Association between malnutrition, depression, anxiety and fatigue after stroke in older adults: a cross-lagged panel analysis.

Background: Malnutrition, post-stroke depression (PSD), post-stroke anxiety (PSA), and post-stroke fatigue (PSF) in stroke survivors have complex relationships and are associated with adverse stroke outcomes.

Aims: This research aims to explore the temporal and directional relationships between malnutrition, PSD, PSA, and PSF after stroke in older adults.

Methods: Patients aged 65 years and older with their first ischemic stroke from two centers were selected and assessed at baseline, 3 months and 12 months.

Combined collaterals and hemodynamic features to predict the prognosis in acute ischemic stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy.

Background: Despite successful recanalization via mechanical thrombectomy (MT), only half of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients achieve functional independence. Post-MT hemodynamic features are insufficiently investigated, and the lack of bilateral comparisons limits individual assessment. Therefore, we aimed to explore how individualized hemodynamic features affect functional outcomes using quantitative digital subtraction angiography (Q-DSA).

Atherosclerotic plaque evolution predicts cerebral ischemic events in patients with intracranial atherosclerosis: a multicentre longitudinal study using high-resolution MRI.

Background: Intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) is the leading cause of ischemic stroke in Asians and the recurrent rate remains high despite the optimal medical treatment. This study aimed to confirm that follow-up high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (hrMRI) provided essential values in predicting subsequent cerebral ischemic events in patients with ICAS.

Methods: Patients with moderate to severe stenosis in the middle cerebral artery (MCA) defined by magnetic resonance (MRA) or computed tomography angiography (CTA) were recruited from three centers retrospectively.

Endovascular therapy for acute vertebrobasilar occlusion (VERITAS): a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis.

Background: Trials of endovascular therapy for basilar artery occlusion, including vertebral occlusion extending into the basilar artery, have shown inconsistent results. We aimed to pool data to estimate safety and efficacy and to explore the benefit across pre-specified subgroups through individual patient data meta-analysis.

Methods: VERITAS was a systematic review and meta-analysis that pooled patient-level data from trials that recruited patients with vertebrobasilar ischaemic stroke who were randomly assigned to treatment with either endovascular therapy or standard medical treatment alone.

Relationship Between Dietary Inflammatory Index and Carotid Artery Calcification in Patients with Ischemic Stroke.

Background And Purpose: Diet may influence systemic inflammatory status, vascular calcification, and, therefore, the development of atherosclerosis. The Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII) is a measure of the inflammatory potential of diet. Although previous studies have examined the relationship between DII and cardiovascular diseases, its specific association with carotid artery calcification in ischemic stroke patients remains insufficiently explored.

Inhibition of PCSK9 Protects against Cerebral Ischemia‒Reperfusion Injury via Attenuating Microcirculatory Dysfunction.

Proprotein convertase substilin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a pivotal protein regulating lipid metabolism, has been implicated in promoting microthrombotic formation and inflammatory cascades, thereby contributing to cardiovascular ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. However, its involvement in cerebral I/R injury and its potential role in microcirculation protection remain unexplored. In this investigation, we utilized a middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) mouse model to simulate ischemic stroke.

Theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation attenuates chronic ischemic demyelination and vascular cognitive impairment in mice.

Vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) is mainly caused by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and subsequent white matter lesions. Noninvasive transcranial magnetic stimulation has been utilized in treating various neurological disorders. However, the function of theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation on VCID remains to be defined.

Discrepancies in ASPECTS obtained by artificial intelligence and experts: Associated factors and prognostic implications.

Purpose: The differences between the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) obtained by experts and artificial intelligence (AI) software require elucidation. We aimed to characterize the discrepancies between the ASPECTS obtained by AI and experts and determine the associated factors and prognostic implications.

Methods: This multicenter, retrospective, observational cohort study included patients showing acute ischemic stroke caused by large-vessel occlusion in the anterior circulation.

