Chitosan-polygalacturonic acid complex dressing improves diabetic wound healing and hair growth in diabetic mice.

Chronic skin wounds decrease the quality of life of millions of diabetic patients worldwide. Chitosan has previously been shown to possess hemostatic properties, decrease inflammation, promote fibroblast proliferation, and hair growth. We developed a relatively low-cost polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) film dressing made of chitosan and polygalacturonic acid and tested it for its ability to accelerate diabetic wound healing. Genetically diabetic male mice were shaved on the dorsum, and one day later a 1 cm diameter full-thickness excisional wound was created. The PEC film was applied immediately after wounding and left in place for 14 days. Controls consisted of wounds treated with a fibrin gel. Wounds covered with the PEC film had closed completely by post-wounding day 42, while untreated wounds were only half-way closed. Histological analysis of wounds confirmed that PEC-treated wounds had fully re-epithelialized, while control wounds lacked a continuous epidermis at the wound center. We also observed that the area of skin under the PEC film experienced much more rapid hair growth. Histologically, there were significantly more hair follicles around the scar area (p < 0.05) in the PEC-treated group as compared to the control group. Thus, chitosan-polygalacturonic acid PEC films can accelerate both wound healing and hair growth in diabetic mice, and should be further investigated as a potential future treatment for diabetic chronic wounds.

Small Organic Compounds Mimicking the Effector Domain of Myristoylated Alanine-Rich C-Kinase Substrate Stimulate Female-Specific Neurite Outgrowth.

Myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS) is a critical member of a signaling cascade that influences disease-relevant neural functions such as neural growth and plasticity. The effector domain (ED) of MARCKS interacts with the extracellular glycan polysialic acid (PSA) through the cell membrane to stimulate neurite outgrowth in cell culture. We have shown that a synthetic ED peptide improves functional recovery after spinal cord injury in female but not male mice. However, peptides themselves are unstable in therapeutic applications, so we investigated more pharmacologically relevant small organic compounds that mimic the ED peptide to maximize therapeutic potential. Using competition ELISAs, we screened small organic compound libraries to identify molecules that structurally and functionally mimic the ED peptide of MARCKS. Since we had shown sex-specific effects of MARCKS on spinal cord injury recovery, we assayed neuronal viability as well as neurite outgrowth from cultured cerebellar granule cells of female and male mice separately. We found that epigallocatechin, amiodarone, sertraline, tegaserod, and nonyloxytryptamine bind to a monoclonal antibody against the ED peptide, and compounds stimulate neurite outgrowth in cultured cerebellar granule cells of female mice only. Therefore, a search for compounds that act in males appears warranted.

Validation of Novel spot blotch disease resistance alleles identified in unexplored wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germplasm lines through KASP markers.

BACKGROUND: During the last few decades, the diverse sources of resistance, several genes and QTLs for spot blotch resistance have been identified. However, a large set of germplasm lines are still unexplored that have the potential to develop highly resistant wheat cultivars for the target environments. Therefore, the identification of new sources of resistance to spot blotch is essential for breeding programmes to develop spot blotch resistant cultivars and sustain wheat production. The association mapping panel of 294 diverse bread wheat accessions was used to explore new sources of spot blotch disease resistance and to identify genomic regions using genome wide association analysis (GWAS). The genotypes were tested in replicated trials for spot blotch disease at three major hot spots in India (Varanasi in UP, Pusa in Bihar, and Cooch Behar in West Bengal). The area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) was calculated to assess the level of resistance in each genotype. RESULTS: A total of 19 highly and 76 moderately resistant lines were identified. Three accessions (EC664204, IC534306 and IC535188) were nearly immune to spot blotch disease. The genotyping of all accessions resulted in a total of 16,787 high-quality polymorphic SNPs. The GWAS was performed using a Compressed Mixed Linear Model (CMLM) and a Mixed Linear Model (MLM). A total of seven significant MTAs, common in both the models and consistent across the environment, were further validated to develop KASP markers. Four MTAs (AX-94710084, AX-94865722, AX-95135556, and AX-94529408) on three chromosomes (2AL, 2BL, and 3BL) have been successfully validated through the KASP marker. CONCLUSIONS: The new source of resistance was identified from unexplored germplasm lines. The genomic regions identified through GWAS were validated through KASP markers. The marker information and the highly resistant sources are valuable resources to rapidly develop immune or near immune wheat varieties.

