Comparability and validity of two clinical scores in the early differential diagnosis of acute stroke.

OBJECTIVE--To compare two available clinical scores for the differential diagnosis of cerebral ischaemia and haemorrhage in acute stroke patients. DESIGN--Prospective, multicentre study of acute stroke patients evaluated with computed tomography and Allen and Siriraj scores; the scores were tested for comparability (kappa statistic) and validity (sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, diagnostic gain). The effect of a policy of using Allen and Siriraj scores to determine pathological type of stroke before computed tomography was calculated. SETTING--Three hospitals in Italy, all participating in the international stroke trial, with different access facilities to computed tomography. SUBJECTS--231 consecutive patients who were screened in the three hospitals for possible inclusion in the international stroke trial from 1 November 1991 to 31 May 1993. RESULTS--The prevalence of haemorrhage (diagnosed with computed tomography) was 14.7% (95% confidence interval 10.1% to 19.3%). Allen scores were "uncertain" in 44 cases and Siriraj scores in 38 cases; in the 164 cases with both the scores in the range of "certainty" kappa was 0.72. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and diagnostic gain for haemorrhage were 0.38, 0.98, 0.71, 0.91, and 0.58 for Allen scores and 0.61, 0.94, 0.63, 0.93, and 0.48 for Siriraj scores; positive predictive values for infarction were 91% for Allen scores and 93% for Siriraj scores. According to these data, of 1000 patients with acute stroke, 680 would be correctly and 70 wrongly diagnosed as "ischaemic" with the Allen score; the figures would be 671 and 48 with Siriraj score. CONCLUSION--When computed tomography is not immediately available and the clinician wishes to start antithrombotic treatment (or randomise patients in a clinical trial), the Siriraj score (and possibly the Allen score) can be useful to identify patients at low risk of intracerebral haemorrhage.     

Clinical diagnosis of intracranial haemorrhage using Guy's Hospital score.

We tested the Guy''s Hospital stroke diagnostic score using the clinical data from two independent samples of patients with acute stroke. These were 228 patients from the Oxfordshire community stroke project and 130 referred to the National Hospital for Nervous Diseases in London. The diagnosis was confirmed by computed tomography or necropsy in each case. The optimum cut off point on the clinical score for the differentiation of intracranial haemorrhage from infarction was found to be the same for both the patients in our study and those from whose data the score was derived originally. Set at this level, the score achieved a sensitivity for the diagnosis of haemorrhage of 81% and 88% in the patients from Oxford and London, respectively. In those from Oxford infarction was diagnosed with a sensitivity of 78% with an overall predictive accuracy of 78% with an overall London the sensitivity for infarction was also 78% with an overall predictive accuracy of 82%. When it is essential to exclude intracerebral blood before starting treatment in the small proportion of patients with stroke who require anticoagulation the Guy''s Hospital score is not sufficiently accurate to replace computed tomography. The score is, however, the most accurate clinical means of differentiating haemorrhage from infarction as the cause of stroke. It is suggested that it should be used as a screening test in epidemiological studies and in large scale trials of low risk treatment for the secondary prevention of stroke when computed tomography in all cases is impracticable.     

Diurnal variation in incidence of stroke: Oxfordshire community stroke project.

OBJECTIVE--To determine whether diurnal variation occurs in the onset of stroke. DESIGN--Community based study over four years. SETTING--Oxfordshire, United Kingdom. SUBJECTS--105,000 people, of whom 675 had a first ever stroke. 545 had a cerebral infarction, 66 had primary intracerebral haemorrhage, 33 had subarachnoid haemorrhage, and in 31 the type of stroke was not known. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES--Time of stroke and degree of activity at onset. RESULTS--In the 578 patients for whom it was known whether onset occurred while asleep or awake, the proportion with onset during sleep was 25% (135/545) for cerebral infarction, 17% (11/66) for primary intracerebral haemorrhage, and 0% (0/33) for subarachnoid haemorrhage. This difference persisted if patients in whom it was not known whether they were asleep or awake at onset were classed as asleep. For all stroke types together there was a significant (chi 2 = 218.7, p less than 0.001) diurnal variation with a morning peak between 0800 and 1000, which persisted even after allowing for strokes first noted on waking by redistributing the hour of onset through the preceding eight hours (chi 2 = 47, p less than 0.001). A significant diurnal variation was also found in the onset of cerebral infarction (peak 0800-1000, chi 2 = 208.4, p less than 0.001). Fewer patients had other forms of stroke and the diurnal variations for primary intracerebral haemorrhage (peak 1000-1200) and subarachnoid haemorrhage (peaks 0800-1000 and 1800-2000) were not significant. There seemed to be a second smaller peak for all types of stroke. CONCLUSIONS--All types of stroke are most likely to occur after waking in the morning. The cause of the circadian variation requires further study.     

