Acute bacterial meningitis is not an uncommon central nervous system infection. In severe cases, it can be associated with various neurological or systemic complications. However, acute spinal cord dysfunction rarely occurs. We report a case of bacterial meningitis complicated with spinal cord infarction despite adequate treatment with antibiotics and corticosteroid therapy. He had residual paraplegia and was fully dependent in the activity of daily living.
Matched MeSH terms: Central Nervous System Bacterial Infections/diagnosis*; Central Nervous System Bacterial Infections/drug therapy
Schiff base complexes have appeared to be promising in the treatment of different diseases and disorders and have drawn a lot of attention to their biological activities. This study was conducted to evaluate the regulatory effect of Schiff base metal derivatives on the expression of heat shock proteins (HSP) 70 and BAX in protection against acute haemorrhagic gastric ulcer in rats. Rats were assigned to 6 groups of 6 rats: the normal control (Tween 20 5% v/v, 5 mL/kg), the positive control (Tween 20 5% v/v, 5 mL/kg), and four Schiff base derivative groups named Schiff_1, Schiff_2, Schiff_3, and Schiff_4 (25 mg/kg). After 1 h, all of the groups received ethanol 95% (5 mL/kg) but the normal control received Tween 20 (Tween 20 5% v/v, 5 mL/kg). The animals were euthanized after 60 min and the stomachs were dissected for histology (H&E), immunohistochemistry, and western blot analysis against HSP70 and BAX proteins. The results showed that the Schiff base metal derivatives enhanced the expression of HSP70 and suppressed the expression of BAX proteins during their gastroprotection against ethanol-induced gastric lesion in rats.
Matched MeSH terms: Central Nervous System Depressants/adverse effects; Central Nervous System Depressants/pharmacology
Mental nerve neuropathy is an important presenting complaint that may be encountered by dental surgeons in their daily practise. There are various pathological processes that could bring about this symptom, ranging. from simple dental cause to vague, life threatening diseases. We present three cases of mental paraesthesia of different aetiologies. A literature review on mental nerve neuropathy related to malignancies and infection is discussed. The importance of a thorough chair side history taking, clinical examination and relevant investigations are emphasised in a suggested clinical approach to obtaining the diagnosis of a numb chin.
Matched MeSH terms: Peripheral Nervous System Diseases
Magnetic resonance imaging is gaining importance in the diagnosis of nerve and muscular disorders. The ability of magnetic resonance imaging to delineate the different muscles and the nerve in any plane has made the differentiation between the changes of neuropathy, denervation, and nerve entrapment possible. Although findings on magnetic resonance imaging are non-specific, their use, coupled with clinical symptoms and electromyographic findings, allow an accurate diagnosis to be made without resorting to invasive biopsies.
Matched MeSH terms: Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/chemically induced*; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/diagnosis*
Centella asiatica has a reputation to restore declining cognitive function in traditional medicine. To date, only a few compounds that show enhancing learning and memory properties are available. Therefore, the present study investigates the effects of for acute administration of asiatic acid (A-A) isolated from Centella asiatica administration on memory and learning in male Spraque-Dawley rats.
Matched MeSH terms: Central Nervous System Agents/isolation & purification; Central Nervous System Agents/pharmacology*
Telomerase, the enzyme that stabilizes telomere length is reactivated with almost all cancer types, and may be a useful diagnostic marker for malignancy. Telomerase activity has been detected in germ line cells and most cancer cells, whereas most normal somatic cells have no clearly detectable telomerase activity. In our study, we aim to detect telomerase activity in 20 human central nervous system tumors from Malaysian patients. Telomerase activity was detected based on a highly sensitive procedure consisting of a CHAPS detergent-based extraction from frozen tissues and a PCR-based telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) using a TRAPEZE Telomerase Detection Kit (Intergen, Co). Telomerase activity was considered positive when a ladder of products was observed starting at 50bp, with 6bp increments. The activity was detected in 30% of the samples analysed, included glioblastoma multiforme, meduloblastoma, paraganglioma and oligodendroglioma. The result of Fisher's exact test indicated that there was a significant association between telomerase activity status with tumor grade (p=0.003). These results suggest that telomerase activity may be an important marker for tumor malignancy.
