Live births from urine derived cells.

Here we report urine-derived cell (UDC) culture and subsequent use for cloning which resulted in the successful development of cloned canine pups, which have remained healthy into adulthood. Bovine UDCs were used in vitro to establish comparative differences between cell sources. UDCs were chosen as a readily available and noninvasive source for obtaining cells. We analyzed the viability of cells stored in urine over time and could consistently culture cells which had remained in urine for 48hrs. Cells were shown to be viable and capable of being transfected with plasmids. Although primarily of epithelial origin, cells were found from multiple lineages, indicating that they enter the urine from more than one source. Held in urine, at 4°C, the majority of cells maintained their membrane integrity for several days. When compared to in vitro fertilization (IVF) derived embryos or those from traditional SCNT, UDC derived embryos did not differ in total cell number or in the number of DNA breaks, measured by TUNEL stain. These results indicate that viable cells can be obtained from multiple species' urine, capable of being used to produce live offspring at a comparable rate to other cell sources, evidenced by a 25% pregnancy rate and 2 live births with no losses in the canine UDC cloning trial. This represents a noninvasive means to recover the breeding capacity of genetically important or infertile animals. Obtaining cells in this way may provide source material for human and animal studies where cells are utilized.

Blastocyst formation, embryo transfer and breed comparison in the first reported large scale cloning of camels.

Cloning, through somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), has the potential for a large expansion of genetically favorable traits in a population in a relatively short term. In the present study we aimed to produce multiple cloned camels from racing, show and dairy exemplars. We compared several parameters including oocyte source, donor cell and breed differences, transfer methods, embryo formation and pregnancy rates and maintenance following SCNT. We successfully achieved 47 pregnancies, 28 births and 19 cloned offspring who are at present healthy and have developed normally. Here we report cloned camels from surgical embryo transfer and correlate blastocyst formation rates with the ability to achieve pregnancies. We found no difference in the parameters affecting production of clones by camel breed, and show clear differences on oocyte source in cloning outcomes. Taken together we demonstrate that large scale cloning of camels is possible and that further improvements can be achieved.

Demetylation of the sex-determining region Y gene promoter and incidence of disorder of sex development in cloned dog males.

Canine cloning is occasionally accompanied by abnormal sexual development. Some male donor cells produce cloned pups with female external genitalia and complete male gonadal dysgenesis, which is classified as an XY disorder of sex development (XY DSD). In this study, we examine the potential of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (5-aza-dC), a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor, to reduce the phenotypic abnormality XY DSD in somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT)- derived pups. We used a 9-year-old normal male German Shepherd dog as a cell donor. Donor cells were treated with 10 nM 5-aza-dC for 4 days before being used for SCNT. At the same stage of cell development, significantly lower levels of DNA methylation of the sex-determining region Y (SRY) promoter was observed in the treated donor cells compared to that in the untreated cells (95.2% versus 53.3% on day 4 for the control and treated groups, respectively). No significant differences were observed in the control or treatment groups concerning fusion rate, pregnancy rate (30 days or entire period), the number of pups, or the incidence of XY DSD. However, more XY DSD dogs were observed in the control group (31.25%) than in the treatment group (14.29%). Hypermethylation of the SRY promoter was observed in the XY DSD cloned pups in both the treatment (84.8%) and control groups (91.1 ± 1.4%) compared to the methylation level in the phenotypically normal male pups of the treatment (23.2 ± 20.9%) and control groups (39.1 ± 20.1%). These results suggest that 5-aza-dC treatment of donor cells can reduce the methylation level of the SRY promoter in donor cells, and thus, 5-aza-dC is advantageous for reducing the incidence of XY DSD in canine cloning.

Effect of Adding Cerium on Microstructure and Morphology of Ce-Based Inclusions Formed in Low-Carbon Steel.

Intra-granular Acicular Ferrite (IAF), as one of the most well-known desirable microstructure of ferrite with a chaotic crystallographic orientation, can not only refine the microstructure and retard the propagation of cleavage crack but also provide excellent combination of strength and toughness in steel. The effect of adding cerium on microstructure and controlling proper cerium-based inclusions in order to improve properties in low-carbon commercial steel (SS400) were investigated. The type of inclusions can be controlled by changing S/O ratio and Ce content. Without Ce modification, MnS is a dominate inclusion. After adding Ce, the stable inclusion phases change from AlCeO3 to Ce2O2S. The optimum amount of cerium, 0.0235 wt.%, lead in proper grain refinement and formation of cerium oxide, oxy-sulfide and sulfide inclusions. Having a high amount of cerium results in increasing the number of inclusions significantly as a result it cannot be effective enough and the inclusions will act like barriers for others. It is found that the inclusions with a size of about 4∼7 µm can serve as heterogeneous nucleation sites for AF formation. Thermodynamic calculations have been applied to predict the inclusion formation in this molten steel as well, which show a good agreement with experimental one.