Consent for Brain Tissue Donation after Intracerebral Haemorrhage: A Community-Based Study

Background

Spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage is a devastating form of stroke and its incidence increases with age. Obtaining brain tissue following intracerebral haemorrhage helps to understand its cause. Given declining autopsy rates worldwide, the feasibility of establishing an autopsy-based collection and its generalisability are uncertain.

Methods

We used multiple overlapping sources of case ascertainment to identify every adult diagnosed with intracerebral haemorrhage between 1^st June 2010-31^st May 2012, whilst resident in the Lothian region of Scotland. We sought consent from patients with intracerebral haemorrhage (or their nearest relative if the patient lacked mental capacity) to conduct a research autopsy.

Results

Of 295 adults with acute intracerebral haemorrhage, 110 (37%) could not be approached to consider donation. Of 185 adults/relatives approached, 91 (49%) consented to research autopsy. There were no differences in baseline demographic variables or markers of intracerebral haemorrhage severity between consenters and non-consenters. Adults who died and became donors (n = 46) differed from the rest of the cohort (n = 249) by being older (median age 80, IQR 76–86 vs. 75, IQR 65–83, p = 0.002) and having larger haemorrhages (median volume 23ml, IQR 13–50 vs. 13ml, IQR 4–40; p = 0.002).

Conclusions

Nearly half of those approached consent to brain tissue donation after acute intracerebral haemorrhage. The characteristics of adults who gave consent were comparable to those in an entire community, although those who donate early are older and have larger haemorrhage volumes.     

Protocol for the combined immunosuppression & radiotherapy in thyroid eye disease (CIRTED) trial: A multi-centre, double-masked, factorial randomised controlled trial

Background

Intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is approved for use in selected patients with ischaemic stroke within 3 hours of symptom onset. IST-3 seeks to determine whether a wider range of patients may benefit.

Design

International, multi-centre, prospective, randomized, open, blinded endpoint (PROBE) trial of intravenous rt-PA in acute ischaemic stroke. Suitable patients must be assessed and able to start treatment within 6 hours of developing symptoms, and brain imaging must have excluded intracerebral haemorrhage. With 1000 patients, the trial can detect a 7% absolute difference in the primary outcome. With3500 patients, it can detect a 4.0% absolute benefit & with 6000, (mostly treated between 3 & 6 hours), it can detect a 3% benefit.

Trial procedures

Patients are entered into the trial by telephoning a fast, secure computerised central randomisation system or via a secure web interface. Repeat brain imaging must be performed at 24–48 hours. The scans are reviewed 'blind' by expert readers. The primary measure of outcome is the proportion of patients alive and independent (Modified Rankin 0–2) at six months (assessed via a postal questionnaire mailed directly to the patient). Secondary outcomes include: events within 7 days (death, recurrent stroke, symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage), outcome at six months (death, functional status, EuroQol).

Trial registration

ISRCTN25765518     

Plasma brain natriuretic peptide as a surrogate marker for cardioembolic stroke

Background

Cardioembolic stroke generally results in more severe disability, since it typically has a larger ischemic area than the other types of ischemic stroke. However, it is difficult to differentiate cardioembolic stroke from non-cardioembolic stroke (atherothrombotic stroke and lacunar stroke). In this study, we evaluated the levels of plasma brain natriuretic peptide in acute ischemic stroke patients with cardioembolic stroke or non-cardioembolic stroke, and assessed the prediction factors of plasma brain natriuretic peptide and whether we could differentiate between stroke subtypes on the basis of plasma brain natriuretic peptide concentrations in addition to patient's clinical variables.

