To review the theoretical basis and therapeutic effects of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in various diseases in animal experiments and clinical studies, as well as the limitations and current standards of FMT application. PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for articles published only in English between 1975 and 2023 on reliable results of animal experiments and clinical treatment

The advent of bioprinting has enabled the creation of precise three‐dimensional (3D) cell cultures suitable for biomimetic in vitro models. In this study, we developed a novel protocol for 3D printing methacrylated collagen (ColMa, or PhotoCol®) combined with tendon stem/progenitor cells (hTSPCs) derived from human tendon explants. Although pure ColMa has not previously been proposed as a printable

Minocycline is a commonly used drug for adjunctive therapy in periodontal disease. However, the current mainstream local medications primarily rely on intra‐pocket administration, which, while avoiding the side effects of traditional systemic drugs, presents challenges such as inconvenience, discomfort, and the need for professional assistance, thus affecting patient compliance. Herein, we introduce

Glial scar formation is a major obstacle to nerve regeneration following spinal cord injury (SCI). Pin1 and the PI3K/AKT/CDK2 signaling pathway play crucial roles in neuronal regulation, but research on their involvement in glial scarring remains limited. In this study, we have for the first time observed that Pin1, PI3K, AKT, and CDK2 are upregulated and interact with each other following SCI. Further

We envision this work to assist researchers and medical device developers (beside other stakeholders) to better understand biomaterial‐based medical device development and its approval process proposed by the new MDR and IVDR in the European Union, as more complex biomaterials emerge, with the MDR reflecting the progress in biomaterial discoveries. Additionally, insufficient international harmonization

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a common consequence of head injury but there are no recognized interventions to promote recovery of the brain. We previously showed that photobiomodulation (PBM) significantly reduced the number of apoptotic cells in adult rat hippocampal organotypic slice cultures. In this study, we first optimized PBM delivery parameters for use in mTBI, conducting cadaveric

Stem cell‐derived cardiac spheroids are promising models for cardiac research and drug testing. However, generating contracting cardiac spheroids remains challenging because of the laborious experimental procedure. Here, we present a microfluidic hanging‐heart chip (HH‐chip) that uses a microchannel and flow‐driven system to facilitate cell loading and culture medium replacement operations to reduce

Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs) are the most common congenital anomalies, affecting between 4 and 75 per 1000 live births. Cardiovascular patches (CVPs) are frequently used as part of the surgical armamentarium to reconstruct cardiovascular structures to correct CHDs in pediatric patients. This review aims to evaluate the history of cardiovascular patches, currently available options, clinical applications

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic disorder associated with inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract, leading to a range of debilitating symptoms. Fecal calprotectin is an established biomarker for ulcerative colitis (UC), one of the main IBD diseases, which provides indications of the presence and severity of inflammation in the digestive tract. Enzyme‐Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)

Pump is a vital component for expelling the perfusate in small animal isolated organ normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) systems whose flexible structure and rhythmic contraction play a crucial role in maintaining perfusion system homeostasis. However, the continuous extrusion forming with the rigid stationary shaft of the peristaltic pumps can damage cells, leading to metabolic disorders and eventual

Atherosclerosis, a slowly progressing inflammatory disease, is characterized by the presence of monocyte‐derived macrophages. Interventions targeting the inflammatory characteristics of atherosclerosis hold promising potential. Although interleukin (IL)‐10 is widely acknowledged for its anti‐inflammatory effects, systemic administration of IL‐10 has limitations due to its short half‐life and significant

Polymeric micro‐ and nanoparticles are useful vehicles for delivering cytokines to diseased tissues such as solid tumors. Double emulsion solvent evaporation is one of the most common techniques to formulate cytokines into vehicles made from hydrophobic polymers; however, the liquid–liquid interfaces formed during emulsification can greatly affect the stability and therapeutic performance of encapsulated

This study describes a complex human in vitro model for evaluating anti‐inflammatory drug response in the alveoli that may contribute to the reduction of animal testing in the pre‐clinical stage of drug development. The model is based on the human alveolar epithelial cell line Arlo co‐cultured with macrophages differentiated from the THP‐1 cell line, creating a physiological biological microenvironment

