Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Reduce Cellular Damage after Experimental Spinal Cord Injury in Rats.

Traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) is a devastating condition without an effective therapy. Cellular therapies are among the promising treatment strategies. Adult stem cells, such as mesenchymal stem cells, are often used clinical research for their immunomodulatory and regenerative potential.

Comparison Between Surgical and Conservative Treatment for AOSpine Type A3 and A4 Thoracolumbar Fractures without Neurological Deficit: Prospective Observational Cohort Study.

 To compare the clinical results between conservative (CS) and surgical treatment (CXS) of A3 and A4 fractures without neurological deficit.  Prospective observational study of patients with thoracolumbar fractures type A3 and A4. These patients were separated between the surgical and conservative groups, and evaluated sequentially through the numeric rating scale (NRS), Roland-Morris disability questionnaire (RMDQ), EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D) quality of life questionnaire, and Denis work scale (DWS) up to 2.

International and Multicenter Prospective Controlled Study of Dysphagia After Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery.

Background: In the context of anterior approach to the cervical spine, dysphagia is a common complication and still without a clear distinction of risk factors.

Objective: To analyze the risk factors of dysphagia after cervical spine surgery.

Methods: Multicenter prospective study evaluated patients who underwent anterior cervical spine surgery for degenerative pathologies, studying surgical, anesthesia, base disease, and radiological variables (preoperatively, 24 hours, 1 and 3 weeks, and 6 months after surgery), with control group matched.

Correlation Between Cage Positioning and Lumbar Lordosis in Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF).

 The present study evaluates radiographic outcomes and the lumbar lordosis achieved with a transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) arthrodesis technique according to the positioning of an interbody device (cage) in the disc space.  This is a retrospective radiographic analysis of single-level surgical patients with degenerative lumbar disease submitted to a TLIF procedure and posterior pedicle instrumentation. We divided patients into two groups according to cage positioning.

How much leaf area do insects eat? A data set of insect herbivory sampled globally with a standardized protocol.

Herbivory is ubiquitous. Despite being a potential driver of plant distribution and performance, herbivory remains largely undocumented. Some early attempts have been made to review, globally, how much leaf area is removed through insect feeding.

Edaphic niche characterization of four Proteaceae reveals unique calcicole physiology linked to hyper-endemism of Grevillea thelemanniana.

Endemism and rarity have long intrigued scientists. We focused on a rare endemic and critically-endangered species in a global biodiversity hotspot, Grevillea thelemanniana (Proteaceae). We carried out plant and soil analyses of four Proteaceae, including G.

Access to Technology and Education for the Development of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Techniques in Latin America.

Objective: To evaluate access to the technologies and education needed to perform minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) in Latin America.

Methods: We designed a questionnaire to evaluate surgeons' practice characteristics, access to different technologies, and training opportunities for MISS techniques. The survey was sent to members and registered users of AO Spine Latin from January 6-20, 2020.

Assessment of Interobserver Variability for CT Scan-Based Evaluation of Posterior Ligament Complex Injury in Thoracolumbar Fractures: An International Multicenter Pilot Study.

Study Design: A multicenter, pilot study, for radiological assessment of thoracolumbar spine fractures was performed with the participation of 7 centers in Africa, Europe, Asia, and South America as a part of the AO Foundation network.

Objectives: To determine the interobserver variability for computed tomography (CT) scan-based evaluation of posterior ligament complex (PLC) injury in thoracolumbar fractures.

Methods: Forty-two observers including 1 principal investigator at each participating center performed variability assessment.

Handling by avian frugivores affects diaspore secondary removal.

The balance between the costs and benefits of fleshy fruit production depends on the feeding behavior of their seed dispersers, which might effectively disperse seeds to farther areas or drop beneath parent plants some diaspores they handle during frugivory bouts. Nevertheless, the consequences of variation in fruit handling by primary seed dispersers on the secondary removal of diaspores remains poorly understood. We conducted a field study to determine how variation in fruit handling by avian frugivores affects short-term secondary removal of Miconia irwinii (Melastomataceae) diaspores by the ground-dwelling fauna in campo rupestre vegetation, southeastern Brazil.

High sensitivity method validated to quantify estradiol in human plasma by LC-MS/MS.

17β-Estradiol (E2) is an endogenous steroid in the human body. Its measurement is important for health and human biology understanding. However, E2 concentration in human plasma is in the range of pg/mL, which makes it difficult to detect.

Intraspecific variation in fruit-frugivore interactions: effects of fruiting neighborhood and consequences for seed dispersal.

The extent of specialization/generalization continuum in fruit-frugivore interactions at the individual level remains poorly explored. Here, we investigated the interactions between the Neotropical treelet Miconia irwinii (Melastomataceae) and its avian seed dispersers in Brazilian campo rupestre. We built an individual-based network to derive plant degree of interaction specialization regarding disperser species.

Influence of mononuclear cell therapy on disc degeneration in rabbits.

Objective: The objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of autologous mononuclear stem cells injections on histological changes of collagen in the fibrous annulus of the intervertebral disk after experimental injury.

