Clinical Trials Based on Mesenchymal Stromal Cells are Exponentially Increasing: Where are We in Recent Years?

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), present in the stromal component of several tissues, include multipotent stem cells, progenitors, and differentiated cells. MSCs have quickly attracted considerable attention in the clinical field for their regenerative properties and their ability to promote tissue homeostasis following injury. In recent years, MSCs mainly isolated from bone marrow, adipose tissue, and umbilical cord—have been utilized in hundreds of clinical trials for the treatment of various diseases. However, in addition to some successes, MSC-based therapies have experienced several failures. The number of new trials with MSCs is exponentially growing; still, complete results are only available for a limited number of trials. This dearth does not help prevent potentially inefficacious and unnecessary clinical trials. Results from unsuccessful studies may be useful in planning new therapeutic approaches to improve clinical outcomes. In order to bolster critical analysis of trial results, we reviewed the state of art of MSC clinical trials that have been published in the last six years. Most of the 416 published trials evaluated MSCs’ effectiveness in treating cardiovascular diseases, GvHD, and brain and neurological disorders, although some trials sought to treat immune system diseases and wounds and to restore tissue. We also report some unorthodox clinical trials that include unusual studies. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.] © 2021, The Author(s)

The resemblance of an autocorrelation function to a power spectrum density for a spike train of an auditory model

In this work we develop an analytical approach for calculation of the all-order interspike interval density (AOISID), show its connection with the autocorrelation function, and try to explain the discovered resemblance of AOISID to the power spectrum of the same spike train

Impact of right ventricular size on ECG after percutaneous closure of atrial septal defect with Amplatzer Septal Occluder.

To assess ECG changes after percutaneous atrial septal defect (ASD) closure in children with significant left-to-right shunt. Analysis of data of 36 consecutive children with an ASD who had successful percutaneous ASD closure with an Amplatzer Septal Occluder. Assessment comprised echocardiography and ECG the day before and after the procedure and at 1, 6 and 12 months follow-up. The median age (interquartile range) of children was 7.3 (5.3) years. On the day after the procedure the end diastolic diameter of the right ventricle showed already a diminution (34 (12) mm/m2 before intervention vs. 32 (12) mm/m2). ECG changes were first observed at 1 month follow-up (PR interval before intervention 139 (20) ms vs. 132 (20) ms; QRS duration 88 (18) ms vs. 82 (19) ms) and at 6 months follow-up (QRS axis 77 degrees (33) before intervention vs. 72 degrees (53)). With the exception of the QRS duration, ECG intervals and axis were in a normal range in all patients before the procedure. Median QRS duration normalised at 1 year follow-up (83 (8) ms). After transcatheter ASD closure, decrease in right ventricular size began rapidly and was followed by reduction of the QRS duration and PR interval within weeks. Shifting to the left of the QRS axis was observed within 6 months follow-up. This study showed that ECG changes due to right ventricular volume overload can regress and normalise after percutaneous ASD closure in children

Long non-coding RNAs in regulation of adipogenesis and adipose tissue function

Complex interaction between genetics, epigenetics, environment, and nutrition affect the physiological activities of adipose tissues and their dysfunctions, which lead to several metabolic diseases including obesity or type 2 diabetes. Here, adipogenesis appears to be a process characterized by an intricate network that involves many transcription factors and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) that regulate gene expression. LncRNAs are being investigated to determine their contribution to adipose tissue development and function. LncRNAs possess multiple cellular functions, and they regulate chromatin remodeling, along with transcriptional and post-transcriptional events; in this way, they affect gene expression. New investigations have demonstrated the pivotal role of these molecules in modulating white and brown/beige adipogenic tissue development and activity. This review aims to provide an update on the role of lncRNAs in adipogenesis and adipose tissue function to promote identification of new drug targets for treating obesity and related metabolic diseases

Biological and molecular characterization of Aromia bungii (Faldermann, 1835) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), an emerging pest of stone fruits in Europe

