Glioma-derived exosome Lncrna Agap2-As1 promotes glioma proliferation and metastasis by mediating Tgf-ß1 secretion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells.

Background: Glioma (GBM) is the most prevalent malignancy worldwide with high morbidity and mortality. Exosome-mediated transfer of long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) has been reported to be associated with human cancers, containing GBM. Meanwhile, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a vital role in mediating the immunosuppressive environments in GBM. Objectives: This study is designed to explore the role and mechanism of exosomal (Exo) lncRNA AGAP2-AS1 on the MDSC pathway in GBM. Methods: AGAP2-AS1, microRNA-486-3p (miR-486-3p), and Transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-ß1) levels were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were detected by 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU), flow cytometry, and Transwell assays. E-cadherin, Vimentin, CD9, CD81, and TGF-ß1 protein levels were examined using Western blot. Exosomes were detected by a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Binding between miR-486-3p and AGAP2-AS1 or TGF-ß1 was predicted by LncBase or TargetScan and then verified using a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Results: AGAP2-AS1 was highly expressed in GBM tissues and cells. Functionally, AGAP2-AS1 absence or TGF-ß1 knockdown repressed tumor cell growth and metastasis. Furthermore, Exo-AGAP2-AS1 from GBM cells regulated TGF-ß1 expression via sponging miR-486-3p in MDSCs. Exo-AGAP2-AS1 upregulation facilitated GBM cell growth and metastasis via the MDSC pathway. Conclusion: Exo-AGAP2-AS1 boosted GBM cell development partly by regulating the MDSC pathway, hinting at a promising therapeutic target for GBM treatment.

Stratified assessment of treatment approach for craniocervical junction arteriovenous fistulas: a multicenter cohort study and literature review.

OBJECTIVE: Craniocervical junction arteriovenous fistulas (CCJ-AVFs) are complex vascular shunts that present a challenge for treatment. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of microsurgery and endovascular embolization for CCJ-AVFs and to determine whether the treatment approach affected the obliteration rate and neurological improvement. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of 64 patients who had undergone microsurgery or endovascular embolization for CCJ-AVF at one of two neurosurgical centers from January 2014 to February 2022. Additionally, a pooled analysis of 68 patients from 38 studies was performed. Baseline characteristics, angioarchitectural features, and clinical outcomes were compared between two treatment groups. A subgroup analysis of CCJ-AVFs with carotid artery (CA) feeders was also performed. RESULTS: In the multicenter cohort, the complete obliteration rate was 95.1% with microsurgery, 81.8% with embolization via the CA, and 50.0% with embolization via the vertebral artery (VA). After adjusting for baseline and confounding features, the occlusion rate was significantly lower in the VA embolization group (adjusted OR 41.06, 95% CI 2.37-711.9, p = 0.01). No new-onset infarctions occurred in the microsurgical group, whereas 1 patient each in the CA and VA embolization groups experienced posttreatment infarction. Microsurgery demonstrated a neurological improvement rate similar to that in the CA embolization group (65.9% vs 63.6%, respectively). In the subgroup analysis of CCJ-AVF with CA feeders in the multicenter cohort, the occlusion rate and neurological improvement in the CA embolization group were comparable to those in the microsurgery group. The subgroup analysis in the pooled analysis revealed complete obliteration rates of 100.0% in the microsurgical group, 88.9% in the CA embolization group, and 66.7% in the VA embolization group. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports microsurgery as the best treatment modality for CCJ-AVFs, exhibiting the highest rates of complete obliteration. Conversely, embolization via the VA can result in a lower occlusion rate and less neurological improvement. In CCJ-AVFs with CA feeders, embolization via the CA can be a safe and effective alternative to microsurgery.

One-step solution for angioplasty, low-profile stent delivery, and intrastent dilation using a dual-lumen angioplasty balloon microcatheter: technical advances, limitations, outcomes, and literature review.

