Relationship between MMP-9 Gene Polymorphism and Intracranial Aneurysm.

Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is a gelatinase, which is a member of the MMPs family. We know that MMP-9 is not only an important gelatinase to regulate the extracellular matrix balance, but also one of the most closely related proteases to the pathogenesis of intracranial aneurysm. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between MMP-9 gene polymorphism and intracranial aneurysm. In this paper, 98 patients who were admitted to a hospital from 2018 to 2019 were selected as the experimental group and the control group according to the relevant standards of intracranial aneurysms. The MMP-9 positive and MMP-9 absorbance values between the two groups were compared, so as to determine the concentration of MMP-9 between the two groups. In addition, the gene distribution and gene frequency analysis of the C-1562T promoter region of MMP-9 were carried out. The results showed that in the control group, the gene distribution frequency of CC type was 67% that of CT type was 31% that of TT type was 2%, that of the experimental group was 52%, and that of CT type was 44%. The results showed that there was a correlation between MMP-9 gene polymorphism and intracranial aneurysm.

3D super-resolution microscopy performance and quantitative analysis assessment using DNA-PAINT and DNA origami test samples.

Assessment of the imaging quality in localisation-based super-resolution techniques relies on an accurate characterisation of the imaging setup and analysis procedures. Test samples can provide regular feedback on system performance and facilitate the implementation of new methods. While multiple test samples for regular, 2D imaging are available, they are not common for more specialised imaging modes. Here, we analyse robust test samples for 3D and quantitative super-resolution imaging, which are straightforward to use, are time- and cost-effective and do not require experience beyond basic laboratory and imaging skills. We present two options for assessment of 3D imaging quality, the use of microspheres functionalised for DNA-PAINT and a commercial DNA origami sample. A method to establish and assess a qPAINT workflow for quantitative imaging is demonstrated with a second, commercially available DNA origami sample.

Algorithmic corrections for localization microscopy with sCMOS cameras - characterisation of a computationally efficient localization approach.

Modern sCMOS cameras are attractive for single molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) due to their high speed but suffer from pixel non-uniformities that can affect localization precision and accuracy. We present a simplified sCMOS non-uniform noise model that incorporates pixel specific read-noise, offset and sensitivity variation. Using this model we develop a new weighted least squared (WLS) fitting method designed to remove the effect of sCMOS pixel non-uniformities. Simulations with the sCMOS noise model, performed to test under which conditions sCMOS specific localization corrections are required, suggested that pixel specific offsets should always be removed. In many applications with thick biological samples photon fluxes are sufficiently high that corrections of read-noise and sensitivity correction may be neglected. When correction is required, e.g. during fast imaging in thin samples, our WLS fit procedure recovered the performance of an equivalent sensor with uniform pixel properties and the fit estimates also attained the Cramer-Rao lower bound. Experiments with sub-resolution beads and a DNA origami test sample confirmed the results of the simulations. The WLS localization procedure is fast to converge, compatible with 2D, 3D and multi-emitter localization and thus provides a computationally efficient sCMOS localization approach compatible with most SMLM modalities.

