Long-term evaluation of osteoarthritis sheep knee, treated with TGF-β3 and BMP-6 induced multipotent stem cells

BACKGROUND

Hyaline articular cartilage, which protects the bones of diarthrodial joints from forces associated with load bearing, frictions, and impacts has very limited capacities for self-repair. Over the years, the trend of treatments has shifted to regenerations and researchers have been on the quest for a lasting regeneration. We evaluated the treatment of osteoarthritis by chondrogenically induced ADSCs and BMSCs for a long time functional recovery.

METHODS

Osteoarthritis was induced at the right knee of sheep by complete resection of ACL and medial meniscus. Stem cells from sheep were induced to chondrogenic lineage. Test sheep received 5 mls single doses of 2 × 10⁷ autologous PKH26-labelled ADSCs or BMSCs, while controls received basal medium. Functional recovery of the knees was evaluated via electromyography.

RESULTS

Induced ADSCs had 625, 255, 393, 908, 409, 157 and 1062 folds increases of collagen I, collagen II, aggrecan, SOX9, cartilage oligomeric protein, chondroadherin and fibromodullin compare to uninduced cells, while BMSCs had 702, 657, 321, 276, 337, 233 and 1163 respectively; p = .001. Immunocytochemistry was positive for these chondrogenic markers. 12 months post-treatment, controls scored 4 in most regions using ICRS, while the treated had 8; P = .001. Regenerated cartilages were positive to PKH26 and demonstrated the presence of condensing cartilages on haematoxylin and eosin; and Safranin O. OA degenerations caused significant amplitude shift from right to left hind limb. After treatments, controls persisted with significant decreases; while treated samples regained balance.

CONCLUSIONS

Both ADSCs and BMSCs had increased chondrogenic gene expressions using TGF-β3 and BMP-6. The treated knees had improved cartilage scores; PKH26 can provide elongated tracking, while EMG results revealed improved joint recoveries. These could be suitable therapies for osteoarthritis.

Depressive symptoms and their risk factors in midlife women in the Middle East: a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

Women may experience different menopausal symptoms across different cultures around the world. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence and contributing factors of depression in midlife women in the Middle East.

METHODS

Electronic databases including PubMed, Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, SCOPUS, and Google scholar were searched. The quality of articles was assessed by using the risk of bias tool.

RESULTS

Sixteen articles were used for this review. The prevalence for depressive symptoms in perimenopausal women is higher than in premenopausal women. The overall data also suggest that depressive symptoms may be more prevalent in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women. Studies reported sociodemographic, physical, psychological, cultural and sexual risk factors for depressive symptoms in middle-aged women. Risk of bias for a majority of the studies conducted in the Middle Eastern region on depression in midlife was moderate.

CONCLUSION

Consistent with other areas in the world, midlife women in the Middle East region are at higher risk for depression due to the presence of different factors. High-quality longitudinal studies of representative samples, using validated questionnaires, are needed to provide more accurate prevalence data and the association between menopause and menopausal symptoms in women in the Middle East.

Protective effects of Smyrnium cordifolium boiss essential oil on pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in mice: involvement of benzodiazepine and opioid antagonists

Smyrnium cordifolium as a wild plant is used in traditional medicine in Iran for the treatment of anxiety and insomnia. The anticonvulsant effect of this plant has not been studied to date, therefore this study aimed to evaluate the anticonvulsant effects of its essential oil and curzerene on seizure. Essential oil of the Smyrnium cordifolium plant was prepared by the hydro-distillation method. Gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy analysis of the essential oil revealed its main components. Anticonvulsant effects of Smyrnium cordifolium essential oil (SCEO) and curzerene were examined on mice using the pentylentetrazole model (PTZ). Flumazenil (2 mg/kg, i.p) and naloxone (5 mg/kg, i.p) were injected into the relevant groups of mice to realize the anticonvulsant mechanism of SCEO and curzerene, respectively. The main identified components of the plant were curzerene (65.26%), δ-Cadinene (14.39%) and γ-elemene (5.15%), which comprised approximately 85.28% of SCEO. The ED50 values of SCEO and curzerene in the PTZ model were 223±15 and 0.25±0.09 mg/kg, respectively. Curzerene at the dosage of 0.4 mg/kg prolonged the onset time of seizure and decreased the duration of seizure among treated group compared to the saline group. At the dosage of 0.4 mg/kg, seizure and mortality protection rates for the treated group were 100%. Flumazenil and naloxone could suppress the anticonvulsant effects of SCEO and curzerene. It seems that SCEO and curzerene are useful for the treatment of absence seizure and this effect may be related to their effects on GABAergic and opioid systems.

