The design and use of materials in the nanoscale size range for addressing medical and health-related issues continues to receive increasing interest. Research in nanomedicine spans a multitude of areas, including drug delivery, vaccine development, antibacterial, diagnosis and imaging tools, wearable devices, implants, high-throughput screening platforms, etc. using biological, nonbiological, biomimetic, or hybrid materials. Many of these developments are starting to be translated into viable clinical products. Here, we provide an overview of recent developments in nanomedicine and highlight the current challenges and upcoming opportunities for the field and translation to the clinic.

Since the first reports on isolation of pluripotent mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells 3 decades ago, there have been numerous attempts to derive ES cell lines from commercially important livestock species with limited success. The recent discovery that ectopic expression of a handful of stem cell-related genes was capable of inducing pluripotency in rodents and primates provided a novel approach to derivation of pluripotent stem cell lines. We used this approach in cattle and demonstrated that the ectopic expression of POU5F1 (also known as Oct4), SOX2, KLF4, and c-MYC alone was not sufficient for stable induction of pluripotency in bovine adult fibroblasts and that the additional expression of NANOG to the reprogramming cocktail was essential for the generation of stable bovine (b) induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells. The resulting biPS cells were characterized by reverse-transcription PCR for a panel of ES marker genes. Immunocytochemical localization of POU5F1, SSEA-1, SSEA-4, and colorimetric alkaline phosphatase activity was measured in the iPS clones. The differentiation potential of the biPS cells was determined in vitro by expression of differentiation markers in embryoid bodies. Injection of biPS into immunocompromised mice resulted in teratomas containing cell types of the 3 germ lineages. This study reports the first generation of bovine induced pluripotent cell lines and paves the way for the use of biPS cells for biotechnological and agricultural purposes.

Background: Ageing is associated with physical and cognitive decline, affecting independence and quality of life in older people. Recent studies show that in particular executive functions are important for daily-life function and mobility. This systematic review investigated the effectiveness of cognitive-motor training including exergaming on executive function (EF, set-shifting, working memory, inhibitory control) in healthy older people. Methods: An electronic database search for randomised controlled trials (RCT), controlled clinical trials (CCT) and parallel group trials was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsychINFO following PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria were: (1) community-dwelling participants > 60 years without a medical condition or medical treatment, (2) reporting at least one cognitive-motor intervention while standing or walking, (3) use of dual-task interventions using traditional methods or modern technology to deliver a cognitive-motor task, (4) inclusion of at least one cognitive outcome. The PEDro scale was used for quality assessment. Results: A total of 1557 studies were retrieved, of which 25 studies were included in this review. Eleven studies used a technology-based dual-task intervention, while 14 trials conducted a general cognitive-motor training. The age range of the cohort was 69 to 87 years. The interventions demonstrated positive effects on global cognitive function [mean difference 0.6, 95% CI 0.29-0.90] and inhibitory control [mean difference 0.61, 95% CI 0.28-0.94]. Effects were heterogeneous (I 2 range: 60-95) and did not remain after a sensitivity analysis. Processing speed and dual-task costs also improved, but meta-analysis was not possible. Conclusion: Cognitive-motor and technology-based interventions had a positive impact on some cognitive functions. Dual-task interventions led to improvements of domains related global cognitive functions and inhibitory control. Likewise, technology-based exergame interventions improved functions related to processing speed, attentional and inhibitory control. Training interventions with a certain level of exercise load such as progression in difficulty and task specificity were more effective to gain task-related adaptations on cognitive functions.

This study highlighted the challenges faced by community home care nurses and carers. Results of this study would help to inform future policies and practice changes that would improve the quality of care received by patients on home enteral nutrition.

No abstract

No abstract

A tissue-engineered oesophageal scaffold could be very useful for the treatment of pediatric and adult patients with benign or malignant diseases such as carcinomas, trauma or congenital malformations. Here we decellularize rat oesophagi inside a perfusion bioreactor to create biocompatible biological rat scaffolds that mimic native architecture, resist mechanical stress and induce angiogenesis. Seeded allogeneic mesenchymal stromal cells spontaneously differentiate (proven by gene-, protein and functional evaluations) into epithelial- and muscle-like cells. The reseeded scaffolds are used to orthotopically replace the entire cervical oesophagus in immunocompetent rats. All animals survive the 14-day study period, with patent and functional grafts, and gain significantly more weight than sham-operated animals. Explanted grafts show regeneration of all the major cell and tissue components of the oesophagus including functional epithelium, muscle fibres, nerves and vasculature. We consider the presented tissue-engineered oesophageal scaffolds a significant step towards the clinical application of bioengineered oesophagi.

Aims and objectives:To explore patients and carers' experience and perceptions of different modalities of long-term enteral feeding.Background: With an ageing population in Singapore, there is a concomitant increase in number of patients with dysphagia and hence increase in prevalence of enteral feeding. It is essential to understand experiences of patients and home carers with long-term home enteral feeding and perceptions of different modalities to better provide support.Design: A qualitative descriptive approach fulfilling the COREQ checklist criteria (See File S1). Nine patients who were receiving long-term enteral feeding and nine carers were recruited over the period of August to December 2017. One-to-one interviews were conducted and audio-recorded. An inductive content analysis approach, with open coding, creation of categories and abstraction of data, was adopted.Results: Three themes were generated: (a) factors influencing choice of mode of enteral feeding; respondents narrated factors such as need to "conceal" illness, need to be independent and previous bad experience with alternative modality (b) identified informational, emotional and physical needs. Respondents reported the need for support in terms of information on the different modalities, and training on how to self-care or provide care and (c) individual perception and attitude towards life with enteral feeding. Most respondents portrayed a positive outlook to life, despite that they could no longer participate in communal eating. Conclusion and Relevance to clinical practice: Understanding patients and carers'experience and perceptions will inform the development of strategies to empower future patients and carers in choice of modality for enteral feeding. Patients with percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) found it easier to integrate enteral tube feeding into daily lives. Carers played a pivotal role in choice of modality, as well as in care of patients on enteral feeding. K E Y W O R D Scarer, enteral feeding, experience, nasogastric tube, perceptions, percutaneous tube 3150 | ANG et Al.