Intravascular ultrasonography assisted carotid artery stenting for treatment of carotid stenosis: Two case reports.

Background: Digital subtraction angiography (DSA), the gold standard of cerebrovascular disease diagnosis, is limited in its diagnostic ability to evaluate arterial diameter. Intravascular ultrasonography (IVUS) has advantages in assessing stenosis and plaque nature and improves the evaluation and effectiveness of carotid artery stenting (CAS).

Case Summary: Case 1: A 65-year-old man presented with a five-year history of bilateral lower limb weakness due to stroke.

Immunogenicity and safety of a new hexavalent rotavirus vaccine in Chinese infants: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 clinical trial.

Rotavirus remains a major cause of diarrhea among 5-y-old children, and vaccination is currently the most effective and economical measure. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II clinical trial designed to determine the dosage, immunogenicity, and safety profile of a novel hexavalent rotavirus vaccine. In total, 480 eligible healthy infants, who were 6-12 weeks of age at the time of randomization were randomly allocated (1:1:1) to receive 10 focus-forming unit (FFU) or 10FFU of vaccine or placebo on a 0, 28 and 56-d schedule.

Safety and immunogenicity of a novel oral hexavalent rotavirus vaccine：a phase I clinical trial.

Rotavirus infections, prevalent in human populations, are caused mostly by group A viruses. Immunization against rotaviruses in infancy is currently the most effective and economical strategy to prevent rotavirus infection. This study evaluated the safety of a novel hexavalent rotavirus vaccine and analyzed its dose and immunogenicity.

Emergent loading dose of antiplatelets for stenting after IV rt-PA in acute ischemic stroke: a feasibility study.

Background: A loading dose of antiplatelets reduces in-stent thrombosis after stent implantation. However, whether it is safe in patients undergoing acute stenting after intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is unclear.

Methods: A case series of acute ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous rt-PA followed by emergent stenting were prospectively included in Jinling Hospital Stroke Unit.

Severity assessment of intracranial large artery stenosis by pressure gradient measurements: A feasibility study.

Background: Fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided revascularization strategy is popular in coronary intervention. However, the feasibility of assessing stenotic severity in intracranial large arteries using pressure gradient measurements still remains unclear.

Methods: Between March 2013 and May 2014, 12 consecutive patients with intracranial large artery stenosis (including intracranial internal carotid artery, middle cerebral M1 segment, intracranial vertebral artery, and basilar artery) were enrolled in this study.

Effect of Carotid Artery Stenting on Cognitive Function in Patients with Internal Carotid Artery Stenosis and Cerebral Lacunar Infarction: A 3-Year Follow-Up Study in China.

Background And Objectives: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is an important therapeutic strategy for patients with carotid artery stenosis. However, the potential influence of CAS on cognitive function in patients with carotid artery stenosis and cerebral lacunar infarction has not been determined. This study investigated changes in cognitive function associated with CAS and the factors related to these changes.

Nrf2 is essential for the anti-inflammatory effect of carbon monoxide in LPS-induced inflammation.

Introduction: Carbon monoxide (CO) released from CORM-2 has anti-inflammatory function, but the critical molecule mediating the inflammation inhibition has not been elucidated. Previous studies indicate that CORM-2 can activate Nrf2, a key transcription factor regulating host defense against oxidative stress and inflammation-related disorders. In this study we use Nrf2 knockout mice to determine the role of Nrf2 in mediating the CO anti-inflammatory action.

[Effects of metabolic syndrome on multi-vessel lesions of symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis].

Objective: To explore the effects of metabolic syndrome (MS) on multi-vessel lesions of symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis.

Methods: During April 2009 and October 2010, a total of 139 consecutive hospitalized patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis were recruited to undergo magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) or/and CT angiography (CTA) or/and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) to measure the stenotic degree and numbers of intracranial atherosclerosis. They were divided into 2 groups according to lesion numbers: single and multi-vessel lesions.

