Hsa_circ_0005397 promotes hepatocellular carcinoma progression through EIF4A3.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the expression and potential mechanism of hsa_circ_0005397 in hepatocellular carcinoma progression. METHODS: Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR) was used to measure the expression level of hsa_circ_0005397 and EIF4A3 from paired HCC tissues and cell lines. Western Blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to verify the protein level of EIF4A3. The specificity of primers was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve was drawn to analyze diagnostic value. Actinomycin D and nuclear and cytoplasmic extraction assays were utilized to evaluate the characteristics of hsa_circ_0005397. Cell Counting kit-8 (CCK-8) and colony formation assays were performed to detect cell proliferation. Flow cytometry analysis was used to detect the cell cycle. Transwell assay was performed to determine migration and invasion ability. RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) of hsa_circ_0005397 in HCC were explored using bioinformatics websites. The relationship between hsa_circ_0005397 and Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 4A3 (EIF4A3) was verified by RNA Binding Protein Immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays, correlation and rescue experiments. RESULTS: In this study, hsa_circ_0005397 was found to be significantly upregulated in HCC, and the good diagnostic sensitivity and specificity shown a potential diagnostic capability. Upregulated expression of hsa_circ_0005397 was significantly related to tumor size and stage. Hsa_circ_0005397 was circular structure which more stable than liner mRNA, and mostly distributed in the cytoplasm. Upregulation of hsa_circ_0005397 generally resulted in stronger proliferative ability, clonality, and metastatic potency of HCC cells; its downregulation yielded the opposite results. EIF4A3 is an RNA-binding protein of hsa_circ_0005397, which overexpressed in paired HCC tissues and cell lines. In addition, expression of hsa_circ_0005397 decreased equally when EIF4A3 was depleted. RIP assays and correlation assay estimated that EIF4A3 could interacted with hsa_circ_0005397. Knockdown of EIF4A3 could reverse hsa_circ_0005397 function in HCC progression. CONCLUSIONS: Hsa_circ_0005397 promotes progression of hepatocellular carcinoma through EIF4A3. These research findings may provide novel clinical value for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Differential molecular genetic analysis in glioblastoma multiforme of long- and short-term survivors: a clinical study in Chinese patients.

This study was designed to find whether long-term survivors (LTSs) exhibit molecular genetic differences compared with short-term survivors (STSs) in patients with GBM. Tumors from 12 patients initially diagnosed with GBM and survived longer than 36 months (LTSs) were compared with 30 patients with GBM and STSs (survival <18 months) for detecting of MGMT promoter methylation, 1p/19q LOH and IDH1 mutation. IDH1 mutation and MGMT promoter methylation were significantly more frequent in the LTSs group (P = 0.039 and 0.017, respectively). The incidence of 1p/19q co-deletion was not significantly different (P = 1.0). IDH1 mutation and MGMT promoter methylation might be independent, significant, and favorable factors for LTSs with GBM.

Increased endogenous PKG I activity attenuates EGF-induced proliferation and migration of epithelial ovarian cancer via the MAPK/ERK pathway.

The type I cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG I) is recognized as a tumor suppressor, but its role in EGFR regulated epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) progression remains unclear. We evaluated the in vivo and in vitro effects of activated PKG I in EGF-induced EOC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. The expressions of EGFR and PKG I were elevated, but the activated PKG I was decreased in EOC tissues of patients and cells lines. The addition of 8-Br-cGMP, a specific PKG I activator, attenuated the EGF-induced EOC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in vitro. Similarly, activated PKG I also attenuated EOC progression in vivo using an EOC xenograft nude mouse model. The activated PKG I interacted with EGFR, causing increased threonine (693) phosphorylation and decreased tyrosine (1068) phosphorylation of EGFR, which resulted in disrupted EGFR-SOS1-Grb2 combination. Subsequently, the cytoplasmic phosphorylation of downstream proteins (c-Raf, MEK1/2, and ERK1/2) were declined, impeding the phosphorylated ERK1/2's nucleus translocation, and this reduction of phosphorylated tyrosine (1068) EGFR and ERK1/2 were also abolished by Rp-8-Br-cGMPS. Our results suggest that the activation of PKG I attenuates EGF-induced EOC progression, and the 8-Br-cGMP-PKG I-EGFR/MEK/ERK axis might be a potential target for EOC therapy.

