Efficacy and safety of tirofiban in patients with acute branch atheromatous disease-related stroke (BRANT): a protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Branch atheromatous disease (BAD)-related stroke is increasingly becoming a clinical entity and prone to early neurological deterioration (END) and poor prognosis. There are no effective regimens to reduce the disability caused by BAD-related stroke in acute phase. Recent studies have indicated the efficacy of tirofiban in acute ischaemic stroke; however, its efficacy has not been validated in patients with BAD-related stroke. Thus, we aim to test whether intravenous tirofiban initiated within 48 hours after the onset would improve the functional outcome in patients with acute BAD-related stroke, in comparison with the standard antiplatelet therapy based on the current guideline. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: BRANT is a multicentre, randomised, open-label, blinded endpoint, parallel-controlled, phase III trial conducted in 21 hospitals in China. Participants aged 18-75 years with acute BAD-related stroke within 48 hours after the stroke onset are randomised in a 1:1 ratio to the tirofiban or control group. The treatment period is 48 hours in both groups. The primary outcome is the excellent functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale Score: 0-1) at 90 days. The secondary outcomes include END, major bleeding, stroke, death, functional status, serious adverse events and change in bleeding-related markers. Assuming the rates of the primary outcome to be 74% in the tirofiban group and 62% in the control group, a total of 516 participants are needed for 0.8 power (two-sided 0.05 alpha). ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: BRANT study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the Peking Union Medical College Hospital (I-23PJ1242). Written informed consent is required for all the patients before enrolment. The results of the study will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT06037889).

The prevalence and prognosis of asymptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis in a community-based population: Results based on high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is a major cause of ischemic stroke in China, but the prevalence and prognosis of asymptomatic ICAD detected using high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (HR-MRI) is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and prognosis in order to guide neurologists in interpreting ICAD detected on HR-MRI. METHODS: We included stroke-free participants from a community-based prospective cohort (Shunyi study participants) who underwent HR-MRI between July 2014 and April 2016. The participants were divided into two groups: those with or without ICAD (ICAD+ and ICAD- , respectively). ICAD included intracranial artery stenosis and non-stenotic plaque. The primary outcome was ischemic stroke. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the association between ICAD and event outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 1060 stroke-free participants evaluated by HR-MRI were included from the Shunyi study. The median age at HR-MRI was 56 years and 64.7% were female. The ICAD prevalence was 36.3% (n = 385). The ICAD+ group was older and had more cerebrovascular risk factors. The rates of ischemic stroke in the ICAD- and ICAD+ groups were 1.3% (n = 9) and 5.2% (n = 20), respectively, with a median follow-up time of 54 months. ICAD was associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke in the unadjusted and adjusted Cox models, with hazard ratios of 4.12 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.87-9.05) and 2.50 (95% CI 1.05-5.94), respectively. The greatest risk of an event outcome was observed in participants with ≥70% stenosis or occlusion. The features of high-risk plaques were also identified. CONCLUSIONS: We found that ICAD detected using HR-MRI increases the long-term risk of a first-ever ischemic stroke in a stroke-free population, suggesting that the current primary prevention protocol of stroke awaits further optimization.

