Synergistic Therapeutic Potential of Dual 3D Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in an Ischemic Hind Limb Mouse Model.

Three-dimensional (3D) culture systems have been widely used to promote the viability and metabolic activity of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The aim of this study was to explore the synergistic benefits of using dual 3D MSC culture systems to promote vascular regeneration and enhance therapeutic potential. We used various experimental assays, including dual 3D cultures of human adipose MSCs (hASCs), quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), in vitro cell migration, Matrigel tube network formation, Matrigel plug assay, therapeutic assays using an ischemic hind limb mouse model, and immunohistochemical analysis.

BMP-2 Genome-Edited Human MSCs Protect against Cartilage Degeneration via Suppression of IL-34 in Collagen-Induced Arthritis.

Even though the regenerative potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been extensively studied, there is a debate regarding their minimal therapeutic properties. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMP) are involved in cartilage metabolism, chondrogenesis, and bone healing. In this study, we aimed to analyze the role of genome-edited BMP-2 overexpressing amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (AMMs) in a mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).

Dual CXCR4/IL-10 Gene-Edited Human Amniotic Mesenchymal Stem Cells Exhibit Robust Therapeutic Properties in Chronic Wound Healing.

Although stem cells have attracted attention as a novel therapeutic solution for tissue regeneration, their minimal efficacy remains controversial. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the enhanced therapeutic property of dual angiogenic/anti-inflammatory gene knock-in amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (AMM) in a wound-healing model. Dual and genes were inserted into the AMM genome using transcription-activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN).

Anti-Arthritogenic Property of Interleukin 10-Expressing Human Amniotic MSCs Generated by Gene Editing in Collagen-Induced Arthritis.

Although stem cells are promising tools for the treatment of arthritis, their therapeutic effects remain controversial. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic properties of interleukin (IL)-10-overexpressing human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (AMMs) generated via gene editing in a collagen-induced mouse model. IL-10 was inserted into the genomic loci of AMMs via transcription activator-like effector nucleases.

SDF-1-edited human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells stimulate angiogenesis in treating hindlimb ischaemia.

Although stem cells have extensively been studied as a novel vehicle for tissue repair, their sustained efficacy remains controversial. In this study, we aimed to investigate the angiogenic potency over time of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) gene-edited amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (AMM/S) in a hindlimb ischaemia model. An SDF-1 transgene was inserted into the AMM cell genome via transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) mediated knock-in, and cell migration, Matrigel tube formation, and in vivo Matrigel plug assays were performed.

Alleviation of Surgery-Induced Osteitis in Sinonasal Cavity by Dexamethasone-Loaded Poly(lactic--glycolic acid) (PLGA) Microparticles with Strong Calcium-Binding Affinity.

For the treatment of sinus surgery-induced osteitis in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), oral or intranasal administration of corticoids is generally used, although it has critical limitations and unavoidable side effects. To overcome these limitations, we designed dexamethasone (Dex)-loaded poly(lactic--glycolic acid) (PLGA) microparticles with bone-specific binding affinity, which could release the encapsulated Dex in a sustained manner on the exposed bone after the surgical wound in the nasal cavity. In a previous report, we prepared poly(butyl methacrylate--methacryloyloxyethyl phosphate) (PBMP) with both calcium-binding phosphomonoester groups and PLGA-binding butyl groups to introduce strong calcium-binding property to PLGA particles.

ASC and SVF Cells Synergistically Induce Neovascularization in Ischemic Hindlimb Following Cotransplantation.

Previously, we reported the angio-vasculogenic properties of human stromal vascular fraction (SVF) and adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs). In this study, we investigated whether the combination of ASCs and SVF cells exhibited synergistic angiogenic properties. We conducted quantitative (q)RT-PCR, Matrigel plug, tube formation assays, and in vivo therapeutic assays using an ischemic hind limb mouse model.

Genome Edited Sirt1-Overexpressing Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Exhibit Therapeutic Effects in Treating Collagen-Induced Arthritis.

