Is the autophagy a friend or foe in the silver nanoparticles associated radiotherapy for glioma？

Malignant glioma is the most common intracranial tumor with a dismal prognosis. The radiosensitizing effect of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on glioma both in vitro and in vivo had been demonstrated in the previous studies of our group. However, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. Consistent with previous studies, a size and dose dependent antitumor effect and significant radiosensitivity enhancing effect of AgNPs were observed in our experiment system. We also found that cell protective autophagy could be induced by AgNPs and/or radiation, which was verified by the use of 3-MA. The mechanism through which had autophagy and the enhancement of radiosensitivity taken place was further investigated with inhibitors of ERK and JNK pathways. We demonstrated that ERK and JNK played pivotal roles in the radiosensitivity enhancement. Inhibiting ERK and JNK with U0126 and SP600125 respectively, we found that the autophagy level of the cells treated with AgNPs and radiation were attenuated. Moreover, SP600125 down-regulated the apoptosis rate of the co-treated cells significantly. Taken together, the present study would have important impact on biomedical applications of AgNPs and clinical treatment for glioma.     

MR评价垂体腺瘤质地及与其胶原含量的关系

目的利用MR测量垂体腺瘤不同质地的信号强度,并分析其与肿瘤胶原含量间的关系。方法57例经手术证实的垂体腺瘤标本,术前均行MR检查,根据术中肿瘤硬度分为质地韧组(8例)与质地软组(49例),标本行天狼猩红染色检测其胶原含量。结果纤维化与非纤维化组T1WI瘤体/灰质信号强度比分别为1.31±0.31、1.16±0.26;T1WI瘤体/白质信号强度比分别为1.01±0.25、0.91±0.18,两组间差异无统计学意义(P(0.05);T1+WI瘤体/灰质信号强度比分别为1.83±0.28、1.84±0.51;T1+WI瘤体/白质信号强度比分别为1.56±0.24、1.46±0.37,两组间差异无统计学意义(P(0.05);T2WI瘤体/灰质信号强度比分别为1.15±0.26、1.57±0.46(P(0.05);T2WI瘤体/白质信号强度比分别为1.48±0.39、2.10±0.61,两组间有统计学意义(P(0.01);胶原含量分别为20.03%±7.99%、7.87%±4.82%,两组间有统计学意义(P<0.01);且T2WI瘤体/灰质、T2WI瘤体/白质与胶原含量呈显著负相关(r=-0.531、r=-0.726,P均(0.01)。结论术前MR可以预测垂体腺瘤的质地;其中以T2WI瘤体/白质为预测指标为最佳。胶原含量影响垂体腺瘤质地,MRI上T2WI可以反映其胶原含量的多少。     

Proposed new bladder volume monitoring device based on impedance measurement

A new implantable bladder volume-monitoring device based on the impedance measurement of the detrusor muscle is described. The system is completely autonomous and forms a mixed-signal (analogue/digital) feedback loop with a neuro-stimulator to rectify bladder dysfunctions (incontinence and retention) through neuromuscular stimulation techniques. A programmable instrumentation amplifier and a signal processing block, to eliminate the artefacts caused by the patient’s movements, have been designed and tested. The layout for the signal processing block has been realised in 0.8 μm BiCMOS technology.     

Topography of median eminence somatostatinergic innervation

Somatostatin (SRIF) in the central nervous system is mostly concentrated in the median eminence (ME). Immunocytochemical methods have revealed high densities of SRIF-positive perikarya between the preoptic area and the periventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (NPE). The aim of the present study was to define more precisely the specific pathways of SRIF neurons from NPE to the ME. SRIF levels were measured by radioimmunoassay, following various hypothalamic transections. Frontal periventricular sections decreased SRIF-ME content by 70% (P less than 0.01), when located at the anterior end of the ME but no diminution was observed when the cuts were located anteriorly or posteriorly. Parasaggital transections decreased SRIF-ME levels by 50% (P less than 0.05) when located at the outer border of the ventromedial and premammillary nucleus, but the decrease was not significant when cuts were located anteriorly. Taken together, our data indicate that most SRIF-containing neurons, originating in the NPE, do not reach the ME directly along the border of the 3rd ventricle; instead they form a loop across the medial forebrain bundle before re-entering the mediobasal hypothalamus at the ME level.     

Somatosensory nuclei in the brainstem of the rat: independent projections to the thalamus and cerebellum

The dorsal column nuclei and the sensory trigeminal nuclei project not only to the ventrobasal thalamus but also to the cerebellum. In this study the numbers and distribution of neurones projecting to these two regions were examined for the following nuclei: the rostral part of the main cuneate nucleus, the external cuneate nucleus, nucleus x, the principal sensory nucleus of the trigeminal nerve, and the oral, interpolar, and caudal subnuclei of the spinal nucleus of the trigeminal nerve. A thalamic projection from nucleus x and from the external cuneate nucleus was confirmed, and a distinct group of neurones projecting to the ventroposteromedial thalamus was distinguished near the ventromedial aspect of the principal sensory nucleus. Of the 165,000 neurones examined, only one was found to be double labelled. It was concluded that the populations of neurones that project to the ventrobasal thalamus and to the cerebellum are separate, and that somatosensory neurones in the brainstem do not send axon collaterals to both regions.     

