Effects of hydrogenated fat-spray-coated ß-carotene supplement on plasma ß-carotene concentration and conception rate after embryo transfer in Hanwoo beef cows.

We hypothesised that hydrogenated fat (HF)-spray-coated ß-carotene (ßC) supplement could be used to increase plasma ßC concentration and conception rates after embryo transfer (ET) in Hanwoo beef cows. In Experiment 1, 12 multiparous Hanwoo cows were fed one of four experimental diets in a triplicate 4 × 4 Latin square design for a 28-day period. Treatments included no ßC addition (control), HF-uncoated ßC (HFußC), HF-spray-coated ßC (HFßC), and HF-spray-coated ßC and vitamin A (HFßCA). The cows under ßC-supplemented treatments were fed 400 mg/day of ßC, and a daily intake for vitamin A of HFßCA treatment was 30 000 IU/day as retinyl acetate. Blood was collected on days 0, 26, 27, and 28 to analyse ßC and other metabolite concentrations. In Experiment 2, 199 Hanwoo cows with low fertility were randomly assigned to either control (n = 99) or HFßC treatments (n = 100) based on the results of Experiment 1. The oestrus of the cows was synchronised for ET. The HFßC group was fed from 4 weeks before to 4 weeks after ET with a daily intake of 400 mg ßC. Pregnancy for conception rates was diagnosed on day 60 after ET, and blood was collected for ßC concentrations on the day before ET. Supplementing ßC resulted in a high plasma ßC concentration (P < 0.001). Supplementing HFßC or HFßCA resulted in higher ßC concentrations than HFußC (P < 0.001); however, there was no difference between HFßC and HFßCA groups. Plasma retinol concentration was lower in the HFßCA treatment than in the control and HFßC groups (P < 0.05). Blood metabolites were unaffected by the treatments. The retinol:ßC ratio was lower in the ßC-supplemented treatments than in the controls, and was lower in HFßC and HFßCA than in HFußC groups (P < 0.001). Plasma ßC concentration was positively correlated with plasma high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, and total cholesterol (P < 0.05). Plasma retinol concentration was negatively associated with plasma protein (P < 0.01), but positively associated with plasma creatinine (P < 0.001) and urea (P < 0.01). Supplementing HFßC to low-fertility cows resulted in higher plasma ßC concentration (P < 0.001) and conception rates (P = 0.024) than those in the controls. In conclusion, HFßC had a better bioavailability than HFußC, and an increase in conception rates by supplementing HFßC may be beneficial for producing more calves given the low pregnancy rates of bovine ET in Korea.

A role for surgery in the treatment of relapsed Hodgkin lymphoma.

Treatment of Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) has advanced over time, rendering a fatal disease now largely curable. Multiagent chemotherapy regimens, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and radiotherapy are the mainstays of care. Surgical intervention is rarely indicated other than for biopsy at diagnosis. However, for patients with recurrent relapsed HL isolated to one anatomical location, refractory to all other therapy, there may be a beneficial role for surgical excision. Herein, we report the surgical management of three relapsed patients with stage IVB HL who were refractory to multiple other therapeutic approaches, who all achieved good event-free survival after operative management.

groEL is a suitable genetic marker for detecting Vibrio parahaemolyticus by loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay.

A groEL gene-based loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay was developed to detect Vibrio parahaemolyticus in contaminated seafood and water. The assay was optimized and conducted at 63°C for 40 min using Bacillus stearothermophilus (Bst) DNA polymerase, large fragment. Amplification was analysed via multiple detection methods, including opacity, formation of white precipitate, DNA intercalating dyes (ethidium bromide and SYBR Green I), metal ion-binding indicator dye, calcein, and 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. A characteristic ladder-like band pattern on agarose gel and the desired colour changes when using different dyes were observed in positive cases, and these were species-specific for V. parahaemolyticus when compared with other closely related Vibrio spp. The limit of detection (LoD) of this assay was 100 fg per reaction, 100-fold higher than that for conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). When tested on artificially contaminated seafood and seawater, the LoDs of the LAMP assay were 120 and 150 fg per reaction respectively, and those of conventional PCR were 120 and 150 pg per reaction respectively. Based on our results, the groEL gene-based LAMP assay is rapid, specific, sensitive, and reliable for detecting V. parahaemolyticus, and it could be used in field diagnosis. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay using groEL gene (an abundant, highly conserved gene and member of the groESL chaperone gene family) provided rapid, species-specific and highly sensitive method for detecting Vibrio parahaemolyticus, the leading causal agent of seafood-borne diseases worldwide. Moreover, groEL LAMP revealed high efficiency than conventional PCR assay for V. parahaemolyticus using template both from pure culture and artificially contaminated seafood and water, which indicated the applicability in the field and environmental screening purpose for the organism.