Even though mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are known for cartilage regeneration, their therapeutic efficacy needs to be enhanced. In the present study, we produced genome-edited silent information regulator 2 type 1 ()-overexpressing MSCs, and evaluated their therapeutic potential in a damaged cartilage mouse liver fibrosis model. The gene was successfully inserted into a 'safe harbor' genomic locus in amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (AMMs), and the chondrogenic properties of the gene overexpressing AMMs (AMM/S) were characterized using quantitative PCR and histology.

TGF-β1 overexpressing human MSCs generated using gene editing show robust therapeutic potential for treating collagen-induced arthritis.

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) plays a pivotal role in cartilage differentiation and other functions of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In this study, we investigated the therapeutic potential of TGF-β1 overexpressing amniotic MSCs (AMMs) generated using gene editing in a mouse model of damaged cartilage. The TGF-β1 gene was inserted into a safe harbor genomic locus in AMMs using transcription activator-like effector nucleases.

Three-dimensional Differentiated Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Exhibit Robust Antifibrotic Potential and Ameliorates Mouse Liver Fibrosis.

Recently, three-dimensional (3D)-cultured adipose mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) have provided an effective therapy for liver fibrosis. This study aimed to enhance the potential of human ASCs for antifibrosis or hepatocyte regeneration using a 3D culture system and investigate their therapeutic mechanism in experimental liver fibrosis. ASC-3Dc were generated in a 3D culture system and stimulated with four growth factors, namely epidermal growth factor, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, fibroblast growth factor-2, and vascular endothelial growth factor-A.

Development of poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid) films coated with biomembrane-mimicking polymers for anti-adhesion activity.

A physical barrier is one of the most effective strategies to alleviate excessive postoperative adhesion (POA) between tissues at an injury site. To overcome the limitations of current polymeric film-type physical barriers, we suggest a film of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) that is non-covalently coated with poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC)-co-n-butyl methacrylate (BMA)) (PMB). While maintaining the degradability and mechanical properties of PLGA, the PMB coating introduces strong anti-adhesive properties to the film by forming a zwitterionic MPC-based surface through the hydrophobic interactions between BMA moieties and PLGA.

Application of attached algae flow-ways for coupling biomass production with the utilization of dilute non-point source nutrients in the Upper Laguna Madre, TX.

The purpose of this study is to determine the potential for an attached algae flow-way system to efficiently produce algal biomass in estuarine surface waters by utilizing dilute non-point source nutrients from local urban, industrial, and agricultural discharges into the Upper Laguna Madre, Corpus Christi, Texas. The study was conducted over the course of two years to establish seasonal base-line biomass productivity and composition for bioproducts applications, and to identify key environmental factors and flow-way cohorts impacting biomass production. For the entire cultivation period, continuous ash-free biomass production at 4 to 10 g/m/day (corresponding to nutrient recovery at 300 to 500 mg of nitrogen/m/day and 15 to 30 mg of phosphorus/m/day) was successfully achieved without system restart.

HGF and IL-10 expressing ALB::GFP reporter cells generated from iPSCs show robust anti-fibrotic property in acute fibrotic liver model.

Background: Cell therapy using hepatocytes derived from stem cells has been regarded as a promising alternate to liver transplantation. However, the heterogeneity of these hepatocytes makes them unsuitable for therapeutic use. To overcome this limitation, we generated homogenous hepatocyte like induced hepatocyte-like (iHep) cells.

4-Methoxyphenyl (E)-3-(Furan-3-yl) Acrylate Inhibits Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Proliferation.

The Cordyceps extract exhibits antiproliferative potential in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) through the mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. In this study, we aimed to identify the active compounds in the Cordyceps extract and analyze their role in remodeling the arterial wall. On investigation, we discovered the following active compound: 4-methoxyphenyl (E)-3-(furan-3-yl) acrylate and synthesized it.

Directly induced hepatogenic cells derived from human fibroblast ameliorate liver fibrosis.

Recently, reprogramming technology has emerged as a fascinating tool to generate specific tissue cells. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that ultrasound-directed cellular reprogramming can generate fibroblasts into hepatogenic cells. We directly induced human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) into hepatocyte-like cells mediated by environmental transition-guided cellular reprogramming (h/entr) using ultrasound.

Minicircle-based GCP-2 ex vivo gene therapy enhanced the reepithelialization and angiogenic capacity.

