Inhibitory effect and possible mechanism of phenyllactic acid on Aspergillus flavus spore germination.

Phenyllactic acid (PLA) has gained a lot of attention due to its broad antimicrobial activity, but the mechanism of its antifungal action has been barely reported until now. Herein, the inhibitory activity of PLA against Aspergillus flavus spore germination and its mechanism were preliminarily investigated. Results indicated that PLA had a strong antifungal activity against A. flavus with the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal fungicidal concentration (MFC) of 6 and 12 mg/ml, respectively. As observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the A. flavus spores displayed wrinkled and shrunken appearance after treatment with PLA. In addition, the permeability and integrity of A. flavus cell membrane were changed obviously after PLA treatment as indicated by the propidium iodide (PI) staining results, which was further confirmed by a rise in electric conductivity and increased leakage of intracellular protein and nucleic acid. Furthermore, reduced activities of mitochondrial ATPase and dehydrogenases caused by PLA were also observed in A. flavus spores, with a result of remarkable decrease in ATP synthesis. Therefore, it could be concluded that PLA was effective in inhibiting spore germination of A. flavus mainly by disrupting cell membrane and interfering with mitochondrial energy metabolism.

Platinum-Gold Alloy Catalyzes the Aerobic Oxidation of Formic Acid for Hydrogen Peroxide Synthesis.

On-site hydrogen peroxide production through electrocatalytic and photocatalytic oxygen reduction reactions has recently attracted broad research interest. However, practical applications have thus far been plagued by the low activity and the requirement of complex equipment. Here, inspired by the process of biological hydrogen peroxide synthesis catalyzed by enzymes, we report a Pt-Au alloy to mimic the catalytic function of natural formate oxidase for hydrogen peroxide synthesis through aerobic oxidation of formic acid. The mass activity of the Pt-Au alloy is three times higher than that of formate oxidase. Density functional theory calculations revealed that the efficient dehydrogenation of formic acid and the high selectivity of the subsequent reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide account for the high hydrogen peroxide productivity. In addition, the formic acid aqueous solution provides an acidic environment, which is conducive to the utilization of the in situ generated hydrogen peroxide for oxidation reactions, including C-H bond oxidation and sterilization.

Bacteria-polymeric membrane interactions: atomic force microscopy and XDLVO predictions.

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) in conjunction with a bioprobe developed using a polydopamine wet adhesive was used to directly measure the adhesive force between bacteria and different polymeric membrane surfaces. Bacterial cells of Pseudomonas putida and Bacillus subtilis were immobilized onto the tip of a standard AFM cantilever, and force measurements made using the modified cantilever on various membranes. Interaction forces measured with the bacterial probe were compared, qualitatively, to predictions by the extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (XDLVO) theory with steric interactions included. The XDLVO theory predicted attractive interactions between low energy hydrophobic membranes with high energy hydrophilic bacterium (P. putida). It also predicted a shallow primary maximum with the most hydrophilic bacterium, B. subtilis . Discrepancies between predictions using the XDLVO theory and theory require involvement of factors such as bridging effects. Differences in interaction between P. putida and B. subtilis are attributed to acid-base interactions and steric interactions. P. putida is Gram negative with lipopolysaccharides present in the outer cell membrane. A variation in forces of adhesion for bacteria on polymeric membranes studied was interpreted in terms of hydrophilicity and interfacial surface potential calculated from physicochemical properties.

Treatment of traumatic internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysms with the Willis covered stent: a prospective study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of the Willis covered stent in the treatment of traumatic pseudoaneurysms of the internal carotid artery (ICA). MATERIALS: Thirty-eight patients with traumatic head and neck injury underwent angiography. We evaluated 14 delayed pseudoaneurysms in 13 patients who underwent angiography after treatment with the Willis covered stent. Prospective data on the technical success, initial and final angiographic results, mortality, morbidity, and final clinical outcome were analyzed immediately after the procedure, at the time of discharge from the hospital, at 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after the procedures, and yearly thereafter. RESULTS: The Willis covered stent placement was successful in all 14 pseudoaneurysms. The initial angiographic results showed complete exclusion in 9 patients with 10 aneurysms (71.4% [95% confidence interval {CI}: 44-98%]) and incomplete exclusion in 4 patients. The angiographic follow-up (mean, 15 months [95% CI: 9-20 months]; range, 3-36 months) findings exhibited a complete exclusion in 12 patients with 13 aneurysms (92.9% [95% CI: 77-108%]) and an incomplete exclusion in 1 patient and maintained patency of the ICA in all patients. The clinical follow-up (mean, 20 months [95% CI: 14-27 months]) findings demonstrated full recovery (11 patients), symptom improvement (1 patient), or no change in the symptoms (1 patient). No procedure-related complications or deaths occurred during follow-up. CONCLUSION: Treatment with the Willis covered stent provides a viable approach for patients with traumatic pseudoaneurysms of the ICA, maintaining patency of the ICA and thus leading to excellent clinical results. An expanded clinical experiences and a larger sample are needed.

