Non-coding RNAs in acute ischemic stroke:from brain to periphery

Acute ischemic stroke is a clinical emergency and a condition with high morbidity,mortality,and disability.Accurate predictive,diagnostic,and prognostic biomarkers and effective therapeutic targets for acute ischemic stroke remain undetermined.With innovations in high-throughput gene sequencing analysis,many aberrantly expressed non-coding RNAs(ncRNAs)in the brain and peripheral blood after acute ischemic stroke have been found in clinical samples and experimental models.Differentially expressed ncRNAs in the post-stroke brain were demonstrated to play vital roles in pathological processes,leading to neuroprotection or deterioration,thus ncRNAs can serve as therapeutic targets in acute ischemic stroke.Moreover,distinctly expressed ncRNAs in the peripheral blood can be used as biomarkers for acute ischemic stroke prediction,diagnosis,and prognosis.In particular,ncRNAs in peripheral immune cells were recently shown to be involved in the peripheral and brain immune response after acute ischemic stroke.In this review,we consolidate the latest progress of research into the roles of ncRNAs(microRNAs,long ncRNAs,and circular RNAs)in the pathological processes of acute ischemic stroke–induced brain damage,as well as the potential of these ncRNAs to act as biomarkers for acute ischemic stroke prediction,diagnosis,and prognosis.Findings from this review will provide novel ideas for the clinical application of ncRNAs in acute ischemic stroke.

The Effect of Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Dropping Pill Combined with Butylphthalide Capsule on Cognitive Dysfunction in Patients after Acute Ischemic Stroke and Its Impact on Serum Cytokines

Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effect of Ginkgo biloba extract dropping pills combined with butylphthalide capsules on cognitive dysfunction in patients after acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and its impact on serum cytokines CRP, IL-6, and Hcy. Methods: This study selected 76 patients with cognitive dysfunction after ischemic stroke who were hospitalized at Zhuji People’s Hospital from January 2023 to January 2024. The patients were divided into two groups. The control group was treated with butylphthalide capsules, while the combination group received Ginkgo biloba extract dropping pills in addition to the treatment given to the control group. The neurological function, cognitive function, activities of daily living, and levels of serum cytokines CRP, IL-6, and Hcy were compared between the two groups after 1 month and 3 months of treatment. Results: The NIHSS scores, MMSE scores, ADL scores, and levels of CRP, IL-6, and Hcy in both groups showed statistically significant differences compared to before treatment (P Conclusion: The combination of Ginkgo biloba extract dropping pills and butylphthalide capsules has a better therapeutic effect on cognitive dysfunction in patients after ischemic stroke. It can improve the neurological function and cognitive function of patients, enhance their ability to perform daily activities, and reduce inflammatory responses.

The effect of Huanglian Jiedu Decoction on inflammatory factors and oxidative stress in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Objective:To study the clinical efficacy of Huanglian Jiedu decoction in treating acute ischemic stroke(AIS)and its effects on inflammatory factors and oxidative stress.Method:A total of 53 patients with AIS were recruited as the study subjects and randomly divided into a control group and a treatment group using a random number table method.The control group consisted of 26 patients and the treatment group consisted of 27 patients.The control group received conventional Western medicine treatment.The control group received routine Western medicine treatment,while the treatment group received Huanglian Jiedu decoction based on the control group,with 14 days as a course of treatment.The effects of Huanglian Jiedu decoction on neurological function and activities of daily living were evaluated using the National Institute of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)and activities of daily living(ADL)scores.The effects of Huanglian Jiedu decoction on inflammatory reactions and oxidative stress were evaluated by detecting interleukin-4(IL-4),interleukin-6(IL-6),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),transforming growth factorβ(TGF-β),total antioxidative capacity(T-AOC),malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD),and catalase(CAT)levels.Results:After treatment with Huanglian Jiedu Decoction,the ALD scores of AIS patients in both groups increased,while the NISHH scores decreased,suggesting that Huanglian Jiedu Decoction has therapeutic effects on AIS patients.It also reduces the levels of serum IL-6,TNF-α,MDA in AIS patients and increases the levels of IL-4,TGF-β,CAT,SOD,T-AOC,suggesting that Huanglian Jiedu decoction can improve the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant abilities of AIS patients.Conclusion:Huanglian Jiedu decoction can help AIS patients recover their neurological function,increase their capacity for self-care in daily life,and strengthen the body’s anti-inflammatory and antioxidant defenses.

