Characterization of cerebrovascular changes in Alzheimer's disease mice by photoacoustic imaging

The cerebral vasculature plays a significant role in the development of Alzheimer's disease(AD),however,the specific association between them remains unclear.In this paper,based on the benefits of photoacoustic imaging(PAI),including label-free,high-resolution,in vivo imaging of vessels,we investigated the structural changes of cerebral vascular in wild-type(WT)mice and AD mice at different ages,analyzed the characteristics of the vascular in different brain regions,and correlated vascular characteristics with cognitive behaviors.The results showed that vascular density and vascular branching index in the cortical and frontal regions of both WT and AD mice decreased with age.Meanwhile,vascular lacunarity increased with age,and the changes in vascular structure were more pronounced in AD mice.The trend of vascular dysfunction aligns with the worsening cognitive dysfunction as the disease progresses.Here,we utilized in vivo PAI to analyze the changes in vascular structure during the progression of AD,elucidating the spatial and temporal correlation with cognitive impairment,which will provide more intuitive data for the study of the correlation between cerebrovascular and the development of AD.

A Medicinal and Edible Plant Crocus sativus L.and Its Therapeutic Effects on Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases

This paper introduces the biological characteristics,medicinal value,chemical component,and pharmacological effects of Crocus sativus L.,and explores its therapeutic effects on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as angina pectoris and coronary heart disease.

Gamma-glutamyl transferase 5 overexpression in cerebrovascular endothelial cells improves brain pathology,cognition,and behavior in APP/PS1 mice

In patients with Alzheimer’s disease,gamma-glutamyl transferase 5(GGT5)expression has been observed to be downregulated in cerebrovascular endothelial cells.However,the functional role of GGT5 in the development of Alzheimer’s disease remains unclear.This study aimed to explore the effect of GGT5 on cognitive function and brain pathology in an APP/PS1 mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease,as well as the underlying mechanism.We observed a significant reduction in GGT5 expression in two in vitro models of Alzheimer’s disease(Aβ_(1-42)-treated hCMEC/D3 and bEnd.3 cells),as well as in the APP/PS1 mouse model.Additionally,injection of APP/PS1 mice with an adeno-associated virus encoding GGT5 enhanced hippocampal synaptic plasticity and mitigated cognitive deficits.Interestingly,increasing GGT5 expression in cerebrovascular endothelial cells reduced levels of both soluble and insoluble amyloid-βin the brains of APP/PS1 mice.This effect may be attributable to inhibition of the expression ofβ-site APP cleaving enzyme 1,which is mediated by nuclear factor-kappa B.Our findings demonstrate that GGT5 expression in cerebrovascular endothelial cells is inversely associated with Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis,and that GGT5 upregulation mitigates cognitive deficits in APP/PS1 mice.These findings suggest that GGT5 expression in cerebrovascular endothelial cells is a potential therapeutic target and biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease.

Microstructural damage pattern of vascular cognitive impairment: a comparison between moyamoya disease and cerebrovascular atherosclerotic disease

Moyamoya disease and cerebrovascular atherosclerotic disease are both chronic ischemic diseases with similar presentations of vascular cognitive impairment. The aim of the present study was to investigate the patterns of microstructural damage associated with vascular cognitive impairment in the two diseases. The study recruited 34 patients with moyamoya disease(age 43.9 ± 9.2 years; 20 men and 14 women, 27 patients with cerebrovascular atherosclerotic disease(age: 44.6 ± 7.6 years; 17 men and 10 women), and 31 normal controls(age 43.6 ± 7.3 years; 18 men and 13 women) from Huashan Hospital of Fudan University in China. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination, long-term delayed recall of Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Trail Making Test Part B, and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test. Single-photon emission-computed tomography was used to examine cerebral perfusion. Voxel-based morphometry and tract-based spatial statistics were performed to identify regions of gray matter atrophy and white matter deterioration in patients and normal controls. The results demonstrated that the severity of cognitive impairment was similar between the two diseases in all tested domains. Patients with moyamoya disease and those with cerebrovascular atherosclerotic disease suffered from disturbed supratentorial hemodynamics. Gray matter atrophy in bilateral middle cingulate cortex and parts of the frontal gyrus was prominent in both diseases, but in general, was more severe and more diffuse in those with moyamoya disease. White matter deterioration was significant for both diseases in the genu and body of corpus callosum, in the anterior and superior corona radiation, and in the posterior thalamic radiation, but in moyamoya disease, it was more diffuse and more severe. Vascular cognitive impairment was associated with regional microstructural damage, with a potential link between, gray and white matter damage. Overall, these results provide insight into the pathophysiological nature of vascular cognitive impairment. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board in Huashan Hospital, China(approval No. 2014-278). This study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov on December 2, 2014 with the identifier NCT02305407.