Dual-lumen angioplasty balloon microcatheters make it possible to perform percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), low-profile stent delivery, and intrastent dilation without the microcatheter exchange technique. This technique has shown many advantages in recent years. We reviewed the techniques and applications in different intracranial vascular diseases and summarized the outcomes and indications. Gateway dual-lumen angioplasty balloon was used for PTA and kept in situ. Stent was delivered and deployed via Gateway microcatheter. Intrastent balloon dilation was performed after stent deployment. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical and imaging data, surgical procedures, technique application, and follow-up outcomes of six patients treated from 2020 to 2023. Neurological function was assessed by the modified Rankin scale (mRS). A literature review was performed using PubMed. All seven patients (4 males, 3 females; mean age, 62.6 ± 6.9 years) underwent percutaneous transluminal angioplasty and stent deployment using a balloon microcatheter. There was one middle cerebral artery (MCA) aneurysm with parent artery stenosis, two MCA dissections, and four intracranial atherosclerotic stenoses (ICASs). The mRS score was 0 in five patients and 1 in two patients. Cerebral dissection with stenosis is the best indication, and its application in stent-assisted aneurysm coiling is inappropriate. This technique is controversial in ICAS treatment.

Angioarchitectural features of arteriovenous fistulas at craniocervical junction predicting clinical presentation and unfavorable neurological function: insight from a multicenter cohort and pooled analysis.

Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) at the craniocervical junction (CCJ) are uncommon conditions with complex angioarchitecture. The objective of this study was to identify the angioarchitectural features of CCJ-AVF that were predictive of clinical presentation and neurological function. The study encompassed a total of 68 consecutive patients with CCJ-AVF at two neurosurgical centers between 2014 and 2022. Additionally, a systematic review was conducted, including 68 cases with detailed clinical data obtained via PubMed database spanning 1990 to 2022. Clinical and imaging data were collected and pooled together to analyze factors associated with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), myelopathy, and modified Rankin scale (mRS) at presentation. The mean age of the patients was 54.5 ± 13.1 years, with 76.5% of them being male. The most common feeding arteries were V3-medial branches (33.1%), and drainage was frequently through the anterior or posterior spinal vein/perimedullary vein (72.8%). SAH was the most common presentation (49.3%), and an associated aneurysm was identified as a risk factor for SAH (adjusted OR, 7.44; 95%CI, 2.89-19.15). Anterior or posterior spinal vein/perimedullary vein (adjusted OR, 2.78; 95%CI, 1.00-7.72) and male gender (adjusted OR, 3.76; 95%CI, 1.23-11.53) were associated with higher risk for myelopathy. Myelopathy at presentation was an independent risk factor for unfavorable neurological status (adjusted OR per score, 4.73; 95%CI, 1.31-17.12) in untreated CCJ-AVF. The present study identifies risk factors associated with SAH, myelopathy, and unfavorable neurological status at presentation in patients with CCJ-AVF. These findings may help treatment decisions for these complex vascular malformations.

Tubridge flow diverter for the treatment of small and medium aneurysms.

Background: Tubridge flow diverter is a widely used device aimed at reconstructing parent arteries and occluding complex aneurysms in China. The experience of Tubridge in treating small and medium aneurysms is still limited. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Tubridge flow diverter for the treatment of the two types of aneurysms. Methods: We reviewed the clinical records of aneurysms treated with a Tubridge flow diverter between 2018 and 2021 in a national cerebrovascular disease center. Cases were divided into small and medium aneurysms according to aneurysm size. The therapeutic process, occlusion rate, and clinical outcome were compared. Results: In total, 57 patients and 77 aneurysms were identified. The patients were divided into two groups: small aneurysms (39 patients, 54 aneurysms) and medium aneurysms (18 patients, 23 aneurysms). There were 19 patients with tandem aneurysms (a total of 39 aneurysms) in the two groups, among which 15 patients (30 aneurysms) were in the small aneurysm group and four patients (nine aneurysms) were in the medium aneurysm group. The results show that the mean maximal diameter/neck in the small and medium aneurysms was 3.68/3.25 and 7.61/6.24 mm, respectively. In total, 57 Tubridge flow diverters were successfully implanted without unfolding failure, and there were six patients with new mild cerebral infarction in the small aneurysm group. The complete occlusion rate on the last angiographic follow-up was achieved in 88.46% of the small aneurysms group and 81.82% of the medium aneurysms group. The complete occlusion rate of patients with tandem aneurysms in the last angiographic follow-up was 86.67% (13/15) of the small aneurysms group and 50% (2/4) of the medium aneurysm group. Intracranial hemorrhage was nonencountered in the two groups. Conclusion: Our preliminary experience suggests that the Tubridge flow diverter might be a safe and effective treatment for small and medium aneurysms along the internal carotid artery. Long stents may increase the risk of cerebral infarction. Adequate evidence is required to clarify the definite indications and complications in a multicenter randomized controlled trial with a long-term follow-up.

