Background Radiation causes serious damage to the spinal cord and several agents are used for protection. Aim The aim of this study was to assess the neuro-radioprotective effect of melatonin on the cervical spinal cord. Materials/Methods A sample of 32 male adult Wistar albino rats weighing 200-250g was used. They were divided into four groups of eight animals: control, melatonin (30mg/kg per day) and radiation (single Gamma dose of 10Gy) groups and the group that received radiation plus melatonin. After 72 hours, all rats were sacrificed for histopathological analysis of malondialdehyde, glutathione and protein biochemicals. Results Malondialdehyde and protein levels were decreased after melatonin treatment while glutathione level was increased (p<0.005). Overall histopathological changes were markedly decreased after melatonin treatment in comparison to radiation group (p<0.05). Conclusions In conclusion melatonin may be useful in preventing the spinal cord against radiation toxicity due to its potential for free oxygen radical scavenging.

Background: The treatment of posterior eye diseases is always challenging mainly due to inaccessibility of the region. Many drugs are currently delivered by repeated intraocular injections. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential applications of natural triglycerides as alternative carriers to synthetic polymers in terms of drug release profile and also biocompatibility for intraocular use. Materials and Methods: In vitro/in vivo evaluations of intravitreal implants fabricated from the physiological lipid, glyceride tripalmitate containing clindamycin phosphate as a model drug was performed. The micro-implants with average diameter of 0.4 mm were fabricated via a hot melt extrusion method. The extrudates were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and in vitro drug dissolution studies. For biocompatibility, the implants were implanted into rabbit eyes. Clinical investigations including fundus observations, electroretinography as well as histological evaluations were performed. Results: In vitro tests guaranteed usefulness of the production method for preparing the homogenous mixture of the drug and lipid without affecting thermal and crystalinity characteristics of the components. In vitro releases indicated a bi-phasic pattern for lower lipid ratios, which were completed by the end of day three. With higher lipid ratios, more controlled release profiles were achieved until about ten days for a lipid ratio of 95%. Clinical observations did not show any abnormalities up to two months after implantation into the rabbit eye. Conclusions: These results suggest that although the implant could not adequately retard release of the present drug model yet, due to good physical characteristics and in vivo biocompatibility, it can represent a suitable device for loading wide ranges of therapeutics in treatment of many kinds of retinochoroidal disorders. Keywords: Triglyceride; Disease; Toxicology

Objective: To investigate the effects of amniotic membrane (AM) in bone induction and wound healing after vestibuloplasty surgery on animal samples while receptacle proteins such as growth factors were considered as accelerators for wound healing and bone induction after these operations. Material and methods: Ten adult dogs (5 females, 5 males; race, Iranian mixed; weight, 44 pounds) were included, which underwent surgery for transplantation on mandible and maxillary. AM was used for promoting bone induction and healing. Results: The tissue samples were obtained after 2, 8, and 12 weeks for histology survey. No significant differences were observed between male and female or left and right jaws. AM decreased fibrinoleukocytic exudates and inflammation in the experimental group, had significant effects on bone formation, considerably improves wound healing, and gives rise to bone induction (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Our study findings indicate that the AM is a suitable cover for different injuries and acellular AM has the potential for rapid improvement and bone induction. The AM contains collagen, laminin, and fibronectin, which provide an appropriate substrate for bone induction. This substrate promoted bone induction and might contribute to induction of the progenitor cells and/or stem cells in the area where surgery had been undertaken and is also differentiated into bone. In comparison with the control group, the difference was significant and meaningful (P < 0.0001).

Limbal mesenchymal stromal cells (LMSCs) reside in the limbal niche, supporting corneal integrity and facilitating regeneration. While mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are used in regenerative therapies, there is limited knowledge about LMSC subpopulations and their characteristics. This study characterized human LMSC subpopulations through the flow cytometric assessment of fifteen cell surface markers, including MSC, wound healing, immune regulation, ASC, endothelial, and differentiation markers. Primary LMSCs were established from remnant human corneal transplant specimens and passaged eight times to observe changes during subculture. The results showed the consistent expression of typical MSC markers and distinct subpopulations with the passage-dependent expression of wound healing, immune regulation, and differentiation markers. High CD166 and CD248 expressions indicated a crucial role in ocular surface repair. CD29 expression suggested an immunoregulatory role. Comparable pigment-epithelial-derived factor (PEDF) expression supported anti-inflammatory and anti-angiogenic roles. Sustained CD201 expression indicated maintained differentiation capability, while VEGFR2 expression suggested potential endothelial differentiation. LMSCs showed higher VEGF expression than fibroblasts and endothelial cells, suggesting a potential contribution to ocular surface regeneration through the modulation of angiogenesis and inflammation. These findings highlight the heterogeneity and multipotent potential of LMSC subpopulations during in vitro expansion, informing the development of standardized protocols for regenerative therapies and improving treatments for ocular surface disorders.

Article: Human renal stem-like cells: CD133 is real kidney stem cell marker for distinction between normal and cancer stem cell - Minerva Biotecnologica 2017 June;29(2):101-6 - Minerva Medica - Journals