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25 April 2012, Volume 7 Issue 12 Previous Issue    Next Issue

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Icariin upregulates phosphorylated cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein levels in the hippocampus of the senescence- accelerated mouse Zhanwei Zhang, Ting Zhang, Keli Dong 2012, 7 (12):  885-890.  Abstract ( 171 )   PDF (220KB) ( 886 )   Save At 8 weeks after intragastric administration of icariin to senescence-accelerated mice (P8 strain), Morris water maze results showed that escape latency was shortened, and the number of platform crossings was increased. Immunohistochemical staining and western blot assay detected significantly increased levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein. These results suggest that icariin upregulates phosphorylated cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein levels and improves learning and memory functions in hippocampus of the senescence-accelerated mouse. Related Articles | Metrics

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Gastrodin blocks neural stem cell differentiation into glial cells mediated by kainic acid Guifang Sun, Zhihao Yuan, Boai Zhang, Yanjie Jia, Yangfei Ji, Xingrong Ma, Yu Liu, Yanru Liu, Quanqing Wen, Yanling Zhao 2012, 7 (12):  891-895.  Abstract ( 177 )   PDF (217KB) ( 865 )   Save Kainic acid can simulate excitatory amino acids in vitro. Neural stem cells, isolated from newborn Wistar rats, were cultured in vitro and exposed to 100-4 000 μM kainic acid for 7 days to induce neuronal cell differentiation, causing the number of astrocytes to be significantly increased. Treatment with a combination of 0.5 mg/L gastrodin and kainic acid also caused the number of differentiated neurons to be significantly increased compared with treatment with kainic acid alone. Experimental findings suggest that gastrodin reduces the excitability of kainic acid and induces neural stem cell differentiation into neurons. Related Articles | Metrics

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Pine pollen inhibits cell apoptosis-related protein expression in the cerebral cortex of mice with arsenic poisoning Yanhong Luo, Yaodong Wei, Taizhong Wang, Dongzhu Chen, Tiansheng Lu, Ruibo Wu, Keke Si 2012, 7 (12):  896-899.  Abstract ( 211 )   PDF (180KB) ( 808 )   Save Previous studies have demonstrated that pine pollen can inhibit cerebral cortical cell apoptosis in mice with arsenic poisoning. The present study sought to detect the influence of pine pollen on apoptosis-related proteins. Immunohistochemistry, western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were used to measure the levels of apoptosis-related proteins in the cerebral cortex of mice with arsenic poisoning. Results indicated that pine pollen suppressed cell apoptosis in the cerebral cortex of arsenic-poisoned mice by reducing Bax, Bcl-2 protein expression and increasing p53 protein expression. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Diffusion tensor imaging detects Wallerian degeneration of the corticospinal tract early after cerebral infarction Ruiman Xie, Min Fang, Linjiang Zhou, Shanghua Fan, Jianying Liu, Hongbo Quan, Man Luo, Dongying Qiu 2012, 7 (12):  900-905.  Abstract ( 197 )   PDF (377KB) ( 1071 )   Save To investigate the feasibility and time window of early detection of Wallerian degeneration in the corticospinal tract after middle cerebral artery infarction, 23 patients were assessed using magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging at 3.0T within 14 days after the infarction. The fractional anisotropy values of the affected corticospinal tract began to decrease at 3 days after onset and decreased in all cases at 7 days. The diffusion coefficient remained unchanged. Experimental findings indicate that diffusion tensor imaging can detect the changes associated with Wallerian degeneration of the corticospinal tract as early as 3 days after cerebral infarction. Related Articles | Metrics

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Magnetic resonance perfusion imaging evaluation in perfusion abnormalities of the cerebellum after supratentorial unilateral hyperacute cerebral infarction Pan Liang, Yunjun Yang, Weijian Chen, Yuxia Duan, Hongqing Wang, Xiaotong Wang 2012, 7 (12):  906-911.  Abstract ( 208 )   PDF (270KB) ( 764 )   Save Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of 10 patients with hyperacute cerebral infarction (≤ 6 hours) were retrospectively analyzed. Six patients exhibited perfusion defects on negative enhancement integral maps, four patients exhibited perfusion differences in pseudo-color on mean time to enhance maps, and three patients exhibited perfusion differences in pseudo-color on time to minimum maps. Dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced perfusion weighted imaging revealed a significant increase in region negative enhancement integral in the affected hemisphere of patients with cerebral infarction. The results suggest that dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced perfusion weighted imaging can clearly detect perfusion abnormalities in the cerebellum after unilateral hyperacute cerebral infarction. Related Articles | Metrics