Analysis of the Causes and Experience in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Meningocele Caused by Sternberg's Canal of the Sphenoid Sinus: Two Case Reports and a Review of the Literature.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to improve the diagnosis and treatment outcome of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea caused by patent meningoencephalocele of Sternberg's canal of the sphenoid sinus by analyzing the clinical data and imaging features of two rare cases of this disease and by reviewing the relevant literature for possible etiology, diagnoses, and treatments. METHODS: Together with the relevant literature, we retrospectively studied the clinical and imaging data of two patients (mother and child) with CSF rhinorrhea caused by patent meningoencephalocele of Sternberg's canal of the sphenoid sinus, analyzed their diagnostic and treatment procedures, and proposed a potential, feasible treatment method. RESULTS: On the 2nd day after surgery, the expansive sponge and iodoform gauze in the nasal cavity were removed in both patients, and the lumbar subarachnoid drainage was removed 3 days after the operation, as no nasal discharge was observed. One week after the operation, head magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed that the abnormal tissue in the sphenoid sinus had disappeared, and no accumulation of the CSF was observed. Both patients were discharged after 2 weeks. At the time of discharge, both patients were without nasal drip, fever, headache, and other discomforts, and they had grade 5 muscle strength in their extremities, with normal muscle tension. CONCLUSION: CSF rhinorrhea is usually caused by secondary factors. Spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea caused by encephalocele of the skull base due to congenital dysplasia of the skull base is very rare and easily misdiagnosed. The presence of brain tissue or CSF signal in the sphenoid sinus on preoperative MR images is an important imaging feature of the disease. Conditional cisternography can be used to further detect CSF leaks. Endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal repair of CSF leaks combined with short-term postoperative lumbar subarachnoid drainage is an effective treatment method. According to previous literature, the possible causes of meningoencephalocele with patent Sternberg's canal of the sphenoid sinus include abnormal development of the sphenoid sinus or the craniopharyngeal canal and bone defects of the skull base. There are no related reports on patent meningoencephalocele caused by Sternberg's canal in direct blood relatives, such as mother-son; therefore, the possibility of this disease having a genetic origin should be considered in future studies on its pathophysiological mechanisms.

Application of the fractional Fourier transform to the design of LCOS based optical interconnects and fiber switches.

It is shown that reflective liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) spatial light modulator (SLM) based interconnects or fiber switches that use defocus to reduce crosstalk can be evaluated and optimized using a fractional Fourier transform if certain optical symmetry conditions are met. Theoretically the maximum allowable linear hologram phase error compared to a Fourier switch is increased by a factor of six before the target crosstalk for telecom applications of -40 dB is exceeded. A Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm incorporating a fractional Fourier transform modified for use with a reflective LCOS SLM is used to optimize multi-casting holograms in a prototype telecom switch. Experiments are in close agreement to predicted performance.

Bevacizumab Combined with Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy on Cognitive and Coagulation Function in Postoperative Glioma Patients.

To examine the influences of bevacizumab combined with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) on postoperative brain glioma, particularly its impact on coagulation function and cognitive function, the complete clinical data of 156 patients undergoing glioma surgery in the neurosurgery department of our hospital between March 2015 and October 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent glioma surgery and were then assigned to the observation group (Obs group, n = 79, received bevacizumab combined with IMRT) or the control group (Con group, n = 77, received IMRT without bevacizumab) for analysis during postoperative treatment. The patients' short-term efficacy was evaluated, and their serum markers and coagulation function were compared, as well as the cognitive function, the occurrence of adverse reactions during treatment, the Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score, and quality of life after treatment. Patients' survival was followed up within 2 years after surgery. The Obs group showed a notably higher clinical remission rate and clinical control rate (DCR) than the Con group after treatment. The Obs group showed notably lower levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), IL-6, and epidermal growth factor (EGF), experienced notably shorter prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and showed higher fibrinogen (FIB) and D-dimer (D-D) levels than Con group. The Obs group showed notably better cognitive function, KPS score, and quality of life than the Con group, but no notable difference was observed between them in the incidence of adverse reactions (P > 0.0500). The survival rates in the Obs group were higher than in the Con group. For patients with glioma, postoperative bevacizumab combined with IMRT delivers substantially higher clinical efficacy by lowering serum marker levels and improving cognitive function without significantly affecting coagulation function.

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of Neuroendoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal Surgeries and Intracranial Endoscopic Pterional Approach in Resection of Tuberculum Sellae Meningiomas.