Significance of ultrasound evaluation of carotid atherosclerotic plaque for diagnosing ischemic cerebrovascular disease

BACKGROUND： Carotid artery is the main source for craniocerebral blood supply. Its intimal plaque formation and arterial stenosis degree both are the risk factors for ischemic cerebrovascular disease.Therefore, the close relationship of carotid atherosclerotic plaque and ischemic cerebrovascular disease, and ultrasound evaluation of carotid atherosclerotic plaque have become the hot spot in studying ischemic cerebrovascular disease.OBJECTIVE： This study was to detect the degree of carotid atherosclerosis of ischemic cerebrovascular disease patients by ultrasonography, and to analyze the situation of carotid atherosclerosis and its relationship with clinic.DESIGN： Clinical randomized concurrent control experiment.SETTING： Lintong Convalescent Hospital of Lanzhou Military Area Command of Chinese PLA.PARTICIPANTS： Totally 60 outpatients and inpatients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease, 42 males and 18 females, admitted to Lintong Convalescent Hospital of Lanzhou Military Area Command of Chinese PLA between January 2006 and December 2006 were involved in the patient group. They met the diagnosis criteria of ischemic cerebrovascular disease constituted by the 4th Cerebrovascular Disease Conference in 1996, and were confirmed to suffer from ischemic cerebrovascular disease by skull CT and MRI. Another 20 subjects who received healthy examination concurrently in the same hospital, 12 males and 8 females, were involved in the control group. Informed consents of detected items were obtained from involved subjects.METHODS： The plaque thickness of mid portion, distal end and crotch of common carotid artery （CCA）,internal carotid artery （ICA）, external carotid artery （ECA） and vertebral artery （VA） of involved subjects,who received health examination was separately detected with color Doppler ultrasonograph （HDI-5000）.Then, total integral of plaque was calculated. The intima-media thickness （IMT） was measured with two-dimensional ultrasonography. The inner diameter stenosis degree of subjects who had plaque was measured. Blood flow parameters were recorded, and stenosis degree and plaque area were calculated. Blood flow volume of bilateral carotid artery and VA was separately measured with ultrasound equipment software,and brain blood flow volume was calculated.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Atherosclerotic degree and blood flow volume of patients of two groups.RESULTS： Sixty patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease and twenty subjects who received health examination participated in the final analysis. ①The IMT thickness, total plaque score, and total plaque area of patient group was significantly superior to that of control group, respectively（ t=5.216 - 10.158, P 〈 0.05 ）.② There were significant differences in the stenosis degree of CCA, ICA and VA between patient group and control group （t=6.720 - 12.816, P 〈 0.05 ） . ③ The blood flow volume of CCA, ICA, VA and brain of patient group was significantly lower than that of control group, respectively （t=2.872 - 10.860, P 〈 0.05）.CONCLUSION： Ischemic cerebrovascular disease patients have different degrees of changes in atherosclerosis and arterial blood flow.

