Li Chuzhong

The expression of TGF-β1, Smad3, phospho-Smad3 and Smad7 is correlated with the development and invasion of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas

BackgroundTransforming growth factor β (TGF-β) signaling functions as a suppressor or a promoter in tumor development, depending on the tumor stage and type. However, the role of TGF-β signaling in nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPAs) has not been explored.MethodsTGF-β1, Smad2, phospho-Smad2 (p-Smad2), Smad3, phospho-Smad3 (p-Smad3), Smad4, and Smad7 were detected in 5 cases of normal anterior pituitaries, 29 cases of invasive NFPAs, and 21 cases of noninvasive NFPAs by real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blot, and immunohistochemical analysis.ResultsThe Smad3 and p-Smad3 protein levels gradually decreased from normal anterior pituitaries, noninvasive NFPAs, to invasive NFPAs. However, there were no significant differences in Smad2 (P = 0.122) and p-Smad2 protein levels (P = 0.101) or Smad2 mRNA level (P = 0.409). In addition, the TGF-β1 mRNA level gradually decreased while the Smad7 mRNA level gradually increased from normal anterior pituitaries, noninvasive NFPAs, to invasive NFPAs. Furthermore, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) mRNA level was markedly increased in invasive NFPAs compared to noninvasive ones (P < 0.01), and its level was negatively correlated with Smad3 mRNA level (P < 0.01).ConclusionThe activity of TGF-β signaling may be restrained in NFPAs and is correlated with the development and invasion of NFPAs.

Ventriculoscopic Approach for Intraventricular Neurocysticercosis: A Single Neurosurgical Center's Experience

OBJECTIVE To retrospectively analyze patients with intraventricular neurocysticercosis (NCC) who underwent a ventriculoscopic approach at a single neurosurgical center and assess the efficacy of this treatment in patients with intraventricular NCC. METHODS Patients with intraventricular NCC patients who underwent surgery via a ventriculoscopic approach between January 2008 and March 2014 at Beijing Tiantan Hospital were analyzed. RESULTS A total of 21 patients with intraventricular NCC (15 men and 6 women; mean age, 38.0 ± 16.8 years; range, 9-65 years) were enrolled in the study. Ten of the patients underwent complete resection. The median progression-free survival (PFS) was 53.7 months (95% confidence interval, 31.7-75.6 months). On univariate analysis, PFS was better in the patients who underwent total NCC resection compared with those who underwent nontotal resection (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The ventriculoscopic approach to NCC resection is an effective technique with unique advantages for intraventricular NCC. Radical resection is necessary for intraventricular NCC. Combined application of rigid and flexible endoscopes can improve the total removal rate of intraventricular NCC.

Study on mirnas’ expression for the invasion of pituitary adenomas

AIM To explore the possible invasive effect of four microRNAs in invasive pituitary adenomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS Based on our previous studies, several in silico algorithms, and relative literatures, 30 Han Chinese patients with invasive pituitary adenomas and 30 with non-invasive pituitary adenomas were involved in this research. The proteins related to invasion underwent immunohistochemical staining, including basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2), pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG), cyclin B1 (CCNB1), survivin, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and microvessel density (MVD). To validate the effect of microRNAs, miR-24, miR-93, miR-126, and miR-34a were chosen as possible targets for the aforementioned proteins with four in silico algorithms. All microRNAs tests were performed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). RESULTS In our study, FGF2, FAK, PTTG, CCNB1, and MVD were overexpressed in the invasive group compared with the non-invasive group, while an increase in the expression of survivin in the invasive group did not achieve statistical significance. This paper reviewed the literature, and four microRNAs involving invasion were selected for study: miR-24, miR-34a, miR-93, and miR-126. Under-expression of miR-24, miR-34a, and miR-93 was significant in the invasive group, while a decrease of miR-126 expression in the invasive group did not achieve statistical significance. CONCLUSION FGF2, PTTG, CCNB1, survivin, FAK, and MVD proteins of pituitary adenoma showed strong expression in invasive tumors. Furthermore, miR-24, miR-93, miR-34a, and miR-126 were under-expressed in invasive Pituitary adenomas compared with non-invasive ones. The results indicated some relationship between the miRNA and protein expression during the pituitary invasion process.AIM To explore the possible invasive effect of four microRNAs in invasive pituitary adenomas. MATERIAL AND METHODS Based on our previous studies, several in silico algorithms, and relative literatures, 30 Han Chinese patients with invasive pituitary adenomas and 30 with non-invasive pituitary adenomas were involved in this research. The proteins related to invasion underwent immunohistochemical staining, including basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF2), pituitary tumor transforming gene (PTTG), cyclin B1 (CCNB1), survivin, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), and microvessel density (MVD). To validate the effect of microRNAs, miR-24, miR-93, miR-126, and miR-34a were chosen as possible targets for the aforementioned proteins with four in silico algorithms. All microRNAs tests were performed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). RESULTS In our study, FGF2, FAK, PTTG, CCNB1, and MVD were overexpressed in the invasive group compared with the non-invasive group, while an increase in the expression of survivin in the invasive group did not achieve statistical significance. This paper reviewed the literature, and four microRNAs involving invasion were selected for study: miR-24, miR-34a, miR-93, and miR-126. Under-expression of miR-24, miR-34a, and miR-93 was significant in the invasive group, while a decrease of miR-126 expression in the invasive group did not achieve statistical significance. CONCLUSION FGF2, PTTG, CCNB1, survivin, FAK, and MVD proteins of pituitary adenoma showed strong expression in invasive tumors. Furthermore, miR-24, miR-93, miR-34a, and miR-126 were under-expressed in invasive Pituitary adenomas compared with non-invasive ones. The results indicated some relationship between the miRNA and protein expression during the pituitary invasion process.

Malignant Transformation of Radiotherapy-Naïve Craniopharyngioma

BACKGROUND Craniopharyngioma is a rare benign intracranial neoplasm that is successfully managed with surgery or adjuvant radiotherapy. The malignant transformation of craniopharyngioma has seldom been reported. CASE DESCRIPTION A 30-year-old woman presented with a 5-month history of amenorrhea and was admitted to the hospital. She underwent surgical resection for three times and died at last. MRI revealed a new solid component of craniopharyngioma. Pathologic examination revealed malignant changes in the craniopharyngioma. In addition, We analyzed the expression of Ki-67, p53, VEGF, and MMP-9 in this malignant case after the third operation and in samples from 9 benign craniopharyngiomas. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that the Ki-67 index was higher in malignant craniopharyngiomas (50%) compared with benign craniopharyngiomas (3.0% ± 1.5%; range, 1.0%-6.0%). The p53, MMP-9, and VEGF protein levels were higher in the malignant craniopharyngioma compared with the benign craniopharyngiomas. CONCLUSIONS Patients with a high Ki-67 index and high p53, MMP-9, and VEGF protein levels and a new solid component of craniopharyngioma on MRI may benefit from aggressive treatment and close surveillance.