The Application of Intraoperative Ultrasound with Burr Hole Probe in Minimally Invasive Diagnosis and Treatment in Neurosurgery.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the preliminary application experience of intraoperative ultrasound with burr hole probe in minimally invasive neurosurgery and to explore its application value. METHODS: Thirty-one patients who underwent intraoperative ultrasound guided puncture with burr hole probe in our center from August 2018 to May 2024 were collected, including 16 cases of ventriculoperitoneal shunt operation, 6 cases of assisted stereotactic needle biopsy, 3 cases of intracranial pressure probe implantation in lateral ventricle, 3 cases of brain abscess puncture for external drainage, and 3 cases of intracranial cyst puncture and peritoneal drainage. During the procedures, the burr hole probe was used to locate the intracranial targets and guide the puncture. The postoperative computed tomography (CT) scans or combined postoperative pathological results could verify the accuracy of puncture. In addition, the intervention effect and recovery status of patients were also recorded. RESULTS: The intraoperative ultrasound with burr hole probe could clearly display all the purposed targets and accurately guide the puncture procedures in all cases. All patients achieved satisfactory diagnostic and therapeutic results without new neurological dysfunction and serious complications. CONCLUSIONS: The intraoperative ultrasound with burr hole probe is an effective device for demonstrating intracranial structures. It not only enables minimally invasive and precise diagnosis or treatment of many neurosurgical diseases, but also is simple and safe to operate, which has important promotional value in the neurosurgery.

Janibacter alkaliphilus sp. nov., isolated from coral Anthogorgia sp.

A novel actinobacterium, designated strain SCSIO 10480(T), was isolated from a gorgonian coral sample of Anthogorgia sp. Phylogenetic and phenotypic properties of the organism supported that it belonged to the genus Janibacter. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between strain SCSIO 10480(T) and other type strains of recognized members of the genus Janibacter were 96.0-97.8 %. Growth in the presence of up to 17 % (w/v) NaCl and optimally at pH 9.0-10.0 was a distinctive characteristic of strain SCSIO 10480(T). Other biochemical and physiological properties and the fatty acid profile also differentiated the isolate from other members of Janibacter species. Based on the results obtained in this study, we propose that strain SCSIO 10480(T) should be classified within a novel species of the genus Janibacter, for which the name Janibacter alkaliphilus sp. nov. is proposed, with SCSIO 10480(T) (=CCTCC AB 2011027(T) = DSM 24723(T)) as the type strain.

Gelfoam Padding, an innovative surgical technique improving the total resection rate of cystic gliomas.

OBJECTIVE: The cystic gliomas are the special type of malignant tumors in the brain and often lead to unsatisfied prognosis, but the microsurgical resection is still the most important treatment. However, they are difficult to be totally removed with craniotomy, especially for those who have flimsy cyst walls. Recently, we attempted to resect them via an innovative surgical technique, "Gelfoam Padding", in order to improve the total resection rate of the tumors safely. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Fifteen patients suffering intracerebral cystic gliomas underwent surgical intervention via "Gelfoam Padding" technique between 2015 and 2018, and the different histopathological results and their features of cyst walls were recorded. Then, the total resection rate of tumors as well as the complications after surgeries were analyzed to assess the applied value of this technique. RESULTS: All the patients were improved in the clinical symptoms after the operations. According to the intraoperative assessment and MRI examinations performed within 72 h after surgery, total resection of the tumor was achieved in all patients. Besides, there were no serious postoperative complications in these cases with this technique. CONCLUSION: The cystic glioma with the flimsy wall was the best applied indication of "Gelfoam Padding" technique, which could not only improve the total resection rate of tumors, but also be safe for the patients.

[Studies on the chemical constituents of Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea (II)].

OBJECTIVE: To study the chemical constituents of Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea. METHODS: The compounds were isolated and purified by repeated column chromatography on silica and Sephadex LH-20 gel and their structures were identified by spectral analysis. RESULTS: Six compounds were identified as friedelin (1), syringic acid (2), isoscopoletin (3), fraxetol (4), casuarinondiol (5) and guaiacylglycerol-beta-ferulic acid ether (6). CONCLUSION: All of these six compounds are isolated from Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea for the first time.

Various Strategies of Transsphenoidal Pseudocapsule-Based Extracapsular Resection in Noninvasive Functional Pituitary Adenomas and their Effectiveness and Safety.

