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Int Immunopharmacol 2019 Feb 18;69:398-407. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, West Xueyuan Road 109#, Wenzhou 325027, Zhejiang Province, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Orthopaedics, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China; The Second School of Medicine, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. Electronic address:

Intervertebral disc degeneration is a multifactorial and complicated degenerative disease that imposes a huge economic burden on society. However, there is no effective treatment that can delay and reverse the progression of disc degeneration. The inflammatory response causes the death of nucleus pulposus cells and the degradation of extracellular matrix are main factors of intervertebral disc degeneration. Read More

Pharmacol Rep 2018 Nov 2;71(2):206-217. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. Electronic address:

Background Study was conducted to determine the effect of dietary zinc deficiency and supplementation on the spleen morphology. Methods Pre-pubertal Wistar rats (40-50 g) were divided into two groups with 6 sub-groups each viz. zinc control (ZC, 100 μg/g zinc diet), pair fed (PF, 100 μg/g zinc diet), zinc deficient (ZD, <1 μg/g zinc diet, zinc supplementation control (ZCS), zinc supplementation pair-fed (PFS) and zinc supplementation deficient (ZDS, 100 μg/g zinc control diet). Read More

Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2019 Feb 11;179:19-22. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Boulder Neurosurgical Associates, Boulder, CO, United States; Justin Parker Neurological Institute, Boulder, CO, United States. Electronic address:

Objective: Obesity affects not only the health of an individual but society as a whole and especially the healthcare system. Healthcare providers are faced with challenges to deliver adequate care in this resource-limited environment, assure safety, and accommodate the increasing population of overweight patients. The effects of increased body mass index (BMI) on clinical outcomes, complications, health care resource utilization, effectiveness of minimally invasive approaches, and perioperative parameters in spine surgeries have all been previously studied, but the majority of these findings are conflicting rather than conclusive. Read More

J Biomed Mater Res B Appl Biomater 2019 Feb 19. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Materials Science and Engineering, Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104.

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI), a serious condition which affects ~56% of postmenopausal women, is the involuntary leakage of urine through urethra during physical activity that causes an increase in abdominal pressure. SUI is associated with a decrease in compliance and volume of urethral tissue, likely due to a reduced proteoglycan: collagen ratio in the extracellular matrix and collagen disorganization. Here, we investigated the use of biomimetic proteoglycans (BPGs) to molecularly engineer urethral tissue of New Zealand White rabbits to examine biocompatibility in vivo. Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2019 ;1950:123-139

Ocular Gene Therapy Core, National Eye Institute, NIH, Bethesda, MD, USA.

Degenerative retinal diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and Leber's congenital amaurosis (LCA) may lead to blindness without effective treatment. With the rapid advancement of the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology, in vivo application of CRISPR/Cas9 holds immense potential for treatment of these diseases. Adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors are an ideal gene transfer tool for delivery of CRISPR components to the retina. Read More

Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 2019 Feb 19. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Central - Hospital de Curry Cabral, Rua da Beneficência, nº 8, 1069-166, Lisbon, Portugal.

Isolated bilateral pedicle stress fractures of the lumbar spine are rare events, and few cases are reported in the literature. Their occurrence is commonly related to post-operative complications of spine instrumentation but can also be associated with stress-related activities, degenerative spine conditions, trauma and other miscellaneous causes. The authors report a case of adjacent bi-level bilateral pedicle fracture that developed 5 years after an instrumented posterolateral lumbar fusion. Read More

Tremor Other Hyperkinet Mov (N Y) 2019 13;9:608. Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Department of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, IN.

Background: Camptocormia is defined as forward flexion of the spine that manifests during walking and standing and disappears in recumbent position. The various etiologies include idiopathic Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, myopathies, degenerative joint disease, and drugs.

Case Report: A 67-year-old diabetic female presented with bradykinesia and camptocormia that started 1 year prior to presentation. Read More

J Craniovertebr Junction Spine 2018 Oct-Dec;9(4):274-276

Lilavati Hospital and Research Center, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.

