Endovascular treatment for acute basilar thrombosis via a transradial approach: Initial experience and future considerations.

Acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) secondary to emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) has an extremely poor natural history, with a reported mortality rate up to 95%. Mechanical thrombectomy in the setting of ELVO is generally performed via a transfemoral approach. However, radial access is increasingly being utilized as an alternative. We report our initial multi-institutional experience using primary radial access in the treatment of acute BAO in nine consecutive cases. Technical success defined as a TICI score of 2B or 3 was achieved in 89% of cases. Average puncture to revascularization time was 35.8 minutes. There were no complications related to radial artery catheterization. We contend radial access should potentially be considered as the first-line approach given inherent advantages over femoral access for mechanical thrombectomy for BAO.

Small structural changes of the imidazopyridine diacylglycerol acyltransferase 2 (DGAT2) inhibitors produce an improved safety profile.

Small molecule DGAT2 inhibitors have shown promise for the treatment of metabolic diseases in preclinical models. Herein, we report the first toxicological evaluation of imidazopyridine-based DGAT2 inhibitors and show that the arteriopathy associated with imidazopyridine 1 can be mitigated with small structural modifications, and is thus not mechanism related.

Pilocarpine treatment of salivary gland hypofunction and dry mouth (xerostomia).

We studied the effects of pilocarpine hydrochloride, a para-sympathomimetic agent, on major salivary gland output and subjective responses in 31 patients with salivary hypofunction. Pilocarpine hydrochloride (5-mg capsules, three times daily) was given for 5 months and a placebo was randomly assigned for 1 month in a double-blind fashion. Objective measurements of major salivary gland output, subjective impressions of oral moisture, treatment-related side effects, and a number of physiologic measures were assessed monthly. Pilocarpine significantly increased salivary output in 21 of the 31 patients. Subjective improvement in the feeling of oral dryness, speaking, chewing, and swallowing were reported by 27 individuals. Side effects, while common, generally were mild and tolerable. There were no significant alterations in cardiovascular or other physiologic measures. We conclude that pilocarpine is an effective and safe treatment for salivary gland hypofunction and xerostomia in selected patients. The increase in major gland output provides beneficial natural secretions and relief of oral dryness.

One-step construction of the pentacyclic skeleton of saframycin A from a "Trimer" of alpha-amino aldehydes.

The entire skeleton of the saframycin antitumor antibiotics is assembled in one remarkable transformation (8 --> 9) from an N-linked oligomer of three alpha-amino aldehyde components, a reaction pathway that may parallel the biosynthetic route to the saframycins.

Synthesis of C-protected alpha-amino aldehydes of high enantiomeric excess from highly epimerizable N-protected alpha-amino aldehydes.

A new procedure for the preparation of C-protected alpha-amino aldehydes of high enantiomeric excess is illustrated using five differently substituted alpha-(N-Fmoc)amino aldehydes as starting materials. Highly epimerization-prone substrates were converted to the corresponding morpholino nitrile-protected alpha-amino aldehydes with minimal racemization (products >/= 89% ee). Morpholino nitrile derivatives of phenylglycinal were crystallized and subjected to X-ray structural analysis, allowing for definitive determination of the stereochemistry of amino nitrile formation. A rationale for the stereoselectivity of amino nitrile formation is presented.

Direct administration of methotrexate into the central nervous system of primates. Part 1: Distribution and degradation of methotrexate in nervous and systemic tissue after intraventricular injection.

Levels of methotrexate (MTX) measured by both 3H radioactivity and dihydrofolate reductase assays were determined in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), plasma, urine, and both neural and non-neural tissues at varying times after a single intraventricular injection into Cynomolgus monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). Clearance of the MTX from CSF was rapid after injection. A relatively constant level of 3HMTX was reached in plasma 2 1/2 hours after injection, and about 30% of the 3HMTX dose was excreted in the urine within 4 hours after injection. Maximum levels in CNS tissues were obtained by 4 hours after injection, and average concentrations of 10(-6) M MTX (moles/kg wet weight) were maintained in CSF for up to 12 hours and in brain for up to 24 hours after injection. Conversion of MTX to non-MTX products was detected in CSF between 4 and 12 hours, and in brain tissue between 12 and 24 hours after injection, and the amount of these products increased with time. Regional distribution studies in the cerebrum showed a U-shaped distribution curve for 3HMTX up to 12 hours after injection, which closely followed the 14C inulin distribution. Thus, the levels in deep cerebral tissue were less than the average level for brain, and this suggests that treatment of CNS tumors by intraventricular injection may have variable results, partly due to complex tissue distribution patterns.

Cranioplasty in frontometaphyseal dysplasia.

Frontometaphyseal dysplasia is an extremely rare craniotubular bone disorder predominantly manifested by supraorbital bossing. Although recognizable with findings at birth, it is usually identified successfully before the onset of puberty. These patients often are stigmatized related to their appearance and may present to the plastic surgeon for intervention. We present a case of successful cranioplasty in correcting the fronto-orbital deformity in a 9-year-old child with frontometaphyseal dysplasia.

Supratarsal fold incision for approach to the superior lateral orbit.

OBJECTIVE: To report and evaluate the use of the supratarsal fold incision for access to the lateral and superior orbit. DESIGN: This is a retrospective evaluation of seven patients with zygomatic and orbital fractures who underwent repair with the supratarsal fold incision used to expose the frontozygomatic region or supraorbital rim. Data were obtained by review of hospital charts, radiographs, and by clinical examination. RESULTS: Excellent exposure and access were obtained because of the proximity of the incision to the lateral and superior orbit. Mobility of the eyelid tissue allowed for atraumatic manipulation and retraction. All fractures were adequately reduced by clinical and radiographic examination without complication. CONCLUSION: The supratarsal fold incision is a versatile incision for access to the zygomaticofrontal suture and supraorbital rim. In addition to providing excellent exposure, it produces a superb cosmetic result with a scar well-hidden in the skin folds of the upper eyelid.

