Mitochondrial Calcium Uniporter (MCU) is Involved in an Ischemic Postconditioning Effect Against Ischemic Reperfusion Brain Injury in Mice.

The phenomenon of ischemic postconditioning (PostC) is known to be neuroprotective against ischemic reperfusion (I/R) injury. One of the key processes in PostC is the opening of the mitochondrial ATP-dependent potassium (mito-KATP) channel and depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane, triggering the release of calcium ions from mitochondria through low-conductance opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. Mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) is known as a highly sensitive transporter for the uptake of Ca2+ present on the inner mitochondrial membrane. The MCU has attracted attention as a new target for treatment in diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, and ischemic stroke. We considered that the MCU may be involved in PostC and trigger its mechanisms. This research used the whole-cell patch-clamp technique on hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells from C57BL mice and measured changes in spontaneous excitatory post-synaptic currents (sEPSCs), intracellular Ca2+ concentration, mitochondrial membrane potential, and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) currents under inhibition of MCU by ruthenium red 265 (Ru265) in PostC. Inhibition of MCU increased the occurrence of sEPSCs (p = 0.014), NMDAR currents (p < 0.001), intracellular Ca2+ concentration (p < 0.001), and dead cells (p < 0.001) significantly after reperfusion, reflecting removal of the neuroprotective effects in PostC. Moreover, mitochondrial depolarization in PostC with Ru265 was weakened, compared to PostC (p = 0.004). These results suggest that MCU affects mitochondrial depolarization in PostC to suppress NMDAR over-activation and prevent elevation of intracellular Ca2+ concentrations against I/R injury.

Eagle jugular syndrome accompanied by de novo brainstem cavernous malformation: a case-based systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Eagle jugular syndrome (EJS), recently identified as a cause of cerebrovascular disease (CVD) due to venous obstruction by an elongated styloid process (SP), is reported here alongside a case of concurrent de novo cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM). This study aims to explore the potential causal relationship between EJS and de novo CCM through a comprehensive literature review. METHOD: Systematic literature reviews, spanning from 1995 to 2023, focused on EJS cases with definitive signs and symptoms and de novo CCM cases with detailed clinical characteristics. Data on the pathophysiology and clinical manifestations of EJS, as well as potential risk factors preceding de novo CCM, were collected to assess the relationship between the two conditions. RESULT: Among 14 patients from 11 articles on EJS, the most common presentation was increased intracranial hypertension (IIH), observed in 10 patients (71.4%), followed by dural sinus thrombosis in four patients (28.6%). In contrast, 30 patients from 28 articles were identified with de novo CCM, involving 37 lesions. In these cases, 13 patients developed CCM subsequent to developmental venous anomalies (43%), seven following dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF) (23%), and two after sinus thrombosis (6%). In a specific case of de novo brainstem CCM, the development of an enlarged condylar emissary vein, indicative of venous congestion due to IJV compression by the elongated SP, was noted before the emergence of CCM. CONCLUSION: This study underscores that venous congestion, a primary result of symptomatic EJS, might lead to the development of de novo CCM. Thus, EJS could potentially be an indicator of CCM development. Further epidemiological and pathophysiological investigations focusing on venous circulation are necessary to clarify the causal relationship between EJS and CCM.

Thin Calcification Predicts Lipid Component in Carotid Plaque-Relationship Between Lipid Distribution and Thin Calcification.

