Hypoxic Stress Induces Complement-Mediated Lysis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells by Downregulating Factor H and CD59.

Background: Factor H and membrane inhibitor of reactive lysis (CD59) are key regulators of complement activation. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) secrete Factor H and express CD59 to protect themselves from complement-mediated damage. Severe hypoxia found to decrease the survival chances of MSCs after transplantation; however, little is known about the impact of severe hypoxia on modulating the complement system activity and its effect on MSCs survival.

In vivo assessment of the nephrotoxic effects of the synthetic cannabinoid AB-FUBINACA.

Background: The widespread misuse of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) has led to a notable increase in reported adverse effects, raising significant health concerns. SCs use has been particularly associated with acute kidney injury (AKI). However, the pathogenesis of SCs-induced AKI is not well-understood.

Delineating the molecular mechanisms of hippocampal neurotoxicity induced by chronic administration of synthetic cannabinoid AB-FUBINACA in mice.

Chronic use of synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) has been associated with cognitive and behavioural deficits and an increased risk of neuropsychiatric disorders. The underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms of the neurotoxic effects of long-term use of SCs have not been well investigated in the literature. Herein, we evaluated the in vivo effects of chronic administration of AB-FUBINACA on the hippocampus in mice.

The potential protective role of vitamin D and calcium supplements in reducing cardiovascular disease risk among elderly patients with osteopenia.

Background: Cardiovascular disease and low bone mineral density are major health problems in the elderly. These two conditions are considered independent of each other and age-related diseases. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between low bone mineral density (BMD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) incidents, and the effect of vitamin D and calcium supplement on the incidence of CVD in patients with low BMD.

Effects of high glucose and severe hypoxia on the biological behavior of mesenchymal stem cells at various passages.

Background: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been extensively studied for therapeutic potential, due to their regenerative and immunomodulatory properties. Serial passage and stress factors may affect the biological characteristics of MSCs, but the details of these effects have not been recognized yet.

Aim: To investigate the effects of stress factors (high glucose and severe hypoxia) on the biological characteristics of MSCs at different passages, in order to optimize the therapeutic applications of MSCs.

Comparing the effect of using 2-Mercaptoethanol in the cell culture medium of different cell passages of human mesenchymal stem cells.

Preparing a suitable cell culture medium that supports the biological needs of the growing cells is crucial to enhancing the success rate of any in vitro and in vivo experiments and minimizing undesirable interferences.  Mesenchymal stem cells ( MSCs) which are powerful regenerative stem cells require being grown in proper culture media to preserve their stemness and therapeutic properties. MSCs are usually grown in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle low glucose Medium (DMEM low glucose) which contains 5.

Adipose Tissue and Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells are not Really the Same: Investigating the Differences in Their Immunomodulatory, Migratory, and Adhesive Profile.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are the most widely used stem cells in regenerative medicine. They can be isolated from multiple sources, most commonly bone marrow and adipose tissue. MSCs derived from different sources show similar molecular and biological characteristics, but there is ongoing debate regarding the best source of MSCs and the potential biological differences between MSCs from different origins.

The impact of chronic fentanyl administration on the cerebral cortex in mice: Molecular and histological effects.

Purpose: Fentanyl, a fully synthetic opioid, is widely used for severe pain management and has a huge abuse potential for its psychostimulant effects. Unlike other opioids, the neurotoxic effects of chronic fentanyl administration are still unclear. In particular, little is known about its effect on the cerebral cortex.

The synthetic cannabinoids menace: a review of health risks and toxicity.

Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are chemically classified as psychoactive substances that target the endocannabinoid system in many body organs. SCs can initiate pathophysiological changes in many tissues which can be severe enough to damage the normal functionality of our body systems. The majority of SCs-related side effects are mediated by activating Cannabinoid Receptor 1 (CB1R) and Cannabinoid Receptor 2 (CB2R).

Addressing the impact of high glucose microenvironment on the immunosuppressive characteristics of human mesenchymal stem cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a therapeutically efficient type of stem cells validated by their ability to treat many inflammatory and chronic conditions. The biological and therapeutic characteristics of MSCs can be modified depending on the type of microenvironment at the site of transplantation. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a commonly diagnosed metabolic disease characterized by hyperglycemia, which alters over time the cellular and molecular functions of many cells and causes their damage.

The toxic profile of tramadol combined with nicotine on the liver and testicles: evidence from endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Background: Tramadol is one of the most commonly abused substances in the Middle East. Furthermore, smoking is extremely common among the population.

Methods: An experimental study was performed on Sprague-Dawley rats to explore the effects of both nicotine and tramadol on the liver and testes.

Neurological Effects of Combining Low Toxic Dose of Tramadol and Nicotine: An Animal Model Evidence of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress.

Tramadol abuse is a common problem in the Middle East in conjunction with smoking. The current study applied immunohistochemistry, western blot, real-time PCR, and ELISA to test the combination toxicity. Low toxic doses of tramadol induced animal brain cortex inflammation and hippocampus injury.

