Developmental and adult-specific processes contribute to de novo neuromuscular regeneration in the lizard tail.

Peripheral nerves exhibit robust regenerative capabilities in response to selective injury among amniotes, but the regeneration of entire muscle groups following volumetric muscle loss is limited in birds and mammals. In contrast, lizards possess the remarkable ability to regenerate extensive de novo muscle after tail loss. However, the mechanisms underlying reformation of the entire neuromuscular system in the regenerating lizard tail are not completely understood. We have tested whether the regeneration of the peripheral nerve and neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) recapitulate processes observed during normal neuromuscular development in the green anole, Anolis carolinensis. Our data confirm robust axonal outgrowth during early stages of tail regeneration and subsequent NMJ formation within weeks of autotomy. Interestingly, NMJs are overproduced as evidenced by a persistent increase in NMJ density 120 and 250 days post autotomy (DPA). Substantial Myelin Basic Protein (MBP) expression could also be detected along regenerating nerves indicating that the ability of Schwann cells to myelinate newly formed axons remained intact. Overall, our data suggest that the mechanism of de novo nerve and NMJ reformation parallel, in part, those observed during neuromuscular development. However, the prolonged increase in NMJ number and aberrant muscle differentiation hint at processes specific to the adult response. An examination of the coordinated exchange between peripheral nerves, Schwann cells, and newly synthesized muscle of the regenerating neuromuscular system may assist in the identification of candidate molecules that promote neuromuscular recovery in organisms incapable of a robust regenerative response.

Royal jelly does not prevent bone loss but improves bone strength in ovariectomized rats.

OBJECTIVE: Royal jelly (RJ) has been used for medical and nutritional purposes, and previous studies have indicated that it may have estrogenic activity. The present study investigated the effects of RJ on bone metabolism in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. METHODS: Rats (12 weeks old) were randomly divided into four groups, namely Baseline, Sham, OVX, and OVX + RJ groups. Rats in the Baseline group were killed immediately, whereas rats in the OVX and OVX + RJ groups underwent bilateral ovariectomy and those in the Sham group underwent sham operation. RJ was administered to rats in the OVX + RJ group daily for 12 weeks. At the end of the 12-week period, bone mass, bone histomorphometry, and bone mechanics were analyzed. RESULTS: Femur bone mineral density (BMD) was significantly lower in the OVX group than in the Sham group, and this decrease in BMD was not ameliorated by RJ administration. However, femur stiffness, as evaluated by a three-point bending test, was significantly higher in the OVX + RJ group than in the OVX group. CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study suggest that RJ does not prevent bone loss, but does improve bone strength in OVX rats.

Improvement of neurological disorders in postmenopausal model rats by administration of royal jelly.

OBJECTIVE: Royal jelly (RJ) from honeybees (Apis mellifera) has estrogenic activity. Estrogen deficiency after menopause leads to a high risk of memory impairment and depression as well as metabolic syndrome and osteoporosis. We here investigated the effect of RJ on memory impairment and depression-like behaviors in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. METHODS: OVX rats were administered with RJ for 82 days. Hippocampus-dependent spatial memory and depression-like behaviors were assessed by the Morris water maze test and the forced swimming test, respectively. The weights of body, brain and uterus and the contents of protein and myelin galactolipids including galactosylceramide and sulfatide were measured. RESULTS: Memory impairment and depression-like behaviors in OVX rats were recovered to the levels of sham-operated rats by RJ administration. Increased body weight and decreased uterine weight in OVX rats were recovered to the levels of sham-operated rats by 17ß-estradiol (E2) administration but not by RJ administration. In contrast, brain weight was slightly increased by RJ administration but not by E2 administration. The contents of protein and myelin galactolipids were higher in the brains of RJ-administered OVX rats than in the brains of E2-administered OVX rats. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that RJ has a beneficial effect on neurological symptoms of a menopausal disorder.

Prospective study of deep vein thrombosis in patients with spinal cord injury not receiving anticoagulant therapy.

STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cross-sectional study. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the timing of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) onset secondary to spinal cord injury without anticoagulant therapies. SETTING: Spinal Cord Injury Center in Hokkaido, Japan. METHODS: Between November 2012 and June 2013, patients with spinal cord injury who were admitted to our hospital within 1 day after the injury and treated surgically within 24 h underwent a neurological examination, leg vein ultrasonography and D-dimer test 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after surgery. All patients received treatment with intermittent pneumatic compression and elastic stockings, but without any anticoagulant. RESULTS: DVT developed in 12 patients (11 men and 1 women), with a mean age of 62.2 years (range, 41-80 years; mean age of total sample, 63.2 years (range, 25-78 years)), all distal to the popliteal vein. DVT occurred more often with a more severe paralysis (66.3%, AIS A and B). The median (± standard error) length of time from the operation to DVT detection was 7.5±2.2 days. The mean D-dimer level upon DVT detection was 14.6±11.8 µg ml(-1), with no significant differences between those who developed DVT and those who did not at any of the time points. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that DVT can develop at the very-acute stage of spinal cord injury and the incidence increases with a more severe paralysis. DVT detection was more reliable with ultrasonography, which should be used with DVT-preventive measures, beginning immediately after the injury, for the management of patients with spinal cord injury.

Effect of the ethanol extract of Pleurotus eryngii on bone metabolism in ovariectomized rats.

OBJECTIVE: Postmenopausal bone loss and the possible progression to osteoporosis are a major health concern. Mushrooms have been recognized as functional foods. Pleurotus eryngii extract has been reported to have estrogenic activity, suggesting that its consumption may mitigate postmenopausal bone loss. The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of supplementation with an ethanol extract of P. eryngii on bone metabolism in a postmenopausal osteoporosis rat model. METHODS: Female 12-week-old Wistar rats were subjected to either sham operation or bilateral ovariectomy. The ovariectomized rats were then subdivided into two groups: one fed the extract and the other not. Twelve weeks after surgery, indices of bone mass, bone histomorphometry, and bone mechanics were measured. RESULTS: The right femur bone mineral content and density of the ovariectomized group were significantly lower than in the Sham group, and extract supplementation did not have any significant effect on these differences. Furthermore, ovariectomy significantly increased measures of mineralizing surface and bone formation rates; again, extract supplementation again had no significant effect. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that the ethanol extract of P. eryngii does not alter bone metabolism in ovariectomized rats, suggesting that consumption of P. eryngii may not be beneficial in slowing bone loss after menopause.

CAWS administration increases the expression of interferon γ and complement factors that lead to severe vasculitis in DBA/2 mice.

BACKGROUND: Candida albicans water-soluble fraction (CAWS), a mannoprotein-ß-glucan complex obtained from the culture supernatant of C. albicans NBRC1385, causes CAWS-mediated vasculitis (CAWS-vasculitis) in B6 and DBA/2 mice with mild and lethal symptoms, respectively. Why CAWS is lethal only in DBA/2 mice remains unknown. RESULTS: We performed DNA microarray analyses using mRNA obtained from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of B6 and DBA/2 mice and compared their respective transcriptomes. We found that the mRNA levels of interferon-γ (Ifng) and several genes that regulate the complement system, such as C3, C4, Cfb, Cfh, and Fcna, were increased dramatically only in DBA/2 mice at 4 and 8 weeks after CAWS administration. The dramatic increase was confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reactions (qRT-PCR). Moreover, mRNA levels of immune-related genes, such as Irf1, Irf7, Irf9, Cebpb, Ccl4, Itgam, Icam1, and IL-12rb1, whose expression levels are known to be increased by Ifng, were also increased, but only in DBA/2 mice. By contrast, the mRNA level of Dectin-2, the critical receptor for the α-mannans of CAWS, was increased slightly and similarly in both B6 and DBA/2 mice after CAWS administration. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our results suggest that CAWS administration induces Dectin-2 mediated CAWS-vasculitis in both B6 and DBA/2 mice and the expression of Ifng, but only in DBA/2 mice, which led to increased expression of C3, C4, Cfb, Cfh, and Fcna and an associated increase in lethality in these mice. This model may contribute to our understanding of the pathogenesis of severe human vasculitis.

Minimally invasive surgical treatment for tuberculous spondylodiscitis.

The authors report the cases of 3 patients with tuberculous spondylodiscitis. All patients suffered from severe back or low back pain. Posterolateral endoscopic debridement and irrigation were performed followed by retention of a drainage tube at the affected sites. Additional puncture and drainage were conducted at the same time when extensive cold abscesses were identified around the paravertebral muscle. All patients experienced immediate pain relief postoperatively. This technique is effective for rapid pain relief and in obtaining neurological resolution for patients in the early stages of tuberculous spondylodiscitis and may also be a good method for preventing further vertebral collapse and kyphotic spinal deformity such as Gibbus vertebrae.

Atelocollagen-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation for the repair of chondral defects of the knee: a prospective multicenter clinical trial in Japan.