Application of Time-Tracking Platform in the Reperfusion Treatment of Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke in Primary Hospitals

Objective To explore the application effect of time tracking platform in improving the reperfusion treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke in primary hospitals. Methods and Results Patients with acute ischemic stroke who carried out emergency intravenous thrombolysis and arterial thrombectomy in our hospital in 2021, 2022 and 2023 were selected. The time tracking mode was implemented, and the patients were recorded at each time node of the hospital and the whole-process digital management was conducted. Compared the mean DNT (Door to Needle Time) of intravenous thrombolysis in emergency stroke patients in 2021, 2022 and 2023, the total number of hospital cases within 4.5 h of onset, the total number of thrombolysis cases within 4.5 h of onset, the number of intravenous thrombolysis in 60 minutes of acute ischemic stroke, and the number of thrombolysis cases. The results show that from 2021 to 2023 our emergency stroke patients with intravenous thrombolysis average DNT shortened year by year, to the hospital within 4.5 h after the onset of the difference is statistically significant (all P < 0.05) conclusion through the application of stroke time tracking platform, is beneficial to shorten the treatment time of each link, can effectively reduce the hospital time delay, improve the rate of thrombolysis, improve the reperfusion of stroke centers in primary hospitals.

Mechanical thrombectomy and postoperative complications after acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion

Acute ischemic stroke is one of the common discases in Chinese,among which acute ischemic stroke with large vessel occlusion(AIS-LVO)has thc most serious complications and has the risk of death.Studies have shown that reperfusion is a first-line treatment for the effective rescue of ischemic brain tissue,usually mainly by mechanical|hrombectomy(MT),supplemented by intravenous thrombolysis.However,there are still complications after large blood vessel occlusion and MT.such as blecding and infection at the puncture point,vasospasm,vascular dissection,subarachnoid hemorrhage,hcmonhagic transfomation,reembolization,and massive cerebral infarction,ctc.The high risk factors and corresponding measures of complications after MT by revicwing the rescarch analysis.

Image-based visualization of stents in mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke:Preliminary findings from a series of cases

BACKGROUND Mechanical thrombectomy is the most effective treatment for great cerebral artery embolization within a set time window.Typically,an arteriogram does not show the localization of the stent after release and whether a thrombus is captured or not.Thus,improving the visualization of a stent in interventional therapy will be helpful for clinicians.AIM To analyze stent imaging findings to enhance clinicians’understanding of a special circumstance,wherein a Solitaire AB retrievable stent was visible during the imaging of a thrombus capture that improved the success rate of stent-based mechanical thrombectomy.METHODS This was a retrospective study with four acute ischemic stroke(AIS)patients who underwent stent-based mechanical thrombectomy.RESULTS Patient 1 was a 64-year-old man admitted after 5 h of confusion;angiography revealed basilar artery occlusion.We inserted a stent into the left posterior cerebral artery-P2 segment and visualized the expanded stent that successfully captured a thrombus.Patient 2 was a 74-year-old man admitted with confusion,which lasted approximately 3 h.Angiography revealed a left middle cerebral artery(MCA)-M1 segment occlusion.A stent was deployed in the distal M2 segment,and we could visualize the stent by capturing the thrombus.Patient 3 was a 74-year-old woman admitted after experiencing left hemiplegia for 3 h.We deployed a stent at the distal right MCAM2 segment,and the developing stent captured a large thrombus.Patient 4 was an 82-year-old man who presented with confusion for 3 h.A developing stent was placed in the distal left MCA-M1 segment,which captured a large thrombus and several fragmented thrombi.CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge,this is the first report of stent imaging in patients with AIS.We demonstrated the usefulness and substantial potential of stent imaging in stent-based mechanical thrombectomy for AIS.

