Prognostic values of optic nerve sheath diameter for comatose patients with acute stroke: An observational study.

BACKGROUND: Optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) measurement is one of the non-invasive methods recommended for increased intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring. AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the roles of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) and ONSD/eyeball transverse diameter (ETD) ratio in predicting prognosis of death in comatose patients with acute stroke during their hospitalization. METHODS: A total of 67 comatose patients with acute stroke were retrospectively recruited. The ONSD and ETD were measured by cranial computed tomography (CT) scan. All patients underwent cranial CT scan within 24 h after coma onset. Patients were divided into death group and survival group according to their survival status at discharge. The differences of the ONSD and ONSD/ETD ratio between the two groups and their prognostic values were compared. RESULTS: The ONSD and ONSD/ETD ratio were 6.07 ± 0.72 mm and 0.27 ± 0.03 in the comatose patients, respectively. The ONSD was significantly greater in the death group than that in the survival group (6.32 ± 0.67 mm vs 5.65 ± 0.62 mm, t = 4.078, P < 0.0001). The ONSD/ETD ratio was significantly higher in the death group than that in the survival group (0.28 ± 0.03 vs 0.25 ± 0.02, t = 4.625, P < 0.0001). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.760 (95%CI: 0.637-0.882, P < 0.0001) for the ONSD and 0.808 (95%CI: 0.696-0.920, P < 0.0001) for the ONSD/ETD ratio. CONCLUSION: The mortality increased in comatose patients with acute stroke when the ONSD was > 5.7 mm or the ONSD/ETD ratio was > 0.25. Both indexes could be used as prognostic tools for comatose patients with acute stroke. The ONSD/ETD ratio was more stable than the ONSD alone, which would be preferred in clinical practice.

Analysis of the common complications and recurrence-related factors of superior parasagittal sinus meningioma.

Objectives: Parasagittal meningioma resection is prone to postoperative complications and tumor recurrence because the tumor invades the superior sagittal sinus. This study aimed to clarify the incidence of perioperative complications and the recurrence of superior sagittal paranasal meningiomas and explored potential predictors in this context. Methods: The study retrospectively reviewed the clinical, imaging, and follow-up data of parasagittal meningiomas among patients who underwent microsurgical resection in the authors' institution from January 2008 to December 2017. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to explore independent predictors of perioperative complications and tumor recurrence. Results: A total of 212 parasagittal meningioma patients were included in this study. The incidence of perioperative complications was 23.6% (50/212), and perioperative death occurred in 6 (2.8%) patients. In univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses of perioperative complications, peritumoral edema ≥1 cm (odds ratio [OR] 2.163, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.057-4.428, P = 0.035) and the Sindou invasion Class V-VI(OR0.018, 95% CI 1.248-11.064, P = 0.018) were independent predictors. After an average of 83 (39-154) months of clinical follow up among the living 206 patients, 22 (10.7%) patients showed tumor recurrence. In univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses of tumor recurrence, the Sindou invasion Class III-IV (OR 5.539, 95%CI 1.469-20.884, P = 0.011) and the Sindou invasion Class V-VI (OR 9.144, 95%CI 2.215-37.757, P = 0.002) were independent predictors. Conclusions: Peritumoral edema ≥1 cm and the Sindou invasion Class V-VI were the independent predictors of perioperative complications, and the Sindou invasion Class III-IV and the Sindou invasion Class V-VI were the independent predictors of tumor recurrence. The part of the parasagittal meningioma involving the sinus wall should be actively removed to the largest degree possible to reduce the recurrence rate.

Improvement in Midline Shift Is a Positive Prognostic Predictor for Malignant Middle Cerebral Artery Infarction Patients Undergoing Decompressive Craniectomy.

