Gekko Coil System for Intracranial Aneurysms Treatment in China (GREAT-China): A Prospective Randomized Controlled Open-Label Noninferiority Trial.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Gekko coil system in treating intracranial aneurysms (IAs) in clinical practice.

Methods: A prospective multicenter randomized open-label parallel positive control noninferiority trial was conducted by 11 centers in China. Patients with a target IA were randomized 1:1 to coiling with either Gekko or Axium coils.

Effect of baseline infarct size on endovascular thrombectomy with or without intravenous alteplase in stroke patients: A subgroup analysis of a randomized trial (DIRECT-MT).

Background And Purpose: DIRECT-MT showed that endovascular thrombectomy was noninferior to thrombectomy preceded by intravenous alteplase with regard to functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke. In this post hoc analysis, we examined whether infarct size modified the effect of alteplase.

Methods: All patients with baseline Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score (ASPECTS) grades were included.

Endovascular Aneurysm Treatment with the Numen Coil Embolization System: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Open-Label Multicenter Noninferiority Trial in China.

Objective: We investigated the safety and efficacy of the Numen coil compared with the Axium coil in the treatment of intracranial aneurysms.

Methods: Because CATCH (Coil Application Trial in China) is a prospective randomized controlled open-label noninferiority trial conducted in 10 centers across China, patients who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomized 1:1 to either a test group (Numen) or a control group (Axium). The primary outcome was based on successful aneurysm occlusion at 6 months follow-up, whereas secondary outcomes included technical success, the recanalization and retreatment rates, and the rate of serious adverse events (SAEs) at 6 months and 12 months follow-up.

Higher Baseline Cortical Score Predicts Good Outcome in Patients With Low Alberta Stroke Program Early Computed Tomography Score Treated with Endovascular Treatment.

Background: Patients with large vessel occlusion and noncontrast computed tomography (CT) Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) <6 may benefit from endovascular treatment (EVT). There is uncertainty about who will benefit from it.

Objective: To explore the predicting factors for good outcome in patients with ASPECTS <6 treated with EVT.

The "distal-to-proximal" strategy for the treatment of posterior circulation tandem occlusions: a single-centre experience.

Purpose: Data on posterior circulation tandem occlusions in acute ischemic stroke are scarce: recognition may be challenging and little is known about optimal treatment strategy. We report our endovascular treatment strategy for posterior circulation tandem occlusion.

Methods: Consecutive patients with posterior circulation tandem occlusions in our centre were enrolled retrospectively.

Stent Angioplasty for Acute Intracranial Atherosclerotic Occlusion After Failed Thrombectomy: A Single-Institution Series of 55 Patients.

Introduction: Analysis of safety and effectiveness of stent angioplasty for failure of thrombectomy in patients with acute intracranial atherosclerotic occlusion.

Methods: Retrospective continuous analysis of the clinical data of 458 patients with acute stroke undergoing endovascular artery thrombectomy in Changhai Hospital of Second Military Medical University from May 2013 to February 2018. Patients with acute intracranial atherosclerotic occlusion treating with stent implantation were included and the safety and effectiveness of stent angioplasty was evaluated.

Microbial activity and biodiversity responding to contamination of metal(loid) in heterogeneous nonferrous mining and smelting areas.

The combined contamination of nonferrous metal(loid) mining and smelting areas is a global issue, in need of urgent management. To our knowledge, this is the first report of microbial activities by microcalorimetry in specific nonferrous metal(loid) tailings with oligonutrition and high contents of toxic metal(loid)s. Dynamics of bacterial diversity were also characterized.

Bacterial diversity in typical abandoned multi-contaminated nonferrous metal(loid) tailings during natural attenuation.

Abandoned nonferrous metal(loid) tailings sites are anthropogenic, and represent unique and extreme ecological niches for microbial communities. Tailings contain elevated and toxic content of metal(loid)s that had negative effects on local human health and regional ecosystems. Microbial communities in these typical tailings undergoing natural attenuation are often very poorly examined.

China's most typical nonferrous organic-metal facilities own specific microbial communities.

The diversity and function of microorganisms have yet to be explored at non-ferrous metal mining facilities (NMMFs), which are the world's largest and potentially most toxic sources of co-existing metal(loid)s and flotation reagents (FRs). The diversity and inferred functions of different bacterial communities inhabiting two types of sites (active and abandoned) in Guangxi province (China) were investigated for the first time. Here we show that the structure and diversity of bacteria correlated with the types of mine sites, metal(loid)s, and FRs concentrations; and best correlated with the combination of pH, Cu, Pb, and Mn.