BACKGROUND: New tissue-engineering technology was developed to create a cartilage-like tissue in a three-dimensional culture using atelocollagen gel. The minimum 2-year followup outcome of transplanting autologous chondrocytes cultured in atelocollagen gel for the treatment of full-thickness defects of cartilage in knees was reported from the single institution. The present multicenter study was conducted to determine clinical and arthroscopic outcomes in patients who underwent atelocollagen-associated autologous chondrocyte implantation for the repair of chondral defects of the knees. METHODS: At six medical institutes in Japan, we prospectively evaluated the clinical and arthroscopic outcomes of transplanting autologous chondrocytes cultured in atelocollagen gel for the treatment of full-thickness defects of cartilage in 27 patients (27 knees) with cartilage lesions on a femoral condyle or on a patellar facet over 24 months. RESULTS: The Lysholm score significantly increased from 60.0 +/- 13.7 points to 89.8 +/- 9.5 points (P = 0.001). Concerning the ICRS grade for arthroscopic appearance, 6 knees (24%) were assessed as grade I (normal) and 17 knees (68%) as grade II (nearly normal). There were few adverse features, except for detachment of the graft in two cases. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that transplanting chondrocytes in a newly formed matrix of atelocollagen gel can promote restoration of the articular cartilage of the knee.

Chitosan-based hyaluronan hybrid polymer fibre scaffold for ligament and tendon tissue engineering.

To establish medical use of tissue engineering technology for ligament and tendon injuries, a scaffold was developed which has sufficient ability for cell growth, cell differentiation, and mechanical properties. The scaffold made from chitosan and 0.1 per cent hyaluronic acid has adequate biodegradability and biocompatibility. An animal experiment showed that the scaffold has less toxicity and less inflammation induction. Furthermore, in-vivo animal experiments showed that the mechanical properties of the engineered ligament or tendon had the possibility to stabilize the joint. It was shown that newly developed hybrid-polymer fibre scaffold has feasibility for joint tissue engineering.

Inverted V-shaped high tibial osteotomy compared with closing-wedge high tibial osteotomy for osteoarthritis of the knee. Ten-year follow-up result.

We compared the results ten years after an inverted V-shaped high tibial osteotomy with those of a historical series of conventional closing-wedge osteotomies. The closing-wedge series consisted of 56 knees in 51 patients with a mean follow-up of 11 years (10 to 15). The inverted V-shaped osteotomy was evaluated in 48 knees in 43 patients at a mean follow-up of 14 years (10 to 19). All the patients were scored using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association rating scale for osteoarthritis of the knee and radiological assessment. The pre-operative grade of osteoarthritis was similar in both groups. Post-operatively, the knee function score was graded as satisfactory in 63% (35) of the closing-wedge group but in 89% (43) of the inverted V-shaped osteotomy group. Post-operative radiological examination showed that delayed union and loss of correction occurred more often after a closing-wedge osteotomy than after an inverted V-shaped procedure. Our study suggests that the inverted V-shaped osteotomy may offer more dependable long-term results than traditional closing-wedge osteotomy.

Characterization of immunosuppressor cells in rats immunized with solubilized tumor-associated antigens prepared from a methylcholanthrene-induced fibrosarcoma.

Antiimmune responses in rats previously immunized with soluble tumor antigens prepared by sodium deoxycholate (DOC-STA) from chemically induced fibrosarcoma KMT-17 were measured by the Winn assay. Enhancement of tumor growth was demonstrated at a tumor:effector ratio of 1:500 with DOC-STA-immune spleen cells, although inhibition of tumor growth was demonstrated at a tumor:effector ratio of 1:100. The tumor-neutralizing ability of KMT-17-immune spleen cells was abrogated when DOC-STA-immune spleen cells were added to a mixture of KMT-17 cells and KMT-17-immune spleen cells. This suppressor activity of the spleen cells was diminished by the treatment with rabbit anti-rat T-cell serum and immune complement. The suppressor activity of DOC-STA-immune spleen cells was also shown in 51Cr release assay and was specific for the tumor line used. After fractionation of spleen cells from DOC-STA-immune rats by the Ficoll density gradient, the cells in the light layer showed an enhancing effect on tumor growth detected by the Winn assay, whereas the cells in the heavier region of the gradient had an inhibiting effect.

Identification of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in rat peripheral nerves: its possible involvement in nerve regeneration.

