Metabolically healthy obesity, transition from metabolic healthy to unhealthy status, and carotid atherosclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Evidence of the effects of metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) on atherosclerosis is limited; the transition effects of metabolic health and obesity phenotypes have been ignored. We examined the association between metabolic health and the transition to atherosclerosis risk across body mass index (BMI) categories in a community population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was based on a national representative survey that included 50,885 community participants aged ≥40 years. It was conducted from 01 December 2017 to 31 December 2020, in 13 urban and 13 rural regions across Hunan China. Metabolic health was defined as meeting less than three abnormalities in blood pressure, glucose, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, or waist circumference. The participants were cross-classified at baseline based on their metabolic health and obesity. In addition, the relationship between atherosclerosis and transitions in metabolic health status based on 4733 participants from baseline to the second survey after 2 years was considered. The relationship between metabolic health status and the risk of transition to Carotid atherosclerosis (CA) was assessed using logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses. RESULTS: In this study, the mean age of the participants was 60.7 years (standard deviation [SD], 10.91), 53.0% were female, and 51.2% had CA. As compared with metabolically healthy normal weight (MHN), those with MHO phenotype (odd ratio [OR] 1.10, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.21), metabolically unhealthy normal weight (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.19-1.35), metabolically unhealthy overweight (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.33-1.48), and metabolically unhealthy obese (OR 1.54, 95% CI 1.44-1.64) had higher risk for CA. However, during the follow-up of 2 years, almost 33% of the participants transitioned to a metabolically unhealthy status. As compared with stable healthy normal weight, transition from metabolically healthy to unhealthy status (hazard ratios [HR] 1.21, 95% [CI] 1.02-1.43) and stable metabolically unhealthy overweight or obesity (MUOO) (HR 1.32, 95% CI 1.17-1.48) were associated with higher risk of CA. CONCLUSIONS: In the community population, obesity remains a risk factor for CA despite metabolic health. However, the risks were highest for metabolically unhealthy status across all BMI categories. A large proportion of metabolically healthy overweight or participants with obesity converts to an unhealthy phenotype over time, which is associated with an increased risk of CA.

The atherogenic index of plasma and carotid atherosclerosis in a community population: a population-based cohort study in China.

BACKGROUND: The atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) is an important alternative metabolic biomarker of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, the correlation between the AIP and carotid atherosclerosis is unknown among the general population. METHODS: A total of 52,380 community residents, aged ≥ 40 years who underwentcervical vascular ultrasound from December 2017 to December 2020 in Hunan China, were selected for retrospective analysis. The AIP was calculated as a logarithmically converted ratio of triglycerides (TG) to high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C). The participants were divided into AIP quartile groups (Q1-Q4). Logistic regression models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to examine the association of the AIP with carotid atherosclerosis. Stratified analyses were applied to control for confounding factors. The incremental predictive value of the AIP was further assessed. RESULTS: After adjusting for traditional risk factors, an increased AIP was associated with a higher rate of carotid atherosclerosis (CA), increased carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), and plaques [odds ratio, OR (95% confidence interval, CI): 1.06 (1.04, 1.08), 1.07 (1.05, 1.09), and 1.04 (1.02, 1.06) per 1-SD increase in the AIP, respectively]. Compared with those participants in the quartile 1 group, those in the quartile 4 group had a greater risk of CA [OR 1.18, 95% CI (1.12, 1.25)], increased CIMT [OR 1.20, 95% CI (1.13, 1.26)], and plaques [OR 1.13, 95% CI (1.06, 1.19)]. However, we did not observe an association between the AIP and stenosis [0.97 (0.77, 1.23), p for trend = 0.758]. Restricted cubic spline analyses also showed a cumulative increase in the risk of CA, increased CIMT, and plaques but not stenosis severity (> 50%) with an increase of the AIP. Subgroup analyses showed that a more significant association between the AIP and the prevalence of increased CA was detected in younger subjects (aged < 60 years) with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 24 and fewer comorbidities. Additionally, the AIP provided incremental predictive capacity over established risk factors for CA, as shown by an improvement in the net reclassification index (NRI) and integrated discrimination index (IDI) (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: An elevated AIP in a community-based population is associated with a higher rate of CA. the AIP could serve as a potential biomarker for CA risk assessment.

