Institutional and behaviour-change interventions to support COVID-19 public health measures: a review by the Lancet Commission Task Force on public health measures to suppress the pandemic.

The Lancet COVID-19 Commission Task Force for Public Health Measures to Suppress the Pandemic was launched to identify critical points for consideration by governments on public health interventions to control coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Drawing on our review of published studies of data analytics and modelling, evidence synthesis and contextualisation, and behavioural science evidence and theory on public health interventions from a range of sources, we outline evidence for a range of institutional measures and behaviour-change measures. We cite examples of measures adopted by a range of countries, but especially jurisdictions that have, thus far, achieved low numbers of COVID-19 deaths and limited community transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Finally, we highlight gaps in knowledge where research should be undertaken. As countries consider long-term measures, there is an opportunity to learn, improve the response and prepare for future pandemics.

Cellular replacement and regenerative medicine therapies in ischemic stroke.

Worldwide, tissue engineering and cellular replacement therapies are at the forefront of the regenerative medicine agenda, and researchers are addressing key diseases, including diabetes, stroke and neurological disorders. It is becoming evident that neurological cell therapy is a necessarily complex endeavor. The brain as a cellular environment is complex, with diverse cell populations, including specialized neurons (e.g., dopaminergic, motor and glutamatergic neurons), each with specific functions. The population also contains glial cells (astrocytes and oligodendrocytes) that offer the supportive network for neuronal function. Neurological disorders have wide and varied pathologies; they can affect predominantly one cell type or a multitude of cell types, which is the case for ischemic stroke. Both neuronal and glial cells are affected by stroke and, depending on the region of the brain affected, different specialized cells are influenced. This review will address currently available therapies and focus on the application and potential of cell replacement, including stem cells and immortalized cell line-derived neurons as regenerative therapies for ischemic stroke, addressing current advances and challenges ahead.