Showing papers by "Hua Feng published in 2011"

Ginsenoside Rh2 inhibits glioma cell proliferation by targeting microRNA-128

Abstract: To examine the influence of ginsenoside Rh2 (Rh2), a triterpene saponin extracted from the traditional medicinal plant ginseng, on the expression of miRNAs in human glioma cells. The expression profile of miRNA (miR) was analyzed in human U251, T98MG and A172 glioma cells using a miRNA array and quantitative real-time PCR. Cell viability was assessed using a colorimetric assay (cell counting kit-8). Transfection of miR-128 was performed using Lipofectamine 2000. Caspase 3 activity was determined using a caspase colorimetric assay kit. Apoptosis was assessed using annexin V and propidium iodide staining. Protein expression was determined with Western blot analysis. miRNA-128 targeting activity was measured using a luciferase reporter assay. In U251 cells treated with Rh2 (12 μg/mL), 14 of 452 human miRNAs were up-regulated and 12 were down-regulated as detected with the miRNA array assay. The up-regulation of miR-128 by Rh2 was further verified in human U251, T98MG and A172 cells using quantitative real-time PCR. In U251 cells, transfection of a miR-128 inhibitor (50 nmol/L) prevented the overexpression of miR-128 by Rh2, and significantly blunted Rh2-induced cytotoxicity, apoptosis, caspase 3 activation, transcriptional activation of E2F3a, a miR-128 target gene, as well as E2F3a protein expression. The anti-proliferative effect of Rh2 in human glioma cells was mediated in part through up-regulation of miRNA-128 expression.

Immediate splenectomy decreases mortality and improves cognitive function of rats after severe traumatic brain injury.

Abstract: Background:Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major health problem all over the world. It frequently causes a considerable social burden because of its high incidence of death and long-term disability, especially in the case of severe TBI. Recent studies revealed that the spleen might contribute to s

Impaired resting-state functional integrations within default mode network of generalized tonic-clonic seizures epilepsy.

Abstract: Generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) are characterized by unresponsiveness and convulsions, which cause complete loss of consciousness. Many recent studies have found that the ictal alterations in brain activity of the GTCS epilepsy patients are focally involved in some brain regions, including thalamus, upper brainstem, medial prefrontal cortex, posterior midbrain regions, and lateral parietal cortex. Notably, many of these affected brain regions are the same and overlap considerably with the components of the so-called default mode network (DMN). Here, we hypothesize that the brain activity of the DMN of the GTCS epilepsy patients are different from normal controls, even in the resting state. To test this hypothesis, we compared the DMN of the GTCS epilepsy patients and the controls using the resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging. Thirteen brain areas in the DMN were extracted, and a complete undirected weighted graph was used to model the DMN for each participant. When directly comparing the edges of the graph, we found significant decreased functional connectivities within the DMN of the GTCS epilepsy patients comparing to the controls. As for the nodes of the graph, we found that the degree of some brain areas within the DMN was significantly reduced in the GTCS epilepsy patients, including the anterior medial prefrontal cortex, the bilateral superior frontal cortex, and the posterior cingulate cortex. Then we investigated into possible mechanisms of how GTCS epilepsy could cause the reduction of the functional integrations of DMN. We suggested the damaged functional integrations of the DMN in the GTCS epilepsy patients even during the resting state, which could help to understand the neural correlations of the impaired consciousness of GTCS epilepsy patients.

Photodynamic therapy boosts anti‐glioma immunity in mice: A dependence on the activities of T cells and complement C3

