Lack of causal association between epilepsy and dementia: A Mendelian randomization analysis.

OBJECTIVE: Epidemiological studies have reported an association between epilepsy and dementia. However, the causal relationship between epilepsy and the risk of dementia is not clear. We aimed to inspect the causal effect of epilepsy on memory loss and dementia. METHODS: We analyzed summary data of epilepsy, memory loss, and dementia from the genome-wide association study (GWAS) using the two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) method. We used the estimated odds ratio of memory loss and dementia associated with each of the genetically defined traits to infer evidence for a causal relationship with the following exposures: all epilepsy, focal epilepsy (including focal epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis, lesion-negative focal epilepsy, and focal epilepsy with other lesions), and genetic generalized epilepsy (including childhood absence epilepsy, generalized tonic-clonic seizures alone, Juvenile absence epilepsy, and Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy). RESULTS: According to the result of MR using the inverse variance weighted method (IVW), we found that genetically predicted epilepsy did not causally increase the risk of memory loss and dementia (p > 0.05). Results of the MR-Egger and weighted median method were consistent with the IVW method. CONCLUSIONS: No evidence has been found to support the notion that epilepsy can result in memory loss and dementia. The associations observed in epidemiological studies could be attributed, in part, to confounding or nongenetic determinants.

Treatment with a flow diverter-assisted coil embolization for ruptured blood blister-like aneurysms of the internal carotid artery: a technical note and analysis of single-center experience with pooled data.

Treatment of blood blister-like aneurysms (BBAs) of the supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) with flow diverters (FDs) has become widespread in recent years. However, ruptured blood blister-like aneurysm (BBA) of ICA treatment with flow diverter-assisted coil embolization (FDAC) remains controversial. Moreover, limited direct comparative studies have been conducted between the two treatment modalities, FDs and FDAC, for BBAs. The purpose of this study was to document our experience and evaluate the effectiveness and safety of FDAC. We conducted a retrospective analysis of clinical and radiological information from ten patients who experienced ruptured BBAs of the supraclinoid ICA at our center from January 2021 to February 2023. The technical details of FDAC for ruptured BBAs were described, and the technical steps were named "pipeline embolization device (PED)-Individualized shaping(microcatheter)-Semi deploying-Rivet(coils)-Massage(microwire)" as the PEISSERM technique. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS), whereas radiological results were determined through angiography. A pooled analysis was implemented, incorporating data from literature sources that reported perioperative and long-term clinical and angiographic outcomes of ruptured BBAs treated with FD and FDAC strategies, along with our data. Data in our analysis pool were categorized into FD and FDAC strategy groups to explore the preferred treatment modalities for BBAs. The PEISSERM technique was utilized to treat ten patients, seven males, and three females, with an average age of 41.7 years. A single PED was deployed in conjunction with coils in all ten patients. All PEDs were documented to have good wall apposition. The immediate postoperative angiograms demonstrated Raymond grade I in ten aneurysms. Angiographic follow-up of nine patients at 4-25 months showed total occlusion of the aneurysms. At the most recent follow-up, the mRS scores of nine patients hinted at a good prognosis. Pooled analysis of 233 ICA-BBA cases of FD revealed a technical success rate of 91% [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.88 to 0.95], a rate of complete occlusion of 79% (95% CI, 0.73 to 0.84), a recurrence rate of 2% (95% CI, 0.00 to 0.04), a rebleed rate of 2% (95% CI, 0.00 to 0.04), and the perioperative stroke rate was 8% (95% CI, 0.04 to 0.11). The perioperative mortality was 4% (95% CI, 0.01 to 0.07). The long-term good clinical outcome rate was 85% (95% CI, 0.80 to 0.90). The mortality rate was 6% (95% CI, 0.03 to 0.09). Results from the subgroup analysis illustrated that the FDAC strategy for BBAs had a significantly higher immediate postoperative complete occlusion rate (P < 0.001), total occlusion rate (P = 0.016), and a good outcome rate (P = 0.041) compared with the FD strategy. The FDAC strategy can yield a higher rate of good outcomes than the FD strategy. The PEISSERM technique employed by the FDAC is a reliable and effective treatment approach as it can minimize the hemodynamic burden of BBA's fragile dome, thereby achieving an excellent occlusion rate. The PEISSERM technique in the FDAC strategy contributes to understanding the BBA's treatment and offers a potentially optimal treatment for BBA.

