Activation of Diverse Signaling Pathways by Ex Vivo Delivery of Multiple Cytokines for Myocardial Repair Researchers investigated whether simultaneous transgenic overexpression of a select quartet of growth factors activates diverse signaling pathways for mobilization and participation of various stem/progenitor cells for cardiogenesis in the infarcted heart. Conditioned medium from transfected skeletal myoblasts was cytoprotective for cardiomyocytes under anoxia, promoted higher trans-well migration of human umbilical cord vein endothelial cells and in vitro tube formation. [Stem Cells Dev] Abstract Amniotic Fluid-Derived Stem Cells as a Cell Source for Bone Tissue Engineering Researchers compared the osteogenic potential of both bone marrow-derived stem cells and amniotic fluid-derived stem cells under distinct culture environments to determine whether the osteogenic differentiation process of both types of stem cells is related to the origin of the cells. [Tissue Eng Part A] Abstract Comparison of In Vitro Hepatogenic Differentiation Potential between Various Placenta-Derived Stem Cells and Other Adult Stem Cells as an Alternative Source of Functional Hepatocytes Comparative studies of the potential for hepatogenic differentiation among various mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are largely lacking. Therefore, researchers investigated and compared the potential for hepatogenic differentiation of placenta-derived stem cells with bone marrow-derived MSCs, adipose-derived MSCs, and umbilical cord blood-derived MSCs. [Differentiation] Abstract Evaluation of Unrestricted Somatic Stem Cells as a Feeder Layer to Support Undifferentiated Embryonic Stem Cells Isolated cord blood unrestricted somatic stem cells (USSCs) derived from various donors were used as a novel, supportive feeder layer for growth of C4mES cells. Complete cellular characterization using immunocytochemical and flow cytometric methods were performed on murine embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and human USSCs. [Mol Reprod Dev] Abstract Effects of Agitation Speed on the Ex Vivo Expansion of Cord Blood Hematopoietic Stem/Progenitor Cells in Stirred Suspension Culture Mononuclear cells were cultivated in stirred flasks at different agitation speeds. Data indicated that hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells should be cultured at relatively low agitation speed and for a short-term period when cultured in stirred suspension system. [Artif Cells Blood Substit Immobil Biotechnol] Abstract Comparison of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Fat, Bone Marrow, Wharton’s Jelly, and Umbilical Cord Blood for Treating Spinal Cord Injuries in Dogs Scientists isolated the mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from fat, bone marrow, Wharton’s jelly and umbilical cord blood positive for MSC markers and negative for hematopoietic cell markers. Their effects on the regeneration of injured canine spinal cords were compared. [J Vet Med Sci] Abstract  |