Utilizing Lateral Sprouting Axons to Reinnervate a Transferred Free Muscle to Enhance Distal Muscle Recovery When Performing High-Level Nerve Repair : Experimental Rat Study.

Background: High-level median or ulnar nerve injuries and repairs typically result in suboptimal re-innervation of distal muscles. Functioning Free Muscle Transplantation (FFMT) is increasingly recognized as an effective method to restore function in chronic muscle denervation cases. This study investigates the efficacy of using an additional FFMT, neurotized by lateral sprouting axons from a repaired high-level mixed nerve in the upper limb, to enhance distal hand function.

Intranasal administration of mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing FGF21 demonstrates therapeutic potential in experimental Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent movement disorder characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction and dopaminergic neuronal loss in the substantia nigra of the midbrain. Currently, there are no effective treatments to cure or slow the progression of PD, highlighting an urgent need for new therapeutic strategies. Emerging evidence suggests that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) are potential candidates for PD treatment.

Bicyclic Inhibitors of Branched-Chain α-Keto Acid Dehydrogenase Kinase (BDK) with In Vivo Activity.

Elevated levels of the branched chain α-amino acids valine, leucine, and isoleucine are associated with heart disease and metabolic disorders. The kinase BDK, also known as branched-chain ketoacid dehydrogenase kinase (BCKDK), is a negative regulator of branched-chain α-amino acid metabolism through deactivation of BCKDC, the branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex. Inhibitors of BDK increase the activity of BCKDC and could be useful therapeutic leads for cardiometabolic diseases.

Quantifying the Impact of C7 Spinal Nerve Harvest on Spontaneous, Patient-Initiated Movement of the Donor Upper Extremity.

Background: Transfer of a healthy C7 spinal nerve is a tool for upper extremity reanimation in patients with severe brachial plexus injury (BPI). Its use remains controversial owing to concern for neurological injury to the donor arm. Utilizing wearable motion-sensor technology, we aimed to quantify donor arm morbidity after C7 spinal nerve harvest in patients with pan-BPI, reporting both the time and magnitude of donor arm movement in a real-world setting compared to healthy controls.