Glioblastoma is a strong challenge in the worldwide field of central nervous system malignancies. GBM's inherent heterogeneity, along with the formation of an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, supports its resistance to current therapy methods. Immunotherapeutic methods have emerged as potential options in recent years. However, because of the inherent limits of traditional immunotherapeutic

Epigenetics mechanisms play a significant role in human diseases by altering DNA methylation status, chromatin structure, and/or modifying histone proteins. By modulating the epigenetic status, the expression of genes can be regulated without any change in the DNA sequence itself. Epigenetic drugs exhibit promising therapeutic efficacy against several epigenetically originated diseases including several

The endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus, assumes a crucial role in the female reproductive system. Disorders and injuries impacting the endometrium can lead to profound consequences, including infertility and compromised women's overall health. Recent advancements in stem cell research have opened new possibilities for the treatment and repair of endometrial issues. In the present study, we

Messenger RNA (mRNA) has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy for various diseases, including cancer, infectious diseases, and genetic disorders. The mRNA‐based therapeutics have gained significant attention due to their ability to regulate targeted cells, activate immune cells, and avoid potential risks associated with DNA‐based technology. However, the clinical application of mRNA in cancer

The major histocompatibility complex class I (MHCI) trafficking signal (MITD) plays a pivotal role in enhancing the efficacy of mRNA vaccines. However, there was a lack of research investigating its efficacy in enhancing immune responses to RNA virus infections. Here, we have developed an innovative strategy for the formulation of mRNA vaccines. This approach involved the integration of MITD into the

Cell therapies are at the forefront of novel therapeutics. Neutrophils, despite being the most populous immune cells in human blood circulation, are not considered a viable option for cellular therapies because of their short lifespan and poor understanding of their role in the pathophysiology of various diseases. In inflammatory conditions, neutrophils exhibit an activated phenotype. Activation brings

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent new therapeutic candidates against glioblastoma multiforme (GBM); however, their efficacy is clinically limited due to both local and systemic immunosuppressive environments. Hence, therapeutic approaches that stimulate local and systemic immune environments can improve the efficacy of ICIs. Here, we report an adoptive cell therapy employing neutrophils

Diabetic wounds present a significant challenge in regenerative medicine due to impaired healing, characterized by prolonged inflammation and deficient tissue repair, primarily caused by a skewed pro‐inflammatory macrophage phenotype. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) chemically modified mRNA (modRNA)‐enriched human adipose‐derived multipotent stromal cells

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that affects the entire joint and has been a huge burden on the health care system worldwide. Although traditional therapy and targeted cartilage cell therapy have made significant progress in the treatment of OA and cartilage regeneration, there are still many problems. Mesenchymal stem cells from various tissues are the most studied cell type and

This study presents a novel in vitro bilayer 3D co‐culture platform designed to obtain cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs)‐like cells. The platform consists of a bilayer hydrogel structure with a collagen/polyethylene glycol (PEG) hydrogel for fibroblasts as the upper layer and an alginate hydrogel for tumor cells as the lower layer. The platform enabled paracrine interactions between fibroblasts

Sperm quality analysis plays an important role in diagnosing infertility, which is widely implemented by computer‐assisted sperm analysis (CASA) of sperm‐swimming imaging from commercial phase‐contrast microscopy. A well‐equipped microscope comes with a high cost, increasing the burden of assessment, and it also occupies a large volume. For point‐of‐care testing (POCT) of sperm quality, these factors

The tumor microenvironment (TME) is critical for cancer initiation, growth, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a significant tumor component that serves various functions, including mechanical support, TME regulation, and signal molecule generation. The quantity and cross‐linking status of ECM components are crucial factors in tumor development, as they determine

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant brain tumor diagnosed in adults, carrying with it an extremely poor prognosis and limited options for effective treatment. Various cell therapies have emerged as promising candidates for GBM treatment but fail in the clinic due to poor tumor trafficking, poor transplantation efficiency, and high systemic toxicity. In this study, we design, characterize

Tissue engineering has emerged as a promising avenue for reconstructive urology, though only a limited number of tissue‐engineered urethral constructs have advanced to clinical testing. Presently, there exists a dearth of agreement regarding the most promising constructs deserving of implementation in clinical practice. The objective of this review was to provide a comprehensive analysis of preclinical