Efficacy and safety of intranasal agents for the acute treatment of migraine: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Intranasal agents may be ideal for the treatment of migraine patients. Many new acute intranasal-specific therapies have been developed, but few of them have been directly compared. The aim of this network meta-analysis (NMA) was to compare the efficacy and safety of various intranasal agents for the treatment of acute migraine in adult patients. METHODS: The Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, and PubMed were searched from inception to 15 August 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using intranasal agents (no restrictions on dose, formulation, dosing regimen or timing of the first dose) to treat adult patients with acute migraine were included. The primary efficacy endpoint was pain freedom at 2 h, and the primary safety endpoint was adverse events (AEs). The analysis process followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS: Nineteen studies (21 RCTs, 9738 participants) were included. Compared to the placebo, 5 mg of zolmitriptan using a conventional liquid nasal spray device was the most effective for pain freedom at 2 h [odds ratio (OR): 4.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.43 to 6.43] and 24 h (OR: 5.49, 95% CI: 3.58 to 8.42) among all the interventions. Butorphanol nasal spray 1 mg was the most effective (OR: 8.62, 95% CI: 1.11 to 66.92) for pain freedom at 1 h, but with low-quality evidence. DFN-02 presented the highest freedom from nausea (OR: 4.95, 95% CI: 1.29 to 19.01) and phonophobia (OR: 5.36, 95% CI: 1.67 to 17.22) at 2 h, albeit with lower odds of achieving complete pain freedom. ROX-828 showed the highest improvement in freedom from photophobia at 2 h (OR: 4.03, 95% CI: 1.66 to 9.81). Dihydroergotamine nasal spray was significantly associated with the highest risk of AEs (OR: 9.65, 95% CI: 4.39 to 21.22) and was not recommended for routine use. Zavegepant nasal spray demonstrated the lowest risk of AEs (OR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.37 to 3.03). The results of sensitivity analyses for the primary endpoints (pain freedom at 2 h and AEs) were generally consistent with those of the base case model. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with other new intranasal-specific therapies in treating migraine attacks, zolmitriptan nasal spray 5 mg was the most effective agent for pain freedom at 2 h. Zavegepant nasal spray 10 mg had the fewest adverse side effects.

Development and validation of non-invasive prediction models for migraine in Chinese adults.

BACKGROUND: Migraine is a common disabling neurological disorder with severe physical and psychological damage, but there is a lack of convenient and effective non-invasive early prediction methods. This study aimed to develop a new series of non-invasive prediction models for migraine with external validation. METHODS: A total of 188 and 94 subjects were included in the training and validation sets, respectively. A standardized professional questionnaire was used to collect the subjects' 9-item traditional Chinese medicine constitution (TCMC) scores, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score, Zung's Self-rating Anxiety Scale and Self-rating Depression Scale scores. Logistic regression was used to analyze the risk predictors of migraine, and a series of prediction models for migraine were developed. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calibration curve were used to assess the discrimination and calibration of the models. The predictive performance of the models were further validated using external datasets and subgroup analyses were conducted. RESULTS: PSQI score and Qi-depression score were significantly and positively associated with the risk of migraine, with the area of the ROC curves (AUCs) predicting migraine of 0.83 (95% CI:0.77-0.89) and 0.76 (95% CI:0.68-0.84), respectively. Eight non-invasive predictive models for migraine containing one to eight variables were developed using logistic regression, with AUCs ranging from 0.83 (95% CI: 0.77-0.89) to 0.92 (95% CI: 0.89-0.96) for the training set and from 0.76 (95% CI: 0.66-0.85) to 0.83 (95% CI: 0.75-0.91) for the validation set. Subgroup analyses showed that the AUCs of the eight prediction models for predicting migraine in the training and validation sets of different gender and age subgroups ranged from 0.80 (95% CI: 0.63-0.97) to 0.95 (95% CI: 0.91-1.00) and 0.73 (95% CI: 0.64-0.84) to 0.93 (95% CI: 0.82-1.00), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study developed and validated a series of convenient and novel non-invasive prediction models for migraine, which have good predictive ability for migraine in Chinese adults of different genders and ages. It is of great significance for the early prevention, screening, and diagnosis of migraine.

