[Clinical application of self-made minimally invasive hood-assisted transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion via modified bilateral Wiltse approach in the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the advantages of self made minimally invasive hook assisted transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) via modified bilateral Wiltse approach in the treatment of lumbar degenerative diseases. METHODS: The clinical data of 140 patients underwent lumbar spine fusion surgery from October 2016 to October 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 72 cases were treated by self-made minimally invasive hook-assisted TLIF via modified bilateral Wiltse approach (group A), there were 37 males and 35 females, aged (48±16) years old;68 cases were treated by TLIF via traditional posterior median approach (group B ), there were 38 males and 30 females, aged (45±15) years old. The surgical incision size, operation time, intraoperative blood loss volume, postoperative drainage volume, postoperative wound healing, and intervertebral fusion rate at the final follow-up were recorded between two groups. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to assess the clinical efficacy. RESULTS: All the patients were followed up for 3 to 13 (8±5) months. The wound in group A healed well after operation, and 1 case in group B occurred wound necrosis after operation, and healed after debridement and suture. There were no significant differences in operation time and postoperative fusion rate between two surgical methods (P>0.05). Group A had obvious advantages in surgical incision size, intraoperative blood loss volume and postoperative drainage volume (P<0.05), and the postoperative VAS score of low back pain and ODI were better than group B (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The self made minimally invasive hook assistedTLIF via modified bilateral Wiltse approach has the characteristics of minimally invasive, less intraoperative blood loss, less postoperative drainage, fewer complications, and more stable fusion in the treatment of lumbar degenerative desease.

[Vesselplasty for the treatment of spinal metastases complicated by posterior wall destruction of vertebral body].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the early clinical efficacy and safety of vesselplasty for the treatment of spinal metastases complicated by posterior wall destruction of vertebral body. METHODS: The clinical data of 19 patients(21 segments) with spinal metastases complicated by posterior wall destruction of vertebral body treated from January 2016 to January 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 15 males and 4 females, aged 40 to 85 years old with a mean of (66.00±10.25) years . All patients had severe low back pain before the operation, which were diagnosed by CT as damage-type metastatic tumor of the vertebral posterior wall. All patients were treated by vesselplasty technique. Nineteen vertebrae received percutaneous unilateral pedicle puncture and two vertebrae received percutaneous bilateral pedicle puncture. VAS, ODI were recorded before operation, 1 d and 3 d after operation respectively. X-ray and CT scan were used to observe bone cement leakage and complications. RESULTS: All the operations were successful and postoperative pain was significantly relieved. Postoperative VAS score and ODI of the two groups were significantly improved (P<0.05). A small amount of bone cement leakage occurred in one vertebral body, which was a vertebral venous plexus leakage, but no clinical symptoms after operation. CONCLUSION: Vesselplasty for the treatment of spinal metastases complicated by posterior wall destruction of vertebral body can significantly reduce the symptoms of thoracolumbar back pain, improve the quality of life, reduce the incidence of bone cement leakage, and has high clinical efficacy and safety.

New Colorimetric and Fluorometric Fluoride Ion Probe Based on Anthra[1,9-cd]pyrazol-6(2H)-one.

New colorimetric and fluorometric fluoride ion probe, anthra[1,9-cd]pyrazol- 6(2H)-one (1), was synthesized by one-step condensation. The probe 1 shows F--selective color change from colorless to pink and appearance of red fluorescence. The fluorescence quantum yield of free probe 1 in DMSO was calculated to be 0.03. After addition of 15 equiv. of F-, its fluorescence quantum yield can be increased to 0.37. The analytical detection limit for F- was 2.8 × 10- 7 M. 1H NMR analysis and DFT calculation show that the F--induced colorimetric and fluorometric responses of 1 are driven by deprotonation process. Graphical Abstract.

Methylated of genes behaving as potential biomarkers in evaluating malignant degree of glioblastoma.

Abnormal methylation genes usually act as oncogenes or anti-oncogenes in the occurrence and development of tumor, indicating their potential role as biomarkers in the evaluation of malignant tumor. However, the research on methylation's association with glioblastoma was rare. We attempted to figure out whether the methylation of genes could serve as the biomarker in evaluating the malignant degree of GBM. Methylation microarray data of 275 GBM patients have been downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset. Logistic regression was used to find the methylated genes associated with the malignant degree of patients with the tumor. Functional enrichment analysis and network analysis were further performed on these selected genes. A total of 668, 412, 470, and 620 genes relevant with the methylation or demethylation were found to be associated with the malignant degree, Grades 1-4 of tumor. The higher the degree of malignant tumor, the higher of its methylation degree of its corresponding genes. GO and KEGG analysis results showed that these methylated genes were enriched in many functions as cell adhesion, abnormal transcription, and cell cycle disorder, etc. Of note, CCL11 and LCN11 were found to be significantly related to the progression of GBM. Critical genes associated with cell cycle as CCL11 and LCN1 may play essential roles in the occurrence, development, and transition of glioblastoma. More research was needed to explore its potential molecular mechanism.

