Epidural oscillating field stimulation increases axonal regenerative capacity and myelination after spinal cord trauma

Oscillating field stimulation(OFS)with regular alterations in the polarity of electric current is a unique,experimental approach to stimulate,support,and potentially guide the outgrowth of both sensory and motor nerve fibers after spinal cord injury(SCI).In previous experiments,we demonstrated the beneficial effects of OFS in a 4-week survival period after SCI.In this study,we observed the major behavioral,morphological,and protein changes in rats after 15 minutes of T9 spinal compression with a 40 g force,followed by long-lasting OFS(50μA),over a 8-week survival period.Three groups of rats were analyzed:rats after T9 spinal compression(SCI group);SCI rats subjected to implantation of active oscillating field stimulator(OFS+SCI group);and SCI rats subjected to nonfunctional OFS(nOFS+SCI group).Histopathological analysis of spinal tissue indicated a strong impact of epidural OFS on the reduction of tissue and myelin loss after SCI in the segments adjacent to the lesion site.Quantitative fluorescent analysis of the most affected areas of spinal cord tissue revealed a higher number of spared axons and oligodendrocytes of rats in the OFS+SCI group,compared with rats in the SCI and nOFS+SCI groups.The protein levels of neurofilaments(NF-l),growth-associated protein-43(marker for newly sprouted axons),and myelin basic protein in rats were signifiantly increased in the OFS+SCI group than in the nOFS+SCI and SCI groups.This suggests a supporting role of the OFS in axonal and myelin regeneration after SCI.Moreover,rats in the OFS+SCI group showed great improvements in sensory and motor functions than did rats in the nOFS+SCI and SCI groups.All these findings suggest that long-lasting OFS applied immediately after SCI can provide a good microenviroment for recovery of damaged spinal tissue by triggering regenreative processes in the acute phase of injury.

Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles: promote neuronal regenerative capacity?

Currently,we know that neuronal outgrowth during development and regeneration requires a complex interaction of intra-and extracellular molecules such as growth factors,neurotransmitters and extracellular matrix proteins（O’Donnell et al.,2009）.Furthermore,the discovery of a broad spectrum of growth-promoting cues has led to novel concepts for thera-peutic strategies.

Analyzing the correlation among the five indications of the regenerative effectiveness of expanded skin:A retrospective study of 277 expansion cases

Background:Skin expansion is a useful method for harvesting extra tissue.However,the outcome is hardly predictable.Methods:A total of 158 patients with 277 expanded skin cases were reviewed and evaluated via photographs.The review and evaluation were conducted to determine the skin’s regenerative condition.The overall texture of the expanded skin,which was deemed good,fair,or poor,was evaluated.The occurrence of five indications of the limitation of skin regeneration(thinning,color change,stretch marks,varicose vessels,and skin lesions)during expansion was recorded.The correlation between the five indications and the overall texture was statistically analyzed.Results:Among the 277 retrospectively reviewed expansion cases,the occurrence rate of skin deterioration showed significant differences between the expansion sites(P<0.01).Skin deterioration was most commonly seen on the neck and at the back.The occurrence of each indication varied among locations.The odds ratios of color change,stretch marks,varicose vessels,thinning,and skin lesions between good and poor skin conditions were 44.97,5.09,22.26,89.79,and 4.61,respectively(all P<0.001).Conclusion:Skin color,stretch marks,varicose vessels,thickness,and skin lesions are closely correlated with the skin regenerative capacity.An integrated evaluation can help predict the regenerative capacity of expanded skin.

Performance of Ag_(2)O/Ag Electrode as Cathodic Electron Acceptor in Microbial Fuel Cell

An Ag2O/Ag electrode was prepared through the electrochemical oxidation of sterling silver. This electrode was used as a cathodic electron acceptor in a microbial fuel cell （MFC）. The Ag2O/Ag electrode was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction and linear sweep voltammetry. The maximum voltage output of the MFC with the AgaO/Ag cathode was maintained at between 0.47 and 0.5 V in 100 cycles, indicating the good regenerative capacity of the Ag2O/Ag electrode. The overpotential loss for silver oxide was 0.021-0.006 V, and the maximum power output, open circuit potential and short circuit current of the MFC were 1.796 W m^-3, 0.559 V and 9.3375 A m^-3, respectively. The energy required for electrochemical reoxidation ranged from 40% to 55% of the energy produced by the MFC. Results indicated that the AgeO/Ag electrode could be used as a cathodic electron acceptor in MFCs with excellent stability.