Effect of transplantation of marrow mesenchymal stem cells transfected with insulin-like growth factor-1 gene on fracture healing of rats with diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of transplantation of marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) transfected with insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) on fracture healing of rats with diabetes and discuss the gene therapy for diabetic fracture. METHODS: 60 8-week-old male Wistar rats weighing 180-200 g were divided into the control group and experimental group at random. All of them suffered from right tibia fracture following the model of diabetes induced by streptozotocin. BMSCs were transfected with Ad- IGF-1 and BMSCs of the appropriate group were transplanted to part of the fracture area. 6 rats were selected from each group at 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 weeks after the surgery. Local bone callus was stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H-E) and IGF-1 in the bone callus and serum was tested. RESULTS: Osteoid tissues formed at 3 weeks in the experimental group; mature lamellar bone formed at 7 weeks in the experimental group; fibrous bone callus was observed in the control group. IGF-1 in bone callus of the experimental group is increasing and significantly different from that of the control group (p < 0.05). Concentrations of IGF-1 in the serum of the two groups were increasing gradually from the first week. The control group reached its peak in the 5th week. The experimental group reached a high concentration in the 5th week and maintained a high concentration in the 7th week. The differences at various times between the two groups have statistical significance (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Transplantation of BMSCs transfected with IGF-1 gene can promote fracture healing of rats with diabetes (Tab. 4, Fig. 1, Ref. 20).

Microsurgery for the treatment of primary malignant intracranial melanoma: a surgical series and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Primary malignant intracranial melanomas are rare tumors of the central nervous system. These tumors are highly malignant and are associated with poor prognosis. The field of neurosurgery has struggled with the diagnosis and treatment of these tumors. METHODS: In this study, we present a surgical series of eight patients with primary malignant intracranial melanomas and retrospectively analyze the clinical features, imaging findings, pathological features and prognoses of these patients. RESULTS: All patients underwent microsurgery. Total and subtotal resection of the tumor was achieved in six and two patients, respectively. Of the eight patients, seven showed improvement while one remained the same at time of discharge. There was no neurosurgical deterioration. Radiotherapy was conducted in six patients after operation. The average follow-up duration was 13.8 months (range = 9-26 months). During the follow-up period, three patients died from this disease. One patient suffered from recurrence at the 16th month and underwent second surgery. The other patients were still alive with no evidence of tumor recurrence. CONCLUSION: Microsurgery and radiotherapy should be the first line managements for patients with primary malignant intracranial melanomas. Improvements in chemotherapy, immunotherapy and targeted therapies may provide more effective treatments for malignant intracranial melanomas.