The Anti-Müllerian Hormone Profile is Linked with the In Vitro Embryo Production Capacity and Embryo Viability after Transfer but Cannot Predict Pregnancy Outcome.

The current study investigated the possibility of using the AMH concentration as a predictor of the ability of Korean Hanwoo cows to produce cumulus-oocyte complexes, embryos that survive after transfer as well as the pregnancy outcome of surrogates. Eight sessions of ovum pick-up (OPU) were performed with 19 donor cows at an interval of 3-4 days. Antral follicle count (AFC), oocyte quality and in vitro embryo development were recorded for each cow. Embryos produced from cows with different AMH profiles were transferred into recipients (n = 96). Cows in the high (≥0.25 ng/ml) and intermediate (0.1≥ to <0.25 ng/ml) AMH groups had a significantly higher AFC per OPU session (20.40 ± 1.36 and 16.91 ± 1.52, respectively; mean ± standard deviation) than cows in the low AMH group (<0.1 ng/ml; 12.19 ± 2.14). In addition, more cumulus-oocyte complexes per donor were recovered in the high (11.46 ± 1.22) and intermediate (7.38 ± 0.83) AMH groups than in the low AMH group (4.77 ± 0.44). The percentage of oocytes reached blastocyst stage was significantly higher in the intermediate (47.0%) and high (38.5%) AMH groups than in the low AMH group (32.3%). The number of embryos produced per cow was higher in the high (3.9 ± 0.2) and intermediate (6.9 ± 0.6) AMH groups than in the low AMH group (2.2 ± 0.3). The percentage of embryos that gave birth to viable calves when transferred into recipients was higher for those derived from cows in the intermediate AMH group (50.7%) than for those derived from cows in the low (35.7%) and high (36.4%) AMH groups. In conclusion, a single measurement of AMH concentration predicted the in vitro embryo production potential of donor Korean native cows before OPU and is linked with embryo viability after transfer into recipients.

Analysis of ingested foreign bodies according to age, type and location: a retrospective observational study.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyse the types and locations of ingested foreign bodies according to different age groups, from infants to the elderly. DESIGN: A retrospective chart review. SETTING: Tertiary referral centre. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 4682 patients who ingested foreign bodies from January 2006 through February 2014. METHODS: The frequencies of foreign bodies were investigated in each age group. The types of foreign bodies were categorised into fish bones, chicken bones, seafood, tablets, food, metal, batteries, glass, teeth, plastics and others. The anatomic locations of the objects were classified as the oral cavity, tongue base, tonsils, oropharynx, hypopharynx, oesophagus, stomach and colon. The types, locations and origins of the foreign bodies were analysed according to the age groups. RESULTS: The frequency of foreign body ingestion was high in patients up to 14 years of age, after which the risk of foreign body ingestion markedly decreased. Fish bones were the most commonly suspected foreign bodies in all of the age groups. However, non-food-type foreign bodies were more common in both the young and elderly groups. The tonsils were the most common anatomic site of foreign body impaction except in the group of patients older than 65 years. The stomach and oesophagus were also common locations of foreign bodies in the groups of patients younger than 10 years (10.5%) and older than 65 years (39.4%). CONCLUSION: The frequency of foreign body ingestion was highest in young children. However, we observed specific age-based characteristics that indicate specific precautions to take to avoid foreign body ingestion.

