Regenerative Effect of Mesenchymal Stem Cell on Cartilage Damage in a Porcine Model.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a major public and animal health challenge with significant economic consequences. Cartilage degradation plays a critical role in the initiation and progression of degenerative joint diseases, such as OA. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have become increasingly popular in the field of cartilage regeneration due to their promising results. The objective of this preclinical study was to evaluate the regenerative effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the repair of knee cartilage defects using a porcine model. Seven healthy LYD breed white pigs, aged 9-10 weeks and weighing approximately 20 ± 3 kg, were used in the experimental protocol. Full-thickness defects measuring 8 mm in diameter and 5 mm in depth were induced in the lateral femoral condyle of the posterior limbs in both knee joints using a sterile puncture technique while the knee was maximally flexed. Following a 1-week induction phase, the pig treatment groups received a 0.3 million/kg MSC transplant into the damaged knee region, while the placebo group received a control solution as a treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT), visual macroscopic examination, histological analysis, and cytokine concentration analysis were used to assess cartilage regeneration. The findings revealed that human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs) were more effective in repairing cartilage than pig umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (pUCMSCs). These results suggest that MSC-based treatments hold promise as a treatment option for cartilage repair, which aid in the treatment of OA. However, further studies with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods are required to fully demonstrate the safety and efficacy of these therapies in both animals and humans.

Diabetes-induced cardiomyopathy is ameliorated by heat-killed Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-263 in diabetic rats via the repression of the toll-like receptor 4 pathway.

PURPOSE: Diabetes mellitus (DM) leads to disorders such as cardiac hypertrophy, cardiac myocyte apoptosis, and cardiac fibrosis. Previous studies have shown that Lactobacillus reuteri GMNL-263 decreases cardiomyopathy by reducing inflammation. In this study, we investigated the potential benefit of GMNL-263 supplementation in treating diabetes-induced cardiomyocytes in rats with DM. METHODS: Five-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups, control, DM, and rats with DM treated with different dosages of L. reuteri GMNL-263. After undergoing treatment for 4 weeks, all rats were euthanized for further analysis. RESULTS: We observed that cardiac function and structure of rats with DM was rescued by GMNL-263. Activation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-related inflammatory, hypertrophic, and fibrotic signaling pathways in the hearts of rats with DM was reduced by treatment with GMNL-263. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that GMNL-263 inhibited diabetes-induced cardiomyocytes via the repression of the TLR4 pathway. Moreover, these findings suggest that treatment with high-dose GMNL-263 could be a precautionary therapy for reducing the diabetes-induced cardiomyopathy.

Vascular Floor of Mouth Mass with Unanticipated Intracranial, Orbital, and Vertebral Associated Involvements.

We report on a case in which a blanching, unobtrusive oral growth proved to be a systemic threat. A blind, epileptic child presented with a bleeding oral floor mass of 4 weeks. Biopsy showed small, dilated vascular spaces with reactive fibroblasts. MRI indicated distribution of expansile lesions in the mandible, cranial base, and right orbit that had possibly contributed to the patient's years-long neurologic deficits. A subsequent bone scan indicated lesions in multiple axial bones. Histologic markers confirmed the presentation of a rare cystic vascular pathology. Cystic Angiomatosis is a disease of intraosseous vascular malformations with occasional visceral involvements. Oral and craniomaxillofacial cases are especially rare and presentations can involve neuropsychiatric deficits, sensory issues, and mucosal bleeding. While clinicians are often dismissive of intraoral bleeding because of the prevalence of periodontal disease, careful evaluation is nonetheless critical to rule out underlying diseases with a possibly significant systemic involvement.

The pig as an experimental model for mid-dermal burns research.

This was a novel, prospective and interventional animal study designed to develop and evaluate a new infliction device for the experimental burn model. Four paired sets of contact burns measuring 36mm diameter were inflicted on the dorsum of an anesthetized pig using a stainless steel round bar heated up to 80-110°C. The bar was applied using a push-pull force gauge designed to control 1kgf mechanical force applied to the skin for a period of 20s. The left dorsum was used for macroscopic observation and the right dorsum was used for histopathological evaluation. A total of eight burns were covered with moist saline dressings and given daily treatments of xylocaine (lidocaine HCl) gel. This procedure was followed for a period of 24 days. Full-thickness biopsies were obtained for histologic analysis to determine the extent of injury. Statistical analysis showed a high correlation between the exposure temperature and histopathological assessment. The results found the depth of injury to the collagen (Seg1) correlated with the temperature (Ti) at which the burns was inflicted, Seg1=0.038Ti-2.57 (r=0.973, P<0.05). Also, the histological studies show a high correlation between the depth of collagen denaturation in wounds and the exposure temperature, Seg1=0.0268Ti-0.165 (r=0.991, P<0.05). This model is useful to assess more closely the therapeutic agents used for wound healing in experimental burn wounds.