Neglected cervical spine trauma is rare with very few case series reported in literature. There are no clear guidelines for its treatment. If operative treatment is sought, the role of skull traction, type of approach (anterior only, posterior only, or combined), sequence of surgery, type of instrumentation, etc. Read More

Sci Rep 2019 Feb 19;9(1):2314. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Section, UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford Street, London, WC1N 1EH, UK.

Irreversible photoreceptor cell death is a major cause of blindness in many retinal dystrophies. A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the progressive loss of photoreceptor cells remains therefore crucial. Abnormal expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been linked with the aetiology of a number of retinal dystrophies. Read More

BMJ Open 2019 Jan 15;9(1):e022720. Epub 2019 Jan 15.

Univ Lille; Inserm; CHU Lille; UMR-S 1171 "Degenerative and Vascular Cognitive Disorders", Lille, France.

Objectives: We tested the hypothesis that stroke outcomes in patients with preadmission use of benzodiazepine are worse.

Method: In a prospective cohort study, we recruited patients with acute ischaemic stroke. Mortality, functional outcomes and cognition were evaluated at 8 and 90 days after stroke. Read More

Trials 2019 Feb 19;20(1):140. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Department of Internal Medicine, Dunsan Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University, 75, Daedeok-daero 176 beon-gil, Seo-gu, Daejeon, 35235, South Korea.

Background: Degenerative knee osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability in the elderly. If patients do not respond to pharmacological or nonpharmacological intervention, total knee replacement surgery is recommended. However, owing to the contraindications and adverse effects of surgery, the need for a new treatment strategy is emerging. Read More

J Orthop Surg (Hong Kong) 2019 Jan-Apr;27(1):2309499019829336

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Singapore General Hospital, Singapore.

Introduction:: Reduction in neuroforaminal height (FH) may diminish the indirect decompression benefit that lateral access surgery (LAS) provides. However, the relationship between postoperative FH reduction in LAS and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) outcomes remains unclear.

Objectives:: To determine whether FH reduction affects HRQoL outcomes at 2-year follow-up. Read More

Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab 2012 May;7(3):309-318

a Department of Clinical Physiopathology, Endocrine Unit, Center for Research, Transfer and High Education on Chronic, Inflammatory, Degenerative and Neoplastic Disorders for the Development of Novel Therapies (DENOThe), University of Florence, Florence, Italy.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is still an incurable condition. There is in vitro evidence that estrogens exert neuroprotective effects; however, their role in the treatment of AD is still controversial. Approximately 10 years ago, a new gene, named seladin-1 (for selective AD indicator-1), was identified and found to be downregulated in brain regions affected by AD. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2019 Feb 13;20(4). Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Department of Degenerative Neurological Diseases, National Institute of Neuroscience, National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry, Kodaira 187-8502, Japan.

Sleep disturbance is a common symptom in patients with various neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), and it can manifest in the early stages of the disease. Impaired sleep in patients with AD has been attributed to AD pathology that affects brain regions regulating the sleep⁻wake or circadian rhythm. However, recent epidemiological and experimental studies have demonstrated an association between impaired sleep and an increased risk of AD. Read More

Antioxidants (Basel) 2019 Feb 16;8(2). Epub 2019 Feb 16.

School of Pharmacy, Liverpool John Moores University, L3 5UA Liverpool, UK.

Longevity is determined by a number of factors, including genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. A major factor affecting longevity is the development of degenerative disorders such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, kidney disease and liver disease, particularly where these occur as co-morbidities. In this article, we review the potential role of supplementation with coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) for the prevention or management of these disorders. Read More

Int J Mol Sci 2019 Feb 16;20(4). Epub 2019 Feb 16.

Department of Musculoskeletal Trauma Surgery and Orthopaedics, Centre of Postgraduate Medical Education, Professor A. Gruca Teaching Hospital, Konarskiego 13, 05-400 Otwock, Poland.

Meniscal tears are the most common orthopaedic injuries, with chronic lesions comprising up to 56% of cases. In these situations, no benefit with surgical treatment is observed. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness and safety of percutaneous intrameniscal platelet rich plasma (PRP) application to complement repair of a chronic meniscal lesion. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Feb 16. Epub 2019 Feb 16.