Methods

Our patient cohort consisted of 131 consecutive patients with acute cerebral infarction who were admitted to Kagawa University School of Medicine Hospital from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2007. The mean age of patients (43 females, 88 males) was 69.6 ± 10.1 years. Sixty-two patients had cardioembolic stroke; the remaining 69 patients had non-cardioembolic stroke (including atherothrombotic stroke, lacunar stroke, or the other). Clinical variables and the plasma brain natriuretic peptide were evaluated in all patients.

Results

Plasma brain natriuretic peptide was linearly associated with atrial fibrillation, heart failure, chronic renal failure, and left atrial diameter, independently (F_4,126 = 27.6, p < 0.0001; adjusted R² = 0.45). Furthermore, atrial fibrillation, mitral regurgitation, plasma brain natriuretic peptide (> 77 pg/ml), and left atrial diameter (> 36 mm) were statistically significant independent predictors of cardioembolic stroke in the multivariable setting (Χ² = 127.5, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

It was suggested that cardioembolic stroke was strongly predicted with atrial fibrillation and plasma brain natriuretic peptide. Plasma brain natriuretic peptide can be a surrogate marker for cardioembolic stroke.     

Intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke--our experiences

Intravenous (i.v.) thrombolysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is the only available pharmacological therapy to improve the outcome of acute ischemic stroke. We compared 71 patients presenting with ischaemic stroke and given intravenous rt-PA (0.9 mg/kg total dose) within 3 h with 71 patients who present to the hospital more than 3 hours after stroke symptom onset. The primary endpoint was the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 90 days, dichotomised for favourable and unfavourable (score 2-6). Outcome measures were symptomatic intracerebral haemorrhage within 36 h (haemorrhage associated with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale [NIHSS] > or = 4 points deterioration), and mortality at 3 months. More patients had favourable outcome with the rt-PA-treated group than with the control group (64.79% vs. 22.54%; p = 0.0001). The greater proportion of patients left with minimal or no deficit 90 days after rt-PA treatment, as compared with the control group. In the treated group symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred in 1 patient who recovered to a level of functional independence, and asymptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was observed in 2 patients. Our experience of an acute stroke thrombolysis service shows that we are able to provide this treatment safely and in accordance with established treatment guidelines. We recommend thrombolytic treatment in acute ischemic stroke for selected population.     

Effects of treatment for hypertension on cerebral haemorrhage and infarction.

One hundred and sixty nine patients admitted to hospital for stroke over 30 months were examined to see whether treating hypertension had influenced the incidence of cerebral haemorrhage and infarction. Seventy eight (46%) of them had normal blood pressure, 47 (28%) previously diagnosed hypertension for which they were receiving treatment, and 44 (26%) previously undiagnosed and untreated hypertension. Haemorrhagic stroke was commoner among patients with untreated hypertension, whereas infarction was commoner in patients with treated hypertension. Infarction and haemorrhage were equally prevalent in patients with normal blood pressure. Effective treatment in this population seemed to have had a substantially different impact on vascular disease, giving rise to cerebral haemorrhage as opposed to infarction. This is consistent with evidence from other studies that treatment for hypertension has little or no effect on the progression of atheroma.     

