Comparative Analysis of Chemical Cross-Linking Mass Spectrometry Data Indicates That Protein STY Residues Rarely React with N-Hydroxysuccinimide Ester Cross-Linkers.

When it comes to mass spectrometry data analysis for identification of peptide pairs linked by N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) ester cross-linkers, search engines bifurcate in their setting of cross-linkable sites. Some restrict NHS ester cross-linkable sites to lysine (K) and protein N-terminus, referred to as K only for short, whereas others additionally include serine (S), threonine (T), and tyrosine (Y) by default. Here, by setting amino acids with chemically inert side chains such as glycine (G), valine (V), and leucine (L) as cross-linkable sites, which serves as a negative control, we show that software-identified STY-cross-links are only as reliable as GVL-cross-links. This is true across different NHS ester cross-linkers including DSS, DSSO, and DSBU, and across different search engines including MeroX, xiSearch, and pLink. Using a published data set originated from synthetic peptides, we demonstrate that STY-cross-links indeed have a high false discovery rate. Further analysis revealed that depending on the data and the search engine used to analyze the data, up to 65% of the STY-cross-links identified are actually K-K cross-links of the same peptide pairs, up to 61% are actually K-mono-links, and the rest tend to contain short peptides at high risk of false identification.

Advances in the Study of Probiotics for Immunomodulation and Intervention in Food Allergy.

Food allergies are a serious food safety and public health issue. Soybean, dairy, aquatic, poultry, and nut products are common allergens inducing allergic reactions and adverse symptoms such as atopic dermatitis, allergic eczema, allergic asthma, and allergic rhinitis. Probiotics are assumed as an essential ingredient in maintaining intestinal microorganisms' composition. They have unique physiological roles and therapeutic effects in maintaining the mucosal barrier, immune function, and gastrointestinal tract, inhibiting the invasion of pathogenic bacteria, and preventing diarrhea and food allergies. Multiple pieces of evidence reveal a significant disruptive effect of probiotics on food allergy pathology and progression mechanisms. Thus, this review describes the allergenic proteins as an entry point and briefly describes the application of probiotics in allergenic foods. Then, the role of probiotics in preventing and curing allergic diseases by regulating human immunity through intestinal flora and intestinal barrier, modulating host immune active cells, and improving host amino acid metabolism are described in detail. The anti-allergic role of probiotics in the function and metabolism of the gastrointestinal tract has been comprehensively explored to furnish insights for relieving food allergy symptoms and preventing food allergy.

Correction: Synergistic effect of polysaccharides and flavonoids on lipid and gut microbiota in hyperlipidemic rats.

Correction for 'Synergistic effect of polysaccharides and flavonoids on lipid and gut microbiota in hyperlipidemic rats' by Yun-fei Bai et al., Food Funct., 2023, 14, 921-933, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2FO03031D.

Synergistic effect of polysaccharides and flavonoids on lipid and gut microbiota in hyperlipidemic rats.

Hyperlipidemia is a global health risk factor, and its development is closely related to the absorption and metabolism of lipids in the intestine. In this study, the Auricularia auricula polysaccharide, the Tremella polysaccharide, and hawthorn flavonoids were mixed by equal weight (HDC), and then its effect on the intervention in the intestine and blood lipids of hyperlipidemic rats on a high-fat diet (HFD) was investigated. The results revealed that HDC significantly inhibited the development of hyperlipidemia and reduced lipid levels and fat accumulation. In addition, HDC improved the edema deformation of intestinal epithelial cells, impaired the intestinal barrier induced by HFD, and improved the antioxidant capacity of the intestine. HDC showed a significant synergistic effect. Analysis of the gut microbiota by 16s rRNA gene sequencing showed that HDC reduced the ratio of Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes and the relative abundance of actinomycetes. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Rumincococcaceae-UCG-14, and Muribaculaceae was increased and the relative abundance of Allobaculum, Corynebacterium-1, Blautia, and Turicibucter was decreased. Intestinal lipidomics showed that HDC reduced the levels of DGDG, LPE, PG, phSM, PIP2, SoG1, and SM in the intestine of HFD rats, although there were no significant differences in LPE, PG, and phSM. 42 HDC-acting lipid biomarkers were screened. In conclusion, these findings support the potential of HDC intervention to prevent hyperlipidemia by regulating gut microbiota and lipid absorption and metabolism in the intestine.

