(C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3633222]“
“Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by extracellular accumulation of amyloid deposits and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) composed of hyperphosphorylated Tau proteins. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophic factor playing a critical role in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory and whose levels have been shown reduced in AD brains. While GW4869 mw recent data

support a pivotal role of beta-amyloid peptides towards BDNF decrease, whether Tau pathology impacts on BDNF expression remains unknown so far. In the present study, we have evaluated this relationship using quantitative PCR, Western blot and ELISA in the THY-Tau22 transgenic strain, known to display a progressive development of both hippocampal AD-like Tau pathology and memory impairments. We observed that Tau pathology was not associated

with down-regulation of BDNF at the protein and mRNA levels in this model, suggesting that the alteration of BDNF homeostasis observed in AD patients’ brains might rather be ascribed LDK378 to amyloid pathology.”
“This in vitro study evaluated the roles of diet type and redox potential in the degradation of linalool, (E)- and (Z)- beta-ocimene, alpha-phellandrene, (-)-beta- pinene, (-)-alpha-pinene, (+)-alpha-pinene, sabinene, and alpha-terpinene when incubated with rumen microflora, and PARP inhibitor drugs it provided information on the time course of their disappearance. The 9 monoterpenes are found in the winter

and spring diets of dairy goats in northwestern Mediterranean grazing systems. The diets were individually exposed to rumen microflora for 3 h in 17-mL culture tubes at a concentration of 4 mu L/L. The mixed flora of the inoculum was controlled by the use of vancomycin (eliminating gram-positive bacteria) and by the energy source (starch vs. structural polysaccharides) on which rumen microflora had been grown. Redox potential was controlled by addition of L-cysteine-hydrochloride. The preliminary adaptation of microbial inoculum to a diet rich in structural carbohydrates reduced the recovery yields of (E)- and (Z)-beta-ocimene, (-)-alpha-pinene, (-)-alpha-pinene, (+)-alpha-pinene, and sabinene (P < 0.01), whereas vancomycin was without effect. The effect of carbohydrate source likely stems from the specific composition of the microbial community rather than from its acidogenic capacity. Reducing the culture redox potential by 50 mV reduced the recovery yields of linear and monocyclic terpenes (P < 0.02), and the culture redox potential interacted with the inoculum source for (E)- and (Z)-beta-ocimene and for alpha-phellandrene. The time course of terpene disappearance was studied by exposing terpenes to a rumen microflora adapted either to starch or to fiber for 3, 6, or 24 h.

THA showed reproducible XRPD profiles, but THM showed fluctuating intensities in some specific peaks in the profiles. The linear calibration models were evaluated based on calibration XRPD datasets of the standard materials by various methods. In the result based on validation XRPD datasets, the order of the mean bias and the mean accuracy were peak height > peak area > Wakelin’s > PCR, indicating that PCR was the best method to correct sample crystal orientation. The effectiveness of the PCR method in construction of calibration models was

discussed by a scientific approach based on regression vectors.”
“Epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) triglycerides were reacted with maleinized polybutadiene (MMPBD) to give plant-oil-based thermoset

polymers. MMPBD samples were of two different molecular weights [high-molecular-weight selleck chemical maleinized polybutadiene (MMPBD-H), maleate content = 10%, number-average molecular weight (M(n)) = 9000, and low-molecular-weight maleinized polybutadiene (MMPBD-L), maleate content 15%, M(n) = 5000]. To increase the crosslink density of the product, a free-radical initiator, benzoyl peroxide, was added to this mixture to further crosslink MMPBD through its double bonds. The characterizations of the products were done by dynamic Ganetespib in vivo mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and IR spectroscopy. The ESO-MMPBD polymers were crosslinked rigid infusible polymers. ESO-MMPBD-H-1 : 1 and ESO-MMPBD-L-1 : 1 showed glass-transition temperature values at -23, 78 and -17, 64 degrees C, respectively, whereas the storage moduli of the two polymers at 25 degrees C were 13 and 16 MPa, respectively. The storage moduli of the polymers remained the same or decreased with the addition of a free-radical initiator. The storage moduli also decreased with increasing ESO concentration above a 1 : 1 epoxy-to-anhydride

