RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Strong evidence suggests the occurrence of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in 5-13% of stroke patients within the first week after stroke onset. The aim of this work was to study risk factors associated with occurrence of CMBs in patients with stroke who received intravenous thrombolysis, and to clarify their impact on the clinical outcome. METHODS: This prospective observational study was conducted on 61 acute ischemic stroke patients eligible for treatment with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA). Assessment of stroke-related neurologic deficit was done using National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS). Assessment of stroke related disability after 3 months from stroke onset was done using Modified Rankin Scale (mRS). CMBs were detected by T2*-weighed gradient-recalled echo (T2*-GRE) and susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sequences. RESULTS: There was a statistically significant impact of age, mean arterial pressure (MAP) at stroke onset, history of hypertension (HTN), and white matter changes assessed by Fazekas scale on the occurrence of CMBs in the included stroke patients (P-value= 0.002, <0.001, <0.001, 0.008 respectively). There was no statistically significant difference between patients with favorable and those with unfavorable outcome regarding the total number of CMBs (P-value =0.542). There was also no statistically significant difference between patients who developed complications from rt-PA and those who didn't develop regarding the total number of CMBs (P-value =0.186). CONCLUSION: Cerebral microbleeds are more likely to occur in older stroke patients and in those who had high MAP at stroke onset, history of HTN, and white matter changes.
RESUMEN
The microhabitat and surface topography of microcotylid monogenean parasites Neothoracocotyle commersoni and Pricea multae from gills of Spanish mackerels, Scomberomorus commerson was investigated. The results showed that N. commersoni was aggregated at the first gill sector while P. multae was aggregated at both first and second sectors in single infestation. In contrary, in mixed infestation, N. commersoni occupied the first sector of gills and P. multae was restricted only at the fourth sector with high intensity of infestation compared to N. commersoni. Aggregation of single species of monogenea in restricted habitat may aid cross-fertilization and hence producing of hybrids strains of parasites which might be more potent and vicious causing severe damage to the host. Surface ultrastructure of the representative monogenea showed that the tegument was provided with microvillus-like projections that suggested metabolic exchange and absorption of micromolecular nutrients from the surrounding environment. The architecture of clamps of N. commersoni was differed from that of P. multae in possessing microvillous-like projections which may act as organ of nutrition beside its principle attachment function. Ultrastructure of the clamps of both species described aid in understanding of the parasite habitat and survival.