Artificial Intelligence-Assisted Multiparameter Size Discrimination of Silver Nanoparticles through Electrochemical Collision.

Single particle collision is an important tool for size analysis at the individual particle level; however, due to complex dynamic behaviors of nanoparticles on the surface of an electrode, the accuracy of size discrimination is limited. A silver (Ag) nanoparticle (NP) was chosen as the research target, and the dynamic behavior of Ag NPs was simplified by enhancing adsorption between Ag NP and Au ultramicroelectrode (UME) in alkaline media. Immediately after, accurate dynamic and thermodynamic information on single Ag NP was accurately extracted from collision events, including current intensity, transferred charge, and duration time. On the basis that there were differences between parameters of different-sized Ag NPs, multiparameter size discrimination was proposed, which improved the accuracy compared to single-parameter discrimination. More intriguingly, multiparameter analysis was combined with artificial intelligence, a tool adept at processing multidimensional data, for the first time. Finally, artificial intelligence-assisted multiparameter size discrimination was successfully used to intelligently distinguish mixed Ag NPs, with an optimal accuracy of more than 95%. To sum up, the artificial intelligence-assisted multiparameter method showed an excellent ability to quickly achieve the most accurate size discrimination of nanoparticles at the level of individual particle and provide an effective guidance for the application of nanoparticles.

Predictors of Early Neurological Deterioration Occurring within 24 h in Acute Ischemic Stroke following Reperfusion Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Early neurological deterioration (END), generally defined as the increment of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score ≥4 within 24 hours, lead to poor clinical outcome in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients receiving reperfusion therapies including intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) and/or endovascular treatment (EVT). This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to explore multiple predictors of END following reperfusion therapies. METHODS: We searched PubMed, Web of Science and EBSCO for all studies on END in AIS patients receiving IVT and/or EVT published between January 2000 and December 2022. A random-effects meta-analysis was conducted and presented in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The quality of each included studies was assessed by calculating a total score according to the STROBE or CONSORT criteria. Publication bias and heterogeneity were also evaluated using the Eggers/Peters test, funnel plots and sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: A total of 29 studies involving 65,960 AIS patients were included. The quality of evidence is moderate to high, and all studies have no publication bias. The overall incidence of END occurring after reperfusion therapy in AIS patients was 14% ((95% confidence intervals (CI), 12%-15%)). Age, systolic blood pressure (SBP), glucose levels at admission, the onset to treatment time (OTT), hypertension, diabetes mellitus, arterial fibrillation, and internal cerebral artery occlusion were significantly associated with END following reperfusion therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Numerous factors are associated with END occurrence in AIS patients receiving reperfusion therapy. Management of the risk factors of END may improve the functional outcome after reperfusion treatment.

Safety and efficacy of endovascular recanalization in patients with mild anterior stroke due to large-vessel occlusion exceeding 24 hours.

BACKGROUND: Endovascular recanalization (ER) has demonstrated efficacy as a treatment modality for patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large-vessel occlusion (LVO) within a 24-hour timeframe. Nevertheless, the safety and effectiveness of ER in patients with a time of onset exceeding 24 h remain uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of ER treatment for mild ischemic stroke beyond 24-h from symptom onset. METHODS: A retrospectively maintained database of mild AIS due to LVO from March2018 to September 2022 at a comprehensive stroke center was screened.Patients received ER or standard medical therapies (SMT) for anterior circulation AIS due to LVO > 24-h were selected. RESULTS: We included 47 LVO patients with mild AIS beyond 24-h who suffered neurological deterioration (ND). 34 of these patients underwent ER, the other 13 received SMT. The technical success rate of recanalization was 82.4% (28/34). Patients received ER had significantly lower NIHSS score at discharge and 90-day mRS score (p = 0.028, p = 0.037, respectively) compared to SMT. In addition, they had significantly lower 90-day recurrence of ischemic stroke and lower incidence of moderate-severe stroke (with a NIHSS score at least 5) (p = 0.037, p = 0.033). There were 4 patients (11.7%) had perioperative complications, and no symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage occurred. CONCLUSION: ER treatment for mild AIS due to LVO encountered ND was generally safe and effective, even beyond 24-h, and resulted in a good prognosis and lower 90-day recurrence compared to SMT.

