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15 August 2012, Volume 7 Issue 23 Previous Issue    Next Issue

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Neurotoxicity of intrathecal injections of dexmedetomidine into the rat spinal dorsal horn Jiabao Hou, Zhongyuan Xia, Xingpeng Xiao, Xing Wan, Bo Zhao 2012, 7 (23):  1765-1770.  Abstract ( 256 )   PDF (267KB) ( 1066 )   Save To investigate the neurotoxicity of intrathecal injections of dexmedetomidine, Sprague-Dawley rats were intrathecally injected with dexmedetomidine at doses of 0.75, 1.50 and 3.00 μg/kg into the spinal dorsal horn. We found that c-Fos expression in the rat spinal dorsal horn peaked at 7 hours following the 3.00 μg/kg dexmedetomidine injection, while the levels of c-Fos expression following 0.75 and 1.50 μg/kg dexmedetomidine were similar to those in the spinal dorsal horn of normal rats. At 48 hours following administration, the level of c-Fos expression was similar to normal levels. In addition, the intrathecal injections of dexmedetomidine increased paw withdrawal mechanical thresholds and prolonged thermal tail flick latencies. These results indicate that dexmedetomidine has pronounced antinociceptive effects. However, dexmedetomidine appears to have neurotoxic effects in the spinal cord because it increased c-Fos expression in the spinal dorsal horn within 7 hours following administration. Related Articles | Metrics

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Human amnion tissue injected with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells repairs damaged sciatic nerves in rats Dehua Li, Changhui Wang, Wei Shan, Ruixia Zeng, Yan Fang, Pan Wang 2012, 7 (23):  1771-1778.  Abstract ( 242 )   PDF (308KB) ( 846 )   Save Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, incorporated into an amnion carrier tubes, were assessed for nerve regeneration potential in a rat nerve defect model. Damaged nerves were exposed to human amnion carriers containing either human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (cell transplantation group) or saline (control group). At 8, 12, 16 and 20 weeks after cell implantation, the sciatic functional index was higher in the cell transplantation group compared with the control group. Furthermore, electrophysiological examination showed that threshold stimulus and maximum stimulus intensity gradually decreased while compound action potential amplitude gradually increased. Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that regenerating nerve fibers were arranged in nerve tracts in the cell transplantation group and connective tissue between nerve tracts and amnion tissue reduced over time. Gastrocnemius muscle cell diameter, wet weight and restoration ratio were increased. These data indicate that transplanted human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells, using the amnion tube connection method, promote restoration of damaged sciatic nerves in rats. Related Articles | Metrics

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Strain and stress variations in the human amniotic membrane and fresh corpse autologous sciatic nerve anastomosis in a model of sciatic nerve  injury Chuangang Peng, Qiao Zhang, Qi Yang, Qingsan Zhu 2012, 7 (23):  1779-1785.  Abstract ( 255 )   PDF (216KB) ( 819 )   Save A 10-mm long sciatic nerve injury model was established in fresh normal Chinese patient cadavers. Amniotic membrane was harvested from healthy maternal placentas and was prepared into multi-layered, coiled, tubular specimens. Sciatic nerve injury models were respectively anastomosed using the autologous cadaveric sciatic nerve and human amniotic membrane. Tensile test results showed that maximal loading, maximal displacement, maximal stress, and maximal strain of sciatic nerve injury models anastomosed with human amniotic membrane were greater than those in the autologous nerve anastomosis group. The strain-stress curves of the human amniotic membrane and sciatic nerves indicated exponential change at the first phase, which became elastic deformation curves at the second and third phases, and displayed plastic deformation curves at the fourth phase, at which point the specimens lost their bearing capacity. Experimental findings suggested that human amniotic membranes and autologous sciatic nerves exhibit similar stress-strain curves, good elastic properties, and certain strain and stress capabilities in anastomosis of the injured sciatic nerve. Related Articles | Metrics