Mechanisms of analgesic effect of mesenchymal stem cells in osteoarthritis pain.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common musculoskeletal disease, and it is a major cause of pain, disability and health burden. Pain is the most common and bothersome presentation of OA, but its treatment is still suboptimal, due to the short-term action of employed analgesics and their poor adverse effect profile. Due to their regenerative and anti-inflammatory properties, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been extensively investigated as a potential therapy for OA, and numerous preclinical and clinical studies found a significant improvement in joint pathology and function, pain scores and/or quality of life after administration of MSCs.

Hypoxia disturbs the Migration and Adhesion characteristics of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been successfully used in treating many diseases which being verified by many preclinical and clinical trials.  Despite the exciting therapeutic potential of MSCs, multiple challenges encountered which hinder researchers from achieving successful clinical translations. Many studies have showed that moderate hypoxia (1-7% O2) considered as an important regulator of MSCs homing, migration, and differentiation.

Nicotine Abuse and Neurodegeneration: Novel Pharmacogenetic Targets to Aid Quitting and Reduce the Risk of Dementia.

Nicotine dependence has deleterious neurological impacts. Previous studies found an association between cigarette smoking and accelerating age-related thinning of the brain's cortex and subsequent cognitive decline. Smoking is considered the third most common risk factor for dementia, which prompted the inclusion of smoking cessation in dementia prevention strategies.

Prodigious therapeutic effects of combining mesenchymal stem cells with magnetic nanoparticles.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have gained wide-ranging reputation in the medical research community due to their promising regenerative abilities. MSCs can be isolated from various resources mostly bone marrow, Adipose tissues and Umbilical cord. Huge advances have been achieved in comprehending the possible mechanisms underlying the therapeutic functions of MSCs.

Tafazzin deficiency attenuates anti-cluster of differentiation 40 and interleukin-4 activation of mouse B lymphocytes.

Barth syndrome (BTHS) is a rare X-linked genetic disease caused by mutations in TAFAZZIN. The tafazzin (Taz) protein is a cardiolipin remodeling enzyme required for maintaining mitochondrial function. Patients with BTHS exhibit impaired mitochondrial respiratory chain and metabolic function and are susceptible to serious infections.

Undergraduate medical students' perceptions regarding stem cells: Is there a need for incorporating a stem cells elective course in the academic curriculum?

Stem cell therapy has recently progressed from the preclinical to the early clinical trial arena for a variety of diseases. Moreover, the medical students lack the deep and full understanding of its significance and potential as the promising future cure for diverse diseases worldwide. This study aims at evaluating the knowledge, awareness, and perception of medical students as far as stem cells applications are related in the medical field.

The Molecular and Functional Changes of Neural Stem Cells in Alzheimer's Disease: Can They be Reinvigorated to Conduct Neurogenesis.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is considered one of the most complicated neurodegenerative disorders, and it is associated with progressive memory loss and remarkable neurocognitive dysfunction that negatively impacts the ability to perform daily living activities. AD accounts for an estimated 60-80% of dementia cases. AD's previously known pathological basis is the deposition of amyloid β (Aβ) aggregates and the formation of neurofibrillary tangles by tau hyperphosphorylation in the cell bodies of neurons that are located in the hippocampus, neocortex, and certain other regions of the cerebral hemispheres and limbic system.

Corpus callosum anatomical changes in Alzheimer patients and the effect of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors on corpus callosum morphometry.

The Corpus Callosum (CC) is an important structure that includes the majority of fibers connecting the two brain hemispheres. Several neurodegenerative diseases may alter CC size and morphology leading to its atrophy and malfunction which may play a role in the pathological manifestations found in these diseases. The purpose of the current study is to determine any possible changes in CC size in patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

Tafazzin deficiency in mouse mesenchymal stem cells promote reprogramming of activated B lymphocytes toward immunosuppressive phenotypes.

Barth Syndrome (BTHS) is a rare X-linked genetic disorder caused by mutation in the TAFAZZIN gene. Tafazzin (Taz) deficiency in BTHS patients results in an increased risk of infections. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are well known for their immune-inhibitory function.

Tafazzin deficiency impairs mitochondrial metabolism and function of lipopolysaccharide activated B lymphocytes in mice.

B lymphocytes are responsible for humoral immunity and play a key role in the immune response. Optimal mitochondrial function is required to support B cell activity during activation. We examined how deficiency of tafazzin, a cardiolipin remodeling enzyme required for mitochondrial function, alters the metabolic activity of B cells and their response to activation by lipopolysaccharide in mice.

Tafazzin deficiency in mouse mesenchymal stem cells potentiates their immunosuppression and impairs activated B lymphocyte immune function.

Barth Syndrome (BTHS) is a rare X-linked genetic disorder caused by mutation in the TAFAZZIN gene which encodes the cardiolipin (CL) transacylase tafazzin (Taz). Taz deficiency in BTHS patients results in reduced CL in their tissues and a neutropenia which contributes to the risk of infections. However, the impact of Taz deficiency in other cells of the immune system is poorly understood.