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15 February 2013, Volume 8 Issue 5 Previous Issue    Next Issue

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Optimal time for subarachnoid transplantation of neural progenitor cells in the treatment of contusive spinal cord injury Yan Liu, Ying Zhou, Chunli Zhang, Feng Zhang, Shuxun Hou, Hongbin Zhong, Hongyun Huang 2013, 8 (5):  389-396.  doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.05.001 Abstract ( 469 )   PDF (299KB) ( 1122 )   Save This study aimed to identify the optimal neural progenitor cell transplantation time for spinal cord injury in rats via the subarachnoid space. Cultured neural progenitor cells from 14-day embryonic rats, constitutively expressing enhanced green fluorescence protein, or media alone, were injected into the subarachnoid space of adult rats at 1 hour (acute stage), 7 days (subacute stage) and    28 days (chronic stage) after contusive spinal cord injury. Results showed that grafted neural progenitor cells migrated and aggregated around the blood vessels of the injured region, and infiltrated the spinal cord parenchyma along the tissue spaces in the acute stage transplantation group. However, this was not observed in subacute and chronic stage transplantation groups. O4- and glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells, representing oligodendrocytes and astrocytes respectively, were detected in the core of the grafted cluster attached to the cauda equina pia surface in the chronic stage transplantation group 8 weeks after transplantation. Both acute and subacute stage transplantation groups were negative for O4 and glial fibrillary acidic protein cells. Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan scale score comparisons indicated that rat hind limb locomotor activity showed better recovery after acute stage transplantation than after subacute and chronic transplantation. Our experimental findings suggest that the subarachnoid route could be useful for transplantation of neural progenitor cells at the acute stage of spinal cord injury. Although grafted cells survived only for a short time and did not differentiate into astrocytes or neurons, they were able to reach the parenchyma of the injured spinal cord and improve neurological function in rats. Transplantation efficacy was enhanced at the acute stage in comparison with subacute and chronic stages. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Human umbilical cord blood stem cell transplantation for the treatment of chronic spinal cord injury Liqing Yao, Chuan He, Ying Zhao, Jirong Wang, Mei Tang, Jun Li, Ying Wu, Lijuan Ao, Xiang Hu 2013, 8 (5):  397-403.  doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.05.002 Abstract ( 443 )   PDF (167KB) ( 1210 )   Save Stem cell transplantation can promote functional restoration following acute spinal cord injury (injury time < 3 months), but the safety and long-term efficacy of this treatment need further exploration. In this study, 25 patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (injury time > 6 months) were treated with human umbilical cord blood stem cells via intravenous and intrathecal injection. The follow-up period was 12 months after transplantation. Results found that autonomic nerve functions were restored and the latent period of somatosensory evoked potentials was reduced. There were no severe adverse reactions in patients following stem cell transplantation. These experimental findings suggest that the transplantation of human umbilical cord blood stem cells is a safe and effective treatment for patients with traumatic spinal cord injury. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Methylprednisolone inhibits Nogo-A protein expression after acute spinal cord injury Zhaozong Fu, Hai Lu, Jianming Jiang, Hui Jiang, Zhaofei Zhang 2013, 8 (5):  404-409.  doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.05.003 Abstract ( 394 )   PDF (232KB) ( 1027 )   Save Oligodendrocyte-produced Nogo-A has been shown to inhibit axonal regeneration. Methylprednisolone plays an effective role in treating spinal cord injury, but the effect of methylprednisolone on Nogo-A in the injured spinal cord remains unknown. The present study established a rat model of acute spinal cord injury by the weight-drop method. Results showed that after injury, the motor behavior ability of rats was reduced and necrotic injury appeared in spinal cord tissues, which was accompanied by increased Nogo-A expression in these tissues. After intravenous injection of high-dose methylprednisolone, although the pathology of spinal cord tissue remained unchanged, Nogo-A expression was reduced, but the level was still higher than normal. These findings implicate that methylprednisolone could inhibit Nogo-A expression, which could be a mechanism by which early high dose methylprednisolone infusion helps preserve spinal cord function after spinal cord injury. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Viability of primary cultured retinal neurons in a hyperglycemic condition Yu Liu, Xueliang Xu, Renhong Tang, Guoping Chen, Xiang Lei, Limo Gao, Wenjie Li, Yu Chen 2013, 8 (5):  410-419.  doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.05.004 Abstract ( 297 )   PDF (433KB) ( 937 )   Save The retina of Wistar rats within 1–3 days of birth were dissociated into a retinal cell suspension using 0.05% trypsin digestion. The cell suspension was incubated in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium for 24 hours, followed by neurobasal medium for 5–7 days. Nissl staining showed that 79.86% of primary cultured retinal cells were positive and immunocytochemical staining showed that the purity of anti-neurofilament heavy chain antibody-positive cells was 71.53%, indicating that the primary culture system of rat retinal neurons was a reliable and stable cell system with neurons as the predominant cell type. The primary cultured retinal neurons were further treated with 0, 5.5, 15, 25, and 35 mM glucose for 24, 48, and 72 hours. The thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide test and flow cytometry showed that with increasing glucose concentration and treatment duration, the viability of retinal neurons was reduced, and apoptosis increased. In particular, 35 mM glucose exhibited the most significant effect at 72 hours. Thus, rat retinal neurons treated with 35 mM glucose for 72 hours can be used to simulate a neuronal model of diabetic retinopathy. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Estrogen receptor beta treats Alzheimer’s disease Zhu Tian, Jia Fan, Yang Zhao, Sheng Bi, Lihui Si, Qun Liu 2013, 8 (5):  420-426.  doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.05.005 Abstract ( 271 )   PDF (254KB) ( 1027 )   Save In vitro studies have shown that estrogen receptor β can attenuate the cytotoxic effect of amyloid β protein on PC12 cells through the Akt pathway without estrogen stimulation. In this study, we aimed to observe the effect of estrogen receptor β in Alzheimer’s disease rat models established by intraventricular injection of amyloid β protein. Estrogen receptor β lentiviral particles delivered via intraventricular injection increased Akt content in the hippocampus, decreased interleukin-1β mRNA, tumor necrosis factor α mRNA and amyloid β protein levels in the hippocampus, and improved the learning and memory capacities in Alzheimer’s disease rats. Estrogen receptor β short hairpin RNA lentiviral particles delivered via intraventricular injection had none of the above impacts on Alzheimer’s disease rats. These experimental findings indicate that estrogen receptor β, independent from estrogen, can reduce inflammatory reactions and amyloid β deposition in the hippocampus of Alzheimer’s disease rats, and improve learning and memory capacities. This effect may be mediated through activation of the Akt pathway. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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An effective inducer of dopaminergic neuron-like differentiation Wenyu Fu, Cui Lv, Wenxin Zhuang, Dandan Chen, E Lv, Fengjie Li, Xiaocui Wang 2013, 8 (5):  427-434.  doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.05.006 Abstract ( 238 )   PDF (254KB) ( 790 )   Save Rat bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were cultured and passaged in vitro. After induction with basic fibroblast growth factor for 24 hours, passage 3 bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were additionally induced into dopaminergic neurons using three different combinations with basic fibroblast growth factor as follows: 20% Xiangdan injection; all-trans retinoic acid + glial-derived neurotrophic factor; or sonic hedgehog + fibroblast growth factor 8. Results suggest that the bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells showed typical neuronal morphological characteristics after induction. In particular, after treatment with sonic hedgehog + fibroblast growth factor 8, the expressions of nestin, neuron-specific enolase, microtubule- associated protein 2, tyrosine hydroxylase and vesicular monoamine transporter-2 in cells were significantly increased. Moreover, the levels of catecholamines in the culture supernatant were significantly increased. These findings indicate that Xiangdan injection, all-trans retinoic acid + glial-derived neurotrophic factor, and sonic hedgehog + fibroblast growth factor 8 can all induce dopaminergic neuronal differentiation from bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells. In particular, the efficiency of sonic hedgehog + fibroblast growth factor 8 was highest. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Brain imaging of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease Changhao Yin, Siou Li, Weina Zhao, Jiachun Feng 2013, 8 (5):  435-444.  doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.05.007 Abstract ( 216 )   PDF (101KB) ( 1492 )   Save The rapidly increasing prevalence of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease has the potential to create a major worldwide healthcare crisis. Structural MRI studies in patients with Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment are currently attracting considerable interest. It is extremely important to study early structural and metabolic changes, such as those in the hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and gray matter structures in the medial temporal lobe, to allow the early detection of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease. The microstructural integrity of white matter can be studied with diffusion tensor imaging. Increased mean diffusivity and decreased fractional anisotropy are found in subjects with white matter damage. Functional imaging studies with positron emission tomography tracer compounds enable detection of amyloid plaques in the living brain in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. In this review, we will focus on key findings from brain imaging studies in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease, including structural brain changes studied with MRI and white matter changes seen with diffusion tensor imaging, and other specific imaging methodologies will also be discussed. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Is type I alpha 2 collagen gene responsible for intracranial aneurysm in Northeast China? Pengfei Wu, Bo Li, Anhua Wu, Yunjie Wang 2013, 8 (5):  445-451.  doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.05.008 Abstract ( 222 )   PDF (232KB) ( 941 )   Save In this study, we investigated whether a single nucleotide polymorphism (rs42524 G > C) in the  type I alpha 2 collagen gene was associated with sporadic ruptured intracranial aneurysm or its clinical characteristics in patients from Northeast China. Genotyping of the rs42524 G > C polymorphism was carried out using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. The data showed that the frequency of the rs42524 GC + CC genotype was significantly higher than the GG genotype among intracranial aneurysm patients whose Hunt and Hess grading scale was > 3. In addition, the rs42524 G > C genotype was found to have a statistically significant association with intracranial aneurysm risk. These findings indicate that the type I alpha 2 collagen gene may be involved in a predisposition to intracranial aneurysm in the Northeast Chinese population. Crucially, the rs42524 C allele may be an important risk factor for increased severity of the condition in patients with ruptured intracranial aneurysms. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Working-memory training improves developmental dyslexia in Chinese children Yan Luo, Jing Wang, Hanrong Wu, Dongmei Zhu, Yu Zhang 2013, 8 (5):  452-460.  doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.05.009 Abstract ( 272 )   PDF (187KB) ( 1251 )   Save Although plasticity in the neural system underlies working memory, and working memory can be improved by training, there is thus far no evidence that children with developmental dyslexia can benefit from working-memory training. In the present study, thirty dyslexic children aged 8–11 years were recruited from an elementary school in Wuhan, China. They received working-memory training, including training in visuospatial memory, verbal memory, and central executive tasks. The difficulty of the tasks was adjusted based on the performance of each subject, and the training sessions lasted 40 minutes per day, for 5 weeks. The results showed that working-memory training significantly enhanced performance on the nontrained working memory tasks such as the visuospatial, the verbal domains, and central executive tasks in children with developmental dyslexia. More importantly, the visual rhyming task and reading fluency task were also significantly improved by training. Progress on working memory measures was related to changes in reading skills. These experimental findings indicate that working memory is a pivotal factor in reading development among children with developmental dyslexia, and interventions to improve working memory may help dyslexic children to become more proficient in reading. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Major ozonated autohemotherapy promotes the recovery of upper limb motor function in patients with acute cerebral infarction Xiaona Wu, Zhensheng Li, Xiaoyan Liu, Haiyan Peng, Yongjun Huang, Gaoquan Luo, Kairun Peng 2013, 8 (5):  461-468.  doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.05.010 Abstract ( 219 )   PDF (157KB) ( 1110 )   Save Major ozonated autohemotherapy is classically used in treating ischemic disorder of the lower limbs. In the present study, we performed major ozonated autohemotherapy treatment in patients with acute cerebral infarction, and assessed outcomes according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health Stroke Score, Modified Rankin Scale, and transcranial magnetic stimulation motor-evoked potential. Compared with the control group, the clinical total effective rate and the cortical potential rise rate of the upper limbs were significantly higher, the central motor conduction time of upper limb was significantly shorter, and the upper limb motor-evoked potential amplitude was significantly increased, in the ozone group. In the ozone group, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Score was positively correlated with the central motor conduction time and the motor-evoked potential amplitude of the upper limb. Central motor conduction time and motor-evoked potential amplitude of the upper limb may be effective indicators of motor-evoked potentials to assess upper limb motor function in cerebral infarct patients. Furthermore, major ozonated autohemotherapy may promote motor function recovery of the upper limb in patients with acute cerebral infarction. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Changes in a cerebellar peduncle lesion in a patient with Dandy-Walker malformation A diffusion tensor imaging studyChanges in a cerebellar peduncle lesion in a patient with Dandy-Walker malformation A diffusion tensor imaging study Ah Young Lee, Sung Ho Jang, Sang Seok Yeo, Ensil Lee, Yun Woo Cho, Su Min Son 2013, 8 (5):  469-473.  doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.05.012 Abstract ( 277 )   PDF (679KB) ( 917 )   Save We report a patient with severe ataxia due to Dandy-Walker malformation, who showed functional recovery over 10 months corresponding to a change in a cerebellar peduncle lesion. A 20-month-old female patient who was diagnosed with Dandy-Walker syndrome and six age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects were enrolled. The superior cerebellar peduncle, the middle cerebellar peduncle, and the inferior cerebellar peduncle were evaluated using fractional anisotropy and the apparent diffusion coefficient. The patients’ functional ambulation category was 0 at the initial visit, but improved to 2 at the follow-up evaluation, and Berg’s balance scale score also improved from 0 to 7. Initial diffusion tensor tractography revealed that the inferior cerebellar peduncle was not detected, that the fractional anisotropy of the superior cerebellar peduncle and middle cerebellar peduncle decreased by two standard deviations below, and that the apparent diffusion coefficient increased by two standard deviations over normal control values. However, on follow-up diffusion tensor tractography, both inferior cerebellar peduncles could be detected, and the fractional anisotropy of superior cerebellar peduncle increased to within two standard deviations of normal controls. The functional improvement in this patient appeared to correspond to changes in these cerebellar peduncles. We believe that evaluating cerebellar peduncles using diffusion tensor imaging is useful in cases when a cerebellar peduncle lesion is suspected. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Corticospinal tract recovery in a patient with traumatic transtentorial herniation Sang Seok Yeo, Sung Ho Jang 2013, 8 (5):  474-478.  doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.05.011 Abstract ( 206 )   PDF (208KB) ( 965 )   Save Transtentorial herniation is one of the causes of motor weakness in traumatic brain injury. In this study, we report on a patient who underwent decompressive craniectomy due to traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage. Brain CT images taken after surgery showed intracerebral hemorrhage in the left fronto-temporal lobe and left transtentorial herniation. The patient presented with severe paralysis of the right extremities at the time of intracerebral hemorrhage onset, but the limb motor function recovered partially at 6 months after onset and to nearly normal level at 27 months. Through diffusion tensor tractography, the left corticospinal tract was disrupted below the cerebral peduncle at 1 month after onset and the disrupted left corticospinal tract was reconstructed at 27 months. These findings suggest that recovery of limb motor function in a patient with traumatic transtentorial herniation can come to be true by recovery of corticospinal tract. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Instructions to Authors Neural Regeneration Research 2013, 8 (5):  479.  Abstract ( 215 )   PDF (381KB) ( 505 )   Save Neural Regeneration Research (NRR; ISSN 1673-5374) is an open-access (www.nrronline.org), peer-reviewed international journal focusing exclusively on the exciting field of neural regeneration research, with 36 issues published per year. NRR is devoted to publishing basic research, translational medicine and randomized clinical trial papers, as well as prospective reviews written by invited experts and academic discussion papers in the field of neural regeneration. NRR aims to publish timely, innovative and creative basic and clinical research with the highest standards in neural regeneration research. NRR publishes a diverse variety of topics in neural regeneration, including brain, spinal cord and peripheral nerve injury, traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture and moxibustion, stem cells, tissue engineering, inflammation, glial scar, gene therapy, biological factors, neurorehabilitation, neuroimaging, neurodegenerative diseases, neuroplasticity and neurogenesis. NRR especially encourages publication of innovative studies by young scientific scholars. In addition, high-quality experimental studies from pharmaceutical companies and medical equipment manufacturers will also be considered for publication in NRR.   NRR publishes original research, clinical studies and studies in evidence-based medicine, as well as technique and methodology papers, reviews and commentaries. Reviews and commentaries are written by invited experts. A few case reports are also published in NRR. These should provide significant novel insight and help guide basic and clinical research. Furthermore, case reports should present rare clinical cases with direct relevance to neural regeneration. For more information, please visit www.nrronline.org. NRR has excellent international coverage. Since it began publication, the jornal has been indexed by Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-E), BIOSIS Previews (BP), Chemical Abstracts (CA), Scopus, Excerpta Medica (EM), Index of Copernicus (IC), Chinese Science Citation Database, Source Periodical for Chinese Scientific and Technical Papers (English version) and OvidSP. Related Articles | Metrics