Rol comunicativo del cuidador en pacientes con accidente cerebrovascular, Sincelejo, Colombia / The communicative role of caregivers assisting stroke patients from Sincelejo, Colombia / Papel comunicativo do cuidador em pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral, Sincelejo, Colômbia

Introducción: Las enfermedades cerebrovasculares son consideradas un problema de salud pública que afectan muchas capacidades en el individuo, entre ellas la comunicación; de esta manera el cuidador cumple un papel fundamental en su recuperación. Objetivo: Describir el rol comunicativo del cuidador en la atención a pacientes con secuelas de accidente cerebrovascular en la ciudad de Sincelejo, Colombia. Materiales y métodos: Paradigma positivista, enfoque cuantitativo y estudio descriptivo de corte transversal realizado con 40 cuidadores, seleccionados según muestreo por criterios y reclutamiento en cadena. Se utilizó una encuesta sociodemográfica, una sobre favorecimiento y bienestar comunicativo y Escala Likert, se realizó análisis de fiabilidad y consistencia interna del instrumento. Resultados: Predominaron cuidadores de sexo femenino, sobresale el cuidador informal, con estudios de secundaria y estrato socioeconómico bajo. Se encontró una actitud favorable en la competencia del ser y saber hacer, prima el buen trato, justicia y respeto. La competencia del saber evidenció actitud desfavorable, caracterizada por un conocimiento limitado frente a la patología, insuficientes destrezas, técnicas y habilidades para cumplir sus funciones y estrategias empleadas. Conclusión: Es necesario cualificar al cuidador en la atención del paciente con accidente cerebrovascular, mediante programas de que dinamicen la competencia del ser, saber y saber hacer

Introduction: Cerebrovascular diseases are a public health problem affecting the different capabilities of patients, including communication. Thus, caregivers play a fundamental role in their recovery. Objective: To describe the communicative role of caregivers in the support of patients with stroke sequelae in the city of Sincelejo, Colombia. Materials and methods: A positivist paradigm, quantitative approach, and descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out with 40 caregivers, who were selected according to criteria sampling and chain recruitment. A sociodemographic survey about favorability and communicative well-being as well as the Likert Scale were applied. A reliability and internal consistency analysis was conducted. Results: The majority of caregivers were women. Informal caregivers, with high school education, and belonging to low socioeconomic status were also predominant. A positive attitude regarding competences such as being and knowing what to do; appropriate treatment of patients, with justice and respect, were observed as common features. The knowledge competence was considered unfavorable, which was characterized by limited understanding regarding pathology, strategies used, and insufficient skills, techniques, and abilities to fulfill their functions. Conclusions: Caregivers of stroke patients should be qualified through programs that improve the being, knowing, and knowing how to do competencies.

Introdução: As doenças cerebrovasculares são consideradas um problema de saúde pública que afeta diversas capacidades do indivíduo, incluindo a comunicação; desta forma, o cuidador desempenha um papel fundamental na sua recuperação. Objetivo: Descrever o papel comunicativo do cuidador no cuidado de pacientes com sequelas de acidente vascular cerebral na cidade de Sincelejo, Colômbia. Materiais e métodos: Paradigma positivista, abordagem quantitativa e estudo transversal descritivo realizado com 40 cuidadores, selecionados segundo critérios de amostragem e recrutamento em cadeia. Foi utilizado um inquérito sociodemográfico, um de favorabilidade e bem-estar comunicativo e uma Escala Likert, foi realizada uma análise da fiabilidade e consistência interna do instrumento. Resultados: Predominaram cuidadores do sexo feminino, destacando-se os cuidadores informais, com escolaridade média e baixo nível socioeconômico. Encontrou-se na competição uma atitude favorável por ser e saber fazer, prevalecendo o bom tratamento, a justiça e o respeito. A competência conhecimento apresentou atitude desfavorável, caracterizada por conhecimento limitado sobre a patologia, habilidades, técnicas e habilidades insuficientes para cumprir suas funções e estratégias utilizadas. Conclusões: É necessário qualificar o cuidador no cuidado ao paciente com AVC, por meio de programas que potencializem a competência de ser, saber e saber fazer.

Competências do enfermeiro no cuidado a pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral elegíveis à terapia trombolítica / Competencias de enfermería en el cuidado de personas con accidente cerebrovascular elegibles para terapia trombolítica / Nursing competencies in the care of patients with stroke who are eligible for thrombolytic therapy

Resumo Introdução: O acidente vascular cerebral isquêmico tem como tratamento a terapia trombolítica, aplicada ainda na fase aguda, promovendo melhora importante nas sequelas acarretadas por este agravo. Considerando a complexidade da terapia trombolítica, torna-se necessário que os enfermeiros compreendam suas competências para auxiliar no cuidado. Objetivo: Identificar evidências científicas acerca das competências do enfermeiro no cuidado a pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral elegíveis à terapia trombolítica. Metodologia: Revisão integrativa composta por seis etapas em seis etapas (elaboração da questão, busca na literatura, coleta de dados, análise, discussão e apresentação da revisão), realizada nas bases de dados MEDLINE, LILACS, BDENF, IBECS, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase e CINAHL. A busca foi realizada entre agosto e setembro de 2022 adotando como critérios de inclusão estudos primários; gratuitos, disponíveis eletronicamente na íntegra; nos idiomas inglês, português e espanhol. Foram obtidos inicialmente 2.830 estudos, os quais passaram por uma seleção, onde foram incluídos aqueles que atendiam os critérios previamente estabelecidos. Resultados: Com base nos doze estudos incluídos nesta revisão identificaram-se competências voltadas à três atividades do cuidado: gestão do cuidado como trabalho em equipe, códigos, fluxos e protocolos, assistência ao paciente antes, durante e após a utilização da terapia trombolítica e educação em saúde para equipe, pacientes e familiares. Conclusão: Os achados desta revisão puderam evidenciar as competências do enfermeiro no cuidado aos pacientes elegíveis a terapia trombolítica, as quais perpassam diferentes áreas de atuação do enfermeiro. Para este estudo prevaleceram as competências assistências, seguida por competências gerenciais.

