Characterization, tissue distribution and regulation of neuropeptideY in Schizothorax prenanti

In this study, the full-length neuropeptide Y (npy) complementary (c)DNA was cloned in ya fish Schizothorax prenanti. npy cDNA was composed of 789 nucleotides with a 288 nucleotide open reading frame encoding a protein of 96 amino acids. The deduced amino acid sequences contained a 28 amino acids signal peptide followed by a 36 amino acids mature neuropeptide Y (NPY). The npy mRNA was expressed mainly in the brain and eye as detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction RT-PCR (rt-qPCR). The S. prenanti NPY was detectable from blastulation to hatch, suggesting that npy might be involved in the late embryonic development of S. prenanti. An experiment was conducted to determine the expression profile of npy during feeding of a single meal and during long-term fasting. The expression level of npy in fed fish was significantly decreased at 0.5, 1.5, 3 and 9 h post-feeding (hpf) than in fasting fish. Fasting for 14 days induced an increase in npy messenger (m)RNA expression in the brain. Overall, the results suggest that NPY is a conserved peptide that might be involved in the regulation of feeding and other physiological function in S. prenanti.

Characterization of Schizothorax prenanti cgnrhII gene: fasting affects cgnrhII expression

In this study, the role of chicken gonadotropin-releasing hormone II (cgnrhII) in feeding regulation was investigated in Schizothorax prenanti. First, the full-length S. prenanti cgnrhII cDNA consisted of 693 bp with an open reading frame of 261 bp encoding a protein of 86 amino acids. Next, cgnrhII was widely expressed in the central and peripheral tissues. Last, there were significant changes in cgnrhII mRNA expression in the fasted group compared to the fed group in the S. prenanti hypothalamus during 24 h fasting (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the cgnrhII gene expression presented a significant decrease in the fasted group compared with the fed group (P < 0.05) on days 3, 5 and 7, after re-feeding, there was no significant changes in cgnrhII mRNA expression level between refed and fed group on day 9 (P > 0.05). Thus, the results suggest that cGnRH II expression is influenced by fasting and the gene may be involved in feeding regulation in S. prenanti.

[Efficacy of bispecific targeted immunotoxin DTATEGF against NSCLC brain metastatic tumor PC9-BrM3 cells]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the in vitro and in vivo anticancer efficacy of the immunotoxin DTATEGF against human NSCLC brain metastatic tumor PC9-BrM3 cell line.

METHODS

The effect of the immunotoxin DTATEGF was tested for its ability to inhibit the proliferation of PC9-BrM3 cells in vitro by MTT assay. The cell cycle and the apoptosis of cells with 1 pmol/L DTATEGF were examined by flow cytometry. In vivo, 2 μg of DTATEGF or control Bickel3 was given intratumor to nude mice with established PC9-BrM3 xenografts on their hips, and tumor volumes were measured and tumor samples were investigated by immunchistochemistry SABC method. The microvessel density (MVD) was measured in each group.

RESULTS

In vitro, DTATEGF killed PC9-BrM3 cells and showed an IC50 of 1 pmol/L. The apoptotic rate in the 1 pmol/L DTATEGF group was (64.0±0.5)% , significantly higher than that in the control group (1.5±0.4)% (P<0.01). The cell cycle was obviously inhibited by DTATEGF in a dose-dependent manner. The percentage of cells treated with 1 pmol/L DTATEGF in SubG0/G1 phase was (32.0±1.5)%, significantly higher than that in the control group (2.0±0.4)% (P<0.01). In vivo, DTATEGF significantly inhibited the growth of PC9-BrM3 hip tumors (P<0.05). The MVD of the DTATEGF group was (15.6±4.6)/mm2, significantly lower than that of the control group (31.2±5.4)/mm2 (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

DTATEGF inhibits the growth of the PC9-BrM3 cell line and induces its apoptosis. It is highly efficacious against human metastatic NSCLC brain tumor and against neovascularization.

