Qingsheng Xu

Long noncoding RNA MEG3 mediated angiogenesis after cerebral infarction through regulating p53/NOX4 axis

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the mechanism of lncRNA MEG3 on angiogenesis after cerebral infarction (CI). METHODS The rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (RBMVECs) isolated from rat was used to establish CI model, which were treated with oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R). The genes mRNA and protein expression levels in RBMVECs were determined by the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot, respectively. The flow cytometry was used to measured cell apoptosis and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. The RBMVECs activities was detected by MTT method. The RNA-immunoprecipitation (RIP) assay was used to detect the interaction between MEG3 and p53, and the relationship between p53 and NOX4 was proved by chromatin co-immunoprecipitation (chip) assay. RESULTS The results showed that OGD or OGD/R increased MEG3 and NOX4 expression, and there was positive correlation between MEG3 and NOX4 expression in RBMVECs. Next, knockdown of MEG3 indicated that inhibition of MEG3 was conducive to protect RBMVECs against OGD/R-induced apoptosis, with decreased NOX4 and p53 expression, further enhanced pro-angiogenic factors (HIF-1α and VEGF) expression, and reduced intracellular ROS generation. And then the RIP and CHIP assay demonstrated that MEG3 could interacted with p53 and regulated its expression, and p53 exerted significant binding in the promoters for NOX4, suggesting that MEG3 regulated NOX4 expression via p53. At last, knockdown of NOX4 indicated that inhibition of NOX4 protected RBMVECs against OGD/R-induced apoptosis, with increased cell viability and pro-angiogenic factors expression, and reduced ROS generation. CONCLUSION LncRNA MEG3 was an important regulator in OGD/R induced-RBMVECs apoptosis and the mechanism of MEG3 on angiogenesis after CI was reduced ROS by p53/NOX4 axis.

Gamma Knife Surgery for Brain Metastasis from Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Objectives The authors evaluated the results of Gamma knife surgery (GKS) for the treatment of metastatic brain tumors from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods and Results The authors conducted a retrospective review of the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes in 14 patients with metastatic brain tumors from HCC who underwent GKS. Twelve (85.7%) patients were male. The mean age of the patients was 53±12 years. There were totally 22 brain metastases in 14 patients and 8 patients (57.1%) presented with a single brain lesion. Intracranial hemorrhages occurred in 13 (59.1%) of the 22 lesions. The mean KPS score was 81±14 (range 50–100). Eleven (78.6%) patients were classified as RTOG RPA Class 2. The mean tumor volume was 8.16±8.15 cm3 (range 0.59–27.0 cm3). The mean marginal dose prescribed was 18.7±3.2 Gy (range 10.0–22.0 Gy). The mean number of shots administered was 10±9 (range 1–27). The median overall survival time after GKS was 5.0±0.93 months (95% CI 3.2–6.8). No complications related to the radiosurgical treatment were identified. Multivariate analysis showed that the total volume of brain metastases, the RTOG RPA class and serum AFP level were significantly correlated with patients’ survival time. Conclusions Although survival was extremely poor in patients with brain metastasis (BM) from HCC, GKS was shown to lead to prolongation of the survival time. Accordingly, GKS can be considered as a valuable treatment option for proper patients with HCC BM.

Meningeal myofibroblastoma in the frontal lobe: A case report

Myofibroblastoma is a benign tumor composed of spindle cells in clusters and fascicles. To date, only three cases of intracranial myofibroblastoma have been reported. The present study reports the case of a 47-year-old female with meningeal myofibroblastoma. The patient had a history of ovarian cyst resection and presented with paroxysmal mild headaches that had been apparent for 4 years. Magnetic resonance imaging disclosed a well-circumscribed mass in the left frontal lobe. A resection of the mass was performed. Abundant fascicular clusters of spindle- and oval-shaped cells were found by conventional histopathology. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated that these cells were strongly positive for smooth muscle actin, weakly positive for epithelial membrane antigen and negative for cluster of differentiation (CD)117, CD34, S-100 or desmin, with a Ki-67 index of >10%. These results supported the diagnosis of myofibroblastoma. No recurrence of the mass was found during the 24-month follow-up period. Overall, the patient exhibited a rare type of meningeal neoplasm. Resection of the tumor proved to be successful and no recurrence were found. Histopathological and immunohistochemical staining is crucial to form a diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to show the presence of myofibroblastoma in the left frontal lobe.

