A novel cell-free regenerative therapy for hair loss: human fetal cartilage progenitor cell secretome.

Hair loss, particularly androgenic alopecia, is driven by testosterone-induced apoptosis and impaired dermal papilla (DP) cell function, disrupting epithelial-mesenchymal interactions and hindering hair follicle regeneration. Current non-surgical treatments, such as minoxidil and finasteride, provide limited and temporary benefits. Here, we report the development of a novel, cell-free regenerative therapy using the secretome of human fetal cartilage progenitor cells (ShFCPC), enriched with extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and bioactive factors critical for tissue remodeling and cell survival.

Impact of HOMER2 frameshift extension variant on auditory function and development.

The HOMER2 gene, crucial for synaptic signaling and calcium homeostasis in the auditory system, is linked to sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), with its variants contributing to severe SNHL in older adults, often necessitating cochlear implants in their 60 s or 70 s. In this study, we identified a novel frameshift extension variant, c.1033delC (p.

Cochlear Nerve Atrophy in Postlingual ANSD: Diagnostic Clue and Implications for Cochlear Implantation.

Objective: To evaluate cochlear nerve (CN) atrophy in postlingual auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (post-ANSD) versus simple sensorineural hearing loss (sSNHL) and its implications for cochlear implantation (CI).

Design: A retrospective study of 61 CI recipients (15 post-ANSD, 46 sSNHL) assessed CN size through imaging, analyzed auditory performance, and compared outcomes based on etiology, age, and molecular subtypes.

Results: Post-ANSD exhibited more severe CN atrophy despite better pure tone averages than sSNHL.

Early Postoperative Benefits in Receptive and Expressive Language Development After Cochlear Implantation Under 9 Months of Age in Comparison to Implantation at Later Ages.

Objectives: The recent expansion of eligibility for cochlear implantation (CI) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to include infants as young as 9 months has reignited debates concerning the clinically appropriate cut-off age for pediatric CI.

Conditioned media derived from human fetal progenitor cells improves skin regeneration in burn wound healing.

Stem cells are known to have excellent regenerative ability, which is primarily facilitated by indirect paracrine factors, rather than via direct cell replacement. The regenerative process is mediated by the release of extracellular matrix molecules, cytokines, and growth factors, which are also present in the media during cultivation. Herein, we aimed to demonstrate the functionality of key factors and mechanisms in skin regeneration through the analysis of conditioned media derived from fetal stem cells.

Comprehensive analysis of fungal diversity and enzyme activity in nuruk, a Korean fermenting starter, for acquiring useful fungi.

Nuruk is a fermenting starter that is involved in the production of alcoholic beverages, and has been used in South Korea for a very long time. To analyze the fungal diversity, we collected a total of 59 nuruk samples from several companies and persons in 2013 to 2014, and obtained 364 isolates. All of the single isolated fungi were identified, both morphologically and molecularly, based on the sequences of ribosomal RNA gene [18S, ITS1-5.