Myelin-forming glial cells transplanted into the demyelinated spinal cord can form compact myelin and improve conduction properties. However, little is known of the expression and organization of voltage-gated ion channels in the remyelinated central axons or whether the exogenous cells provide appropriate signaling for the maturation of nodes of Ranvier. Here, we transplanted olfactory ensheat...

Metformin, the popular anti-diabetic drug was shown to exert multiple biological effects. The most recent metformin gained attention as an agent that mobilizes endogenous progenitor cells and enhances regenerative potential of organisms, for example by promoting neurogenesis. In the present study, we examined the role of metformin on mouse olfactory ensheathing cells (mOECs) derived from animal...

The peripheral nervous system (PNS) exhibits a much larger capacity for regeneration than the central nervous system (CNS). One reason for this difference is the difference in glial cell types between the two systems. PNS glia respond rapidly to nerve injury by clearing debris from the injury site, supplying essential growth factors and providing structural support; all of which enhances neuron...

Abstract Study question Is it possible to establish an in vitro model that recapitulating human oviduct investigate sperm-oviduct interaction Summary answer Three-dimensional (3D) oviductal organoid was established from either primary tissues or immortalized OE-E6/67 cell line, based on our protocol. What is known already The sperm reservoir formed maintain the fertilizing capacity of spermatoz...

Electrospinning can produce nanofibrous scaffolds that mimic the architecture of the extracellular matrix and support cell attachment for tissue engineering applications. In this study, fibrous membranes of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) with various loadings of poly(L-lactide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLCL) were successfully prepared by electrospinning. In comparison to PLCL scaffolds, PLCL blends with P...

The purpose of this study was to fabricate a conductive aligned nanofibrous substrate and evaluate its suitability and cytocompatibility with neural cells for nerve tissue engineering purposes. In order to reach these goals, we first used electrospinning to fabricate single-walled carbon-nanotube (SWCNT) incorporated poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) nanofibrous scaffolds and then assessed its cytocom...

Sufficient vascularization of the implant construct is required for tissue regeneration to ensure the supply of oxygen and nutrients. In our previous work, we established sonication-induced silk fibroin hydrogel to load neural stem cells for brain tissue engineering applications. In this study, we explored the application of silk fibroin as an injectable hydrogel for vascularization of soft tis...

BACKGROUND Antiretroviral therapy (ART) recently became available in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Survival benefits and budgetary implications associated with universal access to ART have not been examined in the Caribbean. METHODS Using a state-transition simulation model of HIV with regional data, we projected survival, cost, and cost-effectiveness of treating an HIV...

OBJECTIVE Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are one of a number of cell types undergoing extensive investigation for cardiac regeneration therapy. It has not yet been determined whether this cell therapy also substantially contributes to vascular remodeling of diseased vessels. METHODS AND RESULTS Human MSCs and a variety of progenitor and vascular cells were used for in vitro and in vivo experim...

OBJECTIVE To determine HIV prevalence among male prison inmates in the six OECS countries in the Caribbean. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Six unlinked, anonymous point prevalence surveys of a total of 1288 male inmates were conducted during a one-year period, August 2004 - August 2005. An oral fluid sample was collected and an interviewer-administered questionnaire and consent form was completed for e...