112 research outputs found
The complex of miRNA2861 and cell-penetrating, dimeric α-helical peptide accelerates the osteogenesis of mesenchymal stem cells
Abstract
Background
The restoration of the functional ability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) using epigenetic modification is very promising for patients with weak osteogenesis ability. This study focused on the acceleration of osteogenesis from MSCs using microRNA (miRNA)2861 and a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP), LK.
Methods
We performed MSCs penetration test of complex between the LK peptides and miRNA 2861. Three different experiments were performed to investigate the effects of miRNA 2861 on osteogenic differentiation in MSCs: 1) intensity of alizarin red staining, which reflects the status of mineralization by osteoblasts; 2) gene expression related to osteoblast differentiation; and 3) confirmation of corresponding protein translation for comparison with RNA expression levels.
Results
We found that cLK effectively delivered miRNA 2861 into the cytoplasm of human MSCs and accelerated osteogenic differentiation from MSCs, as well as mineralization.
Conclusion
The complex of miRNA 2861 with LK may have a positive effect on the osteogenic differentiation from MSCs and mineralization. Therapies using miRNAs combined with LK may be good candidates for the augmentation of osteogenesis in patients
Early Outcome of Posterior Cervical Endoscopic Discectomy: An Alternative Treatment Choice for Physically/Socially Active Patients
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) is currently the standard treatment for cervical disc disease. Some patients wish to be treated with a less invasive method, because of their social/physical situations. Here we present one method of treatments for socially/physically active patients. Three patients had triceps weakness and mild posterior neck pain. The offending lesions were at the C6-7 level. All were middle-aged soldiers with families. If conventional ACDF were performed, they would have to retire from the military according to the regulation. They had to be able to perform military drills after the treatment if they were going to be able to keep their jobs. Because of their social/physical situations, all wanted to choose method with that they could treat the disease and keep their jobs. For these reasons, the posterior cervical endoscopic discectomies were performed. Ruptured fragments were successfully removed in all. The arm pain improved by more than 90% in two patients by 7 days and in the other patient by 2 months, respectively (excellent outcome by Macnab's criteria). None of the operations caused instability. All of the patients are currently able to successfully perform their military drills without difficulty. The posterior cervical endoscopic discectomy may be a promising alternative for the physically/socially active patients
Pathological Classification of the Intramedullary Spinal Cord Tumors According to 2021 World Health Organization Classification of Central Nervous System Tumors, a Single-Institute Experience
According to the new 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) classification of tumors of the central nervous system (CNS) the classification of the primary intramedullary spinal cord tumors (IM-SCT) follows that of CNS tumors. However, since the genetics and methylation profile of ependymal tumors depend on the location of the tumor, the ‘spinal (SP)’ should be added for the ependymoma (EPN) and subependymoma (SubEPN). For an evidence-based review, the authors reviewed SCTs in the archives of the Seoul National University Hospital over the past decade. The frequent pathologies of primary IM-SCT were SP-EPN (45.1%), hemangioblastoma (20.0%), astrocytic tumors (17.4%, including pilocytic astrocytoma [4.6%] and diffuse midline glioma, H3 K27-altered [4.0%]), myxopapillary EPN (11.0%), and SP-subEPN (3.0%) in decreasing order. IDH-mutant astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, glioneuronal tumors, embryonal tumors, and germ cell tumors can occur but are extremely rare in the spinal cord. Genetic studies should support for the primary IM-SCT classification. In the 2021 WHO classifications, extramedullary SCT did not change significantly but contained several new genetically defined types of mesenchymal tumors. This article focused on primary IM-SCT for tumor frequency, age, sex difference, pathological features, and genetic abnormalities, based on a single-institute experience
