Application and Progress of Combined Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation in the Treatment of Ischemic Cardiomyopathy.

Treatment of ischemic cardiomyopathy caused by myocardial infarction (MI) using mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation is a widely researched field, with promising clinical application. However, the low survival rate of transplanted cells has a severe impact on treatment outcome. Currently, research is focused on investigating the strategy of combining genetic engineering, tissue engineering materials, and drug/hypoxia preconditioning to improve ischemic cardiomyopathy treatment outcome using MSC transplantation treatment (MSCTT).

Voxel-based analysis of fractional anisotropy in post-stroke apathy.

Objective: To explore the structural basis of post-stroke apathy by using voxel-based analysis (VBA) of fractional anisotropy (FA) maps.

Methods: We enrolled 54 consecutive patients with ischemic stroke during convalescence, and divided them into apathy (n = 31) and non-apathy (n = 23) groups. We obtained magnetic resonance images of their brains, including T1, T2 and DTI sequences.

Cell transplantation into ischemic myocardium using mesenchymal stem cells transfected by vascular endothelial growth factor.

Aims: To investigate the effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation combining with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene therapy on myocardium rebuilding, angiogenesis, and heart function improvement in rats with myocardial infarction.

Methods: SD rat MSCs were isolated, cultured in vitro, labeled with BrdU and transfected by Ad.VEGF gene.

In vivo magnetic resonance imaging tracking of transplanted superparamagnetic iron oxide-labeled bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in rats with myocardial infarction.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles generate superparamagnetism, thereby resulting in an inhomogeneous local magnetic field, which shortens the T2 value on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The purpose of the present study was to use MRI to track bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) labeled with SPIO in a rat model of myocardial infarction. The BMSCs were isolated from rats and labeled with SPIO.

Factors related to executive dysfunction after acute infarct.

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate the association of infarct location with post-stroke executive dysfunction.

Methods: One hundred seventy-seven patients hospitalized with acute infarction were enrolled. General information and NIHSS score at admission were recorded.

Inhibition of apoptosis by knockdown of caspase-3 with siRNA in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

Transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells is a promising new strategy for the repair of infarcted cardiac tissue. However, the majority of transplanted bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) die soon after transplantation, due in part to oxidative stress in the ischemic region. Oxidative stress is known to induce apoptosis through the activation of caspase-3.

Predictors of early post ischemic stroke apathy and depression: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Apathy and depression are important neuropsychiatric disorders that can occur after a stroke but the etiology and risk factors are not well understood. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors for apathy and depression following a stroke.

Methods: Patients with an acute stroke who met the inclusion criteria were recruited from our hospital, and general information was recorded from patient charts.

Risk vs benefit of anti-thrombotic therapy in ischaemic stroke patients with cerebral microbleeds.

Background: Retrospective studies suggested that cerebral microbleeds (MB) on magnetic resonance images (MRI) increase risk of intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH).

Objective: To compare the benefit of anti-thrombotic agents in stroke prevention (absolute risk reduction 2.49 -6 %) versus risk of ICH in ischaemic stroke patients with MB.

Patient-specific decision-making for warfarin therapy in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: how will screening with genetics and imaging help?

Background And Purpose: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) accounts for a majority of long-term morbidity and mortality associated with bleeding while on warfarin. Both ICH and warfarin-related ICH appear to have a genetic component. Furthermore, advanced neuroimaging using MRI can now identify individuals at increased risk of ICH.