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Biomedical subjects

Ning Cai

Publications and source records attributed to Ning Cai.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

BDNF: a missing link between sympathetic dysfunction and inflammatory disease?

Nerve growth factor (NGF) plays a role in sympathetic neuron integrity and survival. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) also has trophic effects on sympathetic neurons. We report here the serendipitous finding that co-treatment of hippocampus with BDNF and the NGF antagonist TrkA-Fc leads to perivascular inflammation and marked vasoconstriction. This effect is not observed with either reagent alone or in combination with other control proteins. Because NGF supports sympathetic neuron health, we tested the hypothesis that BDNF combined with sympathetic compromise caused this effect. Superior cervical ganglia were removed bilaterally with concurrent BDNF infusion into hippocampus. Perivascular inflammation was observed at 3 days, but not 12 days post treatment, when sympathetic terminals had receded, suggesting that the presence of these terminals was necessary for inflammation. Since sympathetic dysfunction may lead to compensatory overactivity of norepinephrine (NE) signaling, we co-infused BDNF with NE in the hippocampus and observed perivascular inflammation. In humans, sympathetic overactivity has been reported in a variety of vascular diseases. Some of these diseases, e.g. primary Raynaud's, are not accompanied by serious inflammatory disease whereas others, such as scleroderma and systemic lupus, are. We speculate that BDNF may contribute to the transformation of sympathetic dysfunction to inflammatory disease.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Mammary carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells: a study of four cases and a review of literature.

Mammary carcinoma with osteoclast-like giant cells (OGCs) is an extremely rare tumor. To the best of our knowledge, only 45 cases have been reported in the literature. Here we report four additional cases of this tumor. The fine-needle aspiration cytology was performed in all four cases, showing an abundance of giant cells and mononucleated stromal cells in intimate association with low- or medium-grade malignant epithelial clusters. Histologically, cribriform patterns predominated in three cases. In one case, OGCs were more pronounced in the vicinity of ductal carcinoma in situ accompanied by marked stromal angiogenesis. This study, as well as review of the literature, underlines the characteristic features of this rare histologic type of carcinoma.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

VEGF-mediated inflammation precedes angiogenesis in adult brain.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) has been shown to induce angiogenesis when infused continuously into adult rat brain tissue. In addition, VEGF has been shown to enhance permeability in brain vasculature. Adult rats were continuously infused with mouse VEGF into neocortex for up to 7 days. We studied the development of VEGF-induced vasculature in rat neocortex and evaluated the temporal expression of a wide variety of markers for inflammation and vascular leak in relation to the angiogenic response using immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. We report here that VEGF-mediated inflammation in brain is characterized by upregulation of ICAM-1 and the chemokine MIP-1alpha, as well as a preferential extravasation of monocytes. VEGF causes a dramatic breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, which is characterized by decreased investment of the vasculature with astroglial endfeet. Perivascular cells, in contrast, increase around the newly formed cerebrovasculature. In addition, breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, leukocyte extravasation, and extracellular matrix deposition occur before vascular proliferation. Furthermore, administration of low doses of VEGF induces permeability and inflammation without appreciable vascular proliferation.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

A report of primary brain fibrosarcoma with literature review.

Primary fibrosarcoma of the central nervous system (CNS) is an extremely rare tumor. To the best of our knowledge, only 40 cases have been reported in the literature. We document such a case in a 9-year-old child who presented with a short history of headache and vomiting. A mass was completely removed and histologic examination revealed a primary fibrosarcoma with features resembling solitary fibrous tumor, meningioma, and malignant fibrous histiocytoma. In addition, the tumor was associated with meningioangiomatosis. A primary CNS fibrosarcoma with these features is most unusual and rendered a precise diagnosis difficult.

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed2003

Endometrial cells in pap smears of postmenopausal women: cytohistologic correlation.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the significance of endometrial cells in Papanicolaou (Pap) smears of postmenopausal women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed all Pap smears of postmenopausal women from 1992 to 1999. Follow-up endometrial tissue obtained within 1 year of any Pap smear containing benign endometrial cells or foamy histiocytes was also reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 159 Pap smears containing benign endometrial cells or foamy histiocytes were identified. Fifty-six patients were excluded; 34 patients had no histiologic follow-up; 12 had insufficient tissue on endometrial sampling; and 10 had atypical glandular cells on cytologic analysis. Endometrial pathologic features were identified in 31 patients (30%), including 21(20%) with polyps, six (6%) with endometrial hyperplasia, and four (4%) with adenocarcinomas. Hormonal replacement therapy was not a factor associated with these endometrial adenocarcinomas. Six of the 10 patients with significant endometrial pathologic features (simple and complex endometrial hyperplasia or adenocarcinomas) were referred for evaluation based solely on their cytologic abnormality showing benign endometrial cells or foamy histiocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Both benign endometrial cells and foamy histiocytes on Pap smears in postmenopausal women are associated with endometrial pathologic features. Benign endometrial cells may carry a greater risk than foamy histiocytes.

Journal Article↗