MGCD0103 molar ratio. The surface hardness increased dramatically, and the equilibrium swelling ratio decreased with the addition of free-radical initiator. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 120: 116-123, 2011″
“Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a progressive inflammatory lung disease associated with increasing morbidity and mortality and an economic burden that stretches beyond the patient to healthcare systems. Avoiding exacerbations and subsequent hospitalizations is an important clinical aim and can avoid significant costs associated with the disease. International guidelines recommend the addition of an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) to a long-acting beta(2)-adrenoceptor agonist (LABA) for patients with severe to very severe COPD and a history of exacerbations.

Study design. Seventy patients with clearance <20 mL/min/1.73 m(2) were evaluated; 40 were predialysis, 21 hemodialysis, and 9 peritoneal dialysis, and they were matched with 70 control subjects. Salivary flow rate was measured and submandibular/sublingual saliva collected. Analyses were performed for whole protein content using a protein assay, and levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, interleukin (IL) 1 beta, gamma-interferon (gamma-INF), IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP) 1, and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule (sICAM) 1, by using Luminex technology.

Results. Patients with CKD had lower (P = .03) stimulated salivary

secretion rate and higher salivary whole protein concentration (P = .002) than control subjects. Concentrations of IL-8 (P = .03) and MCP-1 (P = .002) were decreased and TNF-alpha/IL-10 Danusertib inhibitor (P = LY2090314 ic50 .05) and IL-8/IL10 (P = .03) ratios were decreased in CKD patients. CKD patients with low secretion levels of stimulated saliva expressed decreased levels of TNF-alpha (P = .04), IL-1 beta (P = .02), gamma-INF (P = .03), IL-6 (P = .003),

IL-8 (P = .005), MCP-1 (P = .006), and sICAM-1 (P = .02).

Conclusions. Salivary cytokines and secretion rates are significantly decreased in CKD patients. Further research is necessary to understand operating mechanisms and clinical implications of the down-regulation of inflammatory markers in saliva. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2010; 110: 597-604)”
“Mitochondrial DNA sequences can be used to estimate phylogenetic relationships among animal taxa and for molecular phylogenetic evolution analysis. With the development of sequencing technology, more and more mitochondrial sequences have been made available in public databases,

including whole mitochondrial DNA sequences. These data have been used for phylogenetic analysis of animal species, and for MK 2206 studies of evolutionary processes. We made phylogenetic analyses of 19 species of Cervidae, with Bos taurus as the outgroup. We used neighbor joining, maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian inference methods on whole mitochondrial genome sequences. The consensus phylogenetic trees supported monophyly of the family Cervidae; it was divided into two subfamilies, Plesiometacarpalia and Telemetacarpalia, and four tribes, Cervinae, Muntiacinae, Hydropotinae, and Odocoileinae. The divergence times in these families were estimated by phylogenetic analysis using the Bayesian method with a relaxed molecular clock method; the results were consistent with those of previous studies. We concluded that the evolutionary structure of the family Cervidae can be reconstructed by phylogenetic analysis based on whole mitochondrial genomes; this method could be used broadly in phylogenetic evolutionary analysis of animal taxa.”
“The compositional evolution in sputter deposited LiCoO2 thin films is influenced by process parameters involved during deposition.

It is imperative for clinicians treating individuals with scoliosis to be aware of the most common etiologies of neurogenic factors as well as be cognizant of the neurosurgical approaches to treating these conditions in a pre-emptive fashion. This will serve to minimize potential neurological complications and offer improved surgical outcomes after instrumentation.

Methods. Current therapeutic approaches were outlined for various etiologies of neurogenic scoliosis as well as neurosurgical management of the tethered cord, spinal cord SYN-117 inhibitor tumors in addition to current challenges surrounding Chiari malformations and syringomyelia.

Results. Timely recognition of these frequently progressive

conditions may not only prevent irreversible neurologic compromise but may also help to ameliorate or stabilize concurrent scoliosis. Tethered cords are best treated by releasing the affected cord and offers the best opportunity to stabilize or

improve the scoliosis. Syringomyelia, often associated with a Chiari malformation, is a well-known progenitor of scoliosis, and addressing the underlying cause with a Chiari decompression frequently leads to a reduction or resolution of the syrinx and may result in a concomitant improvement in scoliosis.

