Neural circuit mechanisms underlying context-specific halting in Drosophila.

Walking is a complex motor programme involving coordinated and distributed activity across the brain and the spinal cord. Halting appropriately at the correct time is a critical component of walking control. Despite progress in identifying neurons driving halting, the underlying neural circuit mechanisms responsible for overruling the competing walking state remain unclear.

Human gingival mesenchymal stem cells retain their growth and immunomodulatory characteristics independent of donor age.

Aging has been reported to deteriorate the quantity and quality of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), which affect their therapeutic use in regenerative medicine. A dearth of age-related stem cell research further restricts their clinical applications. The present study explores the possibility of using MSCs derived from human gingival tissues (GMSCs) for studying their ex vivo growth characteristics and differentiation potential with respect to donor age.

Scaffold-Free Spheroids Derived from Stem Cells for Tissue-Engineering Applications.

Tissue engineering has gained attention in the past decade due to its efficient interaction with the host system and potential therapeutic capabilities. Although scaffold-based approaches provide much needed mechanical strength and support to the regenerating tissue, they also invite foreign body reaction initiated by macrophages, causing inflammation and toxicity, and may also sometime interfere with the regeneration of indigenous tissue due to very slow degradation. Therefore, spheroids provide a promising tool for improving cell survival and for preserving cell-to-cell interaction.