Decrease in shunt volume in patients with cryptogenic stroke and patent foramen ovale

Background  

In patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO) there is evidence supporting the hypothesis of a change in right-to-left shunt (RLS) over time. Proven, this could have implications for the care of patients with PFO and a history of stroke. The following study addressed this hypothesis in a cohort of patients with stroke and PFO.     

心脏磁共振在不明原因脑卒中病因筛查中的应用

目的探讨心脏磁共振成像技术在不明原因缺血性脑卒中患者病因筛查中的应用价值。方法选取2014年9月~2015年2月在我院诊治的不明原因缺血性脑卒中患者53例为研究对象,均行心脏MRI和经胸超声心动图检查,并对检查出卵圆孔未闭(PFO)的患者进行分析。结果 53例不明原因缺血性脑卒中患者中,心脏MRI检查诊断合并PFO为27例(50.94%),经胸超声动图(TTE)检查诊断合并PFO为7例(13.21%),差异有统计学意义(P0.001)。结论心脏MRI对PFO的检出率较高,可作为不明原因缺血性脑卒中患者病因筛查的有效手段。     

Proteomic signatures of serum albumin-bound proteins from stroke patients with and without endovascular closure of PFO are significantly different and suggest a novel mechanism for cholesterol efflux

Background

The anatomy of PFO suggests that it can allow thrombi and potentially harmful circulatory factors to travel directly from the venous to the arterial circulation – altering circulatory phenotype. Our previous publication using high-resolution LC-MS/MS to profile protein and peptide expression patterns in plasma showed that albumin was relatively increased in donor samples from PFO-related than other types of ischemic strokes. Since albumin binds a host of molecules and acts as a carrier for lipoproteins, small molecules and drugs, we decided to investigate the albumin-bound proteins (in a similar sample cohort) in an effort to unravel biological changes and potentially discover biomarkers related to PFO-related stroke and PFO endovascular closure.

Methods

The method used in this study combined albumin immuno-enrichment with high resolution LC-MS in order to specifically capture and quantify the albumin-bound proteins. Subsequently, we measured cholesterol and HDL in a larger, separate cohort of PFO stroke patients, pre and post closure.

Results

The results demonstrated that a number of proteins were specifically associated with albumin in samples with and without endovascular closure of the PFO, and that the protein profiles were very different. Eight proteins, typically associated with HDL were common to both sample sets and quantitatively differently abundant. Pathway analysis of the MS results suggested that enhanced cholesterol efflux and reduced lipid oxidation were associated with PFO closure. Measurement of total cholesterol and HDL in a larger cohort of PFO closure samples using a colorimetric assay was consistent with the proteomic predictions.

Conclusions

The collective data presented in this study demonstrate that analysis of albumin-bound proteins could provide a valuable tool for biomarker discovery on the effects of PFO endovascular closure. In addition, the results suggest that PFO endovascular closure can potentially have effects on HDL, cholesterol and albumin-bound ApoA-I abundance, therefore possibly providing benefits in cardioprotective functions.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1559-0275-12-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Association of plasma osteoprotegerin levels with stroke severity and functional outcome in acute ischaemic stroke patients

Osteoprotegerin (OPG) is known to regulate processes involved in vascular injury and inflammation. We investigated the relationship between plasma OPG levels and stroke subtype, stroke severity at admission and functional outcome at 3 months in 172 patients with acute ischaemic stroke. Patients with large artery atherosclerosis and those with multiple causes had higher plasma OPG levels than patients with lacune. Increased plasma OPG levels were independently associated with more severe stroke and poor functional outcome. These results suggest pleiotropic roles of OPG in mediating atherosclerosis and ischaemic brain injury. OPG is a potential biomarker for predicting neurologic outcome in stroke.     

