The Research Topic is organized in the framework of the project BIORECAR (grant number: 772168; http://www.biorecar.polito.it/index.html)

Advanced Therapy in Cardiac Surgery - Second Edition This second edition of Advanced Therapy in Cardiac Surgery presents state-of-the-art techniques and an in-depth review of cardiac surgery from the leading authorities. Each of the 62 succinct chapters represents the personal treatment protocols of the experts. The Advanced ......

Regenerative medicine is a fast developing field which has led to a paradigm shift in treatment of various diseases. Clinician-scientists worldwide constantly develop novel approaches in various medical specialties (surgery, internal medicine, oncology, neurology, gynecology, pediatrics, etc.) using gene therapy approaches, innovative biomaterials or stem cell based therapies.It is difficult even for experts to find out what has already reached a clinical stage. The aim of the second volume in this series is to provide the reader with a current update on the latest therapeutic developments. As such, both patients and doctors will find the information contained within this manual to be useful and relevant. The editors are both international leaders in the field of regenerative medicine, and both possess a broad spectrum of experience from basic research to clinical application and commercialization.

"Cell niches are present in several human body tissues as a dynamic microenvironment essential to modulate stem cells' behavior in health, under injury, and in regenerative processes. The interplay between stem cells and their niche is necessary for sustaining tissues. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is the crucial component of the stem cell. It defines the architectural space, physical binding to the cell membrane, and interactions with the neighborhood cells and supports physical stress. Domains with nano or micrometric sizes define the surface and topology of the ECM, mediating cell interactions and macrophage recruitment to injured sites. Over the last two decades, the integration of biomedicine with other engineering and biomaterial sciences promoted the development of nanotechnology and regenerative medicine toward mimicking the specialized stem cell niches to treat diseases with less invasive and efficient therapies. Innovative approaches in nanotechnology, such as targeting the immunological system, transporting drugs across blood–brain/BBB and blood–retinal barriers/BRB, directing active moiety to specific disease location/organs, encapsulation of multiple components, and promoting signalization and pathway-specific surfaces for cell interactions and growth, are indeed promising. On the other side, developments of biomaterial scaffolds to mimic the cell niches for interactions with stem cells in vitro or in vivo have tremendous potential. The three-dimensional printing technology offers a base for a wide array of applications, for example, developing tissue constructs, mimetic organs, organoids, and organ-on-a-chip, thus avoiding the differences between animal model species and humans. Aiming closer to the natural environments, fresh autologous products from the blood, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP), contain platelets and leukocytes, providing growth factors, cytokines, and proteins for the resident stem cells in the stages of regeneration. PRP also provides pain relief, reducing disabilities in elderly or diseased people. This book brings thought-provoking multidisciplinary topics on the diverse aspects of basic and applied sciences. The prime focus of the compilation is to understand the challenges researchers encounter in combining nanotechnology and regenerative medicine, ultimately integrating both disciplines for the benefit of the patient and offering them a ray of hope to be cured. - Presents multi-disciplined knowledge on bench-to-bedside application of nanotechnology in regenerative medicines - Highlights the fundamentals, frontiers, limitations, and challenges faced by regenerative medicines - Exhibits synergy of biotechnology, nanomedicine, biomedicine, chemical-material engineering, pharmaceutical technology, and applied medical sciences in success of regenerative medicines

This book provides an update of recent advances in the basic and clinical applications of cell-based therapies for myocardial repair and regeneration in ischemic heart disease (IHD) and heart failure (HF). The first sections of the book illuminate basic aspects of stem cells such as definitions, isolation criteria and characterization of embryonic and adult stem cells, as well as pluripotent stem cells and tissue specific progenitor and stem cells. In the following section, the text examines the role of critical regulators of stem cell differentiation in myocardial regeneration, that include circadian rhythyms, microRNAs, epigenetics, microvescicles, and exosomes. The text concludes with a review of the use of stem/progenitor cells in cardiac regeneration and discuss current controversies, unresolved issues, challenges, and future directions. Stem Cells and Cardiac Regeneration is addressed to a wide audience consisting of cardiologists, clinicians, and research scientists, who will learn new concepts in cardiovascular regeneration and repair with special focus on molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential for cardiovascular regeneration.

Materials science and engineering are strongly developing tools with increasing impact in the biotechnological and biomedical areas. Interestingly, research in molecular and cellular biology is often at the core of the design and development of materials-based approaches, providing biological rationale. Focused on research relying on biology–materials interaction, IJMS launched a Special Issue named “Cells and Materials for Disease Modeling and Regenerative Medicine”. The aim of the Special Issue was to generate a compilation of in vitro and in vivo strategies based on cell–material interactions. This book compiles the papers published in that Special Issue and includes a selection of six original scientific experimental articles and six comprehensive reviews. We are convinced that this collection of articles shows representative examples of the state of the art in the field, unveiling the relevance of materials research in generating new regenerative medicine and disease modeling approaches.

