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.

[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.

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.

[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.

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.

[Concentration of Phosphorus in Sediments Interstitial Water as Affected by Distribution of Aquatic Plants in Dianchi Lake].

In order to reveal the effect of aquatic plants distribution on the mass concentration of phosphorus in sediment interstitial water, the mass concentrations of Dissolved Total Phosphorus (DTP), Soluble Reactive Phosphorus (SRP) and Dissolved Organic Phosphorus (DOP) in the sediment interstitial water and overlying water from areas with or without plants in the same site of Dianchi were studied. The vertical variation characteristics of phosphorus forms in sediment interstitial water were analyzed to explore the effect of aquatic plants on the phosphorus forms in sediment interstitial water. The results showed: ①Aquatic plants had an significant effect on the phosphorus mass concentration of the sediment interstitial water in different Dianchi lakes. However, they varied with different distribution sites and depth. ②Aquatic plants significantly decreased the percentage of DOP contribution in the sediment interstitial water. The average contribution of DOP with aquatic plants was 32.87%, while that without plants reached 57.68%; ③Aquatic plants significantly inhibited the release of inorganic phosphorus in sediments and promoted the transformation of DOP. The SRP diffusion flux at sediment-water interface with aquatic plants was increased by 39.99% as compared with that without plants; ④The growth of aquatic plants significantly reduced the concentration of phosphorus in sediment interstitial water, especially DOP, and the reduction rate of the sediment interstitial water DOP was from 38.02% to 85.49%. Therefore, the analysis of the contribution and reduction rate of aquatic plants on the sediment interstitial water DOP was of great importance in understanding the relationship between aquatic plants and DOP, as well as the mineralization of organic phosphorus in sediments.

Changes in the Vision-related Resting-state Network in Pituitary Adenoma Patients After Vision Improvement.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this research was to investigate the changes in the vision-related resting-state network (V-RSN) in pituitary adenoma (PA) patients after vision improvement, which was induced by operative treatment. METHODS: Ten PA patients with an improved visual acuity or/and visual field after transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection were recruited and underwent a complete neuro-ophthalmologic evaluation, as well as an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol, including structural and resting-state functional MRI sequences before and after the operation. The regional homogeneity (ReHo) of the V-RSN was evaluated. Two sample t-test was performed to identify the significant differences in the V-RSN in the PA patients before and after transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection. RESULTS: Compared with the preoperation counterparts, the PA patients with improved vision after the operation exhibited reduced ReHo in the bilateral thalamus, globus pallidus, caudate nucleus, putamen nucleus, supplementary motor area, and left hippocampal formation, and increased ReHo in the bilateral cuneus gyrus, calcarine gyrus, right lingual gyrus, and fusiform gyrus. CONCLUSIONS: PA patients with improved vision exhibit increased neural activity within the visual cortex, but decreased neural activity in subareas of the multisensory and multimodal systems beyond the vision cortex.

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.

Gamma knife radiosurgery for skull base malignancies.

BACKGROUND: Skull base malignancies are problematic. We evaluated the efficacy and toxicity of gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) in the treatment of patients with primary and secondary malignancies in the skull base. METHODS: The data of 43 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Sixteen of these patients had a primary skull base malignancy, and 27 patients had skull base metastasis or an invasion from other cancers. The median tumor volume was 7.2 cm(3) (range, 0.6-33.4). The median prescription margin dose was 14.0 Gy (range, 10-16). Nine patients with tumor regrowth after initial reduction received another treatment. RESULTS: The median follow-up time was 14 months (range, 1-60). Following GKRS, the progression-free survival was 89% and 62% at 1 and 2 years, respectively, and the overall survival rate was 74% and 45% at 1 and 2 years, respectively. Nineteen (44%) patients reported an improvement following GKRS. One patient (2%) reported decreased vision, which was considered to be a side effect from cumulative GKRS doses. CONCLUSION: Gamma knife radiosurgery is an effective treatment for primary and secondary malignant tumors in the skull base as initial monotherapy or as an adjunct therapy to surgery or radiotherapy.

