Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Biomed Pharmacother 2018 Dec 12;110:677-684. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Department of Acupuncture, Qianfo Shan Hospital, Jinan, Shandong Province, 250014, China.

Cervical spondylosis (CS), which is resulted from degeneration of cervical intervertebral disc, is a common disease seriously threatening human health and quality of life. However, there is still no effective clinic strategies for the treatment of this disease. The acupoint stimulation with needle-scalpel is a widely used approach to treat orthopedic diseases. Read More

Cerebellum 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Neurology, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Marchioninistrasse 15, 81377, Munich, Germany.

The differential diagnosis of vertigo or dizziness as a result of cerebellar disorders can be difficult as many patients with a cerebellar pathology do not present with the full spectrum of cerebellar signs. The main goal of this study was to describe the typical clinical features of these patients with vertigo or dizziness of a cerebellar origin. We reviewed the medical records of 5400 patients with vertigo and dizziness from our tertiary outpatient clinic for vertigo and balance disorders. Read More

J Orthop Surg Res 2018 Dec 14;13(1):319. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

Department of Orthopaedics, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Zhuhai, 519000, Guangdong, China.

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common degenerative diseases of the joints worldwide, but still the pathogenesis of OA is largely unknown. The purpose of our study is to clarify key candidate genes and relevant signaling pathways in a surgical-induced OA rat model.

Methods: The microarray raw data of GSE8077 was downloaded from GEO datasets. Read More

Biomed Pharmacother 2019 Jan 5;109:815-822. Epub 2018 Nov 5.

Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Dalian Medical University, 9 W Lvshun South Road, Dalian 116044, PR China. Electronic address:

Arsenic was an established carcinogen and toxicant, occurring in drinking water and food. Arsenic was increasingly being blamed as a risk factor for diabetes mellitus. Recent studies have found that arsenic could induce the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondria were the major targets of ROS. Read More

Biomed Pharmacother 2019 Jan 2;109:2499-2512. Epub 2018 Dec 2.

Neuropsychopharmacology Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Federal University of Ceará (UFC), Fortaleza, CE, Brazil. Electronic address:

We analyzed whether ivabradine (IVA), a hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channel blocker, clinically used for angina and arrhythmia, had anticonvulsant, antioxidant and neuroprotective properties against classical seizure models. Potential molecular targets to IVA anticonvulsant effects were evaluated by molecular docking. Mice were treated with IVA (1, 10 or 20 mg/kg, IP) for 3 days, and 30 min after the last administration were injected with pentylenetetrazole (PTZ - 85 mg/kg, IP), pilocarpine (PILO 400 mg/kg, SC), picrotoxin (PICRO 10 mg/kg, IP). Read More

Biomed Pharmacother 2019 Jan 26;109:1988-1993. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Bayat Vocational School, Afyon Kocatepe University, Afyonkarahisar, Turkey.

Experimental studies indicate that MK-801 causes organ injury in schizophrenic mice testes although it is molecular mechanism has not been clearly defined. In this study, we investigated the probable protective effect of N-Acetylcysteine (NAC) against MK-801- induced testicular toxicity in mice. In total, 24 Balb/C male mice were divided into 4 equal groups: the animals in the control group (vehicle treated) were intraperitoneally given 10 mL/kg/day saline solution, the animals in the experiment groups were intraperitoneally given 1 mg/kg/day MK-801 alone, 100 mg/kg/day NAC alone and MK-801 by 1 mg/kg/day for 14 days. Read More

Biomed Pharmacother 2019 Jan 14;109:1569-1577. Epub 2018 Nov 14.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Tianjin Hospital, Hexi, Tianjin, 300211, China.

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of pain and disability worldwide, which is characterized by degenerative and inflammatory processes affecting joints and surrounding tissues. This study aimed to elucidate the role and possible mechanism of long non-coding RNA HOX antisense intergenic RNA myeloid 1 variant 1 (HOTAIRM1-1) in the development of osteoarthritis (OA).

Material And Methods: The expressions of HOTAIRM1-1 and miR-125b in OA cartilages and normal articular cartilages were determined. Read More

Biomed Pharmacother 2019 Jan 9;109:1276-1286. Epub 2018 Nov 9.

