Leveraging stem cells to combat hepatitis: a comprehensive review of recent studies

Hepatitis is a significant global public health concern, with viral infections being the most common cause of liver inflammation. Antiviral medications are the primary treatments used to suppress the virus and prevent liver damage. However, the high cost of these drugs and the lack of awareness and stigma surrounding the disease create challenges in managing hepatitis. Stem cell therapy has arisen as a promising therapeutic strategy for hepatitis by virtue of its regenerative and immunomodulatory characteristics. Stem cells have the exceptional capacity to develop into numerous cell types and facilitate tissue regeneration, rendering them a highly promising therapeutic avenue for hepatitis. In animal models, stem cell therapy has demonstrated worthy results by reducing liver inflammation and improving liver function. Furthermore, clinical trials have been undertaken to assess the safety and effectiveness of stem cell therapy in individuals with hepatitis. This review aims to explore the involvement of stem cells in treating hepatitis and highlight the findings from studies conducted on both animals and humans. The objective of this review is to primarily concentrate on the ongoing and future clinical trials that assess the application of stem cell therapy in the context of hepatitis, including the transplantation of autologous bone marrow-derived stem cells, human induced pluripotent stem cells, and other mesenchymal stem cells. In addition, this review will explore the potential merits and constraints linked to stem cell therapy for hepatitis, as well as its prospective implications in the management of this disease.

Use of photosensitizers activated by photodynamic therapy on the canal disinfection of radicular dentin bonded to Dimethacrylate-based glass fiber post: an assessment of pushout bond strength

OBJECTIVE

The present lab-based investigation aimed at evaluating the canal disinfectants using photodynamic therapy (PDT) using different photosensitizers, conventional NaOCl, a mixture of doxycycline, citric acid, and a detergent (MTAD) and their impact on the bond strength of glass fiber post to radicular dentin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty extracted human premolars were gathered and disinfected. The decoration was performed up to the cementoenamel junction. Using the crown down technique cleaning of the canal was done following rinse with distilled water. All canals were dried with paper points and obturated with gutta-percha. Post space was prepared using peso reamers and samples were randomly allocated into four groups following different disinfection regimes: Group 1 - Methylene blue photosensitizer (MBP) + MTAD; Group 2 - RBP (Rose Bengal photosensitizer) + MTAD; Group 3 - CP (curcumin photosensitizer) + MTAD and Group 4 - 2.25% NaOCl + MTAD (control). Following disinfection, the canals were dried and the post was placed and cemented within the canal. Samples were dissected at coronal, middle, and apical third and placed in a universal testing machine for push-out bond strength (PBS). Debonded surfaces were evaluated for failure modes. PBS was examined using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The means of PBS were compared using Tukey multiple comparison tests with a significance threshold of (p<0.05).

RESULTS

Group 3 canals disinfected with CP and MTAD had the highest PBS at two levels: cervical (9.57±1.21 MPa), middle (6.37±0.79 MPa), and group 2 canal space disinfected by RBP and MTAD had the maximum PBS in apical portion (5.35±0.42 MPa). No significant difference at all root levels between group 2 (RBP + MTAD) and group 3 (p>0.05). Canal irrigation with group 1 (MBP + MTAD) and group 4 control (2.25% NaOCl + MTAD) exhibited comparable PBS at all three levels of the root.

CONCLUSIONS

CP, MTAD, RBP and MTAD for canal disinfection and bonding of glass fiber post to radicular dentin demonstrated comparable bond values at all three root levels and can be recommended in clinical settings after further investigations.

The mechanism of action for hyaluronic acid treatment in the osteoarthritic knee: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the leading causes of disability within the adult population. Current treatment options for OA of the knee include intra-articular (IA) hyaluronic acid (HA), a molecule found intrinsically within the knee joint that provides viscoelastic properties to the synovial fluid. A variety of mechanisms in which HA is thought to combat knee OA are reported in the current basic literature.

METHODS

We conducted a comprehensive literature search to identify currently available primary non-clinical basic science articles focussing on the mechanism of action of IA-HA treatment. Included articles were assessed and categorized based on the mechanism of action described within them. The key findings and conclusions from each included article were obtained and analyzed in aggregate with studies of the same categorical assignment.

RESULTS

Chondroprotection was the most frequent mechanism reported within the included articles, followed by proteoglycan and glycosaminoglycan synthesis, anti-inflammatory, mechanical, subchondral, and analgesic actions. HA-cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) receptor binding was the most frequently reported biological cause of the mechanisms presented. High molecular weight HA was seen to be superior to lower molecular weight HA products. HA derived through a biological fermentation process is also described as having favorable safety outcomes over avian-derived HA products.

