Galectin-3 modulates postnatal subventricular zone gliogenesis

Postnatal subventricular zone (SVZ) neural stem cells generate forebrain glia, namely astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The cues necessary for this process are unclear, despite this phase of brain development being pivotal in forebrain gliogenesis. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is increased in multiple brain pathologies and thereby regulates astrocyte proliferation and inflammation in injury. To study the function of Gal-3 in inflammation and gliogenesis, we carried out functional studies in mouse. We overexpressed Gal-3 with electroporation and using immunohistochemistry surprisingly found no inflammation in the healthy postnatal SVZ. This allowed investigation of inflammation-independent effects of Gal-3 on gliogenesis. Loss of Gal-3 function via knockdown or conditional knockout reduced gliogenesis, whereas Gal-3 overexpression increased it. Gal-3 overexpression also increased the percentage of striatal astrocytes generated by the SVZ but decreased the percentage of oligodendrocytes. These novel findings were further elaborated with multiple analyses demonstrating that Gal-3 binds to the bone morphogenetic protein receptor one alpha (BMPR1α) and increases bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. Conditional knockout of BMPR1α abolished the effect of Gal-3 overexpression on gliogenesis. Gain-of-function of Gal-3 is relevant in pathological conditions involving the human forebrain, which is particularly vulnerable to hypoxia/ischemia during perinatal gliogenesis. Hypoxic/ischemic injury induces astrogliosis, inflammation and cell death. We show that Gal-3 immunoreactivity was increased in the perinatal human SVZ and striatum after hypoxia/ischemia. Our findings thus show a novel inflammation-independent function for Gal-3; it is necessary for gliogenesis and when increased in expression can induce astrogenesis via BMP signaling.     

The prognostic significance of CDKN2A homozygous deletion in IDH-mutant lower-grade glioma and glioblastoma: a systematic review of the contemporary literature

Journal of Neuro-Oncology - The most recent cIMPACT-NOW update highlighted the homozygous deletion of the Cyclin Dependent Kinase Inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) gene as a clinically important molecular...     

Glutathione S-transferase Polymorphisms in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Treated with Chemotherapy and/or Radiotherapy

Background/Aim: The Glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) are important carcinogen-metabolizing enzymes. Polymorphisms involved in these enzymes can modulate the development and treatment of head and neck cancer. To investigate the association of GSTs polymorphisms with head and neck cancer and risk factors, clinical-pathological features, and survival time of the patients treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Methods: The GST gene polymorphisms were evaluated in 197 cases and 514 controls by PCR-RFLP-Polymerase Chain Reaction Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism. Results: The GSTP-313 was associated with a decreased risk for HNSCC (p=0.050). The GSTP1 haplotype analysis revealed a higher frequency of the AC and AT haplotypes in the case group than in the control group (p=0.013 and p=0.019, respectively), and the opposite for G-C haplotype (p = 0.015). Yet, the different combinations between the genotypes were associated with an increased risk of cancer. The study showed no association between the polymorphisms and primary tumor site, clinical-pathological characteristics, treatment (chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy) and survival time of the patients. Conclusion: The GST polymorphisms combination showed an increased risk for carcinogenesis, and studies with larger casuistry can contribute to the clarification of the role in individual patient differences for the response to chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy and identify biomarkers of susceptibility.     

岗梅止咳合剂联合西药治疗风邪恋肺型感冒后咳嗽临床研究

目的：观察岗梅止咳合剂联合西药治疗风邪恋肺型感冒后咳嗽的临床疗效。方法：选取100例风 邪恋肺型感冒后咳嗽患者,采用随机数字表法分为观察组和对照组,每组50例。治疗过程中,观察组剔除 3例,对照组剔除2例,最终纳入研究观察组47例,对照组48例。对照组给予西药治疗,观察组在对照组基础 上给予岗梅止咳合剂治疗。2组均治疗6 d。比较2组临床疗效、中医证候积分及中文版莱塞斯特咳嗽生命质量 问卷（LCQ） 评分。结果：治疗后,观察组总有效率95.74%,高于对照组81.25%,差异有统计学意义（P＜ 0.05）。2组主症积分、次症积分、中医证候总分均较治疗前降低,且观察组上述评分均低于对照组,差异均有 统计学意义（P＜0.05）。2组心理、生理、社会评分及LCQ总分均较治疗前升高,且观察组上述评分均高于对 照组,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论：岗梅止咳合剂联合西药治疗风邪恋肺型感冒后咳嗽临床疗效较 好,可有效缓解患者的临床症状,改善其生活质量。     

