Bone Marrow Stem Cell Population in Single- and Multiple-Level Aspiration.

Background: Bone marrow aspiration concentrate (BMAC) has garnered increasing interest due to its potential for healing musculoskeletal injuries. While the iliac crest remains a common harvest site, the aspiration technique's efficacy in offering the highest yield and prevalence of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) is controversial. This study aimed to compare two different techniques of bone marrow aspiration over the anterior iliac crest from a single level versus multiple levels.

rhBMP-2-Conjugated Three-Dimensional-Printed Poly(L-lactide) Scaffold is an Effective Bone Substitute.

Background: Bone growth factors, particularly bone morphogenic protein-2 (BMP-2), are required for effective treatment of significant bone loss. Despite the extensive development of bone substitutes, much remains to be desired for wider application in clinical settings. The currently available bone substitutes cannot sustain prolonged BMP-2 release and are inconvenient to use.

[Development and Effects of a Person-Centered Fall Prevention Program for Older Adults with Dementia in Long-Term Care Hospitals: For Older Adults with Dementia and Caregivers in Long-Term Care Hospitals].

Purpose: This study examined the effects of a person-centered fall prevention program for older adults with dementia in long-term care hospitals.

Methods: A nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. The study sample included 42 older adults with dementia (experimental group: 21, control group: 21) and 42 caregivers (experimental group: 21, control group: 21).

Collagen immobilization on ultra-thin nanofiber membrane to promote endothelial monolayer formation.

The endothelialization on the poly (ε-caprolactone) nanofiber has been limited due to its low hydrophilicity. The aim of this study was to immobilize collagen on an ultra-thin poly (ε-caprolactone) nanofiber membrane without altering the nanofiber structure and maintaining the endothelial cell homeostasis on it. We immobilized collagen on the poly (ε-caprolactone) nanofiber using hydrolysis by NaOH treatment and 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide/sulfo--hydroxysulfosuccinimide reaction as a cost-effective and stable approach.

Preparation and Characterization of Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Extracellular Matrix, Growth Factors, and Stem Cells: A Concise Review.

Background: Human adipose tissue is routinely discarded as medical waste. However, this tissue may have valuable clinical applications since methods have been devised to effectively isolate adipose-derived extracellular matrix (ECM), growth factors (GFs), and stem cells. In this review, we analyze the literature that devised these methods and then suggest an optimal method based on their characterization results.

Full Thickness Skin Expansion in a Newly Developed Reactor and Evaluation of Auto-Grafting Efficiency of the Expanded Skin Using Yucatan Pig Model.

Background: Skin grafts are required in numerous clinical procedures, such as reconstruction after skin removal and correction of contracture or scarring after severe skin loss caused by burns, accidents, and trauma. The current standard for skin defect replacement procedures is the use of autologous skin grafts. However, donor-site tissue availability remains a major obstacle for the successful replacement of skin defects and often limits this option.

Investigation of Exhaled Breath Samples from Patients with Alzheimer's Disease Using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry and an Exhaled Breath Sensor System.

Exhaled breath is a body secretion, and the sampling process of this is simple and cost effective. It can be non-invasively collected for diagnostic procedures. Variations in the chemical composition of exhaled breath resulting from gaseous exchange in the extensive capillary network of the body are proposed to be associated with pathophysiological changes.

Rapid expansion and auto-grafting efficiency of porcine full skin expanded by a skin bioreactor .

Full skin auto-grafts are required for reconstruction of skin burns and trauma scars. However, currently available clinical approaches such as sheet skin graft, mesh skin grafts, artificial skin graft, and in vivo skin expansion have limitations due to their potential danger for secondary damage and scar formation at the donor site, and discomfort during skin expansion. We developed an advanced bioreactor system and evaluated its function in skin expansion using porcine full skin.

Optimization of recombinant human platelet-derived growth factor-BB encapsulated in Poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) microspheres for applications in wound healing.

Growth factors play multiple and critical roles in wound repair processes. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a potent growth factor that is particularly important in the early inflammatory phase of wound healing. In order to extend the half-life of PDGF, polymeric encapsulation is used.

Improvement of Fat Transplantation: Fat Graft With Adipose-Derived Stem Cells and Oxygen-Generating Microspheres.

Background: Autologous fat transplantation has become increasingly popular in plastic surgery. However, high resorption rate limits the utility of this technique. To address this problem, this study examined fat transplantation with oxygen-generating microspheres and adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) in a rat model.

Genetic variation in the coagulation factor V gene and risk of femoral head osteonecrosis.

Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) is characterized by the death of the cellular portion of the femoral head due a reduction or disruption in the blood supply. Certain studies have implicated coagulation disorders, including thrombophilia and hypofibrinolysis, in the pathogenesis of ONFH. The factor V (F5) Leiden mutation has been suggested to be a genetic risk factor for venous thromboembolism and osteonecrosis in Caucasian individuals, however, this association remains controversial in other populations.

Pre-clinical efficacy and safety evaluation of human amniotic fluid-derived stem cell injection in a mouse model of urinary incontinence.

Purpose: Stem cell-based therapies represent new promises for the treatment of urinary incontinence. This study was performed to assess optimized cell passage number, cell dose, therapeutic efficacy, feasibility, toxicity, and cell trafficking for the first step of the pre-clinical evaluation of human amniotic fluid stem cell (hAFSC) therapy in a urinary incontinence animal model.

Materials And Methods: The proper cell passage number was analyzed with hAFSCs at passages 4, 6, and 8 at week 2.

