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A osteoartrite (OA) é uma doença articular muito comum. No Brasil, sua prevalência é de 16,9%, constituindo a causa de 30 a 40% dos atendimentos nos ambulatórios de Reumatologia e 7,5% de todos os afastamentos de trabalho, afetando 60% das pessoas com 65 anos ou mais e 80% daquelas com 75 anos ou mais, interferindo nas atividades da vida diária das pessoas acometidas. A OA do joelho afeta três compartimentos desta articulação (medial, lateral e anterior), levando de 10 a 15 anos para desenvolver-se. A artroplastia total do joelho (ATJ) representa o máximo na terapia da OA que afeta esta articulação, porém possui elevado custo financeiro direto que, somado à demora e custo da formação médica especializada, impedem que esse método seja usado em grande escala, penalizando grande parte dos pacientes, principalmente idosos. O propósito desta publicação é demonstrar a técnica alternativa terapêutica para a OA do joelho que, por apresentar reprodução simples, fácil e barata, permite alcançar o tratamento de número muito maior de pacientes ao método tradicional.

Cloud computing services providers offer on-demand computing resources to applications. Finding the best cloud resource allocation that fits the users’ budget, meets application performance and constraints are still a research challenge. The cloud resource allocation problem is quite akin to the Design Space Exploration (DSE) problem once they both have to find suitable hardware configurations in an ample design space, having incompatible objectives subject to several constraints. This work presents a solution to the cloud resource allocation problem by applying a design space exploration technique. We have designed and developed a software extension, MultiExplorer-VM, from a DSE tool, MultiExplorer, that has a workflow to provide virtual machine configurations according to the users’ requirements and application constraints. A comprehensive set of experiments has been performed to evaluate and validate the proposed tool. We have also compared solutions from our proposal to other existing research work focused on the cloud resource allocation problem based on the Paramount Interaction (PI) technique. The results show that the MultiExplorer-VM achieves significant (better) results than the PI technique. The cost results brought by the MultiExplorer-VM were up to 8.8 times lower compared to the PI technique. The experiments also reveal that for most of the applications, MultiExplorer-VM achieved the optimal cloud configuration.

O uso das células-tronco mesenquimais é um passo que a medicina regenerativa dá na direção da recuperação parcial ou total de algumas lesões, além da capacidade de trazer de volta funções perdidas com a idade. Com esse objetivo são utilizadas diversas técnicas com uma variedade de bioprodutos como o plasma rico em plaquetas (PRP), plasma rico em fibrinas (PRF) e fração vascular estromal. As células-tronco mesenquimais são usadas em pesquisas e aplicadas para melhorar e ou devolver capacidades funcionais ou estéticas aos pacientes. Mesmo essas terapêuticas estando em desenvolvimento, já se pode observar resultados promissores em diversas áreas, como da cirurgia plástica, ortopedia, cardiologia e neurologia, dentre tantas outras. Contudo, percebe-se que as respostas dos pacientes variam dependendo de fatores individuais, sendo necessário compreender os mecanismos envolvidos e a necessidade de cada paciente. Dessa forma, a Medicina Regenerativa é capaz de recuperar lesões que anteriormente seriam consideradas irrecuperáveis, o que permite o alívio da dor física e do sofrimento psíquico de diversas pessoas acometidas por doenças crônicas e deformidades.