Lymph node (LN)‐resident dendritic cells (DCs) are a promising target for vaccination given their professional antigen‐presenting capabilities and proximity to a high concentration of immune cells. Direct intra‐LN injection has been shown to greatly enhance the immune response to vaccine antigens compared to traditional intramuscular injection, but it is infeasible to implement clinically in a vaccination

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a pregnancy disorder associated with short‐ and long‐term adverse outcomes in both mothers and infants. The current clinical test of blood glucose levels late in the second trimester is inadequate for early detection of GDM. Here we show the utility of Raman spectroscopy (RS) for rapid and highly sensitive maternal metabolome screening for GDM in the first trimester

Conventional chemotherapeutic agents are limited by their lack of targeting and penetration and their short retention time, and chemotherapy might induce an immune suppressive environment. Peptide self‐assembly can result in a specific morphology, and the resulting morphological changes are stimuli responsive to the external environment, which is important for drug permeation and retention of encapsulated

The hollow fiber membrane bundle is the functional component of artificial lungs, transferring oxygen to and carbon dioxide from the blood. It is also the primary location of blood clot formation and propagation in these devices. The geometric design of fiber bundles is defined by a narrow set of parameters that determine gas exchange efficiency and blood flow resistance, principally: fiber packing

While surgical resection is a mainstay of cancer treatment, many tumors are unresectable due to stage, location, or comorbidities. Ablative therapies, which cause local destruction of tumors, are effective alternatives to surgical excision in several settings. Ethanol ablation is one such ablative treatment modality in which ethanol is directly injected into tumor nodules. Ethanol, however, tends to

Cowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) has demonstrated superior immune stimulation and efficacy as an intratumoral immunotherapy, providing a strong argument for its clinical translation. One important consideration for any new drug candidate is the long‐term stability of the drug and its formulation. Therefore, our lab has evaluated the physical stability and biological activity, that is, anti‐tumor potency

Heart valve replacement surgeries are performed on patients suffering from abnormal heart valve function. In these operations, the problematic tissue is replaced with mechanical valves or with bioprosthetics that are being developed. The thrombotic effect of mechanical valves, reflecting the need for lifelong use of anticoagulation drugs, and the short‐lived nature of biological valves make these two

Engineered stone silicosis (ESS), primarily caused by inhaling respirable crystalline silica, poses a significant occupational health risk globally. ESS has no effective treatment and presents a rapid progression from simple silicosis (SS) to progressive massive fibrosis (PMF), with respiratory failure and death. Despite the use of diagnostic methods like chest x‐rays and high‐resolution computed tomography

Biobanks hold a pivotal role in facilitating translational and clinical research endeavors. However, the effects of prolonged storage on frozen blood samples analytes are not well defined yet. The aim of this study was to investigate the long‐term stability of the quality of DNA, RNA, and endocrine markers within blood samples amassed from the biobank over the past 11 years. The results show that the

Self-organizing brain organoids provide a promising tool for studying human development and disease. Here we created human forebrain organoids with stable and homogeneous expression of channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) by generating AAVS1 safe harbor locus-targeted, ChR2 knocked-in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), followed by the differentiation of these genetically engineered hPSCs into forebrain organoids

Vaccination is the most effective strategy to combat influenza. Ideally, potent and persistent vaccine effects would be induced with a single vaccine dose. Here, we designed a virus-like particle (VLP)-based vaccine presenting multiple copies of the influenza hemagglutinin (HA) from A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (PR8HA-VLP) and examined its immunogenicity and protective efficacy in ferrets. Serum-neutralizing

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and unspecific inflammatory disorder of the gastrointestinal tract, and current treatment options often fail to maintain long‐term remission. Studies have shown that propionate level is reduced in fecal samples from patients with IBD. Propionate can ameliorate IBD through intestinal epithelial cells and immune regulation, but its effects on the inflammatory

Postoperative critical care management of congenital heart disease patients requires prompt intervention when the patient deviates significantly from clinician‐determined vital sign and hemodynamic goals. Current monitoring systems only allow for static thresholds to be set on individual variables, despite the expectations that these signals change as the patient recovers and that variables interact