Imaging Classification of Internal Carotid Artery Hypoplasia Based on Distal Ophthalmic Segment Occlusion.

BACKGROUND: Internal carotid artery (ICA) hypoplasia (ICAH) is rare. The classification of ICAH is largely unclear. The aim of the study is to propose a new imaging classification for ICAH based on the occlusion of the distal ophthalmic segment and discuss the clinical and radiological differences between the different types. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a retrospective study of patients with congenital ICAH diagnosed at the Department of Neurology of the China-Japan Friendship Hospital between June 2011 and June 2016. The patients underwent temporal bone computed tomography (CT), brain CT, cranial magnetic resonance imaging, transcranial Doppler, and head and neck CT angiography. RESULTS: A total of 20 ICAH patients were divided into the distal occlusion (12 cases; 60%) and nondistal occlusion (8 cases; 40%) types based on whether the distal ophthalmic segment was occluded. The frequencies of collateral circulation from the circle of Willis (P = .01) and dilated cerebrovascular lesions (P = .001) in the distal occlusion type was higher than in the nondistal occlusion type. Five (25%) patients developed adverse cerebrovascular events during followup: 3 ischemic cases were of the nondistal occlusion type, and 2 cases with subarachnoid hemorrhage were of the distal occlusion type. CONCLUSIONS: A novel classification of ICAH was revealed based on the occlusion of the distal ophthalmic segment. The 2 types may show differences in collateral circulation patterns, coexisting cerebrovascular abnormalities, and potential clinical outcomes.

Morphologic characteristics of severe basilar artery atherosclerotic stenosis on 3D high-resolution MRI.

BACKGROUND: Two-dimensional high-resolution MRI (2D HRMRI) faces many technical challenges for fully assessing morphologic characteristics of inherent tortuous basilar arteries. Our aim was to investigate remodeling mechanisms and plaque distribution in symptomatic patients with basilar artery stenosis on three-dimensional (3D) HRMRI. METHODS: Forty-six consecutive patients with symptomatic basilar artery atherosclerotic stenosis on MRA (70-99%) were enrolled. The remodeling index (RI) was the ratio of vessel area at the maximal-lumen-narrowing (MLN) site to reference vessel area. RI ≥ 1.05 was defined as positive remodeling (PR), RI ≤ 0.95 as negative remodeling (NR), and 0.95 < RI < 1.05 as intermediate remodeling (IR). The remodeling patterns were divided into two groups (PR and non-PR [NR and IR]). The cross-sectional and longitudinal distribution of BA plaques were evaluated. RESULTS: Two patients were excluded because of poor-quality images. Images of 44 patients were available for measurements. PR was found in 23 (52.3%) patients, and non-PR in 21 (47.7%) patients. At the MLN sites, vessel area, wall area, plaque size and percentage of plaque burden of PR group were significantly greater than non-PR group (p < .001). Most plaques (90.9%) of the 44 patients were located at the dorsal, left and right walls. For the longitudinal distribution of plaque, 8 (18.2%) and 36 (81.8%) plaques were located in BA proximal and distal to AICA, respectively. Most plaques (68.2%) were eccentrically distributed. CONCLUSIONS: 3D HRMRI with postprocessing multiple planar reconstruction is able to evaluate the remodeling pattern and plaque distribution of basilar artery atherosclerotic stenosis, which might be used to guide intracranial intervention.