Autogenous bone grafting is needed in some bone tissue defects; however, it causes secondary surgical wounds and morbidity. Tissue bioengineering may be an alternative approach for bone regeneration. Here we investigated the osteogenic potential of dental pulp stem cells from deciduous teeth (DPSC) in association with a Ricinus bone compound (RBC) in a model of bone defect. The influence of the biomaterial RBC on the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of DPSC was assessed in vitro by MTT metabolism and alizarin red staining, respectively. The morphologic analysis was performed using the optic and scanning electron (SEM) microscopies. For the in vivo study, 54 Wistar rats submitted to calvarial defects were filled with RBC or RBC+DPSC. A control group had the defects filled only with blood clots. Analyses were performed 15, 30 and 60 days after treatment using digital radiography, optical microscopy, SEM and chemical analysis by electron dispersive spectroscopy. The Ricinus bone compound (RBC) did not inhibit the osteogenic differentiation in vitro. No spontaneous regeneration was observed in the control group. The area of the calvarial defect of the RBC+DPSC group showed greater radiopacity on day 15. The RBC presented no reabsorption, was biocompatible and showed osteointegration, working as a mechanical filling. Only sparse ossification areas were found and those were larger and more developed on the RBC+DPSC group when compared to animals treated only with RBC. RBC in association with DPSC is a promising combination for applications in bone regeneration.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease with a high rate of transmission. Serological tests are important to perform surveys and to determine the immunological status of the population. Based on this, we evaluated three enzyme-linked immunoassays (ELISAs) using different antigens from SARS-CoV-2 in a cohort of 161 patients. The performance of the ELISA developed for immunoglobulin G (IgG) measurement against SARS-CoV-2 was evaluated based on sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy. We found specificities of 0.98, 0.98, and 0.99 and sensitivities of 0.99, 0.91, and 0.87 for the nucleocapsid (N) protein, spike protein, and receptor binding domain (RBD) fraction, respectively. The accuracy assessment indicated the N protein (accuracy = 0.98) as the antigen most likely to give a correct diagnosis. Overall, the antibody responses were present for all three proteins in subjects with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections, showing a similar pattern of antibody production for different antigens. In summary, these highly sensitive and specific ELISAs, with a more competitive price, appear to be a valid approach for the serodiagnosis of COVID-19.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) remains an important public health problem which often causes permanent loss of muscle strength, sensation, and function below the site of the injury, generating physical, psychological, and social impacts throughout the lives of the affected individuals, since there are no effective treatments available. The use of stem cells has been investigated as a therapeutic approach for the treatment of SCI. Although a significant number of studies have been conducted in pre-clinical and clinical settings, so far there is no established cell therapy for the treatment of SCI. One aspect that makes it difficult to evaluate the efficacy is the heterogeneity of experimental designs in the clinical trials that have been published. Cell transplantation methods vary widely among the trials, and there are still no standardized protocols or recommendations for the therapeutic use of stem cells in SCI. Among the different cell types, mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are the most frequently tested in clinical trials for SCI treatment. This study reviews the clinical applications of MSCs for SCI, focusing on the critical analysis of 17 clinical trials published thus far, with emphasis on their design and quality. Moreover, it highlights the need for more evidence-based studies designed as randomized controlled trials and potential challenges to be addressed in context of stem cell therapies for SCI.

A computação em nuvem oferece uma enorme gama de recursos computacionais disponíveis sob demanda. Contudo, encontrar a melhor configuração que reduza custos e atenda as exigências do usuário tornou-se um grande desafio. Este desafio compartilha características essenciais com um problema da área de arquitetura de computadores, a exploração de espaço de projetos (Design Space Exploration DSE). Em DSE, o foco é escolher, dentre uma grande quantidade de soluções arquiteturais, qual a mais indicada para uma determinada demanda, buscando atender objetivos e cumprindo as restrições de projeto. Diante disso, este trabalho propõe a aplicação de técnicas de exploração de espaço de projeto como potencial solução para o problema de alocação de recursos em nuvem. Este trabalho fará uso de técnicas já disponíveis junto ao fluxo da ferramenta de DSE denominada MultiExplorer, resultando, assim, em uma extensão dessa ferramenta para também atuar no problema de alocação de recursos em nuvem.

Chagas disease is a parasitic infection caused by the intracellular protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi. Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) is the most severe manifestation of the disease, developed by approximately 20-40% of patients and characterized by occurrence of arrhythmias, heart failure and death. Despite having more than 100 years of discovery, Chagas disease remains without an effective treatment, especially for patients with CCC. Since the pathogenesis of CCC depends on a parasite-driven systemic inflammatory profile that leads to cardiac tissue damage, the use of immunomodulators has become a rational alternative for the treatment of CCC. In this context, different classes of drugs, cell therapies with dendritic cells or stem cells and gene therapy have shown potential to modulate systemic inflammation and myocarditis in CCC models. Based on that, the present review provides an overview of current reports regarding the use of immunomodulatory agents in treatment of CCC, bringing the challenges and future directions in this field.