Abstract: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) involves the systemic administration of a tumor-specific photosensitizer and local irradiation of visible light, can generate highly cytotoxic molecular species in the tumor and kill malignant cells directly or by shutting down the tumor microvasculature. Collectively data show that anti-tumor immunity is an important mechanism that mediates the PDT-induced tumor-destroying effects in many types of cancers. However, it is unknown whether PDT also promotes anti-tumor immunity in gliomas in the central nervous system (CNS). Here we show that the PDT generates regional and systemic anti-tumor immunity in mice with G422 gliomas in the brain. The infiltration of immune cells and the release of inflammatory factors, such as TNF-α and IFN-γ, are increased in animals with G422 gliomas following PDT when compared with those without receiving PDT. The lymphocytes that are isolated from PDT-treated mice are able to induce anti-tumor immunity in nude mice. The anti-glioma immunity fostered by PDT is inhibited in complement C3 knockout mice and the nude mice indicate the requirement of the activities of complement C3 and T cells. Thus, T cells that produce cytokines, along with complement C3, may play crucial roles in mediating PDT-induced anti-glioma responses. J. Cell. Biochem. 112: 3035–3043, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Role of acid-sensing ion channel 1a in the secondary damage of traumatic spinal cord injury.

Abstract: Objective: To determine the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which acid-sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a) plays its role in the secondary injury after traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), and validate the neuroprotective effect of ASIC1a suppression in SCI model in vivo. Background: Secondary damage after traumatic SCI contributes to the exacerbation of cellular insult and thereby contributes to spinal cord dysfunction. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Acidosis is commonly involved in the secondary injury process after the injury of central nervous system, but whether ASIC1a is involved in secondary injury after SCI is unclear. Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to spinal contusion using a weight-drop injury approach. Western blotting and immunofluorescence assays were used to observe the change of ASIC1a expression after SCI. The TUNEL staining in vivo as well as the cell viability and death assays in spinal neuronal culture were employed to assess the role of ASIC1a in the secondary spinal neuronal injury. The electrophysiological recording and Ca(2+) imaging were performed to reveal the possible underlying mechanism. The antagonists and antisense oligonucleotide for ASIC1a, lesion volume assessment assay and behavior test were used to estimate the therapeutic effect of ASIC1a on SCI. Results: We show that ASIC1a expression is markedly increased in the periinjury zone after traumatic SCI. Consistent with the change of ASIC1a expression in injured spinal neurons, both ASIC1a-mediated whole-cell currents and ASIC1a-mediated Ca(2+) entry are significantly enhanced after injury. We also show that increased activity of ASIC1a contributes to SCI-induced neuronal death. Importantly, our results indicate that down-regulation of ASIC1a by antagonists or antisense oligonucleotide reduces tissue damage and promotes the recovery of neurological function after SCI. Conclusion: This study reveals a cellular and molecular mechanism by which ASIC1a is involved in the secondary damage process after traumatic SCI. Our results suggest that blockade of Ca(2+)-permeable ASIC1a may be a potential neuroprotection strategy for the treatment of SCI patients.

Hydrogen peroxide contributes to the manganese superoxide dismutase promotion of migration and invasion in glioma cells.

Abstract: Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) is over-expressed in most brain tumours, and high MnSOD expression is associated with poor prognosis. The mechanisms still remain largely unknown. In the present study, the elevation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) level and the enhancement of glioma migration/invasion by over-expression of MnSOD were demonstrated. Subsequent studies showed that over-expression of MnSOD significantly increased the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases (PI3Ks), including AKTs, s6-ribosomal protein, ERKs and JNKs. Over-expression of MnSOD was also associated with elevations of matrix metalloproteinases-1(MMP-1) and MMP-9 protein. The promotion of migration/invasion, activation of PI3Ks and MAPKs and up-regulation of MMPs were inhibited by the general reactive oxygen species scavenger N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), over-expression of the H2O2-detoxifying enzyme mitochondrial catalase (mCat) and specific inhibitors of AKTs or ERKs. Col...

Regional atrophy of the basal ganglia and thalamus in idiopathic generalized epilepsy

Abstract: Purpose: To determine the regional changes in the shapes of subcortical structures in idiopathic generalized epilepsy using a vertex-based analysis method. Earlier studies found that gray matter volume in the frontal, parietal, and temporal lobes is significantly altered in idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). Research has indicated that a relationship exists between the brain's subcortical structures and epilepsy. However, little is known about possible changes in the subcortical structures in IGE.

