Evaluating Interaction of Cord Blood Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells with Functionally Integrated Three-Dimensional Microenvironments

Despite advances in ex vivo expansion of cord blood-derived hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (CB-HSPC), challenges still remain regarding the ability to obtain, from a single unit, sufficient numbers of cells to treat an adolescent or adult patient. We and others have shown that CB-HSPC can be expanded ex vivo in two-dimensional (2D) cultures, but the absolute percentage of the more primitive stem cells decreases with time. During development, the fetal liver is the main site of HSPC expansion. Therefore, here we investigated, in vitro, the outcome of interactions of primitive HSPC with surrogate fetal liver environments. We compared bioengineered liver constructs made from a natural three-dimensional-liver-extracellular-matrix (3D-ECM) seeded with hepatoblasts, fetal liver-derived (LvSt), or bone marrow-derived stromal cells, to their respective 2D culture counterparts. We showed that the inclusion of cellular components within the 3D-ECM scaffolds was necessary for maintenance of HSPC viability in culture, and that irrespective of the microenvironment used, the 3D-ECM structures led to the maintenance of a more primitive subpopulation of HSPC, as determined by flow cytometry and colony forming assays. In addition, we showed that the timing and extent of expansion depends upon the biological component used, with LvSt providing the optimal balance between preservation of primitive CB HSPC and cellular differentiation. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2018;7:271–282

Comparison of five commercially available immunochromatographic tests for the detection of norovirus in faecal specimens

Five CE-marked immunochromatography assay kits for the rapid detection of norovirus were compared with the reference method of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of acute norovirus infection. The sensitivity of the assays ranged between 23% and 59% with specificity being 75‒100% when compared with real-time PCR. The data suggest that a reactive immunochromatographic assay indicates norovirus infection. However, the sensitivity of the assay would need to be significantly improved to be suitable for routine diagnostic purposes or as an alternative to laboratory analysis for near-patient testing

Pancreaticoduodenectomy for advanced duodenal and ampullary adenomatosis in familial adenomatous polyposis

Background: Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) develop duodenal and ampullary polyps that may progress to malignancy via the adenoma-carcinoma sequence. Objective: The aim of this study was to review a large series of FAP patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for advanced duodenal and ampullary polyposis. Methods: A retrospective case notes review of all FAP patients undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for advanced duodenal and ampullary adenomatosis was performed. Results: Between October 1993 and January 2010, 38 FAP patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for advanced duodenal and ampullary polyps. Complications occurred in 29 patients and perioperative mortality in two. Postoperative histology revealed five patients to have preoperatively undetected cancer (R = 0.518, P < 0.001). Conclusions: Pancreaticoduodenectomy in FAP is associated with significant morbidity, but low mortality. All patients under consideration for operative intervention require careful preoperative counselling and optimization