Improved Survival, Vascular Differentiation and Wound Healing Potential of Stem Cells Co-Cultured with Endothelial Cells

In this study, we developed a methodology to improve the survival, vascular differentiation and regenerative potential of umbilical cord blood (UCB)-derived hematopoietic stem cells (CD34+ cells), by co-culturing the stem cells in a 3D fibrin gel with CD34+-derived endothelial cells (ECs). ECs differentiated from CD34+ cells appear to have superior angiogenic properties to fully differentiated ECs, such as human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Our results indicate that the pro-survival effect of CD34+-derived ECs on CD34+ cells is mediated, at least in part, by bioactive factors released from ECs. This effect likely involves the secretion of novel cytokines, including interleukin-17 (IL-17) and interleukin-10 (IL-10), and the activation of the ERK 1/2 pathway in CD34+ cells. We also show that the endothelial differentiation of CD34+ cells in co-culture with CD34+-derived ECs is mediated by a combination of soluble and insoluble factors. The regenerative potential of this co-culture system was demonstrated in a chronic wound diabetic animal model. The co-transplantation of CD34+ cells with CD34+-derived ECs improved the wound healing relatively to controls, by decreasing the inflammatory reaction and increasing the neovascularization of the wound

Compositional analysis of bacterial communities in seawater, sediment, and sponges in the Misool coral reef system, Indonesia

Sponge species have been deemed high microbial abundance (HMA) or low microbial abundance (LMA) based on the composition and abundance of their microbial symbionts. In the present study, we evaluated the richness and composition of bacterial communities associated with one HMA sponge (Xestospongia testudinaria; Demospongiae: Haplosclerida: Petrosiidae), one LMA sponge (Stylissa carteri; Demospongiae: Scopalinida - Scopalinidae), and one sponge with a hitherto unknown microbial community (Aaptos suberitoides; Demospongiae: Suberitida: Suberitidae) inhabiting the Misool coral reef system in the West Papua province of Indonesia. The bacterial communities of these sponge species were also compared with seawater and sediment bacterial communities from the same coastal coral reef habitat. Using a 16S rRNA gene barcoded pyrosequencing approach, we showed that the most abundant phylum overall was Proteobacteria. The biotope (sponge species, sediment or seawater) explained almost 84% of the variation in bacterial composition with highly significant differences in composition among biotopes and a clear separation between bacterial communities from seawater and S. carteri; X. testudinaria and A. suberitoides and sediment. The Chloroflexi classes SAR202 and Anaerolineae were most abundant in A. suberitoides and X. testudinaria and both of these species shared several OTUs that were largely absent in the remaining biotopes. This suggests that A. suberitoides is a HMA sponge. Although similar, the bacterial communities of S. carteri and seawater were compositionally distinct. These results confirm compositional differences between sponge and non-sponge biotopes and between HMA and LMA sponges.publishe

Associação do índice CPO-D com indicadores sócio-econômicos e de provisão de serviços odontológicos no Estado do Paraná, Brasil Association of the DMFT index with socioeconomic and dental services indicators in the state of Paraná, Brazil

Este estudo ecológico investigou as associações entre cárie dentária, indicadores sócio-econômicos e de oferta de serviços odontológicos no Estado do Paraná, Brasil, para o ano de 1996. Dois tipos de informações foram reunidos: (1) dados sobre prevalência de cárie dentária (CPO-D aos 12 anos) para os municípios do Estado; (2) dados relativos às condições sócio-econômicas e de oferta de serviços odontológicos. Com base em análise de regressão linear simples demonstrou-se correlação significativa entre o índice de cárie dentária nos municípios e os vários indicadores sociais e de oferta de serviços. Resultados da análise de regressão linear múltipla apontaram que apenas um indicador de desigualdade de renda permaneceu significativamente associado com cárie dentária, demonstrando que as piores condições de saúde bucal não podem ser dissociadas das disparidades de renda. Observou-se correlação negativa significativa entre o CPO-D e a proporção de população que recebe água fluorada, principalmente nos municípios com piores indicadores de desigualdade de renda. Nesse sentido, sublinha-se a importância desse benefício não só como recurso para a redução dos níveis de cárie, como também para atenuar o impacto das desigualdades sócio-econômicas sobre a prevalência de cárie dentária.<br>This ecological study investigated the associations between dental caries, socioeconomic indicators, and the supply of dental services in the State of Paraná, Brazil, for the year 1996. Two types of information were collected: (1) data on caries prevalence (DMFT at 12 years) for the municipalities (or counties) in the State; (2) data on socioeconomic conditions and the supply of dental services. Based on simple linear regression analysis, the study demonstrated a significant correlation between the caries index in municipalities and various social and dental services supply indicators. Results of the analysis of multiple linear regression showed that one indicator of income inequality remained significantly associated with dental caries, demonstrating that the worst oral health conditions cannot be dissociated from income disparities. A significant negative correlation was observed between DMFT and the proportion of the population that received fluoridated water, principally in the municipalities with the worst income inequality indicators. This highlights the importance of fluoridation for the reduction of caries rates, as well as to attenuate the impact of socioeconomic inequalities on the prevalence of dental caries