Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have emerged as candidate cells with therapeutic potential to treat different pathologies. The underlying mechanism is paracrine signaling. The cells secrete proteins that can impact inflammation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and cell proliferation. All are important in wound healing and tissue regeneration. Although the bone marrow has been the most widely used source of MSCs, umbilical cord tissue (CT) presents a source that is just starting to be used in the clinic, yet can be obtained with more ease and easily stored. Here, we characterize CT‐MSCs obtained from multiple donors by analyzing cell surface proteins, differentiation capacity, and proteome profile. Analysis of low, medium, and high passage cells indicates that the morphology and proliferation rate stay constant and with the exception of cluster of differentiation (CD) 105 at late passage, there are no changes in the cell surface protein characteristics, indicating the population does not change with passage. TNF‐stimulated gene 6 protein was measured in a subset of samples and variable expression was observed, but this did not impact the ability of the cells to enhance skin regeneration. In conclusion, CT‐MSC represents a consistent, easily accessible source of cells for cell therapy. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2019;8:1041–1054

BackgroundBreast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among females worldwide including Sudan. The aim of this study was to determine the spatial distribution of breast cancer in Sudan.Materials and methodsA facility based cross-sectional study was implemented in eighteen histopathology laboratories distributed in the three localities of Khartoum State on a sample of 4630 Breast Cancer cases diagnosed during the period 2010–2016. A master database was developed through Epi InfoTM 7.1.5.2 for computerizing the data collected: the facility name, type (public or private), and its geo-location (latitude and longitude). Personal data on patients were extracted from their respective medical records (name, age, marital status, ethnic group, state, locality, administrative unit, permanent address and phone number, histopathology diagnosis). The data was summarized through SPSS to generate frequency tables for estimating prevalence and the geographical information system (ArcGIS 10.3) was used to generate the epidemiological distribution maps. ArcGIS 10.3 spatial analysis features were used to develop risk maps based on the kriging method.ResultsBreast cancer prevalence was 3.9 cases per 100,000 female populations. Of the 4423 cases of breast cancer, invasive breast carcinoma of no special type (NST) was the most frequent (79.5%, 3517/4423) histopathological diagnosis. The spatial analysis indicated as high risk areas for breast cancer in Sudan the States of Nile River, Northern, Red Sea, White Nile, Northern and Southern Kordofan.ConclusionsThe attempt to develop a predictive map of breast cancer in Sudan revealed three levels of risk areas (risk, intermediate and high risk areas); regardless the risk level, appropriate preventive and curative health interventions with full support from decision makers are urgently needed.

Maternal and newborn health service delivery redesign (MNH redesign) is a policy to shift all deliveries to or close to hospitals.n Current system assets that support MNH redesign in Kakamega County are the adequate geographic spread of hospitals, close proximity of women to these hospitals, and high provider and user support for the concept.n Before MNH redesign is implemented in Kakamega County, prevailing health system deficits, like health provider shortages and transportation challenges for mothers, would need to be addressed.