Standardization of cellular therapy terminology, coding and labeling: a review.

The 1990s saw rapid growth in international activity in hematopoietic cell transplantation. As national donor registries were established and international collaboration increased, a need to transfer cellular therapy products across national borders emerged. A lack of international standards for identification, terminology and labeling resulted in significant challenges for import and export. Twenty years of effort by a large group of experts supported by professional societies and accreditation bodies has today achieved a high degree of standardization. This review highlights the main landmarks in this journey and serves as a reminder of the importance of taking the "long view" when working toward international standardization. It demonstrates the need for continual maintenance and enhancement of standards to meet the changing needs of the cell therapy industry and highlights recent developments in ISBT 128.

Consensus International Council for Commonality in Blood Banking Automation-International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy statement on standard nomenclature abbreviations for the tissue of origin of mesenchymal stromal cells.

The Cellular Therapy Coding and Labeling Advisory Group of the International Council for Commonality in Blood Banking Automation and the International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC) committee are providing specific recommendations on abbreviating tissue sources of culture-adapted MSCs. These recommendations include using abbreviations based on the ISBT 128 terminology model that specifies standard class names to distinguish cell types and tissue sources for culture-adapted MSCs. Thus, MSCs from bone marrow are MSC(M), MSCs from cord blood are MSC(CB), MSCs from adipose tissue are MSC(AT) and MSCs from Wharton's jelly are MSC(WJ). Additional recommendations include using these abbreviations through the full spectrum of pre-clinical, translational and clinical research for the development of culture-adapted MSC products. This does not apply to basic research focused on investigating the developmental origins, identity or functionalities of endogenous progenitor cells in different tissues. These recommendations will serve to harmonize nomenclature in describing research and development surrounding culture-adapted MSCs, many of which are destined for clinical and/or commercial translation. These recommendations will also serve to align research and development efforts on culture-adapted MSCs with other cell therapy products.

Variability of the paracrine-induced osteoclastogenesis by human breast cancer cell lines.

Breast cancer frequently metastasizes to the bone, often leading to the formation of osteolytic lesions. This work compares the paracrine-induced osteoclastogenesis mediated by four human breast cancer cell lines, the estrogen-receptor positive T47D and MCF-7 and the estrogen-negative SK-BR-3 and Hs-578T cell lines. Human osteoclast precursor cells were cultured in the presence of conditioned media from the breast cancer cell lines (10% and 20%), collected at different culture periods (48 h, 7 days, and 14 days). Cultures performed in the absence or the presence of M-CSF and RANKL served as negative and positive control, respectively. Results showed that the cell lines differentially expressed several osteoclastogenic genes. All cell lines exhibited a significant osteoclastogenic potential, evidenced by a high TRAP activity and number of osteoclastic cells, expression of several osteoclast-related genes, and, particularly, a high calcium phosphate resorption activity. Differences among the osteoclastogenic potential of the cell lines were noted. T47D and MCF-7 cell lines displayed the highest and the lowest osteoclastogenic response, respectively. Despite the variability observed, MEK and NF-κB signaling pathways, and, at a lesser extent, PGE2 production, seemed to have a central role on the observed osteoclastogenic response. In conclusion, the tested breast cancer cell lines exhibited a high osteoclastogenic potential, although with some variability on the cell response profile, a factor to be considered in the development of new therapeutic approaches for breast cancer-induced bone metastasis.

Residency training experiences of residents with children: A phenomenological study.

Parenthood during postgraduate medical training has become an increasingly relevant topic in recent years. While previous research has attempted to explore the experiences of residents in a parenting role through surveys and limited qualitative studies, an in depth understanding of the postgraduate training experience of these parent residents has not been clearly described. The optimal means of supporting trainees completing residency while parenting remains unclear. The study aim was to develop a rich understanding of the residency training experience of residents in a parenting role. We conducted 15 semi-structured telephone interviews. Our study population included postgraduate trainees from 9 different programs from a large research-intensive university who were parents upon entry to residency or who became parents during residency training. Transcendental phenomenology was used as a qualitative research methodology, guided by life course theory. Thematic analysis of residents' training experiences revealed the following themes: 1) challenges of being a parent with residency responsibilities; 2) work-life balance; 3) support systems; 4) impact on patient interactions; 5) impact on other interactions; and 6) unspoken expectations. Participants suggested actionable solutions to improve the training experience for residents in a parenting role, which included: 1) family-inclusive events; 2) scheduling flexibility; 3) support for fathers; and 4) optimizing support for breastfeeding mothers. Residents in a parenting role represent a unique postgraduate trainee population. Despite focus on resident wellness, challenges remain for individuals trying to navigate parenthood and residency. This data may be utilized to inform support and strategies to optimize the training experiences of these residents.