Objective:To study the prognostic value of left atrial strain in diastolic function response by treadmill exercise stress echocardiography.Methods:During May 2018 to February 2019, 64 patients underwent treadmill exercise stress echocardiography for diastolic function evaluation in Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, were recruited.Patients were categorized into diastolic stress test negative group (pre-stress E/e′ <14 & post-stress E/e′<14) (DST- group), and diastolic stress test positive group (pre-stress E/e′ <14 & post-stress E/e′>14) (DST+ group). Patients′ characteristics of the stress test, left ventricular diameter, left atrial volume index, systolic and diastolic function, and left atrial strain parameters were compared between these two groups. ROC analyses were performed based on the echocardiographic parameters with significant group differences ( P<0.01) to determine the predictive values for diastolic stress test response. Results:The pre-stress E/e′ and left atrial strain parameters were significantly differently between DST- and DST+ group. The DST- showed significantly lower E/e′ (8.20±1.27 vs 10.32±1.33, P<0.01), but higher left atrial strains than DST+ group[reservoir function(33.7±5.7)% vs (26.5±5.5)%, P<0.01; conduit function(16.8±4.0)% vs (11.8±3.4)%, P<0.01; pump function(16.9±5.7)% vs (14.7±5.5)%, P<0.05]. The left atrial reservoir function, conduit function and pre-stress E/e′ could predict the diastolic stress test response, the areas under ROC curve were 0.81 ( P<0.01), 0.62 ( P=0.04) and 0.71 ( P<0.01). Conclusions:The left atrial strain parameters under resting condition could predict the diastolic stress test response. It may serve as an alternative method of exercise stress echocardiography for diastolic function evaluation.

Objective:To observe the differentiation of endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) in the ischemic brain of rats with focal cerebral ischemia at different stages with various treatments.Methods:The model of focal cerebral ischemia was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). A total of 105 rats were randomly divided into sham-surgery group (SS), ischemia-reperfusion group (IR), receiving hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) 1 day after modeling group (IR1d+ HBO), receiving HBO 7 days after modeling group (IR7d+ HBO group), receiving HBO 14 days after modeling group (IR14d+ HBO group), and receiving HBO 28 days after modeling group (IR28d+ HBO group). At the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th week after modeling, the cells of newly generated neurons and astrocyte in the ischemic area were positive in both immunofluorescence BrdU/β-tubulin and BrdU/glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) test were detected.Results:Two weeks after modeling, the expressions of BrdU/β-tubulin were 11.40±1.52 in the SS group, 36.60±2.51 in the IR group, 48.60±3.21 in the IR1d+ HBO group, and 42.60±2.30 in the IR7d+ HBO group; four weeks after modeling, it was 12.20±1.92 in the SS group, 26.20±2.28 in the IR group, 39.80±2.17 in the IR1d+ HBO group, 33.20±1.92 in the IR7d+ HBO group, 29.20±1.48 in the IR14d+ HBO group. Six weeks after modeling, it was 12.40±1.67 in the SS group, 18.60±1.82 in the IR group, 30.20±2.49 in the IR1d+ HBO Group, 25.40±2.79 in the IR7d+ HBO group, 21.40±2.50 in the IR14d+ HBO group, 19.60±1.67 in the IR28d+ HBO group. Eight weeks after modeling, it was 11.80±1.64 in the SS group, 16.40±2.07 in the IR group, 24.40±1.95 in the IR1d+ HBO group, 21.20±1.48 in the IR7d+ HBO group, 18.40±1.67 in the IR14d+ HBO group, and 15.60±1.82 in the IR28d+ HBO group. The differences in the expressions of BrdU/β-tubulin between these groups were statistically significant ( P<0.01). Compared with the SS group, the expression of BrdU/β-tubulin increased in the IR group at each time point ( P<0.05). The expressions of BrdU/β-tubulin in the IR1d+ HBO and the IR7d+ HBO were higher than those in the IR group at each time point; while there were statistical differences comparing those in the IR14d+ HBO group and the IR28d+ HBO group with those in the IR group at each time point ( P>0.05). The expressions of BrdU/β-tubulin were at the highest level at the second week in all the groups except the SS group ( P<0.05). (2) Two weeks after modeling, the expression of BrdU/GFAP was 