Inpatient rehabilitation therapy in stroke patients with reperfusion therapy: a national prospective registry study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the rate of real-world inpatient rehabilitation therapy (IRT) after stroke. We aimed to determine the rate of inpatient rehabilitation therapy and its associated factors in patients who undergo reperfusion therapy in China. METHODS: This national prospective registry study included hospitalized ischemic stroke patients aged 14-99 years with reperfusion therapy between January 1, 2019, and June 30, 2020, collecting hospital-level and patient-level demographic and clinical data. IRT included acupuncture or massage, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and others. The primary outcome was the rate of patients receiving IRT. RESULTS: We included 209,189 eligible patients from 2191 hospitals. The median age was 66 years, and 64.2% were men. Four in five patients received only thrombolysis, and the rest 19.2% underwent endovascular therapy. The overall rate of IRT was 58.2% (95% CI, 58.0-58.5%). Differences in demographic and clinical variables existed between patients with and without IRT. The rates of acupuncture or massage, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and other rehabilitation interventions were 38.0%, 28.8%, 11.8%, 14.4%, and 22.9%, respectively. The rates of single and multimodal interventions were 28.3% and 30.0%, respectively. A lower likelihood of receiving IRT was associated with being 14-50 or 76-99 years old, female, from Northeast China, from Class-C hospitals, receiving only thrombolysis, having severe stroke or severe deterioration, a short length of stay, Covid-19 pandemic and having intracranial or gastrointestinal hemorrhage. CONCLUSION: Among our patient population, the IRT rate was low with limited use of physical therapy, multimodal interventions, and rehabilitation centers and varied by demographic and clinical features. The implementation of IRT remains a challenge for stroke care, warranting urgent and effective national programs to enhance post-stroke rehabilitation and the adherence to guidelines.

Study protocol of Branch Atheromatous Disease-related stroke (BAD-study): a multicenter prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: As a meaningful subtype of ischemic stroke in Asians, Branch atheromatous disease (BAD)-related stroke is associated with high early neurological deterioration (END) and disability, but is understudied and without recommended therapy. The mechanism of END still remains unclear. Branch atheromatous disease-related stroke study (BAD-study) therefore aims to investigate demographic, clinical and radiological features, and prognosis of BAD-related stroke in Chinese patients. METHODS/DESIGN: BAD-study is a nationwide, multicenter, consecutive, prospective, observational cohort study enrolling patients aged 18-80 years with BAD-related stroke within 72 h after symptom onset. Initial clinical data, laboratory tests, and imaging data are collected via structured case report form, and follow-ups will be performed at 7 days, 30 days, 90 days, 6 months and 12 months after enrollment. The primary outcome is the score on modified Rankin Scale at 90-day follow-up with single-blinded assessment. Secondary outcomes include END within 7 days, and National institute of health stroke scale score, Barthel index, cerebrovascular events, major bleeding complications, and all-cause mortality during 90-day follow-up. Characteristics of penetrating and parent artery will be assessed by high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging combined with other imaging techniques. DISCUSSION: BAD-study can provide demographic, clinical, radiological, and prognostic characteristics of BAD-related stroke, and thereby potentially figure out the vascular mechanism of early neurological deterioration and optimize therapy strategy with the aid of advanced imaging technique. Baseline data and evidence will also be generated for randomized controlled trials on BAD-related stroke in the future.

Association between rehabilitation after reperfusion treatment and in-hospital mortality: Results from a national registry study.

Background: There is no effective regimen to reduce the mortality of patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis or endovascular therapy (EVT). Therefore, we aimed to examine whether sequential therapy by rehabilitation could effectively reduce the in-hospital mortality of patients treated with reperfusion therapy. Methods: This prospective registry study included patients with ischemic stroke who were treated by intravenous thrombolysis or endovascular therapy at Stroke Center Work Plan in China between 1 October 2018 and 31 July 2020. The patients were divided into 2 groups: those with (IRT+) or without (IRT-) inpatient rehabilitation therapy (IRT). The primary outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality. We used Cox proportional hazards models and conducted a propensity score matching analysis to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) for mortality in the thrombolysis-only and EVT groups. Results: Of the 189,519 patients in the thrombolysis-only group, 35.7% were women, and the median (interquartile range, IQR) age, onset-to-needle time, and follow-up time were 66 (57-74) years, 165 (119-220) min, and 9 (5-12) days, respectively. Among the 45,211 patients in the EVT group, 35.9% were women, and the median (interquartile range, IQR) age, onset-to-puncture time, and follow-up time were 66 (56-74) years, 297 (205-420) min, and 11 (6-16) days, respectively. In the thrombolysis-only group with a median (IQR) initial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score of 6 (3-11), 105,244 patients (55.5%) treated with IRT had significantly lower all-cause in-hospital mortality [0.6 vs. 2.3%; adjusted HR 0.18 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.16-0.2)] than those without IRT. In the EVT group with a median (IQR) initial NIHSS score of 15 (10-20), 31,098 patients (68.8%) treated with IRT also had significantly lower all-cause in-hospital mortality [2 vs. 12.1%; adjusted HR, 0.13 (95% CI 0.12-0.15)]. IRT remained significantly associated with reduced in-hospital mortality in sensitivity, subgroup, and propensity score matching analyses among both the thrombolysis-only and EVT groups. Conclusion: Among the patients with ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis or endovascular therapy, sequential therapy by rehabilitation was associated with lower all-cause in-hospital mortality. These findings suggest the necessity of promoting inpatient rehabilitation therapy after reperfusion in patients with ischemic stroke.