Use of various CT imaging methods for diagnosis of acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease

Thirty-four patients with cerebral infarction and 18 patients with transient ischemic attack were examined by multi-slice spiral CT scan, CT perfusion imaging, and CT angiography within 6 hours after onset. By CT perfusion imaging, 29 cases in the cerebral infarction group and 10 cases in the transient ischemic attack group presented with abnormal blood flow perfusion, which corresponded to the clinical symptoms. By CT angiography, various degrees of vascular stenosis could be detected in 41 patients, including 33 in the cerebral infarction group and eight in the transient ischemic attack group. The incidence of intracranial artery stenosis was higher than that of extracranial artery stenosis. The intracranial artery stenosis was located predominantly in the middle cerebral artery and carotid artery siphon, while the extracranial artery stenosis occurred mainly in the bifurcation of the common carotid artery and the opening of the vertebral artery. There were 34 cases （83%） with convict vascular stenosis and perfusion abnormalities, and five cases （45%） with perfusion abnormalities but without convict vascular stenosis. The incidence of cerebral infarction in patients with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores 〉 5 points during onset was significantly higher than that in patients with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale scores 〈 5 points. These experimental findings indicate that the combined application of various CT imaging methods allows early diagnosis of acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease, which can comprehensively analyze the pathogenesis and severity of acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease at the morphological and functional levels.

Impact of Cerebrovascular Disease Mortality on Life Expectancy in China

Objective To evaluate the impact of cerebrovascular disease mortality on life expectancy （LE） in China in 2010 compared with 2005, and to identify the high-risk population （age, sex, and region） where cerebrovascular disease mortality has had a major impact on LE. Methods LE and cause-eliminated LE were calculated by using standard life tables which used adjusted mortality data from the Death Surveillance Data Sets in 2005 and 2010 from the National Disease Surveillance System. Decomposition was used to quantitate the impact of cerebrovascular disease in different age groups. Results LE in China was 73.24 years in 2010, which was higher in women and urban residents compared with men and rural residents. The loss of LE caused by cerebrovascular disease mortality was 2.26 years, which was higher in men and rural residents compared with women and urban residents. More than 30% of the loss of LE were attributed to premature death from cerebrovascular disease in people aged 〈65 years. Compared with 2005, LE in 2010 increased by 0.92 years. The reduction of cerebrovascular disease mortality in urban residents contributed 0.45 years to the increase of LE, but the increase of cerebrovascular disease mortality caused a 0.12-year loss of LE in rural residents. Conclusion Cerebrovascular disease mortality had a major impact on LE in China, with a significant difference between urban and rural residents. LE is likely to be further increased by reducing cerebrovascular disease mortality, and special attention should be paid to reducing premature deaths in people aged 〈65 years.

Factors influencing ischemic cerebrovascular disease complicated by hyperhomocysteinemia

BACKGROUND： Hyperhomocysteinemia, as an important risk factor for ischemic cerebrovascular disease is receiving increasing attention. OBJECTIVE： To analyze whether differences of gender, age, cerebrovascular disease typing, and disease conditions exist when ischemic cerebrovascular disease occurs together with hyperhomocysteinemia. DESIGN： A controlled observation. SETTING： Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital. PARTICIPANTS： A total of 601 acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease inpatients, comprising 386 males and 215 females, aged 33-90 years old, were admitted to the Department of Stroke, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital between August 2005 and April 2007, and were recruited for this study. All included patients consisted of 342 aged patients （≥ 60 years old） and 92 middle-aged and young patients （〈 60 years old）. Among these patients, 48 suffered from transient cerebral ischemic attack, 138 from lacunar cerebral infarction, 273 from atherosclerotic stroke, 38 from cardiogenic cerebral infarction, 44 from agnogenic ischemic stroke, and 6 from other factor-induced ischemic strokes. All included inpatients corresponded to the diagnosis criteria of acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease, formulated in the 4^th National Working Conference of Cerebrovascular Disease, and were confirmed as acute ischemic cerebral infarction by CT and/or MRI examinations. Informed consents of laboratory measurements were obtained from all subjects, and this study was approved by the Hospital＇s Ethics Committee. METHODS： Following admission, 2 mL venous blood was collected from each fasting patient on the third morning. Plasma homocysteine level was measured by an enzymatic cycling assay with a CX5 reader （Beckman, USA）. Plasma homocysteine levels ≥ 16μ mol/L were defined as hyperhomocysteinemia. Clinical neurological function deficit scoring was also performed for each ischemic stroke patient using Chinese stroke scales. Scores ranged from 0 45 （0-15： mild neurological function deficits, 16-30： moderate neurological deficits, and 31-45： severe neurological deficits）. The scores positively correlated with severity of stroke. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Incidence of ischemic cerebrovascular disease patients complicated by hyperhomocysteinemia and the effects of patient age and gender; plasma homocysteine levels of each type of ischemic cerebrovascular disease; and effects of ischemic cerebrovascular disease conditions on plasma homocysteine levels. RESULTS： All 601 inpatients with acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease were included in the final analysis. The detection rate of homocysteine was significantly higher in aged patients than in middle-aged and young patients （ x^2 = 5.353 0, P 〈 0.05）. The incidence of hyperhomocysteinemia was significantly higher in male patients than in female patients （ x^2 = 9.484 4, P 〈 0.05）. There was no significant difference in the incidence of hyperhomocysteinemia among various types of ischemic cerebrovascular diseases （P 〉 0.05）. No significant difference in incidence of hyperhomocysteinemia existed between mild, moderate, and severe cerebrovascular disease patients （P 〉 0.05）. CONCLUSION： There is a greater chance of ischemic cerebrovascular disease complicated by hyperhomocysteinemia in older, male patients.

