Atorvastatin combined with dexamethasone in chronic subdural haematoma (ATOCH II): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Chronic subdural haematoma (CSDH) is a common condition in the elderly that often requires neurosurgical management. For small CSDH, evidence has emerged that statins may reduce haematoma volume and improve outcomes, presumably by reducing local inflammation and promoting vascular repair. We wish to extend this evidence in a study that aims to determine the efficacy and safety of atorvastatin combined with low-dose dexamethasone in patients with CSDH.

Cholinergic α5 nicotinic receptor is involved in the proliferation and invasion of human prostate cancer cells.

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) subunit α5 (α5‑nAChR) is involved in tumor cell proliferation, inhibition of apoptosis, progression of metastasis, and induction of angiogenesis in certain solid tumors. However, the role of α5‑nAChR in prostate cancer cell growth and metastasis is unclear. In the present study, the role of α5‑nAChR in cell proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis was investigated by silencing the expression levels of α5‑nAChR in the prostate cancer cell lines DU145 and PC3.

CREB3L1 and PTN expressions correlate with prognosis of brain glioma patients.

The present study was conducted to investigate the clinical significance of cAMP responsive element binding protein 3 like 1 (CREB3L1) and pleiotrophin (PTN) expression in prognosis of patients with brain gliomas. Human brain tissue samples were collected from normal glial tissues (control), low- and high-grade glioma tissues. CREB3L1 and PTN expression levels in cells were assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC), and population distribution of the CREB3L1- and PTN-presenting patients was examined.

DNM3, p65 and p53 from exosomes represent potential clinical diagnosis markers for glioblastoma multiforme.

Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive and deadly primary brain cancer that arises from astrocytes and classified as grade IV. Recently, exosomes have been reported as an essential mediator in diverse cancer carcinogenesis and metastasis. However, their role in GBM is still unclear.

Endoplasmic reticulum stress-induced apoptosis in the penumbra aggravates secondary damage in rats with traumatic brain injury.

Neuronal apoptosis is mediated by intrinsic and extrinsic signaling pathways such as the membrane-mediated, mitochondrial, and endoplasmic reticulum stress pathways. Few studies have examined the endoplasmic reticulum-mediated apoptosis pathway in the penumbra after traumatic brain injury, and it remains unclear whether endoplasmic reticulum stress can activate the caspase-12-dependent apoptotic pathway in the traumatic penumbra. Here, we established rat models of fluid percussion-induced traumatic brain injury and found that protein expression of caspase-12, caspase-3 and the endoplasmic reticulum stress marker 78 kDa glucose-regulated protein increased in the traumatic penumbra 6 hours after injury and peaked at 24 hours.

[Changes of protein kinase C activity in experimental presyrinx state in rabbits].

Objective: To investigate the changes of protein kinase C (PKC) activity and its role in the development of presyrinx state in rabbits.

Methods: Presyrinx state was established in 56 rabbits by intra-cisternal injection of kaolin. At 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 days after the injection, the water content in the upper cervical spinal cord was measured, its pathological changes observed microscopically and the PKC activity determined with substrate phosphorolysis kinase assay.

Characterization and neural differentiation of fetal lung mesenchymal stem cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been successfully isolated from a broad range of adult, fetal, and other nonembryonic tissues. Fetal lung has been identified as a rich source of MSCs. However, the biological characteristics and differentiation potential of fetal lung MSCs remain to be explored.

Intraspinal transplantation of CD34+ human umbilical cord blood cells after spinal cord hemisection injury improves functional recovery in adult rats.

The present study was designed to compare the functional outcome of the intraspinal transplantation of CD34+ human umbilical cord blood (CB) cells with that of human bone marrow stromal (BMS) cells in adult rats with spinal cord injury. Sixty adult Wistar rats were subjected to left spinal cord hemisection, and then divided into three groups randomly. The control group received an injection of PBS without cells, while the two other groups of rats received a transplantation of 5 x 10(5) CD34+ CB or BMS cells, respectively.

[Transplantation of human umbilical cord stem cells improves neurological function recovery after spinal cord injury in rats].

Objective: To study whether intraspinally transplanted human cord blood CD34+ cells can survive, differentiate, and improve neurological functional recovery after spinal cord injury in rats.

Methods: Rats were randomly divided into two groups. One group of rats was subjected to spinal cord left-hemisection and transplanted with human cord blood CD34+ cells labeled by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU); The other group was carried by left-hemisection with injection of PBS (control group).

[The preliminary study on in vitro differentiation of human umbilical cord blood cells into neural cells].

Objective: To explore the feasibility of in vitro differentiation of human umbilical cord blood cells (HUCBC) into neural cells induced by receptor activator of NF-KappaB ligand (RANKL) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

Methods: Normal fresh HUCBC were cultured as the following: (1) Control group cultured by differentiation medium only; (2) BDNF group, cultured by differentiation medium + BDNF; (3) RANKL group, cultured by differentiation medium + human soluble RANKL (sRANKL); (4) BDNF + RANKL group, cultured by differentiation medium + BDNF and sRANKL. Cultured cells were observed with invert microscope.