Endovascular treatment of direct carotid cavernous fistula resulting from rupture of intracavernous carotid aneurysm: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Direct carotid cavernous fistulas (CCFs) are typically the result of a severe traumatic brain injury. High-flow arteriovenous shunts secondary to rupture of an intracavernous aneurysm, resulting in direct CCFs, are rare. The use of a pipeline embolization device in conjunction with coils and Onyx glue for treatment of direct high-flow CCF resulting from ruptured cavernous carotid artery aneurysm in a clinical setting is not well documented. CASE SUMMARY: A 58-year-old woman presented to our department with symptoms of blepharoptosis and intracranial bruits for 1 wk. During physical examination, there was right eye exophthalmos and ocular motor palsy. The rest of the neurological examination was clear. Notably, the patient had no history of head injury. The patient was treated with a pipeline embolization device in the ipsilateral internal carotid artery across the fistula. Coils and Onyx were placed through the femoral venous route, followed by placement of the pipeline embolization device with assistance from a balloon-coiling technique. No intraoperative or perioperative complications occurred. Preoperative symptoms of bulbar hyperemia and bruits subsided immediately after the operation. CONCLUSION: Pipeline embolization device in conjunction with coiling and Onyx may be a safe and effective approach for direct CCFs.

Diagnosis and genetic analysis of a case of Waardenburg syndrome type 2 with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism caused by SOX10 gene deletion.

Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) is a disease defined by dysfunction of the hypothalamic- pituitary-gonadal hormone axis, leading to low sex hormone levels and impaired fertility. HH with anosmia or hyposmia is known as Kallmann syndrome (KS). Waardenburg syndrome (WS) is a rare autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by sensorineural hearing loss and abnormal pigmentation. In this report, we collected the clinical data of a patient with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and congenital hearing loss of unknown cause. The patient had no obvious secondary sexual characteristics development after puberty, and had a heterozygous deletion (at least 419 kb) in 22q13.1 region (Chr.22:38106433-38525560), which covered the SOX10 gene. The abnormalities were not found in gene sequencing analysis of both the parents and sister of the proband. By summarizing and analyzing the characteristics of this case, we further discussed the molecular biological etiological association between HH and WS type 2. This case also enriches the clinical data of subsequent genetic studies, and provides a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of such diseases.

Liver Injury and Elevated Levels of Interleukins, Interleukin-2 Receptor, and Interleukin-6 Predict the Severity in Patients With COVID-19.

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread worldwide, and the WHO declared it a pandemic on March 11, 2020. Clinical characteristics and epidemiology features of patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 have been explored in the previous study. However, little is known about the combinative association of liver dysfunction and abnormal interleukins (ILs) in severe patients with COVID-19. This study was designed to estimate whether liver dysfunction and abnormal ILs could predict the severity of COVID-19. This study integrated liver function data and ILs data in patients with COVID-19 and found that liver injury and two ILs, interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), were closely related to the prognosis of patients with COVID-19. This study may give more exact information to clinicians about the prognosis of patients with COVID-19. In addition, this correlational study between liver disorder and ILs may provide a new vision to diagnosis and treatment in patients.

Serum Lactate Dehydrogenase Level as a Prognostic Factor for COVID-19: A Retrospective Study Based on a Large Sample Size.

Background: In this study, we investigated the relationship between serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) level and disease progression and prognosis of patients with COVID-19. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the information of 1,751 patients with COVID-19 from Leishenshan Hospital in Wuhan, China. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses as well as Logistics regression analyses, and Kaplan-Meier curves were used to determine the association between LDH levels and the prognosis of COVID-19 patients. Results: LDH was an independent risk factor for in-hospital death no matter it was taken as classified variable and continuous variable (all P = 0.001) but not for severe or critical illness status. The Kaplan-Meier curves for LDH level showed that an elevated level of LDH was associated with in-hospital death. Conclusions: In patients with COVID-19, the increased LDH level is associated with a higher risk of negative clinical prognosis and higher mortality. This will provide a reference for clinicians and researchers to understand, diagnose, and treat patients with COVID-19. Further prospective studies with larger sample sizes are needed to verify these findings.

Long Noncoding RNA TP53TG1 Contributes to Radioresistance of Glioma Cells Via miR-524-5p/RAB5A Axis.

Background: Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported to be important regulators in cancer. In this study, we aimed to discover the functions of lncRNA TP53TG1 in glioma. Methods: The expression of lncRNA TP53TG1, microRNA-524-5p (miR-524-5p) and RAB5A, a member RAS oncogene family (RAB5A), were examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay and flow cytometry were applied to analyze the proliferation and apoptosis of glioma cells. Colony formation assay was used to detect the colony formation ability and radioresistance of glioma cells. Western blot assay was performed to detect the expression of autophagy-associated proteins and RAB5A. StarBase software was utilized to predict the combination between miR-524-5p and TP53TG1 or RAB5A, and dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA immunoprecipitation assay were used to verify the above predictions. Animal experiment using immunodeficient nude mice was conducted to detect the role of TP53TG1 in vivo. Results: Radiation stimulation (6 Gy) upregulated the abundance of TP53TG1. TP53TG1 potentiated radioresistance and progression of glioma by promoting the autophagy. miR-524-5p was verified as a direct downstream regulation of TP53TG1. miR-524-5p depletion attenuated the influence of TP53TG1 interference on the functions of glioma cells. RAB5A was a direct target of miR-524-5p as well. The inhibitory effect of miR-524-5p on the malignancy of glioma cells was overturned by overexpression of RAB5A. RAB5A was regulated by TP53TG1/miR-524-5p signaling in glioma cells. TP53TG1 silencing impeded the progression of glioma in vivo. Conclusion: lncRNA TP53TG1 accelerated the proliferation, colony formation, autophagy, and radioresistance, and restrained the apoptosis of glioma cells through miR-524-5p/RAB5A axis.

Association Between Diabetes and COVID-19: A Retrospective Observational Study With a Large Sample of 1,880 Cases in Leishenshan Hospital, Wuhan.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the clinical courses and outcomes of diabetes mellitus patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan. Methods: This study enrolled 1,880 consecutive patients with confirmed COVID-19 in Leishenshan Hospital. We collected and analyzed their data, including demographic data, history of comorbidity, clinical symptoms, laboratory tests, chest computed tomography (CT) images, treatment options, and survival. Results: The percentages of patients with diabetes among the severe and critical COVID-19 cases were higher than those among the mild or general cases (89.2%, 10.8 vs. 0%, p = 0.001). However, patients with and without diabetes showed no difference in the follow-up period (p = 0.993). The mortality rate in patients with or without diabetes was 2.9% (n = 4) and 1.1% (n = 9), respectively (p = 0.114). Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses and the Kaplan-Meier curves did not show any statistically significant differences between patients with and without diabetes (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: Our study results suggested that diabetes had no effect on the prognosis of COVID-19 patients but had a negative association with their clinical courses. These results may be useful for clinicians in the management of diabetic patients with COVID-19.

Fluorescent Carbon Quantum Dots with Fe(III/II) Irons as Bridge for the Detection of Ascorbic Acid and H2O2.

Nitrogen-sulfur co-doped carbon quantum dots (N, S-CQDs) with good photoluminescence properties were prepared by hydrothermal method using citric acid (CA) and methionine (Met) as precursors. Co-doping with N and S facilitates the electron transfer rate and coordination interaction between N,S-CQDs and Fe(III) ions which acts as a quencher of fluorescence. Based on a simple redox principle, a highly sensitive and selective method for the detection of ascorbic acid (AA) and H2O2 was successfully developed. The calibration curves obtained are linear for the current versus AA and H2O2 concentration over the range 50-500 µM and 10-140 µM, respectively. And the detection limits for AA and H2O2 are 4.2 µM and 1.9 µM, respectively. The quantitative analysis of AA and H2O2 in various juices and H2O2 disinfectant with Fe3+/CQDs or Fe2+/CQDs gave the recoveries of 87.8%-117.5% and 99.2%-106.4% with relative standard deviations (RSD) of 1.6-5.1% and 1.7-3.1%, respectively, showing satisfactory results for the determination of AA and H2O2 in actual application. The proposed strategy may provide a new pathway to developing inexpensive and sensitive way for the detection of various redox reaction-involved system.

