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ObjectiveTo verify the reliability of the mouse model of cerebral cortical microinfarct induced by two-photon microscopy and to explore its pathological changes.MethodsSeventeen male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a microinfarct group (n=11) or a sham operation group (n=6).A thinned cranial window of 3 mm diameter was performed over the cerebral cortex with a high-speed micro-drill until the small blood vessels were clearly observed under a dissecting microscope.Then, a permanent single cortical penetrating arteriole occlusion was induced with a gradually enhanced ultrashort laser irradiation through the thinned cranial window with two-photon microscopy.At 7 days after modeling, the cerebral microinfarct volume was measured with HE staining, and the neuron loss, activation of glial cells and deposition of 3-nitrotyrosine were assessed using immunohistochemistry.ResultsThe target vessels of cerebral cortex in 8 (72.7%) mice were occluded and the microinfarcts formed in the microinfarct group, and the average microinfarct volume was 317.23±20.29 μm3.There were remarkable neuron loss and microglia infiltration in the infarcted core, a large number of reactive astrocytes surrounding the infarcted lesion, and massive deposition of 3-nitrotyrosine in the peri-infarct area.No infarcts were observed in the sham operation group.The deposition of 3-nitrotyrosine in the sham operation group was significantly less than that in the microinfarct group (8.00±1.48 vs.98.38±9.10;t=23.962, P<0.001).Conclusions The mouse model of cerebral cortical microinfarct induced by two-photon microscopy is reliable, and its histopathologic changes are consistent with the pathologic features of cerebral microinfarct.
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Objective To explore the neuroprotective effect of cyclosporine A against cerebral ischemia in a rat model of cerebral ischemia reperfusion. Methods Fifty-two adult male SD rats, weighted 250-280 gram, were randomly divided into three groups: the sham group (group A, n=6), PBS control group (group B, n=23) and cyclosporine A group (group C, n=23). Group C received hypodermic injection of cyclosporine A 10mg/kg daily after surgery and group B re?ceived equal volume of PBS instead. Modified Neurological Severity(mNss)scores were used to assess the neurological deficits at 3, 7, 14, 21 and 30 days following cerebral ischemia. The infarct volume were measured 3 days after reperfu?sion. The neurons, reactive microglia and astrocytes around the infract area were detected by immunofluorescence at 3 and 30 days after surgery. Results Modified Neurological Severity scores were significantly lower in group C than group B at the third(P=0.003),seventh (P=0.011),Fourteenth (P=0.000),twenty-first (P=0.003) and thirtieth (P=0.004) days after surgery. cyclosporine A reduced infarct volume, reactive microglia and astrocytes while increased survived neurons (P<0.001) in ischemic penumbra 3 and 30 days after reperfusion (all P<0.001). Conclusion Continuous injection of cyclosporine A not only protects neurons against ischemia damage but also improves neurological functional recovery af?ter acute stage of damage, possibly through reduction of reactive microglia cells and proliferation of astrocytes.
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Objective To observe the effect of core stability training combined with eye acupuncture on motor function in patients with hemiplegia after stroke.Methods Eighty patients with hemiplegia after stroke were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group (40 cases in each).Both groups were given regular rehabilitation training, but the patients in the treatment group also were taught core stability training of their waist and abdominal muscle groups, their shoulder muscles, trunk and pelvis.They were also given eye acupuncture.A trunk control test (TCT) , Berg's balance scale (BBS), the modified Barthel index (MBI), functional ambulation categories (FACs) and the Fugl Meyer assessment scale (FMA) were used to assess motor function before and after treatment.Results At the end of 6 weeks of treatment, all of the measurements in both groups had significantly improved.The average TCT, BBS, MBI, FMA, and FAC scores of the treatment group significantly exceeded those of the control group.Conclusions Core stability training and eye acupuncture together can significantly improve the motor function of hemiplegic stroke survivors.The combination therapy is worthy of clinical popularization and application.
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Objective To evaluate the relationship between post-stroke urinary incontinence(UI)and 1 year stroke outcomes.Methods One hundred and thirty consecutive cerebral stroke survivors were classified into 2 groups according to their incontinence status at 1 to 10 d after onset.The patients'baseline characteristics,1 year mortality rate,abilities in the activities of daily living(ADL)and Modified Rankin Scale(mRS)scores were compared.Multivariate analysis was applied to highlight UI risk factors and correlations between UI and 1 year outcomes.Results Total anterior circulation syndrome(TACS)numbers and National Institutes of Health stroke assessment (NIHSS)scores in the UI group exceeded significantly those in the non-UI group,and both were significantly associated with initial UI.The 1 year mortality rate,patients'ADL dependence and mRS scores in the UI group exceeded those in the non-UI group significantly.Initial UI was also significantly associated with the 1 year outcome independently,as well as with age＞75 years,Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project(OCSP)classification and initial NIHSS score.Conclusion UI is common in the patients with TACS and higher initial NIHSS scores.Initial UI predicts a poor 1 year outcome,SO treatment should be strengthened.