Biomedical Research Articles

Research progress of transplantation of marrow mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of traumatic brain injury

At present, traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the major diseases that threaten human lives and its morbidity is continuously increasing, with high disability rate and mortality rate. With the rapid development of biomedical technology, stem cells transplantation in the treatment of TBI has become a hot topic. In animal experiments and clinical studies, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the most widely used, and have become the most important seed cells in nerve tissue engineering. In this paper, we reviewed the mechanisms of MSCs transplantation in the treatment of TBI, the transplantation method, the evaluation methods after transplantation and the progress of clinical research. Key words: Marrow mesenchymal stem cells; Transplantation; Traumatic brain injury

COMPETÊNCIAS PARA FORMAÇÃO DO FISIOTERAPEUTA NO ÂMBITO DAS DIRETRIZES CURRICULARES E PROMOÇÃO DA SAÚDE

Competences for health promotion have been constructed and validated within international milieu, with special reference to the project CompHP. National Curricular Guidelines for the physiotherapy course establish competences that dialogue with health promotion. Current analysis relates competences recommended by the National Curricular Guidelines with health promotion defined by CompHP and places them within four pedagogical projects of physiotherapy courses in Goiânia GO Brazil. Through documental analyses, data were processed by NVivo10. Several difficulties exist for the development of competences recommended by the National Curricular Guidelines and Health promotion, such as lack of coordination with basic care within the NHS (SUS) and the curriculum focused on rehabilitation. Results show that the formation of the physiotherapist in the courses under study is still centered on disease and the biomedical model, totally disconnected from competences by the guidelines and health promotion.

Post-publication peer review in biomedical journals: overcoming obstacles and disincentives to knowledge sharing

The importance of post-publication peer review (PPPR) as a type of knowledge exchange has been emphasized by several authorities in research publishing, yet biomedical journals do not always facilitate this type of publication. Here we report our experience publishing a commentary intended to offer constructive feedback on a previously published article. We found that publishing our comment required more time and effort than foreseen, because of obstacles encountered at some journals. Using our professional experience as authors’ editors and our knowledge of publication policies as a starting point, we reflect on the probable reasons behind these obstacles, and suggest ways in which journals could make PPPR easier. In addition, we argue that PPPR should be more explicitly valued and rewarded in biomedical disciplines, and suggest how these publications could be included in research evaluations. Eliminating obstacles and disincentives to PPPR is essential in light of the key roles of post-publication analysis and commentary in drawing attention to shortcomings in published articles that were overlooked during pre-publication peer review.

Methods and progress of biological omics technology in regenerative medicine

Transplantations for repairing tissue and organ defects caused by disease and injury require a large number of donor tissues and organs. Therefore, people are increasingly hoping to restore or rebuild normal physical functions by establishing the body's own regenerative capacity. For this reason, regenerative medicine is rapidly emerging and becoming a research hotspot. The regeneration of tissues and organs is a complex process involving multiple layers of structures and requiring multiple factors to interact. Compared with traditional biomolecular technologies, biological omics based on biomolecular groups has obvious advantages in regenerative medicine researches and has became an important tool correlational researches. In this paper, the methods and progress of biomedical techniques for regenerative medicine researches in recent years were summarized, and the advantages of biological omics technology in regenerative medicine were analyzed and prospected. Key words: Genomics; Transcriptomics; Proteinomics; Epigenomics; Regenerative medicine

A comparison of genetic sampling methodologies for candidate-gene analyses.