Comparative study of covered stent with coil embolization in the treatment of cranial internal carotid artery aneurysm: a nonrandomized prospective trial.

To evaluate whether Willis covered stent implantation yielded angiographic and clinical results were better than those with coil embolization. Eighty-nine patients with cranial internal carotid artery (CICA) aneurysms were treated nonrandomly with covered stents (n = 43, group A) or coil embolization (n = 46, group B). Data on the technical success, procedure time, initial and final angiographic results, and final clinical outcomes were collected and analyzed at >6 months post-procedure. Covered stent placement and coil embolization were successful in all patients, except for one patient in group A. The initial angiographic results showed complete occlusion in 34 group-A patients (80.9%; 95% CI: 69%, 93%) and 24 group-B patients (52.2%; 95% CI: 37%, 67%) (P = 0.004). The final angiographic results indicated complete occlusion in 39 group A patients (39/41, 95.1%; 95% CI: 88%, 102%) and 22 group B patients (48.9%; 95% CI: 34%, 64%) (P < 0.001). The average procedure time was shorter in group A than that in group B (P < 0.001). CICA aneurysm treatment with covered stents yielded better intermediate-term angiographic outcome than those with the recommended approach of coil embolization. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01029938).

Treatment of distal internal carotid artery aneurysm with the willis covered stent: a prospective pilot study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the flexibility and efficacy of the Willis covered stent in the treatment of distal internal carotid artery (DICA) aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was approved by the authors' institutional review board, and the research was conducted by the authors' institution and the MicroPort Medical Company (Shanghai, China). Thirty-one patients with 33 DICA aneurysms were considered for treatment with a Willis covered stent. The angiographic assessments were categorized as complete or incomplete occlusion. The data on technical success, initial and final angiographic results, mortality, morbidity, and final clinical outcome were collected, and follow-up was performed at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months and yearly after the procedures. RESULTS: Navigation and deployment of the covered stents were successful in 97.6% (41 of 42; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 93%, 102%) of the attempted stent placement procedures. The initial angiographic results showed a complete occlusion in 23 patients with 25 aneurysms (of 32 aneurysms, 78.1% [95% CI: 63%, 93%]) and an incomplete occlusion in seven patients with seven aneurysms (21.9%). The angiographic follow-up (mean, 14 months [95% CI: 12, 15 months]) findings exhibited a complete occlusion in 27 patients with 29 aneurysms (of 31 aneurysms, 93.5% [95% CI: 84%, 103%]) and an incomplete occlusion in two aneurysms (6.5%), with a mild in-stent stenosis in two patients. The clinical follow-up (mean, 27 months [95% CI: 23, 30 months]) demonstrated that 15 patients experienced a full recovery and 14 patients improved. CONCLUSION: The preliminary results demonstrate good flexibility and efficacy of the Willis covered stent in the treatment of DICA aneurysms in selected patients; longer follow-up and expanded clinical trials are needed.

An electrospun fiber-covered stent with programmable dual drug release for endothelialization acceleration and lumen stenosis prevention.

