Electro-Acupuncture for Treatment of Dysequillibrium Due to Cerebellum or Brain Stem Infarction

The authors treated 26 cases of dysequillibrium due tocerebellum or brain stem infarction byelectro-acupuncture from Aug 2000 - April 2002. Theresults were quite satisfactory and reported as follows.

Clinical study of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide in patients with acute myocardial infarction complicating congestive heart failure

Objectives To observe the efficacy and safety of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide(rh-BNP) on patients with acute myocardial infarction complicating congestive heart failure.Methods 40 patients with acute myocardial infarction complicated by congestive heart failure were randomly divided into control group and treatment group of 20 cases.The control group,15 cases of acute anterior myocardial infarction,5 cases of acute inferior wall myocardial infarction, 15 males and 5 females,aged 55-70 years,mean age 58±12 years;treated 16 cases of acute anterior myocardial infarction,4 cases of acute myocardial infarction,16 males and 4 females,aged 56-70 years,mean age 59±11 years;two groups of age,gender,severity of disease and vascular lesions no significant difference and comparable(P】0.05).Conventional group were given aspirin,clopidogrel, statins,Inotropic,diuretic and vasodilator therapy.In the con- ventional treatment group based on the use of recombinant human brain natriuretic peptide(new bios,Tibet Pharmaceutical Co.,Ltd.Chengdu Nuodikang biopharmaceutical production, usage:1.5μg/Kg intravenous injection(impact), then 0.0075μg-0.01μg/(kg·min)infusion rate).Continuous medication 72 h.The clinical symptoms observed for 3 days in patients before treatment and after treatment,heart rate,blood pressure and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α),brain natriuretic peptide(BNP) levels were measured.Results In control group,8 cases markedly effect,5 cases effect and 7 cases no effect,the total effective rate was 65%;In treatment group,13 cases markedly effect,6 cases effect and 1 cases no effect,the total effective rate was 95%,compared with two groups P New bios treatment group significantly increased cardiac index(CI) in patients with heart failure and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) than the control group(all P【0.05),further reduce the levels of tumor necrosis (TNF-α) and brain natriuretic peptide(BNP).Conclusions rh-BNP can improve symptoms and heart function,reduced plasma tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α) and BNP levels of acute myocardial infarction patients with congestive heart failure,the treatment safe and reliable.As small sample size observed,larger sample to be accumulated to further evaluate its efficacy and safety.

EFFECT OF ACUPUNCTURE ON β-EP CONTENT IN THE BRAIN TISSUE OF RATS WITH ACUTE CEREBRAL INFARCTION

Objective: To study the mechanisms of acupuncture in treatment of acute cerebral infarction. Methods: 90 SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group (n=10), model group (n=40) and electroacupuncture (EA) group (n=40). Shuigou (GV 26), bilateral Neiguan (PC 6) and Zusanli (ST 36) were stimulated with EA for 20 min. Acute cerebral infarction (ACI) was produced by blocking blood flow of the cerebral middle artery. Changes of β EP content in the brain tissue after ACI and EA were detected by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Results: 24 hour after ACI, plasma β EP content increased significantly to 1120.41±33.79 ng/L from 401.72±266.47 ng/L before ACL. While after acupuncutre, the increased β EP content lowered evidently in comparison with that of model group but was close to that of normal group. Conclusion: Acupuncture may adjust the neuroendocrine disturbance in rats with acute cerebral infarction to minimize the injury of the brain tissue.

Tongguan Liqiao acupuncture therapy improves dysphagia after brainstem stroke

Tongguan Liqiao acupuncture therapy has been shown to effectively treat dysphagia after stroke-based pseudobulbar paralysis. We presumed that this therapy would be effective for dysphagia after bulbar paralysis in patients with brainstem infarction. Sixty-four patients with dysphagia following brainstem infarction were recruited and divided into a medulla oblongata infarction group（n = 22）, a midbrain and pons infarction group（n = 16）, and a multiple cerebral infarction group（n = 26） according to their magnetic resonance imaging results. All patients received Tongguan Liqiao acupuncture for 28 days. The main acupoints were Neiguan（PC6）, Renzhong（DU26）, Sanyinjiao（SP6）, Fengchi（GB20）, Wangu（GB12）, and Yifeng（SJ17）. Furthermore, the posterior pharyngeal wall was pricked. Before and after treatment, patient swallowing functions were evaluated with the Kubota Water Test, Fujishima Ichiro Rating Scale, and the Standard Swallowing Assessment. The Barthel Index was also used to evaluate their quality of life. Results showed that after 28 days of treatment, scores on the Kubota Water Test and Standard Swallowing Assessment had decreased, but scores on the Fujishima Ichiro Rating Scale and Barthel Index had increased in each group. The total efficacy rate was 92.2% after treatment, and was most obvious in patients with medulla oblongata infarction（95.9%）. These findings suggest that Tongguan Liqiao acupuncture therapy can repair the connection of upper motor neurons to the medulla oblongata motor nucleus, promote the recovery of brainstem infarction, and improve patient＇s swallowing ability and quality of life.