Trisomy 17 in a baboon (Papio hamadryas) with polydactyly, patent foramen ovale and pyelectasis

Trisomy 13 in humans is the third most common autosomal abnormality at birth, after trisomy 21 and trisomy 18. It has a reported incidence of between 1:5,000 and 1:30,000 live births. It is associated with multiple abnormalities, many of which shorten lifespan. We describe here the first reported case of a baboon (Papio hamadryas) with trisomy of chromosome 17, which is homologous to human chromosome 13. The trisomic infant was born to a consanguineous pair of baboons and had morphological characteristics similar to those observed in human trisomy 13, including bilateral polydactyly in the upper limbs, a patent foramen ovale, and pyelectasis. Molecular DNA analysis using human chromosome 13 markers was consistent with the affected infant inheriting two copies of chromosome 17 derived from the same parental chromosome. This trisomy was, therefore, due to either an error in meiosis II or the result of postzygotic nondisjunction. The parental origin, however, could not be determined.     

Ankle muscle coactivation and its relationship with ankle joint kinematics and kinetics during gait in hemiplegic patients after stroke

Introduction: Increased ankle muscle coactivation during gait is a compensation strategy for enhancing postural stability in patients after stroke. However, no previous studies have demonstrated that increased ankle muscle coactivation influenced ankle joint movements during gait in patients after stroke.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between ankle muscle coactivation and ankle joint movements in hemiplegic patients after stroke.

Methods: Seventeen patients after stroke participated. The coactivation index (CoI) at the ankle joint was calculated separately for the first and second double support (DS1 and DS2, respectively) and single support (SS) phases on the paretic and non-paretic sides during gait using surface electromyography. Simultaneously, three-dimensional motion analysis was performed to measure the peak values of the ankle joint angle, moment, and power in the sagittal plane. Ground reaction forces (GRFs) of the anterior and posterior components and centers of pressure (COPs) trajectory ranges and velocities were also measured.

Results: The CoI during the SS phase on the paretic side was negatively related to ankle dorsiflexion angle, ankle plantarflexion moment, ankle joint power generation, and COP velocity on the paretic side. Furthermore, the CoI during the DS2 phase on both sides was negatively related to anterior GRF amplitude on each side.

Conclusion: Increased ankle muscle coactivation is related to decreased ankle joint movement during the SS phase on the paretic side to enhance joint stiffness and compensate for stance limb instability, which may be useful for patients who have paretic instability during the stance phase after stroke.     

Acute phase proteins and oxidised low-density lipoprotein in association with ischemic stroke subtype, severity and outcome

Objectives: The goal of our study was to investigate the associations of oxidized LDL (apoB100 aldehyde-modified form) and acute phase proteins (fibrinogen, CRP) with acute ischemic stroke severity and outcome.

Materials and Methods: The study included 61 ischemic stroke patients and 64 controls. Strokes were subtyped according to TOAST criteria, the severity and outcome of stroke (at 1 year) were measured.

Results: The mean triglyceride, fibrinogen, CRP and glucose values were significantly higher among cases. The median oxLDL value for patients with large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) type of stroke was significantly higher than for other subtypes. The oxLDL values did not correlate with age, stroke severity and outcome.

Conclusions: Inflammatory markers (fibrinogen and CRP) predicted the stroke severity and outcome whereas elevation of oxLDL levels did not. Our data refer to possibility that there may exist some links between the LAA subtype of stroke and elevated oxLDL (apoB100 aldehyde-modified form).     

Acute phase proteins and oxidised low-density lipoprotein in association with ischemic stroke subtype,severity and outcome

Objectives: The goal of our study was to investigate the associations of oxidized LDL (apoB100 aldehyde-modified form) and acute phase proteins (fibrinogen, CRP) with acute ischemic stroke severity and outcome.

Materials and Methods: The study included 61 ischemic stroke patients and 64 controls. Strokes were subtyped according to TOAST criteria, the severity and outcome of stroke (at 1 year) were measured.

Results: The mean triglyceride, fibrinogen, CRP and glucose values were significantly higher among cases. The median oxLDL value for patients with large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) type of stroke was significantly higher than for other subtypes. The oxLDL values did not correlate with age, stroke severity and outcome.

Conclusions: Inflammatory markers (fibrinogen and CRP) predicted the stroke severity and outcome whereas elevation of oxLDL levels did not. Our data refer to possibility that there may exist some links between the LAA subtype of stroke and elevated oxLDL (apoB100 aldehyde-modified form).     