Successful treatment of multifoci nocardial brain abscesses: a case report and literature review.

AbstractBrain nocardiosis is a serious opportunistic infection with high mortality. It exists more common in the immunocompromised hosts than the immunocompetent patients. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMZ) has been mostly considered as the choice of the medical treatment. Linezolid is also newly found to be effective to avoid the invasive surgery. The authors reported a case of patient with multifoci nocardial brain abscesses who failed with the combination of linezolid and TMP-SMZ alone but recovered with the surgery intervention and sequential antibiotics for 2 years. The patient lived a high quality life without recurrence and complications during the 30 months follow-up.Through the literature review, we recommend earlier stereotactic aspiration for diagnosis, combination with surgery intervention and prolonged anti-infection therapy would improve the prognosis.

Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis Secondary to Idiopathic Hypertrophic Cranial Pachymeningitis: Case Report and Review of Literature

BACKGOUND AND IMPORTANCE Idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis (IHCP) is a rare fibrosing inflammatory process involving the dura mater. Currently, there is no consensus on the treatments for IHCP, and the usefulness of immunosuppressive agents as a first-line option remains controversial. Cerebral venous sinus occlusion (CVSO) and cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) secondary to IHCP, which may cause progressive intracranial hypertension and venous obstructive parenchymal lesions, make the diagnosis and treatment of IHCP more complicated. METHODS We present a case of IHCP. We also review previous cases of IHCP with secondary CVSO/CVST and then summarize the clinical characteristics of these patients. CLINICAL PRESENTATION A 52-year-old female patient with IHCP developed secondary CVST. She had a severe headache with a hyperintense lesion on computed tomography, which was considered as subarachnoid hemorrhage. Lumbar tapping with a cerebrospinal fluid test, in addition to gadolinium contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, suggested IHCP. Secondary CVST was identified by digital subtraction angiography and magnetic resonance venography. Fatal intracranial hypertension with severe neurologic deficits occurred, despite mannitol, furosemide, and corticoid therapy. After administration of intravenous pulse cyclophosphamide, she obtained complete remission. CONCLUSIONS We experienced a patient with CVST secondary to IHCP, who was successfully treated with cyclophosphamide pulse therapy. Because IHCP with secondary venous obstruction has various differential diagnoses, venography is necessary to avoid misdiagnosis. The use of immunosuppressive agents may be promising but needs further verification.

Bilateral cranial hemophilic pseudotumor.

Abstract Hemophilic pseudotumor is a rare but well-known complication of hemophilia manifesting as recurrent hemorrhage and progressive enlargement of hematoma. A patient with severe hemophilia has 1% to 2% chance to develop pseudotumor. The chronic pressure of osseous hemorrhage usually results in bone destruction or resorption. Cranial hemophilic pseudotumors are extremely rare, with only 7 reported cases associated with mild or moderate factor VIII or IX deficiency. A 42-year-old man with a mild factor VIII deficiency developed a pseudotumor of the bilateral skull. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed an extra-axial lesion with bone destruction, and signal changes are consistent with chronic hemorrhage. With adequate factor-deficient replacement therapy, surgical removal was performed. Histologic examination disclosed old blood coagulum. No recurrence was observed in 3 years of follow-up. Cranial hemophilic pseudotumor is extremely rare, and with adequate factor-deficient replacement therapy, surgical management is a safe and effective way for cranial hemophilic pseudotumor treatment.