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• The risk model for POD is specific to neurosurgical patients. • The model enrolled predictors available at intensive care unit admission. • The POD model enrolled 9 factors for neurosurgical patients admitted to the ICU. Postoperative delirium (POD) is a significant clinical problem in neurosurgical patients after intracranial surgery. Identification of high-risk patients may optimize perioperative management, but an adequate risk model for use at early phase after operation has not been developed. In the secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study, 800 adult patients admitted to the ICU after elective intracranial surgeries were included. The POD was diagnosed as Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU positive on postoperative day 1 to 3. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to develop early prediction model (E-PREPOD-NS) and the final model was validated with 200 bootstrap samples. The incidence of POD in this cohort was19.6%. We identified nine variables independently associated with POD in the final model: advanced age (OR 3.336, CI 1.765–6.305, 1 point), low education level (OR 2.528, 1.446–4.419, 1), smoking history (OR 2.582, 1.611–4.140, 1), diabetes (OR 2.541, 1.201–5.377, 1), supra-tentorial lesions (OR 3.424, 2.021–5.802, 1), anesthesia duration > 360 min (OR 1.686, 1.062–2.674, 0.5), GCS < 9 at ICU admission (OR 6.059, 3.789–9.690, 1.5), metabolic acidosis (OR 13.903, 6.248–30.938, 2.5), and neurosurgical drainage tube (OR 1.924, 1.132–3.269, 0.5). The area under the receiver operator curve (AUROC) of the risk score for prediction of POD was 0.865 (95% CI 0.835–0.895). The AUROC was 0.851 after internal validation (95% CI 0.791–0.912). The model showed good calibration. The E-PREPOD-NS model can predict POD in patients admitted to the ICU after elective intracranial surgery with good accuracy. External validation is needed in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A rare tumor, chordoid glioma, is summarized with a relatively large sample size. • A meaningful insight into the management of chordoid glioma is proposed by reviewing all patients' data. • Gross total resection as the primary goal is recommended for the treatment of chordoid glioma. Chordoid gliomas (CGs) are rare neuroepithelial tumors, which commonly arise from the anterior part of the third ventricle. Most studies on CGs included only one or two cases. To better understand the disease, we report 14 patients with pathologically confirmed CGs. The clinical characteristics, including radiological and histological examination, operative records, and prognoses were analyzed and reviewed. The case series included six male and eight female patients with an average age of 44.4 years. The most common preoperative symptom was headache (64.3%) and visual deterioration (57.1%). Radiological results showed that the third ventricle (12/14) was the most common site of the brain involved, and the lesions presented with solid (n = 9, 64.3%) or cystic-solid (n = 5, 35.7%) appearance. All patients were misdiagnosed as non-CG tumors. The operation approach was mainly determined by tumor location, thus trans-callosal approach (9/14) and trans-laminar terminalis approach were commonly used. Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in all cases and none of them received any adjuvant therapy postoperatively. The most frequent postoperative complications were diabetes insipidus, electrolyte disturbance, hypopituitarism, cognitive dysfunction, and obstructive hydrocephalus. During an average follow-up period of 40.1 months, 2 cases (14.3%) were died of refractory hypopituitarism and pulmonary embolism, respectively. The preoperative symptoms and postoperative complications were all significantly improved in other 12 patients, and MRI showed no tumor recurrence. According to our experience, we recommend GTR as the primary goal, which is associated with improved rates of tumor control and without increasing rates of postoperative complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Reciprocal effects between pregnancy and hemangioblastomas were not thoroughly clear. • Symptomatic treatment was the first choice for these patients, especially for those with spinal hemangioblastoma. • Safe urgent tumor resection was possible with careful maternal and fetal monitoring if necessary. • Both maternal and born fetal prognoses were favorable in the long run. Abstract The study aims to assess the management and maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnancies complicated by central nervous system (CNS) hemangioblastoma. Twenty-four female patients with CNS hemangioblastoma, who were pregnant in a tumor-burden status, were identified. Their