Interindividual variability in dabigatran and rivaroxaban exposure: contribution of ABCB1 genetic polymorphisms and interaction with clarithromycin

Essentials Rivaroxaban and dabigatran are substrates of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) encoded by the ABCB1 gene. We tested the effect of ABCB1 polymorphisms and of a P-gp inhibitor on both drugs' pharmacokinetics. The ABCB1 genotype was not a clinically relevant determinant of both drugs' pharmacokinetics. Administration of P-gp inhibitors with dabigatran or rivaroxaban should be exercised with caution.

SUMMARY

Background The direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) dabigatran and rivaroxaban are both substrates of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transporter, encoded by the ABCB1 gene. Rivaroxaban is metabolized by cytochrome P450 A4 (CYP3A4). Interindividual variability in DOAC exposure and frequent P-gp-associated drug-drug interactions have been described in patients. Objective To assess the influence of ABCB1 polymorphisms on the pharmacokinetics of dabigatran and rivaroxaban, associated or not with clarithromycin, a P-gp and CYP3A4 inhibitor. Methods Sixty healthy male volunteers, selected according to ABCB1 genotype (20 homozygous mutated, 20 heterozygous mutated, and 20 wild-type for haplotype 2677-3435), were included in this randomized, two-center, crossover study. All received sequentially a single dose of dabigatran etexilate (300 mg) and rivaroxaban (40 mg) associated or not with clarithromycin. Peak plasma concentration and area under the curve (AUC) were compared across the three ABCB1 genotypes. The effect of clarithromycin on dabigatran or rivaroxaban pharmacokinetics was assessed. Results Interindividual coefficients of variation for AUC were 77% for dabigatran and 51% for rivaroxaban. ABCB1 genotype did not significantly affect drug pharmacokinetics: AUC ratios between mutant-allele carriers and wild-type volunteers were 1.27 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.84-1.92) and 1.20 (95% CI 0.96-1.51) for dabigatran and rivaroxaban, respectively. Clarithromycin coadministration led to a two-fold increase in both drugs' AUC, irrespective of ABCB1 genotype: ratios of geometric means were 2.0 (95% CI 1.15-3.60) and 1.94 (95% CI 1.42-2.63) for dabigatran and rivaroxaban, respectively. Conclusions ABCB1 genotype is not a significant determinant of interindividual variability in dabigatran and rivaroxaban pharmacokinetics. The levels of one drug did not predict the levels of the other. Coadministration of a P-gp/CYP3A4 inhibitor with dabigatran or rivaroxaban may warrant caution in patients at risk of overexposure.

Effect of fibrous separators on the performance of lithium–sulfur batteries

In this paper we systematically investigated effect of separator morphology on the performance of Li–S batteries.

Accessing targeted nanoparticles to the brain: the vascular route

The blood-brain barrier (BBB), formed by brain capillary endothelial cells, prevents the entry of several drug molecules to the brain, especially molecules hydrophilic in nature. Advanced drug carriers like nanoparticles share the potential to allow entry of therapeutic proteins and genetic molecules into the central nervous system (CNS). Taking a targeting approach by conjugating molecules acting as ligands or monoclonal antibodies with affinity for proteins expressed on the luminal side of brain capillary endothelial cells, the nanoparticles can be designed to enable transport into the brain endothelium, or perhaps even through the endothelium leading to blood to brain transport. Currently, the iron-binding protein transferrin or antibodies raised against the transferrin receptor denote the most feasible molecule for targeting purposes at the BBB. This manuscript reviews the targetability of nanoparticles to the brain capillary endothelial cells, how nanocarriers may enter and transfer through the brain endothelium, and how likely restraints denoted by the threedimensional mesh of the extracellular proteins forming the brain capillary basement membrane challenge the possibilities for enabling transport of large molecules through the BBB encapsulated in nanoparticles.

Decreased ovarian reserve: any new hope?

While diminished ovarian reserve (DOR) predicts decreased ovarian response to stimulation, it does not necessarily foretell about the fecundity cycle. According to Bologna's criteria laid down by the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, old age, abnormal ovarian reserve tests such as antral follicle count (AFC) and anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) as well as prior suboptimal response to stimulation are the main factors representing DOR. Unfavorable response to maximal stimulation on two previous occasions may also represent DOR. Among the ovarian reserve tests, AMH and AFC are the most predictive values for DOR. Factors which may give rise to DOR include environmental factors, autoimmune or metabolic disorders, infections, genetic abnormalities, and iatrogenic causes (such as smoking, chemotherapy, radiation and gynecologic surgeries). Besides, studies have proposed endometriosis as a key contributor to DOR and hence emphasized on its proper management to prevent additional damages leading to compromised fertility. In summary, DOR is found to be a clinical challenge in the practice of fertility care with controversial countermeasures to prevent or treat the condition. Nevertheless, some promising measure such as: oocyte, embryo and tissue cryopreservation, ovarian transplantation, dietary supplementation and the transfer of mitochondria have offered hopes towards ameliorating the burden of DOR. This review attempts to discuss DOR from different perspectives and summarize some existing hopes in clinical practice.