Clinical Correlation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Features of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease.

Objective: We have discussed the clinical features and neuroimaging findings and investigated the correlations between the clinical characteristics and different neuroradiologic phenotypes of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD).

Methods: A total of 1106 patients with a diagnosis of CSVD were enrolled. The demographic data, medical history, laboratory test results, and neuroimaging findings were retrieved for analysis.

Increase in Blood Glutathione and Erythrocyte Proteins Related to Glutathione Generation, Reduction and Utilization in African-American Old Women with Diabetes.

Data from this report demonstrate that the plasma and erythrocyte levels of total glutathione (TGSH) are significantly lower in nondiabetic old women than in their young counterparts, and significantly higher in diabetic patients than in age-matched nondiabetic controls. The ratio of reduced glutathione (GSH) to oxidized glutathione (GSSG) declines with age and diabetes, and shows an order as follows: nondiabetic young > nondiabetic old > diabetic old women. In addition, advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) accumulates in RBCs obtained from diabetic patients but not in those from young and old nondiabetic controls.

Up-regulation of cholesterol absorption is a mechanism for cholecystokinin-induced hypercholesterolemia.

Excessive absorption of intestinal cholesterol is a risk factor for atherosclerosis. This report examines the effect of cholecystokinin (CCK) on plasma cholesterol level and intestinal cholesterol absorption using the in vivo models of C57BL/6 wild-type and low density lipoprotein receptor knock-out (LDLR(-/-)) mice. These data were supported by in vitro studies involving mouse primary intestinal epithelial cells and human Caco-2 cells; both express CCK receptor 1 and 2 (CCK1R and CCK2R).

A novel transcription mechanism activated by ethanol: induction of Slc7a11 gene expression via inhibition of the DNA-binding activity of transcriptional repressor octamer-binding transcription factor 1 (OCT-1).

Solute carrier family 7, member 11 (Slc7a11) is a plasma membrane cystine/glutamate exchanger that provides intracellular cystine to produce glutathione, a major cellular antioxidant. Oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum stresses up-regulate Slc7a11 expression by activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and transcription factor 4. This study examined the effect of ethanol on Slc7a11 expression and the underlying mechanism involved.

[Treatment of post stroke cognitive impairment by rTMS].

Repetitive transcranial of magnetic stimulation (rTMS), as a new electrophysiological technique, has been used in treating neurological and psychiatric diseases in clinical. In recent years, rTMS has also been employed to explore the treatment options for post stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). Studies showed that rTMS was beneficial to recovery of post-stroke aphasia, improvement of memory dysfunction and alleviation of hemispatial neglect.

Regulation of the activity and expression of aryl hydrocarbon receptor by ethanol in mouse hepatic stellate cells.

Background: During the course of alcohol-induced liver damage, hepatic stellate cells are transformed into proliferative, fibrogenic, and contractile myofibroblasts. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a transcription factor that controls the expression of genes involved in the metabolism of xenobiotics, inflammation, cell proliferation, and death.

Methods: Immortal mouse hepatic stellate cells (MHSCs) were isolated from transgenic mice that expressed a thermolabile SV40 tumor antigen.

Up-regulation of ATP binding cassette transporter A1 expression by very low density lipoprotein receptor and apolipoprotein E receptor 2.

Activation of very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDLR) and apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (apoER2) results in either pro- or anti-atherogenic effects depending on the ligand. Using reelin and apoE as ligands, we studied the impact of VLDLR- and apoER2-mediated signaling on the expression of ATP binding cassette transporter A1 (ABCA1) and cholesterol efflux using RAW264.7 cells.

Nrf2-dependent induction of NQO1 in mouse aortic endothelial cells overexpressing catalase.

Overexpression of catalase has been shown to accelerate benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) detoxification in mouse aortic endothelial cells (MAECs). NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase-1 (NQO1) is an enzyme that catalyzes BaP-quinone detoxification. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) are transcription factors that control NQO1 expression.

Overexpression of antioxidant enzymes in ApoE-deficient mice suppresses benzo(a)pyrene-accelerated atherosclerosis.

The carcinogenic polycylic aromatic hydrocarbon, benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), has been shown to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and accelerate the development of atherosclerosis. To assess the causal role of BaP-generated ROS in this process, we evaluated atherosclerotic metrics in apolipoprotein E-deficient (ApoE(-/-)) mice with or without overexpression of Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) and/or catalase. Without BaP, aortic atherosclerotic lesions were smaller in ApoE(-/-) mice overexpressing catalase or both Cu/Zn-SOD and catalase than in those overexpressing neither or Cu/Zn-SOD only.

Overexpression of catalase delays G0/G1- to S-phase transition during cell cycle progression in mouse aortic endothelial cells.

Although it is understood that hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) promotes cellular proliferation, little is known about its role in endothelial cell cycle progression. To assess the regulatory role of endogenously produced H(2)O(2) in cell cycle progression, we studied the cell cycle progression in mouse aortic endothelial cells (MAECs) obtained from mice overexpressing a human catalase transgene (hCatTg), which destroys H(2)O(2). The hCatTg MAECs displayed a prolonged doubling time compared to wild-type controls (44.

[Measurement of cerebrovascular reserve of patients with symptomatic middle cerebral artery ischemia by perfusion CT and combined with CO2 test].

Objective: To investigate the feasibility of assessment of the cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) by perfusion CT combined with CO(2) test in patients with symptomatic middle cerebral artery ischemia.

Methods: 38 healthy volunteers and 32 symptomatic middle artery ischemia inhaled mixed gas of 5% CO(2) and 95% O(2), and the changes of CO(2) concentration by the end of inhalation were measured among as pretest. Ten-row CT was with round area 24 mm in diameter at bilateral blood supply areas of middle cerebral artery as ROI.

Reduction in extracellular superoxide dismutase activity in African-American patients with hypertension.

Superoxide anions react with nitric oxide to form peroxynitrite and hence reduce the bioavailability of nitric oxide in the arteries. Extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) is a major superoxide scavenger in human plasma and vascular tissues. The objective of this study is to assess whether essential hypertension is associated with an alteration in EC-SOD activity.

Different cytotoxic injuries induced by lysophosphatidylcholine and 7-ketocholesterol in mouse endothelial cells.

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC) and 7-ketocholesterol (7-KC) are two key components of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) and have been shown to injure endothelial cells derived from various species. This report examines LPC- and 7-KC-induced cell death in mouse aorta endothelial cells (MAECs). The presence and the mechanism of cell death were assessed with morphological criteria, Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide fluorescence staining, and caspase-3 activity.

Retardation of atherosclerosis by overexpression of catalase or both Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase and catalase in mice lacking apolipoprotein E.

Oxidative stress has been suggested to potentiate atherogenesis. However, studies that have investigated the effect of antioxidants on atherosclerosis showed inconsistent results, ie, atherosclerosis was either retarded or not changed by dietary antioxidants. This report directly examined the effect of overexpressing Cu/Zn-superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn-SOD) and/or catalase on atherosclerosis and lipid peroxidation in mice lacking apolipoprotein E (ApoE-/-).

[Investigation of the influence of nitric oxide on the survival of a random pattern skin flap].

Objective: To investigate the changes of nitric oxide concentration in the distal portion of a random pattern skin flap and the influence of the exogenous L-arginine on the survival of the random pattern skin flap.

Methods: A random pattern skin flap (7 cm x 2 cm) was cranially designed and elevated on the back of a Wistar rat. An image analysis technology was used to evaluate the survival rate of the skin flap, while a biochemistry method was used to test the concentrations of the NO in the tissue.