The involvement of autophagy pathway in exaggerated ischemic brain damage in diabetic mice.

Background: Patients with Diabetes are at greater risk for ischemic stroke and usually suffer more severe ischemic brain damage than nondiabetic patients. However, the underlying mechanism of the exaggerated injury is not well defined.

Aims: Macroautophagy (hereafter called autophagy in this report) plays a key role in cellular homeostasis and may contribute to cell death as well.

Isolation and identification of a novel rabies virus lineage in China with natural recombinant nucleoprotein gene.

Rabies virus (RABV) causes severe neurological disease and death. As an important mechanism for generating genetic diversity in viruses, homologous recombination can lead to the emergence of novel virus strains with increased virulence and changed host tropism. However, it is still unclear whether recombination plays a role in the evolution of RABV.

[Intranasal dosing of nerve growth factor protects brain from poisoning of organophosphorus compounds in rats].

Objective: To explore the protective effects of intranasal (IN) dosing of nerve growth factor (NGF) on brain injury induced by organophosphorus compounds (OP) in rats.

Methods: The OP-treated Sprague-Dawley rats received an intraperitoneal injection of atropine sulphate and pralidoxime at 1 min after intoxication. Then NGF or saline was dosed via the olfactory pathway.

[Identification and sequential analysis on rabies virus isolated from a donkey].

Objective: To identify and analyze the genetic characteristics of nucleoprotein (N) and glycoprotein (G) genes of rabies virus (RABV) isolated from a donkey in Wuhan. N gene and G gene of the virus were compared with other representative street strains isolated around Hubei areas as well as the vaccine strains used in China and abroad.

Methods: RABV in brain tissue of a donkey was detected by direct immunofluorescent method and then inoculated in suckling mice to observe the incidence of rabies.

[Plasma homocysteine levels in ischemic stroke patients with obstructive sleep apnea].

Objective: To investigate the association of plasma homocysteine and OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) syndrome in ischemic stroke (IS).

Methods: A total of 92 male IS patients were classified by apnea hypopnea index (AHI) into 2 groups: non-OSA group (AHI < 5/h) and OSA group (AHI > or = 5). All patients were tested for plasma homocysteine when polysomnography was finished at (14 +/- 2) d after the onset of IS.

[Temporal and spatial population dynamics of rabies virus isolates in China].

In order to study phylogeography, population dynamics and molecular evolution of rabies viruses (RABVs) isolates from China, especially spatio-temporal dynamics, the timescale of RABVs evolution and its pattern of migration, we performed an extensive comparative analysis of RABV N gene sequence data, representing 167 isolates sampled from 20 provinces in a 78-year period (from 1931 through 2009). The available Chinese isolates could be divided into two distinct clades:Phylogroup clades I comprised Chinese group 1-4; Phylogroup clades II contained Chinese group 5-8. We found no evidence for positive selection (dN/dS>1) acting at any codon and found strong selective constraints for N gene.

[Predictors of Wingspan in-stent restenosis for the treatment of symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis].

Objective: To analyze the predictors of Wingspan in-stent restenosis (ISR) for the treatment of symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis.

Methods: Between January 2007 and November 2009, 42 patients with symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis registered in Nanjing stroke registry program (NSRP) were treated with Wingspan stent system. Clinical and follow-up results were retrospectively analyzed.

[Effect of lesion length on in-stent restenosis after intracranial stenting].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of lesion length on in-stent restenosis (ISR) after intracranial stenting.

Methods: Between March 2004 and September 2009, 65 patients with symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis were successfully implanted with single bare metal balloon-mounted stent. All received a conventional angiographic follow-up.

[Optimization of method of titration rabies virus with fluorescence focus units assay].

Objective: A new Fluorescence Focus Units (FFU) developed for Rabies Virus titration replace current reference method (LD50) so as to reduce the cost.

Methods: The BSR cell was infected by triple serial dilution of the Rabies Virus CTN strain, then detect the fluorescent focus by FITC labeling anti-Rabies Virus monoclonal antibodies. All the samples were assayed in both FFU and LD50.

