Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Kaohsiung J Med Sci 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Department of Neurology, General Hospital, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurological degenerative disorder that is partially induced by inflammation in the neural system. To explore the roles of disordered microRNAs in the development of PD, we screened 10 miRNAs in the brain samples of 15 postmortem PD patients and 10 postmortem healthy controls by qRT-PCR. The direct targets of miRNAs were predicted by informatics tools and further confirmed by dual luciferase assay and immunoblotting. Read More

Eur J Neurol 2020 Jun 3. Epub 2020 Jun 3.

Memory Aging and Cognition Centre, Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.

Currently more than five million confirmed cases and over 300,000 deaths due to COVID-19 infection have occurred worldwide (1). In the absence of a vaccine, effective prophylaxis or treatment, containment relies on restrictive lockdown measures, as has occurred in most European countries. Read More

Minerva Med 2020 Jun 2. Epub 2020 Jun 2.

Clinic of Internal Medicine II, Department of Cardiology, Paracelsus Medical University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria -

Objective: The aim of this study was to provide an economic assessment of interventional vs. surgical aortic valve replacement in the context of cost-effectiveness.

Background: Aortic stenosis represents the most common form of degenerative valvular heart diseases. Read More

Arq Neuropsiquiatr 2020 May 1;78(5):301-306. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Departamento de Radiologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, SP, Brazil.

Transaxonal degenerations result from neuronal death or the interruption of synaptic connections among neuronal structures. These degenerations are not common but may be recognized by conventional magnetic resonance imaging.

Objective: The learning objectives of this review include recognition of the imaging characteristics of transaxonal degenerations involving cerebellar connections, the identification of potential encephalic lesions that can lead to these degenerations and correlation of the clinical manifestations with imaging findings that reflect this involvement. Read More

Acta Orthop Belg 2020 Mar;86(1):146-150

A retrospective survey on the long-term outcomes of both proximal row carpectomy (PRC) and scaphoidectomy with 4-corner arthrodesis (4CA) was conducted. Seventeen PRC and nine 4CA wrists were retrieved with a minimal follow-up of 9 years. Pain, satisfaction and disability were not significantly different. Read More

Hepatol Commun 2020 Jun 21;4(6):859-875. Epub 2020 Apr 21.

Department of Pathology University of Pittsburgh Pittsburgh PA.

Hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α) is a transcription factor that plays a critical role in hepatocyte function, and HNF4α-based reprogramming corrects terminal liver failure in rats with chronic liver disease. In the livers of patients with advanced cirrhosis, HNF4α RNA expression levels decrease as hepatic function deteriorates, and protein expression is found in the cytoplasm. These findings could explain impaired hepatic function in patients with degenerative liver disease. Read More

Arthrosc Tech 2020 May 25;9(5):e683-e689. Epub 2020 Apr 25.

Houston Methodist Orthopedic and Sports Medicine, Houston, Texas, U.S.A.

Distal biceps tendon ruptures are thought to be secondary to an acute forceful eccentric load on a degenerative tendon. Nonoperative treatment following rupture leads to significantly decreased forearm supination and elbow flexion strength. There are several techniques described in the literature for repair. Read More

Arthrosc Tech 2020 May 25;9(5):e669-e674. Epub 2020 Apr 25.

Knee Surgery Center of the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics of Brazil, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Parameniscal cysts are usually small cystic lesions, less than 2 cm in size, found along the meniscal periphery. They are rarely associated with extra-articular palpable mass. Magnetic resonance imaging is the diagnostic method of choice; giant meniscal cysts (>5 cm at its greatest diameter) are very rare, with few cases described in the literature. Read More

Clin Orthop Surg 2020 Jun 14;12(2):224-231. Epub 2020 May 14.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Background: Shoulder arthroplasty is technically demanding and relies heavily on the precision of surgical techniques. Proper glenoid component sizing plays a crucial role in successful shoulder arthroplasty. We measured the size and penetrative depth of the glenoid for peg or screw fixation in nonarthritic and degenerative arthritic shoulders by using three-dimensional computed tomography to determine the reference dimensions of the glenoid in nonarthritic and degenerative arthritic shoulders. Read More

Clin Orthop Surg 2020 Jun 14;12(2):187-193. Epub 2020 May 14.

Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Wonkwang University Hospital, Wonkwang University School of Medicine, Iksan, Korea.

Background: Surgical treatment consisting of decompression and fusion is generally known to produce good clinical results for lumbar spinal stenosis with degenerative spondylolisthesis. However, the clinical outcome of decompression alone, without fusion, remains unclear, and long-term follow-up results are scarce. This study aimed to retrospectively analyze the 5-year clinical results of decompression only in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis. Read More

Wideochir Inne Tech Maloinwazyjne 2020 Jun 29;15(2):305-312. Epub 2019 Oct 29.

Department of Pain Management, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.

Introduction: The nerve fibers innervating the annulus fibrosus are the major origin of degeneration-associated discogenic pain. Coblation is a tissue-dissociating technique in which the nerve fibers in the degenerative disc tissue are ablated. We hypothesized that coblation annuloplasty would be an effective maneuver for cervical discogenic pain without radiculopathy. Read More

Cardiovasc Toxicol 2020 Jun 1. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Department of Veterinary Clinic and Surgery, College of Veterinary, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the comparative effects of CGs on heart physiology. Twenty-eight Wistar rats were distributed into four groups (n = 7), control group received NaCl 0.9% every 24 h for 21 days; treated groups received respectively 50 μg/kg of digoxin (DIG), ouabain (OUA) and oleandrin (OLE) every 24 h for 21 days. Read More

Spine Deform 2020 Jun 2. Epub 2020 Jun 2.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ajou University School of Medicine, 164 World Cup-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon, Geyounggi-do, 16499, South Korea.

Study Design: A cross-sectional radiological study.

Objectives: We aimed to examine the degenerative changes of sagittal alignment in patients with Roussouly type 1. Roussouly type 1 is unique in shape, characterized by short lumbar lordosis (LL) with the apex at L5 and thoracolumbar kyphosis (TLK). Read More

Endocr Pathol 2020 Jun 1. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Department of Pathology, Koç University Hospital and Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Davutpaşa Caddesi No: 4, Topkapı, 34010, Istanbul, Turkey.

Better prognostication/stratification of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PanNETs) is needed. In this detailed morpheomic study of 163 resected PanNETs, 11 unusual variants, some of which were not previously recognized, and others scarcely documented in the literature, were identified, and their pathologic characteristics were further analyzed. By behavior and clinicopathologic associations, these variants could be grouped into three prognostically different categories. Read More

Trials 2020 Jun 1;21(1):452. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Department of Food and Human Nutritional Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

Background: Functional food ingredients and natural health products have been demonstrated to reduce disease risk and thereby help to lower health care costs across populations at risk for chronic or degenerative diseases. However, typically a wide range of interindividual variability exists in response across individuals to nutritional and natural health product bioactives, such as plant sterols (PS). This study aims to determine and utilize information on the associations between genosets and the degree of responsiveness to dietary PS intervention, with a long-term objective of developing genetic tests to predict responses to PS. Read More

Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg 2020 Jun 2. Epub 2020 Jun 2.

Laser Research Centre, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa.

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) refers to a group of disorders affecting the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and its related muscles. The two commonly used treatment modalities for TMD are occlusal splint therapy and relaxation therapy. Neither comprises definitive treatment. Read More

Cells 2020 May 29;9(6). Epub 2020 May 29.

Research Platform Degenerative Diseases, German Primate Center-Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Kellnerweg 4, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.

Non-human primates (NHP) are important surrogate models for late preclinical development of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), including induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-based therapies, which are also under development for heart failure repair. For effective heart repair by remuscularization, large numbers of cardiomyocytes are required, which can be obtained by efficient differentiation of iPSCs. However, NHP-iPSC generation and long-term culture in an undifferentiated state under feeder cell-free conditions turned out to be problematic. Read More

Metabolites 2020 May 29;10(6). Epub 2020 May 29.

Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, Beaumont Health, Royal Oak, MI 48073, USA.

Osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthropathies are a cause of significant morbidity globally. New research elucidating the metabolic derangements associated with a variety of bone and joint disorders implicates various local and systemic metabolites, which further elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with these destructive disease processes. In osteoarthritis, atty acid metabolism has been implicated in disease development, both locally and systemically. Read More

Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2020 May 30;196:105966. Epub 2020 May 30.

Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Japanese Red Cross Shizuoka Hospital, Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan.

Objective: A minimum clinically important difference (MCID) has been increasingly well known in the current era of patient-centered care because it reflects a smallest change that is meaningful for patients following a clinical intervention. Previous studies suggested MCID values are disease and/or procedure dependent. No MCID values have been reported on the lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) following decompression surgery despite LSS is the most common spinal disease and the main treatment is decompression surgery. Read More

Int J Cardiol 2020 May 30. Epub 2020 May 30.

Department of Cardiology, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Dr. Esquerdo, 46, 28007 Madrid, Spain.; Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Gregorio Marañón, Dr. Esquerdo 46, 28007 Madrid, Spain; CIBERCV, Instituto de Salud Carlos III. C/ Monforte de Lemos 3-5, 28029 Madrid, Spain; Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Plaza de Ramón y Cajal, s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.

Artif Cells Nanomed Biotechnol 2020 Dec;48(1):818-823

Department of Orthopedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China.

Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is one of systemic bone degenerative diseases characterised by decreased bone mineral density (BMD). Previous studies suggest that the gene may be associated with BMD and play an important role in the occurrence and development of PMOP. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential association between PMOP and the gene. Read More

Bratisl Lek Listy 2020 ;121(6):400-410

Aim: The present study investigated the role of redox balance, inflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and apoptosis in Tramadol (Tra)-induced testicular toxicity.

Method: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into either the control group or the groups receiving different doses of Tra (25, 50, and 75 mg/kg/day, i.p. Read More

Eur Cell Mater 2020 Jun 2;39:227-248. Epub 2020 Jun 2.

Istituto Ortopedico Galeazzi, Orthopaedic Biotechnology Lab, Via R. Galeazzi 4, 20161, Milan,

Inflammation represents an important factor leading to metabolic imbalance within the intervertebral disc (IVD), conducive to degenerative changes. Therefore, a thorough knowledge of the IVD and endplate (EP) cell behaviour in such pathological environments is essential when designing regenerative therapeutic strategies. The present study aimed at assessing the molecular response of the IVD constitutive nucleus pulposus (NPCs)-, annulus fibrosus (AFCs)- and endplate (EPCs)-derived cells to interleukin (IL)-1β treatment, through large-scale, high-throughput microarray and protein analysis, identifying the differentially expressed genes and released proteins. Read More

Int J Surg Pathol 2020 Jun 2:1066896920927794. Epub 2020 Jun 2.

Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Chondroblastoma is a rare benign tumor of immature cartilage cells that generally occurs in an epiphyseal location of skeletally immature individuals. However, a few studies have reported cases in older patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical, radiographic, and pathologic features of chondroblastoma in an adult population. Read More

Sci Rep 2020 Jun 1;10(1):8840. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Kasr Al-Ainy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.

Aging causes morphological and functional changes in the cerebellum. This work aimed to demonstrate the implication of JAK1/STAT3/SOCS3 on aging-induced changes of rat cerebellum. Thirty male rats were divided into: adult (12 months), early senile (24 months) and late senile (32 months) groups. Read More

Sci Rep 2020 Jun 1;10(1):8908. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology, Russian Academy of Sciences, 5a Butlerova St., Moscow, 117485, Russia.

It was previously shown that activation of the processes of neurogenesis in the olfactory epithelium (OE) can be caused after intranasal administration of toxic or neurotrophic factors, after axon transection, or as a result of bulbectomy. Our study showed for the first time that a significant increase in olfactory cell renewal can also occur in animals due to periodic chemostimulation with natural odorants (amino acids and peptides) for 15 days. Using electron and laser confocal microscopy in fish (Paracottus knerii (Cottidae), Dybowski, 1874) from Lake Baikal, we showed that periodic stimulation of aquatic organisms with a water-soluble mixture of amino acids and peptides causes stress in OE, which leads to programmed death cells and compensatory intensification of their renewal. Read More

J Foot Ankle Surg 2020 May 29. Epub 2020 May 29.

Surgeon, Healthmark Foot and Ankle Associates, Phoenixville, PA.

Arthrodesis has been described as the gold standard of treatment for midfoot degenerative joint disease (DJD) but has also been associated with nonunion, increased tourniquet times, technical difficulty, and a long postoperative non-weightbearing period. Although it is postulated that a contracted gastrocnemius may cause midfoot pain, there are no reports of using the procedure as a primary treatment for midfoot DJD. The purpose of this study was to determine whether gastrocnemius recession resolved midfoot pain from osteoarthritis and eliminated the need for midfoot arthrodesis. Read More

Cells 2020 May 28;9(6). Epub 2020 May 28.

Regenerative Medicine Technologies Laboratory, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), via Tesserete 46, 6900 Lugano, Switzerland.

The prevalence of arthritic diseases is increasing in developed countries, but effective treatments are currently lacking. The injection of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represents a promising approach to counteract the degenerative and inflammatory environment characterizing those pathologies, such as osteoarthritis (OA). However, the majority of clinical approaches based on MSCs are used within an autologous paradigm, with important limitations. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 May;99(21):e20127

Iberoamerican Cochrane Centre, Sant Pau Biomedical Research Institute (IIB Sant Pau), CIBERESP, Barcelona, Spain.

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious, sometimes life-threatening complication that can occur following spine surgery. The incidence of VTE, and the optimal type and timing of thromboprophylaxis for this complication in elective spine surgery is a matter of debate.

Objective: To perform a systematic review with the aim of clarifying the efficacy and adverse effects of mechanical and chemical prophylaxis for preventing thromboembolic complications in elective spine surgery for conditions other than trauma and malignant disease. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 May;99(21):e20125

Department of Orthopedics, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital.

Rationale: Intraspinal tophaceous gout is relatively rare condition presenting with major clinical manifestations, such as spinal cord or nerve roots compressions (radiculopathy). It is usually difficult to differentiate intraspinal tophaceous gout, lumbar disc herniation, stenosis of spinal canal, ossification of ligamentum flavum, and other degenerative spinal disorders from each other.

Patient Concerns: A 64-year-old man was admitted with a history of progressive low back pain for 11 months. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2020 May;99(21):e19784

Department of Spine Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, PR China.

Background: The Dynesys dynamic stabilization system is an alternative to rigid instrumentation and fusion for the treatment of lumbar degenerative disease. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical efficacy between Dynesys and posterior decompression and fusion for lumbar degenerative diseases.

Methods: The computer was used to retrieve the Cochrane library, Medline, Embase, CNKI, Wanfang database and Chinese biomedical literature database; and the references and main Chinese and English Department of orthopedics journals were manually searched. Read More

J Long Term Eff Med Implants 2019 ;29(3):247-254

Grant Medical Center, 285 East State Street, Suite 500, Columbus, OH 43215.

Background: The incidence of posttraumatic arthrosis after acetabular fractures is significant, and patients frequently require secondary total hip arthroplasty. Conversion arthroplasty is more technically difficult, and there is higher risk than with routine primary total hip arthroplasty. The goal of this study was to identify the challenges and risks of secondary total hip arthroplasty compared to primary total hip arthroplasty. Read More

J Long Term Eff Med Implants 2019 ;29(3):197-203

Department of Anatomy and Surgical Anatomy, Medical School of National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.

We review the anatomical variations of the hypoglossal nerve and their surgical and clinical significance, and we report multiple diseases that affect function of the nerve leading to paresis, either unilateral or bilateral. The hypoglossal nerve is the 12th cranial nerve, and knowledge of the detailed anatomy and relationship with critical structures is of paramount importance in neurosurgery, head and neck surgery, and vascular surgery. Numerous studies have depicted conventional landmarks in the cervical part of the hypoglossal nerve, but their findings have not been consistent reliable. Read More

PLoS One 2020 1;15(6):e0233516. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Department of Crop and Soil Science, Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon State, United States of America.