Stem cells in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) scaffolds may be a promising treatment for cartilage repair. Human dental pulp stem cell (hDPSC) subpopulations have been identified to have substantial angiogenic, neurogenic and regenerative potential when compared with other stem cell sources. The present study evaluated the potential of hDPSCs in a PRP scaffold to regenerate full-thickness cartilage defects in rabbits. Full-thickness articular cartilage defects were created in the patellar groove of the femur of 30 rabbits allocated into three experimental groups: Those with an untreated critical defect (CTL), those treated with PRP (PRP) and those treated with stem cells in a PRP scaffold (PRP+SC). The patellar grooves of the femurs from the experimental groups were evaluated macroscopically and histologically at 6 and 12 weeks post-surgery. The synovial membranes were also collected and evaluated for histopathological analysis. The synovial lining cell layer was enlarged in the CTL group compared with the PRP group at 6 weeks (P=0.037) but not with the PRP+SC group. All groups exhibited low-grade synovitis at 6 weeks and no synovitis at 12 weeks. Notably, macroscopic grades for the area of articular cartilage repair for the PRP+SC group were significantly improved compared with those in the CTL (P=0.001) and PRP (P=0.049) groups at 12 weeks. Furthermore, histological scores (modified O'Driscoll scoring system) of the patellar groove articular cartilage in the PRP+SC and PRP groups, in which the articular cartilage was primarily hyaline-like, were significantly higher compared with those in the CTL group at 12 weeks (P=0.002 and P=0.007, respectively). The present results support the therapeutic use of hDPSCs for the treatment of full-thickness articular cartilage defects.

The purpose of this study is to describe otological features of two patients with Kabuki syndrome and hearing loss not previously described in medical literature and present the surgical treatment performed and its outcomes. The methods used are report of two patients with Kabuki syndrome with hearing loss, non-consanguineous, detailing the morphological and functional description of their external and middle ears, and review of relevant literature. In both cases, the conductive component of hearing loss was explained by anatomical abnormalities, like ossicular morphological changes, not previously described as part of the syndrome and not by medical history of otitis media. Patients were treated surgically with success: stapedotomy with angular piston stapes prosthesis was performed in one case and ossiculoplasty with incudostapedial joint prosthesis in the other case. The otologic findings described in this paper can be part of the Kabuki syndrome phenotype, and in these cases, the conductive component of the hearing loss was successfully treated by surgery.

Chagas disease, caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), remains a serious public health problem for which there is no effective treatment in the chronic stage. Intense cardiac fibrosis and inflammation are hallmarks of chronic Chagas disease cardiomyopathy (CCC). Previously, we identified upregulation of circulating and cardiac miR-21, a pro-fibrotic microRNA (miRNA), in subjects with CCC. Here, we explored the potential role of miR-21 as a therapeutic target in a model of chronic Chagas disease. PCR array-based 88 microRNA screening was performed in heart samples obtained from C57Bl/6 mice chronically infected with T. cruzi and serum samples collected from CCC patients. MiR-21 was found upregulated in both human and mouse samples, which was corroborated by an in silico analysis of miRNA-mRNA target prediction. In vitro miR-21 functional assays (gain-and loss-of-function) were performed in cardiac fibroblasts, showing upregulation of miR-21 and collagen expression upon transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) and T. cruzi stimulation, while miR-21 blockage reduced collagen expression. Finally, treatment of T. cruzi-infected mice with locked nucleic acid (LNA)-anti-miR-21 inhibitor promoted a significant reduction in cardiac fibrosis. Our data suggest that miR-21 is a mediator involved in the pathogenesis of cardiac fibrosis and indicates the pharmacological silencing of miR-21 as a potential therapeutic approach for CCC.