Meta-analysis of 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphism as a risk factor for ischemic cerebrovascular disease in a Chinese Han population

OBJECTIVE： To assess whether 5, 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase （MTHFR） gene polymorphism （TT genotype or T allele） is a risk factor for ischemic cerebrovascular disease （ICVD）. DATA SOURCES： MEDLINE and PubMed databases from September 1997 to December 2009 were searched for case-control studies that examined MTHFR genotype in human ICVD using ＂MTHFR, gene, polymorphism, and ischemic cerebrovascular disease＂ as search key words. STUDY SELECTION： Eighteen associated studies were identified. The methods used to collect relevant information factors were similar between case and control groups, and diagnosis of ischemic cerebrovascular disease was in accordance with Trial of ORG 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment criteria classification, with some referring to European Stroke Diagnostic Criteria. Quality of all included studies was evaluated, and meta-analysis was conducted using RevMan4.2 software （Cochrane Collaboration, http：//www.cochrane-handbook.org） following strict screening. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The correlation between MTHFR gene TT genotype or T allele and ICVD was determined. RESULTS： Eighteen studies involving 4 295 patients with ICVD and 6 169 control subjects were included for this meta-analysis. There was a significant difference in MTHFR gene TT genotype or T allele frequency （x^2 = 15.737, 9.186, P 〈 0.01） between ICVD cases and controls. In addition, six Chinese Han population studies were specially reviewed by meta-analysis. Results showed no significant difference between ICVD and control groups with regard to frequency of MTHFR gene TT genotype and T allele （x^2 = 1.076, 2.434, P 〉 0.05） in the Chinese Han population. CONCLUSION： Results from the present meta-analysis suggested that the MTHFR gene TT genotype or T allele is a risk factor for ICVD. However, the TT genotype or T allele is not a risk factor for ICVD in the Chinese Han population.

β-FIBRINOGEN PROMOTER -455 G/A(HaeIII)POLYMORPHISM PREDICTION OF PLASMA FIBRINOGEN BUT NOT OF ISCHEMIC CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASE

Objective The -455 G/A(HaeIII)polymorphism of β-fibrinogen gene influences levels of plasma fibrinogen. We further investigated whether it influences the risk of ischemic cerebrovascular disease. Methods We accumulated 134 acute ischemic cerebrovascular disease(ICVD)cases and compared their -455 G/A status with a control group(n = 166). The β-fibrinogen gene -455 G/A polymorphism was analyzed for all subjects by PCR-RFLP with the restrictive enzyme HaeIII. Results Plasma fibrinogen was higher in AA homozygous participants(341 mg/dL)than in partici-pants carrying the G allele: GA(290 mg/dL), GG(298 mg/dL)in the control group. Plasma fibrinogen was also higher in AA homozygous patients(353 mg/dL)than in cases carrying the G allele: GA(287 mg/dL), GG(302 mg/dL)in the ICVD group. However, there was no significant association between β-fibrinogen gene -455 G/A polymorphism and ICVD group. Conclusions Although a small effect cannot be excluded, β-fibrinogen gene -455 G/A polymor-phism is an independent predictor of plasma fibrinogen, but not of ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