Quality improvement of transgenic cloned bovine embryos using an aggregation method: Effects on cell number, cell ratio, embryo perimeter, mitochondrial distribution, and gene expression profile.

The production of cloned embryos using conventional methods has extremely low success rates owing to low embryo quality. To improve the quality of cloned bovine embryos expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), we applied an aggregation culture method. The EGFP gene was transfected into bovine fetal fibroblasts using a retroviral vector system. Somatic cell nuclear transfer was performed using these cells, and the resulting embryos were cultured in aggregates or individually. Gene expression was analyzed by a microarray, and differentially expressed genes were validated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. The total number of cells per blastocyst and the ratio of inner cell mass cells to trophectoderm cells were higher in aggregated transgenic cloned blastocysts (agBL; 368.7 ± 109.6 and 1:4.8, respectively) than in in vitro-fertilized blastocysts (ivfBL; 189.8 ± 65.8 and 1:2.6, respectively) and nonaggregated transgenic cloned blastocysts (sBL; 113.1 ± 36.3 and 1:1.5, respectively; P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Moreover, the blastocyst perimeter was larger in the agBL group than in the ivfBL and sBL groups (1168.8 ± 200.23 vs. 887.33 ± 187.62 and 678 ± 226.1 µm; P < 0.05). In addition, mitochondrial fluorescence intensity was higher in the agBL group than in the ivfBL and sBL groups (P < 0.05). The number of apoptotic cells per blastocyst was lower in the ivfBL and agBL groups than in the sBL group (3.7 ± 2.2 and 3.4 ± 2.1 vs. 6.7 ± 6.8; P < 0.05). The genes identified in the microarray belonged to 18 categories. Expression of the Krüppel-like factor 4 gene, which is associated with cell proliferation, development, and transcription, was 7.2-fold higher in the agBL group than in the ivfBL group (P < 0.05) but did not differ between the sBL and ivfBL groups (P > 0.05). Expression of the heat shock 70-kDa protein 1A gene, which is associated with apoptosis, was 12-fold higher in the sBL group than in the ivfBL and agBL groups (P < 0.05). Expression of a stemness-related gene (octamer-binding transcription factor 4) and trophectoderm-specific genes (homeobox protein CDX2 and keratin 18) was higher in the agBL group than in the sBL group (P < 0.05). However, expression of the stemness gene homeobox protein NANOG did not differ among the groups (P > 0.05). Taken together, these data suggest that the aggregation method improves the quality of cloned embryos expressing EGFP and might be helpful in animal cloning.

Effects of co-culture of cumulus oocyte complexes with denuded oocytes during in vitro maturation on the developmental competence of cloned bovine embryos.

This study evaluated the effects of co-culture of immature cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) with denuded immature oocytes (DO) during in vitro maturation on the developmental competence and quality of cloned bovine embryos. We demonstrated that developmental competence, judged by the blastocyst formation rate, was significantly higher in the co-cultured somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT+DO, 37.1 ± 1.1%) group than that in the non-co-cultured somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT-DO, 25.1 ± 0.9%) group and was very similar to that in the control IVF (IVF, 38.8 ± 2.8%) group. Moreover, the total cell number per blastocyst in the SCNT+DO group (101.7 ± 6.2) was higher than that in the SCNT-DO group (81.7 ± 4.3), while still less than that in the IVF group (133.3 ± 6.0). Furthermore, our data showed that mRNA levels of the methylation-related genes DNMT1 and DNMT3a in the SCNT+DO group were similar to that in the IVF group, while they were significantly higher in the SCNT-DO group. Similarly, while the mRNA levels of the deacetylation-related genes HDAC2 and HDAC3 were significantly higher in the SCNT-DO group, they were comparable between the IVF and SCNT+DO groups. However, the mRNA levels of HDAC1 and DNMT3B were significantly higher in the SCNT+DO group than in the other groups. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that co-culture of COCs with DO improves the in vitro developmental competence and quality of cloned embryos, as evidenced by increased total cell number.

Effects of flunixin meglumine and prostaglandin F2 α treatments on the development and quality of bovine embryos in vitro.

