The development of the neurocritical care specialty in China based on the analysis of neurocritical care unit volume and quality.

Purpose: Through three neurocritical care unit (NCCU) surveys in China, we tried to understand the development status of neurocritical care and clarify its future development.

Methods: Using a cross-sectional survey method and self-report questionnaires, the number and quality of NCCUs were investigated through three steps: administering the questionnaire, sorting the survey data, and analyzing the survey data.

Results: At the second and third surveys, the number of NCCUs (76/112/206) increased by 47% and 84%, respectively.

The initial treatment in convulsive status epilepticus in China: A multi-center observational study.

Objective: To investigate the initial treatment of patients with convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) in a resource-limited region of China, and to discuss the difference of in-hospital outcomes and economic costs between those with guideline-recommended initial treatment and those without.

Methods: In this retrospective study, we screened adult patients discharged with the diagnosis of CSE in four centers in west China. Individuals with different exposure to the initial drug were divided into benzodiazepine (BDZ) and non-BDZ group for outcome comparison.

The development of neurocritical care in China from the perspective of evaluation and treatment of critical neurological diseases.

Objective: To understand the varieties, evaluation, treatment, and prognosis of severe neurological diseases using the third NCU survey in China.

Design: A cross-sectional questionnaire study. The study was completed in three main steps: filling in the questionnaire, sorting out the survey data, and analyzing the survey data.

Complete genome analysis of PaGz-1 and PaZq-1, two novel phages belonging to the genus Pakpunavirus.

Pseudomonas phages PaGz-1 and PaZq-1, two new phages infecting Pseudomonas aeruginosa, were isolated from fresh water in Guangdong province, China. The genomes of these two phages consist of 93,975 bp and 94,315 bp and contain 175 and 172 open reading frames (ORFs), respectively. The genome sequences of PaGz-1 and PaZq-1 share 95.

A Task Scheduling Algorithm for Phased-Array Radar Based on Dynamic Three-Way Decision.

The time resource management of phased-array radars is the key to fulfilling their performance, such as how phased-array radar can efficiently and reasonably schedule tasks under limited resources. Therefore, this paper proposes a task scheduling algorithm for phased-array radar based on dynamic three-way decision. The algorithm introduces three-way decision into the scheduling algorithm and divides the target into three threat areas according to the threat degree (i.

Electrokinetic remediation of uranium(VI)-contaminated red soil using composite electrolyte of citric acid and ferric chloride.

In the process of electrokinetic (EK) remediation of uranium-contaminated soil, the existence form of uranium in soil pore fluid will affect on its migration behavior. In this paper, a novel type of electrolyte (citric acid + ferric chloride, CA+ FeCl) has been investigated for the EK remediation of uranium-contaminated red soil. The effects of different electrolyte and the concentrations of FeCl on migration behavior of U(VI) and environmental risks were investigated after EK remediation.

Mastoiditis caused by intracranial venous sinus stenting in an idiopathic intracranial hypertension patient.

The exact mechanism of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is unknown. It needs to be treated because of severe headache and impaired vision. For medically refractory patients, cerebrospinal fluid diversion, optic nerve sheath fenestration and dural venous sinus stenting is applied to relieve the symptoms.

Characterization and complete genomic analysis of two Salmonella phages, SenALZ1 and SenASZ3, new members of the genus Cba120virus.

Salmonella phages SenALZ1 and SenASZ3, two novel phages infecting Salmonella enterica, were isolated and analyzed. The genomes of these two phages consist of 154,811 and 157,630 base pairs (bp), with G+C contents of 44.56% and 44.

Activation of the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway: A potential response to long-term neuronal loss in the hippocampus after sepsis.

Survivors of sepsis may suffer chronic cognitive impairment as a long-term sequela. However, the precise mechanisms of cognitive dysfunction after sepsis are not well understood. We employed the cecal ligation-and-puncture-induced septic mouse model.

Rapamycin Protects Sepsis-Induced Cognitive Impairment in Mouse Hippocampus by Enhancing Autophagy.

The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway might mediate neuroprotection in a mouse model of septic encephalopathy and also to identify the role of autophagy. Mice were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) or a sham operation, and all 50 mice were randomly assigned to five groups: sham, CLP+ saline, CLP+ rapamycin (1, 5, 10 mg/kg) groups. Two weeks after the operation, Morris water maze was conducted for behavioral test; Nissl staining was used for observing glia infiltration; immunohistochemical staining and biochemical measures in hippocampi were performed to detect mTOR targets and autophagy indicators.

Update on causes of premature death in people with convulsive epilepsy in rural West China.

This longitudinal prospective study updated a previous report on premature mortality and focused on the risk factors among patients with convulsive epilepsy in resource-poor settings. The present cohort size (7,231) and follow-up (mean 33.4 months) were expanded.

A preliminary observation of the adverse effects of phenobarbital among patients with convulsive epilepsy in rural West China.

Background: This study explored the adverse effect (AE) profile of phenobarbital (PB) among patients with active convulsive epilepsy (ACE) from resource-poor areas.

Methods: Patients with ACE were enrolled into an epilepsy management project in rural West China. Information was obtained from monthly follow-up questionnaires.

Clinical features and outcome of super-refractory status epilepticus: a retrospective analysis in West China.

Purpose: Data about super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE) are scarce. This study aimed to assess the clinical features and outcome of patients with SRSE.

Method: Clinical features of all SRSE patients admitted to the Neurologic Intensive Care Unit (NICU)/Neurology Department of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, between January 2010 and August 2013, were retrospectively analyzed.

Etiologic features of newly diagnosed epilepsy: hospital-based study of 892 consecutive patients in West China.

Purpose: We evaluated data from a large cohort of newly diagnosed epilepsy patients from the biggest epilepsy center in West China. The aim was to determine the most prevalent etiologic factors in this region.

