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Background: Managing and investigating all available genetic resources are challenging. As an alternative, breeders and researchers use core collection-a representative subset of the entire collection. A good core is characterized by high genetic diversity and low repetitiveness. Among the several available software, GenoCore uses a coverage criterion that does not require computationally expensive distance-based metrics., Results: ShinyCore is a new method to select a core collection through two phases. The first phase uses the coverage criterion to quickly attain a fixed coverage, and the second phase uses a newly devised score (referred to as the rarity score) to further enhance diversity. It can attain a fixed coverage faster than a currently available algorithm devised for the coverage criterion, so it will benefit users who have big data. ShinyCore attains the minimum coverage specified by a user faster than GenoCore, and it then seeks to add entries with the rarest allele for each marker. Therefore, measures of genetic diversity and distance can be improved., Conclusion: Although GenoCore is a fast algorithm, its implementation is difficult for those unfamiliar with R, ShinyCore can be easily implemented in Shiny with RStudio and an interactive web applet is available for those who are not familiar with programming languages., (© 2023. BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.)

We present a retrospective review of 357 consecutive patients with 419 aneurysms treated with coil embolization. Although incomplete occlusion and recurrence of intracranial aneurysms following coil embolization is a well-known problem, the factors that influence and predict treatment failure are still debated. For this study, we excluded non-coiling endovascular techniques (flow diversion) and non-saccular aneurysms (fusiform). The modified Raymond-Roy occlusion classification (MRRC) was used to grade the aneurysms. Treatment failure was defined as filling of the aneurysm dome (MRRC Class IIIa or IIIb) at the first angiographic follow-up (average 8 months). Univariate statistical tests were employed to select variables for incorporation into a multivariable logistic regression model. Multivariate analysis identified greater aneurysm volume (p<0.001), packing density (PD) less than 31% (p=0.007) and initial MRRC Class IIIb (p<0.001) as predictors of treatment failure. Incomplete neck coverage with coils was associated with treatment failure in univariate but not multivariate analysis. Class IIIb status was more predictive of treatment failure compared to all Class III (odds ratio 168 versus 14.4). Clinical outcomes were similar in both groups except that there were more retreatments in the treatment failure group (p<0.001). Aneurysm volume, PD and initial occlusion class are associated with angiographic outcome, consistent with prior literature. The MRRC is a powerful predictor of treatment failure. These results will be useful in the effort to both prevent and predict treatment failure after coil embolization, however, they should be verified in a prospective study., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: The degree of aneurysm occlusion following coil embolization has an impact on aneurysm recanalization., Objective: To explain the natural history of intracranial aneurysms with neck remnant, Raymond-Roy Occlusion Classification (RROC) class II., Methods: A single-center, retrospective study of 198 patients with 209 aneurysms treated with coil embolization that were initially either RROC class I or II. The angiographic outcomes at short- and long-term follow-up were compared as well as the complication/re-treatment rates. Atypical aneurysms and those that had been previously treated were excluded., Results: Ninety-nine class I aneurysms were compared with 110 class II aneurysms. There was no difference in recanalization rate between the groups (class I 3.3% vs class II 8.5%, p=0.478) at short-term follow-up (8.2 months) and at subsequent follow-ups (21.7 and 52.1 months). There was also no difference in re-treatment rates (class I 3.3% vs class II 8.5%, p=0.196) or complication rates (class I 9.1% vs class II 4.6%, p=0.12). There were no aneurysm ruptures after treatment in either group., Conclusions: The angiographic outcome of aneurysms with neck remnant following coil embolization is similar to that of completely occluded aneurysms in that most remain stable and few recanalize. This understanding could potentially help the interventional neurosurgeon avoid complications such as coil herniation, vessel compromise, and stroke in selected cases. Further investigation with a larger patient population is warranted., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.)

