Peripheral nerve regeneration is a complicated process highlighted by Wallerian degeneration, axonal sprouting, and remyelination. Schwann cells play an integral role in multiple facets of nerve regeneration but obtaining Schwann cells for cell-based therapy is limited by the invasive nature of harvesting and donor site morbidity. Stem cell transplantation for peripheral nerve regeneration offers an alternative cell-based therapy with several regenerative benefits. Stem cells have the potential to differentiate into Schwann-like cells that recruit macrophages for removal of cellular debris. They also can secrete neurotrophic factors to promote axonal growth, and remyelination. Currently, various types of stem cell sources are being investigated for their application to peripheral nerve regeneration. This review highlights studies involving the stem cell types, the mechanisms of their action, methods of delivery to the injury site, and relevant pre-clinical or clinical data. The purpose of this article is to review the current point of view on the application of stem cell based strategy for peripheral nerve regeneration.

Propofol is a frequently used intravenous anesthetic agent. Recent studies show that propofol exerts a number of non-anesthetic effects. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of propofol on lung cancer cell lines H1299 and H1792 and functional role of microRNA (miR)-486 in these effects. H1299 and/or H1792 cells were treated with or without propofol and transfected or not with miR-486 inhibitor, and then cell viability and apoptosis were analyzed by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and flow cytometry. The expression of miR-486 was determined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) with or without propofol treatment. Western blot was performed to analyze the protein expression of Forkhead box, class O (FOXO) 1 and 3, Bcl-2 interacting mediator of cell death (Bim), and pro- and activated caspases-3. Results showed that propofol significantly increased the miR-486 levels in both H1299 and H1792 cells compared to untreated cells in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Propofol statistically decreased cell viability but increased the percentages of apoptotic cells and protein expressions of FOXO1, FOXO3, Bim, and pro- and activated caspases-3; however, miR-486 inhibitor reversed the effects of propofol on cell viability, apoptosis, and protein expression (P<0.05 or P<0.01). In conclusion, propofol might be an ideal anesthetic for lung cancer surgery by effectively inhibiting lung cancer cell viability and inducing cell apoptosis. Modulation of miR-486 might contribute to the anti-tumor activity of propofol.

Background: Cypher/ZASP plays an essential structural role in cardiac muscle. Results: Cypher/ZASP specifically interacted with PKARII␣ and calcineurin. Conclusion: Cypher/ZASP is a novel AKAP acting as a sarcomeric signaling center for potential phosphorylation regulation the function of channels and myofilament proteins. Significance: Cypher/ZASP-PKA-calcineurin complex expands our understanding the role of Cypher/ZASP in the heart.

Background Shoulder arthroplasty provides reliable pain relief and restoration of function. However, the effects of fatty infiltration and atrophy in the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles on functional outcomes are not well understood. Questions/purposes The purposes of this study were to (1) compare preoperative with postoperative fatty infiltration and atrophy of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles after primary shoulder arthroplasty; and (2) identify any associations between these variables and outcome measures.Methods A retrospective analysis was undertaken of 62 patients with a mean age of 67 years (range, 34-90 years) who underwent shoulder arthroplasty. CT scans were conducted preoperatively and at 12 months postoperatively. Outcome variables included the degree of supraspinatus and infraspinatus fatty infiltration (percent fatty infiltration and Goutallier grade), muscle area (percent muscle area and Warner atrophy grade), shoulder strength, and the Western Ontario Osteoarthritis Score (WOOS), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, and Constant outcome score. Results Preoperatively, the mean percent fatty infiltration (FI) within the supraspinatus and infraspinatus was identical at 14%. One year after shoulder arthroplasty, both muscles had less fatty infiltration (6% and 7%, respectively; p \ 0.001). Similarly, the Goutallier grade significantly improved postoperatively for the supraspinatus (p = 0.0037) and infraspinatus (p = 0.0007). Conversely, measures of muscle atrophy remained unchanged postoperatively (p [ 0.251). Preoperatively, greater supraspinatus percent FI was negatively associated with preoperative shoulder strength (r = 0.37, p = 0.001) and Constant score (r = 0.38, p = 0.001). Postoperative infraspinatus percent FI was negatively associated with postoperative strength (r = 0.3, p = 0.021) and Constant score (r = 0.3, p = 0.04). Multivariable regression One of the authors (GSA) received research funding support from

Rationale: Endothelial cells (EC) play a critical role in multiple cardiovascular diseases. Circulating CD34+ cells are believed to be endothelial progenitors that have been used to treat cardiovascular diseases. However, the exact identity and the role of CD34+ cells in vascular regeneration remains unclear. Objective: We aimed to investigate the exact identity and the role of CD34+ cells in vascular regeneration. Methods and Results: Compared to healthy arteries, CD34 expression percentage was significantly increased in diseased femoral arteries from patients. Using a guide-wire induced endothelial denudation model, we reported the transcriptional profiling of over 30,000 cells by single-cell RNA sequencing analysis and provided a cell atlas of normal and lesioned arteries in mouse, in which a heterogeneous population of CD34+ cells were revealed. Combining the inducible lineage tracing Cd34-CreERT2;R26-tdTomato mouse model and bone marrow transplantation experiments, we showed that nonbone marrow CD34+ mesenchymal cells acquired endothelial cell fate in the injured femoral artery rather than pre-exiting ECs, while bone marrow-derived CD34+ cells differentiated into immune cells locally after vessel injury. Depletion of nonbone marrow CD34+ cells using diphtheria toxin induced cell ablation models, exacerbate neointimal lesions of the injured vessel. Furthermore, isolated vascular adventitia CD34+ cells displayed endothelial differentiation, in which microRNA-21-Smad7-pSmad2/3 pathway regulated endothelial gene expression and function during differentiation. Conclusions: Our study provides a transcriptional and cellular landscape of vessels after endothelial denudation. Our findings suggest heterogeneous CD34+ cells serve as a contributor not only to endothelial regeneration but also an inflammatory response that may provide therapeutic insights into vascular diseases.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of Autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential role of BDNF in Chinese children with ASD. Sixty patients (48 male, 12 female) diagnosed with ASD and 60 healthy sex and age control subjects were assessed for serum BDNF content at admission. BDNF were assayed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay methods, and severity of ASD was evaluated with the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) Score. The results indicated that the median serum BDNF levels were significantly (P<0.0001) higher in children with ASD as compared to normal cases [17.6(IQR: 13.7-21.4) ng/ml and 11.5(9.6-13.8) ng/ml, respectively]. Based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the optimal cut-off value of serum BDNF levels as an indicator for auxiliary diagnosis of autism was projected to be 15.0 ng/ml. Further, we found that an increased risk of ASD was associated with BDNF levels >15.0 ng/ml (adjusted OR 10.4, 95% CI: 4.39-29.32) after adjusting for above possible confounders. Our study demonstrated that serum BDNF levels were associated with ASD, and higher levels could be considered as an independent risk factor of ASD.

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The dorsal pentagonal advancement flap is a dependable flap based on known perforators from the dorsal metacarpal arteries. The reported technique is a simple and effective technique for the correction of simple syndactyly and is especially suitable for reconstruction of two webs in multiple syndactyly simultaneously, avoiding the need for skin grafts and leaving acceptable scars on the dorsum of the hand for web reconstruction.