Xueshuantong improves cerebral blood perfusion in elderly patients with lacunar infarction

A total of 64 patients with acute lacunar infarction were enrolled within 24 hours of onset. The patients received conventional therapy （antiplatelet drugs and hypolipidemic drugs） alone or conventional therapy plus 450 mg Xueshuantong once a day. The main ingredient of the Xueshuantong lyophilized powder used for injection was Panax notoginseng saponins. Assessments were made at admission and at discharge using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, the Activity of Daily Living and the Mini-Mental State Examination. Additionally, the relative cerebral blood flow, relative cerebral blood volume and relative mean transit time in the region of interest were calculated within 24 hours after the onset of lacunar infarction, using dynamic susceptibility contrast magnetic resonance perfusion imaging technology. Patients underwent a follow-up MRI scan after 4 weeks of treatment. There was an improvement in the Activity of Daily Living scores and a greater reduction in the scores on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale in the treatment group than in the control group. However, the Mini-Mental State Examination scores showed no significant differences after 4 weeks of treatment. Compared with the control group, the relative cerebral blood flow at discharge had increased and showed a greater improvement in the treatment group. Furthermore, there was a reduction in the relative mean transit time at discharge and the value was lower in the treatment group than in the control group. The experimental findings indicate that Xueshuantong treatment improves neurological deficits in elderly patients with lacunar infarction, and the mechanism may be related to increased cerebral perfusion.

Cerebral perfusion in corresponding blood supply areas of transient ischemic attack patients with intracranial stenosis Seven cases of diamox-perfusion verified by magnetic resonance-perfusion-weighted imaging

BACKGROUND： Due to collateral circulation and cerebrovascular reserve, arterial stenosis and reduced cerebral blood flow may not necessarily indicate impaired cerebral peffusion. Therefore, according to degree of stenosis and clinical symptoms, interventional surgery to relieve arterial stenosis in transient ischemic attack （TIA） patients with major intracranial stenosis is imprudent. Rather, cerebral perfusion and reserve capacity are direct indicators for the assessment of degree and presence of cerebral ischemia. OBJECTIVE： To evaluate cerebral perfusion and reserve in TIA patients with major intracranial stenosis or occlusion using magnetic resonance-perfusion-weighted imaging （MR-PWl） data prior to and following diamox administration. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A self-comparative, neuroimaging observation was performed at the Neurological Department and Radiological Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University between December 2007 and April 2009. PARTICIPANTS： Seven acute TIA patients, who were admitted to the Neurological Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University between December 2007 and April 2009, were enrolled in the present study. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed that no acute cerebral infarction happened, nor did bleeding exist. Magnetic resonance angiography, transcranial Doppler ultrasound, and/or digital subtraction angiography confirmed the presence of major intracranial arterial stenosis. Clinical symptoms corresponded to blood supplying regions of the arterial stenosis. METHODS： Baseline MR-PWI was performed on seven patients with intracranial stenosis or occlusion. Two grams of acetazolamide （diamox） were orally administered after 2 days. A second PWl was performed after 2 hours to compare cerebral perfusion parameters prior to and following diamox administration. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： PWI results of cerebral perfusion prior to and following diamox administration. RESULTS： The baseline PWl from five patients indicated decreased cerebral perfusion areas. Following oral administration of diamox, cerebral perfusion significantly decreased in those areas. Moreover, new areas of decreased cerebral perfusion were observed in two out of the five patients. In one patient, no significant decrease in cerebral perfusion was found. In another patient, baseline PWl indicated decreased cerebral perfusion in the left hemisphere. However, normal perfusion was observed in both cerebral lobes following diamox administration. CONCLUSION： TIA patients with intracranial stenosis, who are diagnosed by PWI and exhibited decreased cerebral perfusion and reserve, might require further treatment such as intervention by angioptasty.