Effects of the information–knowledge–attitude–practice nursing model combined with predictability intervention on patients with cerebrovascular disease

BACKGROUND Cerebrovascular disease(CVD)poses a serious threat to human health and safety.Thus,developing a reasonable exercise program plays an important role in the long-term recovery and prognosis for patients with CVD.Studies have shown that predictive nursing can improve the quality of care and that the information–knowledge–attitude–practice(IKAP)nursing model has a positive impact on patients who suffered a stroke.Few studies have combined these two nursing models to treat CVD.AIM To explore the effect of the IKAP nursing model combined with predictive nursing on the Fugl–Meyer motor function(FMA)score,Barthel index score,and disease knowledge mastery rate in patients with CVD.METHODS A total of 140 patients with CVD treated at our hospital between December 2019 and September 2021 were randomly divided into two groups,with 70 patients in each.The control group received routine nursing,while the observation group received the IKAP nursing model combined with predictive nursing.Both groups were observed for self-care ability,motor function,and disease knowledge mastery rate after one month of nursing.RESULTS There was no clear difference between the Barthel index and FMA scores of the two groups before nursing(P>0.05);however,their scores increased after nursing.This increase was more apparent in the observation group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The rates of disease knowledge mastery,timely medication,appropriate exercise,and reasonable diet were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).The satisfaction rate in the observation group(97.14%)was significantly higher than that in the control group(81.43%;P<0.05).CONCLUSION The IKAP nursing model,combined with predictive nursing,is more effective than routine nursing in the care of patients with CVD,and it can significantly improve the Barthel index and FMA scores with better knowledge acquisition,as well as produce high satisfaction in patients.Moreover,they can be widely used in the clinical setting.

Clinical Study of PTAS Therapy for Patients with Ischemia Cerebrovascular Disease Caused by Artery Stenosis

The curative efficacy of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting（PTAS） in the treatment of patients with ischemia cerebrovascular disease caused by artery stenosis was explored.The clinical data of 111 patients with ischemia cerebrovascular disease receiving PTAS in Guangdong Province General Hospital from Aug.2007 to Nov.2009 were retrospectively analyzed.In total 132 stents were implanted in the 111 patients.The mortality and rate of neural and non-neural complications were assessed perioperatively.Outcomes [including the frequency of transient ischemic attack（TIA）,stroke,or death from vascular diseases） were assessed after operation.NIHSS rating was performed in all cases before and at first week,6th month and 12th month after the operation.The PTAS success rate was 100%.The degree of stenosis was reduced after PTAS.The total complication rate during perioperative period was 15.3%（the rate of neural complications was 3.6%）.Sixty-seven patients were followed up.Three patients（4.48%） developed cerebrovascular events within 1 month,containing one case of TIA,one case of ipsilateral mild stroke and one case of contralateral mild stroke.No severe stroke or death was observed.During a follow-up period of 12 months 7 patients had cerebrovascular events（10.44%）,including 2 cases of ipsilateral TIA（2.99%）,2 cases of ipsilateral mild stroke and 2 cases of contralateral mild stroke（2.99%）,one case of severe stroke（1.49%）.In 13 patients receiving DSA re-examination one year after PTAS,2 patients（15.38%） had in-stent restenosis.NIHSS scores were obviously decreased during a follow-up period as compared with those pre-operation（P〈0.05）.It was concluded that PTAS could significantly alleviate the neural function deficit of the patients with ischemia cerebrovascular disease.The success rate of PTAS was high,and the rate of complications was lower and the clinical outcomes were satisfactory.PTAS is a safe and effective therapeutic method,though the long-term outcomes need further study.