Resumen Introducción: El accidente cerebrovascular isquémico se trata con terapia trombolítica, aplicada incluso en la fase aguda, que promueve una mejoría significativa de las secuelas provocadas por este padecimiento. Considerando la complejidad de la terapia trombolítica, es necesario que las personas profesionales de enfermería comprendan sus competencias para ayudar en el cuidado. Objetivo: Identificar evidencias científicas sobre las competencias del personal de enfermería en el cuidado de pacientes con accidente cerebrovascular elegibles para terapia trombolítica. Metodología: Revisión integradora que consta de seis etapas (elaboración de la pregunta, búsqueda bibliográfica, recolección de datos, análisis, discusión y presentación de la revisión), realizada en las bases de dados MEDLINE, LILACS, BDENF, IBECS, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase y CINAHL. La búsqueda se realizó entre agosto y septiembre de 2022. Los criterio de inclusión fueron: estudios primarios, gratuito, disponible electrónicamente en su totalidad, en inglés, portugués y español. Inicialmente se obtuvieron 2830 estudios, los cuales fueron sometidos a un proceso de selección, que incluyó aquellos que cumplían con los criterios previamente establecidos. Resultados: A partir de los doce estudios incluidos en esta revisión, se identificaron competencias centradas en tres actividades asistenciales: gestión del cuidado como trabajo en equipo, códigos, flujos y protocolos, atención a pacientes antes, durante y después del uso de la terapia trombolítica y educación en salud para personal, pacientes y familias. Conclusión: Los hallazgos de esta revisión pudieron resaltar las competencias de las personas profesionales en enfermería en el cuidado de personas elegibles para terapia trombolítica, que abarcan diferentes áreas de actuación del personal de enfermería. Para este estudio, prevalecieron las habilidades asistenciales, seguidas de las competencias gerenciales.

ABSTRACT Introduction: Ischemic stroke is treated with thrombolytic therapy, applied even in the acute phase, promoting a significant improvement in the after-effects caused by this condition. Considering the complexity of thrombolytic therapy, it is necessary for nurses to understand the skills required to assist in care. Objective: To identify scientific evidence about the competencies of nurses in the care of patients with stroke who are eligible for thrombolytic therapy. Methodology: An integrative review consisting of six stages (elaboration of the question, literature review, data collection, analysis, discussion, and presentation), conducted in MEDLINE, LILACS, BDENF, IBECS, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and CINAHL databases. The search was carried out between August and September 2022 using primary studies as the inclusion criteria: free of charge, fully available electronically, published in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. Initially, 2.830 studies were obtained, which underwent a selection process that included only those studies that met the previously established criteria. Results: Based on the twelve studies included in this review, competencies focused on three care activities were identified: care management such as teamwork; codes; flows and protocols; patient care before, during, and after the use of thrombolytic therapy; and education health education for staff, patients, and families. Conclusion: The findings of this review highlighted the nurses' competencies in the care of patients eligible for thrombolytic therapy, which encompass different areas of the nurse's work. For this study, assistance competencies prevailed, followed by management competencies.

Preliminary Study on Application of Combined Monitoring of Neuroelectrophysiology-Intracranial Pressure-Cerebral Perfusion Pressure in Craniotomy for Intracranial Aneurysm Clipping: An Anatomical and Clinical Study

SUMMARY: Intracranial aneurysm is a common cerebrovascular disease with high mortality. Neurosurgical clipping for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms can easily lead to serious postoperative complications. Studies have shown that intraoperative monitoring of the degree of cerebral ischemia is extremely important to ensure the safety of operation and improve the prognosis of patients. Aim of this study was to probe the application value of combined monitoring of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM)-intracranial pressure (ICP)-cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) in craniotomy clipping of intracranial aneurysms. From January 2020 to December 2022, 126 patients in our hospital with intracranial aneurysms who underwent neurosurgical clipping were randomly divided into two groups. One group received IONM monitoring during neurosurgical clipping (control group, n=63), and the other group received IONM-ICP-CPP monitoring during neurosurgical clipping (monitoring group, n=63). The aneurysm clipping and new neurological deficits at 1 day after operation were compared between the two groups. Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score and national institutes of health stroke scale (NIHSS) score were compared before operation, at 1 day and 3 months after operation. Glasgow outcome scale (GOS) and modified Rankin scale (mRS) were compared at 3 months after operation. All aneurysms were clipped completely. Rate of new neurological deficit at 1 day after operation in monitoring group was 3.17 % (2/63), which was markedly lower than that in control group of 11.11 % (7/30) (P0.05). Combined monitoring of IONM-ICP-CPP can monitor the cerebral blood flow of patients in real time during neurosurgical clipping, according to the monitoring results, timely intervention measures can improve the consciousness state of patients in early postoperative period and reduce the occurrence of early postoperative neurological deficits.

El aneurisma intracraneal es una enfermedad cerebrovascular común con alta mortalidad. El clipaje neuroquirúrgico para el tratamiento de aneurismas intracraneales puede provocar complicaciones posoperatorias graves. Los estudios han demostrado que la monitorización intraoperatoria del grado de isquemia cerebral es extremadamente importante para garantizar la seguridad de la operación y mejorar el pronóstico de los pacientes. El objetivo de este estudio fue probar el valor de la aplicación de la monitorización combinada de la monitorización neurofisiológica intraoperatoria (IONM), la presión intracraneal (PIC) y la presión de perfusión cerebral (CPP) en el clipaje de craneotomía de aneurismas intracraneales. Desde enero de 2020 hasta diciembre de 2022, 126 pacientes de nuestro hospital con aneurismas intracraneales que se sometieron a clipaje neuroquirúrgico se dividieron aleatoriamente en dos grupos. Un grupo recibió monitorización IONM durante el clipaje neuroquirúrgico (grupo de control, n=63) y el otro grupo recibió monitorización IONM-ICP-CPP durante el clipaje neuroquirúrgico (grupo de monitorización, n=63). Se compararon entre los dos grupos el recorte del aneurisma y los nuevos déficits neurológicos un día después de la operación. La puntuación de la escala de coma de Glasgow (GCS) y la puntuación de la escala de accidentes cerebrovasculares de los institutos nacionales de salud (NIHSS) se compararon antes de la operación, 1 día y 3 meses después de la operación. La escala de resultados de Glasgow (GOS) y la escala de Rankin modificada (mRS) se compararon 3 meses después de la operación. Todos los aneurismas fueron cortados por completo. La tasa de nuevo déficit neurológico 1 día después de la operación en el grupo de seguimiento fue del 3,17 % (2/63), que fue notablemente inferior a la del grupo de control del 11,11 % (7/30) (P 0,05). La monitorización combinada de IONM-ICP-CPP puede controlar el flujo sanguíneo cerebral de los pacientes en tiempo real durante el corte neuroquirúrgico; de acuerdo con los resultados de la monitorización, las medidas de intervención oportunas pueden mejorar el estado de conciencia de los pacientes en el período postoperatorio temprano y reducir la aparición de problemas postoperatorios tempranos y déficits neurológicos.

