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Glioma is a type of tumor derived from glial cells, which is associated with a high level of incidence and mortality. At present, the generation of a fast and efficient method to evaluate the malignancy grade of glioma is required. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are currently attracting attention in oncological studies; therefore, the present study aimed to investigate novel biomarkers of glioma CSCs, in order to provide new criteria for the grading of glioma. The mRNA expression levels of CD133, (sex determining region Y)-box 2, nestin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) were detected in 15 human samples of high-malignancy glioma and 12 human samples of low-malignancy glioma in vitro . The mRNA expression levels of VEGF and PI3K were higher in the high-malignancy group, as compared with in the low-malignancy group. In conclusion, the mRNA expression levels of VEGF and PI3K in glioma CSCs may be considered a novel criteria for the grading of glioma.

Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome is a serious complication of revascularization after carotid endarterectomy, extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery, or stent placement. The mechanisms underlying cerebral hyper-perfusion syndrome are mainly ascribed to the dysfunction of cerebral auto-regulation to blood flow and injury of the endothelia in blood vessels. Although blood pressure control is often used to prevent cerebral hyper-perfusion after revascularization, cases of cerebral hyperperfusion are still reported in the literature. Current animal studies have shown that ischemic post-conditioning has protective effects on brain tissue, and further studies also showed that it had positive effects on human brachial artery and heart. Therefore, we propose the hypothesis that ischemic post-conditioning could be used to prevent cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome following revascularization. Although the mechanism of ischemic post-conditioning and its clinical application should be further investigated, it has shown its potential effectiveness as a feasible method for prevention of cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome.

Objective: To describe the transvenous catheterization technique for the treatment of cavernous sinus dural arteriovenous fistulas (CSdAVFs), including its indications, complications and efficacy., Methods: Eight patients with symptomatic CSdAVFs were treated by endovascular embolization with platinum coils, via the inferior petrosal sinus (IPS) in 6 patients, and via the Sylvian vein after surgical exposure in other 2 patients., Results: Complete angiographic resolution of the fistula was obtained in six patients immediately after the procedures, and a complete resolution of symptoms and signs was achieved in all patients. The residual fistulas in two patients disappeared completely in the follow-up angiography., Conclusion: Transvenous embolization is a useful and safe approach in the management of CSdAVFs.