Association between intention to call EMS in stroke patients and level of hospital classification and emergency medical service usage among stroke patients in China.

INTRODUCTION: Different categories of hospitals in China have varying levels of patient education. Stroke recognition and emergency medical services (EMS) usage in patients appears to be closely associated with patient education in hospital. This study aimed to explore the effect of hospital classification in China on a patient's ability to recognise stroke symptoms and the likelihood of using the EMS. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A cross-sectional, community-based study was conducted from January to May 2017, and 1,426 residents who had previously been hospitalised were analysed. The patients involved in the study were from 69 administrative areas in China. Multivariable logistic regression models were developed separately for primary, secondary, and tertiary hospitals to identify the associations between hospital grades and patient stroke recognition or the prospects of them using the EMS. RESULTS: Among the 1,426 patients studied, 725 had been admitted to tertiary hospitals, 448 to secondary hospitals, and 253 to primary hospitals. According to univariate analysis, tertiary hospital patients were more likely to use the EMS than patients in primary and secondary hospitals. The difference therein was still significant after full adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: Patients in tertiary hospitals were significantly more likely to use the EMS promptly compared to patients in primary or secondary hospitals. Therefore, patient education on timely EMS usage at stroke onset should be enhanced in primary and secondary hospitals in China.

Effects of age on sugammadex reversal of neuromuscular blockade induced by rocuronium in Chinese children: a prospective pilot trial.

BACKGROUND: Sugammadex reverses neuromuscular blockade induced by steroidal relaxants. We compared the recovery for neuromuscular blockade reversal with sugammadex in children aged 1-12 years. METHODS: From August 2019 to August 2020, patients who received 2.0 mg·kg- 1 sugammadex for neuromuscular blockade reversal after surgery were recruited. The primary outcome was the time for the train-of-four ratio (TOFR) to recover to 0.9; secondary outcomes included the incidence of the TOFR < 0.9, extubation time, length of stay at the post-anesthesia care unit, and adverse events. Hemodynamic parameters before and 5 min after sugammadex administration and vital signs in the recovery room were also recorded. RESULTS: Eighty-six children were recruited (1 to < 3 years, n = 23; 3 to < 5 years, n = 33; 5 to ≤12 years, n = 30). Intergroup differences in the recovery of the TOFR to 0.9 were not statistically significant (F = 0.691, p = 0.504). Recurrence of the TOFR < 0.9 was not observed in any group. Five minutes after sugammadex administration, the heart rates of patients aged 3 to < 5 and 5 to ≤12 years were significantly lower than those at baseline (p < 0.05). Extubation time was similar in patients aged 1 to ≤12 years. Length of stay and end-tidal capnography at the post-anesthesia care unit as well as adverse events did not differ significantly. CONCLUSION: A moderate (TOF count two) rocuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade can be effectively and similarly reversed with sugammadex 2 mg·kg- 1 in Chinese children aged 1-12 years. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR1900023715 (June 8, 2019).

