Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) is a main type of syndrome from mild cognitive impairment to dementia,which is caused by cerebrovascular risk factors (eg,hypertension, diabetes,hyperlipemia),obvious (cerebral infarction and hemorrhage) or unobvious cerebrovascular disease (leukoaraiosis and chronic cerebral ischemia).Its incidence is increasing,however,its pathogenesis remains uncertain,and effective therapeutic tools are lacking.Therefore,an increasing attention is being paid to all aspects of studies.This article mainly reviews the recent development in research of neuropsychology,imaging,electrophysiology,biology,and gene.

AIM:Scopolamine blocks cholinergic transmission and impairs learning and memory in mice．The purpose of this study was to evaluate the memory-improving properties of curcumin on scopolamine-induced memory im-pairment in mice．METHODS：The mice of memory impairment were induced by scopolamine．Step down test and Morris water maze test were used to observe the earning and memory ability in curcumin-treated ice．Biochemical assessments of AChE，MDA，and GSH-Px levels in brains were performed．RESULTS：Oral administration of curcumin ignificantly reduced the numbers of step-down rrors(P<0．05)and prolonged the step-down latency induced by scopolamine(P<0．05)．The escape latency time in mice treated with curcumin Was remarkably educed compared to that in scopolamine group by Morris water maze test(P<0．05)．After the platform was removed，the total time that the mice swam in the tar-get quadrant Was also longer in curcumin group than that in model group(P<0．05)．The data also indicated that curcumin significantly inhibited AChE ctivity(P<0．01)and prevented oxidative stress characterized by the significant reduction in MDA content and the significant increase in GSH-Px activities in the brain(P<0．01)．CONCLUSl0N：Curcumin in-duces cognitive improvement by enhancing the function of cholinergic system and its antioxidant activity．

Objective To systematically review the efficacy of dexmedetomidine or midazolam for sedation in critically ill patients. Methods We searched the PubMed, EMBaes, Cochrane Library, Wanfang Database,CNKI and VIP for all randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the efficacy of dexmedetomidine versus midazolam for sedation in severe cases. The quality of the studies was evaluated by the method recommended by Cochrane Collaboration. Meta-analysis was conducted using the Cochrane Collaboration's RevMan 5.0 software. Results Six RCTs involving 613 patients were included in our Meta-analysis. The results of Meta-analysis showed that the length of ICU stay was significantly shorter in group dexmedetomidine than in group midazolam. There were no significant differences in the duration of mechanical ventilation, incidences of bradycardia, hypotension and delirium and mortality rate between the two groups. Conclusion Dexmedetomidin can shorten the length of ICU stay and is beneficial for the outcome in critically ill patients.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical effcacy of the modiifed anterolateral minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis technique for distal humeral shaft fracture, and to explore its feasibility, security, advantage and disadvantage. Methods: hTe clinical effcacy of 17 patients with distal humeral shatf fracture, who were treated with the anterolateral humerus minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis during 2009 to 2012, were retrospectively analyzed. hTe operative time, bleeding volume, complications, esseous union time and range of motion (ROM) of elbow were recorded, and the functional outcome of elbow joint was evaluated by Mayo elbow performance score (MEPs). The varus angle was measured in the malunion patients atfer the distal humeral shatf fracture healed. Results: All of the 17 patients obtained bony union at an average of 19.2 weeks postoperatively, an average of 4.5 screwes were inserted in distal humerus. hTe mean ROM of elbows was 133° and the MEPS were 98.2. Seven patients suffered humeral malalignment and the mean varus degrees were 8.3°. Conclusion: hTe technique of anterolateral humerus minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis is safe and feasible for distal humeral shatf, and the satisfactory clinical outcomes can be obtained by this modiifed technique. However, some of the patients may appear malunion with varus angulation of humerus.

Objective To evaluate the effects and safety of closed tracheal suction system(CTSS)versus open tracheal suction system (OTSS) for mechanically ventilated patients.Methods All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing CTSS with OTSS for mechanically ventilated patients home and abroad were identified via manual and computer retrieval.All related data were extracted.Meta analysis was conducted using the statistical software RevMan 5.1 on the basis of strict quality evaluation with the methods recommended by the Cochrane Collaboration.Results Fifty-one related papers were found and 12 RCTs involving 1205 patients in CTSS group and 1179 patients in OTSS group were included.The results of meta analysis showed that CTSS was associated with a significant reduction in the duration of mechanical ventilation (WMD =-0.73,95％ CI-1.07--0.40,P＜0.0001),but the incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia and microbial colonization,mortality and length of ICU stay exhibited no difference between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).However,compared with OTSS,CTSS reduced the incidence of arrhythmia (RR =0.23,95％ CI 0.07-0.74,P =0.01) and minimized the disturbance to heart rate (WMD =-1.97,95％ CI-3.03--0.91,P =0.0003),mean arterial pressure (WMD =-2.01,95％ CI-3.02--1.01,P ＜ 0.0001) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) (WMD =-1.00,95％ CI-1.14--0.86,P ＜ 0.000 01).Conclusions Compared with OTSS,CTSS could reduce disturbance to respiratory and circulatory system by sputum suction and shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation.However,CTSS has no advantage in prevention of ventilator associated pneumonia or microbial colonization,nor does it shorten the length of ICU stay or improve the outcome of mechanically ventilated patients.

Objective To assess the relationship between pulse wave velocity(PWV) and carotid atherosclerosis by UltraFast imaging.Methods 476 cases from Medical Examination Center of Beijing Friendship Hospital were enrolled in this study.According to intima-media thickness(IMT) of carotid artery,all subjects were divided into two groups:IMT without thickening group (G0) of 283 cases and IMT thickening group (G1) of 193 cases.Through UltraFast imaging,carotid artery PWV was measured,including the PWV at the beginning of the systole(BS) and the PWV at the ending of the systole(ES).Carotid IMT and plaque situation were recorded under gray-scale ultrasound.BS and ES were compared between the two groups.Spearman rank correlation was used to analyse the correlation between IMT of carotid artery and BS,between IMT of carotid artery and ES.Two independent samples t test to compare BS,ES between the two groups.Results BS of G1 and G0 were (6.03 ± 1.33)m/s and (5.51 ± 1.13)m/s,t =-4.571,P =0.000;ES of G1 and G0 were (8.42 ± 2.13)m/s and (7.34 ± 2.02) m/s,t =5.619,P =0.000.BS and ES of G1 were larger those of G0 respectively.BS (r =0.192,P =0.000) and ES (r =0.249,P =0.000) were correlated with the IMT of carotid artery.Conclusions Ultrafast imaging technique can quickly measure the carotid artery PWV.BS and ES of carotid artery can be quick,convenient,safe,noninvasive parameters for evaluating carotid atherosclerosis.

Objective To observe the effects of recruitment maneuver (RM) and tidal volume with different amount of gas after RM ventilation on lung diastole function in rats with acute lung injury (ALI). Method ALI rat models were induced by intravenous infusion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in dose of 6 mg/kg. Twenty-five rats were randomly(random number) divided into control group ( n = 5), ALI group ( n = 5), low tidal volume group (LV group,VT= 6 mL/kg, n = 5), sustained inflation (SI) with low tidal volume (SI+ LV group, VT=6 mL/kg, n = 5), and SI with moderate tidal volume group (SI+ MV group, VT= 12 mL/kg, n = 5). The RM carried out by using SI with airway pressure 30 cmH-2O for 30 seconds, and the positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)was set at 5 cmH2O. Lung tissue was taken after mechanical ventilation for 5 hours. The mean arterial pressure (MAP) was monitored throughout the entire course of experiment. Endothelin-1 ( ET-1 ), endothelial nitricoxide synthase (eNOS), and acetylcholine-(Ach-) induced endothelium-dependent relaxation response of isolated pulmonary artery rings were investigated after mechanical ventilation for 5 hours. Results The LPS increased the ET-1 level in lung tissue, decreased the level of eNOS in lung tissue, and impaired the Ach-induced endothelium-dependent relaxation response in pulmonary vassals, without obvious influence on systemic hemodynamics. SI + LV significantly reduced LPS-induced elevation of ET-1 level, and increased the level of eNOS, and significantly lessened endothelial dysfunction and ameliorated dysfunction od endothelium-dependent relaxation in pulmonary vas sals. Conclusions RM with high tidal volume or lowtidal volume ventilation could improve the lung vascular endothelial function of rats with acute lung injury, and RM with low tidal volume ventilation could lessen more the injury of lung vascular endothelial diastole function in rats with acute lung injury.

Objective To clarify the role of FLT3 signaling-dependent pulmonary conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) in the pathogenesis of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI),and as well as the modulation effects of cDCs in vivo on the inflammatory responses to acute lung injury.Methods Thirty C57BL/6 male mice were divided into normal control group,LPS group,FLT3L pretreatment group,lestaurtinib,(a high efficient and specific blocker in FLT3 signal pathway) pretreatment group and vehicle (DMSD) control group.FLT3L and lestaurtinib were administrated subcutaneously for 5 days.Murine model of ALI was subsequently established by intra-tracheal application of LPS and lung specimens were harvested 6 h or 24 h later.The accumulation and maturation of pulmonary cDCs were assessed by flow cytometry.IL-6 and TNF-α were quantified to evaluate lung inflammation.Lung injury was estimated by lung wet weight/body weight ratio (LWW/BW) and histopathological assessment.Lung myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was measured to evaluate neutrophil infiltration.Transcription factors Tbet/GATA-3 mRNA ratio was determined to estimate balance of Th1/Th2 response.IFN-γ and IL-4 were quantified to evaluate Th1-specific and Th2-specific cytokine production respectively.Results The accumulation and maturation of pulmonary cDCs peaked at 6h after LPS challenge.FLT3L pretreatment significantly stimulated the accumulation and maturation of pulmonary cDCs (P ＜ 0.05),leading to markedly deterioration of LWW/BW and lung histopathological changes.Meanwhile lung MPO activity and T-bet/GATA-3 mRNA ratio were elevated (P ＜ 0.05).Furthermore,the production of IL-6,TNF-α and IFN-γwas markedly increased by FLT3L pretreatment (P ＜ 0.05).In contrast,lestaurtinib pretreatment markedly inhibited the accumulation and maturation of pulmonary cDCs (P ＜ 0.05),leading to significant improvement of LWW/BW and lung histopathological changes.Meanwhile lung MPO activity and T-bet/ GATA-3 mRNA ratio were decreased (P ＜ 0.05).Furthermore lestaurtinib efficiently suppressed the production of IL-6,TNF-α and IFN-γ (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion This study thus demonstrated that FLT3 signaling-dependent pulmonary cDCs could control the initiation of acute lung inflammation response to LPS-induced ALI through the regulation of neutrophil infiltration and balance of Thl/Th2 response.

