Article
Immunology
Yuan Li, Jialu Huang, Jie Wang, Simin Xia, Hong Ran, Lenyu Gao, Chengjian Feng, Li Gui, Zhenhua Zhou, Jichao Yuan
Summary: This study investigated the therapeutic efficacy and mechanism of combined curcumin and human umbilical cord-derived MSC (hUC-MSC) treatment in acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The results showed that the combined treatment significantly improved functional outcomes, diminished infarct volumes and cerebral edema. This improvement was mediated through the anti-inflammatory microglia polarization and antioxidant stress via the AKT/GSK-3 beta/beta-TrCP/Nrf2 pathway.
JOURNAL OF NEUROINFLAMMATION
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Fereshteh Salimi-Jazi, Lauren S. Y. Wood, R. Ellen Jones, Julia Chandler, Talha Rafeeqi, Sanjeev Dutta, Gary Steinberg, Matias Bruzoni
Summary: A retrospective study found that laparoscopic harvesting of pedicled omental flap for cerebral revascularization in patients with Moyamoya disease is a safe and effective method. There were some complications during the procedure, but overall the length of hospital stay and improvement of symptoms were acceptable.
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRIC SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alvin Wen Choong Chua, Dianyang Guo, Jia Chi Tan, Frances Ting Wei Lim, Chee Tian Ong, Jeyakumar Masilamani, Tony Kiat Hon Lim, William Ying Khee Hwang, Ivor Jiun Lim, Jinmiao Chen, Toan Thang Phan, Xiubo Fan
Summary: This study investigated the therapeutic efficacy and working mechanisms of human umbilical cord lining mesenchymal stromal cells (CL-MSCs) in lupus-prone mice. The results showed that CL-MSCs improved the survival and kidney function of mice by reducing lupus nephritis activity and chronicity, and lymphocyte infiltration. Additionally, CL-MSCs reduced urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio and the production of anti-dsDNA and isotype antibodies. Mechanistically, CL-MSCs suppressed splenic neutrophils and monocytes/macrophages, reduced proinflammatory cytokines, and modulated immunomodulatory pathways. These findings highlight the potential of CL-MSCs as a novel therapy for systemic lupus erythematosus.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrei Mircea Vacaru, Ana-Maria Mazilu, Madalina Dumitrescu, Ioana Madalina Fenyo, Anca Violeta Gafencu, Ana-Maria Vacaru
Summary: This study found that treatment with FasL-overexpressing MSC can improve GvHD and increase survival in mice.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Marius Fodor, Sergiu Samuila, Lucian Fodor
Summary: Ruptured infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (rAAA) is a serious condition with high mortality rates, for which open surgical repair is the primary treatment. Graft infection and other complications are important considerations during treatment.
JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Se-Hee Min, Suk Hyung Choe, Won Shik Kim, Soon-Hyun Ahn, Youn Joung Cho
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the role of remote ischemic conditioning (RIC) in head and neck free flap reconstructive surgery. The study found that RIC did not improve tissue oxygenation of the transferred flap, but showed evidence of organ-protective effects in experimental models.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jie Xie, Yihe Hu, Weiping Su, Sijie Chen, Jiahao Wang, Shuailong Liang, Mingyu Chen, Haoyi Wang, Tianliang Ma
Summary: The study found that umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes can stimulate osteogenic differentiation and inhibit the generation of reactive oxygen species and subsequent osteoclast differentiation when encapsulated in nanoparticles. In vivo experiments demonstrated that these nanoparticle-encapsulated exosomes effectively suppressed periprosthetic osteolysis. Therefore, this therapeutic approach holds potential for the prevention and treatment of bone loss around implants.
