Maximiliano Giraud-Billoud has completed his both PhD in Medicine and Biology (Physiology) from National University of Cuyo, Argentina and is working now in a postdoctoral project from FONDECyT-CONICyT, Chile. He has published 11 papers in reputed journals. The center for regenerative medicine (CAS-UDD) has many publications in the field of stem cell research.

Megalin and cubilin are membrane endocytic receptors that interact for endocytosis of a vast variety of filtered plasma proteins in kidney proximal tubule cells. One characteristic of diabetic nephropathy is the increase of albumin filtration and the inhibition of megalin and cubilin mediated albumin endocytosis, leading to increased albuminuria. The objective of our work was to study the influence of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) therapy on tubular protein transporters in kidney of type 1 and type 2 diabetic animals. We studied by Western Blot the expression of megalin (tissue) and cubilin (tissue and urine) and the functionality of megalin by the quantification of vitamin D-binding protein (BDP, urine) in control animals, type 1 and 2 diabetic animals (C57BL6+STZ and db/db C57BKS mouse, respectively) and treated with MSC (0,5x106cells/animal) type 1 and 2 diabetic animals. The expression of megalin and cubilin decreases in T1 diabetic animals and after 2 weeks of MSC administration the expression increases. In T2 diabetic animals, only megalin decreases significantly its expression and treatment does not increase levels. Proteinuria and BDP concentration are increased in both diabetic models, but only BDP levels decrease in T2 animals after MSC administration. Finally, levels of cubilin in urinary samples are increased in both diabetic models and only decrease significantly in T1 diabetic animals that received the cell therapy. MSC administration in both experimental diabetic models improves the action of tubular protein transporters, however its potential role as a therapy and the physiopathologic mechanisms involved are currently under study.

Idiberto José Zotarelli Filho has received his PhD from UNESP University in the field of Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering currently, he is working Researcher in the Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases and UNESP University. He has successfully completed his Administrative Responsibilities the researcher. He has received several awards and honors, such as the International Symposium of extracellular matrix - Buzios / Brazil, International Congress of Hematology - Albert Einstein Hospital - Sao Paulo / Brazil and the International Congress of cell therapy stem cells in São Paulo / Brazil. He has published more than 100 peer-reviewed in journals and is an author of 2 books. Also actively participate in the training program in research - RESEARCH COACHING PROGRAM - DURHAM - Duke University - USA under the auspices of the Brazilian Cardiology Society - SBC and I am a member of the Research Ethics Committee - Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (IMC).

Scaffolds of chitosan and collagen can offer a biological niche for the growth of adipose derived stem cells (ADSC). The objective of this work was to characterize the physico-chemical properties of the scaffolds and the ADSC, as well as their interactions to direct influences of the scaffolds on the behavior of ADSC. The methodology included an enzymatic treatment of fat obtained by liposuction by collagenase, ASDC immunophenotyping, cell growth kinetics, biocompatibility studies of the scaffolds analyzed by the activity of alkaline phosphatase (AP), nitric oxide (NO) determination by the Griess-Saltzman reaction, and images of both optical and scanning electron microscopy of the matrices. The extent of the crosslinking of genipin and glutaraldehyde was evaluated by ninhydrin assays, solubility tests and degradation of the matrices. The results showed that the matrices are biocompatible, exhibit physical and chemical properties needed to house cells in vivo and are strong stimulators of signaling proteins (AP) and other molecules (NO) which are important in tissue healing. Therefore, the matrices provide a biological niche for ADSC adhesion, proliferation and cells activities.

Abstract\r\nChronic leg ulcer is a major health problem which may associate different diseases as vascular, neoplastic, infectious diseases and trauma as well. The patients suffer from many complications as infection, septicemia, psychology troubles and physical inability leading to many economic troubles the last line of treatment is amputation with its high rate of morbidity and mortality. \r\nAim of the work: :The study design was randomized controlled clinical trial in an attempt to assess the potential treatment of chronic leg ulcer through the use of the autologous bone marrow stem cells.\r\nPatients and methods: Fifty patients with chronic leg ulcer were included from vascular surgery department Tanta university hospital. Patients were divided randomly into two equal groups each group included 25 patients. In group I, the patients were subjected to autologous transplantation of bone marrow derived CD34+ mononuclear cells into the depth and around the ulcer. In group II (control group), saline dressing to the leg ulcer was done.\r\nResults: In group I, 14 patients were males and 11 were females, age ranged from 19 to 66 years with mean age of 48.7y while in group II 13 patients were males and 12 patients were males with mean age of 51.2 years and age ranged from 21 to 63 years. In group I, the follow up period ranged from 6 to 24 months. Complete ulcer healing occurred in 12 patients (48%), partial ulcer healing in 10 patients (40%) and no healing in 3 patients (12%). In group II, the follow up period ranged from 8 to 24 months. Complete ulcer healing occurred in 2 patients (8%), partial ulcer healing in 3 patients (12%) and no healing in 20 patients (80%). In group I, the overall patients satisfaction and pain relief was found in 18 patients (72%) while in group II only 4 patients (16%). \r\nConclusion:\r\nAutologous transplantation of bone marrow derived CD 34+ mononuclear cells is a simple, safe and effective modality of treatment for chronic leg ulcer. \r\n

