Breakdowns of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) are frequently associated with various central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Cerebrovascular endothelial cells (ECs) play important roles in maintaining a stable microenvironment for the CNS by interacting with pericytes. However, the genetic mechanisms controlling the functions of cerebral ECs are still largely unknown. Here, we report that disrupti...

Breakdowns of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) are frequently associated with various central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Cerebrovascular endothelial cells (ECs) play important roles in maintaining a stable microenvironment for the CNS by interacting with pericytes. However, the genetic mechanisms controlling the functions of cerebral ECs are still largely unknown. Here, we report that disrupti...

BACKGROUND Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) is a disease caused by spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, involving the nervous system. It usually manifests as lymphocytic meningoradiculitis, but in rare cases, it can also lead to cerebrovascular complications. We aimed to perform a systematic review of all reported cases of LNB complicated by central nervous system vasculitis and stroke or transient isch...

BACKGROUND The CHADS2 score has mainly been used to predict the likelihood of cerebrovascular accidents in patients with atrial fibrillation. However, increasing attention is being paid to this scoring system for risk stratification of patients with coronary artery disease. We investigated the value of the CHADS2 score in predicting cardiovascular/cerebrovascular events in coronary artery disea...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Atherosclerotic calcifications are present not only in the extracranial carotid bifurcation but also in the intracranial part of the internal carotid artery. We assessed the association between intracranial internal carotid artery calcifications and cardiovascular risk factors in patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease and the association between calcifications and...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE A short-term increase in dietary nitrate (NO3-) improves markers of vascular health via formation of nitric oxide and other bioactive nitrogen oxides. Whether this translates into long-term vascular disease risk reduction has yet to be examined. We investigated the association of vegetable-derived nitrate intake with common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT),...

We evaluated the correlation between clinical features and computed tomographic findings in a prospective study of 1,191 consecutive patients with acute cerebrovascular disease seen during 1 year. In the 386 patients in whom symptoms and signs initially suggested a cerebrovascular disorder, computed tomography revealed a relevant lesion in 154 (hemorrhagic in 52 [33.8%], ischemic in 102 [66.2%]...

Transforming growth factor betas (TGF-βs) belong to three isoforms (TGF-β1, TGF-β2 and TGF-β3) members of a large pleiotropic superfamily of around 100 distinct proteins participating in the regulation of key events of development and disease, and tissue repair. In the central nervous system (CNS), all the three isoforms are produced by both glial and neuronal cells and are involved in essentia...

BACKGROUND Blood vessel mechanics has traditionally been of interest to researchers and clinicians. Changes in mechanical properties of arteries have been associated with various diseases. OBJECTIVE To provide a comprehensive review directed towards understanding the basic biomechanical properties of cerebral arteries under normal and diseased conditions. METHODS Literature review supplemen...

a strategy employing moderate hypothermia for the replacement of the aortic arch is proposed to avoid the complications of profound hypothermic circulatory arrest. two patients underwent the complete replacement of the aortic arch using three pumps - for the brain, thoracoabdominal aorta, and heart, respectively. there were no complications and the patients were extubated uneventfully. the meth...