Assessment of Differentiation States of Hematopoietic Stem Cells Following in Vitro Culture Using Side and Forward Scatter of Flow Cytometry

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) are defined by the International Society of Hematotherapy and Graft Engineering (ISHAGE) as those at low side scatter, positive for CD34 and CD45dim for their numeration with flow cytometry. However, we found that these CD34+ cells increase their granularity and size following in vitro culture, which was exhibited in flow cytometry as more events at higher side scatter and forward scatter. To further determine whether such a change in the cell event distribution is related to HSC differentiation, HSC markers and differentiation markers of in vitro-cultured HSC were detected by flow cytometry at different side scatter and forward scatter levels using modified ISHAGE gating strategies.nbsp The results revealed that cultured HSC with higher side scatter have a lower percentage of cells positive for HSC markers and a higher percentage of differentiation makers, while those with higher forward scatter have a higher percentage of differentiation makers but a slightly higher percentage of stem cell markers, suggesting that side scatter and forward scatter levels of cultured HSC correlate with the differentiation level of these cells

Couple relationship education in Australia

In Australia, the strengthening of marriage through relationship education has received strong governmental policy support and some modest financial support. Couple relationship education services are offered by a variety of community-based, church-affiliated, and church-based providers. There is a strong emphasis on providing programs that are developed locally in response to perceived couple needs and government policies. Available evaluations show that most couples who attend education value the service, but relationship education providers need to do a better job reaching out to couples at high risk for future relationship problems, and more research is needed on the effects of education on long-term marital outcomes. There is significant scope for building on current initiatives to incorporate evidence-based approaches and to expand the program reach to more couples

The future of couple relationship education: suggestions on how it can make a difference

Relationship education holds much promise for reducing the individual, family, and community costs of relationship distress and breakdown. To realize this, potential educators need to offer evidence-based education that tailors content to the risk and resiliency profiles of the couples. Education needs to be offered at crucial developmental points in couple relationships, in an integrated manner with community development initiatives, to couples at high risk of future relationship problems and in a variety of delivery modes