Histone Demethylase Expression Enhances Human Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer Efficiency and Promotes Derivation of Pluripotent Stem Cells.

The extremely low efficiency of human embryonic stem cell (hESC) derivation using somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) limits its potential application. Blastocyst formation from human SCNT embryos occurs at a low rate and with only some oocyte donors. We previously showed in mice that reduction of histone H3 lysine 9 trimethylation (H3K9me3) through ectopic expression of the H3K9me3 demethylase Kdm4d greatly improves SCNT embryo development.

Human somatic cell nuclear transfer using adult cells.

Derivation of patient-specific human pluripotent stem cells via somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) has the potential for applications in a range of therapeutic contexts. However, successful SCNT with human cells has proved challenging to achieve, and thus far has only been reported with fetal or infant somatic cells. In this study, we describe the application of a recently developed methodology for the generation of human ESCs via SCNT using dermal fibroblasts from 35- and 75-year-old males.

Cryopreserved human blastocysts after vitrification result in excellent implantation and clinical pregnancy rates.

We conducted a retrospective review of all frozen ETs from May 2002 to October 2007 using our new vitrification technique in order to determine its efficacy. We found high pregnancy (70.5%; 79/112) and implantation (40.

Prevalence of infraumbilical adhesions in women with previous laparoscopy.

Background And Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of intraabdominal adhesions to the umbilicus following gynecologic laparoscopy through an umbilical incision.

Methods: A retrospective review was performed of all gynecologic laparoscopic procedures in a private practice setting to identify patients with a repeat laparoscopy who had a history of a previous laparoscopy through an umbilical incision. Patients with a history of other surgeries were excluded.

Effects of raloxifene on insulin sensitivity, beta-cell function, and hepatic insulin extraction in normal postmenopausal women.

Objective: To investigate the effect of raloxifene on insulin sensitivity, beta-cell function, hepatic insulin clearance, and glucose tolerance in postmenopausal women.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Texas.

Serum soluble leptin receptor levels and free leptin index in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: relationship to insulin resistance and androgens.

Objective: To evaluate levels of soluble receptor (sOB-R) and free leptin in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and note any relationships with insulin resistance, adiposity, and androgens. Leptin is an adipokine that circulates in a free form and bound to an sOB-R. Only free leptin is biologically active.

Adiponectin levels in women with polycystic ovary syndrome and severe insulin resistance.

Objective: Adiponectin is an adipokine that is decreased in obesity and type 2 diabetes. Women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are obese and are at risk for type 2 diabetes. The objective of the current study was to investigate the relationship of adiponectin to obesity and insulin resistance in women with PCOS and severe insulin resistance.

Effects of rosiglitazone in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome and severe insulin resistance.

Our objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of the insulin-sensitizing agent rosiglitazone in obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and severe insulin resistance. Twelve obese women with PCOS were recruited. All were hirsute and anovulatory with acanthosis nigricans indicating severe insulin resistance.

Iatrogenic endometriosis caused by uterine morcellation during a supracervical hysterectomy.

Background: Iatrogenic endometriosis is a rare complication associated with laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy.

Case: A parous woman in her 30s underwent a laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy for a leiomyomatous uterus. The uterus was amputated and removed from the abdominal cavity with an electric morcellator.