Medicolegal—Malpractice and Ethical Issues in Radiology

American Journal of Roentgenology, Volume 209, Issue 5, Page W333-W334, November 2017.


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One Person's View of the Future of Medical Publications, or How I Spent My Summer Vacation

American Journal of Roentgenology, Volume 209, Issue 5, Page 951-952, November 2017.


http://ift.tt/2yVyQ6L

Some Pulmonary Emboli Are Normal

American Journal of Roentgenology, Volume 209, Issue 5, Page W335-W335, November 2017.


http://ift.tt/2yPYnMx

Imaging of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Response After 90Y Radioembolization

American Journal of Roentgenology, Volume 209, Issue 5, Page W263-W276, November 2017.


http://ift.tt/2yUi33P

Human Periodontal Ligament- and Gingiva-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Nerve Regeneration When Encapsulated in Alginate/Hyaluronic Acid 3D Scaffold

Abstract

Repair or regeneration of damaged nerves is still a challenging clinical task in reconstructive surgeries and regenerative medicine. Here, it is demonstrated that periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) and gingival mesenchymal stem cells (GMSCs) isolated from adult human periodontal and gingival tissues assume neuronal phenotype in vitro and in vivo via a subcutaneous transplantation model in nude mice. PDLSCs and GMSCs are encapsulated in a 3D scaffold based on alginate and hyaluronic acid hydrogels capable of sustained release of human nerve growth factor (NGF). The elasticity of the hydrogels affects the proliferation and differentiation of encapsulated MSCs within scaffolds. Moreover, it is observed that PDLSCs and GMSCs are stained positive for βIII-tubulin, while exhibiting high levels of gene expression related to neurogenic differentiation (βIII-tubulin and glial fibrillary acidic protein) via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Western blot analysis shows the importance of elasticity of the matrix and the presence of NGF in the neurogenic differentiation of encapsulated MSCs. In vivo, immunofluorescence staining for neurogenic specific protein markers confirms islands of dense positively stained structures inside transplanted hydrogels. As far as it is known, this study is the first demonstration of the application of PDLSCs and GMSCs as promising cell therapy candidates for nerve regeneration.

A 3D delivery system is fabricated based on alginate/hyaluronic acid hydrogels as a promising candidate for cell-based neural tissue engineering. Periodontal ligament stem cells and gingival mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are encapsulated in the engineered scaffold and it is demonstrated that proliferation and neurogenic differentiation of encapsulated MSCs is regulated by matrix elasticity and the presence of suitable signaling molecules.

http://ift.tt/2llT3x5

Evaluation of metformin effects in the chronic phase of spontaneous seizures in pilocarpine model of temporal lobe epilepsy

Abstract

Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) is a common form of drug-resistant epilepsy that sometimes responds to dietary manipulation such as the 'ketogenic diet'. Here we have investigated the effects of metformin in the rat pilocaroin model of TLE. Male rats were treated with intra peritoneal injection of pilocarpine hydrochloride, in dose of 360 mg/kg to induce status epilepticus (SE). At 45 day after induction of SE, metformin was injected intraperitoneally in dose of 250 mg/kg/day for 5 days. We show that metformin potently reduces the progression of seizures and blocks seizure-induced over-expression of brain-derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) and its receptor, Tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB). We have shown that this reduced expression pattern is mediated by the transcriptional co-repressor CtBP (C-terminal binding protein). Moreover, metformin decreased mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) activation through activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway. Our findings have been shown that metformin has anticonvulsant and antiepileptic properties, and suggesting that antiglycolytic compounds such as metformin may represent a new class of drugs for treating epilepsy.

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Engineered Paper-Based Cell Culture Platforms

Abstract

Paper is used in various applications in biomedical research including diagnostics, separations, and cell cultures. Paper can be conveniently engineered due to its tunable and flexible nature, and is amenable to high-throughput sample preparation and analysis. Paper-based platforms are used to culture primary cells, tumor cells, patient biopsies, stem cells, fibroblasts, osteoblasts, immune cells, bacteria, fungi, and plant cells. These platforms are compatible with standard analytical assays that are typically used to monitor cell behavior. Due to its thickness and porous nature, there are no mass transport limitations to/from the cells in paper scaffolds. It is possible to pattern paper in different scales (micrometer to centimeter), generate modular configurations in 3D, fabricate multicellular and compartmentalized tissue mimetics for clinical applications, and recover cells from the scaffolds for further analysis. 3D paper constructs can provide physiologically relevant tissue models for personalized medicine. Layer-by layer strategies to assemble tissue-like structures from low-cost and biocompatible paper-based materials offer unique opportunities that include understanding fundamental biology, developing disease models, and assembling different tissues for organ-on-paper applications. Paper-based platforms can also be used for origami-inspired tissue engineering. This work provides an overview of recent progress in engineered paper-based biomaterials and platforms to culture and analyze cells.

Engineered paper-based cell culture platforms have been shown to be particularly promising for health diagnostics, tissue engineering, and personalized medicine. Here, a comprehensive overview of engineered paper-based biomaterials and platforms to culture and analyze cells is provided.

http://ift.tt/2yQHWQ1