Objective:To investigate the association of serum uric acid (SUA) with the outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) at one year after onset.Methods:Patients with AIS admitted to the Department of Neurology, Dagang Hospital, Tianjin Binhai New Area were included retrospectively. According to the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 1 year after onset, patients were divided into a good outcome group (0-2) and a poor outcome group (>2). They were also divided into a survival group and a death group based on their survival status at 1 year after onset. The clinical baseline data and laboratory tests were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the associations of SUA with poor outcome and death in patients with AIS. Results:A total of 651 patients were enrolled, including 430 males (66.1%) aged 67.5±11.7 years. Four hundred and fourteen patients (63.6%) were in the good outcome group, and 237 (36.4%) were in the poor outcome group. There were 568 patients (87.3%) in the survival group and 43 (16.7%) in the death group. Univariate analysis showed that there were differences in age, atrial fibrillation, history of stroke or transient ischemic attack, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and pre-admission mRS score between the poor outcome group and the good outcome group. The homocysteine, SUA, white blood cell count, and creatinine in the poor outcome group were higher than those in the good outcome group, while the red blood cell count and hemoglobin were lower than those in the good outcome group (all P<0.05). There were differences in age, history of ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, history of stroke or transient ischemic attack, baseline NIHSS score, pre-admission mRS score, and stroke etiology classification between the survival group and the death group. Hemoglobin and triglycerides in the survival group were higher than those in the death group, while the white blood cell count and creatinine were lower than those in the death group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that SUA was an independent risk factor for poor outcome in patients with AIS (odds ratio 1.004, 95% confidence interval 1.001-1.006; P<0.01), but there was no independent correlation with death. Conclusion:Higher SUA is an independent risk factor for poor outcome at one year after onset in patients with AIS.

The impact of climate change on the health of elderly individuals is a growing concern.Research has shown that fluctuations in blood glucose levels, resulting from temperature changes, can trigger ischemic stroke in elderly patients.This effect is observed in both high and low temperatures, highlighting the need for effective prevention strategies to mitigate the risk of stroke among vulnerable populations.It is necessary to analyze the seasonal variation of blood glucose fluctuation and its correlation with elderly ischemic stroke, and explore the blood glucose management strategies to cope with temperature change among the elderly population.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features, immunophenotype and differential diagnosis of clear cell hidradenoma, and to analyze the origin of clear cell hidradenoma and the underlying mechanism.Methods:The clinical data of 23 cases of clear cell hidradenoma who underwent surgical resection in Suzhou Municipal Hospital between December 2017 and July 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical manifestation, imaging features, pathological features and prognosis of the 23 cases of clear cell hidradenoma were analyzed. Expression levels of epithelial membrane antigen, cytokeratin 20, cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 14, carcinoembryonic antigen, and gross cystic disease fluid protein 15 were detected by immunohistochemical staining technique using the EnVision system. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining was performed to visualize glycogen.Results:Among the 23 cases, 8 were male and 14 were female, aged 14-94 years, with a median age of 55 years. The first symptom of clear cell hidradenoma was epidermal bulgels in 18 cases.Contrast ultrasonography showed a subcutaneous cystic solid echo mass with abundant blood flow in the solid part. The tumor histologically consisted of two types of cells: secretory epithelial cells or glandular epithelial cells and clear cells. Twenty cases had tumors with the features of benign clear cell hidradenoma. Two cases had atypical clear cell hidradenoma with atypia and mitosis. One case had malignant clear cell hidradenoma. Tumor cells were positive for epithelial membrane antigen, cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 14, carcinoembryonic antigen, and gross cystic disease fluid protein 15 and they were Periodic acid-Schiff-positive. Twenty-three patients were followed up for 2-36 months, of which 4 were lost to follow-up and the rest had no recurrence of clear cell hidradenoma.Conclusion:Clear cell hidradenoma is rare and has a good prognosis. Malignant clear cell hidradenoma is rarer and has a poor prognosis. Diagnosis of clear cell hidradenoma is mainly based on comprehensive analysis of pathological features and immunophenotypes. Clear cell hidradenoma should be differentiated from metastatic clear cell carcinoma, spiral adenoma, cortical adenoma, and malignant melanoma.

Objective:To investigate the seasonal changes of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods:Patients with acute ischemic stroke who were hospitalized in the Department of Neurology, the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University and had fasting blood glucose data from January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020 were enrolled retrospectively. The general data and FPG results of all patients were collected, and the seasonal changes of various indexes were analyzed. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to determine the influencing factors of FPG.Results:A total of 1 323 patients with acute ischemic stroke who had FPG data were enrolled, of whom 519 patients (39.2%) had diabetes mellitus and 804 (60.8%) had no diabetes mellitus. The baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and FPG in the winter group were significantly higher than those in the summer group (all P<0.05). Further subgroup analysis of gender and age showed that the FPG level of elderly patients aged 65-80 years had significant seasonal changes ( P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age, season, body mass index, whether complicated with diabetes mellitus, whether using insulin and/or oral hypoglycemic drugs were the independent influencing factors of FPG levels. Conclusion:The FPG levels in patients with acute ischemic stroke have the characteristics of seasonal fluctuation, which is more obvious in elderly patients aged 65-80 years.

