The Predictive Value of Dynamic Intrinsic Local Metrics in Transient Ischemic Attack.

Background: Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is known as "small stroke." However, the diagnosis of TIA is currently difficult due to the transient symptoms. Therefore, objective and reliable biomarkers are urgently needed in clinical practice.

Multiparametric and multilevel characterization of morphological alterations in patients with transient ischemic attack.

Transient ischemic attack (TIA), an important risk factor for stroke, is associated with widespread disruptions of functional brain architecture. However, TIA-related structural alterations are not well established. By analyzing structural MRI data from 50 TIA patients versus 40 healthy controls (HCs), here we systematically investigated TIA-related morphological alterations in multiple cortical surface-based indices (cortical thickness [CT], fractal dimension [FD], gyrification index [GI], and sulcal depth [SD]) at multiple levels (local topography, interregional connectivity and whole-brain network topology).

A new risk model of assessing left atrial appendage thrombus in patients with atrial fibrillation - Using multiple clinical and transesophageal echocardiography parameters.

Backgrounds: Predicting left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) in non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) patients need more precisely quantified risk models. In this study, we attempted to review the risk markers for LAAT and develop a simple and reliable model for LAAT prediction.

Methods: The study included 307 patients with NVAF who were scheduled for transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) to exclude LAA thrombus before synchronized electrical cardioversion or radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF).

Altered Functional Connectivity within Default Mode Network in Patients with Transient Ischemic Attack: A Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Default mode network (DMN) is an important functional brain network that supports aspects of cognition. Stroke has been reported to be associated with functional connectivity (FC) impairments within DMN. However, whether FC within DMN changes in transient ischemic attack (TIA), an important risk factor for stroke, remains unclear.

Toward neuroimaging-based network biomarkers for transient ischemic attack.

Stroke is associated with topological disruptions of large-scale functional brain networks. However, whether these disruptions occur in transient ischemic attack (TIA), an important risk factor for stroke, remains largely unknown. Combining multimodal MRI techniques, we systematically examined TIA-related topological alterations of functional brain networks, and tested their reproducibility, structural, and metabolic substrates, associations with clinical risk factors and abilities as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.

The Local Brain Abnormalities in Patients With Transient Ischemic Attack: A Resting-State fMRI Study.

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is an important risk factor for stroke. Despite the transient episodes of clinical symptoms, brain alterations are still observed in patients with TIA. However, the functional mechanism of transient ischemia is still unclear.

Non-invasive evaluation of cerebral perfusion in patients with transient ischemic attack: an fMRI study.

Detection of hypoperfused tissue due to the ischemia is considered to be important in understanding the cerebral perfusion status and may be helpful in guiding therapeutic decisions for patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA). We hypothesized that the combination of two non-invasive fMRI techniques: resting-state BOLD-fMRI time-shift analysis (TSA) approach and 3D ASL, could detect the cerebral hemodynamic status in TIA patients noninvasively. From April 2015 to June 2016, 51 TIA patients were recruited in this study.

Effect of a Multifaceted Quality Improvement Intervention on Hospital Personnel Adherence to Performance Measures in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke in China: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: In China and other parts of the world, hospital personnel adherence to evidence-based stroke care is limited.

Objective: To determine whether a multifaceted quality improvement intervention can improve hospital personnel adherence to evidence-based performance measures in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) in China.

Design, Setting, And Participants: A multicenter, cluster-randomized clinical trial among 40 public hospitals in China that enrolled 4800 patients hospitalized with AIS from August 10, 2014, through June 20, 2015, with 12-month follow-up through July 30, 2016.

Serum Soluble Corin Deficiency Predicts Major Disability within 3 Months after Acute Stroke.

Objective: Serum soluble corin has been associated with stroke. However, whether it is associated with stroke prognosis has not yet been studied. Therefore, we aimed to study the association of serum soluble corin with risk of poor outcomes within 3 months after stroke.

The effects of DL-3-n-butylphthalide in patients with vascular cognitive impairment without dementia caused by subcortical ischemic small vessel disease: A multicentre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Introduction: Vascular cognitive impairment without dementia is very common among the aged and tends to progress to dementia, but there have been no proper large-scale intervention trials dedicated to it. Vascular cognitive impairment without dementia caused by subcortical ischemic small vessel disease (hereinafter, subcortical Vascular cognitive impairment without dementia) represents a relatively homogeneous disease process and is a suitable target for therapeutic trials investigating Vascular cognitive impairment without dementia. Preclinical trials showed that dl-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) is effective for cognitive impairment of vascular origin.

Serum Soluble Corin is Decreased in Stroke.

Background And Purpose: Soluble corin was decreased in coronary heart disease. Given the connections between cardiac dysfunction and stroke, circulating corin might be a candidate marker of stroke risk. However, the association between circulating corin and stroke has not yet been studied in humans.

Differential diagnosis of isolated calf muscle vein thrombosis and gastrocnemius hematoma by high-frequency ultrasound.

Background: Differential diagnosis of isolated calf muscle vein thrombosis (ICMVT) and gastrocnemius hematoma is essential for early identification of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic value of high-frequency color Doppler ultrasound for differential diagnosis of ICMVT and gastrocnemius hematoma.

