Evaluation of neurogenic potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal cells; a time- and concentration- dependent manner

Retinoic acid as one of the most important regulators for cell differentiation was examined in this study for differentiation of human umbilical mesenchymal cells [hUCM]. After isolation, hUCM were evaluated for mesenchymal stem cell properties by flow cytometry and alkaline phosphatase assay. Also, doubling time of the cells and their differentiation potential into adipogenic and osteogenic cells were tested. hUCM were then cultured with different concentrations of retinoic acid, and on days 1, 7, and 12, the percentage of differentiated cells was determined by immunostaining for nestin, anti-microtubule associated protein 2 [MAP[2]], glutamic acid decarboxylase [GAD], and gamma-aminobutyric acid [GABA] markers. The isolated cells were negative for the hematopoietic markers and positive for the mesenchymal markers. They showed the population doubling time 60 +/- 3 hours and differentiated into osteogenic and adipogenic cells. A descending trend in nestin and an ascending trend in MAP[2], GAD, and GABA expression were observed from the first day until the last day between different concentrations of retinoic acid. hUCM cells may have the potential to differentiate into neural cells in the presence of different incubation period and concentration of retinoic acid

study of the anatomic variations in extrahepatic bile ducts in 50 adults referred to Kerman forensic medicine organization

Anatomic variations in forensic extrahepatic bile ducts is common. Knowledge of extrahepatic bile duct variations is important for surgeons in order to prevent iatrogenic damage during surgery. This study aims to determine the variations in extrahepatic bile ducts among 150 cadavers located at the Kerman Medicine Organization. We performed autopsies on 150 cadavers. Bile ducts were exposed and studied to determine their anatomic variants and diameters. We observed anatomic variants of the biliary tree in 7 cadavers [4.6%]. In 3 [2%] cadavers, the right hepatic duct was missing, in 2 [1.33%] the left hepatic duct was missing and 6 [4%] did not have a common hepatic duct. In one case the common bile duct was absent. We may conclude that the Variation of bile duct is different in multiple population

Ultrastructural study of neuronal death in rat hippocampus after transient and permanent focal cerebral ischemia

Morphological changes of CA1 neurons in rat hippocampus after transient and permanent focal cerebral ischemia were studied to clarify the nature of postischemic cell death in the subfield. Male adult rats were divided into 3 groups: Control [Shamoperated], transient ischemic group [30 minutes of MCAO followed by 48 hours of reperfusion], and permanent ischemic group [48 hours of MCAO]. After the mentioned times, deep anesthesia was induced in the rats and their brains were removed and processed for transmission electron microscopy [TEM] and evaluation. Electron-microscopic examination on day 2 showed key morphological signs of apoptosis in the permanent ischemic group, while morphological signs of necrosis were observed in the transient ischemic group. These results suggest necrosis [as dominant mechanism of neuronal death after transient ischemia] and apoptosis [after permanent ischemia] to be involved in neuronal death