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for acute lymphoblastic leukemia: current status and future directions mainly focusing on a Chinese perspective.

INTRODUCTION: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT), including human leukocyte antigen-matched sibling donor transplantation and alternative donor transplantation, remains a curative approach for patients with ALL. In recent years, the advent of targeted therapy and immunotherapy has changed the transplant indications of ALL, which can also be combined with allografting to further improve transplant outcomes, especially for those with refractory or relapsed ALL. AREAS COVERED: In this review, we summarized the current status of allo-HSCT for ALL, mainly focusing on transplant indications, donor selection, conditioning regimens, graft-versus-host disease prophylaxis, incorporation of targeted immunotherapy with allografting, and measurable residual disease-directed intervention for transplant outcome improvement. We also discussed challenges, such as post-HSCT leukemia relapse treatment and new strategies for complication-related mortality, as well as future directions of allo-HSCT for ALL. EXPERT OPINION: Allo-HSCT remains one of the curable therapies for ALL in the era of targeted therapy and immunotherapy. Future directions should focus on decreasing relapse mortality and nonrelapse mortality to further improve the outcomes of patients with ALL.

ACE inhibitory activities of two peptides derived from Volutharpa ampullacea perryi hydrolysate and their protective effects on H2O2 induced HUVECs injury.

The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of IVTNWDDMEK and VGPAGPRG, two angiotensin I-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory peptides purified from Volutharpa ampullacea perryi, on ACE's two domains and on nitric oxide (NO), endothelin-1(ET-1) production in human vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). In addition, we sought to investigate the effects of these two peptides on HUVECs injury induced by H2O2. The results indicated that the inhibition of the ACE C-domain was significantly higher than that of the ACE N-domain by these two peptides. Molecular dynamics (MD) analysis revealed that the hydrogen bonds interactions between ACE and two peptides, the chelation between peptides and Zn2+ both play important role, which might contribute significantly to the ACE inhibitory activity. Two peptides significantly increase NO and ET-1 production in a dose-dependent manner and protects against hydrogen peroxide-induced HUVEC cell injury. The reported results also show that two peptides up-regulated the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), and reduce the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Our study indicated that IVTNWDDMEK and VGPAGPRG could be potent ACE inhibitors and Volutharpa ampullacea perryi is a good source of bioactive peptides, which provided a theoretical basis for the broad application of two selected peptides as functional food with anti-hypertensive activity.

Preparation, Characterization, and Antioxidant Properties of Phycocyanin Complexes Based on Sodium Alginate and Lysozyme.

In this study, phycocyanin-sodium alginate/lysozyme complex (PC-SLC) was prepared for the first time and characterized by UV spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and circular dichroism spectroscopy (CD). The stability of PC-SLC under light, temperature, pH and simulated gastrointestinal fluid was investigated. The scavenging ability of the complexes against DPPH and ABTS radicals was determined. The results showed that the complex formed by the mass ratio of SA-LZM of 0.1 showed the highest PC encapsulation rate (89.9 ± 0.374%). The combination of SA and LZM changed the secondary conformation of PC. The PC-SLC complex shows an irregular spherical structure and the spheres are clustered together. Compared with phycocyanin (PC), its thermal stability was obviously improved, but it was still greatly influenced by light. It could exist stably in simulated gastric fluid (SGF) for 2 h and be slowly digested in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF), which helped to promote the absorption of nutrients in the intestinal tract. Meanwhile, the complex PC-SLC showed high scavenging ability for DPPH and ABTS radicals. It can be concluded that the complexes have good antioxidant activity. This study provides an idea for the construction of PC delivery system and makes it more widely used in food industry and other fields.