[Response of Organic Carbon Mineralization to Nitrogen Addition in Micro-aerobic and Anaerobic Layers of Paddy Soil].

In field conditions, a micro-aerobic layer with 1 cm thickness exists on the surface layer of paddy soil owing to the diffusion of dissolved oxygen via flooding water. However, the particularity of carbon and nitrogen transformation in this specific soil layer is not clear. A typical subtropical paddy soil was collected and incubated with13C-labelled rice straw for 100 days. The responses of exogenous fresh organic carbon(13C-rice straw) and original soil organic carbon mineralization to nitrogen fertilizer addition[(NH4)2SO4]in the micro-aerobic layer(0-1 cm) and anaerobic layer(1-5 cm) of paddy soil and their microbial processes were analyzed based on the analysis of 13C incorporation into phospholipid fatty acid(13C-PLFAs). Nitrogen addition promoted the total CO2 and 13C-CO2 emission from paddy soil by 11.4% and 12.3%, respectively. At the end of incubation, with the addition of nitrogen, the total soil organic carbon (SOC) and13C-recovery rate from rice straw in the anaerobic layer were 2.4% and 9.2% lower than those in the corresponding micro-aerobic layer, respectively. At the early stage(5 days), nitrogen addition increased the total microbial PLFAs in the anaerobic layer with a consistent response of bacterial and fungal PLFAs. However, there was no significant effect from nitrogen on microbial abundance in the micro-aerobic layer. Nitrogen addition had no significant impact on the abundance of total 13C-PLFAs in the micro-aerobic and anaerobic layers, but the abundance of 13C-PLFAs for bacteria and fungi in the micro-aerobic layer was decreased dramatically. At the late stage(100 days), the effect of nitrogen addition on microbial PLFAs was consistent with that at the early stage. The abundances of total, bacterial, and fungal 13C-PLFAs were remarkably increased in the anaerobic layer. However, the abundance of 13C-PLFAs in the micro-aerobic layer showed no significant response to nitrogen addition. During the incubation, the content of NH4+-N in the anaerobic soil layer was higher than that in the micro-aerobic soil layer. This indicates that nitrogen addition increased microbial activity in the anaerobic soil layer caused by the higher NH4+-N concentration, as majority of microorganisms preferred to use NH4+-N. Consequently, the microbial utilization and decomposition of organic carbon in the anaerobic soil layer were accelerated. By contrast, richer available N existed in the form of NO3--N in the micro-aerobic soil layer owing to the ammoxidation process. Thus, the shortage of NO3--N preference microorganisms in the paddy soil environment prohibited the microbial metabolism of organic carbon in the micro-aerobic layer. As a whole, nitrogen fertilization enhanced organic carbon loss via microbial mineralization in paddy soil with a weaker effect in the micro-aerobic layer than that in the anaerobic layer, indicating the limited microbial metabolic activity in the surface micro-aerobic layer could protect the organic carbon stabilization in paddy soil. This study emphasizes the heterogeneity of paddy soil and its significant particularity of carbon and nitrogen transformation in micro-aerobic layers. Consequently, this study has implications for optimizing the forms and method for the application of nitrogen fertilizer in paddy cropping systems.

Myricetin suppresses TGF-ß-induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition in ovarian cancer.

Background: Ovarian cancer (OC) is the second most common gynecological malignancy and has a high mortality rate. The current chemotherapeutic drugs have the disadvantages of drug resistance and side effects. Myricetin, a kind of natural compound, has the advantages of easy extraction, low price, and fewer side effects. Multiple studies have demonstrated the anti-cancer properties of myricetin. However, its impact on OC is still unknown and needs further investigation. Therefore, this study aimed to elucidate the mechanism by which myricetin suppresses transforming growth factor-ß (TGF-ß) -induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in OC through in vivo and in vitro experiments. Methods: In vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of myricetin on cell proliferation and apoptosis using CCK8 assay, plate clonal formation assay, and flow cytometry. Western blot was employed to evaluate the expression levels of caspase-3, PARP, and the MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. Wound healing, transwell, western blot and immunofluorescence assay were used to detect TGF-ß-induced cell migration, invasion, EMT and the levels of Smad3, MAPK/ERK, PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. Additionally, a mouse xenograft model was established to verify the effects of myricetin on OC in vivo. Results: Myricetin inhibited OC proliferation through MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathways. Flow cytometry and western blot analyses demonstrated that myricetin promoted apoptosis by increasing the expression of cleaved-PARP and cleaved-caspase-3 and the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 in OC. Furthermore, myricetin suppressed the TGF-ß-induced migration and invasion by transwell and wound healing assays. Mechanistically, western blot indicated that myricetin reversed TGF-ß-induced metastasis through Smad3, MAPK/ERK and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. In vivo, myricetin significantly repressed OC progression and liver and lung metastasis. Conclusion: Myricetin exhibited inhibitory effects on OC progression and metastasis both in vivo and in vitro. And it also reversed TGF-ß-induced EMT through the classical and non-classical Smad signaling pathways.

[The correlation between combining 1p/19q LOH and pathology in gliomas].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the frequencies of combining loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of chromosome 1p/19q in gliomas of different pathologies and analyze the clinical factors correlated with combining LOH by logistic regression. METHODS: Tumor samples from 127 glioma patients were collected. The status of 1p and 19q was evaluated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and the frequencies of combining 1p/19q LOH in gliomas of different pathologies were analyzed. RESULTS: The frequencies of combining 1p/19q LOH in astrocytic, oligoastrocytic and oligodendroglial tumors were 19.30%, 50.00% and 80.77% respectively. The frequencies of combining 1p/19q LOH in oligoastrocytic and oligodendroglial tumors were higher than those in astrocytic tumors (P < 0.01) and the frequencies of combining 1p/19q LOH in oligodendroglial tumors was higher than those in oligoastrocytic tumors (P < 0.05). The frequencies of 1p/19q LOH in astrocytic, oligoastrocytic and oligodendroglial tumors were 12.28%, 11.36 and 0 respectively. There was no significant correlation between combining 1p/19q LOH and age, gender and grade by logistic regression. CONCLUSION: In gliomas, combining 1p/19q LOH is proved to be the most common pattern of chromosome deletion involving 1p or 19q. It is significantly correlated with oligodendroglial component. Combining 1p/19q LOH may be valuable in the diagnosis, treatment and prognostic prediction for glioma with oligodendroglial component.

[Responses of canopy stomatal conductance of Platycladus orientalis to soil water under water control.] / æŽ§æ°´æ¡ä»¶ä¸‹ä¾§æŸå† å±‚æ°”å­”å¯¼åº¦å¯¹åœŸå£¤æ°´çš„å“åº”.

A water-controlled experiment with four treatments (no rain, half raining, natural raining and double raining) was carried out in a Platycladus orientalis forest. The factors including soil water content (SWC), precipitation, sap flow density (Js), leaf area index (LAI), vapor pressure deficit (VPD) were monitored during August 2016 to August 2017. We further analyzed the response of canopy stomatal conductance (gs) to changes of SWC. The results showed that the SWC of plots (half, natural and double raining) showed a positive correlation with precipitation, and the range of SWC was 4.9%-16.0%, 7.2%-22.9%, 7.4%-29.6%, respectively. The SWC in the plot with no rain decreased by 50% from August to October. The daily gs reached a peak of 166.64 mmol·m-2·s-1 at 14:00 in July, which was significantly higher than other months. A bimodal phenomenon occurred. The daily gs reached a peak of 54.1 mmol·m-2·s-1 at 12:00 in January. Under the three rain plots, diurnal variation of gs and SWC showed a negative quadratic correlation. The SWC corresponding to the peak of gs was 8.5%, 12.5% and 18.5%, respectively, close to the annual average SWC. Sensitivity (δ) of gs to VPD /reference canopy stomatal conductance (gsref) was more than or equal to 0.6 in different water-controlled plots, indicating that soil water condition was more suitable for water demand of P. orientalis. When SWC was between 3.7% and 7.5%, the δ and gsref increased rapidly, indicating that stomata had better regulation ability, and that plant stomata was more sensitive to VPD. When SWC increased to 11%, SWC alteration did not affect the response sensitivity of gsrefand gs to VPD. There might be a SWC threshold value for the adaptation of P. orientalis. By closing or reducing stomatal aperture, leaf water potential decreased, P. orientalis could adapt to excessive VPD and avoid excessive transpiration, which was more effective in regulating transpiration.

Tumefactive demyelinating lesions: nine cases and a review of the literature.

Tumefactive demyelinating lesions (TDLs) are misdiagnosed frequently. To investigate the characteristics of TDLs, clinical and radiological data from nine cases with TDLs were analyzed after admission. All cases underwent surgery and pathological examination; some received postoperative steroid therapy. Onsets were mostly within 3 weeks and main presentation included intracranial hypertension, extremity weakness, epilepsy, and visual disturbance. Symptoms in children were acute and severe, frequently including headache, vomiting, and visual disturbance. Most intracephalic lesions were in cerebral hemispheres. All intraspinal lesions were in cervical segments. Radiological features included mass effect, perifocal edema and enhancement (of which open-ring enhancement was diagnostic), and decreased relative cerebral blood volume. Intraoperative frozen section did not confirm the diagnosis, while postoperative paraffin section did confirm it (by evidence of macrophage infiltration). The patients responded well to steroid therapy and no relapse was found during following up. Thus, intensive analysis of both clinical and radiological data may provide some clues for diagnosis. For suspected cases, it is advisable to take steroid therapy or undergo advanced radiological examinations, such as serial magnetic resonance spectroscopy. However, in difficult cases, pathological evidence is beneficial to a final diagnosis.

Effect of dietary zinc pectin oligosaccharides chelate on growth performance, enzyme activities, Zn accumulation, metallothionein concentration, and gene expression of Zn transporters in broiler chickens1.

This study was to investigate the effect of zinc pectin oligosaccharides chelate (Zn-POS) on growth performance, serum enzyme activities, tissue zinc accumulation, metallothionein (MT) concentrations, and gene expression of zinc transporters (ZnT) in broilers. Five hundred forty 1-d-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 5 dietary groups with 6 replicates of 18 birds per replicate. The diets were formulated with the same supplemental Zn level (80 mg/kg diet) but different amount of the Zn-POS: 0, 200, 400, 600, and 800 mg Zn-POS/kg diet. ZnSO4 was used to adjust to the desired amount of the Zn (80 mg/kg) in the Zn-POS diets. Broilers were fed with the experimental diets for 42 d including the starter (days 1 to 21) and grower (days 22 to 42) phases. Our results showed that dietary supplementation of Zn-POS linearly and quadratically increased (P < 0.05) the average daily gain and gain-to-feed ratio during 22 to 42 d and 1 to 42 d as well as body weight on day 42, whereas reduced (P < 0.05) the sum of mortality and lag abnormalities in broilers on day 42. Besides, serum alkaline phosphatase and copper-zinc superoxide dismutase activities increased (P < 0.05) linearly and quadratically in response to dietary Zn-POS supplemental level on day 42. Dietary Zn-POS supplementation increased Zn accumulation in serum (linear, P < 0.05), liver (linear, P < 0.05), and pancreas (linear and quadratic, P < 0.05). In addition, Zn-POS supplementation linearly and quadratically increased (P < 0.01, P < 0.05, respectively) MT concentrations in liver and pancreas of broilers. Pancreatic mRNA levels of MT, ZnT-1, and ZnT-2 increased (P < 0.05) linearly and quadratically, and the mRNA expression of metal response element-binding transcription factor-1 increased linearly (P < 0.05), in response to dietary Zn-POS supplementation. In conclusion, supplementation of Zn-POS in the diet increases Zn enrichment in the metabolic organs such as liver and pancreas and promotes productive performance in broilers.

