Endovascular recanalisation therapy for prolonged basilar artery occlusion based on clinical-diffusion MRI mismatch

Objectives

Clinical-diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) mismatch (CDM) in patients with anterior circulation occlusions is an optional method used to select patients for recanalisation outside the 3-h time window. A similar concept has not been reported with posterior circulation occlusions.

Methods

CDM was defined as a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score <8 with DWI lesions not located in the dorsal pons, midbrain or thalamus at the time of admission. Eligible patients were treated with endovascular recanalisation therapy (ERT). The treatment included intra-arterial rt-PA thrombolysis and angioplasty and stenting performed separately or combined. The recanalisation result was assessed by angiography immediately after the treatment according to the trial reports in the Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction Criteria (TIMI). The complications and outcome 3 months later were recorded.

Results

Nine patients with a mean age of 66.6 years were included in the study (7 men and 2 women). The median durations of clinical presentation and coma were 31 h (range 25–53 h) and 6 h (range 2–13 h). The median GCS score at admission was 6 (range 4–7). Occlusions were located in the proximal basilar artery (BA) (n = 2) and the middle BA (n = 7). ERT was successful in 8 patients (TIMI 2, n = 2 and TIMI 3, n = 6) but failed in 1 patient because recanalisation was not possible (TIMI 0). No intracranial haemorrhage or dissections occurred during treatment. The recanalised patients recovered consciousness within 9–27 h after treatment. The median GCS score upon discharge was 14 (range 3–15). Three months later, 6 patients had a good outcome (modified Rankin Score (mRS) 0–2), and 2 patients had a moderate outcome (mRS 3). The patient who did not undergo recanalisation died in the rehabilitation hospital 21 days later.

Conclusions

CDM may be a valid method for selecting patients with prolonged basilar artery occlusion (BAO) who are eligible for recanalisation treatment. ERT was feasible for patients with BAO. A good clinical outcome was achieved with successful recanalisation.     

Surgical management of large and giant cavernous sinus hemangiomas

Cavernous sinus hemangiomas (CSH) are rare vascular tumors within the cavernous sinus. Gamma Knife radiosurgery (GKS) is less effective for large and giant CSH than for smaller ones. In one of the largest single-institution series reported thus far, we present 22 patients with large (3–4 cm-diameter, six patients) and giant (>4 cm, 16 patients) CSH treated surgically between 1994 and 2011. We also review related reports published since 1999 and further compare the treatment outcomes of surgery and radiosurgery. In the present study, a modified Dolenc’s epidural approach was performed in 18 patients and the intradural approach was used in four. Gross total or near-total resection was achieved in 18 patients, subtotal resection was achieved in three patients and partial resection was achieved in one patient. Postoperative ophthalmoparesis occurred in seven patients (two improved, four unchanged to preoperative, one new deficit), and decreased visual acuity occurred in one patient. The reviewed literature and our experience suggest that surgical treatment of large and giant CSH is a reasonable option. A relatively low postoperative morbidity can be achieved with minimal disturbance of cranial nerve (CN) III, particularly with early localization and preservation of CN VI. GKS could be an adjunct treatment for residual tumor.     

肝性脊髓病临床诊治分析

目的 分析肝性脊髓病的临床特点及治疗方法.方法 对临床确诊的6例肝性脊髓病的临床资料进行回顾性分析.结果 6例患者均表现为双下肢痉挛性瘫痪,虽经积极降氨等治疗,但恢复差.随访2例死于肝昏迷、消化道大出血,余2例2 a内未好转.结论 HM患者以下肢痉挛性瘫痪为主要表现,多为神经功能不可逆损害,内科治疗效果不佳,肝移植可能为目前最好的治疗方法.     

MicroRNA-mediated suppression of P-glycoprotein by quantum dots in lung cancer cells

The interactions between adenosine triphosphate-binding cassette (ABC) transporters and nano-sized materials are attracting increasing attention, due to their great potential in overcoming the multidrug resistance (MDR) phenomena in cancer treatment. However, the inner mechanisms involved in the interactions are largely unknown. In this study, two commercial quantum dots (QDs), CdSe/ZnS-MPA and CdSe/ZnS-GSH, were tested for their interactions with P-glycoprotein (P-gp), as well as the relating mechanisms in lung cancer (A549) cells. Both QDs significantly suppressed the gene and protein expressions of P-gp in A549 cells. To explain this, the gene expressions of nine relating microRNAs (miRNAs) were evaluated. The results indicated a shared up-regulation of miR-34b and miR-185 by both QDs. Furthermore, mimics and inhibitors of miR-34b and miR-185 significantly enhanced and suppressed the gene and protein expressions of P-gp, respectively, confirming the modulatory function of these two miRNAs on P-gp. Interestingly, expressions of both miRNAs were suppressed during treatment with Cd²⁺ and doxorubicin, which induced the expression of P-gp, indicating the universality of these miRNAs-related mechanisms. Thus, as miR-34b and miR-185 participated in the suppression of P-gp functions in A549 cells they could be interesting targets for the treatment of lung cancer.     

Tryptophan 387 and 390 residues in ADAMTS13 are crucial to the ability of vascular tube formation and cell migration of endothelial cells

A disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 13 (ADAMTS13) was mainly generated and secreted from endothelial cells (ECs). Our previous study showed that tryptophan (Trp) residues at 387 and 390 in ADAMTS13 are required for its secretion and enzymatic activity. However, the effects on its host cell as well as the potential mechanism have not been clear. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of Trp residues 387 and 390 of ADAMTS13 on the biological processes of ECs. Herein, Trp was substituted with alanine in ADAMTS13 to generate ADAMTS13 mutants at 387 (W387A), 390 (W390A), and double mutants at 387 and 390 (2WA), respectively. We found that substitution mutation impaired vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion and the downstream JAK1/STAT3 activation, the binding ability to Von Willebrand factor, cell proliferation, migration, and vascular tube formation. Overall, our study concluded that Trp³⁸⁷ and Trp³⁹⁰ of ADAMTS13 play vital roles in the biological function of ECs.