Recently, minicircle (MC)-based cell therapy has been emerging as a novel technology for nonviral genetic modification. In this study, we investigated the characteristics of granulocyte chemotactic protein-2 (GCP-2)-overexpressing fibroblasts (GCP-2/MC) using MC microporation technology, as well as its therapeutic mechanism in wound healing. GCP-2 parent plasmid and MC containing GCP-2 were generated.

Synthesis of poly(disulfide)s with narrow molecular weight distributions lactone ring-opening polymerization.

We report the first example of controlled polymerization of poly(disulfide)s with narrow molecular weight distributions. 1,4,5-oxadithiepan-2-one (OTP), a disulfide-containing 7-membered ring lactone, was polymerized by using the diphenylphosphate (DPP) catalyzed lactone ring-opening polymerization method. The polymerization proceeded in a living manner, and the resulting polymers displayed very narrow polydispersity index (PDI) values below 1.

Necessity of the Needs Map in the Service Design for Smart Cities.

Recently, the issue of how to involve actual service users in the service designs for Smart cities has grown in importance, as this is a key factor in determining the serviceability and sustainability of developed services. Reckless participation of users can make the service design process inefficient and cause a cost increase. So, in this study, we propose the needs map which can be applied to various stages of service development and help service designers to make efficient and reasonable decisions without being too time-consuming.

Fate of spontaneous pneumothorax from middle to old age: how to overcome an irritating recurrence?

Background: The causes and treatment of pneumothorax in older patients are different from those in younger patients. However, studies on this topic are limited thus; pneumothorax in older patients is often inadequately managed. The purpose of this research was to investigate the characteristics of pneumothorax in patients over 45 years old, understand patterns of management and factors of recurrence, and propose reasonable guidelines for the treatment of older patients.

Transplantation of human adipose tissue derived-SVF enhance liver function through high anti-inflammatory property.

Although human adipose tissue-derived stromal vascular fraction (SVF) has been considered a promising source of stem cells, its characteristics relevant to treatment of a damaged liver have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we sought to characterize the property of human SVF and determine the therapeutic utility of SVF in the liver cirrhosis model. We performed microarray, quantitative (q)-PCR experiments, and in vivo therapeutic assays using a liver cirrhotic mouse model.

Author Correction: Statistical optimization of light intensity and CO concentration for lipid production derived from attached cultivation of green microalga Ettlia sp.

A correction to this article has been published and is linked from the HTML and PDF versions of this paper. The error has been fixed in the paper.

Human Adipose Derived Stem Cells Exhibit Enhanced Liver Regeneration in Acute Liver Injury by Controlled Releasing Hepatocyte Growth Factor.

Background/aims: Although mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) provide effective therapy for liver fibrosis, there are conflicting data regarding their marginal therapeutic effects. This study aimed to enhance the potential of hepatocyte regeneration in human adipose mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs) and investigate whether they have robust therapeutic efficacy in experimental liver fibrosis.

Methods: ASCs were cultured with four cytokines (ASC-C), the expression of hepatogenic factors was detected by microarray, and the effects of conditioned medium (CM) from ASC-C on the activation of hepatic stellate cells were analyzed.

Interleukin 10-Secreting MSCs via TALEN-Mediated Gene Editing Attenuates Left Ventricular Remodeling after Myocardial Infarction.

Background/aims: Stem cells or progenitor cells have been demonstrated as a novel alternative for cell therapy; however, their sustained efficacy is still debated. This study aimed to evaluate whether interleukin 10 (IL-10) gene-edited amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (AMM/I) contribute to left ventricular (LV) function and remodeling after acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods: The IL-10 gene was integrated into the genomic locus of AMM via transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALEN) and AMM/I were intramyocardially transplanted into AMI mice models.

Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor of the Retroperitoneum Including Chronic Granulomatous Inflammation Suggesting Tuberculosis: A Case Report.

An inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a solid tumor of unknown etiology frequently affecting children and young adults and commonly affecting the lung or orbital region. We present a case involving a 41-year-old man who had an IMT combined with Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in the retroperitoneum. He presented with only pain in the right lower abdomen without accompanying symptoms; a retroperitoneal mass was found on computed tomography.