Assisted reproduction procedures, such as embryo transfer (ET) and artificial insemination (AI), in cattle could induce the secretion of prostaglandin F2 -alpha (PGF2 α) from uterine horns which may in turn interrupt embryo development and implantation. This study investigated the effect of flunixin meglumine (FM), prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2α) and FM combined with PGF2α supplementation in culture medium (IVC-II) on the development and quality of in vitro produced bovine embryos. The development rate of embryos was significantly higher in the FM group (33.3%) than in control (24.3%), PGF2 α (23.9%) and FM + PGF2 α groups (24.5%). The percentage of hatched blastocysts was also higher (p < 0.05) in the FM group (41.2%) than in the control (27.8%) and PGF2 α groups (19.8%). While, there was no significant difference in total cell number in all experimental groups, the number of apoptotic cells was significantly higher in the PGF2 α group (8.2 ± 6.6) than in the control (4.7 ± 3.2), FM (4.7 ± 2.5) and FM + PGF2 α (4.9 ± 3.4) groups. Detected by real-time PCR, secreted vesicle seminal protein 1 (SSLP1) and prostaglandin G/H synthase 2 (PTGS2) gene expression decreased (p < 0.05) in the PGF2 α group. However, SSLP1 and PTGS2 gene expression in the FM + PGF2 α group returned to their baseline levels, similar to the control and FM groups. Caspase 3 (CAPS3) gene expression increased in the PGF2 α group compared with other groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, addition of FM in vitro culture significantly improved embryo development as well as alleviated the negative impact of PGF2 α.

Age at diagnosis predicts local recurrence in women treated with breast-conserving surgery and postoperative radiation therapy for ductal carcinoma in situ: a population-based outcomes analysis.

PURPOSE: The main goal of treating ductal carcinoma in situ (dcis) is to prevent the development of invasive breast cancer. Most women are treated with breast-conserving surgery (bcs) and radiotherapy. Age at diagnosis may be a risk factor for recurrence, leading to concerns that additional treatment may be necessary for younger women. We report a population-based study of women with dcis treated with bcs and radiotherapy and an evaluation of the effect of age on local recurrence (lr). METHODS: All women diagnosed with dcis in Ontario from 1994 to 2003 were identified. Treatments and outcomes were collected through administrative databases and validated by chart review. Women treated with bcs and radiotherapy were included. Survival analyses were performed to evaluate the effect of age on outcomes. RESULTS: We identified 5752 cases of dcis; 1607 women received bcs and radiotherapy. The median follow-up was 10.0 years. The 10-year cumulative lr rate was 27% for women younger than 45 years, 14% for women 45-50 years, and 11% for women more than 50 years of age (p < 0.0001). The 10-year cumulative invasive lr rate was 22% for women younger than 45 years, 10% for women 45-50 years, and 7% for women more than 50 years of age (p < 0.0001). On multivariate analyses, young age (<45 years) was significantly associated with lr and invasive lr [hazard ratio (hr) for lr: 2.6; 95% confidence interval (ci): 1.9 to 3.7; p < 0.0001; hr for invasive lr: 3.0; 95% ci: 2.0 to 4.4; p < 0.0001]. An age of 45-50 years was also significantly associated with invasive lr (hr: 1.6; 95% ci: 1.0 to 2.4; p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Age at diagnosis is a strong predictor of lr in women with dcis after treatment with bcs and radiotherapy.

Development of a groEL gene-based species-specific multiplex polymerase chain reaction assay for simultaneous detection of Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio vulnificus.

AIMS: To develop an effective multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the simultaneous detection of three important Vibrio species, Vibrio cholerae (Vc), V. parahaemolyticus (Vp) and V. vulnificus (Vv) using the groEL gene, a potential phylogenetic marker. METHODS AND RESULTS: Three species-specific primer sets were designed to target Vc, Vp and Vv. A total of 131 Vibrio and non-Vibrio strains were used to determine the specificity and sensitivity of primers. The primers produced specific PCR fragments from all target species strains and did not cross-react with other Vibrio and non-Vibrio species. This PCR method showed good efficiency in detecting coexisting target species in the same sample with a detection limit of 100 pg of Vc, Vp and Vv from mixed purified DNA. Detection of three target species was also possible from artificially inoculated shellfish, flounder and sea water. CONCLUSIONS: The groEL gene is a potential marker for accurate simultaneous detection of Vc, Vp and Vv and could be used to detect these species in environmental and clinical samples. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This newly developed multiplex PCR is a useful and cost-effective method that is applicable in a disease-outbreak prediction system and may provide an effective tool for both the epidemiologist and ecologist.