Objective To observe the expression of I-Ab/I-E on circulating,lung and splenic dendritic cells (DC) in acute lung injury (ALI) mice.Methods Twenty-four C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups:control group,ALI 6 h,ALI 12 h and ALI 24 h group.Blood,lungs and spleens were harvested after lipopolysaccharide or phosphate butter solution administration.The expression of I-Ab/I-E on DC was assessed by flow cytometry (FCM).IL-6 level in the lung was measured by enzymelinked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Lung wet weight/body weight (LW/BW) was recorded to assess lung injury.Meanwhile,pathological changes were examined under optical microscope.Results (1) lipopolysac charide-induced ALI mice resulted in a significant increase in lung LW/BW ratio.(2) Histologically,widespread alveolar wall thickening caused by edema,marked and diffuse interstitial infiltration with inflammatory cells,and severe hemorrhage in the interstitium and alveolus were observed in the ALI groups.(3) The level of IL-6 in lung tissue was significantly enhanced in ALI mice.(4) FCM analysis showed that I-Ab/I-E expressions on lung DC [(73 ±9)％],and splenic DC [(81 ±8)％] were significantly higher than that on circulating DC [(24 ± 7) ％ ; P ＜ 0.05] in control mice.(5) In ALI mice,the expressions of I-Ab/I-E on peripheral blood DC were (34 ± 17)％ at 6 h,(51 ± 16)％ at 12 h,(50 ± 17)％ at24 h respectively; I-Ab/I-E expressions on lung DC were (82 ± 14)％ at 6 h,(88 ±6)％ at 12 h,(90 ±10)％ at 24 h respectively; the expressions of I-Ab/I-E on splenic DC were (88 ± 8)％ at 6 h,(89 ± 4)％ at 12 h,(93 ± 9)％ at 24 h respectively,which were also significantly higher than those on the peripheral blood DC (P ＜ 0.05).(6) The I-Ab/I-E expressions on circulating DC in ALl mice at 12 h and 24 h was significantly higher than that on circulating DC in control mice (P ＜ 0.05).(7) The I-Ab/I-Eexpressions on lung DC and splenic DC in ALI mice at 24 h were significantly higher than those on lung DC and splenic DC in control mice (P ＜ 0.05).(8) There was a significant correlation of I-Ab/I-E expression on respiratory DC with the IL-6 level and lung injury score in LPS-induced ALI group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions There is a dynamic characteristic in the expression I-Ab/I-E on circulating,lung and splenic DC populations in ALI mice.I-Ab/I-E on pulmonary DC seems to play an important role in the pathogenesis of ALI.

Objective To investigate the accumulation and maturation status of pulmonary conventional dendritic cells (cDCs) in the early phase of acute lung injury (ALI),and to explore the way of the inflammatory responses and lung injury modulated by cDCs in vivo.MethodsMale C57BL/6 mice were randomly ( random number) divided into the normal control group,6 h-ALI group and 24 h-ALI group.Murine model of ALI was made by intra-tracheal administration of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and lung specimens were taken 6 h or 24 h later.The accumulation and maturation status of pulmonary cDCs were assessed by flow cytometry.IL-6 and TNF-α were quantified to evaluate the lung inflammation.Transcription factors T-bet/GATA-3 mRNA ratio was determined to estimate the balance between Th1/Th2 responses.IFN-γand IL-4 were quantified to evaluate Thl-specific and Th2-specific cytokine production respectively.Lung injury was estimated by lung wet weight/body weight ratio (LWW/BW) and histopathological assessment.Comparison between groups was performed using one -way ANOVA.ResultsCompared with normal control group,LPS challenge resulted in higher level of IL-6 and TNF-α,increased LWW/BW ratio and significant histopathological changes (P ＜0.01 ).The accumulation and maturation of pulmonary cDCs in 6 h-ALI group were significantly increased after LPS challenge (P ＜0.01 ),while the accumulation and maturation of pulmonary cDCs in 24 h-ALI group were significantly lower than that in 6 h-ALI group ( P ＜0.01 ).Compared with normal control group,the expression of T-bet mRNA in 24 h-ALI group was markedly enhanced ( P ＜ 0.01 ) and the production of IFN-γ was increased as well ( P ＜ 0.01 ).ConclusionsThe accumulation and maturation of pulmonary cDCs peaked within 24 h after LPS challenge,pulmonary cDCs may initiate and amplify acute lung inflammation of ALI by enhancing the Th1 immune response and ensuing cytokine production.