Glycine/analogs & derivatives* ; Humans ; Vasculitis, Leukocytoclastic, Cutaneous

A knife-edge method is used here to measure the beam width of the highly repetitive high-power thin disk Yb:KYW femtosecond laser (MABEL-Mannheim Biomedical Engineering Lab, University of Heidelberg, Germany). Presented in this paper is the detailed measuring process together with the results verified by theoretical calculating and scanning electron microscope measurements respectively. Therefore, it is concluded that the knife-dege method is an effective beam width measurement tool of high-power femtosecond lasers.
Bioengineering ; instrumentation ; Lasers ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; instrumentation

OBJECTIVEThe influence of the mimic hematopoietic microenvironment and adhesion factor on the initial divisional behavior of human cord blood hematopoietic progenitors was studied in the culture system with certain cytokines.

METHODS(1) CD(34)(+) CD(38)(-) single cell was sorted by FACS. (2) The stem cell supporting stromal feeder layer AFT024 and single adhesive factor fibronectin (Fn) were used in the culture system and their influence on the initial division was observed.

RESULTS(1) In the presence of the combined cytokines, the CD(34)(+) CD(38)(-) human cord blood cells displayed fixed fraction of quiescent, slow and fast division, and asymmetric division. (2) There was no influence of adhesive factor itself on initial division of CD(34)(+) CD(38)(-) cells. (3) The hematopoietic microenvironment mimicked by AFT024 promoted CD(34)(+) CD(38)(-) cells to proliferate extensively and undergo more asymmetric division.

CONCLUSIONS(1) CD(34)(+) CD(38)(-) cells are heterogeneous and composed of various subpopulations with different initial proliferative behavior, including asymmetric division. (2) The hematopoietic microenvironmental mimicked by AFT024 supports the hematopoietic progenitors better than cytokines and single adhesion factor do, for their proliferation extensively and preservation the self-renewal capacity.

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase ; analysis ; ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 ; Antigens, CD ; analysis ; Antigens, CD34 ; analysis ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cell Lineage ; drug effects ; immunology ; physiology ; Cytokines ; pharmacology ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Fibronectins ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; Stromal Cells ; physiology

Objective　To study the apoptotic effects of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) on the nigral dopaminergic neurons of mice and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridium ion (MPP+) on pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells, as well as the antagonism of Eldepryl against MPTP's apoptotic effect. Methods　Three groups of C57BL mice were treated with MPTP, Eldepryl plus MPTP and normal saline, respectively, for 7 days before performing TUNEL (terminal deoxyneucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-x nick end labeling) and FACS (fluorescence activated cell sorting) analyses of neuronal apoptosis in the substantia nigra. The same tests were employed in cell culture to examine apoptosis in PC12 cells treated with MPP+, MPTP or PBS. Results　Intraperitoneal administration of MPTP 30*!mg/kg could induce nigral apoptosis, and oral use of Eldepryl prior to MPTP treatment could completely prevent the nigral apoptosis caused by MPTP. MPP+, an intermediate metabolite of MPTP, could lead to the apoptosis of PC12 cells, whereas MPTP itself had no such effect on PC12 cells. Conclusions　The experiment indicated that the neurotoxin, MPTP, might cause the death of nigral neurons through a mechanism of apoptosis and this effect might be mediated by its bioactive intermediate metabolite MPP+. Eldepryl could protect the neurotoxicity from MPTP.

Treatment of giant posterior circulation aneurysms, via endovascular or microsurgical approaches, carries a high risk of morbidity and mortality. While flow-diverting stents (FDSs) represent a potent therapy for endovascular reconstruction of complex aneurysms, they are also associated with novel complications for which effective salvage techniques are lacking. We present a unique complication from failed treatment with a FDS. A 51 year-old male presented with increasing headaches secondary to a giant, fusiform aneurysm of the left posterior cerebral artery, which was largely thrombosed. Due to progressive enlargement of the aneurysm corresponding to worsening clinical symptoms, the lesion was treated with two Pipeline embolization devices (ev3, Plymouth, MN, United States). Three months after Pipeline embolization device treatment, complete posterior cerebral artery occlusion was observed at the origin of the proximal stent. Despite the lack of arterial inflow, the aneurysm dome continued to grow, resulting in obstructive hydrocephalus. Therefore microsurgical intervention was undertaken to trap and excise the aneurysm. The patient's postoperative course was complicated by multiple venous infarcts, ultimately resulting in death. Successful microsurgical obliteration of aneurysms previously treated with FDSs is extremely difficult. A combination of judicious preoperative planning and meticulous intraoperative surgical technique are requisite for effective management of these complicated cases.
Aneurysm ; Endovascular Procedures ; Headache ; Humans ; Hydrocephalus ; Intracranial Aneurysm* ; Male ; Microsurgery ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; Posterior Cerebral Artery* ; Stents ; Stroke