A single pipeline embolization device is sufficient for treatment of intracranial aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The Pipeline Embolization Device has emerged as an important treatment option for intracranial aneurysms. The number of devices needed to treat an aneurysm is uncertain and is the subject of vigorous debate. The purpose of this study was to compare rates of complications, aneurysm occlusion, and outcome in patients treated with a single-versus-multiple Pipeline Embolization Devices. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred seventy-eight patients were treated with the Pipeline Embolization Device at our institution. Patients were divided into 2 groups: a single-device group (n = 126) and a multiple-device group (n = 52). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups with respect to baseline characteristics except for age and aneurysm size (higher with multiple Pipeline Embolization Devices). Complications occurred more frequently with multiple (15%) versus a single device (5%, P = .03). In multivariate analysis, the use of multiple devices independently predicted complications. A similar proportion of patients achieved adequate aneurysm obliteration at follow-up in the single-device (84%) and the multiple-device groups (87%, P = .8). In multivariate analysis, age and follow-up time predicted obliteration. At follow-up, a significantly higher proportion of patients treated with a single device (97%) achieved a favorable outcome compared with those treated with multiple devices (89%, P = .03). In multivariate analysis, there was a strong trend for the use of a single device to predict favorable outcomes (P = .06). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with a single Pipeline Embolization Device provides similar occlusion rates with less complications and better overall outcomes. These findings suggest that a single Pipeline Embolization Device is sufficient for treatment of most intracranial aneurysms.

Stent-assisted coil embolization of complex wide-necked bifurcation cerebral aneurysms using the "waffle cone" technique. A review of ten consecutive cases.

Endovascular treatment of complex, wide-necked bifurcation cerebral aneurysms is challenging.  Intra/extra-aneurysmal stent placement, the "waffle cone" technique, has the advantage of using a single stent to prevent coil herniation without the need to deliver the stent to the efferent vessel. The published data on the use of this technique is limited. We present our initial and follow-up experience with the waffle cone stent-assisted coiling (SAC) of aneurysms to evaluate the durability of the technique. We retrospectively identified ten consecutive patients who underwent SAC of an aneurysm using the waffle cone technique from July 2009 to March 2011. Clinical and angiographic outcomes after initial treatment and follow-up were evaluated. Raymond Class I or II occlusion of the aneurysm was achieved in all cases with the waffle cone technique. No intraoperative aneurysm rupture was noted. The parent arteries were patent at procedure completion. Clinical follow-up in nine patients (median 12.9 months) revealed no aneurysm rupture. Two patients had a transient embolic ischemic attack at 18 hours and three months after treatment, respectively. Catheter angiography or MRA at six-month follow-up demonstrated persistent occlusions of aneurysms in seven out of eight patients. Another patient had stable aneurysm occlusion at three-month follow-up study. Our experience in the small series suggests the waffle cone technique could be performed on complex, wide-necked aneurysms with relative safety, and it allowed satisfactory occlusions of the aneurysms at six months in most cases.

[Experimental study of the heat and cold constitutional types (II). A comparative observation on the heat and cold constitutional type rats on the DNA replication capacity after ultraviolet damage].

The cold-constitutional and the heat-constitutional type had selected in Wistar rats as the object of study. Using peripheral blood and spleen as materials by means of ultraviolet injury, isotope incorporation, cells incubation in vitro and liquid scintillation counting, the capacity of peripheral lymphocytes DNA replication after damage with ultraviolet radiation and the capacity of the spleen lymphocytes proliferation in vitro was observed. The results showed that the both capacities mentioned above were higher in the heat constitutional type rat than that in the cold type. It is suggested that the following conclusion in the Lingshu Jing is correct: "the capacity of tissue repair is higher in the heat constitutional type than in the cold."

Fos expression in rat celiac ganglion: an index of the activation of postganglionic sympathetic nerves.

To develop an index of the activation of abdominal sympathetic nerves, we used Fos immunostaining of the celiac ganglion (CG) taken from rats receiving nicotine, preganglionic nerve stimulation, or glucopenic agents. Subcutaneous nicotine injection moderately increased Fos expression in the principal ganglionic cells of the CG (17 +/- 4 Fos+ per mm(2), approximately 12% of all principal CG cells), whereas subcutaneous saline had no effect (0 +/- 0 Fos+ per mm(2); n = 7; P < 0.01). Greater Fos expression was obtained by applying nicotine topically to the CG (71 +/- 8 Fos+ per mm(2); 52% of all principal CG cells, n = 5; P < 0.01 vs. topical saline, n = 4) and by preganglionic nerve stimulation (126 +/- 9 Fos+ per mm(2); 94% of all principal CG cells, n = 11; P < 0.01 vs. nerve isolation, n = 7). Moderate Fos expression was also observed in the CG after intraperitoneal 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DG) injection (21 +/- 2 Fos+ per mm(2); 16% of all principal CG cells, n = 5; P < 0.01 vs. saline ip) or insulin injection (16 +/- 2 Fos+ per mm(2); 12% of all principal CG cells, n = 6; P < 0.01 vs. saline ip). Furthermore, Fos expression induced by 2DG was dose and time dependent. These data demonstrate significant Fos expression in the CG in response to chemical, electrical, and reflexive stimulation. Thus Fos expression in the CG may be a useful index to describe various levels of activation of its postganglionic sympathetic neurons.