ER for mild anterior stroke might be safe and feasible, even exceeding 24-h;The proposed protocol could be used for individualized treatment decision making;Modelling for heterogeneity of treatment effect.

Practical value of three-dimensional high resolution magnetic resonance Vessel Wall imaging in identifying suspicious intracranial vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms.

BACKGROUND: Direct evidence of intimal flaps, double lumen and intramural haematomas (IMH) is difficult to detect on conventional angiography in most intracranial vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms (VBDAs). Our purpose was to assess the value of three-dimensional high-resolution magnetic resonance vessel wall imaging (3D HRMR VWI) for identifying VBDAs. METHODS: Between August 2013 and January 2016, consecutive patients with suspicious VBDAs were prospectively enrolled to undergo catheter angiography and VWI (pre- and post-contrast). The lesion was diagnosed as definite VBDA when presenting direct signs of dissection; as possible when only presenting indirect signs; and as segmental ectasia when there was local dilation and wall thickness similar to adjacent normal artery's without mural thrombosis. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients with 27 lesions suspicious for VBDAs were finally included. Based on findings of VWI and catheter angiography, definite VBDA was diagnosed in 25 and 7 lesions (92.6%, vs 25.9%, p <  0.001), respectively; possible VBDA in 0 and 20 (0 vs 74.1%), respectively; and segmental ectasia in 2 and 0 (7.4% vs 0%), respectively. On VWI and catheter angiography, intimal flap was detected in 21 and 7 lesions (77.8% vs 25.9%, p = 0.001), respectively; double lumen sign in 18 and 7 (66.7% vs 25.9%, p = 0.003), respectively; and IMH sign in 14 and 0 (51.9% vs 0), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: 3D HRMR VWI could detect direct dissection signs more frequently than catheter angiography. This may help obtain definite diagnosis of intracranial VBDAs, and allow accurate differentiation between dissecting aneurysm and segmental ectasia as well. Further prospective study with larger sample was required to investigate the superiority of HRMR VWI for definite diagnosis of intracranial VBDAs than catheter angiography.

Molecular mechanism of long-term neuroprotective effects of gradual flow restoration on cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in MCAO rats.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Ischemia-reperfusion injuries (IRIs) can aggravate the condition of some patients with acute occlusion of major intracranial artery (AOMIA) who received endovascular thrombectomy. Here, we provided data confirming the association of Repressor Element-1 Silencing Transcription factor (REST) with the long-term neuroprotective effect of the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rats underwent Gradual Flow Restoration (GFR). METHODS: Long term neuroprotective effects of GFR intervention were evaluated on MCAO rats model after 3d and 7d reperfusion. The neurological deficit score and TTC staining were performed to evaluate the degree of brain damage in GFR and other interventions at different time. Differentially expressed genes related to cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury (CIRI) were initially screened and identified using GSE32529 microarray analysis. REST protein expression in rat brain cortex infarction was detected by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: MCAO rats intervened with GFR exhibited reduced neurological deficit (P < 0.05) and alleviated brain infarction volume (P < 0.01). The REST gene with up-regulated expression and its downstream genes with down-regulated expression were screened by Microarray analysis. The brain cortex infarction in MCAO rats produced high levels of REST expression. The GFR intervention inhibited REST expression, and alleviated brain injury on MCAO rats. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated that GFR intervention plays a long-term neuroprotective role and reduces brain edema and damage at reperfusion, possibly by inhibiting REST expression.