Gamma knife radiosurgery for residual skull base chordomas.

OBJECTIVE: The location of chordomas within the base of the skull and cervical junction prevents complete resection from being achieved. Previous series have shown that stereotactic radiosurgery can be used as a treatment for residual chordomas with good overall results. In the present study, we reviewed our experience in using gamma knife surgery (GKS) to treat patients with residual skull base chordomas. METHODS: Thirty-one patients with residual skull base chordomas underwent gamma knife radiosurgery from June 1996 to December 2004. The mean age of patients was 40.2 years (range: 8-70 years). There were 20 male and 11 females. The post-operative tumor volume treated with GKS ranged from 0.47 to 27.6 cm3, with a mean of 11.4+/-7.4 cm3. The mean tumor margin radiation dose was 12.7 Gy (range: 10-16 Gy), and the mean maximum dose was 29.2 Gy (range: 20.8-40 Gy). Twenty-eight patients were available for follow-up reviews, ranging from 6 to 102 months (mean: 30.2 months) and from 6 to 78 months (mean: 28 months), for clinical and image assessments, respectively. RESULTS: Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed a survival of 90.9 and 75.8% after 3 and 5 years, respectively. Most tumors were smaller in size 1 year after treatment, which paralleled an alleviation of clinical symptoms. However, nine chordomas progressed, and seven recurred over the course of follow-up. The actuarial tumor control rate was 64.2 and 21.4% after 3 and 5 years, respectively. No serious radiation-related complication was found in any of the patients with GKS alone. CONCLUSIONS: Gamma knife radiosurgery can be effectively used for residual chordomas beside surgical resection with efficacious tumor control rates.

Radical resection of 202 pediatric craniopharyngiomas with special reference to the surgical approaches and hypothalamic protection.

OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to disclose the appropriate surgical approaches to radically removing pediatric craniopharyngiomas with optimal hypothalamic protection. METHODS: In 202 patients undergoing primary surgery from April 1997 to December 2002, eight approaches were used to remove craniopharyngiomas in the sellar region and the third ventricle. Among the eight approaches, the transcallosal-interseptal-interforniceal approach was used in 89 cases, the unilateral transfrontal interhemispheric approach in 68 cases, the pterional approach in 20 cases, and the other five approaches in 25 cases. Active preventive and therapeutic measurements of hypothalamic dysfunction were adopted pre- and postoperatively. RESULTS: Of the 202 cases, 184 tumors were totally or nearly totally removed (91.1%); 89 cases were resected with the transcallosal-interseptal-interforniceal approach with a total and subtotal removal rate of 92.1%, and 68 cases were removed with the unilateral transfrontal interhemispheric approach with a total and subtotal removal rate of 95.6%. Two patients died (0.9%). The major postoperative complications included diabetes insipidus in 81.7% of the cases, permanent diabetes insipidus in 11.4%, electrolyte disorder in 74.8%, and seizures in 9.4%. The 5-year survival rate was 68.2%. CONCLUSIONS: Appropriate approaches with direct tumor exposure should be determined in order to remove the craniopharyngioma as much as possible, while at the same time carefully protecting the anteroinferolateral wall of the third ventricle (hypothalamus). Active measurements to manage blood sodium disorder and seizures could help to ensure the safety of the operation.

