Atractylenolide-I Sensitizes Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells to Paclitaxel by Blocking CTGF Expression and Fibroblast Activation.

This investigation was conducted to elucidate whether atractylenolide-I (ATL-1), which is the main component of Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz, can sensitize triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells to paclitaxel and investigate the possible mechanism involved. We discovered that ATL-1 could inhibit tumor cell migration and increase the sensitivity of tumor cells to paclitaxel. ATL-1 downregulated the expression and secretion of CTGF in TNBC cells. Apart from inhibiting TNBC cell migration via CTGF, ATL-1 downregulated the expression of CTGF in fibroblasts and decreased the ability of breast cancer cells to transform fibroblasts into cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), which in turn increased the sensitivity of TNBC cells to paclitaxel. In a mouse model, we found that ATL-1 treatments could enhance the chemotherapeutic effect of paclitaxel on tumors and reduce tumor metastasis to the lungs and liver. Primary cultured fibroblasts derived from inoculated tumors in mice treated with ATL-1 combined with paclitaxel expressed relatively low levels of CAF markers. Collectively, our data indicate that ATL-1 can sensitize TNBC cells to paclitaxel by blocking CTGF expression and fibroblast activation and could be helpful in future research to determine the value of ATL-1 in the clinical setting.

Atypical extraventricular neurocytoma: A case report.

Atypical extraventricular neurocytoma (EVN) is a rare condition characterized by diffuse tumor cell hyperplasia, increased neovascularization, increased necrosis, and aggressive characteristics. A case of a 25-year old man who presented with atypical EVN in his left parietal - occipital flaps is reported. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a well-defined globular mass with heterogeneous signals in the left parietal lobe, and mild perilesional edema. After left parietal craniotomy and tumor excision, pathologic examination of the resected tissue revealed that the lesion was localized mainly in the white matter and imbued with tumor cells possessing round hyperchromatic nuclei with perinuclear halos and increased microvascular proliferation. The patient underwent radiotherapy at 21st postoperative day. Over the past 26 months, the patient has been regularly followed up, and so far no neurologic deficits have been observed. The latest MRI showed that the tumor bed was stable with slight peritumoral edema. The results of clinical, histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations indicate that atypical EVN is a rare neoplasm with unique radiographic and pathologic characteristics. It possesses more aggressive properties than typical EVN.

Saikosaponin-d attenuated lipopolysaccharide-induced depressive-like behaviors via inhibiting microglia activation and neuroinflammation.

Saikosaponin-d (SSd), a triterpenoid saponins compound extracted from Radix Bupleuri, has been demonstrated to effectively alleviate chronic mild stress-induced depressive behaviors in rats, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are still uncertain. Increasing evidence indicated that microglia activation and inflammatory responses were involved in the pathogenesis of depression. Thus, we desired to induce inflammation-related depressive-like behaviors in mice by injecting lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to investigate whether the antidepressant effect of SSd is related to inhibiting inflammation. The results of behavioral tests showed that SSd administration ameliorated LPS-induced depressive-like behaviors, as shown by increased sucrose consumption in the sucrose preference test and decreased immobility time in the tail suspension test and forced swimming test. Furthermore, immunostaining results showed that SSd pretreatment inhibited LPS-induced microglia activation in the hippocampus of mice and primary microglia cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results showed that SSd pretreatment suppressed LPS-induced overexpression of inflammatory factors such as interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α both in vivo and in vitro. Immunostaining and western blot analysis results demonstrated that SSd pretreatment also inhibited LPS-induced HMGB1 translocation from nuclear to extracellular and decreased the protein levels of TLR4, p-IκB-α, NF-κBp65. These results suggested that SSd effectively improved LPS-induced inflammation-related depressive-like behaviors by inhibiting LPS-induced microglia activation and neuroinflammation, and the possible mechanism might associate with the regulation of the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Prognostic implications of resection extent for patients with glioblastoma multiforme: a meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Surgery is the primary treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), and a greater extent of resection (EOR) has been shown to be associated with improved survival. Our objective was to perform a meta-analysis comparing the 1-year overall survival (OS) and 1-year progression-free survival (PFS) of GBM patients who receive total resection, incomplete resection, or biopsy only. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: PubMed and the Cochrane databases were searched until May 19th, 2015 using the terms "glioblastoma/glioblastoma multiforme," "extent of resection," "surgery prognosis/prognostic," "survival rate." Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), two-arm prospective studies, retrospective studies, and cohort studies reporting OS and/or PFS data were included. One-year OS and 1-year PFS were compared. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Three prospective/RCTs, and 3 retrospective studies were included. The 6 studies included 1618 patients: 523 underwent total resections, 857 underwent incomplete resections, and 238 had biopsies. Total resection was associated with greater 1-year OS than incomplete resection (pooled odds ratio [OR] 1.89, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.35-2.64, P<0.001), and greater 1-year PFS than incomplete resection (pooled OR 2.11, 95% CI: 1.44-3.09, P<0.001). Analysis by study type (RCT or retrospective) produced similar results, although only one RCT provided 1-year PFS data and there was no significant difference between total resection and incomplete resection in that study. All analyses showed that total resection was associated with greater survival than biopsy only. CONCLUSIONS: Total resection of GBM is associated with improved OS and PFS as compared to incomplete resection or biopsy.

[Influence of penetrative needling of Shendao (GV 11) on the symptom score and serum IgE content in chronic urticaria patients].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the changes of symptom scores and serum IgE level after treatment with thick-needle subcutaneous penetration of Shendao (GV 11) in chronic urticaria patients. METHODS: A total of 60 chronic urticaria patients were randomly divided into acupuncture group (n = 30) and medication group (n = 30). Subcutaneous penetrative needling was applied to GV 11 with thick acupuncture needle (retained for 4 h/time, once daily, 5 times/week) for patients of acupuncture group and Levocetirizine Hydrochloride tablets (5 mg/time, once daily in the first two weeks, then, once every other day in the 3rd and 41th weeks, and once every 3 days in the last two weeks) were given to patients of medication group. Serum IgE content was assayed before and 2,6, 12 weeks after the treatment by chemiluminescent technique. Symptom scores were obtained by "0-3 four levels assessment" method in the light of the size of the wheal and the itching severity. RESULTS: Self-comparison indicated that the symptom scores and serum IgE levels declined significantly (P < 0.01) 2 and 6 weeks (Wks) after the treatment in both acupuncture and medication groups,and 12 Wks after the treatment in the acupuncture group (P < 0.01). Comparison between two groups showed that the symptom score and serum IgE content of acupuncture group were significant lower than those of medication group 12 Wks after the treatment (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between two groups in the symptom scores and serum IgE levels before, 2 and 6 Wks after the treatment (P > 0.05). A positive correlation exists between the symptom score and the serum IgE level before and after the treatment in both groups. CONCLUSION: Thick-needle subcutaneous penetration of Shendao (GV 11) can effectively improve clinical symptoms of chronic urticaria patients, which may be closely related to its effect in lowering peripheral blood IgE level.

[Operation of lateral ventricular meningiomas of the trigone].

OBJECTIVE: To summarize the surgical treatment of intraventricular trigonal meningiomas. METHOD: 64 cases of intraventricular trigonal meningiomas were retrospectively analyzed. 40 tumors were located in the left trigone and 24 tumors in the right. Pathological diagnosis included 35 fibrous, 10 mixed, 8 endothelial, 3 transitional, 1 secretion and 1 malignant meningioma. The remaining 6 cases cannot be classified into any type. RESULT: The tumors ranged in diameter from 2 cm to 15 cm (median 4.8 cm). Microscopic complete removal was achieved in all cases. Postoperatively, hemiparalysis occurred in 4 cases, aphasia in 14, hemianopia in 2, persistent fever (last more than 7 days) in 30 and focal hydrocephalus in 4. There was no mortality. The incidence of postoperative aphasia was correlated with operational approach (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.404, P = 0.001), tumor side (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.012, P = 0.012) and size (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.284, P = 0.023). Postoperative persistent fever was correlated with size (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.367, P = 0.003) and resection method (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.537, P = 0.000). In cases of diameter > or = 4 cm, length of stay was not correlated with ventricular drainage (Pearson correlation coefficient = 0.047, P = 0.748). CONCLUSION: Transcortical parieto-occipital approach and Transcortical temporo-parieto-occipital approaches are applicable for intraventricular trigonal meningiomas. The key points to avoid postoperative complications are to decrease damage to surrounding brain tissue and pollution to ventricles.