Induction of neural tissue markers by micronized human spinal cord implants.

The osteoinductive capacity of biological noncellular material has been widely recognized. Studies using bone morphogenetic proteins and acellular bone matrix demonstrate that host mesenchymal cells can be readily transformed into osteoprogenitor cells. The current study sought to determine whether another biological noncellular material, human spinal cord matrix, could induce transformation of host cells into a neural lineage.

A comparison of two microbial detection methods used in aseptic processing of musculoskeletal allograft tissues.

Tissues from 78 musculoskeletal donors were concurrently tested for microorganisms using both a swab and liquid culture method. An aggregate total of 20 organisms were detected by both methods. The swab detected 4/20 organisms while the liquid culture detected 18/20 organisms.

Optic canal decompression: a cadaveric study of the effects of surgery.

Purpose: To simulate a transphenoidal medial optic canal decompression and determine the anatomic effect on the optic nerve.

Methods: A medial optic canal decompression was performed on 5 cadaveric optic canals within 12 hours of death. Two canals were decompressed under direct visualization and 3 were decompressed by a transphenoidal endoscopic approach.

Blood and marrow cultures as indicators of bone contamination in cadaver donors.

Of 770 cadaver bone donors evaluated, 185 had positive blood or ilium marrow aspirate cultures. These donors were matched with an immediately preceding or subsequent donor with negative blood and marrow cultures. Donors with cultures positive for skin contaminants only were not included in the study.

Medication Development of Ibogaine as a Pharmacotherapy for Drug Dependence.

The potential for deriving new psychotherapeutic medications from natural sources has led to renewed interest in rain forest plants as a source of lead compounds for the development of antiaddiction medications. Ibogaine is an indole alkaloid found in the roots of Tabernanthe iboga (Apocynaceae family), a rain forest shrub that is native to equatorial Africa. Ibogaine is used by indigenous peoples in low doses to combat fatigue, hunger and in higher doses as a sacrament in religious rituals.