[Ameliorative Effects of Cang-ai Volatile Oil on Left Ventricular Remodeling in Rats].

Objective: To evaluate with 7T cardiac magnetic resonance tissue tracking imaging (CMR-TT) the ameliorative effect of Cang-ai volatile oil (CAVO) on left ventricular remodeling (LVR) in rats induced by isoproterenol (ISO), and to make preliminary investigation into CAVO's effects on endothelial dysfunction in LVR. Methods: A total of 35 healthy male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to two groups, the experimental group ( n=27) and the normal control group ( n=8). The rat model of LVR was established by subcutaneous injection of ISO solution at 10 mg·kg -1·d -1 at multiple sites for 10 consecutive days. After modeling was completed, the surviving rats ( n=24) in the experimental group were then randomly assigned to the blank experimental group, CAVO group, and Shexiang Baoxin pill (SXBXP) group ( n=8 in each group). Rats in each group were given via gavage the corresponding intervention medicine or an equivalent amount of normal saline solution for 28 consecutive days. At the end of modeling and intragastric intervention, 7T CMR cine sequence scanning was conducted to collect data. Then, post-processing software CVI42 was used to analyze the images and to compare and contrast the changes in the parameters of left ventricular cardiac function and myocardial strain in each group before and after the administration of the medication. The rats were sacrificed after MRI scanning, and their hearts were harvested for pathological examination. The levels of serum biochemical indicators were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: CAVO significantly increased LV ejection fraction and overall myocardial strain parameters in LVR rats, while it decreased LV volume, mass, and serum levels of endothelial function indicators in LVR rats. In addition, pathological staining showed marked improvements in the hypertrophy, necrosis and interstitial fibrosis of cardiomyocytes. Conclusion: Through the regulation of myocardial vascular endothelial function, CAVO can significantly improve cardiac functions in LVR rats, delay the process of ventricular remodeling, and have a certain amount of protective effect on cardiac structure and function in rats.

Comparison of Different Physical Therapies Combined with Acupuncture for Poststroke Cognitive Impairment: a Network Meta-Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Physical therapy combined with acupuncture is the current research hotspot in the treatment of poststroke cognitive impairment, but which combination treatment is the best is still controversial. Based on the network meta-analysis method, we evaluated the efficacy of various physical therapies combined with acupuncture for the treatment of poststroke cognitive impairment. METHODS: We retrieved diverse randomized controlled trials of various physical therapies combined with acupuncture for the treatment of cognitive dysfunction after stroke. We selected studies, extracted data, and evaluated the risk of literature bias for the included randomized controlled trials. We used STATA 14.0 for the current network meta-analysis. RESULTS: Fifteen randomized controlled trials involving 1288 patients were included, which involved 7 treatment plans that included 3 control treatment plans and 4 acupuncture treatment plans combined with physical therapy. The best treatment plan for improving the Mini-Mental State Examination score of poststroke cognitive impairment is acupuncture combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The best treatment option for improving the Montreal Cognitive Assessment score of poststroke cognitive impairment is acupuncture combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The best option for improving the Barthel index score of poststroke cognitive impairment is acupuncture combined with transcranial magnetic stimulation. In terms of improving the overall clinical effectiveness of poststroke cognitive impairment, the best treatment option is acupuncture combined with transcranial magnetic stimulation. CONCLUSION: The analysis of all the results shows that acupuncture combined with hyperbaric oxygen therapy can significantly improve poststroke cognitive impairment compared with other combined treatments. However, due to the overall quality and quantity of the included studies, more randomized controlled trials focusing on clinical research on acupuncture combined with physical therapy for poststroke cognitive impairment are required to support the current evidence. This trial is registered with CRD42020200092.

Blood Pressure Variability during Angiography in Patients with Ischemic Stroke and Intracranial Artery Stenosis.

Our aim was to investigate factors predicting blood pressure (BP) variability during diagnostic cerebral angiography and associations between BP variability and clinical outcomes in patients with acute and subacute ischemic stroke and intracranial artery stenosis. 114 patients with ischemic stroke and intracranial artery stenosis (stenosis rate >50%) were recruited. Patients who underwent cerebral angiography within 3 days and 3-14 days of disease onset are referred to be Group A and Group S, respectively. BP variability in Group A was defined as the coefficient of variance (CV) of BP. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to identify predictors of CV of BP and associations between CV of BP and clinical outcomes at discharge. In Group A patients, advanced age was associated with increased CV of SBP and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and antihypertensive use was associated with lower CV of SBP. Male was associated with lower CV of DBP. In Group S, higher CV of SBP was associated with hypertension and antihypertensive use. Males had lower CV of SBP than females. The calcium channel blocker was associated with lower CV of DBP. Higher scores of the Stroke Scale at admission were significantly associated with poor clinical outcomes for both groups, while BP variability was not. Factors associated with BP variability are significantly different between stroke patients undergoing angiography within 3 days vs. 3-14 days after disease onset. BP variability is not significantly associated with clinical outcomes at discharge.