Bacterial species in cord blood and their significance in the context of clinical use.

Approximately 90 % of infants born before 28 full weeks(extremely-preterm-infants) receive erythrocyte transfusions in early life. Umbilical cord blood(UCB) has been investigated as an alternative source for erythrocyte transfusions to preterm neonates. This retrospective study aimed to compile/evaluate spectrum of bacteria groups/species intermittently detected in processed UCB at National-Swedish-Cord blood bank, (NS-CBB) during the years 2008-2020.

The Traceability of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells After Injection Into Degenerated Discs in Patients with Low Back Pain.

Low back pain is a major health issue and one main cause to this condition is believed to be intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration. Stem cell therapy for degenerated discs using mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) has been suggested. The aim of the study was to investigate the presence and distribution pattern of autologous MSCs transplanted into degenerated IVDs in patients and explanted posttransplantation.

Physical exercise affects slow cycling cells in the rat heart and reveals a new potential niche area in the atrioventricular junction.

Physical exercise has several beneficial effects on the heart. In other tissues it has been shown to activate endogenous stem cells. There is however a lack of knowledge how exercise affects the distribution of progenitor cells as well as overall cell turnover within the heart.

Development and regeneration potential of the mammalian intervertebral disc.

At the present time, the normal cell proliferation rate and regeneration processes in the intervertebral disc (IVD) are not fully known. Historically, the IVD has been considered an organ with little or no regenerative capacity. However, several studies have identified the presence of cells expressing progenitor/stem cell markers in adult cartilage tissue and recent data suggest that adult mammalian IVDs have regenerative capacity, albeit slow.

Physical exercise affects cell proliferation in lumbar intervertebral disc regions in rats.

Study Design: Descriptive experimental study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of exercise on cell proliferation in different areas of the intervertebral disc (IVD) and recruitment of cells possibly active in regeneration of normal rat lumbar IVDs.

Summary Of Background Data: Little is known about the effects of physical exercise on lumbar IVD tissue.

Support of concept that migrating progenitor cells from stem cell niches contribute to normal regeneration of the adult mammal intervertebral disc: a descriptive study in the New Zealand white rabbit.

Study Design: Descriptive experimental study performed in rabbits of 2 age groups.

Objective: To study and investigate presence of prechondrocytic cells and cell migration routes (MR) in the intervertebral disc (IVD) region to gain knowledge about the normal IVD regeneration pattern.

Summary Of Background Data: Disc degeneration is thought to play a major role in patients with chronic lumbar pain.

Novel 3D culture system with similarities to the human heart for studies of the cardiac stem cell niche.

Aims: The aim of this study was to develop a 3D culture system with similarities to the human heart, which was suitable for studies of adult cardiac stem or progenitor cells.

Materials & Methods: Dissociated cells from human cardiac biopsies were placed in high-density pellet cultures and cultured for up to 6 weeks. Gene and protein expressions, analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry, and morphology were studied in early and late pellets.

Identification of a stem cell niche in the zone of Ranvier within the knee joint.

A superficial lesion of the articular cartilage does not spontaneously self-repair and has been suggested to be partly due to lack of progenitor cells within the joint that can reach the site of injury. To study whether progenitor cells are present within the joint, 3-month-old New Zealand white rabbits were exposed to bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) for 12 consecutive days and were then sacrificed 4, 6, 10, 14, 28 and 56 days after the first BrdU administration. Presence of BrdU and localization of progenitor markers were detected using immunohistochemistry.

Transplantation of human mesenchymal stems cells into intervertebral discs in a xenogeneic porcine model.

Study Design: Experimental and descriptive study of a xenotransplantation model in minipigs.

Objective: To study survival and function of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) after transplantation into injured porcine spinal discs, as a model for cell therapy.

Summary Of Background Data: Biologic treatment options of the intervertebral disc are suggested for patients with chronic low back pain caused by disc degeneration.