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Screen-imaging guidance using a modified portable video macroscope for middle cerebral artery occlusion Xingbao Zhu, Junli Luo, Yun Liu, Guolong Chen, Song Liu, Qiangjin Ruan, Xunding Deng, Dianchun Wang, Quanshui Fan, Xinghua Pan 2012, 7 (12):  912-916.  Abstract ( 180 )   PDF (204KB) ( 820 )   Save The use of operating microscopes is limited by the focal length. Surgeons using these instruments cannot simultaneously view and access the surgical field and must choose one or the other. The longer focal length (more than 1 000 mm) of an operating telescope permits a position away from the operating field, above the surgeon and out of the field of view. This gives the telescope an advantage over an operating microscope. We developed a telescopic system using screen-imaging guidance and a modified portable video macroscope constructed from a Computar MLH-10 × macro lens, a DFK-21AU04 USB CCD Camera and a Dell laptop computer as monitor screen. This system was used to establish a middle cerebral artery occlusion model in rats. Results showed that magnification of the modified portable video macroscope was appropriate (5-20 ×) even though the Computar MLH-10 × macro lens was placed 800 mm away from the operating field rather than at the specified working distance of 152.4 mm with a zoom of 1-40 ×. The screen-imaging telescopic technique was clear, life-like, stereoscopic and matched the actual operation. Screen-imaging guidance led to an accurate, smooth, minimally invasive and comparatively easy surgical procedure. Success rate of the model establishment evaluated by neurological function using the modified neurological score system was 74.07%. There was no significant difference in model establishment time, sensorimotor deficit and infarct volume percentage. Our findings indicate that the telescopic lens is effective in the screen surgical operation mode referred to as “long distance observation and short distance operation” and that screen-imaging guidance using an modified portable video macroscope can be utilized for the establishment of a middle cerebral artery occlusion model and micro-neurosurgery. Related Articles | Metrics

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Expression profiles of microRNAs after focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats Fengguo Zhai, Xiuping Zhang, Yue Guan, Xudong Yang, Yang Li, Gaochen Song, Lixin Guan 2012, 7 (12):  917-923.  Abstract ( 208 )   PDF (307KB) ( 1384 )   Save Rat models of focal cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury were established by occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Microarray analysis showed that 24 hours after cerebral ischemia, there were nine up-regulated and 27 down-regulated microRNA genes in cortical tissue. Bioinformatic analysis showed that bcl-2 was the target gene of microRNA-384-5p and microRNA-494, and caspase-3 was the target gene of microRNA-129, microRNA-320 and microRNA-326. Real-time PCR and western blot analyses showed that 24 hours after cerebral ischemia, bcl-2 mRNA and protein levels in brain tissue were significantly decreased, while caspase-3 mRNA and protein levels were significantly increased. This suggests that following cerebral ischemia, differentially expressed microRNA-384-5p, microRNA-494, microRNA-320, microRNA-129 and microRNA-326 can regulate bcl-2 and caspase-3 expression in brain tissue. Related Articles | Metrics

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Survivin small interfering RNA suppresses glioblastoma growth by inducing cellular apoptosis Yanbo Liu, Chunming Miao, Zhenjiang Wang, Xin He, Weigao Shen 2012, 7 (12):  924-931.  Abstract ( 185 )   PDF (311KB) ( 773 )   Save A survivin small interfering RNA sequence specific for a human and mouse homogenous sequence was constructed. Survivin small interfering RNA could significantly inhibit glioma cell proliferation and induce apoptosis when it was transfected into either a human glioma cell line U251 or rat glioma C6 cells in vitro. In addition, treatment of rat orthotopic glioma models with survivin small interfering demonstrated the inhibition of glioma growth in vivo. Our experimental findings suggest that the use of RNA interference techniques to target the survivin sequence may be useful in the treatment of glioma. Related Articles | Metrics

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Gene expression by simian virus 40 large T antigen-induced medulloblastomas in mice Xiaoluan Wei, Jie Feng, Yinghe Hu 2012, 7 (12):  932-937.  Abstract ( 202 )   PDF (186KB) ( 867 )   Save Signaling pathways known to have components with mutations in human medulloblastoma include sonic hedgehog, Wnt/beta-catenin and insulin-like growth factor. Microarray analysis was applied to examine the gene expression changes in medulloblastomas of pTet-on/pTRE-SV40Tag transgenic mice. Altogether, 14 112 genes were detectable, including 152 genes with significantly different expression levels. These genes were associated with immunity, the cell cycle, signal transduction, cytoskeleton and metabolism. To further confirm the microarray data, real-time polymerase chain reactions were used to examine the expression changes of genes related to sonic hedgehog, Wnt/beta-catenin and insulin-like growth factor signal pathways. Immunohistochemistry detected insulin receptor substrate-1 in the nuclei of brain tumor tissue cells from pTet-on/pTRE-SV40Tag transgenic mice, suggesting that SV40 large T antigen may activate the insulin-like growth factor signal pathway to promote tumorigenesis. Related Articles | Metrics