Neotropical Physoderinae revisited, with description of a new, sexually dimorphic species of Leptophysoderes Weirauch (Hemiptera: Reduviidae).

The small reduviid subfamily Physoderinae has the greatest species diversity in the Oriental region and Madagascar. Only the two monotypic genera Cryptophysoderes Wygodzinsky and Maldonado and Leptophysoderes Weirauch are currently known from the Neotropical region. We here describe and document a new, sexually dimorphic species of Physoderinae, Leptophysoderes sarapiqui sp. nov. from Costa Rica. The generic diagnosis of Leptophysoderes is modified to accommodate the new species. Females and immatures of Leptophysoderes are documented for the first time.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor mimicking carotid body tumor--case report and review.

Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor is a rare neurogenic tumor that usually presents in geriatic patients. Typically, it is found in the trunk and extremities and rarely presents in the head and neck region. It may mimic a carotid body tumor when it presents in the neck. We report the first case of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of the vagus nerve in an adolescent boy. He presented with an asymptomatic lateral neck lump that was thought to be a benign schwannoma on preoperative imaging. We describe the diagnostic dilemma and management difficulties in this patient and review the literature.

Establishment and characterization of embryonic stem-like cells from porcine somatic cell nuclear transfer blastocysts.

This study was aimed to establish embryonic stem (ES)-like cells from blastocysts derived from somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) in pig. Somatic cells isolated from both day-30 fetus and neonatal cloned piglet were used for donor cells. A total of 60 blastocysts (46 and 14 derived from fetal and neonatal fibroblast donor cells, respectively) were seeded onto a mitotically inactive mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) monolayer and two ES-like cell lines, one from each donor cell type, were established. They remained undifferentiated over more than 52 (fetal fibroblast-derived) and 48 (neonatal fibroblast-derived) passages, while retaining alkaline phosphatase activity and reactivity with ES specific markers Oct-4, stage-specific embryonic antigen-1 (SSEA-1), SSEA-4, TRA-1-60 and TRA-1-81. These ES-like cells maintained normal diploid karyotype throughout subculture and successfully differentiated into embryoid bodies that expressed three germ layer-specific genes (ectoderm: beta-III tubulin; endoderm: amylase; and mesoderm: enolase) after culture in leukemia inhibitory factor-free medium. Microsatellite analysis confirmed that they were genetically identical to its donor cells. Combined with gene targeting, our results may contribute to developing an efficient method for producing transgenic pigs for various purposes.

Comparing histopathological classification with MYCN, 1p36 and 17q status detected by fluorescence in situ hybridisation from 14 untreated primary neuroblastomas in Singapore.

INTRODUCTION: Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumour in children, accounting for about 5.3 percent of all childhood cancers in Singapore. Several genetic abnormalities have been reported as prognostic markers, including amplification of the MYCN gene, deletion of the short arm of chromosome 1 (1p) and gain of the long arm of chromosome 17 (17q). However, the correlation between tumour histology and these genetic parameters remains to be established in our local population. METHODS: 14 untreated primary neuroblastoma tumours, diagnosed consecutively in our hospital between 2003 and 2007, were included for this study. Tumour tissues were classified histologically as favourable or unfavourable, according to the modification of World Heath Organization Classification of Tumours, by associating the degree of differentiation and mitotic-karyorrhectic index of the neuroblastoma to the age of the patient. Fluorescence in situ hybridisation analysis for MYCN, 1p status and 17q status were subsequently performed on tumour touch imprints. RESULTS: Five tumours with favourable histology were all negative for the three genetic parameters being investigated. The other nine tumours showing unfavourable histology exhibited one or more of the three genetic parameters. All MYCN amplified tumours either had additional 1p deletion and/or 17q gain. CONCLUSION: Our limited data suggests that 1p deletion and 17q gain are reliable independent parameters correlating with an unfavourable histology and poor clinical outcome. The use of 1p deletion and 17q gain studies, in addition to MYCN amplification studies, should be considered routinely in predicting prognosis in neuroblastomas.

