Giant cavernous aneurysms occluded by aneurysmal thrombosis, calcification, parent artery occlusion: A case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Patients with giant intracranial aneurysms (GIAs) are at a high risk of rupture, morbidity, and mortality even after surgical or endovascular treatment. We described a case of a spontaneously occluded GIA secondary to gradual growth of the GIA, continuously progressed aneurysmal thrombosis, complete aneurysmal calcification and complete occlusion of the parent artery-the right internal carotid artery (RICA). CASE SUMMARY: A 72-year-old female patient complained of sudden pain in her right eye upon admission to our hospital. She had been diagnosed with a GIA [30 mm (axial) × 38 mm (coronal) × 28 mm (sagittal)] containing an aneurysmal thrombus located in the cavernous sinus segment of RICA diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), enhanced MRI, and magnetic resonance angiography more than 14 years ago. Later, with slow growth of the cavernous carotid GIA, aneurysmal thrombosis progressed continuously, spontaneous occlusion of the RICA, complete aneurysmal calcification, and occlusion of the GIA occurred gradually. She had no history of subarachnoid hemorrhage but missed the chance for endovascular therapy at an early stage. As a result, she was left with severe permanent sequelae from the injuries to the right cranial nerves II, III, IV, V1/V2, and VI. CONCLUSION: The risk of rupture of the cavernous carotid GIAs was relatively low and possibly further be reduced by the stasis flow and spontaneous occlusion of the parent artery internal carotid artery (ICA) induced by the mass effect of the cavernous carotid GIAs and the extremely rare aneurysmal calcification. However, nowadays, it is advisable to recommend early endovascular treatment for the cavernous carotid GIAs to prevent injuries to the surrounding intracranial nerves and occlusion of the ICA, mainly caused by the mass effect of the cavernous carotid GIAs.

Porous nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide-supported CuO@Cu2O hybrid electrodes for highly sensitive enzyme-free glucose biosensor.

Constructing high-performance enzyme-free biosensors for detecting glucose is essential to preliminary diabetes diagnosis. Here, copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO@Cu2O NPs) were anchored in porous nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (PNrGO) to construct CuO@Cu2O/PNrGO/GCE hybrid electrode for sensitive detection of glucose. Benefiting from the remarkable synergistic effects between the multiple high activation sites of CuO@Cu2O NPs and the dramatic properties of PNrGO with excellent conductivity and large surface area with many accessible pores, the hybrid electrode possesses outstanding glucose sensing performance that is far superior to those of pristine CuO@Cu2O electrode. The as-fabricated enzyme-free glucose biosensor displays prominent glucose sensitivity of 2,906.07 µA mM-1 cm-2, extremely low limit of detection of 0.13 µM, and wide linear detection of 3 µM-6.772 mM. In addition, excellent reproducibility, favorable long-term stability, and distinguished selectivity are obtained in the glucose detection. Importantly, this study provides promising results for continuous improvement of non-enzyme sensing applications.

A study of clinical anatomy of the safe zone for the volar approach for wrist arthroscopy.

OBJECTIVE: The current study was to perform an anatomical observation of the volar approach for wrist arthroscopy and to establish the safe zone for this approach. METHODS: Eight preserved specimens and 2 fresh specimens were used to simulate the medial-to-lateral operation and to mark the volar approach. Based on anatomical measurements of the volar approach, the closest distances from the 1/2, 6R, 6U, VR, VR' and VU approaches to the adjacent important structures were established. RESULTS: The closest distance from the 1/2 approach to the superficial branch of the radial nerve was 2.4±1.5mm. The closest distances from the 6U and 6R approaches to the dorsal carpal branch of the ulnar nerve were 16.2±1.3mm and 9.0±2.4mm, respectively. The closest distances from the VR and VR' approaches to the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve were 6.7±1.1mm and 2.8±0.9mm, respectively; the closest distances to the radial artery were 6.3±4.0mm and 10.0±3.4mm, respectively. Moreover, both of the two approaches passed through the base of the flexor carpi radialis tendon. The closest distance from the VU approach to the ulnar artery and flexor digitorum profundus tendon were 3.3±1.4mm and 0.3±2.5mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, a safe zone could be located for the establishment of the volar approach for wrist arthroscopy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III; retrospective study with no control group.

Approximation capabilities of neural networks on unbounded domains.

There is limited study in the literature on the representability of neural networks on unbounded domains. For some application areas, results in this direction provide additional value in the design of learning systems. Motivated by an old option pricing problem, we are led to the study of this subject. For networks with a single hidden layer, we show that under suitable conditions they are capable of universal approximation in Lp(R×[0,1]n) but not in Lp(R2×[0,1]n). For deeper networks, we prove that the ReLU network with two hidden layers is a universal approximator in Lp(Rn).

