Calcium-Sensing Receptor-Mediated Osteogenic and Early-Stage Neurogenic Differentiation in Umbilical Cord Matrix Mesenchymal Stem Cells from a Large Animal Model Scientists investigated, in a large animal model, the involvement of calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) in triggering osteogenic and neurogenic differentiation of two size-sieved umbilical cord matrix mesenchymal stem cell lines, by using AMG641, a novel potent research calcimimetic acting as CaSR agonist. [PLoS One] Full Article Establishment of a Humanized APL Model via the Transplantation of PML-RARA-Transduced Human Common Myeloid Progenitors into Immunodeficient Mice In order to understand the precise mechanisms involved in human acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) leukemogenesis, investigators established a humanized in vivo APL model involving retroviral transduction of PML-RARA into CD34+ hematopoietic cells from human cord blood and transplantation of these cells into immunodeficient mice. [PLoS One] Full Article Dendritic Cell Reconstitution Is Associated with Relapse-Free Survival and Acute GvHD Severity in Children after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation Scientists investigated the age- and sex-dependent immune reconstitution of myeloid and plasmacytoid DC in the peripheral blood of 45 children with leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome after allo-SCT with regard to relapse, acute GvHD and relapse-free survival. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract Clinical and Biological Predictors of Outcome following Relapse of CML Post-Allo-SCT To better define clinical and biological parameters determining postrelapse outcome, investigators studied 59 patients with CML relapsing after HLA-identical sibling allo-SCT. [Bone Marrow Transplant] Abstract The Immunologic and Hematopoietic Profiles of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived from Different Sections of Human Umbilical Cord Scientists compared immunologic and hematopoietic characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells derived from whole human umbilical cord (UC), as well as from different sections of UCs, including the amniotic membrane, Wharton’s jelly, and umbilical vessel. [Acta Biochim Biophys Sin] Abstract Contribution of Non-Infectious Transplantation-Related Complications to the Outcome of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: a Single Institute Analysis Researchers compared non-infectious transplantation-related complications post-cord blood transplantation in patients with acute myeloid leukemia with those following related bone marrow and peripheral blood transplantation and unrelated BM transplantation. [Int J Hematol] Abstract Upregulation of Nanog and Sox-2 Genes following Ectopic Expression of Oct-4 in Amniotic Fluid Mesenchymal Stem Cells Octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (Oct-4), an important gene regulating stem cell pluripotency, is well-known for its ability to reprogram somatic cells in vitro, either alone or in concert with other factors. Investigators assessed the effect of ectopic expression of Oct-4 in human amniotic fluid stem cells. [Biotechnol Appl Biochem] Abstract |