces additional benefits to functional improvement and pain reduction compared with 1.16% DSPH in K-L grades II to III knee OA

A novel mutation of AMH in three siblings with persistent Mullerian duct syndrome

Background: Persistent Mullerian duct syndrome (PMDS) is a rare form of male 46, XY disorder of sex development characterized by the presence of Mullerian duct derivatives in otherwise phenotypically normal males

A novel mutation of AMH in three siblings with persistent Mullerian duct syndrome

Background: Persistent Mullerian duct syndrome (PMDS) is a rare form of male 46, XY disorder of sex development characterized by the presence of Mullerian duct derivatives in otherwise phenotypically normal males

Status Epilepticus Associated with Ecstasy

Status epilepticus (SE) is a life-threatening emergency condition. In addition to well-known etiological factors, many rare causative factors have also been defined. Ecstasy (3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine) is an amphetamine derivative known to cause SE. Presently described is a case of recurrent SE in which ecstasy was an etiological factor