22.60±1.82 in the SS group, 59.00±3.67 in the IR group, 50.60±2.51 in the IR1d+ HBO group, and 55.20±2.58 in the IR7d+ HBO group. Four weeks after modeling, it was 22.20±1.48 in the SS group, 45.00±2.24 in the IR group, 35.80±1.64 in the IR1d+ HBO group, 40.20±2.16 in the IR7d+ HBO group, and 44.60±2.51 in the IR14d+ HBO group. Six weeks after modeling, it was 22.80±1.64 in the SS group, 26.68±1.78 in the IR group, 27.40±1.67 in the IR1d+ HBO group, 28.40±1.51 in the IR7d+ HBO group, 26.20±1.78 in the IR14d+ HBO group, and 26.20±1.48 in the IR28d+ HBO group. Eight weeks after modeling, it was 21.60±1.81 in the SS group, 21.40±1.14 in the IR group, 24.00±1.58 in the IR1d+ HBO group, 24.80±1.92 in the IR7d+ HBO group, 23.40±1.67 in the IR14d+ HBO group, and 22.20±1.30 in the IR28d+ HBO group. At each time point, the differences of BrdU/GFAP expression between each group were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Furthermore, the BrdU/GFAP expression in the IR group was higher than that in the SS group at each time point except the 8th week. The expressions of BrdU/GFAP in the IR1d+ HBO group and the IR7d+ HBO group were higher than those in the IR group at the 2nd and the 4th weeks ( P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the expressions of BrdU/GFAP between the IR1d+ HBO group and the IR7d+ HBO group at the 6th and the 8th week( P>0.05). There was no statistically significance comparing the expressions of BrdU/GFAP in the IR14d+ HBO and the IR 28d+ HBO group respectively with those in the SS group( P>0.05) at each time point. All the expressions of BrdU/GFAP in each group reached the highest level at the 2nd week ( P<0.05). Conclusion:In the early and the recovery period, HBO can promote the differentiation of NSCs in the ischemic areas into neurons and inhibit its differentiation into astrocytes. An early long-term treatment of HBO can maintain NSCs differentiation in the ischemic area into neurons for a long time.

Objective:To observe the effect of different oxygen partial pressure on the survival of adrenal medullary pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells in rats and explore the possible mechanism.Methods:When carpeting 70%-80% of the entire flask bottom, the PC12 cells were randomly divided into 0.1 MPa group, 0.2 MPa group, and 0.4 MPa group. Then each group was placed in the experiment chamber respectively. The 0.1 MPa group was given pure oxygen under normal pressure in which oxygen partial was 0.1 MPa; while the other two groups was given 0.2 MPa and 0.4 MPa partial pure oxygen respectively with 0.03 MPa/min compresing and decompressing. Pure oxygen was given for 1 h under the corresponding stable pressure. Cell viability and the level of L-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in cultrue solution were determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were detected by flow cytometry.Results:(1) The cell viability in the 0.2 MPa group (118.35±5.42)% was significantly higher than that in the 0.1 MPa group (100.38±5.08)% ( P<0.01), while the cell viability in the 0.4 MPa group (83.50±7.11)% was lower than those in the 0.1 MPa group and the 0.2 MPa group ( P<0.01). (2) The level of LDH in the 0.4 MPa group (1 071.67±35.36) was significantly increased, which was significantly different from those in the 0.1 MPa group (959.19±34.06) and the 0.2 MPa group (966.66±31.38) ( P<0.01). (3) The level of ROS rised as the oxygen partial pressure increased. The differences of ROS level between the groups, i. e. the 0.1 MPa group (97.48±6.08) and the 0.2 MPa group (112.48±3.14), the 0.1 MPa group and the 0.4 MPa group (148.62±4.79), and the 0.2 MPa group and the 0.4 MPa group, were all statistically significant ( P<0.01). (4) The fluorescence intensity of Rh123 in each group were (797.63±60.05), (798.20±58.54), and (1 362.32±40.68) respectively, which were negatively correlated with MMP. There was no significant difference in MMP between the 0.1 MPa group and the 0.2 MPa group ( P=0.79), but the MMP in the 0.4 MPa group was lower than those in 0.1 group and the 0.2 MPa group with statistical significance ( P<0.01). Conclusion:The appropriate oxygen partial pressure could increase the viability of PC12 cells while a high oxygen partial pressure may be toxic, produce excessive ROS, and then induce the decrease of MMP, which is one of the possible mechanisms.