Pinellia ternata attenuates carotid artery intimal hyperplasia and increases endothelial progenitor cell activity via the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway in wire-injured rats.

CONTEXT: Clinically, Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Breit. (Araceae) (PT) has been widely used in the treatment of atherosclerosis and hyperlipidaemia, but the underlying mechanisms are still not clearly understood. OBJECTIVE: This research was conducted to confirm the mechanism by which PT affects carotid artery intimal hyperplasia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An intestinal hyperplasia Sprague-Dawley rat model was established by carotid artery injury. The rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 8): sham, model, PT (with daily intragastric administration of 10 g/mL/kg PT tubers water extract), PT+LY294002 (with intraperitoneal injection of 50 mg/kg LY294002 + 10 g/mL/kg PT) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) (with injection of 5 × 105/cells), and treated for 4 or 8 weeks. RESULTS: HE staining showed that PT attenuated intimal hyperplasia. RT-PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry showed that PT increased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and eNOS in the atherosclerotic carotid artery. PT increased the Dil-acLDL+/FITC-UEA-1+ population (from 0.41 ± 0.085% to 0.60 ± 0.092%) in the blood, decreased TCHO, TG, LDL-C, IL-6 and TNF-α levels, and increased HDL-C and IL-10 levels in the blood. However, these changes were reversed by the PI3K/Akt pathway inhibitor LY294002. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: PT can be developed as an atherosclerosis and carotid intimal hyperplasia treatment drug. Therefore, further study will focus on the effects of PT on intimal hyperplasia in wire-injured atherosclerosis patients and explore in depth some other relevant molecular mechanisms.

The outcome and burden of Chinese patients with neurodegenerative diseases: A 10-year clinical feature study.

BACKGROUND: As the Chinese population continues to age, the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) has increased dramatically, which results in heavy medical and economic burden for families and society. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to evaluate NDDs in a southern Chinese hospital over a 10-year period and examine trends in demographics, outcome, length of stay (LOS) and cost. METHODS: Retrospective medical records of patients from January 2010 to December 2019 were collected, including 7231 patients with NDDs (as case group) and 9663 patients without any NDDs (as control group). The information of social demographic data, admission source, reasons for admission, outcomes, LOS, and cost were extracted and analysed. RESULT: The average hospitalisation age of the patients with NDDs is over 65 years (peak age 70-89 years). Compared with the control group, the case group had a longer LOS and a higher cost and the numbers of patients with NDDs increased yearly from 2010 to 2019. The LOS shortened while the cost increased. Clinical features affected LOS and cost. Patients suffering from infection, abnormal blood pressure and the imbalance of water-electrolyte homoeostasis as main reasons for admission were decreased; however, heart disease, cerebrovascular accident and mental diseases were significantly increased, the overall change trend of fracture/trauma remained stable. The rate of discharge to home care and mortality declined; discharge to other medical or community facilities increased over 10 years. CONCLUSION: The majority of NDDs patients tended to be older. During the last 10 years from 2010 to 2019, the numbers of NDDs patients increased yearly, the trend of LOS became shortening and the cost gradually increasing. The main reasons of admission and outcomes of hospital showed different trends.

Changes in the Serum Metabolome of Acute Myocardial Ischemia Rat Pretreatment with Electroacupuncture.

Myocardial infarction (MI), the most common symptom is chest pain, occurs when blood flow decreases or stops to a part of the heart, causing damage to the heart muscle. Electroacupuncture pretreatment (EP) is a recent observation which has been shown to induce ischemic tolerance like the ischemia preconditioning, suggesting that EP may be a promising preventive strategy for individual susceptibility to MI. This study investigated mechanisms that underlie the effect of EP on MI through the use of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS)-based metabolic profiling. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided to receive or not receive three days of EP at PC6 (Neiguan). Then on the fourth day, each group was further divided to undergo mock surgery or MI, induced by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery. After 24h, the blood samples and hearts were collected for the follow-up research. The results showed that treatment by EP significantly reduced the levels of CK-MB, cTnT, AST, and MDH in serum and decreased myocardial infarction area. According to GC-MS-based serum metabolic profiling and analysis, a total of 636 characteristic peaks were identified, including 158 known and 478 unknown metabolites. MI caused comprehensive metabolic changes in glycolysis-related metabolites, malate-aspartate shuttle (MAS) metabolites, and purine metabolites with anti-oxidant functions, while EP reversed more than half of the differential metabolic changes, mainly affecting amino acid and energy metabolism, especially the glutamate metabolism and MAS. In a word, our findings suggest that EP exerts its cardioprotective effect on MI by regulating amino acid and energy metabolisms. Meanwhile, GC-MS-based metabolomics provided a powerful way to characterize the metabolic features of MI, with and without EP, and thereby improved our understanding of the effect and mechanisms of EP.

Lifestyles correlate with stroke recurrence in Chinese inpatients with first-ever acute ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVES: The previous studies have shown that recurrent stroke (RS) adversely affects the life of survivors of ischemic stroke (IS). However, lifestyle associated with RS has received a little systematic study in Chinese Han patients. We aimed to perform a comprehensive assessment of lifestyle and the potential risk factors associated with RS in Chinese Han inpatients with first-ever acute ischemic stroke by conducting a long-term follow-up. METHODS: Using a prospective and longitudinal design, we recruited 421 patients with first-ever acute ischemic stroke who were consecutively admitted to the Acute Stroke Unit between November 2012 and January 2014. Demographic data, vascular risk factors, previous Rankin scale score, and etiology were collected at study intake. Multivariable Cox regression model was used to investigate the influencing factors for RS. RESULTS: Fifty-seven (13.5%) patients experienced RS during the 1-year follow-up period. Multivariable Cox regression analysis revealed that smoking [hazard ratio (HR), 2.153; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.263-3.671], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) (HR 0.438; 95% CI 0.211-0.911), housework (HR 0.488; 95% CI 0.256-0.933), ischemic heart disease (IHD) (HR 2.998; 95% CI 1.281-7.020), daily consumption of fresh fruits (HR 0.477; 95% CI 0.278-0.819), and good sleep quality (HR 0.375; 95% CI 0.216-0.650) were associated with RS among stroke patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that healthy lifestyle (high fruit intake, smoking cessation, housework, and good sleep quality), higher HDL levels, and lack of IHD may be associated with a lower risk of RS in patients with first-onset IS.

Selective blockade of spinal D2DR by levo-corydalmine attenuates morphine tolerance via suppressing PI3K/Akt-MAPK signaling in a MOR-dependent manner.

Morphine tolerance remains a challenge in the management of chronic pain in the clinic. As shown in our previous study, the dopamine D2 receptor (D2DR) expressed in spinal cord neurons might be involved in morphine tolerance, but the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In the present study, selective spinal D2DR blockade attenuated morphine tolerance in mice by inhibiting phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K)/serine-threonine kinase (Akt)-mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling in a µ opioid receptor (MOR)-dependent manner. Levo-corydalmine (l-CDL), which exhibited micromolar affinity for D2DR in D2/CHO-K1 cell lines in this report and effectively alleviated bone cancer pain in our previous study, attenuated morphine tolerance in rats with chronic bone cancer pain at nonanalgesic doses. Furthermore, the intrathecal administration of l-CDL obviously attenuated morphine tolerance, and the effect was reversed by a D2DR agonist in mice. Spinal D2DR inhibition and l-CDL also inhibited tolerance induced by the MOR agonist DAMGO. l-CDL and a D2DR small interfering RNA (siRNA) decreased the increase in levels of phosphorylated Akt and MAPK in the spinal cord; these changes were abolished by a PI3K inhibitor. In addition, the activated Akt and MAPK proteins in mice exhibiting morphine tolerance were inhibited by a MOR antagonist. Intrathecal administration of a PI3K inhibitor also attenuated DAMGO-induced tolerance. Based on these results, l-CDL antagonized spinal D2DR to attenuate morphine tolerance by inhibiting PI3K/Akt-dependent MAPK phosphorylation through MOR. These findings provide insights into a more versatile treatment for morphine tolerance.