Immediate effects of scalp acupuncture with twirling reinforcing manipulation on hemiplegia following acute ischemic stroke: a hidden association study

Data mining has the potential to provide information for improving clinical acupuncture strategies by uncovering hidden rules between acupuncture manipulation and therapeutic effects in a data set. In this study, we performed acupuncture on 30 patients with hemiplegia due to acute ischemic stroke. All participants were pre-screened to ensure that they exhibited immediate responses to acupuncture. We used a twirling reinforcing acupuncture manipulation at the specific lines between the bilateral Baihui（GV20） and Taiyang（EX-HN5）. We collected neurologic deficit score, simplified Fugl-Meyer assessment score, muscle strength of the proximal and distal hemiplegic limbs, ratio of the maximal H-reflex to the maximal M-wave（Hmax/Mmax）, muscle tension at baseline and immediately after treatment, and the syndromes of traditional Chinese medicine at baseline. We then conducted data mining using an association algorithm and an artificial neural network backpropagation algorithm. We found that the twirling reinforcing manipulation had no obvious therapeutic difference in traditional Chinese medicine syndromes of ＂Deficiency and Excess＂. The change in the muscle strength of the upper distal and lower proximal limbs was one of the main factors affecting the immediate change in Fugl-Meyer scores. Additionally, we found a positive correlation between the muscle tension change of the upper limb and Hmax/Mmax immediate change, and both positive and negative correlations existed between the muscle tension change of the lower limb and immediate Hmax/Mmax change. Additionally, when the difference value of muscle tension for the upper and lower limbs was 〉 0 or 〈 0, the difference value of Hmax/Mmax was correspondingly positive or negative, indicating the scalp acupuncture has a bidirectional effect on muscle tension in hemiplegic limbs. Therefore, acupuncture with twirling reinforcing manipulation has distinct effects on acute ischemic stroke patients with different symptoms or stages of disease. Improved muscle tension in the upper and lower limbs, reflected by the variation in the Hmax/Mmax ratio, is crucial for recovery of motor function from hemiplegia.

Acute ischemic stroke in a child with cyanotic congenital heart disease due to non-compliance of anticoagulation

BACKGROUND:Stroke is a common presentation in geriatric patients in emergency department but rarely seen in pediatric patients.In case of acute ischemic stroke in pediatric age group,management is different from that of adult ischemic stroke where thrombolysis is a good option.METHODS:We report a case of a 17-year-old male child presenting in emergency with an episode of acute ischemic stroke causing left hemiparesis with left facial weakness and asymmetry.The patient suffered from cyanotic congenital heart disease for which he had undergone Fontan operation previously.He had a history of missing his daily dose of warfarin for last 3 days prior to the stroke.RESULTS:The patient recovered from acute ischemic stroke without being thrombolyzed.CONCLUSION:In pediatric patients,acute ischemic stroke usually is evolving and may not require thrombolysis.

Advances in the Mechanisms of Hemorrhagic Transformation and Therapeutic Agents after Intravenous Thrombolysis in Ischemic Stroke

Ischemic stroke is an important disease leading to death and disability for all human beings, and the key to its treatment lies in the early opening of obstructed vessels and restoration of perfusion to the local infarcted area. Intravenous thrombolysis with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is one of the effective therapies to achieve revascularization, but it faces strict indications with a narrow therapeutic time window, and significantly increases the incidence of hemorrhagic transformation, HT, after reperfusion of the infarcted foci, which greatly reduces the incidence of patients with ischemic stroke. which significantly increases the incidence of hemorrhagic transformation (HT) after reperfusion of the infarcted focus, greatly reducing patient utilization and clinical benefit. Since the mechanism of HT has not been fully elucidated, and the related molecular mechanisms are complex and interactive, there is no specific and effective therapy to avoid the occurrence of HT. In this article, we focus on the research progress on the mechanism of HT after tPA intravenous thrombolysis in ischemic stroke patients from the aspects of vascular integrity disruption, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammatory response and the corresponding therapeutic strategies, in order to improve the safety and prognosis of tPA intravenous thrombolysis in the clinic.