Paediatric preoperative sedation practices in tertiary maternity and children's hospitals in China: a questionnaire survey.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative anxiety is a common problem in the paediatric population, and several studies have reported that it is related to adverse events such as emergence delirium and postoperative psychological and behavioural changes. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to paediatric preoperative anxiety in China. A variety of strategies, including sedatives, parental presence, and audio-visual interventions, have been used to relieve paediatric preoperative anxiety, but there is no well-recognised procedure for paediatric preoperative sedation. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate current paediatric preoperative sedation practices in tertiary children's hospitals in China. METHODS: All tertiary maternity and children's hospitals registered with the National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China were invited to participate in an electronic survey, which included information on the preoperative sedation caseload, sites where preoperative sedation was performed, preoperative sedation methods used in different age groups, choice of sedatives, contraindications for premedication, staff structure for sedative administration and monitoring, and patient-monitoring practices. RESULTS: All 81 hospitals participating in our study completed the survey, and 38 hospitals (46.9 %) provided their preoperative sedation protocols. Twenty-four hospitals performed fewer than 5,000 preoperative sedation cases annually, and 9 hospitals performed more than 10,000 cases annually. Preoperative sedation was performed in preoperative preparation areas, preoperative holding areas, and operation rooms in 47.4 %, 26.3 %, and 13.2 % of hospitals, respectively. Sedatives were the most used interventions for paediatric preoperative sedation in all age groups, and the most widely used sedatives were propofol (intravenous) and dexmedetomidine (intranasal). The most common contraindications were American Society of Anesthesiologists class ≥ 3, emergency operation, and airway infection within 2 weeks. Sedatives were administered mainly by anaesthesiologists (63.2 %), and children were monitored mainly by anaesthesiologists (44.7 %) and nurses (39.5 %) after administration. Pulse oximetry was the most widely used monitoring device. CONCLUSIONS: Fewer than half of the tertiary maternity and children's hospitals in China provide paediatric preoperative sedation service, and the service practices vary widely. Further improvements are required to ensure the quality of paediatric preoperative sedation services and establish standard operating procedures.

Impact of regional differences in stroke symptom awareness and low-income status on seeking emergency medical service in China.

BACKGROUND: Unawareness of stroke symptoms and low income are two barriers that affect the seeking of emergency medical service (EMS). This study aimed to assess the effect of unawareness and low income on seeking EMS and to investigate the regional distribution of the unawareness and low-income status and their associations with failing to call EMS in China. METHODS: A total of 187,723 samples from the China National Stroke Screening Survey was interviewed cross-sectionally. Four status of awareness and annual income were identified: unaware and low-income, unaware-only, low-income-only, and aware and regular income. The outcomes were whether they intended to call EMS or not. The regional distribution of each status and their associations with not calling EMS were presented. RESULTS: The status of unaware and low-income, unaware-only, and low-income-only accounted for 6.3% (11,806/187,673), 11.9% (22,241/187,673), and 21.5% (40,289/187,673) of the total sample, respectively. Not calling EMS was significantly associated with the status of unaware and low-income (odds ratio [OR]: 3.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.07-3.35), unaware-only (OR: 2.38, 95% CI: 2.31-2.46), and low-income-only (OR: 1.67, 95% CI: 1.63-1.71), compared with the aware and regular income status. The Midwest regions had higher percentages of people in the unaware and low-income status; the East, South, and Central had higher percentages of unaware-only status; the North and Northeast regions had a higher percentage of low-income-only status, compared with other regions. CONCLUSION: The existence of the regional difference in unawareness and low income justifies the specific stroke education strategies for the targeted regions and population.

Endovascular Thrombectomy Versus Bridging Thrombolysis: Real-World Efficacy and Safety Analysis Based on a Nationwide Registry Study.