[Influencing factors for cerebral microbleeds in patients with acute ischemic stroke].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between cerebral microbleeds (CMB), cardiovascular risk factors, and plasma fibrinogen in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: Sixty-eight patients with acute ischemic stroke from June 2008 to March 2009 were enroued prospectively. All patients received cranial magnetic resonance imaging at the first week, and T2(*)-weighted gradient echo MRI sequence was performed to detect CMB.

[Evaluation on the safety and efficacy of lyophilized purified human rabies vaccine (CTN-Vero-RV)].

Objective: To observe the safety and efficacy of lyophilized purified human rabies vaccine CTN-Vero RV, CTN strain produced in Vero cells.

Methods: 450 healthy volunteers were divided into two groups, with 300 of them receiving CTN-Vero-RV (rabies vaccine for human use made in Vero cells with CTN strain) while 150 of them receiving PVRV to serve as control group. All the subjects were immunized on days 0, 3, 7, 14 and 28 at deltoid muscle respectively.

[Study on the feasibility of a cell-culture inoculation test in the detection and isolation of street rabies virus].

Objective: Feasibility of using MNA cell-culture inoculation test to detect and isolate the street rabies virus.

Methods: Using MNA cell-culture inoculation test, fluorescent antibody test (FAT) and sandwich ELISA with double-antibodies to detect 33 specimens of street rabies virus, 20 specimens of negative canine brains and 4 specimens of healthy mice brains.

Results: 33 specimens of street rabies virus were positive to the cell-culture inoculation test but the others were negative.

[Effects of montelukast on atherosclerosis and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression in ahypercholesterolemic rabbit model.].

Objective: To investigate the effects of montelukast on atherosclerosis and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression in a hypercholesterolemic rabbit model.

Methods: Thirty four male New Zealand white rabbits were randomized into four groups including normal control group (n = 6), placebo group (n = 8), atorvastatin group (1.5 mgxkg(-1)xd(-1), beginning at 8(th) weeks for 4 weeks, n = 10) and montelukast group (1 mgxkg(-1)xd(-1), beginning at 8(th) weeks for 4 weeks, n = 10).

The dose-effectiveness of intranasal VEGF in treatment of experimental stroke.

The aim of the present study was to assess the dose-effectiveness of intranasal (IN) vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)in the treatment of experimental stroke. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into four groups as IN low (100 microg/ml), IN middle (200 microg/ml) and IN high (500 microg/ml) VEGF-treated group, and IN saline-treated group (n=12), given recombinant human VEGF 165 or saline intranasally. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by transient (90 min) middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) method.

Intranasally delivered bFGF enhances neurogenesis in adult rats following cerebral ischemia.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a very important mitogenic factor with proved neurogenesis effects in the central nervous system. Intranasal administration can bypass blood-brain barrier and deliver drugs into the brain directly. We investigated whether intranasal administration of bFGF at later time points after ischemia could promote adult neurogenesis and improve neurologic functions.

Intranasal bFGF-induced progenitor cell proliferation and neuroprotection after transient focal cerebral ischemia.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a neurotrophic and vasoactive factor, and has therapeutic potential for some central nervous system (CNS) disorders. In this study, we used the intranasal pathway to administer bFGF in adult rats, and evaluated its neuroprotective benefits and effects on endogenous neural stem cells. The bFGF levels after intranasal administration in normal rats were determined by western blot.

[Application of immunofluorescence and sandwich ELISA with double-antibodies in detection of human rabies].

Objective: To explore the application of immunofluorescence and sandwich ELISA with double-antibodies in detection of human rabies.

Methods: The cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem, and hippocampus of four patients died of rabies identified by clinical diagnosis were collected and kept in freezer at -70 degrees C or in formaldehyde solution separately. The rat brain tissue infected by CVS strain of rabies virus was used as a positive control and the brain tissue of a patient died of acute pancreatitis was used as a negative control.