Characteristic metabolic and microbial profiles in acute ischemic stroke patients with phlegm-heat pattern

Objective:To explore the characteristics of plasma metabolites,feces gut microbiota and the crosstalk between gut microbiota and host metabolism in patients with acute ischemic stroke and phlegm-heat pattern(AIS-PHP).Methods:The metabolic and microbiome profiles of 20 AIS-PHP patients and 20 healthy controls(HCs)were analyzed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)-based metabolomics and 16s rDNA sequencing,respectively.The covariation between LC-MS/MS-based metabolite data and 16s rDNA sequence data was presented.Results:Distinct alterations in the plasma metabolic phenotype of AIS-PHP patients were found,in which 16 metabolites differed significantly between the AIS-PHP patients and the HCs.These metabolites represented 17 different metabolic pathways,including amino acid metabolism,lipid metabolism,and nucleotide metabolism.Additionally,significant alterations of gut microbiota composition and taxon were revealed at the phylum level between the AIS-PHP patients and the HCs.In AIS-PHP,Bacteroidetes,Firmicutes,and Proteobacteria dominated.Moreover,some microbes that differed between the 2 groups manifested a sole association with certain metabolites,such as the connection between Bacteroides and inosine and between Lachnospiraceae_unclassified and hypoxanthine.Conclusion:The present study preliminarily investigated the metabolomic and gut microbiome characteristics of AIS-PHP patient indicators.The link between metabolic and microbial dysbiosis in AIS-PHP sheds new light on the function of gut microbiota and associated metabolomics in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Early intravenous administration of tirofiban is recommended in patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with alteplase:a meta-analysis

Background:The occurrence of early neurological deterioration following intravenous thrombolysis(IVT)is considered a particularly ominous clinical event and is strongly correlated with poor outcomes.Initiating tirofiban within 24 h after IVT has been suggested as a better treatment option to achieve long-term functional outcomes.However,the rationality of this remedy is a controversial.The purpose of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of early intravenous tirofiban administration after IVT in patients with acute ischemic stroke(AIS).Methods:Databases including PubMed,EMBASE,Cochrane Library,and Web of Science were searched for clinical trials on early tirofiban implementation after IVT in patients with AIS from inception to September 2022.Odds ratios(ORs)were generated for dichotomous variants via meta-analysis using STATA 17.0 MP.Results:Five clinical trials with 725 patients were eligible.The study outcomes demonstrated that early tirofiban administration after IVT was not associated with symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage(OR,0.78;95%confidence interval(CI),0.22–2.74;P=0.70),asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage(OR,1.11;95%CI,0.52–2.37;P=0.80),systemic bleeding(OR,0.97;95%CI,0.42–2.23;P=0.94),and death(OR,1.05;95%CI,0.47–2.31;P=0.91),but may reduce the incidence of early neurological deterioration(OR,0.09;95%CI,0.02–0.50;P=0.01),and was significantly associated with 90-day excellent(modified Rankin scale score 0–1)(OR,2.01;95%CI,1.35–3.02;P=0.00)and favorable(modified Rankin scale score 0–2)(OR,2.30;95%CI,1.63–3.23;P=0.00)functional outcomes.Conclusion:The early intravenous administration of tirofiban after IVT in patients with AIS may be a safe and effective treatment strategy that improves long-term neurological functional outcomes without increasing the risk of adverse events.

Diffusion kurtosis imaging of microstructural changes in brain tissue affected by acute ischemic stroke in different locations

