This study focuses on reviewing, analyzing, comparing lean assessment methods/tools from previous researches, and selecting an appropriate method/tool, and then applying the selected one to evaluate the leanness level in the specific company. Literature review and case study research at JVN-Company are conducted in this study. The result finds that: (a) LAT developed by Pakdil & Leonard (2014) is the effective tool to measure efforts in implementing Lean and identify wastes from Lean perspective within an enterprise; and (b) By applying LAT to assess the leanness level at JVN company, the results show that JVN company has achieved the leanness level at 68,58%; while Customer dimension has the highest LAT score showing that JVN has high customer satisfaction and loyalty. However, the delivery dimension, particularly late delivery, is in special need of improvement in comparison with other dimensions. Accordingly, a few proposals have been recommended for JVN to consider and adopt the appropriate ones to improve its performance. Overall, the results of this study provide helpful references for manufacturing companies in Vietnam to self–assess their leanness comprehensively, thereby developing the proper and effective roadmap for Lean transformation.
Mesenchymal stem cells (MCSs) from adipose tissue are reported to have a pronounced impact on tumor growth or suppression. However, so far, how the cancer cells affect the stem cells in vivo conditions has not been clarified. In this study, we evaluated the impact of breast cancer cells on the characteristics of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) under in vivo conditions. ADSCs were obtained from Balb/c mice in three consecutive weeks after transplantation with 1×106 MCF7 cells. The results showed that the amount of ADSCs per one gram fat reduced over time, but that reduction was not significantly different. In fact, isolated ADSCs presenting specific MSC surface markers increased at the second passage, compared to the time of isolation. Particularly, they were highly positive for CD90 (a MSC indicator) and negative for CD45 (a hematopoietic marker). Moreover, in in vitro culture, ADSCs were successfully differentiated into adipocytes, which were detected by Oil Red O staining. This present experiment gives initial assessments of ADSC characteristics; however, further investigations are necessary to fully evaluate the differences in stem cell potency and immunophenotype caused by cancer cell transplantation.
This study investigated the ability to reprogramming human fibroblast cells into hepatocyte-like cells by overexpressing HNF4a gene. The fibroblast cells isolated and primary cultured from foreskin donated by healthy patients. The HNF4a gene overexpressed through Doxycilin activatedthe vectors Tet-on-eGFP-HNF4a. The cells after the reprogramming process were evaluated by observing morphological changes, immunofluorescence staining to assess the expression of proteins specific to hepatocytes such as albumin, α-fetoprotein (AFP), HNF4a, and PAS staining to evaluate the ability to glycogen store in cells. The research has isolated and successfully primary cultured fibroblasts. The results showed that after gene transfer, the vector Tet-on-eGFP-HNF4a expressed in all cells and it did not affect the growth rate of the cell. After two weeks, the cells acquired hepatocytes morphology, and they were positive for albumin, AFP, HNF4a and PAS staining. The research has created the cells with some characteristics of liver cells from fibroblasts, however, further studies are needed to comprehensively evaluate them.
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