CT Perfusion Imaging Predicts One-Month Outcome in Patients with Acute Spontaneous Hypertensive Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Purpose: Little is known about the relationship between perihematomal perfusion parameters in acute spontaneous hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage patients and recent outcome. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the perfusion parameters of the perihematomal brain tissue and the recent prognosis of patients with acute spontaneous hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage (shICH) using CT perfusion (CTP) imaging. Methods: Twenty-six patients with clinical and CT diagnosed supratentorial shICH received CTP scanning within 8 - 19 h after symptom onset. At the maximum levels of the hematoma, cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV) and mean transit time (MTT) of perihematomal area (isodense within 1cm rim of perilesion area on plain CT) and contralateral mirrored hemisphere were measured, and rCBF, rCBV, rMTT were calculated (ipsilateral/contralateral). The one-month follow-up in accordance with daily living table (Barthel index, BI) by telephone was recorded. Results: The CBV, CBF, and MTT values of perihematoma area were (1.61 ± 1.53) ml·100 g-1, (16.48 ± 12.58) ml·100 g-1·min-1, and (9.12 ± 2.57) s, respectively. (For more information,please refer to the PDF)

Three-dimensional arterial spin labeling and diffusion kurtosis imaging in evaluating perfusion and infarct area size in acute cerebral ischemia

BACKGROUND Early thrombolytic therapy is crucial to treat acute cerebral infarction,especially since the onset of thrombolytic therapy takes 1-6 h.Therefore,early diagnosis and evaluation of cerebral infarction is important.AIM To investigate the diagnostic value of magnetic resonance multi-delay threedimensional arterial spin labeling(3DASL)and diffusion kurtosis imaging(DKI)in evaluating the perfusion and infarct area size in patients with acute cerebral ischemia.METHODS Eighty-four patients who experienced acute cerebral ischemia from March 2019 to February 2021 were included.All patients in the acute stage underwent magnetic resonance-based examination,and the data were processed by the system’s own software.The apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC),average diffusion coefficient(MD),axial diffusion(AD),radial diffusion(RD),average kurtosis(MK),radial kurtosis(fairly RK),axial kurtosis(AK),and perfusion parameters post-labeling delays(PLD)in the focal area and its corresponding area were compared.The correlation between the lesion area of cerebral infarction under MK and MD and T2-weighted imaging(T2WI)was analyzed.RESULTS The DKI parameters of focal and control areas in the study subjects were compared.The ADC,MD,AD,and RD values in the lesion area were significantly lower than those in the control area.The MK,RK,and AK values in the lesion area were significantly higher than those in the control area.The MK/MD value in the infarct lesions was used to determine the matching situation.MK/MD<5 mm was considered matching and MK/MD≥5 mm was considered mismatching.PLD1.5s and PLD2.5s perfusion parameters in the central,peripheral,and control areas of the infarct lesions in MK/MD-matched and-unmatched patients were not significantly different.PLD1.5s and PLD2.5s perfusion parameter values in the central area of the infarct lesions in MK/MD-matched and-unmatched patients were significantly lower than those in peripheral and control areas.The MK and MD maps showed a lesion area of 20.08±5.74 cm^(2) and 22.09±5.58 cm^(2),respectively.T2WI showed a lesion area of 19.76±5.02 cm^(2).There were no significant differences in the cerebral infarction lesion areas measured using the three methods.MK,MD,and T2WI showed a good correlation.CONCLUSION DKI parameters showed significant difference between the focal and control areas in patients with acute ischemic cerebral infarction.3DASL can effectively determine the changes in perfusion levels in the lesion area.There was a high correlation between the area of the infarct lesions diagnosed by DKI and T2WI.

