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Background and objectives: Studies have reported contradictory results regarding the relationship between serum neurofilament light chain (NFL) and fatigue severity. The aim of our study was to investigate serum NFL and fatigue severity in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) after home-based and outdoor Pilates training. Methods: The study population consisted of 44 women with MS (aged 25 to 40 years) with an expanded disability status scale score of 2-5. The patients were randomly divided into three groups: home-based training (HPT, n=15), outdoor training (OPT, n=15), and a control group (n=14). The training groups performed Pilates exercises for 8 weeks individually at home and under the sun. Blood samples and completed Fatigue Severity Scale forms were taken 48 hours before the first session and after the 8-week intervention. Results: The results showed that OPT caused a more notable increase in serum vitamin D (32.76±5.13, p<0.001) and a decrease in NFL (15.98±2.26, p <0.001) and FSS score (2.51±0.35, p<0.001) compared with HPT. Also, HPT lowered NFL (18.01±2.28, p<0.001) and FSS score (3.84±0.98, p<0.001) compared with the control group. Conclusion: Pilates training can reduce NFL levels and FSS scores in women with MS. In addition, OPT is more effective than HPT in reducing NFL and FSS and increasing vitamin D levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hemodynamic depression, including bradycardia and hypotension, is among the most common complications of carotid angioplasty and stenting., Methods and Material: A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in southern Iran from 2011 to 2013. Consecutive patients undergoing carotid angioplasty and stenting were included. Demographic data, atherosclerotic risk factors, preprocedural blood pressure, the site of stenosis, the degree of stenosis, and data regarding technical factors were recorded. Hemodynamic depression was defined as a systolic blood pressure less than 90 mmHg and/or heart rate less than 50 beat/min., Results: About 170 patients (67% male, mean age: 71+9.8, 55.9% right side, 82.9% symptomatic) were recruited. Mean degree of stenosis was 79.4% in operated side and 40.7% in nonoperated side. Predilation, postdilation, or both were conducted in 18(10.5%), 141(83%), 11(6.5%) patients respectively. Thirteen (7.6%), 41(24%), and 12(7%) of patients developed postprocedural bradycardia, hypotension or both, respectively. Two patients had a stroke after CAS and periprocedural mortality was 0%. Hemodynamic depression after CAS had a significant association with preprocedure blood pressure and the use of an open cell stent design, but not with atherosclerotic risk factors, site and/or degree of stenosis, predilation, or postdilation. Hemodynamic depression significantly increased hospital stay too., Conclusion: Preprocedural hydration and close-cell stents may decrease the risk of poststenting hemodynamic depression.