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Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2019 Feb 14:ATVBAHA118312037. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Institute for Cardiovascular Prevention (IPEK), LMU Munich, Germany (C.W., R.R.K.).

With the incidence and impact of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and its clinical manifestations still rising, therapeutic options that target the causal mechanisms of this disorder are highly desired. Since the CANTOS trial has demonstrated that lowering inflammation can be beneficial, focusing on mechanisms underlying inflammation, for example, leukocyte recruitment, is feasible. Being key orchestrators of leukocyte trafficking, chemokines have not lost their attractiveness as therapeutic targets, despite the difficult road to drug approval thus far. Read More

J Bone Jt Infect 2019 1;4(1):10-15. Epub 2019 Jan 1.

Department of Orthopaedics, Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands.

The Girdlestone resection arthroplasty (GRA) is a salvage procedure for a recurrent or persistent prosthetic joint infection of the hip. This procedure negatively impacts the functional outcome and presumably also diminishes health status (HS) and quality of life (QOL). However, studies investigating the QOL after GRA are lacking. Read More

Lancet Oncol 2019 Feb 6. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.

Background: Abiraterone acetate plus prednisone or prednisolone improves progression-free survival and overall survival in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. Radium-223 improves overall survival and delays the onset of symptomatic skeletal events in patients with castration-resistant prostate cancer and bone metastases. We assessed concurrent treatment with abiraterone acetate plus prednisone or prednisolone and radium-223 in such patients. Read More

JAMA Neurol 2019 Feb 7. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Department of Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut.

Importance: In the Insulin Resistance Intervention After Stroke (IRIS) randomized clinical trial, pioglitazone, an insulin-sensitizing agent, reduced the risk for recurrent stroke or myocardial infarction (MI) among patients with insulin resistance. However, insulin resistance is not commonly measured in clinical practice.

Objective: To analyze the effects of pioglitazone in patients with good adherence as well as intention-to-treat effects of pioglitazone in patients with prediabetes in the IRIS trial. Read More

Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019 Mar 4;510(3):456-461. Epub 2019 Feb 4.

Department of Cardiology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China. Electronic address:

Platelet, apart from its classic role of homeostasis, serves also as a crucial immune cell component that contributes to the aggravation of atherosclerosis. It has been reported that myocardial infarction (MI) triggers leukocytosis in the bone marrow and spleen, which accelerates post-MI atherosclerosis. However, it remains unclear whether thrombopoiesis is also enhanced after MI. Read More

Exp Biol Med (Maywood) 2019 Feb 7:1535370219828694. Epub 2019 Feb 7.

Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine and Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232, USA.

Impact Statement: By compiling findings from recent studies, this review will garner novel insight on the dynamic and complex role of BMP signaling in diseases of inflammation, highlighting the specific roles played by both individual ligands and endogenous antagonists. Ultimately, this summary will help inform the high therapeutic value of targeting this pathway for modulating diseases of inflammation. Read More

Chronic Obstr Pulm Dis 2018 Sep 19;5(4):267-276. Epub 2018 Sep 19.

Department of Clinical Biochemistry and Pharmacology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.

Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) is a genetic disorder which most commonly manifests as pulmonary emphysema. Accordingly, alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) augmentation therapy aims to reduce the progression of emphysema, as achieved by life-long weekly slow-drip infusions of plasma-derived affinity-purified human AAT. However, not all AATD patients will receive this therapy, due to either lack of medical coverage or low patient compliance. Read More

Eur J Pharmacol 2019 Feb 2. Epub 2019 Feb 2.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China, 410008; National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Disorders, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, P.R. China, 410008; Institute of Hypertension, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China. Electronic address:

Inflammation plays an important role in sympathetic neural remodeling induced by myocardial infarction (MI). MiR-155 is a vital regulator of inflammatory responses, and macrophage-secreted miR-155 promotes cardiac fibrosis and hypertrophy. However, whether miR-155 influences MI-induced sympathetic neural remodeling is not clear. Read More

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019 21;10. Epub 2019 Jan 21.

Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Radiol Clin North Am 2019 Mar 15;57(2):307-318. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

Neuroradiology Division, Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, 30 North, 1900 East, #1A071, Salt Lake City, UT 84132-2140, USA.

Vascular disorders of the spine are more rare than cerebral vascular entities but can result in significant morbidity. These lesions frequently demonstrate distinguishing characteristics by imaging that are imperative for the radiologist to recognize to properly guide diagnosis and treatment. We review distinguishing imaging characteristics for spinal vascular malformations, spinal emergencies, and spinal vascular masses. Read More

J Craniofac Surg 2019 Jan 23. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Department of Biomechanics, Health Science Institute, Dokuz Eylul University School of Medicine, Izmir, Turkey.

Cranioplasty is a reconstruction operation made to protect intracranial structures. It is applied for the closure of bone defects occurring due to causes such as trauma, tumor, infection, and infarct. Many different products changing from autologous bone grafts to synthetic materials are used for cranioplasty. Read More

Arch Pharm Res 2019 Jan 24. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Department of Physiology, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Yangsan, 50612, Republic of Korea.

Stem cell mobilization plays important roles in the treatment of severe ischemic diseases, including myocardial infarction, limb ischemia, ischemic stroke, and acute kidney injury. Stem cell mobilization refers to the egress of heterogeneous stem cells residing in the bone marrow into the peripheral blood. In the clinic, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is the drug most commonly used to induce stem cell mobilization. Read More

PLoS One 2019 23;14(1):e0210588. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Department of Gastroenterology & Hepatology, Yamaguchi University Graduate School of Medicine, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan.

Background: We previously reported regenerative therapies for decompensated cirrhosis based on peripheral venous drip infusion using non-cultured whole bone marrow (BM) cells, or the less invasive cultured BM-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Here, we assessed the efficacy and safety of hepatic arterial infusion using cultured autologous BMSCs, comparing it with peripheral infusion, using our established canine liver fibrosis model.

Methods: Canine BM cells were harvested and cultured, and the resultant BMSCs were returned to carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced liver cirrhosis model canines via either a peripheral vein (Vein group) or hepatic artery (Artery group). Read More

Am J Transl Res 2018 15;10(12):4235-4246. Epub 2018 Dec 15.

Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University Nanjing, China.

Muscone is the main active monomer of traditional Chinese medicine musk. Previous studies have reported a variety of beneficial effects of muscone. However, the effects of muscone on chronic inflammation after myocardial infarction (MI) are rarely reported. Read More

Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2019 Jan 11. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor Scott & White Health, Scott and White Medical Center, Temple, Texas.

Background And Importance: Decompressive hemicraniectomy (DH) is the mainstay of treatment for malignant middle cerebral artery infarction (MMI). Although this operation significantly reduces mortality and improves functional outcomes, the conventional technique involves a reverse question mark incision starting anterior to the tragus that can injure the scalp's major blood supply, the superficial temporal artery (STA), which increases the risk of postoperative complications.

Clinical Presentation: We developed a modified DH technique to reduce surgical morbidity associated with injury to the STA, accommodate a large bone window for effective decompression, and improve operative speed. Read More

J Mol Neurosci 2019 Jan 15. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Department of Infection, Linyi Central Hospital, Linyi, 276400, Shandong, China.

We attempted to explore the possible effects of SOCS3 (suppressor of cytokine signaling 3)-modified bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) on the hypoxic injury of rat adrenal gland pheochromocytoma (PC-12) cells. PC12 cells were cultured with EGFP (enhanced green fluorescent protein)-BMSCs and SOCS3-BMSCs respectively under hypoxia in vitro and classified into control, hypoxia, EGFP-BMSCs, and SOCS3-BMSC groups. CCK-8, Hoechst 33258 staining, and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining were assessed to measure the viability and apoptosis of hypoxia-induced PC12 cells. Read More

J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2019 Jan 15. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Department of Restorative Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Recent studies suggest that the main driving force behind the therapeutic activity observed in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the paracrine factors secreted by these cells. These biomolecules also trigger anti-apoptotic events to prevent further degeneration of the diseased organ through paracrine signalling mechanisms. In comparison to the normal physiological conditions, an increased paracrine gradient is observed within the peripheral system of diseased organs which enhances the migration of tissue specific MSCs towards the site of infection or injury to promote healing. Read More

Stem Cell Rev 2019 Jan 15. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA.

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and the ensuing ischemic heart disease are approaching an epidemic state. Limited stem cell retention following intracoronary administration has reduced the clinical efficacy of this novel therapy. Polymer based cell coating is biocompatible and has been shown to be safe. Read More

Stem Cell Res Ther 2019 Jan 11;10(1):17. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Institute for Cardiovascular Science and Department of Cardiovascular Surgery of the First Affiliated Hospital, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215006, China.

Background: Cell therapy remains the most promising approach against ischemic heart injury. However, poor survival of engrafted cells in ischemic sites diminishes its therapeutic efficacy. Follistatin-like 1 (Fstl1) is documented as a novel pro-survival cardiokine for cardiomyocytes, and it is protective during ischemic heart injury. Read More

Rinsho Ketsueki 2018 ;59(12):2583-2587

Division of Hematology, Shonan Kamakura General Hospital.

While acute myeloid leukemia (AML) could cause an invasion of the central nervous system (CNS), the invasion of the CNS in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is rare. Here, we report a case of juvenile MDS with cerebral infarction concerning the invasion of the CNS by leukemia cells. A 25-year-old male was admitted to our institution because of difficulty in extending the left arm. Read More

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018 21;9:777. Epub 2018 Dec 21.

Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine and Sciences of Aging and Ce.S.I.-Me.T., University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.

Cinacalcet, a calcimimetic drug, is considered a safe and valid option for the treatment of hypercalcemia in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism who are unable to undergo parathyroidectomy. Hypocalcemia and gastrointestinal adverse reactions are the main side effects reported in patients treated with cinacalcet. We present here the case of an 80-years-old patient with primary hyperparathyroidism treated with cinacalcet for 17 months who developed a severe and symptomatic episode of hypocalcemia requiring hospitalization 1 month after reaching a daily dose of 180 mg. Read More

Theranostics 2018 29;8(22):6163-6177. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Department of Geriatric Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China 410008.

Exosomes (Exo) secreted from hypoxia-conditioned bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) were found to be protective for ischemic disease. However, the role of exosomal miRNA in the protective effect of hypoxia-conditioned BM-MSCs-derived Exo (Hypo-Exo) remains largely uncharacterized and the poor specificity of tissue targeting of Exo limits their clinical applications. Therefore, the objective of this study was to examine the effect of miRNA in Hypo-Exo on the repair of ischemic myocardium and its underlying mechanisms. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Jan 3. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei City, Taiwan. Electronic address:

Background: We redesigned decompressive craniectomy and cranioplasty procedures to decrease the inherent risk of complications. This novel technique, called decompressive cranioplasty, not only may decrease the complication rate but also may improve the cosmetic result, obviate the need for artificial skull implant, and increase the decompressive volume compared with traditional craniectomy.

Methods: In decompressive cranioplasty, the Agnes Fast craniotomy was adopted without cutting the temporalis muscle from the underlying bone flap. Read More

Laryngoscope Investig Otolaryngol 2018 Dec 19;3(6):457-462. Epub 2018 Oct 19.

Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery University of Cincinnati College of Medicine and Neurosensory Disorders Center at UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute Cincinnati Ohio U.S.A.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most prescribed classes of drugs in this day and age. These may be beneficial to treat many gastrointestinal conditions, such as gastroesophageal reflux or Barrett's esophagus as well as laryngopharyngeal reflux. However, many reports have emerged in the literature exposing the potential association of PPIs with various risks and complications such as bone fracture, infection, myocardial infarction, renal disease, and dementia. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(52):e13880

Department of Radiology, Dongfang Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China.

Rationale: Polycythemia vera (PV) is a cloned erythrocytotic disease manifested by high proliferation and apoptosis in the bone marrow. The clinical symptoms of PV are occult. In practice, patients with cerebral infarction caused by PV are prone to misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. Read More

Circulation 2018 Dec 7. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Paris Cardiovascular Research Center, INSERM UMR-S 970, France.

Background: Defective systemic and local iron metabolism correlates with cardiac disorders. Hepcidin, a master iron sensor, actively tunes iron trafficking. We hypothesized that hepcidin could play a key role to locally regulate cardiac homeostasis following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Read More

Circulation 2019 Jan;139(5):663-678

Departments of Cardiology (Q.F., R.T., H.Z., H.X., L.L., J.H., Q.Z., W.S., R.Z., X.Y.), Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, PR China.

Background: Macrophage-associated immune response plays an important role in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (IR) injury. Dectin-1, expressed mainly on activated myeloid cells, is crucial for the regulation of immune homeostasis as a pattern recognition receptor. However, its effects and roles during the myocardial IR injury remain unknown. Read More

Stroke 2018 Dec 10:STROKEAHA118022745. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

From the Department of Internal Medicine, General Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT (C.M.V., W.N.K.).

Background and Purpose- The insulin sensitizer, pioglitazone, reduces cardiovascular risk in patients after an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack but increases bone fracture risk. We conducted a secondary analysis of the IRIS trial (Insulin Resistance Intervention After Stroke) to assess the effect of pretreatment risk for fracture on the net benefits of pioglitazone therapy. Methods- IRIS was a randomized placebo-controlled trial of pioglitazone that enrolled patients with insulin resistance but without diabetes mellitus within 180 days of an ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack. Read More

Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi 2018 Dec;32(12):1576-1580

Department of Hand Surgery, Repair and Reconstruction Surgery, Lower Limb Vascular Disease, the Second Hospital of Tangshan (the Affiliated Hospital of North China Polytechnic University), Tangshan Hebei, 063000, P.R.China.

Objective: To discuss the effectiveness of femoral-femoral artery bypass grafting combined with transverse tibial bone transporting in treatment of lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans (ASO) or combined with diabetic foot.

Methods: Between March 2014 and June 2016, 9 patients with lower extremity ASO or combined with diabetic feet were treated with femoral-femoral artery bypass grafting and transverse tibial bone transporting. All patients were male, aged from 63 to 82 years with an average of 74. Read More

Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi 2018 Dec;32(12):1567-1571

Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou Guangdong, 515031, P.R.China.

Objective: To evaluate the reliability and effectiveness of a deep circumflex iliac artery based iliac-internal oblique musculofascial chimeric flap (DCIA-IIOF) in reconstruction of complex oromandibular defect.

Methods: Between January 2010 and December 2015, DCIA-IIOFs were used to repair complex oromandibular defects in 11 patients. There were 8 males and 3 females, with an age of 27-75 years (median, 56 years). Read More

Clin Nucl Med 2019 Feb;44(2):155-156

Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, AZ.

We present serial bone scintigraphy examinations in a 38-year-old woman who presented with posterior left rib pain in the setting of adrenal insufficiency secondary to pituitary damage as a result of radiation treatment for orbital sarcoma. Read More

eNeurologicalSci 2019 Mar 22;14:19-20. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Pennsylvania Hospital, 800 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is a known complication of sickle cell disease (SCD) that occurs secondary to vaso-occlusive crises, bone marrow infarction, and the subsequent release of fat globules into the venous circulation. Although neurologic involvement is common, the pathophysiology of cerebral fat emboli remains controversial. While fat microemboli can enter the arterial circulation through right-to-left shunts, the systemic release of free fatty acids may also cause indirect endothelial damage and disruption of the blood-brain-barrier. Read More

Biomed Pharmacother 2018 Dec 12;111:19-30. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

The Third Affiliate Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing 100029, China. Electronic address:

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are recruited to injured site for cardiac self-repairing in acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but the spontaneous mobilization of BM-MSCs is insufficient for self-repairing. Inflammation initiated by necrosis cardiomyocytes induced cardiac remodeling and depression. Given the anti-inflammatory effects of BM-MSCs and the inextricably relationship among inflammation, ventricular remodeling and depression following AMI, methods focused on enhancing BM-MSCs mobilization are promising. Read More

Life Sci 2019 Feb 12;218:112-131. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Pharmacology, School of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 110062, India. Electronic address:

Cyclophosphamide (CP) is an important anticancer drug which belongs to the class of alkylating agent. Cyclophosphamide is mostly used in bone marrow transplantation, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosus, multiple sclerosis, neuroblastoma and other types of cancer. Dose-related cardiotoxicity is a limiting factor for its use. Read More

J Cell Mol Med 2019 Feb 13;23(2):1246-1256. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Shanghai Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.

The poor survival of stem cells seriously limits their therapeutic efficacy for myocardial infarction (MI). Mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) activation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of multiple cardiovascular diseases. Here, we examined whether MR silencing in bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could improve MSCs' survival and enhance their cardioprotective effects in MI. Read More

Front Neurol 2018 27;9:1014. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Center of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova, Craiova, Romania.

Despite the clinical significance of post-stroke angiogenesis, a detailed phenotypic analysis of pre-stroke vascular remodeling and post-stroke angiogenesis had not yet been done in a model of focal ischemia. In this study, using BrdU-labeling of proliferating cells and immunofluorescence of pre- and post-stroke rats, we found that, (i) BrdU administered before stroke was incorporated preferentially into the nuclei of endothelial cells lining the lumen of existing blood vessels and newly born neurons in the dentate gyrus but not in the subventricular zone or proliferating microglia, (ii) BrdU injection prior to stroke led to the patchy distribution of the newly incorporated endothelial cells into existing blood vessels of the adult rat brain, (iii) BrdU injection prior to stroke specifically labeled neuronal precursors cells in a region of soft tissue beyond the inhibitory scar, which seems to be permissive to regenerative events, (iv) BrdU injection after stroke led to labeling of endothelial cells crossing or detaching from the disintegrating blood vessels and their incorporation into new blood vessels in the stroke region, scar tissue and the region beyond, (v) BrdU injection after stroke led to specific incorporation of BrdU-positive nuclei into the "pinwheel" architecture of the ventricular epithelium, (vi) blood vessels in remote areas relative to the infarct core and in the contralateral non-lesioned cortex, showed co-labeled BrdU/RECA endothelial cells shortly after the BrdU injection, which strongly suggests a bone marrow origin of the endothelial cells. In the damaged cortex, a BrdU/prolyl 4-hydroxylase beta double labeling in the close proximity to collagen IV-labeled basement membrane, suggests that, in addition to bone marrow derived endothelial cells, the disintegrating vascular wall itself could also be a source of proliferating endothelial cells, (vii) By day 28 after stroke, new blood vessels were observed in the perilesional area and the scar tissue region, which is generally considered to be resistant to regenerative events. Read More

J Diabetes Res 2018 4;2018:6354787. Epub 2018 Nov 4.

Department of Health and Biomedical Sciences, College of Health Affairs, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, 1201, W University Dr, Edinburg, TX 78539, USA.

Diabetes is a common disease affecting majority of populations worldwide. Since 1980, there has been an increase in the number of people diagnosed as prediabetic and diabetic. Diabetes is characterized by high levels of circulating glucose and leads to most microvascular and macrovascular complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, stroke, and myocardial infarction. Read More

J Cereb Blood Flow Metab 2018 Dec 7:271678X18817282. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

1 Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco and the San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-2 (TREM2) is an innate immune receptor that promotes phagocytosis by myeloid cells such as microglia and macrophages. We previously showed that TREM2 deficiency worsened outcomes from experimental stroke and impeded phagocytosis. However, myeloid cells participating in stroke pathology include both brain resident microglia and circulating macrophages. Read More

J Cell Biochem 2019 Mar 9;120(3):3315-3322. Epub 2018 Dec 9.

Department of Emergency Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.

To investigate the role of ultrasound-targeted microbubbles in the homing effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and in the therapeutic efficacy of BMSCs on the ischemic stroke. A middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was induced by plug wire preparation. Seventy-two hours after MCAO, the treatment of BMSCs with ultrasound-targeted microbubble was assessed via modified neurological severity score (mNSS), infarct volumes, and cerebral edema. Read More

Kidney Int 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Laboratory of Cell and Gene Therapy (LTCG), CHU of Liège, University of Liège (CHU ULiège), Liège, Belgium; GIGA, I3-Hematology, University of Liège (ULiège), Liège, Belgium; Division of Hematology, CHU of Liège, University of Liège (CHU ULiège), Liège, Belgium.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) exhibit anti-inflammatory and immune-regulatory properties, and preclinical studies suggest a potential benefit in solid organ transplantation. We report on the 1-year follow-up of an open-label phase I-II trial of a single infusion of third-party MSC post-kidney transplantation, in addition to standard immunosuppression. Ten kidney transplant recipients from deceased donors received third-party bone marrow MSCs (∼2 × 10/kg) on day 3 ± 2 post-transplant and were compared to 10 concurrent controls. Read More

Mol Ther 2019 Jan 1;27(1):46-58. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

Institut für Herz- und Kreislaufphysiologie, Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany. Electronic address:

Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) is an anabolic hormone that controls the growth and metabolism of many cell types. However, IGF1 also mediates cardio-protective effects after acute myocardial infarction (AMI), but the underlying mechanisms and cellular targets are not fully understood. Here we demonstrate that short-term IGF1 treatment for 3 days after AMI improved cardiac function after 1 and 4 weeks. Read More

J Stroke Cerebrovasc Dis 2019 Mar 7;28(3):699-701. Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of Neurosurgery, Gifu University School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan.

Background: Bony structures around the carotid artery such as the styloid process and hyoid bone can cause dissection, compression, plaque formation, and plaque rupture of the carotid artery. To the best of our knowledge, this case is the first finding of thyroid cartilage being the cause of a lesion corresponding to adjacent common carotid artery (CCA) atherosclerosis.

Case Description: A 51-year-old man with a history of hypertension and dyslipidemia suddenly experienced right facial numbness and dysphasia while front crawl swimming, which he usually did 3 times weekly. Read More

Sci Rep 2018 Dec 4;8(1):17582. Epub 2018 Dec 4.

Institute of Physiology I, Life&Brain Center, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.

For the monitoring of vascular growth as well as adaptive or therapeutic (re)vascularization endothelial-specific reporter mouse models are valuable tools. However, currently available mouse models have limitations, because not all endothelial cells express the reporter in all developmental stages. We have generated PECAM/eGFP embryonic stem (ES) cell and mouse lines where the reporter gene labels PECAM endothelial cells and vessels with high specificity. Read More

Clin Imaging 2018 Nov 15;54:15-20. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

Department of Radiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, United States of America.

Differentiation of bone infarct from osteomyelitis is one of the most challenging issues in the evaluation of acute bone pain in sickle cell patients. The imaging modalities that are currently being used for assessment of bone marrow in this population have several limitations. We present a case of an 18-year-old male with a history of sickle cell disease, who was transferred to our emergency department with progressively severe headache and jaw pain for one-week. Read More

J Neurosurg 2018 Oct 1:1-8. Epub 2018 Oct 1.

1Department of Neural Regenerative Medicine, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.

OBJECTIVEIntravenous infusion of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from adult bone marrow improves behavioral function in rat models of cerebral infarction. Although clinical studies are ongoing, most studies have focused on the acute or subacute phase of stroke. In the present study, MSCs derived from bone marrow of rats were intravenously infused 8 weeks after the induction of a middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) to investigate whether delayed systemic injection of MSCs improves functional outcome in the chronic phase of stroke in rats. Read More

Adv Exp Med Biol 2018 ;1103:43-68

Department of Stem Cell Biology and Histology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.

The dynamics and actions of Muse cells at a time of physical crisis are unique and highly remarkable compared with other stem cell types. When the living body is in a steady state, low levels of Muse cells are mobilized to the peripheral blood, possibly from the bone marrow, and supplied to the connective tissue of nearly every organ. Under conditions of serious tissue damage, such as acute myocardial infarction and stroke, Muse cells are highly mobilized to the peripheral blood, drastically increasing their numbers in the peripheral blood within 24 h after the onset of tissue injury. Read More

Microsurgery 2018 Nov 27. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Vascularized composite allotransplantation represents as an emerging field in reconstructive surgery. However, some complications can be associated with the procedure. The authors describe a case of bone infarctions of the bilateral hip joints following the first hand allotransplantation in Taiwan. Read More

Cardiovasc Ther 2018 Dec 6;36(6):e12479. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research, International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.

Aims: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) hold significant promise as potential therapeutic candidates following cardiac injury. However, to ensure survival of transplanted cells in ischemic environment, it is beneficial to precondition them with growth factors that play important role in cell survival and proliferation. Aim of this study is to use interleukin-7 (IL-7), a cell survival growth factor, to enhance the potential of rat bone marrow MSCs in terms of cell fusion in vitro and cardiac function in vivo. Read More

Laryngoscope 2018 Nov 19. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

SUNY Downstate Medical Center, New York, New York, U.S.A.

Objectives: Adequate treatment of laryngopharyngeal malignancy often incorporates radiation therapy. Structures surrounding laryngopharynx exposed to traditional radiation doses are susceptible to posttreatment toxicity. Among poorly understood sequelae is the rare manifestation of sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) osteoradionecrosis (ORN). Read More