INTRODUCTION: Increasing attention has been paid to the pseudocapsule-based extracapsular resection in transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenomas. Prior reports focused more on Cushing disease or nonfunctional pituitary adenomas. In this study we present systematic research, especially concerning all kinds of noninvasive functional pituitary adenomas (NIFPAs) adopting various strategies of extracapsular resection, in order to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of these surgical methods for NIFPAs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 2008 to November 2014, 116 patients suffering from NIFPAs underwent pseudocapsule-based extracapsular resection (ER) with different surgical strategies; that is, by a microscope or endoscope via the endonasal transsphenoidal approach. During the same period, 90 patients suffering NIFPAs also underwent traditional transsphenoidal intracapsular resection (IR). In different postoperative periods, we re-examined the endocrine series and recorded the complications. Enhanced magnetic resonance imaging examination was also performed three months later. RESULTS: In the ER and IR group, the tumors were completely removed in 97 (83.7%) and 62 (68.9%) cases, whereas the endocrine disorders were remitted in 89 (76.7%) and 53 (58.9%) cases, respectively. Statistical analyses to compare the overall complete resection rates and the overall endocrine remission rates in both groups showed significant differences (P = 0.028 and 0.006, respectively). Intraoperative rhinorrhea occurred in 26.7% patients of the ER group and 13.3% of the IR group, showing a significant difference (P = 0.019). Transient diabetes insipidus occurred in 73.3% patients of the ER group and 63.3% of the IR group, with no difference between groups (P = 0.126). There was no case with intracranial hematoma or pituitary crisis in both the groups. CONCLUSION: With our various surgical strategies of ER, the patients can achieve content imaging resection, high and sustained endocrine remission, which are effective and safe for NIFPAs.

Mesencephalic Astrocyte-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Prevents Traumatic Brain Injury in Rats by Inhibiting Inflammatory Activation and Protecting the Blood-Brain Barrier.

BACKGROUND: Our previous studies have shown that mesencephalic astrocyte-derived neurotrophic factor (MANF) provides a neuroprotective effect against ischemia/reperfusion injury and is also involved in inflammatory disease models. This study investigates the potential role and mechanism of MANF in acute brain damage after traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: The model of TBI was induced by Feeney free falling methods with male Sprague-Dawley rats. The expression of MANF, 24 hours after TBI, was detected by the immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Western blot, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction techniques. After treatment with recombinant human MANF after TBI, assessment was conducted 24 hours later for brain water content, cerebral edema volume in magnetic resonance imaging, neurobehavioral testing, and Evans blue extravasation. Moreover, by the techniques of Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, the expression of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin 1ß and tumor necrosis factor α) and P65 was also analyzed to explore the underlying protective mechanism of MANF. RESULTS: At 24 hours after TBI, we found that endogenous MANF was widely expressed in the rat's brain tissues and different types of cells. Treatment with a high dose of recombinant human MANF (20 µg/20 µL) significantly increased the modified Garcia score, and reduced brain water content as well as cerebral edema volume on magnetic resonance imaging. Furthermore, MANF alleviated not only the permeability of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) but also the expressions of interleukin 1ß and tumor necrosis factor α messenger RNA and protein. Besides, the activation of P65 was also inhibited. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that MANF provides a neuroprotective effect against acute brain injury after TBI, via attenuating blood-brain barrier disruption and intracranial neuroinflammation; the inhibition of the NF-κB signaling pathway might be a potential mechanism.

Bebrycoside, a new steroidal glycoside from the Chinese gorgonian coral Bebryce indica.

A new steroidal glycoside, bebrycoside (1), was isolated from the South China Sea gorgonian coral Bebryce indica. The structure of 1 was established by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR data. This was the first time that the steroidal glycoside was isolated from the genus of Bebryce.

[Chemical constituents from the south China sea gorgonian coral Subergorgia reticulata].

Nine compounds, cholesterol (1), ergostra-7,22-diene-3beta, 5alpha, 6beta-triol (2), cholesta-7,22-diene-3beta, 5alpha, 6beta-triol (3),5,8-epidioxycampesta-6,22-dien-3-o1 (4), batyl alcohol (5), theine (6), thymine (7), uracil (8), guanine (9), were isolated from the South China Sea gorgonian coral Subergorgia reticulata and their structures elucidated on the basis of spectral data. All of these compounds were isolated for the first time from this gorgonian coral.

[Preventive and treatment effect of composite Rhodiolae on acute lung injury in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension during extracorporeal circulation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possibility of early prevention and treatment of acute lung injury by using composite Rhodiolae (CR) in patients with severe pulmonary hypertension during extracorporeal circulation. METHODS: Seventy-six patients with severe pulmonary hypertension screened out by color 2D-Doppler ultrasonography were randomly divided into the treated group (n = 40) and the control group (n = 36). The general treatment for the two groups, including preoperational preparation, operational procedure and conventional drug therapy, was the same. To the treated group, CR was administered 4 g every day (half the dose in children) at 7-10 day before and 5-7 day after the operation. The life signs, pulmonary ventilation parameters, arterial blood gas analysis were monitored and blood levels of TXB2, 6-keto-PGF1 alpha in both groups were determined in the fixed time points. RESULTS: The various parameters in the treated group were all better than those in the control group (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), the occurrence rate of acute lung injury and its mortality in the treated group were 7.5% (3/40) and 0% (0/3) respectively, while in the control group were 19.4% (7/36) and 43% (3/7) respectively. CONCLUSION: CR has good preventive and treatment effect in treating complicated acute lung injury during extracorporeal circulation (cardiopulmonary bypass) in patients with pulmonary hypertension.

