Background and Objectives Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) are adult multipotent non-haematopoietic stem cells that have regeneration potential. The current study aimed to detect the ability of BM-MSCs to improve kidney and cardiac functions in adult rats with established chronic kidney disease. Methods Rats were divided into sham-operated control, untreated sub totally nephrectomised and treated sub totally nephrectomised groups. Body weight, kidney and cardiac tissue weights, plasma creatinine and urea levels and arterial blood pressure were measured. ECG was recorded, and an in vitro isolated heart study was performed. Results: Stem cell treatment decreased the elevated plasma creatinine and urea levels and decreased systolic, diastolic and mean arterial blood pressure values. These changes were accompanied by a decrease in glomerular hypertrophy with apparent normal renal parenchyma. Additionally, BM-MSCs shortened Q-To and Q-Tc intervals, all time to peak tension values, the half relaxation value at 30 min of reperfusion and the contraction time at 15 and 30 min of reperfusion. Moreover, stem cell treatment significantly increased the heart rate, QRS voltage, the peak tension at the 15- and 30-min reperfusion time points and the peak tension per left ventricle at the 30-min reperfusion time point compared to the pre-ischaemia baseline. BM-MSCs resolve inter muscular oedema and lead to the re-appearance of normal cardiomyocytes. This improvement occurs with the observations of BM-MSCs in renal and heart tissues. Conclusions BM-MSCs can attenuate chronic kidney disease progression and the associated cardiac electrophysiological and inotropic dysfunction.

Purpose Majority of the assessments, appraisals and placements have been disturbed, with some being cancelled, postponed, or modified in design. New approaches for assessment should be well-thought-out. This work attempts at capturing the collective wisdom of educators in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA), providing an understanding of the online assessment conceptual framework in the era of COVID-19 that tells the story rather than determining cause and effect, and identifying the biggest gaps that derail the digital transformation. Methods A qualitative inductive study using the grounded theory approach was implemented following a synchronous virtual online meeting, a summary of the reflections as well as experiences of medical education experts was prepared. Data for this qualitative study were collected from the meeting. The meeting was video-recorded and transcribed by the researchers. Thematic analysis was performed by three separate researcher coders. The authors then discussed together until they reached a consensus. Results Three main thematic areas were identified: 1) feasibility, 2) exam fairness/equity and 3) acceptable graduate attributes, society/community acceptance. Conclusion The COVID-19 era necessitated revisiting of our assessment strategies to cope with new changes within the available context. Rapid adaptation is required.

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Back Ground Hypertension and its cardiovascular complications as myocardial infarction are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Reperfusion strategies are the current standard therapy but they result in cardiac ischemia reperfusion injury. Stem cell transplantation has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy and showed many beneficial effects in different medical disorders as reno-vascular hypertension. Aim of Work To assess the possible protective effects of bone marrow derived mesemchymal stem cells treatment on ischemic/reperfused hearts in hypertensive rats. Materials & Methods 49 adult female Wistar albino rats, were allocated into three main groups: control group, hypertensive untreated (Ht-u) group and hypertensive stem cells (Ht-SCs) treated group. Body weight, arterial blood pressure, ECG recording, isolated heart study with exposure to ischemia reperfusion injury and fluorescence imaging of labeled MSCs in the heart, aorta and liver were performed. Plasma lipid profile, nitric oxide, MDA and SOD levels and cardiac MDA and SOD levels were estimated. Cardiac tissues were weighed. Heart, aorta and liver were histopathologically assessed. Results Ht-SCs treated group demonstrated significant increase in body weight gain %, significant decrease in R voltage, SBP, DBP and MAP sixth week values compared to HT-u group, with DBP and MAP showing non-significance from the control. Significant increase in heart rate basal and all reperfusion values and non-significant increase in basal PT/LVW were detected compared to HT-u group. Basal TPT and HRT were significantly shortened and MFR/LVW was significantly increased than HT-u group, being non-significantly changed from the control denoting systolic and diastolic function improvement.TPT and HRT prolongation and MFR/LVW decrease after IR injury was significantly lower in HT-SC group than HT-u group. This was accompanied by significant decrease in atherogenic index, plasma and cardiac MDA and significant increase in plasma nitrites, SOD and cardiac SOD. BM-MScs were detected in cardiac and aortic tissues. Conclusion Single injection of BM-MScs exerted anti-hypertensive and anti-hypertrophic effects, reduced systolic and diastolic dysfunction after ischemia reperfusion injury and improved coronary flow in hypertensive rats, through homing into aortic tissues mitigating endothelial dysfunction and exerting angiogenic effects and homing into cardiac tissues exerting anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects.