Objective To explore the protective effects of Acanthopanax senticousus saponins (ASS) on ischemia-hypoxia injury of cortical neuron. Methods The models of cortical neuron damage induced by hypoxia-ischemia (HI) and glutamate (Glu) were established on cultured embryonic cortical neurons. The neurons were randomly divided into HI group, Glu group, ASS group and control group. ASS (50 mg/L) was added into the ASS group before and during neuron damage. The rate of neuronal apoptosis was measured by flow cytometer, nitric oxide (NO) content was determined by Nitrate reductive assay and neuron survival was measured by MTT assay and the release of LDH. Morphologic change of neurons was observed under electron microscopy.Results (1) The cortical neuron survival decreased time-dependently in HI group and reached peak at 8h after hypoxia-ischemia. Glutamate leaded the cortical neuron survival decreasing time-dependently. (2) Compared with the control group, the cortical neuron survival decreased in HI group and Glu group, but the neuron apoptosis, the release of LDH and NO contents increased significantly (all P

Objective To investigate the effects of the leflunomide active metabolite (A771726) on the expression of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) -induced CD147, matrix metallo-proteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 on THP-1 cells. Methods THP-1 cells were cultured in RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with 10％ fetal bovine serum. For all experiments, THP-1 cells were cultured at an initial density of 5×105/ml. Before A771726 treatment, cells were cultured with serum-free RPMI-1640 medium for 12 h, THP-1cells were co-cultured with PMA at three different concentrations of A771726 (5, 15 , 45 μg/ml) for 24 h.The mRNA expression of CD147, MMP-2 and MMP-9 was measured by real-time PCR. CD147 expression on the cells were evaluated by flow cytometric analysis. The activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were evaluated by gelatin zymography. Statistical differences among the groups were tested by one-way ANOVA or KruskalWallis test. Results The expression of CD147, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were upgraded by the PMA. The expression of CD147 on THP-1 cells was inhibited significantly by A771726 in a dose-dependent pattern (P＜0.01). The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of CD147 in positive control group was 109.5±3.8, the MFI in A771726 (5, 15, 45 μg/ml) group were 73.3±2.5, 64.5±2.3, 40.9±2.7, respectively. The expression of MMP-2, MMP-9 mRNA and the activity of MMP-2, MMP-9 in the supernatant was inhibited significantly by A771726 (P＜0.01). The expression of CD147 mRNA was not inhibited significantly by A771726 (P＞0.05).Conclusion Leflunomide active metabolite (A771726) can inhibit the expression of PMA-induced CD147,MMP-2 and MMP-9 on THP-1 Cells.

Objective To observe the effect of infliximab combination therapy on the expression of CD147 on the peripheral CD14+ monocytes of active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Methods Thirty active RA patients who were refractory to MTX treatment were randomized into three groups (group A, B, C) with the proportion of 3:1:1. Group A and B received four or three infusions of infliximab (3 mg/kg), group C received four infusions of placebo. All three groups were added to a stable background of MTX. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of CD147 expression on the peripheral CD14+ monocytes of RA patients and normal healthy controls were detected by flow cytometry analysis. Clinical and laboratory parameters were assessed before each infusion. One-way ANOVA, Kruskal-Wallis the MFI of CD147 expression at week 18 (P<0.05). Marked differences were observed between the infliximab + MTX group and the placebo + MTX group on the change of the MFI of CD147 expression from baseline to week 18 (P<0.05).Conclusion CD147 expression on the peripheral CD14+ monocytes of active RA patients is increased, and combination therapy of infliximab and MTX can inhibit the expression.

Purpose: There is still insufficient evidence for predicting stroke risk in patients with mild carotid atherosclerotic stenosis. This study aimed to explore the association between carotid intraplaque neovascularization (IPN) in mild stenosis and ischemic stroke, using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 369 patients from July 2021 to March 2022. These patients were categorized as symptomatic or asymptomatic based on their recent history of ipsilateral ischemic stroke. Initial parameters of carotid plaques, such as IPN grading and contrast enhancement index, were assessed using B-mode ultrasonography and CEUS. The follow-up period lasted 12 months or until a newly-developed ischemic stroke occurred. Logistic regression models and Cox proportional-hazards regression models were employed to explore the associations between ultrasonic parameters and the incidence of recent and future ischemic strokes. Results: In patients with mild stenosis, both increasing age and grade 2 carotid IPN were significant predictors of recent primary ischemic stroke. Furthermore, grade 2 carotid IPN independently predicted future ischemic strokes in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Conclusion This study demonstrated that carotid IPN as detected by CEUS imaging holds potential as a useful non-invasive biomarker for predicting recent and future ischemic strokes in patients with mild carotid stenosis.

Purpose: There is still insufficient evidence for predicting stroke risk in patients with mild carotid atherosclerotic stenosis. This study aimed to explore the association between carotid intraplaque neovascularization (IPN) in mild stenosis and ischemic stroke, using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 369 patients from July 2021 to March 2022. These patients were categorized as symptomatic or asymptomatic based on their recent history of ipsilateral ischemic stroke. Initial parameters of carotid plaques, such as IPN grading and contrast enhancement index, were assessed using B-mode ultrasonography and CEUS. The follow-up period lasted 12 months or until a newly-developed ischemic stroke occurred. Logistic regression models and Cox proportional-hazards regression models were employed to explore the associations between ultrasonic parameters and the incidence of recent and future ischemic strokes. Results: In patients with mild stenosis, both increasing age and grade 2 carotid IPN were significant predictors of recent primary ischemic stroke. Furthermore, grade 2 carotid IPN independently predicted future ischemic strokes in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Conclusion This study demonstrated that carotid IPN as detected by CEUS imaging holds potential as a useful non-invasive biomarker for predicting recent and future ischemic strokes in patients with mild carotid stenosis.

Purpose: There is still insufficient evidence for predicting stroke risk in patients with mild carotid atherosclerotic stenosis. This study aimed to explore the association between carotid intraplaque neovascularization (IPN) in mild stenosis and ischemic stroke, using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 369 patients from July 2021 to March 2022. These patients were categorized as symptomatic or asymptomatic based on their recent history of ipsilateral ischemic stroke. Initial parameters of carotid plaques, such as IPN grading and contrast enhancement index, were assessed using B-mode ultrasonography and CEUS. The follow-up period lasted 12 months or until a newly-developed ischemic stroke occurred. Logistic regression models and Cox proportional-hazards regression models were employed to explore the associations between ultrasonic parameters and the incidence of recent and future ischemic strokes. Results: In patients with mild stenosis, both increasing age and grade 2 carotid IPN were significant predictors of recent primary ischemic stroke. Furthermore, grade 2 carotid IPN independently predicted future ischemic strokes in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Conclusion This study demonstrated that carotid IPN as detected by CEUS imaging holds potential as a useful non-invasive biomarker for predicting recent and future ischemic strokes in patients with mild carotid stenosis.

Purpose: There is still insufficient evidence for predicting stroke risk in patients with mild carotid atherosclerotic stenosis. This study aimed to explore the association between carotid intraplaque neovascularization (IPN) in mild stenosis and ischemic stroke, using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 369 patients from July 2021 to March 2022. These patients were categorized as symptomatic or asymptomatic based on their recent history of ipsilateral ischemic stroke. Initial parameters of carotid plaques, such as IPN grading and contrast enhancement index, were assessed using B-mode ultrasonography and CEUS. The follow-up period lasted 12 months or until a newly-developed ischemic stroke occurred. Logistic regression models and Cox proportional-hazards regression models were employed to explore the associations between ultrasonic parameters and the incidence of recent and future ischemic strokes. Results: In patients with mild stenosis, both increasing age and grade 2 carotid IPN were significant predictors of recent primary ischemic stroke. Furthermore, grade 2 carotid IPN independently predicted future ischemic strokes in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Conclusion This study demonstrated that carotid IPN as detected by CEUS imaging holds potential as a useful non-invasive biomarker for predicting recent and future ischemic strokes in patients with mild carotid stenosis.

Purpose: There is still insufficient evidence for predicting stroke risk in patients with mild carotid atherosclerotic stenosis. This study aimed to explore the association between carotid intraplaque neovascularization (IPN) in mild stenosis and ischemic stroke, using contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) imaging. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 369 patients from July 2021 to March 2022. These patients were categorized as symptomatic or asymptomatic based on their recent history of ipsilateral ischemic stroke. Initial parameters of carotid plaques, such as IPN grading and contrast enhancement index, were assessed using B-mode ultrasonography and CEUS. The follow-up period lasted 12 months or until a newly-developed ischemic stroke occurred. Logistic regression models and Cox proportional-hazards regression models were employed to explore the associations between ultrasonic parameters and the incidence of recent and future ischemic strokes. Results: In patients with mild stenosis, both increasing age and grade 2 carotid IPN were significant predictors of recent primary ischemic stroke. Furthermore, grade 2 carotid IPN independently predicted future ischemic strokes in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Conclusion This study demonstrated that carotid IPN as detected by CEUS imaging holds potential as a useful non-invasive biomarker for predicting recent and future ischemic strokes in patients with mild carotid stenosis.

Purpose: This cross-sectional cohort-comparison observational study investigated the value of high-frame-rate vector flow (V Flow) imaging for evaluating differences in carotid plaque shape and biomechanical parameters in patients with mild stenosis according to a recent history of ipsilateral ischemic stroke. Methods: The present study included 352 patients from February 2023 to October 2023, who were categorized as symptomatic or asymptomatic based on a history of recent ischemic stroke and ipsilateral ischemic lesions detected on head computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. A Mindray Resona R9 system was used for B-mode ultrasonography and V Flow imaging. The upstream and downstream surfaces of the plaques were examined at the carotid bifurcation for wall shear stress (WSS), oscillatory shear index (OSI), and turbulence index, which performed peri-plaque biomechanical condition. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine associations between plaque shape, V Flow parameters, and ischemic stroke. Results: Symptomatic patients exhibited higher WSS values for the upstream and downstream surfaces of carotid plaque, as well as higher OSI and turbulence index values for the downstream surface. Type Ⅲ plaques and higher WSS and OSI values for the downstream surface of the plaque were significantly associated with ischemic stroke. Type Ⅲ plaques were more prevalent in symptomatic patients and demonstrated much higher WSS and OSI values for the downstream plaque surface in both groups. Conclusion High-frame-rate V Flow imaging could assess peri-plaque biomechanical forces and may provide effective imaging biomarkers for early prediction of ischemic stroke in patients with mild stenosis.