Ischemic rat brain extracts induce human marrow stromal cell growth factor production

Intravenous administration of human bone marrow stromal cells (hMSCs) after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) in rats provides functional benefit. We tested the hypothesis that these functional benefits are derived in part from hMSC production of growth and trophic factors. Quantitative sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) of hMSCs cultured with normal and MCAo brain extracts were performed. hMSCs cultured in supernatant derived from ischemic brain extracts increased production of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF). These neurotrophins and angiogenic growth factors increased in a post‐ischemia time‐dependent manner. The hMSC capacity to increase expression of growth and trophic factors may be the key to the benefit provided by transplanted hMSCs in the ischemic brain.     

On the natural course of oral lichen lesions in a Swedish population-based sample

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to assess the natural course of oral lichen lesions (OLL) among unselected, non-consulting individuals. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A cohort of 327 subjects with OLL, confirmed in 1973-1974 during a population-based survey in two Swedish municipalities, was followed through January 2002 via record linkages with nationwide and essentially complete registers. A sample of 80 drawn from the 194 surviving subjects who still resided in the area in 1993-1995 was invited for interview and oral re-examination. RESULTS: At the end of follow-up, one case of oral cancer was detected, while 0.4 were expected. The overall mortality among subjects with OLL was not significantly different from that in the 15,817 OLL-free subjects who participated in the initial population based survey in 1973-1974. The lesion had disappeared in 14 (39%) of 36 re-examined subjects with white OLLs in 1973-1974, and four (11%) had transformed into red types. In the corresponding group of 19 with red forms initially, five (26%) had become lesion free and four (21%) had switched to white types. Although the cohort size does not permit firm conclusions regarding oral cancer risk, the natural course over up to 30 years appears to be benign in the great majority.     

Feasibility of treating hyperfibrinogenemia with intermittently administered batroxobin in patients with ischemic stroke/transient ischemic attack for secondary prevention.

This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of batroxobin in treating hyperfibrinogenemia for secondary stroke prevention. Patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) were measured for plasma fibrinogen levels. Selected participants had concomitant hyperfibrinogenemia (plasma fibrinogen > or = 3.0 g/l). Patients enrolled between 1 July 2003 and 31 December 2004 were treated with batroxobin; patients enrolled between 1 January 2002 and 30 June 2003 were treated without batroxobin. Batroxobin was administered intermittently via intravenous injection at 3-monthly intervals. Patients in both groups were followed for 1 year. Any cerebrovascular events and suspected adverse events were recorded. In total, 112 ischemic stroke/TIA patients with concomitant hyperfibrinogenemia were enrolled, 52 being treated with batroxobin and 60 without batroxobin. Six patients (11.5%) with batroxobin and 16 patients (26.7%) without batroxobin had recurrent cerebral ischemic events during follow-up. Stroke/TIA recurrence in patients without batroxobin was higher than that in patients with batroxobin (P < 0.05). Two patients with batroxobin and two patients without batroxobin developed hemorrhagic stroke during follow-up. There were five deaths (9.6%) in the batroxobin group, and seven deaths (11.7%) in the nonbatroxobin group during follow-up (P > 0.05). Intermittent intravenous injection of batroxobin can efficiently reduce the risk for stroke/TIA recurrence in patients with concomitant hyperfibrinogenemia.     

推进继承创新,发挥特色优势,坚定不移地发展中医药事业——吴仪副总理在全国中医药工作会议上的讲话节选

2007年1月11日,中共中央政治局委员、国务院副总理吴仪在全国中医药工作会议上发表了重要讲话,该讲话从4个方面进行了论述,节选如下。     

Angiopoietin1/Tie2 and VEGF/Flk1 induced by MSC treatment amplifies angiogenesis and vascular stabilization after stroke.

Bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) increase vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and promote angiogenesis after stroke. Angiopoietin-1 (Ang1) and its receptor Tie2 mediate vascular integrity and angiogenesis as does VEGF and its receptors. In this study, we tested whether MSC treatment of stroke increases Ang1/Tie2 expression, and whether Ang1/Tie2 with VEGF/ vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) (Flk1), in combination, induced by MSCs enhances angiogenesis and vascular integrity. Male Wistar rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) and treated with or without MSCs. Marrow stromal cell treatment significantly decreased blood-brain barrier (BBB) leakage and increased Ang1, Tie2, and occludin (a tight junction protein) expression in the ischemic border compared with MCAo control. To further test the mechanisms of MSC-induced angiogenesis and vascular stabilization, cocultures of MSCs with mouse brain endothelial cells (MBECs) or astrocytes were performed. Supernatant derived from MSCs cocultured with MBECs significantly increased MBEC expression of Ang1/Tie2 and Flk1 compared with MBEC alone. Marrow stromal cells cocultured with astrocytes also significantly increased astrocyte VEGF and Ang1/Tie2 expression compared with astrocyte culture alone. Conditioned media from MSCs alone, and media from cocultures of MSCs with astrocytes or MBECs, all significantly increased capillary tube-like formation of MBEC compared with control Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium media. Inhibition of Flk1 and/or Ang1 significantly decreased MSC-induced MBEC tube formation. Knockdown of Tie2 expression in MBECs significantly inhibited MSC-induced tube formation. Our data indicate MSC treatment of stroke promotes angiogenesis and vascular stabilization, which is at least partially mediated by VEGF/Flk1 and Ang1/Tie2.     

Principles for managing penetrating craniocerebral injuries caused by firearm missiles

Penetrating craniocerebral firearm injuries remain one of the most lethal causes of all trauma and are common both in war or peace time. Data were reviewed for 4140 severely head-injured patients (Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores 3-8) treated at Xi-Jing Hospital between 1973 and 1993; 51 of these patients had acute penetrating craniocerebral injuries caused by firearm missiles. These patients consisted of 46 males (90.2%) and 5 females (9.8%) ranging in age from 3 months to 48 years (median 22.4 years). The lesion types included 2 tangential wounds, 37 tubular wounds and 12 through-and-through wounds. All cases were urgent with the patients in severe and unstable states. After emergency treatment and operation, 5 cases died (9.8%). Follow up studies at three months showed that 23 cases (45.1%) had made a good recovery. Moderate disability, severe disability and vegetative states in this series were 29.4%, 13.7% and 2.0% respectively. Long term follow up studies indicated that 32 were able to resume their occupation. The principles for managing penetrating craniocerebral firearm injuries and suggestions for operation are discussed.     

脑干区占位病变的手术入路

本文报告了1990年5月以来脑干区大型、复杂占位病变15例.其中,位于脑干内3例,脚间窝2例,岩尖部4例,全岩骨区1例,全斜坡区2例,第四脑室内3例.本组采用以扩大了的岩骨入路为主的联合入路,行肿瘤全切除8例,次全切除5例.2例仅作了活检加减压术.除1例死亡外,均恢复良好.本文结合文献,对脑干区手术入路进行了讨论.     

Juvenile Xanthogranuloma on the Palm

Abstract: Juvenile xanthogranuloma is a xanthomatous and granulomatous condition that frequently arises before 1 year of age and mainly occurs on the head and trunk. We report a rare solitary juvenile xanthogranuloma on the right palm of a 10-year-old girl, present for one year. This solitary involvement of the palm has been reported only twice before.