ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND@#Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are used for tissue regeneration due to their wide differentiation capacity and anti-inflammatory effects. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from MSCs are also known for their regenerative effects as they contain nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and cytokines similar to those of parental cells. There are several studies on the use of MSCs or EVs for tissue regeneration. However, the combinatorial effect of human MSCs (hMSCs) and EVs is not clear. In this study, we investigated the combinatorial effect of hMSCs and EVs on cartilage regeneration via co-encapsulation in a hyaluronic-acid (HA)-based hydrogel. @*METHODS@#A methacrylic-acid-based HA hydrogel was prepared to encapsulate hMSCs and EVs in hydrogels. Through in vitro and in vivo analyses, we investigated the chondrogenic potential of the HA hydrogel-encapsulated with hMSCs and EVs. @*RESULTS@#Co-encapsulation of hMSCs with EVs in the HA hydrogel increased the chondrogenic differentiation of hMSCs and regeneration of damaged cartilage tissue compared with that of the HA hydrogel loaded with hMSCs only. @*CONCLUSION@#Co-encapsulation of hMSCs and EVs in the HA hydrogel effectively enhances cartilage tissue regeneration due to the combinatorial therapeutic effect of hMSCs and EVs. Thus, in addition to cartilage tissue regeneration for the treatment of osteoarthritis, this approach would be a useful strategy to improve other types of tissue regeneration.
ABSTRACT
Objective@#In the triple-network model, the salience network (SN) plays a crucial role in switching between the default-mode network (DMN) and the central executive network (CEN). Aberrant patterns of triple-network connectivity have been reported in schizophrenia patients, while findings have been less consistent for patients in the early stages of psychotic disorders. Thus, the present study examined the connectivity among the SN, DMN, and CEN in first-episode psychosis (FEP) patients and individuals at clinical high risk (CHR) for psychosis. @*Methods@#Thirty-nine patients with FEP, 78 patients with CHR for psychosis, and 110 healthy controls (HCs) underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. We compared the SN, DMN, and CEN connectivity patterns of the three groups. The role of the SN in networks with significant connectivity differences was examined by mediation analysis. @*Results@#FEP patients showed lower SN-DMN and SN-CEN (cluster-level F=5.83, false discovery rate [FDR] corrected-p=0.001) connectivity than HCs. There was lower SN-DMN connectivity (cluster-level F=3.06, FDR corrected-p=0.053) at a trend level in CHR subjects compared to HCs. Between HCs and FEP patients, mediation analysis showed that SN-DMN connectivity was a mediator between group and SN-CEN connectivity. Additionally, SN-CEN connectivity functioned as a mediator between group and SN-DMN connectivity. @*Conclusion@#Aberrant connectivity between the SN and DMN/CEN suggests disrupted network switching in FEP patients, although CHR subjects showed trend-level SN-DMN dysconnectivity. Our findings suggest that dysfunctional triple-network dynamics centered on the SN can appear in patients in the early stages of psychotic disorders.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: It is known that there are various factors associated with children's screen overuse. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of maternal depression on 2–5-year-old children's overuse of various household screen devices. METHODS: Participants were from the Internet-Cohort for Understanding of internet addiction Risk factors/Rescue in Early livelihood (I-CURE) study, an observational prospective cohort study in Korea. Screen time for six types of screen devices (smartphone, television, computer, tablet, video gaming console, and portable gaming console) were assessed by parental questionnaire. Maternal depression was measured by the Korean version of the Beck Depression Inventory II. Logistic regression models were run to determine the association between maternal depression and children's screen overuse. RESULTS: Maternal depression was associated with children's television overuse after adjusting for other factors (odds ratio, 1.954; P = 0.034). Contrary to expectation, the relationship between maternal depression and screen time was not present on other devices such as smartphones, computers and tablets. CONCLUSION: Maternal depression is related with 2–5-year-old children's television overuse. Interventions in maternal depressive symptoms and the associated changes in parent-child relationship can be useful for preventing children's television overuse.