Microsurgical Treatment of Craniopharyngiomas: A Retrospective Analysis

Objective: This retrospective study aims to survey the clinical outcomes of 341 consecutive patients surgically treated for and diagnosed with craniopharyngioma (CP) treated in a 10-year period in a single institution. Methods: The clinical reports of three hundred forty-one patients CP patients treated surgically between January 2006 and December 2016 were reviewed and analyzed retrospectively. Results: Our cohort consisted of 341 patients (202 male, 139 female) with a mean age of 34.9 years (range 1 - 74 years);Tumor Features: 129 patients (37.8%) had cystic tumors, 88 (23.8%) had solid tumors whereas 126 (36.4%) had heterogeneous lesions with a solid and cystic portion;calcifications were present in 139 (40.8%);Tumor Topography: Suprasellar 198 (58.1%), Intrasellar 40 (11.7%), Intra-third ventricular 103 (30.2%);Surgical approaches used among the patients included: Pterional 262 (76.8%), Transsphenoidal (TS) 42 (12.3%) Transcallosal 20 (5.9%), Transcortical 16 (4.7%) suboccipital 1 and combined approach 1;Gross total removal (GTR) was achieved in 247 patients (72.4%), Subtotal removal (STR) in 94 patients (27.6%). Good postoperative outcome at discharge was achieved in 324 (95%) patients while 17 (5%) patients had poor outcome including 5 (1.5%) perioperative deaths. Mean hospital length of stay was 21.87 (8 - 129). There were 42 (12.9%) recurrences with a mean time to recurrence of 28.36 (3 - 84) months, among which 37 (88.1%) underwent surgery for recurrence treatment. Follow-up time ranged from 3 months to 10 years. There was a statistical significance between open transcranial surgery and suprasellar tumors (p < 0.0001), TS and intrasellar tumors (p < 0.0001);postoperative diabetes inspidus and gross total resection (p < 0.0001);GTR and cystic tumors (p = 0.034) calcification and GTR (p = 0.0008). Conclusion: Good surgical outcome and long-term tumor control can be achieved through individual-based selective resection, whether total or subtotal resection. Whereas surgical prehistory of CP was found to be a significant risk factor to recurrence (p < 0.0001), the clinical risk factors of CP of recurrence are still arguable, including the presence residual tumor due to subtotal resection. More future studies are necessary.

Regional Storm Surge Forecast Method Based on a Neural Network and the Coupled ADCIRC-SWAN Model

Timely and accurate forecasting of storm surges can effectively prevent typhoon storm surges from causing large economic losses and casualties in coastal areas.At present,numerical model forecasting consumes too many resources and takes too long to compute,while neural network forecasting lacks regional data to train regional forecasting models.In this study,we used the DUAL wind model to build typhoon wind fields,and constructed a typhoon database of 75 processes in the northern South China Sea using the coupled Advanced Circulation-Simulating Waves Nearshore(ADCIRC-SWAN)model.Then,a neural network with a Res-U-Net structure was trained using the typhoon database to forecast the typhoon processes in the validation dataset,and an excellent storm surge forecasting effect was achieved in the Pearl River Estuary region.The storm surge forecasting effect of stronger typhoons was improved by adding a branch structure and transfer learning.

Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis following transsphenoidal surgery for craniopharyngioma:A case report

BACKGROUND Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis(CVST)is a rare condition in patients with craniopharyngioma following transsphenoidal surgery.CASE SUMMARY A 56-year-old man who underwent transsphenoidal surgery for craniopharyngioma 26 d ago presented gradual headache and cerebrospinal fluid leakage while vomiting 5 d post-discharge and required readmission to our department of neurosurgery.After admission,head imaging examination showed a hyperdense shadow in the superior sagittal sinus and right transverse sinus,edema at the bilateral parietal lobe,and hemorrhage at the left parietal lobe and right occipital lobe;the venous phase of cerebral angiography revealed CVST.The patient was treated immediately by intravenous thrombolysis,endovascular thrombolysis,and mechanical thrombectomy after the definite diagnosis.However,the neurological status of the patient continued to deteriorate and he died on the fourth day after readmission.CONCLUSION For craniopharyngioma undergoing transsphenoidal surgery,it is vital to take an effective strategy to manage the postoperative complications,such as diabetes insipidus,severe electrolyte imbalance,and cerebrospinal fluid leakage.Additionally,the early differential diagnosis of CVST is essential when it develops clinical symptoms,especially in patients following transsphenoidal surgery with a high risk of CVST.Subsequently,the timely and effective treatment of the CVST is critical for preventing neurological deterioration.