Division of Stem Cell Regulation and Application, Key Laboratory for Quality Evaluation of Bulk Herbs of Hunan Province, Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, Changsha, Hunan, China. Electronic address:

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic degenerative endocrine and metabolic disease with high mortality and morbidity, yet lacks effective therapeutics. We recently generated a novel fusion peptide INSR-IgG4Fc, Yiminsu (YMS), to facilitate the high-affinity binding and transportation of insulin. Thus, the aim of the present study was to determine whether the novel recombinant peptide, YMS, could contribute to restoring insulin sensitivity and glycaemic control in insulin resistance models and revealing its underlying mechanism. Read More

Int Immunopharmacol 2018 Dec 11;67:145-151. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wen Zhou Medical University, 109, Xueyuanxi Road, 325027 Wenzhou, China. Electronic address:

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a type of degenerative joint disease affecting millions of individuals worldwide. However, there are currently no great inflammatory treatments available for it. Sophocarpine (SPC), one of the key bioactive compounds derived from Sophora flavescens, has shown remarkable anti-inflammatory effects. Read More

Acta Ortop Mex 2018 Jul-Aug;32(4):198-202

Dirección de Educación e Investigación en Salud, Hospital de Traumatología. Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad (UMAE). «Dr. Victorio de la Fuente Narváez», Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS). Ciudad de México. México.

Background: The articular infection represents a challenge due to its complexity and its devastating effect when not treated promptly. We have various diagnostic studies: cultures, ESR, CRP, count of leukocytes, among others but none is specific, it takes more than 30 minutes to complete and require complex infrastructure. In this study we determine the sensitivity and specificity of the leukocyte esterase for detection of an infectious process joint in Mexican population. Read More

J Neurochem 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, Sichuan, China.

Phospholipids are asymmetrically distributed across the mammalian plasma membrane, with phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) concentrated in the cytoplasmic leaflet of the membrane bilayer and phosphatidylcholine in the exoplasmic leaflet. This asymmetric distribution is dependent on a group of P4 ATPases called PS flippases. The proper transport and function of PS flippases require a β-subunit transmembrane protein 30A (TMEM30A). Read More

Aging Cell 2018 Dec 12:e12852. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Edward A. Doisy Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, St Louis University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri.

Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome (HGPS) is a devastating premature aging disease. Mouse models have been instrumental for understanding HGPS mechanisms and for testing therapies, which to date have had only marginal benefits in mice and patients. Barriers to developing effective therapies include the unknown etiology of progeria mice early death, seemingly unrelated to the reported atherosclerosis contributing to HGPS patient mortality, and mice not recapitulating the severity of human disease. Read More

ChemMedChem 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

University of Trieste, Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Via Licio Giorgeri 1, 34127, Trieste, ITALY.

GSK-3β and CK-1δ are emerging targets for the treatment of neuroinflammatory disorders, including Parkinson's disease. An inhibitor able to target these two kinases was developed by docking-based design.. Read More

Eur J Phys Rehabil Med 2018 Dec 14. Epub 2018 Dec 14.

IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Milan, Italy.

Background: Isolated patellar tendon rupture (PTR) is the final stage of a long-standing tendon chronic degeneration. PTR requires immediate repair in order to avoid important muscle retraction and tendon fibrosis. The aim was to describe the effects of a rehabilitation protocol after chronic-degenerative PTR on subjective functional outcomes, knee range of motion (ROM), size, and strength in a professional football player. Read More

Int Orthop 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, University of Heidelberg, Schlierbacher Landstraße 200a, 69118, Heidelberg, Germany.

Purpose: The hypothesis of the present study was that degenerative fibro-ostosis (FO) of the ischial hamstring tendon insertion is a risk factor for heterotopic ossification (HO) following THA.

Methods: We followed 103 consecutive patients (43 males, 60 females, mean age 61 years) who underwent unilateral cementless THA for primary hip osteoarthritis and investigated the incidence of HO within the first 12 months after surgery. On pre-operative radiographs, a standardized evaluation for FO of the ischial hamstring tendon insertion concerning horizontal, vertical, and square dimensions was performed. Read More

J Spine Surg 2018 Sep;4(3):616-623

Neuroradiology Service, Central Military Hospital, Bogotá DC, Colombia.