Cognitive Changes during Prolonged Stay at High Altitude and Its Correlation with C-Reactive Protein.

Hypersensitive C-reaction protein (hsCRP) may be a risk factor for cognitive impairment resulting from Alzheimer's disease (AD), stroke, and vascular dementia. This study explored the correlation of peripheral blood hsCRP level with cognitive decline due to high altitude exposure. The study was conducted on 100 male military participants who had never been to high altitude. Cerebral oxygen saturation monitoring, event related potentials (P300, N200) detection, and neurocognitive assessment was performed and total hsCRP, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and homocysteine was estimated at 500 m altitude, 3650 m altitude, 3 day, 1, and 3 month post arriving at the base camp (4400 m), and 1 month after coming back to the 500 m altitude. High altitude increased brain oxygen saturation, prolonged P300 and N200 latencies, injured cognitive functions, and raised plasma hsCRP levels. But they all recovered in varying degrees at 1 and 3 month post arriving at the base camp (4400 m). P300 latencies and hsCRP levels were strongly correlated to cognitive performances. These results suggested that cognitive deterioration occurred during the acute period of exposure to high altitude and may recover probably owning to acclimatization after extended stay at high altitude. Plasma hsCRP is inversely correlated to neurological cognition and it may be a potential biomarker for the prediction of high altitude induced cognitive dysfunction.

A new rhodamine-based colorimetric chemosensor for naked-eye detection of Cu(2+) in aqueous solution.

A new colorimetric probe 1 based on rhodamine B lactam was developed for naked-eye detection of Cu(2+). The optical feature of 1 for Cu(2+) was investigated by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. Upon the addition of Cu(2+), the 1 displayed a distinct color change from colorless to pink, which can be directly detected by the naked eye. The stoichiometry of 1 to Cu(2+) complex was found to be 1:1 and the naked-eye detection limit was determined as low as 2 µM. The results suggest that the probe 1 may provide a convenient method for visual detection of Cu(2+) with high sensitivity.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and preconditioning for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke.

To date, the therapeutic methods for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke are still limited. The lack of oxygen supply is critical for brain injury following stroke. Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO), an approach through a process in which patients breathe in 100% pure oxygen at over 101 kPa, has been shown to facilitate oxygen delivery and increase oxygen supply. Hence, HBO possesses the potentials to produce beneficial effects on stroke. Actually, accumulated basic and clinical evidences have demonstrated that HBO therapy and preconditioning could induce neuroprotective functions via different mechanisms. Nevertheless, the lack of clinical translational study limits the application of HBO. More translational studies and clinical trials are needed in the future to develop effective HBO protocols.

Osteopontin Mediates Hyperbaric Oxygen Preconditioning-Induced Neuroprotection Against Ischemic Stroke.

Neurosurgical operations may result in surgical injury which would lead to postoperative neurological deficits. Hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning (HBO-PC) may be beneficial for such people. However, the exact mechanism underlying HBO-PC is not well known yet. The aim of this study is to explore the role of osteopontin (OPN) in HBO-PC-induced neuroprotection. The study consisted of two experiments. In experiment 1, Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were divided into four groups: sham group, HBO-PC sham group, stroke group, and HBO-PC group (HBO-PC + stroke). The animals in the second experiment were randomly assigned to one of two groups: OPN small interfering (siRNA) group (HBO-PC + stroke + OPN siRNA) and control siRNA group (HBO-PC + stroke + negative control siRNA). Neurological outcome in HBO-PC group was better than that of stroke group. After OPN siRNA was administered, neurological function aggravated compared with control siRNA group. Brain morphology and structure seen by light microscopy was diminished in stroke group and OPN siRNA group, while fewer pathological injuries occurred in HBO-PC and control siRNA group. The infarct volume in HBO-PC group was the lowest, followed by OPN siRNA group and stroke group, respectively. Preconditioning with HBO promoted expression of OPN, which reduced the expression of interleukin (IL)-1ß/nuclear factor-κ-gene binding (NFκB) and augmented protein kinase B (Akt). OPN siRNA reversed these changes. OPN plays an important role in the neuroprotection elicited by HBO-PC. Pretreatment with HBO may be beneficial for people going to undertake brain surgery.

Characteristics of a rat model of an open craniocerebral injury at simulated high altitude.