Objective: To compare of the efficacy and safety of neuroendoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgeries and intracranial endoscopic pterional approach in resection of tuberculum sellae meningioma. Methods: From January 2014 to June 2021, 60 patients with tuberculum sellae meningioma diagnosed and treated in our hospital were enrolled and randomly divided into study group and control group. The tuberculum sellae meningioma was removed by neuroendoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgeries in the study group, while the intracranial endoscopic pterional approach was used in the control group. The chi-square test was used to compare the differences of tumor complete resection rate, visual acuity improvement rate, total effective rate at 3 months after operation, and adverse reactions between the two groups. Results: The clinical characteristics of the two groups were comparable (P > 0.05). After surgical treatment, the complete resection rate in the study group was higher than that in the control group (93.3% vs 70.0%), and the difference was statistically significant (P=0.020). After treatment, the visual acuity improvement rate of the study group was 83.3% (25/30), which was significantly higher than that of the control group (60.0%, 18/30), and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 4.022, P=0.045). After surgical treatment, the total effective rate at 3 months after operation was higher in the study group than in the control group (96.7% vs 83.3%), with statistical significance (P=0.041). There was no significant difference in postoperative adverse reactions between the study group and control group (33.3% vs 30.0%, P=0.781). Conclusion: The neuroendoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal surgeries has significant efficacy and can significantly improve the visual acuity of patients without increasing adverse reactions, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Simple and free-labeled voltammetry determination of glioma cell.

Glioma is one of the most frequent brain tumors with substantial mortality and morbidity, thus designing a simple sensor for achieving highly efficient determination of glioma cell is of great importance. In this work, by preparing 3,4,9,10-perylene tetracarboxylic acid (PTCA) non-covalently functionalized carbon black (CB) nanohybrids (CB-PTCA) as matrix and using angiopep-2 peptide (Ang-2) as receptor to recognize selectively glioma cell, a simple and free-labeled voltammetry sensor was developed for the first time to detect glioma cell by using Ang-2 and CB-PTCA modified glassy carbon electrode (Ang-2/CB/GCE): via introducing typical [Fe(CN)6]4-/3- as the signal probe, its electrochemical signal would be suppressed when glioma cells were recognized by Ang-2, and the values of peak current difference varied along with the concentrations of glioma cells. After optimizing the related testing conditions (the amounts of CB-PTCA, concentration of Ang-2 and recognition time of Ang-2 towards glioma cells), a wide linearity from 102 to 106 cells mL-1 and a low analytic limitation of 30 cells mL-1 were achieved for glioma cell. Furthermore, the application of the proposed immunosensor in human serum was also studied, revealing that the results are reliable and the designed proposal offers a significant clinical application for glioma detection.

Effects of low impact development on the stormwater runoff and pollution control.

The frequent urbanization and extreme rainfall events have posed the threat to the urban environment. The implementation of low impact development (LID) practices with great potential for control urban flood and overflow pollution is not comprehensively understood yet due to the influence of complex factors (i.e., hydrological pattern, installation location, and vertical parameter setting). In this study, the hydraulic and water quality model were used to analyze the hydrological and pollution reduction of outfall and storage under different hydrological patterns, vertical parameter setting, and green infrastructure installation locations, which can determine the best implementation of the scheme for overflow pollution control. The results showed that nine parameters of the vertical layer regarding the four parameters impacted the peak value and load of suspended solids (SS). The combination scheme of the LID practices was further proposed based on the selection and analysis of the single LID practice. Besides, considering the installation location, the downstream installed location was a better choice. The horizontal connection of overflow runoff and pollution could be reduced by up to 9.75% and 36.46%, respectively. In addition, the horizontal connection can effectively reduce the peak value of inflow and pollutants at the time of assessing storage tank impact, which reach the maximum of 14.08% and 29.25%, respectively. The pollutants distribution became uniform and showed better resilience against rainfall intensity, which is beneficial to the management of stormwater. Our findings can provide guidance for Sponge City construction and effectively alleviate the combined sewer overflow.

