Cartilage engineering from ovine umbilical cord blood mesenchymal progenitor cells

We aimed to determine whether three-dimensional (3D) cartilage could be engineered from umbilical cord blood (CB) cells and compare it with both engineered fetal cartilage and native tissue. Ovine mesenchymal progenitor cells were isolated from CB samples (n=4) harvested at 80-120 days of gestation by low-density fractionation, expanded, and seeded onto polyglycolic acid scaffolds. Constructs (n=28) were maintained in a rotating bioreactor with serum-free medium supplemented with transforming growth factor-beta1 for 4-12 weeks. Similar constructs seeded with fetal chondrocytes (n=13) were cultured in parallel for 8 weeks. All specimens were analyzed and compared with native fetal cartilage samples (n=10). Statistical analysis was by analysis of variance and Student's t-test (p<.01). At 12 weeks, CB constructs exhibited chondrogenic differentiation by both standard and matrix-specific staining. In the CB constructs, there was a significant time-dependent increase in extracellular matrix levels of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and type-II collagen (C-II) but not of elastin (EL). Fetal chondrocyte and CB constructs had similar GAG and C-II contents, but CB constructs had less EL. Compared with both hyaline and elastic native fetal cartilage, C-II and EL levels were, respectively, similar and lower in the CB constructs, which had correspondingly lower and similar GAG levels than native hyaline and elastic fetal cartilage. We conclude that CB mesenchymal progenitor cells can be successfully used for the engineering of 3D cartilaginous tissue in vitro, displaying select histological and functional properties of both native and engineered fetal cartilage. Cartilage engineered from CB may prove useful for the treatment of select congenital anomalies.     

Liver transplantation as a definitive treatment for familial hypercholesterolemia: A series of 36 cases

FH is a genetic disorder characterized by an increase in serum LDL and total cholesterol values. The afflicted patients are at increased risk of premature atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction. Different treatment modalities are present, including pharmacological agents and surgical procedures. The most effective method of therapy in refractive cases is liver transplantation. Herein, we report our experience on 36 cases of patients with FH undergoing liver transplantation in our center, the main referral center of liver transplantation in Iran. The clinical findings, hospital courses, post‐operative complications, and patient follow‐up are also described.     

Results of liver transplantation: analysis of 140 cases at a single center

The Shiraz Organ Transplant Center in southern Iran has been performing all liver transplantations in Iran and certain neighboring countries for 12 years. This study evaluated the 140 operations performed from April 1993 through November 2004. Sixty-one percent of the recipients were men and 39% were women. The average recipient age was 29.9 +/- 14.0 years. One hundred twenty-eight patients has a full-size cadaveric transplant. Most frequent causes of cirrhosis were cryptogenic and viral. An acute rejection episode occurred in 47.5% of cases, and two episodes in 8%. Most frequent short-term complications included respiratory, neurologic, and biliary problems. The 1-, 2-, and 3-year patient survival rates were 92%, 89%, and 85%, respectively. The experience that the Shiraz Organ Transplant Center has had with liver transplantation indicated success comparable to that noted in other reports. The calculated trend suggests that a goal of 100 transplantations for 2005 is within reach.