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Differentiation of endogenous neural stem cells in adult versus neonatal rats after brachial plexus root avulsion injury Bingqi Wang, Lei Chen, Bin Liu, Zhigang Liu, Zhixin Zhang, Yuehai Pan, Liangsong Song, Laijin Lu 2012, 7 (23):  1786-1790.  Abstract ( 228 )   PDF (301KB) ( 804 )   Save An experimental model of brachial plexus root avulsion injury of cervical dorsal C5-6 was established in adult and neonatal rats. Real-time PCR showed that the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, nerve growth factor and neurotrophin-3 in adult rats increased rapidly 1 day after brachial plexus root avulsion injury, and then gradually decreased to normal levels by 21 days. In neonatal rats, levels of the three neurotrophic factors were decreased on the first day after injury, and then gradually increased from the seventh day and remained at high levels for an extended period of time. We observed that greater neural plasticity contributed to better functional recovery in neonatal rats after brachial plexus root avulsion injury compared with adult rats. Moreover, immunohistochemical staining showed that the number of bromodeoxyuridine/nestin-positive cells increased significantly in the spinal cords of the adult rats compared with neonatal rats after brachial plexus root avulsion injury. In addition, the number of bromodeoxyuridine/glial fibrillary acidic protein-positive cells in adult rats was significantly higher than in neonatal rats 14 and 35 days after brachial plexus injury. Bromodeoxyuridine/β-tubulin-positive cells were not found in either adult or neonatal rats. These results indicate that neural stem cells differentiate mainly into astrocytes after brachial plexus root avulsion injury. Furthermore, the degree of neural stem cell differentiation in neonatal rats was lower than in adult rats. Related Articles | Metrics

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Association of Nurr1 gene mutations with Parkinson’s disease in the Han population living in the Hubei province of China Xiaoliang Lou, Weijing Liao 2012, 7 (23):  1791-1796.  Abstract ( 236 )   PDF (159KB) ( 929 )   Save Nurr1 defects could in part underlie Parkinson’s disease pathogenesis, and Nurr1 gene polymor-phism has been found in Caucasian patients with Parkinson’s disease. In this study, heteroduplex technology was applied to compare the DNA sequences of eight exons of Nurr1 among 200 spo-radic Parkinson’s disease patients and 200 healthy controls in the Han population in the Hubei province, China. One allele amplified from exon 3 of Nurr1 was polymorphic in five Parkinson’s disease patients (2.5%, 5/200), and two individuals had a polymorphic allele amplified from exon 2 (1%, 2/200). The anomalous electrophoresis fragment in exon 3 of Nurr1 gene contained a 709C/A missense mutation, and a polymorphic single nucleotide polymorphism at 388G/A was identified in exon 2. Compared with the control group, the Nurr1 gene expression level in the Parkinson’s disease group was decreased, and the Nurr1 gene expression levels in Parkinson’s disease patients carrying the polymorphisms at exons 2 and 3 were significantly decreased. Our data indicate that the single nucleotide polymorphism 388G/A in exon 2 and the 709C/A missense mutation in exon 3 of the Nurr1 gene in the Chinese population might affect the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. Related Articles | Metrics