Methods: A retrospective case series of 35 ICMVT (M:F, 21:14; mean age (64.

[Retrospective analysis of ultrasonography for autoimmune pancreatitis].

Objective: To explore the sonographic characteristics of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP).

Methods: The ultrasonographic features and clinical data of 8 AIP patients were analyzed retrospectively and compared with the findings of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging.

Results: Ultrasound images showed diffuse pancreatic swelling (n = 6), focal pancreatic head thickening (n = 1) and tail enlargement (n = 1).

Effects of apolipoprotein E genotype on the off-line memory consolidation.

Spontaneous brain activity or off-line activity after memory encoding is associated with memory consolidation. A few recent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (RS-fMRI) studies indicate that the RS-fMRI could map off-line memory consolidation effects. However, the gene effects on memory consolidation process remain largely unknown.

Ultrasonographic assessment of polytetrafluoroethylene upper extremity arteriovenous hemodialysis access: a retrospective analysis of 31 cases.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) vascular grafts are used for hemodialysis vascular access. Because their longevity is less than that of autologous fistulae, close surveillance is necessary to reduce the incidence of complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of Doppler sonography for the surveillance of PTFE graft hemodialysis access.

[The study in detection of microcalcification in early breast cancer by ultrasound and its correlation with pathohistology].

Objective: To discuss the role of ultrasound in examining microcalcification of early breast cancer and its correlation with pathohistological type and grade.

Methods: 178 lesions in 165 cases of early breast cancer confirmed by pathology after surgical resection were examine by high frequency ultrasound, meanwhile microcalcification were detected and reported. 39 lesions in 32 cases are carcinoma in situ and microinvasive carcinoma of breast.

Study of endorectal ultrasonography in the staging of rectal cancer.

Background: There is no consensus regarding the performance for endorectal ultrasonography (ERUS) at every stage of rectal cancer. Thus, the purpose of our study was to further assess the value of ERUS in the preoperative staging of rectal cancer.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed with 44 consecutive patients (mean age: (63.

[Assessment of synovitis in the knee of patients with newly-diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis using high frequency and color Doppler ultrasonography].

Objective: To investigate the value of high frequency and color Doppler ultrasonography in detection of synovitis and the intra-articular vascularization in the knee joint of patients with newly-diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Methods: Forty-one patients (30 women, 11 men) with newly-diagnosed RA were recruited to a cross sectional study (RA group). Forty-one age and gender-matched healthy volunteers were used as control group.

Long-term results of a phase II clinical trial of superantigen therapy with staphylococcal enterotoxin C after microwave ablation in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Purpose: To prospectively evaluate safety and effectiveness of intratumoural injection of superantigen staphylococcal enterotoxin C (SEC) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after percutaneous microwave ablation (PMWA).

Methods: HCC patients (260) with tumours of 60 mm or less (average 29.2 ± 11.

[Application of ROC curve for the evaluation of arterial stiffness and heart function in hypertensive patients by quantitative artery stiffness].

Objective: To apply the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and QAS technology in exploring sensitive and feasible indices about the structure and function of heart and arterial stiffness so as to determine the optimal operating point (OOP) and evaluate its value of cardiovascular changes in hypertensive patients.

Methods: The parameters of arterial stiffness and heart function were measured and calculated in hypertensive patients (n = 167) and control (n = 165). The results were compared and critical values obtained by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.

[Local cellular immune response induced by ultrasound-guided tumor bed superantigen injection after percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy for liver cancer].

Objective: To investigate the local cellular immune response after injection of superantigen, the highly agglutinative staphylococin (HAS), into the tumor bed after ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave coagulation therapy (PMCT) in the liver cancer patients.

Methods: Ninety-two patients with pathologically proven primary liver cancer were divided into two groups: 45 in group A were treated by PMCT alone and 47 in the group B by combined with ultrasound-guided percutaneous injection of highly agglutinative staphylococin (HAS). Before and after PMCT and HAS treatment, the patients underwent ultrasound-guided percutaneous biopsy from the tumor bed and the samples were examined by pathology and immunohistochemistry.

[Monitoring of ultrasonography in artificial vascular graft for arteriovenous fistula].

Objective: To evaluate the monitoring of ultrasonography in artificial vascular graft for arteriovenous fistula and its complications in patients with chronic renal failure.

Methods: Eighteen cases of artificial vascular graft arteriovenous fistula after four to six weeks were enrolled. The diameter, the peak velocity and blood flow were examined in arterial fistula.

[Distribution characters and linkage disequilibrium analysis of APOM gene polymorphisms in Han population of North China].

Objective: To investigate the distribution characters and linkage disequilibrium of apolipoprotein M gene (APOM) polymorphisms in Han population of North China.

Methods: The single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in six exons and five introns of APOM gene of 330 normal subjects in Han population of North China were detected by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism and DNA sequencing analysis.

Results: Three SNPs in Han Chinese were found, including rs805264 of intron 1, rs707922 and rs707921 of intron 5 of APOM gene.