Autologous Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Immobilized in Plasma-Based Hydrogel for the Repair of Articular Cartilage Defects in a Large Animal Model.

The treatment of cartilage defects in trauma injuries and degenerative diseases represents a challenge for orthopedists. Advanced mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-based therapies are currently of interest for the repair of damaged cartilage. However, an approved system for MSC delivery and maintenance in the defect is still missing.

The investigation of batch-to-batch variabilities in the composition of isolates from fish and mammalian species using different protocols.

The aim of this study was to investigate batch-to-batch inconsistencies in the processing of pig and fish collagen isolates processed using two protocols that differed in terms of the acetic acid concentrations applied and the pre- and post-extraction steps, and which were previously tested in our laboratory with the intention of preserving the biological structures and functions of the collagen isolates for biomedical purposes. Both the major and minor components such as the amino acids, lipids, water, glycosaminoglycan and ash contents and elemental content, as well as the structure and morphology of the raw sources and the resulting batches of isolates were subsequently examined in detail applying standardized analytical methods including high perfomance liquid chromatography, ultraviolet-visible and infrared spectrometry, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, energy dispersive spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. All the fish isolates provided severalfold higher yields (8-45 wt%) than did the pig isolates (3-9 wt%).

Novel stereological method for estimation of cell counts in 3D collagen scaffolds.

Current methods for assessing cell proliferation in 3D scaffolds rely on changes in metabolic activity or total DNA, however, direct quantification of cell number in 3D scaffolds remains a challenge. To address this issue, we developed an unbiased stereology approach that uses systematic-random sampling and thin focal-plane optical sectioning of the scaffolds followed by estimation of total cell number (StereoCount). This approach was validated against an indirect method for measuring the total DNA (DNA content); and the Bürker counting chamber, the current reference method for quantifying cell number.

Experimental surgery as part of the development of degradable biomaterials for cardiovascular surgery.

Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality in the population. Artificial vascular grafts are often essential for surgical procedures in radical or palliative treatment. Many new biodegradable materials are currently under development.

The Gradual Release of Alendronate for the Treatment of Critical Bone Defects in Osteoporotic and Control Rats.

Purpose: Osteoporosis is a severe health problem with social and economic impacts on society. The standard treatment consists of the systemic administration of drugs such as bisphosphonates, with alendronate (ALN) being one of the most common. Nevertheless, complications of systemic administration occur with this drug.

Functional responses of dermal fibroblasts to low nutrition and pro-inflammatory stimuli mimicking a wound environment in vitro.

Dermal fibroblasts (DF) constitute one of key cells involved in wound healing. However, the functions they perform in wound conditions remain poorly understood. This study involved exposing DF to low nutrition and to low nutrition + LPS for 5 d as conditions representing the wound.

Bevacizumab Does Not Inhibit the Formation of Liver Vessels and Liver Regeneration Following Major Hepatectomy: A Large Animal Model Study.

Background/aim: Patients with unresectable liver colorectal cancer metastases are treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy often accompanied by biological therapy aimed at reducing the mass of metastases and thus increasing the chances of resectability. Bevacizumab comprises an anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) humanized IgG monoclonal antibody that is used for biological therapy purposes. It acts to inhibit angiogenesis, thereby slowing down the growth of metastases.

Vancomycin-Loaded Collagen/Hydroxyapatite Layers Electrospun on 3D Printed Titanium Implants Prevent Bone Destruction Associated with Infection and Enhance Osseointegration.

The aim of the study was to develop an orthopedic implant coating in the form of vancomycin-loaded collagen/hydroxyapatite layers (COLHA+V) that combine the ability to prevent bone infection with the ability to promote enhanced osseointegration. The ability to prevent bone infection was investigated employing a rat model that simulated the clinically relevant implant-related introduction of bacterial contamination to the bone during a surgical procedure using a clinical isolate of . The ability to enhance osseointegration was investigated employing a model of a minipig with terminated growth.

Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Therapy in Novel Porcine Model of Diffuse Liver Damage Induced by Repeated Biliary Obstruction.

In liver surgery, biliary obstruction can lead to secondary biliary cirrhosis, a life-threatening disease with liver transplantation as the only curative treatment option. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) have been shown to improve liver function in both acute and chronic liver disease models. This study evaluated the effect of allogenic MSC transplantation in a large animal model of repeated biliary obstruction followed by partial hepatectomy.

Mutual influence of selenium nanoparticles and FGF2-STAB on biocompatible properties of collagen/chitosan 3D scaffolds: in vitro and ex ovo evaluation.

In a biological system, nanoparticles (NPs) may interact with biomolecules. Specifically, the adsorption of proteins on the nanoparticle surface may influence both the nanoparticles' and proteins' overall bio-reactivity. Nevertheless, our knowledge of the biocompatibility and risk of exposure to nanomaterials is limited.