Anti-inflammatory effect of supercritical extract and its constituents from Ishige okamurae
The anti-inflammatory properties of the supercritical fluid extract of Ishige okamurae (SFEIO) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated murine RAW 264.7 macrophages. The lipid profile of the SFEIO, reviled the presence of palmitic acid (220.2 mg/g), linoleic acid (168.0 mg/g), and oleic acid (123.0 mg/g). SFEIO was found to exert it’s anti-inflammatory effects through inhibiting nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6 production in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells, without inducing cytotoxicity. SFEIO did not effect on the LPS-induced p38 kinase phosphorylation, whereas it attenuated the extracellular-related signaling kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) phosphorylation. Furthermore, SFEIO inhibited the LPS-induced IκB-α degradation and p50 NF-κB activation. These results suggest that SFEIO exerts its anti-inflammatory effects in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells by down-regulating the activation of ERK, JNK, and NF-κB
Clinical Outcomes of Single-level Posterior Percutaneous Endoscopic Cervical Foraminotomy for Patients with Less Cervical Lordosis
Objective Posterior percutaneous endoscopic cervical foraminotomy (P-PECF) is a minimally invasive surgical technique for treatment of cervical radiculopathies. Application of P-PECF to patients with preexisting loss of cervical curvature (<10°) is still controversial because violation to facet joint may lead to kyphotic change. Clinical outcomes of P-PECF was analyzed and compared according to preoperative cervical curvature. Methods In this retrospective nested case-control study, 71 patients who underwent P-PECF due to foraminal soft disc herniation or bony stenosis were reviewed. P-PECF was performed by a single senior surgeon, and surgical methods were as previously described. Visual analogue pain scale on arm (Arm-VAS) was assessed preoperatively and postoperatively (1, 3, 6, 12 month and yearly thereafter). All patients were clinically followed for 24.5±20.0 months. The minimal clinically important difference of the Arm-VAS was set at 2.5. Patients with preoperative cervical curvature ≥10° were included in group I (n=32) and cervical curvature <10° or kyphosis were included in the group II (n=39). Results At the last follow up, 68/71 (96%) patients showed significant reduction of arm pain (Pre-operation, 7.4±2.0; post-operation, 1.5±2.0) after 1.74±0.29 months (95% CI; 1.18-2.31). The preoperative cervical curvature did not influence the outcome (p=0.4, T-test) and time to reach the clinical endpoint (p=0.34, Cox-logistic regression analysis). Conclusion P-PECF effectively reduced radicular pain due to foraminal soft disc herniation or stenosis. Preexisting loss of lordosis is not a risk factor for outcomes of P-PECF
Reoperations after fusion surgeries for degenerative spinal diseases depending on cervical and lumbar regions: a national database study
Background
Reoperation is one of the key factors affecting postoperative clinical outcomes. The reoperation rates of cervical surgeries might be different from those of lumbar surgeries due to the anatomical and biomechanical differences. However, there has been no study to compare the reoperation rate between them. The purpose is to compare reoperation rates after fusion surgeries for degenerative spinal diseases depending on the anatomic region of cervical and lumbar spines.
Method
We used the Korean Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service national database. Subjects were included if they had any of the primary procedures of fusion combined with the procedure of decompression procedures under the diagnosis of degenerative diseases (n = 42,060). We assigned the patients into two groups based on anatomical regions: cervical and lumbar fusion group (n = 11,784 vs 30,276). The primary endpoint of reoperation was the repeat of any aforementioned fusion procedures. Age, gender, presence of diabetes, associated comorbidities, and hospital types were considered potential confounding factors.
Results
The reoperation rate was higher in the patients who underwent lumbar fusion surgery than in the patients who underwent cervical fusion surgery during the entire follow up period (p = 0.0275). A similar pattern was found during the late period (p = 0.0468). However, in the early period, there was no difference in reoperation rates between the two groups. Associated comorbidities and hospital type were noted to be risk factors for reoperation.
Conclusions
The incidence of reoperation was higher in the patients who underwent lumbar fusion surgery than those who underwent cervical fusion surgery for degenerative spinal diseases.This research was supported by the Hallym University Research Fund 2017(HURF-2017–06)
High peak inspiratory pressure may be associated with intraoperative coughing during neurosurgery under general anesthesia without neuromuscular blockade: a retrospective study
Background
The endotracheal cuff pressure depends on the airway pressure during positive-pressure ventilation. A high endotracheal cuff pressure may be related to intraoperative coughing, which can be detrimental during neurosurgery. We investigated the incidence of intraoperative coughing and its association with peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) during neurosurgery under general anesthesia without neuromuscular blockade.
Methods
This retrospective study divided 1656 neurosurgical patients who underwent total intravenous anesthesia without additional neuromuscular blockade after tracheal intubation into high (PIP > 21.6 cmH2O, n = 318) and low (PIP ≤ 21.6 cmH2O, n = 1338) PIP groups. After propensity score matching, 206 patients were selected in each group. Demographic, preoperative, surgical, and anesthetic data were collected retrospectively from electronic medical records and continuous ventilator, infusion pump, and bispectral index data from a data registry.
Results
Intraoperative coughing occurred in 30 (1.8%) patients, including 9 (0.5%) during the main surgical procedure. Intraoperative coughing was more frequent in the high PIP group than in the low PIP group before (14/318 [4.4%] vs. 16/1338 [1.2%], P < 0.001) and after (13/206 [6.3%] vs. 1/206 [0.5%], P = 0.003) propensity score matching. In multivariable logistic regression analysis after propensity score matching, a high PIP (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] 14.22 [1.81-111.73], P = 0.012), tidal volume divided by predicted body weight (mL/kg, 1.36 [1.09–1.69], P = 0.006), and surgical duration (min, 1.01 [1.00–1.01], P = 0.025) predicted intraoperative coughing.
Conclusion
The incidence of intraoperative coughing was 1.8% in neurosurgical patients undergoing general anesthesia without neuromuscular blockade and might be associated with a high PIP
Molecular Targets of Dietary Polyphenols with Anti-inflammatory Properties
There is persuasive epidemiological and experimental evidence that dietary polyphenols have anti-inflammatory activity. Aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have long been used to combat inflammation. Recently, cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors have been developed and recommended for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and osteoarthritis (OA). However, two COX inhibitors have been withdrawn from the market due to unexpected side effects. Because conventional therapeutic and surgical approaches have not been able to fully control the incidence and outcome of many inflammatory diseases, there is an urgent need to find safer compounds and to develop mechanism-based approaches for the management of these diseases. Polyphenols are found in many dietary plant products, including fruits, vegetables, beverages, herbs, and spices. Several of these compounds have been found to inhibit the inflammation process as well as tumorigenesis in experimental animals; they can also exhibit potent biological properties. In addition, epidemiological studies have indicated that populations who consume foods rich in specific polyphenols have lower incidences of inflammatory disease. This paper provides an overview of the research approaches that can be used to unravel the biology and health effects of polyphenols. Polyphenols have diverse biological effects, however, this review will focus on some of the pivotal molecular targets that directly affect the inflammation process
A novel method to detect articular chondrocyte death during early stages of osteoarthritis using a non-invasive ApoPep-1 probe
Numerical Study on the Absorption Characteristics of Subwavelength Metallic Gratings Covered with a Lossy Dielectric Layer
Optical absorbers have been a topic of intense research due to their importance in many applications. In particular, multi-band and perfect absorption features in a desired frequency range are essential in broadband applications. In this work, we numerically studied the absorption properties of subwavelength metallic gratings coated with a dielectric layer. Here, the structure is considered to be an integration between a resonant cavity and a subwavelength metallic grating. Two appropriately designed structures can exhibit multi-band absorption properties. In addition to the numerical simulation results, we elaborate on determining the appropriate structural parameters that yield the desired spectral absorption profile in the visible range. We also numerically identify critical coupling conditions for perfect absorption
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