Table of Content

05 June 2012, Volume 7 Issue 16 Previous Issue    Next Issue

For Selected:

Download Citations EndNote Reference Manager ProCite BibTeX RefWorks

Toggle Thumbnails

Select

Autophagy and apoptosis during adult adipose- derived stromal cells differentiation into neuron-like cells in vitro Yanhui Lu, Xiaodong Yuan, Ya Ou, Yanan Cai, Shujuan Wang, Qiaoyu Sun, Wenli Zhang 2012, 7 (16):  1205-1212.  Abstract ( 232 )   PDF (777KB) ( 977 )   Save β-mercaptoethanol can induce adult adipose-derived stromal cells to rapidly and efficiently differentiate into typical neuron-like cells in vitro. Immunohistochemistry showed that neuron specific enolase and neurofilament-200 expression gradually increased with the extension of induction time, and peaked at 5 hours. By contrast, glial fibrillary acidic protein was negatively expressed at all time points. Induced cells possessed a typical Nissl body, apoptosis showing condensed chromatin in the nucleus, autophagosomes with a bilayered membrane and autolysosomes in the cytoplasm at 5 hours. TUNEL assay and immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence demonstrated that apoptosis and caspase-3 expression increased and peaked at 8 hours. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence showed that microtubule- associated protein light chain 3 gradually increased with induction and reached a peak at 5 hours. These results indicate that autophagy played an important role in protecting cells during adult adipose-derived stromal cells differentiation into neuron-like cells in vitro. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Morphological properties and proliferation analysis of olfactory ensheathing cells seeded onto three-dimensional collagen-heparan sulfate biological scaffolds Na Liu, Zhouping Tang, Zhiyuan Yu, Minjie Xie, Yu Zhang, Erfang Yang, Shabei Xu 2012, 7 (16):  1213-1219.  Abstract ( 207 )   PDF (216KB) ( 954 )   Save This study aimed to examine the differences in the morphological properties and proliferation of olfactory ensheathing cells in three-dimensional culture on collagen-heparan sulfate biological scaffolds and in two-dimensional culture on common flat culture plates. The proliferation rate of olfactory ensheathing cells in three-dimensional culture was higher than that in two-dimensional culture, as detected by an MTT assay. In addition, more than half of the olfactory ensheathing cells subcultured using the trypsinization method in three-dimensional culture displayed a spindly Schwann cell-like morphology with extremely long processes, while they showed a flat astrocyte-like morphology in two-dimensional culture. Moreover, spindle-shaped olfactory ensheathing cells tended to adopt an elongated bipolar morphology under both culture conditions. Experimental findings indicate that the morphological properties and proliferation of olfactory ensheathing cells in three-dimensional culture on collagen-heparan sulfate biological scaffolds are better than those in two-dimensional culture. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-transfected bone marrow stromal cells for the treatment of ischemic stroke Xingjian Lin, Yingdong Zhang, Weiguo Liu, Jingde Dong, Jie Lu, Qing Di, Jingping Shi 2012, 7 (16):  1220-1227.  Abstract ( 250 )   PDF (193KB) ( 723 )   Save Adult, male, Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-transfected bone marrow stromal cells (GM-CSF-BMSCs) into the ischemic boundary zone at 24 hours after onset of middle cerebral artery occlusion. Results showed reduced infarct volume, decreased number of apoptotic cells, improved neurological functions, increased angiogenic factor expression, and increased vascular density in the ischemic boundary zone in rats that underwent GM-CSF-BMSCs transplantation compared with the BMSCs group. Experimental findings suggested that GM-CSF-BMSCs could serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for ischemic stroke and are superior to BMSCs alone. Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Optical control after transfection of channelrhodopsin-2 recombinant adenovirus in visual cortical cells Junping Yao, Wensheng Hou, Hao Wang, Hui Liu, Chuanhuang Weng, Zhengqin Yin 2012, 7 (16):  1228-1233.  Abstract ( 185 )   PDF (188KB) ( 1236 )   Save Channelrhodopsin-2 ectopically expressed in the retina can recover the response to blue light in genetically blind mice and rats, but is unable to restore visual function due to optic nerve or optic tract lesions. Long Evans rats at postnatal day 1 were used for primary culture of visual cortical cells, and 24 hours later, cells were transfected with recombinant adenovirus carrying channelrhodopsin-2 and green fluorescent protein genes. After 2-4 days of transfection, green fluorescence was visible in the cultured cells. Cells were stimulated with blue light (470 nm), and light-induced action potentials were recorded in patch-clamp experiments. Our findings indicate that channelrhodopsin-2-recombinant adenovirus transfection of primary cultured visual cortical cells can control the production of action potentials via blue light stimulation. Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Spatiotemporal alterations of presynaptic elements in the retina after high intraocular pressure Jufang Huang, Lihong Zhou, Hui Wang, Jia Luo, Kun Xiong, Leping Zeng, Dan Chen 2012, 7 (16):  1234-1240.  Abstract ( 237 )   PDF (188KB) ( 1086 )   Save A rat model of acute high intraocular pressure was established by injecting saline into the anterior chamber of the left eye. Synaptophysin expression was increased in the inner plexiform layer at   2 hours following injury, and was widely distributed in the outer plexiform layer at 3–7 days, and then decreased to the normal level at 14 days. This suggests that expression of this presynaptic functional protein experienced spatiotemporal alterations after elevation of intraocular pressure. There was no significant change in the fluorescence intensity and distribution pattern for synapse-associated protein 102 following elevated intraocular pressure. Synapse-associated protein 102 immunoreactivity was confined to the outer plexiform layer, while synaptophysin immunoreactivity spread into the outer plexiform layer and the outer nuclear layer at 3 and 7 days following injury. These alterations in presynaptic elements were not accompanied by changes in postsynaptic components. Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Influence of chronic intermittent hypoxia on  growth associated protein 43 expression in the hippocampus of young rats Yan Chen, Chunling Zhao, Chunlai Zhang, Lirong Luo, Guang Yu 2012, 7 (16):  1241-1246.  Abstract ( 304 )   PDF (189KB) ( 1001 )   Save This study aimed to explore the pathological change to hippocampal neurons and the expression of growth associated protein 43 in 21-day-old young rats following chronic intermittent hypoxia. Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed varying degrees of degeneration and necrosis in hippocampal neurons depending on the modeling time. Immunohistochemistry revealed that growth associated protein 43 expression in young rats following chronic intermittent hypoxia decreased, but that levels were still higher than those of normal rats at each time point, especially  4 weeks after modeling. During 1-5 weeks after modeling, a slow growth in rat weight was observed. Experimental findings indicate that chronic intermittent hypoxia may induce growth dysfunction and necrosis of hippocampal neurons, as well as increase the expression of growth associated protein 43 in young rats. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Effects of electromagnetic radiation on spatial memory and synapses in rat hippocampal CA1 Yuhong Li, Changhua Shi, Guobing Lu, Qian Xu, Shaochen Liu 2012, 7 (16):  1248-1255.  Abstract ( 217 )   PDF (242KB) ( 979 )   Save In this study, we investigated the effects of mobile phone radiation on spatial learning, reference memory, and morphology in related brain regions. After the near-field radiation (0.52-1.08 W/kg) was delivered to 8-week-old Wistar rats 2 hours per day for 1 month, behavioral changes were examined using the Morris water maze. Compared with the sham-irradiated rats, the irradiated rats exhibited impaired performance. Morphological changes were investigated by examining synaptic ultrastructural changes in the hippocampus. Using the physical dissector technique, the number of pyramidal neurons, the synaptic profiles, and the length of postsynaptic densities in the CA1 region were quantified stereologically. The morphological changes included mitochondrial degenerations, fewer synapses, and shorter postsynaptic densities in the radiated rats. These findings indicate that mobile phone radiation can significantly impair spatial learning and reference memory and induce morphological changes in the hippocampal CA1 region. References | Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Stem cell transplantation for treating spinal cord injury A literature comparison between studies of stem cells obtained from various sources Liangbi Xiang, Yu Chen 2012, 7 (16):  1256-1263.  Abstract ( 177 )   PDF (94KB) ( 1251 )   Save OBJECTIVE: To identify global research trends of stem cell transplantation for treating spinal cord injury using a bibliometric analysis of the Web of Science. DATA RETRIEVAL: We performed a bibliometric analysis of data retrievals for stem cell transplantation for treating spinal cord injury from 2002 to 2011 using the Web of Science. SELECTION CRITERIA: Inclusion criteria: (a) peer-reviewed articles on stem cell transplantation for treating spinal cord injury that were published and indexed in the Web of Science; (b) type of articles: original research articles, reviews, meeting abstracts, proceedings papers, book chapters, editorial material, and news items; and (c) year of publication: 2002–2011. Exclusion criteria: (a) articles that required manual searching or telephone access; (b) documents that were not published in the public domain; and (c) a number of corrected papers from the total number of articles. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Annual publication output; (2) distribution according to country; (3) distribution according to institution; (4) distribution according to journals; (5) distribution according to funding agencies; and (6) top cited articles over the last 10 years. RESULTS: Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and embryonic stem cells have been widely used for treating spinal cord injury. In total, 191 studies of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation and 236 studies of embryonic stem cell transplantation for treating spinal cord injury appeared in the Web of Science from 2002 to 2011, and almost half of which were derived from American or Japanese authors and institutes. The number of studies of stem cell transplantation for treating spinal cord injury has gradually increased over the past 10 years. Most papers on stem cell transplantation for treating spinal cord injury appeared in journals with a particular focus on stem cell research, such as Stem Cells and Cell Transplantation. Although umbilical cord blood stem cells and adipose-derived stem cells have been studied for treating spinal cord injury, the number of published papers was much smaller, with only 21 and 17 records, respectively, in the Web of Science. CONCLUSION: Based on our analysis of the literature and research trends, we found that stem cells transplantation obtained from various sources have been studied for treating spinal cord injury; however, it is difficult for researchers to reach a consensus on this theme. Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Application of magnetic resonance imaging for monitoring stem cell transplantation for the treatment of cerebral ischemia Xianglin Zhang, Gang Wang, Furen Dong, Zhiming Wang 2012, 7 (16):  1264-1271.  Abstract ( 202 )   PDF (95KB) ( 989 )   Save OBJECTIVE: To identify global research trends in the application of MRI for monitoring stem cell transplantation using a bibliometric analysis of Web of Science. DATA RETRIEVAL: We performed a bibliometric analysis of studies relating to the application of MRI for detecting stem cell transplantation for the treatment of cerebral ischemia using papers in Web of Science published from 2002 to 2011. SELECTION CRITERIA: The inclusion criteria were: (a) peer-reviewed articles on the application of MRI for detecting transplanted stem cells published and indexed in Web of Science; (b) year of publication between 2002 and 2011. Exclusion criteria were: (a) articles that required manual searching or telephone access; (b) some corrected papers. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Annual publication output; (2) distribution according to journals; (3) distribution according to institution; (4) distribution according to country; (5) top cited authors over the last 10 years. RESULTS: A total of 1 498 studies related to the application of MRI for monitoring stem cell transplantation appeared in Web of Science from 2002 to 2011, almost half of which were derived from American authors and institutes. The number of studies on the application of MRI for detecting stem cell transplantation has gradually increased over the past 10 years. Most papers on this topic appeared in Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. CONCLUSION: This analysis suggests that few experimental studies have been investigated the use of MRI for tracking SPIO-labeled human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells during the treatment of cerebral ischemia. Related Articles | Metrics