Effect of basic fibroblast growth factor and transforming growth factor ß1 on the healing of reconstructed dura by carbon dioxide laser soldering in minipigs.

BACKGROUND: Carbon dioxide (CO2) laser soldering is an alternative technique for tissue bonding. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and transforming growth factor ß(1) (TGFß(1)) are two key factors for wound healing. This study was performed to demonstrate the efficacy of CO2 laser soldering for dural reconstruction and the effect of bFGF and TGFß(1) on healing. METHODS: In Part I, 10 minipigs were randomized into two equal groups. Dural defects were reconstructed by conventional fibrin glue bonding (group I(a)) or CO2 laser soldering (group I(b)). The reconstructed dura was subjected to burst pressure (BP) measurement and immunohistochemical staining after 1 week. In Part II, 36 minipigs were randomized into three equal groups. Dural reconstruction was achieved by CO2 laser soldering. Exogenous bFGF (group II(b)) or TGFß(1) (group II(c)) was administered while group II(a) served as a control group. The specimens were subjected to BP measurement after 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks, respectively. RESULTS: In Part I, the dura specimens displayed positive staining of only bFGF in group I(a) and of both bFGF and TGFß(1) in group I(b). Group I(b) showed higher BP than group I(a) ((98.00 ± 21.41) mmHg vs. (70.80 ± 15.09) mmHg, respectively; P < 0.05). In Part II, BP of group II(c) was significantly higher than that of group II(a) (P < 0.01). The BP of group II(a) trended toward stabilization after 3 weeks of growth, while that of groups II(b) and II(c) trended toward stabilization after 2 weeks of growth. CONCLUSIONS: CO2 laser soldering is a reliable technique for dural reconstruction. The superior healing of dural reconstruction by CO2 laser soldering may be related to higher expression of bFGF and TGFß(1), and CO2 lasers may stimulate their secretion. Exogenous bFGF or TGFß(1) may improve healing by shortening the wound healing time, and exogenous TGFß(1) may improve the tensile strength.

Prevalence estimates for primary brain tumors in China: a multi-center cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Although the first leading cause of death in China was malignant neoplasms (mortality, 374.1 per 100,000 person-years), the full impact of primary brain tumors (PBT) on the healthcare system is not completely described because there are a few well documented reports about the epidemiologic features of brain tumors. This study aimed to report a comprehensive assessment on the prevalence of PBT. METHODS: A multicenter cross-sectional study on brain tumor (MCSBT) in China was initiated in five regional centers: Daqing (northeast), Puyang (north of China), Shiyan (center of China), Ma'anshan (center of China) and Shanghai (southeast). Prevalence rate was calculated by counting the number of people living with a PBT between October 1, 2005 and September 30, 2006 and dividing by the total population of the five communities at January 1, 2006. Estimates of prevalence were expressed as percentages and grouped according to gender and to age in fifteen-year categories. Within these strata, the rates were estimated with 95% confidence intervals (CI) using the accurate calculation of CI for Poisson distribution. A chi-square test was used to compare the various frequencies with α < 0.05. Age-standardized prevalence with the direct method was calculated with the ten-year age-specific prevalence and the age distribution of the Chinese population in 2010, obtained from World population prospects: the 2008 revision. RESULTS: We estimated that the overall prevalence of PBT was 24.56 per 100,000 (95%CI, 14.85 to 34.27), and the overall prevalence of PBT in female population (30.57 per 100,000 and its 95%CI ranged from 19.73 to 41.41) was higher than that in male population (18.84 per 100,000 and its 95%CI ranged from 10.33 to 27.35). However, the discrepancy between genders was not statistically significant because the 95%CI overlapped. Of 272 cases of newly diagnosed PBT, the proportion of histological subtypes by age groups, gender was statistically different (χ(2) = 52.6510, P < 0.0001). More than half of all reported tumors (52.57%) were either gliomas or meningiomas. For the youngest (aged from 0 - 19) strata of the population, glioma appeared to occur more than other subtypes, accounting for 55.56% of all of cases. The majority of brain tumors presented in those aged from 20 to 59 years was pituitary adenomas (45.12%) and gliomas (31.10%). Opposed to brain tumors in adults and teenage, gliomas only accounted for 22.22%. Meanwhile, the median ages at diagnosis of the patients with PBT were similar between males and females except for pituitary adenomas (male: 59 years old; female: 45 years old). CONCLUSIONS: Age standardized prevalence of PBT is 22.52 per 100,000 (95%CI, 13.22 to 31.82) for all populations, 17.64 per 100,000 (95%CI, 9.41 to 25.87) for men, and 27.94 per 100,000 (95%CI, 17.58 to 38.30) for women. Age standardization to China's 2010 population yielded an estimated population of 304 954 cases with PBT. Our prevalence estimates provide a conservative basis on which to plan health care services and to develop programmatic strategies for surviving. In the future, it would be helpful to have long-term observed survival rates that would make the assumptions and the resulting imprecision in the current estimates unnecessary.

