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Objective: We performed a meta-analysis to estimate the association between IL-13 gene rs20541 (R130Q) polymorphism and the susceptibility of glioma. Patients and Methods: Potentially eligible studies published before February 1, 2016 were searched in 4 databases including PubMed, EMBASE, EBSCO, and Ovid. Odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were used to estimate the strength of relationship between the IL-13 gene rs20541 polymorphism and glioma susceptibility. Stata 11.0 software was used to perform the present meta-analysis. Results: In total, 10 case-control studies with 13 datasets including 3,123 cases and 5,390 controls were identified. A significant increase in glioma susceptibility was found in the dominant model (AA + AG vs. GG: OR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.01-1.29; P = 0.031). Significantly decreasing glioma susceptibility was found for Asians in the heterozygote comparison (AG vs. GG: OR = 0.74, 95% CI 0.55-0.99; P = 0.042) and the allele contrast genetic model (A vs. G: OR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.47-0.96; P = 0.028). By contrast, in Caucasians, a significant increase in glioma susceptibility was found in the dominant model (AA + AG vs. GG: OR = 1.25, 95% CI 1.11-1.41; P = 0.000). Conclusion: There may be a weak association between the IL-13 gene rs20541 polymorphism and glioma susceptibility, and the associations may be different between ethnicities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of this study was to assessed the ability of a combination treatment of bone marrow stromal cell (BMSC) and atorvastatin in a rat model of spinal cord injury (SCI) as an appropriate substitute for current SCI treatments. In the present study, the female Wistar rats were divided into five groups (n = 20) after SCI by New York University Device: SCI, sham, atorvastatin, graft BMSC and graft BMSC plus atorvastatin. Locomotion was assessed using Basso, Beattie and Bresnahan (BBB) test and walking test after SCI. In addition, microvessel density (MVD) was calculated by immunohistochemistry after SCI. We also investigate the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression level by western blot after drug treatment. The results showed that BBB scores and walking test were increased in atorvastatin plus BMSC group compared to single atorvastatin and BMSC groups (P < 0.05). In addition, MVD also significantly increased in combination group compared to single treatment group. Compared to sole drug, VEGF and BDNF expression were significantly up-regulated in atorvastatin combination with BMSC group (P < 0.05). These results imply that the combined use of atorvastatin and BMSC treatment may represent a promising strategy for clinically applicable pharmacological therapy for initiation of neuroprotection after SCI.

Fasudil is believed to be at least equally effective as nimodipine for the prevention of cerebral vasospasm and subsequent ischemic injury in patients undergoing surgery for subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We report the final results of a randomized, open trial to compare the efficacy and safety of fasudil with nimodipine. A total of 63 patients undergoing surgery for SAH received fasudil and 66 received nimodipine between 1998 and 2004. Symptomatic vasospasm, low density areas on computed tomography (CT), clinical outcomes, and adverse events were all recorded, and the results were compared between the fasudil and nimodipine groups. Absence of symptomatic vasospasm, occurrence of low density areas associated with vasospasm on CT, and occurrence of adverse events were similar between the two groups. The clinical outcomes were more favorable in the fasudil group than in the nimodipine group (p = 0.040). The proportion of patients with good clinical outcome was 74.5% (41/55) in the fasudil group and 61.7% (37/60) in the nimodipine group. There were no serious adverse events reported in the fasudil group. The present results suggest that fasudil is equally or more effective than nimodipine for the prevention of cerebral vasospasm and subsequent ischemic injury in patients undergoing surgery for SAH.

Objective: To discuss the primary experience and possibility of direct transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma resection under endoscopic assistance., Methods: From March 2000 to March 2001, 22 patients with pituitary adenoma were treated by direct transsphenoidal pituitary adenoma surgery under endoscope. During direct transsphenoidal approach, no incision of the nasal mucosa was made without the dissection of the nasal septum and median nasal conchae. Under endoscopic assistance, the anterior wall of the sphnoidal sinus and sellae base was opened directly and adenoma resection was performed., Results: All the patients were followed up for 1 approximately 12 months. The increased hormone level in 17 patients were decreased to normal postoperatively. By postoperative MRI detection, adenomas in 15 patients were removed completely, but part of the adenomas were left in the carvernous sinuses in 7 patients. Temporary diabetes insipidus was observed in 4 patients., Conclusions: The direct transsphenoidal approach in pituitary adenoma resection under endoscopic assistance is time saving, and safe, with good exposure of operative field. The injury to the patient and postoperative reaction are less. The effects were satisfactory without severe complications.