Objective To detect the alteration of circulating CD34 + cell level in patients with the In'st-ever nonlacunar stroke and to investigate the prognostic value of CD34 +cell level. Methods 1he level of the circulating CD34+ cells were examined using flow eytometry in 119 patients with nonlacunar infarction. 1he patients were divided into group A (higher than average) and group B (lower than average) according to the detected values, The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores on admission and the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores at 3 months after the onset in the two groups wre compared. Results The level of CD34 + cells in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (0. 048 ± 0. 001 versus 0. 032 ± 0. 002, P < 0. 05 ), however, there was no significantly difference in NIHSS sores between the two groups. One week after admission, the increased level of CD34 + cells in group A was significantly higher than that in group B (0. 001 ±0. 003 versus - 0. 005 ± 0. 000, P < 0. 05 ). Three months after the onset of symptoms, the average mRS score in group A was significantly superior to that in group B (2. 98 ± 1.14 versus 3.25 ± 1.39, P <0. 05). 1he level of circulating CD34 + cells at the initial onset of symptom was negatively correlated with the mRS score at 3 months after stroke (r = -0. 48, P <0. 05). Conclusions The higher level of circulating CD34+ cells had better prognosis in patients with cerebral infarction. The level of circulating CD34+ ceils may be used as a prognostic indicator in patients with cerebral infarction.

Endothelial progenitor cells have self-replication and multi-differentiation potentials. They participate in the maintenance of vascular dynamics and physiological reconstruction. Though the research of endothelial progenitor cells has become a current hot spot, there are a series of unknown factors from the fields of the basic research to the clinical application. This article reviews the advances in research on endothelial progenitor cells,particularly the roles in ischemic cerebrovascular disease.

gress. A growing body of research has committed to exploring more thrombolytic regimens. This article reviews the main methods, drugs and recent progress in thrombolytic therapy.

Objective To detect the distribution of cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in patients with lacunar infarction (LI) and/or leukoaraiosis (LA) and to analyze the correlation between the CMB related risk factors and cognitive impairment.Methods Thirty-eight patients with LI and/or LA were divided into either a CMB group or a non-CMB group according to the findings of susceptibility weighted imaging.The number of CMB lesions was recorded.Mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) were used to conduct cognitive function tests,and the patients were also divided into a cognitive impairment group and a non-cognitive impairment group according to the MoCA scores.The demographic and clinical data in each group were compared.The independent risk factors for CMBs and cognitive impairment were identified.Results Thirteen patients had 58 CMBs in the CMB group.Their distributions were as follows:36 CMBs in basal ganglia and thalamus,14 in cortical and subcortical regions,3 in brain stem,and 5 in cerebellum.There were 25 patients in the non-CBM group,26 in the cognitive impairment group,and 12 in the non-cognitive impairment group.There were significant differences in age and the proportions of hypertension,taking antithrombotic drugs and the patients with LA between the CMB group and the non-CMB group (all P ＜ 0.05).Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that only age was an independent risk factor for CMBs (odds ratio 1.103,95％ confidence interval 1.034-1.454; P =0.045).MMSE (26.92±2.87vs.29.00± 1.44; t=2.452,P=0.027) and MoCA (21.62±3.36vs.25.04 ± 2.59; t =-3.493,P =0.001) scores in the CMB group were significantly lower than those in the non-CMB group.There was only significant difference in the number of CMBs between the cognitive impairment group and the non-cognitive impairment group (2.08-± 3.64 vs.0.33 ±0.78; t =-1.629,P =0.010).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that only the number of CMBs was an independent risk factor for cognitive impairment (odds ratio,1.534,95％ confidence interval 1.100-2.576; P=0.046).Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that the number of CMBs was significantly negatively correlated with the MoCA language (r =-0.229,P=0.003) and the delayed recall (r =-0.332,P=0.042) scores.Conclusions In patients with LI and/or LA,CMBs were correlated with age.Their existence and number were associated with cognitive impairment.

Adiponectin (APN) is an insulin sensitizing protein with protective effect secreted by adipose tissue.It has the effects of regulating glucose and lipid metabolism,protecting vascular endothelial function,promoting angiogenesis,and anti-inflammation,etc.It plays an important protective effect in cerebrovascular diseases.This article reviews APN and its effect in ischemic stroke.