Much of the recent gains in knowledge regarding the influence of patient genetics on medication pharmacokinetics (drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination) how patients process medications) and pharmacodynamics (drug response) have been attributed to the technologic advances in genetic testing methodologies and the involvement of large clinical data sets and biobanks. Indeed, Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) and Phenome Wide Association Studies (PWAS) along with ever-evolving biomedical informatics techniques and the expansion of the -omics sciences (e.g., transcriptomics, metabolomics, proteomics) have brought about unprecedented advances in precision medicine. Although the simpler candidate-gene analysis technique is not considered cutting-edge, it is reliable and important to the translation of pharmacogenomic research and the advancement of precision medicine. Leveraging the knowledge of biological plausibility (i.e., genetic mutation → altered function of protein product → altered drug pharmacokinetics/dynamics) to appropriately select genes for inclusion, the candidate-gene analysis technique does not necessitate large patient cohorts nor extensive multi-gene genetic analysis arrays. It is often the ideal method for clinicians to begin evaluating whether genetic information might improve their pharmacologic treatment strategies for their patients. Having access to specific patient populations and expertise regarding their medical subspecialty, physician scientists can implement a candidate-gene analysis in small cohorts. Even with less than 100 patients, results can often be used to determine whether further investigation is warranted and to inform future studies. Herein, we present a comparison of select contemporary methodologies regarding collection, processing and genotype testing applicable to the efficient implementation of candidate-gene studies.

Practice and experience in State Key Laboratory assessment

Objective To provide reference for the evaluation of State Key laboratories by elaborating the characteristics, practice and work experience of State Key Laboratory of biomedicine. Methods The evaluation of the State Key Laboratory in 2016 was reviewed. Results Through active preparation, the State Key Laboratory of cardiovascular disease passed the assessment successfully. Conclusions It is an important measure to promote the development of State Key Laboratory by evaluating the construction and operation. Key words: State Key Laboratory; Assessment; Practice; Experience

Reliability of rodent animal models in biomedical research.

Despite the discrepancies observed between the data generated from humans and animals, it is a usual practice that the results obtained from animal models are extrapolated on humans. This review stresses that while animal models are essential for the research and development, a critical caution needs to be practiced in interpreting the results. Uncritical reliance on the results of animal experimentation can be dangerously misleading and has resulted in damages to human health in several cases. This review also discusses the role of certain confounding factors in using animal models due to which appropriate precautions need to be taken while deciding to conduct a study using animal models and caution is warranted in extrapolating the data obtained from pre-clinical studies on humans.

Use of Salivary MicroRNAs for Diagnosis of Solid Cancers.

A modern approach to identify biomarkers of solid cancers in tissues and body fluids is based on microRNA (miRNA) expression profiling. miRNAs are a group of approximately 3.000 short noncoding RNAs containing 18-25 nucleotides that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional (mRNA) level. The abilities of miRNAs to inhibit the translation or induce degradation of oncogenes and tumor suppressors indicate that they are involved in carcinogenesis. There is increasing evidence that miRNAs regulate apoptosis, cell proliferation, differentiation, and invasion. miRNA expression profiles are therefore often analyzed for molecular diagnostics of solid cancers, similar to analyses based on mRNA profiling. It is important that miRNAs are highly stable and present at high levels in body fluids, including saliva, for analytic usage. miRNAs in saliva have been successfully tested as potential diagnostic biomarkers of many solid cancers. The main advantage of these miRNAs is that saliva samples can be collected non-invasively. This review aims to summarize current knowledge of circulating miRNAs in solid cancers, with a focus on the use of miRNAs in saliva for oncology diagnostics. Key words: microRNA - saliva - diagnosis - cancer The results of this research have been acquired within CEITEC 2020 (LQ1601) project with fi nancial contribution made by the Ministry of Education, Youths and Sports of the Czech Republic within special support paid from the National Programme for Sustainability II funds. The authors declare they have no potential confl icts of interest concerning drugs, products, or services used in the study. The Editorial Board declares that the manuscript met the ICMJE recommendation for biomedical papers. Submitted: 8. 3. 2018 Accepted: 15. 5. 2018.

