Intraoperative ultrasound assistance in resection of intracranial meningiomas

Objective： Intracranial meningiomas, especially those located at anterior and middle skull base, are difficult to be completely resected due to their complicated anatomy structures and adjacent vessels. It＇s essential to locate the tumor and its vessels precisely during operation to reduce the risk of neurological deficits. The purpose of this study was to evaluate intraoperative ultrasonography in displaying intracranial meningioma and its surrounding arteries, and evaluate its potential to improve surgical precision and minimize surgical trauma. Methods： Between December 2011 and January 2013, 20 patients with anterior and middle skull base meningioma underwent surgery with the assistance of intraoperative ultrasonography in the Neurosurgery Department of Shanghai Huashan Hospital. There were 7 male and 13 female patients, aged from 31 to 66 years old. Their sonographic features were analyzed and the advantages of intraoperative ultrasonography were discussed. Results： The border of the rneningioma and its adjacent vessels could be exhibited on intraoperative ultrasonography. The sonographic visualization allowed the neurosurgeon to choose an appropriate approach before the operation. In addition, intraoperative ultrasonography could inform neurosurgeons about the location of the tumor, its relation to the surrounding arteries during the operation, thus these essential arteries could be protected carefully. Conclusions： Intraoperative ultrasonography is a useful intraoperative technique. When appropriately applied to assist surgical procedures for intracranial meningioma, it could offer very important intraoperative information （such as the tumor supplying vessels） that helps to improve surgical resection and therefore might reduce the postoperative morbidity.

Response of Japanese anchovy(Engraulis japonicus)to the Pacific Decadal Oscillation in the Yellow Sea over the past 400 a

Quantitative identification of long-term changes in the abundance of Japanese anchovy(Engraulis japonicus)in the Yellow Sea is particularly important for understanding evolutionary processes of the Yellow Sea ecosystem.Unfortunately,the driving mechanisms of climate variability on the anchovy are still unclear due to the lack of long-term observational data.In this study,we used the fish scale deposition rate in the central Yellow Sea to reconstruct the time series of the anchovy stock over the past 400 a.On this basis,we further explored the impacts of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation(PDO)on the anchovy.Our results show that the anchovy stock is positively correlated with the PDO on a decadal time scale.In addition,anchovy abundance was relatively high during1620–1860 AD(the Little Ice Age,LIA),though in a state of constant fluctuation;anchovy abundance maintained at a relatively low level after~1860 AD.In particular,followed by overfishing since the 1980 s,the anchovy stock has declined sharply.Based on these findings,we infer that fluctuations of the anchovy stock may be regulated by basin-scale“atmosphere–ocean”interactions.Nevertheless,the role of overfishing should not be ignored.

BCNU/PLGA microspheres:a promising strategy for the treatment of gliomas in mice

Objective：To investigate the effects of BCNU/PLGA microspheres on tumor growth,apoptosis and chemotherapy resistance in a C57BL/6 mice orthotopic brain glioma model using GL261 cell line.Methods：BCNU/PLGA sustained-release microspheres were prepared by the water-in-oil-in-water emulsion technique.GL261 cells were intracranially injected into C57BL/6 mouse by using the stereotactic technology.A total of 60 tumor-bearing mice were randomly and equally divided into three groups：untreated control,PLGA treated,BCNU/PLGA treated.Magnetic resonance imaging （MRI） was taken to evaluate tumor volume.BCNU/PLGA sustained-release wafers were implanted in the treatment group two weeks after inoculation.Survival time and quality were observed.Specimens were harvested,and immunohistochemical staining was used to check the expression of Bax,Bcl-2,and O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase （MGMT）.Statistical methods was used for analysis of relevant data.Results：BCNU/PLGA sustained-release wafers were fabricated and implanted successfully.There is statistical difference of survival time between the BCNU/PLGA treated group and control groups （P＜0.05）.MRIscan showed inhibitory effect of BCNU/PLGA on tumor growth.Compared to the group A and B,BCNU/PLGA decreased the expression of apoptosis related gene Bcl-2 （P＜0.05）,but did not elevate the expression level of Bax （P＞0.05）,with the ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 increased.For MGMT protein expression,no statistically significant change was found in treated group （P＞0.05）.Conclusions：Local implantation of BCNU/PLGA microspheres improved the survival quality and time of GL261 glioma-bearing mice significandy,inhibited the tumor proliferation,induced more cell apoptosis,and did not increase the chemotherapy resistance.

Stereopure AIMer:A Promising RNA Base-editing Tool for Monogenic Neurological Diseases

The continuous development of various gene therapies has brought new light to the treatment of genetic diseases.Among them,therapies targeting monogenic diseases are relatively progressive and promising due to the explicit and clear pathogenesis.The discovery and development of clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/associated nuclease(CRISPR/Cas)and related technologies was undoubtedly an extraordinary leap forward for gene therapy.

Current status of cell-mediated regenerative therapies for human spinal cord injury

During the past decade, significant advances have been made in refinements for regenerative therapies following human spinal cord injury （SCI）. Positive results have been achieved with different types of cells in various clinical studies of SCI. In this review, we summarize recently-completed clinical trials using cell- mediated regenerative therapies for human SCI, together with ongoing trials using neural stem cells. Specifically, clinical studies published in Chinese journals are included. These studies show that current transplantation therapies are relatively safe, and have provided varying degrees of neurological recovery. However, many obstacles exist, hindering the introduction of a specific clinical therapy, including complications and their causes, selection of the target population, and optimization of transplantation material. Despite these and other challenges, with the collaboration of research groups and strong support from various organizations, cell-mediated regenerative therapies will open new perspectives for SCI treatment.

Management strategies of marine food resources under multiple stressors with particular reference of the Yellow Sea large marine ecosystem

In this study two main management strategies are discussed:one is to develop resource conservationbased capture fisheries,and the other is to develop environmentally friendly aquaculture.During the resource recovery period,the development of environmentally friendly aquaculture should be encouraged,especially in integrated multi-trophic aquaculture,which is adaptive,efficient and sustainable.For future development and better understanding the ecosystem,it is necessary to further strengthen basic research.