Overexpression of lncRNA IRAIN restrains the progression and Temozolomide resistance of glioma via repressing IGF-1R-PI3K-NF-κB signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND: Increasing studies have found that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) contribute to regulating tumor progression. This study explores the expression characteristics, effects, and related mechanisms of lncRNA IGF1R antisense imprinted non-protein coding RNA (IRAIN) in glioma. METHODS: Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was implemented to testify the IRAIN profile in glioma tissues and paracancerous tissues, and the link between the IRAIN level and the clinicopathological indicators of glioma was analyzed. IRAIN overexpression and knockdown cell models were constructed in glioma cells. Cell proliferation was verified by the colony formation experiment, while flow cytometry was implemented to monitor apoptosis. Transwell assay was performed to examine cell invasion and migration. Western blot (WB) was adopted to compare the profiles of the apoptosis-related proteins (Bax, Bcl2, and Caspase3) and IGF-1R-PI3K-NF-κB pathway. RESULTS: IRAIN was down-regulated in glioma tissues (compared with adjacent normal tissues), and the low IRAIN expression was significantly linked with the larger tumor volume and higher pathological stages. Functionally, overexpressing IRAIN abated glioma cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, promoted apoptosis, and attenuated IGF-1R-PI3K-NF-κB expression and temozolomide (TMZ) resistance, which was also confirmed in the xenograft tumor experiment. The WB result showed that overexpressing IRAIN inactivated the IGF-1R-PI3K-NF-κB pathway. Additionally, the IGF-1R knockdown model was established in U251 cells. Si-IGF-1R induced cell proliferation inhibition, promoted cell death, and reduced cell migration and TMZ resistance, whereas Si-IGF-1R+IRAIN group showed no additional effects on glioma cells compared with the Si-IGF-1R group. CONCLUSION: IRAIN repressed glioma development and TMZ resistance by inactivating the IGF-1R-PI3K-NF-κB axis.

[Microanatomic and three-dimensional reconstruction study of lateral wall and related structures of optic canal].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the key microanatomic and radiological structures of optic canal comprehensively so as to provide anatomic parameters and procedural flows for the decompression of optic canal. METHODS: Gross observations and microscopic measurements were applied on 10 (20 sides) formalin-treated cadaveric specimens and 15 (30 sides) adult skulls. Using multislice helical CT (computed tomography)-aided three-dimensional reconstruction in combination with direct anatomic measurement, the investigators dissected, photographed, measured and analyzed the shape of optic canal and analyze its anatomic relationship with the adjoining structures. RESULTS: Optic canal was formed by the superior, inferior, medial and external walls and distal proximal opening. The lateral wall of optic canal was formed by anterior clinoid process with a length of (9.87 ± 1.34) mm, a width of (11.66 ± 2.35) mm, a base thickness of (5.35 ± 1.07) mm and a middle thickness of (4.50 ± 1.06) mm. Optic strut separating the optic canal from the superior orbital fissure was located inferiorly. And the distance between the apex of anterior clinoid process and the middle of ICA (internal carotid artery) groove was (4.25 ± 2.30) mm. The CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) leakage and secondary injury of optic nerve and injury of ICA, ophthalmic artery might occur during the surgical procedures due to the variation of anterior clinoid process. The microanatomic figures and radiological measurements had a mean difference very close to each other at (0.08 - 0.48) mm. No statistical difference was found (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Optic nerve, ophthalmic artery and ICA may be exposed by a high-speed drilling of the lateral wall of optic canal. The drilling dissection of lateral wall plays a vital role during a successful optic canal decompression. Radiological measurement and three-dimensional reconstruction of skull base may be of great clinical significance in lesion visualization. And it helps to make a better choice of surgical approaches. The measurements provide valuable references for surgeons and researchers.

Effect of supplemental dexmedetomidine in interventional embolism on cerebral oxygen metabolism in patients with intracranial aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of supplemental dexmedetomidine in interventional embolism on cerebral oxygen metabolism in patients with intracranial aneurysms. METHODS: Ninety patients who underwent interventional embolism of intracranial aneurysms were equally divided into Group A and Group B. In Group A, dexmedetomidine was injected intravenously 10 minutes before inducing anesthesia, with a loading dose of 0.6 µg/kg followed by 0.4 µg/kg/hour. Group B received the same amount of normal saline by the same injection method. Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), arterial-jugular venous oxygen difference [D(a-jv) (O2)], cerebral oxygen extraction [CE (O2)], and intraoperative propofol use were recorded before inducing anesthesia (T0) and at five time points thereafter. RESULTS: The amount of propofol in Group A was lower vs Group B. At all five time points after T0, HR, MAP, D(a-jv) (O2), and CE (O2) in Group A were significantly lower vs Group B, with significant differences for jugular venous oxygen saturation (SjvO2) and the oxygen content of the internal jugular vein (CjvO2) between the groups. CONCLUSION: Dexmedetomidine resulted in less intraoperative propofol, lower D(a-jv) (O2) and CE (O2), and improved cerebral oxygen metabolism.

