Primate-specific endogenous retrovirus-driven transcription defines naive-like stem cells

Naive embryonic stem cells hold great promise for research and therapeutics as they have broad and robust developmental potential. While such cells are readily derived from mouse blastocysts it has not been possible to isolate human equivalents easily, although human naive-like cells have been artificially generated (rather than extracted) by coercion of human primed embryonic stem cells by modifying culture conditions or through transgenic modification. Here we show that a sub-population within cultures of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) manifests key properties of naive state cells. These naive-like cells can be genetically tagged, and are associated with elevated transcription of HERVH, a primate-specific endogenous retrovirus. HERVH elements provide functional binding sites for a combination of naive pluripotency transcription factors, including LBP9, recently recognized as relevant to naivety in mice. LBP9-HERVH drives hESC-specific alternative and chimaeric transcripts, including pluripotency-modulating long non-coding RNAs. Disruption of LBP9, HERVH and HERVH-derived transcripts compromises self-renewal. These observations define HERVH expression as a hallmark of naive-like hESCs, and establish novel primate-specific transcriptional circuitry regulating pluripotency

Large intraperitoneal lipoleiomyoma in a pre-menopausal woman: a case report

Abstract Background Lipoleiomyoma is a rare, benign variant of the commonplace uterine leiomyoma. Unlike leiomyoma, these tumors are composed of smooth muscle cells admixed with mature adipose tissue. While rare, they are most frequently identified in the uterus, but even more infrequently have been described in extrauterine locations. Case presentation We describe a case report of a 45-year-old woman with a history of in vitro fertilization pregnancy presenting 6 years later with abdominal distention and weight loss found to have a 30-cm intra-abdominal lipoleiomyoma. While cross-sectional imaging can narrow the differential diagnosis, histopathological analysis with stains positive for smooth muscle actin, desmin, and estrogen receptor, but negative for HMB-45 confirms the diagnosis of lipoleiomyoma. The large encapsulated tumor was resected en bloc. The patients post-operative course was uneventful and her symptoms resolved. Conclusions Lipoleiomyoma should be considered on the differential diagnosis in a woman with a large intra-abdominal mass. While considered benign, resection should be considered if the mass is symptomatic, and the diagnosis is unclear or there is a concern for malignancy.http://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/173719/1/12957_2021_Article_2256.pd

Effects of Melt Pool Variables and Process Parameters in Laser Direct Metal Deposition of Aerospace Alloys

Despite considerable advances in of laser direct metal deposition (LDMD) process optimization, there is rather limited work reported on the effects of melt pool variables on the final deposit characteristics. This article considers the effects of process parameters and melt pool characteristics on the deposition of Inconel 718 powder on a Ti-6Al-4V thin wall. A 1.5kW diode laser and LDMD system is used to produce a series of deposits. Images of the process are captured using Cu-vapor laser illumination and a high speed camera with long range microscopy optics, and quantitative results are extracted via image analysis. Process parameters such as carrier gas flow rate, powder mass flow rate and laser operating mode (CW and pulsed) and in process variables such as quantified melt pool disturbance, and final part characteristics are correlated and discussed. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) are used to analyze deposited clads in terms of elemental composition and flow characteristics in the deposition melt pool. Melt pool disturbance is found to be a vital parameter in determining the surface roughness of the final part. An inverse relation between the mean surface disturbance of the melt pool and the surface roughness of the part is observed, and carrier gas flow rate and powder mass flow rate both affect the overall melt pool size. The work has implications for the selection of process parameters for commercial laser deposition processes-the speed with which powder is delivered to the melt pool as well as the mass flow rate may need to be taken into account when calculating build rate and for a good surface finish requiring minimum post process finishing a stable melt pool may actually be the worst situation