Effect of Four Types of Chemical Pretreatment on Enzymatic Hydrolysis by SEM, XRD and FTIR Analysis.

Catalpa sawdust was respectively pretreated by NaOH, Ca(OH)2, H2SO4 and HCl solution, and the enzymatic hydrolysis of catalpa sawdust was significantly enhanced by alkaline pretreatments. In order to investigate the mechanisms of pretreatment of catalpa sawdust, the characteristics of catalpa sawdust before and after pretreatments were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. It was found that the surface of catalpa sawdust was disrupted by four kinds of chemical pretreatment, and the pretreatment with Ca(OH)2 solution resulted in the most serious damage.

Nogo-A inhibits the migration and invasion of human malignant glioma U87MG cells.

Nogo or reticulon-4 (RTN4), also known as neurite outgrowth inhibitor, is a member of the reticulon family of genes. Nogo-A, one of the three isoforms, is enriched in the central nervous system (CNS). The extracellular domain of Nogo-A, Nogo-66, has neurite growth inhibitory activity that is specific for neurons and is mediated by the Nogo receptor.

Immunohistochemical profile of the dural tail in intracranial meningiomas.

Objective: The dural tail sign was first described as a thin, tapering rim of dural enhancement, in continuity with meningiomas on enhanced T1-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) images. However, the exact nature of the dural tail is still unclear. This study investigated the immunohistochemical (IHC) characteristics of the dural tail in intracranial meningiomas and the correlation between clinicopathological profiles and tumor invasion of the dural tail.

Congenital Ewing's Sarcoma/Peripheral Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumor: A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Ewing's sarcoma (EWS) and peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumor (pPNET) are small round cell malignancies that develop in soft tissue and bone. They very rarely affect newborns. A diagnosis of EWS/pPNET depends mainly on immunohistochemistry and molecular/genetic assays.

Release of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 from alginate microcapsule encapsulating genetically engineered cells.

Background: In this study, 293T cells were genetically engineered to secrete tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP2) and encapsulated into alginate microcapsules to continuously release TIMP2 protein.

Methods: The anti-invasive potential of the microcapsules was studied in vitro using brain tumor cells. The TIMP2 gene was transfected to 293T cells, and genetically engineered 293TIMP2 cells were encapsulated into alginate microcapsules.

Transumbilical two-port laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure: a new technique for inguinal hernia repair in children.

Background And Purpose: Since laparoscopic hernia repair was reported a few decades ago, many techniques have been developed. A simplified and safe procedure with a low recurrence rate and good cosmetic result is the main concern. In this study, we introduced a new method, transumbilical two-port laparoscopic percutaneous extraperitoneal closure (TTPLPEC), and evaluated the safety and feasibility of this method.

Role of metallothionein 1E in the migration and invasion of human glioma cell lines.

Metallothionein 1E (MT1E) has been found to be highly expressed in motile cell lines. We investigated whether MT1E actually modulates the migration and invasion of human glioma cell lines and the types of factors that have an effect on MT1E. RNA differential display was performed using Genefishing™ technology in the human glioma cell lines U343MG-A, U87MG and U87MG-10'; the results were validated by RT-PCR and northern blot analysis, in order to detect possible genetic changes as the determining factors for migration ability in malignant glioma.

Possible role of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) in hyperostosis of intracranial meningiomas.

Object: Although bone invasion and hyperostosis are common phenomena in patients with intracranial meningiomas, the basic pathomechanism is not fully understood. Based on an immunohistochemical study of surgically resected samples with hyperostosis, we postulate a possible mechanism of hyperostosis in patients with intracranial meningiomas.

Materials And Methods: Forty-six meningiomas were evaluated in this study.

Quality of life and psychological outcome of donors after living donor liver transplantation.

Aim: To investigate the health related quality of life (HRQoL) and psychological outcome of donors after living donor liver transplantation.