Transvenous embolization with a combination of detachable coils and Onyx for a complicated cavernous dural arteriovenous fistula.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of cavernous dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVF) is usually made by a transarterial approach. However, in many complicated patients, treatments via transarterial approaches can not be achieved, and only an operation via a transvenous approach is feasible. We aimed to study the feasibility of transarterial embolization of cavernous dural arteriovenous fistulas with a combination detachable coils and Onyx to embolize a complicated cavernous DAVF via a transvenous approach. METHODS: From August 2006 to August 2007, six cases of complicated cavernous DAVF were embolized with a combination of detachable coils and Onyx via a transvenous approach. Three cases were male and the other three were female. Their ages ranged from 36 to 69 years old. The fistula was in the right lateral cavernous sinus in one case, in the left lateral cavernous sinus in another, and in the bilateral cavernous sinus in 4 cases. One fistula was fed by the right internal carotid artery and its meningohypophyseal trunk; one was fed by the branches of the left internal carotid artery and left external carotid artery; four were fed by the branches of the bilateral internal carotid artery and/or the bilateral external carotid artery. One case was drained via one lateral inferior petrosal sinus; three were drained via bilateral inferior petrosal sinuses; one was drained via one lateral ophthalmic and facial veins; one was drained via the inferior petrosal sinus and the ophthalmic and facial veins. Four were embolized via the inferior petrosal sinus, and two were embolized via the ophthalmic and facial veins. RESULTS: Among six cases of complicated cavernous DAVF, four were fully embolized with Onyx by a single operation, and two cases were fully embolized with Onyx following two operations. Transient headache was found after operation in all patients, but was cured after several days by the symptomatic treatments. In one case, the first operation via the inferior petrosal sinus was a failure; the feeding branches of the external carotid artery were embolized, and transient facial palsy was appeared after operation. The fistula was fully embolized with Onyx via the inferior petrosal sinus after two months with no complications. One bilateral cavernous sinus DAVF was embolized with Onyx via the inferior petrosal sinus by two operations, and transient abducens nerve palsy occurred after embolization. CONCLUSIONS: Because Onyx may be injected via a transvenous approach and the microcatheter is easily withdrawn, cavernous sinus via transvenous catheterization and embolization is a safe and efficient way to treat complicated cavernous dural arteriovenous fistulas, especially those for which operations via transarterial approaches have failed, or spontaneous cavernous dural arteriovenous fistulas.

Surgical strategies for glioma involving language areas.

BACKGROUND: Successful treatment of gliomas in or adjacent to language areas constitutes a major challenge to neurosurgery. The present study was performed to evaluate the procedure of language mapping via intraoperative direct cortical electrical stimulation under awake anaesthesia when performed prior to resective glioma surgery. METHODS: Thirty patients with gliomas and left-hemisphere dominance and, who underwent language mapping via intraoperative direct cortical electrical stimulation under awake anaesthesia before resective glioma surgery, were analyzed retrospectively. All patients had tumors in or adjacent to cortical language areas. The brain lesions were removed according to anatomic-functional boundaries with preservation of areas of language function. Both preoperative and postoperative functional findings were evaluated. RESULTS: Intraoperative language areas were detected in 20 patients but not in four patients. Language mapping failure for reasons attributable to the anaesthesia or to an intraoperative increase in intracranial pressure occurred in six cases. Seven patients presented with moderate or severe language deficits after six months of follow-up. Total resection was achieved in 14 cases, near-total resection in 12 cases and subtotal resection in four cases. CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative cortical electrical stimulation is an accurate and safe approach to identification of the language cortex. Awake craniotomy intraoperative cortical electrical stimulation, in combination with presurgical neurological functional imaging to identify the anatomic-functional boundaries of tumor resection, permits extensive tumor excision while preserving normal language function and minimizing the risk of postoperative language deficits.

Preoperative blood oxygen level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging in patients with gliomas involving the motor cortical areas.

BACKGROUND: Blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) plays an important role in identifying functional cortical areas of the brain, especially in patients with gliomas. This study aimed to assess the value of fMRI in presurgical planning and functional outcome of patients with gliomas in the motor cortical areas. METHODS: Twenty-six patients with gliomas in the motor cortex were recruited in the study. Before operation, fMRI was performed in each patient to obtain the mapping of bilateral hands area on the primary sensorimotor cortex. This examination was performed on a 3.0T scanner with a bilateral hands movement paradigm. During microsurgery under awake anesthesia, the motor area was identified using direct electrical stimulation and compared with preoperative mapping. Finally the tumor was resected as much as possible with the motor cortex preserved in each patient. Karnofsky performance status (KPS) was evaluated in all patients before and after operation. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients showed a successful fMRI mapping. Among them, 19 were classified to be grade III; 4, grade II; 3, grade I. The operation time was about 7 hours in the 23 patients, 8.5 hours in the other 3. The pre- and postoperative KPS score was 82.3 +/- 8.6 and 94.2 +/- 8.1, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative fMRI of the hand motor area shows a high consistency with intraoperative cortical electronic stimulation. Combined use of the two methods shows a maximum benefit in surgical treatment.

