The Application of Focused Medium-Energy Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy in Hemophilic A Arthropathy.

Hemophilic arthropathy causes the damage of synovium, cartilage, and subchondral bone. The present study evaluated the safety and the effect of extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT), a safe treatment widely used in musculoskeletal conditions in patients with hemophilic arthropathy. Between 1 August 2019 and 31 July 2020, seven hemophilia A patients were enrolled and treated with medium-energy ESWT on the knee joint in the first two months after prophylactic coagulation factor administration.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Combined with Platelet-Rich Plasma during Preventive and Therapeutic Stages of Intrauterine Adhesion in a Rat Model.

Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) is caused by artificial endometrial damage during intrauterine cavity surgery. The typical phenotype involves loss of spontaneous endometrium recovery and angiogenesis. Undesirable symptoms include abnormal menstruation and infertility; therefore, prevention and early treatment of IUA remain crucial issues.

Comparison of Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy with Non-Steroid Anti-Inflammatory Drugs and Intra-Articular Hyaluronic Acid Injection for Early Osteoarthritis of the Knees.

Conservative treatments for early osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee included the use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and intra-articular hyaluronic acid (HA) injection. Recently, several animal studies reported that extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) demonstrated chondroprotective effects on knee OA. The present study compared the efficacy of oral NSAIDs, HA injection, and noninvasive ESWT for early OA of the knee.

Combined levosimendan and Sacubitril/Valsartan markedly protected the heart and kidney against cardiorenal syndrome in rat.

Background: Cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) remains the leading cause of death in hospitalized patients for all disease entities. Sacubitril/Valsartan (Sac/Val) therapy has been proved to improve prognostic outcome in patients with heart failure or chronic kidney disease. This study tested the hypothesis that combined levosimendan and Sac/Val was superior to just one therapy on protecting the heart and kidney against simultaneous heart and kidney ischemia (I) (for 50-min)-reperfusion (R) (for 7-days) (i.

Pathological, Morphometric and Correlation Analysis of the Modified Mankin Score, Tidemark Roughness and Calcified Cartilage Thickness in Rat Knee Osteoarthritis after Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy.

The paper displayed the pathological changes and relationships of the modified Mankin score, tidemark roughness and calcified cartilage (CC) thickness by extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) (0.25 mJ/ mm with 800 impulses) on different positions of the medial and lateral rat knee OA joint. After the experiments, the articular cartilage was assessed using histomorphometry, image analysis and statistical method.

Cellular Prion Protein Is Essential for Myocardial Regeneration but Not the Recovery of Left Ventricular Function from Apical Ballooning.

This study tested the hypothesis that cellular prion protein (PrP) played an essential role in myocardial regeneration and recovery of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) from apical takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TCM) induced by transaortic constriction (TAC). In vitro study was categorized into G1 (H9C2), G2 (H9C2-overexpression-PrP), G3 (H9C2-overexpression-PrP + Stelazine/1 uM), and G4 (H9C2 + siRNA-PrP), respectively. The results showed that the protein expressions of PrP, cell-stress signaling (p-PI3K/p-Akt/p-m-TOR) and signal transduction pathway for cell proliferation/division (RAS/c-RAF/p-MEK/p-ERK1/2) were lowest in G1, highest in G2, significantly higher in G3 than in G4 (all < 0.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Salvages Critical Limb Ischemia in B6 Mice through Upregulating Cell Proliferation Signaling and Angiogenesis.

(1) This study tests hypothesis whether extracorporeal shock wave (ECSW) therapy effectively salvages mouse critical limb ischemia (CLI). In vitro result demonstrated that the angiogenesis parameters (i.e.

Physical Considerations for In Vitro ESWT Research Design.

In vitro investigations, which comprise the bulk of research efforts geared at identifying an underlying biomechanical mechanism for extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), are commonly hampered by inadequate descriptions of the underlying therapeutic acoustical pressure waves. We demonstrate the necessity of in-situ sound pressure measurements inside the treated samples considering the significant differences associated with available applicator technologies and cell containment. A statistical analysis of pulse-to-pulse variability in an electrohydraulic applicator yields a recommendation for a minimal pulse number of = 300 for cell pallets and suspensions to achieve reproducible treatments.

Valsartan- and melatonin-supported adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells preserve renal function in chronic kidney disease rat through upregulation of prion protein participated in promoting PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling and cell proliferation.