Polyinosine-polycytidylic acid promotes excessive iodine intake induced thyroiditis in non-obese diabetic mice via Toll-like receptor 3 mediated inflammation.

BACKGROUND: Excessive iodine intake and viral infection are recognized as both critical factors associated with autoimmune thyroid diseases. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have been reported to play an important role in autoimmune and inflammatory disorders. In this study, we aimed to clarify the possible mechanism of TLR3 involved in polyinosine-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) promoting excessive iodine intake induced thyroiditis in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. METHODS: Both NOD and BALB/c mice were randomly assigned to four groups: control group (n = 5), high iodine intake (HI) group (n = 7), poly(I:C) group (n = 7) and combination of excessive iodine and poly(I:C) injection (HIP) group (n = 7). After 8 weeks, mice were weighed and blood samples were collected. All the mice were sacrificed before dissection of spleen and thyroid gland. Then, thyroid histology, thyroid secreted hormone, expression of CD3(+) cells and TLR3 as well as inflammatory mRNA level were evaluated. RESULTS: Both NOD and BALB/c mice from HI and HIP group represented goiter and increasing thyroid relative weight. Thyroid histology evidence indicated that only HIP group of NOD mice showed severe thyroiditis with lymphocytes infiltration in majority of thyroid tissue, severe damage of follicles and general fibrosis. Immunofluorescence staining results displayed a large number of CD3(+) cells in HIP NOD mice. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results suggested interferon (IFN)-α increased over 30 folds and IFN-γ expression was doubled compared with control group, but interleukin (IL)-4 remained unchanged in HIP group of NOD mice thyroid. Meanwhile, over one third decrease of blood total thyroxine (TT4) and increased thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) was observed in HIP group of NOD mice. Only HIP group of NOD mice represented significantly elevation of TLR3 expression. CONCLUSION: Poly(I:C) enhanced excessive dietary iodine induced thyroiditis in NOD mice through increasing TLR3 mediated inflammation.

Streptomyces nanshensis sp. nov., isolated from the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea.

A novel actinomycete strain, designated SCSIO 01066(T), was isolated from a marine sediment sample collected from the Nansha Islands in the South China Sea and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain SCSIO 01066(T) had the highest similarity (96.5 %) to members of the genus Streptomyces and was loosely associated with Streptomyces armeniacus JCM 3070(T), Streptomyces cacaoi subsp. cacaoi NBRC 12748(T) and Streptomyces sodiiphilus YIM 80305(T). Predominant menaquinones, major fatty acids and morphological properties were also consistent with typical characteristics of the genus Streptomyces; however, the presence of phosphatidylglycerol in the phospholipid pattern differs greatly from those of members of the genus Streptomyces. Additionally, strain SCSIO 01066(T) showed some physiological differences from its most closely related neighbours. Based on the polyphasic data, a novel species, Streptomyces nanshensis sp. nov., is proposed, with the type strain SCSIO 01066(T) (=KCTC 19400(T)=CCTCC AA 208005(T)).

The absolute stereochemistry of protoxylogranatin A - a new protolimonoid from the seeds of Chinese mangrove Xylocarpus granatum.

A new protolimonoid, named protoxylogranatin A, has been isolated from the seeds of a Chinese mangrove Xylocarpus granatum. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of modern spectroscopic data. The absolute configuration was determined by the application of the modified Mosher MTPA ester method. The first complete assignments of (1)H and (13)C NMR spectral data for this protolimonoid were achieved by means of 2D NMR techniques, including (1)H-(1)H COSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY spectra.

A cytotoxic sesquiterpene alkaloid from the South China Sea gorgonian Subergorgia suberosa.

A new sesquiterpene alkaloid, 6-(9'-purine-6',8'-diolyl)-2beta-suberosanone (1), together with three known sesquiterpenes, suberosenol A (2), subergorgic acid (3), and subergorgiol (4), was isolated from the EtOH/CH2Cl2 extracts of the South China Sea gorgonian Subergorgia suberosa. The structure of 1 was determined through spectroscopic methods. Compound 1 showed moderate cytotoxicity against the human breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231 cell line with an IC50 of 8.87 microg/mL.

Study on the chemical constituents of the South China Sea gorgonian Junceella juncea.

A new steroidal glycoside--4'-O-acetyl-3-O-[beta-D-arabino-pyranosyl-oxy]-cholest-5-ene-3beta,19-diol (1), and a new glycerol derivative--1,2-O-[2'-hydroxyoctadecyl]-glycerol (2), along with 16 known compounds were isolated from the EtOH/CH2Cl2 extracts of the South China Sea gorgonian coral Junceella juncea. The structures of 1 and 2 were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR data.

New briaranes from the South China Sea gorgonian Junceella juncea.

Three new briarane diterpenes, juncins O-Q (1-3), along with five known briaranes, praelolide, junceellin A, gemmacolide A, gemmacolide B, and junceellolide D, were isolated from the EtOH/CH(2)Cl(2) extracts of the South China Sea gorgonian coral Junceella juncea. The structures of 1-3 were established by extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D and 2D NMR data.