Reprogramming of Expanded Cord Blood-Derived CD34 Cells from Umbilical Cord-Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Co-Culture to Generate Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells.

Cord blood (CB) is widely stored as a source of hematopoietic stem cells for potential future use, though its application for autologous purposes remains limited. Repurposing CB into human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) can broaden its utility beyond hematological conditions. This study investigated the effects of umbilical cord-mesenchymal stromal cell (UC-MSC) co-culture on CB CD34 cells and the characteristics of the resulting hiPSCs.

Enhancing early warning: A DNA biosensor with polyaniline/graphene nanocomposite for label-free voltammetric detection of saxitoxin-producing harmful algae.

Yearly reports of detrimental effects resulting from harmful algal blooms (HAB) are still received in Malaysia and other countries, particularly concerning fish mortality and seafood contamination, both of which bear consequences for the fisheries industry. The underlying reason is the absence of a dependable early warning system. Hence, this research aims to develop a single DNA biosensor that can detect a group of HAB species known for producing saxitoxin (SXT), which is commonly found in Malaysian waters.

Electrochemical genosensor based on RNA-responsive human telomeric G-quadruplex DNA: A proof-of-concept with SARS-CoV-2 RNA.

In this report, a facile and label-free electrochemical RNA biosensor is developed by exploiting methylene blue (MB) as an electroactive positive ligand of G-quadruplex. The electrochemical response mechanism of the nucleic acid assay was based on the change in differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) signal of adsorbed MB on the immobilized human telomeric G-quadruplex DNA with a loop that is complementary to the target RNA. Hybridization between synthetic positive control RNA and G-quadruplex DNA probe on the transducer platform rendered a conformational change of G-quadruplex to double-stranded DNA (dsDNA), and increased the redox current of cationic MB π planar ligand at the sensing interface, thereby the electrochemical signal of the MB-adsorbed duplex is proportional to the concentration of target RNA, with SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) RNA as the model.

Biochemical and gene expression studies reveal the potential of Aspergillus oryzae-fermented broken rice and brewers' rice water extracts as anti-photoageing agents.

In this study, UVA- and UVB-irradiated human fibroblasts were used to investigate the anti-photoaging efficacy of two aqueous extracts from Aspergillus oryzae-fermented broken rice (FBR) and brewers' rice (FBrR). As UVA and UVB can damage the dermal and epidermal layers, respectively, two UV radiation approaches were utilised: i) direct UVA irradiation on fibroblasts, and ii) UVB-irradiated keratinocytes indirectly co-cultured with fibroblasts to observe their epithelial-mesenchymal interaction during UVB-induced photoaging. The anti-photoaging properties were tested utilising biochemical tests and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR).