Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a serious medical condition. The search for an effective cure remains a persistent challenge. Current treatments, unfortunately, are unable to sufficiently improve neurological function, often leading to lifelong disability. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of stem cell therapy for SCI using canine models. It also explored the optimal protocol for implementing stem cell therapy. A comprehensive search of studies was conducted from 2000 to October 2022. This study focused on five outcomes: motor function score, histopathology, IHC, western blot, and SEP. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in locomotion post-SCI in dogs treated with stem cell therapy. The therapy also led to an average increase of 3.15 points in the Olby score of the treated dogs compared to the control group. These findings highlights stem cell therapy\'s potential as a promising SCI treatment. The meta-analysis suggests that using bone marrow stem cells, undergoing neural differentiation in vitro, applying a surgical implantation or intrathecal route of administration, associating matrigel in combination with stem cells, and a waiting period of two weeks before starting treatment can enhance SCI treatment effectiveness.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the potential of stromal vascular fraction (SVF) for peripheral nerve regeneration.
METHODS: A scoping review of Scopus and PubMed databases was conducted. Inclusion criteria were human or animal studies exploring the use of SVF for peripheral nerve regeneration. Studies were categorized by assessed outcomes: pain assessment, neural integrity, muscle recovery, and functional recovery. Level of evidence and study quality were assessed.
RESULTS: Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. SVF injection in humans with trigeminal neuropathic pain reduced pain scores from 7.5 ± 1.58 to 4.3 ± 3.28. SVF injection improved sensation in humans with leprosy neuropathy. Repairing transected rat sciatic nerves with SVF-coated nerve autografts improved wet muscle weight ratios (0.65 ± 0.11 vs 0.55 ± 0.06) and sciatic functional index (SFI) scores (-68.2 ± 9.2 vs -72.5 ± 8.9). Repairing transected rat sciatic nerves with SVF-coated conduits increased the ratio of gastrocnemius muscle weights (RGMW) (7-10% improvement), myelinated fibers (1,605 ± 806.2 vs 543.6 ± 478.66), and myelin thickness (5-20% increase). Repairing transected rat facial nerves with SVF-coated conduits improved whisker motion (9.22° ± 0.65° vs 1.90° ± 0.84°) and myelin thickness (0.57 μm ± 0.17 vs 0.45 μm ± 0.14 μm). Repairing transected rat sciatic nerves with SVF-coated nerve allografts improved RGMW (85 vs 50%), SFI scores (-20 to -10 vs -40 to -30), and Basso, Beatie, and Bresnahan locomotor scores (18 vs 15). All metrics mentioned above were statistically significant. The human studies were level 4 evidence due to being case series, while animal studies were the lowest level of evidence.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite initial promising results, the low-level evidence from the included studies warrants further investigation.

Fibroepithelial lesions (FEL) of the breast encompass a spectrum of masses ranging from benign to malignant. Although these lesions are on the same biologic spectrum, differences in their clinical behaviors necessitate different management approaches. While imaging features are nonspecific, small size (less than 3 cm), oval shape, circumscribed margins, growth in diameter less than 20% in six months, and homogeneous echotexture on US favor fibroadenoma (FA). Conversely, larger size (3 cm or larger), rapid growth, irregular shape, noncircumscribed margins, and heterogeneous echotexture suggest possible phyllodes tumor (PT). Histopathologically, increased stromal cellularity, stromal atypia, and mitotic activity characterize PT, while FA typically lack these features. In this review, we summarize the imaging and pathology characteristics of nonmalignant FEL, including simple, juvenile, and complex FA, and benign and borderline PT and highlight the collaborative role of radiologists and pathologists in informing diagnosis and clinical management.

Background: Regenerative medicine is evolving with discoveries like the stromal vascular fraction (SVF), a diverse cell group from adipose tissue with therapeutic promise. Originating from fat cell metabolism studies in the 1960s, SVF\'s versatility was recognized after demonstrating multipotency. Comprising of cells like pericytes, smooth muscle cells, and, notably, adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs), SVF offers tissue regeneration and repair through the differentiation and secretion of growth factors. Its therapeutic efficacy is due to these cells\' synergistic action, prompting extensive research. Methods: This review analyzed the relevant literature on SVF, covering its composition, action mechanisms, clinical applications, and future directions. An extensive literature search from January 2018 to June 2023 was conducted across databases like PubMed, Embase, etc., using specific keywords. Results: The systematic literature search yielded a total of 473 articles. Sixteen articles met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. This rigorous methodology provides a framework for a thorough and systematic analysis of the existing literature on SVF, offering robust insights into the potential of this important cell population in regenerative medicine. Conclusions: Our review reveals the potential of SVF, a heterogeneous cell mixture, as a powerful tool in regenerative medicine. SVF has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy and safety across disciplines, improving pain, tissue regeneration, graft survival, and wound healing while exhibiting immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties.

This scoping review evaluated 3D osteosarcoma (OS) models\' biomimicry, examining their ability to mimic the tumour microenvironment (TME) and their drug sensitivity. Adhering to PRISMA-ScR guidelines, the systematic search revealed 293 studies, with 70 selected for final analysis. Overall, 64% of 3D OS models were scaffold-based, compared to self-generated spheroid models. Scaffolds generated using native matrix were most common (42%) with collagen I/hydroxyapatite predominating. Both scaffold-based and scaffold-free models were used equally for drug screening. The sensitivity of cancer cells in 3D was reported to be lower than that of cells in 2D in ~90% of the drug screening studies. This correlates with the observed upregulation of drug resistance. OS cells cultured in extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimetic scaffolds and native biomaterials were more resistant than cells in 2D. Co-cultures of OS and stromal cells in 3D models enhanced osteogenic differentiation, ECM remodelling, mineralisation, and angiogenesis, suggesting that tumour-stroma crosstalk promotes disease progression. Seven studies demonstrated selective toxicity of chemotherapeutics towards OS cells while sparing stromal cells, providing useful evidence for developing biomimetic tumour-stroma models to test selective drug toxicity. In conclusion, this review highlights the need to enhance biomimicry in 3D OS models for TME recapitulation, especially in testing novel therapeutics. Future research should explore innovative 3D biomimetic models, biomaterials, and advancements in personalised medicine.

