A Pediatric Case of Cauda Equina Dermoid Cyst Resected by Minimally Invasive Unilateral Hemilaminectomy

A 3-year-old boy had difficulty sitting up and walking for several months. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an intradural tumor at the L3-4 level. The tumor was successfully resected by unilateral hemilaminectomy and diagnosed as dermoid cyst. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course without pain, and MRI found no recurrence after surgery. A small bone defect remained that might be favorably reconstructed with autologous and artificial bone. Hemilaminectomy allowed us to resect the cauda equina dermoid cyst with minimal invasiveness. Pediatric patients require follow-up as they are more likely to experience spinal deformity or instability after surgery

Transplantation of modified human bone marrow-derived stromal cells affords therapeutic effects on cerebral ischemia in rats

Aims SB623 cells are human bone marrow stromal cells transfected with Notch1 intracellular domain. In this study, we examined potential regenerative mechanisms underlying stereotaxic transplantation of SB623 cells in rats with experimental acute ischemic stroke. Methods We prepared control group, empty capsule (EC) group, SB623 cell group (SB623), and encapsulated SB623 cell (eSB623) group. Transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was performed on day 0, and 24 h after MCAO, stroke rats received transplantation into the envisioned ischemic penumbra. Modified neurological severity score (mNSS) was evaluated, and histological evaluations were performed. Results In the mNSS, SB623 and eSB623 groups showed significant improvement compared to the other groups. Histological analysis revealed that the infarction area in SB623 and eSB623 groups was reduced. In the eSB623 group, robust cell viability and neurogenesis were detected in the subventricular zone that increased significantly compared to all other groups. Conclusion SB623 cells with or without encapsulation showed therapeutic effects on ischemic stroke. Encapsulated SB623 cells showed enhanced neurogenesis and increased viability inside the capsules. This study reveals the mechanism of secretory function of transplanted SB623 cells, but not cell-cell interaction as primarily mediating the cells' functional benefits in ischemic stroke

Long-Term Continuous Cervical Spinal Cord Stimulation Exerts Neuroprotective Effects in Experimental Parkinson's Disease

Background: Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) exerts neuroprotective effects in animal models of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Conventional stimulation techniques entail limited stimulation time and restricted movement of animals, warranting the need for optimizing the SCS regimen to address the progressive nature of the disease and to improve its clinical translation to PD patients. Objective: Recognizing the limitations of conventional stimulation, we now investigated the effects of continuous SCS in freely moving parkinsonian rats. Methods: We developed a small device that could deliver continuous SCS. At the start of the experiment, thirty female Sprague-Dawley rats received the dopamine (DA)-depleting neurotoxin, 6-hydroxydopamine, into the right striatum. The SCS device was fixed below the shoulder area of the back of the animal, and a line from this device was passed under the skin to an electrode that was then implanted epidurally over the dorsal column. The rats were divided into three groups: control, 8-h stimulation, and 24-h stimulation, and behaviorally tested then euthanized for immunohistochemical analysis. Results: The 8- and 24-h stimulation groups displayed significant behavioral improvement compared to the control group. Both SCS-stimulated groups exhibited significantly preserved tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive fibers and neurons in the striatum and substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), respectively, compared to the control group. Notably, the 24-h stimulation group showed significantly pronounced preservation of the striatal TH-positive fibers compared to the 8-h stimulation group. Moreover, the 24-h group demonstrated significantly reduced number of microglia in the striatum and SNc and increased laminin-positive area of the cerebral cortex compared to the control group. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the behavioral and histological benefits of continuous SCS in a time-dependent manner in freely moving PD animals, possibly mediated by anti-inflammatory and angiogenic mechanisms

Vagus Nerve Stimulation with Mild Stimulation Intensity Exerts Anti-Inflammatory and Neuroprotective Effects in Parkinson's Disease Model Rats

Background: The major surgical treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD) is deep brain stimulation (DBS), but a less invasive treatment is desired. Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a relatively safe treatment without cerebral invasiveness. In this study, we developed a wireless controllable electrical stimulator to examine the efficacy of VNS on PD model rats. Methods: Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent placement of a cuff-type electrode and stimulator on the vagus nerve. Following which, 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) was administered into the left striatum to prepare a PD model. VNS was started immediately after 6-OHDA administration and continued for 14 days. We evaluated the therapeutic effects of VNS with behavioral and immunohistochemical outcome assays under different stimulation intensity (0.1, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 mA). Results: VNS with 0.25-0.5 mA intensity remarkably improved behavioral impairment, preserved dopamine neurons, reduced inflammatory glial cells, and increased noradrenergic neurons. On the other hand, VNS with 0.1 mA and 1 mA intensity did not display significant therapeutic efficacy. Conclusions: VNS with 0.25-0.5 mA intensity has anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effects on PD model rats induced by 6-OHDA administration. In addition, we were able to confirm the practicality and effectiveness of the new experimental device

Radioprotection of eye lens using protective material in neuro cone-beam computed tomography: Estimation of dose reduction rate and image quality.

In cerebral angiography, for diagnosis and interventional neuroradiology, cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scan is frequently performed for evaluating brain parenchyma, cerebral hemorrhage, and cerebral infarction. However, the patient\u27s eye lens is more frequently exposed to excessive doses in these scans than in the previous angiography and interventional neuroradiology (INR) procedures. Hence, radioprotection for the lenses is needed. This study selects the most suitable eye lens protection material for CBCT from among nine materials by evaluating the dose reduction rate and image quality

Fundamental Study on the Evaluation of the Vascular Lumen after Carotid Artery Stenting Using 3D-rotational Angiography with Diluted Contrast Medium

Objective: Due to the recent increase in the availability of cone-beam CT (CBCT), delineation of blood vessels and intracranial stents using CBCT has been well-reported, but reports using 3D-rotational angiography (3D-RA) have been few. We evaluated delineation of carotid artery stents using 3D-RA with diluted contrast medium.Methods: We prepared simulated blood vessel phantoms covered by carotid artery stents different in material and shape. The phantoms were encapsulated with different concentration of contrast medium, and scanned using 3D-RA. The appropriate concentration of contrast medium was evaluated.Results: The appropriate concentrations of diluted contrast medium were 50–17% for the Carotid Wall Stent (Boston Scientific, Natick, MA, USA) and 20%–10% for PRECISE (Johnson & Johnson, Miami, FL, USA) and PROTÉGÉ (Covidien, Irvine, CA, USA).Conclusion: The appropriate concentration of contrast medium varied with carotid artery stent. By selecting an appropriate degree of dilution, the stent shape, plaque, intimal thickening, and vascular lumen in the stent can be visualized. Therefore, it is possible to evaluate vascular lumen after carotid artery stenting

A Pediatric Case of Cauda Equina Dermoid Cyst Resected by Minimally Invasive Unilateral Hemilaminectomy

A 3-year-old boy had difficulty sitting up and walking for several months. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed an intradural tumor at the L3-4 level. The tumor was successfully resected by unilateral hemilaminectomy and diagnosed as dermoid cyst. The patient had an uneventful postoperative course without pain, and MRI found no recurrence after surgery. A small bone defect remained that might be favorably reconstructed with autologous and artificial bone. Hemilaminectomy allowed us to resect the cauda equina dermoid cyst with minimal invasiveness. Pediatric patients require follow-up as they are more likely to experience spinal deformity or instability after surgery

Synergistic therapeutic effects of intracerebral transplantation of human modified bone marrow-derived stromal cells (SB623) and voluntary exercise with running wheel in a rat model of ischemic stroke

Background Mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) transplantation therapy is a promising therapy for stroke patients. In parallel, rehabilitation with physical exercise could ameliorate stroke-induced neurological impairment. In this study, we aimed to clarify whether combination therapy of intracerebral transplantation of human modified bone marrow-derived MSCs, SB623 cells, and voluntary exercise with running wheel (RW) could exert synergistic therapeutic effects on a rat model of ischemic stroke. Methods Wistar rats received right transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Voluntary exercise (Ex) groups were trained in a cage with RW from day 7 before MCAO. SB623 cells (4.0 x 10(5) cells/5 mu l) were stereotactically injected into the right striatum at day 1 after MCAO. Behavioral tests were performed at day 1, 7, and 14 after MCAO using the modified Neurological Severity Score (mNSS) and cylinder test. Rats were euthanized at day 15 after MCAO for mRNA level evaluation of ischemic infarct area, endogenous neurogenesis, angiogenesis, and expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The rats were randomly assigned to one of the four groups: vehicle, Ex, SB623, and SB623 + Ex groups.ResultsSB623 + Ex group achieved significant neurological recovery in mNSS compared to the vehicle group (p Conclusions This study suggests that combination therapy of intracerebral transplantation SB623 cells and voluntary exercise with RW achieves robust neurological recovery and synergistically promotes endogenous neurogenesis and angiogenesis after cerebral ischemia, possibly through a mechanism involving the up-regulation of BDNF and VEGF