Objective:To observe the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) at different courses of treatment on the proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells(NSCs) in cerebral ventricular subventricular zone (SVZ) and hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) in rats with focal cerebral ischemia at different periods.Methods:The model of focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion was performed by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). A total of 105 rats were divided by lottery into pseudo-surgery group(SS), ischemia-reperfusion group (IR group), HBO at 1 st day after ischemia-reperfusion group (IR1d+ HBO group), HBO at 7 th day after ischemia-reperfusion group (IR7d+ HBO group), HBO at 14 th day after ischemia-reperfusion group (IR14d+ HBO group), and HBO at 28 th day after ischemia-reperfusion group (IR28d+ HBO). The SVZ and DG-derived NSCs were detected by immunofluorescence BrdU/Nestin double labeling at the 2 nd, 4 th, 6 th, and 8 th week after modeling. Results:At the 2 nd week after modeling, the number of DG BrdU/Nestin positive cells was 21.20±2.58 in the SS group, 56.40±4.51 in the IR group, 82.80±7.19 in the IR1d+ HBO group, and 70.00±5.09 in the IR7d+ HBO group. At the 4 th week, it was 21.00±2.92 in the SS group, 37.20±3.27 in the IR group, 70.60±5.12 in the IR1d+ HBO group, 57.20±3.56 in the IR7d+ HBO group, 45.80±4.32 in the IR14d+ HBO group. At the 6 th week, it was 20.20±1.92 in the SS group, 26.40±2.74 in the IR group, 48.00±3.16 in the IR1d+ HBO group, 40.60±3.36 in the IR7d+ HBO group, 31.60±2.41 in the IR14d+ HBO group, 26.60±2.30 in the IR28d+ HBO group. The number of DG BrdU/Nestin positive cells was statistically significant among all subgroups during the same period ( P<0.01) except for that at the 8 th week. The pairwise comparison showed the numbers of DG BrdU/Nestin positive cells in the IR group at all time points were all higher than those in the SS group at the same time point ( P<0.05). Except for that at the 8 th week, all the numbers of DG BrdU/Nestin positive cells in the IR1d+ HBO group, the IR7d+ HBO group, and the IR14d+ HBO group at each time point were higher than those in the IR group ( P<0.05). In all the subgroups, the number of DG BrdU/Nestin positive cells reached the highest point at the 2 nd week/the initial measurement point ( P<0.05). At the 2 nd week after modeling, the number of SVZ BrdU/Nestin positive cells was 25.20±2.86 in the SS group, 66.40±2.96 in the IR group, 90.40±6.50 in the IR1d+ HBO group, 75.00±4.58 in the IR7d+ HBO group. At the 4 th week, it was 24.20±1.48 in the SS group, 49.80±4.32 in the IR group, 72.40±4.92 in the IR1d+ HBO group, 57.80±6.46 in the IR7d+ HBO group, 43.80±3.56 in the IR14d+ HBO group. At the 6 th week, it was 24.40±2.41 in the SS group, 28.80±2.77 in the IR group, 51.00±4.30 in the IR1d+ HBO group, 42.00±3.39 in the IR7d+ HBO group, 34.80±2.58 in the IR14d+ HBO group, 31.30±3.41 in the IR28d+ HBO group. The number of SVZ BrdU/Nestin positive cells was statistically significant among all subgroups during the same period ( P<0.05). The pairwise comparison showed the numbers of SVZ BrdU/Nestin positive cells in the IR group at all time points were all higher than those in the SS group at the same time point ( P<0.05) except for the 8 th week. The numbers of SVZ BrdU/Nestin positive cells in the IR1d+ HBO group at each time point were higher than that in the IR group( P<0.05). The numbers of SVZ BrdU/Nestin positive cells in the IR7d+ HBO group, the IR14d+ HBO group, and the IR28d+ HBO group at the 2 nd, 4 th, and 6 th week were higher than those in the IR group at the same time point ( P<0.05). In all the subgroups, the number of SVZ BrdU/Nestin positive cells reached the highest point at the 2 nd week/the initial measurement point ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The earlier HBO treatment on cerebral infarction starts, the better promotion of the proliferation of SVZ and DG-derived NSCs achieves. HBO treatment has almost no effect on the proliferation of endogenous NSCs at late cerebral infarction.