Association of Preoperative Vascular Wall Imaging Patterns and Surgical Outcomes in Patients With Unruptured Intracranial Saccular Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: MR vascular wall imaging (VWI) may have prognostic value in patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of VWI as a predictor of surgical outcome in patients with UIAs. METHODS: This prospective cohort study evaluated surgical outcomes in consecutive patients with UIAs who underwent surgical clipping at a single center. All participants underwent high-resolution VWI and were followed for at least 6 months. The primary clinical outcome was modified Rankin scale (mRS) score 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: The number of patients in the no wall enhancement, uniform wall enhancement (UWE), and focal wall enhancement (FWE) groups was 37, 145, and 154, respectively. Incidence of postoperative complications was 15.5% in the FWE group, 12.4% in the UWE group, and 5.4% in the no wall enhancement group. The proportion of patients with mRS score >2 at the 6-month follow-up was significantly higher in the FWE group than in the UWE group (14.3% vs 6.9%; P = .0389). In the multivariate analysis, FWE (odds ratio, 2.573; 95% CI 1.001-6.612) and positive proximal artery remodeling (odds ratio, 10.56; 95% CI 2.237-49.83) were independent predictors of mRS score >2 at the 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Preoperative VWI can improve the surgeon's understanding of aneurysm pathological structure. Type of aneurysmal wall enhancement on VWI is associated with clinical outcome and incidence of salvage anastomosis and surgical complications.

Treatment of high-grade brain arteriovenous malformations using a hybrid operating room: A prospective single-arm study.

BACKGROUND: Optimal treatment of patients with high Spetzler-Martin (S-M) grade brain arteriovenous malformations (BAVMs) remains controversial. Few studies have investigated outcomes in such patients treated in a hybrid operating room (hOR). OBJECTIVE: To examine outcomes of one-stop hybrid BAVM treatment in patients with high-grade lesions. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled patients with high-grade BAVMs (S-M grade ≥3) aged 18-65 years who underwent one-stop hybrid BAVM treatment at our hospital between October 2016 and March 2021. High-grade BAVM patients who underwent surgery from 2010 to 2016 served as historical controls. RESULTS: Forty-one high-grade BAVM patients underwent one-stop hybrid treatment in a hOR. Sixty-one propensity score-matched patients comprised the historical control group. The groups did not significantly differ in patient and BAVM characteristics. Intraoperative angiography in four patients of the hOR group demonstrated residual nidus that required further immediate resection. Main procedural complications included hemorrhage, neurologic deficit, and seizure. In the historical control group, diffuse angioarchitecture and arteriovenous fistula were independent risk factors for incomplete resection. CONCLUSIONS: One-stop hybrid BAVM treatment is safe and effective for removal of high-grade BAVMs, especially those with diffuse or complex angioarchitecture. Preoperative embolization can effectively reduce blood flow while preserving motor and language function. The combined application of functional magnetic resonance imaging, electrophysiological monitoring, and awake craniotomy can successfully avoid causing neurological injury.

