C-S-H Seeds Accelerate Early Age Hydration of Carbonate-Activated Slag and the Underlying Mechanism.

The slow hardening process of carbonate-activated slag limits its application as a construction material. This paper aims to provide an acceleration method for the early age hydration of carbonate-activated slag by applying calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) seeds and unveil the underlying mechanism. The results show that the incorporation of C-S-H seeds significantly accelerates the early age reaction of carbonate-activated slag and shortens the setting time. With 4% of calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) seeds, the 1d-compressive strength of carbonate activates slag can achieve 25.4 MPa. The C-S-H seeds acts as the preferred nucleation sites for the strength-giving phase C-A-S-H gel and the carbonate-containing phases (e.g., calcite, gaylussite, hydrotalcite, etc.), and accelerates hydration. The dormant period of samples with C-S-H seeds becomes negligible, confirming that the seeding effect that controls the saturation limits of the pore solution is the major reason for the accelerated hydration.

Microglial infiltration mediates cognitive dysfunction in rat models of hypothalamic obesity via a hypothalamic-hippocampal circuit involving the lateral hypothalamic area.

This study aimed to explore the mechanism underlying cognitive dysfunction mediated by the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) in a hypothalamic-hippocampal circuit in rats with lesion-induced hypothalamic obesity (HO). The HO model was established by electrically lesioning the hypothalamic nuclei. The open field (OP) test, Morris water maze (MWM), novel object recognition (NOR), and novel object location memory (NLM) tests were used to evaluate changes in cognition due to alterations in the hypothalamic-hippocampal circuit. Western blotting, immunohistochemical staining, and cholera toxin subunit B conjugated with Alexa Fluor 488 (CTB488) reverse tracer technology were used to determine synaptophysin (SYN), postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95), ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1), neuronal nuclear protein (NeuN), and Caspase3 expression levels and the hypothalamic-hippocampal circuit. In HO rats, severe obesity was associated with cognitive dysfunction after the lesion of the hypothalamus. Furthermore, neuronal apoptosis and activated microglia in the downstream of the lesion area (the LHA) induced microglial infiltration into the intact hippocampus via the LHA-hippocampal circuit, and the synapses engulfment in the hippocampus may be the underlying mechanism by which the remodeled microglial mediates memory impairments in HO rats. The HO rats exhibited microglial infiltration and synapse loss into the hippocampus from the lesioned LHA via the hypothalamic-hippocampal circuit. The underlying mechanisms of memory function may be related to the circuit.

Predictors of thromboembolic complications after stent-assisted coiling of acutely ruptured intracranial aneurysms: A retrospective multicenter study.

Background: Stent-assisted coiling (SAC) has been reported to safely and effectively treat wide-necked unruptured intracranial aneurysms. However, SAC of acutely ruptured aneurysms is controversial because of perioperative thromboembolic complications. We aimed to investigate the predictors of the thromboembolic complications after SAC of acutely ruptured aneurysms. Methods: We performed a retrospective multicenter analysis of 110 consecutive patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms treated with SAC within 72 h of the onset of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Thromboembolic complications were defined as any angiographic filling defects at the aneurysms base or the distal artery during the stent treatment and the new onset of symptomatic ischemia and a new hypo-density in a vascular distribution confirmed by CT scan within 24 h of treatment. These patients were grouped into patients with thromboembolic complications and those without thromboembolic complications. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of thromboembolic complications. Results: One hundred and one patients with 101 ruptured aneurysms were included in this study. 9 (8.9%) patients experienced thromboembolic complications. Patients with thromboembolic complications had a higher rate of unfavorable outcomes at discharge (P < 0.001) and at the last follow-up (p = 0.017). Of these patients, four patients presented with intraprocedural thrombus formation, and 5 experienced postprocedural ischemia. There was a trend toward thromboembolic complications in patients with a higher Fisher grade (p = 0.076) and those treated with intravenous tirofiban (p = 0.052). Patients with thromboembolic complications more often presented with poor grade clinical conditions (p = 0.005) and aneurysms with a large dome to neck ratio (p = 0.031). In the multivariate analysis, a worse World Federation World Federation of Neurological Societies (WFNS) grade (OR = 8.241; 95% CI 1.686-40.292; P = 0.009) and a larger dome to neck ratio (OR = 5.385; 95% CI 1.023-28.337; P = 0.047) were independent predictors of thromboembolic complications. Conclusion: Patients with thromboembolic complications are more likely to have an unfavorable outcome. A worse clinical condition before the treatment and a larger dome to neck ratio were independent predictors of thromboembolic complications after SAC of acutely ruptured intracranial aneurysms.

Utility of CT Perfusion Imaging in Patients With Vertebral Artery Stenosis Treated With Balloon Expandable Stent.

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of CT perfusion (CTP) imaging in vertebral artery stenosis stenting, so as to provide the basis for preoperative and postoperative evaluation. Ninety-seven patients with vertebral artery stenosis were accepted for endovascular stenting between Jan 2016 and Jan 2020. CT angiography, Digital Subtraction Angiography, and CTP were performed pre-operation and post-operation. The cerebral blood volume (CBV), cerebral blood flow (CBF), and mean transmit time (MTT) between the health and affected sides were analyzed statistically, and the imaging results pre- and post-operation were evaluated. The stenosis was relieved by endovascular stents in all 97 patients without serious complications. The abnormal perfusion was observed in 66 patients (68%). The differences in CBF and MTT between the diseased side and healthy side were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Compared with the preoperative imaging, the postoperative CTP was improved in 59 patients (89%). The differences in CBF and MTT between pre-operation and post-operation were statistically significant (P < 0.05). But there was no significant difference in CBV. CTP can sensitively reflect the perfusion of brain, and can also be used for preoperative and postoperative evaluation of vertebral artery stenting. It may be helpful as an adequate indicator of vertebral artery stenosis stent surgery.

The prognostic effects of hemodynamic parameters on rupture of intracranial aneurysm: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Many risk factors are associated with rupture of intracranial aneurysm. However, the prognostic effects hemodynamic factors on intracranial aneurysm rupture remains poorly understood. A meta-analysis was performed based on contemporary studies to evaluate the prognostic effect of hemodynamic parameters on rupture of intracranial aneurysm. METHODS: The Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched for cohort studies that analyzed hemodynamic parameters for intracranial aneurysm rupture prior to May 1, 2020. The standardized mean difference (SMD) and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to assess the effect of individual hemodynamic parameters on intracranial aneurysm rupture. The primary outcomes were difference in wall shear stress (WSS), oscillatory shear index (OSI) and low shear index (LSA) between ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysm. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of the trials and the associated data. All statistical analyses were performed using standard statistical procedures in Review Manager 5.2. RESULTS: A total of 15 studies including 779 patients with 900 aneurysms were identified for this meta-analysis. The pooled results indicated that the average WSS, OSI and LSA% had significant associations with rupture of intracranial aneurysm, with pooled SMDs of -0.36 (95% CI -0.57 to -0.15; P = 0.001), 0.37 (95% CI 0.19 to 0.55; P < 0.0001) and 0.57% (95% CI 0.18 to 0.95; P = 0.004), respectively. In addition, other hemodynamic parameters, including aneurysm size, aspect ratio, mean volume, undulation index, ellipticity index, nonsphericity index, number of vorticies, and relative residence time significant associations with intracranial aneurysm rupture. Multivariate analysis indicated that circumferential wall tension, angle btwn, irregular shape and size of aneurysms were independent risk factors of intracranial aneurysm rupture. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis identified WSS, OSI and LSA% as influential hemodynamic parameters on rupture of intracranial aneurysm. The roles of other hemodynamic parameters and risk factors for intracranial aneurysm rupture need further assessments in future.

RETRACTED: Knockdown EZH2 attenuates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury via regulating microRNA-30d-3p methylation and USP22.

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief as there are concerns about the reliability of the results. Concerns have been raised about a portion of Figure 5B, 'DMSO' group appears to contain image similarities with Figure 4e, 'Inhibitor NC' group, published in Yang et al., 2021 doi: 10.1080/15384101.2020.1856498. A portion of Figure 5B, 'DZNeP+miR-30d-3p antagomir' group appears to contain image similarities with Figure 4e, 'Inhibitor NC' group, published in Yang et al., 2021. Figure 7/G western blot bands have the same eyebrow shaped phenotype as many other publications as detailed here (https://pubpeer.com/publications/B26AE47AC0E71E0EF339B40893B2C2).

The safety and efficacy of the LVIS stent for the treatment of ruptured intracranial aneurysms within 24 hours: A multicenter retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: Stent-assisted coiling is increasingly used in the treatment of acutely ruptured intracranial aneurysms. However, the optimal timing of the stent-assisted coiling remains unknown. We aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of the Low Profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS) stent for ruptured aneurysms treatment within 24 h comparing to the treatment between 25 and 72 h of symptom onset. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study on 110 consecutive patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms. These patients were treated with LVIS stent within 72 h in four tertiary hospitals between January 2017 and December 2017. The timing of treatment was grouped into the treatment within 24 h and the treatment between 25 and 72 h. Baseline characteristics, periprocedural complications, angiographic results, and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were included. 49 (48.5 %) patients were treated within 24 h and 52 (51.5 %) within between 25 and 72 h. Periprocedural complications occurred in 2 (4.1 %) patients treated within 24 h compared with those in 10 (19.2 %) treated between 25-72 h (P = 0.032). No early rebleeding occurred in both groups. 45 (91.8 %) of 49 aneurysms had complete occlusion on immediate angiography compared with 46 (88.5 %) of 52 aneurysms had complete occlusion. 2 (2.0 %) aneurysms were retreated. The clinical outcomes and angiographic results did not differ between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The LVIS stent-assisted coiling may be safe and effective in the treatment of selected patients with ruptured aneurysms within 24 h of symptom onset.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of risk factors for unruptured intracranial aneurysm growth.