medical charts, treatments, and follow-up materials were carefully reviewed. Of the included 24 CNS patients with hemangioblastoma (14 intracranial and 10 spinal hemangioblastomas), 5 patients (20.8%) were diagnosed with Von Hippel-Lindau disease (VHL). The median age of these patients at admission was 27.5 years. Intracranial hypertension was a common presenting symptom for patients with intracranial hemangioblastoma and was observed in 85.7% (12/14) of cases; the other 10 patients with spinal hemangioblastomas all suffered from paresthesia. Overall, 66.7% (16/24) of patients with CNS hemangioblastoma went through the gestational course with conventional observation; 16.6% (4/24) of patients accepted a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt (VPS) to delay the tumor resection; and 16.7% (4/24) of patients needed urgent tumor resection even when symptomatic treatments were given. Variable symptom improvement was seen when patients had follow-up visits at a median of 32.5 months. No maternal death or tumor recurrence was identified. For the fetal prognoses, one (4.2%) pregnancy ended in a spontaneous miscarriage and for (16.7%) pregnancies were interrupted; the other 19 (79.2%) live births were in good status without any congenital malformations. Symptomatic treatment was the first choice for pregnant patients with CNS hemangioblastoma. When needed, urgent tumor resection could be safely achieved with careful maternal and fetal monitoring. Both maternal and fetal prognoses were favorable during follow-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The effects of homonojirimycin (HNJ), one of alkaloids from Commelina communis L., on protection against influenza virus infection in mice were investigated. HNJ was found to improve the survival rate, prolong the mean survival time and reduce virus yields in lungs on days 4 and 6 post-infection (p.i.), after the agent had been orally administered to the mice from 2 days before infection to 6 days p.i. Administration of HNJ (1mg/kg) significantly increased interferon (IFN)-γ and interleukin (IL)-10 levels but decreased tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and IL-6 levels in serum and lungs of influenza-infected mice on days 2, 4 or 6 p.i. These results showed that HNJ exerted protection against influenza virus infection and produced effective immune responses in vivo. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Corrigendum to "Flaccidoside II ameliorates collagen-induced arthritis in mice" [Eur. J. Pharmacol. [Extracted from the article]

Objective Rhabdoid meningioma (RM) and papillary meningioma (PM) are rare variants of World Health Organization grade III meningiomas. In this study, we presented a series of 23 cases from our institution to investigate adverse factors of and appropriate treatment for RM and PM. Methods Clinical data from 23 cases of PM and RM between January 2011 and December 2015 were retrospectively reviewed. Results The median follow-up was 38.0 months for World Health Organization grade III meningiomas. The mean progression-free survival (PFS) was 37.6 months, with 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year PFS of 78.3%, 50.8%, and 43.6%, respectively. The mean overall survival (OS) was 48.8 months, with 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year OS of 95.7%, 82.6%, and 44.0%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that a ki-67 proliferation index >20% (hazard ratio [HR], 4.190; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.033–17.001; P = 0.045) and PM (HR, 3.375; 95% CI, 0.998–11.408; P = 0.005) were related to worse PFS. Patients administered postoperative radiotherapy (PRT) after surgery had longer OS than did patients who did not receive PRT (median, 60.7 vs. 35.1 months; P = 0.029). Multivariate analysis showed that PRT was an independent factor for PFS (HR, 0.147; 95% CI, 0.033–0.657; P = 0.012) and OS (HR, 0.130; 95% CI, 0.025–0.691; P = 0.017) and that RM was an independent factor for PFS (HR, 7.312; 95% CI, 1.587–33.688; P = 0.011) and OS (HR, 6.447; 95% CI, 1.310–31.740; P = 0.022). Conclusions We recommended adjuvant radiation regardless of the extent of resection. Individuals with PM or RM were at increased risk of recurrence and death; appropriate treatment for these patients should be further studied, and close follow-up is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop a method to distinguish atypical meningiomas (AMs) with malignant progression (MP) from primary AMs without a clinical history. The clinical, radiologic, and pathologic data of 33 previously Simpson grade I resected (if any) as well as no radiotherapy treated intracranial AMs between January 2008 and December 2015 were reviewed. Immunohistochemical staining for connexin 43 (Cx43) and