Matched MeSH terms: Central Nervous System Neoplasms/diagnosis*; Central Nervous System Neoplasms/enzymology
Magnetoencephalography (MEG) has been extensively used to measure small-scale neuronal brain activity. Although it is widely acknowledged as a sensitive tool for deciphering brain activity and source localisation, the accuracy of the MEG system must be critically evaluated. Typically, on-site calibration with the provided phantom (Local phantom) is used. However, this method is still questionable due to the uncertainty that may originate from the phantom itself. Ideally, the validation of MEG data measurements would require cross-site comparability.
Matched MeSH terms: Nervous System Physiological Phenomena
The deep tendon reflex (DTR) is a key component of the neurological examination. However, interpretation of the results is a challenge since there is a lack of knowledge on the important features of reflex responses such as the amount of hammer force, the strength of contraction, duration of the contraction and relaxation. The tools used to elicit the reflexes also play a role in the quality of the reflex contraction. Furthermore, improper execution techniques during the DTR assessment may alter the findings and cloud the true assessment of the nervous system. Therefore, understanding the basic principles and the key features of DTR allows for better interpretation of the reflex responses. This paper discusses the brief history of reflexes, the development of the reflex hammer, and also the key features of a reflex response encompassing the amplitude of force needed to elicit a reflex response, the velocity of contraction, the strength of contraction, and the duration of contraction and relaxation phases. The final section encloses the techniques of eliciting DTR in the upper extremities, trunk, and lower extremities, and the interpretation of these reflexes.
The electrochemical oxidation of caffeine, a widely over-the-counter stimulant drug, has been investigated in effluent wastewater and deionized water (DIW) using graphite-poly vinyl chloride (PVC) composite electrode as anode. Effects of initial concentration of caffeine, chloride ion (Cl(-)) loading, presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), sample volume, type of sample and applied voltage were determined to test and to validate a kinetic model for the oxidation of caffeine by the electrochemical oxidation process. The results revealed that the electrochemical oxidation rates of caffeine followed pseudo first-order kinetics, with rate constant values ranged from 0.006 to 0.23 min(-1) depending on the operating parameters. The removal efficiency of caffeine increases with applied voltage very significantly, suggesting a very important role of mediated oxidation process. However, the consumption energy was considered during electrochemical oxidation process. In chloride media, removal of caffeine is faster and more efficiently, although occurrence of more intermediates takes place. The study found that the adding H2O2 to the NaCl solution will inhibit slightly the electrochemical oxidation rate in comparison with only NaCl in solution. Liquid chromatography-time of flight-mass spectrometry (LC-TOF-MS) technique was applied to the identification of the by-products generated during electrochemical oxidation, which allowed to construct the proposed structure of by-products.
Matched MeSH terms: Central Nervous System Stimulants/isolation & purification*; Central Nervous System Stimulants/toxicity
Neuroblastoma is usually presented with abdominal distension. However, central nervous system manifestations of neuroblastoma are uncommon. In this case report, patient presented with uncommon presentation of neuroblastoma and the diagnostic dilemma.
Matched MeSH terms: Central Nervous System Neoplasms
IMPACT STATEMENT: Over activation of renal sensory nerve in obesity blunts the normal regulation of renal sympathetic nerve activity. To date, there is no investigation that has been carried out on baroreflex regulation of renal sympathetic nerve activity in obese ovarian hormones deprived rat model, and the effect of renal denervation on the baroreflex regulation of renal sympathetic nerve activity. Thus, we investigated the role of renal innervation on baroreflex regulation of renal sympathetic nerve activity in obese intact and ovariectomized female rats. Our data demonstrated that in obese states, the impaired baroreflex control is indistinguishable between ovarian hormones deprived and non-deprived states. This study will be of substantial interest to researchers working on the impact of diet-induced hypertension in pre- and postmenopausal women. This study provides insight into health risks amongst obese women regardless of their ovarian hormonal status and may be integrated in preventive health strategies.