Circulating Biomarkers and Risk of Hypertension: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomisation Study.

OBJECTIVE: This study systematically assessed circulating proteins to identify new serum biomarkers and risk of hypertension using Mendelian randomisation. METHODS: The associations between 4,782 human circulating proteins and the risk of hypertension were evaluated using two-sample Mendelian randomisation. The FinnGen study demonstrated a link between genetic predisposition and hypertension in 85,438 cases and 223,663 controls. RESULTS: Inverse variance weighted and sensitivity analysis revealed nine proteins in circulation that have a causative effect on hypertension. SMOC1 and TIE1 were determined to be causative factors in the decreased likelihood of developing hypertension, with odds ratios of 0.86 (95% CI 0.81-0.91; p=1.06e-06) and 0.96 (95% CI 0.94-0.98; p=9.39e-05), respectively. NDUFB4, ETHE1, POFUT2, TRIL, ADAM23, GXYLT1, OXT, TPST2, and TMCC3 showed a possible connection to hypertension. CONCLUSIONS: This two-sample Mendelian randomisation study found that SMOC1 and TIE1 are causally linked to hypertension, making them a promising target for therapy.

Structure and function of corticospinal projection originating from supplementary motor area.

PURPOSE: The importance of supplementary motor area (SMA) for motor function and compensation for primary motor area (M1) has received increased attention. METHODS: We used diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) to evaluate structure and function of corticospinal projection originating from SMA. Fibers of corticospinal projection originating from M1 (CST) and SMA (ACST) were analyzed. ACST originating from mesial SMA area formed separate white matter bundles leaving the anterior part of M1 area, which then entered the posterior limb of the internal capsule. Projection and overlap of both CST and ACST were detected on medulla. RESULTS: Fibers of contralesional ACST were more than that of ipsilesional ACST in patients with SMA tumors (p<0.05). In patients with SMA tumor, all patients experienced temporary akinesia postoperatively. Seven hundred forty-one fibers of ipsilateral ACST and no fibers of ipsilateral CST were detected in the patient with M1 glioma, while most of contralateral limb movement was preserved. MEP could be evoked by stimulating SMA area as well as M1 area. ACST originated from SMA area and projected to the medial medulla. CONCLUSION: SMA area and ACST integrity contributed to contralateral motor function and were a compensation for M1 lesion and damaged CST.

Lower Serum Iron and Hemoglobin Levels are Associated with Acute Seizures in Patients with Ruptured Cerebral Aneurysms.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study is to investigate the value of serum iron and hemoglobin levels for predicting acute seizures following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). METHODS: Clinical and laboratorial data from patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms were collected in the retrospective study. Age, sex, symptom onset, history of diabetes and hypertension, history of coronary artery disease, temperature, Hunt-Hess grade, Fisher grade, aneurysm location, hemoglobin, serum potassium, sodium, calcium, phosphorus, and iron were collected. Acute seizures were determined as seizures within 1 week following aSAH. Propensity score matching (PSM) analyses were performed to correct imbalances in patient characteristics between seizure and non-seizure groups. RESULTS: A total of 760 patients were included. Incidence of acute seizures following aSAH was 6.4%. In the univariate analysis, significant differences were detected in age, admission Hunt-Hess grade, Fisher grade, hemoglobin, serum sodium, and serum iron between seizure and non-seizure groups. In multivariate logistic regression model, lower serum iron was considered as a risk factor for acute seizures (OR 0.182, 95% CI 0.084-0.393, p = 0.000), as well as lower hemoglobin (OR 0.977, 95% CI 0.962-0.993, p = 0.004) and higher serum sodium (OR 1.072, 95% CI 1.003-1.145, p = 0.039). After PSM, there were no significant differences in age, admission Hunt-Hess grade, Fisher grade, and serum sodium between seizure and non-seizure groups. The matched seizure group had lower serum iron and hemoglobin levels compared with the matched non-seizure group (p < 0.05). The optimal cutoff value for serum iron and hemoglobin levels as a predictor of acute seizure after aSAH was determined as 9.9 mmol/L (sensitivity was 81.63% and the specificity was 65.40%) and 119 g/L (sensitivity was 63.27% and the specificity was 70.18%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Serum iron and hemoglobin levels were inversely associated with a high risk of acute seizures following aSAH.