Ki-67 was performed. Descriptive analysis and univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to explore independent predictors of MP. A multivariable logistic model was developed to estimate the risk of MP, and its diagnostic value was determined from a receiver operating characteristic curve. There were 11 AMs (33.3%) with histopathologically confirmed MP from benign meningiomas. The other 22 (66.7%) were initially diagnosed AMs with no histopathologically confirmed MP during a median 60.5 months (range, 42–126 months) of follow-up. Univariate and multivariate logistic analyses showed that irregular tumor shape (P = 0.010) and low Cx43 expression (P = 0.010) were independent predictors of the presence of MP, and the predicted probability was calculated by the following formula: P = 1/[1+exp.{1.218–(3.202×Shape)+(3.814×Cx43)}]. P > 0.5 for an irregularly shaped (score 1) AM with low Cx43 expression (score 0) indicated a high probability of MP. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and overall predictive accuracy were 63.6, 95.6, 87.5, 84.0, and 84.8%, respectively. Low Cx43 expression and irregular tumor shape were independent predictors of the presence of MP. The relevant logistic regression model was found to be effective in distinguishing MP-AMs from primary AMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Because of the paucity of relevant data, treatment and outcomes in intracranial atypical meningioma (AM) remain unclear. The aim of this study was to find useful factors predicting survival and to evaluate the role of postoperative radiation after surgery. Methods Data were obtained from 302 patients with AM who underwent surgery between January 2008 and December 2015. Results A series of 302 patients, including 166 female and 136 male, underwent surgery at our institution. Gross total resection (GTR) was achieved in 201 (66.6%) patients. Seventy-five patients (24.8%) underwent postoperative radiation after surgery. For the entire cohort, there were 131 (43.4%) recurrences, 1 (0.33%) metastasis, and 56 (18.5%) mortalities during a median follow-up duration of 41.6 months. The median recurrence-free survival (RFS) was 55.2 months after the date of the first AM surgery, with 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year RFS rates of 87.6%, 63.3% and 47.7%, respectively. The median overall survival (OS) for patients was 99.8 months, and the actuarial OS rates from the time of the first AM surgery at 1, 3, and 5 years were 97.0%, 90.6%, and 78.8%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, preoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale score (≥80), primary tumor, tumor invasiveness, and GTR were associated with increased RFS, whereas preoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale score (≥80), primary tumor, supratentorial location, lack of peritumoral edema, radiotherapy, and GTR were associated with increased OS. Conclusions GTR is the first choice for patients with AM. We recommend that patients with secondary tumors receive radiotherapy after surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Chordoid meningioma (CM) and clear-cell meningioma (CCM) are rare World Health Organization grade II meningioma subtypes. This study aimed to evaluate favorable factors and appropriate therapeutic strategies for these lesions. Methods We retrospectively reviewed clinical data from 111 cases of grade II meningiomas, including 55 cases of CM and 56 cases of CCM, between January 2011 and December 2015. Results The mean follow-up time of the rare World Health Organization grade II meningiomas ( n = 111) was 45.3 months. In the CM group, 8 patients (14.5%) experienced recurrence, and 2 patients (3.6%) died. In the CCM group, 22 patients (39.3%) experienced recurrence, and 9 patients (16.1%) died. Significant differences were observed between the CM and CCM groups in tumor size ( P = 0.019), history of surgery ( P = 0.038), and peritumoral edema ( P = 0.004). In the CM group, gross total resection was associated with favorable progression-free survival (hazard ratio, 0.144; 95% confidence interval, 0.029–0.714; P = 0.018). In the CCM group, univariate analyses showed that preoperative Karnofsky Performance Status <80 ( P < 0.001), tumor size ≥5 cm ( P = 0.015), tumor size (per-centimeter increase) ( P = 0.022), bone invasion ( P = 0.004), a history of surgery ( P < 0.001), and subtotal resection ( P = 0.009) were associated with worse progression-free survival. Male gender ( P = 0.039), tumor size (per-centimeter increase) ( P = 0.043), bone invasion ( P = 0.030), and a history of surgery ( P = 0.007) were associated with poor overall survival. Conclusions This study showed that gross total resection should be achieved in grade II meningiomas. Patients with