Objective:To investigate the correlation between plasma Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) and post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods:Consecutive patients with first-ever acute ischemic stroke admitted to the Department of Neurology, Nanjing Jiangbei Hospital from March 2023 to February 2024 were included prospectively. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect plasma DKK1 within 24 hours of onset. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale was used to evaluate cognitive function at 3 months after onset. A score ≤22 was defined as PSCI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the correlation between DKK1 and PSCI. The relationship between DKK1 and PSCI risks was evaluated through restrictive cubic spline analysis. Results:A total of 205 patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled, including 106 males (51.7%), aged 67.0±9.4 years; 61 patients (29.8%) experienced PSCI. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for age, gender, education level, and other confounding factors, there was a significant independent correlation between higher plasma DKK1 and PSCI (odds ratio 1.778, 95% confidence interval 1.313-2.408; P=0.001). Subgroup analysis showed that age, gender, etiological classification of stroke, and education level had no significant effect on the above correlation. Restrictive cubic spline analysis showed plasma DKK1 had a linear relationship with the risk of PSCI ( P=0.003). Conclusion:Higher plasma DKK1 level is significantly correlated with PSCI in patients with acute ischemic stroke at 90 days after onset.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between the degree of hepatic fibrosis and early neurological deterioration (END) after intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and its predictive value.Methods:Patients with AIS received intravenous thrombolysis at Nanjing Jiangbei Hospital from January 2018 to March 2023 were retrospectively included. Hepatic fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4) was used to evaluate the degree of hepatic fibrosis in patients. FIB-4 ≥ 2.67 was defined as severe hepatic fibrosis. END was defined as an increase of ≥4 from baseline on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score within 24 h after intravenous thrombolysis. The relevant factors of END were analyzed through univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression model. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the predictive value of FIB-4 for END. Results:A total of 313 patients were included, of which 184 (58.8%) were male, aged 64.8±11.8 years old. The median baseline NIHSS score was 6 (interquartile range, 4-9), and the median FIB-4 was 1.76 (interquartile range, 1.28-2.56). Forty-five patients (14.4%) experienced END. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for other confounding factors, higher FIB-4 was significantly independently correlated with END (odds ratio 2.121, 95% confidence interval 1.422-3.162; P=0.001). ROC curve analysis shows that FIB-4 has a good predictive value for END (the area under the curve 0.689, 95% confidence interval 0.595-0.784; P=0.001). The optimal cutoff value of FIB-4 was 1.82, and its sensitivity and specificity in predicting END were 71.1% and 54.9%, respectively. Conclusion:FIB-4 has good predictive value for END in patients with AIS after intravenous thrombolysis.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between malnutrition and early neurological deterioration (END) after intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods:Patients with ischemic stroke received intravenous thrombolysis in the Department of Neurology, Nanjing Jiangbei People's Hospital from January 2018 to December 2021 were retrospectively enrolled. Nutritional status was assessed by geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) and prognostic nutritional index (PNI). END was defined as an increase of ≥4 in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score within 24 h after intravenous thrombolysis compared with the baseline value. The demographic and baseline clinical data of the patients in the END group and the non-END group were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent correlation between malnutrition and END. Results:A total of 256 patients were enrolled, including 156 males (60.9%), aged 65.6±12.0 years. According to GNRI and PNI, there were 122 (46.7%) and 62 (24.2%) patients with malnutrition respectively. END occurred in 37 patients (14.5%) during hospitalization. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for other confounding factors, there was a significant independent correlation between malnutrition and END after intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke (severe malnutrition as assessed by GNRI compared to normal nutritional status: odds ratio 5.736, 95% confidence interval 1.033-31.866, P=0.046; severe malnutrition as assessed by PNI compared to normal nutritional status: odds ratio 4.928, 95% confidence interval 1.589-15.282, P=0.006). Conclusion:Malnutrition is very common in patients with acute ischemic stroke and has a significant correlation with END after intravenous thrombolysis.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between plasma Dickkopf-1 and early neurological deterioration (END) and outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods:From January 2020 to December 2020, consecutive patients with first-ever ischemic stroke form the Department of Neurology, Nanjing Jiangbei Hospital were included. All patients were hospitalized within 24 h after onset. END was defined as the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score within 7 d after admission increased by ≥2 or motor function score increased by ≥1 compared with the baseline. Poor outcome was defined as the modified Rankin Scale score >2 at 90 d after onset. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent correlation between plasma Dickkopf-1 and END and outcome. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of plasma Dickkopf-1 for END and poor outcome. Results:A total of 176 patients were enrolled, including 92 males (52.3%), aged 66.7±9.6 years. The median Dickkopf-1 was 4.30 μg/L, 52 patients (29.5%) developed END, and 81 (46.0%) had poor outcome. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the higher Dickkopf-1 was an independent predictor of END (odds ratio [ OR] 1.696, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1.223-2.351; P=0.002) and poor outcome ( OR 1.566, 95% CI 1.156-2.121; P=0.004). ROC curve analysis showed that plasma Dickkopf-1 had good predictive value for END, and its area under the curve was 0.717 (95% CI 0.634-0.801); the optimal cut-off value was 4.40 μg/L, and the corresponding predictive sensitivity and specificity were 71.2% and 60.5%, respectively. Dickkopf-1 also had good predictive value for poor outcome, and its area under the curve was 0.701 (95% CI 0.624-0.778); the optimal cut-off value was 4.25 μg/L, and the corresponding predictive sensitivity and specificity were 65.4% and 61.1%, respectively. Conclusion:Plasma Dickkopf-1 has good predictive value for END and poor outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of thromboelastographic (TEG) parameters for early neurological deterioration (END) after intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke.Methods:Consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis in Nanjing Jiangbei People's Hospital between January 2017 and December 2019 were enrolled. They completed TEG examination within 24 h after admission. END was defined as an increase of 4 points or more from the baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score within 24 h after admission. Univariate analysis was used to compare the demographic characteristics, baseline data, laboratory indicators and TEG parameters between the END group and the non-END group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors for END. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of different models for END. Results:A total of 174 patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled, aged (68.9±13.4) years, 111 (63.8%) were male, median baseline NIHSS score was 5.0, and 29 (16.7%) had END. Compared with the patients in the non-END group, the age, homocysteine, fasting blood glucose, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), baseline NIHSS score and the proportion of patients with diabetes mellitus and hemorrhagic transformation (HT) in the END group were significantly increased (all P<0.05), and the coagulation reaction time of TEG was significantly reduced ( P=0.005). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding factors, age (odds ratio [ OR] 1.023, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1.002-1.066; P=0.031), diabetes mellitus ( OR 2.627, 95% CI 1.021-7.176; P=0.041), higher hs-CRP level ( OR 1.050, 95% CI 1.018-1.083; P=0.002), HT ( OR 3.088, 95% CI 1.707-13.492; P=0.034) and TEG coagulation reaction time reduction ( OR 0.440, 95% CI 0.213-0.907; P=0.026) were the independent risk factors for END in patients with acute ischemic stroke receiving intravenous thrombolysis. ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve of the basic model composed of age, diabetes, hs-CRP level, and HT for predicting END was 0.766 (95% CI 0.665-0.871). When TEG coagulation reaction time was added to the basic model, the area under ROC curve for predicting END was increased to 0.816 (95% CI 0.733-0.899). Conclusion:The TEG coagulation reaction time reduction has a certain predictive value for END in patients with acute ischemic stroke receiving intravenous thrombolytic therapy.