Conclusion. Surveillance MRI should be undertaken for scoliosis when GS-9973 there are clinical indications consistent for a tethered cord, spinal cord tumor, or Chiari malformation and associated syringomyelia.”
“We investigated the prevalence of migraine (MIG), tension-type

headache (TTH), and chronic headache in a population-based sample in Germany. A total of 18,000 subjects aged between 18 and 65 years were screened from 2003 until 2005 using a validated questionnaire. Overall 9,944 participants (55.2%) responded (mean age 43 +/- A 13.1 years, 52.7% women). Headache frequency < 15 days/month was reported by 5,350 (55.5%) subjects of whom 1,601 (16.6%, [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 15.9-17.4]) reported episodic MIG, 1,202 (12.5%, 95% CI 11.8-13.1) episodic TTH, and 1,150 (11.9%, Selleckchem Autophagy inhibitor [11.3-12.6]) episodic MIG + episodic TTH, 1,396 (14.5%, [13.8-15.2]) unclassifiable headache. In women, episodic MIG peaked between 36 and 40 years, episodic MIG + TTH between 18 and 35 years and episodic TTH between 56 and 66 years. In men, episodic MIG was predominant between 36 and 45 years, episodic MIG + TTH between 26 and 35 years and episodic TTH showed comparable frequency between 36 and 66 years. Headache a parts per thousand yen15 days/month was reported by 2.6% (n = 255, [95% CI 2.3-3]). Chronic MIG was reported by 1.1% (n = 108, [0.91-1.33]), chronic TTH (n = 50, [95% CI 0.4-0.7]), chronic MIG + TTH 0.8% (n = 74, 95% CI 0.6-0.9) and unclassifiable headache 0.2% (n = 23, [95% CI 0.1-0.3]). Chronic headache was more frequent in women compared to men with the highest prevalence between 46 and 65 years.

The data sets were analyzed using logistic regression, and likelihood ratio and Wald tests for the incremental contribution of X* were performed. The patient-specific predictors for each ALK inhibitor of the models were then used as data for a test comparing the two AUCs. Under the null, the size of the likelihood ratio and Wald tests were close to nominal, but the area test was extremely conservative, with test sizes less than 0.006 for all configurations studied. Where X* was associated with outcome, the area test had much lower power

than the likelihood ratio and Wald tests.

Summary: Evaluation of the statistical significance of a new predictor when there are existing clinical predictors is most appropriately

accomplished in the context of a regression model. Although comparison of AUCs is a conceptually equivalent approach to the likelihood ratio and Wald test, it has vastly inferior statistical properties. Use of both approaches will frequently AC220 nmr lead to inconsistent conclusions. Nonetheless, comparison of receiver operating characteristic curves remains a useful descriptive tool for initial evaluation of whether a new predictor might be of clinical relevance.”
“Objective: Three-dimensional fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (3D-FLAIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has recently been applied to the inner ear, but the relationship between 3D-FLAIR findings and

audiovestibular function has been unclear in patients with sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). We therefore used 3D-FLAIR MRI to investigate vestibular lesions in patients with SSNHL and determined the correlation between these radiologic findings and results of audiovestibular function tests.

Study Design: Prospective study.

Methods: We enrolled 35 patients who presented with SSNHL from 2008 to 2009. Before treatment, all patients underwent audiovestibular evaluation including pure tone audiometry, electronystagmography, subjective visual vertical, subjective visual horizontal, vestibular evoked myogenic potential, and caloric tests. Pathologic conditions of Volasertib concentration the inner ears were evaluated by 3D-FLAIR at 3 Tesla, with and without gadolinium enhancement.

Results: Of the 35 patients with SSNHL, 12 (34.3%) showed high signals in the affected inner ear on precontrast 3D-FLAIR MRI. Rates of abnormal results on all vestibular function tests were significantly higher for patients with vestibular lesions than those without vestibular lesions on FLAIR (p < 0.05). Vestibular lesions significantly correlated with the presence of vertigo (relative risk, 3.857; 95% confidence interval, 2.039-7.297) and occurrence of vestibular dysfunction (p < 0.05).

