Integrative Analysis of Colonic Biopsies from Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients Identifies an Interaction Between Microbial Bile Acid-inducible Gene Abundance and Human Angiopoietin-like 4 Gene Expression.

Background And Aims: Microbial-derived bile acids can modulate host gene expression, and their faecal abundance is decreased in active inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. We analysed the impact of endoscopic inflammation on microbial genes involved in bile acid biotransformation, and their interaction with host transcriptome in the intestinal mucosa of IBD patients.

Methods: Endoscopic mucosal biopsies were collected from non-inflamed and inflamed terminal ileum, ascending and sigmoid colon of IBD patients.

Human umbilical cord perivascular cells prevent chemotherapeutic drug-induced male infertility in a mouse model.

Objective: To study whether intratesticular (IT) administration of 2 sources of human umbilical cord perivascular cells (HUCPVC), rich and potent sources of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC), before chemotherapy can prevent infertility in a mouse model.

Design: Two control groups of CD1 male mice without busulfan (BUS) administration (untreated and IT media injection groups) were included. Experimental groups included IT administration of media, first trimester (FTM) HUCPVCs or term HUCPVCs (n = 5 each) injected 3 days before BUS treatment (20 mg/kg).

Human umbilical cord perivascular cells maintain regenerative traits following exposure to cyclophosphamide.

Chemotherapies can cause germ cell depletion and gonadal failure. When injected post-chemotherapy, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) from various sources have been shown to have regenerative effects in rodent models of chemotherapy-induced gonadal injury. Here, we evaluated two properties of a novel source of MSC, first trimester (FTM) human umbilical cord perivascular cells (HUCPVCs) (with increased regenerative potential compared to older sources), that may render them a promising candidate for chemotherapeutic gonadal injury prevention.

Conducting Translational Gastrointestinal Research in the Era of COVID-19.

Spread of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 has resulted in a global pandemic that is affecting the health and economy of all World Health Organization [WHO] regions. Clinical and translational research activities have been affected drastically by this global catastrophe. In this document we provide a suggested roadmap for resuming gastrointestinal translational research activities, emphasising physical distancing and use of personal protective equipment.

Differential Expression of microRNAs in Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Identifies Autophagy and TGF-Beta-Related Signatures Aberrantly Expressed in Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background And Aims: MicroRNAs [miRNAs] have emerged as important regulators in inflammatory bowel disease [IBD]. This study investigated differential expression of miRNAs across clinical phenotypes in a well-characterized cohort of IBD patients and healthy controls [HCs].

Methods: A cohort of Crohn's disease [CD] and ulcerative colitis [UC] patients and HCs was prospectively accrued.

Initial germ cell to somatic cell ratio impacts the efficiency of SSC expansion in vitro.

Unlabelled: Spermatogonial Stem Cell (SSC) expansion in vitro remains a major challenge in efforts to preserve fertility among pubertal cancer survivor boys. The current study focused on innovative approaches to optimize SSC expansion. Six- to eight-week-old CD-1 murine testicular samples were harvested by mechanical and enzymatic digestion.

Centrally Determined Standardization of Flow Cytometry Methods Reduces Interlaboratory Variation in a Prospective Multicenter Study.

Objectives: Flow cytometry (FC) aids in characterization of cellular and molecular factors involved in pathologic immune responses. Although FC has potential to facilitate early drug development in inflammatory bowel disease, interlaboratory variability limits its use in multicenter trials. Standardization of methods may address this limitation.

Optimal culture conditions are critical for efficient expansion of human testicular somatic and germ cells in vitro.

Objective: To optimize culture conditions for human testicular somatic cells (TSCs) and spermatogonial stem cells.

Design: Basic science study.

Setting: Urology clinic and stem cell research laboratory.

Human umbilical perivascular cells: a novel source of MSCs to support testicular niche regeneration.

The expansion of functional testicular biopsy-derived human spermatogonial stem cells (hSSC) ex-vivo may enable the restoration of fertility in pre-pubertal males having undergone gonadotoxic therapies or men with severe male factor infertility. Various somatic cells are known to regulate SSC homeostasis and spermatogenesis in the developing and adult testis. Prior attempts to recapitulate this niche demonstrated the requirement of feeder cells, such as endogenous testicular somatic cells, for germ cell expansion ex-vivo.

Somatic cells, stem cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells: how do they now contribute to conservation?

More than a decade has now passed since the birth of the first endangered species produced from an adult somatic cell reprogrammed by somatic cell nuclear transfer. At that time, advances made in domestic and laboratory animal species provided the necessary foundation for attempting cutting-edge technologies on threatened and endangered species. In addition to nuclear transfer, spermatogonial stem cell transplantation and induction of pluripotent stem cells have also been explored.

Conditions for initiating Lake Victoria haplochromine (Oreochromis esculentus) primary cell cultures from caudal fin biopsies.

The global decline of freshwater fishes has created a need to cryopreserve biological materials from endangered species in an effort to conserve the biodiversity within this taxon. Since maternal gametes and embryos from fish are difficult to cryopreserve, somatic cells obtained from caudal fins have become an increasingly popular resource as they contain both maternal and paternal DNA ensuring valuable traits are not lost from the population. Somatic cells stored in cryobanks can be used to supplement endangered populations with genetically valuable offspring with the use of assisted reproductive technologies.