Methods: From May 2008 to May 2010, the clinical data of patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy were consecutively, systematically and prospectively recorded in a database.

Evaluation of the efficiency of inpatient 24-hour VEEG combined with MRI in consecutive patients with newly diagnosed epilepsies.

A total of 128 patients were recruited into this study to evaluate the cost efficiency of 24-hour video electroencephalography (VEEG) combined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in people with newly diagnosed epilepsies. The rate of neuroimaging abnormalities detected was 14.8% higher with MRI than with computed tomography (CT), whereas 25.

[Separation, culture and purification of rat brain microendothelial cell].

Objective: To develop a separation method for brain microendothelial cells with the comparison of other ones.

Methods: Twice enzymatic digestion and twice gradient centrifugation were applied to separate rat brain microendothelial cells. Then, immunomagnetic beads and Thy1.

Features of the K-complex waves in refractory nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy.

Purpose: To investigate the features of the K-complex (Kc) in refractory nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (NFLE) and its relationship with spike discharges (Sds) and clinical seizures.

Methods: Long-term video-electroencephalographic (VEEG) monitoring was used to collect Kc data from NFLE patients and age- and sex-matched controls. We compared the morphological and frequency changes in Kcs between the intractable NFLE group and the control group.

Suppression of the multidrug transporter P-glycoprotein using RNA interference in cultured rat astrocytes induced by coriaria lactone.

The overexpression of the multidrug resistance gene (MDR-1) and its translational product p-glycoprotein (P-gp) may play an important role in pharmacoresistant epilepsy. We established the rat astrocyte model overexpressing P-gp induced by coriaria lactone and successfully nucleofected it with the siRNA-hairpin expression vector pSIREN-shuttle designed to target MDR-1B mRNA. The mRNA expression of MDR-1B gene was mostly knock down by 67.

RNAi inhibits Coriaria lactone-induced MDR1b overexpression in rat brain microvascular endothelial cells.

P-glyprotein (multidrug resistance gene 1, MDR1) was the first isolated and most extensively investigated refractory epilepsy-related drug-resistant protein. Coriaria lactone (CL) can induce P-glyprotein expression of brain capillary and astrocytes in vivo. We established the primary rat brain microvascular endothelial cell (BMECs) models overexpressing P-glycoprotein induced by CL successfully and infected them with adenovirus vector, which carry small interfering RNA (siRNA) designed to target MDR1b.

Inhibition of P-glycoprotein over-expression by shRNA-mdr1b in rat astrocytes.

The development of multiple drug resistance (MDR) is a significant problem in epilepsy therapy. The primary factor responsible for antiepileptic drug (AEDs) resistance is the over-expression of the MDR gene product, P-glycoprotein (Pgp). To model a therapeutic approach for decreasing drug resistance in patients with intractable epilepsy, we established a model of coriaria lactone (CL) induced Pgp overexpression in rat astrocytes and administered a recombinant adenovirus Ad5-EGFP-shRNA1-U6 to deliver an anti-mdr1b short hairpin RNA (shRNA) for 5 days.

A case of intravascular B-cell lymphoma presenting as myelopathy and diagnosed post mortem.

The clinical presentation of intravascular lymphoma (IVL) is generally nonspecific and misleading and its course from onset to death is rapid. We report a case in a 70-year-old right-handed man who presented after 1 month of numbness and progressive paresis in both lower limbs and 20 days of urinary and bowel involvement. MRI of the cervical and lumbar spine with contrast failed to show signal change in the spinal cord.

Reversal of mdr1b-dependent multidrug resistance in a rat astrocyte model by adenoviral-delivered short hairpin RNA.

Over-expression of P-glycoprotein (Pgp), a protein responsible for multidrug resistance (MDR), is responsible for general resistance to anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). We explored the potential use of gene therapy with adenoviral-delivered RNA interference against mdr1b as a method to sensitize refractory epilepsy to AEDs. We constructed replication-deficient recombinant adenovirus Adeno-mdr1b1 carrying short hairpin RNA (shRNA) targeting against mdr1b, and successfully infected the established Sprague-Dawley rat astrocyte model of Coriaria Lactone-induced Pgp over-expression.

[Construction of recombinant adenovirus vector for RNA interference with multidrug resistance MDR1 gene].

Objective: To construct the recombinant adenoviral RNA interference (RNAi) vector in order to inhibit the expression of multidrug resistance MDR1 gene, and probe whether gene therapy for multidrug resistance of epilepsy is feasibility.

Methods: Three target sequences for short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression were selected and designed according to MDR1 gene sequence of rat. Annealed oligos were inserted into the downstream of treated pSIREN-shuttle U6 promoter to construct RNAi plasmid pSIREN-shuttle-MDR1.

Effects of levetiracetam as an add-on therapy on cognitive function and quality of life in patients with refractory partial seizures.

This study comprised two phases and evaluated the effects of levetiracetam (LEV), as an add-on treatment, on cognitive function and quality of life (QOL) in patients with refractory partial seizures. The short-term phase employed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design including an 8-week baseline period, 4-week titration interval, and 12-week period at the maximum LEV dose (1500 mg twice daily). The long-term phase was an open-label study in which the maximum LEV dose was administered for another 24 weeks.

[Effectiveness of urokinase used in combination with batroxobin (DF-521) in rat model of focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion].

Objective: This study was designed to use urokinase (UK) in combination with batroxobin in thrombolytic therapy so as to see whether batroxobin(DF-521) would be effective for neuroprotection.

Methods: The model of right middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in male SD rats was established. 120 rats were randomized into 9 groups, namely control group, sham control group, and groups that were treated with batroxobin and urokinase together or separately.