Long non-coding RNA SNHG3 accelerates progression in glioma by modulating miR-384/HDGF axis.

Glioma is a malignant primary brain tumor that occurs in the central nervous system and has threatened the well-being of millions of patients. It is well acknowledged that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) SNHG3 participates in the regulation of proliferation, inflation, differentiation, and metastasis in many cancers. However, the regulatory effect of SNHG3 on glioma progression is still controversial. The expression of SNHG3 and HDGF was upregulated, whereas miR-384 was downregulated in glioma tissues, compared with the normal tissues. Interestingly, high SNHG3 contributed to low survival rate while low SNHG3 showed the opposite result. Moreover, SNHG3 or HDGF knockdown significantly suppressed proliferation, migration, and invasion and induced apoptosis in glioma. Meanwhile, restoration of HDGF abrogated the inhibition of SNHG3 silencing on glioma cell progression. Besides, miR-384 inhibitor attenuated SNHG3 silencing induced inhibition on HDGF mRNA and protein expression in A172 and SHG44 cells. LncRNA SNHG3 promotes cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in glioma by enhancing HDGF expression via miR-384 sponging, representing the promising targets for the development of novel therapeutic strategies.

Effectiveness of Surgical Treatments for Basal Ganglia Hemorrhage and Imaging Factors Affecting Hematoma Evacuation Rate by Neuroendoscopic Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Basal ganglia hemorrhage (BGH) is a devastating neurologic disease with high morbidity and mortality, and its management is still controversial. We evaluated the effectiveness of surgical treatments for BGH and investigated computed tomography (CT) imaging features affecting the hematoma evacuation rate (ER) in patients treated with neuroendoscopic surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 104 BGH patients who underwent craniotomy, burr-hole drainage, or neuroendoscopic surgery were analyzed retrospectively. Clinical characteristics, imaging features, and postoperative complications were compared. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were applied to identify imaging factors associated with ER. RESULTS: A significant difference in ER was observed: 78.4% in patients treated with neuroendoscopic surgery, 33.6% in patients treated with burr-hole drainage, and 82.5% in patients treated with craniotomy (p < 0.001). Similar results were observed for operative time (p < 0.001). Five cases (12.5%) of rebleeding were found in patients treated with burr-hole drainage (p = 0.020). No significant difference was found for pneumonia, intracranial infection, gastrointestinal bleeding, hospital mortality, hospital stay, expenses, 3-day Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores after surgery, or GCS at discharge. The CT imaging feature, the island sign (p = 0.004), was observed as an independent factor correlated with lower ER for neuroendoscopic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The benefits and drawbacks of surgical treatments confirmed they have their own indications, and neuroendoscopic surgery may be relatively beneficial for BGH treatment. The island sign was an independent factor affecting ER for neuroendoscopic surgery. Therefore, comprehensive assessment of clinical data, especially the island sign, should be performed preoperatively in BGH patients.

[Outcomes of early surgery combined with anti-vasospasm agents treat ruptured cranial aneurysms: an analysis of 127 cases].

