Stem Tissue Research Articles

Characterization of the Cannabis sativa glandular trichome epigenome.

The relationship between epigenomics and plant specialised metabolism remains largely unexplored despite the fundamental importance of epigenomics in gene regulation and, potentially, yield of products of plant specialised metabolic pathways. The glandular trichomes of Cannabis sativa are an emerging model system that produce large quantities of cannabinoid and terpenoid specialised metabolites with known medicinal and commercial value. To address this lack of epigenomic data, we mapped H3K4 trimethylation, H3K56 acetylation, H3K27 trimethylation post-translational modifications and the histone variant H2A.Z, using chromatin immunoprecipitation, in C. sativa glandular trichomes, leaf, and stem tissues. Corresponding transcriptomic (RNA-seq) datasets were integrated, and tissue-specific analyses conducted to relate chromatin states to glandular trichome specific gene expression. The promoters of cannabinoid and terpenoid biosynthetic genes, specialised metabolite transporter genes, defence related genes, and starch and sucrose metabolism were enriched specifically in trichomes for histone marks H3K4me3 and H3K56ac, consistent with active transcription. We identified putative trichome-specific enhancer elements by identifying intergenic regions of H3K56ac enrichment, a histone mark that maintains enhancer accessibility, then associated these to putative target genes using the tissue specific gene transcriptomic data. Bi-valent chromatin loci specific to glandular trichomes, marked with H3K4 trimethylation and H3K27 trimethylation, were associated with genes of MAPK signalling pathways and plant specialised metabolism pathways, supporting recent hypotheses that implicate bi-valent chromatin in plant defence. The histone variant H2A.Z was largely found in intergenic regions and enriched in chromatin that contained genes involved in DNA homeostasis. We report the first genome-wide histone post-translational modification maps for C. sativa glandular trichomes, and more broadly for glandular trichomes in plants. Our findings have implications in plant adaptation and stress responses and provide a basis for enhancer-mediated, targeted, gene transformation studies in plant glandular trichomes.

Innovative Strategies in Regenerative Medicine: Bridging Science and Clinical Practice

Regenerative medicine is a rapidly advancing field to revolutionize healthcare by offering innovative solutions for repairing or replacing damaged tissues and organs. By addressing significant challenges associated with conventional therapies—such as the shortage of donor organs and complications related to immune rejection—regenerative medicine provides a hopeful alternative for patients suffering from chronic diseases and injuries. This review outlines the urgent need for regenerative medicine to tackle prevalent issues like chronic conditions, organ scarcity, and injury recovery through approaches like stem cell therapy and tissue engineering. Key therapies currently available in the market, such as Carticel and Celution, utilize both autologous and allogeneic cells to promote healing and tissue regeneration. Recent breakthroughs showcase the transformative potential of regenerative medicine, with notable successes including stem cell therapies for spinal cord injuries, 3D-printed skin grafts for burn victims, and the development of lab-grown organs. These advancements highlight regenerative medicine's capability to enhance patient outcomes significantly. Looking ahead, the future of regenerative medicine lies in the personalization of therapies, advanced biomaterials, and cutting-edge technologies like 3D bioprinting. These innovations will enable the creation of complex and functional tissues tailored to individual patients. As research continues to progress, regenerative medicine holds the promise of offering long-term, transformative solutions for a wide range of medical conditions..

Inorganic-Based Nanoparticles and Biomaterials as Biocompatible Scaffolds for Regenerative Medicine and Tissue Engineering: Current Advances and Trends of Development

Regenerative medicine amalgamates stem cell technology and tissue engineering strategies to replace tissues and organs damaged by injury, aging, ailment, and/or chronic conditions by leveraging the innate self-healing mechanism of the body. The term ‘regenerative medicine’ was coined by William A. Haseltine during a 1999 conference on Lake Como. Since its inception in 1968, the field has offered clinical benefits for the regeneration, repair, and restoration of bones, skin, cartilage, neural tissue, and the heart, as well as scaffold fabrication. The field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine can vastly benefit from advancements in nanoscience and technology, particularly in the fabrication and application of inorganic-based nanoparticles and bionanomaterials. Due to the tunable intrinsic properties, i.e., size, topography, surface charge, and chemical stability, inorganic-based nanoparticles and biomaterials have surpassed traditional synthetic materials. Given the wide gamut of near-future applications of inorganic nanoparticles and biomaterials, this article gives an overview of the emerging roles in stem cell regenerative research, tissue engineering, artificial skin and cartilage regeneration, neural nerve injuries, 3D bioprinting, and development of new inorganic bio-scaffolds. The review also addresses the challenges related to the clinical application and tissue compatibility of inorganic nanoparticles and biomaterials, utilizing current state-of-the-art techniques.

