Three-dimensional reconstruction imaging by C-arm computed tomography accurately visualizes in-stent neointimal formation in patients with stent-assisted coil embolization.

Background: Stent apposition to the vessel wall and in-stent neointimal formation after stent-assisted coil embolization for intracranial aneurysm are important factors associated with postoperative thromboembolic complications. No assessment methods have been established to depict 3-dimensional (3D) all-round in-stent neointimal formation.

Objective: To demonstrate the superiority of Dyna-3D imaging assessment as a modality for all-round ISNF in comparison with conventional two-dimensional digital subtraction angiography (2D-DSA).

Dual-layered stents reduce cerebral embolism compared with first-generation stents during carotid stenting of high lipid core plaque lesions.

Background: Periprocedural lipid core plaque (LCP) has been detected in carotid arteries assessed by catheter-based near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). High LCP is associated with cerebral embolism after carotid artery stenting (CAS) using a first-generation stent. We aimed to evaluate whether dual-layered stents reduce embolic infarcts in patients with high LCP and change of lipid signal as assessed by NIRS during CAS.

Long-Term Survival after Linac-Based Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Radiotherapy with a Micro-Multileaf Collimator for Brain Metastasis.

Background: this study aimed to evaluate the prognostic factors associated with long-term survival after linear accelerator (linac)-based stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and fractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (fSRT) with a micro-multileaf collimator for brain metastasis (BM).

Methods: This single-center retrospective study included 226 consecutive patients with BM who were treated with linac-based SRS or fSRT with a micro-multileaf collimator between January 2011 and December 2018. Long-term survival (LTS) was defined as survival for more than 2 years after SRS/fSRT.

Melatonin-Induced Postconditioning Suppresses NMDA Receptor through Opening of the Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore via Melatonin Receptor in Mouse Neurons.

Mitochondrial membrane potential regulation through the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) is reportedly involved in the ischemic postconditioning (PostC) phenomenon. Melatonin is an endogenous hormone that regulates circadian rhythms. Its neuroprotective effects via mitochondrial melatonin receptors (MTs) have recently attracted attention.

Thoracolumbar intraosseous spinal epidural arteriovenous fistulas after vertebral compression fracture: A case report and literature review.

Background: The pathophysiology of spinal epidural arteriovenous fistulas (SEAVFs) with perimedullary venous drainage remains to be elucidated. This report describes a case of intraosseous SEAVF in a patient with a history of a thoracolumbar vertebral fracture at the same level 10 years before presenting with progressive myelopathy secondary to retrograde venous reflux into the perimedullary vein.

Case Description: A 71-year-old man presenting with progressive paraparesis was diagnosed with a SEAVF involving a previous Th12 and L1 vertebral compression fracture on which feeders from multiple segmental arteries converged.

Lipid Core Burden Index Assessed by Near-Infrared Spectroscopy of Symptomatic Carotid Plaques: Association with Magnetic Resonance T1-Weighted Imaging.

Introduction: Vulnerable plaques are a strong predictor of cerebrovascular ischemic events, and high lipid core plaques (LCPs) are associated with an increased risk of embolic infarcts during carotid artery stenting (CAS). Recent developments in magnetic resonance (MR) plaque imaging have enabled noninvasive assessment of carotid plaque vulnerability, and the lipid component and intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) are visible as high signal intensity areas on T1-weighted MR images. Recently, catheter-based near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been shown to accurately distinguish LCPs without IPH.

Active management of the target P2Y12 reaction unit range in patients undergoing stent-assisted coil embolization for unruptured cerebral aneurysms.

Background: Platelet function tests have been increasingly adopted to measure patient responses to antiplatelet drugs, and to predict complications. However, no established optimal antiplatelet management for stent-assisted coil embolization (SAC) have been established. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the efficacy and feasibility of clopidogrel dose adjustment for active target P2Y12 reaction unit (PRU).

Near-infrared spectroscopy carotid plaque characteristics and cerebral embolism in carotid artery stenting.

Background: Perioperative thromboembolism is the main consideration in carotid artery stenting (CAS). Precise evaluation of carotid plaque components is clinically important to reduce ischaemic complications since CAS mechanically pushes plaque outwards, which releases plaque debris into the bloodstream.

Aims: This study aimed to determine whether high lipid core plaque (LCP) assessed by catheter-based near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is associated with ipsilateral cerebral embolism by diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging during CAS using a first-generation stent.

Ischemic Postconditioning Reduces NMDA Receptor Currents Through the Opening of the Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Pore and K Channel in Mouse Neurons.

Ischemic postconditioning (PostC) is known to reduce cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury; however, whether the opening of mitochondrial ATP-dependent potassium (mito-K) channels and mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) cause the depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane that remains unknown. We examined the involvement of the mito-K channel and the mPTP in the PostC mechanism. Ischemic PostC consisted of three cycles of 15 s reperfusion and 15 s re-ischemia, and was started 30 s after the 7.

Lipid Core Plaque Distribution Using Near-infrared Spectroscopy Is Consistent with Pathological Evaluation in Carotid Artery Plaques.

Carotid artery stenting (CAS) is performed as a treatment for carotid artery stenosis. However, lipid-rich plaques cause embolic complications and sequelae. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can identify lipid components by applying a near-infrared absorption pattern, and the distribution of lipid components can be evaluated as the maximum lipid core burden index (maxLCBI).

Elective carotid stenting after urgent best medical treatment suppresses recurrent stroke in patients with symptomatic carotid artery severe stenosis.

Objective: Urgent carotid endarterectomy and carotid artery stenting (CAS) for symptomatic advanced carotid artery stenosis is controversial because carry risks of hemorrhagic and thromboembolic complications. As treatments for preventing recurrent stroke have recently advanced, this study evaluated whether elective CAS with urgent best medical therapy reduces recurrent stroke for symptomatic severe carotid artery stenosis.

Patients And Methods: A total of 131 consecutive patients who underwent CAS for severe stenosis of the carotid artery between 2013-2017 were divided into acute ischemic minor stroke (AIMS) and Asymptomatic groups.

Production of antibody fragments using the baculovirus-insect cell system.

The baculovirus-insect cell system is effective in the production of large quantities of biologically active recombinant proteins. The secretory production of an antibody Fab fragment in lepidopteran insect cells infected with a recombinant baculovirus that contains both the heavy-chain (Hc; Fd fragment) and light-chain (Lc) genes of the Fab fragment is described in this chapter. The recombinant baculovirus can be generated rapidly and efficiently through site-specific transposon-mediated insertion of foreign genes into a baculovirus genome called a bacmid in Escherichia coli.

Efficient production of an antibody Fab fragment using the baculovirus-insect cell system.

The production of an Fab fragment of the catalytic antibody 6D9 in lepidopteran insect cells infected with a recombinant baculovirus that contained both the heavy chain (Hc) and light chain (Lc) genes of the Fab fragment was investigated. Western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of culture supernatant showed that baculovirus-infected Trichoplusia ni BTI-TN-5B1-4 (High Five) cells secreted an Fab fragment that retained antigen-binding activity. Infection of High Five cells with a recombinant baculovirus, in which the Lc and Hc genes were located downstream of the baculovirus p10 and polyhedrin promoters, respectively, produced a higher Fab fragment yield than that obtained with a baculovirus in which the Hc and Lc genes were downstream of the p10 and polyhedrin promoters, respectively.