The red-necked longhorn beetle (RLB) Aromia bungii (Fald.) is an emerging pest of stone fruit trees, native to East Asia, accidentally introduced in Europe (Germany and Italy) and Japan. Threatening seriously the stone fruit crops in Europe, RLB was added to both the EPPO A1 and priority pest lists of quarantine species. Molecular analyses highlighted that all specimens recovered in southern Italy share the same haplotype, different from the German one, supporting that the invasive process in Europe started from at least two independent introductions. To fill the existing gap of biological knowledge about A. bungii, several laboratory tests were carried out on specimens collected in the outbreak area of Naples (Italy). Results suggest a high biotic potential of the RLB Italian population. Females showed a short pre-oviposition period while the period of oviposition lasted about three weeks, with a rate of 24.2 eggs/day. Each female laid an average of 587.5 eggs and spawned the largest amount of eggs during the first week after emergence. Fed males live up to 62 days at 20 °C while fed females about 63 days at 25 °C. These results are crucial to draw up a multi-facet IPM approach against A. bungii in the outbreak areas

Control of Thickness of PEDOT Electrodeposits on Glass/ITO Electrodes from Organic Solutions and its Use as Anode in Organic Solar Cells

AbstractPoly-ethylendioxythiophene (PEDOT) was electropolymerized from the monomer EDOT in acetonitrile (ACN) containing Bu4N+ClO4-, BF4- or PF6- ions as supporting electrolyte. The electrode used was transparent electrodes (Glass/ITO) in order to generate the anode of an organic solar cell (OSC). Potentiodynamic and potentiostatic electropolymerization techniques were used to make the conducting polymer deposits (E-PEDOT), which were obtained as a thin film onto the ITO surface. It was possible to control the thickness of the electrodeposited films in the range of 15 to 200nm measured by AFM. With the thinner films (until 100nm), it was observed that its absorbance at 700nm was linearly dependent with their thickness and it was possible to obtain an equation that was used to measure the films thickness of future experiments. The E-PEDOT films were successfully used for constructing OSC's and the efficiency values found were equivalent or slightly superior to those found with the classical PEDOT:PSS anode

An integrative study on asphondylia spp. (diptera: Cecidomyiidae), causing flower galls on lamiaceae, with description, phenology, and associated fungi of two new species

An integrative study on some species of Asphondylia was carried out. Two species of gall midges from Italy, Asphondylia rivelloi sp. nov. and Asphondylia micromeriae sp. nov. (Diptera: Cecidomyiidae), causing flower galls respectively on Clinopodium vulgare and Micromeria graeca (Lamiaceae), are described and illustrated. The characteristics of each developmental stage and induced galls are described, which allowed the discrimination of these new species in the complex of Asphondylia developing on Lamiaceae plants. Molecular data based on sequencing both nuclear (ITS2 and 28S-D2) and mitochondrial (COI) genes are also provided in support of this discrimination. Phylogeny based on nuclear markers is consistent with the new species, whereas COI phylogeny suggests introgression occurring between the two species. However, these species can also be easily identified using a morphological approach. Phenology of host plants and gall midges are described, and some peculiar characteristics allow the complete and confident discrimination and revision of the treated species. Gall-associated fungi were identified as Botryosphaeria dothidea, Alternaria spp., and Cladosporium spp

Description of Synergus castaneus n. sp. (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae: Synergini) Associated with an Unknown Gall on Castanea spp. (Fagaceae) in China

Abstract A species of the tribe Synergini (Hymenoptera: Cynipidae) was reared from a gall collected in China on Castanea mollissima Blume and Castanea seguinii Dode. The morphological features of this gall wasp indicate that it is an undescribed species belonging to the genus Synergus and is herein described as a new species, Synergus castaneus Pujade-Villar, Bernardo et Viggiani sp. nov. (Hymenoptera Cynipidae: Synergini). This is the first known instance of a species of Synergus emerging from Castanea galls (Fagaceae). Data on the diagnosis, distribution, and biology of the new species are given. Morphological features of this species are discussed and illustrated. No other known gall-inducing species emerged from the collected galls, whereas tens of specimens of parasitoids and adults of the inquiline micromoth Andrioplecta pulverula Meyrick (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) did. 28S-D2 and COI sequences confirmed that S. castaneus is a distinct species belonging to the genus Synergus