The aging brain, a key target for the future: The protein kinase C involvement

The brain represents the primary centre for the regulation and control of all our body activities, receiving and interpreting sensory impulses and transmitting information to the periphery. Most importantly, it is also the seat of consciousness, thought, emotion and especially memory, being in fact able to encode, store and recall any information. Memory is really what makes possible so many of our complex cognitive functions, including communication and learning, and surely without memory, life would lose all of its glamour and purpose. Age-associated mental impairment can range in severity from forgetfulness at the border with pathology to dementia, such as in Alzheimer's disease. In recent years, one of the most relevant observations of research on brain aging relates to data indicating that age-related cognitive decline is not only due to neuronal loss, as previously thought; instead, scientists now believe that age-associated functional changes have more to do with the dysfunctions occurring over time. Within this context a prominent role is certainly played by signal transduction cascades which guarantee neuronal cell to elaborate coordinated responses to the multiple signals coming from the outside and to adapt itself to the environmental changes and requests. This review will focus the attention on protein kinase C pathway, with a particular interest on its activation process, and on the role of protein-lipid and protein-protein interactions to selectively localize the cellular responses. Furthermore, information is emerging and will be discussed on the possibility of mRNA stabilization through PKC activation. This review will also approach the issue on how alterations of these molecular cascades may have implications in physiological and pathological brain aging, such as Alzheimer's disease.     

Timing deficits in apraxia of speech

Summary This paper deals with a particular aspect of speech motor control in patients suffering from apraxia of speech. Three experiments are reported concerning the phase relations between individual speech gestures. These include the timing of laryngeal, velar and labial movements relative to lingual gestures.A total of 8 patients and 12 normal controls were examined using speech material which was designed according to appropriate phonetic paradigms. Evaluation was performed on the basis of speech signal parameters referring to the kinematics of inter-articulatory phasing. Deviations of the patient group were found in all three experiments. This suggests that disturbed phase relations of individual speech movements are a general feature of apraxic speech. It is further hypothesized that the described motor symptoms are the origin of a variety of phonemic errors. Support for this view is provided by appropriate examples which refer to the examined paradigms. By this argument, much of the disturbed phonemic structure of apraxic speech may be accounted for by timing deficits.     

瘦蛋白的分子生物学特性研究进展

瘦蛋白 (leptin)是由肥胖基因编码、脂肪细胞分泌的一种分子量为 16kDa的蛋白质 ,是一种重要的代谢调节信号 ,对人和动物的采食量、能量代谢、繁殖性能等具有重要调节功能 ,对人肥胖病的治疗和改善动物的生产性能、胴体组成等有良好的潜在应用前景 .主要概述了瘦蛋白基因的克隆、转录、表达调控以及瘦蛋白受体与信号转导等分子生物学特性     

17β-雌二醇对子宫内膜异位症患者在位子宫内膜间质细胞β-catenin mRNA和蛋白表达的影响

目的研究17β-雌二醇(17β-E2)对子宫内膜异位症(内异症)患者在位子宫内膜间质细胞β-catenin mRNA和蛋白表达的影响,探讨Wnt/β-catenin信号通路在介导雌激素促进内异症发生发展的作用。方法体外分离培养内异症患者在位子宫内膜间质细胞。用不同浓度17β-E2处理子宫内膜间质细胞48 h;此后选用10-10mol/L 17β-E2处理子宫内膜间质细胞12、24和48 h,逆转录聚合酶链反应(RT-PCR)和免疫印迹法(Western blotting)检测17β-E2处理前后子宫内膜间质细胞β-catenin mRNA和蛋白的表达水平。同法分析雌激素受体拮抗剂ICI182,780(10-6mol/L)对17β-E2促进β-catenin mRNA和蛋白表达的影响。免疫组织化学染色观察17β-E2作用后β-catenin在子宫内膜间质细胞中的定位。结果17β-E2能明显促进内异症患者在位子宫内膜间质细胞β-catenin mRNA和蛋白的表达,并呈剂量和时间依赖性,于10-10mol/L作用48 h最明显。雌激素受体拮抗剂ICI182,780能明显抑制17β-E2对子宫内膜间质细胞β-catenin mRNA和蛋白的表达。免疫组织化学染色发现17β-E2能促进β-catenin在子宫内膜间质细胞核内的表达。结论雌激素可能通过激活Wnt/β-catenin信号通路促进内异症在位子宫内膜的异位种植。