ABSTRACT
Five young researchers presented their studies in the field of traditional Japanese herbal medicine (Wakan-yaku) at the second annual young researcher forum entitled “Growing Research Buds by Young Investigators,” held during the annual meeting of the Japan Society of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences for Traditional Medicine 2021. Mr. Yoneda presented exploratory research on new pharmaceutical seed compounds from garlic (Allium sativum). Dr. Yang investigated whether diosgenin promoted proper axonal regeneration in the brain using a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Her study clarified the molecular mechanisms of the diosgenin-driven accurate pathfinding of injured axons. Mr. Nishihara presented his research on promoting the effective utilization of Phellodendron trees in Nara Prefecture. His research team evaluated the possibility of short-term cultivation, screened for useful components in the leaves. Dr. Ogawa used the Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report (JADER) database, which contains reports of side effects associated with drug treatment, to demonstrate the effectiveness of hokizai in reducing side effects, particularly those of anticancer drugs. Dr. Kitamura reported that Cnidium monnieri (L.) Cusson fruit extract and the isolated active ingredients, osthol and imperatorin, strongly inhibited the activity of furin-like enzymes. Further screening indicated that root extracts of Paeonia lactiflora Pall. and Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi suppressed cell syncytial formation by the S protein. The event was held online, and we had 86 participants. We can improve this forum in terms of format, frequency, and publicity activities;however, we hope to hold this forum in 2022 and in the future.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how revolutionary treatments based on gene therapeutics has helped overcome a once-in-acentury pandemic and has given new momentum to gene therapy research for a myriad of applications. The field of regenerative medicine is well placed to be a beneficiary whereby, for example, gene therapy might be a valuable tool to avoid the limitations of local delivery of growth factors. While non-viral vectors are typically inefficient at transfecting cells, our group have had significant success in this area using a scaffold-mediated gene therapy approach for regenerative applications[1, 2]. These gene activated scaffold platforms not only act as a template for cell infiltration and tissue formation, but also can be engineered to direct autologous host cells to take up specific genes and then produce therapeutic proteins in a sustained but eventually transient fashion. Similarly, we have demonstrated how scaffold-mediated delivery of siRNAs[3] and miRNA[4, 5] can be used to silence specific genes associated with reduced repair or pathological states. This presentation will provide an overview of ongoing research in our lab in this area with a particular focus on gene-activated biomaterials for promoting bone, cartilage, nerve and wound repair. Focus will also be placed on advances we are making in using 3D printing of gene activated bioinks to produce next generation medical devices for tissue repair.
ABSTRACT
Purpose: Diaphragmatic dysfunction is documented after lung transplantation and can affect up to 62% patients. Diaphragm pacing (DP) prevents ventilator induced diaphragm dysfunction (VIDD) while on mechanical ventilation (MV) and has been shown via functional electrical stimulation to improve phrenic nerve recovery. We report the largest experience of DP in lung transplantation recipients. Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of an IRB approved prospective, non-randomized interventional experience at a single institution with two DP systems. A chronic DP system [NeuRx, Synapse Biomedical] was implanted laparoscopically in those with phrenic nerve injury or difficulty with weaning from MV remotely after their transplant. A temporary DP system [TransAeris, Synapse Biomedical] was implanted at the time of transplantation or laparoscopically. In both types of implantation, diaphragm stimulation ensued if needed to wean from MV or for nerve recovery. Results evaluated radiographically and with diaphragm electromyography (dEMG). Results: DP was utilized in16 patients with no device adverse events. Of those, 5 patients had chronic DP system: a) 1 patient one year post transplant shows no recovery of phrenic nerve injury, still pacing;b) 3 patients showed recovery of phrenic nerve/diaphragm function through pacing;c) 1 patient 2 years post-transplant sustained hip fracture requiring surgery, developed pneumonia and became tracheostomy MV dependent;DP allowed complete diaphragm recovery, decanullation of tracheostomy and removal of DP wires. 11 patients had temporary DP electrodes placed: a) 1 recipient(two months post-transplant) had DP use during ECMO for COVID- 19 sepsis and respiratory failure and subsequently expired when family withdrew therapy;b) 10 implanted at time of lung transplant. Of those 10, 3 patients had bilateral dEMG identified post-operatively with uneventful recovery and removal of electrodes;7 patients had diaphragm abnormalities identified post-operatively and underwent DP. Of those 7, 5 showed recovery and DP electrodes removed and 2 are still pacing 1 and 9 months post-transplant. Conclusion: DP was safely used in lung transplantation to identify and improve recovery of phrenic nerve injuries, wean from MV and prevent VIDD. DP shows promise in addressing diaphragm dysfunction after lung transplantation and improving outcomes.