Epidermoid cyst in atypical intracranial areas transformed to epidermoid carcinoma: a case report

Intracranial epidermoid cysts, also known as epidermal cysts, grow slowly and may be occult. When small, epidermoid cysts are usually clinically unremarkable or cause no definitive symptoms. At typical sites, they are easily found through magnetic resonance imaging, which aids evaluation before surgery. However, in rare cases, epidermoid cysts are situated in unusual locations or transformed to malignancy, and preoperative misdiagnosis is possible. Here, the case of a 58-year-old male patient who presented with weakness in the left lower limb and was diagnosed with a malignant epidermoid cyst in the right frontoparietal lobe, right lateral ventricle, is reported. Surgery was performed to remove the tumour followed by radiotherapy, and the patient was reported to be living independently after approximately 11 months of follow-up.

Multiple occult intracranial diseases diverted diagnosis of glioma in a patient

Dizziness is an atypical symptom of the nervous system. Many neurological disorders can manifest as dizziness. When patients have multiple neurological disorders, the most obvious diagnosis is often considered, and diseases that are potentially more deadly are overlooked. Here, we report the case of a man aged in his early 50s with dizziness who was found to have four neurological disorders. A series of treatments failed to resolve the condition. A review of this case highlights that when a patient's symptoms are not typical, a comprehensive examination and evaluation is required to determine the etiology, and imaging may reveal further minor problems.

GGNBP2 Suppresses the Proliferation, Invasion, and Migration of Human Glioma Cells

Gliomas are the most common and aggressive type of primary adult brain tumors. Although GGNBP2 has previously been considered to be a tumor suppressor gene, little is known about the association between GGNBP2 and glioma. In this study, we clearly demonstrated that GGNBP2 was downexpressed in glioma tissues, and its downexpression is related to the pathological grade and overall survival of patients with gliomas. Overexpression of GGNBP2 suppressed the proliferation, migration, and invasion of glioma cells. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that the PI3K/Akt and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways were suppressed by GGNBP2 overexpression. In contrast, knockdown of GGNBP2 has precisely the opposite effect. Collectively, these data indicate that GGNBP2 shows tumor suppressive activity in human glioma cells and may stand out as a potential therapeutic target for glioma.

Decreased expression of Gab2 in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and pilocarpine-induced rat model

Growth factor receptor bound protein-2 associated binding protein-2 (Gab2) is widely expressed in the central nervous system, and participates in multiple signaling pathways. Recent studies showed that Gab2 was involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Gab2 reduces tau phosphorylation levels and is associated with cellular apoptosis and differentiation. However, whether Gab2 was also involved in the pathogenesis of epilepsy, remains unknown. This study aimed to investigate the expression pattern of Gab2 protein in brains with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and in pilocarpine-induced rat model of TLE. Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence were used to assess the location and the expression level of Gab2 in the neocortex of the temporal lobe in patients with TLE and in rat model of epilepsy. Results showed that Gab2 protein was expressed mainly in the membranes and cytoplasm of neurons in the cortex and hippocampus. Gab2 protein expression was remarkably reduced in temporal neocortex of TLE patients. In hippocampus and adjacent cortex in rat epilepsy model, Gab2 expression was decreased at different time points after kindling compared with the controls, and the lowest level of Gab2 expression occurred at 1 week. Thus, significant reductions of Gab2 protein in both TLE patients and epilepsy rats suggest that Gab2 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of TLE.

Looking at both sides of the invasion: patterns of colonization in the violet tunicate Botrylloides violaceus

Understanding the ecological and evolutionary forces that shape the genetic structure of invasive populations and facilitate their expansion across a large spectrum of environments is critical for the prediction of spread and management of ongoing invasions. Here, we study the dynamics of postestablishment colonization in the colonial ascidian Botrylloides violaceus, a notorious marine invader. After its initial introduction from the Northwest Pacific, B. violaceus spread rapidly along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts of North America, impacting both aquaculture facilities and natural ecosystems. We compare genetic diversity and patterns of gene flow among 25 populations (N=679) from the West and East coasts, and evaluate the contribution of sexual vs. asexual reproduction to this species' invasion success using data from the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene and 13 nuclear polymorphic microsatellite loci. Our results reveal contrasting patterns of spread in the coastal waters of North America. While the West coast was colonized by noncontiguous (long-distance) dispersal, the East coast invasion appears to have occurred through contiguous (stepping-stone) spread. Molecular data further indicate that although dispersal in colonial ascidians is predominantly achieved through sexually produced propagules, aquaculture practices such as high-pressure washing can facilitate fragmentation and potentially exacerbate infestations and spread via asexual propagules. The results presented here suggest that caution should be used against the general assumption that all invasions, even within a single species, exhibit similar patterns of colonization, as highly contrasting dynamics may transpire in different invaded ranges.

Spontaneous malignant transformation of fibrous dysplasia

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the clinical and radiological findings in diagnosing spontaneous malignant transformation of fibrous dysplasia.

METHODS

Fifteen cases of sarcomatous transformation proved by operation and pathological examinations were found in a group of 356 patients with fibrous dysplasia, and their radiological manifestations were retrospectively studied. The 15 cases included 8 osteosarcomas, 5 fibrosarcomas and 2 chondrosarcomas. All the 15 patients were known to have long-standing fibrous dysplasia, but no radiation therapy was ever received. Eleven patients had polyostotic fibrous dysplasia and 4 had monostotic type.

RESULTS

Malignant transformation most frequently occurs in the cystic expansive lesion of the long tubular bone. Pains, swelling and late appearance of a bony mass are the main clinical manifestations. The early radiological features of sarcomatous transformation in fibrous dysplasia are moth-eaten or cystic areas of osteolysis located in the involved bone. The cortical destruction and gradual formation of a soft tissue mass that contains tumor-bone are highly suspicious of osteosarcomatous transformation, while ring-like and spotty calcification in the tumor matrix is indicative of chondrosarcoma. Fibrosarcoma usually shows simple osteolytic destruction.

CONCLUSIONS

According to the clinical radiological findings, patients of sarcomatous transformation can be detected in the early stage. These radiological findings may be used as a clue for differentiating various kinds of sarcomatous transformation.