Generation of transgene-free induced pluripotent stem cells from cardiac fibroblasts of goat embryos.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) hold a great potential for therapeutic regenerative medicine. The aim of this study was to generate induced pluripotent stem cells from goat embryonic cardiac tissue derived fibroblasts. The isolated cardiac fibroblasts from the cardiac tissue of goat embryos were positive for alfa smooth muscle actin, vimentin and discoidin domain receptor2. From these cells, we generated transgene free iPSCs using piggyBac transposons / transposase using five transcription factors (Oct4, Sox2, Klf, Myc and Lin 28). The generated iPSCs were SSEA1, SSEA4 and Oct4 positive. They were cultured on neofeeders using 20% Serum replacement - IMDM with bFGF. They could form cystic and compact embryoid bodies that showed differentiated ectodermal and mesodermal like cells when cultured using 20% FBS-IMDM without bFGF. The iPSCs, generated in the frame of this approach were produced without the use of integrating virus and the reprogramming transgenes were removed at the end of the process. Though there were limitations in the approach used, a substantial sign of reprogramming was obtained.

The effect of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells on chemotherapy induced ovarian failure in albino rats.

OBJECTIVES: Chemotherapy targets rapidly dividing tissues in the body. It destroys the progenitor cells in gonads resulting in premature ovarian failure. Studies have suggested that bone marrow-derived stem cells can generate oocytes in chemotherapy treated female rats after transplantation. The present study aimed to assess mechanism of homing, the action of injected BM-MSCs on ovarian function after ovarian damage. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Seventy two female albino rats were randomly allocated into Control and CTX group, The Experimental protocol was lasted for 12 weeks during which serum FSH and E2 were monitored twice at the end of the 2nd week (12 rats) and 8th week (6 rats). Stem cells identification and homing were evaluated by Flowcytometry and tagging of stem cells with iron oxide particles respectively. Also, histopathological examination was done to evaluate both degeneration (6 rats at 4th week) and regeneration (6 rats at 12th week) of ovarian tissue together with assessment of the levels of TNF-α in ovarian homogenate and IGF-I as a growth factor in ovarian tissue. PRINCIPAL OBSERVATIONS: Partial improvement of E2 and FSH levels as well as ovarian architecture. Elevation of ovarian TNF- α levels and of IGF-I immunohistochemical expressions in ovarian tissues of BM-MSCs injected rats were noticed following homing of BM- MSCs in the ovarian stroma in both control and chemotherapy groups. CONCLUSION: Injected BM- MSCs can home in the stroma of the injured ovaries. IGF-I and TNF- α may have a role in the attraction of stem cells in vivo.

Re-engineering pre-employment check-up systems: a model for improving health services.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this paper is to develop a model for improving health services provided by the pre-employment medical fitness check-up system affiliated to Egypt's Health Insurance Organization (HIO). DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Operations research, notably system re-engineering, is used in six randomly selected centers and findings before and after re-engineering are compared. The re-engineering model follows a systems approach, focusing on three areas: structure, process and outcome. The model is based on six main components: electronic booking, standardized check-up processes, protected medical documents, advanced archiving through an electronic content management (ECM) system, infrastructure development, and capacity building. The model originates mainly from customer needs and expectations. FINDINGS: The centers' monthly customer flow increased significantly after re-engineering. The mean time spent per customer cycle improved after re-engineering--18.3 +/- 5.5 minutes as compared to 48.8 +/- 14.5 minutes before. Appointment delay was also significantly decreased from an average 18 to 6.2 days. Both beneficiaries and service providers were significantly more satisfied with the services after re-engineering. The model proves that re-engineering program costs are exceeded by increased revenue. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: Re-engineering in this study involved multiple structure and process elements. The literature review did not reveal similar re-engineering healthcare packages. Therefore, each element was compared separately. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: This model is highly recommended for improving service effectiveness and efficiency. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: This research is the first in Egypt to apply the re-engineering approach to public health systems. Developing user-friendly models for service improvement is an added value.

Levels of sCD40 ligand in chronic and acute coronary syndromes and its relation to angiographic extent of coronary arterial narrowing.

We determined the serum levels of soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L) in patients with chronic coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Patients with unstable angina (UA) and myocardial infarction (MI) showed significantly higher levels (P < .001) of sCD40L compared with patients with stable angina (SA) and controls; particularly, high levels occurred in patients with UA (UA: 9.23 +/- 2.92, MI: 7.38 +/- 1.05, SA: 4.42 +/- 1.08; control: 4.01 +/- 0.87 ng/mL). There was no significant difference in sCD40L levels between patients with UA and MI or between patients with SA and controls. Levels of sCD40L did not show any significant correlation with peak creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB isoenzyme activity in patients with MI, troponin T serum levels in patients with UA or with culprit vessel (CV) complexity score (CVCS), type of CV lesion, or vessel score in patients with UA or MI. These results suggest that CD40L plays a pathogenic role in triggering ACS.

Evaluation of the effect of oxidative stress and vitamin E supplementation on renal function in rats with streptozotocin-induced Type 1 diabetes.

UNLABELLED: We investigated the possible role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on renal function in experimental diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven groups of male rats were studied. Group I consisted of control animals. Diabetes was induced (by streptozotocin) in the animals in the other groups and they received either insulin or vitamin E (300 or 600 mg/kg), both insulin and vitamin E, or no treatment for 4 weeks. At the end of the study, blood pressure was measured and parameters of kidney function and oxidative stress were evaluated in serum and kidney tissue samples. RESULTS: Diabetic animals had higher blood pressures; increased serum glucose, urea, creatinine, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP); increased kidney tissue levels of malondialdehyde and inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS); and reduced serum glutathione peroxidase when compared with control animals. Blood glucose levels in diabetic animals were controlled by insulin and not by any dose of vitamin E alone. However, all other measured parameters improved towards control levels with either insulin or vitamin E in either dose. An additive beneficial effect was observed on the levels of iNOS and cGMP when both forms of treatment were used in diabetic animals. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that ROS may play an important role in diabetes-induced nephropathy in this rat model. Vitamin E supplementation in addition to insulin can have additive protective effects against deterioration of renal function in this model.

Oxidative stress as a common mediator for apoptosis induced-cardiac damage in diabetic rats.

AIM: To investigate the possible role of oxidative stress as a common mediator of apoptosis and cardiac damage in diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This experimental work was conducted on 5 groups of Wistar rats. Group I was the control group. Diabetes type 1 was induced in other groups (by streptozotocin) and animals received insulin or vitamin E (300 mg /kg body weight), both insulin and vitamin E, or no treatment for 4 weeks according to their group. At the end of the study, serum and cardiac tissues were examined for biochemical parameters of cardiac function, oxidative stress and apoptosis. Electron microscopy pictures of cardiac tissue were also evaluated for signs of cardiac damage RESULTS: Markers of oxidative stress, apoptosis, inflammation as well as manifestations of cardiac damage as assessed by electron microscopy were significantly decreased in rats treated with both insulin and vitamin E when compared with untreated diabetic rats or rats treated with either insulin or vitamin E alone CONCLUSION: Administration of both vitamin E and insulin was effective in reducing markers of oxidative stress and apoptosis and improving parameters of cardiac function in experiments animals. Antioxidants might prove beneficial as an adjuvant treatment in addition to insulin in type 1 diabetes associated with manifestations of cardiac complications.

Role of oxidative stress in development of cardiovascular complications in diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes represents a serious risk factor for the development of cardiovascular problems such as coronary heart disease, peripheral arterial disease, hypertension, stroke, cardiomyopathy, nephropathy and retinopathy. Identifying the pathogenesis of this increased risk provides a basis for secondary intervention to reduce morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. Hyperglycemia and protein glycation, increased inflammation, a prothrombotic state and endothelial dysfunction have all been implicated as possible mechanisms for such complications. A linking element between many of these phenomena could possibly be, among other factors, increased production of reactive oxygen species. Vascular endothelial cells have several physiological actions that are essential for the normal function of the cardiovascular system. These include the production of nitric oxide (NO), which regulates vasodilatation, anticoagulation, leukocyte adhesion, smooth muscle proliferation and the antioxidative capacity of endothelial cells. However, under conditions of hyperglycemia, excessive amounts of superoxide radicals are produced inside vascular cells and this can interfere with NO production leading to the possible complications. This article aims at reviewing the links between reactive oxygen species, diabetes and vascular disease and whether or not antioxidants can alter the course of vascular complications in diabetic patients and animal models. A possible beneficial effect of antioxidants might present a new addition to the range of secondary preventive measures used in diabetic patients.