High resolution magnetic resonance imaging in pathogenesis diagnosis of single lenticulostriate infarction with nonstenotic middle cerebral artery, a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: It is usually difficult to identify stroke pathogenesis for single lenticulostriate infarction with nonstenotic middle cerebral artery (MCA). Our aim is to differentiate the two pathogeneses, non-branch atheromatous small vessel disease and branch atheromatous disease (BAD) by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI). METHODS: Thirty-two single lenticulostriate infarction patients with nonstenotic MCA admitted to the China-Japan Friendship Hospital from December 2014 to August 2017 were enrolled for retrospective analysis. National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), modified Rankin Scale (mRS), atherosclerotic risk factors, imaging features, and the characteristic of MCA vessel wall in HR-MRI were evaluated. RESULTS: MCA plaques were detected in 15(46.9%) patients which implied BAD and 8 of 15 (53.3%) patients had plaques location in upper dorsal side of the vessel wall. Patients with HR-MRI identified plaques had a significantly larger infarction lesion length (1.95 ± 0.86 cm versus 1.38 ± 0.55 cm; P = 0.031) and larger lesion volume (2.95 ± 3.94 cm3 versus 0.90 ± 0.94 cm3; P = 0.027) than patients without plaques. Patients with HR-MRI identified plaques had a significant higher percentage of proximal lesions than patients without plaques (P = 0.055). However, according to the location of MCA plaques, there were no significant differences in terms of imaging features, NIHSS and mRS. CONCLUSION: We demonstrated high frequency of MCA atheromatous plaques visualized in single lenticulostriate infarction patients with nonstenotic MCA by using HR-MRI. Patients with HR-MRI identified plaque presented larger infarction lesions and more proximal lesions than patients without plaque, which were consistent with imaging features of BAD. HR-MRI is an important and effective tool for identifying stroke etiology in patients with nonstenotic MCA.

Bilateral Cerebral Infarctions and Intracardiac Thrombus in a Young Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Patient.

A 31-year-old man with Duchenne muscular dystrophy was admitted to our center, having infarctions in bilateral cerebral hemispheres and an occluded right middle cerebral artery. His right middle cerebral artery was spontaneous recanalization on the next day, and thrombus in the left ventricle vanished on the eighth day after giving warfarin.

Wall thickening pattern in atherosclerotic basilar artery stenosis.

Our aim was to investigate wall thickening (WT) pattern of atherosclerotic basilar artery stenosis with three-dimensional volumetric isotropic turbo spin echo acquisition (3D VISTA), and the relationship with clinical characteristics. Twenty consecutive patients with atherosclerotic basilar artery stenosis were prospectively enrolled. All cross-sectional slices on VISTA images of basilar arteries were assessed, and classified as eccentric or concentric WT. Clinical characteristics and degree of stenosis were compared between the patients with different wall WT pattern. Wall abnormalities were identified in 568 cross-sectional slices in basilar arteries of 20 patients including eccentric WT in 497 (87.5 %) slices, and concentric WT in 71 (12.5 %) slices. In 11 of 20 patients, all the cross-sectional slices (293 slices) showed eccentric WT. In 9 of 20 patients, the cross-sectional slices (275 slices) showed both eccentric WT (204 slices, 74.2 %) and concentric WT (71 slices, 25.8 %). No lesion showed only concentric WT. At the slices of maximum luminal narrowing sites, only one patient showed concentric WT. Symptomatic stenosis was more common in the patients with mixed WT (eccentric and concentric), compared to patients with only eccentric WT (100 vs 54.5 %, p = 0.038). Atherosclerotic basilar artery stenosis could show both eccentric and concentric WT based on each slice analysis. Concentric WT was found in near half of the patients, but tended to locate in minimal slices. No lesion was entirely concentric. Lesions with mixed WT (concentric and eccentric) might represent advanced atherosclerosis with high risk of ischemic event.