Clinical characteristics, endovascular choices, and surgical outcomes of intracranial vertebral artery dissecting aneurysms: a consecutive series of 196 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The authors aimed to evaluate the clinical features, endovascular strategy selection, and outcomes of vertebral artery (VA) dissecting aneurysms (VADAs) near the origin of the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA). METHODS: Clinical data were obtained from 196 patients with 202 VADAs who had been surgically treated at the authors' hospital between 2005 and 2021. The patients' medical records, imaging data, and follow-up outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: All 196 patients (148 male, 48 female; mean age 53 years) underwent endovascular therapy for VADA. The most common chief complaints were headache (56.6%), dizziness (40.8%), and other occasional symptoms (18.4%). Twenty-six patients experienced posterior circulation ischemia, and 25 patients experienced subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). On DSA images, 37 aneurysms were found in the dominant VA, and 165 aneurysms were found on the nondominant side. Eighty-eight VADAs had stenosis. Regarding the VADA location, there were 59 distal, 51 proximal, 23 ventral, 64 PICA, and 5 obliteration types. Single-stent implantation (10.9%), overlapping stent implantation (23.8%), flow diverter (FD) implantation (11.9%), single stent-assisted coil (SAC) embolization (31.7%), overlapping SAC embolization (12.9%), parent artery occlusion (PAO) (8.4%), and FD-assisted coil embolization (0.5%) were chosen. The follow-up rate was 82.7%. The modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score was 0.5 ± 1.1. Ninety-six patients underwent DSA. The complete occlusion rates were 100%, 81.4%, 56.7%, and 76.5% in the PAO group, SAC reconstruction group, stent implantation group, and FD implantation group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Young patients showed a higher probability of SAH, and elderly patients showed a higher probability of posterior circulation infarction. The surgical plan selection should be based on the SAH history, VA dominant side, and PICA origin location.

A falcotentorial dural arteriovenous fistula presented as carotid cavernous fistula clinically treated by transarterial embolization: case report.

BACKGROUND: Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVF) represent almost 10-15% of intracranial malformations that cause intracranial hemorrhage and focal neurological deficits. Seldom tentorial DAVF cases present with ocular manifestations initially, which occur frequently in carotid-cavernous fistula (CCF) and cavernous sinus DAVF (CS DAVF). CASE PRESENTATION: We report an unusual falcotentorial DAVF case draining via the superior and inferior ophthalmic veins that caused left-side increased intraocular pressure. The patient's chief complaint was swelling on the left side, pain and conjunctival congestion. He received endovascular embolization via a transarterial approach, and postoperative angiography demonstrated that the falcotentorial DAVF was occluded completely. CONCLUSION: Except for CCF and CS DAVF, some specific subtypes of DAVF should be considered if the patient initially presents with ocular symptoms. Differential diagnosis and definitive treatment are mandatory to avoid a delayed diagnosis and irreversible symptoms.

Detection of glutathione in dairy products based on surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy of silver nanoparticles.

In this paper, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared as enhanced substrates for the detection of glutathione in dairy products by polyol reduction of silver nitrate. The infrared spectra were collected and analyzed by surface-enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy (SEIRA) method of transmission mode using a cell of calcium fluoride window sheet immobilization solution for the study. The disappearance of the thiol (-SH) absorption peak in the infrared spectrum, and the shift of its characteristic absorption peak when glutathione was bound to AgNPs solvate indicated the Ag-S bond interaction and the aggregation of AgNPS. AgNPs accumulate to form "hot spots", resulting in enhanced electromagnetic fields and thus enhanced infrared signals of glutathione. The intensity of the characteristic absorption peak at 1,654 cm-1 (carbonyl C=O bond stretching) was used for the quantitative analysis of glutathione. After optimizing the conditions, glutathione content in pretreated pure milk and pure ewe's milk was determined using AgNPs in combination with SEIRA. Good linearity was obtained in the range of 0.02-0.12 mg/mL with correlation coefficients (R 2) of 0.9879 and 0.9833, respectively, and LOD of 0.02 mg/mL with average spiked recoveries of 101.3 and 92.5%, respectively. The results show that the method can be used for accurate determination of glutathione content in common dairy products.

Case report: Endovascular treatment of two scalp arteriovenous malformation cases via direct percutaneous catheterization: A case series.

