title: Spinal cord fusion with PEG-GNRs (TexasPEG): Neurophysiological recovery in 24 hours in rats.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The GEMINI spinal cord fusion protocol has been developed to achieve a successful cephalosomatic anastomosis. Here, for the first time, we report the effects of locally applied water-soluble, conductive PEG(polyethylene glycol)ylated graphene nanoribbons (PEG-GNRs) on neurophysiologic conduction after sharp cervical cord transection in rats. PEG-GNRs were produced by the polymerization of ethylene oxide from anion-edged graphene nanoribbons. These combine the fusogenic potential of PEG with the electrical conducting properties of the graphene nanoribbons.
  
  
  METHODS
  Laminectomy and transection of cervical spinal cord (C5) was performed on Female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. After applying PEG-GNR on the severed part, electrophysiological recovery of the reconstructed cervical spinal cord was confirmed by somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) at 24 h after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  While no SSEPs were detected in the control group, PEG-GNR treated group showed fast recovery of SSEPs at 24 h after the surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this preliminary dataset, for the first time, we report the effect of a novel form of PEG with the goal of rapid reconstruction of a sharply severed spinal cord.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea; Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: C-Yoon
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: William K A
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Sikkema
authors.affiliation: Department of Stem Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: In-Kyu
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Hanseul
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Un Jeng
authors.initials: UJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Brain Korea 21 PLUS Project for Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Bae Hwan
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA; The NanoCarbon Center, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA; Department of Material Science and Nanoengineering, Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Tour
keywords: Cephalosomatic anastomosis; GEMINI; electrophysiology; graphene nanoribbons; spinal cord fusion