Background. Patients with advanced stage Parkinson’s disease (PD) typically present with a myriad of motor and nonmotor symptoms in addition to comorbidities and, as a consequence, polypharmacy. Objective. To analyze a series of cases of advanced PD in which a clinical or surgical emergency played a trigger role in the irreversible progression of landmarks of the course of the disease. Methods. Data were collected during a 13-month observational period of a cohort of 230 PD patients, in 751 medical appointments. We included a total of 13 (5.65% of the total number) patients with advanced PD defined by Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) stage ≥3 who presented with various clinical and surgical complications which, with the contribution of drug interventions, led to significant worsening of patients’ overall clinical condition. Results. Hip fractures and infections were the most common complications identified. As part of this scenario, most patients presented with delirium, often requiring treatment with dopamine receptor blocking agents and/or had dopaminergic treatment withdrawn. Upon reassessment after 3 months, all patients remained bed or wheel chair bound (H&Y 5) and presented significant worsening of their UPDRS part III score of at least 10 points (mean 51.5 ± 3.3; paired t-test two-tailed p < 0.0001 compared to baseline). The mean dose of levodopa at baseline was 907.7 ± 149.8 mg (600–1200) and significantly higher (paired t-test two-tailed p < 0.0001 ) on follow-up, 1061.5 ± 175.8 mg (700–1300). Conclusion. Clinical and surgical emergencies are major determinants for a progression of PD to more advanced stages.

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Augusta Dejerine-Klumpke was ahead of her time, with extensive contributions to the field of neuroanatomy and neurology, achieving international recognition. Despite her great contribution to world neurology, she was expelled from the Salpêtrière hospital in 1917, due to the rivalry and mutual hatred between Pierre Marie and his rival Jules Déjerine, her husband and collaborator.

Improper disposal of effluent contaminated with organic dyes may cause environmental problems. In this context, the ZnO semiconductor and the ZnO/ZnFe2O4 magnetic composite were prepared by the combustion method. The synthesized materials showed adsorption and photocatalysis properties for elimination of methylene blue dye from aqueous medium. About 88% of the methylene blue was eliminated by ZnO and 63% by the composite. In the photocatalysis process, a low cost visible light source was used. These materials can be regenerated by a photo-Fenton process. Moreover, the ZnO/ZnFe2O4 composite can be separated from the reaction medium by a magnetic field.

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Objectives To determine the effectiveness of botulinum toxin in a sample of patients diagnosed with greater occipital nerve neuralgia. Material and Methods Twenty‐nine patients (28 females, 1 male) were treated for greater occipital nerve neuralgia with onabotulinum toxin type A; the Visual Analog Pain Scale was used to determine pain severity at treatment and again 12 weeks after application. Results Average doses of onabotulinum toxin type A of 18.66±6.44 U per nerve and 35.96±12.89 U per patient were utilized. Average pain severity among the sample was 9.81±0.89 prior to botulinum toxin application and 3.68±2.31 points (p<0.0001) twelve weeks after application. Pain frequency decreased from 29.93±0.37 to 12.17±11.05 days with pain per month (p<0.0001). Six patients reported absence of pain after application (p=0.023). Dose did not correlate with the degree of clinical response observed, and no side effects were reported. Conclusion Our findings suggest onabotulinum toxin type A is a safe and effective treatment alternative for patients suffering from refractory greater occipital nerve neuralgia.