Impact of GABAA receptor gene variants (rs2279020 and rs211037) on the risk of predisposition to epilepsy: a case-control study.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders with the incidence rate higher in developing states. It is a multifactorial ailment in which genetic diversity along with other factors plays an important role. The objective of this study was to assess the involvement of different risk factors including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) present in GABRA1 (rs2279020) and GABRG2 (rs211037) genes with the susceptibility to epilepsy in the targeted population. Blood samples of 180 subjects were taken and genotyped through tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction technique. The obtained demographic and genotypic data were analyzed through different statistical tools including χ2 (chi-square) test and odds ratio. Parental consanguinity and family history of seizures were observed in a considerable number of cases of this study along with residency in industrial areas. But, no association of rs2279020 (χ2 = 0.900, P = 0.638) and rs211037 (χ2 = 0.045, P = 0.832) was observed with predisposition to epilepsy. However, GG genotype of rs2279020 was observed more in female cases as compared to male cases. Furthermore, TG haplotype was observed to be associated with the increased risk of developing epilepsy (χ2 = 9.097; OR = 2.586; P = 0.002). Genetic models also showed no correlation of the targeted SNPs with the susceptibility to epilepsy. The outcomes of the present study suggested that neither rs211037 nor rs2279020 were associated with increased susceptibility to epilepsy in the targeted population.

Evaluation of nutrients and organoleptic value of novel value added multibran cookies using multivariate approach.

Cereal and legume flours are intensively being used by food experts to formulate cookies. But their byproducts are discarded in spite of being nutrient rich. The study was conducted to determine nutrients, organoleptic properties and shelf-life of highly nutritive multibran cookies formulated with partial replacement of wheat flour along with the milling byproducts i.e., chickpea husk, moong bean husk, rice bran, broken rice, and wheat bran. The percentages of the byproduct flour, taken for the formulation of the product, was determined using central composite design of response surface methodology. According to the obtained data, Multi-bran cookies (MBC) possessed rich nutrient composition in comparison with the control sample i.e., the wheat flour cookies (WFC). MBC showed 18% crude protein, 5% crude fiber, higher than the crude protein (7.78%) and crude fiber (2%) of WFC. However, total sugar concentrations of MBC (3.08 g/100 g) was lower than WFC (4.89 g/100 g). Calcium and phosphorus present in MBC were 115.06 mg/100 g and 195.88 mg/100 g respectively, significantly higher (p < 0.05) than WFC. The overall acceptability of MBC as indicated by 9-point hedonic scale (8.13) was satisfactory. On the basis of the obtained data it can be said that the selected milling byproducts can be used as potential plant-based sources to develop significant functional products like cookies without affecting its sensory quality and to improve nutritional status of consumer. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13197-022-05559-1.

Myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate effector domain peptide improves sex-specific recovery and axonal regrowth after spinal cord injury.

Myristoylated alanine-rich C-kinase substrate (MARCKS) is an intracellular receptor for polysialic acid. MARCKS supports development, synaptic plasticity, and regeneration after injury. MARCKS binds with its functionally essential effector domain (ED) to polysialic acid. A 25-mer peptide comprising the ED of MARCKS stimulates neuritogenesis of primary hippocampal neurons after addition to the culture. This motivated us to investigate whether ED peptide has similar effects in spinal cord injury. ED peptide supported recovery and regrowth of monoaminergic axons in female, but not in male mice. Sex-specific differences in response to ED peptide application also occurred in cultured neurons. In female but not male neurons, the ED peptide enhanced neurite outgrowth that could be suppressed by inhibitors of the estrogen receptors α and ß, fibroblast growth factor receptor-1, protein kinase C, and matrix metalloproteinase 2. In addition, we observed female-specific elevation of phosphorylated MARCKS levels after ED peptide treatment. In male neurons, the ED peptide enhanced neuritogenesis in the presence of an androgen receptor inhibitor to the extent seen in ED peptide-treated female neurons. However, inhibition of androgen receptor did not lead to increased phosphorylation of MARCKS. These results provide insights into the functions of a novel compound contributing to gender-dependent regeneration.