Interactive effect of susceptibility-diffusion mismatch and recanalization status on clinical outcome in large vessel occlusion stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the interactive effect of susceptibility-diffusion mismatch and recanalization status on clinical outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion. METHODS: In this prospective study, consecutive ischemic stroke patients admitted within 24 h from symptom onset underwent emergency multimodal MRI at admission, including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI), and time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography (TOF-MRA). Patients with large vessel occlusion within the anterior circulation were recruited. Follow-up MRI was performed within 24 h after recanalization therapy (intravenous thrombolysis, endovascular therapy, or both). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the interaction between SWI-DWI mismatch score and recanalization status on clinical outcome. RESULTS: A total of 90 patients were enrolled. A multiplicative interaction between SWI-DWI mismatch score and recanalization status on clinical outcome was observed (P=0.037). The interaction term "SWI-DWI mismatch score × successful recanalization" was significantly associated with favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of 0-2 at 90 days; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.162; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.046-4.468). Stratified analysis showed that the likelihood of favorable outcome increased with the increase of SWI-DWI mismatch score in the successful recanalization group (OR, 2.140; 95% CI, 1.376-3.326), while there was no significant relationship between SWI-DWI mismatch score and clinical outcome in the unsuccessful recanalization group (OR, 1.212; 95% CI, 0.933-1.574). CONCLUSIONS: The effects of SWI-DWI mismatch and recanalization status on clinical outcome were realized through their interaction. In anterior circulation stroke due to large vessel occlusion, patients with both high SWI-DWI mismatch scores and successful recanalization were more likely to achieve a favorable outcome, while patients with unsuccessful recanalization, or with successful recanalization but low SWI-DWI mismatch scores, were less likely to have a good prognosis.

Evaluation of basilar artery atherosclerotic plaque distribution by 3D MR vessel wall imaging.

PURPOSE: Basilar artery (BA) atherosclerosis is an important cause of perforator stroke in the brainstem due to plaque involvement of the perforator ostia in BA dorsal or lateral walls. Therefore, to acquire information on plaque distribution is important to better understand and prevent the perforator stroke. This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate BA plaque distribution with 3D magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) vessel wall imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with cerebrovascular symptoms and stenosis or irregular luminal surface of BA were recruited and underwent BA 3D proton density-weighted volume isotropic turbo spin echo acquisition (VISTA) imaging at 3T. The cross-sectional and longitudinal distribution of BA plaque were analyzed with a custom-developed tool. RESULTS: In all, 85 BA plaques were detected in 61 recruited patients. For cross-sectional distribution, the prevalence of plaque involvement in the ventral, left, dorsal, and right quadrant of BA wall was 74.1%, 70.6%, 67.1%, and 62.4%, respectively. Of the 85 plaques, 17.7% involved one quadrant and 82.3% involved two or more quadrants. The most severe plaque region was more commonly situated at lateral walls (66.1%) as compared to ventral (23.2%, P < 0.001) and dorsal walls (10.6%, P < 0.001). Longitudinally, plaques were more frequently found to occur at BA segment distal than proximal to anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) (63.5% vs. 36.5%). CONCLUSION: Taking advantage of 3D MR vessel wall imaging, BA plaques were found to more likely affect lateral walls and form in BA distal to AICA, where most perforators originate, suggesting that it might be useful to characterize BA plaque distribution before aggressive treatment for prevention of perforator stroke. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;44:1592-1599.

Application of a nomogram model for the prediction of 90-day poor outcomes following mechanical thrombectomy in patients with acute anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion.