急性脑梗死患者伴吞咽障碍的临床特征及发生卒中相关性肺炎的影响因素分析

摘要 目的：分析急性脑梗死患者伴吞咽障碍的临床特征及发生卒中相关性肺炎（SAP）的影响因素。方法：选取 2019年 10月~2021年 10月本院收治的 190例急性脑梗死患者为调查研究对象,根据患者的洼田饮水试验评分分为吞咽良好组（98例）和吞咽障碍组（92例）,对比两组患者的临床资料,探讨急性脑梗死患者伴吞咽障碍的临床特征。并对 92例吞咽障碍组患者发病期间SAP发生率进行统计,并将患者分为 SAP组和非 SAP组,对两组患者的基础资料、临床资料等进行组间对比分析,并采用单因素分析和多因素 Logistic回归分析探讨影响急性脑梗死吞咽障碍患者发生 SAP的危险因素。结果：吞咽障碍组与吞咽良好组患者的性别、体质指数（BMI）、吸烟史、饮酒史、基础疾病史等比较无统计学差异（P>0.05）,而吞咽障碍组患者的年龄、美国国立卫生院神经功能缺损评分（NIHSS）、梗死面积、梗死部位脑干比例均高于吞咽功能良好组（P<0.05）。92例急性脑梗死伴吞咽障碍患者中有 34例患者发生 SAP,发生率为 36.96%。经单因素分析显示,SAP组与非 SAP组患者的性别、BMI、饮酒史、高血压病史、高脂血病史比较无统计学差异（P>0.05）,而 SAP组患者的年龄、NIHSS评分、吸烟史患者比例、糖尿病史患者比例均高于非 SAP组（P<0.05）。经 Logistic多因素回归分析显示,高龄、高 NIHSS评分、吸烟史、糖尿病史是急性脑梗死伴吞咽障碍并发 SAP发生的独立危险因素（P<0.05,OR＞1）。结论：急性脑梗死患者中高龄、神经功能缺损严重、梗死面积大以及脑干部位梗死患者易出现吞咽功能障碍,且有部分患者会出现 SAP,而高龄、高 NIHSS评分、吸烟史、糖尿病史是诱发 SAP发生的影响因素,值得临床关注。     

Value of computed tomography in patients with stroke: Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project.

The usefulness of computed tomography (CT) was assessed in 325 consecutive patients with a "clinically definite first stroke" from a community stroke register. CT detected five "non-stroke" lesions (two cerebral gliomas, one cerebral metastasis, and two subdural haematomas), a frequency of 1.5%. Five patients were identified with cerebellar haemorrhage, but only one survived long enough to have a CT scan. CT was useful in excluding intracranial haemorrhage as the cause of the stroke in four patients receiving anticoagulants and seven receiving antiplatelet treatment; it showed intracranial haemorrhage in one patient taking aspirin. Forty six patients were in atrial fibrillation at the time of their stroke; four had intracranial haemorrhages and three had haemorrhagic cerebral infarcts. Nineteen patients with presumed ischaemic minor stroke were considered suitable for carotid endarterectomy; CT showed small haemorrhages in two. The CT scan provides very useful information in a minority (up to 28%) of patients with first stroke, who can be selected on quite simple criteria: (a) doubt (usually because of an inadequate history) whether the patient has stroke or a treatable intracranial lesion; (b) the possibility of cerebellar haemorrhage or infarction; (c) the exclusion of intracranial haemorrhage in patients who either are already taking or likely to need antihaemostatic drugs or are being considered for carotid endarterectomy; (d) if the patient deteriorates in a fashion atypical of stroke.     

颈动脉斑块LRNC特征可诊断2型糖尿病患者急性脑梗死的风险

2型糖尿病可能加重颈动脉斑块的易损性并增加缺血性中风的风险,关于2型糖尿病患者伴有颈动脉斑块特征的急性中风亚型鲜有研究报道。本研究旨在探讨2型糖尿病患者颈动脉斑块特征与MRI确定的急性脑梗死病变特征之间的关系。本研究以颈内动脉区急性脑血管病患者为研究对象,所有患者分为2型糖尿病组和非2型糖尿病组,分别行颈动脉和脑部MRI扫描,测定同侧颈动脉斑块的形态和特征,以及颅内和颅外颈动脉狭窄。基于中风亚型和急性脑梗塞病变模式对患者进行评估。研究结果表明,与非2型糖尿病患者相比,2型糖尿病患者颈动脉型IV-VI病变的患病率更高,斑块负荷更大,以及富脂质坏死核(LRNC)更大。在有症状的颈动脉LRNC患者中,与非2型糖尿病组相比,2型糖尿病组颈内动脉区出现较多的伴有大穿孔动脉梗塞形态和较大的急性脑梗塞。LRNC%>23.5%的颈动脉斑块是2型糖尿病患者存在颈动脉狭窄的急性脑梗塞病变的独立危险因素。颈动脉斑块特征的量化,尤其是MRI诊断的富脂质坏死核对中风风险具有潜在应用价值。     