Cardiac embolism continues to be a leading etiology of ischemic strokes worldwide. Although pathologies that result in cardioembolism have not changed over the past decade, there have been significant advances in the treatment and stroke prevention methods for these conditions. Atrial fibrillation remains the prototypical cause of cardioembolic strokes. The availability of new long-term monitoring devices for atrial fibrillation detection such as insertable cardiac monitors has allowed accurate detection of this leading cause of cardioembolism. The non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants have improved our ability to prevent strokes for many patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). Advances in left atrial appendage closure and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval of the WATCHMAN (Boston Scientific) device for stroke prevention in NVAF patients who have an appropriate rationale for a nonpharmacological alternative, have revolutionized the field and provided a viable option for patients at higher hemorrhagic risk. The role of patent foramen ovale closure for secondary prevention in selected patients experiencing cryptogenic ischemic strokes at a relatively young age has become clearer thanks to the very recent publication of long-term outcomes from three major studies. Advances in the management of infective endocarditis, heart failure, valvular diseases, and coronary artery disease have significantly changed the management of such patients, but have also revealed new concerns related to assessment of ischemic versus hemorrhagic risk in the setting of antithrombotic use. The current review article aims to discuss these advances especially as they pertain to the stroke neurology practice.
Anticoagulants ; Atrial Appendage ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Embolism ; Endocarditis ; Foramen Ovale, Patent ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Neurology ; Pathology ; Publications ; Secondary Prevention ; Stroke* ; United States Food and Drug Administration

Objective To investigate MRI diagnosis of intracranial extra-encephalon cavernous angiomas.Methods In 9 intracranial extra-encephalon cavernous angiomas,5 masses located in the parasellar,2 masses in the lateral ventricle triangle,1 mass in the fourth ventricle and 1 mass in temporal subdural space.The MRI features of the masses were analyzed.Results 5 parasellar cavernous angiomas enclosed the ipsilateral internal carotid artery and extended the saddle.The masses showed homogeneous low intensity on T1WI,high intensity on T2WI,obvious enhancement on enhanced scan.Of 2 cavernous angiomas in the right lateral ventricle triangle, 1 mass showed homogeneous low intensity on T 1WI,high intensity on T2WI,obvious enhancement on enhanced scan;the other mass showed isointensity on T1WI,slight high intensity on T2WI,high intensity on DWI,low intensity on SWI and patchy enhancement on enhanced scan.1 cavernous angioma located in the fourth ventricular showed mixed intensity on T 1WI and T2WI,low signal rim around the mass on T2WI,inhomogeneous high intensity on DWI sequence and little enhancement on enhanced scan.1 mass located in temporal subdural space showed homogeneous low intensity on T 1WI,high intensity on T2WI,low intensity on DWI,isointensity on SWI and homogeneous obvious enhancement on enhanced scan.Conclusion The MRI findings of the intracranial extra-encephalon cavernous angiomas are characteristic.Most masses show homogeneous low intensity on T1WI,high intensity on T2WI and obvious enhancement on enhanced scan.The masses should mainly be distinguished from meningiomas.

Bovine theileriosis is a tick-borne disease that is hampering the development of the domestic cattle industry in northern China. This study involved a molecular survey of bovine Theileria species in 137 blood samples from cattle in the Jilin province of China. The DNA samples were screened by species-specific 18S rRNA PCR. Results revealed that 19.7% (27/137), 17.5% (24/137) and 10.9% (15/137) were found to be infected with Theileria sinensis, Theileria orientalis, respectively. Mixed infection was found in 8.8% (12/137). The overall detection rates of Baishan, Yanji, Jilin and Liaoyuan districts was 60.0%, 17.5%, 5.3% and 0%, respectively. There is little information on the detection and distribution of bovine Theileria species in northern China. Therefore, this study provides important data for understanding the epidemiology of Theileria species and designing appropriate approaches for the diagnosis and control of bovine theileriosis in northern China.

In this study, we treated transgenic Huntington's disease (tgHD) model rat with deep brain stimulation (DBS) and evaluated the cognitive and motor outcome. The results showed that the surgery of implanting electrode improved cognition, increased correct rate and decreased response bias in choice reaction time (CRT) task, with similar extent on various genotypes. After long-term DBS to globus pallidus externa( GPe), correct rate was enhanced. The enhancement was genotype related. Additionally, the motor time and reaction time in CRT task reflecting the movement initiation kept the same value, but the chorea-form movement of homozygous rats was rectified prominently after the treatment of DBS. The present results demonstrated that the operation of long-term DBS to globus pallidus externa can improve the cognition and motor outcome of tgHD rats, which implied DBS operation might shed light on HD patients in the future.

OBJECTIVE: Surgical resection of thalamic and brainstem cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) is associated with significant operative morbidity, but it may be outweighed, in some cases, by the neurological damage from recurrent hemorrhage in these eloquent areas. The goals of this retrospective cohort study are to describe the technical nuances of surgical approaches and determine the postoperative outcomes for CCMs of the thalamus and brainstem. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed an institutional database of patients harboring thalamic or brainstem CCMs, who underwent surgical resection from 2010 to 2014. The baseline and follow-up neuroimaging and clinical findings of each patient and the operative details of each case were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of eight patients, including two with thalamic and six with brainstem CCMs, were included in the study cohort. All patients had progressive neurological deterioration from recurrent CCM hemorrhage, and the median modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at presentation was 3. The median CCM maximum diameter and volume were 1.7 cm and 1.8 cm³, respectively. The thalamic CCMs were resected using the anterior transcallosal transchoroidal and supracerebellar infratentorial approaches each in one case (13%). The brainstem CCMs were resected using the retrosigmoid and suboccipital trans-cerebellomedullary fissure approaches each in three cases (38%). After a median follow-up of 11.5 months, all patients were neurologically stable or improved, with a median mRS of 2. The rate of functional independence (mRS 0-2) was 63%. CONCLUSION: Microneurosurgical techniques and approaches can be safely and effectively employed for the management of thalamic and brainstem CCMs in appropriately selected patients.
Brain Stem* ; Cohort Studies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemangioma, Cavernous, Central Nervous System* ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Microsurgery ; Neuroimaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Thalamus* ; Vascular Malformations