Relationship between Neurological Deterioration and Blood Pressure/Heart Rate Variability in Patients with Acute Cerebral Infarction

ObjectivesNeurological deterioration (ND) during hospitalization is an independent predictor of poor prognosis after stroke. Risk factors affecting early ND within 48 h post stroke have been intensively investigated, while few data are available on those for late ND after transfer to a wheelchair. Therefore, it was investigated whether hemodynamic factors may affect the late ND during hospitalization.Materials and methodsA retrospective study was conducted on 135 patients with atherothrombotic or cardiogenic cerebral infarction who were admitted to our hospital between April 1st, 2014 and July 31st, 2017. During hospitalization, average, maximum, and minimum values were determined for systolic blood pressure (sBP), diastolic BP (dBP), and heart rate (HR), respectively.135 patients were classified into two groups; ND (+) group, in which modified Barthel index score at the time of transfer to a wheelchair showed five points or more decrease between wheelchair transfer and discharge, and ND (?) group, which did not. Vital indices were compared between the two groups and subjected to ROC-curve analysis.ResultsThe ND (+) group included 32 patients, and the ND (?) 103. Significant differences were found between the groups in four items; sBPmin (p = 0.029), dBPmin (p = 0.019), HRave (p = 0.028), and HRmax (p < 0.01). The ND (+) group showed lower sBPmin and dBPmin, and higher HRave and HRmax than the ND (?) group.ConclusionsLate ND after transfer to a wheelchair is related to the vital indices during hospitalization and should be cautiously managed to prevent late ND     

Association of weight-adjusted-waist index with incident hypertension: The Rural Chinese Cohort Study

AimsTo explore the association between WWI and the incidence of HTN in the Rural Chinese Cohort Study.Methods and ResultsWe examined data for 10,338 non-hypertensive participants (39.49% men) aged ≥ 18 years from the Rural Chinese Cohort Study who completed a baseline examination during 2007–2008 and follow-up during 2013–2014. WWI was calculated as waist circumference (cm) divided by the square root of weight (kg). Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the probability of HTN across four WWI categories. Restricted cubic splines analysis was used to model the dose–response association of WWI and HTN. A total of 2078 participants had HTN during a median follow-up of 6 years. After adjusting for potential confounders, as compared with the lowest WWI category (<9.94 cm/√kg), with WWI 9.94 to 10.42, 10.42 to 10.91 and ≥ 10.91 cm/√kg, the ORs (95% CIs) for HTN were 1.12 (0.93–1.35), 1.40 (1.17–1.69) and 1.50 (1.24–1.82), respectively. Results of the sensitivity analyses were robust. The ORs were generally consistent on subgroup analysis by sex, smoking status, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. Multiple logistic regression models with restricted cubic splines showed a non-linear positive association between WWI and HTN (P_nonlinearity < 0.001).ConclusionThe highest WWI category was significantly associated with increased risk of HTN. Our findings may facilitate the development and promotion of obesity prevention strategies aimed at reducing the risk of HTN and provide evidence for healthcare policy in rural China.     

腰椎峡部裂型滑脱症矢状位参数分析

[目的]探讨L5峡部裂型滑脱症病人腰骶部的矢状位参数的相关性及其临床意义。[方法]回顾2000年1月~2005年12月资料完整的L5峡部裂型滑脱症76例,男32例,女44例;年龄12~68岁,排除其他腰椎节段病变及下肢畸形,在包含双侧股骨头的腰椎站立位侧位片上测量腰椎前凸角(LL)、骨盆入射角(PI)、骶骨水平角(SS)、腰骶角(LSA)及滑移度等参数,并与30例健康成人比较,用t检验比较滑脱病人与健康成人、轻度滑脱和重度滑脱病人各参数之间的差异,Pearson相关系数分析各参数间的相关性(P<0.05)。[结果]根据M eyerd ing分类,轻度滑脱53例(Ⅰ、Ⅱ度),重度滑脱23例(Ⅲ、Ⅳ度)。腰椎滑脱患者的PI、LL、SS、LSA均较健康成人高,差别有统计学意义(P<0.001)。重度滑脱病人的PI、LL、LSA均较轻度滑脱的病人高,差别有统计学意义(P<0.001)。PI与滑移度、SS、LL及LSA有显著相关性,LSA与滑移度、SS与LL有显著相关性,但SS与滑移度无显著相关。[结论]骨盆的矢状位形态对滑脱的发展有直接影响,PI越大,发生滑脱的风险越大,PI、LSA越大,滑脱进展的可能性越大。     

Taming regulatory T cells by autologous T cell immunization: A potential new strategy for cancer immune therapy

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play important roles in the maintenance of immune homeostasis, and is also involved in tumor immune tolerance. Dampening or elimination of Treg functions has been shown to lead to enhanced immune responses against tumors, and thus inhibition of tumor growth. Recently, we have developed a new immunization scheme, referred to as irradiated mitogen-activated autologous T cell vaccination (ATCV), and shown that such immunization could significantly enhance anti-tumor immunity in vivo. Mechanistically, the enhanced anti-tumor response appears to be due to reduced Treg functions and inhibition of activation-induced cell death (AICD) in effector T cells. Thus, ATCV may constitute a novel strategy in cancer immune therapy.     