GAP-43 Expression and Pathological Changes of Temporal Infarction in R.ats and Effects of Batroxobin

To study the changes of the expression of growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) and pathology in temporal infarction of rats photochemically induced and the effects of batroxobin. METHODS: Immunohistochemical technique and hematoxylin-eosin stain was used to show the changes of the expression of GAP-43 and pathology. RESULTS: In infarction group, GAP-43 expression was markedly increased on the infarction and surrounding tissues at 24 h cerebral infarction. The expression reached peak level at 72 h after cerebral infarction and was decreased at 7 d after cerebral infarction. However, in batroxobin-treated group, GAP-43 expression was increased and the pathological changes were much slight as compared with infarction group. CONCLUSION: The expression of GAP-43 increases in infarction of temporal neocortex and batroxobin promotes the expression of GAP-43 and ameliorates the pathological changes in infarction of temporal neocortex.

Effect of extracranial electric stimulation at cerebellar fastigial nucleus on serum C-reactive protein of patients with acute cerebral infarction

BACKGROUND： Some reports indicate that electric and/or chemical stimulation at various brain sites of experimental animals can raise regional cerebral blood flow and improve cerebral circulation; however, its mechanism is still unclear.OBJECTIVE： To observe the effects of electric stimulation at cerebellar fastigial nucleus on serum C-reactive protein of patients with acute cerebral infarction.DESIGN： Non-randomized synchronized contrast study.SETTING： The Second People＇s Hospital of Xinxiang City.PARTICIPANTS： A total of 54 patients with acute cerebral infarction were selected from the Department of Neurology, the Second People＇s Hospital of Xinxiang from December 2005 to December 2006. There were 31 males and 23 females, and their ages ranged from 56 to 80 years. All patients met the diagnostic criteria of the Fourth National Cerebrovascular Academic Meeting, were finally diagnosed by using CT examination,and provided the confirmed consent. Based on therapeutic demands, patients were divided into electric stimulation group and routine treatment group with 27 cases in each group. In addition, 21 healthy subjects,including 11 males and 10 females and aging 53 - 78 years, were selected as the control group. All the subjects in the control group did not have any histories of cerebrovascular diseases and severe body diseases.METHODS： Based on routine drug therapy, patients in the electric stimulation group were also treated by using CVFT-010M cerebral circulation function therapeutic device （made in Shanghai）. Electrode was fixed at bilateral mastoid in the first group and at extensible sides of upper limbs in the second group. Electric stimulation was given twice a day and lasted for 30 minutes each time. Ten days were regarded as a course.Parameters of device： mode Ⅲ, frequency 198%, and intensity 90% - 110% （bionic current）. Patients in the routine treatment group received the routine drug treatment. Content of serum C-reactive protein was measured in both electric stimulation group and routine treatment group before treatment and at 20 days after treatment, while in the control group on the exact day of health examination by using immunization.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Level of serum C-reactive protein in the three groups.RESULTS： All 54 patients with acute cerebral infarction and 21 healthy subjects were involved in the final analysis. Level of serum C-reactive protein was higher in both electric stimulation group and routine treatment group than that in the control group before treatment （P 〈 0.01）. While, level of serum C-reactive protein was lower in the electric stimulation group than that in the routine treatment group after electric stimulation at cerebellar fastigial nucleus （P 〈 0.01）.CONCLUSION： Electric stimulation at cerebellar fastigial nucleus can decrease level of serum C-reactive protein in patients with acute cerebral infarction, and this may be one of the therapeutic mechanisms for curing acute cerebral infarction.

Correspondence of CT perfusion imaging to pathological manifestations in rabbit models of hyperacute cerebral infarction