Diffusion tensor imaging of the brain in patients with Alzheimer's disease and cerebrovascular lesions

Background:Recent autopsy study showed a high incidence of cerebrovascular lesions in Alzheimer's disease(AD).To assess the impact of cerebrovascular pathology in AD,we used diffusion tensor imaging(DTI) to study AD patients with and without cerebrovascular lesions.Materials and Methods:Conventional and DTI scans were obtained from 10 patients with probable AD,10 AD/V patients(probable AD with cerebrovascular lesions) and ten normal controls.Mean diffusivity(D) and fractional anisotropy(FA) values of some structures involved with AD pathology were measured.Results:D value was higher in AD patients than in controls in hippocampus and the cingulate gyrus.In AD/V patients,increased D value was found in the same structures and also in the thalamus and basal ganglia compared to controls.There was a significant difference of D value between AD and AD/V patients.FA value reduced in the white matter of left inferior temporal gyrus and in the bilateral middle cingulate gyrus in patients with AD/V compared with controls.The MMSE(mini-mental state examination) score significantly correlated with FA value in the right hippocampus(r=0.639,P<0.019),in the right anterior cingulate gyrus(r=0.587,P<0.035) and in left parahippocampal gyrus(r=0.559,P<0.047).Conclusion:Cerebrovascular pathology had stronger impact on the D value than the AD pathology alone did.Elevated D value in thalamic and basal ganglia may contribute to cognitive decline in AD/V patients.Reduced FA values in AD/V patients may indicate that cerebrovascular pathology induced more severe white matter damage than the AD pathology alone did.

Application of the Somatosensory Interaction Technology Combined with Virtual Reality Technology on Upper Limbs Function in Cerebrovascular Disease Patients

Objective: To explore the effects of the somatosensory interaction technology combined with virtual reality technology on upper limbs function and activities of daily living (ADL) in cerebrovascular disease patients. Methods: Form January, 2019 to December, 2019, 80 cerebrovascular disease patients were recruited, and had been divided into control group (n = 40) and observation group (n = 40), randomly. The control groups received conventional rehabilitation treatment, for 40 minutes per day, while observation group received conventional rehabilitation treatment, for 20 minutes per day, and virtual reality technology treatment, 20 minutes per day, 5 days a week for 4 weeks. Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT), Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE) and modified Barthel index (MBI) were used to assess the motor function of the upper limbs and ADL before and after treatment. Results: Before treatment, the scores of WMFT, FMA-UE and MBI were no significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05). The scores improved in both groups after treatment (P < 0.01), and were higher in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The somatosensory interaction technology combined with virtual reality technology could facilitate to improve the upper limbs function and ADL in cerebrovascular disease patients.

Relationship of Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases to Meteorological Conditions and Forecast Method in Nanjing City

[Objective] The study aimed to discuss the relationship of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases to meteorological conditions and forecast method in Nanjing City. [Method] Based on daily cases of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases from a hospital in Nanjing City as well as daily meteorological data from Nanjing Meteorological Station from January 2003 to July 2008, the monthly and seasonal variations in quantity of patients suffedng from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in Nanjing City were analyzed firstly, and then the relationship between mete- orological elements and incidence of the diseases was discussed, finally the forecast model for the incidence of the diseases was established using the stepwise regression method. [Result] Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in Nanjing City happened all the year round, and the inci- dance was high in the seasonal transition phase from autumn to winter. Daily incidence of the diseases in Nanjing City correlated negatively with dai- ly maximum, minimum and average vapor pressure, daily minimum relative humidity and so forth, but their incidence had positive correlations with diumal range of daily temperature, daily maximum, minimum and average pressure. Daily average number of patients suffering from the diseases obviously correlated with daily average temperature, daily maximum vapor pressure and daily average relative humidity. [ Conclusion] The research could provide scientific references for the prevention and forecast of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in future.

A CONTROL STUDY OF SCALP ACUPUNCTURE IN TREATING APHASIA AFTER ACUTE CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASES

A control study of clinical therapeutic effects of scalp acupuncture was made onforty-four Patients suffering from aphasia caused by acute cerebrovascular diseases,and was observedfor 4 weeks.The results revealed that the therapeutic effect in the scalp acupuncture group was betterthan that in the controlgroup.Aphasia was cured more rapidly in the scalpacupuncturegroug than inhe control group.The difference was of significance statistically.

