High-Resolution MRI for Evaluation of the Possibility of Successful Recanalization in Symptomatic Chronic ICA Occlusion: A Retrospective Study

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Accurate radiologic evaluation of the possibility of successful recanalization in symptomatic chronic ICA occlusion remains challenging. This study aimed to investigate the high-resolution MR imaging characteristics of symptomatic chronic ICA occlusion and their association with successful recanalization.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Consecutive patients with symptomatic chronic ICA occlusion who underwent balloon dilation plus stent implantation were identified retrospectively and divided into 2 groups: a successful recanalization group and an unsuccessful recanalization group. Clinical and high-resolution MR imaging characteristics were compared between the groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the characteristics associated with successful recanalization.

RESULTS

A total of 114 patients were included in the study. High-resolution MR imaging characteristics independently associated with unsuccessful recanalization were longer lesion length (OR, 0.41; 95% CI, 0.36-0.55; P = .009) and larger calcification volume (OR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.37-0.68; P = .002) for proximal occlusion and reversed distal ICA flow at the level of ophthalmic segment or above (OR, 0.14; 95% CI, 0.08-0.48; P = .001). Reversed distal ICA flow at the level of the petrous segment or below (OR, 4.07; 95% CI, 1.65-8.38; P = .001) and lumen area (OR, 1.13; 95% CI, 1.04-1.61; P = .002) for distal occlusion were risk factors of successful recanalization.

CONCLUSIONS

In symptomatic chronic ICA occlusion, lesion length and calcification volume (for proximal occlusion), the level of reversed distal ICA flow, and the lumen area (for distal occlusion) appear to be predictors of successful recanalization. High-resolution MR imaging can evaluate chronic ICA occlusion and help in clinical decision-making.

Alteration of plasma cytokines in patients with active epilepsy

OBJECTIVE

Emerging evidence suggests that inflammatory cytokines are involved in pathophysiology of epilepsy. However, possible interaction between the cytokines and active epilepsy remains unclear. This study aimed to interictal and postictal plasma cytokines in active epilepsy patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We enrolled 48 patients with active epilepsy and 30 healthy adults and measured postictal and interictal interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin-10 (IL-10), and interleukin-17A (IL-17A) concentrations in peripheral blood by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

We found postictal and interictal concentrations of IL-6, IL-17A, and IFN-γ were significantly elevated in epilepsy patients compared with healthy controls. There were no significant postictal and interictal alterations of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-10, and IL-17A in patients with generalized seizures compared to those with partial seizures, in carbamazepine (CBZ)-treated patients compared to valproic acid (VPA)-treated patients or in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients compared to extra-temporal lobe epilepsy (eTLE) patients. Furthermore, multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that interictal IL-17A concentration positively correlated with National Hospital Seizure Severity Scale (NHS3) scores (B=0.092, P=.007) and seizure frequency (B=0.045, P=.000). Interictal IFN-γ concentration was also showed positively correlation with seizure frequency (B=0.019, P=.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Our data suggest that postictal and interictal various inflammatory cytokines are elevated in plasma of active epilepsy patients. Furthermore, interictal IL-17A and IFN-γ may predict seizure severity.

[Effects of high-affinity nerve growth factor (NGF) receptor gene on NGF-induced differentiation of neuroblastoma cell line]

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects of transfection of high-affinity nerve growth factor receptor gene (trkA) on NGF-induced differentiation of human neuroblastoma cell line IMR-32.

METHODS

The recombinant retrovirus vector containing exogeneous trkA gene was constructed and packed by PA317 packaging cell line. The neuroblastoma cell line IMR-32 was transfected by virus containing supernatant. The transformant cell line was confirmed by Southern blot and RT-PCR techniques. The NGF was used to induce cellular differentiation of the transformant cells.

RESULTS

The trkA gene was successfully transferred and expressed in the neuroblastoma cells. After NGF treatment, the transformant cells displayed apparent neuron-like differentiation morphologically, and a slower rate of cell growth (MTT value 0.028 +/- 0.003) compared with original cell line (0.258 +/- 0.017) and empty virus transformed cell line (0.237 +/- 0.011). The cells remained in differentiated status after withdrawing the NGF from the medium. The transformant tumor cells rarely formed colonies in soft agar and failed to form tumor in nude mice.

CONCLUSION

Restoration of high-affinity NGF receptor (trkA) expression in neuroblastoma cells could induce non-reversal differentiation. The trkA might be the important factor during NGF-induced differentiation of neuroblastoma cell.