Comparison of cell proliferation and epigenetic modification of gene expression patterns in canine foetal fibroblasts and adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells.

OBJECTIVES: This study compared rate of cell proliferation, viability, cell size, expression patterns of genes related to pluripotency and epigenetic modification between canine foetal fibroblasts (cFF) and canine adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (cAd-MSC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Proliferation pattern, cell viability as well as cell size at each passage of cFF and cAd-MSC were measured when cultures reached confluence. In addition, real-time PCR was performed to investigate expression of Dnmt1, HDAC1, OCT4, SOX2, BAX, BCL2 genes with reference to ß-actin gene expression as an endogenous control in both cell lines. RESULTS: cFF and cAd-MSC differed in number of generations, but not in doubling times, at all passages. Mean cell size of cAd-MSC was significantly smaller than that of cFF. Cell viability was significantly lower in cFFs and apoptotic level was significantly lower in cAd-MSC compared to passage-matched cFF. In the expression of genes related to pluripotency and epigenetic modification, level of HDAC1 in cAd-MSC was significantly higher than in cFF, but expression of Dnmt1 did not differ between the two groups. OCT4 and SOX2 were significantly more highly expressed in cAd-MSC compared to cFF. CONCLUSIONS: cAd-MSC have higher stem-cell potential than cFF in terms of proliferation patterns, epigenetic modification and pluripotency, thus cAd-MSC could be more appropriate than cFF as donors of nuclei in somatic cell nuclear transfer for transgenesis.

Successful vitrification of bovine blastocysts on paper container.

Cryopreservation of bovine embryos can be performed by a variety of methods with variable degree of success. Here, we report a new, easy to perform, simple, inexpensive, and successful method for vitrification of bovine blastocysts. In vitro produced bovine blastocysts were exposed to vitrification solution (5.5 m ethylene glycol, 10% serum and 1% sucrose) in one single step for 20 s, loaded on a paper container prepared from commonly available non-slippery, absorbent writing paper, and then were directly plunged into liquid nitrogen for storage. Vitrified blastocysts were warmed by serial rinsing in 0.5, 0.25 and 0.125 m sucrose solution for 1 min each. Results showed that one step exposure of bovine blastocysts to cryoprotective agents was sufficient to achieve successful cryopreservation. Under these conditions, more than 95% of blastocysts survived the vitrification-warming on paper containers which was significantly higher than those obtained from other containers, such as electron microscope (EM) grid (78.1%), open pulled straw (OPS; 80.2%), cryoloop (76.2%) or plastic straw (73.9%). Embryo transfer of blastocysts vitrified-warmed on paper container resulted in successful conception (19.3%) and full-term live birth of offspring (12.3%) which were lower (P < 0.05) than those obtained from non-vitrified blastocysts (38.0 and 32.7%) but were comparable (P > 0.05) to those obtained from blastocysts vitrified-warmed on EM grid (23.3 and 14.2%). Our results, therefore, suggest that paper may be an inexpensive and useful container for the cryopreservation of animal embryos.

Implications of nasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) in the development of allergic responses in an allergic rhinitis mouse model.