To establish a rat model of an open craniocerebral injury at simulated high altitude and to examine the characteristics of this model. Rats were divided randomly into a normobaric group and a high-altitude group and their corresponding control groups. A rat model of an open craniocerebral injury was established with a nail gun shot. Simulated high-altitude conditions were established with a hypobaric chamber at 0.6 ATA to mimic pressure at an altitude of 4000 m. Mortality, brain water content (BWC), Evans blue content, pathology, regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF), partial pressure of brain tissue oxygen (PbtO2), and brainstem auditory-evoked potential were observed after injury. The mortality of the high-altitude group was significantly greater than that of the normobaric group within 72 h after injury (P<0.05). BWC and Evans blue content increased by 48 h after injury (P<0.05); pathological changes in damaged brains were more serious. In contrast, rCBF and PbtO2 had decreased markedly by 72 h (P<0.01); brainstem auditory-evoked potential values were significantly prolonged (P<0.05). Moreover, an inverse correlation between rCBF and BWC and a positive correlation between rCBF and PbtO2 were found. The rat model of an open craniocerebral injury at simulated high altitude can be established successfully using a nail gun shot and a hypobaric chamber. The injury characteristics at high altitude were more serious, rapid, and prolonged than those in the normobaric group.

Imbalance of Ca2+ and K+ fluxes in C6 glioma cells after PDT measured with scanning ion-selective electrode technique.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) possesses the capacity to lead to death of C6 glioma in vitro and in vivo. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Ca(2+) and K(+) homeostasis of C6 glioma cells were affected by PDT. C6 glioma cells were randomly divided into five groups: control group, Hematoporphyrin derivative (HpD) group (10 mg/l, without irradiation), PDT group (HpD 10 mg/l + irradiation), PDT&6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) group (HpD 10 mg/l + CNQX 50 mol/l + irradiation), and HpD&CNQX group (HpD 10 mg/l + CNQX 50 mol/l, without irradiation). Glioma cells in PDT and PDT&CNQX group were subjected to PDT. Cells in PDT&CNQX group were administered α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) glutamate receptor antagonist CNQX prior to PDT on C6 glioma cells. The changes of Ca(2+) and K(+) fluxes were studied by using a non-invasive scanning ion-selective electrode technique (SIET). Morphology of C6 cells was observed with optical microscopy. PDT induced Ca(2+) influx and K(+) efflux significantly, which resulted in death of C6 cells. When AMPA glutamate receptor antagonist CNQX was applied, Ca(2+) influx and K(+) efflux were partly blocked up and viability of C6 cells increased. These results indicate that Ca(2+) influx and K(+) efflux may correlate with the treatment effects of PDT on C6 glioma cells.

Functional recovery in rat spinal cord injury induced by hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning.

BACKGROUND: It is a common belief that neurosurgical interventions can cause inevitable damage resulting from the procedure itself in surgery especially for intramedullary spinal cord tumors. The present study was designed to examine if hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning (HBO-PC) was neuroprotective against surgical injuries using a rat model of spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into three groups: HBO-PC group, hypobaric hypoxic preconditioning (HH-PC) control group, and normobaric control group. All groups were subjected to SCI by weight drop device. Rats from each group were examined for neurological behavior and electrophysiological function. Tissue sections were analyzed by using immunohistochemistry, TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling, and axonal tract tracing. RESULTS: Significant neurological deficits were observed after SCI and HBO-PC and HH-PC improved neurological deficits 1 week post-injury. The latencies of motor-evoked potential and somatosensory-evoked potential were significantly delayed after SCI, which was attenuated by HBO-PC and HH-PC. Compared with normobaric control group, pretreatment with HBO and hypobaric hypoxia significantly reduced the number of TdT-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling-positive cells, and increased nestin-positive cells. HBO-PC and HH-PC enhanced axonal growth after SCI. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, preconditioning with HBO and hypobaric hypoxia can facilitate functional recovery and suppress cell apoptosis after SCI and may prove to be a useful preventive strategy to neurosurgical SCI.

In vivo magnetic resonance imaging tracking of SPIO-labeled human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) can be efficiently labeled by superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticles, which produces low signal intensity on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in vitro. This study was to evaluate the feasibility of in vivo tracking for hUC-MSCs labeled by SPIO with noninvasive MRI. SPIO was added to cultures at concentrations equivalent to 0, 7, 14, 28, and 56 µg Fe/ml (diluted with DMEM/F12) and incubated for 16 h. Prussian Blue staining was used to determinate the labeling efficiency. Rats were randomly divided into three groups, control group, hUC-MSCs group, and SPIO-labeled hUC-MSCs group. All groups were subjected to spinal cord injury (SCI) by weight drop device. Rats were examined for neurological function. In vivo MRI was used to track SPIO-labeled hUC-MSCs transplanted in rats spinal cord. Survival and migration of hUC-MSCs were also explored using immunofluorescence. Significant improvements in locomotion were observed in the hUC-MSCs groups. There was statistical significance compared with control group. In vivo MRI 1 and 3 weeks after injection showed a large reduction in signal intensity in the region transplanted with SPIO-labeled hUC-MSCs. The images from unlabeled hUC-MSCs showed a smaller reduction in signal intensity. Transplanted hUC-MSCs engrafted within the injured rats spinal cord and survived for at least 8 weeks. In conclusion, hUC-MSCs can survive and migrate in the host spinal cord after transplantation, which promote functional recovery after SCI. Noninvasive imaging of transplanted SPIO-labeled hUC-MSCs is feasible.

