Article: Transplantation of Autologous Olfactory Ensheathing Cells in Complete H

Question

Article: Transplantation of Autologous Olfactory Ensheathing Cells in Complete Human Spinal Cord Injury

https://bbl.westfield.ma.edu/bbcswebdav/pid-1058976-dt-content-rid-12869721_1/courses/wsu_BIOL0333001_2018fall/OECs%20SCI%281%29.pdf

1. Research question:

a) What is THE OVERALL research question?

b) Is the research question clearly stated in the introduction of the paper?

c) Why is the author interested in this question (why is this question important?)?

2. Hypotheses:

a) What are the hypotheses? (list all hypotheses proposed)

b) Is the reasoning behind the hypotheses explained? What is the logic behind each hypothesis?

c) Are some alternative hypotheses ignored? If so, explain.

3. Introduction:   

a) Does the introduction provide appropriate background for the study? Why or why not?

b) Is the introduction missing useful information that would have been helpful? If so, explain. For example, did you have to look up any additional information?

c) Is the relevance of the work clear?

4. Methods:

a) Summarize the methods that were used.

b) Were the methods appropriate? {Was this the best way to test the hypotheses? Were there problems with the methodology (if so describe them)?}

Explanation / Answer

1. a)  In cases of complete human spinal cord injuries, treatment protocols like maximal prevention of secondary spinal cord injury or stimulation of plasticity in the central nervous system have not been so effective. Several preclinical and clinical trials have benn carried out to focus on the effects of intraspinal grafting of olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs) isolated from olfactory tissue, have been conducted in patients with complete chronic spinal cord injury. The overall research question is - whether the procedure of microinjection into the spinal cord of purified OECs obtained from the olfactory mucosa was safe in the clinical study performed through a Phase I nonrandomized controlled prospective study.

b) Yes, the research question is clearly stated in the introduction of the paper.

c) The question in the article is important because there was only one completed Phase I study available by that time, evaluating the safety and feasibility of transplantation of autologous OECs in paraplegics

2. a) The hypotheses are -

i.  the procedure of microinjection into the spinal cord of purified OECs obtained from the olfactory mucosa is safe.

ii.  an approach for treatment of complete spinal cord injuries consisting of intraspinal transplantation of autologous OECs and fibroblasts isolated from the olfactory mucosa, combined with intense neurorehabilitation, is feasible.

b) Yes, the reasoning behind the hypotheses has been explained.  Among the various populations of neurotrophic cells being tested experimentally, OECs have the natural ability to stimulate the regrowth of lesioned peripheral and central axons. When transplanted into complete transection lesions of the thoracic spinal cord of rats, they evoked long-distance axon regeneration and subsequent recovery of locomotion of the paralyzed limbs. OECs were also able to guide transected axons of the selectively lesioned corticospinal tract throughout the focus of injury which resulted in restoration of paw movements.

3. a) Yes, the introduction provides appropriate background for the study. It is clearly understood that numerous studies in animals have shown the unique property of olfactory ensheathing cells to stimulate regeneration of lesioned axons in the spinal cord. And the researchers have tried to assess the safety and feasibility of transplantation of autologous mucosal olfactory ensheathing cells and olfactory nerve fibroblasts in patients with complete spinal cord injury in a Phase I clinical trial.

b) Depending upon the reasearch question, the researchers have raised, there is bo such important or useful information missiong from the indroduction part that would have been helpful.

c) Yes, the relevance of the work is clear.

4. a) The methods used:

i. Rehabilitation Protocol ( to exclude those cases where significant muscle atrophy, joint ossifications, or significant spasticity were present)

ii. Olfactory Mucosal Biopsy

iii. Cell culture

iv. Sterility Tests and Identification of Cell Phenotype (identified in culture by their characteristic morphology and by immunocytochemistry)

v. Cell Transplantation Procedure (Preoperative Preparation, System for Cell Microinjection, Surgical Technique)

vi. Initial and Repeated Assessments (Patients’ pre- and postoperative evaluation included general medical assessment; neurological, otorhinolaryngological, and physiotherapeutical examination; and radiological and neurophysiological studies)

b) Yes, the methods are apppriate. Spatial and temporal studies being included, the methods followed are the best ways to test the hypotheses.

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