Background: In 1988, Modic and his colleagues described changes in the subchondral bone marrow of the vertebral plates in patients with degenerative disease or other pathologies, which were observed in the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) of the spine and were subdivided into three patterns of signal changes, called Modic type I, Modic type II and Modic type III. The main differential diagnosis of the Modic I changes of the vertebral plates due to degenerative disease in spine NMR, is infection in its early stages. In their study in 2014, Patel and collaborators, using a protocol and the concept of diffusion in spine MRI, were able to demonstrate that by means of the "claw sing", a degenerative disease with Modic type I changes, can be differentiated from an infection in early stages. Read More

J Spine Surg 2018 Sep;4(3):610-615

Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece.

Background: Surgical treatment of adult degenerative scoliosis (DS) always remains a challenge and often necessitates complex multilevel surgery via traditional open approaches. However, the severity of the procedure, in association with the fact that many of these patients are at an advanced age with several comorbidities, results in high rate of complications. Therefore, during the last decade, minimally invasive procedures have gained a place in the treatment of this pathology. Read More

J Spine Surg 2018 Sep;4(3):568-574

Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, USA.

Background: Primary lumbar fusion (LF) is a treatment option for degenerative disc disease. The literature is limited regarding postoperative complications in opioid abusers undergoing LF. The purpose of this study was to compare 2-year short term implant-related complications, infection rates, 90-day readmission rates, in-hospital length of stay, and cost of care amongst opioid abusers (OAS) and non-opioid abusers (NAS) undergoing primary 1- to 2-level primary lumbar fusion (1-2LF). Read More

J Spine Surg 2018 Sep;4(3):560-567

Department of Orthopaedics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.

Background: Wound complications can occur in up to 20% of patients following multilevel posterior spinal fusion. Currently, the use of local flaps has been reported in high-risk patients with a history of spinal neoplasm, radiation therapy, exposed hardware, multiple spine surgeries, or wound infections. However, there are no reports of prophylactic muscle flap wound closure in patients undergoing multi-level spinal fusion for degenerative pathology. Read More

J Spine Surg 2018 Sep;4(3):553-559

Department of Orthopaedics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Past literature has demonstrated that patients with COPD are at an increased risk of post-operative complications. We assessed the impact of COPD on 30-day outcomes following a 1- to 2-level posterior lumbar fusion (PLF). Read More

J Spine Surg 2018 Sep;4(3):529-533

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Miami Hospital, Miami, FL, USA.

Background: To determine if the timing of a lumbar epidural steroid injection (LESI) effects rates of post-operative infection in patients receiving a non-fusion lumbar decompression (LDC) due to degenerative disc disease (DDD). Lumbar pain due to DDD can frequently be temporized or definitively treated with epidural injections. While there is ample literature regarding the infection risks associated with corticosteroid injections prior to hip/knee replacements, there are few studies relating to the spine. Read More

J Spine Surg 2018 Sep;4(3):496-500

Norton Leatherman Spine Center, Louisville, KY, USA.

Background: Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for cervical degenerative disease is an accepted treatment for symptomatic cervical radiculopathy and myelopathy. One- and two-level fusions are much more common and more widely studied. Outcomes and revision rates for three- and four-level ACDF have not been well described. Read More

Dement Neuropsychol 2018 Oct-Dec;12(4):402-407

MD,PhD, Department of Internal Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu Medical School, Botucatu, SP, Brazil.

Objective: Population aging is a global phenomenon associated with a rising prevalence of chronic degenerative diseases such as dementia. Dementia poses a challenge not only for patients but also their family caregivers who, in exercising this role, are at higher risk of mental illness. The present study investigated the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD) in family caregivers of demented elderly seen at a geriatric outpatient clinic of a Brazilian teaching hospital. Read More

Obere Extrem 2018 7;13(4):269-272. Epub 2018 Nov 7.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, 55905 Rochester, MN USA.

Lower trapezius tendon transfer with Achilles tendon allograft augmentation may be used to treat patients with lack of active external rotation following shoulder paralysis or massive irreparable posterosuperior rotator cuff tears. In the setting of shoulder paralysis, the integrity of the ipsilateral lower trapezius may be compromised. In this instance, the contralateral lower trapezius may be used with reasonable results. Read More

Natl J Maxillofac Surg 2018 Jul-Dec;9(2):205-208

Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Jaipur Dental College, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.

