Expression of ING4 is negatively correlated with cellular proliferation and microvessel density in human glioma.

The present study aimed to investigate the associations of tumor inhibitor of growth 4 (ING4) with tumor cell proliferation and microvessel density (MVD) in human glioma. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to detect the level of ING4 expression in normal brain tissues and glioma tissues of different pathological grades. The cell proliferation index (PI) and the level of MVD were detected using IHC, facilitating the analysis of the correlation between ING4 and cellular proliferation and MVD in human glioma.

Multifunctional upconversion nanoparticles for targeted dual-modal imaging in rat glioma xenograft.

Purpose: Achieving a radiographic gross total resection in high-grade gliomas improves overall survival. Many technologies such as intraoperative microscope, intraoperative ultrasound, fluorescence imaging, and intraoperative magnetic resonance imaging have been applied to improve tumor resection. However, most commercial available magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents have limited permeability across the blood-brain barrier and are cleared rapidly from circulation.

OPN gene polymorphism and the serum OPN levels confer the susceptibility and prognosis of ischemic stroke in Chinese patients.

Aim: To investigate the association of Osteopontin (OPN) gene polymorphism and serum thrombin-cleaved OPN level with the susceptibility to ischemic stroke (IS) and its prognosis.

Methods: A total of 377 patients with IS and 551 healthy individuals were recruited. The OPN gene polymorphisms at -156 G>GG, -443 C>T and -66 T>G were genotyped.

Four common polymorphisms in microRNAs and the risk of adult glioma in a Chinese case-control study.

Emerging evidence has shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) participate in human carcinogenesis as tumor suppressors or oncogenes. It has been suggested that four common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; miR-146aG > C, 149C > T, 196a2C > T, and 499A > G) are associated with susceptibility to numerous malignancies. However, published results are inconsistent and inclusive.

A novel animal model of partial optic nerve transection established using an optic nerve quantitative amputator.

Background: Research into retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration and neuroprotection after optic nerve injury has received considerable attention and the establishment of simple and effective animal models is of critical importance for future progress.

Methodology/principal Findings: In the present study, the optic nerves of Wistar rats were semi-transected selectively with a novel optic nerve quantitative amputator. The variation in RGC density was observed with retro-labeled fluorogold at different time points after nerve injury.

Allografts of the acellular sciatic nerve and brain-derived neurotrophic factor repair spinal cord injury in adult rats.

Objective: We aimed to investigate whether an innovative growth factor-laden scaffold composed of acellular sciatic nerve (ASN) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) could promote axonal regeneration and functional recovery after spinal cord injury (SCI).

Methods: Following complete transection at the thoracic level (T9), we immediately transplanted the grafts between the stumps of the severed spinal cords. We evaluated the functional recovery of the hindlimbs of the operated rats using the BBB locomotor rating scale system every week.

Traumatic subperiostial emphysema caused by hyperpneumatization of the temporal and occipital bone.

Hyperpneumatization of the temporal bone with extension into the occipital bone and even the parietal bones is a rare condition. We report a case in which the patient suffered periodically from a palpable mass in the parietal-occipital region which originated from extensive occipital bone pneumatization. Computed tomography examination revealed extensive temporal and occipital pneumatization and subperiosteal pneumatoceles, which was corrected by surgery.

Microsurgical anatomy of the greater superficial petrosal nerve.

Objective: To clarify the orientation, classification, and relationships of the greater superficial petrosal nerve (GSPN), and to provide a detailed description on the microsurgical anatomic features and some landmarks to its identification.

Methods: A microsurgical anatomic dissection of the GSPN was studied in 40 specimens obtained from 20 adult cadaveric heads fixed in formalin. The course of the GSPN and its relationship to neighboring anatomic structures were observed.

Microsurgical anatomy of the abducens nerve.

Objective: To clarify the oriented classification, relationships, and variations of the abducens nerve and provide a detailed description of its microsurgical anatomic features.

Methods: A microsurgical anatomic dissection of the abducens nerve was performed in 100 specimens obtained from 50 adult cadaveric heads fixed in formalin and two adult cadaveric heads stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological examination. Important neurovascular and structural relationships of the abducens nerve were observed.

[Related factors of early post-operative prognosis of meningiomas: an analysis of 953 surgical cases].

Objective: To study the related factors of early post-operative prognosis of meningiomas.

Methods: The clinical data of 953 patients with meningiomas were recorded and statistically analyzed with χ(2) test of single factor and logistic regression model of multivariate factors. Patient age; tumor size; tumor location; pre-operative complication of patients such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease and cerebral infarction; the extent of tumor resection; hemorrhagic shock; blood loss or hemorrhagic shock and brain swelling intra-operatively were taken as variables.