BACKGROUND： Could the infarction be diagnosed quickly and accurately at the acute stage by CT perfusion imaging （CTPI） technology？ Whether the images of CTPI will correspond with the pathological changes or not？ All the questions need to be solved by experimental and clinical studies. OBJECTIVE： To reveal the rules of perfusion map changes and guide the early diagnosis of hyperacute cerebral infarction by analyzing the correlation of CTPI with pathological manifestations for hyperacute cerebral infarction. DESIGN： A randomized controlled animal experiment. SETTING： Experimental Center of Medical Radiology, Longgang Central Hospital of Shenzhen City. MATERIALS： Forty-two adult New Zealand rabbits of （2.6±0.5） kg, either male or female, were randomly divided into experimental group （n =36） and control group （n =6）. Six rabbits in the experimental group were observed after ischemia for 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 hours respectively, and 1 rabbit in the control group was observed at each corresponding time point. METHODS： The experiments were carried out in the Experimental Center of Medical Radiology, Longgang Central Hospital of Shenzhen City from March 2003 to July 2004. Rabbit models of cerebral infarction were established by modified O＇Brein method. （1） The rabbits in the experimental group were scanned at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 hours after ischemia respectively. The dynamic CT scan slice was 13 mm from the anterior edge of the frontal cortex, and six fake color functional images were obtained, including cerebral blood flow map （CBF map）, cerebral blood volume map （CBV map）, peak to enhancement map （PE map）, flow without vessels map, time to peak map （TP map）, time to start map （TS map）. The manifestations and changes of the functional maps in different interval were observed. （2） Bilateral symmetric ranges of interest （ROI） were drawn separately on the CBF map, CBV map, TP map and TS map. The blood flow parameters of focal and contralateral cerebral tissues could be obtained to calculate relative cerebral blood flow （rCBF, rCBF=focal CBF/contralateral CBF）, relative cerebral blood volume （rCBV, rCBV= focal CBV/contralateral CBV）, a relative time to peak （rTP, rTP= focal TP - contralateral TP）, a relative time to start （rTS, rTS= focal TP - contralateral TP）. （3） The perfusion maps were input into AutoCAD software. The percents of ischemic cores and peri-ischemic areas accounting for contralateral cerebral hemisphere were calculated. （4） The animals were anesthetized and killed, then the cerebellum and low brain stem were taken out. The brain tissues were cut on coronal plane at 14 mm from the anterior edge of the frontal cortex, a 2-mm piece anterior to the incision, and a 3-mm piece posterior to the incision. The anterior piece was fixed, stained and observed. A 1-mm slice was cut from the front of the posterior piece tissues as electron microscope sample, the remnant was fixed and then taken out, and the location and size of stained ＂white＂ areas were observed as the reference for electron microscope sample. （5） The correlation between CTPI and pathological manifestations was observed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： （1） Laws of time and spatial changes of ischemic areas; （2） Pathological changes of the ischemic tissues; （3） Correspondency between CTPI and pathological manifestations. RESULTS： （1） Laws of time and spatial changes of ischemic areas： Relative ischemic-core areas were consistent in each perfusion map, increased incessantly along with the ischemic times. Relative peri-ischemic areas were inconsistent in each perfusion map, on CBF map from 1 to 6 hours after ischemia, the area of ischemic core increased from （1.503±0.523）% to （7.125± 1.054）%, the ascending trend occurred. But the peri-ischemic areas showed a descending trend on CBF map, the areas decreased from （8.960±0.719）% to （5.445 ± 0.884）% from 0.5 to 6 hours; The relative areas were the largest one on TP maps, the average value was （32.796±3.029）% at 0.5 hour after ischemia happening （60.540±1.683）% at 6 hours. The trend of ischemic areas was increased. No obvious change was observed on TS maps. （2） Pathological changes of the ischemic tissues： Under light microscope, there was no obvious change at 0.5- 2 hours after ischemia, edema at 3 hours, karyopycnosis at 4 hours and eosinophilous changes at 6 hours; Under electron microscope, there was edema in ischemic cores within 4 hours after ischemia, whereas karyopycnosis or structure vanished after 4 hours; Edema was observed in peri-ischemic areas. （3） Correlation between CTPI and pathological manifestations： On CTPI maps, the ischemic core was blue on CBF and CBV maps, black on TP and TS maps. Along with the ischemic times, the rCBF and rCBV decreased, whereas the rTP and rTS prolonged. Hemodynamic parameters were not significantly different within 2 hours of ischemia and 2 hours after ischemia. The rTP and rTS became 0 after 1 and 2 hours respectively. On CTPI maps the peri-ischemic area was red on CBF and CBV maps, red and yellow on TS maps, red on TP maps. Along with the ischemic times, the rCBF decreased, and the lowest level was always at about 20%, whereas the rTP and rTS prolonged. CONCLUSION： （1） CTPI manifestations corresponded well with pathological findings, and it is a sensitive, stable and reliable technique to diagnose hyperacute cerebral infarction. （2） TP map was more sensitive than CBF map and TS map in exhibiting the peri-ischemic areas, thus TP maps could be a good choice for observing peri-ischemic areas.