Background: The past decade has witnessed advancements in mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute large-vessel occlusions (LVOs). However, only approximately half of the patients with LVO undergoing MT show the best/independent 90-day favorable outcome. This study aimed to develop a nomogram for predicting 90-day poor outcomes in patients with LVO treated with MT. Methods: A total of 187 patients who received MT were retrospectively analyzed. Factors associated with 90-day poor outcomes (defined as mRS of 4-6) were determined by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyzes. One best-fit nomogram was established to predict the risk of a 90-day poor outcome, and a concordance index was utilized to evaluate the performance of the model. Additionally, 145 patients from a single stroke center were retrospectively recruited as the validation cohort to test the newly established nomogram. Results: The overall incidence of 90-day poor outcomes was 45.16%, affecting 84 of 186 patients in the training set. Moreover, five variables, namely, age (odds ratio [OR]: 1.049, 95% CI [1.016-1.083]; p = 0.003), glucose level (OR: 1.163, 95% CI [1.038-1.303]; p = 0.009), baseline National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score (OR: 1.066, 95% CI [0.995-1.142]; p = 0.069), unsuccessful recanalization (defined as a TICI grade of 0 to 2a) (OR: 3.730, 95% CI [1.688-8.245]; p = 0.001), and early neurological deterioration (END, defined as an increase of ≥4 points between the baseline NIHSS score and the NIHSS score at 24 h after MT) (OR: 3.383, 95% CI [1.411-8.106]; p = 0.006), were included in the nomogram to predict the potential risk of poor outcomes at 90 days following MT in LVO patients, with a C-index of 0.763 (0.693-0.832) in the training set and 0.804 (0.719-0.889) in the validation set. Conclusion: The proposed nomogram provided clinical evidence for the effective control of these risk factors before or during the process of MT surgery in LVO patients.

A novel nomogram to predict futile recanalization in patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing mechanical thrombectomy.

Background and objective: Futile recanalization (FR) is defined as patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) due to large vessel occlusion who still exhibits functional dependence although undergoing successful mechanical thrombectomy (MT). We aimed to develop and validate a simple nomogram for predicting the probability of FR after MT treatment in AIS patients. Methods: Clinical data of AIS patients in the Jrecan clinical trial in China from March 2018 to June 2019 were collected as the derivation set (n = 162). Meanwhile, clinical data of AIS patients who underwent MT in Baotou Central Hospital and Ningbo No.2 Hospital from 2019 to 2021 were collected as the validation set (n = 170). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed for all variables that had p < 0.2 in the univariate analysis in the derivation set. The independent risk factors of FR were further screened out and a nomogram was constructed. The performance of the nomogram was analyzed in the derivation and validation set using C-index, calibration plots, and decision curves. Results: No significant difference in FR rate was detected between the derivation set and the validation set [88/162 (54.32%) and 82/170 (48.23%), p = 0.267]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age ≥ 65 years old (OR = 2.096, 95%CI 1.024-4.289, p = 0.043), systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥ 180 mmHg (OR = 5.624, 95%CI 1.141-27.717, p = 0.034), onset to recanalization time (OTR) ≥ 453 min (OR = 2.759, 95%CI 1.323-5.754, p = 0.007), 24 h intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH; OR = 4.029, 95%CI 1.844 ~ 8.803, p < 0.001) were independent risk factors for FR. The C-index of the nomogram of the derivation set and the verification set were 0.739 (95%CI 0.662~0.816) and 0.703 (95%CI 0.621~0.785), respectively. Conclusion: The nomogram composed of age, SBP, OTR, and 24 h ICH can effectively predict the probability of FR after MT in AIS patients.

Higher risk of recurrent ischemic events in patients with intracranial in-stent restenosis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Reliable data concerning prognosis of patients with intracranial in-stent restenosis (ISR) is lacking. We prospectively studied long-term outcomes of patients with and without a catheter angiography-verified ISR. METHODS: Between September 2001 and May 2009, 540 consecutive patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis received stenting treatment at our institute. Of them, 226 patients with 233 stented arteries had catheter angiography follow-up after stenting and were enrolled into this study. They were clinically followed up until the end of December 2011. Primary end point was ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack in the territory of the stented artery after the catheter angiography follow-up. ISR was defined as a catheter angiography-verified stenosis of ≥50% within or immediately adjacent (within range of 3 mm) to the implanted stent. RESULTS: During a mean follow-up of 38.9 months, 27 (11.6%, 27/233) primary end point events were recorded. The risk of primary end point in ISR group was higher compared with non-ISR group (21.1% [12/57] versus 8.5% [15/176]; hazard ratio, 2.94; 95% confidence interval, 1.37-6.30; P=0.005). Multivariable analysis showed that the ISR was an independent risk factor for the primary end point (hazard ratio, 2.79; 95% confidence interval, 1.20-6.49; P=0.017). The median occurrence time of primary end point was 9.9 (interquartile range, 5.0, 21.1) months in ISR group, earlier than that in non-ISR group (26.6 [13.1, 52.9] months; P=0.01). CONCLUSIONS: In-stent restenosis after stenting of intracranial atherosclerosis is significantly associated with an increased risk and an earlier occurrence of recurrent ischemic events in the territory of the stented intracranial artery.

