The availability of 3D sponges combining proper biochemical, biophysical, and biomechanical properties with enhanced capacity of in vivo engraftment and vascularization is crucial in regenerative medicine. A simple process is developed to generate macroporous scaffolds with a well-defined architecture of interconnected pores from chicken egg white (EW), a material with protein- and growth factor-binding features which has not yet been employed in regenerative medicine. The physicomechanical properties and degradation rates of the scaffold are finely tuned by using varying concentrations of the cross-linker, 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride, without alteration of the biochemical traits. In vitro, EW scaffolds supported active metabolism, proliferation, and migration of human dermal fibroblasts, thereby generating uniform cellular constructs. In vivo, subcutaneous implantation in mice reveals negligible immune reaction and efficient cell and tissue ingrowth. Angiogenesis into EW scaffolds is enhanced as compared to standard collagen type I sponges used as reference material, likely due to significantly higher adsorption of the proangiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor. In summary, a material is presented derived by facile processing of a highly abundant natural product. Due to the efficient subcutaneous engraftment capacity, the sponges can find utilization for soft tissue regeneration.
Billions of dollars are annually invested in pharmaceutical industry and cosmetic sector with intent to develop new drugs and treatment strategies for alopecia. Because the hair looks an important characteristic of humans-an effective appendage in perception, expression of beauty, and preservation of self-esteem-the global market for hair loss treatment products is exponentially increasing. However, current methods to treat hair loss endure yet multiple challenges, such as unfavorable outcomes, nonpermanent and patient-dependent results, as well as unpredictable impacts, which limit their application. Over recent years, remarkable advances in the fields of regenerative medicine and hair tissue engineering have raised new hopes for introducing novel cell-based approaches to treat hair loss. Through cell-based approaches, it is possible to produce hair-like structures in the laboratory setting or manipulate cells in their native niche (in vivo lineage reprogramming) to reconstruct the hair follicle. However, challenging issues still exist with the functionality of cultured human hair cells, the proper selection of nonhair cell sources in cases of shortage of donor hair, and the development of defined culture conditions. Moreover, in the case of in vivo lineage reprogramming, selecting appropriate induction factors and their efficient delivery to guide resident cells into a hair fate-with the aim of reconstructing functional hair-still needs further explorations. In this study, we highlight recent advances and current challenges in hair loss treatment using cell-based approaches and provide novel insights for crucial steps, which must be taken into account to develop reproducible, safe, and efficient cell-based treatment.
Wound healing is a complex process including hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling during which an orchestrated array of biological and molecular events occurs to promote skin regeneration. Abnormalities in each step of the wound healing process lead to reparative rather than regenerative responses, thereby driving the formation of cutaneous scar. Patients suffering from scars represent serious health problems such as contractures, functional and aesthetic concerns as well as painful, thick, and itchy complications, which generally decrease the quality of life and impose high medical costs. Therefore, therapies reducing cutaneous scarring are necessary to improve patients' rehabilitation. Current approaches to remove scars, including surgical and non-surgical methods are not efficient enough, which is in principle due to our limited knowledge about underlying mechanisms of pathological as well as the physiological wound healing process. Thus, therapeutic interventions focused on basic science including genetic and epigenetic knowledge are recently taken into consideration as promising approaches for scar management, since they have the potential to provide targeted therapies and improve the conventional treatments as well as present opportunities for combination therapy. In this review, we highlight the recent advances in skin regenerative medicine through genetic and epigenetic approaches to achieve novel insights for the development of safe, efficient, and reproducible therapies and discuss promising approaches for scar management.
Olive is one of the strategic products of Guilan province, northern Iran. Hence, it is very important to determine the optimal production pattern of olive, given the resources scarcity and the assessment of physical and Comparative Advantage (CA). In this study, three physical advantage indices for olive production in Guilan province during 2008-2016 were investigated. Also, the CA, protection and competitiveness indicators of olive production at Guilan province for 2016-17 cultivation years were calculated using the Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM). Results showed that Guilan province had scale advantage in olive production. The highest degree of olive plantation concentration was on 2008 with scale advantage index of 2.49. Also, results of efficiency advantage showed that, except for 2008, olive production had efficiency advantage over all under study years at Guilan province. Results of Domestic Resource Costs (DRC) and Social Cost Benefit ratio (SCB) indicators for both traditional and commercial olive plantations revealed the CA of olive production in Guilan province. Also, the competitiveness indices values (UCd and UCx) for both traditional and commercial olive plantations were less than 1. So, the olive production systems in Guilan province had the ability to compete with domestic and international competitors.
This study investigated olive marketing channels, margins and indices at Iran's olive trade center namely Guilan province, northern Iran. For this purpose, marketing margin, share of marketing agents, marketing cost coefficient and different types of efficiency in olive market were calculated. The required data set were collected through survey using a questionnaire and simple random sampling on 2017. Results revealed that there were eight different marketing channels in the olive market of Guilan province. Average wholesale and retail margins were 11500 and 31870 Rials, respectively. The average wholesalers' share from the retail price was 9.59%. Also, the average retailers' share from the final product price (retail price) was 26.57%. The average marketing cost coefficient was 20.29%. The highest and lowest overall efficiency in olive marketing channels were 49.78% and 27.56%. Policy solutions should lead to increased marketing services and significant impact of these costs on the marketing margin in the olive market of Guilan province.
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