Methods: Participants were 92 consecutive liver transplant donors who underwent hepatectomy without middle hepatic vein at West China Hospital of Sichuan University between January 2007 and September 2010. HRQoL was measured using the Chinese version of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36), and psychological symptoms were measured using the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R).

Posttraumatic stress disorder after liver transplantation.

Background: Liver transplantation can lead to the development of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but the risk factors associated with this progression are not well understood. To study this syndrome in adult liver transplant recipients, a cross-sectional investigation of 296 recipients at our hospital was carried out between January and June 2010.

Methods: Study participants completed two questionnaires [a PTSD self-rating scale (PTSD-SS) and a validated Chinese version of the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36)].

Preparation of polylactide-co-glycolide nanoparticles incorporating celecoxib and their antitumor activity against brain tumor cells.

Background: Celecoxib, a cyclo-oxygenase (COX)-2 inhibitor, has been reported to mediate growth inhibitory effects and to induce apoptosis in various cancer cell lines. In this study, we examined the potential effects of celecoxib on glioma cell proliferation, migration, and inhibition of COX-2 expression in vitro.

Methods: Celecoxib was incorporated into poly DL-lactide-co-glycolide (PLGA) nanoparticles for antitumor drug delivery.

Delayed internal pancreatic fistula with pancreatic pleural effusion postsplenectomy.

The occurrence of pancreatic pleural effusion, secondary to an internal pancreatic fistula, is a rare clinical syndrome and diagnosis is often missed. The key to the diagnosis is a dramatically elevated pleural fluid amylase. This pancreatic pleural effusion is also called a pancreatic pleural fistula.

GRIM-19 Expression and Function in Human Gliomas.

Objective: We determined whether the expression of GRIM-19 is correlated with pathologic types and malignant grades in gliomas, and determined the function of GRIM-19 in human gliomas.

Methods: Tumor tissues were isolated and frozen at -80 just after surgery. The tissues consisted of normal brain tissue (4), astrocytomas (2), anaplastic astrocytomas (2), oligodendrogliomas (13), anaplastic oligodendrogliomas (11), and glioblastomas (16).

Nogo-A expression in oligodendroglial tumors.

Nogo-A belongs to the reticulon protein family and is expressed in the inner and outer loops of myelin sheaths of oligodendrocytes. We analyzed the patterns of Nogo-A expression in human gliomas in an effort to identify a useful marker for the characterization of oligodendroglial tumors. We determined the expression of Nogo-A in a panel of 58 astrocytic and oligodendroglial tumors using immunohistochemistry and compared the expression of Nogo-A with Olig-2, a recently identified marker for oligodendrogliomas.

Doxorubicin-incorporated nanoparticles composed of poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted carboxymethyl chitosan and antitumor activity against glioma cells in vitro.

In this study, methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-grafted carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCPEG) was synthesized to make nanoparticles with doxorubicin (DOX) by ion complex formation. Since DOX has positive amine groups, it can interact with the carboxymethyl group of CMCPEG. The particle size of DOX-incorporated nanoparticles of CMCPEG was < 300 nm and nanoparticles had spherical shapes at morphological observation, indicating that DOX/CMCPEG mixtures can form spherical nanoparticles.

The effect of hyaluronic Acid on the invasiveness of malignant glioma cells : comparison of invasion potential at hyaluronic Acid hydrogel and matrigel.

Objective: Hyaluronidase (HAse), a degrading enzyme of hyaluronic acid (HA), is highly expressed in patients with malignant glioma. The purpose of this study was to verify whether HAse is related to the invasion of glioma cells. We also investigated if glioma cells with higher mobility in 2-dimensioal (2-D) method have also higher mobility at 3-dimensional (3-D) environment.

Anticancer activity of PEGylated matrix metalloproteinase cleavable peptide-conjugated adriamycin against malignant glioma cells.

