Thrombospondin-2 promotes the proliferation and migration of glioma cells and contributes to the progression of glioma.

Background: Gliomas, especially high-grade gliomas, are highly malignant with a poor prognosis. Although existing treatments have improved the survival rate of patients with glioma, the recurrence and mortality rates are still not ideal. The molecular mechanisms involved in the occurrence and development of glioma are still poorly understood.

Glioma-Derived TSP2 Promotes Excitatory Synapse Formation and Results in Hyperexcitability in the Peritumoral Cortex of Glioma.

Seizures are common in patients with glioma, especially low-grade glioma (LGG). However, the epileptogenic mechanisms are poorly understood. Recent evidence has indicated that abnormal excitatory synaptogenesis plays an important role in epileptogenesis.

NFAT5 protects astrocytes against oxygen-glucose-serum deprivation/restoration damage via the SIRT1/Nrf2 pathway.

Nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) is a multifunctional cytokine family. NFAT5 was recently reported to be involved in many neuronal functions, but its specific function remains unclear. In this study, our aim is to investigate whether NFAT5 overexpression can protect astrocytes against oxygen-glucose-serum deprivation/restoration (OGSD/R) damage.

Impact of Heat Shock Protein A 12B Overexpression on Spinal Astrocyte Survival Against Oxygen-Glucose-Serum Deprivation/Restoration in Primary Cultured Astrocytes.

Heat shock protein A 12B (HSPA12B) is a newly discovered member of the heat shock protein 70 family. Preclinical evidence indicates that HSPA12B helps protect the brain from ischemic injury, although its specific function remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate whether HSPA12B overexpression can protect astrocytes from oxygen-glucose-serum deprivation/restoration (OGD/R) injury.

microRNA-7 Protects Against 1-Methyl-4-Phenylpyridinium Iodide-Induced Cell Apoptosis in SH-SY5Y Cells by Directly Targeting Krüpple-Like Factor 4.

This study intended to investigate the role and underling mechanism of microRNA-7 (miR-7) on neuronal death in Parkinson's disease (PD). Human neuroblastoma cell line SH-SY5Y was employed and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium iodide [MPP(+)] was used to generate PD model in vitro. Furthermore, an upregulation of miR-7 was performed in SH-SY5Y by transfection with miR-7 mimics.

Genetic predisposition of stroke: understanding the evolving landscape through meta-analysis.

Stroke, either ischemic or hemorrhagic, is the leading cause of death and morbidity worldwide. Identifying the risk factors is a prerequisite step for stroke prevention and treatment. It is believed that a major portion of the currently unidentified risk factors is of genetic origin.

Multicenter study on adult growth hormone level in postoperative pituitary tumor patients.

The objective of this study is to observe the adult growth hormone level in postoperative pituitary tumor patients of multi-centers, and explore the change of hypophyseal hormones in postoperative pituitary tumor patients. Sixty patients with pituitary tumor admitted during March, 2011-March, 2012 were selected. Postoperative hypophyseal hormone deficiency and the change of preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative growth hormone levels were recorded.

Emodin inhibits inducible nitric oxide synthase in a rat model of craniocerebral explosive injury.

To investigate the effects of emodin on blast-induced traumatic brain injury (bTBI) in a rat model. Eighty rats were randomly divided into 2 groups (the control group and the emodin-treated group; N = 40 per group) and were used to establish the model of blast-induced traumatic brain injury. Ten minutes after the explosion, an isotonic saline solution (10 mg/kg) or emodin (10 mg/kg) were administered via an intraperitoneal injection to the control group and the emodin-treated group, respectively.

Analyzing time-series microarray data reveals key genes in spinal cord injury.

Although many scholars have utilized high-throughput microarrays to delineate gene expression patterns after spinal cord injury (SCI), no study has evaluated gene changes in raphe magnus (RM) and somatomotor cortex (SMTC), two areas in brain primarily affected by SCI. In present study, we aimed to analyze the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of RM and SMTC between SCI model and sham injured control at 4, 24 h, 7, 14, 28 days, and 3 months using microarray dataset GSE2270 downloaded from gene expression omnibus and unpaired significance analysis of microarray method. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed for DEGs at crucial time points and significant biological functions were enriched using DAVID.

Prognostic value of coexistence of abnormal expression of micro-RNA-200b and cyclic adenosine monophosphate-responsive element-binding protein 1 in human astrocytoma.