Background: Scalp arteriovenous malformations (AVM) are rare vascular malformations reported only in small case series. Scalp AVMs usually present with symptoms, including headache, tinnitus, epilepsy, cerebral ischemia, and necrosis of the scalp, which can cause functional, cosmetic, and psychological problems. There are many difficulties in the treatment of scalp AVM because of its complex characteristics of vascular anatomy, non-uniform structure, and intracranial-extracranial anastomosis. Case description: To illustrate the endovascular treatment of scalp AVM via direct percutaneous puncture while traditional arterial and venous approaches were not available. In this report, access was obtained through a direct puncture of the enlarged frontal vein. Onyx-18 was injected through a microcatheter to occlude draining veins, fistulous connection, and the feeders. An 18-gauge indwelling needle was inserted into draining veins directly. Postembolization angiography demonstrated complete sAVM occlusion immediately and no non-targeted embolization. At a 1-year follow-up, no procedure-related complications and evidence of recurrence were observed. Conclusion: The technique of endovascular embolization via direct percutaneous puncture approach is safe, rapid, and effective for specific sAVM. Treatment options should be made in terms of size, vascular anatomical characteristics of the lesions, patient's preference, cosmetic factors, and available expertise.

The Vascular Architecture of Cavernous Sinus Dural Arteriovenous Fistula and Its Impact on Endovascular Treatment Approach Selection and Outcome.

BACKGROUND: A cavernous sinus (CS) dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) is a form of abnormal arteriovenous communication that can be treated with endovascular embolization. Establishing an optimal access route should be based on vascular architecture. We reviewed 64 patients with CS-DAVF who underwent endovascular embolization and report the endovascular treatment approach selection and outcome. METHODS: Clinical data were obtained from 64 patients with CS-DAVF who had been surgically treated at the authors' hospital between 2009 and 2022. Patients' medical records, imaging data, and follow-up outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: All 64 patients (15 male, 49 female; mean age, 50 years) underwent CS-DAVF embolization. The most common symptoms were exophthalmos (39.1%), chemosis (35.9%), and headache (28.1%). On digital subtraction angiography images, 34.4% of the DAVFs were unilateral, and 82.8% were fed by both the external carotid artery and internal carotid artery. Of the patients' inferior petrosal sinuses (IPSs), 54.7% were nonopacified. The most common intravascular approaches included trans-IPS (37.5%) and trans-artery (28.1%) approaches. More than half of the CS-DAVFs were embolized by both coils and Onyx (62.5%). A total of 85.9% of the fistulas were completely embolized, and the follow-up rate was 76.6%. The modified Rankin Scale score was 0.9 ± 1.0. CONCLUSIONS: The vascular architecture of CS-DAVF is closely related to endovascular treatment approach selection and outcome. Combined with the modified IPS recanalization technique, the trans-IPS approach is the safest and most effective approach. Dual microcatheter and balloon assistance techniques ensure the safety and completeness of embolization.

Research Progress of Applying Infrared Spectroscopy Technology for Detection of Toxic and Harmful Substances in Food.

In recent years, food safety incidents have been frequently reported. Food or raw materials themselves contain substances that may endanger human health and are called toxic and harmful substances in food, which can be divided into endogenous, exogenous toxic, and harmful substances and biological toxins. Therefore, realizing the rapid, efficient, and nondestructive testing of toxic and harmful substances in food is of great significance to ensure food safety and improve the ability of food safety supervision. Among the nondestructive detection methods, infrared spectroscopy technology has become a powerful solution for detecting toxic and harmful substances in food with its high efficiency, speed, easy operation, and low costs, while requiring less sample size and is nondestructive, and has been widely used in many fields. In this review, the concept and principle of IR spectroscopy in food are briefly introduced, including NIR and FTIR. Then, the main progress and contribution of IR spectroscopy are summarized, including the model's establishment, technical application, and spectral optimization in grain, fruits, vegetables, and beverages. Moreover, the limitations and development prospects of detection are discussed. It is anticipated that infrared spectroscopy technology, in combination with other advanced technologies, will be widely used in the whole food safety field.