重组组织型纤溶酶原激活剂静脉溶栓治疗发病4.5小时内急性脑梗死近期疗效的回顾性研究

目的:研究发病4.5小时内的急性脑梗死患者早期应用重组组织型纤溶酶原激活剂(rt-PA)静脉溶栓治疗的临床效果。方法:回顾性分析2018年07月1日到2020年10月31日我院神经内科收治的发病在4.5小时内的652例急性脑梗死患者的临床资料,其中使用rt-PA静脉溶栓治疗的患者285例为溶栓组,未溶栓仅使用抗血小板聚集、他汀类降脂、脑保护等常规治疗的患者367例为对照组。记录两组患者治疗前及治疗后24小时、7天、14天的美国国立卫生研究院卒中量表(NIHSS)评分和治疗3个月后的改良Rankin量表(mRS)评分。对于有吞咽障碍的患者,收集洼田饮水试验结果。统计两组患者出血情况和死亡率。结果:溶栓组治疗后24小时、7天、14天的NIHSS评分以及治疗后3个月的mRS评分改善明显,与对照组相比,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);对于有吞咽障碍的患者,溶栓组的治疗有效率高于对照组(P<0.05);溶栓组轻微出血的概率大于对照组(P<0.05);两组在症状性及致死性脑出血方面的差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);溶栓后大量及致死性脑出血部位多在梗死的中心区、出血量多大于10 mL,患者临床NIHSS评分≥24分。溶栓组死亡率较对照组下降(P<0.05)。结论:发病4.5小时内的急性脑梗死患者接受rt-PA静脉溶栓治疗的近期治疗效果良好,轻微出血风险较高,但是死亡率下降。临床神经功能缺损重、NIHSS评分≥24分、出血风险大的患者预后不良,不推荐溶栓治疗。     

GFAP and antibodies against NMDA receptor subunit NR2 as biomarkers for acute cerebrovascular diseases

We studied whether the serum levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and of antibodies against the N‐methyl‐d ‐aspartate receptor subunit NR2 (NR2 R_NMDA) can discriminate between intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) and ischaemic stroke (IS) in stroke patients. We prospectively recruited patients with suspected stroke (72 confirmed) and 52 healthy controls. The type of brain lesion (ICH or IS) was established using brain imaging. The levels of GFAP and of antibodies against NR2 R_NMDA were measured in blood samples obtained within 12 hrs after stroke onset and 24, 48 and 72 hrs and 1 and 2 weeks later using ELISA immunoassay. Improvement in diagnostic performance was assessed in logistic regression models designed to predict the diagnosis and the type of stroke. GFAP peaks early during haemorrhagic brain lesions (at significantly higher levels), and late in ischaemic events, whereas antibodies against NR2 R_NMDA have significantly higher levels during IS at all time‐points. Neither of the two biomarkers used on its own could sufficiently discriminate patients, but when they are used in combination they can differentiate at 12 hrs after stroke, between ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke with a sensitivity and specificity of 94% and 91%, respectively.     

急性缺血性脑卒中患者入院时血浆BNP水平与梗死部位关系

目的：分析急性缺血性脑卒中患者入院时血浆脑钠肽（BNP）水平与缺血性脑卒中梗死部位的关系。方法：随机入选88例急性缺血性脑卒中患者,按梗死部位,将其分为前循环病灶组（66名）和后循环病灶组（22名）两组进行比较。测定入院时血浆脑钠肽（BNP）水平进行比较。两组脑卒中病人的危险因素血糖、糖化血红蛋白、血脂全套,肝肾功能分析对比,并将急性缺血性脑卒中患者梗死部位相关的多个变量采用单因素logistic回归分析。结果：前循环病灶组血浆脑利钠肽水平的中位数是225.90 pg/mL,四分位数间距为596.00 pg/mL;后循环病灶组的中位数是750.95 pg/mL,四分位数间距为907.00 pg/mL。后循环病灶组血浆脑利钠肽水平要显著高于前循环病灶组血浆脑利钠肽水平,两个部位间入院时的脑利钠肽水平有统计学差异（P=0.004）。通过入院时脑利钠肽水平与缺血性脑卒中梗死部位的关系的ROC曲线,得出截点299.50 pg/mL。入院时血浆脑利钠肽水平≥299.50 pg/mL可以作为后循环病灶组的预测指标,其敏感性72.72%,特异性62.12%。结论：急性缺血性脑卒中患者入院时血浆BNP水平可作为急性期区别前后循环脑梗死的预测因子。     