Glutamate/glutamine metabolism coupling between astrocytes and glioma cells: neuroprotection and inhibition of glioma growth.

Glioma glutamate release has been shown to promote the growth of glioma cells and induce neuronal injuries from epilepsy to neuronal death. However, potential counteractions from normal astrocytes against glioma glutamate release have not been fully evaluated. In this study, we investigated the glutamate/glutamine cycling between glioma cells and astrocytes and their impact on neuronal function. Co-cultures of glioma cells with astrocytes (CGA) in direct contact were established under different mix ratio of astrocyte/glioma. Culture medium conditioned in these CGAs were sampled for HPLC measurement, for neuronal ratiometric calcium imaging, and for neuronal survival assay. We found: (1) High levels of glutaminase expression in glioma cells, but not in astrocytes, glutaminase enables glioma cells to release large amount of glutamate in the presence of glutamine. (2) Glutamate levels in CGAs were directly determined by the astrocyte/glioma ratios, indicating a balance between glioma glutamate release and astrocyte glutamate uptake. (3) Culture media from CGAs of higher glioma/astrocyte ratios induced stronger neuronal Ca(2+) response and more severe neuronal death. (4) Co-culturing with astrocytes significantly reduced the growth rate of glioma cells. These results indicate that normal astrocytes in the brain play pivotal roles in glioma growth inhibition and in reducing neuronal injuries from glioma glutamate release. However, as tumor growth, the protective role of astrocytes gradually succumb to glioma cells.

Selection of DNA aptamers against epidermal growth factor receptor with high affinity and specificity.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR/HER1/c-ErbB1), is overexpressed in many solid cancers, such as epidermoid carcinomas, malignant gliomas, etc. EGFR plays roles in proliferation, invasion, angiogenesis and metastasis of malignant cancer cells and is the ideal antigen for clinical applications in cancer detection, imaging and therapy. Aptamers, the output of the systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX), are DNA/RNA oligonucleotides which can bind protein and other substances with specificity. RNA aptamers are undesirable due to their instability and high cost of production. Conversely, DNA aptamers have aroused researcher's attention because they are easily synthesized, stable, selective, have high binding affinity and are cost-effective to produce. In this study, we have successfully identified DNA aptamers with high binding affinity and selectivity to EGFR. The aptamer named TuTu22 with Kd 56±7.3nM was chosen from the identified DNA aptamers for further study. Flow cytometry analysis results indicated that the TuTu22 aptamer was able to specifically recognize a variety of cancer cells expressing EGFR but did not bind to the EGFR-negative cells. With all of the aforementioned advantages, the DNA aptamers reported here against cancer biomarker EGFR will facilitate the development of novel targeted cancer detection, imaging and therapy.

The causal relationship between circulating biomarkersand the risk of bipolar disorder: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify susceptible biomarkers for the development of bipolar disorder (BD), we conducted a Mendelian Randomization (MR) design to screen circulating proteins for the potential risk of bipolar disorder systematically. METHODS: We performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to estimate the causality of 4782 human circulating proteins on the risk of bipolar disorder. 376 circulating biomarkers were selected in MR estimation (4406 circulating proteins with less than 3 SNPs were excluded) with 5368 European descents. GWAS meta-analysis of the potential role of all-cause bipolar disorder arose from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium (41,917 cases, 371,549 controls). RESULTS: After IVW and sensitivity analysis, 4 circulating proteins having causal effects on bipolar disorder were identified. ISG15, as a key player in the innate immune response, decreased the risk of bipolar disorder causally (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.89-0.94, P = 1.46e-09). Furthermore, MLN decreased the risk of bipolar disorder causally (OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.91-0.97, P = 1.04e-04). In addition, SFTPC (OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.86-0.96, P = 4.47e-04) and VCY (OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.77-0.96, P = 8.55e-03) presented a suggestive association with bipolar disorder. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that ISG15 and MLN showed evidence of causality in bipolar disorder and provided a promising target for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