Efficiency and safety evaluation of Baimai ointment for alleviating hypermyotonia following cerebral infarction

Baimai ointment has Shujin and Huoluo efficiency. It has been confirmed by basic pharmacodynamic experiments that Baimai ointment has some therapeutic effects on stroke. However, the detailed evaluations of Baimai ointment on clinically treating stroke patients for function recovery are still insufficient with little reports. OBJECTIVE： To observe the efficiency and safety of Baimai ointment on alleviating hypermyotonia following cerebral infarction DESIGN： A randomized, parallel and controlled experiment. SETTING： Department of Neurology, Beijing Aerospace General Hospital. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 120 patients with acute front-cycle cerebral infarction were selected from Department of Neurology, Beijing Aerospace General Hospital from July to December 2006 and met the diagnosis criteria modified by Forth National Seminar on Cerebrovascular Disease. The experiment had got confirmed consent from local ethic committee. All 120 patients with cerebral infarction were randomly divided into experimental group （n =80; 32 in the acute phase, 32 in the recovery phase and 16 in the sequela phase） and control group （n =40; 16 in the acute phase, 16 in the recovery phase and 8 in the sequela phase）. METHODS： Within 4 weeks after the patients were enrolled in this study, no other traditional Chinese medicines containing similar components were adopted besides routine supporting therapy. The Baimai ointment being consisted of jianghuang, Roudoukou, Gansong, Yangqishi, Gancao, She, shannai, Zanghuixiang, Zangchangpu, Huajiao and dianhua was used by trial group （20 g/ampoule, Tibet Lingzhiqizheng Tibetan Drug Factory; batch number： 050403）, 2-3 times per day, the ointment was moderately coated traveling parts of Baimai. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The evaluation of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale （NIHSS）, Modified Rankin Scale and Modified Ashworth Scale were performed before administration, 2 and 4 weeks after administration. RESULTS： All 120 patients with acute front-cycle cerebral infarction were involved in the final analysis. ① Evaluation of therapeutic effects： After 4 weeks, the comparison of overall muscular tension and muscular tension in acute phase between the two groups （acute phase, chronic phase and recovery phase） demonstrated that the experimental group improved significantly （Z = - 2.25, - 2.06, P 〈 0.05）. After 2 weeks, the change of muscular tension was not significantly different from baseline （P 〉 0.05）. Whereas after 4 weeks, the change of muscular tension in acute phase was significantly different from baseline （P 〈 0.05）; however, the change of muscular tension in recovery phase and sequelae phase was not significantly different from baseline （P 〉 0.05）. After the treatment, the overall NIHSS and disability score of both groups did not change significantly （P 〉 0.05）. ② Adverse reaction and side effect： There were two adverse events in experimental groups. One patient underwent petechia, and the symptom disappeared following stopping medication which did not reappear after remedication. The other patient complained of a pain coming from the place where the medication was used, and the symptom went away without treatment. Two cases of adverse events were not significantly correlated with the usage of medication, so both of which could not be confirmed to be adverse reactions. CONCLUSION： Baimai ointment achieves some therapeutic effects on treating hypermyotonia of cerebral infarction patients, especially significantly preventing the hypermyotonia in acute phase with good safety.

Correlation between carotid atherosclerosis and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in patients with cerebral infarction