Early Brain Injury or Cerebral Vasospasm

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Enhanced angiogenesis and astrocyte activation by ecdysterone treatment in a focal cerebral ischemia rat model.

Abstract: Background and Purpose: We reported previously that ecdysterone (EDS) improves neurologic function after experimental stroke. However, the underlying mechanism remained unclear. The present study was conducted to test whether ecdysterone improves neurologic function by enhancing astrocyte activation and angiogenesis after focal cerebral ischemia in rats.

Radical treatment strategies improve the long-term outcome of recurrent atypical meningiomas.

Abstract: Background Atypical meningioma is one of the rare subtypes of meningioma, which is lacking of optimal consensus on treatment strategies. This study aimed to investigate the radical treatment strategies to improve the long-term outcome of recurrent atypical meningiomas. Methods The prognostic factors including the age and gender of patients; the location, histology, recurrence pattern and mitotic cell rate of the tumors; and the resection extents, surgical strategies and adjuvant therapies of 15 cases of recurrent atypical meningiomas were analyzed retrospectively. Results The age and gender of patients were not associated with tumor recurrence. However, high recurrence rates and poor prognosis for atypical meningiomas were associated with the high mitotic cell rate, failure to achieve Simpson grade I-II resection, and without the dura and bone flap replacement intraoperatively. Post-operative radiotherapy improved the outcomes of tumors in patients after the second surgery. Conclusion Radical treatment strategies such as dura and bone flap replacements and radiotherapy should be considered in patients diagnosed with atypical meningiomas.

PKGIα inhibits the proliferation of cerebral arterial smooth muscle cell induced by oxyhemoglobin after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to observe the proliferation of cerebral arterial smooth muscle cell (CASMC) induced by oxyhemoglobin (Oxyhb) and interfered by Adenovirus-mediate-PKGI (Ad-PKGI), and to investigate the potential regulative role of the PKGI gene in the molecule mechanism of cerebral vasospasm (CVS) after Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Tissue-sticking method was used for primary cultured rat CASMCs. Semi-quantitative reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blot were used to examine the PKGI mRNA and protein expressions after CASMC were transfected by Ad-PKG. The proliferation of CASMCs was determined by MTT assay and 3H-TdR incorporation. Ad-PKGI could be transfected into CASMCS and highly express. Oxyhemoglobin could stimulate the proliferation of CASMC; the value of 3H-TdR incorporation and the absorbance value of MTT increased and could block up after CASMC was transfected by Ad-PKG. The results suggested that the PKG signaling pathway might play an important role in CVS after SAH, and the PKG gene might be a target point of gene therapy.

Rupture of an infectious intracranial aneurysm involving two parent arteries after surgical treatment of infective endocarditis.

Abstract: Management of patients with infectious intracranial aneurysms (IIAs) who require valve replacement remains a challenge. Although there is potential risk of aneurysmal rupture associated with cardiac surgery, there have been few reported ruptures of IIAs during the perioperative period of valve replacement. We present a unique patient who suffered intracerebral hemorrhage due to rupture of an IIA 2 weeks after mitral valve replacement. This unique aneurysm is fed by 2 adjacent branches of the left middle cerebral arteries. Direct clipping of the aneurysm was successfully performed using 2 clips with preservation of the parent arteries. This case demonstrates that although it is rare, rupture of an untreated IIA might occur during the perioperative period of cardiac surgery. For patient safety, definitive treatment of unruptured IIAs is recommended before cardiac surgery, especially when long-term anticoagulation is needed after surgery.

Endovascular Embolization for Intracranial Aneurysms: Report of 162 Cases

Abstract: Objective: To summarize the experiences of endovascular embolization for intracranial aneurysms and emphatically discuss techniques, complications and preventions.

Microsurgical Treatment of Ruptured Intracranial Aneurysm: A 120-Case Analysis

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the influence of pre-operative conditions and microsurgical skill on the post-operative outcomes of intracranial aneurysms by retrospective analysis of 120 cases with microsurgical treatment.