Along similar lines we have in the present study shown that it is possible to obtain specific gene expression profiles from fluorescently identified cell populations in the mammalian spinal cord based on microarrays hybridized with amplified aRNA from as few as 50 cells.
We selected this part of the spinal cord based on previous publications that reported distinct anatomical deficits, 14– 16 and because the EAE mouse model exhibits paralysis of the hind limbs, which are under the control of the lumbar nerves.
Spinal cord plasticity based on stem cells proliferation within adult spinal cord is a hot topic under intense investigation, in relationship with both spinal cord injury and degenerative motor neuron disorders.
We also carried out separate analyses based only on two biomarkers at a time (one based on cord, one on hair) to examine the robustness of the model and to avoid adjustment for local dependence.
Prescription doses and spinal cord tolerances based on clinical scenario, neurological compromise, and prior overlapping treatments were controversial, but reasonable ranges are presented.
Results from this study suggest that the TSCIS is an easy to administer scale for evaluating canine spinal cord injury based on the standard neurological exam and correlates well with a previously described modified Frankel scale.
The exclusion criteria were (1) current or previous treatment with androgen deprivation, and (2) pain or suspicion of spinal cord compression based on malignant bone lesions.
The work, he says, represents "an obligatory first step toward a transplantation therapy for spinal cord injury" based on embryonic stem cells.
The therapeutic concept of cell transplantation into the spinal cord is based on the idea that these cells may survive, possibly differentiate, and provide trophic support, acting as "nurse cells" for endogenous motor neurons.
The dioxin TEQ concentration for the dioxin-like PCBs was calculated (Van den Berg et al. 1998) and expressed in parts per trillion (ppt) lipid, assuming 0.17% lipid for cord serum based on our laboratory's data and published values (Altshul LM, personal communication; Denkins et al. 2000).