Strategy on rapid selection of woody species for phytoremediation in soils contaminated with copper, lead and zinc in Shanghai

The use of woody species for the remediation of heavy metal-contaminated soils is an environmentally friendly and economically viable strategy. This study investigates the phytoextraction abilities of 15 woody species for copper, lead and zinc in contaminated soil. The results indicated that all species showed phytoextraction ability, with metal concentrations varying from 5.59 to 27.45 mg·kg−1 for Cu, 2.79 to 16.75 mg·kg−1 for Pb and 22.13 to 185.72 mg·kg−1 for Zn in the stem tissues depending on the species. Pterocarya stenoptera, Paulownia fortunei and Salix matsudana were identified as the top performers in terms of overall phytoextraction capacity. Notably, their capacity to transport zinc exceeded that of copper and lead. The enrichment of copper, lead and zinc in the soil showed a synergistic effect in the presence of heavy metal. The distribution of heavy metals within plant tissues was affected by water content and the inherent toxicity of metals. The study highlights that the accumulation of tree biomass and water content in the stem play a significant role in determining the amount of heavy metals phytoextracted. This insight offers a quick method for the rapid selection of woody species for phytoremediation in urban soils contaminated with heavy metals.

Evaluation and Validation of Reliable Reference Genes for Quantitative Real-Time PCR Analysis of the Gene Expression in Macadamia integrifolia

Macadamia is an economically significant crop, with its kernel oil being abundant in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA). Analyzing the expression of genes related to MUFA biosynthesis is essential for understanding the complex regulatory networks in Macadamia. However, there are few reports on the identification of suitable reference genes for use as internal controls in this species. Consequently, selecting a reliable reference gene for gene expression studies under various conditions is critical. In this study, we evaluated the expression stability of 11 traditional housekeeping genes: α-tubulin (TUBa), β-tubulin (TUBb), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), 18S ribosomal RNA (18S), glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), α-elongation factor 1 (EF1a), β-elongation factor 1 (EF1b), ubiquitin (UBQ), ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme (UBC), cyclophilin (CYP), and actin (ACT) under abiotic stresses, hormonal treatments and in variety of plant tissues using the online tool RefFinder, which integrates four commonly used software programs: ΔCt, geNorm (version 3.4), NormFinder (version 0953), and BestKeeper (version 1.0). A comprehensive expression stability ranking was established by integrating results from these four methods based on the geometric mean. The findings indicated that ACT was the most stable gene across all samples, including those subjected to cold stress, NaCl stress, PEG stress, ABA treatment, MeJA treatment, and both stem and leaf tissues. EF1b was identified as the most stable gene in GA treatment and heat stress samples, while UBC and CYP were ranked highest in ethrel treatment and root tissue samples, respectively. Finally, the reliability of these findings was further validated using the target gene SAD through qRT-PCR. In summary, this study evaluated and validated appropriate reference genes for qRT-PCR, which will facilitate future investigations into the molecular mechanisms in Macadamia.

Spatiotemporal diversity of bacterial endophyte microbiome of mandarin (Citrus reticulata) in the northern Persian Gulf and its HCN production and N2 fixation.

Endophytes are symbionts that live in healthy plants and potentially improve the health of plant holobionts. Here, we investigated the bacterial endophyte community of Citrus reticulata grown in the northern Persian Gulf. Bacteria were isolated seasonally from healthy trees (root, stem, bark, trunk, leaf, and crown tissues) in four regions of Hormozgan province (i.e., Ahmadi, Siyahoo, Sikhoran, Roudan), a subtropical hot region in Iran. A total of 742 strains from 17 taxa, 3 phyla, and 5 orders were found, most of which belonged to Actinobacteria (Actinobacteriales) as the dominant group, followed by Firmicutes (Bacillales), Proteobacteria (Sphingomonadales, Rhizobiales), and Cyanobacteria (Synechoccales). The genera included Altererythrobacter, Arthrobacter, Bacillus, Cellulosimicrobium, Curtobacterium, Kocuria, Kytococcus, Methylopila, Mycobacterium, Nocardioides, Okiabacterium, Paracraurococcus, and Psychrobacillus. The most frequently occurring species included Psychrobacillus psychrodurans, Kytococcus schroetri, and Bacillus cereus. In addition, the overall colonization frequency and variability of endophytes were higher on the trunks. The leaves showed the lowest species variability in all sampling periods. The frequency of endophyte colonization was also higher in summer. The Shannon-Wiener (H') and Simpson indices varied with all factors, i.e., region, season, and tissue type, with the maximum in Roudan. Furthermore, 52.9% of the strains were capable of nitrogen fixation, and 70% produced antagonistic hydrogen cyanide (HCN). Thus, C. reticulata harbors a variety of bioactive bacterial endophytes that could be beneficial for host fitness in such harsh environments.