larger tumors and/or surgical histories had worse outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photoluminescence spectra of CuI crystals using synchrotron radiation as an excitation light source were obtained at 60 K. The emission peaks at 405, 415, 420 and 443 nm were observed. The possible origins of these peaks were discussed by the temperature dependence of luminescence spectra for CuI material. Meanwhile, the photoluminescence spectra of CuI powder with different excitation intensity were measured and the ultrafast luminescence component of CuI crystals was warranted to be attributed to the recombination of donor acceptor pair. Furthermore, the excitation process was studied by measuring the photoluminescence excitation spectra of CuI crystals and powder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Comparison of direct acid leaching process and blank roasting acid leaching process in recovering vanadium from a certain stone coal was carried out. The vanadium leaching efficiency in direct acid leaching process was 92.39% while in blank roasting acid leaching process was 85.43% under the comparative leaching condition of 15% (v/v) H2SO4, 1mL/g, 4h, 95±1°C and 5% (w/w) CaF2. In essence, the mechanism of vanadium leaching was similar in direct acid leaching process and blank roasting acid leaching process. First, calcium fluoride reacted with sulfuric acid to generate hydrofluoric acid. Second, the hydrofluoric acid thoroughly broke down silicoaluminate minerals due to the generation of [SiF6]2− and [AlF5]2− . However, the difference was that blank roasting contributed to changes in the minerals. On the one hand, blank roasting benefited the vanadium leaching because it transformed vanadium (bound to organics) into vanadium (bound to free oxides) and broke vanadium-bearing silicoaluminate minerals down. On the other hand, it also transformed pyrite into acid-consuming hematite, which increased the consumption of hydrofluoric acid. It was the generation of hematite covering the benefits from blank roasting that decreased the leaching efficiency of vanadium. It was reasonable for this stone coal where vanadium and iron mainly existed in forms of silicoaluminate and pyrite respectively to adopt direct acid leaching process with calcium fluoride. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The luminescent characteristics of RE (RE3+ =Eu, Tb, Dy, Sm and Tm)-doped K2GdZr(PO4)3 have been investigated. The band in the range of 130–157nm in the VUV excitation spectra of these compounds is attributed to the host lattice or PO4 3− group absorption and the band from 157nm to 215nm with the maximum at 188nm is due to the O–Zr charge transfer transition. For Eu3+-doped sample, the relatively weak band of O2−–Eu3+ charge transfer (CTB) at 222nm is observed and for Tb3+-doped sample, the band at 223nm is related to the 4f–5d spin-allowed transition of Tb3+. For Dy3+- and Sm3+-doped samples, the O2−–Dy3+ and O2−–Sm3+ CTBs have not been observed, probably due to the 2p electrons of oxygen tightly bound to the zirconium ion in the host lattice. In Tm3+-doped sample, the weak O2−–Tm3+ CTB is located at 170nm. It is observed that there is energy transfer between the host and the luminescent activators (e.g. Eu3+, Tb3+ and Sm3+) except for Tm3+. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The VUV excited luminescent properties of Ce3+, Tb3+, Eu3+ and Tm3+ in the matrices of KMGd(PO4)2 (M=Ca, Sr) were investigated. The bands at about 165nm and 155nm in the VUV excitation spectra are attributed to host lattice absorptions of the two matrices. For Ce3+-doped samples, the Ce3+ 5d levels can be identified. As for Tb3+-doped samples, typical 4f–5d absorption bands in the region of 175–250nm were observed. For Eu3+ and Tm3+-doped samples, the O2−–Eu3+ and O2–Tm3+ CTBs are observed to be at about 229nm and 177nm, respectively. From the standpoints of color purity and luminescent efficiency, KCaGd(PO4)2:Tb3+ is an attractive candidate of green light PDP phosphor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new structural type of rare earth metaphosphate, Lu(PO3)3, was prepared from high-temperature solution, of which the crystal structure was solved in S.G. of Cc (No.9) and Z =4 with unit cell dimensions of a =13.972(3)Å, b =6.6710(13)Å, c =9.958(2) Å and β =127.36(3)°. In Lu(PO3)3, [LuO6] octahedra connect with the non-bridging oxygens on (PO3) n infinite zigzag chains that extended along c-axis. The VUV and X-ray excited luminescent properties of undoped and Ln3+ (Ln=Ce, Eu, Tb) doped samples were examined, from which the optical band gap was estimated to be 8.3eV. Besides, in the undoped sample a STE emission within 320–480nm was observed, which probably be related to oxygen defects. However, in the Lu(PO3)3:Ce