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study is to evaluate the risk factors of malignant middle cerebral artery infarction (MMCAI) patients and explore an applicable prognostic predictor for MMCAI patients undergoing decompressive craniectomy (DC). Methods: Clinical data from the period 2012-2017 were retrospectively evaluated. Forty-three consecutive MMCAI patients undergoing DC were enrolled in this study. The 30-day mortality was assessed, and age, location, hypertension, pupil dilation, onset to operation duration, midline shift, and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score were identified by univariate analysis and binary logistic regression. Results: In this retrospective study for DC patients, the 30-day mortality was 44.2%. In the univariate analysis, advanced age (≥60 years), right hemispheric location, hypertension, pupil dilation, shorter onset to operation duration (<48 h), improved midline shift (t = 4.214, p < 0.01), and lower pre-operation GCS score were significant predictors of death within 30 days. In binary logistic regression analysis, age [odds ratio (OR) = 1.141, 95% CI 1.011-1.287], the improvement of the midline shift (OR = 0.764, 95% CI 0.59-0.988), and pupillary dilation (OR = 15.10, 95% CI 1.374-165.954) were independent influencing factors. For the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of the relationship between post-operation outcomes and midline shift improvement, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.844, and the cutoff point of midline shift improvement was 0.83 cm. Conclusion: Improved midline shift was a significant predictor of 30-day mortality. The improved midline shift of >0.83 cm indicated survival at 30 days.

Delayed Anastomotic Occlusion after Direct Revascularization in Adult Hemorrhagic Moyamoya Disease.

Delayed anastomotic occlusion occurred in a considerable proportion of hemorrhagic moyamoya disease (MMD) patients undergoing direct revascularization. This study aimed to investigate the predictors and outcomes of delayed anastomotic occlusion in adult hemorrhagic MMD. The authors retrospectively reviewed 87 adult hemorrhagic MMD patients. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed. After an average of 9.1 ± 6.9 months of angiographic follow-up, the long-term graft patency rates were 79.8%. The occluded group had significantly worse angiogenesis than the non-occluded group (p < 0.001). However, the improvement of dilated anterior choroidal artery-posterior communicating artery was similar (p = 0.090). After an average of 4.0 ± 2.5 years of clinical follow-up, the neurological statues and postoperative annualized rupture risk were similar between the occluded and non-occluded groups (p = 0.750; p = 0.679; respectively). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis, collateral circulation Grade III (OR, 4.772; 95% CI, 1.184-19.230; p = 0.028) and preoperative computed tomography perfusion (CTP) Grade I-II (OR, 4.129; 95% CI, 1.294-13.175; p = 0.017) were independent predictors of delayed anastomotic occlusion. Delayed anastomotic occlusion in adult hemorrhagic MMD might be a benign phenomenon. Good collateral circulation (Grade III) and compensable preoperative intracranial perfusion (CTP Grade I-II) are independent predictors for this phenomenon. Moreover, the delayed anastomotic occlusion has no significant correlations with the long-term angiographic and neurological outcomes, except neoangiogenesis.

Morbidity After Symptomatic Hemorrhage of Cerebral Cavernous Malformation: A Nomogram Approach to Risk Assessment.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Symptomatic hemorrhage contributes to an increased risk of repeated bleeding and morbidity in cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM). A better understanding of morbidity after CCM hemorrhage would be helpful to identify patients of higher risk for unfavorable outcome and tailor individualized management. METHODS: We identified 282 consecutive patients who referred to our institute from 2014 to 2018 for CCM with symptomatic hemorrhage and had an untreated follow-up period over 6 months after the first hemorrhage. The morbidity after hemorrhage was described in CCM of different features. Nomogram to predict morbidity was formulated based on the multivariable model of risk factors. The predictive accuracy and discriminative ability of nomogram were determined with concordance index (C-index) and calibration curve, and further validated in an independent CCM cohort of a prospective multicenter study from 2019 to 2020. RESULTS: The overall morbidity of CCM was 26.2% after a mean follow-up of 1.9 years (range 0.5-3.5 years) since the first hemorrhage. The morbidity during untreated follow-up was associated with hemorrhage ictus (adjusted odds ratio per ictus increase, 4.17 [95% CI, 1.86-9.33]), modified Rankin Scale score at initial hemorrhage (adjusted odds ratio per point increase, 2.57 [95% CI, 1.82-3.63]), brainstem location (adjusted odds ratio, 2.93 [95% CI, 1.28-6.68]), and associated developmental venous anomaly (adjusted odds ratio, 2.21 [95% CI, 1.01-4.83]). Subgroup analysis revealed similar findings in brainstem and non-brainstem CCM. Nomogram was contracted based on these features. The calibration curve showed good agreement between nomogram prediction and actual observation. The C-index of nomogram predicting morbidity was 0.83 (95% CI, 0.77-0.88). In validation cohort, the nomogram maintained the discriminative ability (C-index, 0.87 [95% CI, 0.78-0.96]). CONCLUSIONS: Multiple symptomatic hemorrhages, initial neurological function after hemorrhage, brainstem location, and associated developmental venous anomaly were associated with morbidity of CCM hemorrhage. The nomogram represented a practical approach to provide individualized risk assessment for CCM patients. Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT04076449.