Association of Genetically Predicted Anxiety and Depression With Functional Outcome After Ischemic Stroke: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

Background And Objectives: Anxiety and depression have implications for ischemic stroke recovery. This study explored the association of genetically predicted anxiety and depression with functional outcome after ischemic stroke using Mendelian randomization (MR) approach.

Methods: Independent genetic variants associated with anxiety and depression at genome-wide significance level ( < 5 × 10) were obtained from large-scale genome-wide association studies (N = 1,306,354).

The Role of Thrombo-inflammation in Ischemic Stroke: Focus on the Manipulation and Clinical Application.

Stroke leaves a great economic burden due to its high morbidity and mortality. Rapid revascularization of targeted vessel(s) is the effective treatment for ischemic stroke, but subsequent ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a common complication following revascularization, leading to microcirculation dysfunction and infarct volume increase. Thrombo-inflammation, the interaction between thrombosis and inflammation, plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of ischemic stroke.

Angiography‑based quantitative flow ratio for functional assessment of intracranial atherosclerotic disease.

Background: Intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS), an important cause of stroke, is associated with a considerable stroke recurrence rate despite optimal medical treatment. Further assessment of the functional significance of ICAS is urgently needed to enable individualised treatment and, thus, improve patient outcomes.

Aims: We aimed to evaluate the haemodynamic significance of ICAS using the quantitative flow ratio (QFR) technique and to develop a risk stratification model for ICAS patients.

CT-derived fractional flow reserve in intracranial arterial stenosis: A pilot study based on computational fluid dynamics.

Background: CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) has been widely applied in coronary hemodynamic assessment. However, the feasieablity and standardization measurement in intracranial artery stenosis (ICAS) remains to be defined.

Purpose: To demonstrate the feasibility of CT-FFR in ICAS functional assessment and explore the optimal CT-FFR measurement position with invasive FFR as reference standard.

Serum uric acid and prognosis of ischemic stroke: Cohort study, meta-analysis and Mendelian randomization study.

Introduction: The role of serum uric acid (UA) levels in the functional recovery of ischemic stroke remains uncertain. To evaluate whether UA could predict clinical outcomes in patients with ischemic stroke.

Patients And Methods: A three-stage study design was employed, combining a large-scale prospective cohort study, a meta-analysis and a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Angiography-based hemodynamic features predict recurrent ischemic events after angioplasty and stenting of intracranial vertebrobasilar atherosclerotic stenosis.

Objectives: To assess the predictive value of hemodynamic features for stroke relapse in patients with intracranial vertebrobasilar atherosclerotic stenosis treated with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stenting (PTAS) using quantitative digital subtraction angiography (q-DSA).

Methods: In this retrospective longitudinal study, patients with intracranial vertebrobasilar atherosclerotic stenosis and who underwent PTAS treatment between January 2012 and May 2020 were enrolled. The q-DSA assessment was performed before and after PTAS.

Lipocalin-2-mediated astrocyte pyroptosis promotes neuroinflammatory injury via NLRP3 inflammasome activation in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Background: Neuroinflammation is a vital pathophysiological process during ischemic stroke. Activated astrocytes play a major role in inflammation. Lipocalin-2 (LCN2), secreted by activated astrocytes, promotes neuroinflammation.

Incremental value of enhanced plaque length for identifying intracranial atherosclerotic culprit plaques: a high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging study.

Objectives: Besides plaque enhancement grade, the incremental value of enhancement-related high-resolution MRI features in defining culprit plaques needs further evaluation. This study was focused on assessing whether plaque enhancement features contribute to culprit plaque identification and further risk stratification.

Methods: We retrospectively studied patients who experienced an acute ischaemic stroke and transient ischaemic attack due to intracranial atherosclerosis from 2016 to 2022.

Rescuers from the Other Shore: Intercellular Mitochondrial Transfer and Its Implications in Central Nervous System Injury and Diseases.