Sklifosovsky Research Institute of Emergency Care, Moscow, Russia; A.I. Evdokimov Moscow Medical University.

Purpose: To perform a radiological analysis of the degeneration of C1-C2 joints following C1-C2 transarticular fixation (TAF), and compare the long-term results of a routine Magerl technique (RMT) to a posterior transarticular С1-С2 stand-alone screw instrumentation (SAS) application.

Materials And Methods: Forty patients (26 men and 14 women) were included in this retrospective observational cohort study. The mean follow-up period was 61. Read More

J Cell Physiol 2019 Feb 18. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Department of Orthopaedics Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.

Oxidative stress has been reported to be closely associated with the development of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD). IDD is one of the major causes of low back pain. Genistein (GES), one of the main isoflavones of soybean, has been shown to exert multiple biological functions on different diseases. Read More

Subcell Biochem 2018 ;90:451-470

Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Werribee, VIC, Australia.

Vitamin B contributes to the overall health and wellbeing, including that of energy metabolism, methylation, synthesis and DNA repair and proper immune function. Deficiency in B vitamins has been linked to neurocognitive disorders, mitochondrial dysfunction, immune dysfunction and inflammatory conditions. In ageing populations B vitamin deficiency has been linked to cardiovascular disorders, cognitive dysfunction, osteoporosis and methylation disorders and can increase the risk of developing degenerative diseases, particularly cardiovascular disease, cognitive diseases and osteoporosis. Read More

Eur Spine J 2019 Feb 18. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Radiological Department, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, HUST, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, People's Republic of China.

Objective: Our aim was to assess the microstructural changes of intervertebral disc degeneration induced by annulus needle puncture in rats by diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI).

Methods: Eighteen rats (36 discs) were punctured percutaneously at the intervertebral disc between C6/7, C7/8 (C-coccygeal vertebrae) with a 21-gauge needle. The rats were divided into six groups according to the time after the puncture: 3 h, 48 h, 3 days, 7 days, 10 days and 14 days. Read More

EuroIntervention 2019 Feb 19. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

Rabin Medical Center, Petah Tikva, Israel.

Aims: To evaluate transcatheter aortic valve-in-valve implantation performance in rapid deployment (ViVr) vs. conventional (ViVc) surgical heart valve (SHV).

Methods And Results: A multicenter registry was developed as part of the VIVID international registry. Read More

J Environ Sci Health B 2019 Feb 19:1-8. Epub 2019 Feb 19.

c Department of Wine Food and Molecular Biosciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences , Lincoln University , Lincoln, Canterbury , New Zealand.

T-2 toxin (T-2), one of the naturally occurring mycotoxins, often accumulates in aquatic animals from contaminated feed. Shrimp (n = 30 per group) were fed with different concentrations (0, 0.5, 1. Read More

Rev Med Inst Mex Seguro Soc 2019 Jan 28;56(5):462-467. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Xochimilco, Licenciatura de Medicina, Departamento de Atención a la Salud. Ciudad de México, México

Background: Chronic-degenerative diseases are the main causes of morbidity and mortality in Mexico and are associated with overweight and obesity, which are considered a global epidemic. There is an increased risk of these conditions in patients with family history of chronic-degenerative diseases.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and its association with family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and high blood pressure (HBP) in university students from Mexico City. Read More

J Biomech 2019 Feb 12. Epub 2019 Feb 12.

Biorobotics and Biomechanics Lab (BRML), Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa 32000, Israel.

Footwear devices that shift foot center of pressure (COP), thereby impacting lower-limb biomechanics to produce clinical benefit, have been studied regarding degenerative diseases of knee and hip joints, exhibiting evidence of clinical success. Ability to purposefully affect trunk biomechanics has not been investigated for this type of footwear. Fifteen healthy young male subjects underwent gait and electromyography analysis using a biomechanical device that shifts COP via moveable convex elements attached to the shoe sole. Read More

Osteoporos Sarcopenia 2017 Sep 27;3(3):117-122. Epub 2017 Sep 27.

