Glioblastoma microvesicles promote endothelial cell proliferation through Akt/beta-catenin pathway

Glioblastoma tumor cells release microvesicles, which contain mRNA, miRNA and angiogenic proteins. These tumor-derived microvesicles transfer genetic information and proteins to normal cells. Previous reports demonstrated that the increased microvesicles in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with glioblastoma up-regulate procoagulant activity. The concentration of microvesicles was closely related to thromboembolism incidence and clinical therapeutic effects of glioblastoma patients. However, it is still not clear how CSF microvesicles and what factors affect glioblastoma development. In this study, we collected the plasma and CSF from glioblastoma patients and healthy volunteers. Microvesicles acquired from serum or CSF were added to cultured endothelial cells. And the effects of these microvesicles on endothelial cells were examined. Our results showed that microvesicles from CSF of patients, but not from circulating blood, promoted endothelial cells migration and proliferation in vitro. In addition, the degree of endothelial cell proliferation triggered by microvesicles from CSF was reduced when treated with siRNA targeting Akt/beta-catenin, suggesting that the Akt/beta-catenin pathway is involved in the microvesicle-initiated endothelial cell proliferation. In conclusion, glioblastoma mainly affects microvesicles within CSF without showing significant impact on microvesicles in circulating blood. Microvesicles from the CSF of glioblastoma patients may initiate endothelial cell growth and thus promote cell invasion. This effect may be directly exerted by activated Akt/beta-catenin pathway.     

促红细胞生成素对外伤性颅脑损伤大鼠神经丝的保护作用

目的观察促红细胞生成素(erythropoietin EPO)对创伤性颅脑损伤(traumatic brain injury,TBI)大鼠脑皮质中神经丝的影响,并探讨其意义。方法 45只Wistar大鼠按随机原则分为9组,正常对照组、颅脑损伤组(各组于建模后6、12、24、72 h取标本),EPO处理组(各组于建模后6、12、24、72 h取标本),每组5只,采用Myneurolab脑立体定向仪和Benchmark颅脑损伤撞击器制作创伤性颅脑损伤模型。应用免疫组化法观察上述时间点损伤灶周围皮层神经丝的形态改变,Western blot检测各时间点中神经丝蛋白H(neurofilament H,NF-H)的表达变化。结果免疫组化结果显示:正常对照组NF-H含量丰富,呈棕黄色丝状结构,在脑皮质的大椎体细胞层、小椎体细胞层,海马区,胼胝体中表达尤为明显,而颅脑损伤组于脑外伤后6 h见NF-H较正常组稀疏,部分结构中断,6~24 h内可见神经丝数目进一步减少,排列紊乱加重,至24 h破坏程度达到高峰,72 h时上述情况有所缓解,外伤后EPO处理组神经丝数量在各个时间点均比外伤组多,且排列较外伤组整齐。神经丝的密集程度在12 h达到高峰,然后逐渐降低。Western blot显示:与正常组相比,颅脑损伤组损伤后6h可见NF-H的表达减少(P<0.05)。6~12 h内NF-H蛋白表达持续减少(P<0.05),24 h后达最低值(P<0.01),72 h时升高(P<0.05)。但与颅脑损伤各组比较,EPO处理组NF-H的表达升高(P<0.05)。结论 EPO对脑具有保护作用,其可能机制为抑制神经丝蛋白降解。     

Insights into the role of placenta thickness as a predictive marker of perinatal outcome

The placenta is a transitory organ indispensable for normal fetal maturation and growth. Recognition of abnormal placental variants is important in clinical practice, and a broader understanding of the significance of placental variants would help clinicians better manage affected pregnancies. Increased thickness of the placenta is reported to be a nonspecific finding but it is associated with many maternal and fetal abnormalities, including preeclampsia and abnormal fetal growth. In this review, we address the questions regarding the characteristics of placenta thickness and the relationship between thickened placenta and poor pregnancy outcomes.     

What Should We Focus on in Sepsis Fluid Resuscitation?--A Research Based on Scientometrics and Visual Analysis

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition and a global disease burden.Heterogeneous syndrome is defined as severe organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection,with renewed emphasis on the immune pathophysiology.Researchers worldwide constantly update the diagnostic criteria of sepsis and have introduced concepts such as“sepsis-3”“Surviving Sepsis Campaign(SSC)”“Early Goal-Directed Therapy(EGDT)”,the 3-h and 6-h bundles to an hour-1 bundle[1],“limited ventilation”“the best PEEP[2]”,and“Lung Protective-Ventilation”.Despite all efforts of experimental and clinical research during the last three decades,the ability to positively influence the course and outcome of the syndrome remains limited.