Ushering In Advent

Naturally occurring stem cells isolated from humans have been used therapeutically for decades. This has primarily involved the transplantation of primary cells such as haematopoietic and mesenchymal stem cells and, more recently, derivatives of pluripotent stem cells. However, the advent of cell-engineering approaches is ushering in a new generation of stem cell-based therapies, greatly expanding their therapeutic utility. These next-generation stem cells are being used as 'Trojan horses' to improve the delivery of drugs and oncolytic viruses to intractable tumours and are also being engineered with angiogenic, neurotrophic and anti-inflammatory molecules to accelerate the repair of injured or diseased tissues. Moreover, gene therapy and gene editing technologies are being used to create stem cell derivatives with improved functionality, specificity and responsiveness compared with their natural counterparts. Here, we review these engineering approaches and areas in which they will help broaden the utility and clinical applicability of stem cells.

Ushering in Advent

The church is a double-height brick and stone structure over a basement. It has a pitched slate roof, and is notable in having all of its stained glass in the nave and clerestory designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany and manufactured by his Tiffany Studios, which was also responsible for the ceramic mosaic behind the altar, the sanctuary lamps, the pews, and the painted decorative organ frontal pipes in the front of the sanctuary. The nave and clerestory windows, which feature St. Paul preaching at Athens and Christ returning in glory with angels, breaking swords beneath them and ushering in a reign of peace.[2]

Flexible endoscopy is currently a major diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the management of patients with digestive disorders. The advent of endosocpy is relative recent, with mucosal visualization in the past reliant for the most part on radiography.