Objective:To observe the differentiation of endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) in the ischemic brain of rats with focal cerebral ischemia at different stages with various treatments.Methods:The model of focal cerebral ischemia was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). A total of 105 rats were randomly divided into sham-surgery group (SS), ischemia-reperfusion group (IR), receiving hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) 1 day after modeling group (IR1d+ HBO), receiving HBO 7 days after modeling group (IR7d+ HBO group), receiving HBO 14 days after modeling group (IR14d+ HBO group), and receiving HBO 28 days after modeling group (IR28d+ HBO group). At the 2nd, 4th, 6th and 8th week after modeling, the cells of newly generated neurons and astrocyte in the ischemic area were positive in both immunofluorescence BrdU/β-tubulin and BrdU/glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) test were detected.Results:Two weeks after modeling, the expressions of BrdU/β-tubulin were 11.40±1.52 in the SS group, 36.60±2.51 in the IR group, 48.60±3.21 in the IR1d+ HBO group, and 42.60±2.30 in the IR7d+ HBO group; four weeks after modeling, it was 12.20±1.92 in the SS group, 26.20±2.28 in the IR group, 39.80±2.17 in the IR1d+ HBO group, 33.20±1.92 in the IR7d+ HBO group, 29.20±1.48 in the IR14d+ HBO group. Six weeks after modeling, it was 12.40±1.67 in the SS group, 18.60±1.82 in the IR group, 30.20±2.49 in the IR1d+ HBO Group, 25.40±2.79 in the IR7d+ HBO group, 21.40±2.50 in the IR14d+ HBO group, 19.60±1.67 in the IR28d+ HBO group. Eight weeks after modeling, it was 11.80±1.64 in the SS group, 16.40±2.07 in the IR group, 24.40±1.95 in the IR1d+ HBO group, 21.20±1.48 in the IR7d+ HBO group, 18.40±1.67 in the IR14d+ HBO group, and 15.60±1.82 in the IR28d+ HBO group. The differences in the expressions of BrdU/β-tubulin between these groups were statistically significant ( P<0.01). Compared with the SS group, the expression of BrdU/β-tubulin increased in the IR group at each time point ( P<0.05). The expressions of BrdU/β-tubulin in the IR1d+ HBO and the IR7d+ HBO were higher than those in the IR group at each time point; while there were statistical differences comparing those in the IR14d+ HBO group and the IR28d+ HBO group with those in the IR group at each time point ( P>0.05). The expressions of BrdU/β-tubulin were at the highest level at the second week in all the groups except the SS group ( P<0.05). (2) Two weeks after modeling, the expression of BrdU/GFAP was 22.60±1.82 in the SS group, 59.00±3.67 in the IR group, 50.60±2.51 in the IR1d+ HBO group, and 55.20±2.58 in the IR7d+ HBO group. Four weeks after modeling, it was 22.20±1.48 in the SS group, 45.00±2.24 in the IR group, 35.80±1.64 in the IR1d+ HBO group, 40.20±2.16 in the IR7d+ HBO group, and 44.60±2.51 in the IR14d+ HBO group. Six weeks after modeling, it was 22.80±1.64 in the SS group, 26.68±1.78 in the IR group, 27.40±1.67 in the IR1d+ HBO group, 28.40±1.51 in the IR7d+ HBO group, 26.20±1.78 in the IR14d+ HBO group, and 26.20±1.48 in the IR28d+ HBO group. Eight weeks after modeling, it was 21.60±1.81 in the SS group, 21.40±1.14 in the IR group, 24.00±1.58 in the IR1d+ HBO group, 24.80±1.92 in the IR7d+ HBO group, 23.40±1.67 in the IR14d+ HBO group, and 22.20±1.30 in the IR28d+ HBO group. At each time point, the differences of BrdU/GFAP expression between each group were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Furthermore, the BrdU/GFAP expression in the IR group was