Our aim was to investigate the expression of micro-RNA-200b (miR-200b) and cAMP-responsive element-binding protein 1 (CREB-1) in astrocytoma and its efficacy for predicting outcome. Both miR-200b and CREB-1 messenger RNA expression was measured in 122 astrocytomas and 30 nonneoplastic brain specimens by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Expression of miR-200b was significantly lower in astrocytoma than in nonneoplastic brain (P < .

Aerobic exercise for Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Although some trials assessed the effectiveness of aerobic exercise for Parkinson's disease (PD), the role of aerobic exercise in the management of PD remained controversial.

Objective: The purpose of this systematic review is to evaluate the evidence about whether aerobic exercise is effective for PD.

Methods: Seven electronic databases, up to December 2013, were searched to identify relevant studies.

Anti-apoptotic and anti-oxidative roles of quercetin after traumatic brain injury.

Experimental studies have demonstrated significant secondary damage (including cell apoptosis, blood-brain barrier disruption, inflammatory responses, excitotoxic damage, and free radical production) after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Quercetin is a natural flavonoid found in high quantities in fruits and vegetables, and may be a potential antioxidant and free radical scavenger. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of quercetin on TBI-induced upregulation of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis in adult Sprague-Dawley rats.

Epileptiform Discharges and Frontal Paroxysmal EEG Abnormality Act as Predictive Marker for Subsequent Epilepsy in Children With Complex Febrile Seizures.

Using electroencephalography (EEG) for diagnosing subsequent epilepsy in children after febrile seizure (FS) is not common. The present study investigates the relationship between epileptiform discharges and subsequent epilepsy, and looks for the predictive marker for this disorder. A total of 378 children with complex FS and whose EEG showed epileptiform discharges or normal EEG were included.

Comparison of the safety and efficacy of propofol with midazolam for sedation of patients with severe traumatic brain injury: a meta-analysis.

Objective: To perform a meta-analysis to compare the safety and efficacy of propofol with midazolam for sedation of patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

Materials And Methods: Studies were included in the meta-analysis if they met the following criteria: randomized controlled trial of sedative-hypnotic agents including propofol and midazolam; patients had severe traumatic brain injury; the primary outcome was the Glasgow Outcome Scale score; secondary outcomes included mortality, therapeutic failure, intracranial pressure, and cerebral perfusion pressure. The data were analyzed using software for meta-analysis.

Protein-protein interaction network analysis and gene set enrichment analysis in epilepsy patients with brain cancer.

Many patients with brain cancer experience seizures or epilepsy and tumor-associated epilepsy (TAE) significantly decreases their quality of life. This study aimed to achieve a better understanding of the mechanisms of TAE. The differentially expressed genes (DEG) between epilepsy patients with or without brain tumor were firstly screened using the Linear Models for Microarray Data package using GSE4290 datasets from the USA National Center for Biotechnology Information Gene Expression Omnibus database.

Endogenous subventricular zone neural progenitors contribute to the formation and hyperexcitability of experimental model of focal microgyria.

Microgyria is associated with epilepsy and due to developmental disruption of neuronal migration. However, the role of endogenous subventricular zone-derived neural progenitors (SDNPs) in formation and hyperexcitability has not been fully elucidated. Here, we establish a neonatal cortex freeze-lesion (FL) model, which was considered as a model for focal microgyria, and simultaneously label SDNPs by CM-DiI.

Anticonvulsant and sedative effects of paederosidic acid isolated from Paederia scandens (Lour.) Merrill. in mice and rats.

This study was designed to evaluate the anticonvulsant and sedative effects of paederosidic acid isolated from Paederia scandens (Lour.) Merrill. in mice and rats.

Overexpression of MACC1 protein and its clinical implications in patients with glioma.

Metastasis associated in colon cancer 1 (MACC1) has been regarded as a novel potential therapeutic target for multiple cancers. However, the impact of MACC1 in glioma remains unclear. The aim of this study was to analyze the correlation of MACC1 expression with the clinicopathological features of glioma.

Transsphenoidal surgery assisted by a new guidance device: results of a series of 747 cases.

Objective: The objective of this study is to report the efficacy and safety of microsurgical transsphenoidal surgery using a frame for sella guidance in a series of patients with untreated pituitary adenoma.

Methods: In this study, seven hundred and forty-seven patients undergoing transsphenoidal resection of a pituitary adenoma involving use of the frame were included. Follow-up of twelve to one hundred months was performed in all patients.