Neural Relevance Model Using Similarities with Elite Documents for Effective Clinical Decision Support

Clinical Decision Support (CDS) is regarded as an information retrieval (IR) task, where medical records are used to retrieve full-text biomedical articles to satisfy the information needs from physicians, aiming at better medical solutions. Recent attempts have introduced the advances of deep learning by employing neural IR methods for CDS, where, however, only the document-query relationship is modelled, resulting in non-optimal results in that a medical record can barely reflect the information included in a relevant biomedical article which is usually much longer. Therefore, in addition to the document-query relationship, we propose a neural relevance model (DNRM) based on similarities to a set of elite documents, addressing the information mismatch by utilising the content of relevant articles as a complete picture of the given medical record. Specifically, our DNRM model evaluates a document relative to a query and to several pseudo relevant documents for the query at the same time, capturing the interactions from both parts with a feed forward network. Experimental results on the standard Text REtrieval Conference (TREC) CDS track dataset confirm the superior performance of the proposed DNRM model.

Meta-analysis of the effect of continuous nursing on the rehabilitation of total hip arthroplasty patients

Objective To systematically evaluate the effect of transitional care on the rehabilitation of patients after total hip replacement. Methods Studies on the randomized controlled trials of transitional care on patients with total hip arthroplasty were researched in databases, including PubMed, Ovid, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI), Chinese biomedical literature database(CBM), VIP database, Wanfang Database.Meanwhile the Rev Man 5.2 software was used for statistical analysis. Results Twenty literatures and 1 639 patients had been incorporated into this project, including 820 patients in obersvation group, 819 patients in control group.The results of Meta analysis showed that, transitional care can increase the Harris scores of three months〔WMD=10.73, 95%CI(9.56, 11.90), P<0.01〕, six months〔WMD=9.66, 95%CI(8.35, 10.97), P<0.01〕, improve the Barthel index of three months〔WMD=7.66, 95%CI(7.12, 8.21), P<0.01〕, six months〔WMD=7.77, 95%CI(6.46, 9.08), P<0.01〕, and reduce the incidence of complications〔OR=0.21, 95%CI(0.12, 0.38), P<0.01〕. Conclusion The implementation of transitional care can help to promote the rehabilitation of patients of total hip arthroplasty, but in view of the poor methodological quality of literature, the results of this study remain to be confirmed by large sample and high quality randomized controlled trials. Key words: Transitional care; Total hip arthroplasty; Rehabilitation; Meta-analysis

Displaced femoral neck fracture in children: closed versus open reduction: a Meta-analysis

Objective To compare open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with closed reduction and internal fixation (CRIF) for the treatment of displaced fractures of the femoral neck in children, using a Meta-analysis. Methods Cochrane Library, PubMed Data, CNKI, Chinese Biomedical Database, Wanfang Data and Vip Data were searched for studies on treating displaced fractures of the femoral neck in children with ORIF and CRIF. In addition, hand search was conducted in relevant journals. Time limit for search was set from the beginning till August 2017. After eligible studies were included, a database was established of the demographic and clinical data of the patients included. Software Revman 5.0 was used for heterogeneity test of the quality of the studies included and the pooled relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Results Ten studies were ultimately included involving 309 patients. Of them, 163 were treated by ORIF and 146 by CRIF. The results showed that ORIF led to a significantly higher rate of anatomical reduction [RR=0.33, 95%CI (0.22, 0.49), P<0.05] and a significantly higher good to excellent rate by Ratliff's evaluation [RR=0.73, 95%CI (0.62, 0.85), P< 0.05] than CRIF did; ORIF also led to a significantly lower rate of avascular necrosis[RR=1.93, 95%CI (1.13, 3.31), P<0.05], a significantly lower rate of coxa vara [RR=2.38, 95%CI (1.07, 5.27), P< 0.05] and a significantly lower rate of nonunion [RR=2.72, 95%CI (1.05, 7.04), P<0.05] than CRIF did. Conclusion In the treatment of displaced fractures of the femoral neck in children, ORIF can lead to better reduction, fewer complications and a higher good to excellent rate of functional recovery than CRIF. Key words: Femoral neck fractures; Fracture fixation, internal; Child; Systematic andysis

