Development of a protocol for maintaining viability while shipping organoid‐derived retinal tissue

Retinal organoid technology enables generation of an inexhaustible supply of three‐dimensional retinal tissue from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) for regenerative medicine applications. The high similarity of organoid‐derived retinal tissue and transplantable human fetal retina provides an opportunity for evaluating and modeling retinal tissue replacement strategies in relevant animal models in the effort to develop a functional retinal patch to restore vision in patients with profound blindness caused by retinal degeneration. Because of the complexity of this very promising approach requiring specialized stem cell and grafting techniques, the tasks of retinal tissue derivation and transplantation are frequently split between geographically distant teams. Delivery of delicate and perishable neural tissue such as retina to the surgical sites requires a reliable shipping protocol and also controlled temperature conditions with damage‐reporting mechanisms in place to prevent transplantation of tissue damaged in transit into expensive animal models. We have developed a robust overnight tissue shipping protocol providing reliable temperature control, live monitoring of the shipment conditions and physical location of the package, and damage reporting at the time of delivery. This allows for shipping of viable (transplantation‐competent) hPSC‐derived retinal tissue over large distances, thus enabling stem cell and surgical teams from different parts of the country to work together and maximize successful engraftment of organoid‐derived retinal tissue. Although this protocol was developed for preclinical in vivo studies in animal models, it is potentially translatable for clinical transplantation in the future and will contribute to developing clinical protocols for restoring vision in patients with retinal degeneration.     

Nogo-A and its functions beyond axonal inhibition: the controversial role of Nogo-A in Parkinson's disease

<正>Nogo-A belongs to the reticulon family(RTN4)and is generally assumed to be one of the most potent myelin associated neurite outgrowth inhibitors in the central nervous system(CNS).Together with other inhibitors such as the myelin associated glycoprotein(MAG),oligodendrocyte myelin glycoprotein(OMgp),several semaphorins and ephrins as well as chondriotin sulphate proteo-     

Transport ATPases of Cardiac Sarcolemma in 20, 25-Diazacholesterol Induced Myopathy

Abstract. 20, 25-Diazacholesterol, known to induce myotonia in skeletal muscle, also affects cardiac muscle as can be concluded from the development of cardiomegaly. At the same time (Na⁺, K⁺) ATPase of cardiac sarcolemmal membranes of the 20, 25-diazacholesterol treated rats showed an increased activity as compared with control animals (91 % and 46 % stimulation respectively). The Ca⁺⁺ stimulated ATPase showed the same tendency (96 % and 64 % stimulation).
In the plasma of the treated rats creatine phosphokinase activity was found to be elevated whereas the amount of protein-bound iodine was decreased, a finding that is common in myotonic dystrophy.     

Electronic Inventory Systems and Barcode Technology: Impact on Pharmacy Technical Accuracy and Error Liability

Purpose:

To measure the effects associated with sequential implementation of electronic medication storage and inventory systems and product verification devices on pharmacy technical accuracy and rates of potential medication dispensing errors in an academic medical center.

Methods:

During four 28-day periods of observation, pharmacists recorded all technical errors identified at the final visual check of pharmaceuticals prior to dispensing. Technical filling errors involving deviations from order-specific selection of product, dosage form, strength, or quantity were documented when dispensing medications using (a) a conventional unit dose (UD) drug distribution system, (b) an electronic storage and inventory system utilizing automated dispensing cabinets (ADCs) within the pharmacy, (c) ADCs combined with barcode (BC) verification, and (d) ADCs and BC verification utilized with changes in product labeling and individualized personnel training in systems application.

Results:

Using a conventional UD system, the overall incidence of technical error was 0.157% (24/15,271). Following implementation of ADCs, the comparative overall incidence of technical error was 0.135% (10/7,379; P = .841). Following implementation of BC scanning, the comparative overall incidence of technical error was 0.137% (27/19,708; P = .729). Subsequent changes in product labeling and intensified staff training in the use of BC systems was associated with a decrease in the rate of technical error to 0.050% (13/26,200; P = .002).

Conclusions:

Pharmacy ADCs and BC systems provide complementary effects that improve technical accuracy and reduce the incidence of potential medication dispensing errors if this technology is used with comprehensive personnel training.     

Risk Factors for Acquisition and Loss of Clostridium difficile Colonization in Hospitalized Patients

Asymptomatic colonization may contribute to Clostridium difficile transmission. Few data identify which patients are at risk for colonization. We performed a prospective cohort study of C. difficile colonization and risk factors for C. difficile acquisition and loss in hospitalized patients. Patients admitted to medical or surgical wards at a tertiary care hospital were enrolled; interviews and chart review were performed to determine patient demographics, C. difficile infection (CDI) history, medications, and health care exposures. Stool samples/rectal swabs were collected at enrollment and discharge; stool samples from clinical laboratory tests were also included. Samples were cultured for C. difficile, and the isolates were tested for toxins A and B and ribotyped. Chi-square tests and univariate logistic regression were used for the analyses. Two hundred thirty-five patients were enrolled. Of the patients, 21% were colonized with C. difficile (toxigenic and nontoxigenic) at admission and 24% at discharge. Ribotype 027 accounted for 6% of the strains at admission and 12% at discharge. Of the patients colonized at admission, 78% were also colonized at discharge. Cephalosporin use was associated with C. difficile acquisition (47% of patients who acquired C. difficile versus 25% of patients who did not; P = 0.03). β-lactam–β-lactamase inhibitor combinations were associated with a loss of C. difficile colonization (36% of patients who lost C. difficile colonization versus 8% of patients colonized at both admission and discharge; P = 0.04), as was metronidazole (27% versus 3%; P = 0.03). Antibiotic use affects the epidemiology of asymptomatic C. difficile colonization, including acquisition and loss, and it requires additional study.     

Comparison of two escalated enoxaparin dosing regimens for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in obese hospitalized patients

Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis - Standard fixed-dose enoxaparin dosing regimens may not provide adequate prophylaxis against venous thromboembolism among obese hospitalized patients. While...