Chagas disease is caused by Trypanosoma cruzi infection and remains a relevant cause of chronic heart failure in Latin America. The pharmacological arsenal for Chagas disease is limited, and the available anti-T. cruzi drugs are not effective when administered during the chronic phase. Cardiomyocytes derived from human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-CMs) have the potential to accelerate the process of drug discovery for Chagas disease, through predictive preclinical assays in target human cells. Here, we aimed to establish a novel high-content screening- (HCS-) based method using hiPSC-CMs to simultaneously evaluate anti-T. cruzi activity and cardiotoxicity of chemical compounds. To provide proof-of-concept data, the reference drug benznidazole and three compounds with known anti-T. cruzi activity (a betulinic acid derivative named BA5 and two thiazolidinone compounds named GT5A and GT5B) were evaluated in the assay. hiPSC-CMs were infected with T. cruzi and incubated for 48 h with serial dilutions of the compounds for determination of EC50 and CC50 values. Automated multiparametric analyses were performed using an automated high-content imaging system. Sublethal toxicity measurements were evaluated through morphological measurements related to the integrity of the cytoskeleton by phalloidin staining, nuclear score by Hoechst 33342 staining, mitochondria score following MitoTracker staining, and quantification of NT-pro-BNP, a peptide released upon mechanical myocardial stress. The compounds showed EC50 values for anti-T. cruzi activity similar to those previously described for other cell types, and GT5B showed a pronounced trypanocidal activity in hiPSC-CMs. Sublethal changes in cytoskeletal and nucleus scores correlated with NT-pro-BNP levels in the culture supernatant. Mitochondrial score changes were associated with increased cytotoxicity. The assay was feasible and allowed rapid assessment of anti-T. cruzi action of the compounds, in addition to cardiotoxicity parameters. The utilization of hiPSC-CMs in the drug development workflow for Chagas disease may help in the identification of novel compounds.

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease and has a high frequency among dermatological diseases. The interaction of genetic factors, skin and environmental conditions affect the expression of the disease, developing a complex pathology. Current multimodal treatment has numerous adverse effects and variations in its efficacy and safety, demonstrating the need to develop safe and effective therapeutic resources for patients with CAD. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells, with special characteristics, such as self-renewal, immunomodulatory properties, and de-differentiation, making them useful for several clinical problems. The discovery of the immunosuppressive effect of MSCs on T cells has opened the potential for new perspectives with its use as a therapeutic agent for immune diseases, such as CAD. The scarce number of research using the MSC as a treatment for CAD result in the lack of knowledge about the benefits and possible protocols to be followed for the use of this cell therapy. In this review, we highlighted the clinical studies and potential biological mechanisms of MSC-based cell therapy effects attenuating canine atopic dermatitis compared to conventional treatment, which might lead to a safe improvement of the animal’s clinical condition in a short period without causing adverse effects.

The need for new immunomodulatory drugs is due to the side effects associated with the prolonged use of the currently used immunomodulatory drugs. In this context, the present work aimed to investigate the immunomodulatory effect of an ethanolic concentrated extract from Physalis angulata. The cytotoxicity of samples was determined using peritoneal macrophages though the Alamar Blue assay. The immunomodulatory activity of the ethanolic extract from P. angulata on activated macrophages was determined by measurement of nitrite and cytokine production. The immunosuppressive effects of the ethanolic extract from P. angulata was evaluated on lymphocyte proliferation and cytokine production. The effects of the extract on cell cycle progression and cell death on lymphocytes were evaluated by flow cytometry. Lastly, the ethanolic extract from P. angulata was tested in vivo in toxicological tests and in models of peritonitis and delayed-type hypersensitivity response. The ethanolic extract from P. angulata decreased nitrite, interleukin-6, interleukin-12, and TNF-α production by activated macrophages without affecting the cell viability. In addition, the ethanolic extract from P. angulata inhibited lymphoproliferation and the secretion of interleukin-2, interleukin-6, and IFN-γ, and increased interleukin-4 secretion by activated splenocytes. Flow cytometry analysis in lymphocyte cultures showed that treatment with the ethanolic extract from P. angulata induces cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase followed by cell death by apoptosis. Moreover, mice treated with the extract from P. angulata at 100 or 200 mg/kg did not show signs of toxicity or alterations in serum components. Finally, the ethanolic extract from P. angulata significantly reduced neutrophil migration and reduced paw edema in bovine serum albumin-induced the delayed-type hypersensitivity response model. Our results demonstrate the potential of the ethanolic extract of P. angulata as an alternative for the treatment of immune-inflammatory diseases.