Introduction: Temperomandibular joint (TMJ) is subjected to many disorders commonly called Temperomandibular disorders (TMDs); such as TMJ hypermobility, ankylosis, internal derangement, degenerative joint disease. Internal derangement is characterized by abnormal relationship of articular disc to the condyle and disc to fossa. In past many non-invasive conservative treatment modalities were tried out for its treatment which are joint unloading, use of anti-inflammatory agents, physiotherapy etc. Read More

Sci Rep 2018 Dec 13;8(1):17835. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, 55905, MN, USA.

The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that an experimental high fat (HF) animal with metabolic syndrome results in structural degeneration of the aortic valve. Domestic pigs were divided (n = 12) and administered either a normal or HF diet. After 16-weeks, the HF diet group had increased weight (p ≤ 0. Read More

Am J Sports Med 2018 Dec 13:363546518814532. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Applied and Translational Research Center, IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy.

Background:: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have been proposed as a new conservative option for knee degeneration to provide symptomatic relief and delay surgical intervention. Although the current literature provides some evidence on the benefits of this technique compared with viscosupplementation, no studies have been performed to compare their long-term effects.

Purpose:: To compare the long-term clinical outcomes provided by intra-articular injections of either PRP or hyaluronic acid (HA) to treat knee degenerative disease. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2018 Dec 10;19(12). Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Department of Zoology and Entomology, Faculty of Science, Helwan University, Cairo 11795, Egypt.

The current study examined the efficacy of royal jelly (RJ) against cadmium chloride (CdCl₂)-induced testicular dysfunction. A total of 28 Swiss male mice were allocated into four groups (n = 7), and are listed as follows: (1) the control group, who was intraperitoneally injected with physiological saline (0.9% NaCl) for 7 days; (2) the RJ group, who was orally supplemented with RJ (85 mg/kg daily equivalent to 250 mg crude RJ) for 7 days; (3) the CdCl₂ group, who was intraperitoneally injected with 6. Read More

Nutrients 2018 Dec 10;10(12). Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Escuela Superior de Medicina, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, "Unidad Casco de Santo Tomas". Plan de San Luis y Díaz Mirón s/n, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. The agents capable of causing damage to genetic material are known as genotoxins and, according to their mode of action, are classified into mutagens, carcinogens, or teratogens. Genotoxins are also involved in the pathogenesis of several chronic degenerative diseases, including hepatic, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular disorders; diabetes; arthritis; cancer; chronic inflammation; and ageing. Read More

Molecules 2018 Dec 10;23(12). Epub 2018 Dec 10.

College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, China.

A total of 13 batches of collagen peptide samples were extracted, isolated, and purified from chicken sternal cartilage under various process parameters. The fingerprint profiles of 13 batches of collagen peptides were established by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In addition, the amino acid profiles and molecular weight distributions of collagen peptides were investigated. Read More

Molecules 2018 Dec 7;23(12). Epub 2018 Dec 7.

Department of the Sciences of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Foggia, Via Napoli 25, 71122 Foggia, Italy.

In the last decades, increasing demand of antioxidant-rich foods and growing interest in their putative role in prevention of degenerative diseases have promoted development of methods for measuring Antioxidant Capacity (AC). Nevertheless, most of these assays use radicals and experimental conditions far from the physiological ones, and are able to estimate only one or a few antioxidant mechanisms. On the other hand, the novel LOX/RNO and LOX⁻FL methods, based on secondary reactions between the soybean lipoxygenase (LOX)-1 isoenzyme and either 4-nitroso-,-dimethylaniline (RNO) or fluorescein (FL), may provide a more comprehensive AC evaluation. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(49):e13541

Department of Spine Surgery.

Rationale: Nocardial spinal epidural abscess is rare. The diagnosis is often difficult to make and, if delayed, poses a high risk of long-term disability. Nocardial spinal epidural abscess with severe lumbar disc herniation has not previously been reported. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2018 Dec;97(49):e13511

Department of Orthopedics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University.

Objective: To compare the hemostatic effect of hematostatic agent Surgiflo and absorbable gelatin sponge (AGS) in posterior lumbar surgery.

