OBJECTIVE To study the anti-fatigue effects of differently-cultivated Astragalus extract in a hypoxic environment of the plateau and explore the related mechanisms.METHODS Fifty-six male KM mice were randomly divided into the hypoxic swimming control(HSC)group,imitation wild Astragalus extract(IWA)430,860 and 1 720 mg·kg-1 groups,and cultivated Astragalus extract(CA)463,925 and 1 850 mg·kg-1 groups.The drug was administered by gavage once daily for 15 days,while body mass was monitored every three days.After 15 days of gavage,the mice were subjected to load swimming(5%body weight)in a hypobaric chamber(simulating a 4 000 m altitude),with exhaus-tive swimming time measured to identify the optimal dosage.Following randomization,fifty male KM mice were assigned to five groups:normoxic control(NC),hypoxic control(HC),HSC,IWA 860 and CA 925 mg·kg-1.All groups underwent daily gavage for 15 d before 90 min non-weight-bearing swimming was conducted in the HSC,IWA 860 and CA 925 mg·kg-1 groups within a hypobaric chamber,followed by immediate measurement of muscle strength.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in liver and gastrocnemius muscle tissues.Blood urea nitrogen(BUN),blood glucose(BG)and serum lactic acid(LA),glutathione(GSH),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD),liver glycogen(LG)and muscle glycogen(MG)in livers and muscles,and total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC)and reactive oxygen species(ROS)in muscles were measured by commercial kits.Taurine and hypotaurine were measured by HPLC.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used for cysteine sulfenic acid decarboxylase(CSAD)measure-ment.Western blotting was used to detect protein expressions of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K),protein kinase B(Akt),nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2),and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)in skeletal muscles.RESULTS Compared with the HSC group,the swimming time was prolonged in IWA 463,IWA 860,CA 925 and CA 1 850 mg·kg-1 groups.Compared with the HSC group,the muscle strength of mice in the IWA 860 mg·kg-1 group and the CA 925 mg·kg-1 group was significantly increased,histo-pathological damage in the liver and gastrocnemius muscle was reduced,serum levels of LA and BUN were significantly decreased,levels of BG,LG and MG were significantly increased,levels of GSH,GSH-Px and SOD were significantly increased,contents of MDA were significantly decreased,expressions of CSAD were significantly increased in liver tissue,contents of GSH,T-AOC,taurine and hypotaurine were significantly increased,levels of ROS were significantly decreased,and protein expressions of PI3K,Akt,Nrf2,HO-1 were significantly upregulated in muscle tissues.CONCLUSION Under simulated high-altitude hypoxic conditions,extracts of Astragalus membranaceus cultivated by two methods consis-tently exhibit anti-fatigue effects.Its mechanisms may be mitigating oxidative stress,augmenting taurine and hypotaurine metabolic regulation,and activating PI3K/Akt and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways.IWA has a better anti-fatigue effect than CA.