Background It was uncertain if direct endovascular thrombectomy (ET) was superior to bridging thrombolysis (BT) for patients with acute ischemic stroke caused by large-vessel occlusions. We aimed to examine real-world clinical outcomes of ET using nationwide registry data in China and to compare the efficacy and safety between BT and direct ET. Methods and Results Patients treated with ET from a nationwide registry study in China were included. Rapid neurological improvement, intracranial hemorrhage, and in-hospital mortality were compared between the 2 groups using multivariate logistic models and propensity-score matching analyses. A total of 7674 patients from 592 stroke centers were included. The median onset-to-puncture time, onset-to-door time, and door to puncture time were 290, 170, and 99 minutes, respectively. A total of 2069 (27.0%) patients received BT treatment. Patients in the BT group had a significantly shorter onset-to-puncture time (235 versus 323 minutes; P<0.001) and onset-to-door time (90 versus 222 minutes; P<0.001) compared with the direct ET group. The prior use of intravenous thrombolysis was associated with a higher rate of rapid neurological improvement (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 0.83; 95% CI, 0.71-0.96) and higher risk of intracranial hemorrhage (adjusted OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.18-1.80) in multivariate analyses and propensity-score matching analyses. Conclusions This study reflects the current application of ET in China. More patients received direct ET than BT. Our results suggested that favorable short-term outcomes could be achieved with BT compared with direct ET. Higher risk of intracranial hemorrhage was observed in the BT group.

Sex Differences of Acute Stroke Treatment and in Hospital Outcomes After Intravenous Thrombolysis in Patients With Ischemic Stroke.

Background: Many studies have suggested that the clinical features of male patients with ischemic stroke are different from those of female patients, but related data on Chinese patients are scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the differences in treatment delays, complications related to intravenous thrombolysis, and prognosis between male and female patients with ischemic stroke in China. Methods: The data of patients with ischemic stroke who received intravenous thrombolysis were retrospectively analyzed. The data were obtained from the China Hospital Stroke Registry from January 2017 to April 2019. The general clinical characteristics, onset-to-door time, door-to-needle time, complications related to thrombolysis, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, and in-hospital mortality were compared between male and female patients to identify any sex differences in these factors. A multi-factorial analysis was conducted to explore whether sex is associated with in-hospital mortality and complications of intracerebral hemorrhage after thrombolysis. Results: A total of 26,475 patients with ischemic stroke who received intravenous thrombolysis were involved in the study. The data were collected from 902 hospitals in 29 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China. The door-to-needle time was longer in female than in male patients (49 [35, 67] vs. 48 [35, 65], P = 0.008). Furthermore, the frequencies of intracerebral hemorrhage (4.1 vs. 3.2%, P < 0.001) and in-hospital mortality (2.55 vs. 1.83%, P < 0.001) were higher in female vs. male patients. However, sex was not associated with intracerebral hemorrhage and in-hospital mortality according to the adjusted multi-factorial analysis. In addition, improvement in NIHSS scores was greater in female patients than in male patients [-3 (-6, -1) vs. -3 (-5, -1), P = 0.036]. Conclusions: After adjusting for other predictors sex was not associated with intracerebral hemorrhage after thrombolysis or in-hospital mortality. Further study is warranted to evaluate the long-term outcomes in the different sexes.

Increased recurrent risk did not improve cerebrovascular disease survivors' response to stroke in China: a cross-sectional, community-based study.