Delayed postoperative hemorrhage in 21 patients with intracranial epidermoid cysts.

OBJECT: Intracranial epidermoid cysts are rare, potentially curable, benign lesions that are sometimes associated with severe postoperative complications, including hemorrhage. Delayed hemorrhage, defined as one that occurred after an initial unremarkable postoperative CT scan, contributed to most cases of postoperative hemorrhage in patients with epidermoid cyst. In this study, the authors focus on delayed hemorrhage as one of the severe postoperative complications in epidermoid cyst, report its incidence and its clinical features, and analyze related clinical parameters. METHODS: There were 428 cases of intracranial epidermoid cysts that were surgically treated between 2002 and 2008 in Beijing Tiantan Hospital, and these were retrospectively reviewed. Among them, the cases with delayed postoperative hemorrhage were chosen for analysis. Clinical parameters were recorded, including the patient's age and sex, the chief surgeon's experience in neurosurgery, the year in which the operation was performed, tumor size, adhesion to neurovascular structures, and degree of resection. These parameters were compared in patients with and without delayed postoperative hemorrhage to identify risk factors associated with this entity. RESULTS: The incidences of postoperative hemorrhage and delayed postoperative hemorrhage in patients with epidermoid cyst were 5.61% (24 of 428) and 4.91% (21 of 428), respectively, both of which were significantly higher than that of postoperative hemorrhage in all concurrently treated intracranial tumors, which was 0.91% (122 of 13,479). The onset of delayed postoperative hemorrhage ranged from the 5th to 23rd day after the operation; the median time of onset was the 8th day. The onset manifestation included signs of intracranial hypertension and/or meningeal irritation (71.4%), brain herniation (14.3%), seizures (9.5%), and syncope (4.8%). Neuroimages revealed hematoma in 11 cases and subarachnoid hemorrhage in 10 cases. The rehemorrhage rate was 38.1% (8 of 21). The mortality rate for delayed postoperative hemorrhage was 28.6% (6 of 21). None of the clinical parameters was correlated with delayed postoperative hemorrhage (p > 0.05), despite a relatively lower p value for adhesion to neurovascular structures (p = 0.096). CONCLUSIONS: Delayed postoperative hemorrhage contributed to most of the postoperative hemorrhages in patients with intracranial epidermoid cysts and was a unique postoperative complication with unfavorable outcomes. Adhesion to neurovascular structures was possibly related to delayed postoperative hemorrhage (p = 0.096).

[Analysis of microorganism species diversity in plant intercropping models in a wetland system constructed for treatment of municipal sewage].