By means of ATPase histochemistry and OKT-6 immunogold-silver staining, it was demonstrated that Langerhans ceils (LC) were present in the epithelia of human skin, palatine tonsil, ectocervix and esophagus. In the skin LC were located mainly in the stratum spinosum of the epidermis. There were some LC in the hair follicle and duct of sebaceous gland, and a few in the dermis and around sebaceous gland acinus. In the tonsil, ectocervix and esophagus, LC were located mainly in the middle layer of epithelia. No LC were found in the lymphoid follicle and thymus-dependent zone of the tonsil, and no LC in the lamina propria of ectocervix and esophagus. ATPase histochemistry was also used to examine the distribution of epidermal LC in normal human skin of various ages and various anatomic regions. This study showed that the density and morphology of epidermal LC varied with age and different anatomic regions of human body. Statistical analysis indicated that LC density in various age groups was as follows: fetus

Objective To analyse the imaging characteristics of pulmonary tuberculosis(TB) in elder in order to improve its diagnostic accuracy.Methods Radiological and CT fndings of pulmonary tuberculosis in 200 old patients were analysed retrospectively.Results The types of TB in 200 patients were:type Ⅱin 13 cases(6.5%),type Ⅲ in 163 cases (81.5%),accompanied with the pleuritis in 44 cases(22%) and type Ⅳ in 24 cases (12%).The mainly imaging findings included:old lesions in 85 cases(42.5%),exudative and/or multiplicative lesions in 81 cases (40.5%),caseous pneumonia in 47 cases(23.5%),cavitive lesions in 127 cases(63.5%),tuberculoma in 12 cases(6%),miliary nodules in 13 cases(6.5%),TB pleuritis in 68 cases(34%) and enlargement of lymph nodes in 57 cases (28.5%).Conclusion TB in elder is of characteristics of atypical location and unstable morphology.

Erythropoietin (EPO) belongs to cytokines.It mainly promotes erythropoiesis in the peripheral blood circulation.Fundamental research shows that EPO can reduce cerebral ischemic injury through a variety of mechanisms,but at the same time,there are many unsolved problems.In addition,the two clinical trial outcomes are also very inconsistent.This article reviews the problems in EPO research.

Objective To investigate the effect of δ-aminolevulinic acid(ALA)-induced photodynamic reaction on biological characteristics of skin fibroblasts.Methods Human skin fihroblasts were isolated from the foreskin of children and cultured in the presence of 0.5 to 5.0 mmol/L ALA;three hours later,they were irradiated with 632.8 am laser followed by additional 12-hour culture.Then,MTI"assay and flow cytometry were used to measure the proliferation and apoptosis of cells.The levels of matrix metallopmteinase(MMP)1,-2 and-3 and hydroxyproline in the culture supematant of irradiated cells were determined by avidinbiotin complex-based ELISA and alkaline hydrolysis-based method,respectively.Results With the rise of ALA concentration from 0.5 to 5.0 mmol/L.the proliferation level of fibroblasts expressed as the absor-bance at 570 nm dropped from 0.45±0.05 to 0.32±0.04.and cell death rate increased from 6.4%±2.0% to 29.6%±2.2%.Meanwhile,the contents of MMP-1,-2 and -3 increased at the early stage,but decreased at the late stage,whereas the hydroxyproline level showed an inverse tendency during the increase of ALA concentration from 0.5 to 5.0 mmol/L.Conclusions Proper intensity of photodynamic reaction induced by ALA could enhance the secretion of MMP and inhibit the synthesis of collagen by skin fibroblasts,however,high concentration of ALA may exert an inverse effect.

Objective To investigate the role of mucins secretion in the process that bifid triple viable capsule attenuates the recurrence of murine experimental colitis. Methods Mice were randomly allocated into BIFICO group (gavage with bifid triple viable capsule), 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS) group (gavage with phosphate-buffered saline), and normal control group. Intrarectal TNBS/ethanol challenge was given to mice on Day 0 followed by rechallenge on Day 5 ( 125 mg/kg and 180 mg/kg, respectively). On Day 5 several mice in both groups were randomly sacrificed before the second TNBS challenge and the remaining mice were sacrificed on Day 7. Disease activity index (DAI) was measured throughout the experiment. Inflammatory score was evaluated and MUC2 expression was determined using immunohistochemistry method. Results Recurrence of colitis was successfully simulated by challenging mice with two times of TNBS/ethanol solution. Compared with the TNBS group, DAI ( 1.39 ± 0. 68 vs. 2.39 ± 0.73, P = 0.003) and inflammatory score (2. 11 ± 0.78 vs. 3.22 ± 0. 97,P =0.03) were significantly decreased in BIFICO group after the second TNBS challenge. BIFICO administration significantly increased MUC2 expression (8. 67 ± 0. 87 vs. 7.86 ± 1.10, P = 0. 042 ) in BIFICO group compared with TNBS group before the second TNBS challenge. Conclusion Bifid triple viable capsule may enhance mucosal barriers by promoting mucins secretion, and thus attenuates the recurrence of murine colitis.