Whole-brain CT Perfusion at Admission and During Delayed Time-window Detects the Delayed Cerebral Ischemia in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Objective To evaluate the utility of computed tomography perfusion(CTP)both at admission and during delayed cerebral ischemia time-window(DCITW)in the detection of delayed cerebral ischemia(DCI)and the change in CTP parameters from admission to DCITW following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.Methods Eighty patients underwent CTP at admission and during DCITW.The mean and extreme values of all CTP parameters at admission and during DCITW were compared between the DCI group and non-DCI group,and comparisons were also made between admission and DCITW within each group.The qualitative color-coded perfusion maps were recorded.Finally,the relationship between CTP parameters and DCI was assessed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)analyses.Results With the exception of cerebral blood volume(P=0.295,admission;P=0.682,DCITW),there were significant differences in the mean quantitative CTP parameters between DCI and non-DCI patients both at admission and during DCITW.In the DCI group,the extreme parameters were significantly different between admission and DCITW.The DCI group also showed a deteriorative trend in the qualitative color-coded perfusion maps.For the detection of DCI,mean transit time to the center of the impulse response function(Tmax)at admission and mean time to start(TTS)during DCITW had the largest area under curve(AUC),0.698 and 0.789,respectively.Conclusion Whole-brain CTP can predict the occurrence of DCI at admission and diagnose DCI during DCITW.The extreme quantitative parameters and qualitative color-coded perfusion maps can better reflect the perfusion changes of patients with DCI from admission to DCITW.

Effects of emergency hyperbaric oxygen therapy on nerve injury, angiogenesis and cerebral blood perfusion in patients with acute cerebral infarction

Objective:To explore the effects of emergency hyperbaric oxygen therapy on nerve injury, angiogenesis and cerebral blood perfusion in patients with acute cerebral infarction.Methods:A total of118 patients with acute cerebral infarction who were treated in the hospital between April 2015 and October 2017 were selected as study subjects and divided into hyperbaric oxygen group (n=59) and control group (n=59) by random number table method. Control group received conventional therapy, hyperbaric oxygen group received conventional therapy combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy, and both groups were treated for 2 weeks. The differences in nerve injury, angiogenesis and cerebral blood perfusion were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.Results: Differences in nerve injury, angiogenesis and cerebral perfusion were not significant between the two groups immediately after diagnosis. After 2 weeks of treatment, serum nerve injury indexes IGF-1, Copeptin, PAO, AQP4 and H-FABP contents of hyperbaric oxygen group were lower than those of control group;serum angiogenesis indexes PEDF, Ang-1 and VEGF contents were higher than those of control group whereas ES content was lower than that of control group;stenotic-side cerebral blood perfusion parameters CBF and CBV levels were higher than those of control group whereas TTP level was lower than that of control group.Conclusion: Emergency hyperbaric oxygen therapy can effectively reduce nerve injury, promote cerebral angiogenesis and increase cerebral blood perfusion in patients with acute cerebral infarction.

Erythropoietin reduces apoptosis of brain tissue cells in rats after cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury:a characteristic analysis using magnetic resonance imaging

Some in vitro experiments have shown that erythropoietin （EPO） increases resistance to apoptosis and facilitates neuronal survival follow- ing cerebral ischemia. However, results from in vivo studies are rarely reported. Perfusion-weighted imaging （PWI） and diffusion-weighted imaging （DWI） have been applied successfully to distinguish acute cerebral ischemic necrosis and penumbra in living animals; therefore, we hypothesized that PWI and DWI could be used to provide imaging evidence in vivo for the conclusion that EPO could reduce apoptosis in brain areas injured by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. To validate this hypothesis, we established a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion injury, and treated with intra-cerebroventricular injection of EPO （5,000 U/kg） 20 minutes before injury. Brain tissue in the ischemic injury zone was sampled using MRI-guided localization. The relative area of abnormal tissue, changes in PWI and DWI in the ischemic injury zone, and the number of apoptotic cells based on TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling （TUNEL） were assessed. Our findings demonstrate that EPO reduces the relative area of abnormally high signal in PWI and DWI, increases cerebral blood volume, and decreases the number of apoptotic cells positive for TUNEL in the area injured by cerebral ischemia/reperfusion. The experiment pro- vides imaging evidence in vivo for EPO treating cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Magnetic resonance perfusion imaging evaluation in perfusion abnormalities of the cerebellum after supratentorial unilateral hyperacute cerebral infarction

Magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） data of 10 patients with hyperacute cerebral infarction （≤6 hours） were retrospectively analyzed.Six patients exhibited perfusion defects on negative enhancement integral maps,four patients exhibited perfusion differences in pseudo-color on mean time to enhance maps,and three patients exhibited perfusion differences in pseudo-color on time to minimum maps.Dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced perfusion weighted imaging revealed a significant increase in region negative enhancement integral in the affected hemisphere of patients with cerebral infarction.The results suggest that dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced perfusion weighted imaging can clearly detect perfusion abnormalities in the cerebellum after unilateral hyperacute cerebral infarction.