Stromal cell-derived factor 1α facilitates aneurysm remodeling in elastase-induced rabbit saccular aneurysm.

Aims: Inflammation plays a crucial role in aneurysm wall remodeling, which could lead to the rupture of intracranial aneurysms. Stromal cell-derived factor 1α (SDF-1α), a vital inflammation cytokine, is also related to aneurysm pathogenesis. However, the characteristics of SDF-1α expression and its role in aneurysm remodeling remain largely unknown.

Spinal Arteriovenous Malformation Associated with Parkes Weber Syndrome: Report of Two Cases and Literature Review.

Objective: To present 2 cases of Parkes Weber syndrome (PWS) with spinal arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and discuss the radiologic features and clinical treatment with literature review.

Methods: Clinical data on 2 patients with PWS with spinal AVM was acquired in a prospective follow-up investigation. Clinical manifestations, radiographic features, procedural results, and follow-up outcome were collected and reviewed together with a literature review.

Effect of Baseline Characteristics on the Outcome of Stent Retriever-Based Thrombectomy in Acute Basilar Artery Occlusions: A Single-Center Experience and Pooled Data Analysis.

Objectives: To explore the association of baseline characteristics and the outcome of patients with acute basilar artery occlusion (BAO) after stent retriever-based thrombectomy (SRT).

Methods: Clinical and imaging information of consecutive SRT-treated patients with BAO from a comprehensive stroke center and up-to-date literature were reviewed respectively. The impact of baseline variables toward favorable outcome was evaluated using subgroup analysis and odds ratio (OR) extracted from published data together with single-center records using pooled analysis.

A novel proximal end stenting technique for assisting embolization of a complex true posterior communicating aneurysm.

Stent-assisted coiling has been widely used for endovascular treatment in recent years with satisfying clinical outcomes. The implantation of a stent using the regular approach, however, may not be safe or effective for certain aneurysms with complex structures. In this study, we report a novel stenting technique utilizing the proximal end of the stent for assisting embolization of a wide-neck irregular true posterior communicating aneurysm.

Using DynaCT rotational angiography for angioarchitecture evaluation and complication detection in spinal vascular diseases.

Objective: Preoperative comprehension of the complex angioarchitecture and intraoperative complication detection are essential in endovascular treatment and surgical planning for spinal vascular diseases. We aimed to illustrate the application of DynaCT rotational angiography for the treatment of such diseases.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of 23 patients with spinal vascular disease who underwent DynaCT and three-dimensional (3D) rotational angiography between January 2012 and December 2013.

Cardiomyocyte differentiation induced in cardiac progenitor cells by cardiac fibroblast-conditioned medium.

Our previous study showed that after being treated with 5-azacytidine, Nkx2.5(+) human cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs) derived from embryonic heart tubes could differentiate into cardiomyocytes. Although 5-azacytidine is a classical agent that induces myogenic differentiation in various types of cells, the drug is toxic and unspecific for myogenic differentiation.

Decreased levels and function of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in unruptured intracranial saccular aneurysm patients.

Circulating endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play a critical role in maintaining endothelial integrity and keeping vascular homeostasis. Previously, we reported that EPCs were involved in repair and remodeling of aneurismal wall. In the present study, we verified this hypothesis by investigating the proliferative ability and count of EPCs in peripheral blood of patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs).

Endothelial progenitor cells contribute to neointima formation in rabbit elastase-induced aneurysm after flow diverter treatment.

Aims: Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) are involved in vascular repair and homeostasis after vascular injuries. In this study, we aimed to explore whether bone marrow (BM)-derived EPCs contribute to neointima formation and reendothelialization in rabbit elastase-induced aneurysm after flow diverter treatment.

Methods: Elastase-induced aneurysms were created in New Zealand male rabbits.

Development of negligible depletion hollow fiber membrane-protected liquid-phase microextraction for simultaneous determination of partitioning coefficients and acid dissociation constants.

A new method based on negligible depletion hollow fiber-protected liquid-phase microextraction coupled with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed for the simultaneous determination of partitioning coefficients (K(OW)) and acid dissociation constants (pK(a)), by using phenol, 4-chlorophenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol as model compounds. A 37-mm length polypropylene hollow fiber membranes (600 microm inner diameter, 200 microm wall-thickness, 0.2 microm pore size, approximately 70% porosity) with two-end sealed were filled with 1-octanol by ultrasonic agitation to prepare the extraction device.