Hemodynamic changes in superficial arteriovenous malformation surgery measured by intraoperative ICG fluorescence videoangiography with FLOW 800 software.

BACKGROUND: Arteriovenous malformation(AVM) have long-term "blood stealing" characteristics, which result in complicated hemodynamic features. To analyze the application of intraoperative indocyanine green angiography with FLOW 800 software in AVM surgeries. METHODS: Data on 17 patients undergoing surgery with ICG fluorescence were collected in Beijing Tiantan Hospital. To analyze the hemodynamic features of AVM and the influence on the peripheral cortex of AVM resection, we assessed the following hemodynamic parameters: maximum intensity, slope of rise, time to half-maximal fluorescence, and transit time from arteries to veins. RESULTS: In the 17 superficial AVMs studied, the time-delay color mode of the FLOW 800 software was superior to the traditional playback mode for identifying feeding arteries, draining veins, and their relation to normal cortical vessels. The maximum fluorescence intensity and slope of the ICG fluorescence curve of feeder arteries and draining veins were higher than those of normal peripheral vessels (P < 0.05). The transit times in AVMs were significantly shorter than those in normal peripheral vessels (P < 0.05). After AVM resection, cerebral flow increased in the cortex, and local cycle time becomes longer, although the differences were not significant (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Hemodynamic parameter analysis provided quality guidance for the resection of AVMs and could also be used in estimating changes in blood flow in the local cortex to identify abnormal hyperperfusion and residual nidus.

A systematic review of effects and complications after transsphenoidal pituitary surgery: endoscopic versus microscopic approach.

Background: Microscopic transsphenoidal surgery (MTS) has been considered as the gold standard for transsphenoidal pituitary surgery, but nowadays endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery (ETS) has become popular due to its wide view and improved lighting.Material and methods: The electronic databases were systematically searched, and the meta-analyses of the eligible studies that evaluated endoscopic versus microscopic methods in patients with pituitary surgery were conducted with Review Manager 5.0. The primary outcomes included visual improvement, gross tumor removal (GTR), cerebrospinal fluid (CFS) leak, diabetes insipidus (DI), other complications, and length of hospital stay. The Egger's test was conducted to estimate possible publication bias.Results: In total, 13 articles eventually met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analyses suggested that the differences with regard to visual improvement, overall complication rate, GTR, CSF leak, diabetes insipidus (DI), meningitis, visual impairment, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), new onset hypopituitarism, and hypothyroidism between the endoscopic and microscopic groups were not statistically significant. The length of hospital stay was much longer with the microscopic approach when compared with the endoscopic method.Conclusion: The endoscopic and microscopic approaches show similar effects and complication rates. The endoscopic technique could be adopted as a reasonable alternative in pituitary surgery.

Association between ELP4 rs986527 polymorphism and the occurrence and development of intracranial arachnoid cyst.

OBJECTIVE: The association between ELP4 rs986527 polymorphism and the occurrence and development of intracranial arachnoid cyst was studied in this paper. METHODS: Eighty-five patients diagnosed with intracranial arachnoid cysts by cerebral computed tomography scan were selected. Sixty-three healthy volunteers for medical examination in hospitals served as controls. The cognition, depressive symptoms, and the likelihood of headache, dizziness, head trauma history, dementia, depression, and epilepsy were assessed. ELP4 genotypes and its allele frequency were determined by PCR, endonuclease restriction analysis, and gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: ELP4 rs986527 had three genotypes: TT, TC, and CC. The intracranial arachnoid cyst group showed no statistically significant difference in genotype frequencies compared with healthy controls. There was no significant correlation between ELP4 rs986527 polymorphism and location of intracranial arachnoid cyst. TC and C genotype frequencies were associated with a higher incidence of clinical symptoms than TT genotype frequencies, and C allele frequencies were associated with a significantly higher incidence of clinical symptoms compared with T allele frequencies. There was no significant difference in TNF-α and IL-1ß levels between TT/TC/CC genotypes before treatment. After treatment, the levels of TNF-α and IL-1ß were significantly decreased in different genotypes, and the decrease in CC was the greatest. The frequency of TT and TC genotypes was higher than that of CC genotypes. CONCLUSION: ELP4 rs986527 polymorphism affected the incidence of clinical symptoms and the levels of TNF-α and IL-1ß in patients with intracranial arachnoid cysts.

