8 research outputs found
Intravenous immunoglobulin may reduce relapse frequency in neuromyelitis optica
No full textObjectives: To evaluate the use of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) in preventing relapses in patients with neuromyelitis optica (NMO) and its spectrum disorders (NMOSDs). Methods: Six NMO/NMOSD patients who were treated with IVIG induction dose followed by 2- to 3- monthly infusions were retrospectively identified. Annualized relapse rates (ARR) and Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) pre- and post-IVIG were recorded. Results: Median number of relapses and median ARR significantly reduced from 8.0 to 1.0 and 0.75 to 0.15 (. p<. 0.05) respectively. Median EDSS of 6.5 remained the same. Median duration of treatment was 4.0. years. Conclusion: IVIG may be used to reduce the relapse frequency in patients with NMO/NMOSD.</p
Accurate targeting of botulinum toxin injections: How to and why
No full text10.1016/j.parkreldis.2011.06.016Parkinsonism and Related Disorders17SUPPL. 1S34-S39PRDI
Chronic Manganese Toxicity Associated with Voltage-Gated Potassium Channel Complex Antibodies in a Relapsing Neuropsychiatric Disorder
No full text10.3390/ijerph15040783International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health15478
Putting ethics on the spot in neurology
No full text10.1038/ncpneuro1000Nature Clinical Practice Neurology53136-13
Relationship between circulating vascular endothelial growth factor and its soluble receptors in adults with dengue virus infection: a case-control study
No full textInternational Journal of Infectious Diseases135e248-e25
Biomarkers of oxidative damage in cigarette smokers: Which biomarkers might reflect acute versus chronic oxidative stress?
No full textCigarette smoking predisposes to the development of multiple diseases involving oxidative damage. We measured a range of oxidative damage biomarkers to understand which differ between smokers and nonsmokers and if the levels of these biomarkers change further during the act of smoking itself. Despite overnight abstinence from smoking, smokers had higher levels of plasma total and esterified F 2-isoprostanes, hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid products (HETEs), F 4-neuroprostanes, 7-ketocholesterol, and 24- and 27-hydroxycholesterol. Levels of urinary F 2-isoprostanes, HETEs, and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine were also increased compared with age-matched nonsmokers. Several biomarkers (plasma free F 2-isoprostanes, allantoin, and 7β-hydroxycholesterol and urinary F 2-isoprostane metabolites) were not elevated. The smokers were then asked to smoke a cigarette; this acute smoking elevated plasma and urinary F 2- isoprostanes, plasma allantoin, and certain cholesterol oxidation products compared to presmoking levels, but not plasma HETEs or urinary 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine. Smokers showed differences in plasma fatty acid composition. Our findings confirm that certain oxidative damage biomarkers are elevated in smokers even after a period of abstinence from smoking, whereas these plus some others are elevated after acute smoking. Thus, different biomarkers do not measure identical aspects of oxidative stress. © 2011 Elsevier Inc.link_to_subscribed_fulltex
Oral zinc supplementation does not improve oxidative stress or vascular function in patients with type 2 diabetes with normal zinc levels
No full textObjective: There is considerable controversy about what constitutes optimal zinc intakes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Several studies suggest that higher zinc intakes improve vascular function and decrease oxidative damage. We aimed to assess the effects of zinc supplementation using a range of reliable biomarkers of oxidative damage and vascular function in patients with type 2 diabetes. Methods: Forty male type 2 diabetic patients were supplemented either with 240mg/day of zinc as zinc gluconate (n=20) or with placebo (n=20) for 3 months. Blood and spot urine samples were taken at baseline, days 3 and 7, months 1, 2 and 3 during supplementation and 1 month after cessation. Serum zinc, reliable biomarkers of oxidative damage (F 2-isoprostanes, neuroprostanes, cholesterol oxidation products, allantoin) as well as hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid products and vascular-related indices (augmentation index, pulse wave velocity and aortic pressure) were measured. Results: Despite significantly higher levels of serum zinc in the treatment group, markers of oxidative damage, levels of hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid products and vascular indices were unchanged by zinc supplementation during the four-month study period. Conclusion: Improving the zinc status in patients with type 2 diabetes with normal zinc levels did not have any impact on oxidative damage and vascular function, and such supplementation may not be generally beneficial in these individuals. © 2011 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.link_to_subscribed_fulltex
