Sirtuin 1 facilitates generation of induced pluripotent stem cells from mouse embryonic fibroblasts through the miR-34a and p53 pathways

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Establishment of a novel human embryonic stem cell-derived trophoblastic spheroid implantation model

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Human chorionic gonadotropin stimulates spheroid attachment on fallopian tube epithelial cells through the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway and down-regulation of olfactomedin-1

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) on olfactomedin-1 (Olfm1) expression and spheroid attachment in human fallopian tube epithelial cells in vitro. DESIGN: Experimental study. SETTING: Reproductive biology laboratory. PATIENT(S): Healthy non-pregnant women. INTERVENTION(S): No patient interventions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) and Olfm1 expression in fallopian tube epithelium cell line (OE-E6/E7 cells). OE-E6/E7 cells treated with hCG, U0126 extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor, or XAV939 Wnt/β-catenin inhibitor were analyzed by Western blotting, real-time polymerase chain reaction, and in vitro spheroid attachment assay. RESULT(S): Human chorionic gonadotropin increased spheroid attachment on OE-E6/E7 cells through down-regulation of Olfm1 and activation of Wnt and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. U0126 down-regulated both MAPK and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways and up-regulated Olfm1 expression. XAV939 down-regulated only the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway but up-regulated Olfm1 expression. CONCLUSION(S): Human chorionic gonadotropin activated both ERK and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways and enhanced spheroid attachment on fallopian tube epithelial cells through down-regulation of Olfm1 expression.postprin

A Novel, Stable, Estradiol-Stimulating, Osteogenic Yam Protein with Potential for the Treatment of Menopausal Syndrome

A novel protein, designated as DOI, isolated from the Chinese yam (Dioscorea opposita Thunb.) could be the first protein drug for the treatment of menopausal syndrome and an alternative to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), which is known to have undesirable side effects. DOI is an acid- and thermo-stable protein with a distinctive N-terminal sequence Gly-Ile-Gly-Lys-Ile-Thr-Thr-Tyr-Trp-Gly-Gln-Tyr-Ser-Asp-Glu-Pro-Ser-Leu-Thr-Glu. DOI was found to stimulate estradiol biosynthesis in rat ovarian granulosa cells; induce estradiol and progesterone secretion in 16- to 18-month-old female Sprague Dawley rats by upregulating expressions of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor and ovarian aromatase; counteract the progression of osteoporosis and augment bone mineral density; and improve cognitive functioning by upregulating protein expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and TrkB receptors in the prefrontal cortex. Furthermore, DOI did not stimulate the proliferation of breast cancer and ovarian cancer cells, which suggest it could be a more efficacious and safer alternative to HRT.link_to_OA_fulltex

Evaluative language in engineering thesis abstracts and its implications for technical communication pedagogy

T5 - Breakout Session: T5.2 - Topics in Advanced WritingConference Theme: Beyond Borders: Communicating Globall

Human endometriotic cells exhibit stem-like cell properties

Session 60: Endometrium, endometriosisIntroduction: Endometriosis, the presence of endometrium outside the uterine cavity, affects 6–10% of women during their reproductive life [1]. It is one of the most common benign gynaecological diseases however, little is known about its pathogenesis. A postulated theory on the aetiology of endometriosis is that viable endometrial cells reach the peritoneal cavity through retrograde menstruation, adhere and form endometriotic lesions. Endometriosis is an estrogen dependent disorder, though the relation between steroids and its pathogenesis remains unclear. Recently stem/progenitor cells have been identified in the endometrium [2, 3]. They exhibit clonogenic activity and have high selfrenewal capability. Therefore, we hypothesize that a reservoir of endometrial epithelial and stromal stem/progenitor cells may contribute to the development of endometriotic lesions. The aims of this study were to 1) determine the clonogenic capacity of human endometrial epithelial and stromal cells from ovarian endometriotic lesions, 2) assess the self renewal capacity of endometriotic clonogenic cells and, 3) examine the cellular composition of the endometriotic clones using phenotypic markers. Materials and Methods: Ovarian endometriotic cysts were obtained from 19 women undergoing laparoscopy. The lesions were dissociated with collagenase to achieve single cell suspensions. Epithelial and stromal cells were separated using Ber-EP4 Dynabeads and cultured at low seeding density (500 cells/cm2) for 21 days. Colonies were stained with hematoxylin to determine the cloning efficiencies (CE) and some individual clones were serially subcloned every 3 –6 weeks to determine self renewal capacity. Immunohistochemistry was performed with: anti-human fibroblast (CD90), anti-human epithelial antigen (Ber-EP4, CD49f), anti-human endometriotic stromal marker (CD10) and estrogen receptor-a (ER-a). Results: Two types of colonies were observed: small loosely packed colonies containing large cells and large colonies with small, densely packed cells. The total CE for epithelial endometriotic cells was 2.92+2.49% (n ¼ 19); 1.70+1.47% for large and 1.22+1.02% for small colonies. Whereas, the total CE for stromal endometriotic cells was 4.67+2.71% (n ¼ 19); 1.54+0.92% for large and 3.13+1.80% for small colonies. There was no significant difference between the two cell types. Single cells derived from large epithelial and stromal endometriotic clones could be subcloned four times more when compared to those from small clones (n ¼ 5). Small epithelial colonies were positive for epithelial marker and negative for the fibroblast marker. However, large colonies were negative for BerEP4 and CD49f suggesting these epithelial markers are lost during in vitro proliferation. Both large and small stromal colonies were positive for CD90 and CD10 and were negative for epithelial markers. Interestingly, both large epithelial and stromal endometriotic clones possessed ER-a immunoreactivity. Conclusions: These results suggest that a small population of cells with stemlike cell properties of clonogenic and self renewal activity may be responsible for the development and progression in endometriosis. References Wheeler, J.M., Epidemiology of endometriosis-associated infertility. J Reprod Med, 1989. 34(1): p. 41–6. Chan, R.W., K.E. Schwab, and C.E. Gargett, Clonogenicity of human endometrial epithelial and stromal cells. Biol Reprod, 2004. 70(6): p. 1738–50. Chan, R.W. and C.E. Gargett, Identification of label-retaining cells in mouse endometrium. Stem Cells, 2006. 24(6): p. 1529–38.link_to_OA_fulltextabstrac