[Clinical analysis of carotid angioplasty stenting for high-grade extracranial carotid artery stenosis combined with severe tortuosity].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the feasibility and safety of carotid angioplasty stenting (CAS) for high-grade extracranial carotid artery stenosis combined with severe tortuosity. METHODS: Twenty patients diagnosed with high-grade extracranial carotid artery stenosis combined with severe tortuosity by cerebral angiography, who were in hospital in neurology department of China-Janpan friendship from June 2011 to June 2014. Twelve of these patients were symptomatic. All cases weren't suit for or disagreed with carotid endarterectomy (CEA) to accept CAS. We retrospectively discussed the rates of technical success, the perioperative complications and clinical improvement. During the follow-up for 4 to 40 months we observed the events of cured carotid artery territory stroke and death, and record the plaque hyperplasia in stent, in-stent restenosis, stent deformation or fracture by color doppler ultrasonography or craniocervical CT angiography. RESULTS: (1) The results of operation: the rate of technical success was 19/20 and the rate of the distal protection device placement was 18/20. One stent and 2 distal protection device were difficult to pass the tortuous access vessels. The kinking was the most common in circuity classification of internal carotid artery. The stenosis was significantly improved after stenting, and the mean degree of stenosis was reduced from (82% ± 9%) before stenting to (7% ± 6%) after stenting. Although 5 patients were with perioperative complications, all symptoms disappeared within 1 weeks, and there was no stent related death and disability. There were 4 cases with vascular spasm, one of them was combined with carotid sinus reaction, and anther with transient ischemic attack (TIA) during operation. There was one with ipsilateral carotid territory minor stroke. (2) The results of prognosis and follow up: The clinical symptoms from 12 symptomatic patients were improved significantly on discharge, and the average NIHSS scores on admission were reduced from (4 ± 4) to (2 ± 2) on discharge. One patient experienced ipsilateral carotid territory minor stroke and another patient experienced ipsilateral carotid territory TIA during the follow-up for an average of 19 months, and there were 5 cases with mild plaque hyperplasia in stent and no in-stent restenosis, stent deformation or fracture. CONCLUSION: The severe tortuosity of extracranial carotid artery may affect the using of intervention materials and increase the complexity of CAS, but for the patients who disagree with CEA or were with the contraindications to CEA, CAS may be still a relatively safe, effective and alternative treatment.

[Carpal tunnel syndrome with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy: a clinical and electrophysiological study].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy (CSR) and simple-CTS, and compare the effect of double crush with that of simple entrapment on a nerve and investigate the association between CTS and CSR. METHOD: From January 2011 to August 2014, clinical data from 96 patients with double crush syndrome (DCS, CTS with CSR) and 165 patients with simple-CTS were examined, and the electrophysiologic parameters of median nerve in patients with DCS were compared with that in patients with simple-CTS. RESULTS: In 96 patients with DCS, most of them were female; neck and shoulder pain or simultaneously accompanied by numbness and pain of upper limb was observed in 34 patients, upper limb symptoms and hand weakness and muscle atrophy were observed in the other 62 patients, 124 median nerves with abnormal conduction were found in these DCS patients, including 68 cases with unilateral abnormalities and 28 cases with bilateral abnormalities. Cervical radiculopathies of the C5-7 mainly involved in patients with DCS.223 median nerves with abnormal conduction found in the 165 patients with simple-CTS, including 107 cases with unilateral abnormalities and 58 cases with bilateral abnormalities. The average sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV), motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) and distal motor latency (DML) of median nerve for DCS and simple-CTS were (32±7) m/s vs (35±5) m/s, (55±7) m/s vs (57±5) m/s and (4.6±1.6) ms vs (4.0±0.8) ms, respectively, and their corresponding amplitudes were 6.4 µV vs 9.5 µV, 10.9 mV vs 13.1 mV and 11.3 mV vs 14.1 mV, respectively. The SCV, MCV and DML and their corresponding amplitude of DCS were significantly greater decreased than that of simple-CTS (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: DCS is a common clinical syndrome, and patients with DCS may have neck and shoulder symptoms in addition to the common manifestations of simple-CTS. Abnormal conduction of median nerve of CTS with CSR is more severe than that of simple-CTS, which neurophysiologically proves the association between CTS and CSR and supports double crush hypothesis.

