The Therapeutic Potential of Exosomes vs. Matrix-Bound Nanovesicles from Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Osteoarthritis Treatment.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease with limited therapeutic options, where inflammation plays a critical role in disease progression. Extracellular vesicles (EV) derived from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have shown potential as a therapeutic approach for OA by modulating inflammation and alleviating degenerative processes in the joint. This study evaluated the therapeutic effects for the treatment of OA of two types of EV-exosomes and matrix-bound nanovesicles (MBV)-both derived from the human umbilical cord MSC (UC-MSC) via differential ultracentrifugation.

Morphology and composition of calcium oxalate monohydrate phytoliths in the bark of Betula ermanii (stone birch): Case study from Sakhalin Island.

The morphology of calcium oxalate monohydrate precipitates (COM, Ca(CO)·HO, P2/c, whewellite) occurring as crystals or intergrowths, as well as distribution of crystal-bearing idioblasts, have been studied for the first time in the bark of stone birch Betula ermanii from Sakhalin Island sampled in an area affected by mud volcanism and an unaffected typical forest environment taken for reference. The study addresses several issues (i) number and size of phytoliths and their distribution in different cell types; (ii) density of calcification in specific cells; (iii) habits of single crystals, twins, and complex intergrowths, as well as frequency of different morphologies and their relations. The trends of time-dependent morphological changes in separately analyzed crystals and intergrowths record the evolution of COM morphology from nuclei to mature grains.

Radical-Generating Activity, Phagocytosis, and Mechanical Properties of Four Phenotypes of Human Macrophages.

Macrophages are the major players and orchestrators of inflammatory response. Expressed proteins and secreted cytokines have been well studied for two polar macrophage phenotypes-pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory regenerative M2, but little is known about how the polarization modulates macrophage functions. In this study, we used biochemical and biophysical methods to compare the functional activity and mechanical properties of activated human macrophages differentiated from monocyte with GM-CSF (M0_GM) and M-CSF (M0_M) and polarized into M1 and M2 phenotypes, respectively.

Chemical Composition and Insulin-Resistance Activity of Arginine-Loaded American Cranberry ( Aiton, Ericaceae) Leaf Extracts.

One of the key pathogenetic links in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is the formation of insulin resistance (IR). Besides a wide selection of synthetic antidiabetic drugs, various plant-origin extracts are also available to support the treatment of T2DM. This study aimed to investigate and gain knowledge of the chemical composition and potential IR correction effect of American cranberry ( Aiton) leaf extracts and formulate novel 3D-printed oral dosage forms for such extracts.

American Cranberry ( (Ait.) Pursh) Leaves Extract and Its Amino-Acids Preparation: The Phytochemical and Pharmacological Study.

The liver is an organ with several important biofunctions, for which there are very few effective and safe preparations that promote the functioning, protection, and regeneration of cells. Sufficiently safe preparations with hepatoprotective activity can be found in plants. The aim of our study was to investigate the chemical composition of an extract made from American cranberry ( (Ait.