Cardiac Regeneration and Repair, Volume Two reviews the use of biomaterials, alone or combined with cell therapy, in providing tissue-engineered constructs to repair the injured heart and prevent or reverse heart failure. Part one explores the variety of biomaterials available for cardiac repair, including nanomaterials and hydrogels. Further chapters explore the use of biomaterials to enhance stem cell therapy for restoring ventricular function and generating stem cell-modified intravascular stents. Part two focuses on tissue engineering for cardiac repair, including chapters on decellularized biologic scaffolds, synthetic scaffolds, cell sheet engineering, maturation of functional cardiac tissue patches, vascularized engineered tissues for in vivo and in vitro applications, and clinical considerations for cardiac tissue engineering. Finally, part three explores vascular remodeling, including chapters highlighting aortic extracellular matrix remodeling, cell-biomaterial interactions for blood vessel formation, and stem cells for tissue-engineered blood vessels. Cardiac Regeneration and Repair, Volume Two is complemented by an initial volume covering pathology and therapies. Together, the two volumes of Cardiac Regeneration and Repair provide a comprehensive resource for clinicians, scientists, or academicians fascinated with cardiac regeneration, including those interested in cell therapy, tissue engineering, or biomaterials. - Surveys the variety of biomaterials available for cardiac repair, including nanomaterials and hydrogels. - Focuses on tissue engineering for cardiac repair including clinical considerations for cardiac tissue engineering - Explores vascular remodeling, highlighting aortic extracellular matrix remodeling, cell-biomaterial interactions for blood vessel formation, and stem cells for tissue-engineered blood vessels

Nanomedicinal Approaches Towards Cardiovascular Disease summarizes information about nanotechnology that is used in the diagnosis and regenerative treatment of heart diseases. Chapters in this reference introduce the reader to the basics of cardiac nanomedicine and cardiac regeneration before moving to advanced topics such as nanomedicine in cardiovascular diagnosis, imaging and therapeutics. Key Features - 13 chapters that cover nanotechnological aspects of cardiovascular diseases, contributed by expert scholars - Simple, reader-friendly text suitable for readers of all academic levels - Covers introductory topics of nanomedicine regenerative medicine in cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular diagnosis and therapeutics - Covers advanced topics such as cardiovascular nanotheranositics, cardiac reprogramming, biomimetics, drug delivery systems and smart nanomaterials - Includes a chapter on ethical implications in cardiovascular nanomedicine - Includes bibliographic references for each chapter Nanomedicinal Approaches Towards Cardiovascular Disease is a simple. informative reference on cardiovascular nanomedicine for scholars, healthcare professionals and nanotechnology enthusiasts, alike, which provides holistic knowledge on the subject in a single volume.

Mechanisms of Action in Disease and Recovery in Integrative Cardiovascular Chinese Medicine, volume six in the Integrative Cardiovascular Chinese Medicine series, presents the structure, function and pathology of the cardiovascular system from Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine perspectives. Sections discuss cardiac acu-anatomy, including cardiac cells and heart structure, gastrointestinal cells and mouth, esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine structures, and more, while other chapters cover the qi, yin and yang roles in cardiac rhythm and pumping actions and the pathology of the heart and vascular system and the zang and fu relationship with other body organs. This important reference will aid cardiovascular researchers in the study of integrative Chinese and Western medicine with its clear, structured base that will guide clinical practice and encourage collaboration between Chinese and Western medicine practitioners. - Provides evidence for the mainstreaming of acu-meridian theory and pathophysiology - Explores the detailed connection between heart dysfunction and the disease mechanisms of other organ systems - Combines western medicine anatomy and pathophysiology with TCM aspects of essence, qi, blood and body fluid concept, production and function to explain the cardiovascular system dysfunction, it's independent role and dependent interactions with the functions of other organ systems

This book is the definitive reference on two of the most exciting areas of cardiovascular research – myocardial regeneration and stem cell therapy – for the treatment of disease. Edited by pioneers in the area, with contributions from every major investigator worldwide, it covers: The biology of stem cells The actions of stem cells from the bone marrow, the heart, and embryos on the normal restorative and repair functions of the heart and blood vessels How stem cells could contribute to myocardial recovery in the face of injury and aging How adjuvant therapy with growth factors might enhance stem cell activity in regeneration and repair Clinical applications and clinical experiences This fully referenced publication presents the current state of knowledge in both basic science and clinical practice, and is an essential reference for scientists, students, and clinicians.