Persistent trigeminal artery as a rare cause of ischaemic lesion and migraine-like headache

The persistent trigeminal artery (PTA) is a rare remnant of the embryonic intracranial circulatory system that forms a carotid-vertebrobasilar anastomosis. In most cases PTA does not have clear clinical implications. However, some authors report the association of PTA occurrence with vertigo, dizziness and nerve palsy, resulting in diplopia, strabismus or trigeminal neuralgia in patients. In rare cases it may also be related to posterior cerebral circulation strokes. This work reports the case of a female patient who presented with migraine-like headache and an ischaemic lesion in the left temporal lobe in association with PTA

Neurovascular unit dysfunction with blood-brain barrier hyperpermeability contributes to major depressive disorder: a review of clinical and experimental evidence

About one-third of people with major depressive disorder (MDD) fail at least two antidepressant drug trials at 1 year. Together with clinical and experimental evidence indicating that the pathophysiology of MDD is multifactorial, this observation underscores the importance of elucidating mechanisms beyond monoaminergic dysregulation that can contribute to the genesis and persistence of MDD. Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are mechanistically linked to the presence of neurovascular dysfunction with blood-brain barrier (BBB) hyperpermeability in selected neurological disorders, such as stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer’s disease. In contrast to other major psychiatric disorders, MDD is frequently comorbid with such neurological disorders and constitutes an independent risk factor for morbidity and mortality in disorders characterized by vascular endothelial dysfunction (cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus). Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are implicated in the neurobiology of MDD. More recent evidence links neurovascular dysfunction with BBB hyperpermeability to MDD without neurological comorbidity. We review this emerging literature and present a theoretical integration between these abnormalities to those involving oxidative stress and neuroinflammation in MDD. We discuss our hypothesis that alterations in endothelial nitric oxide levels and endothelial nitric oxide synthase uncoupling are central mechanistic links in this regard. Understanding the contribution of neurovascular dysfunction with BBB hyperpermeability to the pathophysiology of MDD may help to identify novel therapeutic and preventative approaches

The effect of anionic surfactant – polyvinylpyrrolidone complexes formed in aqueous solutions on physicochemical and functional properties of shampoos

Na podstawie analizy dostępnych wliteraturze wyników badań kompleksów polimerów z surfaktantami w roztworachwodnych opracowano receptury łagodnych dla skóry szamponów z udziałem dodecylosiarczanu sodu (SDS) oraz poliwinylopirolidonu (PVP). Oznaczono ich napięcie powierzchniowe, pianotwórczość i liczbę zeinową. Stwierdzono, że wodne roztwory PVP i SDS mogą być bazami szamponów o niskim potencjale drażniącym. Najkorzystniejszą ocenę (testy fizykochemiczne i sensoryczne) uzyskał szampon zawierający PVP90 (opracowany szampon oryginalny). Zestawiono wybrane właściwości użytkowe szamponu oryginalnego i produktu rynkowego. Jakość obu szamponów była porównywalna, natomiast wartość liczby zeinowej (LZ), będącej miarą potencjału drażniącego, była o ponad 30% mniejsza niż LZ szamponu rynkowego.Based on the analysis of published results of studies on the complexes of polymers with surfactants in aqueous solutions, shampoo formulations containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), which are mild to the skin, were developed. The measurements of surface tension, foamability and zein number confirmed that the aqueous solutions of PVP and SDS may be used as bases for shampoo with low irritation potential. The most favorable evaluation of physicochemical and sensory tests was obtained for a shampoo containing PVP90 (termed the original shampoo). A comparison of selected functional properties of the original product with the commercial product was performed. Both shampoos were of comparable quality, but the zein number (ZN), which is a measure of irritation potential, was reduced by more than 30 % compared to the commercial shampoo

Electrical properties of carbon nanotube based fibers and their future use in electrical wiring

The production of continuous fibers made purely of carbon nanotubes has paved the way for new macro-scale applications which utilize the superior properties of individual carbon nanotubes. These wire-like macroscopic assemblies of carbon nanotubes were recognized to have a potential to be used in electrical wiring. Carbon nanotube wiring may be extremely light and mechanically stronger and more efficient in transferring high frequency signals than any conventional conducting material, being cost-effective simultaneously. However, transfer of the unique properties of individual CNTs to the macro-scale proves to be quite challenging. This Feature Article gives an overview of the potential of using carbon nanotube fibers as next generation wiring, state of the art developments in this field, and goals to be achieved before carbon nanotubes may be transformed into competitive products. Carbon nanotubes, with their unique properties, could make electrical conductors of unprecedented performance, which could revolutionize energy transport globally. Is it feasible to produce macroscopic conductors from nanoscale structures? This Feature Article presents both the most recent results of a highly promising research program in this area and the key challenges that need to be overcome. © 2014 The Authors. Published by WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim

Clinical and biochemical predictors of late-outcome in patients after ischemic stroke

Objective. The aim of this study is to evaluate neurological scales, as well as biochemical and radiological parameters measured on day 10 after ischemic stroke (IS), according to their value as predictors of the long-term outcome. Materials and method. 45 patients were assessed according to the Barthel Index (BI) and National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) on day 10, and according to Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 3 months after the onset of IS. On day 10 of IS, the serum level of C-reactive protein (CRP), albumin, D-dimers (DD), S100BB and Tau proteins was measured and the volume of ischemic focus assessed with the use of Computed Tomography (CT). The patients were divided into groups with good outcome (GO) and mRS 0–2, and with bad outcome (BO) and mRS 3–6. Results. NIHSS and BI scores (p<0.001), the volume of ischemic focus (p<0.01), CRP (p<0.01) and albumin level (p<0.05), but not DD, S100BB and Tau protein levels evaluated on day 10, correlated with mRS after 3 months since IS onset. Patients from the BO group were observed to have lower BI (p=0.001), higher NIHSS (p<0.01) and CRP levels (p<0.05), and bigger volume of ischemic focus (p<0.05) measured on day 10 of IS. In the GO group, there were more patients with atherosclerotic etiology (p=0.02 x2=7.856). Regression analysis showed that only the BI score assessed on day 10 of IS can predict the outcome after 3 months assessed by mRS (OR=1.102, 95%, CI:1.01–1.203; p=0.001). Conclusions. BI assessed on day 10 has a predictive value for the outcome evaluated by mRS 3 months after the onset of IS