Tetrahydroxy stilbene glucoside improved the behavioral disorders of APP695V717I transgenic mice by inhibiting the expression of Beclin-1 and LC3-II.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of tetrahydroxy stilbene glucoside (TSG) on the behavior of APP695V717I transgenic mouse models and the expression of autophagy-associated proteins Beclin-1 and LC3-II. METHODS: Forty 3-month-old APP695V717I transgenic mice were randomized equally into either a TSG group (n = 20) or a model group (n = 20). A normal control group consisted of C57BL/6J mice of the same age and background (n = 20). The TSG group received TSG intragastric administration for 1 month. Behavior was measured using the Morris water maze and the Y-maze tests. Changes in pro- tein expression and mRNA of autophagy-associated Beclin-1 and LC3-II in mice hippocampus were detected by western blot and Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) analyses. RESULTS: The number of electric-stimulus escapes significantly increased and the Morris water maze test showed prolonged escape latency, greater swimming distance, less time taken to cross the exact former platform location in the model group, and increased mRNA and protein expressions of Beclin-1 and LC3-II compared with the control group (P < 0.05). The TSG group showed a decrease in the number of electric-stimulus escapes, shorter escape latency and swimming distance, greater time taken to cross the exact former platform location, and decreased mRNA and protein expressions of Beclin-1 and LC3-II compared with the model group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: these results indicate that tetrahydroxy stilbene glucoside can decrease expressions of Beclin-1 and LC3-II in the autophagy pathway. It can attenuate injury to endoplasmic reticulum functions caused by Ab neurotoxicity, improving learning, memorizing, and spatial orientation behavior in mice.

Curcumin protects neurons against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation-induced injury through activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ function.

The turmeric derivative curcumin protects against cerebral ischemic injury. We previously demonstrated that curcumin activates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ), a ligand-activated transcription factor involved in both neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory signaling pathways. This study tested whether the neuroprotective effects of curcumin against oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R)-induced injury of rat cortical neurons are mediated (at least in part) by PPARγ. Curcumin (10 µM) potently enhanced PPARγ expression and transcriptional activity following OGD/R. In addition, curcumin markedly increased neuronal viability, as evidenced by decreased lactate dehydrogenase release and reduced nitric oxide production, caspase-3 activity, and apoptosis. These protective effects were suppressed by coadministration of the PPARγ antagonist 2-chloro-5-nitrobenzanilide (GW9662) and by prior transfection of a small-interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting PPARγ, treatments that had no toxic effects on healthy neurons. Curcumin reduced OGD/R-induced accumulation of reactive oxygen species and inhibited the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, as indicated by reduced release of cytochrome c and apoptosis-inducing factor and maintenance of both the mitochondrial membrane potential and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio. Again, GW9662 or PPARγ siRNA transfection mitigated the protective effects of curcumin on mitochondrial function. Curcumin suppressed IκB kinase phosphorylation and IκB degradation, thereby inhibiting nuclear factor-κ B (NF-κB) nuclear translocation, effects also blocked by GW9662 or PPARγ siRNA. Immunoprecipitation experiments revealed that PPARγ interacted with NF-κB p65 and inhibited NF-κB activation. The present study provides strong evidence that at least some of the neuroprotective effects of curcumin against OGD/R are mediated by PPARγ activation.

