Robust engraftment of fetal nonhuman primate CD34-positive cells in immune-deficient mice

Nonhuman primates (NHPs) represent one of the most important models for preclinical studies of novel biomedical interventions. In contrast with small animal models, however, widespread utilization of NHPs is restricted by cost, logistics, and availability. Therefore, we sought to develop a translational primatized mouse model, akin to a humanized mouse, to allow for high-throughput in vivo experimentation leveraged to inform large animal immunology-based studies. We found that adult rhesus macaque mobilized blood (AMb) CD34+-enriched hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) engrafted at low but persistent levels in immune-deficient mice harboring transgenes for human (NHP cross-reactive) GM-CSF and IL3, but did not in mice with wild-type murine cytokines lacking NHP cross-reactivity. To enhance engraftment, fetal liver-derived HSPCs were selected as the infusion product based on an increased CD34hi fraction compared with AMb and bone marrow. Coupled with cotransplantation of rhesus fetal thymic fragments beneath the mouse kidney capsule, fetal liver-derived HSPC infusion in cytokine-transgenic mice yielded robust multilineage lymphohematopoietic engraftment. The emergent immune system recapitulated that of the fetal monkey, with similar relative frequencies of lymphocyte, granulocyte, and monocyte subsets within the thymic, secondary lymphoid, and peripheral compartments. Importantly, while exhibiting a predominantly naïve phenotype, in vitro functional assays demonstrated robust cellular activation in response to nonspecific and allogenic stimuli. This primatized mouse represents a viable and translatable model for the study of hematopoietic stem cell physiology, immune development, and functional immunology in NHPs. Summary Sentence: Engraftment of rhesus macaque hematopoietic tissues in immune-deficient mice yields a robust BLT/NeoThy-type primatized mouse model for studying nonhuman primate hematopoiesis and immune function in vivo.

Magnetic resonance therapy in the treatment of osteoarthritis: A scoping review

OBJECTIVES

To primarily assess the existing literature about Magnetic Resonance Therapy (MRT) or Molecular Biophysical Stimulation Therapy (MBST) in the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis (OA). The scoping review question was: What has been reported about MRT or MBST concerning treatment of patients with OA?

KEY FINDINGS

The applied treatment program consisted of one hour daily treatment for patients in all the included studies. In terms of duration of treatment, four studies suggested treatment for nine consecutive days, two for five days and one study reported treatment on weekdays for two weeks. Six of the studies investigated the effect of MRT on the knee and one study for finger, ankle, and hip, respectively. Consensus across studies was that MRT had a positive, almost always significant, effect. Six out of the seven studies had subjective outcome measurements such as pain, quality of life and joint function, which were measured through self-reported questionnaires. One study combined ultrasonography with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to evaluate structural joint changes. This evaluation was performed by a radiologist. One study used objective measurement of cartilage thickness through a minimal distance algorithm. All tests used MBST-systems.

CONCLUSION

This scoping review showed that there seems to be a beneficial effect of MRT in the treatment of patients with OA in relation to improvement in pain, joint function, and quality of life. However, more robust research and further evaluation of MRT are needed.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Treating patients diagnosed with OA with MRT for one hour for five to ten days seemed to improve pain, joint function, quality of life as well as regeneration of cartilage. However, limitations of the included studies in this scoping review, such as a general lack of control groups, low sample sizes, lack of control for confounding factors such as medication, calls for more robust research with stronger study designs.

[Waived EEG diagnosis before administration and during drug therapy with methylphenidate: dangerous or justifiable?]

OBJECTIVES

The issue of whether or not to perform an EEG before or during therapy with psychostimulants currently is a topic of controversial discussion. Only a few studies have described the types of EEG alterations that occur in patients without epilepsy who are being treated with psychostimulants. The aim of our study was to assess the types of change in the EEG that occur before and during this treatment so as to be able to formulate recommendations for EEGs in children with ADHD.

METHODS

The EEGs of 124 children and adolescents with ADHD before and during treatment with methylphenidate were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTS

In summary the rate of hypersynchronous activity (HSA) during therapy with methylphenidate does not increase. Patients on antiepileptic medication did not show any increased rates of seizures or HSA.

CONCLUSIONS

Whether or not methylphenidate medication influences the occurrence of epileptic seizures remains unsettled. Given the data from this study, we would conclude that an EEG during therapy with methylphenidate is not necessary. Before commencing a planned methylphenidate therapy, however, an EEG should be performed.