(C) 2011 Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology. Published

by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“A selleck chemicals case of avascular necrosis of whirlbone in a young man affected by multiple sclerosis and treated with high doses of corticosteroids is described. The authors discuss the causes of this collateral effect underlining the risks of underevaluating the symptoms.”
“Background: Atrial action potential duration (APD) has been shown to decrease with increasing distance from the sinoatrial node in several species, including humans. This gradient has been postulated to be cardioprotective by reducing repolarization gradients.

Objectives: This study tests the effect of the APD gradient on reentry initiation and characteristics.

Methods: This study used a geometrically accurate atrial computer model to examine arrhythmogenic consequences of an APD gradient on reentry initiation by ectopic beats applied at several locations. As well, dominant frequency maps of any ensuing reentries were analyzed to determine how APD gradients affected rotor behaviour.

Results: When the APD gradient was increased, anatomic reentry that used the coronary sinus as a critical pathway was prevented, but initiation

of functional reentry was unaffected. If a rotor did form, APD gradients led to more disorganized behaviour. For rotors circulating around A-1155463 the pulmonary veins, discrete interatrial coupling accounted for left atrium-right atrium frequency gradients, irrespective of an APD gradient.

Conclusions: Gradients are protective against anatomic reentry but also increase the complexity of arrhythmias IPI-145 manufacturer that arise.”
“Thrombocytopenia is a major adverse effect of several drug treatments.

Rifampicin has been recognized as a cause of immune thrombocytopenia. A 68-year-old woman diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis was taking the standard four-drug antituberculosis regimen for 4 months. She presented with decreased responsiveness and headache. Brain MRI revealed subdural hemorrhage along the falx cerebri and high convexity. The platelet count was 8,000 mu L(-1). Intracranial hemorrhage due to rifampicin-induced thrombocytopenia has not, to our knowledge, been previously reported. We report a patient with acute subdural hemorrhage associated with rifampicin-induced thrombocytopenia.”
“As the world’s population ages, hip fractures pose a significant health care problem. Hip fractures in the elderly are associated with impaired mobility, and increased morbidity and mortality. Associated conditions, such as osteoporosis, medical comorbidity, and dementia, pose a significant concern and determine optimal treatment. One-year mortality rates currently range from 14% to 36%, and care for these patients represents a major global economic burden. The incidence of hip fractures is bimodal in its distribution.

“
“Pain catastrophizing often has been measured using the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Studies of the PCS nearly consistently support its three-factor structure (i.e., helplessness, magnification, and rumination) and satisfactory psychometric properties across different countries and languages. This study aimed to assess the generalizability of the three-factor structure of the PCS to Korean patients with chronic non-cancer pain and to investigate reliability, measurement error, and construct validity of a Korean version of the PCS (K-PCS).

A total of 182 patients with chronic pain seeking treatment in a tertiary pain center

located in Seoul, Korea, participated.

Confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated the adequacy of the three-factor structure of the K-PCS; MDV3100 molecular weight ‘helplessness,’ ‘magnification,’ and ‘rumination.’ The internal consistency

for ‘helplessness,’ ‘magnification,’ ‘rumination,’ and total scale of the K-PCS were Cronbach’s alpha = .90, .71, .86, and .93, respectively; test-retest stability, ICC = .77, .73, .65, and .79, respectively; the standard estimation of measurement, 1.93, 1.34, 2.13, and 3.72, respectively; the minimum detectable change, 5.33, 3.70, 5.89, and 10.28, respectively; and the limits of agreement, -7.66 to 9.20, -5.07 to 5.01, -7.30 to 6.86, and -15.26 Nutlin-3 clinical trial to 16.46, respectively. this website At least moderate positive correlations were observed between the K-PCS and pain intensity, depression, and pain-related anxiety, and moderate negative correlations between the K-PCS and physical and psychological functioning.