Perforation predicts poor prognosis in patients with primary intestinal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

AIMS: To elucidate the clinicopathological features and prognostic factors of primary intestinal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PI-DLBL). METHODS AND RESULTS: Archival tissues from 30 tumours were used for tissue microarray construction, immunohistochemistry and interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization for chromosomal translocation. The M:F ratio was 1.7:1, with a median age of 60 years. The ileum and ileocaecum were most frequently involved (40% each). Fourteen (47%) were at stage I(E) disease, 15 (50%) at stage II(E). Five (17%) tumours were perforated at presentation. The tumours expressed Bcl-6 (73%), MUM1 (70%), Bcl-2 (67%) and CD10 (23%). Nine (30%) were classified as germinal centre B-cell (GCB) phenotype and 21 non-GCB. Eight of 30 (27%), 7/30 (23%) and 2/29 (7%) cases were positive for rearrangements involving IGH, BCL6, and C-MYC loci, respectively, whereas all cases were negative for BCL2 and CCND1 translocation. Perforation was a poor prognostic indicator, with a hazard ratio of tumour-related death at 8.75 (P = 0.001). The differentiation antigens, GCB versus non-GCB phenotype, or lymphoma-associated translocations were of no prognostic significance. CONCLUSIONS: We found a higher rate of perforation and lower frequency of GCB phenotype in PI-DLBL in Taiwan compared with other geographical areas; perforation is a poor prognostic indicator.

Structural, photophysical, and catalytic properties of Au(I) complexes with 4-substituted pyridines.

Ionic gold(I) complexes with general formula of [Au(Py)2][AuCl2] and [Au(Py)2][PF6] (Py = 4-substituted pyridines) have been synthesized. Structures of five Au(I) complexes and a Ag(I) complex were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. Evidence for cationic aggregation of [Au(py)2][PF6] complexes in solution was obtained by conductivity measurements and by the isosbestic point observed from variable temperature UV-visible absorption spectra. All compounds were luminous in the solid state. Calculations employing density functional theory were performed to shed light on the nature of the electronic transitions. While the [Au(4-dmapy)2][AuCl2] (4-dmapy = 4-dimethylaminopyridine) and [Au(4-pic)2][AuCl2] (4-pic = 4-picoline) emissions were found to be mainly ligand in nature, their [PF6](-) counterparts involved a Au...Au-interaction imbedded in the highest occupied molecular orbital. [Au(4-dmapy)2][AuCl2] was found to be an efficient catalyst for Suzuki cross-coupling of aryl bromide and phenylboronic acid.

Aberrant co-expression of CD19 and CD56 as surrogate markers of acute myeloid leukemias with t(8;21) in Taiwan.

Aberrant antigen expression in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has been extensively studied in the West with limited reports from Taiwan. We carried out this retrospective study to characterize the frequency and significance of aberrant antigen expression of AML in Taiwan. Among 111 cases, 58 (52%) showed aberrant antigen expression, most frequently CD7 (27%) and CD56 (23%). Aberrant CD7 expression was observed in all non-AML-M3 subtypes, most frequently in AML-M7 (4/6, 67%); while CD19 expression was only observed in AML-M2 (5/36, 14%). CD56 expression was most common in AML-M5 (4/8, 50%). The relative frequency of CD19 and CD56 expression in AML with t(8;21) was higher than those with other chromosomal abnormalities or normal karyotype (P = 0.011 and 0.005, respectively). In non-M3 AML, aberrant antigen expression was identified in 56/96 (58%) cases, in contrast to 2/15 (13%) AML-M3 cases (P = 0.001). CD7, CD19 and CD56 expression was not correlated with remission rate. We concluded that aberrant immunophenotype was more frequent in non-M3 leukemias in Taiwan. The relative frequency of CD19 and/or CD56 expression in AML with t(8;21) was significantly higher than those without this translocation and co-expression of these two antigens may serve as the surrogate markers for AML with t(8;21).

Effects of culture conditions and nuclear transfer protocols on blastocyst formation and mRNA expression in pre-implantation porcine embryos.

