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.

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.

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.

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.

[Abstract ] Objective To investigate effect of phloretin on apoptotic of hepatoma carcinoma cells SMMC-7721, and explore its mechanisms.Methods Logarithmic phase of hepatoma carcinoma cells SMMC-7721 were cultured separately with 30, 60, 120 mg/L phloretin, morphological alterations of apoptotic were observed by phase contrast microscopy and AO/EB double fluorescence staining method was used to observe were low, medium and high concentration trentment group, respectively.the cells treated by phloretin.Apoptotic rates, cell cycle progression, mitochondrial trans-membrane potential and intracellular calcium homeostasis were detected by flow cytometry.Results Cells appeared typical apoptosis morphological alterations.Phloretin induced SMMC-7721 cell line apoptosis in a dosage and duration dependent manner.Cell cycle was arrested at G1 phase, mitochondrial trans-membrane potential decreased, intracellular free Ca2 +increased.Conclusion Phloretin induce apoptosis of SMMC-7721 by affecting cell cycle progression, reducing mitochondrial trans-membrane potential and changing intracellular calcium homeostasis.

Objective:To study the surgical skills of reconstruction of the skull base after resection of skull base tumors.Methods:Thirty-one cases of skull base reconstruction were studied.Galeo-pericranial flaps were used for anterior cranial base defects and tempero muscle flaps for the middle skull base respectively.Results:All the 31 patients with skull base tumors,underwent reconstruction of the skull base of whom,30 experienced no complications,but 1 died of CSF leak.Conclusion:Galeo-pericranial flaps and tempero muscle flaps are reliable materials for the reconstruction of the skull base.

Objective:To investigate surgical indications and operative techniques of intracranial arachnoid cysts(IAC). Methods:Thirty patients with IAC treated in Nanjing General Hospital of Nanjing Command were analyzed retrospectively.Cyst wall removal and communicated cyst with adjacent cistern or subarachnoid space was performed in 18 patients,cyst-peritoneal shunt in 8 patients,simple resection in 4 patients. Results: Follow-up CT scans after surgery showed that all cysts disappear or shrinked.Conclusion: Cyst-peritoneal shunt was indicated in recurrent cysts after resection,senile patients and infants.Microsurgery resection of the cyst is preferred in majority of the patients,removal of the cyst wall and communicating the cyst with arachnoid cistern were key procedures for preventing relapse.