Select

Stem cell transplantation for treating Parkinson’s disease Literature analysis based on the Web of Science Runhui Li 2012, 7 (16):  1272-1279.  Abstract ( 290 )   PDF (92KB) ( 795 )   Save OBJECTIVE: To identify global research trends of stem cell transplantation for treating Parkinson’s disease using a bibliometric analysis of the Web of Science. DATA RETRIEVAL: We performed a bibliometric analysis of data retrievals for stem cell transplantation for treating Parkinson’s disease from 2002 to 2011 using the Web of Science. SELECTION CRITERIA: Inclusion criteria: (a) peer-reviewed articles on stem cell transplantation for treating Parkinson’s disease which were published and indexed in the Web of Science; (b) type of articles: original research articles, reviews, meeting abstracts, proceedings papers, book chapters, editorial material and news items; (c) year of publication: 2002–2011. Exclusion criteria: (a) articles that required manual searching or telephone access; (b) we excluded documents that were not published in the public domain; (c) we excluded a number of corrected papers from the total number of articles. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: (1) Type of literature; (2) annual publication output; (3) distribution according to journals; (4) distribution according to subject areas; (5) distribution according to country; (6) distribution according to institution; (7) comparison of countries that published the most papers on stem cell transplantation from different cell sources for treating Parkinson’s disease; (8) comparison of institutions that published the most papers on stem cell transplantation from different cell sources for treating Parkinson’s disease in the Web of Science from 2002 to 2011; (9) comparison of studies on stem cell transplantation from different cell sources for treating Parkinson’s disease RESULTS: In total, 1 062 studies on stem cell transplantation for treating Parkinson’s disease appeared in the Web of Science from 2002 to 2011, almost one third of which were from American authors and institutes. The number of studies on stem cell transplantation for treating Parkinson’s disease had gradually increased over the past 10 years. Papers on stem cell transplantation for treating Parkinson’s disease appeared in journals such as Stem Cells and Experimental Neurology. Although the United States published more articles addressing neural stem cell and embryonic stem cell transplantation for treating Parkinson’s disease, China ranked first for articles published on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for treating Parkinson’s disease. CONCLUSION: From our analysis of the literature and research trends, we found that stem cell transplantation for treating Parkinson’s disease may offer further benefits in regenerative medicine. Related Articles | Metrics