Nucleus pulposus cell-derived efficient microcarrier for intervertebral disc tissue engineering.

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) show great potential for the treatment of intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. An ideal carrier is necessary to transplant ADSCs into degenerated IVDs without influencing cell function. Nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) can synthesize and deposit chondroitin sulfate and type II collagen which are NP-specific extracellular matrix (ECM) and can also regulate the NP-specific differentiation of stem cells.

Micro Fragmented Adipose Tissue Promotes the Matrix Synthesis Function of Nucleus Pulposus Cells and Regenerates Degenerated Intervertebral Disc in a Pig Model.

Intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration and consequent lower back pain is a common disease. Micro fragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) is promising for a wide range of applications in regenerative medicine. In this study, MFAT was isolated by a nonenzymatic method and co-cultured with nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) using an indirect co-culture system .

Small Molecule-Based Strategy Promotes Nucleus Pulposus Specific Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) are promising for regenerating degenerated intervertebral discs (IVDs), but the low efficiency of nucleus pulposus (NP)-specific differentiation limits their clinical applications. The Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling pathway is important in NP-specific differentiation of ADSCs, and Smoothened Agonist (SAG) is a highly specific and effective agonist of Shh signaling. In this study, we proposed a new differentiation strategy with the use of the small molecule SAG.

Intradiscal Injection of Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Nucleus Pulposus-Like Cell-Seeded Polymeric Microspheres Promotes Rat Disc Regeneration.

Background: Cell replacement therapy is an attractive alternative for treating degenerated intervertebral discs (IVDs), which are related to the reduction of nucleus pulposus-like cells (NP-lCs) and the loss of the extracellular matrix. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) which resemble embryonic stem cells are considered to be a potential resource for restoring NP-lCs and disc homeostasis. Here, we proposed an efficient two-step differentiation protocol of human iPSCs into NP-lCs and continuously tested their ability to regenerate IVDs.

Sustained release of GDF5 from a designed coacervate attenuates disc degeneration in a rat model.

Low back pain is often caused by intervertebral disc degeneration, which is characterized by nucleus pulposus (NP) and extracellular matrix (ECM) degeneration. Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) induced by growth and differentiation factor-5 (GDF5) can differentiate into an NP-like phenotype. Although stem cell-based therapy with prolonged exposure to growth factors is regarded as a promising treatment, the efficacy of this approach in attenuating the disc degeneration process is limited by the short lifespan of growth factors.

Wogonin mitigates intervertebral disc degeneration through the Nrf2/ARE and MAPK signaling pathways.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a prevalent disease characterized by the progressive loss of the extracellular matrix in the local nucleus pulposus region. Metalloproteinases and pro-inflammatory cytokines play an important role in this process. Thus, anti-inflammatory strategies are an important component of IVDD treatment.

Injectable decellularized nucleus pulposus-based cell delivery system for differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells and nucleus pulposus regeneration.

Stem cell-based tissue engineering is a promising treatment for intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. A bio-scaffold that can maintain the function of transplanted cells and possesses favorable mechanical properties is needed in tissue engineering. Decellularized nucleus pulposus (dNP) has the potential to be a suitable bio-scaffold because it mimics the native nucleus pulposus (NP) composition.

Complications in transorbital penetrating injury by bamboo branch: A case report.

Rationale: Wooden transorbital penetrating injury is an uncommon and serious trauma that may cause multiply complications.

Patient Concerns: Here we describe a 62-year-old Chinese woman with a transorbital penetrating injury caused by a long bamboo branch.

Diagnosis: Computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging showed the presence of a wooden foreign body.

Genipin cross-linked type II collagen/chondroitin sulfate composite hydrogel-like cell delivery system induces differentiation of adipose-derived stem cells and regenerates degenerated nucleus pulposus.

Unlabelled: Nucleus pulposus (NP) degeneration is usually the origin of intervertebral disc degeneration and consequent lower back pain. Although adipose-derived stem cell (ADSC)-based therapy is regarded to be promising for the treatment of degenerated NP, there is a lack of viable cell carriers to transplant ADSCs into the NP while maintaining cell function. In this study, we developed a type II collagen/chondroitin sulfate (CS) composite hydrogel-like ADSC (CCSA) delivery system with genipin as the cross-linking agent.

[Quantitative analysis of enhanced MRI features for predicting epidermal growth factor receptor gene amplification in glioblastoma multiforme with radiomic method].

Objective: To assess the value of contrast enhanced MRI features for predicting epidermal growth factor receptor () gene amplification in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) with radiomic method.

Methods: Eighty patients with status examined GBM were retrospectively reviewed. The data were randomly divided into a training dataset (60%) and test dataset (40%).

[Application of MRI in the diagnosis of glomus tumor].

Objective: To discuss the necessity of MRI as a routine examination for diagnosis of glomus tumor.

Methods: From Nov. 2013 to July 2014, 7 cases of glomus tumor were treated in our department.

Dual release of dexamethasone and TGF-β3 from polymeric microspheres for stem cell matrix accumulation in a rat disc degeneration model.

Low back pain is frequently caused by nucleus pulposus (NP) degeneration. Tissue engineering is a powerful therapeutic strategy which could restore the normal biomechanical motion of the human spine. Previously we reported that a new nanostructured three-dimensional poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microsphere, which is loaded with dexamethasone and growth factor embedded heparin/poly(l-lysine) nanoparticles via a layer-by-layer system, was an effective cell carrier in vitro for NP tissue engineering.

Effects of methylphenidate on resting-state brain activity in normal adults: an fMRI study.

Methylphenidate (MPH) is one of the most commonly used stimulants for the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Although several studies have evaluated the effects of MPH on human brain activation during specific cognitive tasks using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), few studies have focused on spontaneous brain activity. In the current study, we investigated the effect of MPH on the intra-regional synchronization of spontaneous brain activity during the resting state in 18 normal adult males.

Estimation of total body skeletal muscle mass in Chinese adults: prediction model by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Background: There are few reports on total body skeletal muscle mass (SM) in Chinese. The objective of this study is to establish a prediction model of SM for Chinese adults.

Methodology: Appendicular lean soft tissue (ALST) was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and SM by magnetic resonance image (MRI) in 66 Chinese adults (52 men and 14 women).

Imaging findings of splenic hamartoma.

Aim: To assess CT and MR manifestations and their diagnostic value in splenic hamartoma with review of literatures.

Methods: We described a woman who was accidentally found to have a splenic tumor by ultrasound of the abdomen. CT and MR findings of this splenic hamartoma were proved by pathology retrospectively.