Transsphenoidal microsurgical treatment of infradiaphragmatic craniopharyngioma

Objective Typically,the transcranial approach has been used for the treatment of craniopharyngiomas with suprasellar extension,whereas the transsphenoidal approach has been used mostly for infradiaphragmatic craniopharyngioma.Total resection of craniopharyngioma can reduce the recurrence rate,especially in young children,but it may lead to severe complications.Therefore,any benefit of the degree of resection must be weighed against the risk of complications by the surgeons.The purpose of this study was to explore the therapeutic outcome after transsphenoidal microsurgical treatment of infradiaphragmatic craniopharyngioma and share our experiences.Methods Between January 2003 and June 2013,30 patients with infradiaphragmatic craniopharyngioma underwent transsphenoidal microsurgical resection in our hospital.The neurological,visual,and endocrine functions,and extent of resection were analyzed retrospectively.Recurrence or growth of residual tumor tissue during follow-up was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging(MRI).Results Total resection was achieved in 25 patients(83.3%),subtotal resection was achieved in 4 patients(13.3%),and partial resection was achieved in 1 patient(3.4%).There were no perioperative deaths.Cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) leakage occurred in 6 patients,and among them,2 required surgical repair of the sella.New-onset postoperative diabetes insipidus(DI) developed in 8 patients.Vision and visual fields were improved at different levels in 13 out of 16 patients who had sight impediments before treatment.Tumor recurrence and regrowth was observed in 2 patients;1 patient underwent transsphenoidal reoperation,the condition of the other patient who had undergone several craniotomies grew worse over the 6-month follow-up period.Conclusion Transsphenoidal surgery is an ideal choice in treating infradiaphragmatic craniopharyngioma.The transsphenoidal approach,which preserves pituitary function and avoids damage to the hypothalamic structures and optic nerve,is associated with fewer complications than the transcranial approach and a low mortality rate.

TREATMENT OF SODIUM DISORDERS AFTER SURGERY OF CRANIOPHARYNGIOMA

Objective.To study the treatment of the patients with blood sodium disorder after craniopharyngioma surgery. Method.The blood sodium in 44 patients with craniopharyngiomas was daily examined from operative to post-operative days. Hypernatremia is defined as [Na]>145 mmol/l, and hyponatremia as [Na]<135 mmol/L. Results.Of the 44 patients, 36 developed sodium disorder. Among them, simple hyponatremia was 16 patients, simple hypernatremia was 9 patients, and alternative sodium disorder was 11 patients. Conclusion.The blood sodium disorder in patients with craniopharyngiomas after surgery appears to present complicated changes. Three types of blood sodium disorder could be determined as simple hyponatremia, simple hypernatremia, and alternative sodium disorder. Treatment of the sodium disorder in patients with craniopharyngiomas after surgery could be carried in accordance with the above three types.

Clinical, Pathological and Surgical Risk Factors Associated with Craniopharyngioma Recurrence: A Literature Review

Objective: This review article attempts to examine and provide an overview of the risk factors associated with craniopharyngioma recurrence. Methods: A literature review of articles relating to the recurrences of craniopharyngioma and the clinical, molecular prognostic indicators of recurrence and treatment outcomes was performed retrospectively. Results: A total of 107 studies which described specific risk factors related to craniopharyngioma recurrence were identified which included but not limited to 54 retrospective case series, 7 systematic reviews, 21 laboratory reports, 13 case reports and 12 literature reviews. Conclusion: Based on the evidence identified in this review, the risk factors for recurrence in craniopharyngioma management are interrelated in a complex way, and surgery with or without adjuvant radiotherapy is reported to be of long-term benefit, but a disparity in findings suggests no definitive consensus on the risk factors of craniopharyngioma recurrence. More high-quality research is needed.

