Tumor cells undergoing direct lineage conversion to neurons: unnatural but useful?

Dear Editor, In 2011, Son et al. （2011） reported that the forced expression of selected transcription factors is sufficient to convert mouse and human fibroblasts into induced motor neurons （iMNs）. The authors used three factors （Ascll, Brn2, and Mytll） to convert fibroblasts into neuronal-like ceils. After confirming that the cells had neuronal morphology, but with absence of motor neuron markers, eight candidate transcription factors were added, which participate in various stages of motor neuron specification. As expected, a significant number of motor cells emerged with known characteristics of cultured embryonic motor neurons.

Neurotrophic Effect of Bone Proliferation and Committed Mesencephalic Precursors Marrow Stromal Cells on Differentiation of Ventral

OBJECTIVE To explore the potential neurotrophic effect of bone marrow stromal cells （BMSCs） on cell proliferation and committed neuronal differentiation of ventral mesencephalic precursors （VMPs） in vitro. METHODS Ventral mesencephalic precursors from Ell inbred rat embryos and BMSCs from adult rats were cultured both separately and in co-culture. After a 7-day incubation in vitro, three conditioned culture media were obtained, termed VMP or common medium, BMSC medium, and BMSC±VMP medium. Ventral mesen- cephalic precursors cells were cultured in each of these media and the effects on proliferation and VMP differentiation were assessed. The relative yield of TH± cells was calculated and compared by immunocytochemical staining. RESULTS After a 7-day culture and induction of VMPs, the total cell counts were increased by （44.13±4.75）-fold （common）, （60.63±5.25）-fold （BMSC）, and （64.00±7.63）-fold （BMSC±VMP）. The proportions of TH＋ cells were （18.76±5.20）%, （23.49±4.10）%, and （28.08± 5.42）%, respectively, with statistically significant differences among the treatment groups. CONCLUSION BMSCs release factors that promote the proliferation of VMPs and facilitate the committed differentiation of VMPs into dopaminergic neurons.

Multiple inflammatory pseudotumor formation after craniopharyngioma resection via an extended nasal endoscopic approach:A case report

BACKGROUND This report describes a case of intracranial multiple inflammatory pseudotumors(IP)after endoscopic resection of a craniopharyngioma,which is relatively rarely reported in the literature,and neurosurgeons should be aware of its existence.CASE SUMMARY Herein,we report the case of a 56-year-old man who developed decreased visual acuity and blurred vision without obvious cause or inducement on April 27,2020.To seek further treatment,he went to the Department of Neurosurgery,Clinical Medical College,Yangzhou University.After falling ill,there was no nausea,vomiting,limb convulsions,obvious disturbance of consciousness,speech disorders,cough,or persistent fever.The neurological examination findings were normal,and pituitary magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)revealed multiple nodules with abnormal signals in the sellar region.The diagnosis was craniopharyngioma.We performed total resection of the tumor via transnasal endoscopy,and the postoperative pathology suggested that the type of tumor was craniopharyngioma.Six months after the operation,the patient experienced sudden hearing loss in the right ear,tinnitus in both ears,and numbness on the right side of the face and head.Meanwhile,cranial MRI showed multiple IP.After steroid hormone and anti-inflammatory therapy,the above symptoms did not significantly improve.Finally,the patient's symptoms were well improved by surgery,and the postoperative pathological diagnosis was multiple IP.CONCLUSION Intracranial inflammatory pseudotumor is a benign disease with slow progression,but the clinical symptoms and imaging findings are not typical,there are no pathological findings,and the diagnosis is relatively difficult.Most of the cases are treated by surgical resection,and the prognosis is good after surgery.