The Balkans endemic species Alkanna primuliflora Griseb., A. stribrnyi Velen. Read More

J Invasive Cardiol 2020 Jun;32(6):E151-E157

Quebec Heart and Lung Institute, 2725 Chemin Sainte-Foy, Québec, Quebec, Canada G1V 4G5.

Background: Many patients referred for a MitraClip intervention are finally refused for this intervention, and data are very scarce on their outcomes. Our study sought to determine the characteristics and outcomes of patients who are referred to a mitral valve clinic and are finally denied from a percutaneous mitral edge-to-edge repair.

Methods: A total of 210 patients referred to our clinic for severe mitral regurgitation were retrospectively analyzed. Read More

Dentomaxillofac Radiol 2020 Jun 1:20190450. Epub 2020 Jun 1.

Department of Radiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Brussel, Belgium.

Objective: Chondrocalcinosis is a common degenerative disease affecting the fibrocartilaginous joints especially the knee and wrist. Involvement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)is rarely reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of temporomandibular joint chondrocalcinosis on head computed tomography (CT) scans in patients with chondrocalcinosis of the knee or wrist. Read More

J Vis Exp 2020 May 14(159). Epub 2020 May 14.

Faculty of Health and Medicine, Department for Health Sciences, Medicine and Research, Center for Regenerative Medicine, Danube University Krems.

Osteochondral defects in middle-aged patients might be treated with focal metallic implants. First developed for defects in the knee joint, implants are now available for the shoulder, hip, ankle and the first metatarsalphalangeal joint. While providing pain reduction and clinical improvement, progressive degenerative changes of the opposing cartilage are observed in many patients. Read More

Bone Rep 2020 Jun 16;12:100271. Epub 2020 May 16.

B3OA, UMR CNRS 7052, Inserm U1271 Université de Paris, Paris, France.

Basic Clin Neurosci 2019 Nov-Dec;10(6):609-617. Epub 2019 Nov 1.

ENT and Head & Neck Research Center and Department, Hazrat Rasoul Akram Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Introduction: Cell therapy has been widely considered as a therapeutic approach for neurodegenerative diseases and nervous system damage. Cholinergic neurons as one of the most important neurons that play a significant role in controlling emotions, mobility, and autonomic systems. In this study, Human Dental Pulp Stem Cells (hDPSCs) were differentiated into the cholinergic neurons by β-mercaptoethanol in the preinduction phase and also by the nerve growth factor (NGF) in the induction phase. Read More

Basic Clin Neurosci 2019 Nov-Dec;10(6):557-566. Epub 2019 Nov 1.

Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Introduction: Cognitive dysfunction is the most common problem of patients with Alzheimer Disease (AD). The pathological mechanism of cognitive impairment in AD may contribute to neuronal loss, synaptic dysfunction, and alteration in neurotransmitters receptors. Mitochondrial synapses dysfunction due to the accumulation of Amyloid Beta (Aβ) is one of the earliest pathological features of AD. Read More

Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020 5;11:266. Epub 2020 May 5.

Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine (UBA-CONICET), School of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Proteins to be secreted through so-called "conventional mechanisms" are characterized by the presence of an N-terminal peptide that is a leader or signal peptide, needed for access to the endoplasmic reticulum and the Golgi apparatus for further secretion. However, some relevant cytosolic proteins lack of this signal peptides and should be secreted by different unconventional or "non-canonical" processes. One form of this unconventional secretion was named secretory autophagy (SA) because it is specifically associated with the autophagy pathway. Read More

Front Pharmacol 2020 14;11:702. Epub 2020 May 14.

Department of Ophthalmology, Ruijin Hospital Affiliated Medical School, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.

There are three members of the endogenous gas transmitter family. The first two are nitric oxide and carbon monoxide, and the third newly added member is hydrogen sulfide (HS). They all have similar functions: relaxing blood vessels, smoothing muscles, and getting involved in the regulation of neuronal excitation, learning, and memory. Read More