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) causes high rates of mortality and morbidity. A covered stent is an effective endovascular treatment for complicated aneurysms intractable to endovascular coiling and surgical clipping. However, in-stent restenosis and delayed endothelialization are the main challenges contributing to its safety. In this study, we designed a biofunctional stent covered with dual drug-loaded electrospun fibers to achieve programmed vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and paclitaxel (PTX) release for the early promotion of stent endothelialization and long-term inhibition of stenosis caused by smooth muscle hyperplasia. By encapsulating PTX-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) within electrospun polylactic acid (PLA) fibers, the release period of PTX was effectively extended. Furthermore, VEGF was conjugated onto the surface of the membrane by reacting with polydopamine (PDA) for quick release. The in vitro drug release profile revealed the sustained release of PTX, which persisted for 63 days without early burst release, while up to 87.05% of VEGF was rapidly released within 3 days. After 6 days of incubation, cell experiments demonstrated that the dual drug-loaded scaffold effectively prompted endothelial cell proliferation (488% vs. 386% in the control group, P = 0.001) and inhibited the proliferation of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) using the 21-day extracts (155% vs. 303% in the control group, P = 0.039). Animal studies showed that compared to bare stents, the drug-loaded covered stents improved the immediate- and mid-term complete aneurysm occlusion rates (P < 0.05). The drug-loaded covered stents also showed earlier endothelialization promotion and better lumen restenosis than normal covered stents (0% vs. 25%, P = 0.29) for 12 weeks. Overall, a programmed dual drug-loaded scaffold that effectively occluded the aneurysm sac was developed in this study, and the discrete release of VEGF and PTX promoted endothelialization and prevented in-stent stenosis. This study provided a new method to improve the biosafety of implanted covered stents for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is one of the most common hemorrhage stroke resulted in a nearly 40% mortality and 33% morbidity due to sudden rupture of an intracranial aneurysm. Endovascular coil embolism is a popular treatment for aneurysm but this technique run high risk of bleeding, mass effect, low complete occlusion rate and higher recanalization rate due to its operation conducted within aneurysm sac. A bio-functional membrane knitted by dual-drug loaded electrospun fibers covered on a stent was designed to realize programed vascular endothelial growth factor and paclitaxel release for the early promotion of vascular endothelium and long-term inhibition of stenosis caused by smooth muscle hyperplasia. This study provides new method to improve the biosafety of covered stent insertion for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms.

Endovascular Metal Devices for the Treatment of Cerebrovascular Diseases.

Cerebrovascular disease involves various medical disorders that obstruct brain blood vessels or deteriorate cerebral circulation, resulting in ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke. Nowadays, platinum coils with or without biological modification have become routine embolization devices to reduce the risk of cerebral aneurysm bleeding. Additionally, many intracranial stents, flow diverters, and stent retrievers have been invented with uniquely designed structures. To accelerate the translation of these devices into clinical usage, an in-depth understanding of the mechanical and material performance of these metal-based devices is critical. However, considering the more distal location and tortuous anatomic characteristics of cerebral arteries, present devices still risk failing to arrive at target lesions. Consequently, more flexible endovascular devices and novel designs are under urgent demand to overcome the deficiencies of existing devices. Herein, the pros and cons of the current structural designs are discussed when these devices are applied to the treatment of diseases ranging broadly from hemorrhages to ischemic strokes, in order to encourage further development of such kind of devices and investigation of their use in the clinic. Moreover, novel biodegradable materials and drug elution techniques, and the design, safety, and efficacy of personalized devices for further clinical applications in cerebral vasculature are discussed.

Trans-arterial embolisation therapy of dural carotid-cavernous fistulae using low concentration n-butyl-cyanoacrylate.

BACKGROUND: Trans-venous embolisation has been accepted as the preferred treatment for dural carotid-cavernous fistulae (DCCF). However, such an approach is not always feasible. In this circumstance, trans-arterial embolisation with low concentration n-butyl-cyanoacrylate glue (NBCA) may be a feasible alternative. We report our results and experience of this method for DCCF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five patients with DCCF were treated by trans-arterial embolisation using low concentration NBCA by wedging the microcatheter into the main feeding artery. All five lesions were associated with venous drainage into the superior ophthalmic vein. The inferior petrosal sinus was patent in one patient and thrombosed in four. Additional venous drainage into the Sylvian vein and the superior petrosal sinus was observed in two patients. FINDINGS: The definitive NBCA injection was performed via the branches of the middle meningeal artery in three patients and accessory meningeal artery as well as ascending pharyngeal artery in two patients. Four patients showed complete obliteration of the DCCF on the post-embolisation angiogram, and follow-up studies showed clinical cure or improvement and successful obliteration of the DCCF. One patient had a residual DCCF after the procedure, but showed complete obliteration and clinical cure at 5-month follow-up. Glue penetrated into the Sylvian vein in one patient during the procedure without sequelae. Two patients had transient worsening of ocular symptoms after the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Trans-arterial embolisation with low concentration NBCA using a wedged microcatheter technique is still a safe and effective treatment for DCCF when the transvenous approach is not feasible. However, care must be taken to prevent inadvertent arterial and venous embolisation.