[Diagnosis and treatment of ketamine-associated cystitis: a report of 3 cases and literature review].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnosis, treatment, and pathogenesis of ketamine-associated cystitis. METHODS: Clinical data from 3 patients with ketamine-associated cystitis were analyzed retrospectively and discussed in light of relevant literature. RESULTS: In the 3 cases, 2 presented severe lower urinary tract symptoms, including frequency, urgency, dysuria, urge incontinence, and painful haematuria. Urinalysis and urine culture were negative. Imaging examination demonstrated thickening of the bladder wall and a small capacity. Inflammatory changes in the bladder mucosa were observed by cystoscopy and biopsies. After cessation of ketamine use, with the addition of steroids or hydrodistension, the symptoms in the 3 patients improved. The symptoms recurred in 2 patients, as 1 was exposed to ketamine again and 1 had severe bladder contraction after for 3 - 4 month follow-up. CONCLUSION: Ketamine-associated cystitis is a new urinary system inflammatory damage. Its etiology and treatment methods are not clear. Early abstinence from ketamine use and early treatment are crucial for patients with ketamine-associated cystitis to avoid irreversible damage.

Management of intravenous migration of urologic catheter.

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the management of an intravenous urologic catheter. METHODS: We retrospectively studied 2 patients in our hospital and all relevant literature published in English between 1980 and 2012. The treatment processes of our patients are described in detail. All patients (including those reported in the literature) are characterized by age, sex, relevant history, operation, location, method of retrieval, and prognosis. RESULTS: The patients were a median age of 48.5 years (range, 29-63 years). Female patients were younger (median age, 41 vs 54 years) and had greater percentage of migration (70% vs 30%) than male patients. Most patients (90%) had a history of chronic inflammation or operation on the affected kidney. All migrations (3 right and 7 left) occurred during or after endourologic procedures. Most were managed with bed rest, antibiotics, and thromboprophylaxis, and the catheters were eventually retrieved using noninvasive methods. Removal in 1 patient required open surgery. CONCLUSION: Some elements, such as relevant history, may be a risk factor for intravenous migration of a urologic catheter. Most of these patients could be managed uneventfully by minimally invasive approaches.

[Chylous leakage after retroperitoneoscopic upper-pole heminephrectomy for duplex kidney].

OBJECTIVE: To discuss management of chylous leakage after retroperitoneoscopic upper-pole heminephrectomy for duplex kidney. METHODS: Between November 2004 and Februar y 2011, 39 patients underwent retroperitoneoscopic upper-pole heminephrectomy for duplex kidney, of these 5 patients had chylous leakage. The ages of the patients ranged from 32 to 60 years (mean 42). All the patients were treated conservatively, and the therapeutic effects were observed. RESULTS: Delayed chylous leakage in 5 patients occurred 5-31 days after surgery, and leakage occurred in 4 of the same 5 patients during the first 2 post-operative years. Chylous leakage after retroperitoneoscopic upper-pole heminephrectomy for duplex kidney preferentially occurred at the left side of duplex kidney. All the patients healed under conservative treatment. CONCLUSION: Chylous leakage typically occurs after left retroperitoneoscopic upper-pole heminephrectomy for duplex kidney, and can be prevented by improving surgical technique; it can be completely relieved by conservative management with satisfactory results.

[Isolation, identification and field control efficacy of an endophytic strain against tobacco bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacarum)].