higher than that in the SS group at each time point except the 8th week. The expressions of BrdU/GFAP in the IR1d+ HBO group and the IR7d+ HBO group were higher than those in the IR group at the 2nd and the 4th weeks ( P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the expressions of BrdU/GFAP between the IR1d+ HBO group and the IR7d+ HBO group at the 6th and the 8th week( P>0.05). There was no statistically significance comparing the expressions of BrdU/GFAP in the IR14d+ HBO and the IR 28d+ HBO group respectively with those in the SS group( P>0.05) at each time point. All the expressions of BrdU/GFAP in each group reached the highest level at the 2nd week ( P<0.05). Conclusion:In the early and the recovery period, HBO can promote the differentiation of NSCs in the ischemic areas into neurons and inhibit its differentiation into astrocytes. An early long-term treatment of HBO can maintain NSCs differentiation in the ischemic area into neurons for a long time.

Objective:To observe the effect of different oxygen partial pressure on the survival of adrenal medullary pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells in rats and explore the possible mechanism.Methods:When carpeting 70%-80% of the entire flask bottom, the PC12 cells were randomly divided into 0.1 MPa group, 0.2 MPa group, and 0.4 MPa group. Then each group was placed in the experiment chamber respectively. The 0.1 MPa group was given pure oxygen under normal pressure in which oxygen partial was 0.1 MPa; while the other two groups was given 0.2 MPa and 0.4 MPa partial pure oxygen respectively with 0.03 MPa/min compresing and decompressing. Pure oxygen was given for 1 h under the corresponding stable pressure. Cell viability and the level of L-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in cultrue solution were determined by 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2yl)-2, 5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) colorimetric assay, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) were detected by flow cytometry.Results:(1) The cell viability in the 0.2 MPa group (118.35±5.42)% was significantly higher than that in the 0.1 MPa group (100.38±5.08)% ( P<0.01), while the cell viability in the 0.4 MPa group (83.50±7.11)% was lower than those in the 0.1 MPa group and the 0.2 MPa group ( P<0.01). (2) The level of LDH in the 0.4 MPa group (1 071.67±35.36) was significantly increased, which was significantly different from those in the 0.1 MPa group (959.19±34.06) and the 0.2 MPa group (966.66±31.38) ( P<0.01). (3) The level of ROS rised as the oxygen partial pressure increased. The differences of ROS level between the groups, i. e. the 0.1 MPa group (97.48±6.08) and the 0.2 MPa group (112.48±3.14), the 0.1 MPa group and the 0.4 MPa group (148.62±4.79), and the 0.2 MPa group and the 0.4 MPa group, were all statistically significant ( P<0.01). (4) The fluorescence intensity of Rh123 in each group were (797.63±60.05), (798.20±58.54), and (1 362.32±40.68) respectively, which were negatively correlated with MMP. There was no significant difference in MMP between the 0.1 MPa group and the 0.2 MPa group ( P=0.79), but the MMP in the 0.4 MPa group was lower than those in 0.1 group and the 0.2 MPa group with statistical significance ( P<0.01). Conclusion:The appropriate oxygen partial pressure could increase the viability of PC12 cells while a high oxygen partial pressure may be toxic, produce excessive ROS, and then induce the decrease of MMP, which is one of the possible mechanisms.