[Paragonimus skrjabini infection in animal reservoir hosts and questionnairing in residents at a village of Hubei Province].

Freshwater crabs (Sinopotamon denticulatum) were examined for metacercariae. Cats and dogs were also examined for Paragonimus infection. Questionnairing was carried out on health knowledge and behaviors among local residents in a village of Baokang County, Hubei Province. Results showed that the infection rate of Paragonimus skrjabini metacercariae in Sinopotamon denticulatum was 20.5% (46/214), with 15.6% (20/128) in a mining area and 30.2% (26/86) for the non-mining area respectively (chi2 = 6.5, P < 0.05). The prevalence in cats and dogs was 25.0% (6/24) and 17.6% (6/34) respectively (chi2 = 0.46, P > 0.05). Questionnairing showed that dogs and cats were with the habit of foraging and defecating at streams and children had the habits of eating raw or under-cooked crabs. The natural and ecological environments are in favor of the life cycle of P. skrjabini.

Endovascular treatment of giant or very large intracranial aneurysms with different modalities: an analysis of 20 cases.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical efficacy and limitations of different endovascular modalities in the treatment of very large and giant intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: A group of 20 patients with very large and giant intracranial aneurysms treated by endovascular approaches were retrospectively analyzed. Of the 20 patients, 9 had been treated by parent artery occlusion, 8 by coil embolization, and 3 with an intracranial covered stent. Two recurrent aneurysms initially treated with coil embolization were retreated with an intracranial covered stent. Patients were followed for 9-83 months after the procedure. RESULTS: Endovascular treatment was technically feasible in all 20 patients. One patient died 7 days after the procedure from rebleeding caused by incomplete aneurysmal occlusion. Immediate postprocedural angiograms showed that complete occlusion was achieved in 11 aneurysms, subtotal occlusion in 7, and incomplete occlusion in 2. The final angiographic results in the other 19 surviving patients confirmed complete occlusion of 15 aneurysms, subtotal occlusion in 3, and incomplete occlusion in 1. Clinical evaluations performed at the final follow-up visit showed an excellent outcome in 11 patients and a good outcome in 8. CONCLUSION: Endovascular treatment of giant intracranial aneurysms with coil embolization is often associated with a low complete occlusion rate and a high recanalization rate, and parent artery occlusion remains a practical option in selected patients. Based on our limited experience, the use of an intracranial covered stent appears to be a relatively simple and safe procedure for occluding very large and giant aneurysms while still maintaining the patency of the parent artery.

Transarterial embolization with Berenstein Liquid Coils and N-butyl cyanoacrylate in a vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation: a case report.

A 12-week-old baby with a vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation (VGAM) was successfully treated with performing transarterial microcatheter-directed embolization with Berenstein Liquid Coils and n-butyl cyanoacrylate in the feeding arteries. Post-procedure angiography showed a marked decrease of the blood flow into the dilated vein of Galen. Three months later, follow-up angiography showed that the vein of Galen aneurysmal malformation had totally disappeared, and the baby recovered very well without any sequelae. We report here on this interesting case along with a review of the relevant literature, and we aim to enhance physicians' awareness of the treatment for VGAMs.

Polyethylene glycol-poly(ε-benzyloxycarbonyl-l-lysine)-conjugated VEGF siRNA for antiangiogenic gene therapy in hepatocellular carcinoma.