O problema de dark silicon surgiu com o incremento da corrente de fuga em consequência da miniaturização dos transistores. Pesquisas a fim de encontrar soluções para mitigar o dark silicon têm sido estudadas, muitas delas propondo a heterogeneidade de dispositivos de processamento. Contudo, o aumento da diversidade de dispositivos e dos objetivos na definição de sistemas heterogêneos e de alto desempenho, tornam o projeto de tais sistemas mais complexo, exigindo mecanismos automatizados de exploração de espaço de projeto cientes de dark silicon. Uma solução promissora é a utilização da computação aproximada, na qual, componentes de hardware e software utilizam a aproximação ao invés da precisão das operações, aceitando perda de qualidade de saída para melhorar a eficiência energética e obter ganhos de desempenho. Este trabalho objetiva obter soluções eficientes para o problema de exploração de projetos de processadores cientes de dark silicon, utilizando módulos de computação aproximada como elementos factíveis de um sistema computacional heterogêneo.

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) have been widely studied in the field of regenerative medicine for applications in the treatment of several disease settings. The therapeutic potential of MSCs has been evaluated in studies in vitro and in vivo, especially based on their anti-inflammatory and pro-regenerative action, through the secretion of soluble mediators. In many cases, however, insufficient engraftment and limited beneficial effects of MSCs indicate the need of approaches to enhance their survival, migration and therapeutic potential. Genetic engineering emerges as a means to induce the expression of different proteins and soluble factors with a wide range of applications, such as growth factors, cytokines, chemokines, transcription factors, enzymes and microRNAs. Distinct strategies have been applied to induce genetic modifications with the goal to enhance the potential of MCSs. This review aims to contribute to the update of the different genetically engineered tools employed for MSCs modification, as well as the factors investigated in different fields in which genetically engineered MSCs have been tested.

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are stromal-derived non-hematopoietic progenitor cells that reside in and can be expanded from various tissues sources of adult and neonatal origin, such as the bone marrow, umbilical cord, umbilical cord blood, adipose tissue, amniotic fluid, placenta, dental pulp and skin. The discovery of the immunosuppressing action of MSCs on T cells has opened new perspectives for their use as a therapeutic agent for immune-mediated disorders, including allergies. Atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic and relapsing skin disorder that affects up to 20% of children and up to 3% of adults worldwide, is characterized by pruritic eczematous lesions, impaired cutaneous barrier function, Th2 type immune hyperactivation and, frequently, elevation of serum immunoglobulin E levels. Although, in the dermatology field, the application of MSCs as a therapeutic agent was initiated using the concept of cell replacement for skin defects and wound healing, accumulating evidence have shown that MSC-mediated immunomodulation can be applicable to the treatment of inflammatory/allergic skin disorders. Here we reviewed the pre-clinical and clinical studies and possible biological mechanisms of MSCs as a therapeutic tool for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.

Background Chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC) is characterized by the presence of a multifocal inflammatory response and myocardial damage, leading to fibrosis, arrhythmias and ventricular dysfunction. The expression of syndecan-4, a transmembrane proteoglycan, was previously found to be increased in the hearts of mice chronically infected with Trypanosoma cruzi. The possible involvement of syndecan-4 in the disease pathogenesis, however, remains unknown. Here we evaluated the pattern of expression of syndecan-4 in the heart tissue of T. cruzi infected mice and subjects with Chagas cardiomyopathy, correlating with the degree of inflammation and fibrosis. Methods The expression of syndecan-4 was evaluated by immunofluorescence and RT-qPCR in the hearts of C57Bl/6 mice at different time points after infection with the Colombian strain of T. cruzi. Immunostainings for syndecan-4 were performed in heart samples obtained from CCC patients and other etiologies of heart failure. The number of infiltrating inflammatory cells and area of fibrosis were also evaluated and quantified. Results In the experimental model, the number of infiltrating inflammatory cells and fibrosis area in the hearts progressively increased after the acute phase of infection, while syndecan-4 expression remained elevated in similar levels in both the acute and chronic phases. Confocal microscopy analysis demonstrated the localization of syndecan-4 expression in blood vessels, co-localized with α-SMA, a marker for vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Confocal microscopy analysis of human hearts samples showed a similar pattern of syndecan-4 expression in blood vessels. No correlation between syndecan-4 expression and inflammation or fibrosis was found in the hearts from subjects with CCC. We also compared the expression of syndecan-4 evaluated in subjects with CCC, idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and ischemic cardiomyopathy. No differences in the number of syndecan-4 positive vessels/mm2 were found comparing the three groups (P = 0.466), whereas CCC patients presented a higher number of infiltrating inflammatory cells, compared to the other etiologies of heart failure. Additionally, no correlation between syndecan-4 and fibrosis or numbers of inflammatory cells was found. Conclusions Syndecan-4 is expressed in the heart during the acute and chronic phases of Chagas disease, in association with VSMCs, independently of the degree of myocardial fibrosis or the number of infiltrating inflammatory cells.