前列地尔对脑梗死患者血清MMP-9影响的大样本研究

目的:探讨前列地尔对脑梗死患者临床疗效和血清基质金属蛋白-9(MMP-9)水平影响。方法:选取南京军区福州总院,福建医科大学附属医院脑梗死患者480例,根据是否应用前列地尔注射液随机分为对照组(240例)和实验组(240例):比较两组患者治疗临床疗效和NIHSS、BI评分及血清MMP-9水平。结果:1实验组总有效率(94.17%)明显高于对照组(80.83%),P0.05;2患者的MMP-9水平均降低,与对照组比较,实验组降低明显,P0.05,以上差异均有统计学意义。3急性脑梗死患者血清中MMP-9水平与NIHSS值呈正相关,与BI评分值呈负相关。结论:前列地尔能够明显降低MMP-9水平,改善神经症状,改善NIHSS、BI评分,具有较大的临床意义。     

幕上高血压脑出血小骨窗开颅术后C 反应蛋白及TNF-α 的变化及对转 归影响的临床分析

目的:探索幕上高血压脑出血术前及小骨窗开颅术后C反应蛋白(CRP)及肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)的变化与病情的关系及对患者临床预后的预测价值。方法:38例诊断为幕上高血压脑出血的患者,在明确手术指征后行小骨窗开颅术,于术前,术后第1天,第7天,第14天监测患者的CRP及TNF-α的水平;并同时测定格拉斯哥昏迷评分(GSS)。另设30例作为正常对照病例,一次性抽取静脉血进行CRP及TNF-α进行检测。结果:①术前脑出血患者血中CRP与TNF-α的水平显著高于正常对照组;②术后CRP与TNF-α的水平仍继续上升,术后第7天显著下降;③CRP及TNF-α的水平与GCS评分密切相关。结论:CRP与TNF-α的水平可反映脑出血患者的病情,对病情转归有预测意义。     

血清UA、CysC、Lp-PLA2与急性脑梗死合并脑白质疏松症患者预后的关系研究

摘要 目的：探讨血清尿酸（UA）、胱抑素C（CysC）、脂蛋白相关磷脂酶 A2（Lp-PLA2）水平与急性脑梗死合并脑白质疏松症患者预后的关系。方法：选择2020年3月至2022年12月中国人民解放军联勤保障部队第九六0医院收治的113例急性脑梗死合并脑白质疏松症患者,检测血清UA、CysC、Lp-PLA2水平。随访1个月,根据改良Rankin量表（mRS）评分将患者分为预后良好组（0～2分,75例）和预后不良组（3分及以上,38例）。多因素Logistic回归分析急性脑梗死合并脑白质疏松症患者预后不良的危险因素,受试者工作特征曲线（ROC）分析血清UA、CysC、Lp-PLA2对急性脑梗死合并脑白质疏松症患者预后不良的预测价值。结果：预后不良组血清UA、CysC、Lp-PLA2水平高于预后良好组（P＜0.05）。多因素Logistic回归分析显示重度脑白质病变、高入院时NIHSS评分,高血清UA、CysC、Lp-PLA2水平是急性脑梗死合并脑白质疏松症患者预后不良的危险因素（P＜0.05）。联合血清UA、CysC、Lp-PLA2预测急性脑梗死合并脑白质疏松症患者预后的曲线下面积（AUC）为0.916,高于单独预测。结论：急性脑梗死合并脑白质疏松症患者血清UA、CysC、Lp-PLA2水平增高且与预后不良有关,联合血清UA、CysC、Lp-PLA2预测急性脑梗死合并脑白质疏松症患者预后不良价值较高。     