Regulation of selenoprotein P concentration and expression by different sources of selenium in broiler breeders and their offspring

An 8-wk experiment using 180 Lingnan Yellow broiler breeders was conducted to investigate the effect of different sources of Se on the concentration and gene expression of selenoprotein P (SEPP1) in broiler breeders and their offspring. After receiving a low-Se basal diet for 8 wk, broiler breeders were randomly allocated to 3 treatments (6 replicates per treatment) and fed corn-soy-based diets supplemented with 0.15 mg/kg of Se from sodium selenite (SS), Se-enriched yeast (SY), and selenomethionine (SM), respectively. Fertile eggs from different replicates were collected during the last week of the experiment and then incubated in different incubator trays in the same incubator. The concentrations and mRNA levels of SEPP1 were determined in liver and kidney of broiler breeders and their offspring, as well as the serum SEPP1 concentration. Compared with SS, both SY and SM significantly increased (P < 0.05) the concentration and mRNA level of SEPP1 in 1-d-old chicks. In broiler breeders, the serum and liver SEPP1 concentrations were notably increased by the use of organic Se (P < 0.05), whereas no differences were found in the kidney. Moreover, the SEPP1 mRNA level in the liver was remarkably elevated (P < 0.05) in organic Se treatments, but also no differences were observed in the kidney. Results of this study indicate that the use of organic Se (SY or SM) in maternal diets is very effective for increasing the concentration and mRNA level of SEPP1, especially in their offspring. No differences between SY and SM were observed.

[Microsurgery for parasellar menningiomas and impact factors of recurrence]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effect of microsurgery for parasellar menningiomas and to analyze the impact factors of recurrence.

METHODS

Clinical and follow-up data in a consecutive series of 134 patients with parasellar meningiomas were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 109 patients (81.3%) had radical removal (Simpson grade I and II), and 116 patients were followed up for an average period of 81.6 months. The mean quality of life score (KPS) was 91.9, 90 patients regained full daily activity and 16 patients were able to take care of themselves. Oculomotor paralysis occurred in 7 patients, epilepsy in 8, and another 9 patients suffered hemispheral paralysis. Tumor recurred after the radical removal in 12 out of the 96 followup patients (12.5%). Tumor progressed after subtotal removal in 12 out of the 20 follow-up patients (60%). Tumor with cavernous sinus (CS) invasion had significantly higher risk of recurrence campared with non-CS invasion (P=0.043). The recurrence rate increased with the pathological grade (P<0.01).

CONCLUSION

Patients with parasellar meningiomas undergoing microsurgical resection may have a good long-term function outcome. For most patients, total removal by microsurgery is the first choice. Careful follow-up is needed if tumor invaded the CS and radiosurgery is proposed for WHO grade 1 and 2.

[Clinical features of 417 patients with chronic subdural hematoma]

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the clinical features of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) in different age groups.

METHOD

A total of 417 patients with CSDH were divided into 3 groups: 0 to 39, 40 to 59 and elder than 60 years. We analyzed the clinical features in different groups, including sex, trauma history, potential hemorrhage factors, trauma to symptoms interval, encephalatrophy, onset symptom and hematoma volume.

RESULTS

The incidence of trauma, potential hemorrhage factors, encephalatrophy, consciousness disorders and paralysis increased with age, while the incidence of intracranial hypertension symptoms and seizures decreased with age (P<0.001). The trauma to symptom interval in the group elder than 60 was longer than in other groups (P<0.05) and the hematoma volume increased with age(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

The clinical features of CSDH including onset symptoms, trauma history, potential hemorrhage factors, encephalatrophy, trauma to symptoms interval and hematoma volume vary in different age groups.

Zinc finger protein 667 expression is upregulated by cerebral ischemic preconditioning and protects cells from oxidative stress

