IntroductionThe administration of stem cells holds promise as a potential therapy for spinal cord injury (SCI). Mesenchymal stem cells have advantages for clinical applications, since they can be easily obtained, are suitable for autologous transplantation and have been previously shown to induce regeneration of the spinal cord in experimental settings. Here we evaluated the feasibility, safety and potential efficacy of autologous transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells in subjects with chronic complete SCI.MethodWe conducted a phase I, non-controlled study in 14 subjects of both genders aging between 18 to 65 years, with chronic traumatic SCI (>6 months), at thoracic or lumbar levels, classified as American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) A - complete injury. Baseline somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP), spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and urodynamics were assessed before and after treatment. Pain rating was performed using the McGill Pain Questionnaire and a visual analogue score scale. Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells were cultured and characterized by flow cytometry, cell differentiation assays and G-band karyotyping. Mesenchymal stem cells were injected directly into the lesion following laminectomy and durotomy.ResultsCell transplantation was an overall safe and well-tolerated procedure. All subjects displayed variable improvements in tactile sensitivity and eight subjects developed lower limbs motor functional gains, principally in the hip flexors. Seven subjects presented sacral sparing and improved American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale (AIS) grades to B or C – incomplete injury. Nine subjects had improvements in urologic function. One subject presented changes in SSEP 3 and 6 months after mesenchymal stem cells transplantation. Statistically significant correlations between the improvements in neurological function and both injury size and level were found.ConclusionIntralesional transplantation of autologous mesenchymal stem cells in subjects with chronic, complete spinal cord injury is safe, feasible, and may promote neurological improvements.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT01325103 – Registered 28 March 2011

The use of stem cells in injury repair has been extensively investigated. Here, we examined the therapeutic effects of autologous bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) transplantation in four dogs with natural traumatic spinal cord injuries. MSC were cultured in vitro, and proliferation rate and cell viability were evaluated. Cell suspensions were prepared and surgically administered into the spinal cord. The animals were clinically evaluated and examined by nuclear magnetic resonance. Ten days after the surgical procedure and MSC transplantation, we observed a progressive recovery of the panniculus reflex and diminished superficial and deep pain response, although there were still low proprioceptive reflexes in addition to a hyperreflex in the ataxic hind limb movement responses. Each dog demonstrated an improvement in these gains over time. Conscious reflex recovery occurred simultaneously with moderate improvement in intestine and urinary bladder functions in two of the four dogs. By the 18th month of clinical monitoring, we observed a remarkable clinical amelioration accompanied by improved movement, in three of the four dogs. However, no clinical gain was associated with alterations in magnetic resonance imaging. Our results indicate that MSC are potential candidates for the stem cell therapy following spinal cord injury.

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O artigo tem o objetivo de construir e analisar um índice de desenvolvimento rural para os municípios do estado do Pará. Para o cálculo do índice utilizou-se o método de análise fatorial. As variáveis utilizadas foram obtidas junto aos Censos Demográficos do IBGE (2000 e 2010), Atlas do Desenvolvimento Humano no Brasil do PNUD (2013) e Censo Agropecuário do IBGE (2006). Os resultados revelam uma prevalência de municípios com baixos índices de desenvolvimento rural no estado. A infraestrutura das áreas rurais dos municípios do interior do estado são mais precárias quanto maior é a dificuldade de acesso e o grau de isolamento destas áreas. A colonização de regiões distantes não foi acompanhada de investimentos em obras e serviços adequados ao provimento de qualidade de vida tanto de populações tradicionais quanto da população migrante que se instalou nas áreas rurais do estado.

Cite this article as: dos Santos et al.: Transplantation of autologous bone marrow stem cells in patients with chronic spinal cord injury. BMC Proceedings 2014 8(Suppl 4):O14.

O cacau é uma cultura importante do ponto de vista social para a agricultura familiar. O seu cultivo cresceu na Floresta Amazônica brasileira, especialmente no estado do Pará. Na região sul do Pará, onde o crescimento da pecuária bovina acelerou o processo de desmatamento nas últimas décadas, o cultivo do cacau tem representado uma alternativa a este modelo. Entretanto, o fato de ser uma commodity e que, portanto, está sujeita as instabilidades do mercado internacional é um risco presente. Este estudo aborda as mudanças na cadeia produtiva do cacau com certificação orgânica produzido no município de São Félix do Xingu, estado do Pará, usando a abordagem teórica de Cadeia Global de Valor (CGV), a qual permite uma visão da agregação de valor ao longo da cadeia, seguindo a metodologia de pesquisa qualitativa. Como resultado constatou-se uma redução do número de players na cadeia, provocado pela descomoditização do produto, e maior estabilidade do preço do cacau orgânico, devido à redução do número de intermediários na cadeia. Conclui-se que o principal ator responsável pela coordenação desta cadeia é a Cooperativa Alternativa Mista dos Pequenos Produtores do Alto Xingu                                                    PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Agricultura familiar; Agregação de valor; Cadeia de produção do cacau; Certificação orgânica; Cooperativismo.