Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells stimulated with low-intensity pulsed ultrasound: Better choice of transplantation treatment for spinal cord injury: Treatment for SCI by LIPUS-BMSCs transplantation.

Stem cell transplantation, especially treatment with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), has been considered a promising therapy for the locomotor and neurological recovery of spinal cord injury (SCI) patients. However, the clinical benefits of BMSCs transplantation remain limited because of the considerably low viability and inhibitory microenvironment. In our research, low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS), which has been widely applied to clinical applications and fundamental research, was employed to improve the properties of BMSCs. The most suitable intensity of LIPUS stimulation was determined. Furthermore, the optimized BMSCs were transplanted into the epicenter of injured spinal cord in rats, which were randomized into four groups: (a) Sham group (n = 10), rats received laminectomy only and the spinal cord remained intact. (b) Injury group (n = 10), rats with contused spinal cord subjected to the microinjection of PBS solution. (c) BMSCs transplantation group (n = 10), rats with contused spinal cord were injected with BMSCs without any priming. (d) LIPUS-BMSCs transplantation group (n = 10), BMSCs stimulated with LIPUS were injected at the injured epicenter after contusion. Rats were then subjected to behavioral tests, immunohistochemistry, and histological observation. It was found that BMSCs stimulated with LIPUS obtained higher cell viability, migration, and neurotrophic factors expression in vitro. The rate of apoptosis remained constant. After transplantation of BMSCs and LIPUS-BMSCs postinjury, locomotor function was significantly improved in LIPUS-BMSCs transplantation group with higher level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) in the epicenter, and the expression of neurotrophic receptor was also enhanced. Histological observation demonstrated reduced cavity formation in LIPUS-BMSCs transplantation group when comparing with other groups. The results suggested LIPUS can improve BMSCs viability and neurotrophic factors expression in vitro, and transplantation of LIPUS-BMSCs could promote better functional recovery, indicating possible clinical application for the treatment of SCI.

Epithelial mesenchymal transition of non-small-cell lung cancer cells A549 induced by SPHK1.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect and molecular mechanism of SPHK1 in the invasion and metastasis process of non-small-cell lung cancer cells (A549). METHODS: Recombinant retrovirus was used to mediate the production of A549/vector, A549/SPHK1, A549/scramble, and A549/SPHKl/RNAi that stably expressed or silenced SPHK1. The invasion and migration capacities of A549 cells overexpressing or silencing SPHK1 were determined using Transwell invasion assay and scratch wound repair experiment. The protein and mRNA expression levels of E-cadherin, fibronectin, vimentin in A549/vector, A549/SPHK1, A549/scramble, A549/SPHK1/RNAi were detected with Western blot (WB) and quantitative PCR (QPCR) methods, respectively. RESULTS: Transwell invasion assay and scratch wound repair experiments showed that over-expression of SPHK1 obviously enhanced the invasion and migration capacities of A549 cells. WB and QPCR detection results showed that, the expression of E-cadherin (a molecular marker of epithelial cells) and fibronectin, vimentin (molecular markers of mesenchymal cells) in A549 cells was upregulated after overexpression of SPHK1; while SPHK1 silencing significantly reduced the invasion and metastasis capacities of A549 cells, upregulated the expression of molecular marker of epithelial cells, and downregulated the expression of molecular marker of mesenchymal cells. CONCLUSIONS: SPHK1 promotes epithelial mesenchymal transition of non-small-cell lung cancer cells and affects the invasion and metastasis capacities of these cells.

Use of pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap to reconstruct the upper limb with large soft tissue defects.

OBJECTIVE: To report the technique of reconstruction of large skin and soft tissue defects in the upper extremity using pedicled latissimus dorsi myocu-taneous flaps. METHODS: Six patients with large skin and soft tissue defects were included in this report. There were 5 trauma patients and the rest one needed to receive plastic surgery for his extremity scar. All wounds were in the upper extremity. The sizes of defects ranged from 15 cm multiply 6 cm to 30 cm multiply 18 cm. Pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps were designed according to the defect area and raised with part of latissimus dorsi. The thoracodorsal artery and its perforators were carefully protected during surgery. RESULTS: All flaps healed primarily without flap congestion, margin necrosis or infection. The skin donor sites either received split-thickness skin graft (3 cases, mostly from the anterior thigh) or was closed primarily (3 cases) and had minimal morbidity. Follow-up of 6-12 months showed that the contour of flap was aesthetic and the function of limb was excellent. CONCLUSION: Our experience indicates that the pedicled latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap is favorable for reconstruction of large skin and soft tissue defects in the upper extremity.

[Reconstruction of partial defects at the end of the fingers].

OBJECTIVE: To study the reconstruction of partial defects at the end of the thumbs and other fingers with microsurgical free toe flaps. METHODS: 21 partial defects (19 cases) at the end of thumbs and other fingers were reconstructed with microsurgical free toe flaps taking from the corresponding toe part. RESULTS: All the free flaps survived. The patients were followed up for 3 - 6 months. The aesthetic and functional results were both satisfactory. The two-point-discrimination distance was 4 - 6 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The microsurgical free toe flaps have good therapeutic effect for the reconstruction of partial defects at the end of the fingers.