Modeling guidelines and latest applications of patient-derived xenograft models

Tumor models are required to keep the most original characteristics of the primary tumor in precision treatment. Patient-derived xenograft models are established when cancerous cells or tissues directly from patients′ primary tumors are transplanted into immunodeficient mice to mimic human tumor biology in vivo, which have been widely used in cancer research. In this review, we initially summarize the methodology and its progress to create patient-derived xenograft models from three aspects including grafts, hosts and grafting regions, and then go over recent applications of patient-derived xenograft models in basic cancer research on the areas of tumorigenesis, metastasis and drug resistance and in translational medical research of tumor, such as exploring cancer biomarkers, screening anti-cancer drugs and personalized therapy for neoplasm. Finally, we propose the problems of patient-derived xenograft, which must be solved urgently. Key words: Xenograft model antitumor assays; Biomedical research; Translational research; Individualized medicine

Distribution of bile acid receptor TGR5 in the gastrointestinal tract of dogs.

Takeda-G-protein-receptor-5 (TGR5) is a receptor for bile acids and its expression has been described in a variety of tissues and species. Characterization of TGR5 distribution and function has been investigated in drug discovery for the treatment of metabolic diseases in humans. Because dogs are one of the species used in biomedical research and share some similarities with human gastrointestinal diseases, the objective of this study was to characterize the distribution of TGR5 receptor in the canine species. This study characterizes the distribution of TGR5 receptor in the gastrointestinal tract, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas of 8 dogs. The distribution of TGR5 antigen and mRNA expression was investigated using immunohistochemistry and RNA in situ hybridization, respectively. TGR5 immunolabeling was located in the cell membrane or in the cell membrane and cytoplasm. TGR5 immunolabeling was broadly distributed in macrophages, endothelial cells, ganglion cells, and leiomyocytes throughout all the examined tissues. Epithelial cells from tongue, stomach to rectum, as well as from gallbladder, biliary and pancreatic ducts demonstrated TGR5 immunolabeling. In endocrine cells, TGR5 immunolabeling was observed in intestinal enteroendocrine cells and islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. The hepatocytes had a unique pattern of immunolabeling located on the canalicular surface of the cell membrane. TGR5 mRNA expression was located mainly in the nucleus and the only negative cells throughout all examined tissues were striated muscle from tongue and esophagus, muscularis mucosae, esophageal glands, and hepatic sinusoids. These findings indicate that the bile acid receptor TGR5 is ubiquitously distributed in the canine gastrointestinal tract.

Retos de la terapia ocupacional en salud pública

En el marco de la conmemoración de los 50 años de la institucionalización de la terapia ocupacional en el país, el presente escrito pretende reflexionar sobre algunos retos que deben enfrentar los profesionales del desempeño ocupacional en el futuro próximo; se pone énfasis en elementos que pueden aportar a la salud pública para repensar el saber y la práctica, tanto académica como profesional.Al considerar la herencia del paradigma positivista y el modelo biomédico que ha inspirado el conocimiento y hacer de la terapia ocupacional alrededor de la rehabilitación, se plantea que parte de los desafíos involucran concebir la salud como algo más que el opuesto de enfermedad; estudiar y comprender el desempeño ocupacional de todos los seres humanos, no solo de aquellos con discapacidad en procesos de rehabilitación; posicionar la ocupación como determinante fundamental de la promoción de la salud y la prevención de enfermedades, tanto en individuos como en poblaciones sanas; participar de la formulación e implementación de políticas y programas de salud, y comprender la influencia que tiene la organización económica, política y social de la sociedad sobre el quehacer humano. Estas deudas pendientes se corresponden con oportunidades de una comunidad receptiva, dispuesta a crecer día a día para consolidarse socialmente.

