Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are the result of pathological immune responses due to environmental factors or microbial antigens into a genetically predisposed individual. Mainly due to their trophic properties, a mounting interest is focused on the use of human mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (hMSCs) to treat IBD disease in animal models. The aim of the study is to test whether the secreted molecules, derived from a specific population of second trimester amniotic fluid mesenchymal stem/stromal cells, the spindle-shaped MSCs (SS-AF-MSCs), could be utilized as a novel therapeutic, cell free approach for IBD therapy. Induction of colitis was achieved by oral administration of dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) (3 % w/v in tap water), for 5 days, to 8-week-old NOD/SCID mice. The progression of colitis was assessed on a daily basis through recording the body weight, stool consistency and bleeding. Conditioned media (CM) derived from SS-AF-MSCs were collected, concentrated and then delivered intraperitoneally into DSS treated mice. To evaluate and determine the inflammatory cytokine levels, histopathological approach was applied. Administration of CM derived from SS-AF-MSCs cells reduced the severity of colitis in mice. More importantly, TGFb1 protein levels were increased in the mice received CM, while TNFa and MMP2 protein levels were decreased, respectively. Accordingly, IL-10 was significantly increased in mice received CM, whereas TNFa and IL-1b were decreased at mRNA level. Our results demonstrated that CM derived from SS-AF-MSCs cells is able to ameliorate DSS-induced colitis in immunodeficient colitis mouse model, and thus, it has a potential for use in IBD therapy.
There are many pressures on the global food system such as urbanization, climate change, and environmental degradation. Urban agriculture is an approach to producing food inside cities where, globally, more than half the worlds population live. It has been shown to have a range of potential benefits, for instance in reducing waste and logistics costs. Increased uptake of urban farming can even relieve pressure on the natural environment by reducing the burden of production required from farmland by creating space for it to recover from accumulated damage as a result of the use of unsustainable farming practices historically. This article describes an approach for a new type of decision support system suitable for urban farming production. We discuss differences between the requirements and the users of decision support in urban agriculture, and those of ordinary agribusiness enterprises. A case study is performed using a novel technology for urban farming: a cyber-physical implementation of aquaponics is enhanced with adaptive capabilities using a digital twin system and machine learning. Aquaponics is a farming technique that utilizes a harmonious nutrient exchange cycle for growing plants and fish together, while conserving water, and possibly without the need for soil or even sunlight. Empirical results are provided that evaluate the use of data driven decision analytics and a digital twin model to plan production from the aquaponic system during a three month trial. Another set of results evaluate a proposed modelling framework for large scale urban agriculture ecosystems. This concept forms the basis of the suggested approach for an urban farming decision support system that coordinates the activities of many independent producers to target collective goals.INDEX TERMS Decision support, urban agriculture, modelling, simulation, digital twin, Internet of Things, metaheuristics.
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