We previously identified a stromal cell-derived inducing activity (SDIA), which induces differentiation of neural cells, including midbrain tyrosine hydroxylase-positive (TH ؉ ) dopaminergic neurons, from mouse embryonic stem cells. We report here that SDIA induces efficient neural differentiation also in primate embryonic stem cells. Induced neurons contain TH ؉ neurons at a frequency of 35% and produce a significant amount of dopamine. Interestingly, differentiation of TH ؉ neurons from undifferentiated embryonic cells occurs much faster in vitro (10 days) than it does in the embryo (Ϸ5 weeks). In addition, 8% of the colonies contain large patches of Pax6 ؉ -pigmented epithelium of the retina. The SDIA method provides an unlimited source of primate cells for the study of pathogenesis, drug development, and transplantation in degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease and retinitis pigmentosa.

BackgroundChildhood stunting (height-for-age z-scores below − 2), a form of chronic undernutrition, remains a global health burden. Although a growing literature has examined the association between mothers’ autonomy and childhood stunting, these studies have been limited to countries in South Asia or Sub-Saharan Africa where women have relatively lower social status than do men. Little research has analyzed the effect of mothers’ autonomy on childhood stunting in Lao PDR, where women’s social status is relatively high compared to that in other countries.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire and body scale measurement targeting 100 mothers and their 115 children (<5 years old) from semi-urban communities in Lao PDR, which is the country with the highest prevalence of childhood stunting in the Indochina region. As dimensions of women’s autonomy, we measured self-esteem, self-efficacy, decision-making power, freedom of mobility, and control of money. We then analyzed how each dimension was associated with the likelihood of childhood stunting.ResultsThe likelihood of childhood stunting was significantly lower if mothers had higher self-efficacy for health care (OR = 0.15, p = 0.007), self-esteem (OR = 0.11, p = 0.025), or control of money (OR = 0.11, p = 0.041). In contrast, mothers’ decision-making power and freedom of mobility were not significantly associated with childhood stunting.ConclusionsWe clarified which dimensions of women’s autonomy were associated with childhood stunting in Lao PDR. A closer examination of mothers’ autonomy will aid proper understanding of the determinants of childhood stunting.

Our findings strongly indicate that the cyclical pattern of youth suicide is closely related to the school calendar.