Improving walking via real-time visual feedback after stroke in treadmill training (RE-VISIT): a protocol for randomized controlled trial / Melhorando a caminhada por meio de feedback visual em tempo real após acidente vascular cerebral em treinamento em esteira (RE-VISIT): um protocolo para ensaio clínico randomizado

BACKGROUND: After a stroke, most patients often suffer reduced walking ability and balance. Restoring walking ability and improving balance are major goals of stroke rehabilitation. Treadmills are often used in clinical setups to achieve these goals. Adding dimensions to the visual feedback in addition to the mirror for real-time frontal view is proven to enhance the gait. It is, therefore, important to design additional real-time visual feedback in treadmill training, in particular for the sagittal view involved side. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to test if the real-time sagittal visual feedback during treadmill training is superior to the conventional mirror feedback treadmill training program of equivalent intensity in improving walking speed and balance after stroke. METHODS/DESIGN: The RE-VISIT trial (Real-time Visual feedback after Stroke in Treadmill training) is registered in the Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI/2023/10/058299). In this two-arm randomized control trial, which will be a single-blinded study, 42 eligible stroke survivors undergoing rehabilitation will be randomly allocated (1:1 ratio) to either real-time visual sagittal feedback along with front mirror (experimental) group or only front mirror treadmill training (control) group, all the participants will receive 15 sessions of treadmill training for up to 15 min at a safe self-selected speed over 5-6 weeks. The RE-VISIT (experimental) group will receive real-time, visual sagittal view feedback of the involved lower limb trajectory along with the routine front mirror view during treadmill training and will be asked to modify their gait pattern. The control group will receive treadmill walking training only with the routine front mirror view feedback. Clinical and gait assessments will be conducted at the baseline, immediately following the final session of training, and at the 9th week during follow-up. The outcome measures of interest are walking speed (primary) and balance (secondary), which will be measured prior to baseline, post 15 sessions of training, and at the 9th week following training. DISCUSSION: This REVISIT trial will provide insight and contribute to the existing innovation and modifications of incorporating realtime visual feedback during treadmill training in post-stroke gait rehabilitation. The findings will help the better designing of a gait rehabilitation program with a treadmill for post-stroke subjects to improve walking speed, and balance for those who have greater difficulties in community ambulation. We anticipate that those in the REVISIT training will demonstrate improved walking ability.

CONTEXTO: Após o acidente vascular cerebral, a maioria dos pacientes frequentemente sofre redução da capacidade de caminhar e do equilíbrio. Restaurar a capacidade de caminhar e melhorar o equilíbrio são os principais objetivos da reabilitação do AVC. As esteiras são frequentemente usadas em ambientes clínicos para atingir esses objetivos. Está comprovado que adicionar dimensões ao feedback visual, além do espelho para visão frontal em tempo real, melhora a marcha. É, portanto, importante projetar feedbacks visuais adicionais em tempo real no treinamento em esteira, em particular para o lado envolvido na visão sagital. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo é testar se o feedback visual sagital em tempo real durante o treinamento em esteira é superior ao programa de treinamento em esteira com feedback de espelho convencional de intensidade equivalente na melhoria da velocidade de caminhada e equilíbrio após acidente vascular cerebral. MÉTODOS/ DESENHO: O ensaio RE-VISIT (feedback visual em tempo real após acidente vascular cerebral no treinamento em esteira) está registrado no Registro de Ensaios Clínicos da Índia (CTRI/2023/10/058299). Neste ensaio de controle randomizado de dois braços, que será um estudo cego, 42 sobreviventes de AVC elegíveis em reabilitação serão alocados aleatoriamente (proporção de 1:1) para feedback sagital visual em tempo real junto com grupo de espelho frontal (experimental) ou apenas Grupo de treinamento em esteira com espelho frontal (controle), todos os participantes receberão 15 sessões de treinamento em esteira por até 15 minutos em uma velocidade segura e autosselecionada durante 5-6 semanas. O grupo RE-VISIT (experimental) receberá feedback visual em tempo real da visão sagital da trajetória dos membros inferiores envolvidos, juntamente com a visão rotineira do espelho frontal durante o treinamento em esteira e será solicitado a modificar seu padrão de marcha. O grupo de controle receberá treinamento de caminhada em esteira apenas com o feedback rotineiro da visão do espelho frontal. Avaliações clínicas e de marcha serão realizadas no início do estudo, imediatamente após a sessão final de treinamento e na 9ª semana durante o acompanhamento. As medidas de resultados de interesse são a velocidade de caminhada (primária) e o equilíbrio (secundário), que serão medidos antes da linha de base, após a 15ª sessão de treinamento e na 9ª semana após o treinamento. DISCUSSÃO: este ensaio REVISIT fornecerá insights e contribuirá para a inovação e modificações existentes na incorporação de feedbacks visuais em tempo real durante o treinamento em esteira na reabilitação da marcha pós-AVC. As descobertas ajudarão no melhor desenho de um programa de reabilitação da marcha com esteira para indivíduos pós-AVC para melhorar a velocidade de caminhada e o equilíbrio para aqueles que têm maiores dificuldades na deambulação comunitária. Prevemos que aqueles no treinamento REVISIT demonstrarão melhor capacidade de caminhada.