Indigenous Trichoderma isolates from Bukit Kijang, North Sumatra, Indonesia, are biocontrol agents against Ganoderma boninense in infected oil palm seedlings

Basal stem rot, caused by Ganoderma boninense is a serious disease in oil palm plantations in North Sumatra, Indonesia. However, the use of fungicides to control this pathogen can cause instability in terrestrial ecosystems and decrease the number of beneficial microorganisms. Therefore, identifying other effective and environmentally friendly control methods, such as Trichoderma, is essential. Trichoderma was previously isolated from the leaf, rachis, stem, and root tissues of oil palms but not from the rhizosphere soil. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the potency of indigenous Trichoderma isolates from the rhizosphere soil of oil palm seedling plantations in Bukit Kijang, North Sumatra, Indonesia, as biocontrol agents to reduce G. boninense infection. Four Trichoderma isolates were isolated from healthy oil palm rhizospheres in Bukit Kijang and screened in vitro. Based on molecular identification, the Trichoderma isolates were identified as T. asperellum1, T. virens1, T. asperellum2, and T. virens2. All Trichoderma species inhibited the development of Ganoderma and stimulated the vegetative growth of oil palm seedlings. Therefore, T. asperellum and T. virens can be used as biocontrol agents to control G. boninense and stimulate the vegetative growth of oil palm seedlings. To our knowledge, this is the first report of indigenous Trichoderma isolates from Bukit Kijang that can be used as biocontrol agents to control G. boninense.

Assessing the Response of Local Cocoa Clones of South Sulawesi for Resistance to Dieback Disease Caused by Lasiodiplodia theobromae

ABSTRACTLasiodiplodia theobromae causes several severe diseases in cocoa, including cocoa dieback disease. The dieback caused by L. theobromae on cocoa is considered an emerging disease in Sulawesi. The fungus colonises stem tissues, producing leaf chlorosis, wilting and sudden dieback. To cope with the dieback, selecting and planting existing clones with partial resistance to the pathogen would be a good strategy. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the resistance of locally selected cocoa clones in Sulawesi to L. theobromae infection. Ten cocoa clones were assessed in the laboratory and the greenhouse for disease severity caused by an isolate of L. theobromae. The responses of the clones visible in laboratory and greenhouse tests through stem‐wounded inoculation ranged from susceptible to tolerant. The majority of the clones (nine clones) showed a significantly severe dieback and necrotic lesions. In contrast, another clone, designated MCC 02, performed consistently better in suppressing dieback and reducing necrotic lesions. Symptoms on the leaves varied, including chlorotic, yellowing on leaf veins and sudden browning, while in the stem, necrotic lesions and vascular streaking from dark brown to black were consistently visible. The clone MCC 02, with its superior resistance to L. theobromae, holds great potential for use in breeding programs to produce promising progeny clones with good resistance, yield and quality.

Reduction in the anatomical structure of infected Chrysanthemum morifolium by Puccinia horiana

The commercial production of Chrysanthemum morifolium var. Mustika Kaniya in Malino highland, Indonesia, was limited by white rust infection of Puccinia horiana. This study aimed to compare the leaf and stem sections between healthy and naturally infected plants of Chrysanthemum morifolium by Puccinia horiana. The Johansen method was used to make the sections. The data were analysed using Independent Sample t-Test at α = 5%. The results showed that the pustules were protruded on the abaxial of leaf epidermis and comprised of two cells, oblong, and slightly shrivelled at the middle. The infected chrysanthemum showed the reduction in the leaf tissues (lower epidermis, palisade and spongy mesophyll, vascular bundle, and clear parenchyma) compared to the healthy plant and also reduction in the stem tissues (epidermis, cortex, bundle sheath, and pith). The infection of P. horiana in this study caused the deformation of structural change in both leaf and stem of C. morifolium.