Decreased SPTBN2 expression regulated by the ceRNA network is associated with poor prognosis and immune infiltration in low­grade glioma.

The majority of low-grade gliomas (LGGs) in adults invariably progress to glioblastoma over time. Spectrin ß non-erythrocytic 2 (SPTBN2) is detected in numerous tumors and is involved in tumor occurrence and metastasis. However, the specific roles and detailed mechanisms of SPTBN2 in LGG are largely unknown. The present study performed pan-cancer analysis for the expression and prognosis of SPTBN2 in LGG using The Cancer Genome Atlas and The Genotype-Tissue Expression. Western blotting was used to detect the amount of SPTBN2 between glioma tissues and normal brain tissues. Subsequently, based on expression, prognosis, correlation and immune infiltration, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) were identified that regulated SPTBN2 expression. Finally, tumor immune infiltrates associated with SPTBN2 and prognosis were performed. Lower expression of SPTBN2 was correlated with an unfavorable outcome in LGG. A significant correlation between the low SPTBN2 mRNA expression and poor clinicopathological features was observed, including wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase status (P<0.001), 1p/19q non-codeletion (P<0.001) and elders (P=0.019). The western blotting results revealed that, compared with normal brain tissues, the amount of SPTBN2 was significantly lower in LGG tissues (P=0.0266). Higher expression of five microRNAs (miRs/miRNAs), including hsa-miR-15a-5p, hsa-miR-15b-5p, hsa-miR-16-5p, hsa-miR-34c-5p and hsa-miR-424-5p, correlated with poor prognosis by targeting SPTBN2 in LGG. Subsequently, four long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) [ARMCX5-GPRASP2, BASP1-antisense RNA 1 (AS1), EPB41L4A-AS1 and LINC00641] were observed in the regulation of SPTBN2 via five miRNAs. Moreover, the expression of SPTBN2 was significantly correlated with tumor immune infiltration, immune checkpoint expression and biomarkers of immune cells. In conclusion, SPTBN2 was lowly expressed and correlated with an unfavorable prognosis in LGG. A total of six miRNAs and four lncRNAs were identified as being able to modulate SPTBN2 in a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA network of LGG. Furthermore, the current findings also indicated that SPTBN2 possessed anti-tumor roles by regulating tumor immune infiltration and immune checkpoint expression.

Elevated Hexose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Regulated by OSMR-AS1/hsa-miR-516b-5p Axis Correlates with Poor Prognosis and Dendritic Cells Infiltration of Glioblastoma.

Objective Glioblastoma (GBM), a type of malignant glioma, is the most aggressive type of brain tumor and is associated with high mortality. Hexose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (H6PD) has been detected in multiple tumors and is involved in tumor initiation and progression. However, the specific role and mechanism of H6PD in GBM remain unclear. Methods We performed pan-cancer analysis of expression and prognosis of H6PD in GBM using the Genotype-Tissue Expression Project (GTEx) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Subsequently, noncoding RNAs regulating H6PD expression were obtained by comprehensive analysis, including gene expression, prognosis, correlation, and immune infiltration. Finally, tumor immune infiltrates related to H6PD and survival were performed. Results Higher expression of H6PD was statistically significantly associated with an unfavorable outcome in GBM. Downregulation of hsa-miR-124-3p and hsa-miR-516b-5p in GBM was detected from GSE90603. Subsequently, OSMR-AS1 was observed in the regulation of H6PD via hsa-miR-516b-5p. Moreover, higher H6PD expression significantly correlated with immune infiltration of dendritic cells, immune checkpoint expression, and biomarkers of dendritic cells. Conclusions The OSMR-AS1/ miR-516b-5p axis was identified as the highest-potential upstream ncRNA-related pathway of H6PD in GBM. Furthermore, the present findings demonstrated that H6PD blockading might possess antitumor roles via regulating dendritic cell infiltration and immune checkpoint expression.