The advancement in human stem cell research has promised a viable alternative treatment for a range of ‘incurable diseases’ such as neurological diseases. To date, several studies have documented substantial evidences on the therapeutic properties of stem cells in promoting repair in different diseases including common neurological disorders i.e. ischaemic stroke and spinal cord injury. However, the progress of stem cell research has been surrounded by ethical issues which largely due to the usage of human embryos as one of the sources. These embryonic stem cells which originally derived from human embryo of aborted foetus or already existing human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) lines, has sparked an intense moral and religious argument among people of various faith, including Muslim community. From the therapeutic point of view, amongst the currently available stem cells, hESCs show the greatest potential for the broadest range of cell replacement therapies and are regarded as the most commercially viable. This review focuses on the major ethical issues, particularly to Muslim community, related to human embryonic stem cells research with special emphasis on the moral status of the embryo and the beginning of life according to the Islamic ethics and rulings. In this paper, we also discuss some ethical positions towards embryonic stem cell research in the Islamic world, including official regulations existing in some Muslim countries. We examine the justification and the necessity on the usage of hESCs following the newly discovered Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (IPSCs) in the laboratory. In addition, we supplement the discussions with the general views and positions from the other two Abrahamic religions i.e. Christianity and Judaism.
Glial heterotopia of oropharynx is a congenital anomaly, whereby ectopic mature glial tissue is found around oropharynx isolated from the brain and spinal cord. Herein we report a rare presentation of a mass at the base of tongue in a neonate. In addition, to underscore the rarity of oropharygeal glial heterotopia, we discuss the dilemma in approaching its diagnosis and management in a neonate.
Pembinaan model geometri berbantukan komputer (CAGD) dengan titik data yang mempunyai ketakpastian adalah sukar dan mencabar. Dalam kertas ini, pembinaan model splin-B kabur sebagai perwakilan matematik bagi lengkung dengan data ketakpastian menggunakan titik kawalan kabur dan titik kawalan penyahkaburan dibincangkan. Lengkung splin-B kabur atau splin-B penyahkaburan kubik untuk masalah data ketakpastian akan diperihalkan dengan menggunakan kaedah penghampiran splin-B kubik yang ditakrif menerusi titik kawalan kabur dan titik kawalan penyahkaburan. Bagi menyelesaikan masalah mengenai titik data ketakpastian pula, kaedah pengkaburan dan penyahkaburan titik data berkomponen kabur (penyahkaburan) beserta modelnya diperkenalkan. Bagi menguji tahap keberkesanan model, beberapa contoh lengkung simulasi data tersebut juga dibincangkan.
Matched MeSH terms: Autonomic Nervous System Diseases
Toxic elements such as mercury, arsenic, cadmium, and lead, sometimes called heavy metals, can diminish mental and central nervous system function; elicit damage to blood composition as well as the kidneys, lungs, and liver; and reduce energy levels. Food is considered one of the main routes of their entry into the human body. Numerous studies have been performed to examine the effects of common food processing procedures on the levels of toxic elements in food. While some studies have reported negative effects of processing, several have shown that processing practices may have a positive effect on the reduction of toxic elements in foodstuffs. A number of studies have also introduced protocols and suggested chemical agents that reduce the amount of toxic elements in the final food products. In this review, the reported methods employed for the reduction of toxic elements are discussed with particular emphasis on the chemical binding of both the organic and inorganic forms of each element in various foods. The molecular groups and the ligands by which the food products bind with the metals and the types of these reactions are also presented.
Mucuna pruriens has been used by native Nigerians as a prophylactic for snakebite. The protective effects of M. pruriens seed extract (MPE) were investigated against the pharmacological actions of N. sputatrix (Javan spitting cobra) venom in rats. The results showed that MPE-pretreatment protected against cardiorespiratory and, to a lesser extent, neuromuscular depressant effects of N. sputatrix venom. These may be explained at least in part by the neutralisation of the cobra venom toxins by anti-MPE antibodies elicited by the MPE pretreatment.
The potential of ketamine, an N-methyl D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist, in preventing central sensitization has led to numerous studies. Ketamine is increasingly used in the clinical setting to provide analgesia and prevent the development of central sensitization at subanaesthetic doses. However, few studies have looked into the potential of ketamine in combination with stress-induced analgesia. This study looks at the effects of swim stress, which is mediated by opioid receptor, on ketamine analgesia using formalin test. Morphine is used as the standard analgesic for comparison. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to 6 groups: 3 groups (stressed groups) were given saline 1ml/kg intraperitoneally (ip), morphine 10mg/kg ip or ketamine 5mg/kg ip and subjected to swim stress; 3 more groups (non-stressed groups) were given the same drugs without swim stress. Formalin test, which involved formalin injection as the pain stimulus and the pain score recorded over time, was performed on all rats ten minutes after cessation of swimming or 30 minutes after injection of drugs. Combination of swim stress and ketamine resulted in complete analgesia in the formalin test which was significantly different from ketamine alone (p<0.05) and saline with stress (p<0.01). There is no significant difference between ketamine stressed and morphine stressed. These results indicate that ketamine and swim stress act synergistically to produce profound analgesia in the formalin test. This suggests that in the clinical setting, under stressful situations such as operative stress, ketamine is capable of producing profound analgesia at a subanaesthetic dose.
Matched MeSH terms: Central Nervous System Sensitization
Schizencephaly is a very rare congenital birth defect. It is characterized by a cortical brain malformation that manifests as a grey-matter-lined cleft extending from the ependyma to the pia mater. It is a rare condition, and few cases have been reported in the literature. The exact cause is unknown. Herein, we report a case of an infant presenting with left side hemiparesis. The CT scan of her brain revealed right fronto-temporal and left parieto-temporal open-lip schizencephaly; thus, urgent referral to a pediatric neurologist was made for early intervention.
The past decade has seen a marked increase in the popularity of ATS use, particularly methamphetamine, within East Asia,and the Pacific region. In Malaysia, the National Anti Drug Agency has identified 8,870 addicts (from January till August 2008) out of which 1,126 was ATS dependence. During the same period, the police have arrested 46,388 people under the Dangerous Drug Act 1952. They also has seize 283kg of syabu, 545kg of ecstacy powder, 66194 tablets of esctacy pills and 222,376 tablets of yaba pills from Jan till August this year. The occurrence of psychosis arising from the use of ATS was first reported in the late 1930's. With growing ATS use, particularly methamphetamine, ATS-induced psychosis has become a major impact on public health.Symptoms of ATS-induced psychosis: Methamphetamine use produces a variety of effects, ranging from irritability, to physical aggression, hyperawareness, hypervigilance, and psychomotor agitation. Repeated or high-dose use of the stimulant can cause drug-induced psychosis resembling paranoid schizophrenia, characterized by hallucinations, delusions and thought disorders. When used in long term, methamphetamine may lead to development of psychiatric symptoms due to dopamine depletion in the striatum. The most common lifetime psychotic symptoms among methamphetamine psychotic patients - as reported in a cross-country study involving Australia, Japan, the Philippines and Thailand - are persecutory delusion, auditory hallucinations, strange or unusual beliefs and thought reading. Those patients were also reported to suffer from impaired speech, psychomotor retardation, depression and anxiety. An ATS psychosis can be distinguished from primary psychotic disorders by time. In ATS-induced psychosis symptoms usually resolve after the drug is discontinued. If symptoms do not resolve within 2 weeks after cessation of stimulant use, a primary psychiatric disorder should be suspected. When compared with other stimulants, such as cocaine, psychosis is induced more commonly by ATS, possibly due to the longer duration of action produced by amphetamines.For example, while smoking cocaine produces a high that lasts for 20-30 minutes, smoking methamphetamine produces a high that lasts 8-24 hours. Other symptoms of ATS-induced psychosis reported include affective blunting,(6) violent behavior, and self-mutilation and self-injurious behavior.
Matched MeSH terms: Central Nervous System Stimulants
Purposeless groaning has been reported in advanced progressive supranuclear palsy. We present a case of purposeless groaning occurring as a primary complaint in a patient with advanced Parkinson's disease. Purposeless groaning is thought to be a manifestation of disinhibition and perseveration due to frontal-subcortical dysfunction. Proper recognition of this phenomenon will help clinicians to avoid unnecessary investigations and treatment (e.g., prescription of opioid medications).
Matched MeSH terms: Nervous System Physiological Phenomena