Outcomes of Multimodality In situ Recanalization in Hybrid Operating Room (MIRHOR) for symptomatic chronic internal carotid artery occlusions.

BACKGROUND: An in situ recanalization procedure of endovascular therapy (ET) or carotid endarterectomy (CEA) has been attempted in patients with symptomatic chronic internal carotid artery occlusions (ICAOs), though the recanalization rates of both are low. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the outcomes of Multimodality In situ Recanalization for ICAOs in a Hybrid Operating Room (MIRHOR) at the same session. METHODS: Symptomatic chronic ICAOs were classified into type A or B (short occlusion with or without a tapered residual root [TRR]), and C or D (long occlusion with or without TRR), and managed in a hybrid operating room with ET, CEA, or both, as needed. Primary efficacy outcome was technical success of recanalization with Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 3. Secondary efficacy outcome was any stroke or death within 30 days (primary safety outcome) plus an ipsilateral ischemic stroke after 30 days. RESULTS: Technical success was finally achieved in 35 (83.3%) of 42 consecutively enrolled patients with ICAO, which was significantly higher than 35.7% (15/42, p<0.001) from the initial ET or CEA alone. Furthermore, the success rate was in descending order: 100% (18/18) for type A and B occlusions, 75% (6/8) for type C occlusions, and 69% (11/16) for type D occlusions (p=0.017). Two secondary efficacy outcome events (5.1%) without mortality, including one (2.4%) primary safety outcome, were observed during a mean follow-up of 10.5 months. CONCLUSION: The MIRHOR for symptomatic chronic ICAOs at the same session significantly improves technical success, with low periprocedural complications and favorable clinical outcomes. The ICAO classification appears valuable in predicting technical success.

Clinical application of 3.0 T intraoperative magnetic resonance combined with multimodal neuronavigation in resection of cerebral eloquent area glioma.

Glioma is the most common tumor among central nervous system tumors; surgical intervention presents difficulties. This is especially the case for gliomas in so-called "eloquent areas," as surgical resection threatens vital structures adjacent to the tumor. Intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging (iMRI) combined with multimodal neuronavigation may prove beneficial during surgery. This study explored the applicability of 3.0 T high field iMRI combined with multimodal neuronavigation in the resection of gliomas in eloquent brain areas.We reviewed 40 patients with a glioma located in the eloquent brains areas who underwent treatment in the Neurosurgery Department of Peking University International Hospital between December 2015 and August 2017. The experimental group included 20 patients treated using iMRI assistance technology (iMRI group). The remaining 20 patients underwent treatment by conventional neuronavigation (non-iMRI group). Tumor resection degree, preoperative and postoperative ability of daily living scale (Barthel index), infection rate, and operative time were compared between the 2 groups.No difference in infection rate was observed between the 2 groups. However, compared with the non-iMRI group, the iMRI group had a higher resection rate (96.55 ±â€Š4.03% vs 87.70 ±â€Š10.98%, P = .002), postoperative Barthel index (90.75 ±â€Š12.90 vs 9.25 ±â€Š16.41, P = .018), as well as a longer operation time (355.85 ±â€Š61.40 vs 302.45 ±â€Š64.09, P = .011).The use of iMRI technology can achieve a relatively higher resection rate among cases of gliomas in eloquent brain areas, with less incidence of postoperative neurological deficits. Although the operative time using iMRI was longer than that taken to perform conventional navigation surgery, the surgical infection rate in these 2 procedures showed no significant difference.

Evaluation of Angioarchitectural Features of Unruptured Brain Arteriovenous Malformation by Susceptibility Weighted Imaging.