The selective culture method and PCR-DGGE technology were applied to analyze the number and the biodiversity of microorganism species in cells with plant intercropping models and without plants in different seasons in a wetland system constructed for treatment of municipal sewage. The results showed that the numbers of microorganisms were considerably larger in the cells with plant intercropping models than those without plants, while the number of microorganisms was apparently larger in summer than that in winter in all treatments. Along the three-sequenced treatment cells with plant intercropping models a "low-high-low" changing trend in the numbers of microorganisms in summer. The UPGMA cluster analysis showed that the treatments in the same season were clustered in the same branch except for a few samples in winter and the biodiversity index was consistently higher in summer than that in winter. Five different sequences (DF1-DF5) were obtained through BLAST analysis and retrieval. The closest known origin groups were located as Escherichia coli, Citrobacter sp., Proteus sp., Klebsiella oxytoca, and Burkholderia sp. respectively. The BLASTX comparison test showed that DF1 closely related to the activities of the Mycobacterium bacillus and the Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, DF2 functioned as a conservative potential ATP binding protein, DF3 related to the activities of the Bacillus cereus spore, DF4 was involved in catabolism metabolism of microorganism and DF5 played an important role in decomposition of organic matters.

Functional recovery following traumatic spinal cord injury mediated by a unique polymer scaffold seeded with neural stem cells and Schwann cells.

BACKGROUND: The most important objective of transplant studies in the injured spinal cord has been to provide a favorable environment for axonal growth. Moreover, the continuing discovery of new grafts is providing new potentially interesting transplant candidates. Our purpose was to observe the morphological and functional repair effects of the co-transplantation of neural stem cell (NSC), Schwann cells (SCs) and poly lactide-co-glycolide acid (PLGA) on the spinal cord injury of rats. METHODS: A scaffold of PLGA was fabricated. NSCs and SCs were cultured, with the NSCs labeled with 5-bromodeoxyuridine, and the complex of NSC/PLGA or NSC + SCs/PLGA were constructed. Thirty-six Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: group A (transplantation of PLGA), group B (transplantation of NSC/PLGA) and group C (transplantation of NSC + SCs/PLGA). The 3 mm length of the right hemicord was removed under the microscope in all rats. The PLGA or the complex of PLGA-cells were implanted into the injury site. Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan (BBB) locomotion scores, motor and somatosensory evoked potential of lower limbs were examined to learn the rehabilitation of sensory and motor function at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks after injury. All the recovered spinal cord injury (SCI) tissues were observed with HE staining, immunohistochemistry, and transelectronmicroscopy to identify the survival, migration and differentiation of the transplanted cells and the regeneration of neural fibres at 4 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 24 weeks after injury. RESULTS: (1) From 4 weeks to 24 weeks after injury, the BBB locomotion scores of cell-transplanted groups were better than those of the non-cell-transplanted group, especially group C (P < 0.05). The amplitudes of the somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) and motor-evoked potential (MEP) were improved after injury in groups B and C, but the amplitude of SEP and MEP at 4 weeks was lower than that at 12 weeks and 24 weeks after injury. Compared with group B, the amplitude of SEP and MEP in group C was improved. The amplitude of SEP and MEP was not improved after injury in group A. (2) HE staining revealed the volume of the scaffold decreased and the number of cells in the scaffold increased. Newly-grown capillaries also could be seen. Immunohistochemistry staining showed the transplanted NSCs could survive and migrate until 24 weeks and they could differentiate into neurons and oligodendrocytes. The regenerated axons were observed in the scaffold-cell complex with transelectronmicroscopy. The above manifestations were more extensive in group C. CONCLUSIONS: The transplanted NSC can survive and migrate in the spinal cord of rats up to 24 weeks after injury, and they can differentiate into various neural cells. Co-transplantation of cells/PLGA can promote the functional recovery of the injured spinal cord. The effect of co-transplanting NSC + SCs/PLGA is better than transplanting NSC/PLGA alone.

Establishment of intramedullary spinal cord glioma model in rats.