Effectiveness of group acceptance and commitment therapy in treating depression for acute stroke patients.

OBJECTIVES: To date, the effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) for acute stroke patients has not been well recognized. The study aimed to discover the effectiveness of group-based ACT in treating depression for acute stroke patients. METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial with 140 acute stroke patients with depression. The ACT intervention comprised seven sessions, of 45-60 min over 4 weeks. Data were collected pre- and post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up, assessing depression, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), psychological flexibility, cognitive fusion, sleep quality, and confidence. RESULTS: Overall, 99.3% of the included patients were assessed as having mild depression. The ACT intervention significantly reduced depression in acute stroke patients in comparison with the control group post-intervention and at 3 months (partial η 2 = . 306 $\eta^{2}=.306$ ). Additionally ACT significantly improved HRQoL-mental component summary, sleep quality, psychological flexibility, cognitive fusion, and confidence compared with control group. CONCLUSIONS: ACT is effective in treating acute stroke patients with depression, and the efficacy was maintained at 3-month follow-up.

The Jrecan Device: Preclinical Data of a Novel Thrombectomy Device in Acute Thromboembolism Model of Beagle Dogs.

Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the safety and efficiency of a Jrecan® flow restoration system, a novel thrombectomy device, in an arterial thromboembolic occlusion model of Beagle dogs. Methods: A total of 12 Beagle dogs with acute thromboembolism were randomized to receive mechanical thrombectomy with either Jrecan® flow restoration device or TrevoTM PROVUE Device (2:1). The efficacy and safety of the two devices, including recanalization rate, the presence of distal embolism, vasospasm, vessel perforation, and vessel injuries were evaluated through DSA and microscopic examination. Result: A 100% recanalization rate (mTICI 2b/3) was achieved in both groups. Endothelial and subendothelial injuries occurred in all target vessels. Focal disruption of internal elastic lamina was observed in 4 cases. The mean vessel injury score of the Jrecan® group was 1.16 ± 0.48, significantly lower than that of the TrevoTM group (1.54 ± 0.8) (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The Jrecan® and TrevoTM devices demonstrated an equally high recanalization rate in Beagle dogs with acute thromboembolism. However, histological findings revealed that the Jrecan® stent seemed to be safer than the TrevoTM device during clot retrieval, which might be related to a more appropriate radial force provided by the Jrecan® stent that resulted from its wider cell design.

Predictors of ninety-day mortality following mechanical thrombectomy for acute large vessel occlusion stroke.

OBJECTIVE: This study focused on the prediction factors of catastrophic outcomes of all-cause mortality at 90 days after mechanical thrombectomy and selection of candidates for clinical decision making up by the generating pre-MT and peri-MT prognostic models. METHOD: A secondary analysis based on the prospective, multicenter, randomized, non-inferiority clinical trial of Jrecan retriever from China were performed in this study. 187 stroke patients with a large-vessel anterior circulation occlusion, NIHSS score ≥ 6, ASPECT ≥ 7, and stroke onset time within 8 h were enrolled from March 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 and followed up for 90 days. Data with mRS cumulative rates of 6, as well as mortality were analyzed and potential predictors for the mortality risk were identified by univariate and multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: Among 186 patients, the median age was 66 years (IQR, 58-74) and 106 patients (56.4%) were male. The mortality was 20.8% (39/186) and general favorable outcome was obtained in 78 patients (41.7%, 78/187) at 90 days after MT. Five variables including ASPECT≤ 9 (3.136 [1.239-7.939], P = 0.016), Occlusion location with IC-ICA (3.538 [1.604-7.803], P = 0.002), un-Successful recanalization; PH (7.644 [1.890-30.917], P = 0.004), and END (without PH) with a significance of P < 0.05 were entered into the multivariable logistic regression analysis and were incorporated into pre-procedure model and peri-procedure models respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Occlusion with IC-ICA and PH were the strong predictors for mortality risk at 90-day, which could be reduced through good management and evaluation during pre-procedure and peri-procedure of mechanical thrombectomy.