OBJECTIVES: A precise assessment of angioarchitectural characteristics using noninvasive imaging is helpful for serial follow-up and weighting risk of natural history in unruptured brain arteriovenous malformation (bAVM). This study aimed to test the hypothesis that susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) would provide an accurate evaluation of angioarchitectural features of unruptured bAVM. METHODS: A total of 81 consecutive patients with unruptured bAVM were examined. Image quality of SWI for the assessment of bAVM angioarchitectural features was determined by a 5-point scale. The accuracy of SWI for detection of angioarchitectural features was evaluated using digital subtraction angiography as a standard reference and further compared among unruptured bAVMs with or without silent intralesional microhemorrhage on SWI to examine the potential confounding effect of microhemorrhage on image analysis. RESULTS: All lesions were identified on SWI. Image quality of SWI was judged to be at least adequate for diagnosis (range, 3-5) in all patients by both readers. Using digital subtraction angiography as a reference standard, the area under the receiver operating curve of detection of deep or posterior fossa location, exclusively deep venous drainage, venous ectasia, venous varices, and the presence of associated aneurysm on SWI was 1, 0.93, 0.94, 0.95, and 0.83, respectively. Silent intralesional microhemorrhage were detected in 39 patients (48.15%) on SWI and no significant difference (P > 0.05) was found in angioarchitectural features between patients with and without silent microhemorrhage. CONCLUSIONS: SWI might be a noninvasive alternative technique for angiography in the angioarchitectural assessment of unruptured bAVM.

Procedure for the Isolation of Endothelial Cells from Human Cerebral Arteriovenous Malformation (cAVM) Tissues.

In this study, we successfully established a stable method for the isolation of endothelial cells (ECs) from human cerebral arteriovenous malformation (cAVM) tissues. Despite human cAVM tissues having a minor population of ECs, they play an important role in the manifestation and development of cAVM as well as in hemorrhagic stroke and thrombogenesis. To characterize and understand the biology of ECs in human cAVM (cAVM-ECs), methods for the isolation and purification of these cells are necessary. We have developed this method to reliably obtain pure populations of ECs from cAVMs. To obtain pure cell populations, cAVM tissues were mechanically and enzymatically digested and the resulting single cAVM-ECs suspensions were then labeled with antibodies of specific cell antigens and selected by flow cytometry. Purified ECs were detected using specific makers of ECs by immunostaining and used to study different cellular mechanisms. Compared to the different methods of isolating ECs from tissues, we could isolate ECs from cAVMs confidently, and the numbers of cAVM-ECs harvested were almost similar to the amounts present in vessel components. In addition to optimizing the protocol for isolation of ECs from human cAVM tissues, the protocol could also be applied to isolate ECs from other human neurovascular-diseased tissues. Depending on the tissues, the whole procedure could be completed in about 20 days.

Activin Receptor-Like Kinase 1 Combined With VEGF-A Affects Migration and Proliferation of Endothelial Cells From Sporadic Human Cerebral AVMs.

Heterozygous loss of activin receptor-like kinase 1 (Alk1) can lead to hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), which is a kind of vascular disease characterized by direct connections between arteries and veins with the lacking of capillaries, and develops into arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in later stage. However, the changes of Alk1 in human sporadic cerebral AVMs (cAVMs) remain unknown. In the present study, we used endothelial cells (ECs) derived from human cAVMs (cAVM-ECs) specimens, to explore the characteristics of cAVM-ECs and the relationship between Alk1 and human sporadic cAVMs. Our data showed that there were obvious morphological changes in cAVM-ECs, and they could trans-differentiate into mesenchyme-like cells easily in a short period. In addition, the abilities of migration of cAVM-ECs were poorer than that in human aortic endothelial cells (HA-ECs). The abilities of proliferation of cAVM-ECs in patients with different ages were lower than HA-ECs. Immunofluorescent staining and Western blot showed that the levels of Alk1 mRNA and protein in the HA-ECs were both higher than that in cAVM-ECs. In addition, the levels of Alk1 mRNA had no significant differences between different ages in cAVM-ECs groups. The levels of VEGF-A mRNA in the cAVM were higher than HA-ECs. Besides, levels of VEGF-A mRNA expression were lower in older cAVM patients. Therefore, we conclude that Alk1 might induce the formation of sporadic human cAVMs through affecting migration and proliferation of endothelial cells combined with VEGF-A.

Translucent Appearance of Middle Cerebral Artery Bifurcation Aneurysms Is Risk Factor for Intraoperative Aneurysm Rupture During Clipping.

