Abstract

Skeletal muscle aging is accompanied by progressive alterations in tissue structure and metabolism, including reduced satellite cell activity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased oxidative stress, collectively impairing muscle regeneration and functional performance in the elderly. Complex Magnetic Fields (CMFs) are magnetoelectric stimuli and can stimulate muscle regeneration by improving cellular energy metabolism, enhancing antioxidant defenses and anti-inflammatory responses, essential for muscle repair. This study aims to investigate CMFs as a non-invasive approach to enhance muscle regeneration assessed on human myogenic precursor cells (hMPCs) isolated from elderly female subjects (70.6 ± 8.35 years, n=5) displaying a reduced proliferative and differentiative potential.. We applied varying intensities and configurations of CMFs to assess their impact on cellular proliferation by MTT assay, differentiation and myotube formation by immunocytochemistry, wound healing assay, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) assay and Western Blot. The results demonstrated that exposure to CMFs enhances cell viability and proliferation as evidenced by MTT assay. Moreover, the characterization showed increase in the fusion index, indicated improved myotube formation. The wound healing assay demonstrated accelerated wound closure, suggesting enhanced regenerative properties of the CMFs. The ROS assay indicated a decrease in the cellular stress and western blot showed the modulation of proteins that are vital for regeneration and reducing cellular stress. Our findings indicate that CMFs hold strong potential as a non-invasive therapeutic strategy to enhance muscle regeneration and may represent a valuable tool for managing age-related muscle decline.

Abstract

Human paediatric thymus samples were obtained from children who underwent thymectomy as part of corrective cardiac surgery procedure at the University Hospital Centre Zagreb (KBC Rebro, Zagreb). This study has been approved by the Rudjer Boskovic Ethics Committee and Informed consent was collected in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration. The cells obtained by mechanical and enzimatic digestion and further enriched by magnetic beads depletion were either cultivated in ultralow attachment plastic or frozen for later analysis and thymibank establishment (over 200 thymi collected so far) . The  sphere development is consistent and reliable since this procedure for thymispheres production was repeated and proven effective with more than 100 different thymi and in separate experiments. Thymisphere formation was demonstrated regardless of the patients’ age (from neonatal to 16 years old) or the patients’ sex (58% were male, 42% female). Besides that thymisphere formation from fresh tissues, we have managed to do the same with 20 individual, previously frozen thymi regardless of the time kept at −195.79 °C (77 K)

Abstract

Accurate segmentation and classification of brain tumors are crucial for effective diagnosis and treatment. This study proposes a computer vision-based approach for efficient segmentation and classification of multi-brain tumors using computed tomography (CT) images. Our method leverages advanced image processing techniques and machine learning algorithms to accurately identify and classify brain tumors. The proposed approach achieves high accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity in segmenting and classifying brain tumors, outperforming existing methods. The results demonstrate the potential of our approach to assist radiologists in accurate diagnosis and treatment planning, ultimately improving patient outcomes.”
Key points: Accurate segmentation and classification: Emphasizes the importance of accurate tumor identification; Computer vision-based approach: Highlights the use of computer vision techniques; Efficient segmentation and classification: Describes the proposed method’s efficiency; High accuracy: Mentions the method’s high accuracy.

Abstract

Guide-integrated adult Stem Cell (giaSC) is a human stem cell characterized by high in vivo plasticity. Our previous study had shown that human giaSCs generated by intercellular communication between mature guide cells (m-GCs) derived from human adult peripheral blood and human umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells (UC-MSCs) are  able to adapt to the host tissue environment and repair damaged tissues. In this study, giaSCs were administered to NOD mice to evaluate therapeutic efficacy in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM). The efficacy was confirmed by normalization of plasma glucose and triglyceride levels in the giaSC-treated group. Rejuvenated islets were significantly increased in amounts, size and total area compared to controls (UC-MSC-treated and fibrin-gel-treated groups). Furthermore, plasma insulin and C-peptide levels significantly elevated, indicating recovery of the islets and β-cell function. Mechanistically, autoimmune destruction of β-cells is the root cause of T1DM. giaSCs can reconstruct M2 macrophage-CD73-Adenosine axis by directly differentiating into M2 macrophages, this significantly restored endogenous immune regulation in T1D mice, and simultaneously promoted the rejuvenation of mice’s own pancreatic islet cells.  from novelly generative MAFB⁺ cell mass in pancreas. This immune modulation confers a protection to newly rejuvenated islets to avoid re-attack by autoimmune reaction. A key advantage of own islets is their ability to sense and respond to dynamic glucose fluctuations, enabling precise glycemic control and reducing the risk of symptomatic hypoglycemia