Immunophilins, including FK506-binding proteins (FKBPs), are protein chaperones with peptidyl-prolyl isomerase (PPIase) activity. Initially identified as pharmacological receptors for immunosuppressants to regulate immune responses via isomerase-independent mechanisms, FKBPs are most highly expressed in the nervous system, where their physiological function as isomerases remains unknown. We dem...

Tissue engineering strategies that enable nerve regeneration will require methods that can promote and direct neurite extension across the lesion. In this report, we investigate an in vitro combinatorial approach to directed neurite outgrowth using gene delivery from topographically patterned substrates, which can induce expression of neurotrophic factors to promote neurite extension and direct...

BACKGROUND Traumatic optic nerve injury is a leading cause of irreversible blindness across the world and causes progressive visual impairment attributed to the dysfunction and death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). To date, neither pharmacological nor surgical interventions are sufficient to halt or reverse the progress of visual loss. Axon regeneration is critical for functional recovery of ...

Brachial plexus block (BPB) under ultrasound guidance has come to be widely used. However, nerve injury has been reported following ultrasound-guided BPB. We hypothesized that BPB under ultrasound guidance in conjunction with real-time electrical nerve stimulation would help us prevent nerve injury and do more successful procedure. Here, we report the successful induction and maintenance of ult...

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS Additional intraoperative guidance could reduce the risk of iatrogenic injury during parotid gland cancer surgery. We evaluated the intraoperative use of fluorescently labeled nerve binding peptide NP41 to aid facial nerve identification and preservation during parotidectomy in an orthotopic model of murine parotid gland cancer. We also quantified the accuracy of intraoper...

In recent years, adductor canal block (ACB) has been introduced as an alternative for femoral nerve block with a great advantage of preserving or minimally reducing quadriceps strength. The technique is relatively easy and is performed under ultrasound guidance. Despite growing evidence regarding efficacy and safety of ACB following knee surgery, use of ACB is still limited to high volume ortho...

Recent advances in nerve repair technology have focused on finding more biocompatible, non-toxic materials to imitate natural peripheral nerve components. In this study, casein protein cross-linked with naturally occurring genipin (genipin-cross-linked casein (GCC)) was used for the first time to make a biodegradable conduit for peripheral nerve repair. The GCC conduit was dark blue in appearan...