Endoscopic Assisted Microscopic Surgical Removal of Craniopharyngioma

Background: Craniopharyngioma is a benign tumor which represents 2% - 3% of all intracranial tumors, there are two types: childhood type which affects children between 5 and 10 years and adulthood type which affects patients 50 - 60 years old. The presenting symptoms develop over years and include visual, endocrine, hypothalamic, neurological and neurophysiological manifestations. Surgery is the treatment of choice. Postoperative radiotherapy, gamma-knife and intra tumoral injection of chemotherapeutic drugs have been used as an adjuvant therapy in some cases. Objectives: In this study, we evaluated the role of endoscopy in assisting microscopic surgical removal of craniopharyngioma. Methods: Eleven patients were operated upon in Cairo University Hospitals, Egypt. All operations were done using microscope through the subfrontal approach. At the end of surgery, the endoscope was used to detect any residual tumor in the subchiasmatic and retrochiasmatic areas and to visualize the posterior part of the tumor which couldn’t be seen by the microscope to check if it was adherent to the hypothalamus and to evaluate whether to be removed or not. Results: The study included eleven cases, four of which were childhood type and seven adult type craniopharyngiomas. Total removal was achieved in six cases (five cases of adulthood type). Oumaya reservoir was inserted in five cases;ventriculoperitoneal shunt was needed in five cases. All cases suffered from temporary diabetes insipidus postoperatively, while only two cases developed permanent diabetes insipidus. Three cases presented preoperatively with pituitary hypofunction and two cases developed postoperative pituitary hypofunction, which necessitated hormone replacement therapy. Conclusion: Craniopharyngioma is one of the most difficult and challenging tumors for neurosurgeons due to its relation to optic nerve, hypothalamus and vascular system formed by Willis circle and its perforating branches. Endoscopy has a role in decision making after microscopic removal of craniopharyngioma.

Future Changes in Various Cold Surges over China in CMIP6 Projections

Cold surges(CSs)often occur in the mid-latitude regions of the Northern Hemisphere and have enormous effects on socioeconomic development.We report that the occurrences of CSs and persistent CSs(PCSs)have rebounded since the 1990s,but the trends related to the frequencies of strong CSs(SCSs)and extreme CSs(ECSs)changed from increasing to decreasing after 2000.The highest-ranked model ensemble approach was used to project the occurrences of various CSs under the SSP1-2.6,SSP2-4.5,and SSP5-8.5 scenarios.The frequencies of the total CSs show overall decreasing trends.However,under the SSP1-2.6 scenario,slight increasing trends are noted for SCSs and ECSs in China.Atmospheric circulations that are characterized by an anomalous anticyclonic circulation with a significantly positive 500-hPa geopotential height(Z500)anomaly at high latitudes along with significant negative anomalies in China were favorable for cold air intrusions into China.In addition,the frequencies of all CS types under the SPP5-8.5 scenario greatly decreased in the long term(2071-2100),a finding which is thought to be related to negative SST anomalies in the central and western North Pacific,differences in sea level pressure(SLP)between high-and mid-latitude regions,and a weaker East Asian trough.In terms of ECSs,the decreasing trends observed during the historical period were maintained until 2024 under the SSP1-2.6 scenario.Compared to the SSP1-2.6 scenario,the Z500 pattern showed a trend of strengthened ridges over the Ural region and northern East Asia and weakened troughs over Siberia(60°-90°E)under the SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 scenarios,contributing to the shift to increasing trends of ECSs after 2014.