Effects of kallikrein gene transfer on penumbral microvascular proliferation and on regional cerebral blood flow following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury

BACKGROUND： Recent findings have demonstrated that the kallikrein-kinin system （KKS） participates in the pathological process of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Kallikrein gene transfer exhibits neural protective effects following cerebral infarction. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effects of kallikrein gene transfer on vascular proliferation in the peripheral infarct focus and on regional cerebral blood flow （rCBF） following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： The completely randomized, controlled experiment was performed at the Lin Baixin Laboratory Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sun University between September 2007 and April 2008. MATERIALS： pUCI9-HTK plasmid was constructed and maintained in the Laboratory for Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, China. Mouse anti-human kallikrein 1 monoclonal antibody was purchased from R＆D Systems, USA. METHODS Ninety healthy, male, Sprague Dawley rats were used. Middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） was established in all rats to induce cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Following MCAO establishment, all rats were randomly divided into three groups （n = 30）： blank control, saline, and pAdCMV-HTK. The saline and pAdCMV-HTK groups were stereotactically micro-injected with 5μL of physiological saline or with pAdCMV-HTK [multiplicity of infection （MOI） = 20], respectively, into the ischemic penumbra. In the blank control group, only sham injection was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： At 12, 24, and 72 hours after treatment, cerebral infarction volume was measured by 2, 3, 5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining. Exogenous HTK expression, as well as regional vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF） expression, was detected by immunohistochemistry. rCBF was examined by 14C-iodoantipyrine micro tracing. In addition, neurological severity score （NSS） was performed. Higher scores indicated more severe neurological deficits. RESULTS： NSS results demonstrated that compared with the saline and the blank control groups, the pAdCMV-HTK group exhibited lower NSSs 24 hours after pAdCMV-HTK injection （P 〈 0.05）. The NSSs were further decreased after 72 hours （P 〈 0.01）. Cerebral infarction volume at 24 hours, and in particular at 72 hours after treatment, was significantly reduced in the pAdCMV-HTK group compared with the blank control and saline groups （P 〈 0.05）. The rCBF in the area surrounding the infarction lesion was slightly decreased in all groups compared with the contralateral area. At 24 and 72 hours following treatment, the rCBF in the peripheral infarction lesion was significantly elevated in the pAdCMV-HTK group compared with the blank control and saline groups （P 〈 0.05）. Immunohistochemistry results revealed that VEGF-positive cells were primarily found in the cortex and in some white matter surrounding the cerebral infarction lesion. In addition, the expression of VEGF in the pAdCMV-HTK group was significantly higher compared with that in the blank control and saline groups at 12, 24, and 72 hours following treatment （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion, kallikrein gene transfer can promote vascular proliferation in the brain tissue surrounding the infarction lesion, improve rCBF, and reduce infarction volume, thereby exhibiting protective effects to attenuate neurological deficits.

IMPAIRED BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER AFTER CHRONIC CEREBRAL HYPOPERFUSION

Ohjectire To examine the hypothesis of normal perjusion pressure breakthrough (NPPB). Methods A modified Spetzler carotid -jugular (CJ) fistula model was created to imitate NPPB. In 9 male adult Sprague- Dawley rats, the ipsilateral vertebral artery and bilateral external carotid arteries were occluded. The period of hypoperfusion CJ fistula was extended to 14 weeks, as a modofcation of Spetzler model. The histological change were examtned under transmission electron microscope 14 weeks after creation of the listula. Results Ischemic histological changes such as increased pinocytosis, increased lucency of the basal lamina, and frank necrosis of the cerebral capillary were found in rats of CJ fistula group. Conclusion The findings in this study suggest that blood - braln barrier (BBB) was impaired by chronic hypoperfusion. The impaired BBB mny be one of the important causes of the NPPB phenomenon.

