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15 May 2013, Volume 8 Issue 14 Previous Issue    Next Issue

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Neurological function following intra-neural injection of fluorescent neuronal tracers in rats Wen Hu, Dan Liu, Yanping Zhang, Zhongyi Shen, Tianwen Gu2, Xiaosong Gu, Jianhui Gu 2013, 8 (14):  1253-1261.  doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.14.001 Abstract ( 313 )   PDF (432KB) ( 1098 )   Save Fluorescent neuronal tracers should not be toxic to the nervous system when used in long-term labeling. Previous studies have addressed tracer toxicity, but whether tracers injected into an intact nerve result in functional impairment remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we examined the functions of motor, sensory and autonomic nerves following the application of 5% Fluoro-Gold, 4% True Blue and 10% Fluoro-Ruby (5 μL) to rat tibial nerves via pressure injection. A set of evaluation methods including walking track analysis, plantar test and laser Doppler perfusion imaging was used to determine the action of the fluorescent neuronal tracers. Additionally, nerve pathology and ratio of muscle wet weight were also observed. Results showed that injection of Fluoro-Gold significantly resulted in loss of motor nerve function, lower plantar sensibility, increasing blood flow volume and higher neurogenic vasodilatation. Myelinated nerve fiber degeneration, unclear boundaries in nerve fibers and high retrograde labeling efficacy were observed in the Fluoro-Gold group. The True Blue group also showed obvious neurogenic vasodilatation, but less severe loss of motor function and degeneration, and fewer labeled motor neurons were found compared with the Fluoro-Gold group. No anomalies of motor and sensory nerve function and no myelinated nerve fiber degeneration were observed in the Fluoro-Ruby group. Experimental findings indicate that Fluoro-Gold tracing could lead to significant functional impairment of motor, sensory and autonomic nerves, while functional impairment was less severe following True Blue tracing. Fluoro-Ruby injection appears to have no effect on neurological function. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Nanoparticles carrying neurotrophin-3-modified Schwann cells promote repair of sciatic nerve defects Haibin Zong, Hongxing Zhao, Yilei Zhao, Jingling Jia, Libin Yang, Chao Ma, Yang Zhang, Yuzhen Dong 2013, 8 (14):  1262-1268.  doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.14.002 Abstract ( 221 )   PDF (210KB) ( 1013 )   Save Schwann cells and neurotrophin-3 play an important role in neural regeneration, but the secretion of neurotrophin-3 from Schwann cells is limited, and exogenous neurotrophin-3 is inactived easily in vivo. In this study, we have transfected neurotrophin-3 into Schwann cells cultured in vitro using nanoparticle liposomes. Results showed that neurotrophin-3 was successfully transfected into Schwann cells, where it was expressed effectively and steadily. A composite of Schwann cells transfected with neurotrophin-3 and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) biodegradable conduits was transplanted into rats to repair 10-mm sciatic nerve defects. Transplantation of the composite scaffold could restore the myoelectricity and wave amplitude of the sciatic nerve by electrophysiological examination, promote nerve axonal and myelin regeneration, and delay apoptosis of spinal motor neurons. Experimental findings indicate that neurotrophin-3 transfected Schwann cells combined with bridge grafting can promote neural regeneration and functional recovery after nerve injury. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Comparison of viscoelasticity between normal human sciatic nerve and amniotic membrane Donghui Xu, Conghai Zhao, Huili Ma, Jun Wei, Dongyuan Li 2013, 8 (14):  1269-1275.  doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.14.003 Abstract ( 215 )   PDF (208KB) ( 897 )   Save Sciatic nerve tissue was obtained from the gluteus maximus muscle segment of normal human cadavers and amniotic membrane tissue was obtained from healthy human puerperant placentas. Both tissues were analyzed for their stress relaxation and creep properties to determine suitability for transplantation applications. Human amniotic membrane and sciatic nerve tissues had similar tendencies for stress relaxation and creep properties. The stress value of the amniotic membrane stress relaxation group decreased to a greater extent compared with the sciatic nerve stress relaxation group. Similarly, the stress value of the amniotic membrane creep group increased to a greater extent compared with the sciatic nerve creep group. The stress relaxation curve for human amniotic membrane and sciatic nerve showed a logarithm correlation, while the creep curve showed an exponential correlation. These data indicate that amniotic membrane tissue has better stress relaxation and creep properties compared with sciatic nerve tissue. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Changes of brain gray matter structure in Parkinson’s disease patients with dementia Jianguo Xia, Jinlin Miu, Hongbin Ding, Xiuping Wang, Hua Chen, Juan Wang, Juan Wu, Jingli Zhao, Huanxin Huang, Weizhong Tian 2013, 8 (14):  1276-1285.  doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.14.004 Abstract ( 207 )   PDF (382KB) ( 956 )   Save Voxel-based morphometry is gaining considerable interest for studies examining Parkinson’s disease dementia patients. In this study, 12 patients with clinically defined Parkinson’s disease and dementia and 12 non-demented patients with Parkinson’s disease were examined using a T1WI three-dimensional fast spoiled gradient echo sequence. Gray matter data were analyzed using a voxel-based morphometry method and independent sample t-test based on Statistical Parametric Mapping 5 software. Differences in gray matter volume were represented with statistical parametric mapping. Compared with Parkinson’s disease patients without dementia, decreased gray matter volume in Parkinson’s disease dementia patients was observed in the bilateral superior temporal gyrus, bilateral posterior cingulate and left cingulate gyrus, right parahippocampal gyrus and hippocampus, right precuneus and right cuneus, left inferior frontal gyrus and left insular lobe. No increased gray matter volume was apparent. These data indicate that gray matter atrophy in the limbic system and cerebral neocortex is related to the presence of dementia. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Olfactory ensheathing cell transplantation for spinal cord injury Zikuan Leng, Xijing He, Haopeng Li, Dong Wang, Kai Cao 2013, 8 (14):  1286-1296.  doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.14.005 Abstract ( 222 )   PDF (245KB) ( 1111 )   Save OBJECTIVE: Olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC) transplantation is a promising new approach for the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI), and an increasing number of scientific publications are devoted to this treatment strategy. This bibliometric analysis was conducted to assess global research trends in OEC transplantation for SCI. DATA SOURCE: All of the data in this study originate from the Web of Science maintained by the Institute for Scientific Information, USA, and includes SCI-EXPANDED, SSCI, A&HCI, CPCI-S, CPCI-SSH, BKCI-S, BKCI-SSH, CCR-EXPANDED and IC. The Institute for Scientific Information’s Web of Science was searched using the keywords “olfactory ensheathing cells” or “OECs” or “olfactory ensheathing glia” or “OEG” or “olfactory ensheathing glial cells” or “OEGs” and “spinal cord injury” or “SCI” or “spinal injury” or “spinal transection” for literature published from January 1898 to May 2012. DATA SELECTION: Original articles, reviews, proceedings papers and meeting abstracts, book chapters and editorial materials on OEC transplantation for SCI were included. Simultaneously, unpublished literature and literature for which manual information retrieval was required were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: All selected literatures addressing OEC transplantation for SCI were evaluated in the following aspects: publication year, document type, language, author, institution, times cited, Web of Science category, core source title, countries/territories and funding agency. RESULTS: In the Web of Science published by the Institute for Scientific Information, the earliest literature record was in April, 1995. Four hundred and fourteen publications addressing OEC transplantation for SCI were added to the data library in the past 18 years, with an annually increasing trend. Of 415 records, 405 publications were in English. Two hundred and fifty-nine articles ranked first in the distribution of document type, followed by 141 reviews. Thirty articles and 20 reviews, cited more than 55 times by the date the publication data were downloaded by us, can be regarded as the most classical references. The journal Experimental Neurology published the most literature (32 records), followed by Glia. The United States had the most literature, followed by China. In addition, Yale University was the most productive institution in the world, while The Second Military Medical University contributed the most in China. The journal Experimental Neurology published the most OEC transplantation literature in the United States, while Neural Regeneration Research published the most in China. CONCLUSION: This analysis provides insight into the current state and trends in OEC transplantation for SCI research. Furthermore, we anticipate that this analysis will help encourage international cooperation and teamwork on OEC transplantation for SCI to facilitate the development of more effective treatments for SCI. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Differentiation renders susceptibility to excitotoxicity in HT22 neurons Minchao He, Jun Liu, Shaowu Cheng, Yigang Xing, William Z Suo 2013, 8 (14):  1297-1306.  doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.14.006 Abstract ( 789 )   PDF (272KB) ( 1805 )   Save HT22 is an immortalized mouse hippocampal neuronal cell line that does not express cholinergic and glutamate receptors like mature hippocampal neurons in vivo. This in part prevents its use as a model for mature hippocampal neurons in memory-related studies. We now report that HT22 cells were appropriately induced to differentiate and possess properties similar to those of mature hippocampal neurons in vivo, such as becoming more glutamate-receptive and excitatory. Results showed that sensitivity of HT22 cells to glutamate-induced toxicity changed dramatically when comparing undifferentiated with differentiated cells, with the half-effective concentration for differentiated cells reducing approximately two orders of magnitude. Moreover, glutamate-induced toxicity in differentiated cells, but not undifferentiated cells, was inhibited by the N-methyl-D- aspartate receptor antagonists MK-801 and memantine. Evidently, differentiated HT22 cells expressed N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, while undifferentiated cells did not. Our experimental findings indicated that differentiation is important for immortalized cell lines to render post-mitotic neuronal properties, and that differentiated HT22 neurons represent a better model of hippocampal neurons than undifferentiated cells. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Anti-epileptic effects of neuropeptide Y gene transfection into the rat brain Changzheng Dong, Wenqing Zhao, Wenling Li, Peiyuan Lv, Xiufang Dong 2013, 8 (14):  1307-1315.  doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.14.007 Abstract ( 227 )   PDF (288KB) ( 945 )   Save Neuropeptide Y gene transfection into normal rat brain tissue can provide gene overexpression, which can attenuate the severity of kainic acid-induced seizures. In this study, a recombinant adeno-associated virus carrying the neuropeptide Y gene was transfected into brain tissue of rats with kainic acid-induced epilepsy through stereotactic methods. Following these transfections, we verified overexpression of the neuropeptide Y gene in the epileptic brain. Electroencephalograms showed that seizure severity was significantly inhibited and seizure latency was significantly prolonged up to 4 weeks after gene transfection. Moreover, quantitative fluorescent PCR and western blot assays revealed that the mRNA and protein expression of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits NR1, NR2A, and NR2B was inhibited in the hippocampus of epileptic rats. These findings indicate that neuropeptide Y may inhibit seizures via down-regulation of the functional expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Glycolysis in energy metabolism during seizures Heng Yang, Jiongxing Wu, Ren Guo, Yufen Peng, Wen Zheng, Ding Liu, Zhi Song 2013, 8 (14):  1316-1326.  doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.14.008 Abstract ( 227 )   PDF (215KB) ( 1066 )   Save Studies have shown that glycolysis increases during seizures, and that the glycolytic metabolite lactic acid can be used as an energy source. However, how lactic acid provides energy for seizures and how it can participate in the termination of seizures remains unclear. We reviewed possible mechanisms of glycolysis involved in seizure onset. Results showed that lactic acid was involved in seizure onset and provided energy at early stages. As seizures progress, lactic acid reduces the pH of tissue and induces metabolic acidosis, which terminates the seizure. The specific mechanism of lactic acid-induced acidosis involves several aspects, which include lactic acid-induced inhibition of the glycolytic enzyme 6-diphosphate kinase-1, inhibition of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, activation of the acid-sensitive 1A ion channel, strengthening of the receptive mechanism of the inhibitory neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid, and changes in the intra- and extracellular environment. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Activities of daily living and lesion position among multiple sclerosis patients by Bayes network Zhifang Pan, Hongtao Lu, Qi Cheng 2013, 8 (14):  1327-1336.  doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.14.009 Abstract ( 206 )   PDF (204KB) ( 943 )   Save Magnetic resonance imaging is a highly sensitive approach for diagnosis of multiple sclerosis, and T2-weighted images can reveal lesions in the cerebral white matter, gray matter, and spinal cord. However, the lesions have a poor correlation with measurable clinical disability. In this study, we performed a large-scale epidemiological survey of 238 patients with multiple sclerosis in eleven districts by network member hospitals in Shanghai, China within 1 year. The involved patients were scanned for position and size of lesions by MRI. Results showed that lesions in the cerebrum, spinal cord, or supratentorial position had an impact on the activities of daily living in multiple sclerosis patients, as assessed by the Bayes network. On the other hand, brainstem lesions were very unlikely to influence the activities of daily living, and were not associated with the position of lesion, patient’s gender, and patient’s living place. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Differences in individual susceptibility affect the development of trigeminal neuralgia Yusuf Kurtuluş Duransoy, Mesut Mete, Emrah Akçay, Mehmet Selçuki 2013, 8 (14):  1337-1342.  doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-5374.2013.14.010 Abstract ( 230 )   PDF (233KB) ( 933 )   Save Trigeminal neuralgia is a syndrome due to dysfunctional hyperactivity of the trigeminal nerve, and is characterized by a sudden, usually unilateral, recurrent lancinating pain arising from one or more divisions of the nerve. The most accepted pathogenetic mechanism for trigeminal neuralgia is compression of the nerve at its dorsal root entry zone or in its distal course. In this paper, we report four cases with trigeminal neuralgia due to an unknown mechanism after an intracranial intervention. The onset of trigeminal neuralgia after surgical interventions that are unrelated to the trigeminal nerve suggests that in patients with greater individual susceptibility, nerve contact with the vascular structure due to postoperative pressure and changes in cerebrospinal fluid flow may cause the onset of pain. References | Related Articles | Metrics