Sleep is essential in maintaining physiological homeostasis in the brain. While the underlying mechanism is not fully understood, a ‘synaptic homeostasis’ theory has been proposed that synapses continue to strengthen during awake and undergo downscaling during sleep. This theory predicts that brain excitability increases with sleepiness. Here, we collected transcranial magnetic stimulation measurements in 38 subjects in a 34 hr program and decoded the relationship between cortical excitability and self-report sleepiness using advanced statistical methods. By utilizing a combination of partial least squares regression and mixed-effect models, we identified a robust pattern of excitability changes, which can quantitatively predict the degree of sleepiness. Moreover, we found that synaptic strengthen occurred in both excitatory and inhibitory connections after sleep deprivation. In sum, our study provides supportive evidence for the synaptic homeostasis theory in human sleep and clarifies the process of synaptic strength modulation during sleepiness.

Rationale: Concurrent calreticulin (CALR) mutation and BCR-ABL1 fusion are extremely rare in chronic myelogenous leukemia; to date, only 12 cases have been reported. Patient concerns: A 57-year-old male who had an 11-year history of essential thrombocytosis presented to our hospital with leukocytosis and marked splenomegaly for 3 months. Diagnoses: Chronic myelogenous leukemia with myeloid fibrosis arising on the background of essential thrombocytosis harboring both BCR-ABL1 fusion and type-1 like CALR mutation. Interventions: Imatinib was started at 300 mg daily and increased to 400 mg daily after 3 months; interferon was added after 12 months. Outcomes: Partial cytogenetic response was achieved after 3 months of imatinib therapy and complete cytogenetic response was achieved after 1 year of treatment. However, CALR mutation was still present with a stable mutational allele burden. Lessons: In this case report and review of additional 12 cases with simultaneous presence of CALR-mutation and BCR-ABL1 fusion, we highlighted the importance of integrating clinical, morphological, and molecular genetic data for classifying atypical myeloid neoplasms.

Purpose: The predictors of tracheostomy decannulation in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) are not comprehensively understood, making prognosis difficult. The primary objective of this study was to identify predictors of tracheostomy decannulation in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC). The secondary aim was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of the modified Evans blue dye test (MEBDT) in tracheostomized DOC patients.Methods: This retrospective study included all patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) who underwent tracheostomy and were admitted between January 2016 and September 2022. Age, sex, etiology, initial Glasgow coma scale (GCS), initial Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R), diagnosis of unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS) or minimal consciousness state (MCS), MEBDT, initial modified Rankin scale (mRS), and initial Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) were collected upon study enrollment. The relationship between clinical characteristics and cannulation status was investigated through a Cox regression model.Results: A total of 141 patients were included in the study. The average age of these patients was 52.5 ± 16.7 years, with 42 (29.8%) being women. During the study period, 86 subjects (61%) underwent successful decannulation. Univariate analysis revealed that decannulated patients exhibited a significantly better conscious state compared to those without decannulation (CRS-R: p < 0.001; GCS: p = 0.023; MCS vs. UWS: p < 0.001). Additionally, a negative modified Evans blue dye test (MEBDT) result was significantly associated with tracheostomy decannulation (p < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, successful decannulation was associated with a higher level of consciousness (MCS vs. UWS, p < 0.001, HR = 6.694) and a negative MEBDT result (negative vs. positive, p = 0.006, HR = 1.873). The Kaplan–Meier analysis further demonstrated that MEBDT-negative patients and those in the MCS category had a higher probability of decannulation at 12 months (p < 0.001).Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that a negative MEBDT result and a higher level of consciousness can serve as predictive factors for successful tracheostomy decannulation in DOC patients.

Article: Effect of early functional exercise in rehabilitation workshop on postoperative complications and functional rehabilitation of affected limbs in patients with breast cancer - Minerva Surgery 2021 Oct 29 - Minerva Medica - Journals