Study design: Integrative multi-omics cross-sectional study combining scRNA-seq, bulk transcriptomics, Mendelian randomization, and network pharmacology with molecular docking.
Objective: To investigate the therapeutic mechanisms of methyl gallate (MG) in spinal cord injury (SCI) through the lens of cell-type-specific pathways and immune regulation.
Setting: Publicly available SCI transcriptomic datasets and GWAS summary data were analyzed using established bioinformatics platforms.
Methods: This study integrated single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), transcriptomics, genome-wide association study (GWAS)-based Mendelian randomization (MR), and network pharmacology to explore MG's effects on SCI. Temporal scRNA-seq profiles were analyzed from mice with subacute SCI (days 3 to 14 post-injury) to identify changes in astrocyte dynamics and glia-neuron interactions. Differential gene expression and functional enrichment analyses were performed, followed by drug-target prediction and molecular docking.
Results: scRNA-seq revealed a significant reduction in astrocyte populations and disrupted astrocyte-monocyte-neuron communication post-SCI. A total of 959 astrocyte-specific and 1,459 SCI-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. Enrichment analyses highlighted neuroimmune and inflammatory pathways. MR indicated a protective association between elevated monocyte count and reduced SCI risk. Network pharmacology and molecular docking demonstrated that MG targets overlapped with astrocyte DEGs, suggesting high binding affinities and regulatory effects on inflammation and neuron-glia signaling.
Conclusions: MG may promote recovery from SCI by modulating neuroimmune interactions, particularly through astrocyte and monocyte-mediated pathways. The integrative multi-omics strategy supports MG's translational potential as a novel therapeutic candidate for SCI. Mechanism of SCI Repair and Neuronal Differentiation Mediated by MG (Created by BioRender).
Study design: Retrospective comparative study.
Objectives: To compare surgical and clinical outcomes of thoracic intradural extramedullary (IDEM) meningiomas based on tumor location, specifically between ventral and dorsal/lateral lesions.
Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed 60 consecutive patients who underwent posterior surgical resection for thoracic IDEM meningiomas at a single institution between 2007 and 2022. Patients were stratified into two groups according to tumor location on preoperative MRI: Ventral group (n = 23) and Dorsal/Lateral group (n = 37). Clinical outcomes were assessed using the modified McCormick scale (MMCS). Surgical parameters and complications were also compared.
Results: Patients in the Ventral group had significantly larger sagittal tumor diameters and higher spinal canal occupancy rates than those in the Dorsal/Lateral group (p < 0.05). Preoperative motor deficits were more frequent in the Ventral group (86.9 vs. 51.3%, p < 0.01). Estimated blood loss was greater in the Ventral group (p = 0.01). Intraoperative motor evoked potential deterioration occurred more often (p = 0.04). Although both groups showed neurological improvement postoperatively, the percentage of patients reaching MMCS Grade I at final follow-up was significantly lower in the Ventral group (17.3 vs. 54.0%, p < 0.01). No tumor recurrence was observed in either group during the follow-up period (mean: 61.4 months).
Conclusions: Ventrally located thoracic IDEM meningiomas are associated with more severe preoperative motor dysfunction and inferior postoperative neurological recovery compared to dorsal/lateral lesions. These findings highlight the importance of early surgical intervention and tailored surgical planning for ventral tumors to optimize functional outcomes.

