Basic fibroblast growth factor increases the transplantation­mediated therapeutic effect of bone mesenchymal stem cells following traumatic brain injury.

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) has proven useful for neural stem and progenitor cells during the transplantation­mediated therapeutic effect of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Endogenous bFGF expression levels increase during brain development and gradually diminish with aging. To date, few studies have been conducted on exogenous bFGF promoting BMSC transplantation­mediated functional recovery in adult rats following traumatic brain injury (TBI). The results of the present study showed that BMSCs in the TBI cortex and dentate gyrus showed differentiation along the glial and neuronal lines, which are possibly enhanced by bFGF. The neuronal differentiation rate was not consistent with neurological functional recovery rate over time. bFGF may promote the transplantation­mediated therapeutic effect of BMSCs more significantly and rapidly in rats following TBI, with a small proportion of differentiated neurons. In conclusion, exogenous bFGF functions as a booster of the transplantation­mediated therapeutic effect of BMSCs following TBI.

Chordoid glioma: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: chordoid glioma is a rare tumor (World Health Organization grade II) with both glial and chordoid features, often located in the suprasellar region and anterior third ventricle. It was first described by Brat in 1998. Because there is no detailed information available from the clinical perspective, we reviewed the literature. METHODS: a literature search through PUBMED and CNKI revealed 64 cases of chordoid glioma. Information on the clinical course was very limited. We reviewed the literature and studied the pathologic and imaging features, postoperative mortality and morbidity in relation to surgical extension and approaches, and the importance of adjuvant treatment. CONCLUSIONS: mortality in the immediate postoperative period is 28%, and postoperative morbidity is 60%, which are statistically higher after gross total resection as compared with subtotal resection. Translamina terminalis approach is considered to be the best approach. The current study cannot document that patients have longer survival and higher quality of life after gross total resection than subtotal resection. The role of postoperative radiotherapy is uncertain and there is no report on the use of chemotherapy. More information about the optimal treatment strategy is needed.