Lu Yicheng

Changes in neural dendrites and synapses in rat somatosensory cortex following neonatal post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus

Neonatal post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus is associated with cognitive decline and a serious deterioration in the patients quality of life. The underlying impairments to neurons are not well understood. Here, we used the method described by Cherian et al. to construct a model of hydrocephalus after intra-ventricular hemorrhage and then observed the subsequent pathological changes in the morphology of neurons labeled by enhanced green fluorescent proteins (EGFP) using the in utero electroporation technique. Injection of venous blood into the lateral ventricles of 7-day-old rats in the operation group caused marked enlargement of the ventricles in 60% (9/15) of the rats after 2 weeks and in 53.3% (8/15) of the rats after 3 weeks. Compared with the control group, the length of the neural dendrites in the somatosensory cortex was shortened and the number of both neuron dendrite branches and synapses was significantly decreased. There was no evidence of cerebral cortical neuron death as shown by positive EGFP cell counting which suggest that neurological dysfunction after intra-ventricular hemorrhage-induced hydrocephalus may be related to the shortening of neural dendrites and the decreased number of synapses in somatosensory cortex and thus provides a possible neurological cause for hydrocephalus-induced cognitive decline and motor dysfunction.Neonatal post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus is associated with cognitive decline and a serious deterioration in the patients quality of life. The underlying impairments to neurons are not well understood. Here, we used the method described by Cherian et al. to construct a model of hydrocephalus after intra-ventricular hemorrhage and then observed the subsequent pathological changes in the morphology of neurons labeled by enhanced green fluorescent proteins (EGFP) using the in utero electroporation technique. Injection of venous blood into the lateral ventricles of 7-day-old rats in the operation group caused marked enlargement of the ventricles in 60% (9/15) of the rats after 2 weeks and in 53.3% (8/15) of the rats after 3 weeks. Compared with the control group, the length of the neural dendrites in the somatosensory cortex was shortened and the number of both neuron dendrite branches and synapses was significantly decreased. There was no evidence of cerebral cortical neuron death as shown by positive EGFP cell counting which suggest that neurological dysfunction after intra-ventricular hemorrhage-induced hydrocephalus may be related to the shortening of neural dendrites and the decreased number of synapses in somatosensory cortex and thus provides a possible neurological cause for hydrocephalus-induced cognitive decline and motor dysfunction.

Lentiviral-mediated siRNA against osteopotin in U251 glioma cell line

Background It has been reported that the expression of SPP1, the mRNA for osteopontin (OPN), is increased in a number of transformed cell lines and some tumors. Increased serum and plasma OPN levels were associated with advanced-stage carcinomas of the lung, breast, colon and prostate. The extent of OPN expression may be correlated with the malignancy degree of gliomas, but the specific role of OPN in the malignancy of gliomas remains to be clarified.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of cerebellum five months after left atrial myxoma resection in an old woman

Abstract We describe a 70-year-old female patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma of the cerebellum; she received resection of a left atrial myxoma five months ago. To the best of our knowledge, to date no association of atrial myxoma with the malignant cerebellar diffuse large B-cell lymphoma has been reported in the literature, except for high level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the serum under both conditions. IL-6 as a pro-inflammatory cytokine has been shown to be associated with tumor progression, including inhibition of cancer cell apoptosis and stimulation of angiogenesis. IL-6 concentrations may provide possible aetiological links between atrial myxoma and cerebellar diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in our case.

Transvenous injection of n-Butyl cyanoacrylate combined with placement of coils in cavernous sinus for treatment of cavernous dural arteriovenous fistulae

Abstract Objective To evaluate the technical aspects, efficacy and safety in the treatment of cavernous dural arteriovenous fistulae (DAVF) by transvenous liquid n-Butyl cyanoacrylate (NBCA) injection combined with coils placement in the cavernous sinus. Methods Eight patients with cavernous DAVF, treated by transvenous embolization with combination of detachable coils and glue between February 2006 and February 2009 in our hospital, were retrospectively analyzed, including the clinical presentations, patterns of angioarchitecture, methods of treatment and the results of follow-up. Results In all 8 patients, 9 transvenous and 1 transarterial interventions were carried out. A single endovascular procedure was performed in 6 patients and 2 patients had to be treated twice. Of the nine transvenous approaches, eight approaches were performed via inferior petrosal sinus (IPS) and 1 via the facial vein. Complete angiographic obliteration was achieved in all patients immediately after the embolization. There was no procedure-related morbidity except for mild headache for one to seven days after the embolization. Clinical cure was achieved in all cases during the clinical follow-up periods, ranging from 8 months to 3 years. The follow-up angiography periods averaged 6.6 months with a range of 5-9 months, in which no recurrence was observed. Conclusion In this small series, embolization with combination of glue and detachable coils by transvenous approaches was a safe, effective and economical method for the treatment of part of symptomatic patients presenting with complex cavernous DAVF.

Transvenous embolization of dural arteriovenous fistula of cavernous region by multiple venous routes

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficiency of transvenous embolization of dural arteriovenous fistula of cavernous region by multiple venous routes.