Background: Sympathetic control of the circulation is considerably affected by female reproductive hormones. Sudomotor function can be easily evaluated with sympathetic skin response (SSR). Although studies reveal that SSR amplitude decreases with hormone replacement therapy, the effect of estrogen on SSR is unclear. Measuring axonal excitability provides information about the physiological and physical properties of axonal ion channels and nerves. Axonal excitability tests may also give valuable information about the pathophysiology underlying neuronal disorders. In this study, we investigate the influence of female hormones, especially estrogen, on neuronal excitability and the sympathetic nervous system. Methods: SSR and strength–duration time constant (SDTC) tests were conducted on healthy women with a mean age of 26 ± 4 years with regular menstrual cycles. The tests were performed during the first 3 days of the menstrual cycle when the level of estrogen is at its lowest and 2 days before ovulation when the estrogen is at its highest level. Results: SDTC, rheobase, and the latency of SSR were found to be relatively shorter at 2 days before ovulation when compared with the values of the first 3 days of the menstrual cycle. However, the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Discussion: The SDTC and SSR values in the 2 days before ovulation and the first 3 days of the menstrual cycle did not show any significant differences. We suggested that these parameters do not affect neuronal excitability associated with varied estrogen levels. Conclusion: Further research will be required to fully understand the influence of sex hormones on the nervous system in menstrual cycles, which can suggest underlying mechanisms of various diseases that are linked with autonomic and hormonal alterations.

Objectives: Patients are frequently referred to electrophysiology laboratories by physicians from various specialties with a presumptive diagnosis of radiculopathy. Recent advances in spinal imaging techniques have led to an increase in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies in the diagnosis of radiculopathy. This study aimed to compare these two techniques in the diagnosis of radiculopathy. Subjects and Methods: Data of 170 patients who were diagnosed as having radiculopathy using electrophysiologic studies in our laboratory by defining a myotome level and who had spinal MRI examinations in our hospital database were included in the study. Results: Among the 170 patients in our study, 40% (n = 68) had cervical radiculopathy and 60% (n = 102) had lumbar radiculopathy. In the electrophysiologic diagnosis of radiculopathy, the most sensitive root level of electromyography (EMG) was the C7 radix level in the cervical region and the L5 level in the lumbar region. Correlations between radiologic grading based on foraminal assessments for radicular involvement at the cervical region using MRI and EMG data showed fair agreement in C5, C7, and C8 radix levels (κ: 0.21–0.40), and the lumbar region showed fair agreement in L4 and L5 radix levels (κ: 0.21–0.40). Conclusion: Although EMG has indisputable importance in the diagnosis of radiculopathy, its use with MRI significantly increases the diagnostic power at most spinal levels.

Background and Purpose: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is one of the rare causes of cerebrovascular disease and has an extremely heterogeneous prognosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential relationship between early neurological deterioration, poor clinical outcome in CVST and the venous collateral score. Materials and Methods: A total of 121 patients diagnosed with CVST between 2010 and 2020 were retrospectively included. The demographic, clinical, and radiological findings related to venous sinus thrombosis and early neurological deterioration were investigated in relation to the clinical outcome. Results: The factors associated with early neurological deterioration were superior sagittal sinus thrombosis (P < 0.001), sinus rectus thrombosis (P = 0.031), parenchymal lesions (P < 0.001), and venous collateral score (P < 0.001). The factors associated with poor clinical outcome were superior sagittal sinus thrombosis (P < 0.001), cortical vein thrombosis (P < 0.001), venous collateral score (P < 0.001), and initial clinical symptoms. Binary logistic regression analyses revealed poor clinical outcome as a significant variable, with a venous collateral scale of 0 or 1 as a risk factor for a poor outcome (significance of the model P < 0.001). Conclusion: Early neurologic deterioration and poor clinical outcome may occur due to poor collateralization in CVST. Identifying the subgroup of CVST patients at risk of clinical deterioration is therefore important. This study highlights the clinical importance of venous collaterals; however, larger prospective multicenter studies are required to confirm the relationship with venous collaterals in patients with CVST.

Background: Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) is a chronic, progressive disease caused by a persistent infection of the measles virus. Despite extensive efforts, the exact neurodegeneration mechanism in SSPE remains unknown. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as an essential part of cellular antiviral defense mechanisms and can be modulated by antiviral cytokines Such as interferon-beta (IFN-β). Aims and Objectives: In this study, we aimed to elucidate the role of antiviral miRNAs in the pathogenesis of SSPE and analyze the interaction between host antiviral miRNAs and virus genes. Materials and Methods: Thirty-seven patients who were followed with SSPE and age-matched healthy children were included in the study. Peripheral blood mononuclear cell levels of miR-196b, miR-296, miR-431, and miR-448 were analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Target predictions and pathway constructions of deregulated miRNAs were assessed. Results: Here, we showed that IFN-β-modulated miR-196b, miR-296, and miR-431 were significantly upregulated in patients with SSPE compared with healthy controls. Besides, sequence complementarity analysis showed that miR-296 and miR-196b predicted binding regions in measles virus genomic RNA. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that antiviral miRNAs are upregulated in patients with SSPE, which could be a part of the host antiviral defense mechanism.

Objective: The aim of the study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Telehealth Usability Questionnaire (TUQ) and the Telemedicine Satisfaction Questionnaire (TSQ) into Turkish and also to analyze the reliability and validity of both questionnaires. Materials and Methods: A total of 107 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients were recruited. The department clinician monitored all participants with telemedicine for 4 years. Internal consistency was evaluated with Cronbach's alpha coefficient. The test–retest reliability was calculated with intraclass correlation coefficient by analyzing the scores of retested 52 patients 1 week later. The construct validity was examined by Pearson's correlation coefficient (r). Besides, the internal consistency for the subscores of the TUQ and exploratory factor analysis of the TSQ was analyzed. Results: The mean age was 40.5 ± 11.0 years. Internal consistency of all items and the total score of the TUQ were excellent (>0.80; ranged: 0.976–0.979). On the other hand, the internal consistency of all items and total score of the TSQ was excellent, either (>0.80; ranged: 0.969–0.973). The reproducibility of the total score for the TUQ was excellent (>0.80). The test–retest reliability of all items and the total score of the TSQ were within limits ranging from acceptable to excellent (0.617–0.860). The reliability of the total score for the TSQ was excellent (>0.80). The internal consistency of all subscales of the TUQ was excellent (>0.80). The correlation between TUQ and TSQ was strong (r = 0.882, P < 0.001). The factor loading scores of the TSQ were high (0.814–0.919). Conclusions: The Turkish version of the TUQ and the TSQ are valid and reliable in MS patients.

Objective: To investigate the effect of a home-based interactive telerehabilitation program on balance performance in older people, and to compare the results with a nonsupervised home exercise (NHE) program. Subjects and Methods: A total of 50 participants (35 females), aged 65–90 years, were included in the study. The subjects were randomly assigned to one of three groups as the interactive telerehabilitation home exercise group (ITHE), NHE group or control group. The ITHE and NHE groups exercised three times per week for 8 weeks. The outcome measures were the Berg Functional Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), Sway Balance Mobile Application, Trait Anxiety Inventory (TAI), and the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Older Adults Module (WHL). Results: In the control group, no difference was observed in the TUG and BBS scores, at the end of the 8 weeks compared with preexercise (pre-ex), whereas these scores increased significantly in the NHE (TUG: P < 0.001, BBS: P < 0.001) and ITHE groups (TUG: P < 0.001, BBS: P = 0.003). The WHL scores increased significantly in all three groups, and no difference was observed in the TAI scores. There was a significant difference in SWAY score only in the telerehabilitation group compared with pre-ex (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Although NHE and ITHE were effective on the improvement of balance, mobility and reduction of fall risk in older individuals, this effect was found to be greater in the ITHE group. Quality of life increased in all groups, but no change in anxiety level was observed.

Objective: Cervical fixation is the most common treatment of vertebral fractures, osteosarcoma, osteomyelitis, arthritis, and congenital disorders. Mortal complications, such as internal carotid artery, vertebral artery (VA), and spinal cord damages, may occur during the application. The aim of this study was to create the application of the actual three-dimensional (3D) personalized model which was exercised for screwing insertion in C2 damage patients. Methods: Two patients with Type II of C2 fractures were treated with personalized spine models. These models were investigated to achieve particular information of non- and bony elements such as the highness, thickness, and the field of pedicles and vascular diameters for an intraoperative reference. The model was to determine the probable variations and to observe the success of screw rate in the treatment of C2 fractures. The operation duration, instrumentation time, blood loss volume, and clinical and radiological assessment were done. The 3D model's perception was evaluated. Results: Cervical models were defined to secure intervention areas of the VA pedicles and screws. Neither vascular nor neurologic damages were happened in all cases. Besides, the cases did not include broken nails, screw pullout, fracture of bone structure, or infection. Cervical models demonstrated (1) examination of the VA pattern, (2) valuation of virtual screw trajectory line before screw fixation, (3) the application of prebent rods during procedure to contribute to the safety of the posterior instrumentation, (4) postsurgical confirmation, and (5) examined movements of the neck postoperatively. The perception of 3D model for treating C2 fracture was thereby diminishing surgical time, bleeding amount and operative complications. Survey perception of model was calculated in statistical significance (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Personalized model is active and confident in achieving an accurate and safe screw fixation during surgery, especially in anatomically abnormal cases. Cervical model provides an accurate representation of the fracture location, pedicle size, and VA shapes. It is therefore useful in surgical planning as it maximizes the possibility of ideal screw position, as well as providing individualized information concerning cervical spinal anatomy.

Turner syndrome (TS) is one of the most common sex chromosome abnormalities in women, but there are only a few case reports of patients with TS who have epilepsy or seizures. Here, we report two additional cases with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and TS mosaicism. Patient #1 is a 22-year-old female with drug-resistant TLE whose karyotype analysis showed that 84% of interphase cells had (45,X) genotype and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) initially reported as normal showed developmental left temporal lobe encephalocele. She underwent left temporal lobectomy, and she is seizure free for 10-year postoperative follow-up period. Patient #2 is a 49-year-old female who has TLE with normal brain MRI. The karyotype analysis showed that 2/30 of metaphase cells had (45, X) genotype. In addition, 11 cases of epilepsy associated with TS were determined through PubMed. The clinical characteristics of all are reviewed.