Methods: 32 New Zealand rabbits were submitted to intervertebral disk puncture, followed by intradiscal injection of mononuclear cells from the iliac crest saline injection in the following time periods: two months after the injury (SC2M and SS2M), two weeks (SC2W and SS2W) immediately after injury (SCCP and SSCP), and without inducing degeneration (SCSP and SSSP). Two months after cell therapy, the animals were euthanized and collagen changes in the intervertebral discs were histologically evaluated.

Polypeptide A9K at nanoscale carbon: a simulation study.

The amphiphilic nature of surfactant-like peptides is responsible for their propensity to aggregate at the nanoscale. These peptides can be readily used for a non-covalent functionalization of nanoparticles and macromolecules. This work reports an observation of supramolecular ensembles consisting of ultrashort carbon nanotubes (USCNTs), graphene (GR) and A9K polypeptides formed by lysine and arginine.

Effects of ropivacaine combined with morphine at 0.15 and 0.2 mg kg(-1) in bitches undergoing epidural anesthesia.

Purpose: To investigate cardiorespiratory effects and serum concentration of ropivacaine combined with morphine at different doses.

Methods: Sixteen healthy adult female dogs weighting 9.8 ± 4.

Bispectral index in calves anesthetized with xylazine, midazolam, ketamine, isoflurane and subjected to continuous rate infusion of lidocaine.

Purpose: To assess the bispectral index (BIS) and recovery in calves anesthetized with xylazine, midazolam, ketamine and isoflurane and subjected to CRI of lidocaine.

Methods: Xilazine was administered followed by ketamine and midazolam, orotracheal intubation and maintenance on isoflurane using mechanical ventilation. Lidocaine (2 mg kg(-1) bolus) or saline (0.

Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic evaluation of a nanotechnological topical formulation of lidocaine/prilocaine (nanorap) in healthy volunteers.

Background: Nanorap is a new nanotechnological formulation for topical anesthesia composed of lidocaine (2.5%) and prilocaine (2.5%).

Propylthiouracil quantification in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry: application in a bioequivalence study.

Unlabelled: A rapid, sensitive and specific method for quantifying propylthiouracil in human plasma using methylthiouracil as the internal standard (IS) is described. The analyte and the IS were extracted from plasma by liquid-liquid extraction using an organic solvent (ethyl acetate). The extracts were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) in negative mode (ES-).

Tumescent local anesthesia with ropivacaine in different concentrations in bitches undergoing mastectomy: plasma concentration and post-operative analgesia.

Objective: To compare two concentrations of ropivacaine administered for tumescent local anesthesia (TLA) in dogs undergoing mastectomy.

Study Design: Prospective randomized clinical study.

Animals: Seventeen bitches of various breeds, aged 12 ± 2 years and weighing 10 ± 6.

Quantification of dapaconazole in human plasma using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry: application to a phase I study.

A simple, selective and sensitive method based on high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) has been developed for the determination of dapaconazole in human plasma using tioconazole as internal standard. The drugs were extracted from plasma by liquid-liquid extraction with ether/hexane (80/20, v/v). The chromatography separation was performed on a Genesis(®) C18 reversed phase analytical column 4μm (100×2.

Histomorphometric analysis of experimental disc degeneration.

Symptomatic disc degeneration is a complex pathological condition that involves a cascade of events and is not totally understood. In this context, animal models gain an important role, allowing for better understanding of the degenerative process and therapeutic interventions. There are several models with different methods of evaluation of experimental disc degeneration (EDD), including imaging, biochemical, genetics, and histological approaches, but no real gold standard has been set.

Role of a novel tetrodotoxin-resistant sodium channel in the nitrergic relaxation of corpus cavernosum from the South American rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus.

Introduction: Coitus in snakes may last up to 28 hours; however, the mechanisms involved are unknown.

Aim: To evaluate the relevance of the nitric oxide (NO)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) system in snake corpus cavernosum reactivity.

Methods: Hemipenes were removed from anesthetized South American rattlesnakes (Crotalus durissus terrificus) and studied by light and scanning electronic microscopy.

Quantification of cyproheptadine in human plasma by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray tandem mass spectrometry in a bioequivalence study.

A rapid, sensitive and specific method to quantify cyproheptadine in human plasma using amitriptyline as the internal standard (IS) is described. The analyte and the IS were extracted from plasma by liquid-liquid extraction using a diethyl-ether/dichloromethane (70/30; v/v) solvent. After removing and drying the organic phase, the extracts were reconstituted with a fixed volume of acetonitrile/water (50/50 v/v)+0.

RADIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF EXPERIMENTAL DISC DEGENERATION IN RABBITS.

Objective: To validate radiographic evaluation of a rabbit model for disc degeneration.

Methods: Lumbar intervertebral discs of New Zealand rabbits were stabbed three times with a 18G needle at a limited depth of 5mm, through lateral approach. Serial radiographic images were taken on the early pre-and postoperative periods, and after four, eight and 12 weeks of the procedure, with subsequent analysis of disc height, osteophyte formation, endplate sclerosis, and presence of disc degeneration.

[The impact of mechanical ventilation strategies that minimize atelectrauma in an experimental model of acute lung injury].

Objective: To evaluate whether ventilation strategies that target alveolar stabilization and prevention of atelectrauma would be associated with more favorable physiologic outcomes in a combined model of acute lung injury.

Methods: Thirty-nine rabbits were instrumented and ventilated with FiO(2) of 1.0.