Step-wise pterional combined epidural and subdural approach to clip large carotid-ophthalmic segment aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Microsurgical clipping of large ophthalmic-carotid artery (OA) aneurysms is technically challenging. Among the reported approaches, pterional combined epidural and subdural approach is one of the efficient choices. METHOD: We have applied this approach to treat a 33-year old female patient with a left large OA aneurysm. The step-wise technical details of this approach are reported. CONCLUSION: We show that it is a safe way to clip large OA aneurysms through a step-wise pterional combined epidural and subdural approach, which could make a clear anatomy and a confident manipulation.

Double-barrel STA to proximal MCA bypass and proximal parent artery occlusion for a fusiform superior clinoidal ICA aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: Blood flow replacement and parent artery occlusion are alternative treatments of complex fusiform superior clinoidal ICA aneurysms. While double-barrel STA to proximal MCA bypass is a conventional approach among these reported bypass algorithms, its technical details remain underexplored. METHOD: We have applied the double-barrel STA to proximal MCA bypass and parent artery occlusion to treat a 45-year-old female patient with a right fusiform superior clinoidal ICA aneurysm. The technical nuances of this approach are reported. CONCLUSION: We show that double-barrel STA to proximal MCA bypass and proximal parent artery occlusion can be alternative treatments of complex fusiform superior clinoidal ICA aneurysms.

Spatial genetic patterns and distribution dynamics of Begonia grandis (Begoniaceae), a widespread herbaceous species in China.

Introduction: Begonia L., one of the 10 largest plant genera, contains over 2,100 species, most of which have a very limited distribution range. Understanding the spatial genetic structure and distribution dynamics of a widespread species in this genus will contribute to clarifying the mechanism responsible for Begonia speciation. Methods: In this study, we used three chloroplast DNA markers (ndhF-rpl32, atpI-atpH, and ndhA intron), coupled with species distribution modeling (SDM), to investigate the population genetic structure and distribution dynamics of Begonia grandis Dryand., the species of Begonia with the widest distribution in China. Results: Thirty-five haplotypes from 44 populations clustered into two groups, and haplotype divergence began in the Pleistocene (1.75 Mya). High genetic diversity (H d = 0.894, H T = 0.910), strong genetic differentiation (F ST = 0.835), and significant phylogeographical structure (G ST/N ST = 0.848/0.917, P < 0.05) were observed. The distribution range of B. grandis migrated northwards after the last glacial maximum, but its core distribution area remained stable. Discussion: Combined, the observed spatial genetic patterns and SDM results identified the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, the Three Gorges region, and the Daba Mountains as potential refugia of B. grandis. BEAST-derived chronogram and haplotype network analysis do not support the Flora Reipublicae Popularis Sinicae and Flora of China for subspecies classification based on morphological characteristics. Our results support the hypothesis that population-level allopatric differentiation may be an important speciation process for the Begonia genus and a key contributor to its rich diversity.

Highly selective visual sensing of copper based on fluorescence enhanced glutathione-Au nanoclusters.

A blue emission glutathione stabilized Au nanoclusters prepared by an Au/Histidine complex with ligand-exchanges method was used for sensing of copper ions. We found that the glutathione stabilized Au NCs which has fluorescence emission hundred times higher than the Au/Histidine complex and has a highly selective fluorescence quenching response to copper ion. Other common metal ions, such as mercury, lead, iron and zinc, which could obviously quench or enhance the fluorescence of Au/Histidine complex, do not interfere the sensing of copper using glutathione stabilized Au nanocluster. The possible quenching mechanism and the dynamic quenching process for copper detection were also discussed. The results indicated that copper in the range from 0.5 to 300.0µM could be linearly detected and the detection could be finished quickly in 5min. A visual detection method for copper ion that may be used to fast warn copper pollution in waters by naked eyes observation was also be developed using the glutathione stabilized Au NCs probe.

Chicken Egg White-stabilized Au Nanoclusters for Selective and Sensitive Detection of Hg(II).

In this paper, chicken egg white purchased from a local market without further purification was directly used to prepare fluorescent gold nanoclusters through a one-step, simple, fast and green synthesis approach for analytical purposes. The as-prepared chicken egg white stabilized gold nanocluster probe has strong red fluorescence emission, which can be quenched by mercury ions and copper ions sensitively. By using an ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) masking method, mercury ions in the range from 0.60 to 10 µM can be linearly detected with the limit of detection (LOD, 3σ) of 0.510 µM in the presence of equivalent copper ions. Since the preparation of a chicken egg white stabilized gold nanocluster probe is fast, easy and cheap, this selective analytical method for mercury pollution monitoring in environmental waters may be widely used in daily life by ordinary people.