Trend of Storm Surge Induced by Typical Landfall Super Typhoons During 1975–2021 in the Eastern China Sea

Climate change affects the activity of global and regional tropical cyclones(TCs).Among all TCs,typical super typhoons(STYs)are particularly devastating because they maintain their intensity when landing on the coast and thus cause casualties,economic losses,and environmental damage.Using a 3D tidal model,we reconstructed the typhoon(TY)wind field to simulate the storm surge induced by typical STYs.The TY activity was then analyzed using historical data.Results showed a downtrend of varying degrees in the annual frequency of STYs and TCs in the Western North Pacific(WNP)Basin,with a significant trend change observed for TCs from 1949 to 2021.A large difference in the interannual change in frequency was found between STYs and TCs in the WNP and Eastern China Sea(ECS).Along the coast of EC,the frequency of landfall TCs showed a weak downtrend,and the typical STYs showed reverse micro growth with peak activity in August.Zhejiang,Fujian,and Taiwan were highly vulnerable to the frontal hits of typical STYs.Affected by climate change,the average lifetime maximum intensity(LMI)locations and landfall locations of typical STYs in the ECS basin showed a significant poleward migration trend.In addition,the annual average LMI and accumulated cyclone energy showed an uptrend,indicating the increasing severity of the disaster risk.Affected by the typical STY activity in the ECS,the maximum storm surge area also showed poleward migration,and the coast of North China faced potential growth in high storm surge risks.

Exploration of standard dosage for GnRH antagonist protocol and dosage adjustments after premature luteinizing hormone surge

The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocol has emerged as an efficacious alternative to the GnRH agonist protocol for controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) during in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles, and has been demonstrated applicability in infertile female patients with diverse ovarian responses. While the clinical implementation of the antagonist COH protocol has achieved widespread consensus, opportunities for refinement persist. Therefore, this review article focuses on the advantages and disadvantages of GnRH antagonist protocol, the selection of optimal standard doses, and the strategies for adjusting antagonist doses after the premature luteinizing hormone (LH) surge, aiming to provide more reasonable and scientific recommendations for the application of this scheme.

A typhoon-induced storm surge numerical model with GPU acceleration based on an unstructured spherical centroidal Voronoi tessellation grid

Storm surge is often the marine disaster that poses the greatest threat to life and property in coastal areas.Accurate and timely issuance of storm surge warnings to take appropriate countermeasures is an important means to reduce storm surge-related losses.Storm surge numerical models are important for storm surge forecasting.To further improve the performance of the storm surge forecast models,we developed a numerical storm surge forecast model based on an unstructured spherical centroidal Voronoi tessellation(SCVT)grid.The model is based on shallow water equations in vector-invariant form,and is discretized by Arakawa C grid.The SCVT grid can not only better describe the coastline information but also avoid rigid transitions,and it has a better global consistency by generating high-resolution grids in the key areas through transition refinement.In addition,the simulation speed of the model is accelerated by using the openACC-based GPU acceleration technology to meet the timeliness requirements of operational ensemble forecast.It only takes 37 s to simulate a day in the coastal waters of China.The newly developed storm surge model was applied to simulate typhoon-induced storm surges in the coastal waters of China.The hindcast experiments on the selected representative typhoon-induced storm surge processes indicate that the model can reasonably simulate the distribution characteristics of storm surges.The simulated maximum storm surges and their occurrence times are consistent with the observed data at the representative tide gauge stations,and the mean absolute errors are 3.5 cm and 0.6 h respectively,showing high accuracy and application prospects.

Metaverse Upsurge Drives Virtual Human Industry to Upgrade

The concept of a virtual human is rapidly fermenting with the boom of the metaverse in 2020.In March 2021,Roblox,a game company focusing on the socialization of teenagers’games and the free realization of UGC,went public.In its prospectus,Roblox is defined as the concept of the metaverse.Under this background,as the direct embodiment of“virtual identity”and“virtual reality coexisting”under the concept of the metaverse,the emerging definition of virtual human and its representative virtual image has gradually caught the attention of the public.

