Xeno-free and feeder-free culture and differentiation of human embryonic stem cells on recombinant vitronectin-grafted hydrogels.

Recombinant vitronectin-grafted hydrogels were developed by adjusting surface charge of the hydrogels with grafting of poly-l-lysine for optimal culture of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) under xeno- and feeder-free culture conditions, with elasticity regulated by crosslinking time (10-30 kPa), in contrast to conventional recombinant vitronectin coating dishes, which have a fixed stiff surface (3 GPa). hESCs proliferated on the hydrogels for over 10 passages and differentiated into the cells derived from three germ layers indicating the maintenance of pluripotency. hESCs on the hydrogels differentiated into cardiomyocytes under xeno-free culture conditions with much higher efficiency (80% of cTnT+ cells) than those on conventional recombinant vitronectin or Matrigel-coating dishes just only after 12 days of induction.

Rheumatoid arthritis is associated with rs17337023 polymorphism and increased serum level of the EGFR protein.

Objective: We have previously described the association of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) prevalence and two epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) SNPs (rs17337023 and rs2227983) among the Taiwanese population. This present study aimed to elucidate whether the SNPs can alter the expression of EGFR in the progression of RA.

Methods: The cohort study included 366 Taiwan's Han Chinese RA patients and 326 age and gender matched healthy controls.

Purification and differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells by membrane filtration and membrane migration methods.

Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) are easily isolated from fat tissue without ethical concerns, but differ in purity, pluripotency, differentiation ability, and stem cell marker expression, depending on the isolation method. We isolated hADSCs from a primary fat tissue solution using: (1) conventional culture, (2) a membrane filtration method, (3) a membrane migration method where the primary cell solution was permeated through membranes, adhered hADSCs were cultured, and hADSCs migrated out from the membranes. Expression of mesenchymal stem cell markers and pluripotency genes, and osteogenic differentiation were compared for hADSCs isolated by different methods using nylon mesh filter membranes with pore sizes ranging from 11 to 80 μm.

Data of continuous harvest of stem cells via partial detachment from thermoresponsive nanobrush surfaces.

This data article contains two figures and one table supporting the research article entitled: "Continuous harvest of stem cells via partial detachment from thermoresponsive nanobrush surface" [1]. The table shows coating conditions of three copolymers, poly(styrene-co-acrylic acid) grafted with oligovitronectin, poly(styrene-co-N-isopropylacrylamide) and poly(styrene-co-polyethylene glycol methacrylate) to prepare thermoresponsive surface. XPS spectra show the nitrogen peak of the polystyrene surface coated with poly(styrene-co-acrylic acid) grafted with oligovitronectin.

Pluripotency maintenance of amniotic fluid-derived stem cells cultured on biomaterials.

The stem cell fates of pluripotency and differentiation are regulated by not only soluble biological cues but also insoluble biochemical cues (i.e., extracellular matrix (ECM)) and the physical cues of cell culture biomaterials (i.

Genetic susceptibility to idiopathic membranous nephropathy in high-prevalence Area, Taiwan.

Idiopathic membranous nephropathy (MN) is one common cause of idiopathic nephrotic syndrome in adults; 25% of MN patients proceed to end-stage renal disease. In adults, membranous nephropathy is a lead cause of nephrotic syndrome, with about 75% of the cases idiopathic. Secondary causes include autoimmune disease, infection, drugs and malignancy.

Purification of human adipose-derived stem cells from fat tissues using PLGA/silk screen hybrid membranes.

The purification of human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) from human adipose tissue cells (stromal vascular fraction) was investigated using membrane filtration through poly(lactide-co-glycolic acid)/silk screen hybrid membranes. Membrane filtration methods are attractive in regenerative medicine because they reduce the time required to purify hADSCs (i.e.

Suppression of cancer-initiating cells and selection of adipose-derived stem cells cultured on biomaterials having specific nanosegments.

Cancer-initiating cells [cancer stem cells (CSCs)] in colon cancer cells can be selectively suppressed when they are cultured on Pluronic (nanosegment)-grafted dishes, whereas CSCs are maintained on conventional tissue culture dishes and extracellular matrix-coated dishes. CSCs persist in tumors as a distinct population and cause relapse and metastasis by giving rise to new tumorigenic clones. The purification or depletion (suppression) of CSCs should be useful for analyzing CSC characteristics and for clinical application.

The combined influence of substrate elasticity and surface-grafted molecules on the ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells.

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an attractive source of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) for transplantation. However, the low number of HSPCs from a single UCB donor limits the direct transplantation of UCB to patients. Because little is known about the effects of the physical microenvironment on HSPC expansion, we investigated the ex vivo expansion of HSPCs cultured on biomaterials with different elasticities and grafted with different nanosegments.

The isolation and differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells using membrane filtration.

Human adipose-derived stem cells (hADSCs) were purified from a suspension of human adipose tissue cells (stromal vascular fraction) by the conventional culture method and by membrane filtration through polyurethane (PU) foam membranes. hADSCs can be obtained from a suspension of human adipose tissue cells using the membrane filtration method in less than 30 min, whereas the conventional culture method requires 5-12 days. hADSCs that express the mesenchymal stem cell markers CD44, CD73, and CD90 were concentrated in the recovery solution from the PU membranes; no hADSCs were isolated in the permeate.