OBJECTIVE: Retrospective study on 127 cases of early microsurgery combined with antivasospasm agents for treatment of subarachnoid hemorrhage after the rupture of intracranial aneurysm. To evaluate the microsurgery for early-stage (3 days) of ruptured aneurysm. METHODS: 127 cases of subarachnoid hemorrhage after the rupture of intracranial aneurysm were diagnosed by MRI and CTA. Patients underwent early microsurgical clipping of intracranial aneurysm followed by antivasospasm agents treatment were retrospectively analyzed for their clinical manifestation, characteristics of imaging presentation, the curative effects and experiences of different operative approaches, surgical methods and techniques, pharmaceutical treatment and other integrated management. RESULTS: In all 127 cases, organized blood clot accompanied with subarachnoid hemorrhage and cerebral vasospasm surrounding the ruptured aneurysm was found in the course of surgical probing, among which 21 aneurysms ruptured during the operation; according to the GOS, 109 cases were cured or free of symptom, 23 cases got a transient hemiparalysis or aggravation of hemiparalysis, among which 18 cases were free of symptom, 9 were slight disability, 6 were severe disability, 3 cases die when discharged. CONCLUSIONS: Early operation could prevent second-time rupture effectively, lower the death rate, and at the same time lower the occurrence of cerebral vasospasm and the succeeding damage caused. Cerebral vasospasm is still the serious complication of subarachnoid hemorrhage of ruptured aneurysm and inappropriate management would cause critical consequences. Antivasospasm agents used postoperative could help preventing cerebral vasospasm and maintaining function.

AHIF promotes glioblastoma progression and radioresistance via exosomes.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) has the highest mortality rate among patients with brain tumors, and radiotherapy forms an important part of its treatment. Thus, there is an urgent requirement to elucidate the mechanisms conferring GBM progression and radioresistance. In the present study, it was identified that antisense transcript of hypoxia­inducible factor­1α (AHIF) was significantly upregulated in GBM cancerous tissues, as well as in radioresistant GBM cells. The expression of AHIF was also upregulated in response to radiation. Knockdown of AHIF in GBM cells decreased viability and invasive capacities, and increased the proportion of apoptotic cells. By contrast, overexpression of AHIF in GBM cells increased viability and invasive capacities, and decreased the proportion of apoptotic cells. Furthermore, exosomes derived from AHIF­knockdown GBM cells inhibited viability, invasion and radioresistance, whereas exosomes derived from AHIF­overexpressing GBM cells promoted viability, invasion and radioresistance. Further biochemical analysis identified that AHIF regulates factors associated with migration and angiogenesis in exosomes. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to establish that AHIF promotes glioblastoma progression and radioresistance via exosomes, which suggests that AHIF is a potential therapeutic target for GBM.

True Molecular Scale Visualization of Variable Clustering Properties of Ryanodine Receptors.

Signaling nanodomains rely on spatial organization of proteins to allow controlled intracellular signaling. Examples include calcium release sites of cardiomyocytes where ryanodine receptors (RyRs) are clustered with their molecular partners. Localization microscopy has been crucial to visualizing these nanodomains but has been limited by brightness of markers, restricting the resolution and quantification of individual proteins clustered within. Harnessing the remarkable localization precision of DNA-PAINT (<10 nm), we visualized punctate labeling within these nanodomains, confirmed as single RyRs. RyR positions within sub-plasmalemmal nanodomains revealed how they are organized randomly into irregular clustering patterns leaving significant gaps occupied by accessory or regulatory proteins. RyR-inhibiting protein junctophilin-2 appeared highly concentrated adjacent to RyR channels. Analyzing these molecular maps showed significant variations in the co-clustering stoichiometry between junctophilin-2 and RyR, even between nearby nanodomains. This constitutes an additional level of complexity in RyR arrangement and regulation of calcium signaling, intrinsically built into the nanodomains.

Mechanism of G9a inhibitor BIX­01294 acting on U251 glioma cells.