This study investigated the effects of culture conditions and somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) protocols on in vitro development of porcine SCNT embryos and on expression patterns of genes involved in stress (heat shock protein 70.2, HSP70.2), trophoblastic function (integrin beta1, ITGB1), metabolism (phosphoglycerate kinase 1, PGK1), apoptosis (BAX), and imprinted gene (insulin-like growth factor 2 receptor, IGF2R). In Experiment 1, supplementing modified North Carolina State University (mNCSU) medium with 10% FBS at Day 4 of culture increased SCNT blastocyst formation (22.9 vs. 10.7%, P<0.05), number of inner cell mass cells (13.3+/-4.3 vs. 7.6+/-2.2, P<0.05), and total cells (57.9+/-19.5 vs. 36.3+/-8.2, P<0.05) in cloned blastocysts. In Experiment 2, using culture medium with 10% FBS, 1.0mM calcium in fusion/activation medium (1.0C), and 7.5mug/mL cytochalasin B treatment (0.1C&CB) yielded higher rates (P<0.05) of blastocysts (33.6 and 33.3%, respectively) relative to the control (0.1mM calcium fusion medium, 0.1C; 18.3%). Total cell numbers of blastocysts were increased (P<0.05) in 1.0C (77.4+/-28.9) compared to the control (58.5+/-22.6). In vitro-derived blastocysts had higher expression levels of BAX and lower levels of HSP70.2, IGF2R compared to their in vivo-derived counterparts. Supplementing culture medium with 10% FBS increased relative abundances of BAX mRNA in SCNT blastocysts relative to in vivo-derived blastocysts. The transcript level of ITGB1 in blastocyst from 0.1C&CB was lower than in vivo blastocysts. In conclusion, different culture conditions or SCNT protocols affected in vitro development of SCNT embryos and altered several important genes (BAX, HSP70.2, IGTB1, and IGF2R) compared to conventional in vivo-derived blastocysts.

Effects of pulse voltage on inkjet printing of a silver nanopowder suspension.

Inkjet printing of a liquid suspension prepared by dispersing silver powders of size around 4 nm in deionized (DI) water at 30 wt% was investigated in this study. By comparing with the results of pure DI water, the effects of nanoparticles on droplet formation between the nozzle and the substrate were also studied. A bipolar pulse waveform was employed in driving the piezoelectric printhead with pulse voltage set as the primary variable of this study. Observations showed that a higher driving pulse voltage was required for the silver suspension to form droplets than DI water. The liquid column broke up at the nozzle orifice for DI water while the silver suspension broke up further away below the nozzle office. It was also observed that the droplet size of the silver suspension was smaller than that of DI water. For the silver suspension the liquid column formed was thinner and longer and the pinch-off time of the liquid column to form droplets was also longer. However, the characteristic adjustment time for droplet recombination was shorter for the silver suspension than for DI water.

Isolation and initial culture of porcine inner cell masses derived from in vitro-produced blastocysts.

The present study was conducted to isolate and culture inner cell mass (ICM) primarily derived from in vitro-produced blastocysts and to develop the culture conditions for the ICM cells. In Experiment 1, immunosurgically isolated ICMs of blastocysts derived from in vitro fertilization (IVF), somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) or parthenogenetic activation (PA) were seeded onto STO cells. Primary colonies from each isolated ICM were formed with a ratio of 28.9, 30.0 and 4.9%, respectively. In Experiment 2, blastocysts collected from IVF were directly seeded onto a feeder layer with or without zona pellucida (ZP), or were subjected to ICM isolation by immunosurgery. Primary colonies were formed in 36.8% of isolated ICMs and 19.4% in intact blastocysts without ZP. In Experiment 3, ICMs from IVF blastocysts were seeded onto STO cells, mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) or porcine uterine epithelial cells (PUEC). On STO and MEF cells, 34.5 and 22.2% of primary colonies were formed, respectively. However, no primary colony was formed on the PUEC or in feeder-free condition. In Experiment 4, ICMs from IVF blastocysts were cultured in DMEM + Ham's F10 (D/H medium), DMEM + NCSU-23 (D/N medium) or DMEM alone. When D/H medium or D/N medium was used, 21.7 or 44.4% of primary colony were formed, respectively, while no primary colony was formed in DMEM alone. These cells showed alkaline phosphatase activity and could be maintained for up to five passages. In suspension culture, cells formed embryoid bodies. These results demonstrate that porcine ICM could be isolated and cultured primarily from in vitro-produced blastocysts with a suitable culture system.

Effects of combined expression of human complement regulatory proteins and H-transferase on the inhibition of complement-mediated cytolysis in porcine embryonic fibroblasts.