Effect of the surface density of nanosegments immobilized on culture dishes on ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells from umbilical cord blood.

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an attractive source of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells for hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation. However, the low number of HSCs obtainable from a single donor of UCB limits direct transplantation of UCB to the treatment of pediatric patients. In this study, we investigated the ex vivo expansion of HSCs cultured on biomaterials grafted with several nanosegments, i.

Decreased expression of phosphorylated JNK in breast infiltrating ductal carcinoma is associated with a better overall survival.

Phosphorylation/activation of c-jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) has an ambivalent role, pro-proliferation or antiproliferation, in human cancers, which is determined by different cell types and by its crosstalk with other kinases. So far, the role of phosphorylated JNK (p-JNK) in breast cancer is mostly undefined. In this study, we analyzed the expression of p-JNK, as well as p-ERK1/2 and p-38, in the pair of cancer and noncancer breast tissues, by using immunoblotting techniques.

The correlation between renal function and systolic or diastolic blood pressure in severe preeclamptic women.

Objective: To evaluate the correlation between renal function and systolic or diastolic blood pressure in preeclamptic mothers.

Methods: In this prospective study from August 1998 to September 2002, 28 women >or= 28 weeks gestation with severe preeclampsia were selected. Meanwhile, 56 normotensive pregnant women without proteinuria or edema served as the control group.

Urinary cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate changes in spontaneous and induced onset active labor.

Background: The aim of this prospective, randomized study was to investigate the changes in urinary cyclic guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP) between the latent and the active phases of spontaneous and prostaglandin E(1) (PGE(1))-induced labor.

Methods: Seventy singleton pregnant women at 36-41(+) weeks' gestation without signs of fetal distress were enrolled. The first group consisted of 35 pregnant women in whom labor was induced by PGE(1) applied intravaginally.

Serum adiponectin and leptin levels in Taiwanese breast cancer patients.

The role of two adipocytokines, adiponectin and leptin, in Taiwanese breast cancer patients remains to be determined. In this study, we analyzed the correlations between the serum levels of adiponectin and leptin and the various clinicopathological parameters in 100 newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed breast cancer patients and 100 controls. We found serum levels were decreased significantly for adiponectin in the breast cancer patients, in comparison to controls (Student t-test, P=0.

Prospective randomized comparison of single-dose versus 1-day cefazolin for prophylaxis in gynecologic surgery.

Background: The purpose of this prospective, randomized study was to compare the efficacy of single-dose versus 1-day cefazolin prophylaxis for the prevention of postoperative gynecologic infections.

Methods: From June 2001 to January 2003, 548 patients were randomized to receive either single-dose (1 g of cefazolin intravenously before surgery, 273 patients) or 1-day cefazolin (1 g intravenously before surgery and three more doses every 6 hr after surgery, 275 patients) prophylaxis.

Results: A total of 531 (267 patients in the single-dose group and 264 in the 1-day group) completed the study.

Serum vascular endothelial growth factor165 levels and uterine fibroid volume.

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor165 (VEGF165) demonstrates increased expression in uterine fibroids. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum VEGF165 levels and uterine fibroid volume.

Methods: On a prospective observational basis, 80 women with symptomatic uterine fibroids underwent hysterectomy.

Urinary nitric oxide metabolite changes in spontaneous and induced onset active labor.

Background: The aim of this prospective, randomized study was to investigate the changes in urinary nitric oxide (NO) metabolite between the latent and the active phases of spontaneous and either prostaglandin E(1) (PGE(1)) or prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2))-induced labors.

Methods: Eighty-eight singleton pregnant women at 36-41(+) weeks' gestation without signs of fetal distress were enrolled. The first group consisted of 29 pregnant women in whom labor was induced by PGE(1) applied intravaginally.

Laparoscopic ovarian drilling with diathermy in the treatment of infertile women with polycystic ovaries.

Background: [corrected] To describe the effect of laparoscopic ovarian drilling with diathermy on the pregnancy outcome of infertile women with polycystic ovaries.

Methods: Between September 2000 and July 2001, 6 infertile patients with polycystic ovaries who visited the Kinmen County Hospital consented to participate in the study. Oligomenorrhea was the common clinical symptoms of these 6 patients whose pelvic sonogram revealed typical pattern of polycystic ovaries.

Repeated severe neonatal hemolysis due to Rhesus isoimmunization in a pregnant woman.

Rhesus (Rh) isoimmunization presenting as severe neonatal hemolytic disease is rare in RhD negative primigravidas of Chinese ethnicity. We report the case of a 32-year-old pregnant Taiwanese woman, RhD negative, who gave birth vaginally to two RhD-positive full-term fetuses 6 years apart. Antenatal follow-up was uneventful and there was no obvious fetal-maternal hemorrhage except at the performance of amniocentesis at the 19th week of the first pregnancy without anti-D immune globulin prophylaxis.