CONCLUSIONS

The non-clinical basic science literature provides evidence for numerous mechanisms in which HA acts on joint structures and function. These actions provide support for the purported clinical benefit of IA-HA in OA of the knee. Future research should not only focus on the pain relief provided by IA-HA treatment, but the disease modification properties that this treatment modality possesses as well.

Phase II/III study of Auron Misheil Therapy (AMT) versus placebo to evaluate clinical benefit response (CBR) in patients with advanced solid tumors

e20696

Background: CBR is used as clinical trial endpoint in patients (pts) with advanced cancers. Auron Misheil Therapy (AMT) contains approved pharmaceuticals in low therapeutic doses (human insulin and chlorpheniramine) and herbal components (aqueous camomile extract). Safety and CBR-efficacy of AMT have been confirmed in phase I and II trials. The multicenter randomized double blind phase III study AMT/P2CA/001 compares CBR efficacy and safety of AMT with placebo in patients with advanced solid tumors. Methods: Pts with inoperable advanced disease refractory to standard therapy or for which no standard therapy existed were included.. Pts were randomized to receive placebo or AMT (0.066 ml/kg body weight) twice daily i.m. Patients on placebo had the possibility to switch to AMT under certain conditions. CBR was evaluated after two weeks of treatment with randomized AMT/placebo and after two weeks of open AMT, confirmed 4 weeks later. One week screening period for the assessment of the baseline CBR was necessary. Results: 45 pts were evaluable in this first analysis for CBR at 2 and 6 weeks. 6 out of 45 patients showed an overall CBR response (response at week 2 and week 6). The general adverse event profile (related and not related events) reflects the advanced cancer disease of the patients, and no relevant differences were observed between the AMT-groups and the Placebo-group. The most serious adverse events under AMT were hypoglycaemia. Local side effects were slightly more frequent in the AMT arm. Conclusions: This study shows that CBR can be achieved with AMT after 2 respectively 6 weeks of treatment even in patients with advanced solid tumors and a clinically relevant number of patients seem to have a benefit from the study treatment.

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Post-burn head and neck reconstruction using tissue expanders

Tissue expanders have become useful adjuvants in reconstruction after burn. This study reviews experience with of tissue expanders in the treatment of head and neck burns, from April 2002 to February 2007; 82 expanders were used for 72 patients, all of whom underwent reconstruction at least 6 months after complete healing. The only major difference in this study from other techniques was the preoperative approach for selecting flaps and implants. The use is described of tissue expanders to enhance the area and provide suitable tissue for large expanded flaps for reconstruction of the face and neck. This was based on previous laboratory studies demonstrating that large flaps with very narrow pedicles remain well vascularised and can be transposed to cover very large defects. Satisfactory results were achieved after reconstruction in all cases. Tissue expansion, if carefully planned and conducted, is part of the treatment of choice for post-burn reconstruction of the head and neck, allowing an expanded flap suitable for versatile coverage.

One-year efficacy of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene vascular graft in eighty-three hemodialysis patients

INTRODUCTION

Our aim was to evaluate the patency and efficacy of expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) vascular graft in hemodialysis patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a prospective study from January 1999 to January 2001 at Sina hospital 41 patients underwent implantation of 6-mm vascular grafts and 42 underwent implantation of 8-mm grafts in order to make vascular assess for hemodialysis. They were followed up to 12 months, observing the complications.

RESULTS

Mean patients' age was 52.2 years. Thirty-seven of them were females and 46 were males. Over a 12 months period of follow-up, 12 cases of graft infection (14.5%), 21 cases of thrombosis (25.3%), 7 cases with both complications (8.4%), and 1 case of pseudoaneurism (1.2%) were observed. One-year patency rate was 34.9%. Diabetes was the only factor associated with lower patency rate (27% versus 57%, p<0.05).

CONCLUSION

ePTFE vascular graft seems to be an appropriate substitute for arteriovenous fistula as a vascular assess in hemodialysis patients. Educating patients and good care can decrease the rate of infection, thrombosis, and other complications, resulting in a better patency and lower morbidity rate.

Sparfloxacin in the treatment of purulent sinusitis-a multicentric study in Indian patients

Sparfloxacin, a new quinolone antibacterial was used to treat one hundred and thirty two patients with acute purulent sinusitis, at a dosage of 400 mg on the first day followed by 200 mg once daily for a further four days. A clinically successful outcome (defined as disappearance of nasal discharge, fever, pain, tenderness over the sinuses and headache) was recorded in 122 ( 95.3%) patients. Sparfloxacin was well tolerated. Fourteen adverse experiences were reported in 7 patients ( 5.3%); they were mainly gastrointestinal and mild. No phototoxic or cardiological adverse events occurred. An unusual feature was that Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas spp. were the most common bacterial species isolated from middle meatal was of patients in this study.