Risk factors of outcomes in elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke in China.

BACKGROUND: Stroke results in poor outcomes among elderly patients. However, the factors associated with outcome over different follow-up periods in this population are unknown. AIMS: To evaluate the outcomes and risk factors of outcomes in elderly patients after stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Outcomes, including mortality, dependency (defined as a mRS >2), and recurrence rates, and associated risk factors were assessed at 3 and 12 months after stroke in patients aged ≥80 years. RESULTS: There were 419 acute ischemic stroke patients aged ≥80 years at 3 months, and 309 patients at 12 months; outcomes and relevant risk factors were assessed in these patients. Hypertension was more prevalent in women than in men. At 3 months, the mortality, dependency, and recurrence rates were 13.8, 54.2, and 18.1 %, respectively; the corresponding rates at 12 months were 26.9, 58.0, and 32.6 %, respectively. In the multivariate analysis, after adjusting by confounding factors, TOAST classification and stroke severity were associated with mortality and recurrence, while stroke severity was associated with dependency at 3 months. The mortality and dependency rates at 12 months were significantly associated with moderate and severe stroke, but severe stroke was an independent factor associated with recurrence. CONCLUSION: Stroke subtype and severity were associated with stroke outcomes among elderly patients in northern China. These findings suggest that it is crucial to highlight the affected factors of stroke outcome among elderly patients for reduce the burden of stroke in China.

High Mobility Group Box 1/Toll-like Receptor 4 Signaling Increases GABRB3 Expression in Alcohol Exposure.

INTRODUCTION: Prefrontal cortex (PFC) and striatal neurotransmitter homeostasis is affected by alcohol dependence. In this study, the microarray dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database were downloaded. The prefrontal and striatum data were cross-analyzed to reveal the co-effects of alcohol dependence on the two brain regions of mice. METHODS: The GSE123114 microarray profile was downloaded from the GEO database, and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the two groups were acquired by GEO2R. KEGG analyses were performed to identify the pivotal pathways of these DEGs. Key differential gene expressions and their mechanism associated with alcohol exposure were investigated by an intraperitoneal alcohol model. RESULTS: A total of 13 overlapping DEGs from the PFC and striatal datasets of the GSE123114 microarray profile were identified, and they were significantly enriched in the morphine addiction pathway. The transcript levels and protein expression of Gabrb3 were consistent with the microarray data both in the PFC and striatum. The transcript levels of HMGB1, TLR4, TNFα and IL-1ß were upregulated in the PFC and striatum of mice in the alcohol group. The HMGB1 inhibitor decreased Gabrb3 transcript and protein levels as well as TNFα and IL-1ß transcript levels both in the PFC and striatum in the intraperitoneal alcohol model mice. DISCUSSION: Through the reanalysis of GSE123114 microarray profile, we found that Gabrb3 is a key gene associated with alcohol exposure. In further experiments, our findings suggest that alcohol exposure modulates Gabrb3 expression through the HMGB1/TLR4 pathway. Moreover, inflammation-associated factors, such as IL-1ß and TNFα, may be related to the HMGB1/TLR4-mediated regulation of GABRB3 expression in alcohol exposure.

Effectiveness of rehabilitation training combined with acupuncture on aphasia after cerebral hemorrhage: A systematic review protocol of randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to systematically evaluate the effectiveness of rehabilitation training (RT) combined with acupuncture on aphasia after cerebral hemorrhage (CH). METHODS: PUBMED, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, Web of Science, Ovid, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Allied and Complementary Medicine Database, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure will be searched to identify any potential studies from inception to March 1, 2019, without language restrictions. All randomized controlled trials and case-controlled studies assessing the effectiveness of RT combined with acupuncture for the treatment of aphasia following CH will be included in this study. Cochrane risk of bias tool will be used to determine the methodological quality for included studies. RevMan 5.3 software (Cochrane Community, London, UK) will be utilized to perform statistical analysis. RESULTS: This study will systematically evaluate the effectiveness of RT and acupuncture for aphasia post CH. Primary outcome includes aphasia, which can be measured by Aachener Aphasia Test or Communicative Activity Log or other related scales. Secondary outcomes consist of speech performance, as assessed by Western Aphasia Battery-Revised; measure of skill in Supported Conversation scales; measure of Participation in Conversation scales; types of strategies used in conversation; occurrence and repair of conversation breakdowns; as well as any adverse events. CONCLUSION: The results of this study will provide present evidence on assessing effectiveness of RT and acupuncture after CH. DISSEMINATION AND ETHICS: The findings of this study are expected to be published in peer-reviewed journals. It does not require ethical approval, because no individual data will be utilized in this study. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42019131587.