Robust restoration of low-dose cerebral perfusion CT images using NCS-Unet

Cerebral perfusion computed tomography(PCT)is an important imaging modality for evaluating cerebrovascular diseases and stroke symptoms.With widespread public concern about the potential cancer risks and health hazards associated with cumulative radiation exposure in PCT imaging,considerable research has been conducted to reduce the radiation dose in X-ray-based brain perfusion imaging.Reducing the dose of X-rays causes severe noise and artifacts in PCT images.To solve this problem,we propose a deep learning method called NCS-Unet.The exceptional characteristics of non-subsampled contourlet transform(NSCT)and the Sobel filter are introduced into NCS-Unet.NSCT decomposes the convolved features into high-and low-frequency components.The decomposed high-frequency component retains image edges,contrast imaging traces,and noise,whereas the low-frequency component retains the main image information.The Sobel filter extracts the contours of the original image and the imaging traces caused by the contrast agent decay.The extracted information is added to NCS-Unet to improve its performance in noise reduction and artifact removal.Qualitative and quantitative analyses demonstrated that the proposed NCS-Unet can improve the quality of low-dose cone-beam CT perfusion reconstruction images and the accuracy of perfusion parameter calculations.

Retinal hemorrhage as a unique ophthalmic manifestation of cerebral hyper perfusion syndrome

Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHPS) is a rare disease with complications of carotid artery revascularization. Acute retinal hemorrhage is a very rare entity that has been previously described as a manifestation of CHPS followed by the carotid artery stenting (CAS), but to the best of our knowledge, not yet described as a complication of carotid surgery. An Ascending Aorta to bilateral Carotid bypass was performed in a 35 years old woman with active Takayasu arteritis and 95% symptomatic stenosis of both common carotid arteries. Severe retinal hemorrhage appeared on the second post operative day combined with high blood pressure, brain edema on CT scan and grand mal seizures. It seems that fundoscopic examination followed by the carotid revascularization of tightness can be helpful in identifying those patients who develop symptoms suggesting of CHPS.

Retinal hemorrhage as a unique ophthalmic manifestation of cerebral hyper perfusion syndrome

Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHPS) is a rare, complication of carotid artery revascularization. Acute retinal hemorrhage is a very rare entity previously described as a manifestation of CHPS following carotid artery stenting (CAS), but to the best of our knowledge, not yet described as a complication of carotid surgery. An Ascending Aorta to bilateral Carotid bypass was performed in a 35-year-old woman with active Takayasu arteritis and 95% symptomatic stenosis of both common carotid arteries. Severe retinal hemorrhage appeared on the second post operative day combined with high blood pressure, brain edema on CT scan and grand mal seizures. It seems that fundoscopic examination following carotid revascularization of tight can be helpful in identifying those patients who develop symptoms suggesting of CHPS.

Changes in cerebral perfusion detected by dynamic susceptibility contrast magnetic resonance imaging: normal volunteers examined during normal breathing and hyperventilation

Global cerebral perfusion parameters were measured using dynamic susceptibility contrast magnetic resonance imaging (DSC-MRI) in eight healthy volunteers examined during normal breathing and spontaneous hyperventilation. DSC-MRI-based cerebral blood flow (CBF) de-creased during hyperventilation in all volun-teers (average decrease 29%), and the corre-sponding global CBF estimates were 73±19ml/ (min100g) during normal breathing and 52± 7.9ml/(min100g) during hyperventilation (mean ±SD, n=8). Furthermore, the hypocapnic condi-tions induced by hyperventilation resulted in a prolongation of the global mean transit time (MTT) by on average 14%. The observed CBF estimates appeared to be systematically over-estimated, in accordance with previously pub-lished DSC-MRI results, but reduced to more reasonable levels when a previously retrieved calibration factor was applied.

Can CT Perfusion Guide Patient Selection for Treatment of Delayed Cerebral Ischemia?