Brain ischemic injury is associated with clinical emergencies such as acute ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, head trauma, prolonged severe hypotension and cardiac arrest. Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) is the most powerful endogenous mechanism against ischemic injury. However, the majority of IPC treatments are invasive and thus impractical in the clinical setting. Identifying the endogenous neuroprotective mechanism induced by IPC is important for developing new strategies to reduce stroke severity. Zinc finger protein 667 (ZNF667) is a novel zinc finger protein that is upregulated by myocardial IPC. However, its functional role in neuronal ischemia has not been elucidated. In this study, the changes of ZNF667 expression on cerebral IPC and its potential neuroprotective function were investigated. The cerebral ischemia model was established by ameliorated four-vessel occlusion in rats. The northern blot results demonstrated that ZNF667 expression was increased in the hippocampus and cortex at 12 and 24 h after cerebral ischemic pretreatment. To investigate the neuroprotective function of ZNF667, enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-ZNF667 fusion protein was expressed in C2C12 and brain astrocytoma cells and its subcellular localization was detected by confocal microscopy. EGFP-ZNF667 fusion proteins were localized in the nucleus of C2C12 and brain astrocytoma cells, indicating that ZNF667 may act as a transcription factor in neural cells. To mimic oxidative stress associated with ischemia/reperfusion injury, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was used to treat cells. Cell viability was measured by the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and WST-1 assays. A decrease in viability was detected in C2C12 and astrocytoma cells following H₂O₂ treatment, whereas ZNF667 gene overexpression significantly improved cell viability following H₂O₂ treatment. These results suggested that ZNF667 plays a neuroprotective role by acting as a transcription factor in cerebral IPC.

Intramedullary thoracic spinal cord meningioma: a rare case report and review of the literature

A 33-year-old male presented with a thoracic spinal intramedullary meningioma manifesting as bilateral asymmetric progressive weakness in the lower extremities. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an intramedullary mass at the T1-T3 level. Intraoperative inspection found that the spinal cord was markedly swollen with a normal surface while dural attachment was not confirmed. Gross total removal of the tumor was achieved. The morphologic and immunohistochemical findings were compatible with the diagnosis of meningioma. Postoperatively, the patient recovered from preoperative paraplegia. Although extremely rare, meningiomas should be considered when diagnosing intramedullary tumors.

ALDH1 expression is correlated with pathologic grade and poor clinical outcome in patients with astrocytoma

Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1), a detoxifying enzyme, is a stem-like cell marker, but its expression pattern and clinical significance in astrocytoma remain unclear. In this study, we used immunohistochemical analysis to systematically investigate the expression of ALDH1 in 76 astrocytomas of different pathological grade and seven samples of normal brain tissues. We found that ALDH1 was expressed in some of the astrocytomas but was not detected in normal brain tissues. The proportion of ALDH1-expressing cells was positively correlated with the pathological grade of the astrocytomas, but not with patient age, sex or tumor size. We also collected detailed follow-up data and analyzed the correlation of ALDH1 expression with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) using univariate and multivariate analysis. We found that the proportion of ALDH1-positive cells was an independent prognostic factor for PFS and OS. These results show that ALDH1 is expressed in astrocytoma, and that its expression is correlated with pathological grade and patient survival.

Effect of selenium sources on the expression of cellular glutathione peroxidase and cytoplasmic thioredoxin reductase in the liver and kidney of broiler breeders and their offspring

In total, 180 Lingnan Yellow broiler breeders were used to investigate the effect of different sources of selenium (Se) on the expression of cellular glutathione peroxidase (GPx1) and cytoplasmic thioredoxin reductase (TrxR1) in the liver and kidney of broiler breeders and their offspring by quantitative real-time PCR. There were 6 replicates of 3 dietary treatments. Broiler breeders were fed corn-soy-based diets supplemented with 0.15 mg/kg of Se from sodium selenite, Se-enriched yeast (SY), or selenomethionine (SM). At the end of the feeding trial, liver and kidney mRNA levels of GPx1 and TrxR1 were determined by quantitative real-time PCR, as well as the activity of GPx1 and TrxR1 in liver and kidney of breeders and their offspring. The results showed that, compared with sodium selenite, SY or SM significantly increased (P < 0.05) the activity of TrxR1 in the liver and kidney of broiler breeders and their offspring but not the GPx1 activity. The liver GPx1 and TrxR1 mRNA levels in SY or SM groups were higher (P < 0.05) than that in the sodium selenite group. And the kidney TrxR1 mRNA levels were also significantly increased (P < 0.05) by using SY or SM, whereas there was no significant difference in the kidney GPx1 mRNA levels between the organic or inorganic sources of Se used.

[Investigation of HCV multi-epitope gene vaccine loaded by CTS-Fe3O4]

OBJECTIVE

In order to develop a promising HCV gene vaccine candidate to induce effective immune response and explore the application of magnetic nanoparticles as gene delivery system.