BACKGROUND: Many risk factors are associated with the growth of unruptured intracranial aneurysm; however, the effects of these risk factors on intracranial aneurysm growth remain poorly understood. Here, we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of these risk factors on intracranial aneurysm growth, incorporating different data types to provide comprehensive estimates of individual effects. METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for cohort studies analyzing risk factors for aneurysm growth prior to January 10, 2019. The hazard ratio (HR) and odds ratio (OR) with its 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to assess the effect of individual risk factors on intracranial aneurysm growth. Both univariate analysis (UVA) and multivariate analysis (MVA) were performed. Two reviewers independently assessed the quality of the trials and the associated data. All statistical analyses were performed using standard statistical procedures provided in Review Manager 5.2. RESULTS: We included 23 studies (N = 7208 participants) in this meta-analysis. A total of 944 patients (13.1%) experienced intracranial aneurysm growth during their follow-up times. Aneurysm size and smoking may have significant effects on the growth of intracranial aneurysm, with pooled ORs of 2.73 (95% CI 2.21-3.36; P < 0.00001) and 1.45 (95% CI 1.07-1.98; P = 0.02) respectively. However, our results indicated that subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) had a negative effect on the growth of intracranial aneurysm (OR 0.64; 95% CI 0.48-0.86; P = 0.003). Other risk factors such as irregular shape of intracranial aneurysm, female sex, and multiple aneurysms were inconsistent across studies due to differences in data types and effect estimates. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis identified aneurysm size and smoking as independent risk factors for the growth of intracranial aneurysm, while prior SAH had a negative effect on the growth of intracranial aneurysm. The roles of other risk factors for intracranial aneurysm growth were inconsistent, with further research necessary to assess fully the roles of these factors in disease outcomes.

Characteristics and endovascular treatment of intracranial vertebral artery aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: The clinical and angiographic characteristics of vertebral artery (VA) aneurysm were evaluated to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of endovascular techniques of VA aneurysms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Case records of 38 consecutive patients with 40 VA aneurysms admitted during a 2-year period were reviewed. The data analyzed included age, sex, size of aneurysm, ruptured or unruptured, endovascular techniques, angiographic results after embolization, duration of follow-up, angiographic follow-up results and Glasgow Outcome Score at follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 38 patients, 33 patients had 35 dissecting aneurysms and five patients had five saccular aneurysms. Seventeen (42.5%) aneurysms were ruptured. Of the 34 patients treated with endovascular techniques, immediate post-procedural angiograms showed complete and subtotal occlusion (>90%) of 27 (67.5%) aneurysms and incomplete and no occlusion of 13 (32.5%) aneurysms, including four conservatively treated aneurysms. A clinical improvement or stable outcome was achieved in all the patients (100%) during a mean 12.1-month follow-up. There was no complication related to endovascular treatment and no rebleeding during the follow-up period. Angiographic follow-up (mean of 7.2 months, range 1-18 months) was available in all the patients. Complete and subtotal occlusion was observed in 31 (81.6%) patients, including one spontaneous thrombosis of a conservatively treated VA dissecting aneurysm. Recanalization in two patients (5.9%) at 6 and 9 months did not require retreatment. CONCLUSION: This series demonstrates the safety and efficacy of multimodality of endovascular techniques for VA aneurysms.

Matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases expression in human cerebral ruptured and unruptured aneurysm.

BACKGROUND: [corrected] Matrix metalloproteinases and TIMPs are potent elastases and collagenases, which regulate the remodeling of vascular and play an important role in the development of cerebral aneurysm. Until now, little quantitative data regarding MMPs and TIMPs exist. METHODS: Tissue samples of cerebral aneurysm were obtained from 30 patients who underwent cerebral aneurysm clipping operation. We used real-time RT-PCR method to quantitatively measure mRNA levels in small tissue samples and determined gene expression levels of MMPs and TIMPs relative to that of GAPDH in each sample. The ELISA method has been used to measure the serum level of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in patients with cerebral ruptured aneurysm and patients with unruptured aneurysm. RESULT: Matrix metalloproteinase-2 and MMP-9 were overexpressed in cerebral ruptured aneurysm compared with unruptured aneurysm (4.28 +/- 2.01 vs 0.16 +/- 0.12 [P < .01] and 5.21 +/- 0.87 vs 1.69 +/- 1.00 [P < .05], respectively). The expression levels of MMP-2 to TIMP-1, MMP-2 to TIMP-2, MMP-2 to TIMP-3, and MMP-9 to TIMP-2 were higher in cerebral ruptured aneurysms than in unruptured aneurysms (1.22 +/- 0.53 vs 0.18 +/- 0.05, 4.23 +/- 1.32 vs 0.53 +/- 0.12, 1.69 +/- 0.49 vs 0.18 +/- 0.02, and 7.61 +/- 1.61 vs 2.76 +/- 0.76, respectively; P < .05). Patients with cerebral ruptured aneurysm (n = 15) had higher serum MMP-2 and MMP-9 levels than those with unruptured aneurysm detectable by angiography (n = 15) (1047 +/- 33 vs 110 +/- 26 ng/mL and 1066 +/- 43 vs 120 +/- 27 ng/mL, respectively; P < .02). CONCLUSION: The disproportional expression of among MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP contribute to the evolution of cerebral aneurysm. Real-time RT-PCR method is suitable for the determination of mRNA levels in small samples of vascular tissue.