Hydrogels have been used in the clinic since the late 1980s with broad applications in drug delivery, cosmetics, tissue regeneration, among many other areas. The past three decades have witnessed rapid advances in the fields of polymer chemistry, crosslinking approaches, and hydrogel fabrication methods, which have collectively brought many new hydrogel products, either injectable or non‐injectable

Long‐lasting vaginal dosage forms could improve the therapeutic efficacy of vaginal microbicides, but achieving long‐term delivery to the vaginal canal has been a significant challenge. To advance understanding of vaginal dosage retention and biodistribution, we describe a method of noninvasive imaging with 89Zr‐labeled bioadhesive nanoparticles (BNPs) in non‐human primates. We additionally examined

Confounding results of engineered mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) used as cellular vehicles has plagued technologies whereby success or failure of novel approaches may be dismissed or inaccurately ascribed solely to the biotechnology platform rather than suitability of the human donor. Polymeric materials were screened for non‐viral engineering of MSCs from multiple human donors to deliver bone morphogenic

Antibody‐drug conjugates (ADCs), chemotherapeutic agents conjugated to an antibody to enhance their targeted delivery to tumors, represent a significant advancement in cancer therapy. ADCs combine the precise targeting capabilities of antibodies and the potent cell‐killing effects of chemotherapy, allowing for enhanced cytotoxicity to tumors while minimizing damage to healthy tissues. Here, we provide

Successful nerve repair using bioadhesive hydrogels demands minimizing tissue–material interfacial mechanical mismatch to reduce immune responses and scar tissue formation. Furthermore, it is crucial to maintain the bioelectrical stimulation‐mediated cell‐signaling mechanism to overcome communication barriers within injured nerve tissues. Therefore, engineering bioadhesives for neural tissue regeneration

Given the prevalence of hematological conditions, surgeries, and trauma incidents, hemostats—therapeutics designed to control and arrest bleeding—are an important tool in patient care. The prophylactic and therapeutic use of hemostats markedly enhances survival rates and improves the overall quality of life of patients suffering from these conditions. Since their inception in the 1960s, hemostats have

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a cause of profound and irreversible damage, with no effective therapy to promote functional recovery. Photobiomodulation (PBM) may provide a viable therapeutic approach using red or near‐infrared light to promote recovery after SCI by mitigating neuroinflammation and preventing neuronal apoptosis. Our current study aimed to optimize PBM dose regimens and develop and validate

Organophosphate (OP) toxicants remain an active threat to public health and to warfighters in the military. Current countermeasures require near immediate administration following OP exposure and are reported to have controversial efficacies. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) fused to the human immunoglobulin 1 (IgG1) Fc domain (AChE‐Fc) is a potential bioscavenger for OP toxicants, but a reproducible AChE‐Fc

Hydrogels are distinguished by their exceptional ability to absorb and retain large volumes of water within their complex three‐dimensional polymer networks, which is advantageous for the development of intraocular lenses (IOLs). Their innate hydrophilicity offers an optimal substrate for the fabrication of IOLs that simulate the natural lens' accommodation, thereby reducing irritation and facilitating

Restoration of extensive tracheal damage remains a significant challenge in respiratory medicine, particularly in instances stemming from conditions like infection, congenital anomalies, or stenosis. The trachea, an essential element of the lower respiratory tract, constitutes a fibrocartilaginous tube spanning approximately 10–12 cm in length. It is characterized by 18 ± 2 tracheal cartilages distributed

Chemotherapy treatment outcomes are severely restricted by multidrug resistance (MDR), in which tumors develop a multiple cross‐resistance toward drug involving the pump and nonpump resistance mechanisms, resulting in drug efflux and defending against drug toxicity. Herein, we constructed a pH and near infrared (NIR) light responsive nanomedicine DOX@FG based on gold nanorods (GNRs) that demonstrated

Cancer presents a formidable challenge in modern medicine due to the intratumoral heterogeneity and the dynamic microenvironmental niche. Natural or genetically engineered oncolytic bacteria have always been hailed by scientists for their intrinsic tumor‐targeting and oncolytic capacities. However, the immunogenicity and low toxicity inevitably constrain their application in clinical practice. When