Results of vertical figure-of-eight tension band suture for fingernail disruption with fractures of distal phalanx.

OBJECTIVE: To give painless and stable fingertips to patients by means of vertical figure-of-eight tension sutures. METHODS: The longitudinal study was carried out from May to October 2019 at the Dow University of Health Science, Civil Hospital, Karachi, and comprised individuals of either gender aged 10-60 years. All patients were surgically managed and were assessed clinically and with radiological films for finger stability and fracture healing during 3-month follow-up. Data was collected using a proforma and was analysed using SPSS 21. RESULTS: Of the 74 patients, 58(78.4%) were males and 16(21.6%) were females. The overall mean age was 28.9±13.23 years. Of the total, 65(88%) were operated under local anaesthesia, while 9(12%) were given general anaesthesia. All 74(100%) patients on early visits had pain and discomfort, 5(6.8%) had infection and none had ischaemic insult. CONCLUSIONS: Using vertical figure-of-eight tension sutures was found to be a simple technique which helped in proper healing of distal phalanx fractures and a non-deformed fingertip.

Medium conditioned by human mesenchymal stromal cells reverses low serum and hypoxia-induced inhibition of wound closure.

Chronic wounds, such as pressure ulcers, are a common complication of impaired peripheral circulation, such as in advanced diabetes. Factors secreted by mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been shown to enhance wound healing in vitro and in vivo. However, there is little understanding of the impact of the chronic wound environment, namely the limited supply of nutrients and oxygen, on the ability of wound cells to respond to MSCs. In this study, we first established the effects of hypoxia (1% O2) and low serum (1% serum) concentration on the proliferation and migration of keratinocytes. We found that hypoxia and low serum significantly slowed down these processes. Next, we found that supplementation with human MSC-concentrated conditioned media (hMSC-CM) enhanced both cell migration and proliferation in the presence of hypoxia and low serum. Furthermore, low serum and hypoxia decreased cell spreading and F-actin expression, which was reversed in the presence of hMSC-CM. Several wound healing mediators were identified in hMSC-CM, including IL-5, IL-6, IL-8, IL-9, IP-10, MCP-1, FGF-2, and VEGF. This study suggests that the concentrated secretome of human MSCs can reverse the inhibitory effect of hypoxia and low serum on keratinocyte proliferation and migration. This phenomenon may contribute to the beneficial effects of hMSC-CM on wound healing in vivo.

Anti-inflammatory effects of haptoglobin on LPS-stimulated macrophages: Role of HMGB1 signaling and implications in chronic wound healing.

Nonhealing wounds possess elevated numbers of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages, which fail to transition to anti-inflammatory M2 phenotypes that promote healing. Hemoglobin (Hb) and haptoglobin (Hp) proteins, when complexed (Hb-Hp), can elicit M2-like macrophages through the heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway. Despite the fact that nonhealing wounds are chronically inflamed, previous studies have focused on non-inflammatory systems, and do not thoroughly compare the effects of complexed vs individual proteins. We aimed to investigate the effect of Hb/Hp treatments on macrophage phenotype in an inflammatory, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated environment, similar to chronic wounds. Human M1 macrophages were cultured in vitro and stimulated with LPS. Concurrently, Hp, Hb, or Hb-Hp complexes were delivered. The next day, 27 proteins related to inflammation were measured in the supernatants. Hp treatment decreased a majority of inflammatory factors, Hb increased many, and Hb-Hp had intermediate trends, indicating that Hp attenuated overall inflammation to the greatest extent. From this data, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software identified high motility group box 1 (HMGB1) as a key canonical pathway-strongly down-regulated from Hp, strongly up-regulated from Hb, and slightly activated from Hb-Hp. HMGB1 measurements in macrophage supernatants confirmed this trend. In vivo results in diabetic mice with biopsy punch wounds demonstrated accelerated wound closure with Hp treatment, and delayed wound closure with Hb treatment. This work specifically studied Hb/Hp effects on macrophages in a highly inflammatory environment relevant to chronic wound healing. Results show that Hp-and not Hb-Hp, which is known to be superior in noninflammatory conditions-reduces inflammation in LPS-stimulated macrophages, and HMGB1 signaling is also implicated. Overall, Hp treatment on M1 macrophages in vitro reduced the inflammatory secretion profile, and also exhibited benefits in in silico and in vivo wound-healing models.