As the powerhouse and core of cellular metabolism and survival, mitochondria are the essential organelle in mammalian cells and maintain cellular homeostasis by changing their content and morphology to meet demands through mitochondrial quality control. It has been observed that mitochondria can move between cells under physiological and pathophysiological conditions, which provides a novel strategy for preserving mitochondrial homeostasis and also a therapeutic target for applications in clinical settings. Therefore, in this review, we will summarize currently known mechanisms of intercellular mitochondrial transfer, including modes, triggers, and functions.

Genetically Predicted Sleep Traits and Functional Outcome After Ischemic Stroke: A Mendelian Randomization Study.

Background And Objectives: Sleep traits can have implications for ischemic stroke recovery in observational studies. The purpose of our present study was to explore the relationship between genetically predicted sleep traits and poststroke functional outcomes with Mendelian randomization (MR) method.

Methods: Instrumental variables for insomnia and sleep duration were adopted from genome-wide association studies data of European ancestry individuals.

Vascular endothelium deploys caveolin-1 to regulate oligodendrogenesis after chronic cerebral ischemia in mice.

Oligovascular coupling contributes to white matter vascular homeostasis. However, little is known about the effects of oligovascular interaction on oligodendrocyte precursor cell (OPC) changes in chronic cerebral ischemia. Here, using a mouse of bilateral carotid artery stenosis, we show a gradual accumulation of OPCs on vasculature with impaired oligodendrogenesis.

[Coronary CT angiography derived fractional flow reserve: the consideration and practice of functional evaluation for cerebral arterial diseases].

Cerebrovascular disease is a significant global public health concern, despite the diagnosis and treatment of stroke has made great progress in recent years, however, its mainly guided by anatomical indicators, which still needs to be further improved, and there is an urgent need to explore a more accurate and comprehensive functional imaging assessment method. Rapid development of coronary CT angiography derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) has become an important technique for noninvasive evaluation of coronary artery disease, and these successful application experiences inspiried neurologists to explore the functional evaluation technique of cerebral arteries and demonstrated broad application prospects. In this paper, by analyzing and comparing the coronary CT-FFR technology, the progress, existing problems and possible solutions of the functional evaluation for cerebral arterial stenosis are discussed from the aspects of coronary CT-FFR study, cerebral artery functional evaluation study, and the comparison and consideration of cerebral arterial and coronary CT-FFR.

Homocysteine is related to enlarged perivascular spaces in the brainstem in patients with isolated pontine infarction.

Background: Homocysteine is correlated with several imaging features of cerebral small vessel disease including white matter hyperintensities, lacunes, and enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS) in the basal ganglia. However, little is known about EPVS in the brainstem. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between serum total homocysteine (tHcy) and EPVS in the brainstem in patients with acute isolated pontine infarction.

The MRI enhancement ratio and plaque steepness may be more accurate for predicting recurrent ischemic cerebrovascular events in patients with intracranial atherosclerosis.

Objectives: To assess the complementary value of high-resolution multi-contrast MRI (hrMRI) in identifying symptomatic patients with intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) who are likely to experience recurrent ischemic cerebrovascular events.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, eighty patients with acute ischemic events attributed to ICAS who underwent hrMRI examination between January 2015 and January 2019 were included. Median follow-up for all patients was 30 months (range: 1 to 52 months) and recurrent ischemic cerebrovascular events were recorded.

Optical Coherence Tomography Evaluation of Carotid Artery Stenosis and Stenting in Patients With Previous Cervical Radiotherapy.

Objectives: Cervical radiotherapy can lead to accelerated carotid artery stenosis, increased incidence of stroke, and a higher rate of in-stent restenosis in irradiated patients. Our objective was to reveal the morphological characteristics of radiation-induced carotid stenosis (RICS) and the stent-vessel interactions in patients with previous cervical radiotherapy by optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Materials And Methods: Between November 2017 and March 2019, five patients with a history of cervical radiotherapy were diagnosed with severe carotid artery stenosis and underwent carotid artery stenting (CAS).