INTRODUCTION: The rupture rate of unruptured intracranial aneurysms is influenced by certain angioarchitectural and hemodynamic characteristics. Recently the translucent appearance of aneurysms was described as a possible risk factor for aneurysm rupture. In this study, we investigate the intraoperative rupture risk of surgically clipped unruptured translucent aneurysms (TAs). METHOD: Clinical and radiologic data of microsurgically treated unruptured middle cerebral artery (MCA) bifurcation aneurysms between 2013 and 2015 were collected and analyzed. Aneurysms were divided into TA as defined as >90% reddish pigmentation appearance of the aneurysm wall or non-TA (NTA) according to the observation under microscope by a single neurosurgeon. Parameters were analyzed using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. RESULT: A total of 41 unruptured MCA bifurcation aneurysms were included in the analysis, and 68.2% (28/41) were defined as TA. The univariate analysis showed that aneurysm characteristics (Dmax, Wmax, height, and lower size ratio [SR]) that were small in nature were associated with TAs. TAs were associated with intraoperative rupture (28.6% vs. 0%, P = 0.04). Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that the lower SR is the independent risk factor for TAs. CONCLUSION: The results demonstrate that a lower SR correlates with TA in the MCA bifurcation and the thinner wall of the TA causes intraoperative rupture more likely. These results provide important information on the fragility of TAs and might influence the treatment decisions in unruptured MCA bifurcation aneurysms with lower SRs.

Subsequent haemorrhage in children with untreated brain arteriovenous malformation: Higher risk with unbalanced inflow and outflow angioarchitecture.

OBJECTIVES: Children with brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVMs) are at risk of life-threatening haemorrhage in their early lives. Our aim was to analyse various angioarchitectural features of bAVM to predict the risk of subsequent haemorrhage during follow-up in children. METHODS: We identified all consecutive children admitted to our institution for bAVMs between July 2009 and September 2015. Children with at least 1 month of treatment-free follow-up after diagnosis were included in further analysis. Annual rates of AVM rupture as well as several potential risk factors for subsequent haemorrhage were analysed using Kaplan-Meier analyses and Cox proportional hazards regression models. RESULTS: We identified 110 paediatric patients with a mean follow-up period of 2.1 years (range, 1 month-15.4 years). The average annual risk of haemorrhage from untreated AVMs was 4.3 % in children. No generalised venous ectasia in conjunction with fast arteriovenous shunt was predictive of subsequent haemorrhage (RR, 7.55; 95 % CI 1.96-29.06). The annual rupture risk was 11.1 % in bAVMs without generalised venous ectasia but with fast arteriovenous shunt. CONCLUSIONS: bAVM angiographic features suggesting unbalanced inflow and outflow might be helpful to identify children at higher risk for future haemorrhage. KEY POINTS: • Haemorrhage risk stratification is important for children with untreated brain AVM. • Angiographic features suggesting unbalanced inflow and outflow predict paediatric brain AVM haemorrhage. • Identifying AVMs with high rupture risk help patient selection and tailoring treatment.

Morphological and molecular characterisation of Myxobolus pronini n. sp. (Myxozoa: Myxobolidae) from the abdominal cavity and visceral serous membranes of the gibel carp Carassius auratus gibelio (Bloch) in Russia and China.

BACKGROUND: Myxozoa is a well-known economically and ecologically important group of metazoan parasites, phylogenetically related to Cnidaria. High diversity of myxosporeans has been recorded in Russia and China; however, most of the species were solely morphologically characterised. Here, we identified a new gibel carp-infecting Myxobolus species and morphologically and molecularly compared the Russian and Chinese isolates of this new myxosporean. RESULTS: Myxobolus pronini n. sp. was found free in the abdominal cavity of Carassius auratus gibelio (Bloch, 1782) in Lake Baikal watershed, Russia, and embedded in the visceral serous membranes of the same fish species in Lake Taibai, Hubei province, China. The morphometric data of the plasmodia and mature spores exhibited some differences between the Russian and Chinese isolates, but SSU rDNA sequences indicated that these two geographical isolates are conspecific. The mature spores from the two locations are obovate in frontal view, with wider anterior than posterior end and lemon-shaped in sutural view. Spores of the Russian isolate were 14.3-16.2 (mean 15.1 ± 0.2) µm long, 9.6-10.8 (10.1 ± 0.1) µm wide and 6.4-7.4 (6.7 ± 0.15) µm thick; those of the Chinese isolate were 13.8-15.6 (14.7 ± 0.24) µm long, 9.6-13.3 (9.6 ± 0.65) µm wide and 6.2-7.2 (6.6 ± 0.16) µm thick. The newly-generated rDNA sequences (including SSU rDNA, ITS and LSU rDNA) from the two isolates represented some variations within the intraspecific range. Homology search by BLAST showed that the newly obtained rDNA sequences do not match any sequences available on GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis based on the aligned partial SSU rDNA sequences indicated that this novel species clustered with several gibel carp-infecting Myxobolus spp. with round anterior end of spores. Additionally, phylogenetic analysis based on all obtained ITS sequences showed that distinct genetic geographical differentiation occurred for this new parasite. CONCLUSIONS: Myxobolus pronini n. sp. is described by integrating morphological, ecological and molecular evidence. Two geographical isolates of this species showed some morphological and genetic differences but within the intraspecific range of variation.

