关键词： COVID-19   neuro-COVID   neurologic manifestations   quality of life   SARS-CoV-2  

摘要： Background and purpose To assess neurological manifestations and health-related quality of life (QoL) 3 months after COVID-19. Methods In this prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study we systematically evaluated neurological signs and diseases by detailed neurological examination and a predefined test battery assessing smelling disorders (16-item Sniffin Sticks test), cognitive deficits (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), QoL (36-item Short Form), and mental health (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-5) 3 months after disease onset. Results Of 135 consecutive COVID-19 patients, 31 (23%) required intensive care unit (ICU) care (severe), 72 (53%) were admitted to the regular ward (moderate), and 32 (24%) underwent outpatient care (mild) during acute disease. At the 3-month follow-up, 20 patients (15%) presented with one or more neurological syndromes that were not evident before COVID-19. These included polyneuro/myopathy (n = 17, 13%) with one patient presenting with Guillain-Barre syndrome, mild encephalopathy (n = 2, 2%), parkinsonism (n = 1, 1%), orthostatic hypotension (n = 1, 1%), and ischemic stroke (n = 1, 1%). Objective testing revealed hyposmia/anosmia in 57/127 (45%) patients at the 3-month follow-up. Self-reported hyposmia/anosmia was lower (17%) at 3 months, however, improved when compared to the acute disease phase (44%;p < 0.001). At follow-up, cognitive deficits were apparent in 23%, and QoL was impaired in 31%. Assessment of mental health revealed symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorders in 11%, 25%, and 11%, respectively. Conclusions Despite recovery from the acute infection, neurological symptoms were prevalent at the 3-month follow-up. Above all, smelling disorders were persistent in a large proportion of patients.

关键词： Brain death   End of life   Chaplain   Religion   Ethics   Family   Spiritual  

摘要： Background To enhance knowledge about religious objections to brain death/death by neurologic criteria (BD/DNC), we surveyed hospital chaplains about their experience with and beliefs about BD/DNC. Methods We distributed an online survey to five chaplaincy organizations between February and July 2019. Results There were 512 respondents from all regions of the USA;they were predominantly Christian (450 of 497;91%), board certified (413 of 490;84%), and employed by community hospitals (309 of 511;61%). Half (274 of 508;56%) of the respondents had been involved in a case in which a family objected to BD/DNC on the basis of their religious beliefs. In 20% of cases involving a religious objection, the patient was Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, or Muslim. Most respondents believed that a person who is declared brain dead in accordance with the American Academy of Neurology standard is dead (427 of 510;84%). A minority of respondents believed that a family should be able to choose whether an assessment for determination of BD/DNC is performed (81 of 512;16%) or whether organ support is discontinued after BD/DNC (154 of 510;30%). These beliefs were all significantly related to lack of awareness that BD/DNC is the medical and legal equivalent of cardiopulmonary death throughout the USA and that organ support is routinely discontinued after BD/DNC, outside of organ donation. Conclusions Hospital chaplains, who work at the intersection between religion and medicine, commonly encounter religious objections to BD/DNC. To prepare them for these situations, they should receive additional education about BD/DNC and management of religious objections to BD/DNC.

摘要： Widespread use of antiretroviral drugs for pregnant/breastfeeding females with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has led to declining vertical transmission. Despite being HIV-uninfected, the increasing number of children who are HIV-exposed and uninfected (CHEU) often present with developmental alterations. We review seminal and recent evidence on the neurological development of CHEU and associations with early life HIV/antiretroviral exposure. Our conceptual model highlights the numerous exposures and universal risk factors for CHEU developmental disorders. Early studies suggest a significant association between HIV exposure and neurological abnormalities, varying according to the burden of HIV-specific exposures and other risk factors. More recent observations from the modern era are inconsistent, although some studies suggest specific antiretrovirals may adversely affect neurological development of CHEU. As the CHEU population continues to grow, alongside simultaneous increases in types and combinations of antiretrovirals used in pregnancy, long-term monitoring of CHEU is necessary for understanding the effects of HIV/antiretroviral exposure on CHEU developmental outcomes.

关键词： Glucose   triglyceride   insulin resistance   single subcortical infarct   stroke  

摘要： Background The research about the influence of triglyceride-glucose index on early prognosis in stroke is lacking. Aims In this study, we evaluated the association between triglyceride-glucose index and early neurological deterioration in patients with single subcortical infarctions. Methods Consecutive patients with single subcortical infarctions within 72 h of symptom onset between 2011 and 2015. Early neurological deterioration was defined as an increase of >= 2 in the total NIHSS score or >= 1 in the motor NIHSS score. The triglyceride-glucose index was calculated using the log scale of fasting triglyceride (mg/dL) x fasting glucose (mg/dL)/2. Results A total of 305 patients with single subcortical infarctions were evaluated. In multivariable analysis, the triglyceride-glucose index (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.94, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.58-5.45) and age (aOR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.01-1.09) were associated with early neurological deterioration. In subgroup analysis according to the type of single subcortical infarctions, only patients with proximal single subcortical infarctions showed a significant association between the triglyceride-glucose index and early neurological deterioration (aOR = 2.92, 95% CI = 1.35-6.29). On the other hand, there was no statistical significance in patients with distal single subcortical infarctions. Patients with untreated diabetes also showed the close association between the triglyceride-glucose index and early neurological deterioration (aOR = 3.94, 95% CI = 1.47-10.52). Conclusions The triglyceride-glucose index was associated with early neurological deterioration in single subcortical infarctions. This association differed depending on the location of lesion and the presence of untreated diabetes.

关键词： COVID-19   GFAp   NfL   SARS-CoV-2   total tau  

摘要： Background and purpose: Neurological symptoms have been frequently reported in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), and biomarkers of central nervous system (CNS) injury are reported to be increased in plasma but not extensively studied in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). This study examined CSF for biomarkers of CNS injury and other pathology in relation to neurological symptoms and disease severity in patients with neurological manifestations of COVID-19. Methods: Nineteen patients with neurological symptoms and mild to critical COVID-19 were prospectively included. Extensive analysis of CSF, including measurement of biomarkers of CNS injury (neurofilament light chain [NfL] protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAp], and total tau), was performed and compared to neurological features and disease severity. Results: Neurological symptoms included altered mental status (42%), headache (42%), and central (21%) and peripheral weakness (32%). Two patients demonstrated minor pleocytosis, and four patients had increased immunoglobulin G levels in CSF. Neuronal autoantibody testing using commercial tests was negative in all patients. Increased CSF levels of NfL protein, total tau, and GFAp were seen in 63%, 37%, and 16% of patients, respectively. Increased NfL protein correlated with disease severity, time in intensive care, and level of consciousness. NfL protein in CSF was higher in patients with central neurological symptoms. Conclusions: Although limited by the small sample size, our data suggest that levels of NfL protein, GFAp, and total tau in CSF are commonly elevated in patients with COVID-19 with neurological symptoms. This is in contrast to the standard CSF workup where pathological findings are scarce. NfL protein, in particular, is associated with central neurological symptoms and disease severity.