Aging Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, Daejeon, Korea.

Sarcopenia is the degenerative loss of muscle mass and function with aging. Recently sarcopenia was recognized as a clinical disease by the International Classification of Disease, 10th revision, Clinical Modification. An imbalance between protein synthesis and degradation causes a gradual loss of muscle mass, resulting in a decline of muscle function as a progress of sarcopenia. Read More

Orthop Surg 2019 Feb 18. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Department of Spine Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing, China.

Objectives: Percutaneous transfacet screw fixation (pTSF) is a minimally invasive posterior fixation technique supplementing oblique lateral interbody fusion (OLIF) for lumbar spinal disorders. Accurate screw insertion is difficult to achieve and technically demanding under 2-D fluoroscopy. Recently developed robot-assisted spinal surgery demonstrated a high level of accuracy of pedicle screw insertion and a low complication rate. Read More

J Alzheimers Dis 2019 ;67(3):995-1005

Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.

Background: Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second most common degenerative dementia in older people. However, rates of misdiagnosis are high, and little is known of its natural history and outcomes. Very few previous studies have been able to access routine clinical information for large, unbiased DLB cohorts in order to establish initial presentation, neuropsychological profile, and mortality. Read More

Open Vet J 2018 26;8(4):479-484. Epub 2018 Dec 26.

Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tripoli, Tripoli, Libya.

In this study, antibacterial, antioxidant and phenolic compounds of raisin extracts was evaluated. Different solvent extraction methods were utilized to extract phenolic compounds from raisin. The phenolic compounds of raisin extracts was determined using HPLC and three compounds were found, catechin, quercetin and rutin. Read More

Adv Sci (Weinh) 2019 Feb 11;6(3):1801313. Epub 2018 Dec 11.

Department of Cell Biology Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases School of Basic Medical Sciences Southern Medical University Guangzhou 510515 China.

Exosomes are small membrane-bound vesicles released into extracellular spaces by many types of cells. These nanovesicles carry proteins, mRNA, and miRNA, and are involved in cell waste management and intercellular communication. In the present study, it is shown that exosome release, which leads to net loss of cellular membrane and protein content, is negatively regulated by mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). Read More

Global Spine J 2019 Feb 23;9(1):77-84. Epub 2018 May 23.

University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.

Study Design: Broad narrative review.

Objectives: To review and summarize the current literature on the outcomes, techniques, and indications of lumbar interbody fusion in degenerative spondylolisthesis.

Methods: A thorough review of peer-reviewed literature was performed on the outcomes, techniques, and indications of lumbar interbody fusions in degenerative spondylolisthesis. Read More

Global Spine J 2019 Feb 29;9(1):67-76. Epub 2018 Jul 29.

Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Study Design: Meta-analysis.

Objective: Despite the increasing importance of tracking clinical outcomes using valid patient-reported outcome measures, most providers do not routinely obtain baseline preoperative health-related quality of life (HRQoL) data in patients undergoing spine surgery, precluding objective outcomes analysis in individual practices. We conducted a meta-analysis of pre- and postoperative HRQoL data obtained from the most commonly published instruments to use as reference values. Read More

Global Spine J 2019 Feb 24;9(1):55-61. Epub 2018 May 24.

Privolzhskiy Research Medical University, Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To determine risk factors that may affect the rate of pedicle screws loosening in patients with degenerative diseases of the lumbar spine.

Methods: A total of 250 patients with a low-grade spondylolisthesis and lumbar instability associated with degenerative diseases were enrolled. Read More

J Pediatr Genet 2019 Mar 22;8(1):20-23. Epub 2018 Aug 22.

Department of Pathology, Çukurova Üniversity, Balcali Hospital, Adana, Turkey.