BACKGROUND: Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) survivors are at a high risk of recurrent stroke. Although it is thought that survivors with higher risk of stroke respond better to stroke onset, to date, no study has been able to demonstrate that. Thus, we investigated whether the intent to call emergency medical services (EMS) increased with recurrent stroke risk among CVD survivors. METHODS: A cross-sectional community-based survey was conducted from January 2017 to May 2017, including 187,723 adults (age ≥ 40 years) across 69 administrative areas in China. A CVD survivor population of 6290 was analyzed. According to the stroke risk score based on Essen Stroke Risk Score, CVD survivors were divided into three subgroups: low (0), middle (1-3) and high (4-7) recurrent risk groups. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify the association between the stroke risk and stroke recognition, as well as stroke risk and EMS calling. RESULTS: The estimated stroke recognition rate in CVD survivors with low, middle, and high risk was 89.0% (503/565), 85.2% (3841/4509), and 82.5% (1001/1213), respectively, while the rate of calling EMS was 66.7% (377/565), 64.3% (2897/4509), and 69.3% (840/1213), respectively. The CVD survivors' knowledge of recognizing stroke and intent to call EMS did not improve with recurrent stroke risk, even after adjustment for multiple socio-demographic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Despite being at a higher risk of recurrent stroke, Chinese CVD survivors showed poor knowledge of stroke, and their intent to call EMS did not increase with recurrent stroke risk. Enhanced and stroke risk-orientated education on stroke recognition and proper response is needed for all CVD survivors.

Long-term efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil in myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disorders: A prospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the use of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) could reduce the relapse risk in patients with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-immunoglobulin G (IgG)-associated disorders (MOGADs). METHODS: This prospective observational cohort study included patients with MOGAD at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 1, 2017, and April 30, 2019. The patients were divided into 2 groups: those with (MMF+) or without (MMF-) MMF therapy. The primary outcome was relapse at follow-up. We used Cox proportional hazards models to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) for relapse. RESULTS: Seventy-nine patients were included in our MOG cohort. Fifty (63.3%) were adults at index date, and 47 (59.5%) were women. Fifty-four (68.4%) were in the MMF+ group, and 25 (31.6%) were in the MMF- group. Clinical and demographic factors, MOG-IgG titer, and follow-up time (median, 472.5 days for MMF+, 261.0 days for MMF-) were comparable between the groups. Relapse rates were 7.4% (4/54) in the MMF+ group and 44.0% (11/25) in the MMF- group. Of all potential confounders, only the use of MMF was associated with reduced risk of relapse. The HR for relapse among patients in the MMF+ group was 0.14 (95% CI, 0.05-0.45) and was 0.08 (95% CI, 0.02-0.28) in a model adjusted for age, sex, disease course, and MOG-IgG titer. MMF therapy also remained associated with a reduced relapse risk in sensitivity analyses. Only one patient (1.9%) discontinued MMF therapy because of adverse effect. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide a clinical evidence that MMF immunosuppression therapy may prevent relapse in patients with MOGAD. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides class IV evidence that for patients with MOGAD, MMF reduces relapse risk.

Risk Factors Influencing Seeking Emergency Medical Service in Urban and Rural China Among Participants With a Previous Transient Ischemic Attack.

Objective: It is critical to identify factors that significantly impede the correct action of calling emergency medical service (EMS) in the high-risk population with a previous history of transient ischemic attack (TIA) and further explore the urban-rural difference in China. Methods: Participants with previous TIA from the China National Stroke Screening Survey and its branch study (FAST-RIGHT) were interviewed cross-sectionally (n = 2,036). The associations between the outcome measure of not calling EMS and multiple potential risk factors were examined, including demographic information, live (or not) with families, medical insurance type, urban or rural residence, awareness of stroke symptoms, annual personal income, presence of cardiovascular disease or risk factors, and stroke history in family members or friends. The sample was further stratified to explore the urban-rural difference by their residency. Results: The proportion of not calling EMS was 36.8% among all participants with previous TIA, and these were 21.7 and 48.4% among urban and rural participants, respectively. Among rural participants, risk factors that were significantly associated with not calling EMS included primary school education [odds ratio (OR) 2.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.89-3.33], living with family (OR 2.09, 95% CI 1.33-3.36), unaware stroke symptoms (OR 2.60, 95% CI 1.81-3.78), and low income (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.19-2.07). Among urban participants, only low income was significantly associated with an increased risk of not calling EMS (OR 1.74, 95% CI 1.10-2.72). Conclusions: Rural residents with previous TIA in China had a higher percentage of not calling EMS. Multiple risk factors have been identified that call for targeted intervention strategies.

