Transplantation of Stem Cell Spheroid-Laden 3-Dimensional Patches with Bioadhesives for the Treatment of Myocardial Infarction.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is treated with stem cell transplantation using various biomaterials and methods, such as stem cell/spheroid injections, cell sheets, and cardiac patches. However, current treatment methods have some limitations, including low stem cell engraftment and poor therapeutic effects. Furthermore, these methods cause secondary damage to heart due to injection and suturing to immobilize them in the heart, inducing side effects.

High critical current density and high-tolerance superconductivity in high-entropy alloy thin films.

High-entropy alloy (HEA) superconductors-a new class of functional materials-can be utilized stably under extreme conditions, such as in space environments, owing to their high mechanical hardness and excellent irradiation tolerance. However, the feasibility of practical applications of HEA superconductors has not yet been demonstrated because the critical current density (J) for HEA superconductors has not yet been adequately characterized. Here, we report the fabrication of high-quality superconducting (SC) thin films of Ta-Nb-Hf-Zr-Ti HEAs via a pulsed laser deposition.

Development of a stem cell spheroid-laden patch with high retention at skin wound site.

Mesenchymal stem cells such as human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hADSCs) have been used as a representative therapeutic agent for tissue regeneration because of their high proliferation and paracrine factor-secreting abilities. However, certain points regarding conventional ADSC delivery systems, such as low cell density, secreted cytokine levels, and cell viability, still need to be addressed for treating severe wounds. In this study, we developed a three-dimensional (3D) cavity-structured stem cell-laden system for overdense delivery of cells into severe wound sites.

Area light source-triggered latent angiogenic molecular mechanisms intensify therapeutic efficacy of adult stem cells.

Light-based therapy such as photobiomodulation (PBM) reportedly produces beneficial physiological effects in cells and tissues. However, most reports have focused on the immediate and instant effects of light. Considering the physiological effects of natural light exposure in living organisms, the latent reaction period after irradiation should be deliberated.

Lightwave-reinforced stem cells with enhanced wound healing efficacy.

Comprehensive research has led to significant preclinical outcomes in modified human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hADSCs). Photobiomodulation (PBM), a technique to enhance the cellular capacity of stem cells, has attracted considerable attention owing to its effectiveness and safety. Here, we suggest a red organic light-emitting diode (OLED)-based PBM strategy to augment the therapeutic efficacy of hADSCs.

Enhanced Anti-Cancer Effects of Conditioned Medium from Hypoxic Human Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Background And Objectives: There have been contradictory reports on the pro-cancer or anti-cancer effects of mesenchymal stem cells. In this study, we investigated whether conditioned medium (CM) from hypoxic human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) (H-CM) showed enhanced anti-cancer effects compared with CM from normoxic hUC-MSCs (N-CM).

Methods And Results: Compared with N-CM, H-CM not only strongly reduced cell viability and increased apoptosis of human cervical cancer cells (HeLa cells), but also increased caspase-3/7 activity, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and induced cell cycle arrest.

Metabolites can regulate stem cell behavior through the STAT3/AKT pathway in a similar trend to that under hypoxic conditions.

Stem cell therapy has long been considered a promising mode of treatment for many incurable diseases. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) have provided the most promising results to date for regenerative medicine. Nevertheless, due to several obstacles such as difficulty in sourcing and characterizing hMSCs, they remain largely unavailable for clinical use.

The Relationship between Body Mass Index and Smoking Cessation Plans in Korean Adults.

Background: Concerns regarding weight gain after smoking cessation may interfere with quitting smoking. This study investigated the association between smoking cessation plans and body mass index (BMI, kg/m) in Korean adult smokers.

Methods: Using data from the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2015), 3,000 current smokers aged 19 years or older were selected and divided into four weight groups.

First two patients with ulcerative colitis who developed classical thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura successfully treated with medical therapy and plasma exchange.

The association of ulcerative colitis (UC) and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is rare. Only one prior patient with these two syndromes has been reported in the literature. In that case, splenectomy and proctectomy were performed to control the symptoms of TTP.