Gastrointestinal angiodysplasia can be encountered in cases with aortic stenosis, inflammatory gastrointestinal conditions, von Willebrand disease or vascular damage, and degenerative changes. Predisposing factors have been described in four adults with vascular ectasia located in the stomach, duodenum, and the distal esophagus. Here, we report a 2-month-old infant with vascular ectasia in the proximal esophagus and diagnosed by molecular karyotyping. Read More

Cell Death Discov 2019 11;5:67. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

1Biomedical Center Munich (BMC), Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Ludwig-Maximilians-University (LMU), Grosshaderner Strasse 9, Planegg, 82152 Germany.

The corpus luteum (CL) is a transient endocrine organ, yet molecular mechanisms resulting in its demise are not well known. The presence of phosphorylated mixed lineage kinase domain-like pseudokinase pMLKL(T357/S358) in human and nonhuman primate CL samples ( and ) implied that necroptosis of luteal cells may be involved. In CL, pMLKL positive staining became detectable only from the mid-late luteal phase onwards, pointing to necroptosis during regression of the CL. Read More

F1000Res 2019 31;8. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Neurosurgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA.

Lumbar spinal stenosis is a degenerative process that is extremely frequent in today's aging population. It can result in impingement on the nerves of the cauda equina or on the thecal sac itself, and lead to debilitating symptoms such as severe leg pain, or restriction in the perimeter of ambulation, both resulting in dependency in daily activities. The impact of the disease is global and includes financial repercussions because of its involvement in the active work force group. Read More

Front Neural Circuits 2019 1;13. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States.

Dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons modulate and control processes ranging from reward signaling to regulation of motor outputs. Further, dysfunction of these neurons is involved in both degenerative and psychiatric disorders. Elucidating the roles of these neurons has been greatly facilitated by bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenic mouse lines expressing channelrhodopsin to readily enable cell-type specific activation. Read More

Orthop Res Rev 2018 23;10:73-81. Epub 2018 Oct 23.

Medical Affairs, Sanofi House, Midrand, South Africa,

Knee osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative joint disease characterized by destruction of articular cartilage with resultant para-articular bone changes. It is a major cause of disability in older persons and is managed by surgical and nonsurgical interventions. Pharmacotherapy includes acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents, and intra-articular steroids. Read More

Free Radic Res 2019 Feb 18:1-241. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

a Institute of Experimental Medicine , Chinese Academy of Sciences , Prague , Czech Republic.

Oxidative stress initiates, accompanies and contributes to the development of several human diseases and injuries, including ocular diseases. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) can generate oxidative stress via excessive ROS production and/or decreased physiologically occurring antioxidants. To replace these weakened antioxidants, substances with effective antioxidant properties are needed in order to suppress oxidative stress and enable healing. Read More

Pediatr Dermatol 2019 Feb 17. Epub 2019 Feb 17.

Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis is an idiopathic degenerative process that presents as a painful nodule, papule, or ulcer on the helix or antihelix. It predominantly affects adults and is thought to be associated with trauma to the ear. We describe a case of pediatric chondrodermatitis nodularis helicis occurring in a child with a history of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome that was successfully treated with an excisional biopsy and relief from a recurrent source of pressure on the ear. Read More

Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi 2019 Jan;99(5):359-364

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100020, China.

To retrospectively investigate the effects of long segment fusion and short segment fusion on lumbar sagittal alignment and quality of life in patients with degenerative scoliosis. From January 2011 to December 2014, 75 patients with degenerative scoliosis were treated with pedicle screw fixation. Total of 56 females and 19 males were included in this study. Read More

Anat Histol Embryol 2019 Feb 17. Epub 2019 Feb 17.

Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Grugliasco, Turin, Italy.

Anitschkow cells (AC) are a peculiar type of stromal cells observed in myocardium, cardiac valves and coronary vessels wall whose origin, characterization and role remain controversial. In human heart, they represent a histological hallmark of Aschoff nodules in rheumatic fever, but they have also been observed in other myocardial pathologies. Firstly, they have been considered a myocyte-derived cells, but light microscopy, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural studies pointed out that a macrophagic/histiocytic origin cannot be excluded. Read More

Radiol Med 2019 Feb 15. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Department of Biotechnological and Applied Clinical Sciences, University of L'Aquila, Via Vetoio 1, 67100, L'Aquila, Italy.

