ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a major health care problem worldwide. Approximately 1.5 million new TBI cases occur annually in the United States, with mortality rates ranging between 35% and 40% in severe patients. Despite the incidence of these injuries and their substantial socioeconomic implications, no specific pharmacological intervention is available for clinical use. Several studies have indicated that 300 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg of valproate (VPA) exhibits neuroprotective effects in animal models. However, humans cannot tolerate high doses of VPA. This study aims to investigate whether 30 mg/kg of VPA administered to rats affects TBIs. METHODS: We used a rat model to test the effects of 30 mg/kg of VPA on TBIs. Molecular identifications for histone acetylation and phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and phosphorylated extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) were performed. RESULTS: The results indicated that treating adult rats with VPA after TBIs significantly decreased the contusion volume and recovery of contusion-related skilled forelimb reaching deficits. Applying VPA also increased histone acetylation, p-ERK, and p-CREB expression in the brain. Furthermore, applying VPA reduced inflammation, glial fibrillary acidic protein activation, and apoptosis. Conclusion. This study found that 30 mg/kg of VPA assists in treating TBIs in rat models.
Subject(s)
Brain Injuries/drug therapy , Brain Injuries/physiopathology , Motor Activity/drug effects , Valproic Acid/administration & dosage , Valproic Acid/therapeutic use , Acetylation/drug effects , Animals , Apoptosis/drug effects , Brain Injuries/metabolism , Brain Injuries/pathology , Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein/metabolism , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases/metabolism , Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein/metabolism , Histones/metabolism , Humans , Inflammation/pathology , Male , Phosphorylation/drug effects , Rats, Sprague-Dawley , Valproic Acid/pharmacologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The treatment results of buccal squamous cell carcinoma before and after 2002 were compared. METHODS: Two hundred forty-five patients with buccal cancer who underwent curative treatment were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: The 5-year overall survival rate was 30.0% before 2002 and 53.5% after 2002 (p = .004). On multivariate analysis, T classification, surgical margins, and treatment modality significantly affected overall survival, and N classification and histologic grade had trends to affect it. Invasion depth had a trend to influence locoregional control. For patients with early-stage disease without adverse factors, the locoregional control was similar between surgery alone group and surgery + radiotherapy group. CONCLUSION: The survival of patients with buccal cancer was improved after 2002, which represented the start of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in our institute. Ipsilateral neck alone irradiation was recommended for T1-2N0-1 and small T3N0 disease, and bilateral neck irradiation could be reserved for advanced disease.
