[Effects of simulated repeated transcranial acupuncture on learning and memory and cerebral microvascular flow in vascular dementia rats]. / æ¨¡æ‹Ÿç»é¢ é‡å¤é’ˆåˆºæ‰‹æ³•å¯¹è¡€ç®¡æ€§ç—´å‘†å¤§é¼ å­¦ä¹ è®°å¿†åŠè„‘å¾®è¡€æµçš„å½±å“.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the effect of simulated repeated transcranial acupuncture (rTAS) on learning and memory abilities and cerebral microvascular flow in vascular dementia (VD) model rats, so as to explore the potential mechanism of rTAS in treating VD. METHODS: Thirty-two Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal, model, acupuncture and rTAS groups (n=8 rats in each group). The VD model was established by permanent ligation of bilateral common carotid arteries. For rats of the acupuncture group, "Baihui" (GV20) and "Shenting" (GV24) were needled, and for rats of the rTAS group, GV20 and GV24 were stimulated by simulated repeated transcranial manipulation (200 r/min, for 5 min). The treatment was conducted once daily for 14 days. After the intervention, learning and memory abilities were evaluated using the Morris water maze test. Laser speckle technology was used to measure the average cerebral microvascular flow. ELISA was performed to measure the contents of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), endothelin-1 (ET-1), nitric oxide (NO), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the hippocampal tissues. RESULTS: In comparison with the normal group, the escape latency of rats in the model group was prolonged (P<0.01), and the times of crossing the platform were decreased (P<0.01). The average cerebral microvascular flow and the VEGF content in the hippocampus were significantly decreased, while the contents of NO, iNOS, and ET-1 were significantly increased (P<0.01). In comparison with the model group, the escape latency was significantly shortened (P<0.01), the average cerebral microvascular flow and VEGF content in the hippocampus were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), while contents of iNOS were significantly decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01) in both acupuncture and rTAS groups；and the times of crossing the platform were increased (P<0.01), the contents of NO and ET-1 in hippocampus were significantly decreased (P<0.01) in the rTAS group. The effects of rTAS were significantly superior to those of acupuncture in up-regulating the average cerebral microvascular flow (P<0.05) and VEGF content (P<0.01), and down-regulating the NO, iNOS and ET-1 contents (P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: rTAS can increase cerebral microvascular flow, improve spatial cognition and enhance learning and memory abilities of VD rats. The underlying mechanism may be involved in promoting angiogenesis, improving endothelial function and mitigating oxidative stress.

Low frequency oscillations reflect neurovascular coupling and disappear after cerebral death.

Spectrum power analysis in the low frequency oscillations (LFO) region of functional near infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a promising method to deliver information about brain activation and therefore might be used for prognostication in patients with disorders of consciousness in the neurocritical care unit alongside with established methods. In this study, we measure the cortical hemodynamic response measured by fNIRS in the LFO region following auditory and somatosensory stimulation in healthy subjects. The significant hemodynamic reaction in the contralateral hemisphere correlation with the physiologic electric response suggests neurovascular coupling. In addition, we investigate power spectrum changes in steady state measurements of cerebral death patients and healthy subjects in the LFO region, the frequency of the heartbeat and respiration. The spectral power within the LFO region was lower in the patients with cerebral death compared to the healthy subjects, whereas there were no differences in spectral power for physiological activities such as heartbeat and respiration rate. This finding indicates the cerebral origin of our low frequency measurements. Therefore, LFO measurements are a potential method to detect brain activation in patients with disorders of consciousness and cerebral death. However, further studies in patients are needed to investigate its potential clinical use.

Cerebral microvascular matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP3) contributes to vascular injury after stroke in female diabetic rats.