Although matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a crucial role in the invasion and growth of malignant gliomas, their increased activity in tumor environment can be used as a specific target for chemotherapy. We investigated whether polymer-drug conjugates formed via MMP-cleavable peptide linkages could provide MMP-responsive tumor targeting and cytotoxicity for malignant glioma cells. One end of an MMP-cleavable peptide was attached to the end of methoxy polyethylene glycol (MPEG) while the other end was attached to adriamycin (ADR).

The correlation and prognostic significance of MGMT promoter methylation and MGMT protein in glioblastomas.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation and prognostic significance of MGMT promoter methylation and protein expression in patients with glioblastoma.

Methods: Eighty-three patients with glioblastoma underwent surgery followed by radiotherapy and temozolomide chemotherapy between October 2000 and June 2008. To investigate the correlation between MGMT methylation and MGMT expression, methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP) and immunohistochemical staining was performed.

A rare case of periampullary carcinoma with ectopic ending of Vater's ampulla.

A 71-year-old woman was referred to our department complaining of painless progressive jaundice for the last 3 mo. Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) showed the ectopic hepatopancreatic ampulla draining into the fourth part of the duodenum adjacent to the duodenojejunal flexure; the irregular morphology of the duodenojejunal flexure likely due to a soft tissue mass. Laparotomy confirmed the presence of the abnormal ampulla of Vater located at the fourth part of the duodenum and a soft tissue tumor about 6 cm x 5 cm x 5 cm with a peduncle adjoining the ampulla.

Role of galectin-1 in migration and invasion of human glioblastoma multiforme cell lines.

Object: Galectin-1 is highly expressed in motile cell lines. The authors investigated whether galectin-1 actually modulates the migration and invasion of human glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cell lines, and whether its expression with respect to invasion and prognosis is attributable to certain glioma subgroups.

Methods: In the human GBM cell lines U343MG-A, U87MG, and U87MG-10', the RNA differential display was evaluated using Genefishing technology.

Cisplatin-incorporated hyaluronic acid nanoparticles based on ion-complex formation.

The aim of this study is to prepare cisplatin-incorporated nanoparticles based on ion complex formation between hyaluronic acid (HA) and cisplatin for antitumor drug delivery. To prepare nanoparticles using HA, bulk HA was degraded by hyaluronidases (HAses). Cisplatin-incorporated HA nanoparticles were prepared by mixing cisplatin with an aqueous solution of HA and then the nanoparticle solution was dialyzed to remove trace elements.

Prevention of postoperative subdural fluid collections following transcortical transventricular approach.

Background: Subdural fluid collections appear in about 39% of patients after the removal of intra- and paraventricular tumors. This extracerebral fluid collection requires surgical intervention when progressive fluid accumulation takes place. The authors retrospectively and prospectively studied the efficacy of gelfoam and fibrin adhesive in closing cortical and ependymal defects after intraventricular and/or paraventricular lesion resection to prevent the development of SFCs.

Cystic vestibular schwannomas: a possible role of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in cyst development and unfavorable surgical outcome.

Object: The authors evaluated the clinical manifestations and surgical results in patients with cystic vestibular schwannoma (VS), and investigated the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression of the cyst fluid and wall in an attempt to elucidate the pathogenesis and characteristics of this disease.

Methods: The clinical and neuroimaging features, perioperative findings, and surgical outcomes in 24 cases of cystic VS and 82 cases of solid VS, all of which were treated using the suboccipital approach, were retrospectively compared. To evaluate the role of MMP in cystic VS, gelatin zymography and immunohistochemical studies of the cyst fluid, wall, and solid portion were performed in nine cases of this disease.

Solitary intracranial subdural osteoma: intraoperative findings and primary anastomosis of an involved cortical vein.

We report a patient with a intracranial subdural osteoma with a large cortical vein passing through the subdural calcified mass. A 60-year-old man presented with an approximately 3-year history of persistent headache. Computerized tomography (CT) scanning showed a homogeneous high-density nodule attached to the inner surface of the right frontal skull.