Summary The bone marrow contains specific microenvironmental stem cell niches that maintain haemopoiesis. CXCL12‐expressing mesenchymal stromal cells are closely associated with the bone marrow sinusoidal endothelia, forming key elements of the haemopoietic stem cell niche, yet their ability to regulate endothelial function is not clearly defined. Given that the murine nestin+ cell line, MS‐5, provides a clonal surrogate bone marrow stromal niche capable of regulating both murine and human primitive haemopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSC/HPC) fate in vitro, we hypothesized that MS‐5 cells might also support new blood vessel formation and function. Here, for the first time, we demonstrate that this is indeed the case. Using proteome arrays, we identified HSC/HPC active angiogenic factors that are preferentially secreted by haemopoietic supportive nestin+MS‐5 cells, including CXCL12 (SDF‐1), NOV (CCN3), HGF, Angiopoietin‐1 and CCL2 (MCP‐1). Concentrating on CXCL12, we confirmed its presence in MS‐5 conditioned media and demonstrated that its antagonist in receptor binding, AMD‐3100, which mobilizes HSC/HPCs and endothelial progenitors from bone marrow, could significantly reduce MS‐5 mediated human vasculogenesis in vitro, principally by regulating human endothelial cell migration. Thus, the clonal nestin+MS‐5 murine bone marrow stromal cell line not only promotes human haemopoiesis but also induces human vasculogenesis, with CXCL12 playing important roles in both processes.

We present an 802.15.4 compatible transceiver that operates without any off-chip frequency reference. With integrated Cortex-M0, the chip can also transmit BLE beacons with only three external connections (power, ground, and antenna). The RF transmitter operates with >10% system efficiency at -10 dBm output power from a regulated supply. The entire chip, including the microprocessor, can operate below 1 mW peak power when transmitting. The analog receiver power consumption is 1.03 mW from a 1.5V battery.

No abstract

For cervical interlaminar epidural steroid injection, it is often difficult to visualize the needle tip and contrast in the epidural space before the medication can be safely injected. The goal of this study was to investigate a new method that will provide a clearer lateral fluoroscopic view of the Tuohy needle tip and contrast in the cervical epidural space. A total of 105 patients were enrolled. After the Tuohy needle reached the cervical epidural space, lateral fluoroscopic pictures were taken in 2 different positions (half-shoulder, half-neck position and more-shoulder, less-neck position) with and without contrast. Clarity of the pictures was compared visually to investigate which fluoroscope position yields more clear lateral fluoroscopic view of the Tuohy needle tip and contrast in the cervical epidural space. It was found that without contrast, there was a significantly higher chance (P < 0.001) to see the Tuohy needle tip in the cervical epidural space when the fluoroscope was at the more-shoulder, less-neck position (94% chance) than when the fluoroscope was at the initial half-shoulder, half-neck position (17% chance). With the contrast, it is significantly (P < 0.001) more likely to see the Tuohy needle tip and contrast in the cervical epidural space (100% chance) with the fluoroscope at the more-shoulder position than when the fluoroscope was at the half-shoulder, half-neck position (32% chance). The new method of positioning fluoroscope can help obtaining clearer lateral fluoroscopic pictures of the Tuohy needle tip and contrast in the cervical epidural space, thus to enhance the accuracy and safety of cervical epidural steroid injections.Key Words: cervical epidural steroid injection-fluoroscope-patient safety-neck pain and lateral view. (Tech Orthop 2013;28: 44-49) From the