Risk of Stroke in Patients with Herpes Zoster: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Several observational studies suggest that herpes zoster (HZ) may increase the risk of stroke, but the results are inconsistent. Our study was designed to assess the association between HZ and the risk of stroke through a meta-analysis of cohort studies.

Methods: The electronic databases PubMed and EMBASE were searched from inception to May 31, 2016 to identify relevant cohort studies that assess the risk of stroke in patients with HZ.

Therapeutic effect of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells on hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in rats.

Background: Oxidative stress is involved in the development of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD). In this study, we investigated the therapeutic effects of placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PD-MSCs) and explored the NF-E2-related factor-2/heme oxygenase-1 (Nrf2/HO-1) signaling pathway in treating HIBD.

Methods: P7 rats were subjected to hypoxic-ischemic brain injury and randomly divided into four groups (control, HIBD, HIBD+PD-MSCs, and HIBD+fibroblasts).

[Changes of circulating IFN-gamma, IL-4 in patients with chronic periodontitis before and after periodontal initial therapy].

Purpose: To investigate the effect of periodontal initial therapy on circulating blood serum interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) in patients with chronic periodontitis.

Methods: 15 patients with chronic periodontitis and 15 healthy people were selected. Circulating blood serum IFN-gamma and IL-4 were measured using double antibody sandwich ELISA; Student's t test was used for comparing sulcus bleeding index (SBI), probing depth (PD), and circulating IFN-gamma, IL-4 in patients with chronic periodontitis that were assessed respectively before and 4 to 6 weeks after periodontal initial therapy.