Efectividad de la Terapia Acuática en la Función Motora Gruesa en Población Infantojuvenil con Parálisis Cerebral. Una Revisión Narrativa / Effectiveness of Aquatic Therapy on Gross Motor Function in Children and Young People with Cerebral Palsy. A Narrative Review

Introducción. La parálisis cerebral (PC) es una de las principales causas de discapacidad en la población infantil, afectando diversas áreas del desarrollo como la función motora gruesa; equilibrio y marcha. Hay evidencia de los beneficios de la terapia acuática y de cómo puede complementar la rehabilitación. Objetivo. Describir la efectividad de las intervenciones acuáticas en personas con PC, determinar mejoras en la función motora gruesa uso de métodos, protocolos y dosificación. Métodos. Se analizaron 9 estudios aleatorizados controlados desde el 2012 a la fecha, seleccionados por un experto y cuyos sujetos tenían PC espástica, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) I a IV, entre los 2 y 20 años. Post intervención acuática se reportan mejoras significativas en el promedio de los ítems medidos por Gross motor function measure (GMFM). De los métodos que contribuyeron a mejoras se encuentra Halliwick y ejercicios acuáticos sin un programa específico. Resultados. Se obtuvieron mejoras de 35 a 100 minutos, y de 12 a 30 sesiones en total. No se logra concluir el tipo de terapia más efectiva, ya que las medidas de resultado y las características de los sujetos eran diversas. Conclusión. Una dosificación mínima de 2 veces por semana, 35 minutos de intervención en un total de 16 sesiones (9,3 horas en total) pareciera mejorar la función motora gruesa, cuyos resultados son transferibles a las actividades en tierra inmediatamente, sin embargo, no se obtiene información si se mantienen a mediano o largo plazo.

Background. Cerebral palsy (CP) is one of the main causes of disability in the child population, affecting various areas of development such as gross motor function; balance and gait. There is evidence of the benefits of aquatic therapy and how it can complement rehabilitation. Objective. to describe the effectiveness of aquatic interventions in people with CP, to determine improvements in gross motor function using methods, protocols, and dosage. Methods. Nine randomized controlled studies were analyzed from 2012 to date, selected by an expert and whose subjects had spastic CP, Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) I to IV, between 2 and 20 years of age. Results. After the aquatic intervention, significant improvements were reported in the average of the Gross motor function measure (GMFM) items measured. Of the methods that contributed to improvements, there is Halliwick and aquatic exercises without a specific program. Results. Improvements were obtained from 35 to 100 minutes, and from 12 to 30 sessions in total. It is not possible to conclude the most effective type of therapy, since the outcome measures and the characteristics of the subjects were diverse. Conclusion. A minimum dosage of 2 times per week, 35 minutes of intervention in a total of 16 sessions (9.3 hours in total) seems to improve gross motor function, the results of which are immediately transferable to activities on land, however, it is not obtains information if they are maintained in the medium or long term.

Efficiency of pulsed electromagnetic field and neuromuscular electrical stimulation on painful shoulder following stroke / Eficiência do campo eletromagnético pulsado e da estimulação elétrica neuromuscular em ombro doloroso após acidente vascular cerebral

INTRODUCTION: Shoulder pain after stroke, a complication with a prevalence of up to 16­84% usually occurs after 2­3 months and leads to patients withdrawing from rehabilitation programs, staying in the hospital longer, having less limb function and having a great negative impact on their quality of life. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of PEMF and NMES in reducing shoulder pain in patients with stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective, randomized controlled trial included 51 patients with shoulder pain following stroke. The patients were randomly assigned to three groups (17 people in each group): Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF), Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) and Control group. The outcome measures were Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) and Fugl Meyer Assessment­Upper Extremity (FMA-UE), Active and Passive Range of Motion (AROM/PROM) assessed at the baseline, six weeks into the intervention, and one week into the follow-up. RESULTS: VAS score for pain showed a mean change of 1.60, 1.60 and 4.94 in PEMF, NMES, and control respectively after 20 sessions. It showed pain was significantly improved in all the groups (p<0.001), but the effectiveness of the PEMF and NMES groups was superior to the control group. CONCLUSION: The current literature showed that PEMF & NMES are effective in improving post-stroke shoulder pain, spasticity, range of motion and motor function and a novel method for stroke patients undergoing rehabilitation.

INTRODUÇÃO: Dor no ombro após acidente vascular cerebral com prevalência de 16­84% geralmente ocorre após 2­3 meses e pode resultar na suspensão de programas de reabilitação, internações hospitalares mais longas e redução da função dos membros, prejudicando qualidade de vida dos pacientes com AVC. O objetivo do presente estudo foi determinar o efeito da PEMF e da EENM na redução da dor no ombro em pacientes com acidente vascular cerebral. MATERIAL E MÉTODOS: Um estudo prospectivo, randomizado e controlado incluiu 51 pacientes com dor no ombro pós-AVC. Os pacientes foram divididos aleatoriamente em três grupos (17 pessoas em cada grupo): grupo Campo Eletromagnético Pulsado (PEMF), grupo Estimulação Elétrica Neuromuscular (EENM) e grupo Controle. As medidas de resultados foram na Escala Visual Analógica (VAS), Escala de Ashworth Modificada (MAS) e Avaliação de Fugl Meyer ­ Extremidade Superior (FMA-UE), Amplitude de Movimento (AROM/PROM) foram avaliadas no início do estudo, após seis semanas de tratamento, e após um acompanhamento semanal. RESULTADOS: A pontuação VAS para dor mostrada uma alteração média de 1,60, 1,60 e 4,94 na PEMF, EENM e Controle, respectivamente, após 20 sessões. Mostrou melhora significativa entre os três grupos (p<0,001), mas a eficácia do grupo PEMF e EENM foi superior ao grupo Controle. CONCLUSÃO: O presente estudo mostrou que PEMF e EENM são eficazes na melhora da dor no ombro pós-AVC, espasticidade, amplitude de movimento e função motora e um novo método para pacientes com AVC em reabilitação. Nossas descobertas indicam que a eficácia da EENM é claramente superior à do PEMF na manutenção da analgesia a longo prazo.

Acupuncture for generalized anxiety disorder: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

During the COVID-19 outbreak, there was a sharp increase in generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Acupuncture therapy has the advantages of accurate clinical efficacy, safety and reliability, few adverse reactions, and no dependence, and is gradually becoming one of the emerging therapies for treating GAD. We present a study protocol for a randomized clinical trial with the aim of exploring the mechanism of brain plasticity in patients with GAD and evaluate the effectiveness and reliability of acupuncture treatment. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) will be used to assess cortical excitability in GAD patients and healthy people. Sixty-six GAD patients meeting the inclusion criteria will be randomly divided into two groups: TA group, (treatment with acupuncture and basic western medicine treatment) and SA group (sham acupuncture and basic western medicine treatment). Twenty healthy people will be recruited as the control group (HC). The parameters that will be evaluated are amplitude of motor evoked potentials (MEPs), cortical resting period (CSP), resting motor threshold (RMT), and Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA) score. Secondary results will include blood analysis of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA), glutamate (Glu), glutamine (Gln), serotonin (5-HT), and brain-derived nerve growth factor (BDNF). Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and after the intervention (week 8). This study protocol is the first clinical trial designed to detect differences in cerebral cortical excitability between healthy subjects and patients with GAD, and the comparison of clinical efficacy and reliability before and after acupuncture intervention is also one of the main contents of the protocol. We hope to find a suitable non-pharmacological alternative treatment for patients with GAD.