Microsurgical treatment of posterior inferior cerebellar aneurysms based on angioarchitecture supplemented by high-resolution vessel wall MRI: a case series report.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) aneurysms is challenging because many are nonsaccular and atherosclerotic. We report our tailored approach to PICA aneurysms, which is based on angioarchitecture supplemented by high-resolution vessel wall MRI (HR-VW MRI) findings. METHODS: From March 2010 to September 2020, 27 patients with 29 PICA aneurysms underwent surgical treatment in our institution. Since October 2016, HR-VW MRI has been used for aneurysmal wall assessment. Clinical characteristics, radiological data and surgical outcomes were analysed. RESULTS: Nineteen proximal PICA aneurysms (vertebral artery (VA), P1, P2 and P3) were treated using the far-lateral approach. Ten distal PICA aneurysms (P4, P5) were treated using the suboccipital midline approach. Direct clipping or clip reconstruction was achieved in 19 aneurysms. Ten were trapped in conjunction with extracranial-intracranial or intracranial-intracranial bypass, including three occipital artery-PICA reimplantations, three PICA-VA reimplantations, two PICA-PICA side-to-side anastomoses, one PICA-PICA reimplantation and one PICA-PICA reanastomosis. All aneurysms were eventually completely obliterated and all bypasses remained patent. At the last follow-up, 26 patients (96.2%) achieved a good outcome (modified Rankin Scale score <3). Eight patients underwent HR-VW MRI. Among these, the six aneurysms with focal wall enhancement required bypass and the two with negative enhancement were successfully clipped. CONCLUSION: PICA aneurysms have a higher frequency of complex features such as large or giant size and fusiform or dissecting morphology. Favourable outcomes were achieved with individualised microsurgical strategies based on angioarchitecture. HR-VW MRI may be used as a promising technique to predict aneurysmal atherosclerosis.

Microsurgical intracranial hypervascular tumor resection immediately after endovascular embolization in a hybrid operative suite: A single-center experience.

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to investigate the safety and outcome of one-stage hybrid endovascular and microsurgical treatment of intracranial hypervascular tumors. METHODS: The blood supply of the tumor was endovascularly embolized just before microsurgery in a one-stage fashion. Clinical data regarding the preoperative neurological status, tumor characteristics, hybrid treatment details and complications, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative outcomes were collected prospectively and then analyzed. RESULTS: Beginning in July 2016, 13 patients (5 women, 8 men) with intracranial hypervascular tumors were enrolled in this study, with a mean age of 48.2 ± 10.9 years. The patients' tumors comprised seven hemangioblastomas, three hemangiopericytomas, two meningiomas, and one mesenchymal chondrosarcoma. The mean maximum tumor diameter was 54.9 ± 21.5 mm. No major procedural complications occurred except catheterization-related bleeding in one patient. The mean percentage of tumor devascularization was 65.0%±17.5%. Gross total resection was achieved in 12 patients (92.3%). The mean blood loss volume during microsurgical resection was 703.8 ± 886.8 mL (range, 150-3600 mL). Symptoms improved in three patients and remained stable in six patients. CONCLUSIONS: One-stage hybrid embolization before intracranial hypervascular tumor resection is a safe and effective procedure to decrease intraoperative blood loss. It can prevent or treat embolization-related complications in a timely manner and avoid the risk of multiple surgical procedures.

Advances in differentiation and identification of foodborne bacteria using near infrared spectroscopy.

Rapid and sensitive detection of foodborne bacteria is a growing concern for ensuring safe food supply and preventing human foodborne infections. It is difficult for conventional methods to meet these detection requirements because they are often tedious and time-consuming. In the recent years, near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy has been found to be a promising method for all sorts of analyses in microbiology due to its highly specific absorption signature and non-destructive measurements. In this review, we first briefly introduce the fundamental and basic operational procedure of NIR spectroscopy for foodborne bacteria detection. Then we summarize the main advances and contributions of this technique in the study of foodborne bacteria. Finally, we conclude that much work still remains to be done before NIR spectroscopy really becomes a viable alternative in the field of microbiological characterization.

One-Stage Treatment in a Hybrid Operation Room to Cure Brain Arteriovenous Malformation: A Single-Center Experience.

