Emergent loading dose of antiplatelets for stenting after IV rt-PA in acute ischemic stroke: a feasibility study.

Background: A loading dose of antiplatelets reduces in-stent thrombosis after stent implantation. However, whether it is safe in patients undergoing acute stenting after intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) is unclear.

Methods: A case series of acute ischemic stroke patients treated with intravenous rt-PA followed by emergent stenting were prospectively included in Jinling Hospital Stroke Unit.

Severity assessment of intracranial large artery stenosis by pressure gradient measurements: A feasibility study.

Background: Fractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided revascularization strategy is popular in coronary intervention. However, the feasibility of assessing stenotic severity in intracranial large arteries using pressure gradient measurements still remains unclear.

Methods: Between March 2013 and May 2014, 12 consecutive patients with intracranial large artery stenosis (including intracranial internal carotid artery, middle cerebral M1 segment, intracranial vertebral artery, and basilar artery) were enrolled in this study.

[Prognostic effect of posterior cerebral artery laterality on middle cerebral artery occlusion].

Objective: To explore the prognostic value of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) laterality in patients with symptomatic middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion on standard medical therapy.

Methods: Forty consecutive patients with first onset isolated atherosclerotic occlusion in M1 segment of MCA received medication from June 2009 to March 2013. All patients underwent magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for assessment of PCA laterality.

[Intranasal dosing of nerve growth factor protects brain from poisoning of organophosphorus compounds in rats].

Objective: To explore the protective effects of intranasal (IN) dosing of nerve growth factor (NGF) on brain injury induced by organophosphorus compounds (OP) in rats.

Methods: The OP-treated Sprague-Dawley rats received an intraperitoneal injection of atropine sulphate and pralidoxime at 1 min after intoxication. Then NGF or saline was dosed via the olfactory pathway.

[Plasma homocysteine levels in ischemic stroke patients with obstructive sleep apnea].

Objective: To investigate the association of plasma homocysteine and OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) syndrome in ischemic stroke (IS).

Methods: A total of 92 male IS patients were classified by apnea hypopnea index (AHI) into 2 groups: non-OSA group (AHI < 5/h) and OSA group (AHI > or = 5). All patients were tested for plasma homocysteine when polysomnography was finished at (14 +/- 2) d after the onset of IS.

[Predictors of Wingspan in-stent restenosis for the treatment of symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis].

Objective: To analyze the predictors of Wingspan in-stent restenosis (ISR) for the treatment of symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis.

Methods: Between January 2007 and November 2009, 42 patients with symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis registered in Nanjing stroke registry program (NSRP) were treated with Wingspan stent system. Clinical and follow-up results were retrospectively analyzed.

[Effect of lesion length on in-stent restenosis after intracranial stenting].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of lesion length on in-stent restenosis (ISR) after intracranial stenting.

Methods: Between March 2004 and September 2009, 65 patients with symptomatic intracranial arterial stenosis were successfully implanted with single bare metal balloon-mounted stent. All received a conventional angiographic follow-up.

[Influencing factors for cerebral microbleeds in patients with acute ischemic stroke].

Objective: To investigate the relationship between cerebral microbleeds (CMB), cardiovascular risk factors, and plasma fibrinogen in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Methods: Sixty-eight patients with acute ischemic stroke from June 2008 to March 2009 were enroued prospectively. All patients received cranial magnetic resonance imaging at the first week, and T2(*)-weighted gradient echo MRI sequence was performed to detect CMB.

Intranasally delivered bFGF enhances neurogenesis in adult rats following cerebral ischemia.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a very important mitogenic factor with proved neurogenesis effects in the central nervous system. Intranasal administration can bypass blood-brain barrier and deliver drugs into the brain directly. We investigated whether intranasal administration of bFGF at later time points after ischemia could promote adult neurogenesis and improve neurologic functions.

Intranasal bFGF-induced progenitor cell proliferation and neuroprotection after transient focal cerebral ischemia.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a neurotrophic and vasoactive factor, and has therapeutic potential for some central nervous system (CNS) disorders. In this study, we used the intranasal pathway to administer bFGF in adult rats, and evaluated its neuroprotective benefits and effects on endogenous neural stem cells. The bFGF levels after intranasal administration in normal rats were determined by western blot.

Intranasally delivered TGF-beta1 enters brain and regulates gene expressions of its receptors in rats.

This study is aimed to evaluate the brain distribution of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1) following intranasal administration and the subsequent biological effects of TGF-beta1. Adult rats were given recombinant human TGF-beta1 (rhTGF-beta1) or vehicle solution intranasally. TGF-beta1 concentrations were significantly raised in several brain regions and the trigeminal nerve following intranasal delivery.