ADVANCEMENTS IN REGENERATIVE MEDICINE: PRESENT APPROACHES, EMERGING STRATEGIES, AND FUTURE PERSPECTIVES

Background: Regenerative medicine is an evolving field with tremendous promise for treating various diseases and medical conditions. This innovative discipline encompasses various techniques, including the utilization of stem cells, tissue engineering, and gene therapy, to effectively regenerate or replace damaged tissues and organs. The rapid advancements in regenerative medicine over recent years have created new hope for patients who face otherwise untreatable conditions, showcasing the fields potential to transform healthcare. Objectives: The primary objective of this article is to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of regenerative medicine. By delving into recent advancements and emerging technologies, this article aims to highlight the various FDA-approved therapies that have been developed to treat diverse pathologies. Additionally, it seeks to identify future directions for research and application within this dynamic field, ensuring that readers are informed about the latest breakthroughs and potential developments. Findings: To date, regenerative medicine has resulted in numerous FDA-approved therapies that target various pathologies. Extensive research has led to the creation of sophisticated grafts that leverage advanced scaffolding materials and cutting-edge cell manipulation technologies. These innovations allow for precise control over cell behavior and enhance tissue repair mechanisms. Strategies such as the controlled release of growth factors and vascular cell seeding are currently being developed to improve graft integration with both the host vasculature and the nervous system. Furthermore, there are ongoing efforts to stimulate and enhance the bodys healing response through immune system modulation, alongside the development of new cell sources for transplantation to address the persistent challenge of limited cell supply. Significance: The significance of regenerative medicine lies in its transformative potential to revolutionize the treatment of conditions that have long been deemed incurable. By providing insights into the advancements in graft technology, cell sourcing, and integration strategies, this article underscores the ultimate promise of regenerative medicine as a vital area of research. The findings and discussions presented here not only illuminate the current landscape but also pave the way for future innovations that could lead to groundbreakingtherapies, enhancing the quality of life for countless patients worldwide.[1][2].This article provides an overview and insights into the current state of the development of regenerative medicine and its various potential guiding into future directions.

Optimization of the DNA isolation procedure for assessing the genetic diversity of essential oil roses (Rosa L.)

Background. High content of organic compounds that worsen nucleic acid purification in aromatic plants, as well as the use of such toxic substances as phenol and mercaptoethanol in many protocols for plant DNA isolation, make it advisable to take the above disadvantages into account when optimizing the DNA extraction technique for the work with essential oil rose plants. Material and methods. Rose accessions from the Crimean Federal University’s Botanical Garden, and those from the collection held by the Research Institute of Agriculture of Crimea were included in the study. DNA extraction was done according to a modified CTAB protocol. Effectiveness of the technique was assessed using spectrophotometry, horizontal electrophoresis, and ISSR-PCR. Results. DNA preparations extracted with the modified technique were well visualized on the electropherogram and demonstrated high spectrophotometric values. DNA content was twice as high in preparations isolated with an extraction buffer with PVP, compared to a PVP-free buffer. The concentration was also higher in DNA extracts from stems than that from leaves. Purity parameters expressed by the absorption ratios at wavelengths A260/280 and A260/230 were again higher for DNA extracts from stems isolated with an enriched buffer, the A260/230 ratio falling within the normal range only in DNA extracted from stems in the presence of PVP. Besides, DNA extracts were effectively purified from proteins without phenol or mercaptoethanol, due to double rinsing with a chloroform/isoamyl alcohol (24 : 1) mixture. Conclusion. Using rose stem tissues as the research material, adding 2% PVP to the extraction buffer, and twofold rinsing with a chloroform/isoamyl alcohol mixture made it possible to obtain DNA extracts with high concentrations and purity indices within normal ranges suitable for the ISSR analysis of essential oil rose genetic diversity.

Intraspecific variability in plant and soil chemical properties in a common garden plantation of the energy crop Populus.