The location of an acute ischemic stroke is associated with its prognosis. The widely used Gaussian model-based parameter, apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC), cannot reveal microstructural changes in different locations or the degree of infarction. This prospective observational study was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board of Xiamen Second Hospital, China(approval No. 2014002).Diffusion kurtosis imaging(DKI) was used to detect 199 lesions in 156 patients with acute ischemic stroke(61 males and 95 females), mean age 63.15 ± 12.34 years. A total of 199 lesions were located in the periventricular white matter(n = 52), corpus callosum(n = 14), cerebellum(n = 29), basal ganglia and thalamus(n = 21), brainstem(n = 21) and gray-white matter junctions(n = 62). Percentage changes of apparent diffusion coefficient(ΔADC) and DKI-derived indices(fractional anisotropy [ΔFA], mean diffusivity [ΔMD], axial diffusivity [ΔD_a], radial diffusivity ΔDr, mean kurtosis [ΔMK], axial kurtosis [ΔK_a], and radial kurtosis [ΔK_r]) of each lesion were computed relative to the normal contralateral region. The results showed that(1) there was no significant difference in ΔADC, ΔMD, ΔD_a or ΔD_r among almost all locations.(2) There was significant difference in ΔMK among almost all locations(except basal ganglia and thalamus vs. brain stem; basal ganglia and thalamus vs. gray-white matter junctions; and brainstem vs. gray-white matter junctions.(3) The degree of change in diffusional kurtosis in descending order was as follows: corpus callosum > periventricular white matter > brainstem > gray-white matter junctions > basal ganglia and thalamus > cerebellum. In conclusion, DKI could reveal the differences in microstructure changes among various locations affected by acute ischemic stroke, and performed better than diffusivity among all groups.

Relationship between homocysteine level and prognosis of elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke treated by thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator

BACKGROUND Acute ischemic stroke(AIS)is mainly caused by cerebral blood flow disorders,which further leads to ischemic brain necrosis or encephalomalacia.The role of homocysteine(Hcy),an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease,in the development of atherosclerosis is gradually revealed.However,studies are still rare and little is known about the relationship of Hcy level with the prognosis.AIM To explore the relationship between Hcy level and prognosis in elderly patients with AIS after thrombolytic therapy with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator(rtPA).METHODS A total of 120 patients with acute ischemic stroke who were admitted to Jingzhou Central Hospital and underwent recombinant tissue plasminogen activator treatment were randomly selected from January 2017 to December 2018.They were divided into two groups according to the level of Hcy,with 60 patients in each group.Patients with Hcy≥18.54 umol/L were included into a high-level group and those with Hcy<18.54 umol/L were included into a low-level group.The outcomes were analyzed in the two groups after the treatment.RESULTS The National institute of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)scores were significantly higher in the high-level group than in the low-level group before and 1 h after the treatment(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in NIHSS scores between the two groups at 12 and 24 h after the treatment(P>0.05).The Modified Rankin scale(MRS)scores were significantly higher in the high-level group than in the low-level group before and 1 h after the treatment(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in MRS scores between the two groups at 12 and 24 h after the treatment(P>0.05).NIHSS and MRS scores were positively correlated with the prognosis after thrombolytic therapy(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The level of Hcy is closely related to the prognosis of elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke,and after rtPA treatment,the prognosis of elderly patients is improved significantly.

Different strategies for ultra-early reperfusion therapy in anterior circulation acute ischemic stroke safety and effectiveness of the comparative observation

Background:To compare the safety and effectiveness of direct mechanical thrombectomy and bridging therapy for stroke with acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusion within 4.5 hours of onset.Methods:Retrospectively collected from 66 patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the Department of Neurology of Tongliao Hospital and Xuanwu Hospital from August 2019 to November 2021 within 4.5 hours.According to the different recanalization methods,30 patients were assigned to the direct thrombectomy treatment group,and 36 patients in the bridging treatment group(i.e.,the intravenous thrombolysis bridging mechanical thrombectomy treatment group).The primary outcome measure was the neurological outcome at the onset of 90d.Secondary outcome measures were intraoperative vascular recanalization and reperfusion,and the US National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score at 24 hours after surgery.The primary safety indicators are intracranial hemorrhage,including symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and non-symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage,and 90d mortality.Results:The direct thrombectomy group had lower body mass index,hypertension and baseline Alberta early computed tomography score than the bridging treatment group,and longer time from onset to visit than the bridging group(206.5(119.5,256.25)min vs.150.5(25.205,212.75)min),the above difference were statistically significant(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in successful vascular reperfusion(93%vs.89%),24 hours postoperative National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score(11(5,18)vs.11(5,20)),intracranial hemorrhage(11%vs.14%),symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage(7%vs.17%),90d mRS0 to 2 points(43%vs.36%)and 90d mortality(23%vs.22%)(P>0.05).Conclusion:Similar clinical efficacy and safety of direct mechanical thrombectomy and bridging therapy for acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusive stroke within 4.5 hours of onset,direct thrombectomy can be used as an alternative scheme for acute anterior circulation intracranial large artery occlusive stroke.