Abofila, M. T. M. is the Head of Veterinary Branch in Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, Al-Zawia University, Zawia-Libya. He had Bachelor Degree in Veterinary Medicine from Tripoli University (2003) and completed his M.V.Sc. studies at Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University Putra Malaysia (2013) and nowadays, he prepare himself to travel abroad since he got on a scholarship to complete his Ph. D. research studies in the field of stem cell therapy.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis and mostly results in physical disability. The ability of autologous mesenchymal stem cells to regenerate lost articular cartilage in OA has clearly been proven. \r\nThe aim of this study was to estimate the allogeneic stem cells as treatment for OA by microscopic pathological anatomy evidence. \r\nEighteen male New Zealand white rabbits were used in this study. They were divided into 3 groups (n=6); Rabbit stem cell-treated group (RSTG), Media stem cell-treated group (MSTG) and Normal saline-treated group (NSTG). OA was induced by a single intra-articular injection of 2.5 mg of monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) / 0.3 ml normal saline (NS). After 4 weeks of OA induction the (RSTG) was given a single intra articular injection of rabbit bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells at a density of 1.5X106 cells / 0.3 ml, while both the (MSTG) & (NSTG) received an injection of the same volume of medium without cells & normal saline as respectively. Rabbits were euthanized by intravenous injection of sodium phenobarbital (Dolethal) 100mg/kg at 16 weeks post-treatment then histopathology images were assessed.\r\nThe results showed that there were significant differences among all groups in histopathological scoring of the stifle joints evaluation at week 20. The RSTG showed the best histopathological scoring while the MSTG and NSTG showed the worst scores. \r\nIn conclusion, single intra-articular injection of rabbit bone marrow-derived stem cells (allogeneic stem cells) could promote the regeneration of damaged articular cartilage in OA as evidenced by improved histopathological outcomes.\r\n

Dr Amera has completed her PhD in Universiti Sains Malaysia School of dental Sciences 2013. She is lecturer in oral and maxillofacial department. She has published several articles and presented several research papers in National and International Journals conferences. She is a member of editorial committee of 2 international Journals.

The major disadvantage of distraction osteogenesis (DO) is the long treatment period which may compromise healing. The main aim of this study was to enhance bone formation during DO using tissue engineering construct consist of stem cells from dental pulp of deciduous teeth (SHD) seeded in macroporus biphasic calcium phosphate (MBCP) scaffold. A randomized controlled trial was conducted. Eighteen skeletally immature New Zealand white rabbits were divided into 3 groups, with 6 in each, the SHD/MBCP as group 1, the SHD group 2 and control group 3. MBCP was synthesized and characterized in engineering campus USM and SHD were isolated, expanded, and characterized in craniofacial lab USM. Six million cells and 6 million cells seeded in MBCP were transplanted into the distracted area for group2 and 1respectively during the osteotomy period. After a 4-days latency period, a total of 6 mm was distracted for 6 days. The newly formed bone was analyzed Biochemically , histologically, and histomorphometrically at 2, 4, and 6 weeks postoperatively. (Kruskal-Wallis test) was used for data analysis, and P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The cell lineage was positive for the 2 mesenchymal stem cell markers tested (CD105 and CD166). More mature bone in the SHD/MBCP transplanted group was observed. Alkaline phosphates level was significantly different, P < 0.001. Histomorphometric measurements detected that the percentage of newly formed bone in SHD/BCP, SHD and control were 72.73, 59.78, and 32.13 respectively with statistically significant difference between the groups P< 0.001. \r\n

Alexander Petrenko is a professor in Cell Biology and Cryobiology. Last 15 years his activity is focused on human adult and fetal stem and progenitor cells with a view to application in cell therapy and tissue engineering. He is the head of department in the Institute for Problems of Cryobiology and Cryomedicine, Professor of Kharkov University, Professor of UNESCO chair. He is the author of monograph “Stem cells. Properties and perspectives of clinical use” and has over 400 publications, of which about 100 are on PubMed. He is an editorial board member of 3 scientific journals, a member of several national and international societies and recipient of various awards

