Advantages of nanocarriers for basic research in the field of traumatic brain injury

A major challenge for the efficient treatment of traumatic brain injury is the need for therapeutic molecules to cross the blood-brain barrier to enter and accumulate in brain tissue. To overcome this problem, researchers have begun to focus on nanocarriers and other brain-targeting drug delivery systems. In this review, we summarize the epidemiology, basic pathophysiology, current clinical treatment, the establishment of models, and the evaluation indicators that are commonly used for traumatic brain injury. We also report the current status of traumatic brain injury when treated with nanocarriers such as liposomes and vesicles. Nanocarriers can overcome a variety of key biological barriers, improve drug bioavailability, increase intracellular penetration and retention time, achieve drug enrichment, control drug release, and achieve brain-targeting drug delivery. However, the application of nanocarriers remains in the basic research stage and has yet to be fully translated to the clinic.

A Promising Application of Injectable Hydrogels in Nerve Repair and Regeneration for Ischemic Stroke

Ischemic stroke, a condition that often leads to severe nerve damage, induces complex pathological and physiological changes in nerve tissue. The mature central nervous system (CNS) lacks intrinsic regenerative capacity, resulting in a poor prognosis and long-term neurological impairments. There is no available therapy that can fully restore CNS functionality. However, the utilization of injectable hydrogels has emerged as a promising strategy for nerve repair and regeneration. Injectable hydrogels possess exceptional properties, such as biocompatibility, tunable mechanical properties, and the ability to provide a supportive environment for cell growth and tissue regeneration. Recently, various hydrogel-based tissue engineering approaches, including cell encapsulation, controlled release of therapeutic factors, and incorporation of bioactive molecules, have demonstrated great potential in the treatment of CNS injuries caused by ischemic stroke. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the application and development of injectable hydrogels for the treatment of ischemic stroke-induced CNS injuries, shedding light on their therapeutic prospects, challenges, recent advancements, and future directions. Additionally, it will discuss the underlying mechanisms involved in hydrogel-mediated nerve repair and regeneration, as well as the need for further preclinical and clinical studies to validate their efficacy and safety.

Surgical treatment was desirable to improve neuromuscular function in patients with sustained 3 years fracture-dislocation of lower cervical spine: A case report

To investigate the changes in neuromuscular function of anterior approach combined with subtotal vertebral body resection and titanium mesh cage (TMC) internal fixation for the old fracture-dislocated lower cervical spine. A 56-year-old female was admitted to the hospital with neck pain and numbness of the left upper extremity for 3 years due to a fall injury from a height, which worsened for 20 days. Although 3 years had passed, the patient still had significant left limb numbness and decreased muscle strength. Eventually, the patient was diagnosed with the old fracture-dislocation type injury of C6 and C7. C6 was II-degree anterior dislocation and the bilateral joint process was locked, C7 was burst fracture, and C5 was spinal cord segment injury. Then, the operation of the anterior approach combined with subtotal vertebral body resection and TMC internal fixation was performed under general anesthesia. Postoperative symptoms were significantly improved. And during five-year of follow-up, no adverse reactions and complications were reported. Although cervical fracture and dislocation combined with cervical spinal cord injury had persisted for many years, surgical treatment was necessary. The anterior approach combined with subtotal vertebral body resection and TMC internal fixation was desirable to improve neuromuscular function for the old fracture-dislocation of the lower cervical spine, which has some guiding effects on the clinical treatment.

Neuromusculoskeletal Modeling-Based Prostheses for Recovery After Spinal Cord Injury

Concurrent stimulation and reinforcement of motor and sensory pathways has been proposed as an effective approach to restoring function after developmental or acquired neurotrauma. This can be achieved by applying multimodal rehabilitation regimens, such as thought-controlled exoskeletons or epidural electrical stimulation to recover motor pattern generation in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the human neuromusculoskeletal (NMS) system has often been oversimplified in designing rehabilitative and assistive devices. As a result, the neuromechanics of the muscles is seldom considered when modeling the relationship between electrical stimulation, mechanical assistance from exoskeletons, and final joint movement. A powerful way to enhance current neurorehabilitation is to develop the next generation prostheses incorporating personalized NMS models of patients. This strategy will enable an individual voluntary interfacing with multiple electromechanical rehabilitation devices targeting key afferent and efferent systems for functional improvement. This narrative review discusses how real-time NMS models can be integrated with finite element (FE) of musculoskeletal tissues and interface multiple assistive and robotic devices with individuals with SCI to promote neural restoration. In particular, the utility of NMS models for optimizing muscle stimulation patterns, tracking functional improvement, monitoring safety, and providing augmented feedback during exercise-based rehabilitation are discussed.