JOURNAL OF NANOBIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Huanjie Chen, Yulong Luo, Yiping Zhu, Yongshun Ye, Difei Chen, Xinyu Song, Zhulin Xiao, Ming Liu, Shiyue Li
Summary: In this study, UCMSCs overexpressing hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) were used to treat pulmonary fibrosis. The results showed that HGF-UCMSCs significantly reduced fibrosis and improved lung function. The overexpression of HGF may enhance the anti-fibrotic effect of UCMSCs by interacting with interleukin-17-producing cells in fibrotic lungs.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Charles Michael Cotten, Kimberley Fisher, William Malcolm, Kathryn E. Gustafson, Lynn Cheatham, Amanda Marion, Rachel Greenberg, Joanne Kurtzberg
Summary: Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) in neonates causes high mortality and long-term morbidity. Previous use of autologous cord blood for brain damage had limitations, while allogeneic cord tissue mesenchymal stromal cells (hCT-MSC) have shown promise. A phase I clinical trial was conducted to test the safety and efficacy of hCT-MSC in neonates with HIE, with positive results.
STEM CELLS TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ines Serrenho, Miguel Rosado, Alexandra Dinis, Carla M. Cardoso, Mario Graos, Bruno Manadas, Graca Baltazar
Summary: Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in the perinatal period, and therapeutic hypothermia is the standard care; however, stem cell therapy shows potential to become the next therapeutic approach, with preclinical studies reporting significant improvement in cognitive function and brain damage in HIE patients. Further research is needed to explore the combination of therapeutic hypothermia and stem cell therapy for HIE.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Surgery
Victor B. Shyu, Cheng- Yen, Frank C. Chang, Yen-Chang Hsiao
Summary: The study proposes a technique combining composite chondrocutaneous auricular graft and lining rotation flaps for the reconstruction of postoperative short nose. The results demonstrate that this method is effective and safe, leading to improved surgical outcomes for patients.
JOURNAL OF PLASTIC RECONSTRUCTIVE AND AESTHETIC SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Andrology
Jie Wang, Baiyu Zhang, Jian Fan, Sida Cheng, Shubo Fan, Lu Yin, Zhihua Li, Hua Guan, Kunlin Yang, Xuesong Li
Summary: The omental wrapping technique in laparoscopic and robotic ureteroplasty using onlay flaps or grafts for long proximal or middle ureteral strictures is an efficient, safe, reproducible and simple method with a high surgical success rate and low complication rate.
TRANSLATIONAL ANDROLOGY AND UROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Zhou Xiaoqin, Liu Jia, Dai Mengjie, Gu Jialu, Bi Yang, Wang Yuting, Hu Huajian, Liu Bo, Zhang Xiaojun, Li Zhongyue, Chen Jie, Li Tingyu, Zhan Xue
Summary: This study induced hUC-MSCs into De-hUC-MSCs, revealing that De-hUC-MSCs have greater therapeutic potential in vivo and may participate in nerve repair through the hSDF-1α/CXCR4/PI3K/Akt pathway, providing a new direction for the treatment of HIBD.
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Q. Zhang, E. Xiang, W. Rao, Y. Q. Zhang, C. H. Xiao, C. Y. Li, B. Han, D. Wu
Summary: The study found that intra-articular injection of human UC-MSCs significantly inhibited the progression of OA, as demonstrated by reduced cartilage degradation, increased Safranin-O staining, and lower Mankin scores. Immunohistochemistry showed that human UC-MSC treatment down-regulated the expression of MMP13 and ADAMTS-5, and enhanced the expression of type II collagen and ki67 in the articular cartilage.
BONE & JOINT RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Aifeng Liu, Jixin Chen, Juntao Zhang, Chao Zhang, Qinxin Zhou, Puyu Niu, Ye Yuan
Summary: This study investigates the effect of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells loaded with graphene oxide on inflammatory responses and osteoporosis in knee osteoarthritis animal models. The results showed that this treatment can promote chondrocyte secretion, reduce joint inflammation, improve subchondral bone osteoporosis, and facilitate cartilage repair.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Evangelos Papadimas, Ying Kiat Tan, HaiDong Luo, Andrew M. T. L. Choong, John K. C. Tam, Theo Kofidis, Harish Mithiran
Summary: This meta-analysis showed that partial thymectomy is oncologically equivalent to complete thymectomy for non-myasthenic patients with early-stage thymoma, and offers additional benefits of reduced postoperative complications and shorter hospital stay.
