Three-Dimensional Finite Volume Method of Triphasic Theory in Generalized Coordinates: Application to Human Intervertebral Disc During Compressive Stress Relaxation

The intervertebral disc is an avascular cartilaginous structure that plays an important role in supporting loads through the spine and providing flexibility to the spinal column. The triphasic theory [1,2] has been used successfully to describe many of the mechanical, chemical and electrical behaviors of cartilaginous tissues. As an example of applying the triphasic theory, Yao and Gu [3] conducted a finite element simulation of human intervertebral disc during compressive stress relaxation using commercial software (FEMLAB). Due to the limitation of the commercial software, in the simulation reported in [3], the computational grid (mesh) is fixed throughout the simulation and the mesh size was not optimized for the specific geometry of the disc

Safety and effectiveness evaluation of a uterine direct visualization system in induced abortion. A multicenter clinical trial

Objectives: While the decision of abortion is undeniably complex, there are situations where it becomes a necessary choice. In such circumstances, a secure abortion procedure is essential to safeguard the physical and mental well-being of women. A uterine direct visualization system was designed to fulfill the requirements and this study undertook an assessment of the system's safety and effectiveness within a medical facility setting. Materials and methods: Induced abortion requested women in 17 institutions across the country between December 2016 and February 2017 were enrolled. Subjects were separated to the study and control group randomly. Induced abortion was conducted by a uterine direct visualization system and an ultrasound-guided system in the study and control group, respectively. The clinical indexes collected during intra- and post-procedures were analyzed and compared between groups. Results: Overall, 392 and 339 subjects were included in the study and control group, respectively. The baseline demographic and clinical characteristics were similar between two groups. Subjects in the study group had significant smaller number of uterine cavity entry (p < 0.001), less 2-h and 14-days postoperative bleeding (all p < 0.001), and less 14-days postoperative abdominal pain (p < 0.001). Significantly higher ratio of normal menstruation, in terms of incidence and duration after 60-days of operation, was observed in the study group (all p < 0.001). Conclusions: Induced abortion with uterine direct visualization system generate better outcome and less complication than the conventional ultrasound-guided abortion procedures

Human endometrial regenerative cells attenuate renal ischemia reperfusion injury in mice

Background: Endometrial regenerative cells (ERCs) is an attractive novel type of adult mesenchymal stem cells that can be non-invasively obtained from menstrual blood and are easily replicated at a large scale without tumorigenesis. We have previously reported that ERCs exhibit unique immunoregulatory properties in experimental studies in vitro and in vivo. In this study, the protective effects of ERCs on renal ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) were examined. Methods Renal IRI in C57BL/6 mice was induced by clipping bilateral renal pedicles for 30 min, followed by reperfusion for 48 h. ERCs were isolated from healthy female menstrual blood, and were injected (1 million/mouse, i.v.) into mice 2 h prior to IRI induction. Renal function, pathological and immunohistological changes, cell populations and cytokine profiles were evaluated after 48 h of renal reperfusion. Results Here, we showed that as compared to untreated controls, administration of ERCs effectively prevented renal damage after IRI, indicated by better renal function and less pathological changes, which were associated with increased serum levels of IL-4, but decreased levels of TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-6. Also, ERC-treated mice displayed significantly less splenic and renal CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations, while the percentage of splenic CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and infiltrating M2 macrophages in the kidneys were significantly increased in ERC-treated mice. Conclusions This study demonstrates that the novel anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects of ERCs are associated with attenuation of renal IRI, suggesting that the unique features of ERCs may make them a promising candidate for cell therapies in the treatment of ischemic acute kidney injury in patients.Medicine, Faculty ofOther UBCNon UBCUrologic Sciences, Department ofReviewedFacult

Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Stem Cell-Based Therapy in Treating Asherman Syndrome: A System Review and Meta-Analysis

Asherman’s Syndrome (AS) is an uncommon, acquired, and refractory gynecological disorder. Current treatment was still limited, and stem cell-based therapy has been proposed as a novel strategy for management of AS. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis of self-controlled clinical trials to assess the effectiveness and safety of stem cell-based therapy in Asherman syndrome patients who have failed in conventional treatment. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science database (published up to October 3, 2020). Our main evaluation outcomes were menses improvement, endometrial thickness changes, pregnancy outcome, and side effects. All analyses were performed by using RevMan5.4 software. 427 studies were identified, eight of which were eligible and included in our analysis. Stem cell combined hormone therapy achieved a higher likelihood of improving menstruation (risk ratio [RR] 22.43, 95% CI: 8.03 to 62.68, P<0.00001), an enhancement of pregnancy outcome (risk ratio [RR] 11.1, 95% CI: 3.58 to 34.38, P<0.0001), and a mean increase of 3-month endometrial thickness (standardized mean difference [SMD] 2.43, 95% CI: 1.72 to 3.13, P<0.00001). Subgroup analysis also indicated that 6-month and 9-month endometrial thickness increased significantly with the stem cell-based treatment. Moreover, no obvious and severe adverse reactions were observed during the process of stem cell therapy. There were 3 patients (3.57%) reported with lost appetite, mild gastritis, vomiting, or abdominal cramps, whereas, these symptoms relieved subsequently. This meta-analysis systematically reviewed and synthesized the outcomes of stem cell-based therapy in treating Asherman syndrome, which suggest that stem cell and hormone combination therapy was safe and more effective in improving menstruation duration, pregnancy outcome, and endometrial thickness. However, further trials with large sample sizes are needed to establish more solid evidence for administrating this therapy in clinic