sample the Ce3+ emission was weak and STE emission was totally quenched under hard X-ray excitation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: AGdP2O7 (A=Rb, Cs) diphosphates were obtained through solid state reactions. Besides the monoclinic β-RbGdP2O7 and CsGdP2O7, the high temperature phase of RbGdP2O7, α-RbGdP2O7, was reported for the first time, which is isostructural with α-KYP2O7 (S.G. Cmcm, Z =4), and the unit cell volume of α-phase is 5.4% smaller than that of β-phase. However, no reverse α↔β polymorphic transition was observed. The VUV-UV and X-ray excited spectroscopic properties of undoped and Ln3+ (Ln=Ce, Eu, Tb) doped AGdP2O7 (A=Rb, Cs) were presented. Under X-ray excitation, strong cascade emission of Gd3+ was observed in each undoped AGdP2O7 samples. The Gd–Ln energy transfer is relatively weak, which is due to the large Gd–Gd distance. The energy transfer probability among Gd3+ ions follows a sequence of CsGdP2O7 <β-RbGdP2O7 <α-RbGdP2O7, which is inversely proportional with the Gd–Gd distance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: NaLaP2O7 and NaGdP2O7 powder samples are prepared by solid-state reactions at 750 and 600°C, respectively, and the VUV-excited luminescence properties of Ln3+ (Ln=Ce, Pr, Tb, Tm, Eu) in both diphosphates are studied. Ln3+ ions in both hosts show analogous luminescence. For Ce3+-doped samples, the five Ce3+ 5d levels can be clearly identified. As for Pr3+ and Tb3+-doped samples, strong 4f–5d absorption band around 172nm is observed, which matches well with Xe–He excimer in plasma display panel (PDP) devices. As a result, Pr3+ can be utilized as sensitizer to absorb 172nm VUV photon and transfer energy to appropriate activators, and Tb3+-doped NaREP2O7(RE=La, Gd) are potential 172nm excited green PDP phosphors. For Tm3+ and Eu3+-doped samples, the Tm3+–O2− charge transfer band (CTB) is observed to be at 177nm, but the CTB of Eu3+ is observed at abnormally low energy position, which might originate from multi-position of Eu3+ ions. The similarity in luminescence properties of Ln3+ in both hosts indicates certain structural resemblance of coordination environment of Ln3+ in the two sodium rare earth diphosphates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Spectroscopic properties of Ce3+ and Pr3+-doped AREP2O7-type alkali rare earth diphosphates (A=Na, K, Rb, Cs; RE=Y, Lu) have been investigated using VUV spectroscopy technique. Ce3+-doped samples show typical Ce3+ emission in the range of 325–450nm. The strong host absorption band starting at around 160nm indicates that the optical band gap of AREP2O7 hosts is at least 7.7eV, and the host→Ce3+ energy transfer process is rather efficient. However, AREP2O7:Pr3+ samples show less efficient host→Pr3+ energy transfer. The direct Pr3+ 4f2→4f15d1 excitation, which are 12160±640cm−1 higher respect to that of Ce3+, leads to strong 4f15d1→4f2 emission bands in the range of 230–325nm but no obvious 4f2→4f2 emission lines. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Using hydrophobic acrylic acid-2-ethylhexyl ester (AAEHE) as a comonomer of methacrylic acid (MAA), a series of hydrophobically modified (HM) poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) (HMPMAA) hydrogels were prepared by UV solution copolymerization and studied as controlled-release matrices. The result indicates that swelling degree of the HMPMAA hydrogels can sensitively respond to change in pH. However, the presence of hydrophobic AAEHE segments influences swelling kinetics of PMAA hydrogel evidently. Using p-hydroxyanisole (PHAS) as a model molecule, controlled-release behaviors of the HMPMAA hydrogels were investigated. It is found that the presence of hydrophobic AAEHE segments can markedly slow down the release rate of PHAS from PMAA-based hydrogels regardless of pH 1.4 or 7.4. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Novel phosphors of Ce3+, Tb3+, Sm3+ or Gd3+ doped Ba3BP3O12 were synthesized by the solid-state reaction method and their VUV–UV spectroscopic properties were investigated. The bands at about 165nm in the VUV excitation spectra are attributed to the host lattice absorptions. The bands at about 216, 238, 269, 282, and 294nm for the sample of Ba3BP3O12: Ce3+ are connected with the f–d transitions of the Ce3+ ion, the strong band at 220nm and weak band at 260nm for the sample of Ba3BP3O12: Tb3+ are assumed to be the lowest spin-allowed and spin-forbidden f–d transitions of Tb3+ ion, the bands at about 187 and 166nm for the sample of Ba3BP3O12: Sm3+ have been considered as related to the charge transfer and the f–d transition of Sm3+, and the band at 146nm for the sample of Ba3BP3O12: Gd3+ is assumed to be connected with charge transfer of the Gd3+ ion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]