Role of fractalkine/CX3CR1 signaling pathway in the recovery of neurological function after early ischemic stroke in a rat model.

This study aims to explore the role of fractalkine/CX3C chemokine receptor 1 (CX3CR1) signaling pathway in the recovery of neurological functioning after an early ischemic stroke in rats. After establishment of permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) models, 50 rats were divided into blank, sham, model, positive control and CX3CR1 inhibitor groups. Neurological impairment, walking and grip abilities, and cortical and hippocampal infarctions were evaluated by Zea Longa scoring criterion, beam-walking assay and grip strength test, and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. qRT-PCR and Western blotting were performed to detect mRNA and protein expressions. ELISA was conducted to measure concentration of sFractalkine (sFkn), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and TNF-α. The recovery rate of neurological functioning impairment and reduced walking and grip abilities was faster in the positive control and CX3CR1 inhibitor groups than the model group. The model, positive control and CX3CR1 inhibitor groups showed increased mRNA and protein expression of chemokine C-X3-C motif ligand 1 (CX3CL1) and CX3CR1, concentration of sFkn, IL-1ß and TNF-α, and size of cortical and cerebral infarctions while decreased expression of NGF and BDNF compared with the blank and sham groups. Compared with the model group, the mRNA and protein expression of CX3CL1 and CX3CR1, concentration of sFkn, IL-1ß and TNF-α, and size of cortical and cerebral infarctions decreased while expression of NGF and BDNF increased in the positive control and CX3CR1 inhibitor groups. Thus, the study suggests that inhibition of fractalkine/CX3CR1 signaling pathway promotes the recovery of neurological functioning after the occurrence of an early ischemic stroke.

[Analysis on the safety of ophthalmic artery cannulation for intra-arterial chemotherapy in 42 patients with intraocular stage retinoblastoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety of treatment with ophthalmic artery cannulation for intra-arterial chemotherapy (IAC) for children with intraocular retinoblastoma (RB). METHOD: In the RB Treatment Center of General Hospital of Armed Police Forces between January 2009 and September 2011, 42 patients who were diagnosed intraocular RB and treated with ophthalmic artery cannulation for IAC, 8 patients were treated 1 circle, 31 patients were treated 2 circles and 3 patients were treated 3 circles (total, 96 times). Each month had IAC once. The ophthalmic and the whole body evaluations were performed during IAC and after IAC for each circle, the blood cell count, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), serum creatinine (Scr), CK-MB content before and after IAC for 1 circle, 2 circles and 3 circles were determined. RESULT: (1) In 52 eyes of 42 patients, 44 eyes (84.6%) were in remission. (2) Successful IAC was achieved in all cases, no severe side effects occurred during IAC. (3) The main ophthalmic complications were eyelid edema and blepharoptosis after IAC, the incidence for 1 circle was 18% (2/11) and 9% (1/11); for 2 circles was 29% (11/38) and 21% (8/38); for 3 circles was all 100% (3/3). The rare complications were vitreous hemorrhage and heterotropia, the incidence was all 2% (1/42). The incidence of eyelid edema and blepharoptosis had no significant differences for 1 circle IAC compared with 2 circles (P > 0.05); the incidence of eyelid edema and blepharoptosis had significant differences for 3 circles IAC compared with 2 circles and 1 circle (P < 0.01). (4) No fever, septicemia and other systemic toxic effects occurred. (5) ALT of 19% patients (8/42) elevated temporarily and CK-MB of 24% patients (10/42) increased. The blood cell counts, ALT, Scr, and CK-MB content before IAC had no significant differences compared with that at 24 h after IAC for 1 circle, 2 circles and 3 circles (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Ophthalmic artery cannulation for IAC is a safe and effective method in treating intraocular stage retinoblastoma.

[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.