Risk assessment of coastal flooding disaster by storm surge based on Elevation-Area method and hydrodynamic models:Taking Bohai Bay as an example

The future inundation by storm surge on coastal areas are currently ill-defined.With increasing global sealevel due to climate change,the coastal flooding by storm surge is more and more frequently,especially in coastal lowland with land subsidence.Therefore,the risk assessment of such inundation for these areas is of great significance for the sustainable socio-economic development.In this paper,the authors use Elevation-Area method and Regional Ocean Model System(ROMS)model to assess the risk of the inundation of Bohai Bay by storm surge.The simulation results of Elevation-Area method show that either a 50-year or 100-year storm surge can inundate coastal areas exceeding 8000 km^(2);the numerical simulation results based on hydrodynamics,considering ground friction and duration of the storm surge high water,show that a 50-year or 100-year storm surge can only inundate an area of over 2000 km^(2),which is far less than 8000 km^(2);while,when taking into account the land subsidence and sea level rise,the very inundation range will rapidly increase by 2050 and 2100.The storm surge will greatly impact the coastal area within about 10-30 km of the Bohai Bay,in where almost all major coastal projects are located.The prompt response to flood disaster due to storm surge is urgently needed,for which five suggestions have been proposed based on the geological background of Bohai Bay.This study may offer insight into the development of the response and adaptive plans for flooding disasters caused by storm surge.

Surgical Treatment of Craniopharyngiomas in Adults:Comparison between Primary Surgery and Surgery for Recurrence

Objective Few studies have investigated the differences in outcomes between primary and repeat surgery for a craniopharyngioma in adults.As a result,a treatment concept for adult patients with a craniopharyngioma has not yet been established.The present study aimed to retrospectively analyze adult patients with craniopharyngioma to compare surgical outcomes between primary surgery and surgery for recurrence.Methods The demographic and clinical data of 68 adult patients with craniopharyngioma who had primary surgery(n=50)or surgery for recurrence(n=18)were retrospectively analyzed.In addition,the patients were followed up for an average of 38.6 months(range:1–133 months).Results The cohorts of patients undergoing primary surgery or repeat surgery did not differ preoperatively in terms of demographic data,or radiological tumor features.However,patients with recurrent craniopharyngioma had significantly more pituitary hormone deficits and hypothalamo-pituitary disorders before surgery compared with patients with newly diagnosed craniopharyngioma.The success rate of complete resection in primary surgery was 53.2%.Even after repeat surgery,a satisfactory rate of complete resection of 35.7%was achieved.Operative morbidity was increased neither in patients with repeat surgery compared with those with primary surgery(postoperative bleeding P=0.560;meningitis P=1.000;CSF leak P=0.666;visual disturbance P=0.717)nor in patients with complete resection compared with those with partial resection.We found no difference in recurrence-free survival between initial surgery and repeat surgery(P=0.733).The recurrence rate was significantly lower after complete resection(6.9%)than after partial resection(47.8%;P<0.001).Conclusion Attempting complete resection is justified for not only those with newly diagnosed craniopharyngioma but also for those with recurrent craniopharyngioma.However,the surgeon must settle for less than total resection if postoperative morbidity is anticipated.

Nursing Care of a Child with Panhypopituitarism After Craniopharyngioma

This article summarizes a case of nursing management for a child diagnosed with craniopharyngioma.The targeted nursing interventions addressed panhypopituitarism,secondary hypothyroidism,secondary adrenal insufficiency,and central diabetes insipidus,which occurred as complications of the condition.The nursing priorities included the management of hypothyroidism,adrenal insufficiency,central diabetes insipidus,abnormal liver function,insulin resistance,and other related issues.The interventions resulted in stable hormone levels,maintenance of normal water and electrolyte balance,improved self-image perception,enhanced understanding of the disease and treatment plan by the child and their family,increased treatment compliance,and favorable therapeutic outcomes.

A Boost to Inbound Tourism China sees surge in foreign travellers following introduction of visa-free transit measures

One of the viral terms on Chinese social media these days-“city bu city”–was actually created by a foreign tourist.The tourist,a blogger,used the term,which literally means city or not city,in a short video he filmed while visiting the Great Wall,wondering whether the place is like a fashionable big city.