BACKGROUND: Nasopharynx-associated lymphoid tissue (NALT) serves as an important inductive site for mucosal immunity in the upper respiratory tract. Despite its importance in the mucosal immune system, little is known regarding the role of NALT in airway allergic immune responses. We aimed to elucidate the role of NALT in the induction of upper airway allergic responses in a mouse model. METHODS: Inhibitor of DNA binding/differentiation 2 (Id2)(-/-) and Id2(+/-) mice was exposed to the ovalbumin (OVA)-induced allergic rhinitis model, because the former resulted in the NALT deficiency. The allergic parameters, such as allergic symptoms, serum OVA-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels, eosinophil infiltration, and cytokine profiles in the nasal mucosa, were compared between Id2(-/-) and Id2(+/-) groups. RESULTS: NALT-null, Id2(-/-) mice displayed significantly lower allergic responses compared with Id2(+/-) mice, as demonstrated by lower levels of allergic symptoms, serum OVA-specific IgE, eosinophilic infiltration, and local Th2 cytokine transcriptions. To determine which of two factors, that is, the absence of NALT or the alteration of immunocompetent cell populations caused by the Id2 deficiency, has a larger effect on the attenuated allergic immune responses in Id2(-/-) mice, lethally irradiated Id2(-/-) mice were engrafted with C57BL/6 wild-type bone marrow cells and showed still significantly lower allergic immune responses compared with equally treated Id2(+/-) mice. In addition, IgE class switch recombination-associated molecules, such as ε immunoglobulin heavy-chain germline gene transcript, ε mRNA, and activation-induced cytidine deaminase mRNA, were detected in NALT from OVA-sensitized wild-type mice. CONCLUSION: These results show the critical role of NALT for the induction of allergic responses in the upper airway at least in part by means of class switching to IgE in situ.

9-cis Retinoic acid inhibits cumulus cell apoptosis during the maturation of bovine cumulus-oocyte-complexes.

Cumulus cell (CC) apoptosis is inversely correlated with embryonic development in vitro. Therefore, inhibition of CC apoptosis is important for proper embryonic development and quality. Retinoic acids (all-transRA and 9-cisRA) are natural components of retinoids, and 9-cisRA is the physiologically active metabolite of retinoic acid in vitro. During in vitro maturation, 9-cisRA enhances oocyte competence through multiple mechanisms affecting the oocyte and preimplantation embryo; however, the effect of 9-cisRA on CC apoptosis has yet to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of 9-cisRA on CC apoptosis and to identify the molecular mechanism underlying that effect. Bovine slaughterhouse cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) were matured in vitro in the absence or presence of 5 nM 9-cisRA. Cumulus cells were collected from immature and matured COC for the detection of apoptosis and gene expression analysis. Results showed that 9-cisRA reduced the number of apoptotic CC by about 2.7 fold (P < 0.023), compared with control. However, apoptosis is rare in CC of immature COC (0.01% ± 0.001). Transcripts involved in the caspase cascade were down-regulated upon exposure to 9-cisRA, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α, 11.1 fold, P < 0.001), tumor necrosis factor alpha receptor 1 (TNFR1, 2.3 fold, P < 0.01), caspase 9 (CASP9, 2.0 fold, P < 0.031), caspase 8 (CASP8, 2.2 fold, P < 0.012), and caspase 3 (CASP3, 2.1 fold, P < 0.006), while antiapoptotic B-cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) transcript was increased (3.1 fold, P < 0.004), compared with control. In addition, 9-cisRA inhibited mitogen activated protein kinase mRNA expression in CC, including extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1, 2.7 fold, P < 0.02; ERK2, 2.7 fold, P < 0.03), and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK, 1.6 fold, P < 0.044), as well as the activator protein-1 (AP1) family members c-jun (1.6 fold, P < 0.041) and c-fos (2.0 fold, P < 0.06). The transcript abundances of TNF-α, TNFR1, CASP9, CASP8, CASP3, ERK1, ERK1, JNK, and BCL2 were increased, while c-fos and c-jun mRNA expression was decreased in the matured CC. On the basis of the data, we suggest that 9-cisRA inhibits CC apoptosis during in vitro maturation of bovine COC.

Coculturing denuded oocytes during the in vitro maturation of bovine cumulus oocyte complexes exerts a synergistic effect on embryo development.