BACKGROUND： Some researches demonstrate that high-sensitivity C-reactive protein may be a risk factor to cause carotid atherosclerosis in patients with cerebral infarction. Inflammatory reaction may participate in formation of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction. OBJECTIVE： To investigate the correlation between levels of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and carotid atherosclerosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction accompanied with carotid atherosclerosis. DESIGN： Contrast observation between two groups. SETTING： Department of Neurology, Zhenzhou Hospital, Shenyang Medical College. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 102 patients with acute cerebral infarction regarded as cerebral infarction group were selected from Department of Neurology, Shenzhou Hospital Affiliated to Shenyang Medical College from February 2005 to September 2006. There were 55 males and 47 females and their ages ranged from 55 to 86 years. All patients met the variously diagnostic points of cerebral infarction established by the Fourth National Cerebrovascular Disease Academic Meeting and were finally diagnosed with CT or MRI examination. Illness course was in an acute phase. A total of 96 healthy subjects were regarded as control group, including 51 males and 45 females aged from 48 to 78 years. All accepted subjects provided the confirmed consent. METHODS： ① Patients in the cerebral infarction group received carotid ultrasound Doppler examination and serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein detection within 72 hours after onset. IMMAGE immune biochemical system and latex reinforcement particle-enhanced nephelometric ilnmunoassay （PENIA） were used for quantitative detection of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. ② Healthy subjects in the control group received the same detection. SEQUOIA512 color Doppler ultrasound （Siemens Company, USA） was used to detect carotid artery of all subjects so as to observe intima media thickness of artery and formation of artery atherosclerostic plaques. If artery atherosclerostic plaques were formed, their properties and amounts were determined based on the characteristics of light-echo signals. Evaluating criteria： Intima media thickness of artery was the vertical dimension from crossed face between lumen and tunica intima to crossed face between tunica media and tunica adventitia. Intima media thickness ≤ 0.9 into was regarded as normal; 0.9 inm 〈 intima media thickness ≤ 1.2 inm was regarded as thickening; when local eminence thickening was processed towards to lumen, the intima media thickness was more than 1.2 into and plaque of tunica intima was formed at the same time. Properties of plaque were classified into 4 types： steady low-echo lipid malacoplakia, equal-echo fiber plaque, strong-echo or sound-imaging calcification hard plaque and unsteady-echo ulcer mixed plaque. Fiber plaque and calcification hard plaque were steady but malacoplakia and mixed plaque were unsteady. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Thickness of tunica media, characteristics of plaque and level of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in carotid artery in two groups. RESULTS： All 102 patients with cerebral infarction and 96 healthy subjects were involved in the final analysis. ①Comparisons of level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein： Level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in normal tunica media was higher in the cerebral infarction group [（4.66±1.55） mg/L] than the control group [（3.49±1.24） mg/L, t =2.541, P 〈 0.05]. In addition, level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in patients with thickening tunica media and plaque was not significantly different between the cerebral infarction group and the control group （P 〉 0.05）. ② Correlation between various degrees of vascular lesion and level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in the cerebral infarction group： Level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was statistically significantly higher in patients with thickening tunica media [（8.16±2.42） mg/L] than patients with normal tunica media [（4.66±1.55） mg/L, t =4.132, P 〈 0.01]. In addition, level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was statistically significantly higher in patients with carotid plaque [（12.08±3.85） mg/L] than patients with normal tunica media （t =5.994, P 〈 0.01） and thickening tunica media （t =4.197, P 〈 0.01）. ③ Levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in patients with various kinds of carotid plaque： Level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was statistically significantly higher in patients with unsteady carotid plaque [（13.54±2.62） mg/L] than patients with steady carotid plaque [（8.61±3.71） mg/L, t =2.002, P 〈 0.05]. That was to say level of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in patients who suffered acute cerebral infarction combined with carotid atherosclerosis especially carotid plaque was higher than that in those patients who did not have carotid lesions. This suggested that serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein had a certain correlation with onset of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction. CONCLUSION： Serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein certainly correlates with onset of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction, while inflammatory reaction may participate in formation of carotid atherosclerosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction.

Logistic regression analysis on risk factors for vascular dementia following cerebral infarction in 403 patients from Chongqing City Hospital and family follow-up studies

BACKGROUND： Studies have demonstrated that the risk factors of vascular dementia following stroke are greatly different in region, race and other aspects. OBJECTIVE： To analyze the conditions and incidental risk factors of vascular dementia in patients with acute cerebral infarction from Chongqing City. DESIGN： Case analysis. SETTING： Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA. PARTICIPANTS： Altogether 546 inpatients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to Department of Neurology, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University of Chinese PLA between May 1999 and December 2002 were involved in this study. The involved patients, including 295 males and 251 females, aged 55 - 94 years, dwelled in Chongqing over 5 years. They were admitted to hospital within 48 hours of attack of acute ischemic stroke, and survived for over 3 months. Informed consents were obtained from all the involved subjects. METHODS： ① Following the same standard, cognitive and social function evaluations were conducted by one physician on admission and 3 months after admission, Unified questionnaire, consisting of general characteristics, vascular risk factors, stroke characteristics, neurological physical sign, and other 28 factors of involved subjects, was used in all the patients. According to the investigation results, the patients were assigned into 2 groups： dementia group and non-dementia group. ②Ischemic stroke was diagnosed according to acute ischemic brain disorder 〉 24 hours and CT or MRI imageology.③ Neurophysiological examination was conducted in all the patients at 7 to l0 days after stroke （score was two SD less than or equaled to normal level was considered as abnormal）. ④Diagnosis and statistics of dementia were carried out with Mini-Mental State Examination and The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-Ⅳ （published by American Psychiatric Association） on admission and 3 months after admission. Neurologic deficit scoring was carried out with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. ⑤ Chi-square test was used for categorical variable, and t test for quantitative variable between dementia group and non-dementia group. Dementia-related factors were performed multiple-factor Logistic regression model analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Incidence of dementia and dementia-related risk factors of patients. RESULTS： Altogether 546 patients with stroke were involved in this study, 403 of them participated in the final analysis, and 143 dropped out. A total of 342 were followed-up in the hospital and 61 at home. At 3 months after cerebral infarction, vascular dementia occurred in 87 （21.6%） of 403 patients. The main risk factors were age （OR 1.179; 95%CI 1.130 - 1.230）, low education level （OR 1.806; 95%CI 1.024 - 3.186）, daily alcohol drinking （OR 3.447; 95%（1/ 1.591 - 7.468）, stroke history （OR 2.531; 95%CI 1.419 - 4.512）, atrial fibrilation（OR 3.475; 95%CI 1.712 - 7.057）, dysphonia （OR 5.873; 95%6/2.620 - 13.163） and left carotid artery infarction （OR 1.975; 95%（1/1.152 - 3.388）. CONCLUSION： The incidence of vascular dementia is determined by synthetic action of multiple risk factors. Dysphonia is the most important influencing factor.