In-Vitro Analysis of FeMn-Si Smart Biodegradable Alloy

Special materials are required in many applications to fulfill specific medical or industrial necessities. Biodegradable metallic materials present many attractive properties, especially mechanical ones correlated with good biocompatibility with vivant bodies. A biodegradable iron-based material was realized through electric arc-melting and induction furnace homogenization. The new chemical composition obtained presented a special property named SME (shape memory effect) based on the martensite transformation. Preliminary results about this special biodegradable material with a new chemical composition were realized for the chemical composition and structural and thermal characterization. Corrosion resistance was evaluated in Ringer’s solution through immersion tests for 1, 3, and 7 days, the solution pH was measured in time for 3 days with values for each minute, and electro-corrosion was measured using a potentiostat and a three electrode cell. The mass loss of the samples during immersion and electro-corrosion was evaluated and the surface condition was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). SME was highlighted with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results confirm the possibility of a memory effect of the materials in the wrought case and a generalized corrosion (Tafel and cyclic potentiometry and EIS) with the formation of iron oxides and a corrosion rate favorable for applications that require a longer implantation period.     

Anesthesia and ventilation options for flex robotic assisted laryngopharyngeal surgery

BackgroundTransoral treatment of benign and malignant lesions of laryngopharynx has limitations in exposure and access, partially due to the endotracheal tube (ETT). With a proper airway control to tailor ventilation and maximize exposure, transoral Flex robotic surgery (FLEX), using its 3D camera and instruments, can expand its ability. Choosing the right ETT, including a novel concept of using jet ventilation (JV) in FLEX, and placement technique can allow augmentation of the advantages that robotic surgery offers.MethodsChart review of FLEX assisted procedures was performed. Attention was given to demographics, all events of airway manipulation and ventilation type, procedures performed and outcomes including adverse effects.ResultsFifty-two patients underwent eighty procedures. The airway was manipulated sixty-four times to include 8 JV. All possible FLEX instruments including CO2 laser were used. Three novel possible indications for trans-oral robotic surgery including the feasibility of JV in FLEX procedures were shown.ConclusionsLesions of the tongue base, hypopharynx, larynx and trachea have the possibility to be managed with adequate exposure with minimal obstruction from ETT. Robotic HD camera permits both the surgeon and anesthesiologist to observe surgery and safely monitor the airway. An algorithm was developed for selecting ideal ventilation method for different procedures. The FLEX and the utilization of JV allows flexibility of two instruments without obstruction.     

大隐静脉曲张激光闭合术时高位结扎与未高位结扎的近期复发率对比研究

目的 研究大隐静脉激光闭合术时高位结扎与未高位结扎对近期复发率的影响,明确大隐静脉激光闭合术时是否有必要附加大隐静脉高位结扎术。方法 将2004年3月至2006年3月接受大隐静脉激光闭合术的215例患者随机分为两组,A组：大隐静脉高位结扎加激光闭合术,B组：单纯大隐静脉激光闭合术,比较其术后复发率及并发症的区别。结果 随访6～29个月,1例失访,无深静脉血栓及肺栓塞发生。A组复发4例,复发率3.8%,B组复发9例,复发率8.3%,两组复发病例病因均为原发性深静脉瓣膜功能不全,单纯大隐静脉曲张术后无复发。经统计学分析,两组复发率无统计学意义（P〉0.05）。结论 没有证据表明行大隐静脉激光闭合术时首先行高位结扎更有优势,未高位结扎并不增加深静脉血栓形成及肺栓塞的发生机会。     

面神经电图和瞬目反射在面神经炎中的应用

目的:探讨面神经电图和瞬目反射对面神经炎的诊断和预后评估的价值。方法:对42例面神经炎患者在发病10 d内进行面神经电图和瞬目反射的检测,并在治疗3个月后对24例患者进行复查。结果:瞬目反射患侧R1、R2和R2’缺如12例,R1、R2和R2’潜伏期延长30例,异常率100%。患侧面神经运动潜伏期延长及波幅降低28例,缺如1例,异常率为69.1%。瞬目反射异常率明显高于面神经电图(P<0.01)。复查时,R1瞬目反射各波缺如的8例患者中2例可检出波形,好转率为25%;原来R1延长的16例患者中10例恢复正常,好转率为62.5%;后一类患者的好转率明显高于前一类患者(P<0.05)。结论:瞬目反射可以作为面神经炎早期诊断的客观指标,对判断面神经受损程度和预后评估有重要作用。     

糖尿病骨丧失与细胞凋亡

糖尿病可影响骨代谢和骨改建,导致骨丧失.骨丧失由骨改建失衡所致,对骨系细胞凋亡的调控在生理性和病理性骨改建中起重要作用.近年大量研究表明糖尿病及其并发症均与细胞凋亡密切相关,糖尿病状态下骨系细胞异常凋亡可能通过影响骨改建,使骨改建失衡,导致骨丧失.该文就糖尿病骨丧失与细胞凋亡之间的关系作一综述,旨在进一步探讨糖尿病骨丧失的机制,为糖尿病骨丧失的治疗提供新的靶点.