OBJECTIVE To study the anti-fatigue effects of differently-cultivated Astragalus extract in a hypoxic environment of the plateau and explore the related mechanisms.METHODS Fifty-six male KM mice were randomly divided into the hypoxic swimming control(HSC)group,imitation wild Astragalus extract(IWA)430,860 and 1 720 mg·kg-1 groups,and cultivated Astragalus extract(CA)463,925 and 1 850 mg·kg-1 groups.The drug was administered by gavage once daily for 15 days,while body mass was monitored every three days.After 15 days of gavage,the mice were subjected to load swimming(5%body weight)in a hypobaric chamber(simulating a 4 000 m altitude),with exhaus-tive swimming time measured to identify the optimal dosage.Following randomization,fifty male KM mice were assigned to five groups:normoxic control(NC),hypoxic control(HC),HSC,IWA 860 and CA 925 mg·kg-1.All groups underwent daily gavage for 15 d before 90 min non-weight-bearing swimming was conducted in the HSC,IWA 860 and CA 925 mg·kg-1 groups within a hypobaric chamber,followed by immediate measurement of muscle strength.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in liver and gastrocnemius muscle tissues.Blood urea nitrogen(BUN),blood glucose(BG)and serum lactic acid(LA),glutathione(GSH),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px),malondialdehyde(MDA),superoxide dismutase(SOD),liver glycogen(LG)and muscle glycogen(MG)in livers and muscles,and total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC)and reactive oxygen species(ROS)in muscles were measured by commercial kits.Taurine and hypotaurine were measured by HPLC.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used for cysteine sulfenic acid decarboxylase(CSAD)measure-ment.Western blotting was used to detect protein expressions of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K),protein kinase B(Akt),nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2),and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)in skeletal muscles.RESULTS Compared with the HSC group,the swimming time was prolonged in IWA 463,IWA 860,CA 925 and CA 1 850 mg·kg-1 groups.Compared with the HSC group,the muscle strength of mice in the IWA 860 mg·kg-1 group and the CA 925 mg·kg-1 group was significantly increased,histo-pathological damage in the liver and gastrocnemius muscle was reduced,serum levels of LA and BUN were significantly decreased,levels of BG,LG and MG were significantly increased,levels of GSH,GSH-Px and SOD were significantly increased,contents of MDA were significantly decreased,expressions of CSAD were significantly increased in liver tissue,contents of GSH,T-AOC,taurine and hypotaurine were significantly increased,levels of ROS were significantly decreased,and protein expressions of PI3K,Akt,Nrf2,HO-1 were significantly upregulated in muscle tissues.CONCLUSION Under simulated high-altitude hypoxic conditions,extracts of Astragalus membranaceus cultivated by two methods consis-tently exhibit anti-fatigue effects.Its mechanisms may be mitigating oxidative stress,augmenting taurine and hypotaurine metabolic regulation,and activating PI3K/Akt and Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathways.IWA has a better anti-fatigue effect than CA.

Objective:To investigate the perioperative adverse events and complications of flow-diverter devices in the treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. The clinical and imaging data of 174 patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms treated with flow-diverter devices in the Department of Neurointervention, Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center of Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital from January 2020 to January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 63 males and 111 females, with an age of (53.9±11.4) years (range:23 to 76 years).The occurrence, development and outcome of perioperative complications and related adverse events during treatment were collected and analyzed. The degree of aneurysm embolization was evaluated using the O′Kelly-Marotta (OKM) grading system,with OKM grade C and D as successful occlusion.Results:A total of 187 flow-diverter devices (from 7 different brands) were implanted in 174 patients (with 294 aneurysms). Of these, 151 cases involved standalone stent embolization, 26 cases involved stent embolization combined with coil assistance, and 5 cases involved the use of two flow-diverter devices simultaneously. Twenty-nine cases (16.7%,29/174) suffered intraoperative adverse events, including 10 cases of poor stents deployment, 3 cases of stents migration into the aneurysm sac, 1 cases of abnormal guidewire movement, 4 cases of ischemic events. Complications occurred in 10 patients (5.7%, 10/174), and neurological deficits occurred in 5 patients (2.9%, 5/174). A total of 129 patients completed follow-up for more than 12 months after surgery. There were 117 aneurysms with OKM grade D and 22 with OKM grade C, showing a satisfactory healing rate of 77.7% (139/179).Conclusion:The effect of flow-diverter devices in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms is satisfactory, but complications and adverse events cannot be ignored, especially the relatively high incidence of perioperative adverse events, which requires neurointerventional physicians to be vigilant.