Radionecrosis cerebral en un adulto

Se presenta el caso clínico de un paciente de 37 años de edad con el antecedente de haber recibido radioterapia por una lesión tumoral en la región frontal derecha, el cual acudió a consulta en el Instituto de Neurología y Neurocirugía de Cuba por presentar cefalea intensa y hemiparesia izquierda. Luego de realizados los exámenes necesarios, se estableció el diagnóstico clínico-imagenológico de lesión por radionecrosis en el hemisferio contralateral, que fue corroborado en el estudio anatomopatológico una vez que se extirpó el tumor; seguidamente, se indicó inmunoterapia. La evolución del paciente fue satisfactoria, pues se logró el control de la enfermedad y la resolución de los síntomas.

The case report of a 37-year-old patient with history of having received radiotherapy due to a tumor lesion in the right frontal region is presented, who attended to the Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Cuba because of intense headache and left hemiparesis. After carrying out the necessary examinations, the clinical-imaging diagnosis of a radionecrosis lesion in the contralateral hemisphere was established, which was corroborated in the pathological examination once the tumor was removed; then, immunotherapy was indicated. The patient had a favorable clinical course because the control of the disease was achieved as well as the resolution of symptoms.

Craniectomía descompresiva en infarto de arteria cerebral media bilateral asociado a COVID-19. Reporte de caso / Decompressive Craniectomy in Bilateral Middle Cerebral Artery Infarction Associated with COVID-19: A Case Report

Resumen El nuevo síndrome respiratorio agudo severo por coronavirus tipo 2 (SARS-CoV-2) que causa la enfermedad por COVID-19, se detectó por primera vez en diciembre de 2019. En donde se ha visto que existe un estado protrombótico con afección al sistema nervioso central, con afectación a vasos de gran calibre como la arteria cerebral media, se debe a mecanismos inducidos por la propia infección, estado de hipercoagulabilidad y daño endotelial. Las manifestaciones neurológicas en el COVID-19 se encuentran en el 36% de los pacientes. Descripción del caso: Se trata de un paciente del sexo masculino, de 36 años de edad, con fiebre, tos y malestar general, a quien se le realizó una prueba COVID que resultó positiva, con empeoramiento del cuadro al que se agregó fotofobia, hemiparesia derecha y desviación de la comisura labial hacia la izquierda, por lo que fue llevado a un facultativo 8 horas después del inicio del cuadro clínico. Ahí se realizó una tomografía de cráneo simple que evidenció infarto extenso de la arteria cerebral media izquierda, con edema cerebral maligno, el cual se derivó a manejo quirúrgico de urgencia donde se le realizó una craniectomía descompresiva izquierda extensa. Después de esto, se mantuvo con asistencia respiratoria por intubación mecánica y medidas antiedema cerebral, y se logró que hubiera progresión ventilatoria; sin embargo, se le realizó traqueostomía y gastrostomía por presentar malos predictores de extubación. Se mantuvo en observación posquirúrgica y quedó con hemiparesia 3/5 derecha, sin algún otro déficit, por lo que se dio egreso a domicilio. Discusión: El caso presentado fue manejado con craniectomía descompresiva extensa, y se obtuvo mejoría en la supervivencia y pronóstico funcional, al igual que lo reportado en la literatura médica, en donde se recomienda que dicho manejo se realice de forma temprana. Conclusiones: El presente informe nos revela que aquellos pacientes hombres jóvenes en la cuarta y quinta década de la vida, con COVID-19 e infarto de arteria cerebral media, se presentan sin comorbilidades al darse tratamiento temprano con hemicraniectomía descompresiva, el cual mejora su pronóstico de vida, concordando con los casos presentados en la literatura médica.

Abstract The new severe acute respiratory syndrome due to coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes COVID-19 disease, was detected for the first time in December 2019. Where it has been seen that there is a prothrombotic state with involvement of the Central Nervous, with involvement of large vessels such as the middle cerebral artery, is due to mechanisms induced by the infection itself, hypercoagulable state and endothelial damage. Neurological manifestations in COVID-19 are found in 36% of patients. Case description: This is a 36-year-old male patient with fever, cough and general malaise. A COVID test was performed, which came out positive. His condition was getting worse adding photophobia, right hemiparesis and deviation of the corner of the mouth to the left, which is why he went to the doctor, arriving 8 hours after the onset of the clinical picture, where a simple skull tomography was performed, showing extensive infarction of the left middle cerebral artery with malignant cerebral edema. He was transferred to emergency surgical management where a left decompressive craniectomy was performed. After this, mechanical respiratory assistance with intubation and anti-cerebral edema measures were maintained, achieving ventilatory progression; however, a tracheostomy and gastrostomy were performed due to poor predictors of extubation. He was kept under post-surgical observation, leaving him with 3/5 right hemiparesis, without any other deficit, therefore, he was discharged home. Discussion: The case presented was managed with decompressive craniectomy, resulting in an improvement in survival, as reported in the literature where it is recommended that such management should be performed early. Conclusions: This report reveals that patients with COVID-19 present in young men in the fourth and fifth decade of life, without comorbidities, that recieved early treatment with decompressive hemicraniectomy, improved their life prognosis, consistent with the cases presented in the literature.

Treatment of gastric varices with cyanoacrylate complicated by systemic embolization / Tratamiento de várices gástricas con cianoacrilato complicado con embolización sistémica

ABSTRACT Acute gastric variceal bleeding is a life-threatening condition that could be effectively treated with endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection diluted with lipiodol. The mixture acts as a tissue adhesive that polymerizes when in contact with blood in a gastric varix. This work reports a patient that presented to the emergency department with upper gastrointestinal bleeding due to acute variceal bleeding, who developed systemic embolization following cyanoacrylate injection therapy. This complication culminated in cerebral, splenic and renal infarctions with a fatal outcome. Systemic embolization is a very rare, but the most severe complication associated with endoscopic cyanoacrylate injection and should be considered in patients undergoing this treatment.