A polyethylene glycol-poly(ε-benzyloxycarbonyl-l-lysine) (PEG-SS-PLL) block copolymer based on a disulfide-linked, novel biodegradable catiomer bearing a PEG-sheddable shell was developed to avoid "PEG dilemma" in nanoparticle intracellular tracking of PEG-PLL where PEG was nondegradable. However, PEG-SS-PLL catiomers have not been used to deliver small interfering VEGF RNA (siVEGF) in antiangiogenesis gene therapy. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether this novel biodegradable catiomer can deliver siVEGF into cancer cells and at the same time have an antitumor effect in a xenograft mouse model. It was found that PEG-SS-PLL efficiently delivered siVEGF with negligible cytotoxicity, and significantly decreased the expression of VEGF at both the messenger-RNA and protein levels both in vitro and in vivo, and thus tumor growth was inhibited. Our findings demonstrated that PEG-SS-PLL/siVEGF could potentially be applied to antiangiogenesis gene therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma.

The Extent of the Crack on Artificial Simulation Models with CBCT and Periapical Radiography.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of the crack of a cracked tooth on an artificial simulation model with Periapical Radiography (PR) and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in vitro, providing the basis for early diagnosis and an appropriate treatment plan. METHODS: Forty-four teeth with different extents of artificial cracks, created by exposure to liquid nitrogen after hot water at 100°C, were collected. They were subjected to PR and CBCT. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) examination, regarded as a relatively more accurate measurement than others, was used to measure and record the crack depth. Three observers, an endodontic graduate student, an experienced endodontist, and an experienced radiologist, examined the PR and CBCT results independently, and the presence or absence of cracks with PR and CBCT were respectively recorded. The external consistency ICC with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was used to analyze the consistency among the graduate student, endodontist, and radiologist; ROC curves were used for the analysis of diagnostic performance of both radiographic modalities for tooth cracks with crack depth. RESULTS: For the interpretation of the PR results, there were statistically significant differences among the three different observers (P < 0.001), and the interpretation of the CBCT results (P < 0.001). In the group of results read by the graduate student, the sensitivity of diagnosis with CBCT and PR was 77.27% and 22.73%, respectively (P < 0.001). In the group of results read by the endodontist, the sensitivity of diagnosis with CBCT and PR was 81.81% and 8.19%, respectively (P < 0.001). In the group of results read by the radiologist, the sensitivity of diagnosis with CBCT and PR was 88.64% and 11.36%, respectively (P < 0.001). As for CBCT diagnosis, the critical value for the graduate, endodontist, and radiologist was 3.20 mm, 2.06 mm, and 1.24 mm, respectively. For the PR diagnosis, the critical value for the graduate, endodontist, and radiologist was 6.12 mm, 6.94 mm, and 6.94 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, on an artificial simulation model of cracked teeth for early diagnosis, we recommend that it would be better for a cracked tooth to be diagnosed by a radiologist with CBCT than PR, CBCT with a minimum depth of 1.24 mm.

Magnesium alloy covered stent for treatment of a lateral aneurysm model in rabbit common carotid artery: An in vivo study.

Magnesium alloy covered stents have rarely been used in the common carotid artery (CCA). We evaluated the long-term efficacy of magnesium alloy covered stents in a lateral aneurysm model in rabbit CCA. Magnesium alloy covered stents (group A, n = 7) or Willis covered stents (group B, n = 5) were inserted in 12 New Zealand White rabbits and they were followed up for 12 months. The long-term feasibility for aneurysm occlusion was studied through angiograms; the changes in vessel area and lumen area were assessed with IVUS. Complete aneurysmal occlusion was achieved in all aneurysms. Angiography showed that the diameter of the stented CCA in group A at 6 and 12 months was significantly greater than the diameter immediately after stent placement. On intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) examination, the mean lumen area of the stented CCA in group A was significantly greater at 6 and 12 months than that immediately after stent placement; the mean lumen area was also significantly greater in group A than in group B at the same time points. The magnesium alloy covered stents proved to be an effective approach for occlusion of lateral aneurysm in the rabbit CCA; it provides distinct advantages that are comparable to that obtained with the Willis covered stent.

Temporary partially-covered metal stent insertion in benign esophageal stricture.