Influence of moderate hypothermia on cerebral oxygenation in pigs with intracranial hypertension

BACKGROUND: Moderate hypothermia is one of the effective therapeutic methods for head injury in recent years, there are many mechanisms of moderate hypothermia for brain protection, and its influence on cerebral oxygenation is also one of them. OBJECTIVE: To observe the influence of moderate hypothermia on cerebral oxygenation of animals with acute intracranial hypertension, and further investigate the protective mechanism of moderate hypothermia. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Department of Neurosurgery, Renji Hospital affiliated to the Medical College of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. MATERIALS: Twenty healthy little pigs, either male or female, weighing 4.5–5.5 kg, were used. Neurotrend-typed multiparameter monitoring system (Diametrics Company, British); CMA/100 micro-injection pump (Carnegie Company, Sweden). METHODS: The experiment was conducted in the Changzheng Hospital affiliated to the Second Military Medical University of Chinese PLA in November, 2001. The pigs were randomized into two groups: the normothermia group (control group, n =10) and moderate hypothermia group (n =10). ① Bilateral femoral arteries were separated, one was connected to pressometer for monitoring mean arterial pressure (MEP), and the other for analysis of blood gases [including peripheral blood pH value, arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2), HCO3–]. ② Rectal temperature was monitored with mercurial thermometer. ③ Intracranial pressure was monitored using Camino optic ICP probe placed in the subdural space. ④ Neurotrend multiparameter monitoring sensor was inserted into the white matter for about 4 cm to determine cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP, CPP=MAP(ICP), brain tissue partial oxygen pressure (PO2), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO2), HCO3– and brain temperature. The rectal temperature of animals in the moderate hypothermia group was lowered to 34 ℃ using ice bags, and the body temperature was maintained at 33–35 ℃ for 2 hours. The changes of the parameters were observed continuously, and the pigs in the normothermia group were not treated with cooling. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① MAP, ICP, rectal temperature, CCP; Indexes of cerebral oxygenation detected with Neurotrend-typed multiparameter monitoring system; ② Results of blood gases analysis in the moderate hypothermia group. RESULTS: All the 20 pigs were involved in the analysis of results. ① MAP, ICP, rectal temperature, CCP and indexes of cerebral oxygenation: In the moderate hypothermia group, the ICP after cooling was obviously lower than that before cooling [(3.31±1.19), (5.33±0.95) kPa, P < 0.05], CCP was higher, brain tissue PCO2 [(12.03±1.73), (10.59±2.01) kPa, P < 0.05], and brain tissue pH value was higher [(7.03±1.63), (9.40±1.30) kPa, P < 0.05], whereas the brain temperature was decreased as compared with that before cooling [(34.9±0.3), (37.2±0.2) ℃, P < 0.05]. ② Results of blood gases analysis in the moderate hypothermia group: There were no significant differences in the parameters of peripheral arterial blood gases analysis before and after cooling in the moderate hypothermia group (P > 0.05) CONCLUSION: Moderate hypothermia will not impair the cerebral oxygenation, and it can reduce brain tissue CO2 and decrease brain tissue acidosis.     

兔VX2肝癌模型的制作及CT、MRI表现

目的建立稳定的兔VX2移植性肝癌模型,分析少血供移植性肝恶性肿瘤的CT及MRI影像特征,与病理学相对照。方法取荷瘤兔后腿肌肉内VX2肿瘤,剪成小块后,经开腹种植于30只新西兰大白兔肝左叶或肝中叶,于种植后第2周、第3周分别进行CT及MRI增强扫描,统计肿瘤种植成功率,观察肿瘤体积及生长指数,分析肿瘤CT及MRI平扫和增强表现,区分富血供、少血供肿瘤;分别处死2只实验兔进行病理分析,与影像学相对照。结果VX2移植瘤种植成功22只;成瘤率为73%。2周与3周时肿瘤生长率有显著差异(P<0.01)。VX2移植瘤在CT及MRI上表现为占位性病变,呈类圆形或分叶状低密度或低信号结节,增强后发现少血供VX2移植瘤14只,表现为肿瘤无强化或轻微强化,肿瘤主体保持为低密度或低信号;富血供肝移植瘤8只,表现为肿瘤中度强化或明显强化,肿瘤主体密度或信号明显高于肝实质。光镜下肿瘤新生毛细血管虽较丰富,但纤细。结论经开腹种植法制作兔VX2肝移植瘤模型是一种简单、成功率高的建模方法,但易发生转移。CT及MRI平扫和增强扫描是检测肿瘤生长和血供的可靠方法,兔VX2肝移植瘤模型在CT与MRI上主要是一种少血供肝癌模型。