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1H NMR-based metabolic profiling combined with multivariate data analysis was used to explore the metabolic phenotype of functional dyspepsia (FD) in stressed rats and evaluate the intervention effects of the Chinese medicine Weikangning (WKN). After a 7-day period of model establishment, a 14-day drug administration schedule was conducted in a WKN-treated group of rats, with the model and normal control groups serving as negative controls. Based on 1H NMR spectra of urine and serum from rats, PCA, PLS-DA, and OPLS-DA were performed to identify changing metabolic profiles. According to the key metabolites determined by OPLS-DA, alterations in energy metabolism, stress-related metabolism, and gut microbiota were found in FD model rats after stress stimulation, and these alterations were restored to normal after WKN administration. This study may provide new insights into the relationship between FD and psychological stress and assist in research into the metabolic mechanisms involved in Chinese medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Acute vertebrobasilar artery occlusion (VBAO) is a devastating type of stroke with a high mortality rate. This study aimed to investigate the predictors of 3‐month and 1‐year mortality in VBAO patients receiving endovascular treatment (EVT). Materials & Methods: Consecutive acute VBAO patients undergoing EVT between January 2014 and December 2019 were retrospectively analyzed in a prospectively maintained database. Multivariate logistical regression models were used to explore the potential predictors of mortality at 3 months and 1 year, respectively. The discrimination of the final model was assessed with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: A total of 100 patients were enrolled in this study (mean age 62 years; 77.0% male). After excluding patients lost to follow‐up, the overall mortality rate was 34.3% (34/99) at 3 months and 45.4% (44/97) at 1 year. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at 24 h (Odds ratio [OR], 0.676; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.540–0.846; p =.001) and mechanical ventilation (MV) (OR, 7.356; 95% CI, 2.200–24.593; p =.001) were predictors of 3‐month mortality after adjusting for potential confounders in multivariable analysis. Furthermore, the GCS score at 24 h (OR, 0.714; 95% CI, 0.590–0.864; p =.001), intracranial hemorrhage (OR, 7.330; 95% CI, 1.772–30.318; p =.006), and MV (OR, 5.804; 95% CI, 1.841–18.294; p =.003) were independently associated with mortality at 1 year. Sensitivity analyses showed similar results. Conclusion: The 24‐h GCS score and MV were common predictors of 3‐month and 1‐year mortality, and ICH was an additional predictor of 1‐year mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose. Ruptured tiny volume intracranial aneurysms (TVIAs) are associated with high risk of intraprocedural perforation. Aneurysm volume measuring is important for treatment planning and packing density calculation. We aim to assess the ability of the AngioSuite software in calculating TVIAs and guiding the selection of suitable coil. Methods. Thirty-three consecutive patients with 34 TVIAs were prospectively recruited and treated with endovascular techniques. The volume of TVIAs and the required length of coils were calculated by the AngioSuite software before embolization. The treatment efficacy of TVIAs was assessed using the Raymond scale (Rs) and the modified Rankin scale (mRs). Results. Of the 34 aneurysms with an average volume of 7.16 mm3, 13 aneurysms were treated with sole coil embolization, 19 by stent-assisted embolization, and 2 by balloon-assisted embolization. The average coil length was 5.32 cm, and the average packing density was 41.21%. The immediate DSA showed that total occlusion (Rs = 1) was achieved in 15 aneurysms, subtotal (Rs = 2) in 9, and partial (Rs = 3) in 11. Total occlusion was achieved in 30 aneurysms and subtotal in the other 4 aneurysms at 6-month follow-up. Baseline volume and diameter of aneurysms were significantly correlated with the coil length (r = 0.801 , P < 0.001 ; r = 0.711 , P < 0.001). Conclusions. Coil embolization of TVIAs was easy to achieve high packing density. According to the data from AngioSuite, relative few coils can increase the safety in procedure and stenting may reduce risk of aneurysmal recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose. The cause of in-stent restenosis (ISR) after vertebral artery ostium (VAO) stenting remains unclear. We evaluated factors associated with ISR in patients who underwent VAO stenting. We also assessed the feasibility of stenting for treating VAO stenosis (VAOS). Methods. Between January 2016 and October 2018, sixty-four consecutive patients who underwent a total of 66 stenting procedures were screened for symptomatic and asymptomatic atherosclerotic VAOS. Of these patients, 57 had complete follow-up data. The baseline patient demographics and morphological features of the VAO were recorded. Potential factors influencing ISR, including conventional cerebrovascular disease risk factors, were assessed, together with outcome events including recurrent