Diabetes exacerbates hemorrhagic transformation (HT) after stroke and worsens clinical outcomes. Female patients with diabetes are at a greater risk of stroke and worsened recovery. We have shown that activation of matrix metalloprotease 3 (MMP3) in hyperglycemic settings mediates HT in male rats. In light of our recent findings that diabetic female rats develop greater HT, the current study was designed to test the hypotheses that: 1) cerebral microvascular MMP3 activation contributes to poor functional outcomes and increased hemorrhagic transformations (HT) after ischemic stroke, and 2) MMP3 inhibition can improve functional outcomes in female diabetic rats. Female control and diabetic Wistar rats were subjected to 60 min of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). One cohort of diabetic animals received a single dose of MMP3 inhibitor (UK356618; 15 mg/kg; iv) or vehicle after reperfusion. Neurobehavioral outcomes, brain infarct size, edema, HT, and MMPs were measured in brain tissue. Diabetic rats had significant neurological deficits on Day 3 after stroke. MMP3 expression and enzyme activity were significantly increased in both micro and macro vessels of diabetic animals. MMP3 inhibition improved functional outcomes and reduced brain edema and HT scores. In conclusion, cerebral endothelial MMP3 activation to vascular injury in female diabetic rats. Our findings identify MMP3 as a potential therapeutic target in diabetic stroke.

Conectividad funcional a partir de la perfusión cerebral en pacientes epilépticos y con enfermedad de Parkinson / Functional connectivity from cerebral perfusion in patients with epilepsy and Parkinson's disease

Introducción: La epilepsia y la enfermedad de Parkinson han sido descritos como trastornos de redes neurales. El estudio de la conectividad por modalidades moleculares puede ser más relevante fisiológicamente que los basados en señales hemodinámicas. Objetivo: Proponer una metodología para la descripción de patrones de conectividad funcional a partir de la perfusión cerebral por tomografía por emisión de fotón único. Métodos: La metodología incluye cuatro pasos principales: preprocesamiento espacial, corrección del volumen parcial, cálculo del índice de perfusión y obtención de la matriz de conectividad funcional mediante el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson. Se implementó en 25 pacientes con distintos trastornos neurológicos: 15 con epilepsia farmacorresistente y 10 con enfermedad de Parkinson. Resultados: Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los índice de perfusión de varias regiones de los hemisferios ipsilateral y contralateral tanto en pacientes con epilepsia del lóbulo frontal como en pacientes con epilepsia del lóbulo temporal. Igual resultado se obtuvo en los pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson con distintos estadios de la enfermedad. Para cada grupo se identificaron patrones de conectividad funcional que involucran a regiones relacionadas con la patología en estudio. Conclusiones: Con el desarrollo de esta metodología se ha demostrado que la tomografía por emisión de fotón único aporta información valiosa para estudiar la organización de las redes funcionales del cerebro. Futuras investigaciones con mayor número de pacientes contribuirían a hacer inferencias sobre los correlatos neurales de los distintos trastornos cerebrales(AU)

Introduction: Epilepsy and Parkinson's disease have been described as disorders of neural networks. The study of connectivity by molecular modalities may be more physiologically relevant than those based on hemodynamic signals. Aim: The aim of the present work is to propose a methodology for the description of functional connectivity patterns from brain perfusion by single photon emission tomography. Methods: The methodology includes four main steps: spatial preprocessing, partial volume correction, calculation of the perfusion index and obtaining the functional connectivity matrix using Pearson's correlation coefficient. It was implemented in 25 patients with different neurological disorders: 15 with drug-resistant epilepsy and 10 suffering Parkinson's disease. Results: Significant differences were found between the perfusion indexes of various regions of the ipsilateral and contralateral hemispheres in both patients with frontal lobe epilepsy and patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. The same result was obtained in Parkinson's disease patients with different stages of the disease. For each group, functional connectivity patterns involving regions related to the pathology under study were identified. Conclusions: With the development of this methodology, it has been demonstrated that single photon emission tomography provides valuable information to study the organization of functional brain networks. Future research with a larger number of patients would contribute to make inferences about the neural correlates of the different brain disorders(AU)

Expression of Zinc-Finger Antiviral Protein in hCMEC/D3 Human Cerebral Microvascular Endothelial Cells: Effect of a Toll-Like Receptor 3 Agonist.