Whether chronic bronchitis is an independent risk factor for cerebral infarction in the elderly 1:1 case paired study

BACKGROUND： The inflammatory reaction already becomes an important risk factor of causing acute cerebral infarction; however, the correlation between chronic bronchitis and senile cerebral infarction is still unclear. OBJECTIVE： To study whether the chronic bronchitis is the risk factor for senile cerebral infarction. DESIGN： 1 ： 1 pair, case contrast, and risk factor study. SETTINGS： Department of Respiratory Medicine, Third Hospital of Tangshan; Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of North China Coal Medical College. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 147 patients with acute cerebral infarction who were regarded as case group were selected from Department of Neurology, the Third Hospital of Tangshan from January 2004 to December 2006. All patients met the diagnostic criteria of the Fourth National Cerebrovascular Diseases Meeting. There were 87 males and 60 females, and their ages ranged from 65 to 83 years. Based on 1 ： 1 pair study, another 147 subjects without cerebrovascular disease were regarded as control group. Except the diseases about infection, there were 73 males and 74 females, and their ages ranged from 62 to 81 years. All subjects provided the confirm consent and agreed with the coordinate experiment. METHODS： ①Questionnaire of risk factor of cerebral infarction was designed to measure the following items： chronic bronchitis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipemia, coronary heart disease, primary cerebral infarction/transient ischemic attack and history of smoking. ②Cerebral infarction was regarded as the dependent variance, while chronic bronchitis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypedipemia, primary cerebral infarction/transient ischemic attack, coronary heart disease and smoking were regarded as the independent variance for multiple regression analysis, MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Risk factors of senile cerebral infarction. RESULTS： All 147 patients with acute cerebral infarction and 147 subjects without cerebrovascular diseases were involved in the final analysis. ①Risk factor analysis of senile cerebral infarction： There were no significant differences in age, hyperlipemia and history of smoking between the two groups （P 〉 0.05）. But, chronic bronchitis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cerebral infarction/transient ischemic attack and history of coronary heart disease were higher in the case group than those in the control group （33.6% vs. 19.0%, 38.8% vs. 23.3%, 54.3% vs. 36.2%, 29.3% vs. 17.2%, 44.0% vs. 29.3%, P 〈 0.05- 0.01）. ②Multiple Logistic regression analysis of risk factor of senile cerebral infarction Hyperlipemia, smoking and coronary heart disease were not correlated with cerebral infarction （P 〉0.05）, but chronic bronchitis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and cerebral infarction/transient ischemic attack were risk factors for senile cerebral infarction （OR =2.47, 2.28, 2.18, 2.01, P 〈 0.05 - 0.01）. CONCLUSION： The chronic bronchitis mac become an independent risk factor senile cerebral infarction.

The Influence of Remote Ischemic Conditioning on Focal Brain Ischemia in Rats

Despite obvious progress in the treatment of acute forms of ischemic stroke, the risk of this condition remains unacceptably high. Brain infarction in the middle cerebral artery basin occurs in patients with atherosclerosis. The onset of the brain infarction is facilitated by the cessation of circulation (embolism) in conditions of insufficient collateral circulation. The extent of the infarct zone is determined by neuronal death and impaired microcirculation. The development of new methods for effective targeted restorative stroke therapy is crucial for restorative treatment and reducing the risk of mortality after stroke. Remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) is an approach to limiting reperfusion injury in the ischemic region of the brain after focal ischemia. One of the most commonly used in vivo models in stroke studies is the filament model of Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO) in rats. In our experiment, it was performed for 30 min (J. Koizumi) with subsequent 48-hour reperfusion. Within the first 24 hours after the start of reperfusion several short episodes of ischemia in low limbs were induced. After 48 hours of reperfusion the brains were harvested and stained with TTC. Then we evaluated the effect of RIC within 24 hours ex vivo in rats’ brains, as well as syndecan-1 plasma concentration. Infarct area was assessed by means of Image-Pro program with statistical analysis. Infarct volumes in the model group (31.97% ± 2.5%) were significantly higher compared to the values in the RIC group 48 hours after ischemia-reperfusion (13.6% ± 1.3%) (*P < 0.05). A significant reduction in the area of infarction after RIC is likely due to the effect on the regulation of collateral blood flow in the ischemia area. On the second day after ischemia-reperfusion, tissue swelling was reduced in the RIC group compared to the model group. Analysis of the average concentration of Syndecan-1 revealed the difference between model and RIC groups. Syndecan-1, endothelial glycocalyx protein, might be the regulator which performs vascular control of the interaction with inflammatory cell and is responsible for mediate effect of remote ischemic conditioning on the restriction of ischemic-reperfusion injury.