RESUMEN La hemorragia digestiva por várices gástricas es una afección potencialmente mortal que puede tratarse eficazmente con la inyección endoscópica de cianoacrilato diluida con lipiodol. La mezcla actúa como un adhesivo tisular que se polimeriza cuando entra en contacto con la sangre de la várice gástrica. Este trabajo nos reporta un paciente que acudió al servicio de urgencias con hemorragia digestiva alta debido a hemorragia aguda por várices, que desarrolló embolización sistémica después de la terapia con inyección de cianoacrilato. Esta complicación culminó en infartos cerebrales, esplénicos y renales con desenlace fatal. La embolización sistémica es una complicación muy rara, pero con alta mortalidad, asociada con la inyección endoscópica de cianoacrilato y debe considerarse en pacientes sometidos a este tratamiento.

Mannitol inhibits the proliferation of neural stem cell by a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent signaling pathway / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

PURPOSE@#Mannitol is one of the first-line drugs for reducing cerebral edema through increasing the extracellular osmotic pressure. However, long-term administration of mannitol in the treatment of cerebral edema triggers damage to neurons and astrocytes. Given that neural stem cell (NSC) is a subpopulation of main regenerative cells in the central nervous system after injury, the effect of mannitol on NSC is still elusive. The present study aims to elucidate the role of mannitol in NSC proliferation.@*METHODS@#C57 mice were derived from the animal house of Zunyi Medical University. A total of 15 pregnant mice were employed for the purpose of isolating NSCs in this investigation. Initially, mouse primary NSCs were isolated from the embryonic cortex of mice and subsequently identified through immunofluorescence staining. In order to investigate the impact of mannitol on NSC proliferation, both cell counting kit-8 assays and neurospheres formation assays were conducted. The in vitro effects of mannitol were examined at various doses and time points. In order to elucidate the role of Aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in the suppressive effect of mannitol on NSC proliferation, various assays including reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, western blotting, and immunocytochemistry were conducted on control and mannitol-treated groups. Additionally, the phosphorylated p38 (p-p38) was examined to explore the potential mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of mannitol on NSC proliferation. Finally, to further confirm the involvement of the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent (MAPK) signaling pathway in the observed inhibition of NSC proliferation by mannitol, SB203580 was employed. All data were analyzed using SPSS 20.0 software (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL). The statistical analysis among multiple comparisons was performed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Turkey's post hoc test in case of the data following a normal distribution using a Shapiro-Wilk normality test. Comparisons between 2 groups were determined using Student's t-test, if the data exhibited a normal distribution using a Shapiro-Wilk normality test. Meanwhile, data were shown as median and interquartile range and analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, if the data failed the normality test. A p < 0.05 was considered as significant difference.@*RESULTS@#Primary NSC were isolated from the mice, and the characteristics were identified using immunostaining analysis. Thereafter, the results indicated that mannitol held the capability of inhibiting NSC proliferation in a dose-dependent and time-dependent manner using cell counting kit-8, neurospheres formation, and immunostaining of Nestin and Ki67 assays. During the process of mannitol suppressing NSC proliferation, the expression of AQP4 mRNA and protein was downregulated, while the gene expression of p-p38 was elevated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunostaining, and western blotting assays. Subsequently, the administration of SB203580, one of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway inhibitors, partially abrogated this inhibitory effect resulting from mannitol, supporting the fact that the p38 MAPK signaling pathway participated in curbing NSC proliferation induced by mannitol.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Mannitol inhibits NSC proliferation through downregulating AQP4, while upregulating the expression of p-p38 MAPK.

Comparison on Rat Models of Acute Cerebral Infarction Due to Stasis Combined with Toxin Complicated with Cerebral-cardiac Syndrome / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe and compare the electrocardiogram index， myocardial morphology， and connexin 43 （Cx43） expression of two rat models of acute cerebral infarction （ACI） due to stasis combined with toxin complicated with cerebral-cardiac syndrome （CCS）， and to provide experimental evidence for the research on the occurrence mechanism of cardiac diseases induced by ACI and the clinical diagnosis and treatment of CCS. MethodSixty SPF-grade male SD rats were randomized into six groups （n=10）： normal ， syndrome of stasis combined with toxin induced by carrageenin combined with dry yeast （CA/Y）， multi-infarct induced by micro-embolism （ME）， middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO）， CA/Y+ME， and CA/Y+MCAO groups. The model of syndrome of stasis combined with toxin was established by intraperitoneal injection with carrageenan （CA） at 10 mg·kg-1 on the first day and subcutaneous injection with dry yeast （Y） suspension （2 mg·kg-1） on the second day of modeling. Twenty-four hours after the modeling of ACI， the electrocardiograms （ECGs） of rats in each group were collected and the number/percentage （%） of abnormal ECG was calculated. The infarct area of the brain was evaluated by 2，3，5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining， and myocardial injury was assessed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Immumohistochemical staining and Western blot were employed to determine the expression of Cx43 in the myocardium. ResultA certain number of rats in each model group presented abnormal ECG. Compared with the normal group and CA/Y group， CA/Y+MCAO group had the highest rate of abnormal ECG （P<0.01）. Compared with the normal， CA/Y， ME， and CA/Y+ME groups， the CA/Y+ME and CA/Y+MCAO groups showed decreased amplitudes of P-wave and T-wave， shortened P-R interval， and extended Q-T interval， which were particularly obvious in the CA/Y+MCAO group （P<0.05， P<0.01） and in accordance with the cerebral infarction area and pathological changes. The expression of Cx43 was up-regulated in both CA/Y+ME and CA/Y+MCAO groups， especially in the CA/Y+MCAO group （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe two rat models of ACI due to stasis combined with toxin complicated with CCS can be used to study the mechanism of heart diseases caused by cerebrovascular diseases and the therapeutic effects of Chinese medicines with the functions of resolving stasis and detoxifying. Moreover， the CA/Y+MCAO method has higher abnormal electrocardiogram rate， severer myocardial pathological injury， and higher expression of Cx43 protein. The models can be chosen according to specific experimental purpose.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis presenting as intracerebral hemorrhage and subarachnoid hemorrhage: A case report

@#We present a 66-year-old male presenting with sudden onset of headache. Medical decompression was done and neuroimaging of plain cranial CT angiogram (CTA) and CT venogram (CTV) showed components of subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracerebral hemorrhage and hyperdense appearance of the superior sagittal sinus and proximal left transverse sinus. The following were done to look for etiologic factors: 1. fungal swab to determine the cause of the intracerebral hemorrhage secondary to venous thrombosis as the patient presented with a chronic history of sinusitis, 2. coagulopathy workup to look for a hypercoagulable state, and 3. workup for systemic disease of autoimmune in etiology. Anticoagulation was safely initiated within several days given the regression of the intracerebral hemorrhage along with stable findings of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Here we report cerebral venous sinus thrombosis rarely presenting as acute subarachnoid hemorrhage and intracerebral hemorrhage.