Purpose: To evaluate qualitative and quantitative CT perfusion (CTP) for different treatment options of delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) in aneurysmal SAH. Methods: Retrospective study of consecutive SAH patients enrolled in a prospective IRB-approved clinical trial. Qualitative analysis of CTP deficits were determined by two blinded neuroradiologists. Quantitative CTP was performed using standardized protocol with region-of-interest placement sampling the cortex. DCI was assessed by clinical and imaging criteria. Patients were classified into treatment groups: 1) hypertension-hemodilution-hypervolemia (HHH);2) intra-arterial (IA) vasodilators and/or angioplasty;3) no treatment. Mean quantitative CTP values were compared using ANOVA pairwise comparisons. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, standard error (SE) and optimal threshold values were calculated. Results: Ninety-six patients were classified into three treatment groups;21% (19/96) HHH, 34% (33/96) IA-therapy and 46% (44/96) no treatment. DCI was diagnosed in 42% (40/96);of which 18% (7/40) received HHH, 80% (32/40) IA-therapy, and 2% (1/40) no treatment. CTP deficits were seen in 50% (48/96);occurring in 63% (12/19) HHH, 94% (31/33) IA-therapy, and 11% (5/44) no treatment. Presence of CTP deficits had 83% sensitivity, 89% specificity, 90% positive predictive and 81% negative predictive values for treatment. Mean quantitative CTP values revealed significant differences in CBF (p mL/100 gm/min (89% specificity, 71% sensitivity) for determining treatment. Conclusion: These initial findings of significant differences in CTP deficits for different treatment groups suggest that CTP may have a potential role in guiding patient selection for treatment of DCI.

Usefulness of an Anisotropic Diffusion Method in Cerebral CT Perfusion Study Using Multi-Detector Row CT

Purpose: To present an application of the anisotropic diffusion (AD) method to improve the accuracy of the functional images of perfusion parameters such as cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV) and mean transit time (MTT) generated from cerebral CT perfusion studies using multi-detector row CT (MDCT). Materials and Methods: Continuous scans (1 sec/rotation ×60 sec) consisting of four 5-mm-thick contiguous slices were acquired after an intravenous injection of iodinated contrast material in 6 patients with cerebrovascular disease using an MDCT scanner with a tube voltage of 80 kVp and a tube current of 200 mA. New image data were generated by thinning out the above original images at an interval of 2 sec or 3 sec. The thinned-out images were then interpolated by linear interpolation to generate the same number of images as originally acquired. The CBF, CBV and MTT images were generated using deconvolution analysis based on singular value decomposition. Results: When using the AD method, the correlation coefficient between the MTT values obtained from the original and thinned-out images was significantly improved. Furthermore, the coefficients of variation of the CBF, CBV and MTT values in the white matter significantly decreased as compared to not using the AD method. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the AD method is useful for improving the accuracy of the functional images of perfusion parameters and for reducing radiation exposure in cerebral CT perfusion studies using MDCT.

Neuronal apoptosis after hypothermia circulatory arrest and intermittent antegrade cerebral perfusion

Objective To observe the influence of hypotherrnic circulatory arrest （HCA） on the apoptotic processes of neurons in the hippocampus and the expression of the related genes Bcl-2 and Bax, and compare to the intermittent antegrade cerebral perfusion. Methods Eighteen dogs were randomly divided into three groups： control group （6 animals, underwent normal temperature cardiopulmonary bypass, NCPB）, HCA group （6 animals, underwent HCA for 1 h）, and HCA ＋ IACP group （6 animals, underwent HCA for 1 h, combined with intermittent antegrade cerebral perfusion （IACP） every 15 min）. The hippocampus tissue was retrieved 2h after the CPB discontinued The expression of Bcl-2 and Bax were examined with immunohistochemistry method. The cytomorphologic changes of the hippocampus tissue were investigated with transmission electron microscopy （TEM）. Results The immunohistochemical staining showed that Bax protein levels were significantly higher in HCA group than in the other two groups （P〈0.01）, while Bcl-2 protein levels were significantly higher in HCA ＋ IACP group than that of the other two groups （P〈0.01）. Meanwhile, the TEM results showed that there was no apoptosis of neurons in control group, but neuronal apoptotic changes could be clearly observed in HCA group, and only a small amount of apoptotic neurons were seen in HCA ＋ IACP group. Conclusions HCA alone can induce neuronal apoptosis in the hippocampus. IACP during the HCA period has a protective effect on the cerebral tissue through suppressing apoptosis by decreasing Bax expression and increasing Bcl-2 expression.

Advances in arterial spin labeled cerebral perfusion imaging in cerebrovascular diseases

Cerebrovascular disease is a disease with high morbidity,disability and mortality rates,which seri-ously affects the daily life of patients and is a heavy burden on families and society.Arterial spin labeling(ASL)is a magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)technology that uses the magnetic labeling of hydrogen atoms in arterial blood as tracers to noninvasively evaluate brain blood flow.ASL does not require injection of an exogenous contrast agent,and has the advantages of no radiation,simplicity and low cost.In cerebrovascular diseases,ASL can evaluate the collateral cerebrovascular circulation and abnormal perfusion of brain tissue,which can provide a reliable basis for early diagnosis and clinical decision-making.This study reviewed ASL and its application in the diagnosis,treatment and prognosis of cerebrovascular diseases.

Influence of Xiaoshuan enteric-coated capsules + aniracetam therapy on cerebral blood perfusion and nerve function in patients with convalescent cerebral infarction

Objective: To investigate the influence of Xiaoshuan enteric-coated capsules + aniracetam therapy on cerebral blood perfusion and nerve function in patients with convalescent cerebral infarction. Methods: A total of 177 cases of patients with convalescent cerebral infarction were retrospectively reviewed and then divided into the control group (n=109) and the Xiaoshuan enteric-coated capsules group (n=68). Control group received aniracetam therapy on the basis of routine treatment, and Xiaoshuan enteric-coated capsules group received Xiaoshuan enteric-coated capsules + aniracetam therapy on the basis of routine treatment. The differences in ultrasound cerebral blood perfusion parameter levels as well as serum neurotrophy index and nerve injury index contents were compared between the two groups. Results: Before treatment, there was no statistically significant difference in ultrasound cerebral blood perfusion parameter levels as well as serum neurotrophy index and nerve injury index contents between the two groups. After treatment, ultrasound cerebral blood perfusion parameters PSV and TMV levels in Xiaoshuan enteric-coated capsules group were higher than those in control group whereas RI level was lower than that in control group;serum neurotrophy indexes bFGF, BDNF and VEGF contents were higher than those of control group;serum nerve injury indexes GFAP, NSE, UCH-L1 and S100B contents were lower than those of control group. Conclusion: Xiaoshuan enteric-coated capsules + aniracetam therapy can significantly increase cerebral blood perfusion and optimize nerve function in patients with convalescent cerebral infarction.

Clinical application of retrograde cerebral perfusion for brain protection during the surgery of ascending aortic aneurysm:50 cases report

Objective To assess retrospectively the effects of different protective methods on brain in ascending aortic aneurysm surgery. Methods In 65 patients, aneurysm was dissected to the aortic arch or right arch. To protect brain, deep hypotermic circulatory arrest ( DHCA.) combined with retrograde cerebral perfusion ( RCP) June 2003 Vol11 No2 through the superior vena cava ( n = 50) and simple DHCA ( n = 15) were used during the procedure. Blood samples for lactic acid level from the jugular vein were compared in both groups at different plase, and perfusion blood distribution and oxygen content difference between the perfused and returned blood were measured in some RCP patients. Results The DHCA time was 35.9 ± 8 min (10. 0 - 63. 0 min) and DHCA+ RCP time was 45.5 ± 17. 2 min (16. 0 - 81. 0 min)The resuscitationtime was 7.1 ± 1.6 h (4.4 - 9.4H)in DHCA patients and 5.4±2.2h(2.0-9.0 h)in RCP patients. Operation death was 3/15 in the DHCA group and 1/50 in the RCP patients. Central nervous complication