颅咽管瘤的内镜经鼻手术治疗

颅咽管瘤位于颅底中央的核心区域,生长方式及解剖位置多样,毗邻重要神经、血管、脑干、下丘脑,导致颅咽管瘤的手术治疗一直是神经外科面临的重大挑战。随着内镜颅底外科手术技术、设备、器械的快速进步,以及手术经验的不断积累,内镜经鼻治疗颅咽管瘤的手术技术亦不断提高,从早期切除鞍内型颅咽管瘤,进展到目前可以切除侵袭鞍上、第三脑室的颅咽管瘤;从能够完成成人颅咽管瘤的内镜经鼻切除,进展到可以完成幼儿和儿童颅咽管瘤的内镜经鼻切除。其主要优势是:手术角度符合颅咽管瘤的生长方向,可以抵近观察,无视觉盲区及死角,能够直视下分离肿瘤和周边的重要结构,从而可以减小手术损伤、增加肿瘤全切几率,有效提高颅咽管瘤的手术切除质量。目前,绝大多数幼儿、儿童、成人颅咽管瘤应该首选内镜经鼻手术治疗。

Research on Current Situation,Symptoms and Protection Technological Measures of Ancient Trees in Surging Waves Pavilion,China

The paper had studied growth situation and disease symptoms of ancient trees in Surging Waves Pavilion.There were 14 ancient trees belonging to 10 genera of 9 families,with tree age of 120-260 years.These trees had been well protected generally.There were 9 ancient trees growing well,occupying 64.29%,which were Ginkgo biloba,Cupressus funebris Endl.,Podocarpus macrophyllus,Zelkova schneideriana Hand.-Mazz,Cinnamomum camphora(L.)Presl,Buxus sinica,and Wisteria sinensis(Sims)Sweet.There were 5 ancient trees needing to be protected preferentially,occupying 35.71%,including Ligustrum lucidum,Osmanthus fragrans and Pterocarya stenoptera.The disease symptoms were trunk rot and hollow structure.Based on these symptoms,the paper had proposed protective measures for Ligustrum lucidum and Osmanthus fragrans:① enclosing eroding holes on the trunk;② clearing up eroded woodiness on the surface of trunk,disinfecting and applying anti-corrosion protectants;③ filling eroded holes of the trunk.Protective measures for Pterocarya stenoptera included:① clearing up the inner part and interior walls;② disinfecting the inside and interior walls of holes;③ applying anti-corrosion protectants.

Numerical Simulation of the Influence of Mean Sea Level Rise on Typhoon Storm Surge in the East China Sea

In this paper, ECOMSED （Estuarine Coastal Ocean Model with sediment transport） model is employed to simulate storm surge process caused by typhoon passing across East China Sea in nearly years. Capability of ECOMSED to simulate storm surge is validated by comparing model result with observed data. Sensitivity experiments are designed to study the influence of sea level rise on typhoon storm surge. Numerical experiment shows that influence of mean sea level rise on typhoon storm surge is non-uniform spatially and changes as typhoon process differs. Maybe fixed boundary method would weaken the influence of mean sea level rise on storm surge, and free boundary method is suggested for the succeeding study.

Numerical simulation of typhoon- induced storm surge on the coast of Jiangsu Province,China,based on coupled hydrodynamic and wave models

In order to facilitate engineering design and coastal flooding protection, the potential storm surge induced by a typhoon is studied.Using an unstructured mesh, a coupled model which combines the advanced circulation （ ADCIRC ） hydrodynamic model and simulating waves nearshore （ SWAN ） model is applied to analyze the storm surge and waves on the coast of Jiangsu Province.The verifications of wind velocity, tidal levels and wave height show that this coupling model performs well to reflect the characteristics of the water levels and waves in the studied region.Results show that the effect of radiation stress on storm surge is significant, especially in shallow areas such as the coast of Jiangsu Province and the Yangtze estuary.By running the coupled model, the simulated potential flooding results can be employed in coastal engineering applications in the Jiangsu coastal area, such as storm surge warnings and extreme water level predictions.