The K-PCS has the reliability, measurement error, and construct validity support for assessing pain catastrophizing in a Korean patient sample with chronic non-cancer pain.”
“Polymer-clay nanocomposites based on poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) / polystyrene

sulfonate (PEDOT) : PSS and nanoclay montmorillonite were synthesized and characterized. The doping of PEDOT with polystyrene sulfonate made it water dispersible (PEDOT-PSS). Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) and ionic liquid were used to increase the interlayer spacing and the conductivity of the nanocomposites, respectively. The nanocomposite was characterized by various techniques, such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), TEM, surface resistivity, and thermogravimetric measurement analysis. Interlayer spacing increased as a result of the addition of SDBS, and this was confirmed by the 20 shift observed via XRD analysis. The surface morphology of the conductive coated clav was examined by TEM analysis. Good electrical surface conductivity, interlayer spacing, and polymer coating were observed for the material prepared using the surfactant and conductive ionic liquid (C) 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The length of the cloned cDNA fragment was 492 bp; it contained an open-reading frame of 456 bp, encoding 151 amino acids. The length of the genomic sequence is 3421 bp; it contains four exons and three introns. Alignment analysis indicates

that the nucleotide sequence shares a high degree of homology with those of Homo sapiens, Bos taurus, Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus, Gallus gallus, Xenopus laevis, and Danio rerio (93.64, 83.37, 92.54, 91.89, 87.28, 84.21, and 84.87%, respectively). Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of the giant panda with those of these other species revealed that the RPS14 of giant panda is highly homologous NSC 19893 with those of B. taurus, R. norvegicus and D. rerio (85.99, 99.34 and 99.34%, respectively), and is 100% identical with the others. This degree of conservation of RPS14 suggests evolutionary selection. Topology prediction shows that there

are two N-glycosylation sites, three protein kinase C phosphorylation sites, two casein kinase II phosphorylation sites, four N-myristoylation sites, two amidation sites, and one ribosomal protein S11 signature in the RPS14 protein of the giant panda. The RPS14 gene can be readily expressed in Escherichia coli. When it was fused with the N-terminally His-tagged protein, it gave rise to accumulation of an expected 22-kDa polypeptide, in good agreement with the predicted molecular weight. The expression product obtained can be purified for studies of its function.”
“Background The present study examined the long-term cognitive implications of cancer treatment among breast cancer survivors aged 65years and older to better Nirogacestat cost understand the long term implications of cancer treatment. Methods Fifty-seven women survivors were compared with 30 healthy older female adult comparisons, matched in terms of age and education, with no history of

EPZ004777 clinical trial cancer. Cancer survivors were also compared on the basis of treatment intervention, involving chemotherapy (n=27) versus local therapy through surgery and radiation (n=30). Results As a group, the breast cancer survivors scored lower on measures of general cognitive function, working memory, psychomotor speed, and executive function when compared with the normal comparisons. Among the cancer survivors, those who received local therapy scored lower than the other survivors and normal comparisons on measures of verbal learning, visual perception and construction, as well as visual attention and short-term retention. Conclusions Our findings suggest that cognitive outcomes may involve greater age-related deficits among older cancer survivors compared with matched healthy subjects. Copyright (c) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.”
“Cyclooxygenases are encoded by COX-1 and COX-2. They share over sixty percent sequence identity in human and are similar to each other in their crystallographic structures.

Results: Submesothelial connective tissue thickness was significantly greater in the DM group than in the nonDM group (p < 0.01). The number of capillaries was significantly greater in the DM group (p < 0.01). Based on multivariate linear regression analysis, diabetes was identified as a significant independent variable of both submesothelial connective tissue thickness and number of capillaries (p < 0.01).

Conclusions: In diabetic patients, morphologic changes of the peritoneum are marked at the start of PD. Perit Dial Int 2013; 33(2):175-181 www.PDIConnect.com epub ahead of print: 01 Sep 2012 doi:10.3747/pdi.2011.00205″
“An n=7 Aurivillius phase, Sr4Bi4Ti7O24, with c=6.44 nm, was synthesized