Comparison of blood lead concentrations in patients with acute ischemic stroke and healthy subjects

Background and ObjectivesStroke is the main cause of mortality and long-term disability in the general population. With the increased application of metals in industries and human environment, lead has become a health hazard. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the relationship between the blood concentration of lead and the incidence of acute stroke.Materials and MethodsWe performed this study during 2016−17 at Vali-e-Asr Hospital in Birjand, Iran, among 80 ischemic stroke patients visiting the hospital and 80 healthy gender- and age-matched controls. Blood lead concentration (BLC) was measured using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry.ResultsBLC medians in the case and control groups were 20.65 [5.37−34.87] μg/dL and 2.65 [1.75−13.85] μg/dL, respectively (p < 0.05). The case group had significantly lower mean levels of HDL and phosphors, whereas the mean levels of white blood cells and uric acid were higher in this group. After adjusting for lipid profile and fasting blood sugar, multiple logistic regression indicated that the serum levels of uric acid and BLC were significant for predicting ischemic stroke. It is estimated that the odds ratio of ischemic stroke increases by 1.04 per 1 μg/dl increase in BLC.ConclusionThis study showed that lead can be a risk factor for ischemic stroke. Since it does not have any beneficial effects on the health of individuals, screening serum concentrations of lead can be considered as a preventive strategy for those at risk of stroke.     

经皮冠状动脉腔内血管成形术改变稳定性冠心病患者整体功能的临床研究*

目的: 应用症状限制极限负荷心肺运动试验（CPET）评估稳定性冠心病患者经皮冠状动脉腔内血管成形术（PCI）治疗前后的整体心肺功能变化。方法: 入选2014年8月至12月在本院经冠脉造影和心脏超声等检查诊断为稳定性冠心病患者59例,择期行PCI治疗31例（PCI组）,另单纯药物保守治疗28例为对照组。患者治疗前、后均进行CPET。结果: 所有患者均安全完成CPET,无任何并发症。药物对照组治疗前后所有功能指标均无明显变化（P>0.05）。PCI组治疗后仅无氧阈、峰值摄氧量和峰值氧脉搏比治疗前明显提高（P<0.05）,其他指标变化不显著（P>0.05）。CPET评估个体化分析发现PCI组治疗后升高（≥10%）峰值摄氧量和峰值氧脉搏比例明显高于对照组（P<0.05）。结论: PCI通过冠状动脉血运重建可明显改善患者心肺功能,提高运动能力。CPET是客观定量评估冠心病治疗效果的一种客观、定量、安全、有效方法。     

Ultrasonographic and electrophysiologic evaluation of median and ulnar nerves in chronic stroke patients with upper extremity spasticity

Objective: To evaluate the upper extremity nerves of stroke patients morphologically and electrophysiologically and to determine whether there is a relationship between clinical evaluations, ultrasonographic measurements, and electrodiagnostic findings.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 30 chronic stroke patients. After recording demographical data, clinical, ultrasonographic, and electrophysiological evaluations were performed. Clinical evaluations included Brunnstrom Recovery Stages (BRS), Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), Motricity index (MI), Functional Independence Measurement (FIM), and Functional Ambulation Scale (FAS). For ultrasonographic measurements, median and ulnar nerves were scanned. Median and ulnar nerve conduction studies were performed bilaterally.

Results: Mean ages of the patients were 62.2?±?13.0 years (range 24–84 years; 22 males, 8 females). There was no significant difference in median/ulnar nerve ultrasonographic measurements between paretic and non-paretic sides (p?>?.05), whereas median nerve motor conduction velocity was significantly slower and median nerve F-wave latency was prolonged on the paretic side (p?<?.05). The median and ulnar nerve compound motor action potential (CMAP) amplitudes of paretic sides were positively correlated with lower extremity BRS and FAS scores. Median CMAP amplitudes were also positively correlated with FIM scores and ulnar CMAP amplitudes were positively correlated with motricity scores. Moreover, on the paretic side, there were positive correlations of median SNAP amplitudes with FIM and FAS scores (p?<?.05).

