Matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), which is a member of MMP family, can degrade extracellular matrix. During the early stage of cerebral ischemia, MMP-2 degrades endothelial tight junction and basal lamina resulting in the opening of blood-brain barrier. During the late stage, MMP-2 promotes neurovascular regeneration and the recovery of the damaged brain tissue.

Objective To investigate the intervention methods of patients with high-risk and complicated carotid artery stenosis. Methods Twenty-five patients with high-risk and complicated carotid artery stenosis were treated with stenting During the procedure, they used the individualized therapeutic programs, including the implantation of temporary cardiac pacing, ev3 filter, combination of predilation and postdilation, guiding catheter (coaxial technique), staged angioplasty and stenting, and multiple stent implantations. Results The technical success rate of the 25 patients was 100%. The symptoms disappeared or improved in 21 patients (84%). The intraoperative dislodgement of emboli occurred in 1 patient. Transient ischemic attack occurred in 1 patient. No patients died. Conclusions Treatment with stenting in patients with high-risk and complicated carotid artery stenosis is safe. The preoperative evaluation of risks, the use of intraoperative individualized treatment programs, and the postoperative standardized management are the preconditions for ensuring efficacy.

Poly ADP ribose polymerases (PARP) play an important role in DNA damage repair and genome stability.So,PARP inhibitors can inhibit the DNA damage repairing of tumor cells and enhance the sensitivity of the DNA of tumor cells to damage factors.In recent years,PARP inhibitors have been more and more concerned.PARP inhibitors can kill tumor cells with certain genetic mutations alone by synthetic lethal effect.In addition,PARP inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy or radiotherapy can increase the sensi tivity of tumor cells to the chemotherapy or radiotherapy.PARP inhibitors are expected to play an important role in cancer therapy.

Objective To investigate the morphological and biochemical changes of primary knee joint osteoarthritis of guinea pigs and study its initial pathogenesis. To study the appearance of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in early stages of cartilage degeneration and to evaluate its values. Methods Thirty female Hartley guinea pigs were divided into postnatal 1, 3 and 6 months groups with 10 animals in each group. The degeneration of knee joint cartilage was observed. The proteoglycan (PG) and estradiol (ET) in serum were measured and the concentration of hydroxyproline (HOP), uronic acid (UA) and water ratio (WR) in articular cartilage were determined. Guinea pigs were scanned with magnetic resonance imaging ,using a 1.5T ASC-NT Gyroscan unit (Philips) magnet with 16 cm coil. Gradient echo sequences and spin echo sequences were performed in the sagittal planes at postnatal 1, 3, 6 months. Then signal intensity and thickness of cartilage were measured. The proteoglycan level was measured biochemically and histochemically. Results Degeneration of knee joint cartilage was seen in guinea pigs of 3 months old. The level of serum ET and cartilage WR were increased with age, while the value of serum PG and cartilage UA were decreased with age. The cartilage thickness and signal intensity were decreased significantly in treated knees compared with postnatal 1 month knees (P

Objective: To study correlation between plasma mitochondrial coupling factor-6 (MCF-6) level in coronary circulation and coronary stenotic degree in CHD patients. Methods: A total of 64 CHD patients were selected as CHD group, and they were further divided into single-vessel group, double-vessel group and multi-vessel coronary disease group; another 20 cases with normal coronary artery were enrolled as normal control group. Radioimmunoassay method was used to measure plasma MCF-6 concentration in peripheral, coronary sinus and aortic root in each group. Multivariant linear gradual regressive analysis was used to analyze above-mentioned correlation. Results: Compared with normal control group, there was significant increase in plasma MCF-6 concentration in peripheral, aortic root and coronary sinus in CHD patients (P<0.05 all) ；compared with aortic root and peripheral plasma, there was significant increase in MCF-6 concentration [(348±48) pg/ml vs. (340±51) pg/ml vs. (402±56) pg/ml, P<0.01 all] in coronary sinus of CHD group；Compared with single-vessel group, double-vessel group, there were increase in MCF-6 concentration in multi-vessel coronary disease group (P<0.05～0.01); Multivariant linear gradual regressive analysis indicated that Gensini score was significant positively correlated with plasma MCF-6 concentrations in coronary sinus and aortic root (r=0.650, P<0.01; r=0.711, P<0.01). Conclusion: Mitochondrial coupling factor-6 participates in the pathophysiological process of coronary heart disease, which may be an important vasoactive substance during development of coronary heart disease.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of emergency carotid endarterectomy in acute stroke induced by internal carotid artery thrombosis.Methods Two patients with acute stroke with internal carotid artery thrombosis were treated with internal carotid artery incision,thrombous extraction,carotid endarterectomy and angioplasty.Results The cerebral ischemia symptoms of patients were obviously improved.One patient showed complete rehabilitation,another patient could take self-care.No thrombosis and restenosis in internal carotid artery were formed during one to nine month follow-up.Conclusions Emergency carotid endarterectomy in acute stroke with thrombosis occlusion in internal carotid artery is safe and feasible.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of emergency operation in treating acute stroke induced by internal carotid artery thrombosis.Methods Two patients with acute stroke with internal carotid artery thrombosis were treated with internal carotid artery incision,thrombus extraction,carotid endarterectomy and angioplasty.Results The cerebral ischemia symptoms of the patients were obviously improved.One patient showed complete rehabilitation,and the other patient could take self-care.No thrombosis and restenosis in internal carotid artery were formed during one-to nine-month follow-up.Conclusion Emergency operation in acute stroke with thrombosis occlusion in internal carotid artery is safe and feasible.

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is not only an ischemic cerebrovascular disease with high incidence, but also a risk warning signal of cerebral infarction. This article reviewed the correlation of TIA and cerebral infarction, risk factors of transient ischemic attack progressing into cerebral infarction and its score scale.

Objective To explore imaging manifestations and diagnostic value of helical CT in maxillofacial fractures associated with craniocervical junction injury. Methods Helical CT findings of ten cases with maxillofacial fractures involving the craniocervical junction injury were retrospectively analyzed and compared with other imaging techniques. Results There were five cases with both fractures of the maxilla and mandible combined with zygomatic arch fractures, three with mandible fractures combined with dislocation of temporomandibular joint and three with mandible fractures combined with slight and moderate craniocerebral injuries. The combined craniocervical junction injuries included atlantoaxial rotary dislocation in six cases, occipital condyle avulsion fracture in two and occipitocervical subluxation in two. Conclusions Maxillofacial fractures combined with the occipitocervical junction injuries are usually ligament injuries, with radiologic characteristics of avulsion fracture, occipitocervical subluxation and atlantoaxial rotary dislocation. Helical CT is a satisfactory mode for diagnosis of such fractures. More attention should be paid to mark of anatomical relation of craniocervical junction to avoid missed diagnosis.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), for their potential of differentiation into cardiomyocytes and easy acquisition, have been used in repair of myocardium tissue and improvement of heart functions after myocardial infarction. However, a vexed problem is the low homing rate of MSCs no matter what delivery methods (including intravenous, intracoronary or endocardial delivery) are used. SDF-1/CXCR-4 signal pathway plays an important role in variety of stem cell homing, and has been employed to enhance the function of SDF-1/CXCR-4 signal pathway for improving the efficiency of stem cell homing. The present paper has reviewed the methods used recent years to enhance the function of SDF-1/CXCR-4 signal pathway and the mechanism of the signal pathway in MSCs homing.