Role of Flavonoids in Traditional Chinese Medicine to Improve Cerebral Ischaemia-reperfusion Injury and Its Mechanism： A Review / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury （CIRI） has a very high incidence， disability， and mortality rates， which seriously affects human life and health. In recent years， modern medicine has made some progress in the diagnosis and treatment of CIRI， but there are still problems such as difficulties in postoperative rehabilitation and adverse drug reactions， and new therapeutic drugs for CIRI are urgently needed. As an important class of active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine， flavonoids can play antioxidant， apoptosis inhibition， anti-inflammatory， and other pharmacological effects to improve brain tissue damage， which is important for improving the quality of life of CIRI patients and slowing down the aging of the social population. Numerous studies have found that flavonoids in traditional Chinese medicine can regulate cell surface receptors Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-kappaB （TLR4/NF-κB）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B （PI3K/Akt）， adenylate-activated protein kinase/mammalian target of rapamycin protein （AMPK/mTOR）， Ras homologous gene family member A/Rho-associated coiled-coil protein kinase （RhoA/ROCK）， nuclear factor E2-associated factor 2/Kelch-like epoxychloropropane-associated protein-1/haemoglobin oxygenase 1 （Nrf2/Keap1/ HO-1）， Notch， and other signaling pathways， so as to regulate the transcription and expression of related proteins after CIRI， alleviate brain tissue injury， and improve CIRI. This paper analyzed the relevant literature in China and abroad in recent years， reviewed the mechanism of action and related pathways of flavonoids in traditional Chinese medicine to improve CIRI， and explored the new therapeutic direction of CIRI at the metabolic level， with a view to providing a basis for the further development and application of flavonoids in traditional Chinese medicine.

Analysis of cerebral gray matter structure in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica / 解剖学报

Objective The volume and cortical thickness of gray matter in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO) were compared and analyzed by voxel⁃based morphometry (VBM) and surface⁃based morphometry (SBM), and the differences in the structural changes of gray matter in the two diseases were discussed. Methods A total of 21 MS patients, 16 NMO patients and 19 healthy controls were scanned by routine MRI sequence. The data were processed and analyzed by VBM and SBM method based on the statistical parameter tool SPM12 of Matlab2014a platform and the small tool CAT12 under SPM12. Results Compared with the normal control group (NC), after Gaussian random field (GRF) correction, the gray matter volume in MS group was significantly reduced in left superior occipital, left cuneus, left calcarine, left precuneus, left postcentral, left central paracentral lobule, right cuneus, left middle frontal, left superior frontal and left superior medial frontal (P<0. 05). After family wise error (FWE) correction, the thickness of left paracentral, left superiorfrontal and left precuneus cortex in MS group was significantly reduced (P<0. 05). Compared with the NC group, after GRF correction, the gray matter volume in the left postcentral, left precentral, left inferior parietal, right precentral and right middle frontal in NMO group was significantly increased (P<0. 05). In NMO group, the volume of gray matter in left middle occipital, left superior occipital, left inferior temporal, right middle occipital, left superior frontal orbital, right middle cingulum, left anterior cingulum, right angular and left precuneus were significantly decreased (P<0. 05). Brain regions showed no significant differences in cortical thickness between NMO groups after FWE correction. Compared with the NMO group, after GRF correction, the gray matter volume in the right fusiform and right middle frontal in MS group was increased significantly(P<0. 05). In MS group, the gray matter volume of left thalamus, left pallidum, left precentral, left middle frontal, left middle temporal, right pallidum, left inferior parietal and right superior parietal were significantly decreased (P<0. 05). After FWE correction, the thickness of left inferiorparietal, left superiorparietal, left supramarginal, left paracentral, left superiorfrontal and left precuneus cortex in MS group decreased significantly (P<0. 05). Conclusion The atrophy of brain gray matter structure in MS patients mainly involves the left parietal region, while NMO patients are not sensitive to the change of brain gray matter structure. The significant difference in brain gray matter volume between MS patients and NMO patients is mainly located in the deep cerebral nucleus mass.

Effects of gastrodin on the expression of BDNF and IL-6 in the striatum of rats with cerebral ischemia / 中国临床药理学与治疗学

AIM: To investigate the effect of gastrodin on the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the striatum of cerebral ischemia rats, and to explore the potential mechanism of gastrodin in treating cerebral ischemia. METHODS: The rats were randomly divided into four groups: normal, sham, model, and gastrodin groups, each consisting of 10 rats. After successful modeling using middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), the gastrodin group received intraperitoneal injection of gastrodin injection at a dose of 10 mg/kg once a day for 14 consecutive days. Pathological changes in striatal neurons were observed using Nissl staining. Immunohistochemistry was utilized to detect positive expression of BDNF and IL-6 proteins in the striatum. Additionally, immunoblot analysis was performed to determine the expression levels of BDNF and IL-6 proteins in the striatum. RESULTS: Nissl staining revealed clear and intact structures of striatal neurons in the normal and sham groups, with tightly arranged cells. In the model group, the number of cells was significantly reduced compared to the sham group (P0.05). Compared to the sham group, the model group showed a decrease in the protein expression level of BDNF in the striatum on the ischemic side (P<0.01) and an increase in the protein expression level of IL-6 (P<0.05, P<0.01). In contrast, the gastrodin group showed an increase in the protein expression level of BDNF in the striatum on the ischemic side (P<0.05, P<0.01) and a decrease in the protein expression level of IL-6 (P< 0.05, P<0.01) compared to the model group. CONCLUSION: Gastrodin has a significant protective effect on striatal injury caused by cerebral ischemia, and its mechanism may be related to the up-regulation of the anti-inflammatory factor BDNF and the down-regulation of the pro-inflammatory factor IL-6.