Mechanical Thrombectomy with Tandem Double Stent Retriever in Combination with Intermediate Catheter Aspiration for Refractory Severe Hemorrhagic Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to describe the initial experience of mechanical thrombectomy using tandem double stent retrievers combined with intermediate catheter aspiration to treat refractory severe hemorrhagic (SH)-cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). METHODS: All refractory SH-CVST patients treated with mechanical thrombectomy using tandem double stent retriever (SR) combined with intermediate catheter aspiration (MT-TDSA) in our institution were retrospectively reviewed. MT-TDSA is a technique that fully engages the clot with double SRs and retrieves the clot using a double SR in combination with aspiration from an intermediate catheter. Demographics, clinical manifestation, medical history, the location of the occluded venous sinus, intraoperative details, procedure-related complications, and modified Rankin Scale (1, 6, 12 months postoperatively) were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (median age, 43 years) with refractory SH-CVST were treated with MT-TDSA between January 2016 and January 2020. Ten of 14 (71.4%) had a successful intraoperative recanalization rate (>90%) using MT-TDSA. No procedure-related complications occurred. Eleven patients had good clinical outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score 0-2 at 12 months postoperatively). CONCLUSIONS: MT-TDSA for refractory SH-CVST might improve clot-capturing ability and remove blood clots from cerebral venous sinuses effectively and safely, achieving good clinical outcomes.

Correction: Zhang et al. Admission Serum Iron as an Independent Risk Factor for Postoperative Delayed Cerebral Ischemia Following Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Propensity-Matched Analysis. Brain Sci. 2022, 12, 1183.

We would like to submit the following corrections to our recently published paper [...].

Admission Serum Iron as an Independent Risk Factor for Postoperative Delayed Cerebral Ischemia Following Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A Propensity-Matched Analysis.

This study aimed to investigate the association between serum iron (SI) and postoperative delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). We retrospectively analyzed 985 consecutive adult patients diagnosed with aSAH. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were employed to assess the association between SI and DCI. Propensity-score matching (PSM) analysis was implemented to reduce confounding. Postoperative DCI developed in 14.38% of patients. Lower SI upon admission was detected in aSAH patients with severe clinical conditions and severe aSAH. SI was negatively correlated with WFNS grade (r = −0.3744, p < 0.001) and modified Fisher (mFisher) grade (r = −0.2520, p < 0.001). Multivariable analysis revealed lower SI was independently associated with DCI [odds ratios (OR) 0.281, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.177−0.448, p < 0.001], while WFNS grade and mFisher grade were not. The receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis of SI for DCI gave an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.7 and an optimal cut-off of 7.5 µmol/L (95% CI 0.665 to 0.733, p < 0.0001). PSM demonstrated the DCI group had a significantly lower SI than the non-DCI group (10.91 ± 6.86 vs. 20.34 ± 8.01 µmol/L, p < 0.001). Lower SI remained a significant independent predictor for DCI and an independent poor prognostic factor of aSAH in multivariate analysis (OR 0.363, 95% CI 0.209−0.630, p < 0.001). The predictive performance of SI for poor outcome had a corresponding AUC of 0.718 after PSM. Lower SI upon admission is significantly associated with WFNS grade, mFisher grade, and predicts postoperative DCI and poor outcome at 90 days following aSAH.

Microcatheter-guided compartment packing of acutely ruptured complex intracerebral aneurysms (ARCIAs): Preliminary experience and technical note.

