Biomedical subjects

Aninda B Acharya

Publications and source records attributed to Aninda B Acharya.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Effect of testosterone on functional recovery in a castrate male rat stroke model.

Both increased and decreased testosterone levels have been reported to correlate with poor outcome after acute ischemic stroke. The present study focused on the role of testosterone during recovery from neurological deficits in a rat focal ischemia model. Castrate male rats were subjected to behavioral tests after 90 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). On day 7 post-MCAO, neurological deficit-matched rats were assigned to a treatment group implanted with subcutaneous testosterone pellets or a control group implanted with sham cholesterol pellets. After 4 weeks post-MCAO, the average infarct volume was not significantly different between the two groups. Rats in the testosterone group demonstrated significantly earlier improvement in neurological deficits and shortened latency of adhesive tape removal compared with the control group as analyzed by Wilcoxon signed ranks test. Walking on parallel bars improved in both groups with a trend towards early recovery observed in the testosterone group. Biased left body swings persisted during the test period in both groups post-MCAO. Serum testosterone was within physiological levels in the treatment group but was not detectable in the control group by radioimmunoassay. GAP-43 and synaptophysin expression did not differ between groups. Less GFAP expression and reactive astrocyte hypertrophy were found around the infarct area in testosterone-treated rats compared with control rats. In conclusion, testosterone replacement post-MCAO accelerated functional recovery in castrate rats, suggesting a potential therapeutic role for testosterone replacement in stroke recovery.

Androgens↗

PubMed2005

Improving pilot response to in-flight strokes: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: When a passenger suffers an in-flight stroke (IFS), the pilot decides when to expedite access to ground care. Pilot pro-activeness towards IFS could improve outcome and should be promoted. Unfortunately, little is known about a pilot's stroke pro-activeness or limiting factors. METHODS: Randomized controlled trial of an educational intervention (American Stroke Association, 30-slide stroke awareness lecture) through an internet-based computer system using pilot students and instructors as subjects. Pilots completed pre-intervention and post-intervention tests of 25 simulated in-flight scenarios that describe strokes and other neurological and medical symptoms. Outcomes chosen were the percentage of pilots that would use a medical radio service, declare an emergency on board, or divert to the nearest airport for each scenario. RESULTS: Participant pilots (n = 104) were less likely to respond to IFS than to myocardial infarction (p < 0.001). Fear of retaliation by an employer was the most important modifiable limitation. The educational program increased the simulated rate of emergency declarations for in-flight vertebrobasilar strokes (p < 0.001) and subarachnoid hemorrhage (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Pilot-simulated response to certain IFS improves immediately after this educational intervention, which should be disseminated in schools and airlines. Further studies are needed to determine the long-term benefits of this intervention and the impact on actual diversion rates. Companies should also review their policies to shield pilots from retaliation when altering the flight plan for patients.

Aviation↗

PubMed2005

Blood pressure surge precedes intracerebral hemorrhage.

INTRODUCTION: Most patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) have very high blood pressure (BP) on presentation, but it is unclear whether such pressure elevation is the cause or a consequence of the ICH. This controversy could be clarified by determining the exact temporal relationship between the BP elevation and the onset of the ICH. Several case reports have attributed ICH to specific situations in which the BP was inferred to be high. Unfortunately, those cases lacked continuous monitoring of BP and neurological exam. METHODS: Single case observation in a University-based tertiary medical center. RESULTS: A neurologically intact 64-year-old woman whose BP and neurological status were monitored during admission to a medical intensive care unit. The patient suddenly developed a decreased level of consciousness and a right hemispheric syndrome 3.5 hours after demonstrating systolic BP values in the range 200 mmHg. An unenhanced computed tomography scan of the brain demonstrated a right ICH. CONCLUSION: In this monitored case, the BP surge clearly preceded the onset of neurological symptoms by 3.5 hours, supporting the view that the acute BP elevation was the cause of ICH.

Blood Pressure↗