Effects of Tao Hong Si Wu decoction on IncRNA expression in rats with occlusion of middle cerebral artery / 中国药理学通报

Aim To screen and study the expression of long non-coding RNA (IncRNA) in rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with MCAO treated with Tao Hong Si Wu decoction (THSWD) and determine the possible molecular mechanism of THSWD in treating MCAO rats. Methods Three cerebral hemisphere tissue were obtained from the control group, MCAO group and MCAO + THSWD group. RNA sequencing technology was used to identify IncRNA gene expression in the three groups. THSWD-regulated IncRNA genes were identified, and then a THSWD-regu-lated IncRNA-mRNA network was constructed. MCODE plug-in units were used to identify the modules of IncRNA-mRNA networks. Gene ontology (GO) and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) were used to analyze the enriched biological functions and signaling pathways. Cis- and trans-regulatory genes for THSWD-regulated IncRNAs were identified. Reverse transcription real-time quantitative pol-ymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to verify IncRNAs. Molecular docking was used to identify IncRNA-mRNA network targets and pathway-associated proteins. Results In MCAO rats, THSWD regulated a total of 302 IncRNAs. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that some core IncRNAs might play an important role in the treatment of MCAO rats with THSWD, and we further found that THSWD might also treat MCAO rats through multiple pathways such as IncRNA-mRNA network and network-enriched complement and coagulation cascades. The results of molecular docking showed that the active compounds gallic acid and a-mygdalin of THSWD had a certain binding ability to protein targets. Conclusions THSWD can protect the brain injury of MCAO rats through IncRNA, which may provide new insights for the treatment of ischemic stroke with THSWD.

Geraniol attenuates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by regulating oxidative stress via Nrf2/HO-1 pathway / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the regulatory effect of geraniol on Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)in rats. Methods In this experiment,all the male SD rats were randomly divided into nine groups receiving the following treatments:sham operation(sham); sham operation+200 mg·kg-1 geraniol; I/R; I/R+50 mg·kg-1 geraniol; I/R+100 mg/kg geraniol; I/R+200 mg·kg-1 geraniol; edaravone; I/R+ brusatol(Nrf2 inhibitor); I/R+200mg·kg-1 geraniol+brusatol. All rats received intraperitoneal injection of geraniol for five consecutive days before MCAO and again after MCAO. During the construction of cerebral I/R injury models,the blood vessels were isolated without any suture in the sham operation and the sham operation +200 mg·kg-1 geraniol groups while the blood vessels with suture in other groups. The damage of neurological function was evaluated by the modified rating scale for neurological function. The TTC,HE and Tunel staining methods were used to determine the cerebral infarction volume,the damage of the ischemic cortex and the apoptosis of cortical cells,respectively. The oxidative stress-related parameters then were measured. The protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1 were detected by immunohistochemical staining and the target protein expressions of the injured cortex were detected by Western blot. Results Compared with the model group,it was found that the geraniol treatment significantly repaired neural injury,reduced cerebral infarction volume,cerebral cortex damage and cell apoptosis. Meanwhile,geraniol intervention could significantly increase the expression of Nrf2/HO-1 protein in the right-sided cortex and reduce oxidative stress level. Conclusion Geraniol can attenuate cerebral injury induced by ischemia-reperfusion in rats via activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

Dynamic changes in cytoskeletal elements following acute cerebral ischemia and reperfusion in rats / 中国药理学通报

Aim To investigate the dynamic time-course changes in neuronal cytoskeleton after acute ischemia and reperfusion in rats. Methods Reperfusion was performedin rats by blocking the middle cerebralarteryfor 90 min, then therats wereobserved and collected at different time points. The brain damage wasobserved by Nissl staining,and neurobehavioural function was evaluated with neurological deficit score and forelimb placement test. The cellular changes in the alternations of cytoskeletal elements including microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP2) and neurofilament heavy chain (NF-H) were observed by immunohistochemistry staining and Western blot. Impaired axons, dendrites and cytoskeletal alternations were detected by electron microscope. Results Brain damage and neurobehavioural function were gradually aggravated with the prolongation of reperfusion. Brain damage appeared earlier and more severe in striatum than in cortex. Moreover, decreased MAP2-related and increased NF-H-related immunoreactive intensities were found in the ischemic areas. Impaired cytoskeletal arrangement and reduced dense were indicated. Damaged cytoskeletal components such as microtubules and neurofilament arrangement, decreased axonal filament density, and swelled dendrites were observed after cerebral ischemia reperfusion by ultrastructural observations. Conclusions Different brain regions have diverse tolerance to ischemia-reperfusion injury. Major elements of neuronal cytoskeleton show dynamic responses to ischemia and reperfusion, which may further contribute to brain damage and neurological impairment following MCAO and reperfusion.

The neuroprotective effects of Herba siegesbeckiae extract on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats / 中国药理学通报

Aim To study the neuroprotective effects of Herba siegesbeckiae extract on cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion rats and its mechanism. Methods Sixty SD rats were randomly divided into model group, low, middle and high dose groups of Herba siegesbeckiae, and Sham operation group, and the drug was given continuously for seven days. The degree of neurologic impairment was evaluated by mNSS, and the infarct volume was measured by MRI. The number of Nissl-posi- tive cells was detected by Nissl staining, and the apop- tosis was accessed by Tunel staining. Furthermore, the expression of Bax, Bcl-2 and NeuN was observed by Western blot, and the expression of NeuN was detected by immunofluorescence staining. The expression of IL- 1β, TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA was performed by RT- qPCR. Results The mNSS score and the volume of ischemic cerebral infarction in the model group were significantly increased, and Herba siegesbeckiae extract treatment significantly decreased the mNSS score and infarct volume (P<0.05, P<0.01). Herba siegesbeckiae extract could increase the number of Nissl-pos- itive cells and the expression of NeuN (P<0.01), and reduce the number of Tunel-positive cells (P<0.01). Western blot showed that Herba siegesbeckiae extract inhibited the expression of Bax, increased Bcl-2 and NeuN in ischemic brain tissue (P<0.01). RT-qPCR showed that Herba siegesbeckiae extract inhibited the expression of IL-1 β, TNF-α and IL-6 mRNA in the is-chemic brain tissue (P<0.01). Conclusions Herba siegesbeckiae extract can reduce the cerebral infarction volume, improve the neurological function damage, inhibit the apoptosis of nerve cells and the expression of inflammatory factors and promote the expression of NeuN, there by exerting protective effects on MCAO rats.