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Background: Functionalization of wound dressing is one of the main approaches for promoting wound healing in skin wound management. In this study, our aim is to fabricate a bio‐functionalized hydrocolloid wound dressing. Methods: The extracellular matrix (ECM) was extracted from human placental tissue. A hydrocolloid film was fabricated using Na‐CMC, pectin, gelatin, styrene‐isoprene‐styrene adhesive, glycerol, and 0.5%–2.5% powdered ECM. A polyurethane film and a release liner were used in the hydrocolloid/ECM films. The mechanical, adhesion, swelling rate, and integrity of the films were investigated. Cell proliferation, adhesion, and migration assays, as well as, SEM and FTIR spectroscopy were also conducted. Macroscopic and microscopic evaluations of wound healing process and formation of blood vessels were conducted in mouse animal models. Results: We successfully fabricated a three‐layered ECM‐functionalized hydrocolloid dressing with a water vapor transmission rate of 371 g/m2/day and an adhesion peel strength of 176 KPa. Cellular adhesion, proliferation and migration were promoted by ECM. In the animal tests, ECM‐functionalized hydrocolloids significantly improved wound closure and re‐epithelialization at days 14 and 21. Also, ECM‐functionalized hydrocolloids promoted the formation of hair follicles. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that ECM could enhance the wound healing properties of hydrocolloid wound dressings. This wound dressing could be considered for application in hard‐to‐heal acute wounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Cutaneous melanoma is the most hazardous malignancy of skin cancer with a high mortality rate. It has been reported that cancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for malignancy in most of cancers including melanoma. The aim of this study is to compare two common methods for melanoma stem cell enriching; isolating based on the CD133 cell surface marker and spheroid cell culture. Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, melanoma stem cells were enriched by fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) based on the CD133 protein expression and spheroid culture of D10 melanoma cell line,. To determine stemness features, the mRNA expression analysis of ABCG2, c-MYC, NESTIN, OCT4-A and -B genes as well as colony and spheroid formation assays were utilized in unsorted CD133+, CD133 and spheroid cells. Significant differences of the two experimental groups were compared using student's t tests and a two-tailed value of P<0.05 was statistically considered as a significant threshold. Results: Our results demonstrated that spheroid cells had more colony and spheroid forming ability, rather than CD133+ cells and the other groups. Moreover, melanospheres expressed higher mRNA expression level of ABCG2, c-MYC, NESTIN and OCT4-A compared to other groups (P<0.05). Conclusion: Although CD133+ derived melanoma cells represented stemness features, our findings demonstrated that spheroid culture could be more effective method to enrich melanoma stem cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In vitro obtaining oocytes can be an appropriate alternative for patients with gonadal insufficiency or cancer survivors. The purpose of the current research was isolating stem cells from ovarian cortical tissue as well as evaluating the effectiveness of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), and neurotrophin 3 (NT3) in differentiating to oocyte-like cells., Methods: A human ovary was dissected and cortical tissue pieces were cultured for cell isolation. Isolated cells were divided into 8 groups (3 cases in each group) of control, FSH, NT3, bFGF, FSH+NT3, FSH+bFGF, NT3+bFGF, and FSH+NT3+ bFGF. Pluripotency specific gene (OCT4-A and Nanog), initial germ cells (c-KIT and VASA) and PF growth initiators (GDF-9 and Lhx-8) were evaluated by qRTPCR. Experiments were performed in triplicate and there were 3 samples in each group. The results were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: Flow cytometry results showed that cells isolated from the ovarian cortex expressed markers of pluripotency. The results showed that the expression of Nanog, OCT4, GDF-9 and VASA was significantly increased in FSH+NT3 group, while treatment with bFGF caused significant expression of c-KIT and Lhx-8 (p<0.05). Also, according to the results, isolated cells treated with NT3 significantly increased c-KIT expression., Conclusion: According to our results, the ovarian cortex cells could be differentiated into primordial follicles if treated with the proper combination of FSH, bFGF, and NT3. These findings provided a new perspective for the future of in vitro gamete proudest., Competing Interests: Conflict of Interest There is no conflict of interest., (Copyright© 2021, Avicenna Research Institute.)