METHODS

The DNA fragment containing multi-epitope antigen gene of HCV with five conserved mimotopes was synthesized and cloned into plasmid pcDNA3.1 (+). The Fe3O4 modified with chitoson was prepared and the cytotoxicity of the magnetic material was detected in vitro. Analysis of recombinant plasmid in vitro expression, and its immunogenicity loaded by CTS-Fe3O4 in mice were evaluated in detail.

RESULTS

The HCV multi-epitope gene vaccine pcDNA3.1 (+)-MA was successfully constructed and recognized by 81% HCV positive sera. There was no cytotoxicity of CTS-Fe3O4 when its concentration was equal or less than 1 mmol/L. Both the antibody production and T-cell activity were induced.

CONCLUSION

It was believed that DNA encoding MA was an attractive approach for the therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines against HCV and the Fe3O4 modified with chitoson showed excellent target, safety and adjuvant effect as gene carrier.

[The prevention cerebrospinal fluid leakage during operating anterior skull base meningioma involving paranasal sinuses]

OBJECTIVE

To introduce a kind of method for skull base reconstruction after resecting anterior skull base tumors involving paranasal sinuses.

METHOD

A retrospective analysis was carried out on 13 patients who underwent anterior skull base reconstruction. Pericranial flap were detached with integrity from the frontal bone during craniotomy, after the tumor had been resected partitionedly, the cribriform plate of ethmoid bone which was involved by tumor was resected. Using the fat tissue to fill the skull-base defects and sutured the pedicled pericranial flap with surrounding normal dura mater. Then reinforced at the junction of pericranial flap and dura mater with biogel.

RESULT

The pathogenic diagnosis of all cases were meningioma. I grade resection was acquired in 12 cases and II grade in 1 case according to Simpson grading standard of meningioma resection. The postoperative complications were 3 cases aseptic meningitis, 3 cases frontal syndrome. No CSF leakage, intracranial infection, nor death occurred. An average of 3. 4-year follow-up was achieved in all the cases from 9 months to 8 years, no tumor relapse.

CONCLUSION

CSF leakage can be effectively prevented by filling the skull-base defects with the fat tissue, suturing the pedicled pericranial flap with surrounding normal dura mater, and reinforcing at the junction of pericranial flap and dura mater with biogel.

[Clinical characteristics and operative effect of hippocampus lesions]

OBJECTIVE

To study the clinical characteristics and operative effect of hippocampus lesions.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics and operative outcome of 44 patients with hippocampus lesions between August 2005 and April 2010.

RESULTS

Seizure attack was the initial symptom among 40 of the 44 patients. Pathological examinations revealed 18 gliomas, 9 cavernous malformations, 12 hippocampus sclerosis, 2 focal cortical dysplasia, 1 atypical hyperplasia, 1 injury glial scar, and 1 encephalomalacia. Thirteen patients received anterior medial temporal lobectomy and the other 31 received lesionectomy or selective amygdalohippocampectomy via transsylvian approach. An average of 15.7 month follow-up was accomplished in 37 patients. Postoperative epileptic outcomes were evaluated according to Engel classification: Grade I 73.0%(27/37), Grade II 13.5%(5/37), Grade III 10.8%(4/37) and Grade IV 2.7%(1/37). No perioperative death occurred. One patient experienced hemiplegia but recovered 8 months after the operation. Noticeable postoperative visual field deficit was left in 2 patients. Two patients with glioma died of remote tumor recurrence during follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Seizure attack is a major complaint of hippocampus lesions. Satisfactory seizure and tumor control may be achieved through anterior medial temporal lobectomy or selective amygdalohippocampectomy with lesionectomy.

[Efficacy of subarachnoid space protection in intracranial operation: a report of 156 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy of subarachnoid space protection in intracranial operation.

METHODS

Data collected from 156 consecutive cranial operations, in which subarachnoid space protective technology was prophylacticly used, were analyzed.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients had a postoperative fever for more than 1 week and 16 patients who required lumbar puncture to release blood contaminated cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) or exclude meningitis. All except 3 patients were discharged as expected. No patients had symptomatic vasospasm and hydrocephalus.

CONCLUSION

The subarachnoid space protective technology has good effect on preventing postoperative fever and improving the outcome of patients.