The present study aimed to investigate the differential expression and clinical significance of histone methyltransferase G9a, histone H3K9me2 and histone H3K9me1 in human brain glioma and adjacent tissue samples. It also aimed to observe the effect and mechanism of BIX­01294, as an inhibitor of methyltransferase G9a, on the proliferation, apoptosis, methylation of H3K9 and H3K27, and the acetylation in U251 glioma cells in vitro. The differential expression of methyltransferase G9a, histone H3K9me2 and histone H3K9me1 in in human brain glioma and adjacent tissues were analyzed by immunohistochemistry, a growth curve of U251 cells following treatment with BIX­01294 was determined using the MTT assay. In addition, the apoptosis percentage of U251 cells was analyzed by TUNEL assay and the expression levels of apoptosis­associated proteins, including B­cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl­2), Bcl­2­associated X protein (Bax), caspase­9 and caspase­3, and the acetylation of histones, including H3K27me1, H3K27me2 and H3 in U251 were analyzed by western blot following BIX­01294 treatment. The positive rate of G9a in glioma tissues was 86% (43/50), which was significantly different from 42% (21/50) in adjacent tissues (P<0.01). The positive rate of H3K9me2 in glioma tissues was 82% (41/50), which was significantly different from 38% (19/50) in adjacent tissues (χ²=18.38; P<0.01). The expression of G9a and H3K9me2 were associated with the World Health Organization (WHO) glioma grade. The positive rate of H3K9me1 in glioma tissues was 54% (27/50) and 44% (22/50) in adjacent tissues, though this result was not significantly different (χ²=1.21, P>0.05). BIX­01294 inhibited the proliferation of U251, downregulated expression of Bcl­2, and upregulated expression of Bax, caspase­3 and caspase­9, and induced apoptosis of U251. BIX­01294 downregulated H3K9me1, H3K9me2, H3K27me1 and H3K27me2, however, it did not affect the acetylation of H3K9me3 and H3. High expression of G9a and H3K9me2 in glioma tissue samples was associated with the WHO grade, which indicated that G9a and H3K9me2 may promote generation and development of glioma. BIX­01294 inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis of glioma cells, changes in methylation of H3K9 and H3K27 resulting in conformational changes of chromosome may be an underlying mechanism. BIX­01294 may be a potential novel therapeutic agent in the treatment of glioma.

Subtemporal transtentorial petrosalapex approach for giant petroclival meningiomas: analyzation and evaluation of the clinical application.

With the advent of microsurgery and surgical techniques, along with the improvement in neuroimaging techniques and the microanatomy in cadaver study, improvement in terms of surgical morbidity and mortality has been remarkable; however, controversy still exists regarding the optimal surgical strategies for giant petroclival meningiomas (GPMs). We report a study of clinical and radiological features as well as the surgical findings and outcomes for patients with GPM treated at our institution over the past 6 years. During a 6-year period (April 2004 to March 2010), 16 patients with GPM underwent surgery by subtemporal transtentorial petrosal apex approach during which electrophysiological monitoring of cranial nerves and brainstem function were reviewed. There were nine females and seven males with a mean age of 56.9 years (range from 32 to 78 years). The most frequent clinical manifestations were headache (93.7%) and dizziness (93.7%). Regions and directions of tumor extension include clivus, parasellar, and cavernous sinus, as well as compression of brainstem, and so on. The trochlear nerve was totally wrapped in nine cases (56.2%). The postoperative Karnofsky Performance Scale (KPS) score was 76.3 ± 13.1. Mean maximum diameter of the tumors on magnetic resonance imaging was 5.23 cm (range, 4.5 to 6.2 cm). Subtemporal transtentorial petrosalapex approach was performed in all 16 cases. Gross total resection was achieved in 14 cases (87.5%) and subtotal resection in 2 cases (12.5%) with no resultant mortality. Follow-up data were available for all 16 patients, with a mean follow-up period of 28.8 months (range from 4 to 69 months), of which 11 (68.75%) lived a normal life (KPS, 80-100). Our suggestion is that GPM could be completely resected by subtemporal transtentorial petrosalapex approach. The surgical strategy of GPM should be focused on survival and postoperative quality of life. Microneurosurgical technique plays a key role in tumor resection and preservation of nerve function. Intraoperative electrophysiological monitoring also contributes dramatically to the preservation of the nerve function. Complete resection of the tumor should be attempted at the first operation. Any remnant is treated by radiosurgery.