Functional recovery in acute traumatic spinal cord injury after transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells.

OBJECTIVE: Spinal cord injury results in loss of neurons, degeneration of axons, formation of glial scar, and severe functional impairment. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells can be induced to form neural cells in vitro. Thus, these cells have a potential therapeutic role for treating spinal cord injury. DESIGN AND SETTING: Rats were randomly divided into three groups: sham operation group, control group, and human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell group. All groups were subjected to spinal cord injury by weight drop device except for sham group. SUBJECTS: Thirty-six female Sprague-Dawley rats. INTERVENTIONS: The control group received Dulbecco's modified essential media/nutrient mixture F-12 injections, whereas the human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell group undertook cells transplantation at the dorsal spinal cord 2 mm rostrally and 2 mm caudally to the injury site at 24 hrs after spinal cord injury. MEASUREMENTS: Rats from each group were examined for neurologic function and contents of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, and neurotrophin-3. Survival, migration, and differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, regeneration of axons, and formation of glial scar were also explored by using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. MAIN RESULTS: Recovery of hindlimb locomotor function was significantly enhanced in the human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells grafted animals at 5 wks after transplantation. This recovery was accompanied by increased length of neurofilament-positive fibers and increased numbers of growth cone-like structures around the lesion site. Transplanted human umbilical cord-mesenchymal stem cells survived, migrated over short distances, and produced large amounts of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor and neurotrophin-3 in the host spinal cord. There were fewer reactive astrocytes in both the rostral and caudal stumps of the spinal cord in the human umbilical cord-mesenchymal stem cell group than in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells can facilitate functional recovery after traumatic spinal cord injury and may prove to be a useful therapeutic strategy to repair the injured spinal cord.

Atypical histopathologic type of cystic meningioma.

The authors report a 21-year-old male with an atypical cystic meningioma in the right parietal area. On T1-weighted imaging (T1WI), the solid component was hypointense, while on T2-weighted imaging (T2WI), it was hyperintense. On T1WI, the cystic component was hypointense, and on T2WI, it was hyperintense. The authors review the literature about incidence, locations, MRI features, cyst type, and intraoperative managements of atypical cystic meningiomas.

Diethyl 2,5-diphenyl-furan-3,4-dicarboxyl-ate.

In the title compound, C(22)H(20)O(5), the substituted benzene rings are twisted away from the furan ring, making dihedral angles of 54.91 (14) and 20.96 (15)° with the furan ring. The dihedral angle between the two benzene rings is 46.89 (13)°. One ethyl group of one eth-oxy-carbonyl unit is disordered over two sets of sites with occupancies of 0.56 (12) and 0.44 (12). In the crystal, weak intra-molecular C-H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the mol-ecules into chains along the c axis.

In vitro labeling of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles.

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) transplantation has been shown to promote regeneration and neuroprotection in central nervous system (CNS) injuries and neurodegenerative diseases. To develop this approach into a clinical setting it is important to be able to follow the fates of transplanted cells by noninvasive imaging. Neural precursor cells and hematopoietic stem cells can be efficiently labeled by superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) nanoparticle. The purpose of our study was to prospectively evaluate the influence of SPIO on hUC-MSCs and the feasibility of tracking for hUC-MSCs by noninvasive imaging. In vitro studies demonstrated that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can efficiently detect low numbers of SPIO-labeled hUC-MSCs and that the intensity of the signal was proportional to the number of labeled cells. After transplantation into focal areas in adult rat spinal cord transplanted SPIO-labeled hUC-MSCs produced a hypointense signal using T2-weighted MRI in rats that persisted for up to 2 weeks. This study demonstrated the feasibility of noninvasive imaging of transplanted hUC-MSCs.

N-[(E)-4-Pyridylmethyl-ene]-4-[(E)-4-(4-pyridylmethyl-eneamino)benz-yl]aniline tetra-hydrate.

The title compound, C(25)H(20)N(4)·4H(2)O, crystallizes with the organic mol-ecule lying on a twofold rotation axis through the methyl-ene bridge C atom; there are also two water molecules in the asymmetric unit. The crystal structure is stabilized by C-H⋯O, O-H⋯O and O-H⋯N hydrogen bonds, linking the water mol-ecules to each other and to the pyridine N atom.