Transplanting neural progenitors to build a neuronal relay across the injured spinal cord

Cellular transplantation for repair of spinal cord injury is a prom- ising therapeutic strategy that includes the use of a variety of neural and non-neural cells isolated or derived from embryonic and adult tissue as well as embryonic stem cells and induced plu- ripotent stem cells. In particular, transplants of neural progenitor cells （NPCs） have been shown to limit secondary injury and scar formation and create a permissive environment in the injured spinal cord through the provision of neurotrophic molecules and growth supporting matrices that promote growth of injured host axons. Importantly, transplants of NPC are unique in their poten- tial to replace lost neural cells - including neurons, astrocytes,

Examining the properties and therapeutic potential of glial restricted precursors in spinal cord injury

In the aftermath of spinal cord injury,glial restricted precursors（GRPs） and immature astrocytes offer the potential to modulate the inflammatory environment of the injured spinal cord and promote host axon regeneration.Nevertheless clinical application of cellular therapy for the repair of spinal cord injury requires strict quality-assured protocols for large-scale production and preservation that necessitates long-term in vitro expansion.Importantly,such processes have the potential to alter the phenotypic and functional properties and thus therapeutic potential of these cells.Furthermore,clinical use of cellular therapies may be limited by the inflammatory microenvironment of the injured spinal cord,altering the phenotypic and functional properties of grafted cells.This report simulates the process of large-scale GRP production and demonstrates the permissive properties of GRP following long-term in vitro culture.Furthermore,we defined the phenotypic and functional properties of GRP in the presence of inflammatory factors,and call attention to the importance of the microenvironment of grafted cells,underscoring the importance of modulating the environment of the injured spinal cord.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis in Louisiana-one-year follow-up:A case report

Reports of leishmaniasis are scarce in North America.It is considered to be one of the neglected tropical diseases.It is seen in immigrants from endemic areas to United States.Treatments are not readily available in the United States.Untreated or inadequately treated cutaneous leishmaniasis not only causes localized disfigurement but can advance to more permanent and devastating mucosal disfigurement and perforation,if caused by a species that can also cause mucocutaneous leishmaniasis.CASE SUMMARY A 42-year-old human immunodeficiency virus negative male immigrant from Honduras presented to the emergency department of our facility in Louisiana with a 2-mo history of a left lower extremity ulcer.It started as a painless blister that progressed in size and developed into other smaller lesions tracking up the thigh and became tender and erythematous.Clinically looked nontoxic and healthy.He was afebrile.Blood tests,except inflammatory markers,were within normal limits.The cellulitis of the leg was treated with 6 d of vancomycin that also relieved the pain.Skin biopsy was obtained,and histopathology was suspicious for leishmania.Polymerase chain reaction/deoxyribonucleic acid sequencing done by centers for disease control and prevention confirmed the diagnosis as Leishmania panamensis.There was no involvement of nasooropharyngeal mucosa,confirmed by otolaryngology.The patient was treated with miltefosine for 28 d.Clinic follow-up after approximately 11 mo revealed a healed skin ulcer.CONCLUSION Cutaneous leishmaniasis should be in the differential diagnosis of skin ulcers of travelers from endemic areas.Awareness regarding diagnosis and treatment of leishmaniasis needs to be enhanced.

Spinal cord concussion: studying the potential risks of repetitive injury

What is spinal concussion？Spinal cord concussion is a variant of mild spinal cord injury,clinically designated as transient paraplegia or neurapraxia,and characterized by variable degrees of sensory impairment and motor weakness that typically resolve within 24–72 hours without permanent deficits（Del Bigio and Johnson,1989;Zwimpfer and Bernstein,1990;Torg et al.,1997）.

Guiding the migration of grafted cells to promote axon regeneration

A promising therapeutic strategy to promote the regeneration of injured axons in the adult central nervous system（CNS）is the transplantation of cells or tissues that can modify the local host environment and support the growth of regenerating axons.