Early neurological deterioration in acute ischemic stroke: A propensity score analysis.

BACKGROUND: To investigate whether endovascular therapy (EVT) was one of the factors influencing the incidence of early neurological deterioration (END) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) as compared with intravenous thrombolysis alone. METHODS: This study was based on our single-center's database that included information on stroke patients hospitalised between January 2012 and September 2015. A total of 220 patients who underwent EVT after IV rt-PA, EVT or IV rt-PA alone. To reduce the lack of randomization, we conducted a propensity score analysis using the SPSS custom dialog. After matching was completed, the 2 groups (with END versus non-END) were compared between matched groups. Variables with a p value ≤ 0.1 by univariate analysis were candidates for inclusion in logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Of 220 acute ischemic strokes attended, 213 patients were included (62.0%, 23.0% and 15.0% with circulation occlusion in the anterior, posterior and both branches, respectively). END was detected in 68 patients (31.9%). Multivariable analysis showed that END was positively associated with glucose level (OR, 1.40; 95%CI, 1.10-1.79; p = 0.007), uric acid level (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.02; p = 0.026) and treatment methods (EVT: OR, 3.87; 95% CI, 1.32-11.35; p = 0.014). However, there was significant difference in baseline data (NIHSS and INR) between EVT group and non-EVT group. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia and EVT may be independently associated with END in AIS, even after controlling for possible confound factors. Further studies are warranted to confirm these results.

[Effect of Extracellular Polymeric Substance (EPS) on the Adsorption of Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) onto Activated Sludge].

The adsorption of PFOS by activated sludge and EPS-removed sludge was conducted to investigate the adsorption mechanism of activated sludge and the effect of EPS on this adsorption process. The experimental results indicated that the adsorption process of PFOS onto activated sludge and EPS-removed sludge fitted the pseudo-second-order model, with equilibrium absorption capacities (qe) of 0.46 mg·g-1 and 0.38 mg·g-1, respectively. The sorption isotherm accorded well with the Freundlich, Langmuir, and Temkin models. Chemisorption played an important role in the adsorption of PFOS on the activated sludge. Ca2+ and Cu2+ contributed to PFOS adsorption on the activated sludge through an ion-bridging effect. Adsorption efficiency was better on the normal activated sludge compared to the EPS-removed sludge. FTIR and XPS were used to analyze the variations of functional groups before and after sorption. The results showed that the amount of functional groups such as hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amidogen on EPS-removed sludge was lower; however, these functional groups were found to have participated in the PFOS adsorption process. It is concluded that carboxyl and amidogen contained in protein of EPS provided reaction sites for PFOS adsorption, thus EPS components played a vital role in PFOS adsorption on the activated sludge.