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs)-based therapy brings the reassuring capability to regenerative medicine through their self-renewal and multilineage potency. Also, they secret a diversity of mediators, which are complicated in moderation of deregulated immune responses, and yielding angiogenesis in vivo. Nonetheless, MSCs may lose biological performance after procurement and prolonged expansion in vitro. Also, following transplantation and migration to target tissue, they encounter a harsh milieu accompanied by death signals because of the lack of proper tensegrity structure between the cells and matrix. Accordingly, pre-conditioning of MSCs is strongly suggested to upgrade their performances in vivo, leading to more favored transplantation efficacy in regenerative medicine. Indeed, MSCs ex vivo pre-conditioning by hypoxia, inflammatory stimulus, or other factors/conditions may stimulate their survival, proliferation, migration, exosome secretion, and pro-angiogenic and anti-inflammatory characteristics in vivo. In this review, we deliver an overview of the pre-conditioning methods that are considered a strategy for improving the therapeutic efficacy of MSCs in organ failures, in particular, renal, heart, lung, and liver.

The fallopian tubes (FTs) are part of the female upper genital tract. The healthy FT provides the biological environment for successful fertilization and facilitates the subsequent movement of the conceptus to the endometrial cavity. However, when the FT is damaged, as with salpingitis, pyosalpinx, and hydrosalpinx, it may increase the risk of an ectopic pregnancy, a life-threatening condition. Decidualization refers to a multifactorial process by which the endometrium changes to permit blastocyst implantation. The decidualization reaction is vital for endometrial receptivity during the window of implantation. To date, no comprehensive review that collates evidence on decidualization in the human FT has been conducted. Therefore, the aim of this review is to compile the current evidence on cellular decidualization occurring in the healthy and pathological FT in women of reproductive age. A literature search was conducted using five databases and identified 746 articles, 24 of which were analyzed based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The available evidence indicates that the FT are able to undergo decidual changes under specific circumstances; however, the exact mechanism by which this occurs is poorly understood. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanism by which decidualization can occur in the FT.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder characterized by swelling in synovial joints and erosion of bones. The disease is normally treated with conventional drugs which provide only temporary relief to the symptoms. Over the past few years, mesenchymal stromal cells have become the center of attention for treating this disease due to their immuno-modulatory and anti-inflammatory characteristics. Various studies on treatment of rheumatoid arthritis by using these cells have shown positive outcomes in terms of reduction in the level of pain as well as improvement of the function and structure of joints. Mesenchymal stromal cells can be derived from multiple sources, however, the ones derived from bone marrow are considered most beneficial for treating several disorders including rheumatoid arthritis on account of being safer and more effective. This review summarizes all the preclinical and clinical studies which were conducted over the last ten years for therapy of rheumatoid arthritis utilizing these cells. The literature was reviewed using the terms \"mesenchymal stem/stromal cells and rheumatoid arthritis\'\' and \"bone marrow derived mesenchymal stromal cells and therapy of rheumatoid arthritis\'\'. Data was extracted to enable the readers to have access to the most relevant information regarding advancement in therapeutic potential of these stromal cells. Additionally, this review will also help in fulfilling any gap in current knowledge of readers about the outcome of using these cells in animal models, cell line and in patients suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders as well.

Stromal cells possess unique properties to regenerate themselves and cure various chronic illnesses. An easily available and ethical source for procurement of stromal cells is umbilical cord blood which is now being stored for future use. Vedic texts also describe the cord blood as a source of life. However, Indian traditions seem to preserve one more alternative for storage and procurement of stromal cells. Traditionally, in many parts of India, the umbilical cord stump is dried and stored for future use. It is used as a medicine for some illness and to treat infertility. Since Indian traditions are an excerpt of Vedic science, it points towards the possible emergence of dried stump as an easy and cost-effective means for stromal cell procurement and storage. The present review compiles the literature available on these traditional practices and stresses upon the need of rigorous experimental and theoretical research in the area.

BACKGROUND: Analysis of the tumor microenvironment has been proposed as a strategy for the treatment and prognosis of different neoplastic processes. A grading system based on the tumor-stroma ratio (TSR), which evaluates the proportion of stroma in relation to neoplastic parenchyma at the invasion front, has shown a strong prognostic value in different neoplastic processes. The aim of the present systematic review was to understand the role of the TSR in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), evaluating its correlation with clinical and prognostic parameters.
METHODS: An electronic search was performed in PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Science Direct, Scopus, Embase, and the Cochrane Collaboration Library. Publications assessing the relationship between TSR and prognosis in cases of HNSCC were eligible. The quality of the studies was assessed independently by four evaluators using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.
RESULTS: After application of the previously es+lished inclusion/exclusion criteria, nine articles were included in the qualitative synthesis. With regards to quality on the Newcastle-Ottawa scale, an overall value of 4.55 was obtained. This systematic review demonstrated a strong association between TSR and prognosis in esophageal and oral squamous cell carcinomas.
CONCLUSIONS: Histopathological analysis of the TSR can optimize the analysis of the prognosis of cases diagnosed with HNSSC. In addition, the TSR is a reliable and simple parameter that can be evaluated in hematoxylin/eosin-stained slides during routine laboratory examinations, showing high inter- and intraobserver agreement.