BACKGROUND: Accurately evaluating plaque characteristics is essential because lesions with lipid-rich plaque put patients at risk of thromboembolic complications from carotid artery stenting. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a diagnostic imaging modality that identifies lipid components from the near-infrared absorption pattern but does not reveal the distribution of calcification. The purpose of this study was to investigate the calcification characteristics of unstable carotid plaques, focusing on relationships between the calcification characteristics revealed by computed tomography angiography and the lipid core distribution derived from NIRS. METHODS: Participants in this retrospective analysis comprised 35 patients (29 men, 6 women; mean age, 76.0 years; range, 52-89 years) who underwent carotid artery stenting in our institute between January 2021 and December 2022. We evaluated the thickness and length of carotid calcifications at the minimal lumen level from preoperative computed tomography angiography and analyzed the relationship with maximum lipid core burden index (max-LCBI) from NIRS. RESULTS: Strong negative linear correlations were observed between the thickness of calcification and max-LCBI at Area (any segment in a target lesion) (r = -0.795, P < 0.001), max-LCBI at minimal lumen area (r = -0.795, P < 0.001) and lipid core burden index (LCBI) at lesion (rate of LCBI in entire plaque lesion) (r = -0.788, P < 0.001), respectively. Significant negative linear correlations were observed between distribution of calcification length and max-LCBI at area (r = -0.429, P = 0.01), max-LCBI at minimal lumen area (r = -0.373, P = 0.027), and LCBI at lesion (r = -0.443, P = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Thin and ubiquitous carotid calcification was associated with LCBI values derived from NIRS indicative of carotid lipid plaque distribution, implying the possibility of predicting lesion instability.

Passive Approximator Vascular Closure Device Use in Patients with Shallow Femoral Artery Depth Increases Puncture-site Complications in Neuroendovascular Treatment.

OBJECTIVE: Puncture-site complications in interventional radiology sometimes cause severe conditions. Vascular closure devices play an important role in preventing puncture-site complications. Vascular closure devices are divided into 2 types, the directly suturing or clipping type (active approximators) and adherent sealant types (passive approximators). However, which types of vascular closure device are the safest and most effective for achieving hemostasis remains unclear. We analyzed the efficacy of each type of vascular closure device and risk factors for puncture-site complications. METHODS: This study investigated 327 consecutive cases of neuroendovascular surgery using a transfemoral procedure during a 2-year study period. Passive approximators (Angioseal [St Jude Medical, Saint Paul, MN] and Exoseal [Cordis Corporation, Miami, FL]) were mainly used in the first half and active approximators (Perclose [Abbot Vascular, Santa Clara, CA]) in the second. We compared groups and estimated risk factors for puncture-site complications. RESULTS: All procedures were successful. Comparing groups with and without puncture-site complications, use of passive approximators and ≥3 antithrombotic medications tended to be more frequent and distance from skin to femoral artery and body mass index tended to be lower in the group with complications without significance. The cutoff for femoral artery depth calculated from a receiver operating characteristic curve was 16.43 mm. Multivariate analysis revealed ≥3 antithrombotic medications (P = 0.002, OR 15.29, 95% CI 2.76-85.76) and passive approximator use in patients with femoral artery depth <16.43 mm (P < 0.001, OR 17.08, 95% CI 2.95-57.80) were significantly higher in the group with puncture-site complications. CONCLUSIONS: Passive approximator use in patients with shallow femoral artery depth increases puncture-site complications in neuroendovascular treatment.

Three-dimensional reconstruction imaging by C-arm computed tomography accurately visualizes in-stent neointimal formation in patients with stent-assisted coil embolization.

Background: Stent apposition to the vessel wall and in-stent neointimal formation after stent-assisted coil embolization for intracranial aneurysm are important factors associated with postoperative thromboembolic complications. No assessment methods have been established to depict 3-dimensional (3D) all-round in-stent neointimal formation. Objective: To demonstrate the superiority of Dyna-3D imaging assessment as a modality for all-round ISNF in comparison with conventional two-dimensional digital subtraction angiography (2D-DSA). Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent braided stent-assisted coil embolization for unruptured aneurysm between November 2016 and September 2021 were enrolled. Radiological assessments for stent apposition to the parent vessel after stent deployment and in-stent neointimal formation after 3 months were obtained. Dyna-3D was reconstructed by overlapping a plain image showing stent struts with a rotational DSA image showing the vessel lumen. Reconstructed Dyna-3D images can be rotated to any angle on the screen to evaluate to stent apposition around the vessel and in-stent neointimal formation in 3D, for comparison with 2D-DSA evaluations. Results: Among the 73 patients enrolled, 70 patients (96%) showed complete stent wall apposition on Dyna-3D. Higher intra-rater agreement was confirmed on assessment of in-stent neointimal formation with Dyna-3D (Cohen's κ = 0.811) than with conventional 2D-DSA (Cohen's κ = 0.517). in-stent neointimal formation could not be confirmed on conventional imaging in 9 cases (16%) and on Dyna-3D in 2 cases (3%). The number of in-stent neointimal formations rated as stent wire completely outside the endothelial line was significantly higher with Dyna-3D than with 2D-DSA (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: All-round 3D evaluation by Dyna-3D imaging appears useful for confirming in-stent neointimal formation after braided stent deployment in patients after stent-assisted coil embolization.