Hepatocyte and immune cell crosstalk in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most widespread chronic liver disease in the world. It can evolve into nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) where inflammation and hepatocyte ballooning are key participants in the determination of this steatotic state.: To provide a systematic overview and current understanding of the role of inflammation in NAFLD and its progression to NASH, the function of the cells involved, and the activation pathways of the innate immunity and cell death; resulting in inflammation and chronic liver disease.

Influence of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Administration on The Outcome of Partial Liver Resection in a Porcine Model of Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome.

Background: In patients with colorectal liver metastases, the possibility for radical liver resection can be limited by oxaliplatin-induced sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS). This study investigates the potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) to improve the outcome of liver resections in pigs with SOS.

Materials And Methods: SOS was induced in all animals (n=20) on day 0.

A global perspective on management of bacterial infections in pregnancy: a systematic review of international guidelines.

Introduction: Maternal sepsis is a leading cause of maternal and neonatal mortality. Despite the availability of management protocols, there is disparity in case fatality rates for pregnancy-related sepsis compared to other maternity-related complications. The main aim of this systematic review was to assess concordance between international evidence-based guidelines for the prevention and management of childbirth-related bacterial infections.

In vitro antibacterial activity of extracts from Samoan medicinal plants and their effect on proliferation and migration of human fibroblasts.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: The prevalence of different types of chronic wounds, due to the ageing population and increase incidence of diseases, is becoming a worldwide problem. Various medicinal plants used in folk medicine have demonstrated wound healing and antimicrobial properties, and some of these species are currently used in commercial preparations. Despite the well-documented and rich tradition of the use of local herbs for the treatment of skin injuries in Samoan folk medicine, their wound healing potential has not yet been systematically studied.

Evaluation of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy for Sepsis: A Randomized Controlled Porcine Study.

Treatment with mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has elicited considerable interest as an adjunctive therapy in sepsis. However, the encouraging effects of experiments with MSC in rodents have not been adequately studied in large-animal models with better relevance to human sepsis. Here, we aimed to assess safety and efficacy of bone marrow-derived MSCs in a clinically relevant porcine model of progressive peritonitis-induced sepsis.

A two-layer skin construct consisting of a collagen hydrogel reinforced by a fibrin-coated polylactide nanofibrous membrane.

Repairs to deep skin wounds continue to be a difficult issue in clinical practice. A promising approach is to fabricate full-thickness skin substitutes with functions closely similar to those of the natural tissue. For many years, a three-dimensional (3D) collagen hydrogel has been considered to provide a physiological 3D environment for co-cultivation of skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes.

Evaluation of collagen/hydroxyapatite electrospun layers loaded with vancomycin, gentamicin and their combination: Comparison of release kinetics, antimicrobial activity and cytocompatibility.

The aim of this study was to develop a biodegradable nanostructured electrospun layer based on collagen (COL), hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (HA), vancomycin hydrochloride (V), gentamicin sulphate (G) and their combination (VG) for the treatment of prosthetic joint infections and the prevention of infection during the joint replacement procedure. COL/HA layers containing different amounts of HA (0, 5 and 15 wt%) were tested for the in vitro release kinetics of antibiotics, antimicrobial activity against MRSA, gentamicin-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis and Enterococcus faecalis isolates and cytocompatibility using SAOS-2 bone-like cells. The results revealed that the COL/HA layers released high concentrations of vancomycin and gentamicin for 21 days and performed effectively against the tested clinically-relevant bacterial isolates.

Vagus Nerve Stimulation Attenuates Multiple Organ Dysfunction in Resuscitated Porcine Progressive Sepsis.

Objectives: To investigate the potential benefits of vagus nerve stimulation in a clinically-relevant large animal model of progressive sepsis.

Design: Prospective, controlled, randomized trial.

Setting: University animal research laboratory.

Mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine carcinoma of gallbladder: case report.

Background: Mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine tumors (MINEN) of the gallbladder are extremely rare; indeed, the English expert literature reports a mere handful of case reports and case series on this topic. According to the WHO classification of 2010, MINEN are considered to be tumors consisting of two major components, neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine, each of which hosts at least 30% of the total cellular population. To date, the etiology and pathogenesis of MINEN have not been precisely determined and the non-specific symptoms generally result in late diagnosis (mainly in the terminal stages of the condition) and contribute to the generally poor prognosis.

Beneficial effects of mesenchymal stem cells on adult porcine cardiomyocytes in non-contact co-culture.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been reported to improve survival of cardiomyocytes (CMCs) and overall regeneration of cardiac tissue. Despite promising preclinical results, interactions of MSCs and CMCs, both direct and indirect, remain unclear. In this study, porcine bone marrow MSCs and freshly isolated porcine primary adult CMCs were used for non-contact co-culture experiments.