Single-cell transcriptomics reveal differences between chorionic and basal plate cytotrophoblasts and trophoblast stem cells.

Cytotrophoblast (CTB) of the early gestation human placenta are bipotent progenitor epithelial cells, which can differentiate into invasive extravillous trophoblast (EVT) and multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast (STB). Trophoblast stem cells (TSC), derived from early first trimester placentae, have also been shown to be bipotential. In this study, we set out to probe the transcriptional diversity of first trimester CTB and compare TSC to various subgroups of CTB.

Stress-free cell aggregation by using the CEPT cocktail enhances embryoid body and organoid fitness.

Embryoid bodies (EBs) and self-organizing organoids derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) recapitulate tissue development in a dish and hold great promise for disease modeling and drug development. However, current protocols are hampered by cellular stress and apoptosis during cell aggregation, resulting in variability and impaired cell differentiation. Here, we demonstrate that EBs and various organoid models (e.

A defined roadmap of radial glia and astrocyte differentiation from human pluripotent stem cells.

Human gliogenesis remains poorly understood, and derivation of astrocytes from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is inefficient and cumbersome. Here, we report controlled glial differentiation from hPSCs that bypasses neurogenesis, which otherwise precedes astrogliogenesis during brain development and in vitro differentiation. hPSCs were first differentiated into radial glial cells (RGCs) resembling resident RGCs of the fetal telencephalon, and modulation of specific cell signaling pathways resulted in direct and stepwise induction of key astroglial markers (NFIA, NFIB, SOX9, CD44, S100B, glial fibrillary acidic protein [GFAP]).

Robotic high-throughput biomanufacturing and functional differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells.

Efficient translation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) requires scalable cell manufacturing strategies for optimal self-renewal and functional differentiation. Traditional manual cell culture is variable and labor intensive, posing challenges for high-throughput applications. Here, we established a robotic platform and automated all essential steps of hiPSC culture and differentiation under chemically defined conditions.

Robotic High-Throughput Biomanufacturing and Functional Differentiation of Human Pluripotent Stem Cells.

Efficient translation of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) depends on implementing scalable cell manufacturing strategies that ensure optimal self-renewal and functional differentiation. Currently, manual culture of hiPSCs is highly variable and labor-intensive posing significant challenges for high-throughput applications. Here, we established a robotic platform and automated all essential steps of hiPSC culture and differentiation under chemically defined conditions.

Reprogramming Primary Amniotic Fluid and Membrane Cells to Pluripotency in Xeno-free Conditions.

Autologous cell-based therapies got a step closer to reality with the introduction of induced pluripotent stem cells. Fetal stem cells, such as amniotic fluid and membrane mesenchymal stem cells, represent a unique type of undifferentiated cells with promise in tissue engineering and for reprogramming into iPSC for future pediatric interventions and stem cell banking. The protocol presented here describes an optimized procedure for extracting and culturing primary amniotic fluid and membrane mesenchymal stem cells and generating episomal induced pluripotent stem cells from these cells in fully chemically defined culture conditions utilizing human recombinant vitronectin and the E8 medium.

Induced pluripotent stem cells derived from human amnion in chemically defined conditions.

Fetal stem cells are a unique type of adult stem cells that have been suggested to be broadly multipotent with some features of pluripotency. Their clinical potential has been documented but their upgrade to full pluripotency could open up a wide range of cell-based therapies particularly suited for pediatric tissue engineering, longitudinal studies or disease modeling. Here we describe episomal reprogramming of mesenchymal stem cells from the human amnion to pluripotency (AM-iPSC) in chemically defined conditions.

Amniotic Fluid Cells Show Higher Pluripotency-Related Gene Expression Than Allantoic Fluid Cells.

Amniotic fluid represents an abundant source of multipotent stem cells, referred as broadly multipotent given their differentiation potential and expression of pluripotency-related genes. However, the origin of this broadly multipotent cellular fraction is not fully understood. Several sources have been proposed so far, including embryonic and extraembryonic tissues.

Seasonal, age and sex fluctuations in aflatoxin B content in the liver and kidney of brown hares (Lepus europaeus Pall).

The goal of this study was to monitor the accumulation of aflatoxin B in the liver and kidney of brown hares (Lepus europaeus Pall) in the region of south-western Slovakia. A total of 65 samples were involved for analysis by RIA method. Brown hares were divided into the groups according to age, sex and season (month).

Non-integrating episomal plasmid-based reprogramming of human amniotic fluid stem cells into induced pluripotent stem cells in chemically defined conditions.

Amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSC) represent an attractive potential cell source for fetal and pediatric cell-based therapies. However, upgrading them to pluripotency confers refractoriness toward senescence, higher proliferation rate and unlimited differentiation potential. AFSC were observed to rapidly and efficiently reacquire pluripotency which together with their easy recovery makes them an attractive cell source for reprogramming.

Effect of mercury on porcine ovarian granulosa cells in vitro.