Background: The Raymond-Roy Occlusion Classification (RROC) is the standard for evaluating coiled aneurysms (Class I: complete obliteration; Class II: residual neck; Class III: residual aneurysm), but not all Class III aneurysms behave the same over time., Methods: This is a retrospective review of 370 patients with 390 intracranial aneurysms treated with coil embolization. A Modified Raymond-Roy Classification (MRRC), in which Class IIIa designates contrast within the coil interstices and Class IIIb contrast along the aneurysm wall, was applied retrospectively., Results: Class IIIa aneurysms were more likely to improve to Class I or II than Class IIIb aneurysms (83.34% vs 14.89%, p<0.001) and were also more likely than Class II to improve to Class I (52.78% vs 16.90%, p<0.001). Class IIIb aneurysms were more likely to remain incompletely occluded than Class IIIa aneurysms (85.11% vs 16.67%, p<0.001). Class IIIb aneurysms were larger with wider necks while Class IIIa aneurysms had higher packing density. Class IIIb aneurysms had a higher retreatment rate (33.87% vs 6.54%, p<0.001) and a trend toward higher subsequent rupture rate (3.23% vs 0.00%, p=0.068)., Conclusions: We propose the MRRC to further differentiate Class III aneurysms into those likely to progress to complete occlusion and those likely to remain incompletely occluded or to worsen. The MRRC has the potential to expand the definition of adequate coil embolization, possibly decrease procedural risk, and help endovascular neurosurgeons predict which patients need closer angiographic follow-up. These findings need to be validated in a prospective study with independent blinded angiographic grading., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.)

Background: The initial experience with the large diameter Penumbra Coil 400 (PC400) system has been positive regarding safety, efficacy, improved packing density and cost effectiveness, but follow-up data are limited., Methods: This is a single-center retrospective review of 76 aneurysms treated with PC400 coils compared with 301 aneurysms treated with a variety of different bare platinum and bioactively coated coils. Atypical and giant aneurysms were excluded as well as those that had undergone previous treatment. Occlusion classification was determined immediately after the procedure and at short-term follow-up., Results: Compared with controls, in the PC400 group fewer coils were used (3.53 vs 5.44, p<0.05), procedure time was decreased (48 vs 64 min, p<0.05) and packing density was increased (31.7% vs 24.8%, p<0.05). There were more grade III aneurysms (71.1% vs 38.2%, p<0.05) and fewer grade I aneurysms (13.2% vs 30.2%, p<0.05) in the PC400 group than in the control group immediately after the procedure. At first follow-up, however, more aneurysms in the PC400 group improved (51.3% vs 28.7%, p<0.05) in angiographic grade leading to similar rates of acceptable outcome (grades I or II) at first follow-up (PC400 79.5% vs control 77.2%). The adverse event rate was similar in the two groups., Conclusions: Large diameter PC400 coils can be used to safely treat cerebral aneurysms with fewer coils, decreased procedure time and increased packing density compared with standard coils. The early angiographic outcome is similar to that achieved with standard coils., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.)

Objective: Stent-assisted coiling (SAC) of unruptured intracranial aneurysms is a treatment alternative to clipping or coiling, although high complication and procedure-related mortality rates have been reported., Methods: A retrospective study was conducted of patients undergoing SAC, coiling or clipping of unruptured intracranial aneurysms between 2003 and 2010. Rates of residual aneurysm, recanalization, complications, cost (adjusted to 2010), length of stay (LOS) and outcome were compared between groups., Results: Of 116 subjects, 47 underwent SAC, 33 coiling and 36 clipping. The groups were similar in age, gender and aneurysm location, although the SAC group had significantly larger aneurysms with wider necks (p=0.001). Patients who underwent SAC had more residual aneurysm after initial treatment than those treated with coiling or clipping (75%, 52% and 19%, respectively, p<0.0001), but this difference was smaller at follow-up angiography (50%, 50% and 17% residual, respectively) and was not significant after adjusting for baseline aneurysm and neck size. SAC was not associated with increased recanalization, requirement for additional treatment, mortality or complications after adjusting for aneurysm and neck size. Patients who underwent SAC and those who underwent coiling were more likely to have a good discharge disposition than patients treated with clipping (100% vs 91%, p=0.042). LOS was significantly shorter for patients who underwent SAC or coiling compared with those treated with clipping (p<0.0001). The overall direct cost was higher for patients who underwent SAC than for those treated with coiling or clipping (median $22 544 vs $12 933 vs $14 656, p=0.001), even after adjusting for aneurysm and neck size, LOS and retreatment., Conclusions: SAC is a safe alternative to coiling or clipping of unruptured aneurysms but it is currently more expensive.

