Core Metabolic Features and Hot Origin of Bathyarchaeota

The archaeal phylum Bathyarchaeota comprises highly diversified subgroups and is considered to be one of the most abundant microorganisms on earth. The metabolic features and evolution of this phylum still remain largely unknown. In this article, a comparative metabolic analysis of 15 newly reconstructed and 36 published metagenomic assembled genomes (MAGs) spanning 10 subgroups was performed, revealing the core metabolic features of Bathyarchaeota—namely, protein, lipid, and benzoate degradation;glycolysis;and the Wood–Ljungdahl (WL) pathway, indicating an acetyl-CoA-centralized metabolism within this phylum. Furthermore, a partial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, acetogenesis, and sulfur-related metabolic pathways were found in specific subgroups, suggesting versatile metabolic capabilities and ecological functions of different subgroups. Intriguingly, most of the MAGs from the Bathy-21 and -22 subgroups, which are placed at the phylogenetic root of all bathyarchaeotal lineages and likely represent the ancient Bathyarchaeota types, were found in hydrothermal environments and encoded reverse gyrase, suggesting a hyperthermophilic feature. This work reveals the core metabolic features of Bathyarchaeota, and indicates a hot origin of this archaeal phylum.

Clinicopathological analysis of metaplastic meningioma: report of 15 cases in Huashan Hospital

Objective： Metaplastic meningioma is a rare subtype of benign meningiomas, classified as WHO grade I with well prognosis. Here we presented our experiences on 15 cases of metaplastic meningioma, to investigate the clinicopathological features, therapies and prognosis of these cases. Methods： 15 patients underwent surgical treatment for intracranial metaplastic meningioma between 2001 and 2010 at Neurosurgery Department of Huashan Hospital, Shanghai, China. The clinical data, radiological manifestation, treatment strategy, pathological findings and prognosis of all patients were analyzed retrospectively. Results： Among the 15 cases （10 males and 5 females）, the age ranged from 22 to 74 years old （the mean age was 50.67-year old）. The clinical manifestations include headache, dizziness, seizure attack, vision decrease, and weakness of bilateral lower limbs. All the patients received surgical treatment, combined with radiotherapy in some cases. In the follow-up period, recurrence occurred in 2 cases, of which 1 patient died of other system complications. Conclusions： Metaplastic meningiomas are characterized by focal or widespread mesenchymal differentiation with formation of bone, cartilage, fat, and xanthomatous tissue elements. Surgical removal is the optimal therapy, and the overall prognosis is well. But recurrence may occur in some cases, thus radiotherapy is necessary for such kind of patients.

Intraoperative ultrasound assistance in resection of intracranial meningiomas

Objective： Intracranial meningiomas, especially those located at anterior and middle skull base, are difficult to be completely resected due to their complicated anatomy structures and adjacent vessels. It＇s essential to locate the tumor and its vessels precisely during operation to reduce the risk of neurological deficits. The purpose of this study was to evaluate intraoperative ultrasonography in displaying intracranial meningioma and its surrounding arteries, and evaluate its potential to improve surgical precision and minimize surgical trauma. Methods： Between December 2011 and January 2013, 20 patients with anterior and middle skull base meningioma underwent surgery with the assistance of intraoperative ultrasonography in the Neurosurgery Department of Shanghai Huashan Hospital. There were 7 male and 13 female patients, aged from 31 to 66 years old. Their sonographic features were analyzed and the advantages of intraoperative ultrasonography were discussed. Results： The border of the rneningioma and its adjacent vessels could be exhibited on intraoperative ultrasonography. The sonographic visualization allowed the neurosurgeon to choose an appropriate approach before the operation. In addition, intraoperative ultrasonography could inform neurosurgeons about the location of the tumor, its relation to the surrounding arteries during the operation, thus these essential arteries could be protected carefully. Conclusions： Intraoperative ultrasonography is a useful intraoperative technique. When appropriately applied to assist surgical procedures for intracranial meningioma, it could offer very important intraoperative information （such as the tumor supplying vessels） that helps to improve surgical resection and therefore might reduce the postoperative morbidity.

Evaluation of Biventricular Volume and Systolic Function in Children with Ventricular Septal Defect and Moderate to Severe Pulmonary Hypertension Using Real-Time Three-Dimensional Echocardiography

Background: Real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE) could obtain ventricular volume andejection fraction rapidly and non-invasively without relying on ventricular morphology. This study aims to useRT-3DE to evaluate the changes in biventricular volume and systolic function in children with ventricular septaldefect (VSD) and moderate to severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) before surgery. Methods: In this study18 children with VSD and moderate to severe PH (VSD + PH Group) and 18 healthy children of the sameage (Control Group) were recruited. Biventricular volume and systolic function were evaluated by RT-3DE.The measurements included: left and right ventricular volume indexed to body surface area (BSA), stroke volume(SV) indexed to BSA, and ejection fraction (EF). Results: The results showed left and right ventricular volumeindexed to BSA and SV indexed to BSA were significantly increased in VSD + PH Group (VSD + PH Groupvs. Control Group), LVEDV/BSA (ml/m2): 48.67 ± 21.46 vs. 25.59 ± 6.96, RVEDV/BSA (ml/m2): 55.98 ±15.35 vs. 27.69 ± 4.37, LVSV/BSA (ml/m2): 24.08 ± 9.30 vs. 15.14 ± 4.29, RVSV/BSA (ml/m2): 26.02 ± 8.87 vs.14.11 ± 2.89, (P < 0.05). While for EF in VSD + PH Group decreased (VSD + PH Group vs. Control Group),LVEF: 50.93 ± 7.50% vs. 59.38 ± 7.24%, RVEF: 45.84 ± 7.71% vs. 51.05 ± 6.90% (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Inchildren with VSD and moderate to severe PH, increased biventricular volume and decreased systolic functionwere observed with RT-3DE, but biventricular systolic function remained within acceptable limits. The childrenin this study recovered well after surgery without serious perioperative complications, suggesting that biventricularsystolic function may help facilitate the surgical decision-making process in children with VSD and moderate-toseverePH.

The evaluation of iron content in Alzheimer’s disease by magnetic resonance imaging: Phase and R2* methods

Background: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the best imaging examination to evaluate abnormal iron deposition in the brain. Although phase of susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) and R2* values have been used to probe iron deposition in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) brain, no study has exploited both techniques for quantification of iron deposition in AD. Purpose: Use phase and R2* to evaluate iron changes in AD brain. Investigate the correlation of two methods with the severity of cognitive impairment in AD patients.Materials and methods: Twenty-three patients with AD and eighteen normal controls underwent SWI and multi-echo gradient recalled-echo (GRE) imaging on a 3T MR scanner. The phase values from SWI and R2* values calculated from multi-echo GRE imaging of bilateral hippocampus, globus pallidus, putamen, caudate nucleus, thalamus, substantia nigra, red nucleus and dentate nucleus were evaluated. Results: In AD group, the phase values of bilateral hippocampus, globus pallidus, caudate nucleus, substantia nigra and left putamen were significantly lower than the control group. The R2* values of bilateral hippocampus, caudate nucleus, putamen and right globus pallidus were significantly higher than the control group. The phase and R2* values of the left putamen had the most significant correlation with mini-mental state examination (MMSE) scores in AD patients. Conclusion: The SWI phase value and R2* value can be used as effective methods to study the abnormality of iron deposition in AD brain, wherein phase had advantages in small brain structure. Phase value showed a higher correlation coefficient with MMSE scores, moreover the iron deposition of left putamen has a close relationship with the progression of AD.