Significant improvement of procedural safety in stenting for basilar stenosis: A historically controlled study.

The basilar artery has the most perioperative complications in stenting compared to the other intracranial arteries. We aim to study whether the procedural safety in stenting for basilar stenosis has improved. This study was a single-arm, non-randomized trial that included historically controlled patients for comparison. Between January 2012 and March 2019, 147 consecutive patients with symptomatic basilar stenoses receiving elective stenting treatment were included in current basilar artery stenting (BAS) group. The prospectively collected and registered 120 patients by the same interventional team from September 2001 to November 2011 were set as historical BAS group for control. A total of 267 individuals were included in this study, with a mean age of 59.5 ±â€…8.1 years. The proportion of patients with lesion length >15 mm was 26.5% (39/147) in the current BAS group versus 4.2% (5/120) in the historical BAS group. We found significant differences between these 2 groups in Mori A (17.7% vs 42.5%) and Mori C patients (42.9% vs 13.3%). The proportion of patients receiving preoperative high-resolution magnetic resonance (HRMRI) evaluation was 83.0% (122/147) in the current BAS group versus 20.8% (25/120) in the historical group (P < .05). Balloon-expendable stent (BES) (n = 1), Wingspan (n = 34), and Enterprise (n = 112) stents were placed in the current BAS group. In contrast, only balloon-expendable stent (BES) (n = 48) and Wingspan (n = 72) were deployed in the historical BAS group. The incidence of the safety endpoint (SE) was 4.1% (involving 6 patients) in the current BAS group versus 11.7% (involving 14 patients) in the historical BAS group (P < .05). In multivariate analysis, no risk factor was associated with the occurrence of the safety endpoint (SE). When BAS cases operated by the surgical team accumulated to 120 to 150, the incidence of complications decreased significantly. This is the largest sample size study to discuss the safety of BAS. The significantly decreased incidence of complications indicates that the improving technical measures and the accumulation of operation experience are necessary.

MRI radiomic features-based machine learning approach to classify ischemic stroke onset time.

PURPOSE: We aimed to investigate the ability of MRI radiomics features-based machine learning (ML) models to classify the time since stroke onset (TSS), which could aid in stroke assessment and treatment options. METHODS: This study involved 84 patients with acute ischemic stroke due to anterior circulation artery occlusion (51 in the training cohort and 33 in the independent test cohort). Region of infarct segmentation was manually outlined by 3D-slicer software. Image processing including registration, normalization and radiomics features calculation were done in R (version 3.6.1). A total of 4312 radiomic features from each image sequence were captured and used in six ML models to estimate stroke onset time for binary classification (≤ 4.5 h). Receiver-operating characteristic curve (ROC) and other parameters were calculated to evaluate the performance of the models in both training and test cohorts. RESULTS: Twelve radiomics and six clinic features were selected to construct the ML models for TSS classification. The deep learning model-based DWI/ADC radiomic features performed the best for binary TSS classification in the independent test cohort, with an AUC of 0.754, accuracy of 0.788, sensitivity of 0.952, specificity of 0.500, positive predictive value of 0.769, and negative predictive value of 0.857, respectively. Furthermore, adding clinical information did not improve the performance of the DWI/ADC-based deep learning model. The TSS prediction models can be visited at: http://123.57.65.199:3838/deeptss/ . CONCLUSIONS: A unique deep learning model based on DWI/ADC radiomic features was constructed for TSS classification, which could aid in decision making for thrombolysis in patients with unknown stroke onset.

Outcome of patients with ≥70% symptomatic intracranial stenosis after Wingspan stenting.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There were limited data on the long-term outcome of patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis ≥70% after Wingspan stenting. Using our Wingspan cohort data and the data from the Warfarin and Aspirin for Symptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerotic Disease (WASID) as a historical control, we tested the hypothesis that stenting provided no benefit over antithrombotic therapy alone for these high-risk patients. METHODS: Between January 2007 and February 2009, 100 consecutive patients with intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis ≥70% and symptoms within 90 days were enrolled into this prospective single-center Wingspan cohort study and followed up until the end of February 2010. Stenosis was measured per the WASID criteria. One-year risk of primary end point (any stroke or death within 30 days and ipsilateral ischemic stroke afterward) was compared with that of ipsilateral ischemic stroke in the WASID patients with ≥70% stenosis. RESULTS: The stent placement success rate was 99%. All patients but 1 had clinical follow-up of ≥12 months. During a mean follow-up of 1.8 years, 9 patients developed primary end point events (5 within 30 days and 4 afterward). The 1-year risk of the outcome events was lower than that in similar WASID patients: 7.3% (95% CI, 2.0% to 12.5%) versus 18% (95% CI, 13% to 24%; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The clinical outcome of Wingspan stenting for high-risk intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis patients in this high-volume center study compares favorably with that of antithrombotic therapy alone. A randomized trial comparing medical therapy alone with medical therapy plus Wingspan stenting, conducted at high-volume centers, is needed to confirm the stenting benefit.

Recanalization Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke Caused by Large-Artery Occlusion in the Elderly: A Comparative Analysis of "the Elderly" and "the Very Elderly".

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether the effectiveness and safety of recanalization therapy for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) caused by large-artery occlusion (LAO) differ between patients aged 60-79 years and patients aged ≥80 years. METHODS: We analyzed prospective data of patients with LAO (≥60 years) who underwent recanalization therapy at the Department of Vascular Neurosurgery, New Era Stroke Care and Research Institute, PLA Rocket Force Characteristic Medical Center, from November 2013 to July 2017. The data were compared between elderly patients (60-79 years) and very elderly patients (≥80 years). The effectiveness of recanalization therapy was evaluated using the 90-day modified Rankin scale (mRS) score, while safety was assessed by the rates of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (SICH) and mortality within 30 days. RESULTS: A total of 151 patients with AIS induced by LAO were included in this study. Seventy-three patients (48.3% [73/151]) had an overall favorable outcome (mRS score 0-2) after treatment. A higher proportion of patients in the elderly group showed a favorable outcome compared with the very elderly group (58.6% [34/58] vs. 41.6% [39/93], respectively; P = 0.046). The incidence of SICH (12.7% vs. 16.13%, respectively; P = 0.561) and mortality (10.3% vs. 7.5%, respectively; P = 0.548) within 30 days was not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION: Recanalization treatment of LAO is more effective in elderly patients compared with very elderly patients, while the safety of recanalization treatment is comparable between these two groups.

Susceptibility-diffusion mismatch correlated with leptomeningeal collateralization in large vessel occlusion stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between asymmetric prominent hypointense vessels (prominent vessel sign, PVS) on susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) and leptomeningeal collateralization in patients with acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled patients with M1 segment occlusion of the middle cerebral artery who underwent emergency magnetic resonance imaging and digital subtraction angiography within 24 hours from stroke onset. The extent of PVS on SWI was assessed using the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS). Leptomeningeal collateralization on digital subtraction angiography images was assessed using the American Society of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology/Society of Interventional Radiology (ASITN/SIR) scale. Spearman's rank correlation test was performed to explore the correlation of ASITN/SIR scores with SWI-ASPECTS and SWI-diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) mismatch scores. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients were enrolled. There was no significant correlation between SWI-ASPECTS and ASITN/SIR scores. However, SWI-DWI mismatch scores were positively correlated with ASITN/SIR scores. CONCLUSION: The range of PVS on SWI did not closely reflect the collateral status, while the range of SWI-DWI mismatch was significantly correlated with the leptomeningeal collateralization. In patients with acute anterior circulation stroke due to large vessel occlusion, larger SWI-DWI mismatch was associated with better leptomeningeal collaterals.