Convergent evolution driven by similar feeding mechanics in balaenopterid whales and pelicans.

The feeding apparatuses of rorqual whales and pelicans exhibit a number of similarities, including long, kinetic jaws that increase gape size, and extensible tissue comprising the floor of the mouth. These specializations enable the engulfment of large volumes of prey-laden water in both taxa. However, the mechanics of engulfment feeding in rorquals and pelicans have never been quantitatively compared. Here, we use "BendCT," a novel analytical program, to investigate the mechanical design of rorqual and pelican mandibles, to understand whether these bones show comparable designs for resisting similar hydrodynamical loads. We also compare the mechanical properties of the extensible tissue used during engulfment in rorquals and pelicans. We demonstrate that the evolutionary convergence in the feeding apparatus of rorquals and pelicans is more pronounced than has been recognized previously; both taxa exhibit mandibular flexural rigidity distributions suited for resisting dorsoventral bending stresses encountered while feeding, and possess similarly extensible tissue on the floor of their mouths.

Intramedullary cavity as an implant site for bioartificial pancreas: an in vivo study on diabetic canine.

BACKGROUND: Fibrous tissue outgrowth and hypoxia are the major restrictions for the application of bioartificial pancreas (BAP). Accordingly, the intramedullary cavity is proposed as an implant site, and a BAP constructed of calcium phosphate cement chamber was implanted. METHODS: Mouse insulinoma cells were encapsulated in agarose gel and then enclosed in a calcium phosphate cement chamber to fabricate a BAP. BAPs were implanted in the femoral intramedullary cavity of diabetic dogs. Pre- and postprandial blood glucose levels were monitored perioperatively. Blood samples were collected for the analysis of C-peptide level, and physiological conditions were observed at predetermined intervals. BAPs were retrieved at 12 weeks postoperatively for histologic examination. RESULTS: Preprandial blood glucose level of diabetic dogs decreased from 420 ± 25 to 223 ± 47 mg/dL at 1 day postoperatively and was maintained in the range of 259 ± 36 mg/dL for 12 weeks. As serum C-peptide level increased from 5.3 ± 2.8 to 105.7 ± 19.4 pmol/L, the rate of decrease of postprandial blood glucose was accelerated. Histologic examination revealed that recipient bone tissues were binding to the surfaces of BAPs directly; there was no development of fibrous tissue. Immunohistochemical stain was positive for insulin in the enclosed insulinoma cells. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated that BAPs implanted into the intramedullary cavity functioned well during the experimental period. Thus, the intramedullary cavity can serve as an implant site for BAPs.

The in vivo performance of bioartificial pancreas in bone marrow cavity: a case report of a spontaneous diabetic feline.

Recent studies reported that bone marrow cavity offers a widely distributed and well-vascularized microenvironment which is a considerable implantation site for bioartificial pancreas (BAP). In this study, the in vivo performance of BAPs in bone marrow was further demonstrated in a spontaneous diabetes animal. Mouse insulinoma cells encapsulating in agarose gel were enclosed in a calcium phosphate cement chamber to create a BAP. Ten BAPs were implanted into the femur bone marrow cavity of a diabetic feline. The preprandial blood glucose level, 2 h glucose curve, serum C-peptide level and physiological conditions of the recipient were recorded perioperatively. Results showed that the cat still suffered from hyperglycemia postoperatively. However, the physiological conditions of feline were improved with an increase of serum C-peptide level. The peak point of 2 h glucose curve decreased from 400 to 165-290 mg/dl. The efficiency of exogenous insulin extended from 2 to 10-14 h postoperatively which reveals that the implanted BAPs had partial function. This case report revealed that BAPs implanted in the bone marrow cavity for the spontaneous diabetic is effective. The implanted BAPs provided therapeutic benefit despite sustained hyperglycemia. Further study shall be considered to improve the outcomes of BAPs transplantation.