[Risk factors for recurrence of large atherosclerotic cerebral infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors for recurrence of large atherosclerotic cerebral infarction in first?episode patients. METHODS: The consecutive patients with acute cerebral infarction diagnosed in the Department of Neurology were screened for large atherosclerotic cerebral infarction by CTA/MRA examination, and all the confirmed patients were followed up for 1 year. The patients were divided into recurrent ischemic stroke group and non?recurrent group according to occurrence of cerebrovascular events during the follow?up. RESULTS: A total of 256 eligible patients were included in this study, and all of them completed the follow?up. During the 1?year follow?up, 30 (11.7%) patients had ischemic cerebrovascular stroke events. Univariate analysis showed significant differences in alcohol drinking (P=0.028), smoking (P=0.007), high?density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL; P=0.045), ischemic heart disease (P=0.002), antihypertensive agents (P=0.036) and statin use (P=0.016) between the recurrent group and non?recurrent group. Cox regression analysis showed that irregular use of statins (RR=0.410, P=0.043), smoking (RR=2.253, P=0.043), HDL (RR=0.327, P=0.029), and ischemic heart disease (RR=8.566, P<0.001) were correlated with recurrent ischemic stroke. CONCLUSION: The first?episode patients with irregular use of statins, low HDL levels, smoking and ischemic heart disease are at higher risks for having ischemic stroke recurrence.

Reproducibility of high-resolution MRI for the middle cerebral artery plaque at 3T.

PURPOSE: To assess the reproducibility of HR-MRI for the identification of MCA atherosclerotic plaque components and quantification of stenosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-three consecutive subjects who initially had ischemic stroke or asymptomatic MCA stenosis (>50%) were enrolled in the study. All subjects were scanned using 3.0T MRI. Two independent readers reviewed all images and one reader reevaluated all images four weeks later. The tissue components of plaques were analyzed qualitatively and the vessels were quantitative measured. RESULTS: HR-MRI displayed the artery wall and lumen clearly. The intra-observer reproducibility was excellent for the identification of plaques (kappa [κ]=0.96; 95% CI: 0.83-1.04) and contrast enhancement (κ=0.89; 0.78-0.95); it was substantial for intra-plaque hemorrhage (κ=0.79; 0.57-0.96) and the fibrous cap (κ=0.65; 0.42-0.86). The inter-observer reproducibility was excellent for plaques (κ=0.92; 0.73-1.06), substantial for contrast enhancement (κ=0.80; 0.65-0.93), intra-plaque hemorrhage (κ=0.68; 0.47-0.92) and moderate for the fibrous cap (κ=0.58; 0.44-0.79). Both intra-observer and inter-observer reproducibility were excellent for quantitative vessel, lumen and wall measurements with intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.91 to 0.97 and 0.87 to 0.96, respectively. However, vessel and wall areas and the intervals defined by the Bland-Altman plots were wide in comparison to the mean. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of MCA atherosclerotic plaque components and the quantification of vessel and lumen measurements are reproducible. The reproducibility is overall acceptable. HR-MRI may provide a useful tool for clinical risk evaluation in MCA atherosclerosis.

Basilar artery atherosclerotic plaques distribution in symptomatic patients: a 3.0T high-resolution MRI study.

PURPOSE: To investigate basilar artery atherosclerotic plaque distribution characteristics in symptomatic patients using 3.0T high-resolution MRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-eight patients with recent ischemic strokes or transient ischemic attacks were included. Conventional angiographic luminal imaging of these patients showed at least 30% basilar artery stenosis. Patients then underwent basilar artery high-resolution MRI examinations (T2WI, T1WI and post-contrast enhanced T1WI in short axial and long axial views). The narrowest lumen plaque distribution was evaluated by cross-section division into four equal arcs (right, ventral, left and dorsal arcs) on the short axial T2-weighted images. The percent plaque fraction was calculated as arc plaque area/luminal area×100, with each compared by analysis. RESULTS: The basilar artery lumens and walls were clearly shown in all 38 patients. The median plaque area sizes were 2.73mm(2) (range: 1.04-5.29mm(2)) on the ventral wall, 0.59mm(2) (range: 0-1.50mm(2)) on the left wall, 0.87mm(2) (range: 0-2.68mm(2)) on the dorsal wall, and 0.36mm(2) (range: 0-1.80mm(2)) on the right wall. The mean plaque fraction percentages were 21.6% (range: 7.9-34.0%) on the ventral wall, 4.6% (range: 0-10.0%) on the left wall, 6.3% (range: 0-16.3%) on the dorsal wall, and 2.6% (range: 0-12.9%) on the right wall. On the ventral wall, the plaque fraction percentage was significantly greater than the remaining three arcs (P=.000). CONCLUSIONS: Basilar artery atherosclerotic plaques were mainly distributed at the ventral site of the artery. High-resolution MR examination may provide helpful information to minimize endovascular therapy risk complications in basilar artery atherosclerotic disease.