INTRODUCTION: Invasion of viruses into the brain causes viral encephalitis, which can be fatal and causes permanent brain damage. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) protects the brain by excluding harmful substances and microbes. Brain microvascular endothelial cells are important components of the BBB; however, the mechanisms of antiviral reactions in these cells have not been fully elucidated. Zinc-finger antiviral protein (ZAP) is a molecule that restricts the infection of various viruses, and there are 2 major isoforms: ZAPL and ZAPS. Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), a pattern-recognition receptor against viral double-stranded RNA, is implicated in antiviral innate immune reactions. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of ZAP in cultured hCMEC/D3 human brain microvascular endothelial cells treated with an authentic TLR3 agonist polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly IC). METHODS: hCMEC/D3 cells were cultured and treated with poly IC. Expression of ZAPL and ZAPS mRNA was investigated using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, and protein expression of these molecules was examined using western blotting. The role of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) was examined using the NF-κB inhibitor, SN50. The roles of interferon (IFN)-ß, IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF3), tripartite motif protein 25 (TRIM25), and retinoic acid-inducible gene-I (RIG-I) in poly IC-induced ZAPS expression were examined using RNA interference. Propagation of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) was examined using a focus-forming assay. RESULTS: ZAPS mRNA and protein expression was upregulated by poly IC, whereas the change of ZAPL mRNA and protein levels was minimal. Knockdown of IRF3 or TRIM25 decreased the poly IC-induced upregulation of ZAPS, whereas knockdown of IFN-ß or RIG-I did not affect ZAPS upregulation. SN50 did not affect ZAPS expression. Knockdown of ZAP enhanced JEV propagation. CONCLUSION: ZAPL and ZAPS were expressed in hCMEC/D3 cells, and ZAPS expression was upregulated by poly IC. IRF3 and TRIM25 are involved in poly IC-induced upregulation of ZAPS. ZAP may contribute to antiviral reactions in brain microvascular endothelial cells and protect the brain from invading viruses such as JEV.

Massive cerebral air embolism following percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage: A case report.

RATIONALE: Cerebral air embolism from portal venous gas rarely occurs due to invasive procedures (e.g., endoscopic procedures, liver biopsy, or percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage) that disrupt the gastrointestinal or hepatobiliary structures. Here, we report a rare case of fatal cerebral air embolism following a series of percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage tube insertions. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 50-year-old woman with a history of cholecystectomy, liver wedge resection, and hepaticojejunostomy for gallbladder cancer presented with altered mental status 1 week after percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage tube placement. DIAGNOSES: Extensive cerebral air embolism and acute cerebral infarction. INTERVENTIONS: Brain computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, medical therapy. OUTCOMES: Despite the use of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and medical treatment including vasopressors, the patient eventually died due to massive systemic air embolism. LESSONS: To date, there have been no reports of cerebral air embolism due to percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage with pronounced radiologic images. We reviewed previously reported fatal cases associated with endoscopic hepatobiliary procedures and assessed the possible mechanisms and potential causes of air embolism.

Analysis of Changes in Microcirculation Parameters of Symmetrical Areas of the Human Head under Conditions of Hypoxic Influences.

The reactions of microcirculation parameters of symmetrical areas of the human head to hypoxic loads were studied. The study was conducted in 10 healthy male volunteers aged 18-19 years. Short-term hypoxia was modeled using a ReOxy Cardio normobaric device (S. A. Aimediq). Synchronous measurements of microcirculation parameters in symmetrical temporal regions of the head at the basal state and immediately after short-term hypoxic exposure were carried out by the method of laser Doppler flowmetry. We evaluated statistical characteristics of perfusion of both sides, as well as regression characteristics of the relationship between changes in the microcirculation parameters and the initial values of these parameters. It was shown that the reaction of the microcirculation parameters in symmetrical regions of the head to hypoxia depends on the initial microcirculation parameters in ipsi- and contralateral sides. 3D graphs were constructed and regression equations describing these relationships were formulated. A new method of geometric sensing is proposed, which allows predicting the direction of reactions to hypoxic effects. The obtained data illustrate the specificity of regulation of microcirculation of paired organs determined by the presence of functional asymmetry. A new method of geometric zoning is proposed, which allows solving the problems of personalized assessments of the state of the microcirculation system in patients.

Reliability of the mean flow index (Mx) for assessing cerebral autoregulation in healthy volunteers.

