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An in vitro model of human ovarian follicles would greatly benefit the study of female reproduction. Ovarian development requires the combination of germ cells and several types of somatic cells. Among these, granulosa cells play a key role in follicle formation and support for oogenesis. Whereas efficient protocols exist for generating human primordial germ cell-like cells (hPGCLCs) from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), a method of generating granulosa cells has been elusive. Here, we report that simultaneous overexpression of two transcription factors (TFs) can direct the differentiation of hiPSCs to granulosa-like cells. We elucidate the regulatory effects of several granulosa-related TFs and establish that overexpression of NR5A1 and either RUNX1 or RUNX2 is sufficient to generate granulosa-like cells. Our granulosa-like cells have transcriptomes similar to human fetal ovarian cells and recapitulate key ovarian phenotypes including follicle formation and steroidogenesis. When aggregated with hPGCLCs, our cells form ovary-like organoids (ovaroids) and support hPGCLC development from the premigratory to the gonadal stage as measured by induction of DAZL expression. This model system will provide unique opportunities for studying human ovarian biology and may enable the development of therapies for female reproductive health.

2SLGBTQ+ people are more likely than their heterosexual and/or cisgender peers to experience violence and/or trauma in their lifetime. Many 2SLGBTQ+ people may need support related to experiences of violence and/or trauma. Yet, research has shown that a lack of 2SLGBTQ+ competence and capacity from service providers has resulted in barriers for 2SLGBTQ+ people accessing health and social services. This intervention seeks to fill an important gap by integrating the approaches and principles of trauma-informed care and 2SLGBTQ+ competence. The intervention was developed by a team of researchers in consultation with an Indigenous Elder and an advisory committee of service providers. The 2SLGBTQ+ competent trauma-informed care intervention was developed and implemented based on the following principles: centering intersectional perspectives; foregrounding Indigenous perspectives; modeling trauma-informed care; and anti-ableism and accessibility as the rule, rather than exception. The training reached a total of 295 participants, and 116 institutions and services across Ontario, Canada. A 2SLGBTQ+ competent trauma-informed care intervention has the potential to increase capacity for service providers in healthcare, mental health, and social services to avoid re-traumatization and meet the needs of 2SLGBTQ+ people who have experienced violence and/or trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postural control characteristics have been proposed as a predictor of Motion Sickness (MS). However, postural adaptation to sensory environment changes may also be critical for MS susceptibility. In order to address this issue, a postural paradigm was used where accurate orientation information from body sensors could be lost and restored, allowing us to infer sensory re-weighting dynamics from postural oscillation spectra in relation to car-sickness susceptibility. Seventy-one participants were standing on a platform (eyes closed) alternating from static phases (proprioceptive and vestibular sensors providing reliable orientation cues) to sway referenced to the ankle-angle phases (proprioceptive sensors providing unreliable orientation cues). The power spectrum density (PSD) on a 10 s sliding window was computed from the antero-posterior displacement of the center of pressure. Energy ratios (ERs) between the high (0.7–1.3 Hz) and low (0.1–0.7 Hz) frequency bands of these PSDs were computed on key time windows. Results showed no difference between MS and non-MS participants following loss of relevant ankle proprioception. However, the reintroduction of reliable ankle signals led, for the non-MS participants, to an increase of the ER originating from a previously up-weighted vestibular information during the sway-referenced situation. This suggests inter-individual differences in re-weighting dynamics in relation to car-sickness susceptibility.