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A change in injured corticospinal tract originating from the premotor cortex to the primary motor cortex in a patient with intracerebral hemorrhage Sang Seok Yeo, Sung Ho Jang 2012, 7 (12):  939-942.  Abstract ( 226 )   PDF (141KB) ( 789 )   Save Many studies have attempted to elucidate the motor recovery mechanism of stroke, but the majority of these studies focus on cerebral infarct and relatively little is known about the motor recovery mechanism of intracerebral hemorrhage. In this study, we report on a patient with intracerebral hemorrhage who displayed a change in injured corticospinal tract originating from the premotor cortex to the primary motor cortex on diffusion tensor imaging. An 86-year-old woman presented with complete paralysis of the right extremities following spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in the left frontoparietal cortex. The patient showed motor recovery, to the extent of being able to extend affected fingers against gravity and to walk independently on even ground at 5 months after onset. Diffusion tensor imaging showed that the left corticospinal tract originated from the premotor cortex at 1 month after intracerebral hemorrhage and from the left primary motor cortex and premotor cortex at 5 months after intracerebral hemorrhage. The change of injured corticospinal tract originating from the premotor cortex to the primary motor cortex suggests motor recovery of intracerebral hemorrhage. Related Articles | Metrics

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Cortical infarction of the right parietal lobe and neurogenic heart disease A report of three cases Fang Li, Yujie Jia 2012, 7 (12):  943-947.  Abstract ( 197 )   PDF (357KB) ( 1027 )   Save Three male patients were diagnosed with new cortical infarctions of the right parietal lobe on the basis of head magnetic resonance imaging; high-intensity signals indicating lesions in the right parietal lobe were noted on diffusion-weighted images at admission. Two of them presented with left hand weakness, and one exhibited left upper limb weakness. Treatment for improving blood supply to the brain was administered. One patient died suddenly because of ventricular fibrillation 3 days after admission. The other two patients had increased troponin levels and abnormal electrocardiograms, and were diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction half a month after admission. When lesions exist in field 7 of the parietal cortex (resulting in paralysis of the contralateral hand), the sympathetic center of the posterior lateral nucleus of the hypothalamus demonstrates compensatory excitement, which easily causes tachyarrhythmia and sudden death. Our experimental findings indicate that close electrocardiograph monitoring and cerebral infarction treatment should be standard procedures to predict and help prevent heart disease in patients with cerebral infarction in the right parietal lobe and left upper limb weakness as the main complaint. Related Articles | Metrics

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Hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha mediates protection of DL-3-n-butylphthalide in brain microvascular endothelial cells against oxygen glucose deprivation-induced injury Weihong Yang, Ling Li, Ruxun Huang, Zhong Pei, Songjie Liao, Jinsheng Zeng 2012, 7 (12):  948-954.  Abstract ( 202 )   PDF (381KB) ( 1053 )   Save Studies have demonstrated that DL-3-n-butylphthalide can significantly alleviate oxygen glucose deprivation-induced injury of human umbilical vein endothelial cells at least partly associated with its enhancement on oxygen glucose deprivation -induced hypoxia inducible factor-1α expression. In this study, we hypothesized that DL-3-n-butylphthalide can protect against oxygen glucose deprivation-induced injury of newborn rat brain microvascular endothelial cells by means of upregulating hypoxia inducible factor-1α expression. MTT assay and Hoechst staining results showed that DL-3-n-butylphthalide protected brain microvascular endothelial cells against oxygen glucose deprivation-induced injury in a dose-dependent manner. Western blot and immunofluorescent staining results further confirmed that the protective effect was related to upregulation of hypoxia inducible factor-1α. Real-time RT-PCR reaction results showed that DL-3-n-butylphthalide reduced apoptosis by inhibiting downregulation of pro-apoptotic gene caspase-3 mRNA expression and upregulation of apoptosis-executive protease bcl-2 mRNA expression; however, DL-3-n-butylphthalide had no protective effects on brain microvascular endothelial cells after knockdown of hypoxia inducible factor-1α by small interfering RNA. These findings suggest that DL-3-n-butylphthalide can protect brain microvascular endothelial cells against oxygen glucose deprivation-induced injury by upregulating bcl-2 expression and downregulating caspase-3 expression though hypoxia inducible factor-1α pathway. Related Articles | Metrics

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3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine upregulates p75 neurotrophin receptor protein expression in the rat brain Chaomin Wang, Zugui Peng, Weihong Kuang, Hanyu Zheng, Jiang Long, Xue Wang 2012, 7 (12):  955-959.  Abstract ( 200 )   PDF (150KB) ( 802 )   Save The p75 neurotrophin receptor, which is a member of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily,facilitates apoptosis during development and following central nervous system injury. Previous studies have shown that programmed cell death is likely involved in the neurotoxic effects of 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA), because MDMA induces apoptosis of immortalized neurons through regulation of proteins belonging to the Bcl-2 family. In the present study, intraperitoneal injection of different doses of MDMA (20, 50, and 100 mg/kg) induced significant behavioral changes, such as increased excitability, increased activity, and irritability in rats. Moreover, changes exhibited dose-dependent adaptation. Following MDMA injection in rat brain tissue, the number of apoptotic cells dose-dependently increased and p75 neurotrophin receptor expression significantly increased in the prefrontal cortex, cerebellum, and hippocampus.These findings confirmed that MDMA induced neuronal apoptosis, and results suggested that this effect was related by upregulated protein expression of the p75 neurotrophin receptor. Related Articles | Metrics