BACKGROUND: Mean flow index (Mxa) for evaluating dynamic cerebral autoregulation is derived using varying approaches for calculation, which may explain that the reliability ranges from poor to excellent. The comparability, repeatability, stability, and internal consistency of approaches have not previously been assessed. METHODS: We included 60 recordings from resting healthy volunteers and calculated Mxa using four different approaches: three without overlapping calculations, using intervals for averaging wave-form data (blocks) of 3, 6, and 10 s, and correlation periods (epochs) of 60, 240, and 300 s (3-60-F, 6-240-F, and 10-300-F); and one using 10-second blocks, 300 s epochs, and overlaps of 60 s (10-300-60). The comparability between the approaches was assessed using Student's t test, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and Bland-Altman plot. RESULTS: Overall, 3-60-F resulted in a higher Mxa than the other indices (p < 0.001, for all). The reliability when comparing all the approaches ranged from moderate to good (ICC: 0.68; 95%CI: 0.59-0.84), which was primarily due to similarities between 10-300-F and 10-300-60 (ICC: 0.94; 95%CI: 0.86-0.98). The reliability when comparing the first and last half was poor for 10-300-F and ranged from poor to moderate for the other approaches. Additional random artifacts resulted in poor reliability for 10-300-F, while the other approaches were more stable. CONCLUSIONS: Mxa in general has a low sensitivity to artifacts, but otherwise seems highly dependent on the approach, with a repeatability that is moderate at best. The varying accuracy and precision renders Mxa unreliable for classifying impaired cerebral autoregulation when using healthy adults for comparison.

Assessment of cerebrovascular reserve with N-isopropyl-p-[123I]-iodoamphetamine time series analysis in patients with cerebrovascular disease.

ABSTRACT: Using N-isopropyl-p-[123I]-iodoamphetamine(123I-IMP) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), the relationship between cerebrovascular reserve and the 123I-IMP redistribution phenomenon was investigated.The 50 patients who matched the inclusion criteria were divided into control and ischemia groups, and the redistribution phenomenon was examined on resting images. The delayed images showed higher 123I-IMP accumulation in lesions in the middle cerebral artery(MCA) area and anterior cerebral artery(ACA) area, these watershed areas in the ischemia group than in the control group, confirming that the redistribution phenomenon exists with statistical significance (Wilcoxon test; control group vs ischemic group in the ACA area[P = .002], ACA-MCA watershed area(P = .014), MCA area(P = .025), and MCA-posterior cerebral artery(PCA) watershed area(P = .002). The patients were then divided into 4 types according to the Kuroda grading system, and the difference in the redistribution phenomenon was investigated between type III and the other 3 types.Compared with type I and type II, type III had a significantly lower rate of decrease in the radioisotope (RI) count, verifying the redistribution phenomenon (Student t test: type I vs type III in the ACA area(P = .008), ACA-MCA watershed area(P = .009), MCA area(P < .001), and MCA-PCA watershed area(P = .002); type II vs type III in the ACA area(P = .004), ACA-MCA watershed area(P = .2575), MCA area(P < .001), and MCA-PCA watershed area(P < .001). No significant difference between type III and type IV was observed in any area [(Student t test: type III vs type IV in the ACA area(P = .07), ACA-MCA watershed area(P = .38), MCA area(P = .05), and MCA-PCA watershed area(P = .24)].The redistribution phenomenon is associated with resting cerebral blood flow (CBF), but not necessarily with cerebral vascular reactivity (CVR).

Alterations in cerebral and cardiac mitochondrial function in a porcine model of acute carbon monoxide poisoning.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is the development of a porcine model of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning to investigate alterations in brain and heart mitochondrial function. DESIGN: Two group large animal model of CO poisoning. SETTING: Laboratory. SUBJECTS: Ten swine were divided into two groups: Control (n = 4) and CO (n = 6). INTERVENTIONS: Administration of a low dose of CO at 200 ppm to the CO group over 90 min followed by 30 min of re-oxygenation at room air. The Control group received room air for 120 min. MEASUREMENTS: Non-invasive optical monitoring was used to measure cerebral blood flow and oxygenation. Cerebral microdialysis was performed to obtain semi real time measurements of cerebral metabolic status. At the end of the exposure, both fresh brain (cortical and hippocampal tissue) and heart (apical tissue) were immediately harvested to measure mitochondrial respiration and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and blood was collected to assess plasma cytokine concentrations. MAIN RESULTS: Animals in the CO group showed significantly decreased Complex IV-linked mitochondrial respiration in hippocampal and apical heart tissue but not cortical tissue. There also was a significant increase in mitochondrial ROS generation across all measured tissue types. The CO group showed a significantly higher cerebral lactate-to-pyruvate ratio. Both IL-8 and TNFα were significantly increased in the CO group compared with the Control group obtained from plasma. While not significant there was a trend to an increase in optically measured cerebral blood flow and hemoglobin concentration in the CO group. CONCLUSIONS: Low-dose CO poisoning is associated with early mitochondrial disruption prior to an observable phenotype highlighting the important role of mitochondrial function in the pathology of CO poisoning. This may represent an important intervenable pathway for therapy and intervention.

Description of an Association Between Leukocytosis and Clinical Outcomes in Large Hemispheric Infarctions.

BACKGROUND: Large hemispheric infarctions (LHI) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Leukocytosis has been observed to directly correlate with stroke severity but has not been specifically described in the LHI population. We hypothesized that patients with LHI and leukocytosis on admission have worse clinical outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective study of patients admitted to the neurosciences intensive care unit at a tertiary care center with the diagnosis of acute ischemic stroke from Jan 2012 to Dec 2018. Inclusion criteria included admission imaging with stroke size greater than two-thirds of the middle cerebral artery territory, with or without other vascular territory involvement. Patients were excluded if antibiotics were started on admission for presumed infection. White blood cell count was recorded at admission, along with Modified Rankin Scale on admission and discharge, need for mechanical ventilation, tracheostomy, and discharge disposition. Logistic regression was used for association measures. RESULTS: Of the 2,318 patients that were screened, 360 met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 64, median was 63; 51.7% were female. Mean and median NIHSS were 21. Leukocytosis on admission was seen in 139 patients (38.6%), and it was associated with need for mechanical ventilation (p<0.0001, OR 2.54, [1.64-3.95]) and mortality during hospitalization (p<0.0003, OR 2.66, [1.56-4.55]). Results persisted after correction for age and sex in a logistic regression model. CONCLUSIONS: Leukocytosis on admission in patients with LHI significantly correlated with mortality and need for mechanical ventilation. There was a trend towards association with poor outcome at discharge, although not statistically significant. Further research may identify how leukocytosis and other SIRS markers may be used to prognosticate outcomes in this challenging patient population.

Spectrophotometry of cerebrospinal fluid for xanthochromia is a sensitive and specific test for subarachnoid bleeding but adds little to computed tomography.

Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a serious neurological event associated with high morbidity and mortality. Computed tomography of the cerebrum (CTC) is the diagnostic method of choice, but in case of negative CTC but strong suspicion of SAH, lumbar puncture with spectrophotometric analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) for xanthochromia is performed. We wanted to examine the diagnostic properties of CSF spectrophotometry for xanthochromia testing. We performed a retrospective study of the diagnostic properties of CSF analysis for xanthochromia using spectrophotometry in the diagnosis of SAH. A total of 489 CSF samples were analyzed for xanthochromia, according to international guidelines, from 2009 until 2014 and for 411 of these the patient files were retrieved and examined for final clinical diagnosis and result of CTC. One patient with SAH did not have a positive spectrophotometry report and another patient with SAH had an equivocal report. In four patients did initial CTC not correctly identify SAH. For patients with a negative CTC within six hours of symptom onset spectrophotometry for xanthochromia in the CSF had a diagnostic sensitivity of 100% and a diagnostic specificity of 98.5%. The positive predictive value was 16.7% and the negative predictive value 100%. We conclude that spectrophotometry of CSF for xanthochromia is a sensitive and specific test for diagnosing SAH. However, it seems that an initial CTC identifies almost all patients with SAH. This suggests that in our and similar diagnostic settings, lumbar puncture and testing for xanthochromia might only be relevant in very few cases, if not obsolete.

Effect of Recanalization on Cerebral Edema, Long-Term Outcome, and Quality of Life in Patients with Large Hemispheric Infarctions.

