Stem cells labeled with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles in a preclinical model of cerebral ischemia: a systematic review with meta-analysis

Introduction: Although there is an increase in clinical trials assessing the efficacy of cell therapy in structural and functional regeneration after stroke, there are not enough data in the literature describing the best cell type to be used, the best route, and also the best nanoparticle to analyze these stem cells in vivo. This review analyzed published data on superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle (SPION)-labeled stem cells used for ischemic stroke therapy.Method: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of data from experiments testing the efficacy of cellular treatment with SPION versus no treatment to improve behavioral or modified neural scale outcomes in animal models of stroke by the Cochrane Collaboration and indexed in EMBASE, PubMed, and Web of Science since 2000. To test the impact of study quality and design characteristics, we used random-effects meta-regression. in addition, trim and fill were used to assess publication bias.Results: the search retrieved 258 articles. After application of the inclusion criteria, 24 reports published between January 2000 and October 2014 were selected. These 24 articles were analyzed for nanoparticle characteristics, stem cell types, and efficacy in animal models.Conclusion: This study highlights the therapeutic role of stem cells in stroke and emphasizes nanotechnology as an important tool for monitoring stem cell migration to the affected neurological locus.Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert EinsteinCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)FAPEGHosp Israelita Albert Einstein, BR-05651901 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, BR-04021001 São Paulo, SP, BrazilSanta Casa Misericordia São Paulo, BR-01221020 São Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Inst Matemat & Estat, BR-05508090 São Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv São Paulo, LIM44, BR-05403000 São Paulo, SP, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, BR-04021001 São Paulo, SP, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS): a wide range of frequencies is needed for increasing cortical excitability

Transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) is a recent neuromodulation protocol. The high-frequency band (hf-tRNS) has shown to be the most effective in enhancing neural excitability. The frequency band of hf-tRNS typically spans from 100 to 640 Hz. Here we asked whether both the lower and the higher half of the high-frequency band are needed for increasing neural excitability. Three frequency ranges (100\u2013400 Hz, 400\u2013700 Hz, 100\u2013700 Hz) and Sham conditions were delivered for 10 minutes at an intensity of 1.5 mA over the primary motor cortex (M1). Single-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) was delivered over the same area at baseline, 0, 10, 20, 30, 45 and 60 minutes after stimulation, while motor evoked potentials (MEPs) were recorded to evaluate changes in cortical excitability. Only the full-band condition (100\u2013700 Hz) was able to modulate excitability by enhancing MEPs at 10 and 20 minutes after stimulation: neither the higher nor the lower sub-range of the high-frequency band significantly modulated cortical excitability. These results show that the efficacy of tRNS is strictly related to the width of the selected frequency range

Murine model for Fusarium oxysporum invasive fusariosis reveals organ-specific structures for dissemination and long-term persistence

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Effects on muscular activity after surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion: a prospective observational study

The study aims to investigate the modifications in the temporalis and the masseter activity in adult patients before and after SARPE (Surgically Assisted Rapid Palatal Expansion) by measuring electromyographic and electrokinesographic activity. 24 adult patients with unilateral posterior crossbite on the right side were selected from the Orthodontic Department of the University of Milan. Three electromyographic and electrokinesographic surface readings were taken respectively before surgery (T0) and 8 months after surgery (T1). The electromyographic data of both right and left masseter and anterior temporalis muscles were recorded during multiple tests: standardized maximum voluntary contraction (MVC)s, after transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and at rest. T0 and T1 values were compared with paired Student’s t-test (p < 0.05). Results: Significant differences were found in the activity of right masseter (p = 0.03) and right temporalis (p = 0.02) during clench, in the evaluation of right masseter at rest (p = 0.03), also the muscular activity of masseters at rest after TENS from T0 to T1 (pr = 0.04, pl = 0.04). No significant differences were found in the activity of left masseter (p = 0.41) and left temporalis (p = 0.39) during clench and MVC, in the evaluation of left masseter at rest (p = 0.57) and in the activity during MVC of right masseter (p = 0.41), left masseter (p = 0.34), right temporalis (p = 0.51) and left temporalis (p = 0.77). Results showed that the activity of the masseter and temporalis muscles increased significantly after SARPE during rest and clenching on the side where the cross-bite was treated

On the Integrability, B\"Acklund Transformation and Symmetry Aspects of a Generalized Fisher Type Nonlinear Reaction-Diffusion Equation

The dynamics of nonlinear reaction-diffusion systems is dominated by the onset of patterns and Fisher equation is considered to be a prototype of such diffusive equations. Here we investigate the integrability properties of a generalized Fisher equation in both (1+1) and (2+1) dimensions. A Painlev\'e singularity structure analysis singles out a special case ($m=2$) as integrable. More interestingly, a B\"acklund transformation is shown to give rise to a linearizing transformation for the integrable case. A Lie symmetry analysis again separates out the same $m=2$ case as the integrable one and hence we report several physically interesting solutions via similarity reductions. Thus we give a group theoretical interpretation for the system under study. Explicit and numerical solutions for specific cases of nonintegrable systems are also given. In particular, the system is found to exhibit different types of travelling wave solutions and patterns, static structures and localized structures. Besides the Lie symmetry analysis, nonclassical and generalized conditional symmetry analysis are also carried out.Comment: 30 pages, 10 figures, to appear in Int. J. Bifur. Chaos (2004

Life-cycle assessment of coal mining wastes upcycling

Coal extraction generates coal mining wastes (CMW) that lead to additional environmental burdens. This study assesses the potential environmental benefits of using these CMW as secondary materials in the production of precast concrete cladding panels. Potential environmental impacts are measured using life cycle assessment (LCA). The system under assessment is a multi-functional system, including both the management of CMW and the production of concrete panels. Company data have been used to perform the assessment. Preliminary results show, for the business-as-usual (BAU) scenario, that the main impacts associated with wastes management are due to diesel consumption and direct emissions to groundwater. For the concrete panel production, the impacts are primarily induced by cement production. This BAU scenario will be compared to a recycling scenario where CMW are incorporated into concrete production. Based on this comparative LCA, recommendations as to the use of CMW into construction products will be provided