The Effect of the Early Application of Tirofiban on Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS) after Intravenous Thrombolysis with Urokinase

Objective:Discussion and analysis of the effect of the early application of Tirofiban on acute ischemic stroke(AIS)after intravenous thrombolysis with urokinase.Method:The subjects of this study are 40 patients with AIS admitted at the Yibin Fourth People’s Hospital,of which were computer-randomized into a control group(20 cases,with regular urokinase intravenous thrombolysis therapy)and a research group(20 cases,combined with early Tirofiban treatment)from January 2018 to December 2022.The intervention outcomes between these two groups were compared and analyzed.Result:The blood platelet-related parameters before treatment had no statistical difference between the two groups(P>0.05),but the research group was higher than that of the control group after treatment(P<0.05).The Barthel index before treatment in both groups had no statistical difference(P>0.05),but the research group was higher than that of the control group after treatment(P<0.05).Conclusion:Early Tirofiban treatment for patients with AIS after intravenous thrombolysis with urokinase could effectively regulate the blood platelet-related parameters,hence improving treatment benefits and living capacity for patients,with definite clinical benefits.

Admission Motor Strength Grade Predicts Mortality in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke Undergoing Mechanical Thrombectomy

Background: The mortality due to mechanical thrombectomy (MT) in the acute treatment of intracranial arterial occlu- sions can be up to 45%. The SWIFT (Solitaire FR with the Intention for Thrombectomy) and Multi MERCI (mechani- cal embolus removal in cerebral ischemia) trials have evaluated the safety and efficacy of MT. It may be important to determine pre-procedural factors that help predict post-intervention prognosis. We sought to determine if admission medical research council (MRC) motor strength grade along with other factors can be used as predictor of mortality after MT for acute ischemic stroke. Methods: Retrospective analysis of stroke database assessing outcomes in all 62 patients who underwent MT as an intervention for acute ischemic stroke, with or without concurrent intravenous thrombolysis was done. Five baseline variables were included in univariate and multivariate analyses to define the in- dependent predictors of mortality during current hospitalization. The medical research council (MRC) motor grade (0 - 5);modified collateral flow (CS) grading (0 - 3);age;acute and chronic co-morbidities were used as the baseline vari- ables. If motor strength grade were different in upper and lower extremities, then the lower grade was used. Age was analyzed independently as well as dichotomized using 80 as cut-off value. Relevant stroke related acute and chronic co-morbidities were given 1 point each and mean calculated. Results: In the univariate analysis, low (0 - 1) motor strength grade (OR, 0.11;95% CI, 0.021 - 0.33;p = 0.001) and age (OR, 1.06;95% CI, 1.02 - 1.12;p = 0.011) was sig- nificantly associated with mortality. The presence of collateral flow, acute and chronic co-morbidities were not signifi- cantly associated with mortality. In the multivariate analysis, motor grade retained its statistical significance for morta- lity (OR, 0.09;95% CI, 0.01 - 0.32;p = 0.003) along with chronic co-morbidity (OR, 1.52;95% CI 1.05 - 2.43;

Cortical evoked potential changes in a rat model of acute ischemic stroke Detection of somatosensory evoked potential and motor evoked potential