误诊为突发性聋的小脑前下动脉梗死临床分析

小脑前下动脉(anterior inferior cerebellar artery,AICA)脑梗死主要表现为眩晕、耳鸣耳聋、病变同侧共济失调、周围性面瘫、Horner征、向病灶侧同向凝视麻痹、面部痛觉减退、对侧肢体痛温觉减退,这些症状以不同几率出现。以这样的一组症状出现被称为典型AICA综合征。

Cerebral infarct secondary to traumatic internal carotid artery dissection

BACKGROUND Traumatic internal carotid artery dissection(TICAD)is rare and can result in severe neurological disability and even death.No consensus regarding its diagnostic screening and management has been established.AIM To investigate the clinical presentation,imaging features,diagnostic workup,and treatment of TICAD.METHODS In this retrospective case series,emergency admissions for TICAD due to closed head injury were analyzed.The demographic,clinical,and radiographic data were retrieved from patient charts and the picture archiving and communication system.RESULTS Six patients(five males and one female,age range of 43-62 years,mean age of 52.67 years)presented with TICAD.Traffic accidents(4/6)were the most frequent cause of TICAD.The clinical presentation was always related to brain hypoperfusion.Imaging examination revealed dissection of the affected artery and corresponding brain infarction.All the patients were definitively diagnosed with TICAD.One patient was treated conservatively,one patient underwent anticoagulant therapy,two patients were given both antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs,and two patients underwent decompressive craniectomy.One patient fully recovered,while three patients were disabled at follow-up.Two patients died of refractory brain infarction.CONCLUSION TICAD can cause catastrophic outcomes and even refractory brain hernia.Early and efficient diagnosis of TICAD is essential for initiating appropriate treatment.The treatment of TICAD is challenging and variable and is based on clinician discretion on a case-by-case basis.

Prevalence of Cerebral Atherosclerosis among Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Case Control Study on Egyptian Subjects

Background: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a clustering of vascular risk factors that tend to increase the risk of occurrence of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2), cardiovascular and cerebro-vascular ischemic events. The aim of the present study is to investigate the association of extra-cranial and intracranial arterial atherosclerosis as well as silent brain infarction (SBI) with MetS, thereby determining the potential cerebrovascular atherosclerotic risk of MetS in the Egyptian population. Methods: A case control study was conducted on 50 Egyptian subjects with MetS and 30 without with age range from 40 - 60 years old. All participants were free from cerebrovascular ischemic events [stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA)]. All participants underwent complete neurological examination, assessment of the diagnostic criteria for MetS, carotid and transcranial duplex ultrasonography (U/S) and brain MRI. Results: Preclinical carotid atherosclerosis (athero-sclerotic plaques with <50% stenosis) was associated with MetS (P value = 0.02) that persisted after adjustment for age and other confounders. There was no significant association between increased intima media thickness (IMT) and MetS. There was non-significant association between MetS and intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) or the degree of intracranial stenosis (ICS). Conversely, there was a highly significant association between MetS and SBI even after adjustment for age and other confounders (P value = 0.001). Conclusion: Metabolic syndrome is an important factor associated with mild to moderate atherosclerosis (<50% stenosis) and silent brain infarcts among asymptomatic individuals. Interventions to reduce MetS are important for prevention of subclinical and clinical cerebral atherosclerotic disease.