[Endovascular treatment for venous sinus stenosis in idiopathic intracranial hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship of venous sinus stenosis and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and to discuss the efficacy and strategy of endovascular treatment. METHODS: Balloon angioplasty and stent placement were performed in 24 IIH cases by lateral sinus stenosis. Mechanical thrombus maceration was performed before stent placing in 5 cases with suspected chronic dural sinus thrombosis. The clinical data of clinical presentations, intracranial pressure, pressure of lateral sinus, pressure gradient between distal and proximal lateral sinus stenosis, methods of treatment and therapeutic outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Intracranial pressure dropped from (314 ± 56) mm H2O of pre-operation to (197 ± 31) mm H2O of post-operation. The post-treatment pressure gradient was obviously high ((159 ± 11) mm H2O) and a reduction was found ((95 ± 11) mm H2O). Headache in 16 cases, vision in 13 and papilledema in 10 were resolved or improved. There was no other permanent procedure-related morbidity. The patients were followed up for 2 - 19 months. And no in-stent restenosis occurred. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment is effective for IIH by venous sinus stenosis.

[Correlation of collateral circulation and prognosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the correlation of collateral circulation with prognosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction. METHODS: A total of 260 patients with acute ischemic stroke within 1 week of symptom onset underwent digital subtraction angiogram (DSA). The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores were obtained at admission. And the Modified Rankin scores (mRS) were assessed at a 3-month follow-up. The follow-up data were acquired through clinic visits or telephone interviews. RESULTS: Among them, 86 were found to have intra- or extra-cranial culprit artery severe stenosis or occlusion. And 36 (75.00%) in 48 patients had collateral arterial circulation while 11 (28.64%) in 38 patients posterior circulation. There were statistical differences in the NIHSS scores at admission and favorite clinical outcome (mRS ≤ 2) at 3-month follow-up for patients with and without collateral circulation. CONCLUSION: DSA is the golden standard for the assessment of collateral circulation in patients with severe cerebral artery stenosis or occlusion. The prognosis is better in stroke patients with collateral circulation.

Down-regulation of platelet-activating factor receptor gene expression during focal reversible cerebral ischemia in rats.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF) is an endogenous potent phospholipid mediator in stroke and related to the post-ischemic brain damage. The aim of this study was to investigate the regulation and mechanisms of PAF receptor gene expression in the perifocal regions of cerebral infarction after middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion. Sixty mature Wistar rats were randomly divided into 12 groups: sham-operated control group, simple ischemia 90 min group, 6, 12, 18 h, 1 day (1 d), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 d reperfusion groups. After the right middle cerebral artery occluded, the rats were suffered from ischemia for 90 min, and then reperfusion was allowed for different time courses. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and radioimmunoassay were applied to evaluate the PAF receptor messenger RNA (mRNA) expression and PAF levels in the perifocal regions of cerebral infarction respectively. RT-PCR analysis revealed that PAF receptor mRNA was 0.95 +/- 0.15 in control group. However, following ischemia-reperfusion, the levels of PAF receptor mRNA progressively decreased until 2 d of reperfusion (0.54 +/- 0.10), then returned to control group's levels gradually. Compared with the control group's (582 +/- 72 pg/g wet weight), the PAF concentrations of simple ischemic and 6, 12, 18 h, 1, 2 d reperfusion group were significantly higher than that of any other groups. These results indicate that PAF receptor gene expression may be subject to down-regulation in the perifocal regions of cerebral infarction after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion and relative to the increase of endogenous PAF concentrations.