Objective:To investigate the perioperative adverse events and complications of flow-diverter devices in the treatment of unruptured intracranial aneurysms.Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. The clinical and imaging data of 174 patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms treated with flow-diverter devices in the Department of Neurointervention, Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center of Chinese People′s Liberation Army General Hospital from January 2020 to January 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 63 males and 111 females, with an age of (53.9±11.4) years (range:23 to 76 years).The occurrence, development and outcome of perioperative complications and related adverse events during treatment were collected and analyzed. The degree of aneurysm embolization was evaluated using the O′Kelly-Marotta (OKM) grading system,with OKM grade C and D as successful occlusion.Results:A total of 187 flow-diverter devices (from 7 different brands) were implanted in 174 patients (with 294 aneurysms). Of these, 151 cases involved standalone stent embolization, 26 cases involved stent embolization combined with coil assistance, and 5 cases involved the use of two flow-diverter devices simultaneously. Twenty-nine cases (16.7%,29/174) suffered intraoperative adverse events, including 10 cases of poor stents deployment, 3 cases of stents migration into the aneurysm sac, 1 cases of abnormal guidewire movement, 4 cases of ischemic events. Complications occurred in 10 patients (5.7%, 10/174), and neurological deficits occurred in 5 patients (2.9%, 5/174). A total of 129 patients completed follow-up for more than 12 months after surgery. There were 117 aneurysms with OKM grade D and 22 with OKM grade C, showing a satisfactory healing rate of 77.7% (139/179).Conclusion:The effect of flow-diverter devices in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms is satisfactory, but complications and adverse events cannot be ignored, especially the relatively high incidence of perioperative adverse events, which requires neurointerventional physicians to be vigilant.

Objective:To investigate the safety and effectiveness of Neuroform Atlas stent-assisted coiling in the endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms.Methods:This was a retrospective, single-center observational study of 77 patients who underwent endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms using the Neuroform Atlas device at the Department of Neurology, People′s Liberation Army General Hospital from July 2020 to May 2022. There were 34 males and 43 females, with a median (range) age of 59 (23-81) years. The degree and effect of aneurysm embolization were evaluated by modified Raymond grading post procedure and after 6 months. Complications occurring during the perioperative period were recorded. Vaso computed tomography was performed immediately after the operation to assess stent opening and adherence. Digital subtraction angiography was performed 6 months after discharge and the aneurysm was classified as cured, stable, or recurrent.Results:A total of 87 Atlases were successfully released in 77 cases. Angiography performed immediately after the embolization revealed 19 (24.7%) modified Raymond grade Ⅰ, 10 (13.0%) grade Ⅱ, and 48 (62.3%) grade Ⅲa cases. Three perioperative complications were observed including thrombotic events in 2 cases and stent migration in 1 case. A follow-up angiogram was available for 47 aneurysms, and showed that modified Raymond grade Ⅰ occlusion was achieved in 38 (80.9%) cases, grade Ⅱ in 2 (4.3%) cases, and grade Ⅲa in 7 (14.9%) cases. At the 6-month follow-up, 38 patients were cured and 7 were stable, whereas 2 patients experienced a recurrence of aneurysm. Stenosis of the parent artery occurred in 3 (6.4%) cases, including 2 at the head and 1 inside the stent.Conclusions:The results of this preliminary study suggest that Neuroform Atlas stent-assisted coiling has a high occlusion rate and low incidence of complications in the endovascular treatment of aneurysms. However, the effectiveness of this procedure for large aneurysms and long-term outcomes require further investigation.