Glycerine assisted vitreoretinal surgery in edematous cornea.

PURPOSE: To describe the use of glycerine in improving media clarity in cases with edematous cornea. METHODS: Retrospective case-series including patients with posterior segment pathologies needing surgical invention and having corneal edema. Each case was studied for the role of topical application of glycerine instead of viscoelastic agents and the course of surgery. The cases were followed up for minimum 3-months duration. RESULTS: Six cases with corneal edema having posterior segment pathology underwent surgery with intraoperative topical application of glycerine. The corneal edema was seen to clear with progression of surgery and was maintained until the end of surgery. Procedures like vitreoretinal surgery, identification of break, internal limiting membrane peeling, intraocular lens explantation, scleral indentation, DSEK graft removal, and subretinal band removal could be performed in these cases. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative glycerine use during vitreoretinal surgeries is helpful in improving the corneal clarity and maintaining it till the end of surgery.

Colorimetric and smartphone-integrated paper device for on-site determination of arsenic (III) using sucrose modified gold nanoparticles as a nanoprobe.

An optical colorimetric and smartphone-integrated paper device (SIPD) is demonstrated for determination of As (III) in water and soil samples using sucrose modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs/Suc) as a nanoprobe. The mechanism for determination of As(III) is experimentally validated by performing UV-Vis, transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transforms infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. The density function theory (DFT) calculations using B3LYP with 6-311G (2d,2p) and LANL2DZ basis sets is used to theoretically prove the mechanism for determination of As(III). In addition, the paper fabricated with AuNPs/SuC was used as a nanoprobe for quantitative determination of As(III) using smartphone and ImageJ software. Calibration plot was linear over 10-800 µgL-1 for colorimetric determination of As(III) with limit of detection (LOD) of 4 µgL-1 acquired when the absorbance ratio obtained at 594 nm/515 nm. The linearity range of 50-3000 µgL-1 with LOD of 20 µgL-1 was determined using smartphone-integrated paper device. AuNPs/Suc is successfully employed for determination of As (III) from contaminated water and soil samples in colorimetry and SIPD. Graphical abstractColorimetric and Smartphone-integrated paper device used for selective detection of arsenic from contaminated water samples using sucrose modified gold nanoparticles (AuNPs/Suc) as a sensing probe.

Surgical Management of Post Burn Hand Deformities.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of different surgical procedures on post burn contracture of hand. METHODS: A quasi-experimental study design was conducted at the Department of Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery, Dow University of Health Science, DR. Ruth KM Pfau, Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan from 1st June 2019 to 30th November 2019. Ninety-three participants of burned hand contracture of either gender, aged between 6- 60 years were included in the study. Resurfacing surgery with skin graft and loco-regional flaps were done according to type of contracture with individualization for each patient. All patients were kept under follow up for ninety days to assess efficacy of contracture release for each surgical procedure was noted. SPSS version 23 was used to analyse data. RESULTS: Full thickness skin graft (FTSG) was performed in 60.2% cases, 17.2% with split thickness skin graft (STSG) and 12.9% with cross finger flaps. About 25% of recurrence was observed in cross finger flaps, whereas no recurrence was seen in Z-plasties and posterior interosseous flap. The significant association was between recurrence and surgical procedures (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Z-plasty followed by FTSG was effective in the management of post burn contractures of hand.

Neuroregenerative Effects of Electromagnetic Field and Magnetic Nanoparticles on Spinal Cord Injury in Rats.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) along with electromagnetic fields (MF) exposure on spontaneous and induced axonal sprouting after spinal cord injury (SCI). Adult male Wistar rats were subjected to spinal cord transection at the T13 segment. The IONP (25 µg/mL) embedded in 3% agarose gel was implanted at the injury site and subsequently exposed to MF (50 Hz, 17.96 µT, 2 hours/day for 5 weeks). Histological analysis of spinal cord tissue showed a significant increase in the expression of the growth-associated protein GAP-43 and it was found to be co-localized with neuronal nuclei marker and neurofilaments. The results show sprouting from mature neurons and axons, significantly less demyelination and more myelinated fibers were evident at the lesion site. However, no motor or somatosensory evoked potential response was observed, suggesting lack of long-distance functional connectivity. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of IONPs along with MF exposure in promoting neuroregeneration after SCI.

Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields: A possible non-invasive therapeutic tool for spinal cord injury rehabilitation.

Traumatic insults to the spinal cord induce both immediate mechanical damage and subsequent tissue degeneration. The latter involves a range of events namely cellular disturbance, homeostatic imbalance, ionic and neurotransmitters derangement that ultimately result in loss of sensorimotor functions. The targets for improving function after spinal cord injury (SCI) are mainly directed toward limiting these secondary injury events. Extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) is a possible non-invasive therapeutic intervention for SCI rehabilitation which has the potential to constrain the secondary injury-induced events. In the present review, we discuss the effects of ELF-EMF on experimental and clinical SCI as well as on biological system.

Extremely low frequency magnetic field protects injured spinal cord from the microglia- and iron-induced tissue damage.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is insult to the spinal cord, which results in loss of sensory and motor function below the level of injury. SCI results in both immediate mechanical damage and secondary tissue degeneration. Following traumatic insult, activated microglia release proinflammatory cytokines and excess iron due to hemorrhage, initiating oxidative stress that contributes to secondary degeneration. Literature suggests that benefits are visible with the reduction in concentration of iron and activated microglia in SCI. Magnetic field attenuates oxidative stress and promotes axonal regeneration in vitro and in vivo. The present study demonstrates the potential of extremely low frequency magnetic field to attenuate microglia- and iron-induced secondary injury in SCI rats. Complete transection of the spinal cord (T13 level) was performed in male Wistar rats and subsequently exposed to magnetic field (50 Hz,17.96 µT) for 2 h daily for 8 weeks. At the end of the study period, spinal cords were dissected to quantify microglia, macrophage, iron content and study the architecture of lesion site. A significant improvement in locomotion was observed in rats of the SCI + MF group as compared to those in the SCI group. Histology, immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry revealed significant reduction in lesion volume, microglia, macrophage, collagen tissue and iron content, whereas, a significantly higher vascular endothelial growth factor expression around the epicenter of the lesion in SCI + MF group as compared to SCI group. These novel findings suggest that exposure to ELF-MF reduces lesion volume, inflammation and iron content in addition to facilitation of angiogenesis following SCI.

Estimation of radon concentration in groundwater in the mining zone of Haryana, India, for lungs and stomach annual effective dose.

The groundwater is being used for drinking and irrigation purposes in vast swathes of the Aravalli Mountain range. Since the radioisotope presence in groundwater is affected by the local mining processes, the radiation monitoring in groundwater of mining regions is of paramount importance. In the present work, we have estimated the 222Rn presence in the mining region of Aravalli in the southern part of Haryana. We measured the Radon concentration in 51 water samples from the intended area using the RAD7 alpha detector. The measured radon concentration in some of the water samples collected from the vicinity of the mining zone is higher than that of the United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation recommended value. Furthermore, we have estimated the annual effective doses for the lungs and stomach contributed by ingestion and inhalation. Though the calculated dose values in collected samples are not in the critical range, further monitoring of background radiation in the Aravalli region is required.

Bioactive nanomaterials kickstart early repair processes and potentiate temporally modulated healing of healthy and diabetic wounds.

Slow-healing and chronic wounds represent a major global economic and medical burden, and there is significant unmet need for novel therapies which act to both accelerate wound closure and enhance biomechanical recovery of the skin. Here, we report a new approach in which bioactives that augment early stages of wound healing can kickstart and engender effective wound closure in healthy and diabetic, obese animals, and set the stage for subsequent tissue repair processes. We demonstrate that a nanomaterial dressing made of silk fibroin and gold nanorods (GNR) stimulates a pro-neutrophilic, innate immune, and controlled inflammatory wound transcriptomic response. Further, Silk-GNR, lasered into the wound bed, in combination with exogeneous histamine, accelerates early-stage processes in tissue repair leading to effective wound closure. Silk-GNR and histamine enhanced biomechanical recovery of skin, increased transient neoangiogenesis, myofibroblast activation, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of keratinocytes and a pro-resolving neutrophilic immune response, which are hitherto unknown activities for these bioactives. Predictive and temporally coordinated delivery of growth factor nanoparticles that modulate later stages of tissue repair further accelerated wound closure in healthy and diabetic, obese animals. Our approach of kickstarting healing by delivering the "right bioactive at the right time" stimulates a multifactorial, pro-reparative response by augmenting endogenous healing and immunoregulatory mechanisms and highlights new targets to promote tissue repair.

