Fabrication and characterization of ultrathin spin-coated poly(L-lactic acid) films suitable for cell attachment and curcumin loading

In the present study, ultrathin poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) films were fabricated using the spin-coating technique. Physicochemical properties of the formed materials, including their morphology, thickness, transparency, and contact angle, have been studied. We determined that the morphology of PLLA films could be regulated by changing the polymer concentration and humidity. By altering the humidity, microporous and flat PLLA films can be fabricated. The obtained samples were subsequently used for culturing mesenchymal stem cells and fibroblasts. It has been determined that cells effectively adhered to prepared films and formed on them a monolayer culture with high viability. It has been shown that PLLA films are suitable for the entrapment of curcumin (up to 12.1 μm cm^-2) and provide its sustained release in solutions isotonic to blood plasma. The obtained PLLA films appear to be prospective materials for potential application in regenerative medicine as part of cell-containing tissue engineered dressings for chronic wound treatment.

The Haematococcus pluvialis extract enriched by bioaccumulation process with Mg(II) ions improves insulin resistance in equine adipose-derived stromal cells (EqASCs)

Insulin resistance (IR) is one of the characteristic features of equine metabolic syndrome (EMS). Presently, the only therapies of choice are caloric restrictions combined with mineral supplementation, which might improve insulin sensitivity. In this study we investigated the effect of Haematococcus pluvialis algae water extract enriched in bioaccumulation process in magnesium ions (Hp_Mg(II)) on equine adipose derived mesenchymal stromal stem cells, in which insulin resistance was induced by palmitic acid (IR-EqASCs). For this purpose, chemical characterization of H. pluvialis was performed with special emphasis on the analysis of minerals composition, total phenolic and carotenoids contents, as well as scavenging activity. To examine the influence of H. pluvialis extract on IR-EqASCs, various methods of molecular biology and microscopic observations (i.e., immunofluorescence staining, SEM, gene expression by RT-qPCR, proliferative and metabolic cells activity analysis) were applied to investigate in vitro viability, oxidative stress markers and apoptosis-related factor accumulation, along with insulin resistance-related genes expression. Obtained results show, that Hp_Mg(II) significantly improves proliferative and metabolic activity of IR-EqASCs, shortens their population doubling time, improves their clonogenic potential and reduces expression of apoptosis related genes. Moreover, anti-oxidative effect of extract was presented.

Autologous cord blood in children with cerebral palsy: a review

The aim of this narrative review is to report on the current knowledge regarding the clinical use of umbilical cord blood (CB) based on articles from PubMed and clinical trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov. An increasing amount of evidence suggests that CB may be used for both early diagnostics and treatment of cerebral palsy. The acidity of CB and its biochemical parameters, including dozens of cytokines, growth factors, and other metabolites (such as amino acids, acylcarnitines, phosphatidylcholines, succinate, glycerol, 3-hydroxybutyrate, and O-phosphocholine) are predictors of future neurodevelopment. In addition, several clinical studies confirmed the safety and efficacy of CB administration in both autologous and allogeneic models, including a meta-analysis of five clinical trials involving a total of 328 participants. Currently, nine clinical trials assessing the use of autologous umbilical CB in children diagnosed with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy or cerebral palsy are in progress. The total population assessed in these trials exceeds 2500 patients.