Large-conductance Ca^2＋-activated K^＋ channel involvement in suppression of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury after electroacupuncture at Shuigou(GV26) acupoint in rats

Excess activation and expression of large-conductance Ca^2＋-activated K^＋ channels（BKCa channels） may be an important mechanism for delayed neuronal death after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Electroacupuncture can regulate BKCa channels after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, but the precise mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we established a rat model of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Model rats received electroacupuncture of 1 m A and 2 Hz at Shuigou（GV26） for 10 minutes, once every 12 hours for a total of six times in 72 hours. We found that in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury rats, ischemic changes in the cerebral cortex were mitigated after electroacupuncture. Moreover, BKCa channel protein and m RNA expression were reduced in the cerebral cortex and neurological function noticeably improved. These changes did not occur after electroacupuncture at a non-acupoint（5 mm lateral to the left side of Shuigou）. Thus, our findings indicate that electroacupuncture at Shuigou improves neurological function in rats following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury, and may be associated with down-regulation of BKCa channel protein and m RNA expression. Additionally, our results suggest that the Shuigou acupoint has functional specificity.

Higher frequency of brain abnormalities in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients without primary Sjogren's syndrome

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder often co-exists with primary Sjogreffs syndrome. We compared the clinical features of 16 neuro- myelitis optica spectrum disorder patients with （n = 6） or without primary Sjogreffs syndrome （n = 10）. All patients underwent extensive clinical, laboratory, and MRI evaluations. There were no statistical differences in demographics or first neurological involvement at onset between neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients with and without primary Sjogren＇s syndrome. The laboratory findings of cerebrospinal fluid oligoclonal banding, serum C-reactive protein, antinudear autoantibody, anti-Sjogren＇s-syndrome-related antigen A an- tibodies, anti-Sjogren＇s-syndrome-related antigen B antibodies, and anti-Sm antibodies were significantly higher in patients with primary Sjogren＇s syndrome than those without. Anti-aquaporin 4 antibodies were detectable in 67% （4/6） of patients with primary Sjogren＇s syndrome and in 60% （6/10） of patients without primary Sj6gren＇s syndrome. More brain abnormalities were observed in patients without primary Sj6gren＇s syndrome than in those with primary Sj6gren＇s syndrome. Segments lesions （〉 3 centrum） were noted in 50% （5/10） of patients without primary Sj6gren＇s syndrome and in 67% （4/6） of patients with primary Sjogren＇s syndrome. These findings indicate that the clinical characteristics of neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients with and without primary Sjogren＇s syndrome are similar. However, neu- romyelitis optica spectrum disorder patients without primary Sjogreffs syndrome have a high frequency of brain abnormalities.

Two-month acute microangiopathic brain injury follow-up in severe COVID-19:a case report

Coronavirus disease-19(COVID-19)is caused by a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 and was declared a pandemic in March 2020.It mainly causes upper respiratory symptoms,but an interstitial viral pneumonia may occur,in severe cases complicated by acute respiratory distress syndrome.Neurological involvement has been reported but has not been well investigated.A 75-year old man presenting with severe COVID-19 related pneumonia developed a severe cognitive impairment and a right temporal hemianopsia,with focal microangiopathy and subacute ischemic alterations detected on brain imaging,interpreted as vasculitic-inflammatory injury.The neurological disorder was diagnosed only after he was extubated.A rehabilitation program was set up,so the patient had a complete cognitive recovery.Our case underlines how COVID-19 can lead to severe neurological sequelae,so neurological examination should be promptly performed when patients display signs of nervous system involvement,in order to prevent further damages.