ABSTRACT
Spinal cord injury is a significant cause of motor dysfunctions. There is no definite cure for it, and most of the therapeutic modalities are only symptomatic treatment. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the effectiveness of stem cell therapy in the treatment of the spinal cord injuries in animal models was studied and evaluated. A systematic search through medical databases by using appropriate keywords was conducted. The relevant reports were reviewed in order to find out cases in which inclusion and exclusion criteria had been fulfilled. Finally, 89 articles have been considered, from which 28 had sufficient data for performing statistical analyses. The findings showed a significant improvement in motor functions after cell therapy. The outcome was strongly related to the number of transplanted cells, site of injury, chronicity of the injury, type of the damage, and the induction of immune-suppression. According to our data, improvements in functional recovery after stem cell therapy in the treatment of spinal cord injury in animal models was noticeable, but its outcome is strongly related to the site of injury, number of transplanted cells, and type of transplanted cells.
Subject(s)
Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy , Contusions , Models, Animal , Spinal Cord Injuries , Spinal Cord , Stem Cell Transplantation , Stem CellsABSTRACT
Background: Autophagy is a mechanism disassembling the damaged organelles from the cell. This study attempted to examine the expression of several autophagy-related genes in Parkinson's disease [PD] rat model
Methods: The male Wistar rats were divided into three groups as control, sham, and lesion. In the latter group, the PD rat model was induced by the injection of 6-hydroxydopamine in the striatum. The behavioral test was conducted one [baseline] and four weeks after the surgery through apomorphine hydrochloride. Then the RT-PCR technique was employed to evaluate the expressions of p62/SQSTM, autophagy-related genes [ATG]5, ATG12, ATG16L1, ATG10, as well as GAPDH and LC3
Results: By injecting apomorphine, the striatal lesion group showed a significant contralateral rotation at fourth week as compared to the baseline. The examination of p62, ATG5, ATG12, ATG16L1, and LC3 expressions using RT-PCR revealed that p62, ATG5, ATG12, LC3, and ATG16L1 were expressed in the substantia nigra of PD rat model, while ATG10 was not expressed
Conclusion: ATG10 expression is necessary for the initiation of autophagy. Thus, these results show that autophagy deregulation occurs in the initiation stages of the process in the rat model of PD
ABSTRACT
Background: Hypothyroidism is associated with dysfunction of the bone turnover with reduced osteoblastic bone formation and osteoclastic bone resorption. Mesenchymal stem cells [MSCs] secrete various factors and cytokines that may stimulate bone regeneration. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of MSCs-conditioned medium [CM] in hypothyroidism male rats after inducing bone defect
Methods: In this study, 24 male rats were randomly assigned to three groups: [I] hypothyroidism + bone defect [HYPO], [II] hypothyroidism + bone defect + CM [HYPO + CM], and [III] no hypothyroidism + bone defect [control]. Four weeks after surgery, the right tibia was removed, and immediately, biomechanical and histological examinations were performed
Results: The results showed a significant reduction in bending stiffness [32.64 +/- 3.99], maximum force [14.63 +/- 1.89], high stress load [7.59 +/- 2.31], and energy absorption [12.68 +/- 2.12] at the osteotomy site in hypothyroidism rats in comparison to the control and hypothyroidism + condition medium groups [p < 0.05]. There was also a significant decrease in the trabecular bone volume [3.86 +/- 3.88] and the number of osteocytes [5800 +/- 859.8] at the osteotomy site in hypothyroidism rats compared to the control and hypothyroidism + condition medium groups [p < 0.01 and p < 0.02, respectively]
Conclusion: The present study suggests that the use of the CM can improve the fracture regeneration and accelerates bone healing at the osteotomy site in hypothyroidism rats
Subject(s)
Animals, Laboratory , Culture Media, Conditioned , Hypothyroidism/veterinary , Osteotomy , Tibial Fractures , Fracture HealingABSTRACT
Background: Oligodendrocyte cell death is among the important features of spinal cord injury, which appears within 15 min and occurs intensely for 4 h after injury, in the rat spinal contusion model. Accordingly, the number of oligodendrocytes progressively reduced within 24 h after injury. Administration of oligodendrocyte-like cells [OLCs] into the lesion area is one of the approaches to counterbalance this condition
Methods: Bone marrow stromal cells were transdifferentiated into neurospheres and then into neural stem cells and later were differentiated into OLCs using triiodothyronine and transplanted into the spinal cord contusion rats. The postinjury functional recovery was explored and compared with the control group using Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan and narrow beam behavioral tests. At the end of 12th week, spinal cord segments T12-L1 were histomorphologically studied by immunohistochemistry
Results: Motor improvement was more obvious during 2nd to 4th weeks and got less prominent during 4th to 12th weeks. Histomorphometric findings indicated that cavity formation decreased in epicenter of transplantation area in experimental groups in comparison with the control groups
Conclusion: The findings obtained in the present study showed that OLC therapy is a potential approach in the treatment of spinal cord traumatic injuries
ABSTRACT
One of the uncommon congenital variations is intrathoracic rib which a normal, a bifid, or an accessory rib lies within the thoracic cavity that is founded accidentally. Clinically, in most cases they are without symptoms; however, it may cause intrathoracic problems therefore it is important for radiologists and physicians to identify to prevent of excessive intervention and treatment during imaging diagnostic techniques of thoracic problems. In this report, we provide the case of a rare presentation of an intrathoracic rib in a 3-year-old boy arising from the inferior portion of a second rib based on findings from computed tomography. To our knowledge, this is only the second reported case of this type of intrathoracic rib that demonstrated with computed tomography.