BACKGROUND: Treating intramedullary spinal cord gliomas is a big challenge because of limited options, high recurrence rate and poor prognosis. An intramedullary glioma model is prerequisite for testing new treatments. This paper describes the establishment of a rodent intramedullary glioma model and presents functional progression, neuroimaging and histopathological characterization of the tumour model. METHODS: Fischer344 rats (n = 24) were randomized into two groups. Group 1 (n = 16) received a 5 µl intramedullary implantation of 9L gliosarcomal (105) cells. Group 2 (n = 8) received a 5 µl intramedullary injection of Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium. The rats were anesthetized, the spinous process of the T10 vertebra and the ligamentum flavum were removed to expose the T10₋11 intervertebral space and an intramedullary injection was conducted into the spinal cord. The rats were evaluated preoperatively and daily postoperatively for neurological deficits using the Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan scale. High resolution magnetic resonance images were acquired preoperatively and weekly postoperatively. When score equal to 0, rats were sacrificed for histopathological examination. RESULTS: Rats implanted with 9L gliosarcoma cells had a statistically significant median onset of hind limb paraplegia at (16.0 ± 0.4) days, compared with rats in the control group in which neurological deficits were absent. Imaging and pathological cross sections confirmed intramedullary 9L gliosarcoma invading the spinal cord. Rats in the control group showed no significant functional, radiological or histopathological findings of tumour. CONCLUSIONS: Rats implanted with 9L cells regularly develop paraplegia in a reliable and reproducible manner. The progression of neurological deficits, neuroimaging and histopathological characteristics of intramedullary spinal cord gliomas in rats is comparable with the behaviour of infiltrative intramedullary spinal cord gliomas in patients.

[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.

Preoperative 3T high field blood oxygen level dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging for glioma involving sensory cortical areas.

BACKGROUND: Localization of sensory cortical areas during the operation is essential to preserve the sensory function. Intraoperative direct electrostimulation under awake anesthesia is the golden standard but time-consuming. We applied 3T high field blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to identify the relationship between glioma and cortical sensory areas preoperatively and to guide intraoperative direct electrostimulation for quick and precise localization. METHODS: Five glioma patients with sensory cortex involvement by or next to the lesion had preoperative BOLD fMRI to determine the spatial relationship of cortical sensory areas to the tumours. Bilateral hand opposite movement was performed by these patients for fMRI. Precentral and postcentral gyri were identified by electrical stimulation during the operation. Karnofsky Performance Status scores of the patients' pre- and postoperative and the role of BOLD fMRI were evaluated. RESULTS: The cortical sensory areas were all activated in five glioma patients involving postcentral gyrus areas by BOLD fMRI with bilateral hand opposite movement. The detected activation areas corresponded with the results from cortical electrical stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between cortical sensory areas and tumour can be accurately shown by BOLD fMRI before operation. And the information used to make the tumour resection could obtain good clinical results.

Optimal microsurgical treatment of dorsum sellae meningioma.

BACKGROUND: There are few reports of microsurgical treatment of dorsum sellae meningiomas-which, because of location, size, and differences in growth direction, clinical presentations, degree of surgical difficulty, have varied posttreatment sequelae. In pursuit of an optimal microsurgical treatment option for dorsum sellae meningioma patients, we performed a retrospective analysis of eight microsurgery-treated patients in our set up. METHODS: Clinical data of eight microsurgery-treated dorsum sellae meningioma patients were analyzed. Dorsum sellae meningiomas were classified into 2 types based on tumor location, size, and direction of growth. Type I tumors (dorsum sellae-inferior third ventricle type, four cases) were resected by craniotomy via the frontotemporal or orbitozygomatic approach. Type II tumors (dorsum sellae-third ventricle type, 4 cases) were resected by frontal craniotomy via the transcallosal-interforniceal approach. RESULTS: Complete tumor resection was achieved in all the eight patients. In Type I tumor patients, the only postoperative complication was oculomotor nerve palsy. In Type II tumor patients, the postoperative complications included hyperthermia, electrolyte imbalances, endocrinologic disturbances, and hydrocephalus. The mean follow-up was 2.1 years. Four patients returned to normal life and found a job, two were able to live independently, one required assistance, while one died. CONCLUSIONS: Dorsum sellae meningioma surgery is challenging, and resection of Type II tumors is more difficult than Type I tumors. The selection of a suitable microsurgical approach based on tumor type, and the active treatment of postoperative complications are important means of increasing therapeutic efficacy.