Preservation of ovarian function using human pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells.

Ovarian reserve diminishes with age, and older women experience a corresponding shift in sex hormone levels. These changes contribute to an age-dependent decrease in fertility and a decline in overall health. Furthermore, while survival rates following cancer treatment have improved for young female patients, a reduction in ovarian function due to the side effects of such treatments can be difficult to avoid.

Nutritional knowledge, eating habits, factors affecting muscle damage, and antioxidant enzyme levels of Korean wrestlers.

Purpose: The aim in this study was to investigate the diet and nutritional knowledge of elite Korean wrestlers and verify the differences in their exercise performance , muscle damage indicators, and antioxidant enzyme levels according to wrestler level.

Methods: A 7-day dietary and nutrition knowledge survey was administered to 30 adult male elite wrestlers (national team: n=11; professional team: n=19). The Wingate test was conducted for 60 seconds to analyze muscle damage indicators and antioxidant levels.

Kidney tissue regeneration using bioactive scaffolds incorporated with differentiating extracellular vesicles and intermediate mesoderm cells.

Background: To overcome the limitations of current alternative therapies for chronic kidney disease (CKD), tissue engineering-mediated regeneration strategies have demonstrated the possibilities for complete kidney tissue regeneration. Given the challenges associated with the reproducibility of renal basal cells, the incorporation of intermediate mesoderm (IM) cells and bioactive materials to control bioactivities of cells with supported scaffolds should be considered as a viable approach to enable the regeneration of the complex kidney structure via renal differentiation.

Methods: We developed PMEZ scaffolds by combining crucial bioactive components, such as ricinoleic acid-grafted Mg(OH) (M), extracellular matrix (E), and alpha lipoic acid-conjugated ZnO (Z) integrated into biodegradable porous PLGA (P) platform.

Expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex during Neuronal Differentiation of Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer-Human Embryonic Stem Cells.

Human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) such as human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), induced pluripotent stem cells, and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)-hESCs can permanently self-renew while maintaining their capacity to differentiate into any type of somatic cells, thereby serving as an important cell source for cell therapy. However, there are persistent challenges in the application of hPSCs in clinical trials, where one of the most significant is graft rejection by the patient immune system in response to human leukocyte antigen (HLA) mismatch when transplants are obtained from an allogeneic (non-self) cell source. Homozygous SCNT-hESCs (homo-SCNT-hESCs) were used to simplify the clinical application and to reduce HLA mismatch.

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on weight loss of Korean athletes: changes in athletes' physical activity and eating behavior.

Purpose: This study aims to examine the physical activity and eating habits of elite athletes to identify changes in their weight and participation levels in competitions pre- and post-COVID-19, and to establish a database of the abovementioned factors for the post-COVID-19 period.

Methods: This study surveyed 913 elite adult athletes from 22 sports. They were divided into two groups: weight loss athletes' group (WLG) and non-weight loss athletes' group (NWLG).

RNA sequencing-based transcriptome analysis of granulosa cells from follicular fluid: Genes involved in embryo quality during in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

Background: Granulosa cells play an important role in folliculogenesis, however, the role of RNA transcripts of granulosa cells in assessing embryo quality remains unclear. Therefore, we aims to investigate that RNA transcripts of granulosa cells be used to assess the probability of the embryonic developmental capacity.

Methods: This prospective cohort study was attempted to figure out the probability of the embryonic developmental capacity using RNA sequencing of granulosa cells.

Use of lysates from pooled human mononuclear cells to activate CD3 T cells in humanized mice with low human cell engraftment efficiency.

In regenerative medicine, humanized mice (hu-mice) are extremely valuable for verifying the cross talk between immune cells and therapeutic cells. Given the highly dynamic nature of the activities of immune cells, the in vitro platform does not allow for screening of their exact interactions with different therapeutic cells. By contrast, hu-mice have been widely applied for in vivo studies, especially those on immune rejection.

Generation of Skeletal Muscle Organoids from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells to Model Myogenesis and Muscle Regeneration.

In vitro organoids derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have been developed as essential tools to study the underlying mechanisms of human development and diseases owing to their structural and physiological similarity to corresponding organs. Despite recent advances, there are a few methodologies for three-dimensional (3D) skeletal muscle differentiation, which focus on the terminal differentiation into myofibers and investigate the potential of modeling neuromuscular disorders and muscular dystrophies. However, these methodologies cannot recapitulate the developmental processes and lack regenerative capacity.

Generation of a B2M homozygous knockout human somatic cell nuclear transfer-derived embryonic stem cell line using the CRISPR/Cas9 system.

Beta2-microglobulin (B2M) is a subunit of human leukocyte antigen class-I (HLA-I) heterodimer that mediates immune rejection through activation of cytotoxic T cells. B2M binding to HLA-I proteins is essential for functional HLA-I on the cell surface. Here, we generated a B2M homozygous knockout somatic cell nuclear transfer-induced embryonic stem cell (SCNT-ESC) line using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene targeting.

Changes in Methylation Patterns of Tumor Suppressor Genes during Extended Human Embryonic Stem Cell Cultures.

While studies on embryonic stem cells have been actively conducted, little is known about the epigenetic mechanisms in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) in extended culture systems. Here, we investigated whether CpG island (CGI) methylation patterns of 24 tumor suppressor genes could be maintained during extended hESC cultures. In total, 10 hESC lines were analyzed.

Rapid Production and Genetic Stability of Human Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells Derived from Human Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer-Derived Pluripotent Stem Cells.