Innovative approaches to wound healing: insights into interactive dressings and future directions.

The objective of this review is to provide an up-to-date and all-encompassing account of the recent advancements in the domain of interactive wound dressings. Considering the gap between the achieved and desired clinical outcomes with currently available or under-study wound healing therapies, newer more specific options based on the wound type and healing phase are reviewed. Starting from the comprehensive description of the wound healing process, a detailed classification of wound dressings is presented. Subsequently, we present an elaborate and significant discussion describing interactive (unconventional) wound dressings. Latter includes biopolymer-based, bioactive-containing and biosensor-based smart dressings, which are discussed in separate sections together with their applications and limitations. Moreover, recent (2-5 years) clinical trials, patents on unconventional dressings, marketed products, and other information on advanced wound care designs and techniques are discussed. Subsequently, the future research direction is highlighted, describing peptides, proteins, and human amniotic membranes as potential wound dressings. Finally, we conclude that this field needs further development and offers scope for integrating information on the healing process with newer technologies.

Prevalence of Dysmagnesemia among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and the Associated Health Outcomes: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Introduction: Magnesium is a vital intracellular cation crucial for over 320 enzymatic reactions related to energy metabolism, musculoskeletal function, and nucleic acid synthesis and plays a pivotal role in human physiology. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of dysmagnesemia in patients with diabetes mellitus and evaluate its correlations with glycemic control, medication use, and diabetic complications. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, including 316 patients aged 18 years or older with diabetes mellitus. Data included demographics, medical history, medications, and biochemical parameters. Serum total magnesium concentrations were measured, and dysmagnesemia was defined as magnesium ≤ 0.69 mmol/L for hypomagnesemia and ≥1.01 mmol/L for hypermagnesemia. Results: The prevalence of hypomagnesemia in patients with diabetes was 17.1% (95% CI: 13.3-21.7%), and hypermagnesemia was 4.1% (95% CI: 2.4-7.0%). Females were significantly overrepresented in the hypomagnesemia group, while the hypermagnesemia group showed a higher prevalence of hypertension, retinopathy, an increased albumin/creatinine ratio, chronic kidney disease (CKD), elevated creatinine levels, and a lower adjusted calcium concentration. The multinominal logistic regression exhibited that the female sex and higher serum-adjusted calcium were independent risk factors of hypomagnesemia. In contrast, the presence of hypertension, higher levels of albumin/creatinine ratio, and stage 5 CKD were independent risk factors of hypermagnesemia. Conclusions: Hypomagnesemia was common among patients with diabetes mellitus; however, hypermagnesemia was associated with microvascular complications.

AAV6 mediated Gsx1 expression in neural stem progenitor cells promotes neurogenesis and restores locomotor function after contusion spinal cord injury.

Genomic screened homeobox 1 (Gsx1 or Gsh1) is a neurogenic transcription factor required for the generation of excitatory and inhibitory interneurons during spinal cord development. In the adult, lentivirus (LV) mediated Gsx1 expression promotes neural regeneration and functional locomotor recovery in a mouse model of lateral hemisection spinal cord injury (SCI). The LV delivery method is clinically unsafe due to insertional mutations to the host DNA. In addition, the most common clinical case of SCI is contusion/compression. In this study, we identify that adeno-associated virus serotype 6 (AAV6) preferentially infects neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) in the injured spinal cord. Using a rat model of contusion SCI, we demonstrate that AAV6 mediated Gsx1 expression promotes neurogenesis, increases the number of neuroblasts/immature neurons, restores excitatory/inhibitory neuron balance and serotonergic neuronal activity through the lesion core, and promotes locomotor functional recovery. Our findings support that AAV6 preferentially targets NSPCs for gene delivery and confirmed Gsx1 efficacy in clinically relevant rat model of contusion SCI.