A Comparative Study of Seminars Combined with Case-Based Learning versus Lecture-Based Learning for Cancer Pain Teaching in Medical Oncology Internship.

PURPOSE: To determine whether the teaching method of seminars combined with case-based learning (CBL) is superior to the traditional lecture-based learning (LBL) for teaching cancer pain in medical oncology internship. METHODS: Sixty medical and nursing interns in the medical oncology department of our hospital were selected between January 2019 and December 2020. Thirty students received traditional LBL instruction as the control group, and 30 students received combined seminars and CBL instruction as the observation group. The teaching evaluation and assessment was performed by theoretical and practical examinations and questionnaires. RESULTS: In the after-class examination, case analysis, clinical practice and overall scores of the observation group were higher than those of the control group (all p < 0.001). Theoretical knowledge scores did not differ significantly between the two groups (p = 0.470). In the questionnaire regarding attitudes towards opioid use, the observation group had better perceptions of using opioids than the control group (all p < 0.01). In the meantime, students in the observation group outperformed the control group in four aspects: self-learning (p < 0.001), analytical and problem-solving (p < 0.001), clinical thinking (p = 0.001), and clinical practice (p = 0.002) abilities all improved, while stimulating learning interest (p = 0.184) and enhancing theoretical knowledge mastery (p = 0.221) were not significantly different from those of the control group. Overall, students in the observation group were more satisfied with the teaching, teaching methods and teacher performances than the control group (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Compared to the LBL, the combination of seminars and CBL is a more effective teaching method for cancer pain management, which is worth further study.

One-step green fabrication of hierarchically porous hollow carbon nanospheres (HCNSs) from raw biomass: Formation mechanisms and supercapacitor applications.

Hierarchical porous hollow carbon nanospheres (HCNSs) were fabricated directly from raw biomass via a one-step method, in which HCNSs were obtained by thermal treatment of raw biomass in the presence of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). The HCNSs possess coupling merits of uniformly distributed hollow spherical architectures, and high specific surface area, abundant accessible/open micropores and reasonable mesopores, the HCNS-based electrodes deliver high electrochemical capacitance. The formation mechanisms of pores and hollow core-shell structures were explored thoroughly, it is found that the key to the formation of hollow core-shell structure is the onset-pyrolysis temperature difference between raw biomass and PTFE. Moreover, the content of silica had significant effects on the textures of HCNSs, and HCNS with the largest SSA of 1984 m2/g was obtained. Accordingly, a possible mechanism of HCNSs formation was proposed here, where PTFE acted as the pore creation and nucleation agents and raw biomasses were the primary carbon precursors.

Asymmetric Supercapacitors Based on Hierarchically Nanoporous Carbon and ZnCo2O4 From a Single Biometallic Metal-Organic Frameworks (Zn/Co-MOF).

Metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived nanoporous carbons (NPCs) and porous metal oxide nanostructures or nanocomposites have gathered considerable interest due to their potential use in supercapacitor (SCs) applications, owing to their precise control over porous architectures, pore volumes, and surface area. Bimetallic MOFs could provide rich redox reactions deriving from improved charge transfer between different metal ions, so their supercapacitor performance could be further greatly enhanced. In this study, "One-for-All" strategy is adopted to synthesize both positive and negative electrodes for hybrid asymmetric SCs (ASCs) from a single bimetallic MOF. The bimetallic Zn/Co-MOF with cuboid-like structures were synthesized by a simple method. The MOF-derived nanoporous carbons (NPC) were then obtained by post-heat treatment of the as-synthesized Zn/Co-MOF and rinsing with HCl, and bimetallic oxides (ZnCo2O4) were achieved by sintering the Zn/Co-MOF in air. The as-prepared MOF-derived NPC and bimetallic oxides were utilized as negative and positive materials to assemble hybrid ASCs with 6 M KOH as an electrolyte. Owing to the matchable voltage window and specific capacitance between the negative (NPC) and positive (ZnCo2O4), the as-assembled ASCs delivered high specific capacitance of 94.4 F/g (cell), excellent energy density of 28.6 Wh/kg at a power density of 100 W/kg, and high cycling stability of 87.2% after 5,000 charge-discharge cycles. This strategy is promising in producing high-energy-density electrode materials in supercapacitors.

Insight into the Intermolecular Interaction and Free Radical Polymerizability of Methacrylates in Supercritical Carbon Dioxide.

High pressure in situ Fourier transfer infrared/near infrared technology (HP FTIR/NIR) along with theoretical calculation of density functional theory (DFT) method was employed. The solvation behaviors and the free radical homopolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA), methacrylate acid (MAA), trifluoromethyl methacrylate (MTFMA) and trifluoromethyl methacrylate acid (TFMAA) in scCO2 were systematically investigated. Interestingly, the previously proposed mechanism of intermolecular-interaction dynamically-induced solvation effect (IDISE) of monomer in scCO2 is expected to be well verified/corroborated in view that the predicted solubility order of the monomers in scCO2 via DFT calculation is ideally consistent with that observed via HP FTIR/NIR. It is shown that MMA and MAA can be easily polymerized, while the free radical polymerizability of MTFMA is considerably poor and TFMAA cannot be polymerized via the free radical initiators. The α trifluoromethyl group (-CF3) may effectively enhance the intermolecular hydrogen bonding and restrain the diffusion of the monomer in scCO2. More importantly, the strong electron-withdrawing inductive effect of -CF3 to C=C may distinctly decrease the atomic charge of the carbon atom in the methylene (=CH2). These two factors are believed to be predominantly responsible for the significant decline of the free radical polymerizability of MTFMA and the other alkyl 2-trifluoromethacrylates in scCO2.

Antibiotic resistance mechanisms of Myroides sp.

Bacteria of the genus Myroides (Myroides spp.) are rare opportunistic pathogens. Myroides sp. infections have been reported mainly in China. Myroides sp. is highly resistant to most available antibiotics, but the resistance mechanisms are not fully elucidated. Current strain identification methods based on biochemical traits are unable to identify strains accurately at the species level. While 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing can accurately achieve this, it fails to give information on the status and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, because the 16S rRNA sequence contains no information on resistance genes, resistance islands or enzymes. We hypothesized that obtaining the whole genome sequence of Myroides sp., using next generation sequencing methods, would help to clarify the mechanisms of pathogenesis and antibiotic resistance, and guide antibiotic selection to treat Myroides sp. infections. As Myroides sp. can survive in hospitals and the environment, there is a risk of nosocomial infections and pandemics. For better management of Myroides sp. infections, it is imperative to apply next generation sequencing technologies to clarify the antibiotic resistance mechanisms in these bacteria.

Complete mitochondrial genome sequence and mutations of the Glioma model inbred C57BL/6 mice strain.

In the present work we undertook the complete mitochondrial genome sequencing of an important glioma model inbred rat strain for the first time. The total length of the mitogenome was 16,308 bp. It harbored 13 protein-coding genes, 2 ribosomal RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and 1 non-coding control region (D-loop region). The mutation events were also reported.

Pri-miR-124 rs531564 polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk.

MiR-124 functions as a tumor suppressor and plays an important role in tumorigenesis. A common polymorphism (rs531564, C>G) in the pri-miR-124 has been recently studied in connection with cancer risk. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between pri-miR-124 rs531564 polymorphism and the risk and clinicopathological characteristics of colorectal cancer (CRC). Two case-control studies involving 900 CRC patients and 1110 cancer-free controls showed that pri-miR-124 rs531564 polymorphism was significantly associated with the decreased risk of CRC in Xuzhou population [GG vs. CC: OR = 0.25, 95%CI = 0.09-0.67, P = 0.003; (CG+GG) vs. CC: OR = 0.73, 95%CI = 0.56-0.94, P = 0.01; GG vs. (CC+CG): OR = 0.27, 95%CI = 0.10-0.70, P = 0.004; G vs. C: OR = 0.70, 95%CI = 0.56-0.89, P = 0.003], Bengbu population [GG vs. CC: OR = 0.20, 95%CI = 0.04-0.90, P = 0.02; GG vs. (CC+CG): OR = 0.21, 95%CI = 0.05-0.95, P = 0.03; G vs. C: OR = 0.72, 95%CI = 0.54-0.98, P = 0.03] and pooled population [GG vs. CC: OR = 0.26, 95%CI = 0.11-0.59, P<0.001; (CG+GG) vs. CC: OR = 0.76, 95%CI = 0.62-0.93, P = 0.008; GG vs. (CC+CG): OR = 0.27, 95%CI = 0.12-0.62, P < 0.001; G vs. C: OR = 0.71, 95%CI = 0.59-0.85, P<0.001]. Additionally, pri-miR-124 rs531564 polymorphism was significantly associated with the decreased risk of poor differentiation and lymph node metastasis of CRC. Our results suggest that pri-miR-124 rs531564 polymorphism may be a genetic modifier for developing CRC. However, further studies are needed to validate our findings.