Subject(s)
Child, Preschool , Humans , Male , Ribs , Thoracic CavityABSTRACT
Background: Septoplasty is one of the most commonly performed operations with several complications
Purpose: To categorize and demonstrate the probability of the occurrence of septoplasty complications
Methods: Three hundred and twelve patients who underwent septoplasty in Loghman Hakim general hospital, Tehran, Iran, were followed up for 6 months and evaluated for probable post-operative complications
Results: The most common complication was remained deviation, which was observed in 26.2% of patients followed by synechiae and perforations. There was no case of serious and life threatening complications
Conclusion: Septoplasty has both aesthetic and functional complication. However, meticulous and careful surgery can prevent most of them
ABSTRACT
Background: Rhinoplasty is one of the most common aesthetic procedures. It has several potential complications. There is no systematic study with direct focus on these complications
Purpose: To evaluate the likelihood for occurrence of different complications following septorhinoplasty
Methods: One hundred and fifteen patients who underwent rhinoplasty were observed for post-operative occurrence of nasal obstruction, hyponasal speech, post nasal discharge [PND], rhinorrhea, facial congestion and headache. They were also examined for aesthetic results of the surgery and asked about their satisfaction about the external shape of the nose as well as overall satisfaction of surgery
Results: Twenty-one patients developed sinonasal symptoms after surgery. The most annoying symptom was permanent unilateral nasal obstruction, which was observed in 38% of patients followed by long lasting PND [19%], anosmia [14%] and altered voice resonance [9%]. Five patients eventually underwent surgery due to their functional problems
Conclusion: Rhinoplasty and septorhinoplasty have numerous complications. Nasal obstruction, PND and anosmia are the most common. A careful follow-up is required for diagnosis and appropriate treatment of these complications
ABSTRACT
Introduction: SOX9 is a transcriptional activator which is necessary for chondrogenesis. SOX6 are closely related to DNA-binding proteins that critically enhance its function. Therefore, to carry out the growth plate chondrocyte differentiation program, SOX9 and SOX6 collaborate genomewide. Chondrocyte differentiation is also known to be promoted by glucocorticoids through unknown molecular mechanisms
Methods: We investigated the effects of asynthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone [DEX], on SOX9 gene expression in chondrocytes
Results: SOX9 mRNA was expressed at high levels in these chondrocytes. Treatment with DEX resulted in enhancement of SOX9 mRNA expression. The DEX effect was dose dependent [0·5 nM and 1 nM]
Conclusion: RT-PCR analysis revealed that DEX also enhanced the levels of SOX9 expression. It was observed that DEX had enhancing effect only on SOX9 the expression level was low for SOX6. It can thus be concluded that chondrocyte differentiation can be promoted by DEX via SOX9 enhancement
ABSTRACT
Variations in arterial anatomy are less frequent, contrary to the venous system, and most of these variations affect visceral arteries. Variations in the brachial artery are the most frequently reported and so far a minimum of six different patterns have been described. The most common of these patterns is the superficial brachial artery, which lies superficially to the median nerve. Much less prevalent is the high origin of the radial artery [brachioradial artery] or the existence of a doubled brachial artery [accessory brachial artery]. The current study presents a pattern of brachial artery variation which was previously undescribed. During dissection of the right upper limb of a 50 year-old male embalmed cadaver, the bifurcation of the brachial artery in the proximal portion of the middle third of the arm was observed. In this case, the medial branch reaches the medial aspect of the arm, posterior to the median nerve. Afterwards, this medial branch redirects laterally and crosses the median nerve again, this time lying anterior to the nerve till it reaches the lateral aspect of the arm. At the elbow level, the medial branch originates from the radial artery. The lateral branch of the brachial artery remains lateral to the median nerve and continues as ulnar artery and originates from the interosseous artery. It was also observed that the left brachial artery was smaller in size, and bifurcated high in the arm into the superficial radial and ulnar arteries. It was also interesting to note that the common interosseous artery was originated from the left radial artery in the cubital fossa, which descended deep to pronator teres where it was divided into the anterior and posterior interosseous arteries. These variations are discussed comprehensively and compared with the previous reports. Also, it is asserted how clinically the findings are significant