Objective: We present our initial experience using the microcatheter-guided compartment packing (MCP) technique for endovascular embolization of acutely ruptured complex intracerebral aneurysms (ARCIAs) and evaluate the safety, feasibility, and efficiency of this technique. Methods: This retrospective, single-center study included 28 patients who underwent coil embolization using the MCP technique for ARCIAs at our institution between January 2021 and January 2022. The MCP technique was the placement of microcatheters in different compartments within the aneurysm to deploy the coils simultaneously or sequentially. Patient demographics, aneurysm characteristics, procedural parameters, grade of occlusion, complications, and clinical results were analyzed. The clinical outcomes were evaluated with modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores. Results: Of the 28 patients successfully treated with the MCP technique, 24 (85.7%) aneurysms were considered as complete occlusions (Raymond I) based on the immediate postembolization angiogram results. Complications occurred in 2/28 treatments, including guidewire perforation with subarachnoid hemorrhage and cerebral vasospasm-related cerebral infarction. An angiography follow-up demonstrated complete occlusion in 25/28 aneurysms. Twenty-six (92.9%) patients had favorable 90-day outcomes (mRS 0-2) after the endovascular coil embolization. Conclusion: The MCP technique is simple, safe, and effective, achieving good packing density and initial occlusion rate when used to treat ARCIAs.

Acetylation Profiles in the Metabolic Process of Glioma-Associated Seizures.

Objective: We test the hypothesis that lysine acetylation is involved in the metabolic process of glioma-associated seizures (GAS). Methods: We used label-free mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics to quantify dynamic changes of protein acetylation between gliomas with seizure (CA1 group) and gliomas without seizure (CA2 group). Furthermore, differences of acetyltransferase and deacetylase expression between CA1 and CA2 groups were performed by a quantitative proteomic study. We further classified acetylated proteins into groups according to cell component, molecular function, and biological process. In addition, metabolic pathways and protein interaction networks were analyzed. Regulated acetyltransferases and acetylated profiles were validated by PRM and Western blot. Results: We detected 169 downregulated lysine acetylation sites of 134 proteins and 39 upregulated lysine acetylation sites of 35 proteins in glioma with seizures based on acetylome. We detected 407 regulated proteins by proteomics, from which ACAT2 and ACAA2 were the differentially regulated enzymes in the acetylation of GAS. According to the KEGG analysis, the upregulated acetylated proteins within the PPIs were mapped to pathways involved in the TCA cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, biosynthesis of amino acids, and carbon metabolism. The downregulated acetylated proteins within the PPIs were mapped to pathways involved in fatty acid metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, TCA cycle, and necroptosis. Regulated ACAT2 expression and acetylated profiles were validated by PRM and Western blot. Conclusions: The data support the hypothesis that regulated protein acetylation is involved in the metabolic process of GAS, which may be induced by acetyl-CoA acetyltransferases.

Twist drill craniostomy for traumatic acute subdural hematoma in the elderly: case series and literature review.

BACKGROUND: A large craniotomy is usually the first choice for removal of traumatic acute subdural hematoma (TASDH). To date, few studies have reported that TASDH could be successfully treated by twist drill craniostomy (TDC) alone or combined with instillation of urokinase. We aimed to define the TDC for the elderly with TASDH and performed literature review. CASE PRESENTATION: A total of 7 TASDH patients, who were presented and treated by TDC in this retrospective study between January 2009 and May 2017, consisted of 5 men and 2 women, ranging in age from 65 to 89 (average, 78.9) years. The patients' baseline characteristics, including age, sex, medical history, received ventriculoperitoneal shunt for hydrocephalus or not, reason for avoiding or refusing large craniotomy, preoperative Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), suffered from cerebral herniation or not, the location of TASDH, imaging characteristics of TASDH in CT scan, injury/surgery time interval, midline shift, preoperative neurologic deficit, operation time, and infusions of urokinase or not, were collected. The postoperative GCS, postoperative neurologic deficit, rebleeding or not, intracranial infection, and modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at 6 months after surgery were analyzed to access the safety and efficacy of evacuation with TDC. The results showed that the mean time interval from injury to TDC was 68.6 min (30-120 min). The mean distance of midline shift was 14.6 mm (10-20 mm). The preoperative GCS in all patients ranged from 4 to 13(median, 9). The mean duration of the operation was 14.4 min (6-19 min). Postoperative CT scan showed that hematoma evacuation rate was more than 70% in all cases. There were no cases of acute rebleeding and intracranial infection after TDC. No cases presented with chronic SDH at the ipsilateral side within 6 months after being treated by TDC alone or combined with instillation of urokinase. Favorable outcomes were shown in all cases (mRS scores 0-2) at 6 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: TASDH in the elderly could be safely and effectively treated by TDC alone or combined with instillation of urokinase, which was a possible alternative for the elderly.