Objective:To observe the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) at different courses of treatment on the proliferation of endogenous neural stem cells(NSCs) in cerebral ventricular subventricular zone (SVZ) and hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) in rats with focal cerebral ischemia at different periods.Methods:The model of focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion was performed by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). A total of 105 rats were divided by lottery into pseudo-surgery group(SS), ischemia-reperfusion group (IR group), HBO at 1 st day after ischemia-reperfusion group (IR1d+ HBO group), HBO at 7 th day after ischemia-reperfusion group (IR7d+ HBO group), HBO at 14 th day after ischemia-reperfusion group (IR14d+ HBO group), and HBO at 28 th day after ischemia-reperfusion group (IR28d+ HBO). The SVZ and DG-derived NSCs were detected by immunofluorescence BrdU/Nestin double labeling at the 2 nd, 4 th, 6 th, and 8 th week after modeling. Results:At the 2 nd week after modeling, the number of DG BrdU/Nestin positive cells was 21.20±2.58 in the SS group, 56.40±4.51 in the IR group, 82.80±7.19 in the IR1d+ HBO group, and 70.00±5.09 in the IR7d+ HBO group. At the 4 th week, it was 21.00±2.92 in the SS group, 37.20±3.27 in the IR group, 70.60±5.12 in the IR1d+ HBO group, 57.20±3.56 in the IR7d+ HBO group, 45.80±4.32 in the IR14d+ HBO group. At the 6 th week, it was 20.20±1.92 in the SS group, 26.40±2.74 in the IR group, 48.00±3.16 in the IR1d+ HBO group, 40.60±3.36 in the IR7d+ HBO group, 31.60±2.41 in the IR14d+ HBO group, 26.60±2.30 in the IR28d+ HBO group. The number of DG BrdU/Nestin positive cells was statistically significant among all subgroups during the same period ( P<0.01) except for that at the 8 th week. The pairwise comparison showed the numbers of DG BrdU/Nestin positive cells in the IR group at all time points were all higher than those in the SS group at the same time point ( P<0.05). Except for that at the 8 th week, all the numbers of DG BrdU/Nestin positive cells in the IR1d+ HBO group, the IR7d+ HBO group, and the IR14d+ HBO group at each time point were higher than those in the IR group ( P<0.05). In all the subgroups, the number of DG BrdU/Nestin positive cells reached the highest point at the 2 nd week/the initial measurement point ( P<0.05). At the 2 nd week after modeling, the number of SVZ BrdU/Nestin positive cells was 25.20±2.86 in the SS group, 66.40±2.96 in the IR group, 90.40±6.50 in the IR1d+ HBO group, 75.00±4.58 in the IR7d+ HBO group. At the 4 th week, it was 24.20±1.48 in the SS group, 49.80±4.32 in the IR group, 72.40±4.92 in the IR1d+ HBO group, 57.80±6.46 in the IR7d+ HBO group, 43.80±3.56 in the IR14d+ HBO group. At the 6 th week, it was 24.40±2.41 in the SS group, 28.80±2.77 in the IR group, 51.00±4.30 in the IR1d+ HBO group, 42.00±3.39 in the IR7d+ HBO group, 34.80±2.58 in the IR14d+ HBO group, 31.30±3.41 in the IR28d+ HBO group. The number of SVZ BrdU/Nestin positive cells was statistically significant among all subgroups during the same period ( P<0.05). The pairwise comparison showed the numbers of SVZ BrdU/Nestin positive cells in the IR group at all time points were all higher than those in the SS group at the same time point ( P<0.05) except for the 8 th week. The numbers of SVZ BrdU/Nestin positive cells in the IR1d+ HBO group at each time point were higher than that in the IR group( P<0.05). The numbers of SVZ BrdU/Nestin positive cells in the IR7d+ HBO group, the IR14d+ HBO group, and the IR28d+ HBO group at the 2 nd, 4 th, and 6 th week were higher than those in the IR group at the same time point ( P<0.05). In all the subgroups, the number of SVZ BrdU/Nestin positive cells reached the highest point at the 2 nd week/the initial measurement point ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The earlier HBO treatment on cerebral infarction starts, the better promotion of the proliferation of SVZ and DG-derived NSCs achieves. HBO treatment has almost no effect on the proliferation of endogenous NSCs at late cerebral infarction.