BACKGROUND： Studies have shown that latency changes of some elements in a somatosensory evoked potential （SEP） and motor evoked potential （MEP） can reflect electrical activity of cerebral cortical neurons and conduction of white matter nerve fibers. However, there is a paucity of information regarding the dynamic observation of SEP and MEP following cerebral ischemic injury. OBJECTIVE： To explore SEP and MEP changes following acute ischemic stroke, and investigate the role of evoked potentials in monitoring brain function in stroke. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, animal experiment was performed at the Chongqing Key Laboratory of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from September 2007 to August 2008. MATERIALS＂ Hydrogen blood flow detector was purchased from Soochow University Medical Instrument Co., China, and Power lab system was purchased from AD Instruments, Inc., USA. METHODS A total of 36 healthy, adult, male, Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups （n = 9）, including three ischemia groups （12, 24 and 72 hours of ischemia） and a sham-surgery group. The rat model of acute ischemic stroke was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） in the left hemisphere. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES＂ SEP and MEP of the left limbs were detected, and cerebral blood flow was measured by the hydrogen cleaning method. RESULTS： The latency of positive wave 1 （P1）, negative wave 1 （N1） and positive wave 2 （P2） waves in SEP, and latency of negative wave 1,2 （N1, N2） waves in MEP were significantly prolonged with increasing ischemic duration following MCAO （P 〈 0.01）, but cerebral blood flow was significantly decreased （P 〈 0.05, or P 〈 0.01）. CONLUSION： Ischemic stroke prolongs the latency of SEP waves （P1, N1, P2） and MEP waves （N1, N2）, and cerebral cortical evoked potential may correlate with cerebral blood flow changes. This indicates that SEP and MEP can be used to evaluate brain function following acute ischemic stroke.

Tongqiao Huoxue Decoction combined with butylphthalide in the treatment of acute ischemic stroke and its effect on VEGF

Objective:To study the effect of Tongqiao Huoxue Decoction combined with butylphthalide soft capsules on acute ischemic stroke and its effect on serum vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF).Methods:There are 76 patients with acute ischemic stroke(Acute Ischemic Stroke,AIS),including 38 cases in the control group and the observation group.All patients were treated with conventional treatment methods for this disease.On this basis,the control group was given butylphthalide soft capsules orally,0.2g/time,3 times a day,and the observation group was given Tongqiaohuoxue Decoction on the basis of oral butylphthalide soft capsules.One dose a day,two times in the morning and evening.All patients were treated for 20 days as a course of treatment.The clinical efficacy of the two groups of patients were compared,the collateral circulation rate before and after treatment,NIHSS,MoCA and MMSE,hemorheology(plasma viscosity,fibrinogen,whole blood high and low shear viscosity),VEGF levels and the occurrence of adverse reactions.Results:The effective rate of the two groups was 92.1%in the observation group and 73.7%in the control group,which was significantly different(P<0.05).The collateral circulation patency rate was 86.8%in the observation group and 57.9%in the control group,which was significantly different(P<0.05).After treatment,the MoCA,MMSE scores and VEGF levels of the observation group were significantly higher than those before the treatment and the control group,with significant differences(P<0.05).The NIHSS score and hemorheology were improved compared with those before the treatment and the control group.There are significant differences(P<0.05).Conclusion:Tongqiao Huoxue Decoction combined with butylphthalide soft capsules can significantly improve collateral circulation,hemorheology,neurological and cognitive functions in patients with acute ischemic stroke.The mechanism may be related to the increase of VEGF levels and the promotion of neovascularization.

Management of Acute Ischemic Stroke in a Patient with a Past History of Intracranial Hemorrhage

Intravenous thrombolysis remains the gold standard in the management of acute ischemic stroke if the patient presents within the window period. Endovascular thrombectomy is another line of therapy in selected cases. Nonetheless, one of the most devastating complications of IV thrombolysis is intracranial hemorrhage (ICH);in such cases, the previous history of ICH is considered a potential contraindication to thrombolysis. Evidence regarding the safety of thrombolysis administration in patients with a previous history of ICH is scarce. We encountered a patient with acute ischemic stroke with a past history of hypertensive ICH. A 59-year-old female, presented with complete right-sided body weakness, global aphasia and gaze preference. A computed tomography (CT) brain perfusion scan revealed a mismatch suggestive of left middle cerebral artery (MCA) ischemic stroke. The patient received intravenous thrombolysis and showed significant clinical improvement with no subsequent complications or ICH. In reporting this case, we aim to provide evidence supporting the safety of thrombolytic therapy in selected cases with a previous history of ICH when no alternative line of management is available.

