ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the protein and mRNA levels of Rac1 in glioma tissues,and explore the correlation of Rac1 with pathological grades. Methods Immunofluorescence,RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the protein and mRNA levels of Rac1 in 45 cases of gliomas tissues and 10 cases of normal brain tissues. Results The results indicated that normal brain tissues showed no protein and mRNA expressions of Rac1, and that of Rac1 highly expressed in glioma tissues (42/45 at most). The spearman correlation analysis revealed that the levels of transcription and expression of Rac1 were positively correlated to the tumor grades; positive expression rate of Rac1 in high grade of glioma was statistically higher than that in low grade of glioma. Conclusion The high expressions of Rac1 in the glioma are closely correlated to the tumor cell invasion and metastasis, which can be used as a marker indicating the malignance and proliferation of glioma.
ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the reliability of acquiring Schwann cells from bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) by inducing their differentiation in vitro. Methods BMSCs isolated from the tibial and femural bone marrow of SD rats by adherent culture were passaged and induced with beta-mercaptoethanol followed by retinoic acid, forskolin, basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and heregulin. Immunocytochemistry was performed to identify the expression of the Schwann cell markers P75, S100 and glial fibrillary acidic portein (GFAP), and fluorescent real-time quantitative RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of P75, S100 and CD104 in the induced BMSCs. Results The induced BMSCs exhibited morphological changes into cells resembling primary cultured Schwann ceils, and expressed P75, S100 and GFAP proteins, as shown by immunofluorescent staining, at the levels similar to those in Schwann cells. The induced cells, however, remained negative for P75 mRNA expression as demonstrated by RT-PCR. Conclusion The BMSCs can be induced to partially acquire the phenotypic features of Schwann cells, suggesting the strong plasticity of the BMSCs. The protocol of pre-induction followed by induction with an array of agents still needs further modification to induce the in vitro differentiation of BMSCs into Schwann-like cells.
ABSTRACT
Objective To analyze the effect of NexusTM coils for endovascular occlusion of intracranial aneurysms. Methods In 41 patients with intracranial aneurysms, endovascular occlusion of 43 aneurysms was performed using NexusTM coils. The follow-up data of the patients for 6 to 12 months were reviewed, and the imaging data from digital subtraction angiography (DSA), CT angiography (CTA) or magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) alter the treatment were analyzed. Results In the 41 patients, 1 died, 1 had aneurysm recurrence, 3 had cerebral infarction, 1 showed ocular paralysis, and 2 developed hydrocephalus after the surgery. Evaluation with modified Rankin Scale showed grade 0 in 8 cases, grade 1 in 19 cases, grade 2 in 7 cases, grade 3 in 3 cases, grade 4 in 1 case, grade 5 in 1 ease and grade 6 in 1 case. Conclusion Endovascular embolization with NexusTM coils is effective for treatment of intracranial aneurysms especially in cases of small aneurysms and parent artery occlusion. Caution should be taken with the coil for endovascular occlusion of the neck of anterior and middle cerebral artery aneurysms with thin parent arteries, as the fibers in the coil may cause thrombosis and potential cerebral infarction.