Reprogramming of adult human neural stem cells into induced pluripotent stem cells / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Since an effective method for generating induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from human neural stem cells (hNSCs) can offer us a promising tool for studying brain diseases, here we reported direct reprogramming of adult hNSCs into iPSCs by retroviral transduction of four defined factors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>NSCs were successfully isolated and cultured from the hippocampus tissue of epilepsy patients. When combined with four factors (OCT3/4, SOX2, KLF4, and c-MYC), iPSCs colonies were successfully obtained.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Morphological characterization and specific genetic expression confirmed that these hNSCs-derived iPSCs showed embryonic stem cells-like properties, which include the ability to differentiate into all three germ layers both in vitro and in vivo.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Our method would be useful for generating human iPSCs from NSCs and provide an important tool for studying neurological diseases.</p>

Preoperative surgical planning for intracranial meningioma resection by virtual reality / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>The Dextroscope system by Volume Interactions (Singapore) had been applied to minimally invasive neurosurgery in many units. This system enables the neurosurgeon to interact intuitively with the three-dimensional graphics in a direct manner resembling the way one communicates with the real objects. In the paper, we explored its values in pre-operation surgical planning for intracranial meningiomas resection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Brain computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and magnetic resonance venography (MRV) were performed on 10 patients with parasagittal and falcine meningiomas located on central groove area; brain CT, MRI and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) were performed on 10 patients with anterior skull base meningiomas and 10 patients with sphenoid ridge meningiomas. All these data were transferred to Dextroscope virtual reality system, and reconstructed. Then meningiomas, skull base, brain tissue, drainage vein and cerebral arteries were displayed within the system, and their anatomic relationships were evaluated. Also, the simulation operations were performed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>For parasagittal and falcine meningiomas, the relationships of tumor with drainage vein and superior sagittal sinus were clearly displayed in the Dextroscope system. For anterior skull base and sphenoid ridge meningiomas, the relationships of tumor with bilateral internal carotid arteries, anterior cerebral arteries, middle cerebral arteries and skull base were vividly displayed within the virtual reality system. Surgical planning and simulation operation of all cases were performed as well. The real operations of all patients were conducted according to the simulation with well outcomes.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>According to the virtual reality planning, neurosurgeons could get more anatomic information about meningioma and its surrounding structures, especially important vessels, and choose the best approach for tumor resection, which would lead to better prognosis for patients.</p>

Detection of neural stem cells function in rats with traumatic brain injury by manganese-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Previously we had successfully tracked adult human neural stem cells (NSCs) labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (SPIOs) in host human brain after transplantation in vivo non-invasively by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, the function of the transplanted NSCs could not be evaluated by the method. In the study, we applied manganese-enhanced MRI (ME-MRI) to detect NSCs function after implantation in brain of rats with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in vivo.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Totally 40 TBI rats were randomly divided into 4 groups with 10 rats in each group. In group 1, the TBI rats did not receive NSCs transplantation. MnCl2·4H2O was intravenously injected, hyperosmolar mannitol was delivered to disrupt rightside blood brain barrier, and its contralateral forepaw was electrically stimulated. In group 2, the TBI rats received NSCs (labeled with SPIO) transplantation, and the ME-MRI procedure was same to group 1. In group 3, the TBI rats received NSCs (labeled with SPIO) transplantation, and the ME-MRI procedure was same to group 1, but diltiazem was introduced during the electrical stimulation period. In group 4, the TBI rats received phosphate buffered saline (PBS) injection, and the ME-MRI procedure was same to group 1.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Hyperintense signals were detected by ME-MRI in the cortex areas associated with somatosensory in TBI rats of group 2. These signals, which could not be induced in TBI rats of groups 1 and 4, disappeared when diltiazem was introduced in TBI rats of group 3.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In this initial study, we mapped implanted NSCs activity and its functional participation within local brain area in TBI rats by ME-MRI technique, paving the way for further pre-clinical research.</p>

Characteristic magnetic resonance enhancement pattern in cerebral schistosomiasis / 中国医学科学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To describe the characteristic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) appearance of cerebral schistosomiasis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twenty-five patients whose diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) schistosomiasis had been pathologically (n = 8) and clinically (n = 17) confirmed were randomly selected. MRI was performed on a Signal 1. 5T MRI scanner before and after the intravenous administration of gadopentetate dimeglumine constrast medium. We reviewed the MRI studies obtained at the time of initial presentation, as well as follow-up studies obtained during and after medical treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Immunological tests in 15 patients indicated schistosomiasis haematobium. Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted images in 22 cases showed central linear enhancement surrounded by multiple enhancing punctate nodules, which appeared "arborized". Through operation and pathological examination, 8 cases had the granuloma formation of schistosomal eggs extensive surrounded by inflammation and venous congestion. And 17 cases were treated with praziquantel and corticosteroid therapy. And they were followed up for 2 months by taking MRI, which turned out to be complete resolution of the enhancing structure and edema. At follow-up, all the patients' initial symptoms also resolved.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The specified MRI enhancement pattern of cerebral schistosomiasis is common in most cases of CNS schistosomiasis, so it should be taken account into the diagnosis of cerebral schistosomiasis.</p>