The present study examined the effect of coculturing cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) and denuded oocytes (DOs) during in vitro maturation (IVM) on nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation, zona pellucida (ZP) hardening, the pattern of fertilization and glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1) gene expression in the oocyte. Furthermore, the rate of embryonic development and the quality of blastocysts were examined for both COCs and DOs. Three IVM conditions were studied: 1) the coculture of 12 COCs and 60 DOs, 2) COC control with 12 COCs, and 3) DO control with 60 DOs. The IVM was performed in a 120-µl droplet of TCM199-based IVM medium. Following IVM, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and in vitro culture (IVC) were conducted separately for the COCs and DOs (DO coculture) from the IVM coculture group. Coculturing COCs and DOs increased the percentage of oocytes reaching the blastocyst stage and the total number of cells per blastocyst in both the COC coculture (44.4 ± 8.6 vs 26.7 ± 9.7%, P < 0.01, and 137.9 ± 24.9 vs 121.7 ± 21.1, P < 0.05) and the DO coculture (20.5 ± 5.0 vs 11.1 ± 2.5%, P < 0.01, and 121.9 ± 27.5 vs 112.3 ± 33.2, P < 0.05) compared to their respective control groups. The synergistic effects of coculturing were detected as increased nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation, the prevention of ZP hardening, increased monospermic fertilization and increased expression of GPX1 in the oocytes in response to endogenous oocyte-secreted factors. In conclusion, coculturing COCs and DOs may be an effective culture system for both intact COCs and immature DOs.

Expression of HER2neu in ductal carcinoma in situ is associated with local recurrence.

AIMS: Determination of the risk of recurrence after local excision of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) remains a challenge. Molecular profiling based on immunohistochemical staining to oestrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and HER2neu improved risk prediction in invasive breast cancer, but few studies have evaluated if molecular classification of DCIS predicts local recurrence. We evaluated the expression of ER, PR and HER2neu in DCIS to determine if molecular classification predicts local recurrence after breast-conserving therapy for DCIS. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of patients with DCIS treated between 1987 and 2000, carried out a pathology review and immunohistochemical staining for ER, PR and HER2neu and categorised cases into four molecular phenotypes [luminal A (ER+ and/or PR+, HER2neu-), luminal B (ER+ and/or PR+, HER2neu+), HER2neu subtype (ER-, PR-, HER2neu+), triple negative (ER-, PR-, HER2neu-)]. We evaluated the association between the molecular subtype and the development of local recurrence. RESULTS: In total, 180 cases of DCIS were included in the study (luminal A, n=113; luminal B, n=25; HER2neu type, n=29; triple negative, n=13). The median follow-up time was 8.7 years. We observed higher rates of local recurrence among luminal B (40%) and HER2neu type (38%) DCIS compared with luminal A (21%) and triple negative (15%) DCIS. On multivariable analysis, HER2neu overexpression was associated with an increased risk of local recurrence (hazard ratio=1.98; 95% confidence interval: 1.11, 3.53, P=0.02). CONCLUSION: HER2neu expression in DCIS is a significant predictor of local recurrence, whereas luminal A and triple negative phenotypes are associated with relatively low risks of local recurrence.

Application of groEL gene for the species-specific detection of Vibrio parahaemolyticus by PCR.

AIMS: Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a significant cause of human gastrointestinal disorders and is transmitted through ingestion of raw or undercooked contaminated seafood. We used the groEL gene for the species-specific detection of V. parahaemolyticus from artificially inoculated shellfish, fish and seawater. METHODS AND RESULTS: The nucleotide sequences of 24 Vibrio and seven non-Vibrio spp. were compared, and less conserved regions were selected for the designing of primer sets. To detect V. parahaemolyticus specifically, PCR conditions were standardized and tested to evaluate the specificity of primers. A 510-bp band was appeared only from V. parahaemolyticus by PCR. Notably, the detection was shown to be functional at high annealing temperature above 68°C. The groEL primers detected 100 pg and 1 ng of DNA purified from V. parahaemolyticus culture and artificially infected oyster tissue, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The groEL gene is a potential marker for the species-specific detection of V. parahaemolyticus and could be used to detect this bacterium in contaminated food by PCR. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: PCR using primers designed from groEL gene provide an efficient method for the accurate identification of V. parahaemolyticus from contaminated samples.

9-cis retinoic acid improves developmental competence and embryo quality during in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes through the inhibition of oocyte tumor necrosis factor-α gene expression.

Retinoic acid (RA; all-trans RA and 9-cis RA) enhances embryo developmental competence and quality through multiple mechanisms affecting the oocyte and preimplantation embryo. Folliculogenesis and oocyte maturation are influenced by tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) via inhibition of aromatase activity and estradiol secretion in granulosa cells. Retinoic acid inhibits TNF-α production in various cell lines. The aim of the present study was to determine whether oocyte TNF-α concentrations regulate developmental competence and embryo quality and if the beneficial effects of 9-cis RA are mediated through attenuation of oocyte TNF-α production. Bovine cumulus oocyte complexes collected from abattoir ovaries were matured in maturation medium in the absence (control) or presence of 5 nM 9-cis RA (RA), 100 ng/mL of recombinant bovine TNF-α (TNF), or 5 nM 9-cis RA + 100 ng/mL of recombinant bovine TNF-α (RA+TNF). Oocytes were subsequently collected for gene expression analysis or subjected to in vitro fertilization and culture. Apoptosis and gene expression were analyzed in d-8 blastocysts. Results indicated that 9-cis RA downregulated (P < 0.01) both basal and TNF-α-induced TNF-α mRNA in oocytes (1.0-fold in control, 0.4-fold in RA, 2.1-fold in TNF, and 0.7-fold in RA+TNF). The 9-cis RA increased (P < 0.001) blastocyst development rates (37.1 ± 6.9 vs. 23.6 ± 8.0%) and total cell number (138.4 ± 19.2 vs. 120.2 ± 24.5) and reduced (P < 0.001) the percentage of apoptotic cells (3.3 ± 2.0 vs. 5.6 ± 2.3%) compared with controls. Expression of caspase 3 (0.4- vs. 1.0-fold) and TNF-α (0.4- vs. 1.0-fold) mRNA was downregulated (P < 0.05) in RA-treated blastocysts compared with controls. Moreover, 9-cis RA rescued (P < 0.001) development rates (24.5 ± 11.1 vs. 15.6 ± 9.0%), increased total cell number (124.6 ± 36.5 vs. 106.9 ± 31.1), and reduced apoptosis (5.8 ± 2.0 vs. 8.1 ± 3.1%) in blastocysts exposed to TNF-α (TNF group). Caspase 3 (0.8-fold in RA+TNF vs. 2.2-fold in TNF) and TNF-α (0.3-fold in RA+TNF vs. 2.8-fold in TNF) mRNA expression was attenuated (P < 0.05) in TNF-α-treated blastocysts. In conclusion, the present study suggests that 9-cis RA exerts its beneficial roles on oocyte developmental competence and embryo quality by attenuating oocyte TNF-α mRNA expression.

Generation of a recloned transgenic cat expressing red fluorescence protein.

Somatic cells from a first-generation red fluorescence protein transgenic cat (first RFP TG cat) were used to produce a recloned RFP transgenic cat (Re-RFP TG cat) (Felis catus) that systemically expressed RFP. A total of 281 RFP cloned embryos were transferred into 13 surrogate mothers (mean=21+/-7.7 embryos/recipient). One surrogate cat was diagnosed pregnant (7.7%) and delivered one live kitten. The presence of the RFP gene in the mRNA and genomic DNA of the Re-RFP TG cat was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction analyses, and red fluorescence was detected in its internal organs and placental tissue samples. Analysis of nine feline-specific microsatellite loci confirmed that the Re-RFP TG cat was genetically identical to the donor cat. To test whether results such as normality of offspring and a low cloning success were due to epigenetic modifications, global methylation of placenta from the two first cloned RFP TG cats (77.08% and 82.29%) and the Re-RFP TG cat (76.38%) were compared by bisulfite mutagenesis sequencing analysis. In conclusion, although cloning efficiency was low, we demonstrated the successful use of a cloned first RFP TG cat as a donor cat to produce a Re-RFP TG cat. These results may facilitate future developments in biomedical models for human therapeutic applications.