OBJECTIVES: Space-occupying cerebral edema is the main cause of mortality and poor functional outcome in patients with large cerebral artery occlusion (LVO). We aimed to determine whether recanalization of LVO would augment cerebral edema volume and the impact on functional outcome and quality of life (QoL). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospectively, 43 patients with large middle cerebral artery territory infarction or NIHSS ≥ 12 on admission were enrolled. The degree of recanalization (partial and complete versus no recanalization) was assessed by computed tomography (CT)-angiography or Duplex ultrasound more than 24 h after symptom onset. Cerebral edema volume was measured on follow up CTs by computer-based planimetry. Mortality, functional outcome (by modified Ranking Scale (mRS) and Barthel Index (BI)) were assessed at discharge and 12 months, and QoL (by SF-36 and EQ-5D-3L) at 12 months. RESULTS: Mean cerebral edema volume was 333±141 ml without recanalization (n=13, group 1) and 276±140 ml with partial or complete recanalization (n=30, group 2, p= 0.23). There were no significant differences in mortality at discharge (38% versus 23%), at 12 months (58% versus 48%), in functional outcome at discharge (mRS 0-3: 0% both; mRS 4-5: 62% versus 77%) and at 12 months (mRS 0-3: 0% versus 11%; mRS 4-5: 42% versus 41%). The BI improved significantly from discharge to 12 months only in group 2 (p=0.001). Mean physical component score in SF-36 was 25.6±6.4, psychological component score was 41.9±14.1. In the EQ-5D-3L, most patients reported problems with activities of daily living, reduced mobility, and selfcare. CONCLUSIONS: Recanalization of a large cerebral artery occlusion in the anterior circulation territories is not associated with amplification of post-ischemic cerebral edema but may be correlated with better long-term functional outcome. QoL was low and mainly dependent on physical disability. The association between recanalization, collateral status and development of cerebral edema after LVO and the effect on functional outcome and quality of life should be explored in a larger patient population.

Distribution and predictive performance of the temporal phase of dynamic spot sign appearance in acute intracerebral hemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Dynamic CT angiography (dCTA) contrast extravasation, known as the "dynamic spot sign", can predict hematoma expansion (HE) in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Recent reports suggest the phase of spot sign appearance is related to the magnitude of HE. We used dCTA to explore the association between the phase of spot sign appearance and HE, clinical outcome, and contrast extravasation rates. METHODS: We assessed consecutive patients who presented with primary ICH within 4.5 hours from symptom onset who underwent a standardized dCTA protocol and were spot sign positive. The independent variable was the phase of spot sign appearance. The primary outcome was significant HE (either 6 mL or 33% growth). Secondary outcomes included total absolute HE, mortality, and discharge mRS. Mann-Whitney U, Fisher's exact test, and logistic regression were used, as appropriate. RESULTS: Of the 35 patients with spot signs, 27/35 (77%) appeared in the arterial phase and 8/35 (23%) appeared in the venous phase. Thirty patients had follow-up CT scans. Significant HE was seen in 14/23 (60.87%) and 3/7 (42.86%) of arterial and venous cohorts, respectively (p = 0.67). The sensitivity and specificity in predicting significant HE were 82% and 31% for the arterial phase and 18% and 69% for the venous phase, respectively. There was a non-significant trend towards greater total HE, in-hospital mortality, and discharge mRS of 4-6 in the arterial spot sign cohort. Arterial spot signs demonstrated a higher median contrast extravasation rate (0.137 mL/min) compared to venous spot signs (0.109 mL/min). CONCLUSION: Our exploratory analyses suggest that spot sign appearance in the arterial phase may be more likely associated with HE and poorer prognosis in ICH. This may be related to higher extravasation rates of arterial phase spot signs. However, further studies with larger sample sizes are warranted to confirm the findings.

Dashcam-captured moment of right hemispheric stroke.

A bus driver presented with neurological abnormalities following a driving mishap. He was diagnosed cardioembolic stroke. The bus was equipped with a dashboard camera that recorded the moment when the patient suffered the stroke. We reported the first case dashcam-captured images at the first sign of a right hemispheric stroke.

Cerebral small vessel disease is associated with gait disturbance among community-dwelling elderly individuals: the Taizhou imaging study.