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is known as a pluripotent immunoregulatory cytokine involved in T-cell activation and inflammatory responses; however, no study on this protein in the peripheral nervous systems has been carried out. We here demonstrated for the first time expression of MIF mRNA and MIF protein in rat sciatic nerves by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed positive staining of MIF, which was largely observed in Schwann cells. Furthermore, we examined MIF mRNA expression in the sciatic nerves by Northern blot analysis in the case of nerve transection. In both proximal and distal segments, the level of MIF mRNA started to increase 12 h after the nerve transection. The level remained high from 24 h up to day 7 after the injury. During the period from days 14 to 21, MIF mRNA sharply decreased to the pre-transection level. In immunohistochemistry, positive staining of MIF was largely observed in axons as well as non-neuronal cells in proximal segments at day 4 after transection. In the distal segments, contrastingly, endoneurial fibroblasts or Schwann cells migrating into neuronal fibers showed positive staining with Wallerian degeneration. Although the precise functions of MIF in the peripheral nerves remain to be elucidated, the present results could represent a major departure from the current state of knowledge, revealing a novel function in the degenerative-regenerative process.

Pre-coated femoral components in hybrid total hip arthroplasty. Results at 11 years.

We present the medium-term results of hybrid total hip arthroplasties using pre-coated stems with a second-generation cementing technique. The 128 hips in 111 patients (18 men and 93 women) were followed up at a mean of 11 years after surgery. The mean age at the time of surgery was 61 years. Both components of one hip were removed at ten months after surgery for infection. None of the other 127 femoral components showed possible, probable, or definite loosening at the most recent follow-up. Five acetabular components were revised for aseptic loosening, recurrent dislocation, or displacement of the polyethylene liner from the metal shell. The mean Harris hip score at follow-up was 84 points. A pre-coated femoral component with a second-generation cementing technique provides good clinical function and survival in the medium term.

Surgical efficacy of carpal tunnel release for carpal tunnel syndrome in acromegaly: report of four patients.

Although carpal tunnel syndrome is frequent in acromegaly, few acromegalics will be encountered by most hand surgeons. This paper considers the treatment of four cases of acromegaly in whom carpal tunnel syndrome arose, to discuss aspects of management of carpal tunnel syndrome in this patient group.

Taurine improves insulin sensitivity in the Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty rat, a model of spontaneous type 2 diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Taurine, a potent antioxidant, has been reported to improve streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus, in which the development of diabetes results from an attack by oxygen free radicals on pancreatic beta cells. However, taurine also increases the excretion of cholesterol via conversion to bile acid and would be expected to improve insulin resistance. OBJECTIVE: The effects of taurine on insulin sensitivity were examined in a model rat of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes-the Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rat. DESIGN: Male OLETF rats were divided into 2 groups at the age of 16 wk: a taurine-supplemented group and an unsupplemented group. As a nondiabetic control, Long-Evans-Tokushima-Otsuka rats were used. An oral-glucose-tolerance test and hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp were performed at the ages of 23 and 25 wk. RESULTS: The OLETF rats had hyperglycemia and insulin resistance and they had a greater accumulation of abdominal fat than did control rats. Abdominal fat accumulation, hyperglycemia, and insulin resistance were significantly lower in the taurine-supplemented group than in the unsupplemented group. Serum and liver concentrations of triacylglycerol and cholesterol were significantly higher in the OLETF rats than in the control rats and were significantly lower in the taurine-supplemented group than in the unsupplemented group, presumably because of the increased secretion of cholesterol into bile acid. Taurine-supplemented rats also showed higher nitric oxide secretion, evidenced by increased urinary excretion of nitrite. CONCLUSION: Taurine effectively improves metabolism in OLETF rats by decreasing serum cholesterol and triacylglycerol, presumably via increased secretion of cholesterol into bile acid and decreased production of cholesterol because of increased nitric oxide production.

Effect of the lipoprotein lipase activator NO-1886 on adriamycin-induced nephrotic syndrome in rats.

Hyperlipidemia associated with nephrotic syndrome may play a role in the deterioration of renal function. Tsutsumi et al have previously reported that the novel compound NO-1886 increases lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity, resulting in a reduction of plasma triglycerides and an elevation of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in normal rats. The aim of this study was to ascertain whether NO-1886 suppresses the renal injury by treatment of the hyperlipidemia in an Adriamycin (Kyowa Hakko Kogyo, Tokyo, Japan) induced nephrosis rat model fed a high-protein diet that induced renal dysfunction and tubulointerstitial injury. Administration of Adriamycin caused hyperlipidemia, proteinuria, and edema with ascites in rats in 4 weeks. Furthermore, a combination of Adriamycin and a high-protein diet increased plasma creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and decreased plasma albumin. Histologically, in Adriamycin-treated rats, marked interstitial cellular infiltration, tubular lumen dilation, and tubular cast formation in the kidney were observed. NO-1886 decreased plasma triglyceride and increased HDL cholesterol in Adriamycin-induced nephrotic rats. NO-1886 treatment reduced plasma creatinine and BUN levels and increased plasma albumin in Adriamycin-treated rats; it also ameliorated the ascites and proteinuria. Histologically, NO-1886-treated rats showed a quantitatively significant preservation of tubulointerstitial lesions. These data suggest that NO-1886 may have a protective effect against Adriamycin-induced nephrosis with tubulointerstitial nephritis in rats by a modification of the plasma lipid disorder.