PO-409 Highly specific targeting of human acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) cells using functionalised gold nanoparticles

IntroductionHighly specific targeting of human malignant cells with the purpose of recognition and delivery of specific drugs into them is a very promising but not well developed complex of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. It is a major focus of current molecular cancer research, Nanomedicine, Biotechnology and Synthetic Biology.Material and methodsTHP-1 and primary human AML cells were used in our work. We constructed a complex, where 5 nm AuNPs carried a 27 kDa single chain antibody against T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (Tim-3) in the ratio – 1 AuNP: 1 antibody molecule. The rest of the gold surface was covered with rapamycin immobilised in the form of glutathione-SH ester. Transmission electron microscopy and synchrotron radiation circular dichroism spectroscopy were used to characterise nanomaterials. Western blot analysis, FACS, in cell Western and ELISA were used to conduct experiments.Results and discussionsIn this study we demonstrated for the first time a new approach for highly specific targeting of human AML cells by functionalised gold nanoconjugates. The immune receptor Tim-3 is highly expressed in human AML cells. It is one of the key components of Tim-3/galectin-9 secretory pathway which is crucial for survival of malignant cells since it determines their ability to escape host immune surveillance.1 Thus, Tim-3 can be used as a target for specific recognition of AML cells. Rapamycin inhibits activity of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), a master regulator of translational pathways in AML cells. Inhibiting the mTOR leads to a rapid killing of AML cells. Using these nanoconjugates we managed to successfully deliver rapamycin into the AML cells reaching attenuation of the mTOR activity. Concentration of rapamycin required to reach such an effect is at least 50 times lower compared to the one of free rapamycin required to achieve similar effect.ConclusionWe therefore concluded that our technology is of potential use for highly specific targeting of AML cells for the purpose of diagnosis and possibly therapy.2 The nanoconjugates can be used to specifically identify malignant blood cells thus allowing rapid AML diagnosis.ReferencesGoncalves Silva I, Yasinska IM, et al. E Bio Medicine 2017;22:44–57.Yasinska IM, et al. Nanoscale 2018 (in press).

Status and Challenges of Treatment Technologies for Bio Medical Waste

Status and Challenges of Treatment Technologies for Bio Medical Waste

Improve the management of scientific research and foster integrity in research ethics

Objective To foster the ethics in biomedical research and increase the integrity in research staffs. Methods The quantitative approaches to measurement and evaluation of scientific research integrity in recent years were proposed and reviewed. Results By taking effective measurements, management of scientific research ethics and post hoc salvation procedure were established to increase the integrity of scientific researchers. Conclusion Through improving the management of scientific research and generating a friendly environment towards scientific ethics, healthy development of medical scientific research can be achieved and research misbehavior can be minimized. Key words: Innovate; Management of Scientific Research; Scientific integrity

Generation of a new strain of NOD/SCID/IL2Rγ-/- mice with targeted disruption of Prkdc and IL2Rγ genes using CRISPR/Cas9 system

The NOD/SCID/IL2Rγ- /- (NSG) mouse strain is the most widely used immunodeficient strain for xenograft transplantation. However, the existing SCID mutation is a spontaneous mutation of the Prkdc gene, which leads to leaky T cell developmental block and difficulty in genotyping. It is therefore important to develop a new strain of NSG mice with targeted disruption of Prkdc and IL2Rγ genes. Targeted disruption of Prkdc and IL2Rγ genes was achieved using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. By intercrossing the knockout and NOD mice, we obtained a novel strain of NOD/SCID/IL2Rγ- /-(NSG) mice, denoted as cNSG (Chinese NSG) mice. In addition to the NOD mutation, cNSG mice exhibited a complete absence of T cells, B cells and NK cells. cNSG mice allowed more efficient engraftment of human cancer cells than the commonly used immunodeficient nude mice. cNSG mice will provide an important xenotransplantation model for biomedical research.

Infrared and terahertz in application to biomedicine

Infrared and terahertz in application to biomedicine

Biomedical group weighs in on U.S. court fight over wildlife imports

Biomedical group weighs in on U.S. court fight over wildlife imports