Lower PrEP Retention among Young and Black Clients Accessing PrEP at a Cluster of Safety Net Clinics for Gay and Bisexual Men.

Young men of color who have sex with men are vulnerable to HIV and experience poor PrEP uptake and retention. We conducted a secondary data analysis and calculated adjusted Prevalence Odds Ratios (aPORs) for PrEP retention along with 95% CIs at 90, 180, and 360 days at an organization running safety net clinics in Texas for gay and bisexual men. We found statistically significant association with age, race, in-clinic versus telehealth appointments, and having healthcare insurance.

Should you adjust that herniated disc? Thoughts from a chiropractor/molecular scientist.

Low back pain accounts for the most years lost to disability of any malady worldwide but most cases of disc herniation (DH) and degenerative disc disease (DDD) resolve with conservative methods. Numerous tissue sources of pain affecting the degenerative/herniated disc have been identified, with changes secondary to the influence of inflammation figuring prominently among them. Due to the proven linkage of inflammation to the pain and progression of disc degeneration, anti-inflammatory/anti-catabolic and pro-anabolic repair strategies are gaining prominence for novel therapeutic approaches.

An update on animal models of intervertebral disc degeneration and low back pain: Exploring the potential of artificial intelligence to improve research analysis and development of prospective therapeutics.

Animal models have been invaluable in the identification of molecular events occurring in and contributing to intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration and important therapeutic targets have been identified. Some outstanding animal models (murine, ovine, chondrodystrophoid canine) have been identified with their own strengths and weaknesses. The llama/alpaca, horse and kangaroo have emerged as new large species for IVD studies, and only time will tell if they will surpass the utility of existing models.

A comparative study of mesenchymal stem cell transplantation and NTG-101 molecular therapy to treat degenerative disc disease.

Cellular replacement therapy using mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and/or the delivery of growth factors are at the forefront of minimally invasive biological treatment options for Degenerative Disc Disease (DDD). In this study, we compared the therapeutic potential of a novel drug candidate, NTG-101 to MSCs, including rat cartilage derived stem cells (rCDSCs), bone marrow stem cells (rBMSCs) and human Umbilical Cord Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (hUCMSCs) for the treatment of DDD. We induced DDD using a validated image-guided needle puncture injury in rat-tail IVDs.

Droplet Sizes Emitted from Demonstration Electric Toothbrushes.

The COVID-19 pandemic has drawn attention to microbial transmission risk via aerosols in dental practice. Demonstration electric toothbrushes are used intra-orally for education. The aim of this investigation was to measure the size of droplets emitted by the brush head of two demonstration oscillating-rotating electric toothbrushes.

Injectable Biologics for the Treatment of Degenerative Disc Disease.

Purpose Of Review: Spinal pain and associated disability is a leading cause of morbidity worldwide that has a strong association with degenerative disc disease (DDD). Biologically based therapies to treat DDD face significant challenges posed by the unique milieu of the environment within the intervertebral disc, and many promising therapies are in the early stages of development. Patient selection, reasonable therapeutic goals, approach, and timing will need to be discerned to successfully translate potential therapeutics.

NTG-101: A Novel Molecular Therapy that Halts the Progression of Degenerative Disc Disease.

The tremendous cost, pain and disability associated with degenerative disc disease (DDD) makes the development of a biological agent that can mitigate the course of DDD, a critical unmet need. We have identified and reported that a single injection of a combination of recombinant human (rh) Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) proteins into the injured intervertebral disc (IVD) nucleus pulposus (NP) can mediate DDD in a pre-clinical rodent model. In this study, we developed and evaluated the efficacy of a novel molecular therapy (NTG-101) containing rhTGF-β1 and rhCTGF proteins suspended in an excipient solution using in vivo models of DDD including rat-tail and chondrodystrophic (CD) canines.

Bedside to bench and back to bedside: Translational implications of targeted intervertebral disc therapeutics.

Spinal pain and associated disability is a leading cause of morbidity worldwide that has a strong association with degenerative disc disease (DDD). DDD can begin in early-late adolescence and has a variable course. Biologically based therapies to treat DDD face significant challenges posed by the unique milieu of the environment within the intervertebral discs.