Conclusions: Our results showed electrophysiological changes in peripheral nerves on the paretic upper extremities, however, no morphological change was determined. Further studies with larger number of patients and longer follow-up periods are needed to clarify the effect of stroke and spasticity on the peripheral nervous system.     

Influence of transoesophageal echocardiography on therapy and prognosis in young patients with TIA or ischaemic stroke

Objective. To determine the influence of transoesophageal echocardiography (TEE) on therapy and prognosis in patients with cryptogenic transient ischaemic attack (TIA) or ischaemic stroke under the age of 50 years. Methods and results. We evaluated all patients aged 50 and under who were referred to our university hospital for cryptogenic TIA or ischaemic stroke during the period 1 January 1996 to 31 December 2004. All patients underwent both transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and TEE. Patients with known pre-existent heart disease, such as atrial fibrillation, were excluded. Eighty-three patients with TIA (22) and ischaemic stroke (61) were enrolled. Mean age was 39±8 years (range 18 to 50). In 30% of the patients TEE detected one or more potential cardioembolic source, compared with 10% for TTE (p=0.003). Standard treatment (aspirin 38 mg daily) was changed in 7% of the patients due to the TEE findings. Complete followup was obtained in 93% with an average of 5±3 years. Twelve recurrences occurred; two out of six patients (33%) with therapy change and ten out of 71 (14%) of the patients without therapy change had a recurrent TIA or ischaemic Stroke. Conclusion. In patients with cryptogenic TIA or ischaemic stroke, TEE is superior to TTE in the detection of a potential cardiac source of embolism. However, findings obtained by TEE only influence the already initiated treatment in a small percentage of patients. The recurrence rate both in the group with and without therapy change is high. (Neth Heart J 2009;17:373–7.)     

个体化精准运动为核心的整体康复方案对冠心病介入治疗术后患者整体功能再提高的临床研究*

目的: 探讨个体化精准运动为核心的整体康复方案对冠心病介入治疗术后患者整体功能再提高的作用。方法: 选择2016 年6 月至2019 年12 月间在北京康复医院临床诊断为冠心病稳定性心绞痛患者20 例,随机分为对照组（n=10）和运动组（n=10）。全部患者择期行冠状动脉介入治疗,术后对照组患者仅进行除运动康复之外的常规治疗指导;运动组患者进行12周个体化运动为核心的心脏康复,介入前、介入后2周、康复后12周分别评估患者标准化症状限制性极限运动的心肺运动试验（CPET）指标、心脏超声、6 min步行距离（6MWD）等。结果: 所有患者均安全无并发症完成症状限制性CPET,运动组患者完成12周全程运动康复治疗。组间比较显示,介入前和介入后2周,对照组和运动组患者CPET指标以及左心室射血分数、6MWD等均无明显差异（P>0.05）。康复12周后,运动组患者无氧阈（ml/min、ml/（min·kg））、峰值摄氧量（ml/（min·kg））、氧脉搏（ml/beat）和6MWD较对照组明显升高,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。组内比较显示,康复治疗12周后,运动组患者无氧阈（ml/min、ml/（min·kg）、%pred）、峰值摄氧量（ml/min、ml/（min·kg）、%pred）、峰值氧脉搏（ml/beat）和6MWD均较介入前明显改善,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）;而且与介入后2周比较,无氧阈（ml/（min·kg））和峰值摄氧量（ml/（min·kg））均明显升高,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）。对照组患者在康复12周后无氧阈（ml/min）和峰值氧脉搏（ml/beat）较介入前改善,差异有统计学意义（P<0.05）,但CPET指标与介入后2周比较无明显差异。结论: 冠状动脉介入术后进行个体化运动康复为核心的整体管理可进一步提高冠心病稳定性心绞痛患者运动心肺功能和运动耐力。运动康复是介入术后患者二级预防的重要内容,需要大量推广。     