The expression of human complement regulatory proteins (CRP) and H-transferase (HT) in porcine cells is one of the strategies for suppression of hyperacute rejection (HAR) of xenotransplants in human recipients. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of combined expression of human complement regulators and HT on human serum-mediated cytolysis in porcine embryonic fibroblasts. For the combinated expression of human CRPs in transformed pig cells, cDNAs of human DAF, MCP, and CD59 were cloned into the same insertional plasmid under the control of pCMV IE and LTR. The double combination of CRPs, hDAF-hMCP, and hMCP-hCD59 survived over 50% in the presence of 50% human serum, compared to the control. Moreover, the cell viability was increased more than 65% and 80% in the combination of human DAF-CD59 and DAF-MCP-CD59, respectively. In addition, the combination of HT gene to hDAF-hCD59 vector increased the viability close to 80%, similar to the triple combination of CRPs. These observations suggest that the combined expression of human CRPs and HT in the same insertional vector may be more effective in protecting porcine cells from human complement-mediated cytolysis.

The effects of Goami No. 2 rice, a natural fiber-rich rice, on body weight and lipid metabolism.

OBJECTIVE: Increased intake of dietary fiber reduces the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes. We assessed the effects of a fiber-rich diet on body weight, adipokine concentrations, and the metabolism of glucose and lipids in non-obese and obese subjects in Korea, where rice is the main source of dietary carbohydrates. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Eleven healthy, non-obese and 10 obese subjects completed two 4-week phases of individual isoenergetic food intake. During the control diet phase, subjects consumed standard rice; during the modified diet phase, subjects consumed equal proportions of fiber-rich Goami No. 2 rice and standard rice. We used a randomized, controlled, crossover study design with a washout period of 6 weeks between the two phases. RESULTS: After the modified diet phase, body weight was significantly lower in both the non-obese and obese subjects (non-obese, 57.0 +/- 2.9 vs. 56.1 +/- 2.8 kg, p = 0.001; obese, 67.7 +/- 2.1 vs. 65.7 +/- 2.0 kg, p < 0.001 for before vs. after). The BMI was significantly lower in obese subjects (26.9 +/- 0.5 vs. 26.0 +/- 0.6 kg/m2, p < 0.001). The modified diet was associated with lower serum triacylglycerol (p < 0.01), total cholesterol (p < 0.01), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.05), and C-peptide (p < 0.05) concentrations in the obese subjects. DISCUSSION: These results indicate that fiber-rich Goami No. 2 rice has beneficial effects and may be therapeutically useful for obese subjects.

Hydroxyurea and splenic irradiation-induced tumour lysis syndrome: a case report and review of the literature.

Therapeutic agents for chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) in the chronic phase include hydroxyurea, interferon alpha, allogeneic stem cell transplantation and the tyrosine kinase inhibitor imatinib (STI 571, Gleevec). For elderly patients, oral hydroxyurea is suitable for the relief of symptoms caused by hyperleukocytosis, and splenic irradiation would be considered if abdominal discomfort or fullness induced by splenomegaly were present. Tumour lysis syndrome (TLS) is seldom seen in the treatment for CML, and TLS caused by hydroxyurea or splenic irradiation is rarely observed. Herein, we report an elderly CML patient who received treatment with hydroxyurea, allopurinol, hydration and splenic irradiation. After 3 days, acute TLS developed. Aggressive supportive treatment, including haemodialysis, stabilized the condition.

Fetus-in-fetu in the pelvis: report of a case and literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Fetus-in-fetu is an extremely rare condition in which a malformed fetus is found in the body of its twin. To our knowledge, fewer than 100 cases have been reported. Wide variations of presentation have been described, although its embryo-pathogenesis and differentiation from a teratoma have not been well established. CLINICAL PICTURE: We describe a male neonate with a fetoid-like mass in his pelvis associated with bilateral undescended testes. The mass was detected on prenatal ultrasound scans. The diagnosis of fetus-in-fetu was considered prenatally and confirmed on a computed tomography scan after birth. OUTCOME: The mass was successfully excised. Histological examination, accompanied by a review of the literature, confirmed that the mass had features consistent with a fetus-in-fetu. CONCLUSIONS: Although an extremely rare clinical entity, fetus-in-fetu can be diagnosed prior to surgery with current imaging modalities. When it arises in the retroperitoneum of a male infant, it can hinder the descent of the testes. Complete excision is curative.