BackgroundGenomic instability is a hallmark of cancer cells, and this cellular phenomenon can emerge as a result of replicative stress. It is possible to take advantage of replicative stress, and enhance it in a targeted way to fight cancer cells. One of such strategies involves targeting the cell division cycle 7-related protein kinase (CDC7), a protein with key roles in regulation of initiation of DNA replication. CDC7 overexpression is present in different cancers, and small molecule inhibitors of the CDC7 have well-documented anti-tumor effects. Here, we aimed to test the potential of CDC7 inhibition as a new strategy for glioblastoma treatment.MethodsPHA-767491 hydrochloride was used as the CDC7 inhibitor. Two glioblastoma cell lines (U87-MG and U251-MG) and a control cell line (3T3) were used to characterize the effects of CDC7 inhibition. The effect of CDC7 inhibition on cell viability, cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion were analyzed. In addition, real-time PCR arrays were used to identify the differentially expressed genes in response to CDC7 inhibition.ResultsOur results showed that CDC7 inhibition reduces glioblastoma cell viability, suppresses cell proliferation, and triggers apoptosis in glioblastoma cell lines. In addition, we determined that CDC7 inhibition also suppresses glioblastoma cell migration and invasion. To identify molecular targets of CDC7 inhibition, we used real-time PCR arrays, which showed dysregulation of several mRNAs and miRNAs.ConclusionsTaken together, our findings suggest that CDC7 inhibition is a promising strategy for treatment of glioblastoma.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12935-016-0364-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Objective: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) causes disability and postural control deficits. Since suffering from pain, disability and impaired postural control, patients decrease their physical activity levels. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of computer-based stability training on pain, disability, postural control and physical activity in patients with CLBP and compare them with traditional training.Methods: Forty-two participants with a history of CLBP were recruited and divided into two groups randomly. Computer-based stability training was applied to study group by help of computer-based device two times a week for 12 weeks while traditional training was done to another group. Pain and disability were assessed by Numeric Pain Scale and Oswestry Disability Index, respectively. Limits of stability (LoS) and postural stability (PS) tests were used to evaluate postural control by Biodex Balance System and SenseWear Armband was used for physical activity assessment. All measurements were applied before and after the training.Results: Significant improvements occurred in LoS and PS scores in both groups after interventions (p<0.05). However, physical activity scores for both groups did not significantly change (p<0.05). Statistical analyses of between-group mean differences showed that there was superiority of computer-based stability training over the traditional training in improving LoS (p=0.023). Conclusion:The results of this study suggest that twelve-week computer-based stability training might be beneficial to reduce pain and improve postural control in patients with CLBP. On the other hand, computer-based stability training showed superior effect over traditional training for increasing limits of stability.

We report the rare case of a 43-year-old woman with a simultaneous meningioma of the sphenoid wing and an amyloid-containing prolactinoma. The patient, who presented with a 17-year history of amenorrhea, and galactorrhea, was found to have a 10-mm mass in the pituitary gland. During excision of this lesion, another mass was noticed, which was located in the sphenoid wing. Both lesions were completely excised. Histopathological examination revealed that the pituitary tumor was a prolactinoma with diffuse amyloid deposition and that the second tumor was a typical meningioma. The coexistence of a prolactinoma containing amyloid and a meningioma is very rare in the literature, so this case is presented here with its histochemical and immunohistochemical features. We discuss the significance of prolactinoma containing amyloid and the simultaneous presentation of these two tumors.

Objective We aimed to evaluate reliability, radiological outcomes, and the impacts of anterior cervical hybrid construction on the adjacent segments for the multilevel cervical degenerative disc disease (mCDDD) and spondylotic spinal stenosis (SSS). Methods A retrospective analysis was performed using data extracted from the medical files of 195 patients (105 males, 90 females; mean age: 47.7 years). From 2008 to 2018, these patients underwent anterior cervical hybrid construction for symptomatic contiguous at least 2-level cervical degenerative disc diseases and cervical spondylosis. Clinical and radiological data including Neck Disability Index (NDI), visual analogue scale (VAS), local cervical degenerative disk disease in adjacent segments on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) views, and complications were reviewed. Results The mean clinical and radiological follow-up was 45.2 months (range 24 to 102). Radiculopathy and/or myelopathy were the main clinical problems in all patients. The mean VAS scores of HC for arm pain were 7.4 ± 0.8 preoperatively; 2.8 ± 0.6, 1 month after surgery; 2.3 ± 0.6, 6 months after surgery; 1.8 ± 0.6, 12 month after surgery; and 1.6 ± 0.6, 24 months after surgery. The mean NDI scores (mean ± SD) of HC significantly improved after surgery (on admission, 57.2 ± 5.5%; 1 month after surgery, 27.35 ± 5.3%; 6 month after surgery, 21.43 ± 2.8%; 12 months after surgery, 21.9 ± 2.3%; 24 months after surgery, 20.6 ± 2.6%, p = 0.006). Hoarseness and dysphagia were the most common complications and osteophyte formation was the most frequent radiographic change. Conclusion Anterior cervical hybrid construction appears to be an acceptable option in the management of multilevel cervical degenerative disc diseases and spondylotic spinal stenosis.

Purpose. We aimed to evaluate the demographic and clinical features of patients with cervical spinal injuries secondary to shallow-water diving and share our therapeutic outcomes. Methods. A retrospective study was carried out using data extracted from the medical files of 39 patients (3 females and 36 males) who were treated surgically (n = 29) or conservatively (n = 10). Demographics, clinical features, operative data, American Spine Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scales, and Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) results were noted. Results. The average age of our series (n = 39) was 31.59 ± 14.80 (range, 14 to 92) years. The vast majority of patients (n = 34, 87.2%) presented with isolated cervical trauma. At initial admission, neurological deficits were diagnosed in 22 (56.4%) patients. A single-level cervical involvement was noted in 18 (46.2%) patients, while 21 cases (53.8%) displayed injury involving multiple levels. The levels of cervical injury were C5 (n = 16, 41%), C6 (n = 11, 28.2%), C7 (n = 6, 15.4%), C1 (n = 5, 12.8%), and C4 (n = 1, 2.6%). A total of 22 patients had neurological deficits at admission. Surgery was performed using anterior (n = 21, 72.4%), posterior (n = 7, 24.1%), and combined anterior and posterior (n = 1, 3.4%) routes. Nine patients (23.1%) exhibited improvement in their neurological deficits. There were significant improvements in both the ASIA impairment scale and KPS results after treatment. Conclusion. Our data indicated that dive- or fall-related cervical spinal injuries are associated with profound morbidity. Reinforcement of primary prevention, identification of target population, and increased awareness on this topic are the key steps to minimize the frequency and severity of complications and to optimize therapeutic outcomes.