Optimizing crops for synergistic soil carbon (C) sequestration can enhance CO2 removal in food and bioenergy production systems. Yet, in bioenergy systems, we lack an understanding of how intraspecies variation in plant traits correlates with variation in soil biogeochemistry. This knowledge gap is exacerbated by both the heterogeneity and difficulty of measuring belowground traits. Here, we provide initial observations of C and nutrients in soil and root and stem tissues from a common garden field site of diverse, natural variant, Populus trichocarpa genotypes-established for aboveground biomass-to-biofuels research. Our goal was to explore the value of such field sites for evaluating genotype-specific effects on soil C, which ultimately informs the potential for optimizing bioenergy systems for both aboveground productivity and belowground C storage. To do this, we investigated variation in chemical traits at the scale of individual trees and genotypes and we explored correlations among stem, root, and soil samples. We observed substantial variation in soil chemical properties at the scale of individual trees and specific genotypes. While correlations among elements were observed both within and among sample types (soil, stem, root), above-belowground correlations were generally poor. We did not observe genotype-specific patterns in soil C in the top 10 cm, but we did observe genotype associations with soil acid-base chemistry (soil pH and base cations) and bulk density. Finally, a specific phenotype of interest (high vs low lignin) was unrelated to soil biogeochemistry. Our pilot study supports the usefulness of decade-old, genetically-variable, Populus bioenergy field test plots for understanding plant genotype effects on soil properties. Finally, this study contributes to the advancement of sampling methods and baseline data for Populus systems in the Pacific Northwest, USA. Further species- and region-specific efforts will enhance C predictability across scales in bioenergy systems and, ultimately, accelerate the identification of genotypes that optimize yield and carbon storage.

Bioenergy sorghum nodal root bud development: morphometric, transcriptomic and gene regulatory network analysis.

Bioenergy sorghum's large and deep nodal root system and associated microbiome enables uptake of water and nutrients from and deposition of soil organic carbon into soil profiles, key contributors to the crop's resilience and sustainability. The goal of this study was to increase our understanding of bioenergy sorghum nodal root bud development. Sorghum nodal root bud initiation was first observed on the stem node of the 7th phytomer below the shoot apex. Buds were initiated near the upper end of the stem node pulvinus on the side of the stem opposite the tiller bud, then additional buds were added over the next 6-8 days forming a ring of 10-15 nascent nodal root buds around the stem. Later in plant development, a second ring of nodal root buds began forming on the 17th stem node immediately above the first ring of buds. Overall, nodal root bud development can take ~40 days from initiation to onset of nodal root outgrowth. Nodal root buds were initiated in close association with vascular bundles in the rind of the pulvinus. Stem tissue forming nascent nodal root buds expressed sorghum homologs of genes associated with root initiation (WOX4), auxin transport (LAX2, PIN4), meristem activation (NGAL2), and genes involved in cell proliferation. Expression of WOX11 and WOX5, genes involved in root stem niche formation, increased early in nodal root bud development followed by genes encoding PLTs, LBDs (LBD29), LRP1, SMB, RGF1 and root cap LEAs later in development. A nodal root bud gene regulatory network module expressed during nodal root bud initiation predicted connections linking PFA5, SPL9 and WOX4 to genes involved in hormone signaling, meristem activation, and cell proliferation. A network module expressed later in development predicted connections among SOMBRERO, a gene involved in root cap formation, and GATA19, BBM, LBD29 and RITF1/RGF1 signaling. Overall, this study provides a detailed description of bioenergy sorghum nodal root bud development and transcriptome information useful for understanding the regulation of sorghum nodal root bud formation and development.

Genome-Scale Identification of Wild Soybean Serine/Arginine-Rich Protein Family Genes and Their Responses to Abiotic Stresses.

Serine/arginine-rich (SR) proteins mostly function as splicing factors for pre-mRNA splicing in spliceosomes and play critical roles in plant development and adaptation to environments. However, detailed study about SR proteins in legume plants is still lacking. In this report, we performed a genome-wide investigation of SR protein genes in wild soybean (Glycine soja) and identified a total of 31 GsSR genes from the wild soybean genome. The analyses of chromosome location and synteny show that the GsSRs are unevenly distributed on 15 chromosomes and are mainly under the purifying selection. The GsSR proteins can be phylogenetically classified into six sub-families and are conserved in evolution. Prediction of protein phosphorylation sites indicates that GsSR proteins are highly phosphorylated proteins. The protein-protein interaction network implies that there exist numerous interactions between GsSR proteins. We experimentally confirmed their physical interactions with the representative SR proteins of spliceosome-associated components such as U1-70K or U2AF35 by yeast two-hybrid assays. In addition, we identified various stress-/hormone-responsive cis-acting elements in the promoter regions of these GsSR genes and verified their expression patterns by RT-qPCR analyses. The results show most GsSR genes are highly expressed in root and stem tissues and are responsive to salt and alkali stresses. Splicing analysis showed that the splicing patterns of GsSRs were in a tissue- and stress-dependent manner. Overall, these results will help us to further investigate the biological functions of leguminous plant SR proteins and shed new light on uncovering the regulatory mechanisms of plant SR proteins in growth, development, and stress responses.

