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Background: Drawing on prospective data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), our goal was to construct and validate a 5-year survival prediction model for individuals with cognitive impairment (CI). Methods: This study entailed a prospective cohort design utilizing information from the 2011-2014 NHANES dataset, encompassing individuals aged 40 years or older, with updated mortality status as of December 31, 2019. Predictive models within the derivation and validation cohorts were assessed using logistic proportional risk regression, column-line plots, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) binomial regression models. Results: The study enrolled a total of 1,439 participants (677 men, mean age 69.75 ± 6.71 years), with the derivation and validation cohorts consisting of 1,007 (538 men) and 432 (239 men) individuals, respectively. The 5-year mortality rate stood at 16.12% (n = 232). We devised a 5-item column-line graphical model incorporating age, race, stroke, cardiovascular disease (CVD), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). The model exhibited an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.772 with satisfactory calibration. Internal validation demonstrated that the column-line graph model displayed strong discrimination, yielding an AUC of 0.733, and exhibited good calibration. Conclusion: To sum up, our study successfully developed and internally validated a 5-item nomogram integrating age, race, stroke, cardiovascular disease, and blood urea nitrogen. This nomogram exhibited robust predictive performance for 5-year mortality in individuals with CI, offering a valuable tool for prognostic evaluation and personalized care planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Minor ischemic stroke (MIS) is associated with early neurological deterioration (END) and poor prognosis. Here, we investigated whether argatroban administration can mitigate MIS-associated END and improve functional outcomes by monitoring activated partial thrombin time (APTT). Methods: Data were collected for patients with MIS admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to December 2022. Patients were divided into a dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) group (aspirin + clopidogrel) and an argatroban group (aspirin + argatroban). Those in the latter group who achieved a target APTT of 1.5-3-fold that of baseline and <100 s at 2 h after argatroban infusion were included in the argatroban subgroup. The primary outcome was the END rate of the DAPT group versus that of the argatroban group or the argatroban subgroup. Secondary outcomes included the proportion of patients with modified Rankin Scale (mRS) 0-2 at 7 and 90 days. In addition, baseline date were compared between patients with and without END in the argatroban group. Results: 363 patients were included in the DAPT group and 270 in the argatroban group. There were no significant differences in any above outcome between them. 207 pairs were included in the DAPT group and the argatroban subgroup after 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM). Significant differences were observed in the proportion of END (OR, 2.337; 95% CI, 1.200-4.550, p = 0.011) and mRS 0-2 at 7 days (OR, 0.624; 95% CI, 0.415-0.939, p = 0.023), but not in mRS 0-2 at 90 days or the hemorrhagic events between the two groups. In the argatroban group, univariate analysis showed that the rate of diabetes (OR, 2.316; 95% CI, 1.107-4.482, p = 0.023), initial random blood glucose (OR, 1.235; 95% CI, 1.070-1.425, p = 0.004), drinking history (OR, 0.445; 95% CI, 0.210-0.940, p = 0.031) or those reaching the target APTT (OR, 0.418; 95% CI, 0.184-0.949, p = 0.033) was significantly different among patients with and without END. However, there were no statistical differences in these parameters between them following multivariate analysis. Conclusion: In patients with MIS, argatroban administration and reaching the target APTT can reduce the incidence of END and improve short-term functional prognosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have previously shown that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSC) accelerate wound healing in a diabetic mouse model. In this study, we hypothesized that adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSC), cells of greater translational potential to human therapy, improve diabetic wound healing to a similar extent as BMSC. In vitro, the characterization and function of murine ADSC and BMSC as well as human diabetic and nondiabetic ADSC were evaluated by flow cytometry, cell viability, and VEGF expression. In vivo, biomimetic collagen scaffolds containing murine ADSC or BMSC were used to treat splinted full-thickness excisional back wounds on diabetic C57BL/6 mice, and human healthy and diabetic ADSC were used to treat back wounds on nude mice. Wound healing was evaluated by wound area, local VEGF-A expression, and count of CD31-positive cells. Delivery of murine ADSC or BMSC accelerated wound healing in diabetic mice to a similar extent, compared with acellular controls ( P < 0.0001). Histological analysis showed similarly increased cellular proliferation ( P < 0.0001), VEGF-A expression ( P = 0.0002), endothelial cell density ( P < 0.0001), numbers of macrophages ( P < 0.0001), and smooth muscle cells ( P < 0.0001) with ADSC and BMSC treatment, compared with controls. Cell survival and migration of ADSC and BMSC within the scaffolds were similar ( P = 0.781). Notch signaling was upregulated to a similar degree by both ADSC and BMSC. Diabetic and nondiabetic human ADSC expressed similar levels of VEGF-A ( P = 0.836) in vitro, as well as in scaffolds ( P = 1.000). Delivery of human diabetic and nondiabetic ADSC enhanced wound healing to a similar extent in a nude mouse wound model. Murine ADSC and BMSC delivered in a biomimetic-collagen scaffold are equivalent at enhancing diabetic wound healing. Human diabetic ADSC are not inferior to nondiabetic ADSC at accelerating wound healing in a nude mouse model. This data suggests that ADSC are a reasonable choice to evaluate for translational therapy in the treatment of human diabetic wounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: For patients with thromboangiitis obliterans (TAO), revascularization with bypass or angioplasty is frequently not feasible due to the poor outflow of the distal small vessels. We evaluated the long-term results of our experience treating patients with TAO with autologous bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (ABMMNCs) to determine the safety and efficacy of ABMMNC therapy in patients with critical limb ischemia due to TAO. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review from a single university hospital vascular surgery center between January 2005 and July 2006. Patients were treated with smoking cessation and either aspirin (100 mg/day) alone or aspirin and ABMMNC injection according to patient preference. Groups were compared for demographics, clinical characteristics, and short-term and long-term results. Results: Of 59 patients with TAO who were treated, 19 patients elected aspirin alone and 40 patients elected aspirin and ABMMNC injection. No patients suffered perioperative complications and 49 (83%) patients remained smoke-free for 10 years. The 10-year amputation-free survival was 85.3% (29/34) in patients treated with ABMMNCs compared to 40% (6/15) in patients treated with aspirin alone (p = 0.0019). Ulcer area (p < 0.0001), toe-brachial index (TBI; p < 0.0001), transcutaneous oxygen pressure (TcPO2; p < 0.0001), and pain score (p < 0.0001) were also significantly improved with ABMMNC treatment, although there was no difference in mean ankle-brachial index (ABI; p = 0.806). Conclusions: In patients with critical limb ischemia due to TAO, ABMMNC treatment was safe and effective. ABMMNC treatment significantly improved amputation-free survival, ulcer healing, and pain, although there is no difference in ABI compared to treatment with aspirin alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To present our experience of the endovascular treatment of subclavian artery aneurysms (SAAs) and analyze the clinical manifestations, imaging findings and treatment outcomes. Methods: In this retrospective study, nine patients with SAAs underwent endovascular stent placement in our center between July 2011 and June 2016. Clinical features, imaging findings, treatment outcomes and follow-up results of these SAA patients were retrospectively analyzed. Results: Nine patients were diagnosed with SAAs by computer tomography angiography (CTA). Five patients underwent percutaneous endovascular stent placement in the subclavian artery. Three patients underwent endovascular repair of the SAAs with coil embolization and stent graft. One patient underwent stent graft implantation by the simultaneous kissing stent technique. Five patients had their symptoms relieved and thrombosis occurred in one case. The mean follow-up period was 17 months, ranging from 8 to 40 months. Conclusion: For patients with SAAs, endovascular treatment is a feasible choice, with a high success rate, few complications and good clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the last decade, many studies have indicated a therapeutic potential for treating diabetic lower extremity ulcers with autologous stem cells. The aim of the current study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the treatment of diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) with autologous stem cells. The search strategy included the Pubmed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Cochrane's Library databases. The endpoint measured was the healing of DFUs. Six eligible randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies were screened from related published studies and reviewed for meta-analysis. The overall meta-analysis showed that stem cell administration was significantly favorable for healing diabetic ulcers (mean difference (MD) 0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38-0.65; p < 0.00001). Subgroup analyses indicated that stem cells seemed to exert similar beneficial effects on patients with ulcer size ≥ 5 cm2 (MD 0.76, 95% CI 0.55-0.97; p < 0.00001) and < 5 cm2 (MD 0.43, 95% CI 0.31-0.54; p < 0.00001). Furthermore, stem cells had similar effects on patients aged ≥ 70 years (MD 0.61, 95% CI 0.14-1.08; p = 0.01) and < 70 years (MD 0.47, 95% CI 0.35-0.58; p < 0.00001). This systematic review and meta-analysis suggests a promising role for stem cells in DFU treatment. This review will pave the way to further study on the long-term effects of stem cell-based therapy and large-scale RCTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular diseases are increasing in recent years. To solve these problems, vascular transplantation has become a common approach. Decellularization has been a hot spot of tissue engineering to prepare vessel substitutes for vascular transplantation. However, there is no established canonical protocol for decellularization thus far. OBJECTIVE: To further understand the decellularization effect of decellularization protocols and the causal relationship between decellularization and mechanical properties. METHODS: Three decellularization protocols including two chemical protocols based on SDS and Trypsin respectively and a combination of Triton X-100 with chymotrypsin were adopted to obtain decellularized porcine carotid arteries in our study. After decellularization, histological analysis, scanning electron microscopy and mechanical tests were performed to evaluate their efficiency on removing of cellular components, retention of extracellular matrix and influence on mechanical properties. RESULTS: All these decellularization protocols used in our study were efficient to remove cellular components. However, SDS and trypsin performed more disruptive effect on ECM structure and mechanical properties of native arteries while Triton X-100 combines with chymotrypsin had no significant disruptive effect. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with decellularization protocols based on SDS and trypsin, Triton X-100 combines with chymotrypsin used in our study may be a more promising protocol to prepare decellularized porcine carotid arteries for vascular tissue engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four patients with chronic refractory immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) received human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs). The hUC-MSC dose was 5x107 to 1x108. Complete remission (CR) was achieved in three patients in 12 months and one patient in 24 months. Three patients received the second hUC-MSC transplantation with the same dose. The median time between hUC-MSC transplantation and response was 12.5 days (range, 7-16). There were no severe adverse events during and post hUC-MSC transplantation. During follow-up (median, 17 months; range, 13-24) no other immunosuppressive drugs were used post-first hUC-MSCs transplantation. In conclusion, hUC-MSC transplantation is a reasonable salvage treatment in chronic refractory ITP. Prospective randomized large-scale clinical trials are needed to further elucidate the efficacy of hUC-MSCs transplantation therapy on ITP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a degenerative disease characterized by fibrosis. Cell therapy has been considered within the therapeutic options for IPF. In this study, we explored the potential benefits of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell (HUC-MSC) intravenous infusion in the management of IPF. We describe a case of a 56-year-old man with IPF who was receiving long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT). The patient underwent HUC-MSC intravenous infusion and was followed up for 12 months. Clinical and motor tests, as well as questionnaires assessing quality of life, were performed prior to and following the transplantation. At the end of 12 months, a relevant reduction of LTOT requirement was registered; improvements in terms of physical performance, quality of life, and respiratory parameters were observed in our patient. In conclusion, a program of HUC-MSC intravenous infusion appears to be beneficial to patients with IPF and may be considered as an additional therapeutic option. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Massive pulmonary embolism (MPE) is associated with a high rate of mortality, and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension leads to ongoing morbidity among many survivors. Here we report a case of a MPE successfully treated by Angiojet rheolytic thrombectomy combined with catheter fragmentation. This is the first report of the use of these two methods together for MPE treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to examine treatment of cerebral hemorrhages with bone-marrow or human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs or Hu-MSCs) and conventional surgical approaches, and determine and compare the effectiveness, feasibility, safety and reproducibility of each method. A retrospective analysis was performed on a cohort of cell-treated cerebral hemorrhage patients from October 1, 2007 to October 1, 2009. A total of 24 patients, all of whom received conventional surgical treatment, were classified as follows: i) The control group consisted of 8 patients who received only hematoma removal surgery, ii) the autologous group consisted of 7 patients who received additional autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation, and iii) the allograft group consisted of 9 patients who received additional umbilical cord mononuclear cell transplantation. After conventional hematoma removal surgery and X-ray supervision within 24 h and at 7 days, neurological disability and function tests were completed 3, 6, 12, 36 and 60 months later. The T-cell marker plasma levels were analyzed after 60 months. The results showed that, at approximately 3.5 months after graft the hematomas in all the groups were completely reabsorbed as observed on computed tomography scans. However, the functional outcomes in the cell-transplanted groups were better than in the control group after 5 years. While the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale, modified Rankin score and modified Barthel index scores were simliar in the cell-transplanted groups, patients in the allograft group had better outcomes than those in the autologous graft group starting at 3 months and until the end of the follow-up period. The serum levels of T-cell markers CD4, CD56 and human leukocyte antigen-DR in the allograft group showed no signs of immunogenic graft complications and there were no significant differences in T-cell subtypes among the patient groups. The results of the present study suggest that, treatment of cerebral hemorrhage patients can be safely and effectively accomplished using Hu-MSC grafting and larger clinical trials should be considered in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is a retrospective analysis of the clinical effects of transplant of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from human umbilical cord-derived MSCs (hUC-MSCs) for the treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH). The biological characteristics of hUC-MSCs were assessed using flow cytometry. Nine eligible patients were enrolled in the study as they adhered to the Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) classification of stage II-IIIa, and hUC-MSCs were grafted by intra-arterial infusion. Organize effective perfusion was assessed using the oxygen delivery index (ODI). The results showed that the ODI was increased at three days post-operation. The MRI results revealed that at 12 and 24 months after treatment, the necrotic volume of the femoral heads was significantly reduced. No obvious abnormalities were observed. Taken together, these data indicate that intra-arterially infused hUC-MSCs migrate into the necrotic field of femoral heads and differentiate into osteoblasts, thus improving the necrosis of femoral heads. This finding suggested that intra-arterial infusion of hUC-MSCs MSCs is a feasible and relatively safe method for the treatment of femoral head necrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Congestive heart failure (HF) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although advances in medical therapy, mechanical support and heart transplantation have been made, almost half of all patients with HF succumb to the disease within five years of the initial diagnosis. Therefore, treatment methods need to be identified to restore the structure and function of cardiac muscle. Three patients with HF caused by ischemic cardiomyopathy received human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell (HUC-MSC) intravenous infusion were included in the present study. Two patients demonstrated a 65.1% increase in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at the end of 3 months, which was maintained increasing 47.8% at the end of 12 months post-HUC-MSC intravenous infusion. LVEF of patient 1 decreased slowly in the observation period. This LVEF improvement was associated with significant improvements in the clinical parameters of the New York Heart Association class, and six-minute walk test in the coupled time. The third patient showed significant improvement in the six-minute walk test at the end of 12 months, while the other parameters did not change obviously. There were no severe adverse events during and post-HUC-MSC transplantation. During follow-up, no other immunosuppressive drugs were used. In conclusion, HUC-MSC therapy is a reasonable salvage treatment in HF. Future large-scale randomized clinical trials are likely to be designed to elucidate the efficacy of the HUC-MSC transplantation therapy on HF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]