Protective Effects of Focal Ischemic Preconditioning and HSP70 Expression on Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion in Rats

Summary： To systematically evaluate the importance of protein synthesis in ischemic preconditioning （PC）-induced ischemic tolerance （IT）, temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） by Longa （20 min） was used for PC （ischemic precondioning）. Twenty-four hours of reperfusion was allowed after PC and before permanent MCAO to establish ischemic tolerance （IT） to compare with non-PC （sham-operated） rats （n=5 for each group）. Infarct size and neurological deficits were measured 24 h after PMCAO. Samples of brain were taken for the determination of HSP70 expression by Western blot analysis. The effects of the protein synthesis inhibitor cycloheximide administered just before PC or administered long after PC but just before PMCAO on IT were also determined （n=5 for each group）. Our results showed that hemispheric infarct was significantly reduced （P〈0.01） only if PC was performed after 24 h, and PC significantly （P〈0.05） reduced neurological deficits （similar to reductions in infarct size）. Cycloheximide eliminated ischemic PC-induced IT effects on both brain injury and neurological deficits if administered before PC but not if administered long after PC but before PMCAO. PC produced no brain injury but did increase HSP70 protein 24 h after PC. Cycloheximide eliminated that effect. The results suggest that PC is a powerful inducer of ischemic brain tolerance as reflected by the preservation of brain tissue and motor function. PC induces IT that is dependent on de novo protein synthesis.

Development of 3-actoxymethoxycarbonyl-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-1-pyrrolidinyloxyl as an electron paramagnetic resonance imaging reagent for in vivo mapping brain oxygen distribution and infarction in ischemic brain

Measurement of oxygen concentration and distribution in brain is essential to understanding the pathophysiology of stroke. Although brain oxygen level is critical for brain tissue survival,

Early postoperative infarction out of the middle cerebral artery distribution following superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery bypass： clinical features and pathogenesis

The extracranial-intracranial （EC-IC） bypass surgery has been widely used in the treatment of cerebral ischemia,intracranial aneurysms,and other diseases for more than 40 years.In terms of treating atherosclerotic cerebral ischemia,the surgery is presumed to be helpful for the subgroup of hemodynamic compromise in prevention of subsequent stroke.However,two multicenter trials presented with high perioperative stroke rate and failed to demonstrate the profit of the surgery.1-3 On this point,one of the crucial issues currently is how to lower down the perioperative stroke rate,the centerpiece of which is early postoperative infarction （EPI）.3

Therapeutic Efficacy Analysis of Balancing Yin-yang Manipulation for Post-stroke Upper Limb Spasticity

Objective: To observe the effect of balancing yin-yang needling manipulation on post-stroke upper limb spasticity and changes of electromyography(EMG) after treatment. Methods: A total of 60 eligible cases were randomly allocated into an observation group and a control group, 30 in each group. Based on routine medication, cases in the control group were treated with conventional needling manipulation, whereas cases in the observation group were treated with balancing yin-yang manipulation. After the courses of treatment were completed, the therapeutic efficacies were evaluated using modified Ashworth scale and clinical spasticity index(CSI), coupled with the integrated electromyography(IEMG) and root mean square(RMS) value of biceps in passive flexion of the elbow joint during isokinetic testing recorded with the surface EMG. Results: The total effective rate in the observation group was 86.7%, versus 53.3% in the control group, showing a statistical significance(P < 0.05). After treatment, there was between-group statistical significance in severity of elbow spasticity(P<0.05); there were intragroup(P<0.01, P<0.05) and inter-group(P<0.05) statistical significances in CSI index; and there were intra-group(P<0.01, P<0.05) and inter-group(P<0.01, P<0.05) statistical significances in IEMG and RMS values. Conclusion: Balancing yin-yang and conventional needling manipulations can both improve upper limb spasm and reduce CSI as well as IEMG and RMS values in stroke patients; however, balancing yin-yang manipulation is better than conventional manipulation in clinical effect.

Reinforcing and Reducing Manipulation by Breathing on Yin and Yang Meridian Points for Motor Function of Knee Joints in Patients with Ischemic Stroke

Objective: To observe the effect of reinforcing and reducing manipulation by breathing on yin and yang meridian points for motor function of knee joints in patients with ischemic stroke. Methods: A total of 60 ischemic stroke cases were randomly allocated into an observation group and a control group, 30 in each group. Other than basic and conventional rehabilitation therapies, cases in the observation group were treated with reinforcing and reducing manipulation on yin and yang meridians points for a period of 8 weeks; whereas cases in the control group only received the same basic and conventional rehabilitation therapy as that in the observation group. Then the knee joint energy, support moment and shaking moment were compared between the two groups before treatment, and after 4-week and 8-week treatment respectively. Results: Before treatment, there were no between-group significant differences in knee joint energy, support moment and shaking moment(all P>0.05). After treatment, the knee joint energy, support moment and shaking moment in both groups were significantly improved(P<0.05). After 8 weeks of treatment, the knee joint energy, support moment and shaking moment in both groups were significantly improved than that of 4-week treatment(P < 0.05). In addition, there were between-group statistical significances in comparing knee joint energy, support moment and shaking moment after 4 and 8 weeks of treatment(P<0.05). Conclusion: Reinforcing and reducing manipulation by breathing on yin and yang meridian points can increase the knee joint support and shaking force and moment in stroke patients and improve their walking ability.