Contribution of human hematopoietic stem cells to liver repair

Immune-deficient mouse models of liver damage allow examination of human stem cell migration to sites of damage and subsequent contribution to repair and survival. In our studies, in the absence of a selective advantage, transplanted human stem cells from adult sources did not robustly become hepatocytes, although some level of fusion or hepatic differentiation was documented. However, injected stem cells did home to the injured liver tissue and release paracrine factors that hastened endogenous repair and enhanced survival. There were significantly higher levels of survival in mice with a toxic liver insult that had been transplanted with human stem cells but not in those transplanted with committed progenitors. Transplantation of autologous adult stem cells without conditioning is a relatively safe therapy. Adult stem cells are known to secrete bioactive factors that suppress the local immune system, inhibit fibrosis (scar formation) and apoptosis, enhance angiogenesis, and stimulate recruitment, retention, mitosis, and differentiation of tissue-residing stem cells. These paracrine effects are distinct from the direct differentiation of stem cells to repair tissue. In patients at high risk while waiting for a liver transplant, autologous stem cell therapy could be considered, as it could delay the decline in liver function

Shielding intentions from distraction: Forming an intention induces inhibition of distracting stimuli

Contains fulltext : 56393.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Previous research has shown that focal goals are shielded through inhibition of alternative goals. The present research aims to extend these findings and show that execution of experimentally induced intentions is also shielded from distraction. In two experiments participants were instructed to form an intention to react to specific stimuli (intention cues). Next, we assessed accessibility of the intention cues, distracting cues and control cues. Results show that distracting cues were inhibited compared with control cues. In addition, we obtained preliminary evidence that this inhibition facilitates execution of previously formed intentions. The present research adds to earlier research on intentions and goal shielding by showing that cognitive self–regulatory processes shield intentions from distraction.17 p

A Community-Driven Nature-Based Design Framework for the Regeneration of Neglected Urban Public Spaces

Nature-based solutions are a popularising concept within current urban regeneration literature, exploring differing themes in the context of optimising public spaces. Focus on the adaptation of public space design, with the community at the forefront, has been documented to a limited degree, with few studies concentrating on possible design strategies. This literature review revealed that the majority of nature-based design frameworks, since 2017, have suggested the benefits of nature in public spaces to human health and well-being: whether physically or psychologically, and either within the full framework or as part of the framework’s scope. There are however variations in the number and clarity of steps needed to follow each framework, and it is evident that the importance of community driven designs is understated within built environment literature. Many frameworks favoured the use of academic studies as a secondary source for their creation, with few using primary analysis of community acceptance and co-creation. This paper explores the literature available on nature-based solutions and their design frameworks. It maps out the existing studies, to date, and reports on the initial findings for this progressing PhD research. Public spaces are, in their very definition, a space for the public; despite this, development of these spaces, as well as the literature around the subject, is far more theoretical and professionally inclined, rather than community influenced. With an emphasis on sustainable development, this paper suggests that community views on nature-based public spaces need to be the focal point of design frameworks for public urban spaces, which may then be used as a protocol for the production of optimal and effective nature-based public space regeneration