Synergistic Effects of Hydrogen Peroxide Preconditioning and Valproic Acid on Hepatic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells.

Introduction: Ex vivo preconditioning increases the therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in terms of antioxidant activity, growth factor production, homing, differentiation, and immunomodulation. Therefore, it is considered an effective strategy to be used before transplantation and therapeutic application of MSCs. Histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), valproic acid (VPA), has been reported to induce hepatic differentiation in MSCs.

Autophagy in spinal muscular atrophy: from pathogenic mechanisms to therapeutic approaches.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a devastating neuromuscular disorder caused by the depletion of the ubiquitously expressed survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. While the genetic cause of SMA has been well documented, the exact mechanism(s) by which SMN depletion results in disease progression remain elusive. A wide body of evidence has highlighted the involvement and dysregulation of autophagy in SMA.

Sodium Butyrate Induces Hepatic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells in 3D Collagen Scaffolds.

Stem cell-based therapy is considered an attractive tool to overcome the burden of liver diseases. However, efficient hepatic differentiation is still a big challenge for the research community. In this study, we explored a novel method for differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into hepatic-like cells using 3D culture conditions and histone deacetylase inhibitor, sodium butyrate (NaBu).

Effect of valproic acid on the hepatic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells in 2D and 3D microenvironments.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have multi-lineage differentiation potential which make them an excellent source for cell-based therapies. Histone modification is one of the major epigenetic regulations that play central role in stem cell differentiation. Keeping in view their ability to maintain gene expression essential for successful differentiation, it was interesting to examine the effects of valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, in the hepatic differentiation of MSCs within the 3D scaffold.

The white (male) effect and risk perception: can equality make a difference?

Previous research has shown that white males have a relatively low perception of risks, known as the "white male effect" (WME). Many of the explanations of this effect refer to the privileged position of this particular demographic group in society, adducing white males' socio-economic resources, sense of control, worldviews, etc. It can thus be argued that inequality leads women and ethnic minorities to have higher risk perception than men and the ethnic majority.