مریم نظم بجنوردی

 Human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) that closely common origin with ectomesenchymal cells. could be applied as the source of stem cells for treatment of some neurodegenerative diseases. The hDPSCc are capable of differentiating into dopaminergic neurons in presence of appropriate neurotrophic factors and neurosphere technique with regard to fact This study was carried out to assess the differentiation potential of hDPSCc into dopaminergic neurons using neurosphere technique.

 In this study, hDPSCs were isolated from the third molar using mechanical-enzymatic methods. The cells were harvested in a proper condition medium and differentiated into precursor neuronal stem cells and then consequently differentiated into dopaminergic cells in the presence of neuronal induction media including BDNF and GDNF. Cells in each groups were evaluated by immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR assays. In addition, the amount of dopamine released was measured by HPLC.

 Cells treated with differentiation inducer factors exhibited remarkable changes in phenotypic characteristics and neuron like cells were observed. Molecular results showed that pluripotent genes such as Nestin  , Sox2 expression level gradually reduced in the early stages of differentiation process. However, after treatment with neuronal inducers, genes expression level involved in neurogenesis/dopaminergic like DAT ,PITX3,  ,Nurr1 ,TH PITX3 in treated group increased significantly compared to control group. Moreover, immune cytochemistry assay indicated that cells expressing tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) were also detected in treated group. In addition, dopamine release was significantly increased in treated group (P < 0.05).   

 These research findings confirm that the hDPSCs can be differentiated into dopaminergic neurons via neurosphere technique and appropriate inducers.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative inflammatory disease with a wide range of axonal demyelination and sensory-motor disorders. Today, stem cell therapy is an appropriate choice for MS management. Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells (iPSC) are pluripotent stem cells that have neuroprotective effects with neuroglial differentiation potential. In this study, we used iPSCs to improve remyelination and behavioral function in model of cuprizone multiple sclerosis disease in rats.

Human iPSCs were cultured and extended on a mouse embryonic fibroblast feeder cell layer inactivated with mitomycin-C in DMEM/F12 supplemented with 20% knockout serum replacement, 0.1 mmol/L nonessential amino acids, and 10 ng/mL of recombinant human basic fibroblast growth factor in a 5% CO2 and 95% humidity. The demyelination model was induced using a 0.2 oral Cuprizone regime. Thereafter, iPSCs were transplanted after six weeks. Remyelination was investigated via histological assessments and immunocytochemistry following six-week post-transplantation. The functionality was evaluated using behavioral tests, BBB, and Footprint following six-week post-transplantation.

The results of in vivo studies showed that after specific myelin tissue staining, the cuprizone diet led to the induction of demyelinated areas in the brain tissue six weeks after the cuprizone diet. Differentiation of transplanted cells was confirmed via the immunocytochemistry technique of PLP. The results of the Footprint test showed that the motor function of the paws of the animals improved compared to the control group. Moreover, BBB behavioral tests showed improved symptoms in the experimental groups that received the cells.

In total, iPSCs can improve remyelination and functional recovery following transplantation into the Cuprizone demyelination model in rats. Therefore, iPSC therapy could improve behavioral function in multiple sclerosis disease

Understanding hand structures is necessary to diagnose its diseases and injuries. Several methods have been used to teach the anatomy of this body part. In this article, we introduce a new educational tool and examine the impact of its use in learning anatomy.

Color images of different layers of hand structures were connected with a spring. On each page, the desired structure was cut and that part could be turned from another direction so that the tool was beyond a booklet and could create a three-dimensional image of the region. In this way, a multi-layered structure was made that looking at each part of it and going to the next part was equivalent to removing a layer from the palm of the hand and observing the layer beneath. After making the educational tool, 280 students who participated in the study were divided into two groups: control (A) and experimental (B). Both groups participated in a pre-test. After teaching the theory of hand anatomy for both groups, the control group received practical training using the traditional method and the experimental group using the proposed educational tool, and both groups participated in a post-test and the scores of the pre and post-test groups were compared. Data were analyzed using SPSS 24 statistical software using Mann-Whitney and Wilcoxon tests.

The pre-test scores of groups A and B were 3.48±1.197 and 3.49±1.481, respectively. The post-test scores of groups A and B were 6.97±1.504 and 10.54±1.303, respectively. Therefore, although the pre-test scores of groups A and B were not much different (P>0.05), the post-test scores of the two groups showed a significant difference (P<0.001). Students also expressed that using this educational tool has made learning hand anatomy more interesting for them.

The results of this study showed that the proposed educational tool is effective in the field of hand anatomy education.

In vitro proliferation and maintenance of spermatogonial stem cells is one of the treatment options for infertile men. Creating a suitable microenvironment similar to the natural conditions of reproduction of these cells leads to the improvement of culture and spermatogenesis. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to use a 3D silk nanofibrous electrospun scaffold and co-culture with Sertoli cells in order to increase the proliferation of spermatogonial stem cells.

In this experimental study, spermatogonial stem cells were isolated from the testes of 50 2-4-day-old mice (5 samples each time) using two-step mechanical and enzymatic digestion within two weeks. After placing 2×104 cells on the surface of the silk scaffold, they were exposed to culture medium. The viability of these cells was assessed using MTT assay and their binding was evaluated by SEM microscopy. The studied variables, including Stra8, DAZL and Piwill2 specific genes were analyzed by real time PCR and immunocytochemistry.

The viability of cultured cells in the presence of scaffold and Sertoli (91±6), (90±2) was higher than the control group (85±2), (83±8). Real time PCR results confirmed a significant increase in the expression of specific markers of spermatogonial stem cells such as Stra8, Piwill2 and DAZL in cells cultured respectively on scaffold (1.47±6) (1.28±5) (1.43±2) compared to the 2D culture group (1.17±5) (1.05±3) (1.13±7) (p<0.05).

The results showed that silk scaffold in the presence of Sertoli cell co-culture can increase in vitro proliferation of spermatogonial stem cells and can have a positive effect on the viability and proliferation of these cells.