Objective:To investigate the seasonal changes of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in patients with acute ischemic stroke in Tianjin.Methods:Acute ischemic stroke patients with available HbA1c data admitted to the Department of Neurology, the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2020 were enrolled retrospectively. The demographic data, vascular risk factors, baseline clinical data and routine blood test findings were collected. The seasonal changes of various indexes were investigated. Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis was used to determine the influencing factors of HbA1c.Results:A total of 2 721 acute ischemic stroke patients with available HbA1c data were included, of whom 1 779 (65.4%) also had diabetes mellitus, 942 patients (34.6%) did not have diabetes mellitus. The baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol and uric acid in the winter group were significantly higher than those in the summer group (all P<0.05). HbA1c had seasonal difference in acute ischemic stroke patients without diabetes mellitus ( P<0.05). For acute ischemic stroke patients with diabetes mellitus, HbA1c showed seasonal fluctuations only at HbA1c >7% ( P<0.05). Multiple linear stepwise regression analysis showed that combined with diabetes mellitus, using insulin and/or oral hypoglycemic drugs, fasting blood glucose, uric acid, creatinine and season were the independent infuencing factors of HbA1c. Conclusions:HbA1c in patients with acute ischemic stroke in Tianjin is characterized by seasonal fluctuations, which is high in winter and spring and low in summer and autumn. This difference is related to the level of HbA1c.

Objective:To investigate the effects of endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress on the stability of atherosclerotic plaques in mice by examining the action of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)on the protein expression levels in the ER stress pathway in atherosclerotic plaques of polipoprotein E gene knockout (ApoE -/-) mice. Methods:From October 2015 to February 2016, 24 ApoE -/-mice were randomly divided into the control group, the LPS group and the TAK group after 10 weeks of high-fat feeding(n=8, each group). After 10 weeks of intervention, peripheral blood was extracted by removing the eyeballs for the measurement of total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG)and oxidized low density lipoprotein(ox-LDL). Then mice were sacrificed to obtain carotid and aortic specimens.Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of carotid plaque macrophages(MOMA-2), smooth muscle actin(α-actin), TLR4, interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNFα)and nuclear factor-κ-gene binding(NFκB). Western blotting was used to determine the expression of PKR-like eukaryotic initiation factor 2αkinase(PERK), C/EBP-homologous protein(CHOP)and glucose-regulated protein 78(GRP78). Results:The levels of TC, TG and ox-LDL were elevated in the LPS group, compared with the control and TAK groups[(25.0±2.3) mmol/L vs. (20.2±1.6) mmol/L and (20.8±2.6) mmol/L, (1.3±0.1) mmol/L vs.(1.3±0.1) mmol/L and (1.0±0.1) mmol/L, (17.4±1.3) mmol/L vs.(15.8±1.6) mmol/L and (12.1±1.1) mmol/L, P<0.05]. The comparison of plaque morphology and pathology showed that the LPS group had a wider range of atherosclerotic plaques, more macrophages and fewer vascular smooth muscle cells than the control and TAK groups( P<0.05). The expression of TLR4, IL-1β, IL-6, TNFα, NFκB, PERK, CHOP and GRP78 was higher in the LPS group than in the control and TAK groups( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression of PERK, CHOP and GRP78 was lower in the TAK group( P<0.05). The expression of TLR4, PERK, CHOP and GRP78 was higher in the LPS group. Conclusions:LPS-induced TLR4 can up-regulate the expression of proteins in the ER stress pathway, increase the secretion of inflammatory cytokines downstream of the ER stress pathway, aggravate lipid metabolism disorders and increase the instability of atherosclerotic plaques.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between meteorological factors and short-term outcomes in patients with acute noncardioembolic stroke. Methods: Patients with acute noncardioembotic stroke admitted to the Department of Neurology, the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from March 2009 to February 2012, were enrolled retrospectively. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores were collected at discharge or 14 d after onset, and good outcome was defined as mRS 0-2 , poor outcome as mRS >2. The demographic, baseline clinical data, laboratory findings, and meteorological parameters on the day of onset were compared between the good outcome group and the poor outcome group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors of short-term outcomes. Results: A total of 868 patients with acute noncardioembolic stroke were enrolled, including 535 (61.6%) with good outcome and 333 (38.4%) with poor outcome. Univariate analysis showed that age, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, systolic pressure, fasting blood glucose, daily average wind speed as well as the proportion of ischemic heart disease, history of stroke or transient ischemic attack, and moderate to severe stroke in the poor outcome group were significantly higher than those in the good outcome group; daily average temperature and daily average relative humidity in the poor outcome group were significantly lower than those in the good outcome group (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that lower daily average temperature (odds ratio 0.978, 95% confidence interval 0.959-0.998; P=0.032) and higher daily average wind speed (odds ratio 1.442, 95% confidence interval 1.065-1.953; P=0.018) were independently correlated with the short-term outcomes. Conclusion Daily average temperature and daily average wind speed were significantly correlated with the short-term outcomes in patients with acute noncardioembolic stroke.