Methods: A total of 60 cases were recruited during August 2016 and June 2017 according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Patients were randomly allocated to the Surgiflo Haemostatic Matrix (SHM) group or the AGS group (AGS) by computer-generated randomization codes. Read More

J Neurosurg Spine 2018 Nov 1:1-8. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

OBJECTIVEThe AANS launched the Quality Outcomes Database (QOD), a prospective longitudinal registry that includes demographic, clinical, and patient-reported outcome (PRO) data to measure the safety and quality of spine surgery. Registry data offer "real-world" insights into the utility of spinal fusion and decompression surgery for lumbar spondylolisthesis. Using the QOD, the authors compared the initial 12-month outcome data for patients undergoing fusion and those undergoing laminectomy alone for grade 1 degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis. Read More

J Neurosurg Spine 2018 Dec 1:1-9. Epub 2018 Dec 1.

OBJECTIVEThe pedicle screw-based Dynesys dynamic stabilization (DDS) has reportedly become a surgical option for lumbar spondylosis and spondylolisthesis. However, it is still unclear whether the dynamic construct remains mobile or eventually fuses. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of unintended facet arthrodesis after DDS and its association with spondylolisthesis. Read More

Neurosurg Focus 2018 Dec;45(6):E8

OBJECTIVEActive-duty neurosurgical coverage has been provided at Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan since 2007. Early operative logs were reflective of a large number of surgical procedures performed to treat battlefield injuries. However, with maturation of the war effort, the number of operations for battlefield injuries has decreased with time. Read More

Neurosurg Focus 2018 Dec;45(6):E13

OBJECTIVESince 2007, a continuous neurosurgery emergency service has been available in the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) field hospital in Mazar-e-Sharif (MeS), Afghanistan. The object of this study was to assess the number and range of surgical procedures performed on the spine in the period from 2007 to 2014.METHODSThis is a retrospective analysis of the annual neurosurgical caseload statistics from July 2007 to October 2014 (92 months). Read More

PLoS One 2018 13;13(12):e0207958. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Department of Ophthalmology, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany.

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited degenerative disease causing severe retinal dystrophy and visual impairment mainly with onset in infancy or adolescence. Targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) has become an efficient tool to encounter the enormous genetic heterogeneity of diverse retinal dystrophies, including RP. To identify disease-causing mutations in unselected, consecutive RP patients, we conducted Sanger sequencing of genes commonly involved in the suspected genetic RP subtype, followed by targeted large-panel NGS if no mutation was identified, or NGS as primary analysis. Read More

Innovations (Phila) 2018 Nov/Dec;13(6):433-437

From the Divisions of Cardiothoracic Surgery and.

Objective: Approximately 50% of patients with severe symptomatic mitral regurgitation are deemed too high risk for surgery. The MitraClip procedure is a viable option for this population. Our goal was to assess outcomes and survival of patients who underwent the MitraClip procedure at an institution where mitral valve surgery is routinely performed. Read More

Nano Lett 2018 Dec 13. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Zika virus (ZIKV) has emerged as a global health threat due to its unexpected causal link to devastating neurological disorders such as fetal microcephaly. However, to date, no approved vaccine or specific treatment is available for ZIKV infection. Here, we develop a biomimetic nanodecoy (ND) that can trap ZIKV, divert ZIKV away from its intended targets, and inhibit ZIKV infection. Read More

Protein Pept Lett 2018 Dec 11. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Rourkela, Rourkela- 769008, Odisha. India.

Amyloids are highly ordered beta sheet rich stable protein aggregates, which have been found to play a significant role in the onset of several degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, Type II diabetes mellitus and so on. Aggregation of proteins leading to amyloid fibril formation via intermediate(s), is thought to be a nucleated condensation polymerization process associated with many pathological conditions. There has been extensive research to identify inhibitors of these disease oriented aggregation processes. Read More

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Orthopedic Department, University Hospital Jena, Campus Waldkliniken Eisenberg, Klosterlausnitzer Str. 81, 07607, Eisenberg, Germany.

Introduction: Surgical treatment methods for degenerative spondylolisthesis (decompression versus decompression and fusion) have been critically debated. The medical care situation is almost unknown for either treatment. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to provide information regarding the use of parameters for decision-making and the employment of surgical techniques. Read More

Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Musculoskeletal and Quantitative Imaging Research, Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, University of California, San Francisco, 185 Berry Street, Suite 350, San Francisco, CA, 94107, USA.