Transvenous embolization of cavernous dural arteriovenous fistula: report of 28 cases.

BACKGROUND: Usually, cavernous dural arteriovenous fistula can be treated via transarterial approaches. However, in many complicated patients, transvenous approaches are superior to the transarterial ones because of the difficulties during a transarterial operation. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 28 patients with cavernous dural arteriovenous fistula treated by transvenous embolization. METHODS: From September 2001 to December 2005, 28 patients with 31 cavernous dural arteriovenous fistulae were treated with transvenous embolization in Beijing Tiantan Hospital. The involved cavernous sinuses were catheterized via the femoral vein-inferior petrosal sinus approach or the femoral-facial-superior ophthalmic vein approach, and embolized with coils (GDC, EDC, Matrix, Orbit or free coil) or coils plus silk. The patients were followed up for 3 to 26 months. RESULTS: All the 31 cavernous sinuses in the 28 patients were successfully embolized. Complete angiographic obliteration of the fistulae was achieved immediately in 25 patients. Residual shunting was observed in the other 3, who had drainage through the pterygoid plexus (2 patients) or the inferior petrosal sinus (1) after the operation. Headache and vomiting were the most common symptoms after the embolization. In 3 patients, who achieved complete angiographic obliteration immediately, the left oculomotor nerve palsy remained unchanged after the operation. Transient abducens nerve palsy was encountered in 1. In 1 patient, the occular symptoms were improved after the operation, but recurred 4 days later, and then disappeared spontaneously after 5 days. During the follow-up, no patient had recurrence. Three months after the operation, angiography was performed on the 3 patients with residual shunting. Two of them had angiographic cure, the other had residual drainage through the pterygoid plexus. CONCLUSIONS: Transvenous catheterization and embolization of the cavernous sinus is a safe and efficient way to treat complicated cavernous dural arteriovenous fistulae. It is an alternative to the patients with spontaneous cavernous dural arteriovenous fistulae or those in whom transarterial embolization failed.

Management of intracranial invasive olfactory neuroblastoma.

BACKGROUND: Olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) is a rare tumor that often arise from the nasal cavity. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical characteristics and treatments of intracranial invasive ONB. METHODS: Between July 2001 and August 2005, 5 patients with intracranial invasive ONB were treated in our department. Their clinical features, radiological and pathological characteristics, and surgical treatments were analyzed. Among the 5 patients, 1 received transnasal biopsy, and 4 were operated through the transfrontal or extended bifrontal approaches to reconstruct the skull base. After the operation, all the patients received radiotherapy, and one received chemotherapy. They were followed up for 6 to 45 months. RESULTS: The ONB was resected totally in the 4 patients. In all the patients, nasal obstruction was alleviated without cerebrospinal fluid leakage. The visual acuity was improved in 3 patients, who had a decreased visual acuity before the operation. Two patients had metastasis into the lumbosacral spinal canal 6 and 8 months after the operation, one of them received a second operation and the other died. CONCLUSION: ONB has no specific symptoms. Intracranial ONB should be resected as far as possible, and treated by radiotherapy after the operation.