Regulation Policy on Cell- and Tissue-Based Therapy Products in Korea.

Extensive investment on research and development of cell therapy products (CTPs) and tissue-engineered products (TEPs) has been made in Korea, and various commercial products are born in market. The Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) in Korea regulates CTPs and TEPs as biological products under the authority of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act. The Korean MFDS approved 16 CTPs and 4 stem CTPs and authorized 135 clinical trials, including 60 sponsor-investigator trials.

Non-invasive screening for Alzheimer's disease by sensing salivary sugar using Drosophila cells expressing gustatory receptor (Gr5a) immobilized on an extended gate ion-sensitive field-effect transistor (EG-ISFET) biosensor.

Body fluids are often used as specimens for medical diagnosis. With the advent of advanced analytical techniques in biotechnology, the diagnostic potential of saliva has been the focus of many studies. We recently reported the presence of excess salivary sugars, in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Applicability and safety of in vitro skin expansion using a skin bioreactor: a clinical trial.

Background: Tissue expansion is an effective and valuable technique for the reconstruction of large skin lesions and scars. This study aimed to evaluate the applicability and safety of a newly designed skin expanding bioreactor system for maximizing the graft area and minimizing the donor site area.

Methods: A computer-controlled biaxial skin bioreactor system was used to expand skin in two directions while the culture media was changed daily.

Combined injection of three different lineages of early-differentiating human amniotic fluid-derived cells restores urethral sphincter function in urinary incontinence.

Objective: To investigate whether a triple combination of early-differentiated cells derived from human amniotic fluid stem cells (hAFSCs) would show synergistic effects in urethral sphincter regeneration.

Materials And Methods: We early-differentiated hAFSCs into muscle, neuron and endothelial progenitor cells and then injected them into the urethral sphincter region of pudendal neurectomized ICR mice, as single-cell, double-cell or triple-cell combinations. Urodynamic studies and histological, immunohistochemical and molecular analyses were performed.

MYOD mediates skeletal myogenic differentiation of human amniotic fluid stem cells and regeneration of muscle injury.

Introduction: Human amniotic fluid stem (hAFS) cells have been shown to differentiate into multiple lineages, including myoblasts. However, molecular mechanisms underlying the myogenic differentiation of hAFS cells and their regenerative potential for muscle injury remain to be elucidated.

Methods: In order to induce myogenic differentiation of hAFS cells, lentiviruses for MYOD were constructed and transduced into hAFS cells.

RET fusion genes in Korean non-small cell lung cancer.

Recently, rearranged during transfection (RET) fusions have been identified in approximately 1% of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). To know the prevalence of RET fusion genes in Korean NSCLCs, we examined the RET fusion genes in 156 surgically resected NSCLCs using a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Two KIF5B-RET fusions and one CCDC6-RET fusion were identified.

Comparative analysis of whole-blood interferon-γ and flow cytometry assays for detecting post-treatment immune responses in patients with active tuberculosis.

Background: Intracellular cytokine flow cytometry (ICCFC) has been explored to detect tuberculosis (TB) infections; however, there are little data regarding its use to examine the dynamic responses of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)-specific T-cells after anti-tuberculous therapy. The aim of this study was to analyze both dynamic changes in functional MTB antigen-specific T-cell subsets and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels using ICCFC and the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-IT) test, respectively, following anti-tuberculous treatment in patients with active TB.

Methods: Twenty-six patients with active TB were enrolled in the study, and QFT-IT and ICCFC were performed simultaneously both before and after treatment.

Comparative analysis of whole-blood interferon-γ and flow cytometry assays for detecting post-treatment immune responses in patients with active tuberculosis.

Background: Intracellular cytokine flow cytometry (ICCFC) has been explored to detect tuberculosis (TB) infections; however, there are little data regarding its use to examine the dynamic responses of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)-specific T-cells after anti-tuberculous therapy. The aim of the present study was to analyze both dynamic changes in functional MTB antigen-specific T-cell subsets and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) levels using ICCFC and the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-IT) test, respectively, following anti-tuberculous treatment in patients with active TB. Methods: Twenty-six patients with active TB were enrolled in the study, and QFT-IT and ICCFC were performed simultaneously both before and after treatment.

Alginate-based composite sponge containing silver nanoparticles synthesized in situ.

Silver-based biomaterials have been developed in a variety of bactericidal applications, especially for wound dressings. In this study, silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were synthesized in a sodium alginate solution and then the composite sponge containing AgNPs was prepared from the nanocolloid solution. The alginate-stabilized AgNPs had the mean negative zeta potential of -52.

ZnO nanorods, nanotubes and nanorings: controlled synthesis and structural properties.

Controlled synthesis of ZnO nanorods (ZNRDs), nanotubes (ZNTs) and nanorings (ZNRs) has been carried out by a two-step sonochemical/chemical process at room temperature without any catalyst, template or seed layer. The crystallinity, structure and morphology of ZNRDs, ZNRs and ZNTs were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron micrographs (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). The as-prepared ZnO nanostructures were single crystalline with hexagonal cross-section and uniform size.

Telomerase activity and the risk of lung cancer.

Telomerase play a key role in the maintenance of telomere length and chromosome integrity. We have evaluated the association between telomerase activity and the risk of lung cancer in peripheral blood. Telomerase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was measured by a PCR-designed telomeric repeat amplification protocol in 63 lung cancer patients and 190 healthy controls that were matched for age, gender, and smoking status.