Lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory cytokine production by Schwann's cells dependent upon TLR4 expression.

Signaling of Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4) through its cognate ligand endotoxin appears critical in tissue inflammation associated with bacterial infection. We found that anti-GM1 antibody (Ab) enhances TLR4 expression in Schwann's cells (SCs) in vivo and in vitro. The anti-GM1 Ab-treated SC also showed increased release of pro-inflammation cytokines IL-1beta and TNF-alpha after incubation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS).

Rapid communication: pure robot-assisted laparoscopic ureteral reimplantation for ureteral stricture disease: case report.

Background And Purpose: The role of the da Vinci robot is slowly being defined in minimally invasive urologic surgery. We report its use in the management of ureteral stricture disease.

Case Report: A 42-year-old man with recurrent kidney stone disease was found to have a left distal-ureteral stricture.

Enhancement of bone healing based on ex vivo gene therapy using human muscle-derived cells expressing bone morphogenetic protein 2.

Molecular biological advances have allowed the use of gene therapy in a clinical setting. In addition, numerous reports have indicated the existence of inducible osteoprogenitor cells in skeletal muscle. Because of this, we hypothesized that skeletal muscle cells might be ideal vehicles for delivery of bone-inductive factors.

Genetic engineering of meniscal allografts.

Allograft meniscal transplantation represents one of the few available treatment options after menisectomy. Despite acceptable early results, a considerable controversy exists with regard to poor graft regeneration, shrinkage and biomechanical failure of transplanted menisci. Transfer of specific growth factor genes may improve the regeneration process of meniscal allografts.