Effects of two different hip-knee-ankle-foot orthoses on postural stability in subjects with spinal cord injury : a pilot study

Purpose Evaluation of two different hip-knee-ankle-foot orthoses (HKAFOs; medial linkage reciprocating gait orthosis [MLRGO] and isocentric reciprocating gait orthosis [IRGO]) using gait and postural stability analysis in four subjects with spinal cord injury (SCI). Overview of Literature To the best of our knowledge, no study has evaluated postural stability in subjects with SCI when using MLRGO and IRGO. Methods The relative efficacy of each orthosis was evaluated with relevant gait parameters, and an assessment of postural stability and sway during usage was made. Each analysis was conducted following an appropriate period of training and acclimatization. The gait parameters employed in the study were walking speed, cadence, and endurance; these were recorded and analyzed using current, validated methods. Postural stability was assessed using a verified force plate measurement system, and a modified Falls Efficacy Scale (mFES) was used for the measurement of postural sway and the perceived fear of falling. Results Walking speed, cadence, and endurance increased with the use of both HKAFOs. When the two types of HKAFOs were compared, all the parameters showed a slight (but not significant) increase with the use of MLRGO compared with the use of IRGO. In contrast, there were slight but insignificant improvements in postural sway with the use of IRGO. However, although there were no significant differences between the two sets of mFES scores, there was a slightly reduced fear of falling with the use of MLRGO compared with the use of IRGO in the static standing position. Conclusions It is noteworthy that meaningful interpretations of results can only be drawn if a larger sample is employed. This pilot study showed no significant data; however, the results indicate that the use of MLRGO is superior to that of IRGO in terms of potential improvement in the mobility and confidence levels of subjects with SCI

The physiological cost index of walking with a powered knee ankle foot orthosis in subjects with poliomyelitis : A pilot study

Background: A powered knee ankle foot orthosis (KAFO) was developed to provide restriction of knee flexion during stance phase and active flexion and extension of the knee during swing phase of gait. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine its effect on the physiological cost index (PCI), walking speed and the distance walked in people with poliomyelitis compared to when walking with a KAFO with drop lock knee joints. Methods: Seven subjects with poliomyelitis volunteered for the study, and undertook gait analysis with both types of KAFO. Results: Walking with the powered KAFO significantly reduced walking speed (p=0.015) and the distance walked (p=0.004), and also it did not improve PCI values (p =0.009) compared to walking with the locked KAFO. Conclusion: Using a powered KAFO did not significantly improve any of the primary outcome measures during walking for poliomyelitis subjects

The Eminent Role of microRNAs in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an irrevocable neurodegenerative condition characterized by the presence of senile plaques comprising amassed β-amyloid peptides (Aβ) and neurofibrillary tangles mainly comprising extremely phosphorylated Tau proteins. Recent studies have emphasized the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the development of AD. A number of miRNAs, namely, miR-200a-3p, miR-195, miR-338-5p, miR-34a-5p, miR-125b-5p, miR-132, miR-384, miR-339-5p, miR-135b, miR-425-5p, and miR-339-5p, have been shown to participate in the development of AD through interacting with BACE1. Other miRNAs might affect the inflammatory responses in the course of AD. Aberrant expression of several miRNAs in the plasma samples of AD subjects has been shown to have the aptitude for differentiation of AD subjects from healthy subjects. Finally, a number of AD-modifying agents affect miRNA profile in cell cultures or animal models. We have performed a comprehensive search and summarized the obtained data about the function of miRNAs in AD in the current review article. © Copyright © 2021 Samadian, Gholipour, Hajiesmaeili, Taheri and Ghafouri-Fard

A Roadmap for the Production of a GMP-Compatible Cell Bank of Allogeneic Bone Marrow-Derived Clonal Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Cell Therapy Applications

Background: Allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been used extensively in various clinical trials. Nevertheless, there are concerns about their efficacy, attributed mainly to the heterogeneity of the applied populations. Therefore, producing a consistent population of MSCs is crucial to improve their therapeutic efficacy. This study presents a good manufacturing practice (GMP)-compatible and cost-effective protocol for manufacturing, banking, and lot-release of a homogeneous population of human bone marrow-derived clonal MSCs (cMSCs). Methods: Here, cMSCs were isolated based on the subfractionation culturing method. Afterward, isolated clones that could reproduce up to passage three were stored as the seed stock. To select proliferative clones, we used an innovative, cost-effective screening strategy based on lengthy serial passaging. Finally, the selected clones re-cultured from the seed stock to establish the following four-tired cell banking system: initial, master, working, and end of product cell banks (ICB, MCB, WCB, and EoPCB). Results: Through a rigorous screening strategy, three clones were selected from a total of 21 clones that were stored during the clonal isolation process. The selected clones met the identity, quality, and safety assessments criteria. The validated clones were stored in the four-tiered cell bank system under GMP conditions, and certificates of analysis were provided for the three-individual ready-to-release batches. Finally, a stability study validated the EoPCB, release, and transport process of the frozen final products. Conclusion: Collectively, this study presents a technical and translational overview of a GMP-compatible cMSCs manufacturing technology that could lead to the development of similar products for potential therapeutic applications. Graphical Abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.

