Akt mediates self-renewal division of mouse spermatogonial stem cells
Spermatogonial stem cells have unique properties to self-renew and support spermatogenesis throughout their lifespan. Although glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) has recently been identified as a self-renewal factor for spermatogonial stem cells, the molecular mechanism of spermatogonial stem cell self-renewal remains unclear. In the present study, we assessed the role of the phosphoinositide-3 kinase (PI3K)-Akt pathway using a germline stem (GS) cell culture system that allows in vitro expansion of spermatogonial stem cells. Akt was rapidly phosphorylated when GDNF was added to the GS cell culture, and the addition of a chemical inhibitor of PI3K prevented GS cell self-renewal. Furthermore, conditional activation of the myristoylated form of Akt-Mer (myr-Akt-Mer) by 4-hydroxy-tamoxifen induced logarithmic proliferation of GS cells in the absence of GDNF for at least 5 months. The myr-Akt-Mer GS cells expressed spermatogonial markers and retained androgenetic imprinting patterns. In addition, they supported spermatogenesis and generated offspring following spermatogonial transplantation into the testes of infertile recipient mice, indicating that they are functionally normal. These results demonstrate that activation of the PI3K-Akt pathway plays a central role in the self-renewal division of spermatogonial stem cells.

title: Heritable Imprinting Defect Caused by Epigenetic Abnormalities in Mouse Spermatogonial Stem Cells1
abstract: Male germ cells undergo dynamic epigenetic reprogramming during fetal development, eventually establishing spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) that can convert into pluripotent stem cells. However, little is known about the developmental potential of fetal germ cells and how they mature into SSCs. We developed a culture system for fetal germ cells that proliferate for long periods of time. Male germ cells from embryos 12.5–18.5 days postcoitum could expand by glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor, a self-renewal factor for SSCs. These cells did not form teratomas, but repopulated seminiferous tubules and produced spermatogenesis, exhibiting spermatogonia potential. However, the offspring from cultured cells showed growth abnormalities and were defective in genomic imprinting. The imprinting defect persisted in both the male and female germlines for at least four generations. Moreover, germ cells in the offspring showed abnormal histone modifications and DNA methylation patterns. These results indicate that fetal germ cells have a limited ability to become pluripotent cells and lose the ability to undergo epigenetic reprogramming by in vitro culture.

title: Genetic reconstruction of mouse spermatogonial stem cell self-renewal in vitro by Ras-cyclin D2 activation.
abstract: Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) undergo self-renewal division and support spermatogenesis. Although several cytokines coordinate to drive SSC self-renewal, little is known about the mechanisms underlying this process. We investigated the molecular mechanism by reconstructing SSC self-renewal in vitro without exogenous cytokines. Activation of Ras or overexpression of cyclins D2 and E1, both of which were induced by Ras, enabled long-term self-renewal of cultured spermatogonia. SSCs with activated Ras responded properly to differentiation signals and underwent spermatogenesis, whereas differentiation was abrogated in cyclin transfectants after spermatogonial transplantation. Both Ras- and cyclin-transfected cells produced seminomatous tumors, suggesting that excessive self-renewing stimulus induces oncogenic transformation. In contrast, cells that overexpressed cyclin D1 or D3 failed to make germ cell colonies after transplantation, which indicated that cyclin expression pattern is an important determinant to long-term SSC recolonization. Thus, the Ras-cyclin D2 pathway regulates the balance between tissue maintenance and tumorigenesis in the SSC population.

title: The critical-size supraalveolar peri-implant defect model: reproducibility in histometric data acquisition of alveolar bone formation and osseointegration.
abstract: The objective of this report is to present the reproducibility of outcomes assessments in the Critical-Size Supraalveolar Peri-Implant Defect Model.



Two examiners without specific experience in histological analysis and one experienced examiner performed the histometric evaluation. A comprehensive training program in data acquisition and histological analysis was established, the inexperienced examiners underwent approximately 12 h of training over multiple sessions. A custom-designed image analysis software macro and a computer-based image system were used to analyse digital images generated by a microscope camera system. Nine parameters for newly formed and resident bone were evaluated. Examiners performed histometric analysis using 36 histologic sections selected from critical-size supraalveolar peri-implant defects in 12 male Hound Labrador Mongrel dogs. Buccal and lingual measurements were performed in 72 sites. Intra- and inter-examiner reproducibility were evaluated using the concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and means +/- SD of the differences. Systematic errors were evaluated using an F-test for equality of means and variances.



Intra-examiner reproducibility was high for all parameters evaluated, the lowest CCC observed being 0.87. Inter-examiner reproducibility was also high, most CCCs exceeding 0.90. Minor systematic errors for intra- and inter-examiner comparisons were occasionally observed. The results imply a high temporal stability because recordings were performed 3 months apart. Measurement errors were stable throughout the range of observations for all parameters.



High examiner reproducibility and temporal stability can be achieved for histometric data acquisition using the Critical-Size Supraalveolar Peri-Implant Defect Model. Examiner reproducibility should be routinely assessed, reported, and accounted for to assure the quality of evidence generated by preclinical studies.

title: Regulation of cell movement is mediated by stretch-activated calcium channels
abstract: Intracellular calcium regulates many of the molecular processes that are essential for cell movement. It is required for the production of actomyosin-based contractile forces, the regulation of the structure and dynamics of the actin cytoskeleton,, and the formation and disassembly of cell–substratum adhesions,. Calcium also serves as a second messenger in many biochemical signal-transduction pathways. However, despite the pivotal role of calcium in motile processes, it is not clear how calcium regulates overall cell movement. Here we show that transient increases in intracellular calcium, [Ca2+]i, during the locomotion of fish epithelial keratocytes, occur more frequently in cells that become temporarily ‘stuck’ to the substratum or when subjected to mechanical stretching. We find that calcium transients arise from the activation of stretch-activated calcium channels, which triggers an influx of extracellular calcium. In addition, the subsequent increase in [Ca2+]i is involved in detachment of the rear cell margin. Thus, we have defined a mechanism by which cells can detect and transduce mechanical forces into biochemical signals that can modulate locomotion.

title: The use of gelatin substrates for traction force microscopy in rapidly moving cells.
abstract: The study of traction forces generated by rapidly moving cells requires the use of substrates that are highly elastic because these cells typically generate weaker traction forces than slower moving cells. Gelatin substrates are soft enough to allow deformation by rapidly moving cells such as fish epidermal keratocytes and Dictyostelium discoideum amoebas. In addition, gelatin substrates are thin (approximately 30-40 microm) and transparent, allowing them to be used in combination with high-resolution calcium imaging. Importantly, the responsiveness of gelatin substrates allows changes in traction force generation to be detected within seconds, corresponding to the timescale of calcium transients. Here we describe the manufacture and application of gelatin substrates to study the role of mechanochemical signaling in the regulation of keratocyte movement. We show how patterns of traction force generation can be analyzed from a time series of traction vector maps, and how to interpret them in relation to cell movement. In addition, we discuss how the gelatin traction force assay is being used to study the mechanics of Dictyostelium cell motility, and future applications such as the study of neuronal path finding.

title: Alignment of genetic and physical maps of Gibberella zeae.
abstract: We previously published a genetic map of Gibberella zeae (Fusarium graminearum sensu lato) based on a cross between Kansas strain Z-3639 (lineage 7) and Japanese strain R-5470 (lineage 6). In this study, that genetic map was aligned with the third assembly of the genomic sequence of G. zeae strain PH-1 (lineage 7) using seven structural genes and 108 sequenced amplified fragment length polymorphism markers. Several linkage groups were combined based on the alignments, the nine original linkage groups were reduced to six groups, and the total size of the genetic map was reduced from 1,286 to 1,140 centimorgans. Nine supercontigs, comprising 99.2% of the genomic sequence assembly, were anchored to the genetic map. Eight markers (four markers from each parent) were not found in the genome assembly, and four of these markers were closely linked, suggesting that >150 kb of DNA sequence is missing from the PH-1 genome assembly. The alignments of the linkage groups and supercontigs yielded four independent sets, which is consistent with the four chromosomes reported for this fungus. Two proposed heterozygous inversions were confirmed by the alignments; otherwise, the colinearity of the genetic and physical maps was high. Two of four regions with segregation distortion were explained by the two selectable markers employed in making the cross. The average recombination rates for each chromosome were similar to those previously reported for G. zeae. Despite an inferred history of genetic isolation of lineage 6 and lineage 7, the chromosomes of these lineages remain homologous and are capable of recombination along their entire lengths, even within the inversions. This genetic map can now be used in conjunction with the physical sequence to study phenotypes (e.g., fertility and fitness) and genetic features (e.g., centromeres and recombination frequency) that do not have a known molecular signature in the genome.

title: Korean nurses' perceived facilitators and barriers in provision of end-of-life care.
abstract: This study examined nurses' perceived facilitators and barriers to end-of-life (EOL) care in clinical settings. The study participants were 383 Korean nurses working at tertiary hospitals. The nurses had an average of 7.6 years of clinical experience. The three highest-scoring facilitating items were 'family member acceptance of patient death', 'having time to prepare the family for the patient's expected death' and 'having the physician meet with the family after the patient's death to offer support and validate the given care'. The top two perceived barriers were 'families not accepting what the physician is telling them about the patient's prognosis' and 'dealing with angry family members'. Nurses who had received EOL care education showed a higher score in perception of facilitators than nurses who did not receive that education. EOL care for patients and their families is a challenge; thus, continuing education should be provided to improve nursing practice.