Study of mouse induced pluripotent stem cell transplantation intoWistar albino rat cochleae after hair cell damage.

BACKGROUND/AIM: As the regeneration capacity of hair cells is limited, inner ear stem cell therapies hold promise. Effects of mouse induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSCs) on Wistar albino rats (WARs) with hearing impairment were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five adult WARs with normal hearing were divided into 4 groups. Excluding the study group (n = 15), the other three groups served as control groups for ototoxicity and IPSC injection models. IPSC injections were performed via cochleostomy after a retroauricular approach. Auditory functions were evaluated with auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) before and after the injections. After a final hearing assessment the WARs were sacrificed and cochleae were extracted to see the biologic behavior of IPSCs in the inner ear by light microscopy and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the click-ABR thresholds in the study group after IPSC transplantation. The mean hearing threshold in the study group after ototoxic agent injection was 53.2 dB (10-90 dB). There was no significant difference between groups (P > 0.05) and no differentiated stem cells were observed immunohistochemically. CONCLUSION: Transplanted IPSCs did not show a therapeutic effect in this trial. We discuss potential pitfalls and factors affecting the therapeutic effect.

The use of autologous neurogenically-induced bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of paraplegic dogs without nociception due to spinal trauma.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of percutaneous transplanted autologous neurogenically-induced bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (NIBM-MSCs) in paraplegic dogs without deep pain perception (DPP) secondary to external spinal trauma. Thirteen client owned dogs that had failed in improvement neurologically at least 42 days after conservative management, decompression and decompression-stabilization were included in the study. Each dog received two doses of autologous 5.0 × 106 NIBM-MSCs suspension, which were positive to 2',3'-Cyclic-nucleotide-3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase) and Microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP-2), as well as to Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and beta III tubulin. The cells were injected into the spinal cord through the hemilaminectomy or laminectomy defects percutaneously with 21 days interval for 2 times. The results were evaluated using Texas Spinal Cord Injury Scale (TSCIS), somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) and motor evoked potentials (MEP) at the admission time, cell transplantation procedures and during 2, 5, 7 and 12th months after the second cell transplantation. Improvement after cell transplantation in gait, nociception, proprioception, SEP and MEP results was observed in just 2 cases, and only gait score improvement was seen in 6 cases, and no improvement was recorded in 5 cases. All progresses were observed until 2nd month after the second cell transplantation, however, there was no improvement after this period. In conclusion, percutaneous transplantation of autologous NIBM-MSCs is a promising candidate modality for cases with spinal cord injury after spinal trauma and poor prognosis.

Experimental Endoscopic Cordotomy in the Sheep Model.

AIM: Interventional pain therapies are usually based on destruction of the related pain-conducting pathways. Current procedures targeting pain have replaced conventional pain treatment modalities while being less invasive. In this study, we investigated the feasibility of the endoscopic percutaneous cordotomy process on the sheep cervical spinal cord. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seven male sheep, Akkaraman® genus, were operated on in the study. The guide was introduced at C1 to C2 vertebrae. The interlaminar area was exposed by a dilator, the dura was identified, and then the working cannula was inserted into the subarachnoid space. The target point of cordotomy was defined by endoscopic visualization as the midpoint between the dentate ligament and ventral root entry zone. After determination of the target point, a carbon dioxide laser (CDL) probe was introduced through the cannula. Ablative lesioning was performed by CDL. Hindlimb withdrawal thresholds were measured using the "Sample Pain Scale". The lesion was demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging and histopathological examination. RESULTS: Three sheep had ipsilateral hemiparesis and the response to firm pressure test was not performed on them. Among the remaining four sheep, the pain tolerance test showed that one sheep was at stage 0, two at stage 1, and the last one at stage 3. CONCLUSION: Cordotomy might be successfully performed with the endoscopic technique in the sheep model and this should encourage future studies regarding minimal invasive procedures for intractable pain.

Imaging and surgical outcomes of spinal tumors in 18 dogs and one cat.

Clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, histological appearances and surgical outcomes of 18 dogs and one cat with spinal tumors are presented. Medical records of the cases admitted for spinal disorders were reviewed, and cases of spinal tumors that were diagnosed by MRI and confirmed by histological examination were included in this study. T1 weighted, T2 weighted and contrast enhanced T1 weighted images were taken and interpreted to evaluate the spinal tumors. The tumors were diagnosed as: meningioma (n = 6), ependymoma (n = 1), nerve sheath tumor (n = 4), metastatic spinal tumor (n = 3), osteosarcoma (n = 2), osteoma (n = 1), rhabdomyosarcoma (n = 1), and nephroblastoma (n = 1). Thirteen cases underwent surgical operation and the remaining six cases were euthanized at the request of the owners. The neurological status of the surgical cases did not deteriorate, except for one dog that showed ependymoma in the early period after the operation. These results indicate the potential for surgical gross total tumor removal of vertebral tumors to provide better quality of life and surgical collection of histological specimens for definitive diagnosis. For effective case management, dedicated MRI examination is important to accurate evaluation of the spinal tumors, and surgical treatment is useful for extradural and intradural-extramedullary spinal tumors.