Characterization of the gibberellic oxidase gene SdGA20ox1 in Sophora davidii (Franch.) skeels and interaction protein screening.

Gibberellin 20-oxidases (GA20oxs) are multifunctional enzymes involved in regulating gibberellin (GA) biosynthesis and controlling plant growth. We identified and characterized the GA20ox1 gene in a plant height mutant of Sophora davidii, referred to as SdGA20ox1. This gene was expressed in root, stem, and leaf tissues of the adult S. davidii plant height mutant, with the highest expression observed in the stem. The expression of SdGA20ox1 was regulated by various exogenous hormones. Overexpression of SdGA20ox1 in Arabidopsis resulted in significant elongation of hypocotyl and root length in seedlings, earlier flowering, smaller leaves, reduced leaf chlorophyll content, lighter leaf color, a significant increase in adult plant height, and other phenotypes. Additionally, transgenic plants exhibited a substantial increase in biologically active endogenous GAs (GA1, GA3, and GA4) content, indicating that overexpression of SdGA20ox1 accelerates plant growth and development. Using a yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) screen, we identified two SdGA20ox1-interacting proteins: the ethylene receptor EIN4 (11430582) and the rbcS (11416005) protein. These interactions suggest a potential regulatory mechanism for S. davidii growth. Our findings provide new insights into the role of SdGA20ox1 and its interacting proteins in regulating the growth and development of S. davidii.

Stem Cells: Present Understanding and Prospects for Regenerative Dentistry.

Regenerative medicine in dentistry focuses on repairing damaged oral tissues using advanced tools like stem cells, biomaterials, and tissue engineering (TE). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from dental sources, such as dental pulp and periodontal ligament, show significant potential for tissue regeneration due to their proliferative and differentiative abilities. This systematic review, following PRISMA guidelines, evaluated fifteen studies and identified effective strategies for improving dental, periodontal, and bone tissue regeneration through scaffolds, secretomes, and bioengineering methods. Key advancements include the use of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) and periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) to boost cell viability and manage inflammation. Additionally, pharmacological agents like matrine and surface modifications on biomaterials improve stem cell adhesion and promote osteogenic differentiation. By integrating these approaches, regenerative medicine and TE can optimize dental therapies and enhance patient outcomes. This review highlights the potential and challenges in this field, providing a critical assessment of current research and future directions.

A Macroscopic Exploration of the Ideoscape on Exosomes for Bone Regeneration

Background: Exosomes, nanoscale extracellular vesicles, play a crucial role in tissue physiology and regeneration. This study uses infometric techniques to explore the structure of exosome-based tissue and bone regeneration research. Methods: We applied BERTopic, an advanced topic modeling algorithm, to a comprehensive corpus of the scientific literature on exosomes and tissue regeneration, identifying key themes such as stem cell studies, tissue healing, and regenerative applications, with orthopedics and dentistry emerging as dominant subfields. To further investigate the ‘ideoscape’, i.e., the conceptual landscape that maps how ideas, methods, and themes are interconnected across the field, we extracted significant concepts from abstracts using GPT 3.5 turbo and created knowledge graphs. Results: Our analysis revealed rapid growth in the field of dental stem cell regeneration, which has outpaced other bone regeneration topics by twofold. This analysis highlighted central themes such as periodontal stem cells and their cellular processes—proliferation, migration, and differentiation—along with their clinical applications. Our approach provided a clear visualization of the field’s intellectual structure, showing how emerging topics are interconnected. Our findings offer a comprehensive view of the evolving trends in exosome-based bone regeneration, revealing not only the most active research areas but also gaps and opportunities for further investigation. Conclusions: This study exemplifies the utility of combining topic modeling with knowledge graph creation to map research trends, offering a flexible and largely automated tool for researchers to explore the vast bodies of literature and guide future research directions.

