Magnetic resonance spectroscopy(MRS)is a non-invasive technique permitting in vivo determination of biochemical parameters within brain tissue. This paper reviewed MR spectroscopic studies performed on patients with central nervous system tumors and discussed the impact of such studies on the tumor diagnosis and management.

Microdialysis, a technique for sampling the biochemical substances of extracellular fluid in vivo, has been widely utilized for physiological, pharmacological and pathological research. The principles and methodology of microdialysis and its applications in neurointensive care was reviewed.

Positron emission tomography,a kind of functional imaging technology might reflect tissue metabolism,and had become an important tool in oncologic study.Radiolabelled glucose,amino acid and ligand are commonly used as PET tracer in meningioma diagnosis.Various tracers reproduce different aspects of meningioma metabolism,while meningioma proliferation rate closely related to functional activity.PET could give us information on meningioma biologic characters in vivo atraumatically.As a functional imaging technology,PET had shown incomparable advantage in differential diagnosis of meningioma,and monitoring therapeutic response of meningioma.

Nuclear factor erythroid2-related factor 2(Nrf2) is an important protective transcription factor that generally exists in various organisms and cellules.Normally,it is sequestered in the cytoplasm.Environmental stress can activate its signal factor,lead to its nuclear translocation,and enhance the anti-oxidation,deintoxication and anti-apoptosis function of the organism,for which the Nrf2-antioxidant response element(Nrf2-ARE) signaling pathway is one of the most important protective ones.This article updates the cytoprotective effect of Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway.

The matrix metalloproteinases(MMP) are important enzymes that regulate developmental processes,maintain normal physiology in adulthood and have reparative roles in specific stages after an insult to the nervous system.Conversely,the concordant presence and significant up-regulation of several MMP members in virtually all neurological conditions result in pathological lesions.Thus,the MMPs have double functions,capable of mediating repair and recovery on the one hand and being involved in producing injury on the other.This article highlights the beneficial roles of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in normal and reparative processes within the nervous system and discusses the detriments of both encountered in spinal cord injury and central nervous system cancers,and we also review the availability of MMP inhibitors for clinical use.

Magnetic resonance diffusion imaging contrasts by water molecule diffusion,reflecting water diffusion status.Owing to the unique mechanism,diffusion imaging is sensitive to anatomic alteration of fiber tract and becomes an important technique in the detection of diffuse axonal injury.Diffusion-weighted imaging shows DAI lesion via emphasizing diffusion composition,diffusion tensor imaging is more sensitive to diffusion anisotropy of the lesion,and fiber tractography can directly demonstrate fiber disruption.MR-diffusion imaging not only improves conspicuity of DAI,but also has grading and prognostic value.

Objective To evaluate and compare the therapeutic effects of suprapubic transvesical prostatectomy (SPPC), Madigan prostatectomy (MPC) and transurethral electrovaporization ablation prostatectomy (TUVP) for the treatments of symptomatic BPH. Methods 216 symptomatic BPH patients randomly underwent SPPC(n=87), MPC(n=45) or TUVP(n=84) respectively and their therapeutic effects were evaluated. Results There are significant improvements in symptoms and physical signs in each group after operation. The morbidity rates of post-operative complications in SPPC,MPC and TUVP were 31 0%,11 1%,13 1% respectvely. SPPC group showed the longest average operative time and the most blood loss, both of which were the least in TUVP group. Conclusions SPPC was the most effective among the three procedures, but the trauma of SPPC to the patient was the most. Complication of MPC was the least. TUVP was the safest procedure with the least injury.

Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of removable partial denture combined with composite resin veneer on occlusal reconstruction for aged patients with dentition defects,and discuss the critical steps of operation.Methods From Mar.2002 to May 2003,16 outpatients with Kennedy 1 type dentition defects with severe anterior attrition were selected.The distal extension removable partial denture(RPD) was used to reestablish the occlusal vertical dimension.The anterior teeth were bonded with the light-cured composite resin based on removable partial denture.The therapeutic effects for all the patients were assessed at 3-month,2-year and 4-year follow-up after treatment.Composite resin restorations were evaluated with modified USPHS criteria,and removable partial denture were assessed by routine examination and subjective questionnaire.Results After 4 years of observation,all prosthesis remained in good condition.The masticatory ability was increased than ever before and the patients were satisfactory with the esthetic appearance of dentures.The remaining rate of light-cured composite resin was 85.7% 4 years after reconstruction,fulfilling the requirements of esthetics and function.Meanwhile,the dental structure could be preserved and the unsatisfactory appearance of removable partial denture was improved by light-cured composite resin.Conclusions The dentition defects of aged people may be effectively restored by combined application of removable partial denture and composite resin veneer.This treatment has many advantagcs,including less trauma,economy and satisfactory in esthetics,and besides,it may better preserve the dental structure.This treatment is well accepted by aged patients,so it is worthy to do further clinical study.

Objective To investigate the effects of IFN ? and Somatostatin analog octreotide (SMS) on hormone secretion by cultured human GH secreting pituitary adenomas.Methods Each cultured GH secreting pituitary adenoma cells were equally distributed to culture tube and divided into 4 groups: control, IFN ?, SMS, and IFN ?+SMS. Different drugs were added into different groups. The hormone secretion in each group were detected after 2 and 4 days' incubation.Results After 2 and 4 days' incubation with IFN ?(100 IU/ml) GH secretion was significantly inhibited in 6 of 10 and 7 of 10 pituitary adenoma cultures ,reduced by 22%～54% and 30%～61% vs control ( P

Objective To investigate the proliferative and apoptotic effects of phloretin on gastric cancer cell andthe possible mechanisms. Methods SGC-7901 were treated with different concentrations of phloretin(40,80,160 mg/L), and the cell morphological alterations were detected by using Hoechst33258 staining, cell activity were detected by MTT assay, cell apoptosis, cell cycle progression, mitochondrial trans-membrane potential and intracellular calcium homeostasis were detected by flow cytometry.ResuIts After treated with different concentrations of phloretin at different times, SGC-7901 cell showed morphological alterations.Phloretin could inhibite the proliferation of SGC-7901 cell line, and induced its apoptosis in a dosage and duration dependent manner.Cell cycle was arrested at G1 phase, mitochondrial trans-membrane potential dropped, intracellular free Ca2 +increased.ConcIusion phloretin can induce apoptosis of SGC-7901 via arresting cell cycle progression, reducing mitochondrial trans-membrane potential and disturbing intracellular calcium homeostasis.