Introduction: Itch, an uncomfortable sensation leading to the urge to scratch, is often inadequately managed by conventional antihistamine drugs, which can be ineffective in certain pruritic conditions and cause undesirable side effects. Therefore, there is a need to identify new pharmacologically potent antipruritic compounds with fewer side effects. A synthetic curcuminoid analogue, 2,6-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylidene)-cyclohexanone (BHMC), a derivative of curcumin - a bioactive compound found in turmeric - has demonstrated various pharmacological ac-tivities. Previous studies have shown that BHMC possesses antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties. This study aimed to investigate the antipruritic effects of BHMC in mice models of induced pruritus. Materials and Meth-ods: The pruritus in mice was induced using compound 48/80, substance P, histamine, and serotonin to establish an itch-induced mouse model. BHMC was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) at doses of 0.1, 0.3, and 1.0 mg/kg. Results: BHMC significantly reduced pruriceptive responses in all models tested and notably inhibited compound 48/80 and substance P-induced mast cell degranulation in skin tissues. Conclusions: These findings suggest that BHMC inhibits pruriceptive responses in mice, likely through the inhibition of mast cell degranulation and/or direct antagonism of peripheral histamine and serotonin receptors. This may warrant further exploration of the antipruritic effect of BHMC in clinical trials for the betterment of animal and human health.

Objective: A thoracolumbar burst fracture (TLBF) is defined as the failure of the anterior and middle columns of the vertebra due to high-energy trauma, such as motor vehicle collisions and falls from heights. Debate has continued for decades regarding the standard treatment, especially for TLBFs without neurological deficits (TLBF-WONDs). The aim of this study was to understand the role of expandable intravertebral titanium implants (EITIs) in treating TLBF-WONDs. Methods: We included patients aged 18–65 years who presented at our hospital Emergency Department with severe back pain (visual analogue scale [VAS] score ≥ 8), were neurologically intact, were diagnosed with TLBF-WOND by either computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, underwent percutaneous bilateral transpedicular EITI implantation, and were followed-up for ≥12 months. Radiological and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Results: Thirty patients satisfied the study inclusion criteria, including 9 men and 21 women, with an average age of 48.2 years. Thirteen A3 and 17 A4 burst fractures were included. The mean duration of hospitalization was 3.3 days. The mean follow-up period was 4.4 years. All patients exhibited significant improvements in radiographical (anterior, middle, and posterior vertebral heights); vertebral kyphotic angle (p<0.001); and functional outcomes (VAS and Oswestry Disability Index scores, p<0.001). One case of cement leakage into the paraspinal muscle was observed; however, no major complications occurred. Conclusion Percutaneous bilateral transpedicular EITI placement with cement augmentation under local anesthesia may be an effective strategy for the treatment of high-energy traumatic TLBFs with neurological integrity.

BACKGROUND: Infant adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) collected from excised polydactyly fat tissue, which was surgical waste, could be cultured and expanded in vitro in this study. In addition, the collecting process would not cause pain in the host. In this study, the proliferation, reduction of senescence, anti-oxidative ability, and differentiation potential in the infant ADSCs were compared with those in the adult ADSCs harvested from thigh liposuction to determine the availability of infant ADSCs. METHODS: Proliferation was determined by detecting the fold changes in cell numbers and doubling time periods.Senescence was analyzed by investigating the age-related gene expression levels and the replicative stress. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) gene expression, adipogenic, neurogenic, osteogenic, and tenogenic differentiation were compared by RTqPCR. The chondrogenic differentiation efficiency was also determined using RT-qPCR and immunohistochemical staining. RESULTS: The proliferation, SOD (SOD1, SOD2 and SOD3) gene expression, the stemness-related gene (c-MYC) and telomerase reverse transcriptase of the infant ADSCs at early passages were enhanced compared with those of the adults’Cellular senescence related genes, including p16, p21 and p53, and replicative stress were reduced in the infant ADSCs. The adipogenic genes (PPARγ and LPL) and neurogenic genes (MAP2 and NEFH) of the infant ADSC differentiated cells were significantly higher than those of the adults’ while the expression of the osteogenic genes (OCN and RUNX) and tenogenic genes (TNC and COL3A1) of both demonstrated opposite results. The chondrogenic markers (SOX9, COL2 and COL10) were enhanced in the infant ADSC differentiated chondrogenic pellets, and the expression levels of SODs were decreased during the differentiation process. CONCLUSION Cultured infant ADSCs demonstrate less cellular senescence and replicative stress, higher proliferation rates, better antioxidant defense activity, and higher potential of chondrogenic, adipogenic and neurogenic differentiation.