Gait disturbance is considered to be a significant clinical manifestation of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). We aimed to investigate the association between different imaging markers of CSVD or total CSVD burden and gait disturbance in a community-dwelling population. In the cross-sectional Taizhou Imaging Study (TIS), 314 participants free of neurological disorders underwent MRI scanning and gait assessment with quantitative wearable devices as well as clinical rating scales. In linear regression, after adjustment for demographics and vascular risks, total CSVD burden was associated with prolonged 3-m walking (ß=0.118, P=0.035), shorter stride length (ß=-0.106, P=0.042), and poorer Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG) performance (ß=0.146, P=0.009). Lacunes were positively associated with 3-m walking (ß=0.118, P=0.037) and duration of TUG test (ß=0.112, P=0.047). White matter hyperintensities and cerebral microbleeds were associated with prolonged stride time (ß=0.134, P=0.024) and increased stance phase time percentage (ß=0.115, P=0.038), respectively. Logistic regression revealed that participants with high CSVD burden or more lacunes were more likely to have an impaired gait velocity and an impaired TUG test. These results suggest that total CSVD burden and CSVD imaging markers are associated with gait disturbance among community-dwelling elderly people. Different CSVD imaging markers may cause gait disturbance through different pathways.

Mechanisms Associated with the Adverse Vascular Consequences of Rapid Posthypothermic Rewarming and Their Therapeutic Modulation in Rats.

We previously demonstrated that rapid posthypothermic rewarming in noninjured animals was capable of damaging cerebral arterioles both at endothelial and smooth muscle levels. Such adverse consequences could be prevented with antioxidants, suggesting the involvement of free radicals. In this study, we further investigate the mechanisms associated with free radicals production by using two radical scavengers, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase. Employing rats, the cerebral vascular response was evaluated at 2, 3, and 4 hours after onset of hypothermia. Before rapid rewarming, SOD treatment, but not catalase, preserved the NO-mediated dilation induced by acetylcholine (ACh). On the contrary, catalase preserved the hypercapnia-induced relaxation of the smooth muscle cells, whereas SOD offered only partial protection. Adding SOD to catalase treatment offered no additional benefit. These results suggest that rapid posthypothermic rewarming impairs ACh- and hypercapnia-induced vasodilation through different subcellular mechanisms. In the case of diminished vascular response to ACh, it appears to act on the endothelial front primarily by superoxide anions, as evidenced by its full preservation after SOD treatment. In terms of impaired dilation to hypercapnia, hydrogen peroxide and/or its derivatives are the likely candidates in targeting the smooth muscle cells. The partial protection of SOD to hypercapnia-induced dilation is believed to be the reduced amount of superoxide that would otherwise spontaneously dismutate to produce hydrogen peroxide. Although SOD exerts some indirect influence on the hydrogen peroxide production downstream, catalase apparently has no influence on upstream superoxide production.

Differential vasomotor responses to isocapnic hyperoxia: cerebral versus peripheral circulation.

Isocapnic hyperoxia (IH) evokes cerebral and peripheral hypoperfusion via both disturbance of redox homeostasis and reduction in nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. However, it is not clear whether the magnitude of the vasomotor responses depends on the vessel network exposed to IH. To test the hypothesis that the magnitude of IH-induced reduction in peripheral blood flow (BF) may differ from the hypoperfusion response observed in the cerebral vascular network under oxygen-enriched conditions, nine healthy men (25 ± 3 yr, mean ± SD) underwent 10 min of IH during either saline or vitamin C (3 g) infusion, separately. Femoral artery (FA), internal carotid artery (ICA), and vertebral artery (VA) BF (Doppler ultrasound), as well as arterial oxidant (8-isoprostane), antioxidant [ascorbic acid (AA)], and NO bioavailability (nitrite) markers were simultaneously measured. IH increased 8-isoprostane levels and reduced nitrite levels; these responses were followed by a reduction in both FA BF and ICA BF, whereas VA BF did not change. Absolute and relative reductions in FA BF were greater than IH-induced changes in ICA and VA perfusion. Vitamin C infusion increased arterial AA levels and abolished the IH-induced increase in 8-isoprostane levels and reduction in nitrite levels. Whereas ICA and VA BF did not change during the vitamin C-IH trial, FA perfusion increased and reached similar levels to those observed during normoxia with saline infusion. Therefore, the magnitude of IH-induced reduction in femoral blood flow is greater than that observed in the vessel network of the brain, which might involve the determinant contribution that NO has in the regulation of peripheral vascular perfusion.