Cadmium toxicity in synaptic neurotransmission in the brain.

Chronic exposure to cadmium causes central nervous system disorders, e.g. olfactory dysfunction. To clarify cadmium toxicity in synaptic neurotransmission in the brain, the movement of cadmium in the synapses was examined using in vivo microdialysis. One and 24 h after injection of (109)CdCl(2) into the amygdala of rats, (109)Cd release into the extracellular space was facilitated by stimulation with high K(+), suggesting that cadmium taken up by amygdalar neurons is released into the synaptic clefts in a calcium- and impulse-dependent manner. Moreover, to examine the action of cadmium in the synapses, the amygdala was perfused with artificial cerebrospinal fluid containing 10-30 microM CdCl(2). The release of excitatory neurotransmitters, i.e. glutamate and aspartate, into the extracellular space was decreased during perfusion with cadmium, while the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters, i.e. glycine and gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), into the extracellular space was increased during the period. These results suggest that cadmium released from the amygdalar neuron terminals affect the degree and balance of excitation-inhibition in synaptic neurotransmission.

Biomechanical analysis of limited intercarpal fusion for the treatment of Kienböck's disease: a three-dimensional theoretical study.

Although several types of intercarpal fusion have been advocated for the treatment of Kienbock's disease, the clinical outcome of each procedure is still inconclusive. The joint load and ligament tension based on a three-dimensional model were measured to determine which intercarpal fusion procedures unload the lunate and whether they alter the force transmission through the entire wrist joint. Ten theoretical models of wrists were used to simulate three different operative procedures: capitate-hamate fusion, scapho-trapezial-trapezoidal fusion, and scaphocapitate fusion. A discrete element analysis technique was used to perform these investigations. The joint force and ligament tension of normal wrists and of simulated operative procedures were calculated according to the deformation of each spring element, simulating the articular cartilage and the carpal ligaments. Scaphocapitate and scapho-trapezial-trapezoidal fusions significantly decreased the joint force at the radiolunate joint and the lunocapitate joint compared with the intact wrist. In contrast, these fusions significantly increased this value at the radioscaphoid joint in comparison with the intact wrist. In the midcarpal joint, scaphocapitate fusion also increased the joint force at the scapho-trapezial-trapezoidal joints and at the triquetral-hamate joint, whereas scapho-trapezial-trapezoidal fusion increased it at the scapho-capitate joint. Capitate-hamate fusion yielded no significant changes of the joint forces through the entire wrist joint. In the analysis of ligament tension, scaphocapitate and scapho-trapezial-trapezoidal fusions significantly decreased the tension only in the dorsal scapholunate ligament. These findings demonstrate that scaph-ocapitate and scapho-trapezial-trapezoidal fusions are effective in decompressing the lunate. By contrast, capitate-hamate fusion is ineffective in reducing lunate compression. Although scaphocapitate and scapho-trapezial-trapezoidal fusions are recommended for the treatment of Kienbock's disease, clinicians should consider that the increase of force transmission through the radioscaphoid and the midcarpal joints may lead to early degenerative changes after these procedures have been performed.

Ligamentous structures of the metacarpophalangeal joint: a quantitative anatomic study.

The ligamentous structure of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of the index finger in human cadavers was studied by gross examination and quantitative measurement. Anatomically, the collateral ligament is separable into two layers, with the precise origin arising from the metacarpal head and inserting on the proximal phalanx. Quantitatively, the change in length of the collateral ligament was studied with biplanar radiographic techniques. The distance between the origin and insertion of the collateral ligament changed in different portions of the ligament when the joint was moved from a position of hyperextension to that of flexion. When the MCP joint was flexed from 0 degree to 80 degrees, the dorsal portions of both the radial and ulnar collateral ligaments were lengthened (3-4 mm). The middle portions of both ligaments were slightly elongated (0.4-1.0 mm), and the volar portions of the ligaments were shortened (1-2 mm). When the MCP joint extended into hyperextension, the dorsal portions of the ligaments shortened 2-3 mm, the middle thirds of the ligaments shortened slightly, and the volar thirds of the ligaments lengthened. The results of this study suggest that the dorsal and volar portions of the collateral ligament provide MCP joint constraint at the flexed and extended positions, respectively.