[Association between basilar artery hypoplasia and posterior circulation infarction].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between basal artery hypoplasia (BAH) and posterior circulation ischemic stroke and its clinical characteristics to improve the understanding of BAH. METHODS: A total of 328 hospitalized patients from April 2012 to April 2014 were enrolled retrospectively. With normal course and regular shape of basilar artery on brain magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), other causes of posterior circulation ischemic stroke were excluded. They were divided into BAH (n = 48) and non-BAH (n = 280) groups according to the morphology and diameter of basilar artery on head MRA. We compared the general information and intracranial vascular variations between two groups, especially the incidence rate of posterior circulation infarction and mean blood flow velocity (Vm) of basal artery by analyzing clinical information and MRI findings. Meantime, their clinical outcomes were observed through follow-ups. And detailed clinical features were discussed for the patients with posterior circulation infarction in the BAH group. RESULTS: (1) The concurrent lesions included vertebral artery intracranial segment hypoplasia (n = 24, VAH), fetal type posterior artery (n = 18, FTPA), persistent trigeminal artery (n = 1) and giant fenestration variation on vertebral artery (n = 1) in the BAH group. In comparison, it was more liable to cranial vascular variations in the BAH group (P < 0.05). (2) The incidence rates of posterior circulation infarction for two groups were 35.4% (17/48) and 8.6% (24/280) respectively. In comparison, these cases in the BAH group were more likely to suffer from posterior circulation ischemic stroke (P < 0.05) and the Vm of basal artery in the BAH group was obviously lower than that in the non-BAH group (P < 0.05). (3) these cases with stroke in two groups had no mortality during a follow-up period of 4-28 months. There were 3 cases with recurrent posterior circulation stroke in the non-BAH group. The number of cases with mRS scoring 2 points or less in the BAH group was more than that in the non-BAH group at discharge, 30 or 90 days after discharge (P < 0.05). (4) these cases with posterior circulation stroke in the BAH group often presented as lacunar syndrome (9/17), paramedian infarction in pons (9/17) and bilateral VAH plus unilateral FTPA (8/17). CONCLUSION: As a relatively rare disease, BAH often has other intracranial vascular variants. Posterior circulation stroke occurs due to reduced blood supply of vertebrobasilar system, especially pons infarction. Though with relatively good clinical outcomes, we still need to make an early diagnosis and strengthen stroke prevention.

[Analysis of clinical features for 8 patients with autoimmune dementia].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical features and therapeutic profiles of autoimmune dementia. METHODS: Eight hospitalized patients with autoimmune dementia during March 2011 and May 2013 were recruited and retrospectively analyzed for clinical features, as well as therapeutic and prognosis profiles. RESULTS: There were 3 males and 5 females with a onset age range of 45-72 years. Their onsets varied from acute (n = 3), subacute (n = 1) to chronic (n = 4).Six of them had a fluctuating course. The diagnoses were multiple sclerosis (n = 3), paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (n = 2) and Hashimoto's encephalopathy (n = 1), microscopic polyangiitis (n = 1) and unclassified autoimmune encephalopathy (n = 1). Progressive memory loss without delirium was the main symptom.In addition, 3 patients suffered epilepsy, 2 with intractable hyponatremia, 4 with positive serum autoimmune or paraneoplastic antibodies, 7 with inflammatory cerebrospinal fluid, 4 with abnormal electroencephalography (EEG) and 8 with various changes on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Two patients had concurrent Hashimoto's thyroiditis and another with small cell lung cancer. All patients improved after treatment with immunological and antineoplastic therapies. CONCLUSION: Autoimmune dementia has complex causes with a rapidly progressive and fluctuating course. The coexisting conditions include epilepsy, hyponatremia, organ-specific autoimmunity, inflammatory spinal fluid with abnormal EEG and brain MRI findings.Immunotherapy is recommended.

[Longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesion: etiology and imaging features].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the etiologies and imaging features of longitudinally extensive spinal cord lesion (LESCL). METHODS: The etiologies and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging features of 51 hospitalized LESCL patients from January 2011 to August 2013 were reviewed and retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Among them, the causes were neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD, n = 25), isolated longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (n = 6), subacute combined degeneration (n = 4), multiple sclerosis (MS, n = 3), paraneoplastic myelopathy (n = 3), anterior spinal artery syndrome (n = 3), acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (n = 2), spinal dural arteriovenous fistula (n = 2), intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (n = 1), myelopathic leukemia (n = 1) and syringomyelus (n = 1). For MR imaging, at least one lesion of each patient presented continuously longitudinal profile and whole-length spinal cord was involved in 11 patients. CONCLUSION: LESCL may be caused by various diseases. And the imaging features may aid its diagnosis despite a lack of specificity.

Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistula with Low Back Pain as the Only Symptom at Onset: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Spinal cord arteriovenous fistula that only manifests as lower back pain is easily misdiagnosed as myofasciitis, lumbar spondylosis, and other diseases, and incorrect treatment such as glucocorticoid blockade might be given, leading to worsening of the condition. CASE REPORT We analyze the clinical characteristics of a patient with spinal dural arteriovenous fistula who presented with chronic-onset low back pain. A patient with spinal dural arteriovenous fistula presented with chronic-onset low back pain as the only symptom, and was misdiagnosed as having myofasciitis. We assessed the paraclinical data, clinical reasoning, and course of treatment. The patient was an elderly man with low back pain for 1 year. He was diagnosed with myofasciitis in a local hospital and received local blocking treatment using glucocorticoid, and left lower-limb weakness appeared after that. After he was admitted to our hospital, enhanced thoracic and lumbar magnetic resonance imaging and selective spinal angiography were performed, and the results indicated the diagnosis of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula. After surgical treatment, the low back pain and lower-limb weakness were alleviated, and the patient is still under follow-up. CONCLUSIONS The possibility of spinal dural arteriovenous fistula should not be overlooked among patients with chronic low back pain, and caution should be taken when using glucocorticoids for treatment of chronic low back pain.

Characteristics of Atherosclerotic Plaques and Stroke Mechanism in Patients with Border-Zone Infarcts: A High-resolution Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

BACKGROUND: Relatively little is known about the plaque characteristics of border-zone infarcts and how they differ between cortical border-zone (CBZ) and internal border-zone (IBZ) infarcts. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study of patients with intracranial atherosclerotic disease who underwent high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI) examination. Individuals with border-zone infarcts in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory, detected by diffusion-weighted imaging, were enrolled. Plaque morphological and compositional parameters of both IBZ and CBZ groups were compared. Independent predictors were identified using a binary logistic regression model, and the sensitivity and specificity of the model were assessed using a receiver operating characteristic curve. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis further explored differences in stroke recurrence between BZ patients with mono or dual antiplatelet therapy. RESULTS: We reviewed 101 symptomatic patients with border-zone infarcts (BZ) within the MCA territory in the study. Out of the patients meeting the imaging eligibility criteria, we detected 34 cases with isolated IBZ, 23 cases with isolated CBZ, and six cases with both IBZ and CBZ infarcts. Those with IBZ infarcts had a higher plaque burden than those without (p < 0.001), and those with CBZ infarcts exhibited a complicated plaque less frequently than those without (37.9% vs 67.6%, p = 0.018). In those with isolated IBZ or CBZ infarcts, plaque burden was independently associated with isolated IBZ infarcts (odd ratio=1.08; 95% CI, 1.02-1.15; p = 0.023). During the median follow-up period of 37 (27, 50) months, 13.8% of patients receiving early dual antiplatelet treatment and 30.4% of those on single antiplatelet therapy experienced stroke recurrence (p = 0.182). CONCLUSION: Intracranial atherosclerotic plaque morphology and composition differ between patients with IBZ and those with CBZ infarcts. Higher plaque burden is more associated with IBZ infarcts.