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of mean platelet volume/platelet count ratio (MPV/PC) for short-term outcome in patients with acute noncardioembolic stroke. Methods: Patients with acute noncardioembotic stroke admitted to the Department of Neurology, the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from April 2018 to April 2019 were retrospectively enrolled. According to the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at discharge or 14 days after onset, patients were divided into the good outcome group (mRS 0-2) and the poor outcome group (mRS >2). The demographic, baseline clinical data, laboratory findings were collected and compared between the good outcome group and the poor outcome group. MPV/PC values were calculated according to the average platelet volume and platelet count in blood routine. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictive factors of poor outcome. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis was used to evaluate the predictive value of MPV/PC for poor outcome. Results: A total of 596 patients with acute noncardioembolic stroke were enrolled, including 391 (65.60%) with good outcome and 205 (34.40%) with poor outcome. MPV/PC in the poor outcome group was significantly higher than that in the good outcome group (0.06±0.08 vs. 0.04±0.03; t=-4.392, P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that MPV/PC was an independent predictive factor for the poor outcome (odds ratio 1.088, 95% confidence interval 1.042~1.137; P<0.001). ROC curve analysis showed that the best cut-off value for MPV/PC to predict poor oucotme was 0.050, the area under the curve was 0.772 (95% confidence interval 0.732~0.812), the sensitivity was 62.1%, the specificity was 81.6%, the positive predictive value was 86.3%, and the negative predictive value was 92.2%. Conclusion MPV/PC is an independent predictive factor for poor short-term outcome in patients with acute noncardioembolic stroke, and has certain predictive value.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of peripheral blood neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for early stroke risk after transient ischemic attack (TIA).Methods Patients with TIA admitted to the Department of Neurology,the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from August 2015 to July 2017 were enrolled retrospectively.According to whether or not ischemic stroke occurred within 90 d after the onset of TIA,they were divided into stroke group and non-stroke group.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors for early stroke after TIA,and the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of baseline NLR for early stroke risk after TIA.Results A total of 131 patients with TIA were enrolled.Among them,23 (17.5％) had a stroke within 90 d,mainly within 7 d after the onset of TIA (n =13,56.5％).Univariate analysis showed that the differences between the two groups were statistically significant in terms of age,ABCD2 score,hypertension,duration of symptoms ≥60 min,diabetes,triglyceride,baseline NLR level,intracranial artery stenosis,use of antiplatelet drugs and dual antiplatelet drugs (all P ＜ 0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for the confounding factors,the baseline NLR level (odds ratio [OR]2.631,95％ confidence interval [CI] 1.372-5.046;P =0.004) and ABCD2 score (OR 3.049,95％ CI 1.130-8.226;P =0.028) were the independent risk factors for early stroke after TIA,and use of dual antiplatelet agents (OR 0.195,95％ CI 0.046-0.826;P =0.026) were the independent protective factor.The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that when the NLR cut-off value was 2.84,the area under the curve was 0.803 (95％ CI 0.716-0.889),and the sensitivity and specificity of predicting early stroke risk after TIA were 80.8％ and 69.5％,respectively.Conclusion Higher baseline NLR has certain predictive value for early stroke risk after TIA.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) for no early improvement after intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods Patients with acute ischemic stroke received intravenous thrombolysis in the Department of Neurology,the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University between January 2017 and December 2018 were enrolled retrospectively.The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score declined ≥4 or the NIHSS score 0-1 in 24 h after thrombolytic therapy was defined as early improvement,and the NIHSS score declined＜4 was defined as no early improvement.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors for no early improvement.Receiver operator characteristic (ROC)curve was used to analyze the predictive value of RDW for no early improvement after intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Results A total of 119 patients were enrolled in the study,46 (38.7％) had early improvement and 73 (61.3％) had no early improvement.Hypersensitive C-reactive protein,RDW,the time from onset to thrombolysis,and the proportion of complicated hypertension and fasting blood glucose in the no early improvement group were higher or longer than those in the early improvement group,and the differences were statistically significant (all P ＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the elevated RDW was an independent risk factor for no early improvement (odds ratio 3.119,95％ confidence interval 1.584-6.141;P =0.001).ROC curve analysis showed that the best cut-off value of RDW for predicting no early improvement after intravenous thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke was 13.35％.The area under the curve was 0.737 (95％ confidence interval 0.645-0.828).The sensitivity and specificity were 64.4％ and 87.0％,respectively.Conclusion Elevated RDW has certain predictive value for no early improvement after intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke.