Human NTera-2 cells are widely used as models in human neurogenesis and differentiate into mixtures of various neuronal cell types [35, 86] ; but directed differentiation toward specific lineages such as astrocytic cells has not been accomplished. In this study, we developed an in vitro model of cellular differentiation in which human NTera-2 cells were differentiated into a homogenous population of cells with an astrocyte-like morphology and expressing astrocyte-specific, but not neural or oligodendrocyte markers. The advantages of this model over other in vitro systems for human astrocyte-like differentiation include its capability for robust differentiation and the formation of astrocyte-like cells but not other neuronal cell types. Such directed differentiation differs from those which induce differentiation into mixtures of mostly neurons and a few astrocytes after the 4-or 5-week treatment with retinoic acid [35] . Thus this in vitro human cell model can be used to examine a detailed mechanism underlying astrocytic differentiation. By now there is strong evidence that astrocyte development and regeneration play critical roles in repair after brain injury and future studies should clarify how these astrocytes are regenerated and how precursor cells can be manipulated to recover from brain injuries. Figure S1 Cell proliferation cessation and cell-cycle arrest induced during astrocytic differentiation. A. Growth of NTera-2 cells before and after differentiation as analyzed with a hemocytometer (n = 3; error bars indicate standard deviations). B. For the cell-cycle analysis, NTera-2 cells were similarly induced and then collected, stained with propidium iodide, and analyzed by flow cytometry. The ratios of cells in the G0/G1 phase on days 4, 7, and 14 days are shown. C. Immunofluorescent localization of A2B5, Gal-c, MAP-2, and Pax6 was examined in undifferentiated NTera-2 cells and cells 21 days after differentiation. Magnification 4006. (TIF)  The fertility quality of life (FertiQoL) tool: development and general psychometric properties(†) BACKGROUND: To develop the first international instrument to measure fertility quality of life (FertiQoL) in men and women experiencing fertility problems, to evaluate the preliminary psychometric properties of this new tool and to translate FertiQoL into multiple languages. METHOD: We conducted a survey, both online and in fertility clinics in USA, Australia/New Zealand, Canada and UK. A total of 1414 people with fertility problems participated. The main outcome measure was the FertiQoL tool. RESULTS: FertiQoL consists of 36 items that assess core (24 items) and treatment-related quality of life (QoL) (10 items) and overall life and physical health (2 items). Cronbach reliability statistics for the Core and Treatment FertiQoL (and subscales) were satisfactory and in the range of 0.72 and 0.92. Sensitivity analyses showed that FertiQoL detected expected relations between QoL and gender, parity and support-seeking. FertiQoL was translated into 20 languages by the same translation team with each translation verified by local bilingual fertility experts. CONCLUSIONS: FertiQoL is a reliable measure of the impact of fertility problems and its treatment on QoL. Future research should establish its use in cross-cultural research and clinical work. 'Quality of life' (QoL) was defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an ' . . . individuals' perceptions of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns . . . ' (WHOQOL, 1995) . The WHOQOL measures QoL broadly according to 29 facets (e.g. self-esteem, mobility and safety). QoL measurement is important to identify aspects of fertility problems associated with poor QoL and advance research in health service-evaluation, patient satisfaction and policy-making through the use of a standard measurement tool (Saxena et al., 2001) .