Lower Iron Levels Predict Acute Hydrocephalus Following Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE: We tested the hypothesis that low serum iron levels are associated with acute hydrocephalus following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH). METHODS: Patients presenting with ruptured intracranial aneurysms were enrolled in the prospective observational study. Age, sex, history of diabetes, hypertension and hyperlipidemia, symptom onset, Fisher grade, Hunt-Hess grade, aneurysm location, hemoglobin, and serum iron were collected. Acute hydrocephalus was determined within 72 hours after subarachnoid hemorrhage. A propensity-score matching analysis was performed to correct imbalances in patient characteristics between hydrocephalus and non-hydrocephalus groups. RESULTS: A total of 535 patients were included. Incidence of acute hydrocephalus was 20.0%. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, lower serum iron was considered as a risk factor of acute hydrocephalus, as well as delayed ischemic neurologic deficit and lower hemoglobin (P = 0.000). After propensity-score matching, lower serum iron was considered as an independent risk factor for acute hydrocephalus, whereas hemoglobin and delayed ischemic neurologic deficit were not. The matched hydrocephalus group had lower serum iron comparing with the matched non-hydrocephalus group (10.26 ± 5.33 mmol/L vs. 13.44 ± 5.18 mmol/L; P = 0.000). The optimal cut-off value for serum iron levels as a predictor for acute hydrocephalus in patients with aSAH was determined as 13.1 mmol/L in the receiver operating characteristic curve. Furthermore, lower serum iron levels (odds ratio 0.305; 95% confidence interval, 0.178-0.524; P = 0.000) and acute hydrocephalus (odds ratio 0.372; 95% confidence interval, 0.202-0.684; P = 0.001) were predictors of poor outcome, as well as higher Hunt-Hess grade and Fisher grade. CONCLUSIONS: Lower serum iron levels after aSAH was a predictor of acute hydrocephalus and unfavorable outcome.

Meteorological Variation Is a Predisposing Factor for Aneurismal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: A 5-Year Multicenter Study in Fuzhou, China.

OBJECTIVE: The climatic characteristics of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) have been reported, but consensus has not yet been reached. It is of great significance to elucidate the relationships between meteorological variation and aSAH in regions with specific climate patterns. We analyzed the occurrence of aSAH in the capital city of Fujian Province, China, through a multicenter, 5-year study, and aimed to reveal the meteorological influences on aSAH in the coastal city of eastern Fujian under the subtropical marine monsoon condition. METHODS: A total of 2555 consecutive patients with aSAH in Fuzhou were collected using specialized stroke admission database from January 2013 to December 2017. Meteorological parameters including temperature, atmospheric pressure, and humidity were obtained from China Surface Meteorological Station during the same period. Poisson regression was used to explore the association between meteorological parameters and aSAH to calculate the incidence rate ratios (IRRs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Generalized additive model analysis further revealed the nonlinear relationships between weather and aSAH. RESULTS: Daily minimum temperature (IRR 0.976, 95% CI 0.958-0.996) and maximum pressure (IRR 1.022, 95% CI 1.001-1.042) were independently correlated with the onset of aSAH. Low temperature (below 16°C) and excessive atmospheric pressure (above 1008 hPa) increased the risk of aSAH. In addition, March in spring and December in winter were the 2 ictus peaks in Fuzhou throughout the year. CONCLUSIONS: Cold and excessive atmospheric pressure are triggers for the occurrence of aSAH; March in spring and December in winter are the predominant onset periods in Fuzhou.