Human Endometrial Regenerative Cells Attenuate Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice

Endometrial regenerative cells (ERCs) have been recently evaluated as an attractive novel type of stem cell therapy. Previous studies have demonstrated that most ERCs accumulated in the lung after injection and are successfully used to treat diseases such as cardiac fibrosis. However, relevant studies of ERCs in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have not been reported. The present study was designed to examine the effects of ERCs on bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. All IPF models in C57BL/6 mice were induced by administrating 5 mg/kg bleomycin in PBS intratracheally. ERCs were isolated from healthy female menstrual blood and were injected (1 million/mouse, i.v.) 24 hours after induction. Wet/dry weight ratio assay, hydroxyproline content, pathological and immunohistological changes, MDA content, T-SOD activity, cytokine profiles, and RT-qPCR analysis were assessed 2 weeks after disease induction. The results showed that ERC treatment significantly decreased the wet/dry ratio and reduced collagen deposition. Histological analyses, Masson staining, and hydroxyproline content analysis indicated that ERCs could reduce collagen fiber production. Immunohistochemical staining revealed lower expression of TGF-β after ERC treatment. Furthermore, mice treated with ERCs had lower levels of IL-1β and TNF-α, but a higher level of IL-10 in both the lung and serum. Gene expression analysis demonstrated that ERCs potently suppressed the proapoptotic gene Bax, while increasing the antiapoptotic gene Bcl-2 and antifibrosis genes HGF and MMP-9. Our results indicate that human ERCs protected the lung from pulmonary fibrosis in mice through immunosuppressive and antifibrosis effects. Moreover, these findings formed a foundation for the further use of ERCs in clinical treatment

Human endometrial regenerative cells alleviate carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury in mice

Abstract Background The endometrial regenerative cell (ERC) is a novel type of adult mesenchymal stem cell isolated from menstrual blood. Previous studies demonstrated that ERCs possess unique immunoregulatory properties in vitro and in vivo, as well as the ability to differentiate into functional hepatocyte-like cells. For these reasons, the present study was undertaken to explore the effects of ERCs on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)–induced acute liver injury (ALI). Methods An ALI model in C57BL/6 mice was induced by administration of intraperitoneal injection of CCl4. Transplanted ERCs were intravenously injected (1 million/mouse) into mice 30 min after ALI induction. Liver function, pathological and immunohistological changes, cell tracking, immune cell populations and cytokine profiles were assessed 24 h after the CCl4 induction. Results ERC treatment effectively decreased the CCl4-induced elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities and improved hepatic histopathological abnormalities compared to the untreated ALI group. Immunohistochemical staining showed that over-expression of lymphocyte antigen 6 complex, locus G (Ly6G) was markedly inhibited, whereas expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was increased after ERC treatment. Furthermore, the frequency of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations in the spleen was significantly down-regulated, while the percentage of splenic CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) was obviously up-regulated after ERC treatment. Moreover, splenic dendritic cells in ERC-treated mice exhibited dramatically decreased MHC-II expression. Cell tracking studies showed that transplanted PKH26-labeled ERCs engrafted to lung, spleen and injured liver. Compared to untreated controls, mice treated with ERCs had lower levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α but higher level of IL-10 in both serum and liver. Conclusions Human ERCs protect the liver from acute injury in mice through hepatocyte proliferation promotion, as well as through anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects

Human endometrial regenerative cells alleviate carbon tetrachloride-induced acute liver injury in mice