Pluripotent stem cell-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells (PSC-MPCs) are primarily derived through two main methods: three-dimensional (3D) embryoid body-platform (EB formation) and the 2D direct differentiation method. We recently established somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)-PSC lines and showed their stemness. In the present study, we produced SCNT-PSC-MPCs using a novel direct differentiation method, and the characteristics, gene expression, and genetic stability of these MPCs were compared with those derived through EB formation.

Prevention of chemotherapy-induced premature ovarian insufficiency in mice by scaffold-based local delivery of human embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal progenitor cells.

Background: Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is one of the most serious side effects of chemotherapy in young cancer survivors. It may not only reduce fecundity but also affect lifelong health. There is no standard therapy for preserving ovarian health after chemotherapy.

Rapid Differentiation of Human Embryonic Stem Cells into Testosterone-Producing Leydig Cell-Like Cells In vitro.

Background: Leydig cells (LCs) are testicular somatic cells that are the major producers of testosterone in males. Testosterone is essential for male physiology and reproduction. Reduced testosterone levels lead to hypogonadism and are associated with diverse pathologies, such as neuronal dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome.

Identification of Putative Markers That Predict the In Vitro Senescence of Mesenchymal Progenitor Cells.

Mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPCs) are a promising cell source for regenerative medicine because of their immunomodulatory properties, anti-inflammatory molecule secretion, and replacement of damaged cells. Despite these advantages, heterogeneity in functional potential and limited proliferation capacity of MPCs, as well as the lack of suitable markers for product potency, hamper the development of large-scale manufacturing processes of MPCs. Therefore, there is a sustained need to develop highly proliferative and standardized MPCs in vitro and find suitable functional markers for measuring product potency.

Genome stabilization by RAD51-stimulatory compound 1 enhances efficiency of somatic cell nuclear transfer-mediated reprogramming and full-term development of cloned mouse embryos.

Objectives: The genetic instability and DNA damage arise during transcription factor-mediated reprogramming of somatic cells, and its efficiency may be reduced due to abnormal chromatin remodelling. The efficiency in somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)-mediated reprogramming is also very low, and it is caused by development arrest of most reconstituted embryos.

Materials And Methods: Whether the repair of genetic instability or double-strand breaks (DSBs) during SCNT reprogramming may play an important role in embryonic development, we observed and analysed the effect of Rad 51, a key modulator of DNA damage response (DDR) in SCNT-derived embryos.

Distinct Repopulation Activity in Hu-Mice Between CB- and LPB-CD34 Cells by Enrichment of Transcription Factors.

Background And Objectives: Human CD34 hematopoietic stem cells can reconstitute the human hematopoietic system when transplanted into immunocompromised mice after irradiation. Human leukapheresis peripheral blood (LPB)- and cord blood (CB)-derived CD34 cells have a similar capacity to reconstitute myeloid lineage cells in a humanized mice (hu-mice) model. However, potent stem cells, such as CB-CD34 cells, efficiently reconstitute the lymphoid system in vivo compared to LPB-CD34 cells.

Disease modeling and stem cell immunoengineering in regenerative medicine using CRISPR/Cas9 systems.

CRISPR/Cas systems are popular genome editing tools that belong to a class of programmable nucleases and have enabled tremendous progress in the field of regenerative medicine. We here outline the structural and molecular frameworks of the well-characterized type II CRISPR system and several computational tools intended to facilitate experimental designs. The use of CRISPR tools to generate disease models has advanced research into the molecular aspects of disease conditions, including unraveling the molecular basis of immune rejection.

Trajectories of Body Mass Index and Their Associations with Mortality among Older Adults in Korea: Analysis of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging.

Background: Weight change is a known risk factor for mortality. Previous Korean studies only considered mortality consequences of weight change between two time points over relatively short periods. This study investigated whether body mass index (BMI) trajectory patterns were associated with all cause-mortality based on continuous BMI observations during a 10-year follow-up period among Korean older adults.

Recovery of ovarian function by human embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells in cisplatin-induced premature ovarian failure in mice.

Background: Clinical use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) requires a uniform cell population, and their harvesting is invasive and produces a limited number of cells. Human embryonic stem cell-derived MSCs (hESC-MSCs) can differentiate into three germ layers and possess immunosuppressive effects in vitro. Anticancer treatment is a well-known risk factor for premature ovarian failure (POF).

Cryopreserved Human Oocytes and Cord Blood Cells Can Produce Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer-Derived Pluripotent Stem Cells with a Homozygous HLA Type.

Human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) through somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) may be an important source for regenerative medicine. The low derivation efficiency of stem cells and the accessibility of human oocytes are the main obstacles to their application. We previously reported that the efficiency of SCNT was increased by overexpression of H3K9me3 demethylase.

Trajectories of Handgrip Strength and Their Associations with Mortality among Older Adults in Korea: Analysis of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging.

Background: Handgrip strength (HGS) is a good predictor of adverse health outcomes in later life. This prospective study aimed to investigate whether HGS trajectory patterns were associated with all-cause mortality among older adults in Korea.

Methods: This study used the database of the 2006-2016 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging.

Anti-fracture Efficacy of Monthly Risedronate Compared with That of Weekly Risedronate in Postmenopausal Korean Women with Osteoporosis: A Nationwide Cohort Study.

Background: Intermittent dosing regimens for oral risedronate (once-monthly and once-weekly) were developed for patient convenience. While several studies have reported the anti-fracture efficacy of weekly dosing, few have assessed monthly dosing. The lower efficacy of monthly dosing has been previously suggested.

Fear of Falling and Mortality among Older Adults in Korea: Analysis of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging.

Background: The fear of falling (FOF) has been reported in a high percentage of elderly people. An excessive FOF is a major concern among the elderly because it can lead to permanent disability. However, the impact of FOF on mortality has been insufficiently studied.