Adipose-Derived Stem Cells Stimulate Regeneration of Peripheral Nerves: BDNF Secreted by These Cells Promotes Nerve Healing and Axon Growth De Novo

Transplantation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) induces tissue regeneration by accelerating the growth of blood vessels and nerve. However, mechanisms by which they accelerate the growth of nerve fibers are only partially understood. We used transplantation of ASCs with subcutaneous matrigel implants (well-known in vivo model of angiogenesis) and model of mice limb reinnervation to check the influence of ASC on nerve growth. Here we show that ASCs stimulate the regeneration of nerves in innervated mice's limbs and induce axon growth in subcutaneous matrigel implants. To investigate the mechanism of this action we analyzed different properties of these cells and showed that they express numerous genes of neurotrophins and extracellular matrix proteins required for the nerve growth and myelination. Induction of neural differentiation of ASCs enhances production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as well as ability of these cells to induce nerve fiber growth. BDNF neutralizing antibodies abrogated the stimulatory effects of ASCs on the growth of nerve sprouts. These data suggest that ASCs induce nerve repair and growth via BDNF production. This stimulatory effect can be further enhanced by culturing the cells in neural differentiation medium prior to transplantation

Consumer Adoption of Self-Service Technologies in the Context of the Jordanian Banking Industry: Examining the Moderating Role of Channel Types

YesThis study aimed to examine the key factors predicting Jordanian consumers’ intentions and usage of three types of self-service banking technologies. This study also sought to test if the impacts of these main predictors could be moderated by channel type. This study proposed a conceptual model by integrating factors from the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT), along with perceived risk. The required data were collected from a convenience sample of Jordanian banking customers using a survey questionnaire. The statistical results strongly support the significant influence of performance expectancy, social influence, and perceived risk on customer intentions for the three types of SSTs examined. The results of the X2 differences test also indicate that there are significant differences in the influence of the main predictors due to the moderating effect of channel type. One of the key contributions of this study is that three types of SSTs were tested in a single study, which had not been done before, leading to the identification of the factors common to all three types, as well as the salient factors unique to each type

Эффективность и безопасность комбинированного применения целекоксиба, диацереина и комбинации глюкозамина и хондроитина для контроля скелетно-мышечной боли, связанной с остеоартритом и неспецифической болью в спине

   The combined use of drugs with different mechanisms of action is the main principle of musculoskeletal pain control in rheumatic diseases. However, there are few studies evaluating the efficacy of this approach in real practice.Objective: to determine the efficacy and safety of the combined use of celecoxib, diacerein, and the combination of glucosamine + chondroitin in osteoarthritis (OA) and chronic nonspecific low back pain (NSLBP).   Material and methods. Statistical analysis of data obtained during a 3-month open observational study was performed. We included 1569 patients (63.6 % women and 36.4 % men, mean age 58.7 ± 11.0 years) with knee OA (kOA), hip OA (hOA), generalized OA (gOA), and chronic NSLBP with moderate/severe pain (≥ 4 on a numeric rating scale, NRS 0–10) who required nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Celecoxib 200 mg twice daily was prescribed, with the dose reduced to 200 mg per day or taken “as needed" after significant pain relief; diacerein 50 mg twice daily; and a medication of glucosamine 250 mg and chondroitin 200 mg, 2 capsules 2–3 times daily. Outcomes were assessed after 3 months using the dynamics of pain, fatigue, dysfunction (according to NRS), and the “Patient Acceptable Symptom State” (PASS) indicator.   Results and discussion. 80.2 % of patients completed the 3 month course of treatment, 4.4 % discontinued treatment due to adverse events (AEs), and for 15.4 % of patients there was no follow-up. After 3 months of treatment ≥ 50 % decrease (from baseline) in the severity of symptoms was noted in 83.4 % of patients for pain on movement, in 83.7 % for pain at rest, in 78.6 % for pain at night, in 80.8 % for dysfunction, and in 83.4 % for fatigue. 87.7 % of patients reported PASS. There were no significant differences in treatment outcomes for different localizations of OA and NSLBP: a ≥ 50 % pain reduction in kOA was achieved in 81.6 % of patients, in hOA – in 82.2 %, in gOA – in 85.0 %, in NSLBP – in 88.1 %. AEs were registered in 350 (22.4 %) patients, the most frequent was dyspepsia (n = 280, 17.8 %), diarrhea was recorded in 37 (2.4 %) cases. No serious AEs requiring hospitalization were registered.   Conclusion. Combination therapy with celecoxib, diacerein, and a combination of glucosamine and chondroitin significantly reduces the severity of symptoms of OA and NSLBS.   Комплексное применение препаратов с различным механизмом  действия – основной принцип контроля скелетно-мышечной боли при ревматических заболеваниях. Однако имеется лишь небольшое число работ, в которых оценивается эффективность такого подхода в реальной практике.   Цель исследования – определение эффективности и безопасности сочетанного применения целекоксиба, диацереина и комбинации глюкозамин + хондроитин при остеоартрите (ОА) и хронической неспецифической боли в спине (НБС).   Материал и методы. Выполнен статистический анализ данных, полученных в ходе 3-месячного открытого наблюдательного исследования. Было включено 1569 пациентов (63,6 % женщин и 36,4 % мужчин, средний возраст – 58,7 ± 11,0 года) с ОА коленного (КС), тазобедренного (ТБС) суставов, генерализованным ОА (ГОА) и хронической НБС, испытываваших умеренную/выраженную боль (≥ 4 по числовой рейтинговой шкале, ЧРШ 0–10) и нуждавшихся в приеме нестероидных противовоспалительных препаратов. Назначались целекоксиб 200 мг 2 раза в сутки со снижением дозы до 200 мг/сут и использованием «по требованию» после значительного уменьшения боли; диацереин 50 мг 2 раза в сутки и препарат глюкозамина 250 мг и хондроитина 200 мг по 2 капсулы 2–3 раза в день. Оценка результатов проводилась через 3 мес по динамике боли, усталости, нарушения функции (по ЧРШ), а также показателю «состояние симптомов, приемлемое для пациента» (ССПП).   Результаты и обсуждение. 3-месячный курс лечения закончили 80,2 % больных, 4,4 % прервали лечение из-за нежелательных явлений (НЯ), 15,4 % выпали из-под наблюдения. Через 3 мес уменьшение выраженности ≥ 50 % по сравнению с исходным уровнем для боли при движении отмечено у 83,4 % пациентов, боли в покое – у 83,7 %, боли ночью – у 78,6 %, нарушения функции – у 80,8 %, усталости – у 83,4 %; 87,7 % пациентов указали на ССПП. Не выявлено значимых различий результатов лечения при различной локализации ОА и НБС: ≥ 50 % уменьшение боли при ОА КС достигнуто у 81,6 % больных, при ОА ТБС – у 82,2 %, при ГОА – у 85,0 %, при НБС – у 88,1 %. НЯ зарегистрированы у 350 (22,4 %) пациентов, наиболее часто встречалась диспепсия (n = 280, 17,8 %), диарея отмечалась в 37 (2,4 %) случаях. Серьезные НЯ, потребовавшие госпитализации, не зафиксированы.   Заключение. Комбинированная терапия с использованием целекоксиба, диацереина и комбинации глюкозамина и хондроитина обеспечивает существенное уменьшение выраженности симптомов ОА и НБС

Biomarkers of Community-Acquired Pneumonia: A Key to Disease Diagnosis and Management

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a dangerous disease caused by a spectrum of bacterial and viral pathogens. The choice of specific therapy and the need for hospitalization or transfer to the intensive care unit are determined by the causative agent and disease severity. The microbiological analysis of sputum largely depends on the quality of the material obtained. The prediction of severity and the duration of therapy are determined individually, and existing prognostic scales are used generally. This review examines the possibilities of using specific serological biomarkers to detect the bacterial or viral aetiology of CAP and to assess disease severity. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of biomarker signatures and the discovery of biomarker candidates for a single multiplex analysis