Evaluation of gait symmetry in poliomyelitis subjects : Comparison of a conventional knee ankle foot orthosis (KAFO) and a new powered KAFO.

Background: Compared to able-bodied subjects, subjects with post polio syndrome and poliomyelitis demonstrate a preference for weight-bearing on the non-paretic limb, causing gait asymmetry. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the gait symmetry of the poliomyelitis subjects when ambulating with either a drop- locked knee ankle foot orthosis (KAFO) or a newly developed powered KAFO. Methods: Seven subjects with poliomyelitis who routinely wore conventional KAFOs participated in this study, and received training to enable them to ambulate with the powered KAFO on level ground, prior to gait analysis. Results: There were no significant differences in the gait symmetry index (SI) of step length (P=0.085), stance time (P=0.082), double limb support time (P=0.929) or speed of walking (p=0.325) between the two test conditions. However, using the new powered KAFO improved the SI in step width (P=0.037), swing time (P=0.014), stance phase percentage (P=0.008) and knee flexion during swing phase (p≤0.001) compared to wearing the dropped locked KAFO. Conclusion: The use of a powered KAFO for ambulation by poliomyelitis subjects affects gait symmetry in the base of support, swing time, stance phase percentage and knee flexion during swing phase

Nonordered dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles as promising platforms for advanced methods of diagnosis and therapies

Dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (DMSNs) are a new generation of porous materials that have gained great attention compared to other mesoporous silicas due to attractive properties, including straightforward synthesis methods, modular surface chemistry, high surface area, tunable pore size, chemical inertness, particle size distribution, excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and high pore volume compared with conventional mesoporous materials. The last years have witnessed a blooming growth of the extensive utilization of DMSNs as an efficient platform in a broad spectrum of biomedical and industrial applications, such as catalysis, energy harvesting, biosensing, drug/gene delivery, imaging, theranostics, and tissue engineering. DMSNs are considered great candidates for nanomedicine applications due to their ease of surface functionalization for targeted and controlled therapeutic delivery, high therapeutic loading capacity, minimizing adverse effects, and enhancing biocompatibility. In this review, we will extensively detail state-of-the-art studies on recent advances in synthesis methods, structure, properties, and applications of DMSNs in the biomedical field with an emphasis on the different delivery routes, cargos, and targeting approaches and a wide range of therapeutic, diagnostic, tissue engineering, vaccination applications and challenges and future implications of DMSNs as cuttingedge technology in medicine

Critical parameters to translate gold nanoparticles as radiosensitizing agents into the clinic

peer reviewe

Multifunctional nanostructures: Intelligent design to overcome biological barriers

peer reviewe

Nonordered dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles as promising platforms for advanced methods of diagnosis and therapies

Dendritic mesoporous silica nanoparticles (DMSNs) are a new generation of porous materials that have gained great attention compared to other mesoporous silicas due to attractive properties, including straightforward synthesis methods, modular surface chemistry, high surface area, tunable pore size, chemical inertness, particle size distribution, excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and high pore volume compared with conventional mesoporous materials. The last years have witnessed a blooming growth of the extensive utilization of DMSNs as an efficient platform in a broad spectrum of biomedical and industrial applications, such as catalysis, energy harvesting, biosensing, drug/gene delivery, imaging, theranostics, and tissue engineering. DMSNs are considered great candidates for nanomedicine applications due to their ease of surface functionalization for targeted and controlled therapeutic delivery, high therapeutic loading capacity, minimizing adverse effects, and enhancing biocompatibility. In this review, we will extensively detail state-of-the-art studies on recent advances in synthesis methods, structure, properties, and applications of DMSNs in the biomedical field with an emphasis on the different delivery routes, cargos, and targeting approaches and a wide range of therapeutic, diagnostic, tissue engineering, vaccination applications and challenges and future implications of DMSNs as cutting-edge technology in medicine