[Detection of cytokeratin20 mRNA in peripheral blood from colonic cancer patients by fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression level of cytokeratin20 mRNA (CK20 mRNA) of cancer cells in peripheral blood from colorectal cancer patients, detected by fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR), and to evaluate its clinical value. METHODS: To systemically study the reproducibility, quantitative range and amplification efficiency of CK20 mRNA detection by FQ-PCR, analyze and compare the result consistency with conventional RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, separately. The expression level of CK20 mRNA of cancer cells in peripheral blood was examined in 136 colorectal cancer cases with or without hepatic metastasis. RESULTS: The within-run and between-run CV of FQ-PCR to assay CK20 mRNA were 3.6% and 5.3%, respectively, quantitative range was from 10(3) copies/ml to 10(8) copies/ml and amplification efficiency was 87.4%. Comparing with traditional RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry, the Kappa value was 0.87 and 0.83, respectively. The expression level of CK20 mRNA of cancer cells in peripheral blood from colorectal cancer patients was (3.52 +/- 1.47) x 10(4) copies/ml, and the expression positive rate was 48.5%. None was found among the 75 cases in the control group. The positive rate of CK20 mRNA of cancer cells in peripheral blood was 9.5%, 25.0%, 48.8% and 87.5% in the patients at Dukes stage A, B, C and D, respectively (P < 0.05). The positive rate of CK20 mRNA was 87.5% in patients with hepatic metastasis and 32.3% in patients without hepatic metastasis (P < 0.05). CK20 mRNA showed a tendency to decline in 35 cases of colorectal cancer within the 1st, 3rd and 5th week after operation. There was no difference among the data of pre-operation cases and on the 1st, 3rd week (P > 0.05), but a significant difference between pre-operation and the 5th week (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: FQ-PCR is a rapid and sensitive method for quantitating CK20 mRNA. The expression of CK20 mRNA of cancer cells in peripheral blood from colorectal cancer patients has a correlation with recurrence and metastasis of the tumors. Detection of CK20 mRNA is helpful to monitor hematogenous dissemination of colorectal cancers.

[Investigation of diagnosis and treatment for primary central nervous system lymphoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics of primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) so as to improve comprehension of that unusual lesions. METHODS: Forty-three cases of immunocompetent patients with a confirmed diagnosis of PCNSL were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical presentation, laboratory examination, imaging characteristics, histopathologic types and treatment were analyzed. RESULTS: Single-locus lesion was found in thirty-six patients and multi-locus lesions were found in seven patients. Forty-seven operations were performed. The main characteristics including increased intracranial pressure in 22 cases (51.2%) followed by hemiparesis, seizure and speech problems in 16 cases (37.2%), disturbance of intellectual function and mental confusion in 10 cases (23.3%), contents of cerebrospinal fluid protein concentrations increased in 8 of 12 tested cases (66.7%). Histopathologic exam showed B-cell lymphoma in 40 (40/41, 97.6%) and T-cell lymphoma in 1 case (1/41, 2.4%). Ki-67 positive expression is 42.8% +/- 23.3% in 3 samples. CONCLUSIONS: CT, MRI and CSF cytological examination are mainly diagnostic methods for PCNSL. Elevated lymphocyte counting in peripheral blood can not be the diagnostic criteria for PCNSL. The purpose of operation is alleviating symptom, increasing quantity of life and making histopathologic diagnosis. Adjuvant chemotherapy plus whole-brain radiation is an efficient treatment for PCNSL.

[Research about schwann cells and PLGA implanted to rat transected spinal cord].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the recovery of rat transected spinal cord injury after implantation of Schwann cells combined with poly (lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA). METHODS: Schwann cells were expanded, co-cultured with PLGA for 9 days in vitro, and then analyzed with scanning electron microscope (SEM). Rat spinal cord at the level of T(9) was transected. Schwann cells labeled with BrdU and PLGA scaffold were implanted to injury site. After 1, 3, 6 months, BrdU/MBP immunohistochemistry double staining, semi-thin sections stained thionin and ultra-thin section were performed to investigate myelin renew. BBB open field locomotion, motor evoked potential (MEP), compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) were recorded. RESULTS: Schwann cells grew well on PLGA under SEM. BrdU/MBP double positive cells would been seen, remyelination was thin and formed by Schwann cells at 6 months later under electron microscope (EM). BBB behavioral tests revealed no significant difference in recovery comparing with experiment group and control group. The results of MEP, CMAP and SEP showed no significant improvement in the conduction of spinal cord. CONCLUSIONS: There are the compatibility between Schwann cells and PLGA. Although remyelination was found in morphology, function conduction of spinal cord failed to be established.