Objective:To investigate the relevant factors for rupture of basilar tip aneurysms.Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study. Patients who underwent cerebrovascular digital subtraction angiography at Department of Cerebrovascular Disease Surgery,Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University from July 2008 to February 2023 and were confirmed to have basilar tip aneurysms were retrospectively analyzed. There were 45 males and 56 females, aged (57.5±10.2) years (range: 36 to 76 years); the maximum diameter of the basilar tip aneurysm ( M(IQR)) was 6.85 (5.79) mm (range: 1.28 to 27.48 mm). Finally, 101 basilar tip aneurysms were included, and divided into two groups based on whether the basilar tip aneurysm ruptured or not. There were 37 cases (36.6%) in the ruptured group and 64 cases (63.4%) in the unruptured group. Data were analyzed using independent t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, or Fisher′s exact test, as appropriate, and predictive factors for rupture of basilar tip aneurysms were explored by Logistic regression analysis. Variance inflation factors was used for analysis of collinearity. Results:The univariate results showed statistically significant differences between the ruptured and unruptured groups in terms of aneurysm neck width, basilar artery diameter, mean diameter of the parental artery, the ratio of neck width to parent artery diameter, aneurysm width and maximum diameter of the aneurysm (all P<0.05). In multivariate analysis, basilar artery diameter ( OR=0.347, 95% CI:0.176 to 0.687, P=0.002), and NRP ( OR=0.366, 95% CI:0.192 to 0.696, P=0.002) were predictive factors for rupture of aneurysms occurring at the basilar tip. There was no multiple covariance between NRP and basilar artery diameter in the analysis of covariance (VIF=1). Conclusion:Smaller basilar artery diameter and smaller NRP are relevant factors for rupture of basilar tip aneurysms.

Flow diverter (FD) devices have gradually become the mainstream approach for interventional treatment of intracranial aneurysms. In-stent stenosis (ISS) is a common complication after FD implantation, which can lead to ischemic events and affect the prognosis of patients. Current studies have shown that ISS occurrence is closely related to hemodynamic changes. From the perspective of hemodynamics, this article reviews the research progress of mechanisms, evaluation methods and treatments of ISS after FD implantation, in order to provide reference for clinical practice.

Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of Pipeline embolization device (PED) Shield in intracranial unruptured saccular aneurysms.Methods:This is a retrospective cohort study; 124 patients with intracranial unruptured saccular aneurysms treated with PED Shield at Department of Cerebrovascular Surgery, Neurosurgery Center, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University from July 2023 to October 2024 were enrolled. Intraoperative device-related complications and occurrence of hemorrhagic and ischemic complications within 30 days of the procedure were recorded. The clinical results and imaging results (degrees of stent patency and aneurysm occlusion rate) 6 months after follow-up were statistically analyzed. Modified Rankin scale (mRS) score>2 was defined as poor prognosis in clinical follow-up, and grade D according to O'Kelly Marotta (OKM) classification was considered as complete aneurysm occlusion in imaging follow-up.Results:Eighty-seven females and 37 males, aged (56.44±12.17) years (ranging from 27 to 80 years) were enrolled, with a maximum aneurysm diameter of 5.12 (3.73, 7.24) mm. Among the 124 patients, incidence of intraoperative instrument-related complications was 6.5% (8/124); and within 30 days of the procedure, incidence of ischemic complications was 4.8% (6/124) and that of hemorrhagic complications was 1.6% (2/124). Eighty-four patients had a 6-month clinical follow-up, with 1 patient (1.2%) having poor prognosis. Eighty-four patients (67.7%) completed a 6-month imaging follow-up: complete occlusion rate of aneurysms was 82.1% (69/84), incidence of in-stent stenosis (stenosis degree ≥25%) was 4.8% (4/84), and no symptomatic in-stent stenosis was found.Conclusion:Result of this study shows that PED Shield may be an effective and safe clinical option for intracranial unruptured saccular aneurysms.

Objective To study the effect of peripheral blood CD4+T lymphocytes of syphilis patients on human immunodeficiency virus type 1(HIV-1)infection and replication,and explore the molecular mechanism of Trepone-ma pallidum(TP)in facilitating HIV-1 replication.Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)were isolated from syphilis patients and TP-uninfected healthy blood donors,then infected with HIV-1 in vitro.HIV-1 replication level was studied.PBMCs of healthy persons were stimulated with TP and then infected with HIV-1.CD4+T lymphocytes were isolated using flow cytometry,and changes in host gene expression profiles were verified using messenger RNA(mRNA)high-throughput sequencing and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)methods.Results CD4+T lymphocytes from TP-infected persons and TP-stimulated CD4+T lymphocytes from healthy persons could significantly enhance HIV-1 infection and viral replication levels.The HIV-1 p24 content in the supernatant of cultured cells and intracellular HIV-1 DNA copy number were both higher than those in the control group(both P＜0.05).There were significant differences in the mRNA gene ex-pression profiles between the TP stimulation combined with HIV-1 infection group and the HIV-1 infection alone group.Among them,the expression levels of chemokines CXCL5 and CXCL8 were significantly upregulated in the TP stimulation combined with HIV-1 infection group,indicating that chemokines might play an important role in the enhancement of HIV-1 infection and replication by TP.Conclusion TP infection can significantly enhance the sus-ceptibility of peripheral blood CD4+T lymphocytes to HIV-1 and promote virus replication,providing new scientific evidences for TP infection promoting HIV-1 infection.

Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a life-threatening ion channelopathy caused by mutations in genes encoding specific ion channels, which can result in malignant arrhythmia of the torsades de pointes type. LQTS type 4 represents less than 1% of inherited LQTS cases, in contrast to the 90% attributable to types 1-3, it is specifically caused by loss-of-function mutations in the membrane-binding domain of ANK2. Here, a novel ANK2 variant ( ANK2c 2245 A>C, resulting in p.Lys749Gln) associated with LQTS type 4 and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome was identified in a previously healthy 61-year-old male patient who suffered paroxysmal palpitations and pre-syncope due to recurrent torsades de pointes.

Objective To investigate the functional changes of dendritic cells(DCs)in patients at different stages of hepatitis B virus(HBV)infection and analyze the mechanisms underlying DC dysfunction.Methods Single-cell RNA sequencing dataset GSE182159 was downloaded from the GEO database and classified into healthy control(HC),immune active(IA),and immune tolerant(IT)groups based on infection stage.Peripheral blood samples were collected from 7 IA patients,7 IT patients,and 12 healthy controls.Flow cytometry was used to isolate classical dendritic cells(cDC)and plasmacytoid dendritic cells(pDC).The expression levels of transcription factors in cDC and pDC were measured by quantitative real-time PCR(qRT-PCR).Bioinformatics analyses were per-formed using R and Python package.Results The proportions of DCs in IA and IT groups were higher than that in HC group.Func-tional enrichment analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes(DEGs)of cDCs in the IA group were primarily enriched for the processes,such as inflammatory response,MHC classⅡantigen processing and presentation,cell migration,signal transduction,metabolism,and immune response.In contrast the IT group exhibited lower enrichment intensity and a significant reduction in interfer-on responses.The DEGs of pDC in the IA group were enriched in the processes of MHC-Ⅱantigen presentation,Fc receptor signal transduction,and metabolism,whereas those in the IT group were showed enrichment only in Fc receptor signal transduction and me-tabolism with a lower intensity.Both groups exhibited reduced synthesis of typesⅠandⅡinterferons in pDC,with the IT group showing a more pronounced downregulation.Cell-cell communication analysis demonstrated enhanced interactions between myeloid cells(except pDC)and T cells in the IA group,whereas the interactions between cDC/pDC and T cells in the IT group were reduced.Transcription factor analysis revealed that STAT2,STAT3,IRF1,and IRF5 were highly expressed in the IA group but their expression exhibited low-er expression levels in the IT group.In contrast,BHLHE40 was broadly upregulated in both cDC and pDC subsets within the IT group.The qRT-PCR results were consistent with the findings from the single-cell transcription factor analysis.Conclusion The IT phase of hepatitis B infection represents a critical period for cDC dysfunction,characterized by significant suppression of MHCⅡantigen presen-tation,metabolism,and interferon responsiveness.The functional impairment of pDC precedes that of cDC,as evidenced by a marked downregulation of interferon synthesis capacity observed during the IA phase.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of off-label use of flow diverters (FDs) in aneurysms beyond the circle of Willis.Methods:Seventy-one patients with aneurysms beyond the circle of Willis treated with FDs from January 2016 to September 2023 at Department of Cerebrovascular Surgery, Neurosurgery Center (Zhujiang Hospital of Southern Medical University), Department of Neurosurgery (Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital), Department of Neurosurgery (First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University), and Department of Neurosurgery (Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University) were selected. The clinical and imaging data of these patients were analyzed retrospectively, and the clinical characteristics, aneurysm characteristics, endovascular treatments, perioperative complications, and clinical and imaging follow-up results were summarized and analyzed.Results:Among the 71 patients, 22 (31.0%) had ischemic stroke history and 43 (60.6%) had hypertension history. A total of 76 aneurysms were found, including 5 aneurysms (6.6%) at the anterior communicating artery, 10 (13.2%) at the anterior cerebral artery, 53 (69.7%) at the middle cerebral artery, and 8 (10.5%) at the posterior cerebral artery. The median aneurysm size (Inter Quartile Range) was 5.65 (3.63, 10.12) mm, and mean diameter of the parent artery was (2.70±0.57) mm. A total of 80 FDs were used, including 38 (47.5%) Pipeline embolization devices and 42 (52.5%) Tubridge embolization devices; the implantation success rate was 98.8% (79/80). Seven patients (9.9%) had perioperative complications, of which 2 (2.8%) were permanent (1 patient with visual field defect and 1 patient with intracranial hemorrhage). Seventy-one patients had clinical follow-up for (19.73±11.90) months, of which 68 patients (95.8%) had good outcome (modified Rankin scale score of 0-2), 10 patients (14.1%) had ischemic complications, and one patient (1.4%) had hemorrhage complications. Sixty-seven aneurysms (88.2%) underwent angiographic follow-up for 7 (6-12) months, of which 44 aneurysms (65.7%) were completely occluded and 10 (14.9%) had in-stent stenosis.Conclusion:The results of this study preliminarily confirm that off-label use of FDs is relatively safe and effective in aneurysms beyond the circle of Willis.

Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a life-threatening ion channelopathy caused by mutations in genes encoding specific ion channels, which can result in malignant arrhythmia of the torsades de pointes type. LQTS type 4 represents less than 1% of inherited LQTS cases, in contrast to the 90% attributable to types 1-3, it is specifically caused by loss-of-function mutations in the membrane-binding domain of ANK2. Here, a novel ANK2 variant ( ANK2c 2245 A>C, resulting in p.Lys749Gln) associated with LQTS type 4 and Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome was identified in a previously healthy 61-year-old male patient who suffered paroxysmal palpitations and pre-syncope due to recurrent torsades de pointes.

Objective To study the effect of peripheral blood CD4+T lymphocytes of syphilis patients on human immunodeficiency virus type 1(HIV-1)infection and replication,and explore the molecular mechanism of Trepone-ma pallidum(TP)in facilitating HIV-1 replication.Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)were isolated from syphilis patients and TP-uninfected healthy blood donors,then infected with HIV-1 in vitro.HIV-1 replication level was studied.PBMCs of healthy persons were stimulated with TP and then infected with HIV-1.CD4+T lymphocytes were isolated using flow cytometry,and changes in host gene expression profiles were verified using messenger RNA(mRNA)high-throughput sequencing and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)methods.Results CD4+T lymphocytes from TP-infected persons and TP-stimulated CD4+T lymphocytes from healthy persons could significantly enhance HIV-1 infection and viral replication levels.The HIV-1 p24 content in the supernatant of cultured cells and intracellular HIV-1 DNA copy number were both higher than those in the control group(both P＜0.05).There were significant differences in the mRNA gene ex-pression profiles between the TP stimulation combined with HIV-1 infection group and the HIV-1 infection alone group.Among them,the expression levels of chemokines CXCL5 and CXCL8 were significantly upregulated in the TP stimulation combined with HIV-1 infection group,indicating that chemokines might play an important role in the enhancement of HIV-1 infection and replication by TP.Conclusion TP infection can significantly enhance the sus-ceptibility of peripheral blood CD4+T lymphocytes to HIV-1 and promote virus replication,providing new scientific evidences for TP infection promoting HIV-1 infection.

Objective To summarize the results of different perioperative anticoagulation protocols for elderly patients with atrial fibrillation(AF)undergoing catheter radiofrequency ablation in our center.Methods A total of 197 elderly AF patients undergoing catheter radiofrequency ablation by a single operator in the First and Sixth Medical Centers of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2021 to December 2023 were retrospectively recruited,and the results of relevant exami-nations were collected.Based on the use of different direct oral anticoagulants,they were divided into dabigatran(n=125)and rivaroxaban(n=72)groups.During the procedure,the appropriate dose of unfractionated heparin was administered according to the initial activated clotting time(ACT)with a self-made formula.The time and rate of ACT were recorded,and perioperative ad-verse reactions such as bleeding and thrombosis were observed.Results There were no statistical differences between the two groups in baseline data,including age,gender,BMI,medical history,CHA2DS2-VASc score,HAS-BLED score,and left atrial anteroposterior diameter(P＞0.05).The baseline ACT value was obviously shorter(149.73+23.52 s vs 157.91±24.58 s,P=0.032),the initial heparin dose was significantly higher(0.71±0.12 mg/kg vs 0.65±0.13 mg/kg,P=0.031),and the rate of ACT reaching the target within 15 min was notably lower(60％vs 74％,P＜0.05)in the dabigatran group than the rivaroxaban group.But no significant difference was observed in the rate of ACT reaching the target in 45 min after additional heparin administration according to the formula(86％vs 88％,P＞0.05).The dabigatran group used higher dose of heparin during the procedure than the rivaroxaban group(0.99±0.30 mg/kg vs 0.85±0.31 mg/kg,P=0.009).Peri-cardial effusion was observed in one patient of the rivaroxaban group,and hematoma at the site of femoral vein puncture was seen in one patients of the dabigatran group in 1 d after procedure,which was treated surgically.No other severe complications occurred.Conclusion For elderly pa-tients with AF undergoing catheter ablation therapy,continuous perioperative anticoagulation and individualized application of unfractionated heparin based on initial ACT value can rapidly achieve ACT targets and improve anticoagulation efficacy.