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An enriched environment improves cognitive performance in mice from the senescence- accelerated prone mouse 8 strain Zhenyun Yuan, Mingwei Wang, Baoyong Yan, Ping Gu, Xiangming Jiang, Xiufen Yang, Dongsheng Cui 2012, 7 (23):  1797-1804.  Abstract ( 228 )   PDF (183KB) ( 917 )   Save In this study, we examined 3-month-old female mice from the senescence-accelerated prone mouse 8 strain and age-matched homologous normal aging female mice from the senescence accelerated- resistant mouse 1 strain. Mice from each strain were housed in an enriched environment (including a platform, running wheels, tunnel, and some toys) or a standard environment for 3 months. The mice housed in the enriched environment exhibited shorter escape latencies and a greater per-centage of time in the target quadrant in the Morris water maze test, and they exhibited reduced errors and longer latencies in step-down avoidance experiments compared with mice housed in the standard environment. Correspondently, brain-derived neurotrophic factor mRNA and protein expression in the hippocampus was significantly higher in mice housed in the enriched environment compared with those housed in the standard environment, and the level of hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor protein was positively correlated with the learning and memory abilities of mice from the senescence-accelerated prone mouse 8 strain. These results suggest that an enriched environment improved cognitive performance in mice form the senescence-accelerated prone mouse 8 strain by increasing brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in the hippocampus. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Meta-analysis of efficacy of topiramate in migraine prophylaxis Yiyi Guo, Ximei Han, Tingmin Yu, Gang Yao 2012, 7 (23):  1806-1811.  Abstract ( 207 )   PDF (171KB) ( 1074 )   Save OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the treatment effects and safety of topiramate in migraine prophylaxis. DATA RETRIEVAL: We searched the Medline database, EMbase, Cochrane Library and China National Knowledge Infrastructure database for articles published between January 1995 and May 2011, using the key words “migraine”, “topiramate”, and “prophylaxis”. SELECTION CRITERIA: We selected randomized controlled trials of migraine patients, in which the experimental group was orally administered topiramate, and the control group was given placebo. Odds ratios (ORs) and mean differences (MDs) were calculated using a fixed effects model/random effects model. Quality evaluation and data extraction were performed independently by two re-searchers utilizing RevMan 5.0 software. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Efficacy was recorded as the responder rate (response defined as at least a 50% reduction in average monthly migraine frequency) and change in mean monthly number of migraine days. Adverse events were recorded as the number of subjects exhibiting at least one adverse event. RESULTS: Eight randomized controlled trials were found to be appropriate, and had available data. The meta-analysis results revealed that topiramate (100 or 200 mg/d) was more effective than placebo in responder rate (OR = 2.97, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.17-4.08, P < 0.01; OR = 2.35, 95%CI: 1.77-3.12, P < 0.01). Topiramate (100 mg/d) was more effective than placebo in terms of the change in mean monthly migraine days (MD: -1.14, 95%CI: -1.69 to -0.59, P < 0.01). The total incidence rate of adverse events for topiramate was higher than in the placebo group (P < 0.01), but most adverse events were mild to moderate. CONCLUSION: Overall, topiramate obtained good outcomes and safety in migraine prophylaxis. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Current therapeutic strategies for inflammation following traumatic spinal cord injury Priyanka L. Singh, Nitin Agarwal, James C. Barrese, Robert F. Heary 2012, 7 (23):  1812-1821.  Abstract ( 193 )   PDF (183KB) ( 908 )   Save Damage from spinal cord injury occurs in two phases – the trauma of the initial mechanical insult and a secondary injury to nervous tissue spared by the primary insult. Apart from damage sustained as a result of direct trauma to the spinal cord, the post-traumatic inflammatory response contributes significantly to functional motor deficits exacerbated by the secondary injury. Attenuating the detrimental aspects of the inflammatory response is a promising strategy to potentially ameliorate the secondary injury, and promote significant functional recovery. This review details how the inflammatory component of secondary injury to the spinal cord can be treated currently and in the foreseeable future. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Stem cell therapy in neurodegenerative diseases From principles to practice Rajalingham Sakthiswary, Azman Ali Raymond 2012, 7 (23):  1822-1831.  Abstract ( 280 )   PDF (134KB) ( 1135 )   Save null References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Survey of spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic bladder studies using the Web of Science Benjing Zou, Yongli Zhang, Yucheng Li, Zantao Wang, Ping Zhang, Xiyin Zhang, Bingdong Wang, Zhixin Long, Feng Wang, Guo Song, Yan Wang 2012, 7 (23):  1832-1839.  Abstract ( 280 )   PDF (86KB) ( 870 )   Save OBJECTIVE: To identify global trends in research on spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic bladder, through a bibliometric analysis using the Web of Science. DATA RETRIEVAL: We performed a bibliometric analysis of studies on spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic bladder using the Web of Science. Data retrieval was performed using key words “spinal cord injury”, “spinal injury”, “neurogenic bladder”, “neuropathic bladder”, “neurogenic lower urinary tract dysfunction”, “neurogenic voiding dysfunction”, “neurogenic urination disorder” and “neurogenic vesicourethral dysfunction”. SELECTION CRITERIA: Inclusion criteria: (a) published peer-reviewed articles on spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic bladder indexed in the Web of Science; (b) type of articles: original research articles and reviews; (c) year of publication: no limitation. Exclusion criteria: (a) articles that required manual searching or telephone access; (b) Corrected papers and book chapters. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Annual publication output; (2) distribution according to journals; (3) distribution according to subject areas; (4) distribution according to country; (5) distribution according to institution; and (6) top cited publications. RESULTS: There were 646 research articles addressing spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic bladder in the Web of Science. Research on spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic bladder was found in the Science Citation Index-Expanded as of 1946. The United States, Ireland and Switzerland were the three major countries contributing to studies in spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic bladder in the 1970s. However, in the 1990s, the United States, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Germany and Japan published more papers on spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic bladder than Switzerland, and Ireland fell off the top ten countries list. In this century, the United States ranks first in spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic bladder studies, followed by France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland and Japan. Subject categories including urology, nephrology and clinical neurology, as well as rehabilitation, are represented in spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic bladder studies. CONCLUSION: From our analysis of the literature and research trends, we conclude that spinal cord injury-induced neurogenic bladder is a hot topic that will continue to generate considerable research interest in the future. Related Articles | Metrics