Impact of the type of microcarrier and agitation modes on the expansion performances of mesenchymal stem cells derived from umbilical cord

The present study proposed to compare the impact of agitation mode (static, orbital, and mechanical) on the culture of mesenchymal stem cells extracted from the Wharton's jelly of umbilical cords (WJ-MSC), in a clinical grade culture medium, using human platelet lysate and different xeno-free microcarriers. Attachment, expansion, and detachment performances were characterized by a new dedicated tool of microscopic image posttreatment, allowing an in situ cell counting without detachment step. Results showed that performances in static mode were not necessarily representative of those obtained in dynamic mode. Moreover, impacts on nutrient consumptions and metabolite productions were identified, such as a higher glutamine consumption when Cytodex-1 microcarriers were used. The detachment strategy used was relatively efficient for Star-Plus, Plastic-Plus, and Hillex II, but not sufficient for Cytodex-1. Despite Cytodex-1 presented promising attachment and expansion performances, Star-Plus and Plastic-Plus showed a better compromise, respectively, for the orbital and the mechanical agitation modes.     

The self-association of chorismate mutase/prephenate dehydratase from Escherichia coli K12

The state of association of chorismate mutase/prephenate dehydratase (EC 5.4.99.5/ 4.2.1.51) from E. coli K12 has been studied using ultracentrifugal techniques. The smallest species inferred is a dimer of molecular weight 73,000–84,000, with a $\text{s}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>20,w</mtext>}}{}^0$ of 5.02 S at pH 8.2, I = 0.013 M. This species undergoes a concentration-dependent self-association which results in an equilibrium mixture of dimer, tetramer, and probably octamer, with a M_r of 164,000 at an enzyme concentration of 8.0 mg/ml under the same conditions. Addition of the feedback inhibitor phenylalanine (2 mm) or increase in ionic strength (I = 0.40 M), or a decrease in pH to 7.4 displaces this equilibrium toward the higher-molecular-weight forms of the enzyme, resulting in M_r values of 273,000, 254,000, and 257,000, respectively. This behavior partially explains the allosteric kinetics and inhibitor binding observed previously with this enzyme.     

营养型葛仙米果冻的制作工艺研究

研究营养型葛仙米果冻的制作工艺,为武陵山区葛仙米特色资源的开发提供新途径。将烫漂护色后的葛仙米打浆制得葛仙米汁,以葛仙米汁为主要原料,卡拉胶、魔芋胶为胶体基材,进行营养型葛仙米果冻生产工艺的研究。利用单因素试验和正交试验,通过感官评价和质构指标的综合分析,得到葛仙米果冻的最佳配方为:复合胶含量1%(m卡拉胶∶m魔芋胶=6∶4),柠檬酸含量0.3%,葛仙米汁含量30%,白糖含量14%和β-环糊精含量2%~4%。在此条件下制作的葛仙米果冻口感爽滑,绿色天然、酸甜适口、质地均匀,具有一定的保健功能。     

Feasibility of allogeneic mesenchymal stem cells in pediatric hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: Phase I study

BACKGROUNDHypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is one of the leading causes of death and long-term neurological impairment in the pediatric population. Despite a limited number of treatments to cure HIE, stem cell therapies appear to be a potential treatment option for brain injury resulting from HIE.AIMTo investigate the efficacy and safety of stem cell-based therapies in pediatric patients with HIE.METHODSThe study inclusion criteria were determined as the presence of substantial deficit and disability caused by HIE. Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) were intrathecally (IT), intramuscularly (IM), and intravenously administered to participants at a dose of 1 × 10⁶/kg for each administration route twice monthly for 2 mo. In different follow-up durations, the effect of WJ-MSCs administration on HIE, the quality of life, prognosis of patients, and side effects were investigated, and patients were evaluated for neurological, cognitive functions, and spasticity using the Wee Functional Independence Measure (Wee FIM) Scale and Modified Ashworth (MA) Scale. RESULTSFor all participants (n = 6), the mean duration of exposure to hypoxia was 39.17 + 18.82 min, the mean time interval after HIE was 21.83 ± 26.60 mo, the mean baseline Wee FIM scale score was 13.5 ± 0.55, and the mean baseline MA scale score was 35 ± 9.08. Three patients developed only early complications such as low-grade fever, mild headache associated with IT injection, and muscle pain associated with IM injection, all of which were transient and disappeared within 24 h. The treatment was evaluated to be safe and effective as demonstrated by magnetic resonance imaging examinations, electroencephalographies, laboratory tests, and neurological and functional scores of patients. Patients exhibited significant improvements in all neurological functions through a 12-mo follow-up. The mean Wee FIM scale score of participants increased from 13.5 ± 0.55 to 15.17 ± 1.6 points (mean ± SD) at 1 mo (z = - 1.826, P = 0.068) and to 23.5 ± 3.39 points at 12 mo (z = -2.207, P = 0.027) post-treatment. The percentage of patients who achieved an excellent functional improvement (Wee FIM scale total score = 126) increased from 10.71% (at baseline) to 12.03% at 1 mo and to 18.65% at 12 mo post-treatment. CONCLUSIONBoth the triple-route and multiple WJ-MSC implantations were safe and effective in pediatric patients with HIE with significant neurological and functional improvements. The results of this study support conducting further randomized, placebo-controlled studies on this treatment in the pediatric population.     

Seasonal variations in the production of the egg-jelly macromolecule,a fucose sulphate glycoconjugate,by the accessory cells in the ovary of the sea urchin Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus

In the sea urchin Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus, the egg-jelly macromolecule, a fucose sulphate glycoconjugate (FSG) that induces the acrosome reaction in spermatozoa, originates from the accessory cells in the ovary. In the present study we examined the seasonal variations in the distribution of FSG in the ovary by immunocytochemistry with a polyclonal antibody. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay indicated that FSG was present in supernatants of extracts of ovaries throughout the development of the ovary. However, the immunohistochemical study showed that there are marked seasonal changes in the distribution of FSG in ovaries. The polyclonal antibody reacted strongly with globules of accessory cells before the beginning of the breeding season (August to December). During the breeding season (February to April), the immunohistochemical reaction was found on the surface of oocytes but was weak in the accessory cells. At the ultrastructural level, the antibody reacted with globules of variable density in accessory cells. Intense immunolabelling was observed in the vacuole-like structures of the globules. Sometimes, products of the specific immunocytochemical reaction were found in the Golgi apparatus in these globules. Quantitative examination indicated that FSG was actively produced by the accessory cells from the late non-breeding season to the pre-breeding season. These results suggest that there are marked seasonal variations in the production of FSG by the accessory cells in the sea urchin ovary. These findings also provide new evidence that accessory cells exhibit dynamic changes during the reproductive process in the sea urchin.