In this paper, an endophytic strain B-001 against tobacco bacterial wilt (Ralstonia solanacarum) was isolated from the stem of healthy tobacco in R. solanacarum-infected fields, which had a stronger inhibitory effect on some kinds of gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, and pathogenic fungi. This strain belonged to Bacillus, and its 16S rDNA after PCR and sequencing had an accession of GenBank being DQ444283. The 16S rDNA phylogenetic tree was constructed with MEGA3, and compared with the published 16S rDNA sequences of relative bacteria species. B-001 had a 99.2% sequence similarity with Bacillus subtilis (DQ415893). According to the morphological, physiological and biochemical characteristics, and based on phylogenetic analysis, B-001 was identified as a strain of B. subtilis. Field experiments in Guiyang and Ningxiang counties of Hunan Province showed that in 2005 and 2006, the control efficacy of B-001 on R. solanacarum ranged from 40.03% to 78. 14%, better than that of Streptomycini.

Molecular diversity of denitrifying genes in continental margin sediments within the oxygen-deficient zone off the Pacific coast of Mexico.

To understand the composition and structure of denitrifying communities in the oxygen-deficient zone off the Pacific coast of Mexico, the molecular diversity of nir genes from sediments obtained at four stations was examined by using a PCR-based cloning approach. A total of 50 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) for nirK and 82 OTUs for nirS were obtained from all samples. Forty-four of the nirS clones and 31 of the nirK clones were sequenced; the levels of similarity of the nirS clones were 52 to 92%, and the levels of similarity of the nirS clones were 50 to 99%. The percentages of overlapping OTUs between stations were 18 to 30% for nirS and 5 to 8% for nirK. Sequence analysis revealed that 26% of the nirS clones were related to the nirS genes of Alcaligenes faecalis (80 to 94% similar) and Pseudomonas stutzeri (80 to 99%), whereas 3 to 31% of the nirK clones were closely related to the nirK genes of Pseudomonas sp. strain G-179 (98 to 99%), Bradyrhizobium japonicum (91%), Blastobacter denitrificans (83%), and Alcaligenes xylosoxidans (96%). The rest of the clones, however, were less than 80% similar to nirS and nirK sequences available in sequence databases. The results of a principal-component analysis (PCA) based on the percentage of OTUs and biogeochemical data indicated that the nitrate concentration and oxygen have an effect on the denitrifying communities. The communities at the stations in oxygen-deficient zones were more similar than the communities at the stations in the oxygenated zone. The denitrifying communities were more similar at the stations that were closer together and had similar nitrate levels. Also, the results of PCA based on biogeochemical properties suggest that geographic location and biogeochemical conditions, especially the nitrate and oxygen levels, appear to be the key factors that control the structure of denitrifying communities.

[Detection and identification of Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola by real-time fluorescent PCR].

A novel and sensitive real time PCR was developed to detection Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae and Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola, which cause the bacteria leaf blight (BLB) and leaf streak respectively, Universal and specific TaqMan probes, which were designed based on the sequence of Putative siderophore receptor gene cds were used to detect 13 bacteria and one phytoplasmas, only in X. oryzae pv. oryzae and X. oryzae pv. oryzicola, fluorescent signal can be collected with their specific probes respectively. The level of detection of the probe was 30.6fg plasmid, roughly equaling to one cell and 100 times sensitive than PCR gel electrophoresis detection. X. oryzae pv. oryzae and X. oryzae pv oryzicola were detected from seed washes and DNA extracted from the seed washes of naturally infected seeds and infected leaves as small as 10g naturally infected seeds or 0.3g leaf. This method is little time consumption (only 2h) and without contamination from PCR product.

ASK1 physically interacts with COI1 and is required for male fertility in Arabidopsis.

Jasmonates are a new class of plant hormones that play important roles in plant development and plant defense. The COI1 gene was previously shown to be required for jasmonate-regulated plant fertility and defense. We demonstrated for the first time that COI1 interacts with the Arabidopsis SKP1-LIKE1 (ASK1) to form a complex that is required for jasmonate action in planta. Functional analysis by antisense strategy showed that ASK1 is involved in male fertility.