Osteopontin as a candidate of therapeutic application for the acute brain injury

Acute brain injury is the leading cause of human death and disability worldwide, which includes intracerebral haemorrhage, subarachnoid haemorrhage, cerebral ischaemia, traumatic brain injury and hypoxia‐ischaemia brain injury. Currently, clinical treatments for neurological dysfunction of acute brain injury have not been satisfactory. Osteopontin (OPN) is a complex adhesion protein and cytokine that interacts with multiple receptors including integrins and CD44 variants, exhibiting mostly neuroprotective roles and showing therapeutic potential for acute brain injury. OPN‐induced tissue remodelling and functional repair mainly rely on its positive roles in the coordination of pro‐inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory responses, blood‐brain barrier maintenance and anti‐apoptotic actions, as well as other mechanisms such as affecting the chemotaxis and proliferation of nerve cells. The blood OPN strongly parallel with the OPN induced in the brain and can be used as a novel biomarker of the susceptibility, severity and outcome of acute brain injury. In the present review, we summarized the molecular signalling mechanisms of OPN as well as its overall role in different kinds of acute brain injury.     

Human amniotic fluid stem cells can improve cerebral vascular remodelling and neurological function after focal cerebral ischaemia in diabetic rats

Diabetes causes vascular injury and carries a high risk of ischaemic stroke. Human amniotic fluid stem cells ( hAFSCs) can enhance cerebral vascular remodelling and have the potential to improve neurological function after stroke in diabetic rats. Five groups of female rats were examined: (1) normal control, (2) type 1 diabetic (T1DM) rats induced by streptozotocin injection (DM), (3) non-DM rats receiving 60-minute middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), (4) T1DM rats receiving 60-minute MCAO (DM + MCAO) and (5) T1DM rats receiving 60-minute MCAO and injection with 5 × 10⁶ hAFSCs at 3 h after MCAO (DM + MCAO + hAFSCs). Neurological function was examined before, and at 1, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days, and cerebral infarction volume and haemorrhage, cerebral vascular density, angiogenesis and inflammatory were examined at 7 and 28 days after MCAO. hAFSCs treatment caused a significant improvement of neurological dysfunction, infarction volume, blood-brain barrier leakage, cerebral arterial density, vascular density and angiogenesis and a reduction of brain haemorrhage and inflammation compared with non-treatment. Our results showed that the effect of hAFSCs treatment against focal cerebral ischaemia may act through the recovery of vascular remodelling and angiogenesis and the reduction of inflammation in ischaemic brain.     

Infarction in the territory of the anterior cerebral artery: clinical study of 51 patients

Background

Little is known about clinical features and prognosis of patients with ischaemic stroke caused by infarction in the territory of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA). This single centre, retrospective study was conducted with the following objectives: a) to describe the clinical characteristics and short-term outcome of stroke patients with ACA infarction as compared with that of patients with ischaemic stroke due to middle cerebral artery (MCA) and posterior cerebral artery (PCA) infarctions, and b) to identify predictors of ACA stroke.

Methods

Fifty-one patients with ACA stroke were included in the "Sagrat Cor Hospital of Barcelona Stroke Registry" during a period of 19 years (1986–2004). Data from stroke patients are entered in the stroke registry following a standardized protocol with 161 items regarding demographics, risk factors, clinical features, laboratory and neuroimaging data, complications and outcome. The characteristics of these 51 patients with ACA stroke were compared with those of the 1355 patients with MCA infarctions and 232 patients with PCA infarctions included in the registry.

Results

Infarctions of the ACA accounted for 1.3% of all cases of stroke (n = 3808) and 1.8% of cerebral infarctions (n = 2704). Stroke subtypes included cardioembolic infarction in 45.1% of patients, atherothrombotic infarction in 29.4%, lacunar infarct in 11.8%, infarct of unknown cause in 11.8% and infarction of unusual aetiology in 2%. In-hospital mortality was 7.8% (n = 4). Only 5 (9.8%) patients were symptom-free at hospital discharge. Speech disturbances (odds ratio [OR] = 0.48) and altered consciousness (OR = 0.31) were independent variables of ACA stroke in comparison with MCA infarction, whereas limb weakness (OR = 9.11), cardioembolism as stroke mechanism (OR = 2.49) and sensory deficit (OR = 0.35) were independent variables associated with ACA stroke in comparison with PCA infarction.

Conclusion

Cardioembolism is the main cause of brain infarction in the territory of the ACA. Several clinical features are more frequent in stroke patients with ACA infarction than in patients with ischaemic stroke due to infarction in the MCA and PCA territories.