OBJECTIVE: To report the principles and techniques of using a hybrid operation room in the treatment of brain arteriovenous malformation (BAVM). METHODS: From October 1, 2016 to December 31, 2018, we treated 54 consecutive patients with nonemergent BAVM in a hybrid operation room. The clinical data, radiologic images, and outcomes were collected to establish a prospective database for evaluation. RESULTS: Thirty-two male and 22 female patients were enrolled with a mean age of 32.6 ± 13.1 years (range, 10-61 years). Bleeding (n = 32, 59.3%) was the main clinical presentation, followed by headache (n = 27, 50.0%), seizures (n = 14, 25.9%), neurofunctional deficits (n = 16, 29.6%), and no symptoms (n = 2, 3.7%). Thirty-one patients (57.4%) accepted resection without intraoperative embolization, 18 (33.3%) were treated with combined embolization and resection, and 5 (9.3%) were cured with intraoperative embolization and resection was cancelled. All patients achieved total BAVM obliteration confirmed with intraoperative angiography. There were no significant differences in outcomes between low-grade (Spetzler-Martin grades I, II, and modified grade III-) and high-grade (Spetzler-Martin grades ≥IV and modified grade III+) groups, except that the high-grade group had more blood loss (667.9 ± 647.5 vs. 284.3 ± 148.6 mL; P = 0.046) and longer postoperative hospitalization (17.1 ± 9.1 vs. 10.8 ± 5.4 days; P = 0.026). At discharge, 52 patients (96.3%) had favorable outcomes (Glasgow Outcome Scale score ≥4). Forty-three patients (79.6%) received 1 year follow-up after treatment; 97.7% (n = 42) of these had ongoing favorable outcomes. However, 4 patients with low-grade BAVM had recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The hybrid operation room can ensure safe, comprehensive treatment of BAVM, offering the opportunity for a favorable curative treatment in 1 stage.

Validation of Wall Enhancement as a New Imaging Biomarker of Unruptured Cerebral Aneurysm.

Background and Purpose- High-resolution vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging is a promising technique for assessing wall structures of unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs). However, the relationship between aneurysmal high-resolution vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging features and their histopathologic mechanism remains poorly understood. Methods- From February 2016 to February 2018, a total of 19 men and 28 women with 54 UIAs treated surgically were prospectively enrolled. The intraoperative observed gross pathology of the aneurysmal wall was compared with the enhancement features on high-resolution vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging. Specimens of the UIAs were harvested for histopathologic and immunohistochemistry analysis. Results- An irregular shape and large size was significantly related to UIA wall enhancement. Both uniform and focal wall enhancement may demonstrate the inflammation processes of UIA walls, although the latter may indicate more atherosclerotic plaque formation. Conclusions- Different high-resolution vessel wall magnetic resonance imaging enhancement features may represent variable inflammation status of a UIA wall, which may provide new insights into assessing the UIA wall structure and optimizing treatment.

Hybrid endovascular and microsurgical treatment for a large mesencephalic-cerebellar hemangioblastoma.

The large intracranial hemangioblastoma is a top surgical challenge due to its nature of invading brain parenchyma, tight adherence to the pia, and rich blood supply from numerous pial vasculatures and arteries in the proximity. If the brainstem is involved in the lesion, the surgery will be more dangerous because of potential brainstem impingement. In this illustrative video, we present a case of a 54-year-old male with a large hemangioblastoma at the mesencephalic-cerebellar region, which was successfully treated by hybrid endovascular embolization and microsurgery via an occipital interhemispheric transtentorial approach with minimal intraoperative blood loss and a favorable outcome. The video can be found here: https://youtu.be/pJqFhY_Zhv0.

AGAP2-AS1 serves as an oncogenic lncRNA and prognostic biomarker in glioblastoma multiforme.

Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) AGAP2 antisense RNA 1 (AGAP2-AS1) has been suggested to function as an oncogenic lncRNA in lung cancer, breast cancer, and anaplastic glioma. However, the expression pattern and molecular mechanism of AGAP2-AS1 in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) remains unknown. The purpose of this study is to present more evidence about the clinical and biological function of AGAP2-AS1 in GBM. In our results, we found AGAP2-AS1 expression was increased in GBM compared with adjacent normal brain tissues or low-grade glioma tissues, and there was no significantly different between low-grade glioma tissues and normal tissues. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis indicated patients with GBM having high-expression of AGAP2-AS1 had shorter overall survival time than those with low expression of AGAP2-AS1. The loss-of-function studies showed that downregulation of AGAP2-AS1 depressed cell proliferation, migration, and invasion, and promoted cell apoptosis in GBM. In summary, AGAP2-AS1 is a prognostic biomarker for patients with GBM, and functions as an oncogenic lncRNA to modulate GBM cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion, which suggests that AGAP2-AS1 is potential therapeutic target for GBM.