A novel animal model of partial optic nerve transection established using an optic nerve quantitative amputator.

Background: Research into retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration and neuroprotection after optic nerve injury has received considerable attention and the establishment of simple and effective animal models is of critical importance for future progress.

Methodology/principal Findings: In the present study, the optic nerves of Wistar rats were semi-transected selectively with a novel optic nerve quantitative amputator. The variation in RGC density was observed with retro-labeled fluorogold at different time points after nerve injury.

Microsurgical anatomy of the greater superficial petrosal nerve.

Objective: To clarify the orientation, classification, and relationships of the greater superficial petrosal nerve (GSPN), and to provide a detailed description on the microsurgical anatomic features and some landmarks to its identification.

Methods: A microsurgical anatomic dissection of the GSPN was studied in 40 specimens obtained from 20 adult cadaveric heads fixed in formalin. The course of the GSPN and its relationship to neighboring anatomic structures were observed.

Denuded human amniotic membrane seeding bone marrow stromal cells as an effective composite matrix stimulates axonal outgrowth of rat neural cortical cells in vitro.

Background: Previous studies have shown that axonal outgrowth in the damaged central nervous system is closely related to the local microenvironment. Transplantation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) or BMSC with some biomaterials has been used to treat various central nervous system diseases with some success. In the current study, we investigated if BMSC on denuded human amniotic membrane (DhAM) as a composite matrix could stimulate axonal outgrowth or not.