The Associated Venous Anomalies Variant and Adjacent Brain Function on Iron Sensitive Image Indicate Surgical Risk of Cavernous Malformation.

The cavernous malformations (CMs) associated with venous anomalies (VAs) are now being described with increasing frequency. Assessment of the associated VAs is overlooked in surgical management of the CM. The clinical profiles of CMs with VAs were reviewed to investigate the value of T2* gradient echo (GRE)/susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) in surgical risk evaluation. Twenty-six patients with symptomatic CMs associated with VAs between 2008 and 2013 were identified. Demographic, clinical, and radiological data were reviewed and functional outcomes were assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). The T2* GRE/SWI could allow more accurate evaluation of the boundary and drainage vicinity of VAs than contrast-enhanced images (6 vs. 2 patients with VAs on the eloquent region). Patients with VAs adjacent to eloquent brain showed poorer outcomes than those who had VAs in non-eloquent areas (P = 0.005), while the CMs adjacent to eloquent brain did not correlated with poor outcomes (P = 0.15). Type I and III variants of VAs were also significantly associated with poor outcomes, compared with type II variant (P = 0.002). Careful evaluation of VAs variant type and the association between VAs and eloquent brain is helpful for the management of CMs associated with VAs. We recommend T2* GRE/SWI in patients with CMs to assess the associated VAs. The evaluation of VA drainage vicinity on T2* GRE/SWI would be more useful for designing treatment strategies and risk stratification.

Effect of ATorvastatin On Chronic subdural Hematoma (ATOCH): a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a common disease that is more prevalent in older people. Surgical intervention is a safe treatment of choice. However, the recurrence rate is relatively high and the outcome is not always satisfactory among surgically treated patients. It is believed that aberrant angiogenesis and intracapsular inflammation contribute to the development of CSDH. Atorvastatin is reported to promote angiogenesis and suppress inflammation. We have recently shown that atorvastatin is effective to non-surgically reduce and eliminate CSDH with minimal side effects. Here, we report a clinical research trial protocol that is designed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of atorvastatin on CSDH. METHODS/DESIGN: We have designed a multi-center, randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind clinical trial for evaluating the efficacy of oral atorvastatin in reducing CSDH. We have so far recruited 96 patients with CT-confirmed or MRI-confirmed CSDHs from 16 medical centers in China. These patients were originally recruited for the Oriental Neurosurgical Evidence-based Study Team (ONET) study. After informed consent is provided, patients are randomized to receive either atorvastatin (oral 20 mg/night for 8 weeks) or placebo (dextrin for 8 weeks); and followed for 16 weeks after the treatment. The primary outcome is the change in hematoma volume at the end of 8-week treatment. Secondary outcomes include: changes in 1) the hematoma volume at the 4(th), 12(th), and 24(th) weeks; 2) Markwalder's Grading Scale and Glasgow Coma Scale (MGS-GCS); 3) Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) and 4) Activities of Daily Life-the Barthel Index scale (ADL-BI). Safety will be assessed during the study by monitoring adverse events, laboratory tests, electrocardiography (ECG), measurements of vital signs (temperature, pulse, and blood pressure) and body weight. DISCUSSION: Results of this trial will provide critical information regarding whether atorvastatin is an effective and safe alternative to surgical treatment of CSDH. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier--NCT02024373 The date of trial registration: 7 August 2013.