The objective of this in vitro study was to examine dose-dependent changes in the secretion activity [progesterone (P4) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I)] of porcine ovarian granulosa cells after experimental mercury (Hg) administration, including its apoptotic potential so as to ascertain the possible involvement of Hg in steroidogenesis. Ovarian granulosa cells were incubated with mercuric chloride [mercury (II) chloride or HgCl2] at the doses 50-250 μg mL(-1) for 18 h and compared with control group without Hg addition. Release of P4 and IGF-I by ovarian granulosa cells was assessed by RIA and apoptosis by TUNEL assay.

mRNA detection in living cells: A next generation cancer stem cell identification technique.

Cancer stem cells (CSC) are a distinct subpopulation within a tumor shown to drive tumor progression, metastasis, and recurrence. A review of the literature reveals poor consensus, with the use of a wide variety of surface markers and functional assays to identify and isolate cancer stem cells. Utilizing a novel technology that enables live-cell mRNA quantitation, we have demonstrated the ability to identify and sort viable CSC based on markers associated with stemness in pluripotent cells.

Living-engineered valves for transcatheter venous valve repair.

Background: Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) represents a major global health problem with increasing prevalence and morbidity. CVI is due to an incompetence of the venous valves, which causes venous reflux and distal venous hypertension. Several studies have focused on the replacement of diseased venous valves using xeno- and allogenic transplants, so far with moderate success due to immunologic and thromboembolic complications.

Distribution of lead in selected organs and its effect on reproduction parameters of pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) after an experimental per oral administration.

Lead poisoning has been reported in almost every country on earth. In this study the effect of experimental lead pellet intake (2-6 pellets per week [groups B2, B4, B6] and ad libitum [BAD] accessibility for 10 weeks) on its distribution in liver, kidney, pectoral muscle, ovary, eggs and the effect of selected reproductive parameters (egg weight, fertilization, hatchability) was analyzed in breeding pheasants. Lead pellets were force fed to the digestive tract (struma, ingluvies) and the ingestion was controlled.

The occurrence and dynamics of polychlorinated hydrocarbons in brown hare (Lepus europaeus) in south-western Slovakia.

This study aimed at obtaining the data on the occurrence, levels and correlations of organic pollutants present in game animals (n = 75, Brown hare, Lepus europaeus Pall.) in the region of south-western Slovakia. The analyses performed included dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), hexachlorobenzen (HCB), alpha- and beta hexachlorocyclohexane (α+β-HCH), gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (γ-HCH), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB-delor, commercial mixture of PCB congeners).

Concentration of cadmium, mercury, zinc, copper and cobalt in the tissues of wild boar (Sus scrofa) hunted in the western Slovakia.

The aim of this study was to monitor accumulation of cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and cobalt (Co) in the muscle, liver and kidney of wild boar (Sus scrofa scrofa) from hunting place of western Slovakia and the correlations among the observed elements. A total of 120 samples were involved for analyses by atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS). The significantly highest accumulation of Cd in the kidney followed by the liver and muscles was found.

Concentration of lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic in leg skeletal muscles of three species of wild birds.

The aim of this study was to monitor accumulation of lead, cadmium, mercury and arsenic in leg skeletal muscle of some wild birds from selected areas of Slovakia and the correlations among the heavy metals. A total of 160 wild birds representing 3 species-Eurasian coot (Fulica atra) (n = 24), mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) (n = 68) and pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) (n = 68) were involved for analyses. Concentrations of heavy metals from samples were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry (AAS).

In vitro gossypol induced spermatozoa motility alterations in rabbits.

The objectives of the present study were to: (i) examine the in vitro dose response of rabbit spermatozoa motility to the antifertility agent gossypol (GOS) and (ii) determine whether filtered (FIL) and unfiltered (UNFIL) GOS differ in their magnitude of effect. Rabbit semen belonging to adult males (n = 5; 12-14 months) were cultured with UNFIL GOS and FIL GOS (5% solution) and subsequently diluted (1:1-7) for analysis using a Computer Assisted Semen Analyzer (CASA) system in 5 time periods (0, 60, 120, 180 and 360 minutes). At Time 0, no significant change in rabbit spermatozoa motility (MOT) and progressive motility (PROG) with GOS FIL was noted, while increases were observed with GOS UNFIL.

Environmental levels of cadmium, lead and mercury in brown hares and their relation to blood metabolic parameters.

The purpose of this study was to examine concentrations of selected heavy metals in the liver and kidney of brown hares (Lepus europaeus). In addition, correlations between heavy metals and biochemical parameters in blood plasma were determined. The average concentrations of heavy metals (mmol/L) +/- SD were as follows: liver: Pb 0.

Distribution of cadmium and lead in liver and kidney of some wild animals in Slovakia.

The content of cadmium and lead, as risk factors of environment, in liver and kidneys of wild animals as brown hare (Lepus europaeus), yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis), wood mouse (Cleithrionomys glareolus), and red deer (Cervus elaphus) were studied. Samples were analyzed by the atomic absorption spectrophotometry method (AAS). The highest levels of cadmium were found in kidneys (0.

Concentration of selected metals in liver, kidney, and muscle of the red deer (Cervus elaphus).

Concentration of cadmium, lead, chromium, zinc, copper, and manganese in liver, kidney, and muscle of red deer was investigated. For analysis of the content of these trace elements an AAS method was used. The concentration of cadmium was significantly (p < 0.