Allogeneic administration of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells for bronchopulmonary dysplasia: preliminary outcomes in four Vietnamese infants.

BACKGROUND: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a severe condition in premature infants that compromises lung function and necessitates oxygen support. Despite major improvements in perinatal care minimizing the devastating effects, BPD remains the most frequent complication of extreme preterm birth. Our study reports the safety of the allogeneic administration of umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (allo-UC-MSCs) and the progression of lung development in four infants with established BPD. METHODS: UC tissue was collected from a healthy donor, followed by propagation at the Stem Cell Core Facility at Vinmec Research Institute of Stem Cell and Gene Technology. UC-MSC culture was conducted under xeno- and serum-free conditions. Four patients with established BPD were enrolled in this study between May 25, 2018, and December 31, 2018. All four patients received two intravenous doses of allo-UC-MSCs (1 million cells/kg patient body weight (PBW) per dose) with an intervening interval of 7 days. Safety and patient conditions were evaluated during hospitalization and at 7 days and 1, 6 and 12 months postdischarge. RESULTS: No intervention-associated severe adverse events or prespecified adverse events were observed in the four patients throughout the study period. At the time of this report, all patients had recovered from BPD and were weaned off of oxygen support. Chest X-rays and CT scans confirmed the progressive reductions in fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Allo-UC-MSC administration is safe in preterm infants with established BPD. Trial registration This preliminary study was approved by the Vinmec International Hospital Ethics Board (approval number: 88/2019/QD-VMEC; retrospectively registered March 12, 2019).

Catalogue of Vietnamese springtails (Hexapoda, Collembola).

Based on what we believe is a complete survey of the previous literature, the citations of the collembola found in Vietnam are recorded. In total, the catalogue includes 350 species in 118 genera from 21families (69 dubious records). For each species the current name is indicated, as well as the basionym and main synonyms with the complete bibliographic reference, the records for different provinces and regions with the authorships, and the general distribution data. When necessary, taxonomic notes are added. The catalog includes 120 bibliographic references (up to December 2021). The main goal of this paper is to promote future studies on the collembolan fauna of Vietnam.