Cell Clusters Are Indicative of Stem Cell Activity in the Degenerate Intervertebral Disc: Can Their Properties Be Manipulated to Improve Intrinsic Repair of the Disc?

The aim of this study was to examine the complexity of the stem cell populations in the intervertebral disc (IVD) and understand their role in disc degeneration, with a view of determining whether the resident stem cells could be developed for therapeutic purposes to combat IVD degeneration. Stem cells have been isolated from disc and paradiscal tissues, including the notochord, annulus fibrosus (AF), nucleus pulposus (NP), cartilaginous endplate (CEP), ligamentum flavum, and vertebral body. Resident AF and NP cells are relatively sparsely distributed occurring as single or occasional doublet cells surrounded by an extensive extracellular matrix (ECM).

Molecular Therapy for Degenerative Disc Disease: Clues from Secretome Analysis of the Notochordal Cell-Rich Nucleus Pulposus.

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is associated with spinal pain often leading to long-term disability. However, the non-chondrodystrophic canine intervertebral disc is protected from the development of DDD, ostensibly due to its retention of notochordal cells (NC) in the nucleus pulposus (NP). In this study, we hypothesized that secretome analysis of the NC-rich NP will lead to the identification of key proteins that delay the onset of DDD.

Intervertebral Disk Degeneration and Repair.

Intervertebral disk (IVD) degeneration is a natural progression of the aging process. Degenerative disk disease (DDD) is a pathologic condition associated with IVD that has been associated with chronic back pain. There are a variety of different mechanisms of DDD (genetic, mechanical, exposure).

Notochordal cell-derived conditioned medium protects human nucleus pulposus cells from stress-induced apoptosis.

Background Context: Degenerative disc disease (DDD) remains without an effective therapy and presents a costly burden to society.

Purpose: Based upon prior reports concerning the effects of notochordal cell-conditioned medium (NCCM) on disc cells, we performed a proof of principle study to determine whether NCCM could reduce cytotoxic stress-induced apoptosis in human disc nucleus pulposus (NP) cells.

Study Design/setting: This is an "in vitro" fundamental or basic science study.

A commentary on the implications of medication prescription rights for the chiropractic profession.

There is a growing desire within the chiropractic profession to expand the scope of practice to include limited medication prescription rights for the treatment of spine-related and other musculoskeletal conditions. Such prescribing rights have been successfully incorporated into a number of chiropractic jurisdictions worldwide. If limited to a musculoskeletal scope, medication prescription rights have the potential to change the present role of chiropractors within the healthcare system by paving the way for practitioners to become comprehensive specialists in the conservative management of spine / musculoskeletal disorders.

Notochordal cell conditioned medium (NCCM) regenerates end-stage human osteoarthritic articular chondrocytes and promotes a healthy phenotype.

Background: Notochordal cell conditioned medium (NCCM) derived from non-chondrodystrophic dogs has pro-anabolic and anti-catabolic effects upon nucleus pulposus (NP) cells. Here, for the first time, we assessed the ability of NCCM to influence the production of extracellular matrix and inflammatory proteins by healthy and osteoarthritic human chondrocytes within engineered cartilage tissues. We hypothesized that, similar to its action on NP cells, NCCM exerts metabolic and anti-catabolic effects on human articular chondrocytes and has the potential to significantly counteract inflammatory mediators.

The cellular and molecular biology of the intervertebral disc: A clinician's primer.

Clinicians routinely encounter patients suffering from both degenerative and acute spinal pain, often as a consequence of pathology affecting the intervertebral disc (IVD). The IVD is a complex structure essential to spinal function and is subject to degenerative disease and injury. However, due to the complexity of spinal pain syndromes it is often difficult to determine the extent of the IVD's contribution to the genesis of spinal pain.

Chiropractors as Primary Spine Care Providers: precedents and essential measures.

Chiropractors have the potential to address a substantial portion of spinal disorders; however the utilization rate of chiropractic services has remained low and largely unchanged for decades. Other health care professions such as podiatry/chiropody, physiotherapy and naturopathy have successfully gained public and professional trust, increases in scope of practice and distinct niche positions within mainstream health care. Due to the overwhelming burden of spine care upon the health care system, the establishment of a 'primary spine care provider' may be a worthwhile niche position to create for society's needs.

Nonoperative management of cervical myelopathy: a systematic review.

Study Design: Systematic review.

Objective: To conduct a systematic review investigating the evidence of (1) efficacy, effectiveness, and safety of nonoperative treatment of patients with cervical myelopathy; (2) whether the severity of myelopathy affects outcomes of nonoperative treatment; and (3) whether specific activities or minor injuries are associated with neurological deterioration in patients with myelopathy or asymptomatic stenosis being treated nonoperatively.

Summary Of Background Data: Little is known about the appropriate role of nonoperative treatment in the management of cervical myelopathy, which is typically considered a surgical disorder.

Pathophysiology and natural history of cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

Study Design: This study is a combination of narrative and systematic review.

Objective: Clinicians who deal with cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) should be up-to-date with the emerging knowledge related to the cascade of pathobiological secondary events that take place under chronic cervical spinal cord compression. Moreover, by performing a systematic review, we aim to (1) describe the natural history and (2) determine potential risk factors that affect the progression of CSM.

Canonical Wnt signaling and caveolae play a role in intervertebral disc degeneration; the continuing saga of the mysterious notochordal cell.

Over the past few decades small animal models mainly involving rodents and rabbits have been developed whereby needle puncture, stab incision or enzymatic approaches have been validated to create the degenerative disc. Although important, these models continue to be plagued by biological attributes that limit applicability to the human condition. However, the fascinating story of two naturally occurring subspecies of canine, the non-chondrodystrophic and chondrodystrophic canine, provides us with an animal model that differentially is protected from the development of degenerative disc disease.

An examination of the mechanisms by which neural precursors augment recovery following spinal cord injury: a key role for remyelination.

The mechanisms by which neural precursor cells (NPCs) enhance functional recovery from spinal cord injury (SCI) remain unclear. Spinal cord injured rats were transplanted with wild-type mouse NPCs, shiverer NPCs unable to produce myelin, dead NPCs, or media. Most animals also received minocycline, cyclosporine, and perilesional infusion of trophins.

Advancements in the management of spine disorders.

Spinal disorders and especially back and neck pain affect more people and have greater impact on work capacity and health-care costs than any other musculoskeletal condition. One of the difficulties in reducing the burden of spinal disorders is the wide and heterogeneous range of specific diseases and non-specific musculoskeletal disorders that can involve the spinal column, most of which manifest as pain. Despite, or perhaps because of its impact, spinal disorders remain one of the most controversial and difficult conditions for clinicians, patients and policymakers to manage.

Intervertebral disc-derived stem cells: implications for regenerative medicine and neural repair.

Study Design: An in vitro and in vivo evaluation of intervertebral disc (IVD)-derived stem/progenitor cells.

Objective: To determine the chondrogenic, adipogenic, osteogenic, and neurogenic differentiation capacity of disc-derived stem/progenitor cells in vitro and neurogenic differentiation in vivo.

Summary Of Background Data: Tissue repair strategies require a source of appropriate cells that could be used to replace dead or damaged cells and tissues such as stem cells.

Notochordal cells protect nucleus pulposus cells from degradation and apoptosis: implications for the mechanisms of intervertebral disc degeneration.

Introduction: The relative resistance of non-chondrodystrophic (NCD) canines to degenerative disc disease (DDD) may be due to a combination of anabolic and anti-catabolic factors secreted by notochordal cells within the intervertebral disc (IVD) nucleus pulposus (NP). Factors known to induce DDD include interleukin-1 beta (IL-1ß) and/or Fas-Ligand (Fas-L). Therefore we evaluated the ability of notochordal cell conditioned medium (NCCM) to protect NP cells from IL-1ß and IL-1ß +FasL-mediated cell death and degeneration.