Background and Purpose: The Penumbra Coil 400 System (PC 400) is the newly introduced platinum coil system designed specifically to enhance filling efficiency by increasing coil diameter. Our goal was to study the packing and treatment advantage of the PC 400's unique geometric configuration compared with conventional coils (controls)., Materials and Methods: 16 aneurysms embolized with the PC 400 in 2011 were compared with 79 equally matched aneurysms embolized with conventional coils from 2004 to 2011. Primary outcomes assessed were acute packing density, embolization time, and the number of coils required for aneurysm occlusion., Results: Aneurysm embolization with the PC 400 achieved a higher packing density (36.8% vs 28.1%; p<0.005) and with fewer coils (an average of 3.9 vs 6.1 coils per aneurysm; p<0.05). In addition, the total procedural time for the subjects treated with the PC 400 was significantly less (45.7 vs 64.1 min; p<0.05). There were no procedural complications associated with the PC 400., Conclusions: Compared with conventional coils, the PC 400 is more efficient in the embolization of cerebral aneurysms, achieving greater packing density with fewer coils and less time without compromising safety.

The incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage is estimated at 5 to 10 per 100,000 per year. In patients who survive the initial hemorrhage, the repeat hemorrhage rate is 15% to 20% in the first 2 weeks after presentation and is associated with devastating clinical outcomes even graver than the initial rupture. The current options for aneurysm treatment are surgical clipping and, since the mid-1990s, neuroendovascular coil embolization. The former was at one time the gold standard of care, but consistent with the trend in modern medicine toward less-invasive procedures, the latter has steadily gained prominence. Although there is still controversy as to its long-term durability and safety, it is now the preferred procedure. This article describes the procedure's antecedents, rationale, and essential components. Mt Sinai J Med 77:279-285, 2010. (c) 2010 Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

Intra-abdominal cysts may rise from a variety of organs. However, foreign-body reaction and cyst formation should be considered in the differential diagnosis. In this report, we describe the finding of a preoperatively undetected gossypiboma. A gossypiboma is a mass within the body that is composed of a cotton matrix; in this case, an unmarked laparotomy sponge. The evaluation, findings, and prevention of gossypiboma are discussed.

Activation of transcription initiation by the cI protein of phage lambda is thought to be mediated by a direct interaction between cl and RNA polymerase at the PRM promoter. Two negatively charged amino acid residues in the DNA binding domain of cI play a key role in activation, suggesting that these residues contact RNA polymerase. The subunit of RNA polymerase involved was identified by selecting polymerase mutants that restored the activation function of a mutant form of cI protein. Although previous studies suggest that several activators interact with the alpha subunit of RNA polymerase, the results here suggest that cI interacts with the sigma subunit. An arginine to histidine change near the carboxyl terminus of sigma specifically suppresses an aspartic acid to asparagine change in the activation region of cI. This finding supports the direct-contact model and suggests that a cluster of positively charged residues near the carboxyl terminus of sigma is the target of the negatively charged activation region of cI.

A mutation is described that alters the promoter specificity of sigma 70, the primary sigma factor of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. In strains carrying both the mutant and wild-type sigma gene (rpoD), the mutant sigma causes a large increase in the activity of mutant P22 ant promoters with A.T or C.G instead of the wild-type, consensus G.C base-pair at position -33, the third position of the consensus -35 hexamer 5'-TTGACA-3'. There is little or no effect on the activities of the wild-type and 23 other mutant ant promoters, including one with T.A at -33. The mutant sigma also activates E. coli lac promoters with A.T or C.G, but not T.A, at the corresponding position. The rpoD mutation (rpoD-RH588) changes a CGT codon to CAT. The corresponding change in sigma 70 is Arg588----His. This residue is in a region that is conserved among most sigma factors, a region that is also homologous with the helix-turn-helix motif of DNA-binding proteins. These results suggest that this region of sigma 70 is directly involved in recognition of the -35 hexamer.