Intraspinal Transplantation of Autologous Neurogenically-Induced Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in the Treatment of Paraplegic Dogs without Deep Pain Perception Secondary to Intervertebral Disk Disease.

AIM: To investigate the effects of neurogenically-induced autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (NIBM-MSCs) in paraplegic dogs without deep pain perception (DPP) secondary to intervertebral disk disease (IVDD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seven dogs which could not be improved neurologically with conventional treatment modalities were included in the study. All dogs were diagnosed by magnetic resonance imaging and surgically treated. Each dog received two times a suspension of autologous 5.0x106 NIBM-MSCs, which were positive to CNPase and MAP-2, as well as to GFAP and beta III tubulin into the spinal cord through the hemilaminectomy defect percutaneously, with a 21-day interval. RESULTS: Two months after cell transplantation, there were no changes except for 1 gait score improvement for 1 of the cases. At the 4th month, gait score had improved 1 score in 5 cases, and one score progress was recorded in proprioception and nociception in 1 case. In eight months-followed up 4 cases were evaluated by the same parameter; gait score had improved in 3 cases, and propriception improved in 2 cases, and nociception improved in 3 cases. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that utility of autologous NIBM-MSCs for cases with poor prognosis after IVDD can be a promising approach.

[Comparison of the effectiveness of cognitive restructuring and systematic desensitization in reducing high-stakes test anxiety]. / Yüksek Riskli Sinav Kaygisinin Azaltilmasinda Sistematik Duyarsizlastirma ile Bilissel Yeniden Yapilandirmanin Etkililiginin Karsilastirilmasi.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of systematic desensitization (behavioral therapy and cognitive restructuring (cognitive therapy) in reducing high-stakes test anxiety. We hypothesized that cognitive restructuring would be superior to systematic desensitization in reducing the severity of the cognitive symptoms of anxiety, whereas systematic desensitization would be superior to cognitive restructuring in reducing the severity of the physiological symptoms of anxiety. MATERIALS AND METHOD: The study included 50 (36 female and 14 male) high school graduates and high school seniors aged 16-22 years (mean:18.3 years) that experienced test anxiety while taking their university entrance exam. Participants were randomly assigned to the behavior therapy or cognitive therapy groups. Participants in both groups received 9 sessions of structured group therapy with the same therapist. Each participant's level of anxiety and depression, psychiatric symptoms, and dysfunctional thoughts were measured throughout the therapy process. RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed that there was a significant decrease in the score of each outcome measure employed in both groups. There weren't any significant differences in terms of the alleviation of the cognitive symptoms of anxiety, as measured with the Dysfunctional Attitudes Scale, or physiological symptoms, as assessed with the Beck Anxiety Inventory between the 2 groups. The 2 therapy methods resulted in statistically significant reductions in the level of test anxiety, as well as state anxiety, trait anxiety, self-reported depression, and general symptom levels. CONCLUSION: The behavioral and cognitive therapies were equally effective in reducing the severity of the cognitive and physiological components of test anxiety.

Response of polyelectrolyte layers to the SiO2 substrate charging as probed by XPS.

A single layer of the cationic polyelectrolyte poly(allyamine) hydrochloride (PAH) deposited, using the layer-by-layer technique, on a silicon substrate containing 5 nm oxide layer is investigated by XPS while applying an external potential bias to the sample to control and manipulate the charge built-up on the oxide layer. Under application of a -10 V bias, the oxide layer is positively charged due to photoemission process, evidenced by the measured Si2p binding energy of 104.4 eV. Application of a +10 V bias attracts the low energy neutralizing electrons, stemming from a hot filament, and leads to a negatively charged oxide layer, also evidenced by the measured Si2p binding energy of 102.9 eV. The single polyelectrolyte overlayer also responds to this polarity change of the oxide layer underneath by displaying a somewhat larger shifts both in the C1s and N1s peaks. In addition to the shifts in the positions, the N1s peaks undergo a significant intensity depletion, mostly on the positively charged -N+ component. We interpret this intensity depletion to be the result of reorientation of some of the dangling positively charged groups by moving toward the negatively charged oxide underlayer. To our knowledge this is the first time that a chemically specific response to an electrical stimuli is reported using XPS. A bilayer LbL film consisting of PAH and PSS, exhibits even a larger charging shift, but this time no intensity alteration is observed, most probably due to locking of the -N+ groups by the -SO3+ counterions of the second layer.