Lobeline shows protective effects against MPTP-induced dopaminergic neuron death and attenuates behavior deficits in animals.

We previously demonstrated that lobeline effectively inhibited dopamine transporter (DAT)-mediated dopamine (DA) transportation. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate whether lobeline shows protective effects against neurotoxin-induced cell death in vivo. Mice were administered 30 mg/kg 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetra-hydropyridine (MPTP) and treated with 80 mg/kg L-dopa, 10 mg/kg GBR12935 or 1 or 3 mg/kg lobeline, respectively, via injection. Rotarod and swim tests as well as tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) immunohistochemistry were carried out to evaluate the effects of these drugs. Compared with L-DA and GBR12935, lobeline (3 mg/kg administered via intraperitoneal injection) on behavior and dopaminergic neurons. Compared with L-DA and GBR12935, lobeline (3 mg/kg injected subcutaneously) significantly reduced MPTP induced locomotive deficits detected in behavioral tests. In addition, TH immunostaining showed that lobeline (3 mg/kg) markedly decreased the neurotoxin-induced immunoreactivity loss in the substantia nigra and striatum. Lobeline may be useful in the protection of dopaminergic neurons and may alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson's disease.

[Roles of computed tomography in the diagnosis and treatment of complex atlas pillow deformity].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the roles of computed tomography (CT) in the diagnosis and treatment of complex atlas pillow deformity. METHODS: From January 2010 to February 2012, the preoperative and postoperative CT imaging findings were collected from 32 cases of complicated atlas pillow deformity undergoing surgical treatment at Henan Provincial People's Hospital. There were 18 males and 14 females with a mean age of 36.8 years (range: 23 - 65). The average duration of disease was 4.5 years (range: 0.25 - 10). RESULTS: In 32 cases, a definite diagnosis was established preoperatively by coronary sagittal CT scans and 3-dimensional reconstruction. And CT re-examinations were performed to review the postoperative curative efficacies. CONCLUSION: CT imaging examination is of vital importance in the diagnosis, personalized surgical procedures and prognostic evaluation of complex craniocervical junction deformity.

[Treatment strategies for complicated craniocervical junction malformations].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the treatment strategies for complicated craniocervical junction malformations with diverse clinical and imaging features. METHODS: The clinical data of 67 cases of complicated craniocervical junction malformation treated between January 2000 to December 2010 were retrospectively analyzed. Based on their clinical manifestations and imaging findings, different operative procedures were adopted, including odontoidectomy via transoral transpharyngeal approach (n = 3), occipito-cervical fusion and(or) suboccipital decompression (n = 19) and odontoidectomy via transoral transpharyngeal approach followed by occipito-cervical fusion in two-stage operation (n = 25). Four cases underwent merely odontoidectomy via transoral transpharyngeal approach and died postoperatively. Sixteen cases had occipito-cervical fusion and(or) transorally surgical release for reduction in one stage. RESULTS: Clinical symptoms significantly improved in 19 cases, partially improved in 21 cases and remained unchanged in 12 cases. Nine cases deteriorated postoperatively and 6 cases died. The effective rate was 59.7%. CONCLUSION: The complexity of craniocervical junction malformations may be fully assessed based on different clinical manifestations and thorough imaging studies. Then personalized operative plans are to be designed.

HOXB7 as a prognostic factor and mediator of colorectal cancer progression.

PURPOSE: This study was to investigate the clinicopathologic significance and potential role of HOXB7 in the development and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The relationship between HOXB7 expression and clinical characteristics of CRC was analyzed in 224 paraffin-embedded archived CRC specimens by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The effects of HOXB7 on cell growth and proliferation, as well as on tumorigenesis, were examined both in vitro and in vivo, using MTT assay, colony formation assay, cell cycle analysis, soft agar assay, and tumorigenesis in nude mice. Western blotting and real-time reverse transcriptase-PCR were performed to examine the impact of HOXB7 on the PI3K/Akt and MAPK signaling pathways. RESULTS: HOXB7 protein level was significantly correlated with advanced Dukes stage (P < 0.001), T stage (P = 0.012), distant metastasis (P = 0.042), higher proliferation index (P = 0.007) and poor survival of patients (P = 0.005). Enforced expression of HOXB7 in CRC cell lines significantly enhanced cell growth, proliferation and tumorigenesis. Conversely, knockdown of HOXB7 caused an inhibition of cell growth, proliferation, and tumorigenesis. We also showed that HOXB7 accelerated G(0)-G(1) to S-phase transition concomitantly with upregulation of cyclin D1 and downregulation of p27Kip1. On the contrary, knockdown of HOXB7 caused G(1)-S-phase arrest, downregulation of cyclin D1 and upregulation of p27Kip1. Enforced expression of HOXB7 could enhance PI3K/AKT and MAPK pathway activity. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that HOXB7 protein, as a valuable marker of CRC prognosis, plays an important role in the development and progression of human CRC.

Prognostic analysis and complications of traumatic carotid cavernous fistulas after treatment with detachable balloon and/or coil embolization.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the causes of the formation of traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas and the therapeutic effect of detachable balloon and/or coil embolization and the prevention of its complications. METHODS: From October, 1992 to March, 2002, 17 patients with traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas were treated with detachable balloon and/or coil embolization in our hospital. The clinical data and imaging features of CT, MR and selective angiogram of these patients were analyzed. RESULTS: One week after treatment with embolization, the clinical symptoms of the 17 patients were remitted, and optic cacophony, nystagmus, exophthalmos and dropsy of conjunctiva disappeared. Two patients manifested surgical complications, one patient died. Sixteen patients survived. They were all followed up for more than 2 years, which showed one patient had handicap in movement, and in one patient the signs and symptoms of traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas reoccurred 2 months after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: The detachable balloon and/or coil embolization is safe and reliable. It is a good method to treat traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas.