
Impact of Remote Ischemic Postconditioning on Autonomic Function in Stroke Patients
Ischemic StrokeThe purpose of this study is to determine whether remote ischemic postconditioning (RIPostC) initiates autonomic nervous system response and affects the prognosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

XIENCE Xpedition Everolimus-Eluting Coronary Stent Japan Post Marketing Surveillance (XIENCE Xpedition...
Ischemic Heart DiseaseAngina Pectoris2 moreThe objective of the study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of XIENCE Xpedition Everolimus-Eluting 2.25mm Stent in real world practice in Japanese hospitals.

Cytokine Registry Database of Stroke Patients
Acute StrokeAcute Ischemic Stroke2 moreVarious molecules (cytokines: interleukins, interferons and neural proteins) found in human and animal blood are reported to be elevated in acute stroke (Ischemic and hemorrhagic). Cytokines can be pro-inflammatory or anti-inflammatory. There are studies confirming level changes in serum of humans in the setting of several rheumatologic and cardiovascular diseases. As new molecular markers (cytokines and neural tissue markers) are established in scientific literature, stroke scientists are interested to evaluate the role of these in the pathophysiology of stroke. Investigators intend to study the role of these molecules in the development of stroke. Acute stroke treatment has advanced considerably in the last 10 years with the establishment of comprehensive stroke centers and approval of neuro-interventional techniques. However, the molecular advancement in stroke pathogenesis has yet to reach a milestone in the world of stroke treatment. In our opinion, creating a database of acute stroke patients containing all pertinent medical demographics and clinical information along with the laboratory data, molecular levels of pertinent cytokines/neural factors from consenting patients, will help us define and delineate the most relevant molecules that are altered in acute stroke patients and can help us further improve us understanding of the role of these in acute stroke and thereby hopefully help in the improvement of our understanding and management of stroke. Moreover, analyzing the cytokines in stroke and ICH patients would help understand their role in the acute phase, which may become potential therapeutic adjuncts for tPA and endovascular thrombectomy.

Microcirculation and Anesthesia in Vascular Surgery
Ischemia Reperfusion InjuryAortic Aneurysm1 moreIschemia/reperfusion injury following aortic cross-clamping for vascular surgery leads to systemic hemodynamic and microcirculatory perturbances. The use of different anesthetic regimens may have an impact on tissue perfusion. The aim of this study was to explore changes in microvascular perfusion in patients undergoing elective open abdominal aortic aneurysm repair under balanced or total intravenous anesthesia. Prospective observational study on 40 patients scheduled for elective open infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, who received balanced (desflurane + remifentanil, n=20) or total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA, propofol + remifentanil using target-controlled infusion, n=20) according to the clinician's decision. A goal-directed hemodynamic management was applied in all patients. Hemodynamics and arterial/venous blood gases were compared before anesthesia induction (baseline) and at end-surgery. Changes in sublingual microvascular flow and density were assessed with incident dark field illumination imaging. Near infrared spectroscopy was applied on the thenar eminence with a vascular occlusion test (VOT) to assess variations in the peripheral muscle tissue oxygenation and microcirculatory reactivity.

Mitochondrial Apoptotic Pathway Induced by Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury in Human
Ischemia-reperfusion(I/R)Cardiopulmonarybypass2 moreBackground: The cardiomyocytes apoptosis induced by ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) is one of the most important factors in the myocardial I/R injury(MIRI) undergoing cardiac valve replacement with cardiopulmonary bypass(CVRCPB),and Ischemic postconditioning (I-postC) can inhibit apoptosis of myocardial cells. Consequently, this study investigated the key genes and apoptosis signaling pathways of myocardium in patients undergoing CVRCPB. Methods: A total of 36 New York Heart Association class II or III patients with rheumatic heart disease (RHD) of both sexes, aged 21-59 years, who were scheduled for first cardiac valve replacement with CPB in the investigators' hospital from February 2014 to May 2015, were randomly divided into the following three groups (n=12 each): negative control group (NEG group); I/R group (POS group); and I-postC group (Treat group). In the Treat group, the procedure involved 5 min before opening the ascending aorta, aortic unclamping for 30 s, and cross-clamping for 30 s for three cycles, after which the ascending aorta was completely opened. The NEG and Treat groups were not treated. Thirty-six patients were assessed for arrhythmia and recovery of myocardial contractile function after reperfusion by electrocardiograms and degree of dependence on vasoactive drugs. The myocardial tissues of the right atrial appendage were obtained at 3 min before CPB was established in the NEG group, and at 45 min after opening the aorta in the POS and Treat groups. In all three groups, the myocardial tissues of the right atrial appendage were obtained and preserved at -80°C for further experiments. The right atrial appendage of three patients randomly selected in each group was fixed with RNA later (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) in a centrifuge tube overnight at 4°C, and then preserved at -20°C for RNA extraction. Human 12×135K Gene Array profiling of mRNA expressions was undertaken in human cardiac muscle cells. Differentially expressed mRNAs verified by quantitative real-time RT-PCR were subjected to pathway analysis. The mRNA expressions of AIF, APAF1, CYCS, Bax, caspase-3, caspase-9, caspase-6, caspase-7, BCL2, BAG1, and PI3K were assessed by real-time RT-PCR and western blot analysis. The levels of myocardial apoptosis induced by I/R were investigated by TUNEL assays. The changes in MIRI induced by myocardial apoptosis were investigated by pathologic examination of the myocardium.

Role of Umbilical Cord Milking in the Management of Hypoxic-ischemic Encephalopathy in Neonates...
Hypoxic-Ischemic EncephalopathyThe purpose of this study is to investigate the efficacy and safety of umbilical cord milking in depressed neonates at birth for prevention of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

Neuroactive Steroids in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Ischemic StrokeDespite several scientific and technological advances, there is no single neuroprotective treatment that can reverse the brain damage after acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Neuroactive steroids are cholesterol-derived hormones that have the ability to modulate the normal and pathologic nervous system employing genomic and non genomic mechanisms. In this work, we first investigated if AIS affects the plasma concentration of five neuroactive steroids (cortisol, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone and 3-alpha androstenediol glucuronide). Second, we studied if levels of circulating steroids associate with neurological, cognitive and functional outcome in a cohort of 60 to 90 year-old male and female patients with AIS. For this purpose, we recruited patients who were hospitalized at the Emergency Room of the Central Military Hospital within the first 24 hours after stroke onset. We designed two experimental groups, each one composed of 30 control subjects and 30 AIS patients, both males and females. The assessment of neurological deficit was performed with the NIHSS and the tests used for the functional and cognitive status were: (1) modified Rankin Scale; (2) Photo test and (3) abbreviated Pfeiffer's mental status questionnaire.

Endoscopic Evaluation for Predicting the Complications Related to Gastric Conduit After Esophagectomy...
Esophageal NeoplasmsConstriction2 moreGastric conduit ischemia or anastomotic breakdown after esophagectomy with cervical esophagogastrostomy often cause severe complications, such as leakage, necrotic organs, and strictures. Thus, the purpose of this study is the safety and efficacy of endoscopic evaluation about reconstructive organs after esophagectomy. The investigators evaluate endoscopic predictions using classifications in acute phase after esophagogastrostomy.

Ischemic Heart Disease in Male With Prostate Adenocarcinoma
Ischemic Heart DiseaseProstate AdenocarcinomaThe purpose of the study: to increase the efficiency of diagnosis, treatment and prediction of the course of coronary heart disease in patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate gland, depending on the hormonal status by determining the cardiovascular risk factors, factors of angiogenesis, structural and functional state of the heart, coronary vessels, kidney damage and their pharmacological correction.

Neuroactive Steroids in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Ischemic StrokeCortisol; HypersecretionAcute ischemic stroke (AIS) represents an economical challenge for health systems all over the globe. Despite increasing knowledge of the pathophysiology of AIS, there is no satisfactory treatment to revert the resulting brain damage. Changes of neuroactive steroids have been found in different neurological diseases. In this regard, the investigators have previously demonstrated that old patients with AIS show changes of plasma cortisol and estradiol concentrations, in that increased steroid levels are associated with a deterioration of neurological status and a worse cognitive decline. The present study assessed in patients with AIS if changes of behavior, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nitrites (NO-2) (nitric oxide soluble metabolite) bear a relationship with the degree of hypercortisolism. To this purpose, the investigators recruited patients hospitalized at the Central Military Hospital emergency room within the first 24 hours of AIS. Subjects were divided into two groups, each one composed of 40 control subjects and 40 AIS patients, including men and women. The neurological condition was assessed using the NIHSS and the cognitive status with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA test). The emotional status was evaluated using the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS), whereas the Modified Rankin Scale (MRS) was used to determine the functional condition. BDNF and NO-2 plasma levels were measured by ELISA and the Griess reaction method, respectively.