Chronic Respiratory Diseases: Innovations in Treatment and Management

Chronic Respiratory Diseases (CRDs) include diseases of the airways and the lung and are among the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The major CRDs include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary sarcoidosis, pneumoconiosis and interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). The common symptoms of CRDs include wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and cough [1]. These diseases affect millions of people across the globe and have significant impacts on patients’ quality of life and healthcare. Over the past few decades, however, improvement in the pharmacotherapy has provided a considerable progress. For example, biologics have given a new insight in the management of severe asthma by modulating certain inflammatory processes. Medications like omalizumab, dupilumab, and Mepolizumab are aimed at adjusting the immune response and significantly decrease the frequency of exacerbations and increase overall lung function. In addition, innovations in the field of stem cell therapy and tissue engineering are targeted to repair or replace diseased lung tissue, thus, being aimed at treating the origin of the diseases rather than simply alleviating the symptoms. Furthermore, Nanoparticles can be orally given, intravenously injected or inhaled using nanoparticle aerosols. Nanoparticles can also be used in the molecular imaging of chronic lung diseases such as COPD. Advanced inhalers, developed with sensors, can monitor the usage of medication and provide feedback in real-time to ensure compliance to prescriptions and other salient treatment plans. COPD pulmonary rehabilitation programs of exercise and education together with psychological support for individuals have been documented to enhance quality of life. The use of AI and a machine learning system has now moved to the ability to forecast disease exacerbations and provide individualized recommendations for treatment of CRDs. As a result, people with COPD receive care through various healthcare professions like doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists, which may have diverse roles, such as prescribing medications, supporting their self‐management or patient education, or delivering exercise training. The aim of an Integrated Disease Management (IDM) programme is that various aspects of care through which healthcare providers are working in coordination to deliver improved and optimum care to patients. Similarly Advancements in the treatment of ILD are being conducted, and recently, some new FDA-approved drugs have been advised for the management of patients. Among these are Nintedanib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor, Pirfenidone an anti-fibrotic and anti-thrombotic agent and Treprostinil is an analogue of prostacyclin. These drugs have opened a new path for the treatment of ILD and have improved the recovery outcomes of patients [2]. Rituximab has also been found to be effective in more than half of patients treated in a small prospective open-label trial of refractory pulmonary disease in sarcoidosis[3]. Overall, there is a renewed emphasis on CRD management as a burgeoning field. With the advancement in the research in the personalized, proactive and integrative strategy the efforts made will lay down new avenues of better health outcomes for millions of people suffering from the CRDs. The future of respiratory health is bright as it is a growing field that has no sign of discontinuing its steady development and pushing for the comforts and breakthroughs for many patients across the globe.

Cellular stress and epigenetic regulation in adult stem cells.

Stem cells are a unique class of cells that possess the ability to differentiate and self-renew, enabling them to repair and replenish tissues. To protect and maintain the potential of stem cells, the cells and the environment surrounding these cells (stem cell niche) are highly responsive and tightly regulated. However, various stresses can affect the stem cells and their niches. These stresses are both systemic and cellular and can arise from intrinsic or extrinsic factors which would have strong implications on overall aging and certain disease states. Therefore, understanding the breadth of drivers, namely epigenetic alterations, involved in cellular stress is important for the development of interventions aimed at maintaining healthy stem cells and tissue homeostasis. In this review, we summarize published findings of epigenetic responses to replicative, oxidative, mechanical, and inflammatory stress on various types of adult stem cells.

Programmable editing of primary MicroRNA switches stem cell differentiation and improves tissue regeneration

Programmable RNA editing is harnessed for modifying mRNA. Besides mRNA, miRNA also regulates numerous biological activities, but current RNA editors have yet to be exploited for miRNA manipulation. To engineer primary miRNA (pri-miRNA), the miRNA precursor, we present a customizable editor REPRESS (RNA Editing of Pri-miRNA for Efficient Suppression of miRNA) and characterize critical parameters. The optimized REPRESS is distinct from other mRNA editing tools in design rationale, hence enabling editing of pri-miRNAs that are not editable by other RNA editing systems. We edit various pri-miRNAs in different cells including adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs), hence attenuating mature miRNA levels without disturbing host gene expression. We further develop an improved REPRESS (iREPRESS) that enhances and prolongs pri-miR-21 editing for at least 10 days, with minimal perturbation of transcriptome and miRNAome. iREPRESS reprograms ASCs differentiation, promotes in vitro cartilage formation and augments calvarial bone regeneration in rats, thus implicating its potentials for engineering miRNA and applications such as stem cell reprogramming and tissue regeneration.