Objective To observe the effect of hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) on apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) and Caspase-3 levels in rats with permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO),and to elucidate the apoptosis pathways.Methods Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to permanent MCAO and then randomly divided into a control group and an HBO group,each of 30.Three hours later the rats of the HBO group were put into a hyperbaric cabin held at a pressure of 0.2 MPa for 9 hours.They inhaled supplementary oxygen at the 1st,3rd,5th,7th and 9th hour while the rats in the control group inhaled air at normal pressure.The neurological outcome was measured at the 3rd,13th and 72nd hour after the MCAO using Garcia scores.Apoptosis in the tissue of the ischemic penumbra,nuclear and mitochondrial AIF and Caspase-3 levels were measured at the 13th and 72nd hours after the modeling.Results The scores were significantly higher at the 13th hour than after the 3rd hour in both groups,and then even higher at the 72nd hour.Apoptosis was evident in the ischemic penumbra at the 13th and 72nd hours in both groups,but the number of cells was less at the 72nd hour than at the 13th hour in the control group.There was significantly less apoptosis in the HBO group than in the control group at the 13th hour.The average AIF level had significantly decreased in the nuclei and increased in the mitochondria by the 72nd hour compared with the 13th hour in both groups.The average levels of nuclear AIF at the 13th hour and the 72nd hour were lower than those in the mitochondria.But they were significantly higher in the HBO group than in the control group at the same time points.The levels of Caspase-3,normally zero,had increased by the 13th hour in both groups.The average level of Caspase-3 was significantly lower in both groups at the 72nd hour than at the 13th hour.Conclusions HBO can improve neurological function,inhibit the transfer of AIF from the mitochondria to the nucleus and reduce Caspase-3 levels.The mechanism may involve reducing apoptosis through caspase-dependent and caspase-independent pathways in the mitochondria.

Objective To observe the effect of single intensive hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO) on cytochrome C and caspase-3 in rats af-ter permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) very early. Methods Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to per-manent MCAO model using the intraluminal suture method, and were divided into control group (n=24) and HBO group (n=24). The HBO group stayed in the hyperbaric cabin with a pressure of 0.2 MPa for 9 hours 3 hours after MCAO. They were measured with Garcia scores 3 hours, 13 hours and 24 hours after MCAO. Apoptosis cells of ischemic penumbra tissue were investigated with TUNEL 13 hours and 24 hours after MCAO, while the level of cytochrome C and caspase-3 were measured with ELISA. Results The Garcia scores increased 13 hours and 24 hours after MCAO in both groups, but there was no significant difference between groups (t<2.07, P>0.05). The apoptosis cells were found in both groups 13 hours and 24 hours after MCAO, and less in the HBO group than in the control group (t>6.57, P<0.01). The levels of cytochrome C and caspase-3 were less in the HBO group than in the control group 24 hours after MCAO (t>2.41, P<0.05). Conclusion A single intensive HBO in very early stage may improve neurological function after cerebral ischemia in rats, which may associ-ate with the inhibition of cytochrome C and caspase-3 to reduce cell apoptosis.

Objective To investigate effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) on delayed encephalopathy after carbon monoxide poisoning (DEACMP).Methods This was a prospective random study of 60 patients with DEACMP admitted to Beijing Tiantan Hospital.Among them,32 constituted the HBOT group and 28 were controls.All of the patients in both groups were given drugs to improve microcirculation and rehabilitation treatment.Additionally,the patients in the HBOT group were given hyperbaric oxygen therapy.The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE),the Barthel index and an index of age-related white matter changes (ARWMC) were used assess the patients' cognition,motor function and cerebral white matter lesions on the day of enrollment and on the 35th and 70th day after treatment.Results Before treatment there was no significant difference in average MMSE,Barthel index or ARWMC scores between the groups.In the HBOT group the average MMSE and Barthel index scores on the 35th and 70th day after enrollment were significantly higher than on the day of enrollment and the average ARWMC score on the 70th day was significantly lower than at enrollment.On the 35th day the average MMSE and Barthel index scores of the HBOT group were significantly higher than those of the control group,but there was no significant difference in the groups' average ARWMC scores.On the 70th day after enrollment the HBOT group's average MMSE and Barthel index scores were still significantly higher than those of the control group,but its average ARWMC score was significantly lower.Conclusion HBOT can help improve cognitive and notor function and also alleviate cerebral white matter lesions of DEACMP patients.