Assessment of Carotid Intraplaque Neovascularization Using Superb Microvascular Imaging in High Risk of Stroke Individuals: Results From a Community-Based Study.

Background: Improved stroke risk stratification may improve stroke prevention. We aimed to study the value of a novel Doppler method, superb microvascular imaging (SMI), in correlating plaque thickness and evidence of intra-plaque neovascularization with a history stroke and TIA involving any cerebrovascular territory among community residents considered at high stroke risk. Methods: We selected residents aged at least 40 years from the Donghuashi community in China who had at least three stroke risk factors (including a history of stroke or TIA) and carotid plaque thickness of at least 1.5 mm (but without heavy calcification) and no history of carotid endarterectomy or stenting. In this cross-sectional study, each subject underwent carotid plaque examination with standard ultrasound and SMI. SMI evidence of plaque neovascularization was categorized as none or mild (Grade 1) or moderate or marked (Grade 2) and correlated with past history of stroke or TIA. Results: A total of 131 individuals (mean age 69 ± 8 years, 63% male) met the study inclusion criteria. SMI revealed no or mild neovascularization in 74 subjects (56.5%) and moderate or marked neovascularization in 57 subjects (43.5%). Subjects with moderate or marked neovascularization were more likely to have a history of any territory stroke or TIA, 43.9 vs. 17.6% (P = 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed a thicker plaque (odds ratio: 2.272, 95% CI: 1.351-3.822, P = 0.002) and a history of stroke or TIA (odds ratio: 4.017, 95% CI: 1.719-9.387, P = 0.001) significantly correlated with evidence of moderate to marked intra-plaque neovascularization. Conclusions: Moderate to marked intraplaque neovascularization detected by SMI was more likely in subjects with a history of any territory stroke or TIA or thicker plaque. This indicates a potential new role of SMI in stratifying future risk of stroke or other arterial disease complications.

Barriers from calling ambulance after recognizing stroke differed in adults younger or older than 75 years old in China.

BACKGROUND: As health behavior varies with increasing age, we aimed to examine the potential barriers in calling emergency medical services (EMS) after recognizing a stroke among 40-74- and 75-99-year-old adults. METHODS: Data were obtained from a cross-sectional community-based study (FAST-RIGHT) that was conducted from January 2017 to May 2017 and involved adults (age ≥ 40 years) across 69 administrative areas in China. A subgroup of residents (153675) who recognized stroke symptoms was analyzed. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed in the 40-74 and 75-99 age groups, separately, to determine the factors associated with wait-and-see behaviors at the onset of a stroke. RESULTS: In the 40-74 and 75-99 age groups, the rates of participants who chose "Self-observation at home" were 3.0% (3912) and 3.5% (738), respectively; the rates of "Wait for family, then go to hospital" were 31.7% (42071) and 33.1% (6957), respectively. Rural residence, living with one's spouse, low income (< 731 US $ per annum), having a single avenue to learn about stroke, and having friends with stroke were factors associated with waiting for one's family in both groups. However, unlike in the 40-74 age group, sex, number of children, family history, and stroke history did not influence the behaviors at stroke onset in the 75-99 age group. CONCLUSIONS: Different barriers from recognizing stroke and calling an ambulance exist in the 40-74 and 75-99 age groups in this specific population. Different strategies that mainly focus on changing the "Wait for family" behavior and emphasize on immediately calling EMS are recommended for both age groups.