Objective To investigate the correlations of P2Y12 gene polymorphisms with clopidogrel resistance and long-term outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods From June 2015 to June 2017, consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke admitted to the Department of Neurology, Nanjing Jiangbei People's Hospital were enrolled. Thromboelastography was used to measure platelet inhibition rate and assess clopidogrel resistance. Polymerase chain reaction was used to assay C34T and G52T polymorphisms of P2Y12 gene. The patients were followed up at 12 months after discharge. The primary outcome was combined outcome of stroke recurrence, myocardial infarction, and death due to cardiocerebrovascular events. Results A total of 214 patients were enrolled, 51 (23.8%) had clopidogrel re-sistance and 29 (13.4%) had major outcome events. One hundred twenty-eight (59.8%) patients were C34T CC genotype and 86 (40.2%) were CT+TT genotype. The proportion of clopidogrel resistance in patients with CT+TT genotype was significantly higher than that with CC genotype ( 76.5% vs.28.8%;χ2=25.672, P=0.001). There were 131 patients (61.2%) with G52T GG genotype and 83 (38.8%) with GT+TT genotype. There was no significant difference in the proportion of clopidogrel resistance between the GT+TT genotype and the GG genotype (43.1% vs.37.4%; χ2=0.534, P=0.465). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that age (odds ratio [OR] 1.064, 95%confidence interval [CI] 1.009-1.115;P=0.021), diabetes ( OR 3.773, 95%CI 1.672-8.475; P=0.004), and C34T CT+TT genotype ( OR 9.087, 95%CI 4.416-22.665; P=0.002) were the independent risk factors fot clopidogrel resistance. Cox proportional hazards model analysis showed that age (Hazard ratio [HR] 1.058, 95%CI 1.001-1.121; P=0.049), hypertension ( HR 3.105, 95%CI 1.149-9.523; P=0.028), homocysteine ( HR 1.101, 95%CI 1.020-1.190; P=0.014), and C34T CT+TT genotype ( HR 2.588, 95%CI 1.121-5.967; P=0.026) were independent risk factors for the composite outcome. Conclusion C34T polymorphism of P2Y12 gene in patients with acute ischemic stroke may be a risk factor for clopidogrel resistance and is independently associated with the risk of long-term recurrence of vascular events.

Objective To investigate the correlation between subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) and cerebral atherosclerosis burden in patients with large artery atherosclerotic stroke.Methods Consecutive inpatients with acute large artery atherosclerotic stroke were enrolled.SCH was defined as TSH 4.50-10.0 mU/L and serum thyroxine level was normal.Cerebral atherosclerosis burden score was used to evaluate the severity of cerebral atherosclerosis.The total score of 1 or 2 was defined as mild atherosclerosis,and >2 was defined as severe atherosclerosis.Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the correlation between SCH and severe cerebral atherosclerosis.ResultsA total of 263 patients with large artery atherosclerotic stroke were enrolled,including SCH 62 (23.6%),mild atherosclerosis 119 (45.2%),and severe atherosclerosis 144 (54.8%).The age (63.6±10.9 years vs.60.5±11.4 years;t=2.274,P=0.024),homocysteine (17.10±6.20 μmol/L vs.15.63±5.17 μmol/L;t=2.058,P=0.041),National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (8.0 [5.0-10.0]vs.6.0 [5.0-9.0];Z=2.059,P=0.039),as well as the proportions of patients with hypertension (72.9%vs.58.8%;χ2=5.812,P=0.016),smoking (38.2%vs.26.1%;χ2=4.366,P=0.037),and SCH (30.6%vs.15.1%;χ2=8.610,P=0.003) in the severe cerebral atherosclerosis group were significantly higher than those in the mild cerebral atherosclerosis group.Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that SCH was an independent risk factor for severe atherosclerosis in patients with large atherosclerotic stroke (odd ratio 3.345;95%confidence interval 1.692-6.612;P=0.001) after adjusting for age,sex,hypertension,smoking,homocysteine,and NIHSS score.ConclusionSCH is an independent risk factor for severe cerebral atherosclerosis in patients with large atherosclerotic stroke.