The relationship between expressions of N-myc and c-myc oncogenes in neuroblastoma: an in situ hybridization and immunocytochemical study

N-myc gene amplification is the most characteristic feature of neuroblastoma. c-myc oncogene, another member of myc gene family, plays an important role in cell proliferation and differentiation. Both of them may contribute to tumorigenesis of neuroblastoma. In this study we use the in situ hybridization and immunocytochemical methods to test the frequencies of N-myc and c-myc expressions in 20 cases of human neuroblastoma at mRNA and protein levels. The positive rates of the expression of N-myc are 90% and 100% detected by in situ hybridization and immunocytochemical methods respectively. The positive rates of c-myc are 80% and 85% respectively. Sixty percent of the 20 specimens tested by in situ hybridization and 55% by immunocytochemistry show an inverse relationship between the expressions of these two oncogenes and this may indicate that there are different gene expression controlling mechanisms in different cases.

[Effects of antisense N-myc gene on nerve growth factor-induced differentiation of neuroblastoma cell line]

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of antisense N-myc gene transfection on nerve growth factor-induced differentiation of neuroblastoma cell line.

METHODS

Recombinant retroviral vector expressing antisense N-myc gene was constructed. Using the Transfectam Reagent, the recombinant vector was transduced into the human neuroblastoma cell line, IMR-32/NGFR, which was previously transfected by nerve growth factor receptor gene. The transformant cell line expressing antisense N-myc was established and studied by single chain RNA probe hybridization, immunocytochemistry, and nerve growth factor treatment to see whether nerve growth factor can induce differentiation in this transformant cell line and inhibition of N-myc expression. The TUNEL technique and electromicroscopy were used to detect apoptosis of the tumor cells.

RESULTS

The cell line transduced by antisense N-myc expressed much less amount of N-myc both on mRNA and protein levels. After nerve growth factor treatment, remarkable morphological differentiation appeared in these cells. Apoptosis was also enhanced in these cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Antisense N-myc transfection could specifically inhibit the expression of N-myc and promoted the nerve growth factor-induced differentiation of neuroblastoma cell line. Transfection of antisense N-myc could also enhance the process of apoptosis of the tumor cells.

[Detection of MDM 2 and p 53 genes in rhabdomyosarcoma by in situ hybridization]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the correlation between MDM2, p53 genes and the pathogenesis, clinical pathology and prognosis in rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS).

METHODS

Thirty one cases of MRS with follow-up history were covered for this study. MDM2 and p53 genes were detected by digoxigenin labeling in situ hybridization-technique.

RESULTS

The positive rates for MDM2 and p53 genes were 77.4% (24/31) and 66.7% (21/31) respectively, regardless of age, sex and the histological typing of RMS, but there was remarkable difference in the positive rates and intensity between the well and poorly differentiated cases, metastatic and non-metastatic cases as well as one year and three years survival period (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The detection of MDM2 and p53 gene is considered valuable in evaluating the malignant degree, predictable metastasis and prognosis of RMS.

[Alterations of MDM2 and p53 genes in bone tumors]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the frequency of MDM2 and p53 genes and their possible role in the pathogenesis and development in bone tumors.

METHODS

Digoxigenin labeling in situ hybridization technique was used to investigate the expression of MDM2 and p53 in 38 cases of bone tumors, including 12 osteosarcomas, 10 chondrosarcomas, 14 giant cell tumors of bone and 2 chondroblastomas. The relationship between MDM2 and p53 expressions was analyzed.

RESULTS

The positive rates for MDM2 in osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma and giant cell tumor of bone were 41.7%, 50.0% and 35.7%, while those for p53 were 58.3%, 40.0% and 21.4%, respectively. The two cases of chondroblastoma showed both MDM2 and p53 overexpression. There was a striking association between MDM2 and p53 overexpressions.

CONCLUSION

MDM2 and p53 alterations are frequent events in bone tumors and may be involved in tumorigenesis or tumor progression in bone tumors.

[Studies on gene expression of bcl-2 and its correlation with tumor cell apoptosis as well as expression of p16 in human neuroblastoma]

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate the relationship between bcl-2 gene expression and the frequency of apoptosis of tumor cells, and study the expression of p16 tumor suppressor gene in neuroblastoma.

METHODS

In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry methods were used to study the frequencies of expression of bcl-2 and p16 genes in 20 cases of neuroblastoma. Meanwhile, an in situ apoptotic cell detection method was adopted to detect the apoptotic cells in these tumors, and the number of apoptotic cells was compared with the bcl-2 gene expression in each case.

RESULTS

In situ hybridization revealed that the positive frequencies of both bcl-2 and p16 gene expression in 20 neuroblastoma specimens were 95%, and the expression rates at the protein level of these 2 gene products as detected by immunohistochemistry were both 100%. There was no significant difference between the positive rates obtained by these 2 methods. Comparing the bcl-2 expression and apoptotic cell number in these specimens, we found that the apoptotic cell number increased as the level of bcl-2 expression decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

The bcl-2 gene was expressed in most of human neuroblastomas. The reverse correlation of bcl-2 expression and tumor cell apoptosis further confirms that bcl-2 as an important gene inhibiting cell apoptosis may indirectly promote the carcinogenesis of neuroblastoma. It seems that there was no significant loss of p16 gene expression in these cases.