[Identification of metabolites of antitumor lead compound T-OA in rat urine by HPLC-HRMS].

OBJECTIVE: To study the major metabolites of antitumor lead compound T-OA (oleanolic acyl-3, 5, 6-trimethyl pyrazine-2-methyl ester) in rat urine, in order to preliminarily infer its metabolic mode in rats. METHOD: Rat urines of the blank group, the raw material group (ligustrazine TMP and oleanolic acid OA Moore equivalent) and the T-OA group were collected and freeze-dried; Solids were extracted by ethyl acetate; And then the extracts were re-dissolved with acetonitrile. HPLC-HRMS coupling technique was adopted to find the potential mass spectrum peak under ESI(+) (see symbol) ESI(-) modes. Metabolite-related information was obtained by comparing the three groups of spectra. RESULT: One metabolite of OA and two metabolites of TMP were identified in the raw material group; none metabolite of T-OA but one phase II metabolite was detected in the T-OA group. CONCLUSION: It is the first time to identify one phase II metabolite of T-OA and one phase II metabolite of OA were identified in rat urine. On that basis, the researchers preliminarily inferred that T-OA does not show the efficacy in the form of raw material. The HPLC-HRMS method established could be used to identify metabolites of related derivative structures. This paper could also provide certain reference for designing pro-drugs based on oleanolic acid.

[Controlled clinical trials of cost-effectiveness analysis on poking reduction and open reduction for the treatment of sanders type II calcaneal fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate cost-effectiveness of poking reduction and open reduction for the treatment of Sanders type II calcaneal fractures, in order to provide evidence for standard treatment. METHODS: From 2006.10 to 2008.10, 80 patients with Sanders type II calcaneal fractures were selected from Shandong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and randomly divided into poking reduction group and open reduction group with 40 cases in each group. There were 26 males and 14 females in poking reduction group and 30 males and 10 females in open reduction group. The average age of patients in poking reduction group was (36.60+/-3.15) years, and (37.10+/-3.45) years in open reduction group. Bohler angle, Gissane angle, the width of central calcaneus, stance phase of gait, HM-HL,arch index and subtalair joint flexibility were measured. The clinical results and expenses of the two treatment schemes were compared and concluded with the method of cost-effetiveness analysis. RESULTS: In the poking reduction group and open reduction group, the Böhler angle were (30.32+/-1.72) degree and (30.54+/-3.13) degree, Gissane angle were (133.73+/-6.73) degree and (134.86+/-4.90) degree, the width of central calcaneus were (30.18+/-1.59) mm and (30.24+/-1.25) mm, stance phase of gait were (0.679+/-0.070) s and (0.715+/-0.090) s, HM-HL were--(36.49+/-7.56) N and -(34.32+/-6.50) N,arch index were (30.26+/-2.69) and (30.47+/-1.89), and subtalair joint flexibility were (10.53+/-2.30) degree and (10.89+/-1.86) degree respectively. The cost-effectiveness ratio (C/E) were 6.06 and 136.19 respectively. CONCLUSION: Cost-effectiveness ratio of the poking reduction is superior to that of the open reduction in treating Sanders type II calcaneal fractures. Poking reduction is a useful method to treat Sanders type II calcaneal fractures with rapid wound healing and less cost.

A 3D collagen microsphere culture system for GDNF-secreting HEK293 cells with enhanced protein productivity.

Mammalian cell culture technology has been used for decades in mass production of therapeutic proteins. However, unrestricted cell proliferation usually results in low-protein productivity. Controlled proliferation technologies such as metabolism intervention and genetic manipulation are therefore applied to enhance the productivity. Nevertheless, these strategies induced growth arrest with reduced viability and increased apoptosis. In this study, we report a new controlled proliferation technology by encapsulating human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells over-expressing glial-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in 3D collagen microspheres for extended culture. We investigated the viability, proliferation, cell cycle and GDNF productivity of HEK293 cells in microspheres as compared to monolayer culture. This system provides a physiologically relevant tissue-like environment for cells to grow and exerts proliferation control throughout the culture period without compromising the viability. A significant increase in the production rate of GDNF was found in the 3D microsphere system comparing with the monolayer culture. GDNF productivity was also significantly affected by the initial cell number and the serum concentration. The secreted GDNF was still bioactive as it induced neurite extension in PC12 cells. In summary, the 3D collagen microsphere system presents a cost-effective controlled growth technology for protein production in pharmaceutical manufacturing.