Observation of activation status of motor-related cortex of patients with acute ischemic stroke through functional magnetic resonance imaging

BACKGROUND： About more than three fourth of patients with stroke have motor dysfunction at different degrees, especially hand motor dysfunction. Functional magnetic resonance imaging （fMRI） provides very reliable visible evidence for studying central mechanism of motor dysfunction after stroke, and has guiding and applicable value for clinical therapy. OBJECTIVE： To observe the activation of motor-related cortex of patients with acute ischemic stroke with functional magnetic resonance imaging, and analyze the relationship between brain function reconstruction and motor restoration after stroke. DESIGN ： A contrast observation SETTING： Medical Imaging Center, Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Area Command of Chinese PLA. PARTICIPANTS ： Nine patients with acute ischemic stroke who suffered from motor dysfunction and received the treatment in the Fuzhou General Hospital of Nanjing Military Area Command of Chinese PLA between August and December 2005 were recruited, serving as experimental group. The involved patients including 5 male and 4 female, aged 16 to 87 years, all met the diagnostic criteria of cerebrovascular disease revised by The Fourth National Conference on Cerebrovascular Disease, mainly presenting paralysis in clinic, and underwent fMRI. Another 9 right handed persons matched in age and gender who simultaneously received healthy body examination were recruited, serving as control group. All the subjects were informed of the detected items. METHODS ： ①Muscular strength of patients of the experimental group was evaluated according to Brunnstrom grading muscular strength （Grade Ⅰ -Ⅳ）. ②Passive finger to finger motion was used as the mission （alternate style of quiescence, left hand motion and quiescence, nght hand motion was repeated 3 times, serving as 1 sequence, 20 s per block and 20 s time interval. The whole process of scanning was 260 s）, and subjects of 2 groups were given Bold-fMRI examination with GEl .5T double gradient 16-channel magnetic resonance imaging system. All the data were given off-line management, and fMRI was treated with SPM2 softwere. The activation of passive finger-to-finger motion-related cortex of subjects in 2 groups was observed. ③ Results of fMRI of subjects in 2 groups were compared. The size of activation region of brain and signal intensity were measured and unilateral index was calculated. The data of activation region of cerebral hemisphere of different sides at finger motion were given statistical analysis of unilateral index. Differences among unilateral indexes at hand motion were compared between intact and affected hands of patients in experimental group. The relationship between unilateral index and muscular strength of affected hands at affected hand motion in patients of the experimental group was performed Spearman correlation analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： ① The activation of motion-related cortex passive finger-to-finger motion between handedness and non-handedness was detected with functional magnetic resonance imaging of subjects in 2 groups. ②Relationship between unilateral index and muscular strength of subjects of experimental group at affected hand motion. RESULTS： Nine patients with ischemic stroke and 9 controls all participated in the final result analysis. ① Passive fMRI detection results between handedness and non-handedness of controls： Right-handed finger-to-finger motion of subjects of control group mainly activated contralateral sensonmotor cortex, and left-handed finger-to-finger motion not only activated above-mentioned brain region, but also activated supplementary motor area （SMA） of contralateral brain region; ②In the experimental group, sensorimotor cortex of contralateral hemisphere was activated at affected hand motion, and homolateral posterior parietal cortex （PPC）was also obviously activated. Bilateral sensonmotor cortex was activated at affected hand motion in 2 patients, and homolateral activation area was larger than contralateral one. At intact hand motion, contralateral sensorimotor cortex was activated, but no obvious homolateral activation area was found. ③ Correlation of unilateral index with muscular strength： Passive finger-to-finger fMRI （ between affected and intact hands of subjects of experimental group： Unilateral index at passive single finger motion of affected and intact hand of subjects of experimental group was -0.018±0.01 and 0.319±0.187, respectively, with significant difference （t=4.059, P 〈 0.01 ）. Unilateral index was significantly positively correlated with the muscular strength of affected hand at affected hand motion（r=0.834, P 〈 0.05）.CONCLUSION ： ①fMRI can objectively shows different activation states of motor cortex between patients with ischemic stroke and healthy controls, and brain functional compensation and recombination exist. Both primary sensorimotor cortex and SMA of bilateral hemispheres participant in affected hand motion, at the same time, parietal lobe and cortex of intact side also obviously participant in the affected hand motion. ②Correlation analysis of unilateral index and muscular strength of affected hand performed through fMRI can be used as an effective means to investigate the relationship between motion rehabilitation and brain functional recombination after stroke.