HEART LUNG AND CIRCULATION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eliana C. Martinez, Jinliang Li, Jennifer Arthur Ataam, Kristin Tokarski, Hrishikesh Thakur, Ioannis Karakikes, Kimberly Dodge-Kafka, Michael S. Kapiloff
Summary: Ischemic cardiomyopathy, a leading cause of death, can be treated by inhibiting mAKAP beta expression using the AAV9sc.shmAKAP gene therapy vector. Inhibition of mAKAP beta expression in stressed cardiomyocytes provides cardioprotection, prevents pathological cardiac remodeling, and restores left ventricular ejection fraction. The findings support mAKAP beta as a therapeutic target and the development of AAV9sc.shmAKAP for heart failure treatment.
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jai Sule, Cher Rui Chua, Caven Teo, Andrew Choong, Faizus Sazzad, Theo Kofidis, Vitaly Sorokin
Summary: This study compares the outcomes of hybrid II and composite frozen elephant trunk (FET) techniques in managing acute Stanford type A aortic dissections. The meta-analysis results show that hybrid II is associated with lower early mortality, stroke, spinal cord injury, renal impairment requiring dialysis, reoperation for bleeding, and lung infection compared to FET technique.
SCANDINAVIAN CARDIOVASCULAR JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Faizus Sazzad, Jin Hao Goh, Zhi Xian Ong, Zakaria Ali Moh Almsherqi, Satish R. Lakshminarasappa, Kollengode R. Ramanathan, Theo Kofidis
Summary: This study aimed to measure the dimensions of the atrioventricular valve complex in explanted porcine heart models. The results showed significant associations between mitral annular circumference and anterior-posterior distance, mitral annular circumference and interpapillary distance, and anterior-posterior distance and interpapillary distance. Additionally, for the tricuspid valve, distance c was the most significant predictor for the circumference. These measurements can assist surgeons in prosthesis selection and procedural planning.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christopher Yanucil, Dominik Kentrup, Xueyi Li, Alexander Grabner, Karla Schramm, Eliana C. Martinez, Jinliang Li, Isaac Campos, Brian Czaya, Kylie Heitman, David Westbrook, Adam R. Wende, Alexis Sloan, Johanna M. Roche, Alessia Fornoni, Michael S. Kapiloff, Christian Faul
Summary: FGF21 targets cardiac myocytes to induce concentric hypertrophy, which may be a novel mechanism for heart failure in type 2 diabetes patients. Short-term elevation of FGF21 can be cardio-protective, but prolonged elevation may have adverse effects.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Pavanish Kumar, Amanda Lim, Su Li Poh, Sharifah Nur Hazirah, Camillus Jian Hui Chua, Nursyuhadah Binte Sutamam, Thaschawee Arkachaisri, Joo Guan Yeo, Theo Kofidis, Vitaly Sorokin, Carolyn S. P. Lam, Arthur Mark Richards, Salvatore Albani
Summary: This study used mass cytometry and a data-driven systems immunology approach to analyze the immune system in patients with chronic heart failure (HF). The results showed expansion of cytotoxic and inflammatory immune cell subsets in HF patients, as well as changes in the immune cell network structure. Additionally, specific immune mechanisms were found in HF patients with preserved ejection fraction, including an increase in inflammatory MAIT and CD4 T cell subsets.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Faizus Sazzad, Jimmy Kim Fatt Hon, Kollengode Ramanathan, Jie Hui Nah, Zhi Xian Ong, Lian Kah Ti, Roger Foo, Edgar Tay, Theo Kofidis
Summary: This article provides an overview of the development of transcatheter mitral valve implantation (TMVI) procedures and the design characteristics of different prostheses. It focuses on analyzing the outcomes of various devices and discusses the associated failure modes, implantation technology, and clinical trial results.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Faizus Sazzad, Ramanathan Kollengode, Chan Li Xuan Beverly, Tan Ying Kiat, Geetha Ganesh, Theo Kofidis
Summary: The development of atrioventricular bioprosthesis has been focused on clinical translation. The choice of a suitable large animal model for testing the device is a major challenge. This systematic review found that sheep were the most commonly used animal model. The synthesized evidence provides a framework for future pre-clinical in vivo studies on an atrioventricular bioprosthesis.