Factors associated with prominent vessel sign on susceptibility-weighted imaging in acute ischemic stroke.

The prominent vessel sign (PVS) on susceptibility-weighted imaging (SWI) is not displayed in all cases of acute ischemia. We aimed to investigate the factors associated with the presence of PVS in stroke patients. Consecutive ischemic stroke patients admitted within 24 h from symptom onset underwent emergency multimodal MRI at admission. Associated factors for the presence of PVS were analyzed using univariate analyses and multivariable logistic regression analyses. A total of 218 patients were enrolled. The occurrence rate of PVS was 55.5%. Univariate analyses showed significant differences between PVS-positive group and PVS-negative group in age, history of coronary heart disease, baseline NIHSS scores, total cholesterol, hemoglobin, anterior circulation infarct, large vessel occlusion, and cardioembolism. Multivariable logistic regression analyses revealed that the independent factors associated with PVS were anterior circulation infarct (odds ratio [OR] 13.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.5-53.3), large vessel occlusion (OR 123.3; 95% CI 33.7-451.5), and cardioembolism (OR 5.6; 95% CI 2.1-15.3). Anterior circulation infarct, large vessel occlusion, and cardioembolism are independently associated with the presence of PVS on SWI.

Perforator preservation technologies (PPT) based on a new neuro-interventional classification in endovascular treatment of perforator involving aneurysms (piANs).

BACKGROUND: Treatment of perforator involving aneurysm (piAN) remains a challenge to open and endovascular neurosurgeons. Our aim is to demonstrate a primary outcome of endovascular therapy for piANs with the use of perforator preservation technologies (PPT) based on a new neuro-interventional classification. METHODS: The piANs were classified into type I: aneurysm really arises from perforating artery, type II: saccular aneurysm involves perforating arteries arising from its neck (IIa) or dome (IIb), and type III: fusiform aneurysm involves perforating artery. Stent protection technology of PPT was applied in type I and III aneurysms, and coil-basket protection technology in type II aneurysms. An immediate outcome of aneurysmal obliteration after treatment was evaluated (satisfactory obliteration: the saccular aneurysm body is densely embolized (I), leaving a gap in the neck (IIa) or dome (IIb) where the perforating artery arising; fusiform aneurysm is repaired and has a smooth inner wall), and successful perforating artery preservation was defined as keeping the good antegrade flow of those perforators on postoperative angiography. The periprocedural complication was closely monitored, and clinical and angiographic follow-ups were performed. RESULTS: Six consecutive piANs (2 ruptured and 4 unruptured; 1 type I, 2 type IIa, 2 type IIb, and 1 type III) in 6 patients (aged from 43 to 66 years; 3 males) underwent endovascular therapy between November 2017 and July 2019. The immediate angiography after treatment showed 6 aneurysms obtained satisfactory obliteration, and all of their perforating arteries were successfully preserved. During clinical follow-up of 13-50 months, no ischemic or hemorrhagic event of the brain occurred in the 6 patients, but has one who developed ischemic event in the territory of involving perforators 4 h after operation and completely resolved within 24 h. Follow-up angiography at 3 to 10M showed patency of the parent artery and perforating arteries of treated aneurysms, with no aneurysmal recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Our perforator preservation technologies on the basis of the new neuro-interventional classification seem feasible, safe, and effective in protecting involved perforators while occluding aneurysm.