This study tested the hypothesis that valsartan (Val) and melatonin (Mel)-assisted adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) preserved the residual renal function in chronic kidney disease (CKD) rat through promoting cellular-prior-protein (PrP) to upregulate PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling and cell proliferation. In vitro study demonstrated that as compared with CKD-derived-ADMSCs, Val/Mel/overexpression of PrP-treated CKD derived-ADMSCs significantly upregulated cell proliferation and protein expressions of PrP and phosphorylated (p)-PI3K/p-Akt/p-mTOR, and downregulated oxidative stress (all p < 0.001).

The Prognostic Value of Serum Soluble TREM-1 on Outcome in Adult Patients with Sepsis.

Increased soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 1 (sTREM-1) levels have been reported in patients with sepsis. We tested the hypotheses that serum sTREM-1 levels increase in the early phase of sepsis and decrease after sepsis under appropriate treatment and that sTREM-1 levels can predict therapeutic outcomes. One hundred and fifty-five patients prospectively underwent blood samples including biochemical data, sTREM-1, and biomarkers on endothelial dysfunction as well as clinical severity index examinations.

Recent Advances in Diabetic Kidney Diseases: From Kidney Injury to Kidney Fibrosis.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. The natural history of DKD includes glomerular hyperfiltration, progressive albuminuria, declining estimated glomerular filtration rate, and, ultimately, kidney failure. It is known that DKD is associated with metabolic changes caused by hyperglycemia, resulting in glomerular hypertrophy, glomerulosclerosis, and tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis.

Detraining Effect on Pulmonary and Cardiovascular Autonomic Function and Functional Outcomes in Patients With Parkinson's Disease After Respiratory Muscle Training: An 18-Month Follow-Up Study.

The effect of 3-month respiratory muscle training (RMT) on pulmonary and autonomic function and functional outcomes has been demonstrated in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD); however, there is a paucity of information on the durability of the training effect. In this study, we monitored the pulmonary and cardiovascular autonomic function and clinical severity scales until 18 months after the cessation of RMT to elucidate the detraining effect after RMT. All patients with PD receiving RMT were assessed with clinical severity scales as well as pulmonary and autonomic function tests at four different stages (baseline on enrollment, immediately after 3 months of RMT, and 6 and 18 months after cessation of RMT).

Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells-Conditioned Medium Modulates the Expression of Inflammation Induced Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2, -5 and -6 as Well as Compared with Shockwave Therapy on Rat Knee Osteoarthritis.

The dose-dependent effects of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cell-conditioned medium (ADSC-CM) were compared with those of shockwave (SW) therapy in the treatment of early osteoarthritis (OA). Anterior cruciate ligament transaction (ACLT) with medial meniscectomy (MMx) was performed in rats divided into sham, OA, SW, CM1 (intra-articular injection of 100 μL ADSC-CM into knee OA), and CM2 (intra-articular injection of 200 μL ADSC-CM) groups. Cartilage grading, grading of synovium changes, and specific molecular analysis by immunohistochemistry staining were performed.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy Protected the Functional and Architectural Integrity of Rodent Urinary Bladder against Ketamine-Induced Damage.

This study tested the hypothesis that extracorporeal-shock-wave (ECSW) protected the functional and anatomical integrity of rat urinary-bladder against ketamine-induced damage. In in vitro study, the rat bladder smooth muscle cells (RBdSMCs) were categorized into G1 (sham-control), G2 (RBdSMCs + menadione), G3 (RBdSMCs + ECSW) and G4 (RBdSMCs + menadione + ECSW). The results showed protein expressions of oxidative-stress/mitochondrial-damaged biomarkers (NOX-1/NOX-2/oxidized protein/cytosolic-cytochrome-C/cyclophilin-D), inflammatory markers (MyD88/TRAF6/p-IKB-α/NF-κB/TNF-α/IL-6/IL-1ß/MMP-9/iNOS), and cell-stress response signalings (ASK1/p-MKK4/p-MKK7/ERK1/2//p-JNK/p-p38/p-53) were significantly increased in G2 than in G1 and G3, and those were significantly reversed in G4 (all < 0.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Enhanced Exogenous Mitochondria into Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Further Preserved Heart Function in Rat Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

This study tested whether extracorporeal shock wave (ECSW) supported-exogenous mitochondria (Mito) into adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) would preserve left-ventricular-ejection-fraction (LVEF) in doxorubicin/12 mg/kg-induced dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) rat. Adult-male-SD rats were equally categorized into group 1 (sham-control), group 2 (DCM), group 3 (DCM + ECSW/1.5 mJ/mm for 140 shots/week × 3 times/since day 14 after DCM induction), group 4 (DCM + ECSW/1.

Melatonin and hyperbaric oxygen therapies suppress colorectal carcinogenesis through pleiotropic effects and multifaceted mechanisms.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide. Colorectal carcinogenesis is frequently induced by hypoxia to trigger the reprogramming of cellular metabolism and gain of malignant phenotypes. Previously, hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy and melatonin have been reported to alter the hypoxic microenvironment, resulting in inhibiting cancer cell survival.

Timing of the first cannulation and survival of arteriovenous grafts in hemodialysis patients: a multicenter retrospective cohort study.

Arteriovenous graft (AVG) is an important vascular access route in hemodialysis patients. The optimal waiting time between AVG creation and the first cannulation is still undetermined, therefore the current study investigated the association between ideal timing for cannulation and AVG survival. This retrospective cohort study used data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Database, which included 6,493 hemodialysis patients with AVGs between July 1 2008 and June 30 2012.

Additional benefit of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cell therapy on sepsis syndrome-associated acute kidney injury in rat treated with antibiotic.

Background: This study tested whether human induced-pluripotent stem-cell-derived mesenchymal-stem-cells (iPS-MSCs) would offer an additional benefit to the rodent with acute kidney injury (AKI) (ischemia for 1 h followed by reperfusion for 120 h) associated sepsis syndrome (SS) (by cecal-ligation-puncture immediately after AKI-induction) undergoing ciprofloxacin therapy.

Results: Male-adult SD rats (n = 80) were categorized into group 1 (sham-operated-control, n = 10), group 2 (AKI + SS, n = 24), group 3 (AKI + SS + ciprofloxacin/3 mg/kg, orally for 120 h, n = 12), group 4 (AKI + SS + iPS-MSCs/1.2 × 10/intravenously administered by 3 h after AKI, n = 12), group 5 (AKI + SS + iPS-MSCs/1.

Entresto protected the cardiomyocytes and preserved heart function in cardiorenal syndrome rat fed with high-protein diet through regulating the oxidative stress and Mfn2-mediated mitochondrial functional integrity.

This study tested the hypothesis that Entresto (En) therapy protected the cardiomyocytes and heart function in cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) rats fed with high-protein diet (HPD) through regulating the oxidative-stress and Mfn2-mediated mitochondrial functional integrity. En (12.5 μM for the in-vitro study) protected the H9C2-cells against HO-induced cell apoptosis, whereas stepwise-increased HO concentrations induced a significant increase in protein expressions of Mfn2/phosphorylated (p)-DRP1/mitochondrial-Bax in H9C2-cells.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Enhances the Cisplatin Efficacy by Improving Tissue Infiltration and Cellular Uptake in an Upper Urinary Tract Cancer Animal and Human-Derived Organoid Model.

Upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a relatively rare cancer with a poor prognosis if diagnosed at an advanced stage. Although cisplatin-based chemotherapy is a common treatment strategy, it has a limited response rate. Shock wave lithotripsy is a common treatment for upper urinary tract stones.

Sex-based differences in bacterial meningitis in adults: Epidemiology, clinical features, and therapeutic outcomes.

Background: To investigate the sex-based differences in clinical features, causative pathogens, and outcomes of hospital-based culture-proven adult bacterial meningitis.

Objective: This retrospective study enrolled 621 patients at a tertiary medical center. To compare changes over time, the presentation of disease among the enrolled patients was divided into two equal time periods: the first study period (1986-2002) and the second study period (2003-2019).

Early treatment with combination of SS31 and entresto effectively preserved the heart function in doxorubicin-induced dilated cardiomyopathic rat.

Background: This study tested the hypothesis that early administration of SS31 and entresto (En) was superior to either one alone on preserving the heart function in setting of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) induced by doxorubicin (Dox) [accumulated dosage of 12.5 mg/kg/administered by intraperitoneal (IP) at 4 separated time points within 20 days] in rat.

Methods And Results: Adult-male SD rats (n = 40) were equally categorized into groups 1 (sham-control), 2 (DCM), 3 (DCM + SS31/0.

Oxford's clinical experience in the development of high intensity focused ultrasound therapy.

High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) capably bridges the disciplines of surgery, oncology and biomedical engineering science. It provides the precision associated with a surgical tool whilst remaining a truly non-invasive technique. Oxford has been a centre for both clinical and preclinical research in HIFU over the last twenty years.