Cardiovascular surgery experience does not significantly improve patients' response to stroke.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with a history of cardiovascular surgery are at risk of stroke, and immediately calling emergency medical services (EMS) after stroke onset is crucial to receiving effective reperfusion therapy. We aimed to determine the effect of a history of cardiovascular surgery on patients' ability to recognize stroke and intent to call EMS. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional community-based study from January 2017 to May 2017. A total population of 186,167 individuals, recruited from 69 administrative areas across China, was analyzed. Different multivariable logistic regression models were performed to identify the associations between cardiovascular surgical history and stroke recognition or intent to call EMS, respectively. RESULTS: 0.1% of the total population had a history of cardiovascular surgery. In the surgery group, the estimated stroke recognition rate (SRR) and correct action rate (CAR) were 84.9% and 74.7%, respectively. The prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors was significantly higher in the surgery group. Cardiovascular surgical history was not associated with recognition of stroke across different models. The surgery group was more likely to call EMS, but the difference was not significant after full adjustment (OR: 1.40, 95% CI: 0.99-1.98, p = .0572). CONCLUSIONS: Cardiovascular surgical history does not influence patients' likelihood of calling EMS more often at stroke onset. Patients receiving cardiovascular surgeries should be counseled regarding stroke recognition, proper response to stroke, and the importance of controlling risk factors.

Long Noncoding RNA Expression Profile in BV2 Microglial Cells Exposed to Lipopolysaccharide.

Neuropathic pain, which is one of the most common forms of chronic pain, seriously increases healthcare costs and impairs patients' quality of life with an incidence of 7-10% worldwide. Microglia cell activation plays a key role in the progression of neuropathic pain. Better understanding of novel molecules modulating microglia cell activation and these underlying functions will extremely benefit the exploration of new treatment. Recent studies suggested long noncoding RNAs may be involved in neuropathic pain. However, its underlying functions and mechanisms in microglia cell activation remain unclear. To identify the differentially expressed lncRNAs and predict their functions in the progression of microglia cell activation, GSE103156 was analyzed using integrated bioinformatics methods. The expression levels of selected lncRNAs and mRNAs were determined by real-time PCR. In the present study, a total of 56 lncRNAs and 298 mRNAs were significantly differentially expressed. The differentially expressed mRNAs were mainly enriched in NF-kappa B signaling pathway, TNF signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, and NOD-like receptor signaling pathway. The top 10 hub genes were Tnf, Il6, Stat1, Cxcl10, Il1b, Tlr2, Irf1, Ccl2, Irf7, and Ccl5 in the PPI network. Our results showed that Gm8989, Gm8979, and AV051173 may be involved in the progression of microglia cell activation. Taken together, our findings suggest that lots of lncRNAs may be involved in BV2 microglia cell activation in vitro. The findings may provide relevant information for the development of promising targets for the microglial cells activation of neuropathic pain in vivo in the future.

Effects of Lung Protective Ventilation on the Cognitive Function Level of Patients with Esophageal Cancer.

BACKGROUND: We intended to investigate the effects of lung protective ventilation on the cognitive function level of patients with esophageal cancer. METHODS: Overall, 132 patients with esophageal cancer admitted to Taian Central Hospital, Taian China from January 2013 to January 2017 were enrolled in the study. According to the random number table method, they were divided into observation group and control group, 66 cases each. All patients underwent general anesthesia for thoracoscopic esophageal cancer radical operation, and lung protective ventilation and conventional positive pressure ventilation were used respectively. The levels of SOD, NSE and MDA, MMSE score and WMS memory quotient in the blood of the elbow vein were compared between the two groups at different times. RESULTS: The levels of SOD and MMSE in the observation group at T2 and T3 were higher than those in the control group, and the NSE and MDA levels were lower than those in the control group (P=0.013, 0.033, 0.015, 0.044, 0.034, 0.029, 0.014, 0.017). The incidence of postoperative cognitive impairment was lower in the observation group than in the control group (P=0.007). The WMS memory quotient scores of the patients in the T2, T3, and T4 observation groups were higher than those in the control group (p=0.009, 0.032, 0.040). CONCLUSION: Lung protective ventilation can reduce the oxidative stress injury for patients and improve their postoperative cognitive function and memory ability.