A systematic survey of LU domain-containing proteins reveals a novel human gene, LY6A, which encodes the candidate ortholog of mouse Ly-6A/Sca-1 and is aberrantly expressed in pituitary tumors / 医学前沿

The Ly-6 and uPAR (LU) domain-containing proteins represent a large family of cell-surface markers. In particular, mouse Ly-6A/Sca-1 is a widely used marker for various stem cells; however, its human ortholog is missing. In this study, based on a systematic survey and comparative genomic study of mouse and human LU domain-containing proteins, we identified a previously unannotated human gene encoding the candidate ortholog of mouse Ly-6A/Sca-1. This gene, hereby named LY6A, reversely overlaps with a lncRNA gene in the majority of exonic sequences. We found that LY6A is aberrantly expressed in pituitary tumors, but not in normal pituitary tissues, and may contribute to tumorigenesis. Similar to mouse Ly-6A/Sca-1, human LY6A is also upregulated by interferon, suggesting a conserved transcriptional regulatory mechanism between humans and mice. We cloned the full-length LY6A cDNA, whose encoded protein sequence, domain architecture, and exon-intron structures are all well conserved with mouse Ly-6A/Sca-1. Ectopic expression of the LY6A protein in cells demonstrates that it acts the same as mouse Ly-6A/Sca-1 in their processing and glycosylphosphatidylinositol anchoring to the cell membrane. Collectively, these studies unveil a novel human gene encoding a candidate biomarker and provide an interesting model gene for studying gene regulatory and evolutionary mechanisms.

Treatment strategy of pituitary invasive prolactinomas / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To discuss the treatment strategy of invasive prolactinomas (IPs) involving the cavernous sinus.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Data from 80 patients with IPs treated in our institutions were reviewed retrospectively. The criteria utilized included: (1) invasion of the cavernous sinus by tumor, corresponding to Grade III-IV according to the classification of Knosp; (2) serum prolactin level > 9.1 nmol/L; (3) clinical signs of hyperprolactinemia and mass effect. Among the 80 patients who met the criteria: 21 patients received bromocriptine as primary treatment (Group A); 21 patients initially received bromocriptine and then accepted microsurgery or irradiation (Group B); 38 patients had initially undergone transcranial or transsphenoidal microsurgery and then received bromocriptine or adjuvant radiotherapy (Group C). Eleven patients underwent gamma knife radiotherapy.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>In 57 patients (12 cases of Group A, 16 cases of Group B, 29 cases of Group C), the tumors on MRI had almost completely disappeared after an average follow-up period of 62 months, and in the other 23 patients, residual tumor involved the cavernous sinus. Visual symptoms improved in 33 patients while deteriorated in 7 patients. Serum prolactin level of 52 patients had in normal range after treatment (10 cases of Group A, 11 cases of Group B, 31 cases of Group C) and 7 patients were more than 9.1 nmol/L. Nine patients had symptoms of hypopituitarism.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>For IPs, individualized treatment methods are advocated in which dopamine agonist medications are effective as first-line therapy. It is necessary to take dopamine agonist after operation and close observation is mandatory. Gamma knife surgery is an option to treat the residual tumor involving the cavernous sinus.</p>

Diagnostic value of CTA and MRA in intracranial traumatic aneurysms / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the diagnostic value of computerized tomographic angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) for intracranial traumatic aneurysms (TAs).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CTA and MRA of six patients with intracranial TAs verified by digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and surgery were retrospectively analysed. All patients were examined by nonenhanced computerized tomography (CT) and two by CTA. The source data were reconstructed by volume rendering (VR) and multi-planar reconstruction (MPR) from CTA. Four of them had maximum intensity project (MIP) from MRA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the six patients, a total of seven TAs were detected by CTA and MRA examinations. Five cases had only one TA and one case had two TAs. The average diameter was 2.3 cm (1.1-3.3 cm). CTA demonstrated two TAs appeared at the cavernous segment of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and the middle cerebral artery (MCA) respectively. MCA TA was definitely and clearly demonstrated on VR images, whereas VR images failed to depict the cavernous ICA TA, which was detected on MPR images. Two TAs were found irregular saccular shape, irregular margin of parent artery and wide neck on CTA. Four MRA examinations demonstrated five TAs, including the cavernous segment ICA TAs (2 cases), the supraclinoid segment ICA TA (1 case), and the cavernous segment associated with opposite side of the petrosal segment ICA TA (1 case). In a cavernous ICA TA, MRA only revealed aneurysm body, whereas aneurysm neck and distal segment of the parent artery were not revealed. In the remaining cases, MRA clearly depicted aneurysm body and parent artery, whereas the neck was not displayed. ICA TAs showed irregular capsule-like high signal intensity on MRA images. Four TAs exhibited irregular distal segment of the parent artery. TAs at the supraclinoid segment or MCA failed to find fracture signs on nonenhanced CT.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Both CTA and MRA examinations are the effective non-invasive method of imageology for diagnosing intracranial TAs, while CTA is more eligible for diagnosing TAs after nonenhanced CT has demonstrated skull base fractures.</p>