AIM: To study the therapeutic efficacy of temporary partially-covered metal stent insertion on benign esophageal stricture. METHODS: Temporary partially-covered metal stent was inserted in 83 patients with benign esophageal stricture. All the patients had various dysphagia scores. RESULTS: Insertion of 85 temporary partially-covered metal stents was performed successfully in 83 patients with benign esophageal stricture and dysphagia was effectively remitted in all the 83 cases. The dysphagia score was 3.20+/-0.63 (mean+/-SD) and 0.68+/-0.31 before and after stent insertion, and 0.86+/-0.48 after stent removal. The mean diameter of the strictured esophageal lumen was 3.37+/-1.23 mm and 25.77+/-3.89 mm before and after stent insertion, and 16.15+/-2.96 mm after stent removal. Follow-up time was from 1 week to 96 months (mean 54.26+/-12.75 months). The complications were chest pain (n=37) after stent insertion, and bleeding (n=12) and reflux (n=13) after stent removal. CONCLUSION: Temporary partially-covered metal stent insertion is one of the best methods for treatment of benign esophageal stricture.

Pigmented villonodular synovitis of the temporomandibular joint: CT imaging findings.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristic computed tomography (CT) findings of pigmented villonodular synovitis (PVNS) of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). STUDY DESIGN: Eight subjects with PVNS were examined with both pre and post contrast CT scans. All lesions were histopathologically confirmed through surgery. CT appearances of the lesions were reviewed. RESULTS: Among the eight subjects, 8 (100%) demonstrated soft tissue mass and enhancement after contrast administration, 6 (75%) appeared as all or focal areas of noncontrast hyperdensity, 6 (75%) had widening of the joint spaces. Bony erosion of the mandibular condyles and articular surfaces were found in 7 (87.5%) and 6 (75%) subjects, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the CT findings, PVNS of the TMJ is characterized by hyperdensity soft tissue mass and further increase in density after contrast administration, bony destruction of the mandibular condyles and skull base, and intracranial extension.

Reconstructive endovascular treatment of intracranial aneurysms with the Willis covered stent: medium-term clinical and angiographic follow-up.

OBJECT: Placement of covered stents has emerged as a promising therapeutic option for cerebrovascular diseases. However, the medium- and long-term efficacy and safety of covered stents in the treatment of these diseases remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the medium-term clinical and angiographic outcomes of covered stent placement for the treatment of intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: The authors' institutional review board approved the study. Thirty-four patients (13 females and 21 males; mean age 41.9 years) with 38 intracranial aneurysms were treated with the Willis covered stent. Clinical and angiographic follow-up were performed at 3 months, at 6-12 months, and annually thereafter. The initial procedural and follow-up outcomes were collected and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Forty-two covered stents were successfully implanted into the target artery in 33 patients with 37 aneurysms, and 1 covered stent navigation failed in 1 patient. A complete aneurysm exclusion was initially achieved in 24 patients with 28 aneurysms, and a minor endoleak occurred in 9 patients with 9 aneurysms. Postoperatively, 2 patients died of complications related to the procedure. Angiographic and clinical follow-up data are available in 30 patients. The angiographic follow-up (17.5 ± 9.4 months [mean ± SD]) exhibited complete occlusion in 28 patients with 31 aneurysms, and incomplete occlusion in 2 aneurysms, with an asymptomatic in-stent stenosis in 3 patients (10%). The clinical follow-up (26.7 ± 13 months [mean ± SD]) demonstrated that 16 patients (53.3%) experienced a full recovery, and 14 patients (46.7%) improved. No aneurysm rupture, thromboembolic events, or neurological deficits resulting from closure of a perforating vessel by covered stent placement occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Endovascular reconstruction with the Willis covered stent represents a safe, durable, and curative treatment option for selected intracranial aneurysms, yielding an excellent medium-term patency of the parent artery and excellent clinical outcomes.

Percutaneous osteoplasty for painful sternal lesion from multiple myeloma.

Percutaneous osteoplasty (POP) as a technical extension of percutaneous vertebroplasty has been used as a treatment for osteolytic lesions in weight-bearing bones besides the vertebrae, and has demonstrated beneficial outcomes in terms of pain relief and functional improvement. However, its efficacy in non-weight-bearing bones is not well known. Herein, we present the case of a patient with an osteolytic lesion from multiple myeloma in the sternum, a non-weight-bearing bone, who obtained sustained pain relief and improvement of life quality after POP. These data suggest that POP may be an alternative treatment for osteolytic lesions in non-weight-bearing bones.