添加益生菌的早期肠内营养对重症脑卒中合并糖尿病患者血糖变异性及预后的影响

目的探讨添加益生菌的早期肠内营养(EEN)对重症脑卒中合并糖尿病患者血糖变异性及预后的影响。方法选择2017年10月1日至2019年10月1日我院收治的重症脑卒中合并糖尿病患者共96例,随机分为观察组和对照组,各48例。两组患者在入院48 h内均给予EEN,观察组在对照组基础上给予益生菌鼻饲。两组患者均应用普通胰岛素静脉泵入控制血糖,并在给予EEN 72 h内进行动态血糖监测,比较两组患者治疗后72 h内血糖波动情况、胰岛素平均用量、低血糖发生率、营养达标率,治疗后14 d炎症情况及应激反应指标水平、营养指标水平、医院获得性肺炎(HAP)发生率、GCS评分、APACHEⅡ评分、病死率。结果与对照组比较,观察组患者血糖最大波动幅度(LAGE)、平均血糖水平标准差(GLUsd)、血糖变异系数(LUcv)、低血糖发生率、胰岛素平均用量、炎症及应激反应指标水平、HAP发生率、APACHEⅡ评分均显著低于对照组(均P<0.05)。两组患者平均血糖水平(GLUave)、GCS评分、病死率、营养达标率、营养指标水平差异无统计学意义(均P>0.05)。结论对于合并糖尿病的重症脑卒中患者,给予EEN联合益生菌有助于减少血糖变异性,降低低血糖发生率,控制炎症及氧化应激反应,同时减少患者并发感染的风险,有助于改善患者预后。     

益生菌联合早期肠内营养对合并应激性高血糖的重症脑卒中患者血糖调控及预后的影响

目的 探讨益生菌联合早期肠内营养(EEN)对合并应激性高血糖的重症脑卒中患者血糖调控及预后的影响,为此类患者的治疗提供参考。 方法 选择2017年5月1日至2019年5月1日我院神经内科收治的合并应激性高血糖的重症脑卒中患者64例为研究对象,随机分为对照组和观察组,各32例。对照组患者在入院48 h内给予EEN,观察组患者在对照组基础上给予双歧杆菌乳杆菌三联活菌片鼻饲。比较两组患者治疗后血糖变异性、胰岛素使用强度、低血糖发生率、炎症反应指标水平、应激反应指标水平、胃肠道不良反应,5 d内肠内营养达标率、营养状态指标水平、医院获得性肺炎(HAP)发生率及病死率。 结果 治疗后,观察组患者血糖变异性较小,胰岛素使用强度降低,低血糖发生率降低,炎症反应指标、应激反应指标水平均低于对照组;胃肠道不良反应中腹泻发生率降低,肠内营养达标率升高,血清白蛋白、前白蛋白水平均高于对照组,医院获得性肺炎发生率降低。两组患者病死率差异无统计学意义(12.50% vs 18.75%;χ2=0.474,P=0.491)。 结论 对于合并应激性高血糖的重症脑卒中患者,益生菌联合EEN有助于控制血糖稳定性,降低胰岛素使用强度及低血糖发生率,同时降低炎症及应激反应,提高患者肠内营养耐受性,改善患者营养状态,降低HAP发生率。     

Comparison of the effect of stem cell therapy and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty on diabetic foot disease in patients with critical limb ischemia

Background aimsThe aim of our study was to compare the effect of autologous stem cell therapy (SCT) and percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) on diabetic foot disease (DFD) in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI).MethodsThirty-one patients with DFD and CLI treated by autologous stem cells and 30 patients treated by PTA were included in the study; 23 patients with the same inclusion criteria who could not undergo PTA or SCT formed the control group. Amputation-free survival, transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO₂) and wound healing were assessed over 12 months.ResultsAmputation-free survival after 6 and 12 months was significantly greater in the SCT and PTA groups compared with controls (P = 0.001 and P = 0.0029, respectively) without significant differences between the active treatment groups. Increase in TcPO₂ did not differ between SCT and PTA groups until 12 months (both Ps < 0.05 compared with baseline), whereas TcPO₂ in the control group did not change over the follow-up period. More healed ulcers were observed up to 12 months in the SCT group compared with the PTA and control groups (84 versus 57.7 versus 44.4 %; P = 0.042).ConclusionsOur study showed comparable effects of SCT and PTA on CLI, a major amputation rate that was superior to conservative therapy in patients with diabetic foot and an observable effect of SCT on wound healing. Our results support SCT as a potential promising treatment in patients with CLI and diabetic foot.     