O presente artigo objetiva avaliar as ações executivas implementadas durante a concretagem de elementos estruturais em um edíficio público institucional composto por 17 pavimentos, bem como propor a efetivação de boas práticas consistentes que venham a contribuir para o êxito destas atividades. Para tanto, na etapa de fornecimento do concreto usinado, foram adotadas as recomendações da ABNT NBR 12655 (2015) quanto à aceitação e rastreabilidade do material. No processo executivo, foram observadas as recomendações da ABNT NBR 14931 (2004) no que tange ao lançamento, adensamento e cura do concreto, sob a aferição das condições ambientais do meio, em que foram procedidos o monitoramento das temperaturas do ambiente, do balão da betoneira, da massa do concreto e da superfície da forma; umidade relativa do ar; e velocidade do vento, adotando-se – quando necessário – ações preventivas visando a durabilidade da estrutura. As análises permitiram concluir que o controle de lançamento do concreto foi satisfatória no rastreamento do concreto fornecido. A temperatura ambiental foi preponderante para o surgimento de fissuração de retração plástica e térmica que, aliada a outros condicionantes, promoveram taxas de evaporação acima dos referenciais bibliográficos, havendo a necessidade de métodos mais assertivos para a execução da cura do concreto.

Human-induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) CBTCi001-A line was generated from a healthy 30-year old male dermal fibroblasts using non-integrative reprogramming method using episomal-based plasmids expressing OCT4, SOX2, KLF4, and MYCL. Characterization of CBTCi001-A was confirmed by the expression of typical markers of pluripotency and differentiation potential in vitro.

Chagas disease (CD) affects approximately 6&ndash, 7 million people worldwide, from which 30% develop chronic Chagas cardiomyopathy (CCC), usually after being asymptomatic for years. Currently available diagnostic methods are capable of adequately identifying infected patients, but do not provide information regarding the individual risk of developing the most severe form of the disease. The identification of biomarkers that predict the progression from asymptomatic or indeterminate form to CCC, may guide early implementation of pharmacological therapy. Here, six circulating microRNAs (miR-19a-3p, miR-21-5p, miR-29b-3p, miR-30a-5p, miR-199b-5p and miR-208a-3p) were evaluated and compared among patients with CCC (n = 28), CD indeterminate form (n = 10) and healthy controls (n = 10). MiR-19a-3p, miR-21-5p, and miR-29b-3p were differentially expressed in CCC patients when compared to indeterminate form, showing a positive correlation with cardiac dysfunction, functional class, and fibrosis, and a negative correlation with ejection fraction and left ventricular strain. Cardiac tissue analysis confirmed increased expression of microRNAs in CCC patients. In vitro studies using human cells indicated the involvement of these microRNAs in the processes of cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. Our study suggests that miRNAs are involved in the process of cardiac fibrosis and remodeling presented in CD and indicate a group of miRNAs as potential biomarkers of disease progression in CCC.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of diseases that affect social interaction, communication and behavior. Molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of ASDs are complex due to genetic heterogeneity. Recently, pathogenic variants of SCN2A have been strongly associated with ASDs. Here, we generated iPSCs from a patient with ASD and a heterozygous nonsense mutation in SCN2A, by reprogramming mesenchymal stromal cells with non-integrating vectors. The generated iPSC line expresses pluripotency markers, presents a normal karyotype and is able to differentiate into the three germ layers. This iPSC line is a useful tool for modeling ASD and drug screening studies.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is one of the most prevalent and severe monogenetic disorders. Previously, we generated iPS cell lines from SCD patients. Here, we generated iPS cell lines from three age-, ethnicity- and gender-matched healthy individuals as control cell lines. Cell reprogramming was performed using erythroblasts expanded from PBMC by a non-integrative method. SCD-iPSC controls expressed pluripotency markers, presented a normal karyotype, were able to differentiate into the three germ layers in embryoid body spontaneous differentiation and confirmed to be integration-free. The cell lines generated here may be used as matched healthy controls for SCD studies.

Aim: The complication in delayed replantation is root resorption that leads to loss of reimplanted teeth. This study was designed to evaluate the influence of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth (SHEDs) on the healing process of periodontal tissues after delayed tooth replantation in rats. Material and Methods: Forty-five rats had their right upper incisor extracted and maintained in dry storage for 60 minutes. Then dental papilla was removed; root canal was prepared and filled with calcium hydroxide paste and root surface treatment was processed. Rats were randomly assigned into three groups: Control group: the incisor was replanted without any substance in the dental socket. SHEDs group: the tooth was replanted after infusion of SHED, re-suspended in platelet-rich-fibrin in the dental socket; platelet-rich-fibrin group: the incisor was replanted with platelet-rich-fibrin in the dental socket. Animals were euthanized on days 15, 30 and 60 after replantation; histological and histomorphometric analyses were performed. Results: Root resorption was present in all experimental groups. No statistically significant differences were observed in the final period of study. The control group showed more replacement resorption but SHEDs group, showed dental tissues were more preserved. Inflammatory resorption nearly did not affect any group, as expected in this protocol (p

Therapies based on transplantation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) hold promise for the management of inflammatory disorders. In chronic Chagas disease cardiomyopathy (CCC), caused by chronic infection with Trypanosoma cruzi, the exacerbated immune response plays a critical pathophysiological role and can be modulated by MSC. Here, we investigated the role of galectin-3 (Gal-3), a beta-galactoside-binding lectin with several actions on immune responses and repair process, on the immunomodulatory potential of MSC. Gal-3 knockdown in MSC did not affect the immunophenotype or differentiation potential. However, Gal-3 knockdown MSC showed decreased proliferation, survival, and migration. Additionally, when injected intraperitoneally into mice with CCC, Gal-3 knockdown MSC showed impaired migration in vivo. Transplantation of control MSC into mice with CCC caused a suppression of cardiac inflammation and fibrosis, reducing expression levels of CD45, TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IFNγ, and type I collagen. In contrast, Gal-3 knockdown MSC were unable to suppress the immune response or collagen synthesis in the hearts of mice with CCC. Finally, infection with T. cruzi demonstrated parasite survival in wild-type but not in Gal-3 knockdown MSC. These findings demonstrate that Gal-3 plays a critical role in MSC survival, proliferation, migration, and therapeutic potential in CCC.

Background Survival and therapeutic actions of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) can be limited by the hostile microenvironment present during acute spinal cord injury (SCI). Here, we investigated whether BMMSCs overexpressing insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), a cytokine involved in neural development and injury repair, improved the therapeutic effects of BMMSCs in SCI. Methods Using a SCI contusion model in C57Bl/6 mice, we transplanted IGF-1 overexpressing or wild-type BMMSCs into the lesion site following SCI and evaluated cell survival, proliferation, immunomodulation, oxidative stress, myelination, and functional outcomes. Results BMMSC-IGF1 transplantation was associated with increased cell survival and recruitment of endogenous neural progenitor cells compared to BMMSC- or saline-treated controls. Modulation of gene expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators was observed after BMMSC-IGF1 and compared to saline- and BMMSC-treated mice. Treatment with BMMSC-IGF1 restored spinal cord redox homeostasis by upregulating antioxidant defense genes. BMMSC-IGF1 protected against SCI-induced myelin loss, showing more compact myelin 28 days after SCI. Functional analyses demonstrated significant gains in BMS score and gait analysis in BMMSC-IGF1, compared to BMMSC or saline treatment. Conclusions Overexpression of IGF-1 in BMMSC resulted in increased cell survival, immunomodulation, myelination, and functional improvements, suggesting that IGF-1 facilitates the regenerative actions of BMMSC in acute SCI. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13287-019-1223-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.