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Multiple sclerosis [MS] is a disease of the immune system: it attacks the myelin around the axons and leaves them exposed. Destruction of myelin weakens the electrical conduction of ions and thus leads to a lack of communication in the nervous system
Methods: In the present study, we constructed recombinant plasmid and then transformed to E. coli cell. The colonies containing plasmid were selected by Colony PCR. Enzyme digestion and sequencing were utilized to approve the accuracy of the extracted plasmid of these clones. Recombinant plasmid transfect in to mesanchymal stem cells
Results: Plasmid was verified correctly. After transfection, the transcription of MOG gene and the expression of MOG protein were proved by RT-PCR, western blotting and Elisa
Conclusion: Plasmid was constructed correctly and mesenchyme stem cells were successfully transfected by transfection and protein can be expressed well, setting a proper foundation for the future studies on the transplantation of gene modified mesanchymal stem cells in order to promote Multiple sclerosis
ABSTRACT
During the past few years, researchers and practitioners have developed novel techniques, using ansa cervicalis to innervate muscles of the larynx paralyzed due to surgical procedures carried out in the chest and neck areas. During routine dissection of a middle-age male cadaver, an unusual course of the superior root of the ansa cervicalis was observed. In this case, the superior root of the ansa cervicalis fused with the vagus and ran within the carotid sheath, and then joined the inferior root forming the ansa cervicalis in the anterior wall of the carotid sheath. The study of this case will add to our current knowledge of ansa cervicalis and thus aid prevention of injury to the nerve during various surgical procedures
ABSTRACT
Background: the present study investigated the functional maturity of oligodendrocyte derived from rat bone marrow stromal cells [BMSC]
Methods: the BMSC were isolated from female Sprague-Dawley rats and evaluated for different markers, such as fibronectin, CD106, CD90, Oct-4 and CD45. Transdifferentiation of OLC from BMSC was obtained by exposing the BMSC to DMSO and 1 [micro]M all-trans-retinoic acid during the preinduction stage and then induced by heregulin [HRG], platelet-derived growth factor AA [PDGFR-alpha], fibroblast growth factor and T3. The neuroprogenitor cells [NPC] were evaluated for nestin, neurofilament 68, neurofilament 160 and glial fibrillary acidic protein gene expression using immunocytochemistry. The OLC were assessed by immunocytochemistry for O4, oligo2, O1 and MBP marker and gene expression of PDGFR-alpha was examined by RT-PCR
Results: our results showed that the fibronectin, CD106, CD90, CD45 and Oct-4 were expressed after the fourth passage. Also, the yield of OLC differentiation was about 71% when using the O1, O4 and oligo2 markers. Likewise, the expression of PDGFR-alpha in pre-oligodendrocytes was noticed, while MBP expression was detected in oligodendrocyte after 6 days of the induction
Conclusion: the conclusion of the study showed that BMSC can be induced to transdifferentiate into mature OLC. Iran. Biomed. J. 17 [2]: 62-70, 2013
ABSTRACT
Recovery in central nervous system [CNS] disorders is hindered by the limited ability of the vertebrate CNS to regenerate and replace damaged myelin, and re-establish functional neural connections. In spinal cord injury and other traumas, demyelination of intact axons is an important factor contributing to loss of function. Previous studies suggest that substantial recovery of function might be achieved through remyelination of damaged axons. This study examined the effects of Triiodothyronine [T3] on in vitro trans-differentiation of adult rat bone marrow stromal stem cells [BMSCs] into oligodendrocyte - like cells [OLCs]. This research was performd experimentally. Under strile conditions, BMSCs were isolated from female sprague-dawley rats. BMSCs were evaluated for different markers such as fibronectin, CD44, CD90, oct4 and CD45. OLCs transdifferentiated from BMSCs by sequential exposure of BMSCs to DMSO and RA in preinduction stage and then induced by heregulin, PDGF-AA, bFGF, and T3 at the induction stage. In both stages of preinduction and induction, the experssion of CD45, CD90, CD44, fibronectin, nestin, Oligo2, O4, NF68, NF160, GFAP, and O1 were assassed by RT-PCR and immunocytochemistry. Our results from immunocytochemistry showed that the fibronectin, CD44, CD90, and CD45 were expressed 94.32 +/- 0.45%, 95.48 +/- 0.24% and 97.16 +/- 0.82% [p< 0.05]. Assessment of of O1, O4 and oligo2 experssion showed that in the induction stage, combination of HRG, PDGF, bFGF and T3 [25ng/ml] have an effective role in transdifferentiation of BMSCs into OLCs. DMSO and RA can transdifferente BMSCs into NeuroProgenitor Cells [NPC] and these cells can be differentiated into OLCs by combination of HRG, PDGF, bFGF and T3 [25ng/m]l.