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) can differentiate into various cell types, which make them attractive for regenerative medicine. Preservation of MSCs seeded and cultivated in scaffolds at cryogenic or hypothermic temperatures can serve as ready-to-use transplantation units for tissue repair.\r\nThe aim of the study was investigation of ability to proliferation and multilineage differentiation of MSCs within alginate microspheres (AMS) and porous scaffolds before and after different approaches of low temperature preservation. As porous scaffolds for MSCs alginate-gelatin macroporous cryogel sponges and plane demineralized chitinous skeletons of marine sponge Ianthella basta were used.\r\nMSCs isolated from adult human bone marrow, dermal and adipose tissues after expansion in monolayer culture had similar phenotype and growth patterns as well as ability to induced multilineage differentiation. MSCs in AMS had spherical shape and could be successfully cryopreserved by both conventional cryopreservation with 10% of dimethyl sulfoxide and vitrification protocols. Besides, encapsulation in AMS delayed cell death during storage in ambient temperatures. \r\nResponse of MSCs seeded and cultivated into porous scaffolds to conventional cryopreservation protocol depended on cell adhesion and spreading as well as structure of scaffolds per se. Between observed three types of scaffold the lowest cryoresistance had MSCs growing as sheets on chitinous marine demosponge Ianthella basta. After cryopreservation in various scaffolds survived MSCs retained abilities to proliferation and differentiation into osteogenic and adipogenic lineages. The data obtained indicate that cryo-banking of MSCs cultivated into tissue engineered scaffolds is feasible for the future regenerative medicine projects. \r\n

Objective. To assess the effect of autologous bone marrow stem cell (ABMSC) therapy in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and impaired left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) as regards exercise capacity.\r\nMethods and materials. This pilot study was conducted on 18 patients hospitalized for a first STEMI treated by successful primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and LVEF < 40%. All the patients have received the standard of care treatment, and were followed-up using the same methods, comprising 6-minute walking test with assessment of heart rate, blood pressure and Borg Scale before and after the test, 1 and 3 months after STEMI. In the ABMSC group, 50 ml of bone marrow were harvested 7 to 13 days after PCI. After density gradient separation, the mononuclear bone marrow cell suspension was delivered via intracoronary route in the catheterisation laboratory during the same day. \r\nResults. There were no adverse effects related to stem cell therapy during 3 months follow-up period. In stem cells treated group, the 6-minute walk distance increased significantly (from 271.14 ± 99.92 m at one month follow-up to 311.57 ± 79.83 m at 3 months after myocardial infarction, P < 0.05), while in control group the improvement didn’t reach the limit of statistical significance (297.18 ± 71.71 m to 330.83 ± 47.94, P > 0.05).\r\nConclusions. We observed a positive effect of autologous bone marrow stem cell therapy in STEMI patients with severe systolic function impairment regarding exercise capacity. Larger studies are required in order to reveal the intimate mechanisms of action and the real magnitude of this favourable effect.\r\nAcknowledgement. This paper is supported by the Sectoral Operational Programme Human Resources Development (SOP HRD), financed from the European Social Fund and by the Romanian Government under the contract number POSDRU/159/1.5/S/137390.\r\n\r\n

Mina Mirian is Ph.D student, member of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran. Her major is molecular medicine. She is one of the researcher members of cell culture lab in Biotechnology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. She has published more than10 papers in reputed journals and 2 books.

Background: Several natural compounds have been identified for the treatment of malignancies. Due to a few safe drugs and the side effects caused by available chemotherapeutic agents, new drugs for the treatment of malignancies are request. The genus Pulicaria (Compositae) is represented in the flora of Iran by five species. Phytochemical studies have revealed that some compounds obtained from Pulicaria species have shown cytotoxic activity. \r\nObjectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxic activity of different extracts and essential oil of Pulicaria gnaphalodes against Hela, K562 and MDA-MB-468 cancer cell lines.\r\nMaterials and Methods: Methanol, petroleum ether and dichloromethane in different dilutions were used for extraction. Essential oil of this plant was obtained and its composition was evaluated by GC-MS.\r\nDifferent concentrations of extracts and essential oil were tested against 3 mentioned cancerous cell lines, using MTT assay.\r\nResults: In this experiment extracts and essential oil of P. gnaphalodes progressively inhibited cancer cells growth at final concentrations ranging from 0.625 to 2.5 mg/ml for extracts and 0.1 to 0.5 µl/ml for essential oil in 24 hours exposure. The cytotoxic effect in all 3 tested cell lines were concentration dependent.\r\nConclusions: Considering P. gnaphalodes cytotoxic activity, it was concluded this plant could be a good candidate for isolation of antiproliferative compounds which could serve as new lead structures for drug development.\r\n