Exogenous human neural progenitor cells (hNPCs) are promising stroke therapeutics, but optimal delivery conditions and exact recovery mechanisms remain elusive. To further elucidate repair processes and improve stroke outcomes, we developed an electrically conductive, polymer scaffold for hNPC delivery. Electrical stimulation of hNPCs alters their transcriptome including changes to the VEGF-A pathway and genes involved in cell survival, inflammatory response, and synaptic remodeling. In our experiments, exogenous hNPCs were electrically stimulated (electrically preconditioned) via the scaffold 1 day prior to implantation. After in vitro stimulation, hNPCs on the scaffold are transplanted intracranially in a distal middle cerebral artery occlusion rat model. Electrically preconditioned hNPCs improved functional outcomes compared to unstimulated hNPCs or hNPCs where VEGF-A was blocked during in vitro electrical preconditioning. The ability to manipulate hNPCs via a conductive scaffold creates a new approach to optimize stem cell-based therapy and determine which factors (such as VEGF-A) are essential for stroke recovery.

Currently, no medical therapies exist to augment stroke recovery. Stem cells are an intriguing treatment option being evaluated, but cell-based therapies have several challenges including developing a stable cell product with long term reproducibility. Since much of the improvement observed from cellular therapeutics is believed to result from trophic factors the stem cells release over time, biomaterials are well-positioned to deliver these important molecules in a similar fashion. Here we show that essential trophic factors secreted from stem cells can be effectively released from a multi-component hydrogel system into the post-stroke environment. Using our polymeric system to deliver VEGF-A and MMP-9, we improved recovery after stroke to an equivalent degree as observed with traditional stem cell treatment in a rodent model. While VEGF-A and MMP-9 have many unique mechanisms of action, connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) interacts with both VEGF-A and MMP-9. With our hydrogel system as well as with stem cell delivery, the CTGF pathway is shown to be downregulated with improved stroke recovery.

In Australia, Vietnamese women are at greater risk of cervical cancer than other Australian women. To increase their participation in cervical screening, the Vietnamese community was exposed to a media campaign about the advantages of cervical smear screening which was delivered in Vietnamese through Vietnamese newspapers and radio. In addition, 689 Vietnamese (18-67 years) were selected from the electoral roll. They were randomly assigned to either receive a personal letter written in Vietnamese promoting cervical screening, or not. We report on the effect of the letter on smear rates. Being randomised to be sent such a letter was not associated with any increase in screening (relative rate of appropriate screening in the intervention versus the control group was 0.85, 95% CI 0.55-1.3). It is important to carefully evaluate untested health promotion interventions.