Changes in the expression of annexin A1 in the anterior pituitary gland after ovariectomy in rats.

The expression of annexin A1 (ANXA1) is augmented by gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) in LßT2 gonadotroph. We examined the distribution of ANXA1 in the pituitary tissues and the effect of ovariectomy. ANXA1 was mainly stained on folliculostellate cell-like irregular shaped cells with extended process of adult female rats. Large gonadotroph, so called castration cells, appeared two weeks after the ovariectomy. ANXA1 in castration cells exists around cells although another GnRH responsive annexin, ANXA5, was apparent also in the cytoplasm. The pituitary expression of ANXA1 after ovariectomy was significantly higher than intact rats. These difference in tissue distribution of two annexins suggest ANXA1 and ANXA5 bear different physiological function in the gonadotroph under GnRH regulation.

A Novel Approach for Transvenous Embolization of Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Using a Balloon and a Coil as Walls: Case Presentation.

BACKGROUND: Transvenous embolization (TVE) for dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) is difficult depending on an accessible route. Reported herein is a case of transvenous embolization using a balloon and a coil as "walls." Case Description. A 56-year-old male patient presented with a 1-month history of mild motor aphasia. The magnetic resonance imaging showed a hemorrhagic lesion in his left temporal lobe, and the cerebral angiography showed a DAVF, with parasinus shunt points near the torcula and the left transverse sinus. Access to the shunt point was very difficult; however, TVE was performed using a balloon as a wall. Furthermore, all lesion embolization was possible using a coil as a wall. CONCLUSIONS: Using a balloon or coil as a wall during a TVE is useful.

Prognostic significance of midline shift of the olfactory or frontal lobes of the brain in canine nasal carcinomas treated by palliative radiotherapy: a pilot study.

Canine nasal carcinomas are often treated with radiotherapy. Presence of lysis of the cribriform plate by tumor invasion (stage 4 by modified Adams's staging system) is a well-known prognostic factor. In this study, dogs with stage 4 disease were divided into two subgroups based on the presence or absence of midline shift of the olfactory or frontal lobes of the brain (Stage 4a: without presence of midline shift. Stage 4b: with midline shift). The median survival time of dogs with midline shift was significantly shorter than that of dogs without midline shift (64 vs. 208 days). Our results indicate that the finding of a midline shift might have a prognostic significance in dogs with nasal carcinoma treated with radiotherapy.

Influence of chewing time on salivary stress markers.

PURPOSE: We investigated the influence of chewing time on salivary stress markers. METHODS: Participants performed arithmetic calculations for 30min as stress loading, followed by chewing for 0, 5, 10, or 15min. All experiments finished at 25min after stress loading. With 0-min chewing, saliva was collected before stress loading (BS), immediately after stress loading (R0), and at 5, 10, 15, and 25min after stress loading (R5, 10, 15 and 25). With 5, 10, or 15min chewing, saliva was collected at BS and R0, immediately after chewing (Ch5, 10 and 15, respectively), and 25min after stress loading (Ch5R25, Ch10R25 and Ch15R25, respectively). Salivary alpha-amylase activity and cortisol levels were measured to evaluate stress. Change in stress markers between R0 and Ch5, 10 and 15 or R25, Ch5R25, Ch10R25 and Ch15R25 were calculated. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in rate of change in alpha-amylase activity among the chewing conditions. Rate of decrease in cortisol levels was significantly greater at 15-min chewing than at 5-min chewing. Rate of decrease in cortisol levels was significantly greater at 10 and 15-min chewing than at 0-min chewing. CONCLUSION: The present results indicate that chewing time affects the reaction of the endocrine system to mental stress, and that continuous chewing for more than 10min is effective in reducing stress.