The nervous system not only affects the core processes of tumors such as proliferation, metastasis and angiogenesis, but is also closely related to symptoms such as tumor-related pain and cachexia. Meanwhile, tumor cells can invade adjacent tissues through nerve pathways to induce perineural invasion, which promotes tumor development. This article reviews the research progress in role of the nervous system in tumor occurrence and development from perspectives of tumor perineural invasion, neurotrophic factors, autonomic and sensory nerves, and influence of the neuroimmune system in tumors, in order to provide new perspective and method for tumor treatment.

The nervous system not only affects the core processes of tumors such as proliferation, metastasis and angiogenesis, but is also closely related to symptoms such as tumor-related pain and cachexia. Meanwhile, tumor cells can invade adjacent tissues through nerve pathways to induce perineural invasion, which promotes tumor development. This article reviews the research progress in role of the nervous system in tumor occurrence and development from perspectives of tumor perineural invasion, neurotrophic factors, autonomic and sensory nerves, and influence of the neuroimmune system in tumors, in order to provide new perspective and method for tumor treatment.

An ultimate goal of neuroscience is to decipher the principles underlying neuronal information processing at the molecular, cellular, circuit, and system levels. The advent of miniature fluorescence microscopy has furthered the quest by visualizing brain activities and structural dynamics in animals engaged in self-determined behaviors. In this brief review, we summarize recent advances in miniature fluorescence microscopy for neuroscience, focusing mostly on two mainstream solutions - miniature single-photon microscopy, and miniature two-photon microscopy. We discuss their technical advantages and limitations as well as unmet challenges for future improvement. Examples of preliminary applications are also presented to reflect on a new trend of brain imaging in experimental paradigms involving body movements, long and complex protocols, and even disease progression and aging.

Objective To evaluated intra-articular injection of TNF-α inhibitors into the sacroiliac joint as an effective and viable alternative. Methods Sixteen patients with documented ankylosing spondylitis (AS), without steroids or disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were performed CT-guided intra-articular injections of etanercept (TNF-α antagonist) at week 0, 4 and 8 (25 mg per dose). Similarly, 20 patients with AS in the control group received systemic etanercept therapy at a dose of 50 mg per week for 8 weeks. All patients were followed up clinically and evaluated periodically. Pathological features of sacroiliitis were observed with light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Expression of cytokines in joint biopsy samples was estimated by RT-PCR. Image changes of sacroiliitis were observed by SPECT/CT and MRI. Ttest, t'tesr and χ2 Fisher's test were selected. Results All the 16 patients who received intra-articular etanercept, the mean value of radiological nuclide decrease of the SIJ ROI (region of interest) in the SPECT improved significantly after 8 weeks treatment [(1.38±0.16 vs 1.45±0.14) P<0.05] . Bone marrow edema and fat deposition in MRI were relieved significantly after 8 weeks (P<0.05). In 8 patients the expression of TNF-α and TGF-β mRNA in joint tissue decreased significantly after 8 weeks [(0.89±0.06, 0.84±0.05) vs (l.08± 0.19, 1.13±0.33) (P<0.05)]. The occurrence of gynonitis, enthesitis, chondritis, subehondral bony plate destruction, bone marrow inflammation and inflammatory cell index also decreased significantly (P<0.05). Participants given intra-articular injection showed significant clinical improvement after 8 weeks and 12 weeks treatment(P<0.01 ) in BASDAI score [(32±13) mm]. Conclusion This study has shown that intra-articular injection of etanercept in SIJ can improve joint function and quality of life. It has a satisfactory safety profile and is cost effective. This mode of treatment is most beneficial in local arthropathy of recent onset and in those patients who do not tolerate systemic etanercept therapy.