Bromosporine as an epitaxial (001)-oriented film. This phase and Daporinad solubility dmso its purity were confirmed by x-ray diffraction and

transmission electron microscopy. The material is ferroelectric, with a P-r=5.3 mu C/cm(2) oriented in the (001) plane and a paraelectric-to-ferroelectric transition temperature of T-C=324 K. Some indications of relaxorlike behavior are observed. Such behavior is out of character for Srn-1Bi2TinO3n+3 Aurivillius phases and is closer to the bulk behavior of doped SrTiO3, implying a spatial limit to the elastic interlayer interactions in these layered oxides. A finite-element solution to the interpretation of data from interdigitated capacitors on thin films is also described.”
“Purpose: To investigate homology and stress response of p53 (a 53 kDa tumor suppressor protein) orthologue in Sf9 Lepidopteran

insect cell line that exhibits very high radioresistance. Materials and methods: Western immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation, PKC412 degenerate RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction), electrophoretic gel mobility shift assay, flow cytometry and immuno-fluorescence microscopy were used for characterizing structural and functional features of Sfp53 (Spodoptera frugiperda p53) in -irradiated or etoposide-treated Sf9 insect and BMG-1 (brain malignant glioma) human cells. Cells were pre-treated with caffeine for inhibiting ATM/ATR (ataxia-telangiectasia mutated protein/ATM and Rad-3-related protein) activation, wherever required. Results: A 47-49 kDa protein band was observed with antibodies against three different epitopes, demonstrating conservation of respective domains in Sfp53. Immunoprecipitation also yielded similar-sized protein. Degenerate RT-PCR resulted in product of same size in both cell lines. Similar gel mobility shift of p53-binding oligonucleotide with BMG-1 and Sf9 cell lysates indicated analogous transcriptional activity of Sfp53. Constitutive Sfp53 level was higher than hp53 (human p53) and showed primarily cytoplasmic localization. Radiation-induced accumulation was considerably less in Sf9 even as an analogous ATM/ATR-dependent nuclear translocation was observed following -irradiation and etoposide.

The same factors were assessed in order to characterize insufficient excess weight loss (< 50% EWL).

Review of the medical records of 149 patients showed that type-2 diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia were the most important factors related

to a lower EWL up to the third year. Preoperative weight loss, lower schooling, and lack of adherence to nutritional guidelines were important after 2 and 3 years. The presence of depression and lack of adherence to nutritional guidelines were the factors related to EWL of less than 50%.

Special attention and clarification should be provided to patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 and dyslipidemia and to patients with depression and lower schooling, since these patients tend to lose less excess weight after surgery. Multiprofessional care should also be provided so that the patients will follow nutritional guidelines more rigorously after surgery.”
“Severe heart failure in children is uncommon. www.selleckchem.com/products/ulixertinib-bvd-523-vrt752271.html The anesthetic management of children with this condition is challenging. The authors aimed to identify the frequency with which anesthesia for short noncardiac surgical procedures or investigations was complicated by life-threatening hemodynamic instability and to describe the anesthetic techniques used. This study retrospectively reviewed the anesthetic charts and notes of children admitted acutely with a diagnosis of severe heart failure (fractional shortening of 15% or less) who selleck received GSK1838705A cell line general anesthesia for noncardiac

surgical or diagnostic interventions during the 3-year period from September 2005 to September 2008. In this study, 21 children received a total of 28 general anesthetics. Two patients (10%) experienced a cardiac arrest, and both required unplanned admission to the authors’ pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) postoperatively. A variety of anesthetic techniques was used. In 27 (96%) of the 28 cases, perioperative inotropic support was required. General anesthesia for children with severe heart failure is associated with a significant complication rate and should be administered by anesthetists familiar with managing all aspects of circulatory support for children in an appropriate setting.”
“Tonic spasms

have been most commonly associated with multiple sclerosis. To date, few reports of series of patients with neuromyelitis optica and tonic spasms have been published. Methods: We analyzed the characteristics and frequency of tonic spasms in 19 subjects with neuromyelitis optica. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire for tonic spasms, by both retrospectively reviewing medical records and performing clinical assessment. Results: All patients except one developed this symptom. The main triggering factors were sudden movements and emotional factors. Spasms were commonly associated to sensory disturbances and worsened during the acute phases of the disease. Carbamazepine was most commonly used to treat the symptom and patients showed good response to the drug.