CURRENT CARDIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Rajkumar Dorajoo, Mario Octavianus Ihsan, Wenting Liu, Hwee Ying Lim, Veronique Angeli, Sung-Jin Park, Joyce M. S. Chan, Xiao Yun Lin, Mei Shan Ong, Umamaheswari Muniasamy, Rijan Gurung, Hee Hwa Ho, Roger Foo, Jianjun Liu, Theo Kofidis, Chuen Neng Lee, Vitaly A. Sorokin
Summary: The study found that IL1B plays a significant role in patients with low SYNTAX score (LSS) coronary artery disease and may influence the pathogenesis of the disease, providing a potential anti-inflammatory treatment option for this patient group.
Editorial Material
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Theo Kofidis
Summary: Today's mitral valve techniques are diverse and have been developed over decades. However, they often lack objectivity and consistency due to varying contributions and outcomes. In this study, we propose a set of conceptual techniques that aim to simplify and standardize mitral valve repair, some of which have already been validated in practice.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CARDIO-THORACIC SURGERY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Caroline Robert, Lieng-Hsi Ling, Eugene S. J. Tan, Bibek Gyanwali, Narayanaswamy Venketasubramanian, Shir Lynn Lim, Lingli Gong, Josephine Lunaria Berboso, Arthur Mark Richards, Christopher Chen, Saima Hilal
Summary: The study found that carotid artery stiffness is associated with cerebral small-vessel disease markers, cognition, and dementia subtypes. Carotid stiffness measures are independently associated with worse performance in global cognition, visuomotor speed, visuospatial function, and executive function.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Josiah Ng, See Hooi Ewe, Ju Le Tan, Victor T. T. Chao, Zee Pin Ding, Lieng-Hsi Ling, Kenny Y. K. Sin, Terrance S. J. Chua, Anders Sahlen
Summary: In a study of 24,928 patients who underwent echocardiography, it was found that the expansion of the thoracic aorta is slow, averaging less than 2 mm per decade. Faster expansion was observed in males, younger individuals, and those with larger aortic size.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Gizem Yilmaz, Ju Lynn Ong, Lieng-Hsi Ling, Michael W. L. Chee
Summary: The study examines the changes in PPG waveform during sleep and its correlation with arterial elasticity and age effects. It finds that deeper sleep is associated with lower arterial stiffness and that age has a significant impact on these changes.
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Madhusudana G. Sanal, Arun Srivastava, Margareth C. Ozelo, Wing Y. Wong
Summary: This study reports the results of a gene therapy trial for severe hemophilia A. The low transduction efficiency of AAV5 vector and the stress response in hepatocytes may contribute to the decline in factor VIII levels.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Ying Kiat Tan, HaiDong Luo, Giap Swee Kang, Kristine L. K. Teoh, Theo Kofidis
Summary: This meta-analysis suggests that N-acetylcysteine (NAC) does not have a significant effect in reducing the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in adult cardiac surgery patients. However, there is heterogeneity among the included studies. Further research should focus on the dosage and duration of administration for better understanding of the effect of NAC.
ANNALS OF THORACIC AND CARDIOVASCULAR SURGERY
(2022)