Background: Emergence agitation (EA) is a common problem after sevoflurane anesthesia among children. There have been mixed results with control of EA using propofol 1 mg/kg bolus following sevoflurane anesthesia. An infusion of 3 mg/kg of propofol over 3 min following sevoflurane anesthesia has been found to be promising in children undergoing magnetic resonance imaging scans. However, no studies have been conducted during surgical procedures. We aimed to examine the efficacy of transition to propofol for 3 min after cessation of sevoflurane anesthesia in children undergoing inguinal hernia repair. Methods: In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 64 children aged 1–12 years, scheduled for inguinal hernia repair, were randomized to receive either propofol 3 mg/kg over 3 min (propofol group) or no propofol (control group), after the cessation of sevoflurane anesthesia. EA was assessed using the Paediatric Emergence Anesthesia Delirium (PAED) scale and the Watcha scale. Emergence time and the duration of post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay were also recorded. Results: The incidence of ED was lower in the propofol group on both the PAED (81.3% vs. 15.6%, P 0.001) and the Watcha (78.1% vs. 15.6%, P 0.001) scales. The mean emergence time was 6.37 minutes longer in the propofol group with no significant difference in PACU times. Conclusions: Transition to propofol 3 mg/kg over 3 min following sevoflurane anesthesia reduces the incidence of EA and improves the quality of emergence. Although emergence times were longer, the duration of stay in the PACU was similar with propofol use.

Background: Emergence agitation (EA) is a common problem after sevoflurane anesthesia among children. There have been mixed results with control of EA using propofol 1 mg/kg bolus following sevoflurane anesthesia. An infusion of 3 mg/kg of propofol over 3 min following sevoflurane anesthesia has been found to be promising in children undergoing magnetic resonance imaging scans. However, no studies have been conducted during surgical procedures. We aimed to examine the efficacy of transition to propofol for 3 min after cessation of sevoflurane anesthesia in children undergoing inguinal hernia repair. Methods: In this prospective randomized controlled trial, 64 children aged 1–12 years, scheduled for inguinal hernia repair, were randomized to receive either propofol 3 mg/kg over 3 min (propofol group) or no propofol (control group), after the cessation of sevoflurane anesthesia. EA was assessed using the Paediatric Emergence Anesthesia Delirium (PAED) scale and the Watcha scale. Emergence time and the duration of post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay were also recorded. Results: The incidence of ED was lower in the propofol group on both the PAED (81.3% vs. 15.6%, P 0.001) and the Watcha (78.1% vs. 15.6%, P 0.001) scales. The mean emergence time was 6.37 minutes longer in the propofol group with no significant difference in PACU times. Conclusions: Transition to propofol 3 mg/kg over 3 min following sevoflurane anesthesia reduces the incidence of EA and improves the quality of emergence. Although emergence times were longer, the duration of stay in the PACU was similar with propofol use.

We compared the effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and paroxetine [a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)] on tinnitus in terms of effectiveness and medium-term results. This is a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Seventy-five patients with moderate tinnitus were divided into five equal groups. Each group was treated for 1 month as follows: group 1 received rTMS alone at 1 Hz frequency; group 2 received rTMS alone at 10 Hz frequency; group 3 received rTMS at 1 Hz frequency combined with paroxetine; group 4 received paroxetine alone; and group 5 received a placebo (sham rTMS). Participants were tested using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI), Tinnitus Severity Index (TSI), the Beck Anxiety Scoring (BAS), and Psychiatric Sign Screening (PSS) tests. THI, TSI, BAS, and PSS were measured prior to treatment, and at the first and sixth month post-treatment. The THI and TSI scores improved after treatment in all groups, except the placebo group. The THI scores in groups 1 and 2 showed a statistically significant improvement after the first and sixth month compared to pretreatment scores, whereas a significant improvement in THI scores occurred only after the sixth month in groups 3 and 4. The TSI scores in group 3 showed a significant improvement at the first and sixth month marks after treatment. The rTMS and SSRI play potential roles in the reduction of tinnitus severity, but without cumulative or synergistic effects when a combination of treatment regimens is applied. These positive effects might be due to the relationship between the auditory cortex areas related to emotions and tinnitus.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Postoperative pain control is an important factor in determining recovery in total knee arthroplasty (TKA).The aim of the study was to assess the efficacy of 4 sessions of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over primary motor cortex (M1) in patients undergoing unilateral TKA. MATERIALS: Fifty patients undergoing TKA were included in the study. They were divided randomly into two groups (25 patients for each, using closed envelopes): real tDCS (2 mA, 20 min, with anodal stimulation applied over M1 postoperative for 4 consecutive days) and sham tDCS. Opioid consumption was titrated by an anaesthesiologist during the study period and was used as primary outcome. As a secondary outcome, patients were evaluated using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs Pain Scale (LANSS) at baseline, then the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th days after operation. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between real and sham tDCS in any rating scales at baseline. The opioid consumption and LANSS scores decreased more in patients who received real tDCS over the course of the treatment than sham tDCS. Real tDCS was associated with 59% reduction in the titrated analgesia. There was no significant difference between groups (time × groups interaction) in the VAS. CONCLUSION: Since the VAS was constant, repeated sessions of anodal tDCS over M1 with an extra-cephalic cathodal electrode can achieve the same degree of analgesia with less opioid consumption over the postoperative days after TKA. Thus, tDCS is a promising tool in the field of postoperative analgesia. SIGNIFICANCE: The data of the present study suggest that four sessions of transcranial direct current brain stimulation over motor cortex could reduce morphine consumption and pain perception during the postoperative period in total knee arthroplasty. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02704182.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is frequently associated with visceral pain. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been proven to reduce chronic pain; however, its effectiveness in malignant visceral pain is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the effects of tDCS in patients with visceral pain due to HCC. DESIGN: This is a randomized, sham-controlled, double-blind, prospective study. Forty patients with visceral pain due to HCC were enrolled and randomly assigned into two groups: a real and a sham group; tDCS was applied over the primary motor area (M1) for 10 consecutive days (2 mA, 30 minutes). Patient's pain was evaluated by visual analog scale (VAS) and verbal descriptor scale (VDS) and for depression by Hamilton rating scale (HAM-D). Evaluation was done at prestimulation, after the first, fifth, and 10th sessions, and one month after the end of stimulation sessions. RESULTS: Real tDCS showed a reduction of VDS (P = 0.001, F = 4.01) and VAS (P = 0.001, F = 6.817) for HAM-D (P = 0.012, F = 5,077); the effect started from the fifth session and continued to one month after stimulation, while in the sham group the effect persisted for five days only. Percentage reduction in all scales in the real group after the 10th session was as follows: VDS P = 0.008, VAS P = 0.001, HAM-D = 0.001; for one month after the end of stimulation, it was as follows: VDS P = 0.001, VAS P = 0.037, HAM-D = 0.002. CONCLUSIONS: tDCS proved to be an effective and clinically relevant therapeutic strategy for visceral pain due to HCC. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02928237.

Abstract Have you ever noticed that in watch advertisements the time is usually set at 10:10? The reasons and psychological effects of this default time setting are elusive. In Experiment 1, we hypothesized that watches showing a time setting resembling a smiling face (10:10) would enhance emotional valence and intention to buy compared to a neutral time setting (11:30), whereas a time setting resembling a sad face (8:20) would have the opposite effect. Moreover, we investigated a possible interaction effect with the gender of the participants. In Experiment 2, we directly tested the hypotheses that watches set at 10:10 resemble a smiling face, whereas watches set at 8:20 resemble a sad face. The data of the first experiment reveal that watches set at 10:10 showed a significant positive effect on the emotion of the observer and the intention to buy. However, watches set at 8:20 did not show any effect on the emotion or the intention to buy. Moreover, watches set at 10:10 induced in women significantly stronger ratings of pleasure than in men. The data of the second experiment show that participants consistently perceive high resemblance between watches set at 10:10 and a smiling face as well as high resemblance between watches set at 8:20 and a sad face. This study provides for the first time empirical evidence for the notion that using watches with a time setting resembling a smiling face (like 10:10) can positively affect the emotional response of the observers and their evaluation of a seen watch, even though they are not aware of the fact that the shown time setting is inducing this effect. Practical implications of the observed findings and alternative explanations are discussed.

Abstract PURPOSE: Accurate data on the epidemiology of stroke in Egypt is scarce. The aim of this review is to address this issue based on available community-based studies and compare the resulting findings to those of other regional and international studies. METHOD: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify population-based epidemiological studies of stroke in Egyptians. Original articles published in English between 1990 and 2016 were included. Five studies from five different governorates in southern Egypt fulfilled the study criteria (Qena, Sohag, Assiut, New Valley and Red Sea). RESULTS: The mean and median crude prevalence rates (CPRs) across the five studies, which were conducted in southern Egypt were 721.6/100,000 and 655/100,000, respectively. The mean and median crude incidence rates (CIRs) were 187/100,000 and 180.5/100,000, respectively. The average CPR weighted by sample population size was 613/100,000 and the average CIR weighted by sample population size was 202/100,000. CONCLUSION: The incidence and prevalence of stroke in Egypt are high. More population-based studies are urgently needed in northern Egypt and in Cairo - the capital of Egypt.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Recovery from acute Bell's palsy (BP) is variable and there are few predictors of response. We evaluated the usefulness of a range of neurophysiological parameters to predict outcome in BP. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients (age: 33.7±15.4 years) with acute unilateral BP were recruited within 3-7 days of onset. They were evaluated with electroneurography, facial nerve excitability, and the blink reflex. House-Brackmann (HB) clinical scores were obtained at the same time and three months later. All patients received prednisolone treatment and regular rehabilitation. RESULTS: At three months, 41 patients (69.5%) had good recovery, while 18 patients (30.5%) had poor recovery according to the HB scale. The facial nerve excitability threshold and threshold difference between sides were significantly lower in patients with good recovery than those with poor recovery (P values=0.022 and 0.006 respectively). Facial nerve degeneration rate (1 - affected/unaffected amplitude of CMAP of muscle ×100%) recorded in frontalis (P=0.002) and orbicularis oris (P=0.038) were also smaller in good recovery than poor recovery patients. There were no differences in latency and amplitude of CMAPs recorded from frontalis or orbicularis oris muscle, nor in latencies of the components of the blink reflex. ROC analysis showed that patients who had a threshold side difference 13mA (35 cases), had a higher chance of good recovery (85.7% versus 14.3% poor recovery). Patients who had a degeneration rate50% (38 cases) also had a higher chance of good recovery (78.9%) versus 21.1% who had poor recovery, while patients with a degeneration rate>50% (21 cases) had a 47.8% chance of good recovery versus 52.2% poor recovery (P=0.004). Logistic regression analysis showed that the most significant predictive indicator of BP recovery was the facial nerve degeneration rate of frontalis muscle (P=0.011). CONCLUSION: Facial nerve degeneration rate of frontalis muscle provides the most sensitive prognostic indicator of recovery from acute BP and may provide useful management strategies.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Recovery from acute Bell's palsy (BP) is variable and there are few predictors of response. We evaluated the usefulness of a range of neurophysiological parameters to predict outcome in BP. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients (age: 33.7±15.4 years) with acute unilateral BP were recruited within 3-7 days of onset. They were evaluated with electroneurography, facial nerve excitability, and the blink reflex. House-Brackmann (HB) clinical scores were obtained at the same time and three months later. All patients received prednisolone treatment and regular rehabilitation. RESULTS: At three months, 41 patients (69.5%) had good recovery, while 18 patients (30.5%) had poor recovery according to the HB scale. The facial nerve excitability threshold and threshold difference between sides were significantly lower in patients with good recovery than those with poor recovery (P values=0.022 and 0.006 respectively). Facial nerve degeneration rate (1 - affected/unaffected amplitude of CMAP of muscle ×100%) recorded in frontalis (P=0.002) and orbicularis oris (P=0.038) were also smaller in good recovery than poor recovery patients. There were no differences in latency and amplitude of CMAPs recorded from frontalis or orbicularis oris muscle, nor in latencies of the components of the blink reflex. ROC analysis showed that patients who had a threshold side difference 13mA (35 cases), had a higher chance of good recovery (85.7% versus 14.3% poor recovery). Patients who had a degeneration rate50% (38 cases) also had a higher chance of good recovery (78.9%) versus 21.1% who had poor recovery, while patients with a degeneration rate>50% (21 cases) had a 47.8% chance of good recovery versus 52.2% poor recovery (P=0.004). Logistic regression analysis showed that the most significant predictive indicator of BP recovery was the facial nerve degeneration rate of frontalis muscle (P=0.011). CONCLUSION: Facial nerve degeneration rate of frontalis muscle provides the most sensitive prognostic indicator of recovery from acute BP and may provide useful management strategies.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Recovery from acute Bell's palsy (BP) is variable and there are few predictors of response. We evaluated the usefulness of a range of neurophysiological parameters to predict outcome in BP. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients (age: 33.7±15.4 years) with acute unilateral BP were recruited within 3-7 days of onset. They were evaluated with electroneurography, facial nerve excitability, and the blink reflex. House-Brackmann (HB) clinical scores were obtained at the same time and three months later. All patients received prednisolone treatment and regular rehabilitation. RESULTS: At three months, 41 patients (69.5%) had good recovery, while 18 patients (30.5%) had poor recovery according to the HB scale. The facial nerve excitability threshold and threshold difference between sides were significantly lower in patients with good recovery than those with poor recovery (P values=0.022 and 0.006 respectively). Facial nerve degeneration rate (1 - affected/unaffected amplitude of CMAP of muscle ×100%) recorded in frontalis (P=0.002) and orbicularis oris (P=0.038) were also smaller in good recovery than poor recovery patients. There were no differences in latency and amplitude of CMAPs recorded from frontalis or orbicularis oris muscle, nor in latencies of the components of the blink reflex. ROC analysis showed that patients who had a threshold side difference 13mA (35 cases), had a higher chance of good recovery (85.7% versus 14.3% poor recovery). Patients who had a degeneration rate50% (38 cases) also had a higher chance of good recovery (78.9%) versus 21.1% who had poor recovery, while patients with a degeneration rate>50% (21 cases) had a 47.8% chance of good recovery versus 52.2% poor recovery (P=0.004). Logistic regression analysis showed that the most significant predictive indicator of BP recovery was the facial nerve degeneration rate of frontalis muscle (P=0.011). CONCLUSION: Facial nerve degeneration rate of frontalis muscle provides the most sensitive prognostic indicator of recovery from acute BP and may provide useful management strategies.