Objective To compare the identifiability for depressive symptoms using different instruments while interviewing with different respondents in suicide prevention research in China. Methods One hundred and fifty-one suicide death cases (suicide group) and one hundred and twenty suicide attempt cases (attempt group) were recruited. For each identified cases, one family member proxy respondent, and another associate proxy respondent (friend or neighbor) and suicide attempter (only for attempt group) were interviewed separately by qualified psychiatrists. The Di-agnostic Screening Instrument for Depression (DSID) and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-Ⅳ Axis Ⅰ Disorders (SCID-Ⅰ) were administered to each respondent to identify the depressive symptoms based on diagnostic criteria for major depressive episode in DSM-Ⅳ. Data collected from family members and associate respondents were merged as proxy data. The concordances of the DSID and SCID-Ⅰfor identifying depressive symptoms, meeting for criteria of Major Depressive Episode (MDE) and Mild and Major Depressive Episode (MMDE), were calculated based on different respondents' data. The prevalence of depressive symptoms, MDE and MMDE, were compared among merged proxy data, family member respondent's data, and associate respondent's data in suicide group and attempt group, and between self-respondent's data and merged proxy data in suicide attempt group. Results In suicide group, based on merged proxy data, the prevalence of MDE was 41.1%(62 cases) for DSID and 41.7%(63 cases) for SCID-Ⅰ, and the Kappa coeffi-cient was 0.77. Based on suicide attempters' self-raported data, the prevalence of MDE was 23.7% (27 cases) and 22.0% (24 cases) for DSID and SCID-Ⅰ respectively, with a Kappa of 0.74. Based on merged proxy report in attempt group, 16 (13.3%) and 15 (12.5%) cases were met for criteria of MDE (Kappa=0.89), using the 2 instruments. In both of the suicide and attempt groups, the merged proxy data got higher prevalence of depressive symptoms, MDE and MMDE than that only based on family respondent's data or associate's respondent's data using both of the 2 instruments (all P<0.05). Compared with merged proxy data, attempters' self-reported data got higher prevalence of MMD and MMDE using both of the 2 instruments (all P<0.05). Conclusions Based on same respondent's data, SCID-Ⅰ performs as well as DSID in identifying depressive symptoms. Collecting data from 2 respondents would get higher prevalence of MDE or MMDE than only from one family member or one associate. In attempt group, the prevalence of MDE or MMDE based on merged proxy data were lower than that based on attempters' self-reported data.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the baseline serum caveolin-1 (Cav-1) levels and the clinical outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke at day 90 after onset. Methods Consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke treated in hospital were enrolled. The Cav-1 levels were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Functional outcomes were assessed at day 90 after onset using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), and mRS 0-2 was defined as good outcome. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the good outcome group and the poor outcome group were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the correlation between the low serum Cav-1 levels and the poor outcome at day 90 after onset. Results A total of 169 patients with acute ischemic stroke were included in the analysis, including 116 males (68. 5% ). Their age ranged from 50 to 83 years (mean, 63. 4 ± 9. 1). The mean serum Cav-1 level was 5. 483 ± 2. 617 ng/ml. Eighty-three-patients (49. 1% ) were in the good outcome group and 86 (50. 9% ) were in the poor outcome group. Univariate analysis showed that the proportions of patients in subcortical infarct (60. 5% vs. 43. 4% ; χ2 = 4. 944, P = 0. 026) and diffusion-weighted imaging-Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score, (DWI-ASPECT) ≤7 (58. 1% vs. 40. 9% ; χ2 = 4. 984, P = 0. 026), as well as age (65. 5 ± 8. 9 years vs. 61. 2 ± 10. 7 years; t = 2. 793, P =0. 006), baseline systolic blood pressure level (140. 6 ± 17. 2 mmHg vs. 134. 9 ± 13. 4 mmHg; t = 2. 368, P = 0. 019; 1 mmHg = 0. 133 kPa), and National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (4. 8 ± 3. 4 vs. 3. 9 ± 2. 2; t = 2. 211, P = 0. 036) were significantly higher than those of the good outcome group, and the serum Cav-1 level was significantly lower than that of the good outcome group (4. 9 ± 2. 3 ng/ml vs. 6. 1 ± 2. 1 ng/ml; t = 2. 977, P = 0. 003). After adjusting for the related confounding factors, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the low Cav-1 level was an independent predictor of poor outcome at day 90 in patients with acute ischemic stroke (odd ratio, 1. 157, 95% confidence interval 1. 016-1. 319;P = 0. 028). Conclusion The low serum Cav-1 level is an independent predictor of poor outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke.