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Objective: To explore the effects of autotransplantation of NT-3 gene modified olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) and neural stem cell (NSC) complex adhering to collagen protein-heparin sulfate scaffold on motor function of rats with cerebral hemorrhage., Methods: The cerebral hemorrhage model was established with caudate nucleus bleeding in Wistar rats. The animals were randomly divided into 4 groups: A (transplantation of NT-3 modified OEC-NSC complex adhering to scaffold), B (transplantation of NT-3 modified OEC-NSC complex), C (transplantation of scaffold) and D (blank control group). The motor function of hind limbs was assessed at Day 1, 3, 7, 14 and 30 post-transplantation respectively. The survival, distribution and differentiation of transplanted cells were tested by immunohistochemistry and fluorescent staining., Results: The neurological functional score of group A (2.12 ± 0.12, 1.50 ± 0.11, 0.52 ± 0.08) or B (2.10 ± 0.16, 1.79 ± 0.09, 0.91 ± 0.10) was obviously inferior to group C/D at Days 7, 14 and 30. No significant difference existed between groups C and D (P > 0.05) . The scores of A were markedly lower than those of B at Days 14 and 30 (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) . The numbers of surviving NSCs and cells migrating to focal area after transplantation was much more in group A than those in other groups., Conclusion: Autotransplantation of NT-3 gene modified OEC-NSC complex adhering to collagen protein-heparin sulfate scaffold may markedly ameliorate the motor function of cerebral hemorrhagic in rats. And the transplanted NSCs have better capacities of survival, migration and differentiation.

Background: Intracranial large artery disease (ICLAD), such as stenosis and calcification, is common in Chinese patients with stroke. However, little is known about ICLAD and its association with large arterial stiffness in hypertensive patients., Methods: We recruited 270 (mean age 61.0 years, 45.6% male) untreated hypertensive patients without stroke from a community in Shanghai, China. ICLAD was detected by computerized tomographic angiography (CTA). Carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV), office, and 24-h ambulatory pulse pressure (PP) as well as ambulatory arterial stiffness index (AASI) were determined as the measures of arterial stiffness., Results: Among all participants, 26 (9.6%) had concurrent intracranial arterial stenosis and calcification, 11 (4.1%) stenosis only, and 71 (26.3%) calcifications only. After adjustment for age, mean arterial pressure, and other covariables, there was significant difference in cf-PWV (13.1 vs. 13.7 vs. 15.0 m/s; P = 0.0015) and 24-h PP (46.7 vs. 48.8 vs. 55.7 mm Hg; P = 0.0007) between patients with normal vessels (n = 162), with stenosis or calcification (n = 82), and with both lesions (n = 26). Multiple ordinal logistic regression analyses showed that both cf-PWV and 24-h PP were independently associated with ICLAD. Odds ratios (95% confidence interval (CI)) of ICLAD after multivariable and mutually adjustment were 1.51 (1.09-2.10) and 1.46 (1.06-2.01) for 1-s.d. increase in cf-PWV and 24-h PP, respectively. No significant association (P ≥ 0.10) with AASI or office PP was observed in multivariable analysis., Conclusion: Increased arterial stiffness was independently associated with ICLAD. cf-PWV and 24-h PP might be useful in identifying those more likely to have ICLAD among hypertensive patients.