CircRNA expression profiles and function prediction in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with acute ischemic stroke

Most circular RNAs (circRNAs) belong to a novel class of noncoding RNAs that are produced by back-splicing reactions, and they regulate physiological and pathophysiological processes in human disease. Although circRNA expression has been shown to be altered in the ischemic cerebral tissue in animal studies, the expression profile of circRNA in the patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) has not been investigated to date. In this investigation, high-throughput sequencing was carried out to compare the circRNA expression of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from five patients with AIS and five healthy subjects. A total of 521 circRNAs were expressed differentially between the patients with AIS and healthy controls (p < .05, fold difference ≥2) including 373 upregulated circRNAs and 148 downregulated circRNAs in patients with AIS compared to controls. Thirteen candidate circRNAs were verified by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Bioinformatics analyses showed that these differentially expressed circRNAs were highly conserved, as well as eight circRNAs that were confirmed by qRT-PCR containing binding sites to multiple microRNAs. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment and gene ontology analyses indicated that the aberrantly expressed circRNAs participated in many pathophysiological processes of AIS, especially regarding inflammation and immunity. In conclusion, patients with AIS differentially express certain circRNAs in PBMCs, which may be diagnostic biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets.     

血浆miRNA-1、miRNA-21对冠心病合并糖尿病患者PCI术后支架内再狭窄的影响

目的：观察血浆miRNA-1、miRNA-21在冠心病（CHD）与无冠脉病变患者中含量的差异,探讨其在CHD合并糖尿病（DM）患者的经皮冠状动脉介入治疗（PCI）后发生支架内再狭窄（ISR）与非支架内再狭窄（NISR）患者的含量差异及其对ISR的预测价值。方法：入选CHD支架置入术后患者（CHD组,n=187）、无冠脉病变患者（对照组,n=195）。根据指南,将对照组分为正常对照组（n=150）、单纯DM组（n=45）;将CHD组分为单纯CHD组（n=119）、CHD合并DM组（n=68）,又将CHD组分为ISR组（n=48）及NISR组（n=139）;再将ISR组分为单纯ISR组（n=26）和ISR合并DM组（n=22）。收集各组患者血浆,提取总miRNA,检测miRNA-1、miRNA-21含量并分析各组的含量差异。结果：与对照组比较,CHD组miRNA-1、miRNA-21含量均升高（P<0.05）;与NISR组比较,ISR组miRNA-1、miRNA-21含量均升高（P<0.05）。与单纯CHD组比较,CHD合并DM组ISR发生率明显升高;而且与单纯ISR组比较,ISR合并DM组miRNA-21含量升高（P<0.05）,而单纯ISR组与ISR合并DM组miRNA-1含量无明显差异（P<0.05）。Logistics分析表明,与CHD患者相关危险因素DM、miRNA-1、miRNA-21的OR值分别为2.132,3.066,1.924（P<0.05,P<0.01）;ISR患者相关危险因素DM、miRNA-21的OR值分别为3.091,5.654（P<0.05,P<0.01）;CHD合并DM患者PCI术后发生ISR相关危险因素miRNA-21的OR值为9.148（P<0.01）。ROC曲线评价表明,miRNA-1,miRNA-21与CHD患者发生ISR的AUC分别为0.854,0.857;miRNA 21与CHD合并DM患者发生ISR的AUC为0.783。结论：血浆miRNA-1、miRNA-21对诊断CHD患者支架置入术后ISR发生有重要临床意义,miRNA-21对诊断CHD合并DM患者支架置入术后ISR发生尤其有重要临床意义。