Electrical Stimulation-Mediated Tissue Healing in Porcine Intervertebral Disc Under Mechanically Dynamic Organ Culture Conditions.

STUDY DESIGN: Porcine intervertebral discs (IVDs) were excised and then drilled to simulate degeneration before being electrically stimulated for 21 days while undergoing mechanical loading. The discs were then analyzed for gene expression and morphology to assess regeneration. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the electrical stimulation of IVD treatment as an early intervention method in halting the progression of degenerative disc disease using an ex-vivo porcine model. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Treatments for degenerative disc disease are limited in their efficacy and tend to treat the symptoms of the disease rather than repairing the degenerated disc itself. There is a dire need for an early intervention treatment that not only halts the progression of the disease but contributes to reviving the degenerated disc. METHODS: Lumbar IVDs were extracted from a mature pig within 1 hour of death and were drilled with a 1.5 mm bit to simulate degenerative disc disease. Four IVDs at a time were then cultured in a dynamic bioreactor system under mechanical loading for 21 days, two with and two without the electrical stimulation treatment. The IVDs were assessed using histological analysis, magnetic resonance imaging, and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction to quantify the effectiveness of the treatment on the degenerated discs. RESULTS: IVDs with electrical stimulation treatment exhibited extensive annular regeneration and prevented herniation of the nucleus pulposus (NP). In contrast, the untreated group of IVDs were unable to maintain tissue integrity and exhibited NP herniation through multiple layers of the annulus fibrosus. Gene expression showed an increase of extracellular matrix markers and antiinflammatory cytokine interleukin-4 (IL-4), while decreasing in pro-inflammatory markers and pain markers in electrically stimulated IVDs when compared to the untreated group. CONCLUSION: The direct electrical stimulation application in NP of damaged IVDs can be a viable option to regenerate damaged NP and annulus fibrosus tissues.

Primary Multifocal Recurrent Urinary Bladder Amyloidosis: A Rare Case Report from Syria.

Primary urinary bladder amyloidosis is a rare disorder of protein metabolism characterized by the extracellular deposition of fibrillin. To date, fewer than 200 cases have been reported in the literature. We herein present a case of 59-year-old female with primary multifocal recurrent urinary bladder amyloidosis. The patient was treated with a new method (laser therapy) mentioned for the first time in the literature. After 18 months of treatment, the patient has no complaints. Our case illustrates a new procedure in the treatment of primary multifocal bladder amyloidosis.

Mechano-Immunomodulation in Space: Mechanisms Involving Microgravity-Induced Changes in T Cells.

Of the most prevalent issues surrounding long-term spaceflight, the sustainability of human life and the maintenance of homeostasis in an extreme environment are of utmost concern. It has been observed that the human immune system is dysregulated in space as a result of gravitational unloading at the cellular level, leading to potential complications in astronaut health. A plethora of studies demonstrate intracellular changes that occur due to microgravity; however, these ultimately fall short of identifying the underlying mechanisms and dysfunctions that cause such changes. This comprehensive review covers the changes in human adaptive immunity due to microgravity. Specifically, there is a focus on uncovering the gravisensitive steps in T cell signaling pathways. Changes in gravitational force may lead to interrupted immune signaling cascades at specific junctions, particularly membrane and surface receptor-proximal molecules. Holistically studying the interplay of signaling with morphological changes in cytoskeleton and other cell components may yield answers to what in the T cell specifically experiences the consequences of microgravity. Fully understanding the nature of this problem is essential in order to develop proper countermeasures before long-term space flight is conducted.

The management of non-invasive bladder tumours with Doxorubicin intravesical instillation after transurethral resection.

OBJECTIVES: Evaluation of the intravesical instillation of doxorubicin for its effect on disease recurrence for patients with non-invasive bladder tumour. METHODS: The study was performed at Al Assad University Hospital in Lattakia, Syria and included patients with non-invasive bladder tumours who were managed with transurethral resection and induction and maintenance therapy with intravesical doxorubicin. They were followed up by cystoscopy every 3 months for 2 years and every 6 months thereafter with special emphasis on recurrence rates. RESULTS: The study included 85 patients with non-invasive bladder tumours: 23 with non-invasive papillary carcinoma (Stage Ta), 62 with tumour invading subepithelial connective tissue (Stage T1). Twelve patients had well differentiated tumours (Grade 1), 48 had moderately differentiated (Grade 2), 25 had poorly differentiated (Grade 3) tumours. The total recurrence rate was 23%. The rates of recurrence were 56% in Grade 3 and 0% in Grade 1. The recurrence rate was 41% in patients with large tumours versus 17% in those with small tumours; 44% in those with multiple tumours compared to 18% in those with solitary tumours; 30% of Stage Ta tumours recurred and 21% of Stage T1 tumours. CONCLUSION: In short term follow-up, our rate of recurrence was 23%. Adjuvant intravesical doxorubicin was shown to reduce the recurrence of superficial bladder cancer. Tumour grade, size and number were shown to be prognostic factors for recurrence.