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between vitamin D deficiency and the severity of symptoms in children with vasovagal syncope (VVS).Methods:A prospective study was conducted. One hundred and twenty-two children diagnosed with VVS by head up tilt test in Department of Pediatric Cardiology and 130 healthy children without symptoms who underwent physical examination in the outpatient department of Child Healthcare Department of Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from December 2019 to May 2021 were selected and assigned to VVS group and control group, respectively. According to the diagnostic criteria of vitamin D deficiency, children in the VVS group were assigned to three subgroups: non-vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D deficiency, and severe vitamin D deficiency. All children underwent detailed history taking, physical examination, and level determination of serum 25 (OH) D. Children in the VVS group were scored for orthostatic intolerance (OI) symptoms including 10 symptoms: syncope, dizziness, nausea, palpitation, headache, tremor, chest tightness, blurred vision, profuse perspiration, and attention deficit. The differences in the age, gender, body mass index, blood pressure, and serum 25 (OH) D levels between VVS group and control group, and the differences regarding the age, gender, body mass index, blood pressure, serum 25 (OH) D levels and symptom scores among the three VVS subgroups were compared. Comparisons were performed using independent sample t test, ANOVA analysis, Chi square test and rank sum test. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between serum 25 (OH) D levels and OI symptom scores in children with VVS. Results:The serum 25 (OH) D levels were significantly lower in the VVS group than those in the control group ((31±11) vs. (46±10) nmol/L, t=10.89, P<0.001). Vitamin D deficiency was more frequent in the VVS group (73.0% (89/122) vs. 24.6% (32/130), χ2=58.91, P<0.001). There were significant differences among the severe vitamin D deficiency subgroup, vitamin D deficiency subgroup, and non-vitamin D deficiency subgroup regarding the serum 25 (OH) D levels ((9.8±0.4) vs. (26.6±6.5) vs. (45.8±5.9) nmol/L, F=142.77, P<0.001) and the OI symptom scores ((14±1) vs. (10±2) vs. (7±2) scores, F=44.97, P<0.001). The scores of syncope, nausea, profuse perspiration, blurred vision and dizziness among the severe vitamin D deficiency subgroup, vitamin D deficiency subgroup, and non-vitamin D deficiency subgroup were statistically significant ( H=9.01, 7.52, 12.11, 7.07 and 9.54, respectively, all P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the serum 25 (OH) D levels were negatively correlated with OI symptom scores in children with VVS ( r=-0.769, P<0.001). Conclusions:VVS children have significant vitamin D deficiency. The severity of symptoms increases with decreasing of vitamin D level. Syncope, nausea, and profuse perspiration are more likely to occur in children with severe vitamin D deficiency, and dizziness and blurred vision are more likely to occur in children with vitamin D deficiency.

Objective To observe the change of MR perfusion value in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) before and after transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). Methods A total of 22 patients with HCC underwent MR perfusion weighted imaging (MR PWI) before TACE and 3-10 days after TACE. The mean time to enhance (MTE), negative enhancement integral (NEI), time to peak (TTP) and maximum slope of decrease (MSD) before and after TACE were acquired and compared. Results The time intension curve (TIC) of HCC region was observed to descend rapidly before TACE, while descended slowly after TACE. The value of MTE and TTP after TACE were lower than those before TACE (P<0.05), and the value of NEI after TACE was higher than that before TACE (P<0.05). The value of MSD after TACE were lower than that before TACE, but no statistical significance was found (P>0.05). Conclusion MR PWI is a very sensitive imaging technique that be used to monitor blood flow changes of HCC before and after TACE and evaluate efficacy of TACE.

Objective To investigate the value of MR perfusion imaging in early detection of findings following arterial chemoembolization of hepatocellular carcinoma Methods Twenty eight consecutive patients with pathologically-confirmed HCC were evaluated. All patients underwent MR perfusion imaging at pre-TACE and 3 to 10 days after TACE. The negative enhancement integral (NEI) ,the time to peak(TTP) ,the maximum slope of decrease (MSD) , the signal enhance ratio (SER) were acquired from MRI software FuncTool 2. 5.36a Version. Statistical analysis using SPSS 14, least significant difference test (t test) were utilized. Results The time intensive curve of tumor was observed to descend rapidly to reach the peak at pre-TACE studies, whereas it descended slowly to reach the peak on post TACE studies. The Value of TTP and SER prior to TACE were(51.2 ± 10. 3) s, 60. 6 ± 36. 3 respectively, and post TACE (43.7 ± 12. 0)s, 41.2 ±27. 5 respectively. The values of TTP and SER post TACE were lower than those prior to TACE (P ＜ 0. 05). The value of NEI prior to TACE was 108.7 ± 58.9, and after TACE 149. 6 ±80. 1 and there was statistically significant difference (P ＜0. 05). The Value of MSD post TACE were lower than those prior to TACE, but there was no statistical significance (P ＞ 0. 05). Conclusion PWI is a very sensitive imaging technique that can be used to monitor early dynamic changes of HCC following TACE.