Purpose: To investigate, whether cartilage repair surgery for focal osteochondral defects at the knee results in less degenerative changes over 6 years in a MR imaging follow-up than morphologically initially identical defects in non-operated control subjects from the osteoarthritis initiative (OAI).

Methods: A total of 32 individuals received baseline and follow-up MRI. In n = 16 patients with cartilage repair [osteochondral autograft transfer system (OATS), n = 12; spongiosa-augmented matrix-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation (MACI), n = 4] MRI was performed preoperatively and after 5. Read More

Exp Ther Med 2018 Dec 19;16(6):4737-4744. Epub 2018 Sep 19.

Department of Orthopedics, The Fourth Hospital Affiliated to Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150001, P.R. China.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that often causes patients to experience joint pain and deformity. It has been demonstrated that tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is associated with the progression of osteoarthritis; however, to the best of our knowledge, the mechanisms by which TNF-α simulates the progression of osteoarthritis and the signaling pathway(s) it influences remain unknown. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic effects of TNF-α inhibitor in an iodoacetate-induced rat model of osteoarthritis and identify its potential mechanisms of action. Read More

G3 (Bethesda) 2018 Dec 12. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

University of Pennsylvania.

Rod and cone photoreceptors are specialized retinal neurons that have a fundamental role in visual perception, capturing light and transducing it into a neuronal signal. Aberrant functioning of rod and/or cone photoreceptors can ultimately lead to progressive degeneration and eventually blindness. In man, many rod and rod-cone degenerative diseases are classified as forms of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Read More

Iran J Public Health 2018 Oct;47(10):1567-1574

Dept. of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran.

Background: Keratoconus (KC) is a degenerative eye disease which results from thinning of the cornea and causes vision distortion. Oxidative stress damage to KC corneas may be because of the failure of corneas to process reactive oxygen species which leads to corneal thinning and loss of vision. Genetic variants in antioxidant defense genes such as catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) can decrease antioxidant capacity or increase oxidative stress and alter the risk of KC in patients. Read More

Front Oncol 2018 21;8:540. Epub 2018 Nov 21.

Department of Coronary and Structural Heart Diseases, Institute of Cardiology, Warsaw, Poland.

A 62-years-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of chronic cough, expectoration of thick mucus, hoarseness and tightness in the precordial area. Computed Tomography (CT) examination revealed the presence of a giant intrapericardial tumor with the dimensions of 80 × 38 × 32 mm. It was located anteriorly and laterally to the left atrium, posteriorly to the pulmonary trunk and the ascending aorta. Read More

Wideochir Inne Tech Maloinwazyjne 2018 Dec 1;13(4):525-532. Epub 2018 Jun 1.

Department of Orthopedics, Taizhou Hospital, Zhejiang, China.

Introduction: Transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) has been widely used to treat degenerative lumbar diseases. The PIPELINE Access minimally invasive system allows reduction of the trauma to the patient during TLIF.

Aim: To present our preliminary experience with the minimally invasive TLIF (mTLIF) technique performed on the first 7 patients with dual-segment lower lumbar degenerative disease (DS-LLDD). Read More

J Neural Eng 2018 Nov 7. Epub 2018 Nov 7.

Departments of Neurosurgery, Ophthalmology, and Hansen Experimental Physics Laboratory, Stanford University, Stanford, California, UNITED STATES.

Objective: Epiretinal prostheses are designed to restore vision in people blinded by photoreceptor degenerative diseases, by directly activating retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) using an electrode array implanted on the retina. In present-day clinical devices, current spread from the stimulating electrode to a distant return electrode often results in the activation of many cells, potentially limiting the quality of artificial vision. In the laboratory, epiretinal activation of RGCs with cellular resolution has been demonstrated with small electrodes, but distant returns may still cause undesirable current spread. Read More

Neurol Sci 2018 Dec 6. Epub 2018 Dec 6.

Department of Neuroscience, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 5, 35128, Padova, Italy.

Background: The recently released International Classification of Headache Disorders-3rd edition (1) includes migraine aura status (MAS) among the complications of migraine (A1.4.5). Read More