transient ischemic attack (TIA), stroke, and vascular-related mortality. Results. The average follow-up period was 13.2 ± 4.6 months. Technical success was achieved in all interventions. The degree of stenosis was reduced from 77.2 ± 6.1 % to 13.7 ± 8.9 % after the procedure. ISR was detected in eight treated vessels (14.0%) and occlusion in two (5.3%) arteries. Of the 57 patients, one had an ischemic stroke and 5 had TIAs. The angle of the VAO at the subclavian artery was associated with the risk of restenosis (preoperative, P = 0.04 ; postoperative, P = 0.02). Conclusions. Stenting is a feasible and effective treatment for VAOS. The angle of the VAO at the subclavian artery may contribute to the development of ISR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. This study was aimed at evaluating the motor cortical excitability and connectivity underlying the neural mechanism of motor deficit in acute stroke by the combination of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and electrophysiological measures. Methods. Twenty-five patients with motor deficit after acute ischemic stroke were involved. General linear model and dynamic causal model analyses were applied to fMRI data for detecting motor-related activation and effective connectivity of the motor cortices. Motor cortical excitability was determined as a resting motor threshold (RMT) of motor evoked potential detected by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). fMRI results were correlated with cortical excitability and upper extremity Fugl-Meyer assessment scores, respectively. Results. Greater fMRI activation likelihood and motor cortical excitability in the ipsilesional primary motor area (M1) region were associated with better motor performance. During hand movements, the inhibitory connectivity from the contralesional to the ipsilesional M1 was correlated with the degree of motor impairment. Furthermore, ipsilesional motor cortex excitability was correlated with an enhancement of promoting connectivity in ipsilesional M1 or a reduction of interhemispheric inhibition in contralesional M1. Conclusions. The study suggested that a dysfunction of the ipsilesional M1 and abnormal interhemispheric interactions might underlie the motor disability in acute ischemic stroke. Modifying the excitability of the motor cortex and correcting the abnormal motor network connectivity associated with the motor deficit might be the therapeutic target in early neurorehabilitation for stroke patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. To investigate the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine Duliang soft capsule (DSC) in prophylactic treatment for patients with chronic daily headache (CDH). Methods. A multicenter, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study was conducted at 18 Chinese clinical centers. The participants received either DSC or placebo for 4 weeks. The primary efficacy measure was headache-free rate (HFR) in a 4-week period between the pretreatment and posttreatment stages. The secondary efficacy measures were the decrease of headache days, the duration of headache attacks, the frequency of analgesic usage, quality of life, disability, and the headache severity (VAS scores). The accompanying symptoms and adverse events were also assessed. Results. Of 584 CDH patients assessed, 468 eligible patients were randomized. 338 patients received DSC, while 111 patients were assigned in the placebo group. Following treatment, there was a 16.56% difference in HFR favoring DSC over placebo (P<0.01). Significant differences were also observed between DSC and placebo groups in the secondary measures. However, no statistical difference was found between the two groups in the associated symptoms. No severe adverse effects were observed in the study. Conclusions. DSC might be an effective and well-tolerated option for the prophylactic treatment of patients with CDH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to assess related risk factors and predict early- and late-onset seizure after first-ever stroke. A total of 2474 consecutive patients with initial stroke in China from 1997 to 2007 were retrospectively investigated, in which, 24 clinical and radiological indexes were used for evaluation. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated by logistic regression. A total of232 (11.1%) of patients developed seizures during a mean follow-up period of 18 months, with 123 experiencing early-onset and 109 late-onset seizure. The independent risk factors for early-onset seizure were large lesion (OR = 9.36), subarachnoid hemorrhage (OR = 5.28), initial hyponatremia (OR = 2.10), and cortical involvement (OR = 1.33). The independent risk factors for late-onset seizure were cortical involvement (OR = 11.84) and large lesion (OR = 1.87). These results demonstrated that the risk factors for early seizure after stroke are large lesion, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and cortical involvement. Surprisingly, hyponatremia also predicts seizure in stroke patients. Cortical involvement is a major risk factor for late-onset seizure after stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]