Degenerative osteoarthropathy is one of the leading causes of the pain and disability from musculoskeletal disease in the adult population. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows optimal visualization of all tissues involved in degenerative osteoarthritis disease process, mainly the articular cartilage. In addition to qualitative and semiquantitative morphologic assessment, several MRI-based advanced techniques have been developed to allow characterization and quantification of the biochemical cartilage composition. Read More

Stem Cells Transl Med 2019 Feb 15. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Department of Ophthalmology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.

Human fibrin hydrogels are a popular choice for use as a biomaterial within tissue engineered constructs because they are biocompatible, nonxenogenic, autologous use compatible, and biodegradable. We have recently demonstrated the ability to culture induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived retinal pigment epithelium on fibrin hydrogels. However, iPSCs themselves have relatively few substrate options (e. Read More

Phytother Res 2019 Feb 15. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Key Laboratory of Mental Health of the Ministry of Education, Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.

Osteoporosis is characterized by low bone mineral density and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue. N-(3-methoxybenzyl)-(9Z,12Z,15Z)-octadecatrienamide (MBOC) is one of the macamides isolated from Maca (Lepidium meyenii Walp.), a cruciferous plant from the Andes of Peru. Read More

FASEB J 2019 Feb 15:fj201801949RR. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base for Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Quality and Efficacy, School of Medicine and Life Science, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, China.

Neuronal polarization depends on the interaction of intracellular chemical and mechanical activities in which the cytoplasmic protein, talin, plays a pivotal role during neurite growth. To better understand the mechanism underlying talin function in neuronal polarization, we overexpressed several truncated forms of talin and found that the presence of the rod domain within the overexpressed talin is required for its positive effect on neurite elongation because the neurite number only increased when the talin head region was overexpressed. The tension in the talin rod was recognized using a Förster resonance energy transfer-based tension probe. Read More

Orthop Surg 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea.

Objectives: Oblique lateral interbody fusion is considered a useful surgical option for various lumbar degenerative diseases with favorable clinical results and few complications. However, clinical outcomes following oblique lateral interbody fusion stratified according to the preoperative diagnosis have not been fully evaluated in a large cohort. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes following oblique lateral interbody fusion for lumbar degenerative disease and to identify differences in outcomes when stratified according to preoperative diagnosis. Read More

Middle East Afr J Ophthalmol 2018 Jul-Dec;25(3-4):131-136

Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.

Purpose: Posterior staphyloma is an ocular complication associated with high myopia and reflects degenerative changes on the sclera. Its morphology is associated with chorioretinal atrophy and myopic maculopathy. The purpose of this study was to validate the efficacy of optical coherence tomography (OCT) in providing a simple estimation of the staphyloma pattern. Read More

Sci Rep 2019 Feb 14;9(1):2063. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Secció de Fisiologia, Departament de Bioquímica i Fisiologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Corpora amylacea are spherical bodies of unknown origin and function, which accumulate in the human brain during the aging process and neurodegenerative disorders. In recent work, we reported that they contain some neo-epitopes that are recognized by natural IgMs, revealing a possible link between them and the natural immune system. Here, we performed an ultrastructural study complemented with confocal microscopy in order to shed light on the formation of corpora amylacea and to precisely localize the neo-epitopes. Read More

Sci Rep 2019 Feb 14;9(1):2085. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Department of Medical Neurobiology, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 91220, Jerusalem, Israel.

Emerging evidence suggests that white matter plasticity in the adult brain is preserved after sensory and behavioral modifications. However, little is known about the progression of structural changes during the process of decline in visual input. Here we studied two groups of patients suffering from advanced retinitis pigmentosa with specific deterioration of the visual field: patients who had lost their peripheral visual field, retaining only central ("tunnel") vision, and blind patients with complete visual field loss. Read More

Biosci Rep 2019 Feb 14. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou, China

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by joint destruction with cartilage loss and occasional gross derangement of joint integrity. In recent years, several studies have reported the association between angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism and knee osteoarthritis (OA). However, the results were conflicting. Read More