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Cell therapy is a promising approach to improve cartilage healing. Adipose tissue is an abundant and readily accessible cell source. Previous studies have demonstrated good cartilage repair results with adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells in small animal experiments. This study aimed to examine these cells in a large animal model. Thirty knees of adult sheep were randomly allocated to three treatment groups: CELLS (scaffold seeded with human adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells), SCAFFOLD (scaffold without cells), or EMPTY (untreated lesions). A partial thickness defect was created in the medial femoral condyle. After six months, the knees were examined according to an adaptation of the International Cartilage Repair Society (ICRS 1) score, in addition to a new Partial Thickness Model scale and the ICRS macroscopic score. All of the animals completed the follow-up period. The CELLS group presented with the highest ICRS 1 score (8.3 ± 3.1), followed by the SCAFFOLD group (5.6 ± 2.2) and the EMPTY group (5.2 ± 2.4) (p = 0.033). Other scores were not significantly different. These results suggest that human adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cells promoted satisfactory cartilage repair in the ovine model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platelet-rich-plasma (PRP) is an autologous human platelet concentrate extracted from plasma. PRP has been investigated in order to be used in many fields, with emphasis on the musculoskeletal field applied to sports injuries, as well as on other medical fields such as cardiac surgery, gynecology, pediatric surgery, urology, ophthalmology and plastic surgery. Cancer treatment is another important field where PRP should be investigated; thus, it is important validating PRP preparation protocols to be used in clinical research. Many protocols should be revised since, overall, most studies do not provide necessary information to allow them to be multiplied or replicated. The current review focuses on several topics about cancer, mainly on innovative studies about PRP use as a feasible therapeutic alternative to treat bladder cancer - a field where it could play a key role. Relevant aspects such as platelets' contribution to immune regulation and the supportive role they play in innate and adaptive immune functions are also addressed. Another important topic reviewed in the current study refers to inflammatory process regulation associated with cancer and thrombosis sites, which indicated that tumor-induced platelet activation could be used as an important therapeutic target in the future. New aspects concerning nitric oxide's ability to restrain platelet adhesion and aggregation in order to slow metastasis progress in cancer patients provide an important advantage in cancer treatment. Finally, the current review has pointed out perspectives and the main concerns about, and possibilities of, PRP use in cancer treatment., (© 2020 The Authors.)

Background: Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is a good source of hematopoietic stem cells for transplantation and cell therapy. In 2006, the Brazilian Public Network of Cord Blood Banks was founded; however, because our country is large, logistic problems could hamper the collection of numerous samples. Our aim was to evaluate the viability of several UCB cell subsets until 96 hours after collection, to examine whether this delay would be acceptable for processing and freezing the samples., Study Design and Methods: Two experiments were performed: in the first one, volume reduction of the UCB units was carried out before analysis. In the second one, analysis was carried out with no previous manipulation. Samples were stored at room temperature and one aliquot was taken daily for analysis. We examined CD34+ cell, B-cell precursor, mature B and T lymphocyte, monocyte, granulocyte, and mesenchymal stem cell (MSCs) concentrations., Results: Thirty-six UCB units were analyzed. CD34+ cells and mature T lymphocytes increased (viability 99%). Mature B lymphocytes and MSCs decreased, maintaining viability. Granulocytes decreased with loss of viability. Monocytes and immature B lymphocytes remained stable. Clonogenic assays showed a decrease in colony-forming unit (CFU) number in UCB units stored for 96 hours., Conclusion: UCB manipulation did not influence cell viability. All cell subsets remained viable until 96 hours after collection. CD34+ cells and T lymphocytes increased, probably due to the loss of other subsets. CFU growth during the period analyzed and confirmed stem cell functionality, despite the decrease at 96 hours. Results demonstrated that UCB units could probably be processed up to 96 hours after collection., (© 2013 American Association of Blood Banks.)