Abstract Background The endometrial regenerative cell (ERC) is a novel type of adult mesenchymal stem cell isolated from menstrual blood. Previous studies demonstrated that ERCs possess unique immunoregulatory properties in vitro and in vivo, as well as the ability to differentiate into functional hepatocyte-like cells. For these reasons, the present study was undertaken to explore the effects of ERCs on carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)–induced acute liver injury (ALI). Methods An ALI model in C57BL/6 mice was induced by administration of intraperitoneal injection of CCl4. Transplanted ERCs were intravenously injected (1 million/mouse) into mice 30 min after ALI induction. Liver function, pathological and immunohistological changes, cell tracking, immune cell populations and cytokine profiles were assessed 24 h after the CCl4 induction. Results ERC treatment effectively decreased the CCl4-induced elevation of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities and improved hepatic histopathological abnormalities compared to the untreated ALI group. Immunohistochemical staining showed that over-expression of lymphocyte antigen 6 complex, locus G (Ly6G) was markedly inhibited, whereas expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) was increased after ERC treatment. Furthermore, the frequency of CD4+ and CD8+ T cell populations in the spleen was significantly down-regulated, while the percentage of splenic CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) was obviously up-regulated after ERC treatment. Moreover, splenic dendritic cells in ERC-treated mice exhibited dramatically decreased MHC-II expression. Cell tracking studies showed that transplanted PKH26-labeled ERCs engrafted to lung, spleen and injured liver. Compared to untreated controls, mice treated with ERCs had lower levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α but higher level of IL-10 in both serum and liver. Conclusions Human ERCs protect the liver from acute injury in mice through hepatocyte proliferation promotion, as well as through anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory effects

Prevalence, Causes, and Risk Factors of Presenting Visual Impairment and Presenting Blindness in Adults Presenting to an Examination Center in Suzhou, China

Purpose. To evaluate the prevalence, causes, and risk factors of presenting visual impairment (PVI) and presenting blindness among adults in Suzhou, China. Methods. A total of 43927 subjects were included in this cross-sectional study. Each subject underwent ophthalmic examinations, including presenting visual acuity (PVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), slit-lamp examination, and fundus examination under the small pupils of each eye. Results. Using the World Health Organization (WHO) definition, the prevalence of bilateral PVI, bilateral presenting blindness, monocular PVI, and monocular presenting blindness was 1.59% (95% CI, 1.51–1.67), 0.002% (95% CI, 0.0019–0.0021), 3.87% (95% CI, 3.68–4.06), and 0.19% (95% CI, 0.18–0.20), respectively. Using the United States (US) definition, the prevalence of bilateral PVI, bilateral presenting blindness, monocular PVI, and monocular presenting blindness was 5.83% (95% CI, 5.54–6.12), 0.04% (95% CI, 0.038–0.042), 7.43% (95% CI, 7.06–7.80), and 0.45% (95% CI, 0.43–0.47), respectively. The prevalence of PVI was higher in females (WHO criteria, 2.06%, 95% CI, 1.96–2.16; US criteria, 7.27%, 95% CI, 6.91–7.63) than in males (WHO criteria, 1.2%, 95 CI%, 1.14–1.26; US criteria, 4.65%, 95% CI, 4.42–4.89). The leading cause of PVI is an uncorrected refractive error, followed by cataracts and age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Multivariate analysis proved that the prevalence of visual impairment (PVA, better eye, WHO criteria) increased significantly with older age, higher mean arterial pressure (MAP), higher globulin level, and higher fasting blood glucose (FBG). In addition, it also increased significantly with lower hemoglobin, a lower body mass index (BMI), and a lower arterial stiffness index. In this study, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, uric acid, triglycerides, and the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) showed no association with visual impairment. Conclusion. The leading causes of PVI in Suzhou were uncorrected refractive error and cataracts. The prevalence of PVI increased with females, older age, higher MAP, higher FBG, higher globulin, lower hemoglobin, lower BMI, and lower arterial stiffness index

SDF-1/CXCR4 axis enhances the immunomodulation of human endometrial regenerative cells in alleviating experimental colitis

Endometrial regenerative cells (ERCs) are a new type of mesenchymal-like stromal cells, and their therapeutic potential has been tested in a variety of disease models. SDF-1/CXCR4 axis plays a chemotaxis role in stem/stromal cell migration. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of SDF-1/CXCR4 axis in the immunomodulation of ERCs on the experimental colitis. The immunomodulation of ERCs in the presence or absence of pretreatment of SDF-1 or AMD3100 was examined in both in vitro cell culture system and dextran sulphate sodium-induced colitis in mice. The results showed that SDF-1 increased the expression of CXCR4 on the surface of ERCs. As compared with normal ERCs, the SDF-1-treated, CXCR4 high-expressing ERCs more significantly suppressed dendritic cell population as well as stimulated both type 2 macrophages and regulatory T cells in vitro and in vivo. Meanwhile, SDF-1-pretreated ERCs increased the generation of anti-inflammatory factors (e.g., IL-4, IL-10) and decreased the pro-inflammatory factors (e.g., IL-6, TNF-α). In addition, SDF-1-pretreated CM-Dil-labeled ERCs were found to engraft to injured colon. Our results may suggest that an SDF-1-induced high level of CXCR4 expression enhances the immunomodulation of ERCs in alleviating experimental colitis in mice.Medicine, Faculty ofOther UBCNon UBCUrologic Sciences, Department ofReviewedFacult