Apolipoprotein E gene polymorphism in cerebrovascular diseases of the Chinese Naxi populations from Yunnan province

Currently it is not well known whether apolipoprotein E （ApoE） is a genetic susceptibility factor for cerebrovascular diseases in the Chinese Naxi population. The present study detected and sequenced ApoE polymorphisms of 90 patients with cerebrovascular diseases （58 cases of cerebral infarction and 32 cases of intracerebral hemorrhage）, and 50 normal people of Naxi nationality from Yunnan province, China. The populations were used to analyze the relationship of ApoE polymorphisms with cerebral infarction and intracerebral hemorrhage. Results showed an association between ApoE gene polymorphism and the onset of cerebral infarction, and a possibility that the ε4 allele is a susceptibility locus for the risk of cerebral infarction. However, there was no evidence of a relationship between the ApoE gene polymorphism and cerebral hemorrhage.

Systems pharmacology for traditional Chinese medicine with application to cardio-cerebrovascular diseases

Identified as a treasure of natural herbal products,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)has attracted extensive attention for their moderate treatment effect and lower side effect.Cardio-cerebrovascular diseases(CCVD)are a leading cause of death.TCM is used in China to prevent and treat CCVD.However,the complexity of TCM poses challenges in understanding the mechanisms of herbs at a systems-level,thus hampering the modernization and globalization of TCM.A novel model,termed traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology(TCMSP)analysis platform,which relies on the theory of systems pharmacology and integrates absorption,distribution,metabolism,excretion and toxicity(ADME/T)evaluation,target prediction and network/pathway analysis,was proposed to address these problems.Here,we review the development of systems pharmacology,the TCMSP approach and its applications in the investigations of CCVD and compare it with other methods.TCMSP assists in uncovering the mechanisms of action of herbal formulas used in treating CCVD.It can also be applied in ascertaining the different syndrome patterns of coronary artery disease,decoding the multi-scale mechanisms of herbs,and in understanding the mechanisms of herbal synergism.

The Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Effects on Cognition in Persons with Parkinson’s Disease: A Systematic Review of the Literature

Purpose: The purpose of this systematic review of the literature is to examine the cerebrovascular and cardiovascular effects on cognition in persons with Parkinson’s disease. Relevance: Physical therapy treatment of persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD) has traditionally focused on lessening the impact of disease severity by improving quality of life and functional capacity. Research has shown that quality of life in persons with PD is not only significantly affected by motor symptoms, but also by the presence of defined non-motor symptoms such as cerebrovascular perfusion, cardiovascular dysfunction, and cognitive impairment. This study seeks to determine a causative effect among these non-motor symptoms with the intention to better manage cognitive impairment in persons with PD. Methods: A literature search was conducted utilizing the following databases: Scopus, PubMed, and CINAHL. After evaluating and grading studies using the Downs and Black Checklist, a total of seven studies remained for the final review. Results: Five common domains of cognition emerged throughout the seven studies: executive function, attention, verbal memory and fluency, visual memory, and working memory. Considering the articles reviewed, a relationship between cerebrovascular and cardiovascular deficiency and cognitive impairment in persons with PD was established. Conclusions: Persons with PD and certain cerebrovascular and cardiovascular risk factors, including orthostatic hypotension and systemic hypertension, should be referred to appropriate professionals for comprehensive neuropsychological testing secondary to an increased risk for more severe cognitive deficit.

Protective effects of catalpol on cardio-cerebrovascular diseases: A comprehensive review

Catalpol,an iridoid glucoside isolated from Rehmannia glutinosa,has gained attention due to its potential use in treating cardio-cerebrovascular diseases(CVDs).This extensive review delves into recent studies on catalpol's protective properties in relation to various CVDs,such as atherosclerosis,myocardial ischemia,infarction,cardiac hypertrophy,and heart failure.The review also explores the compound's anti-oxidant,anti-inflammatory,and anti-apoptotic characteristics,emphasizing the role of vital signaling pathways,including PGC-1a/TERT,PI3K/Akt,AMPK,Nrf2/HO-1,estrogen receptor(ER),Nox4/NF-kB,and GRP78/PERK.The article discusses emerging findings on catalpol's ability to alleviate diabetic cardiovascular complications,thrombosis,and other cardiovascular-related conditions.Although clinical studies specifically addressing catalpol's impact on CVDs are scarce,the compound's established safety and well-tolerated nature suggest that it could be a valuable treatment alternative for CVD patients.Further investigation into catalpol and related iridoid derivatives may unveil new opportunities for devising natural and efficacious CVD therapies.