Incorporation of magnetite nanoparticle clusters in fluorescent silica nanoparticles for high-performance brain tumor delineation.

Bifunctional nanoprobes with both magnetic and optical contrast have been developed for ultra-sensitive brain tumor imaging at the cellular level. The nanoprobes were synthesized by simultaneously incorporating a magnetite nanoparticle cluster and fluorescence dyes into silica encapsulation by a sol-gel approach under ultrasonic treatment. The nanoprobes maintain superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature and possess enhanced transverse relaxivity and good photostability.

[A new composite matrix bridging both stumps of spinal cord transection in rats to promote recovery of motor function].

Unlabelled: OBJECTIVE; To investigate a new composite matrix (BMSCs seeded on the denuded human amniotic membrane, BMSCs-DHAM) bridging the both stumps of spinal cord injury in rats to promote axon regeneration and improve motor function of hind limbs.

Methods: The human amniotic membrane (HAM) was voluntarily donated by the healthy pregnant women after a caesarean section. The cells on the HAM were completely removed with a tryptic and mechanical approach to prepare DHAM.

Microsurgical anatomy of the ocular motor nerves.

This study was designed to provide anatomic data to help surgeons avoid damage to the ocular motor nerves during intraorbital operations. The microsurgical anatomy of the ocular motor nerves was studied in 50 adult cadaveric heads (100 orbits). Dissections were performed with a microscope.

Monodisperse water-soluble magnetite nanoparticles prepared by polyol process for high-performance magnetic resonance imaging.

A new class of monodisperse water-soluble magnetite nanoparticles was prepared by a simple and inexpensive method based on a polyol process, and their potential as MRI contrast agents was investigated.

Specific targeting of gliomas with multifunctional superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle optical and magnetic resonance imaging contrast agents.

Aim: To determine whether glioma cells can be specifically and efficiently targeted by superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPIO)-fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-chlorotoxin (SPIOFC) that is detectable by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optical imaging.

Methods: SPIOFC was synthesized by conjugating SPIO with FITC and chlorotoxin. Glioma cells (human U251-MG and rat C6) were cultured with SPIOFC and SPIOF (SPIO-FITC), respectively.

[Time course of calpain activity changes in rat neurons following fluid percussion injury and the interventional effect of mild hypothermia].

Objective: To investigate the time course of calpain activity changes in rat neurons following fluid percussion injury (FPI) under normothermia (37 degrees celsius;) and mild hypothermia (32-/+0.5) degrees celsius;.

Methods: In vitro cultured rat neurons were subjected to FPI followed by application of mild hypothermia for intervention at different time points, and the changes in intraneuronal calpain activity following FPI and the interventional effect of mild hypothermia on calpain activity were evaluated by UV-spectrophotometry at different time points.

Human neural stem cells promote corticospinal axons regeneration and synapse reformation in injured spinal cord of rats.

Background: Axonal regeneration in lesioned mammalian central nervous system is abortive, and this causes permanent disabilities in individuals with spinal cord injuries. This paper studied the action of neural stem cell (NSC) in promoting corticospinal axons regeneration and synapse reformation in rats with injured spinal cord.

Methods: NSCs were isolated from the cortical tissue of spontaneous aborted human fetuses in accordance with the ethical request.

[Labeling neural stem cells with superparamagnetic iron oxide in vitro and tracking after implantation with MRI in vivo].

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of monitoring the neural stem cells implanted into the brain by the technique of labeling with superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO).

Methods: Neural stem cells were isolated from the cerebral cortex of newborn Wister rats and cultured. SPIO particles and poly-L-lysine were added into the medium to be co-cultured foe one hour.

Neuronal and glial differentiation following culture of the human embryonic cortical stem cells.

Objective: To set up long-term in vitro culture system of the human neural stem cells (hNSC) and to study their biological properties.

Methods: Human fetuses aged about 20 weeks following spontaneous abortion were adopted. A serum-free medium containing basic fibroblast growth factor and epidermal growth factor was used to make the hNSCs divide continuously in the culture.

[Effect of intraischemic mild hypothermia on interleukin-1beta and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 contents in ischemic core of rat cortex after transient focal cerebral ischemia].

Objective: To investigate the effect of intraischemic mild hypothermia on the protein levels of interleukin (IL)-1beta and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP)-1 in the ischemic core of rat cortex after transient focal cerebralischemia.

Methods: Eighty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into normothermic (37 degrees C) and mild hypothermic (32 - 33 degrees C) groups. The normothermic group was redivided into six subgroups of 8 rats: sham operation, ischemia for 2 hours without reperfusion, and reperfusion for 6 hours, 16 hours, 24 hours, and 48 hours respectively after ischemia; and the mild hypothermic group was redivided into 4 group with 8 rats: reperfusion for 6, 16, 24, and 48 hours.