[Primary penoscrotal extra-mammary Paget's disease: analysis of 22 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of primary penoscrotal extra-mammary Paget's disease (PSPD).

METHODS

The clinical and pathological data of 22 cases of primary PSPD were retrospectively reviewed. Survival rate of the overall patients, the invasive patients, and the patients with positive surgical margin or negative surgical margin were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier survival curve method.

RESULTS

Among all the patients with primary PSPD, the median age of onset was 64.5 (39-84) years, the median time of disease duration was 40 (2-300) months, and the median long diameter of lesion was 4.75 (1-10) cm. In the study, 12 patients (54.5%) were in pathological stage A1, 6 patients (27.3%) were in pathological stage A2, and 4 patients (18.2%) were in pathological stage B. Scrotum and penile of most patients (n=12, 54.5%) were involved, 5 patients (22.7%) were scrotum only, and 5 patients (22.7%) were penile only. Erythema (n=18, 81.8%), itchiness (n=16, 72.7%), ulcerate (n=12, 54.5%), exudation (n=11, 50.0%), and pain (n=4, 18.2%) were the major manifestations. All the patients with primary PSPD were treated with wide surgical excision. The rate of invasive patients was 77.3% (n=17). Of them, 6 patients had positive surgical margin. The surgical margins of non-invasive patients were all negative. Twelve patients exhibited local recurrence or/and metastases, and the status of surgical margins (P=0.015) and the depth of invasion (P=0.010) were important risk factors. Inguinal lymph nodes were generally involved. The difference of the delay of diagnosis between metastasis and non-metastasis was significant (P=0.040). The 5-year survival rates of the overall and invasive patients were 33.7% and 27.9%, respectively. The patients with positive surgical margin had poor prognosis.

CONCLUSION

Primary PSPD, with the characteristics of long duration, high invasive tendency and high incidence of local recurrence or metastases, generally occurs in the elderly. Surgery should be performed at first. The delay of diagnosis, positive surgical margins and the involvement of inguinal lymph node are important risk factors. Biopsy, frozen section and inguinal lymph node biopsy (ILNB) can standardize diagnosis and treatment.

Efficacy and safety of adalimumab in Chinese patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis: results from a phase 3, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study

Background

This phase 3 trial is the first to evaluate the efficacy and safety of treatment with the systemic TNF‐α inhibitor, adalimumab, for Chinese patients with moderate‐to‐severe plaque psoriasis.

Methods

In the 12‐week, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled Period A, patients were randomized 4 : 1 to receive adalimumab 40 mg every‐other‐week (following a single 80 mg dose), or placebo every‐other‐week. In the subsequent 12‐week, open‐label, Period B, all patients received adalimumab 40 mg every‐other‐week starting at week 13, following a single, blinded dose at week 12 of adalimumab 80 mg or matching placebo (for patients receiving placebo or adalimumab in Period A respectively). In Period A, efficacy was analysed for all randomized patients and safety for all patients receiving ≥1 dose of the study drug.

Results

For the 425 patients in this study (87 placebo; 338 adalimumab), a higher percentage randomized to adalimumab achieved the primary endpoint of ≥75% improvement from baseline in PASI score (PASI 75) at week 12: placebo 11.5% (10/87); adalimumab 77.8% (263/338; P < 0.001). Physician's Global Assessment of clear to minimal was achieved at week 12 by 14.9% placebo (13/87) and 80.5% adalimumab (272/338; P < 0.001). For patients who received adalimumab at any time during the study (All‐adalimumab Population), treatment‐emergent adverse events (AEs) were reported by 63.4%; the most common was upper respiratory infection (16.1%). Serious AEs were reported by 3.5% of the All‐adalimumab Population, and serious infectious AEs by 1.2%, which include lung infection, pneumonia and tuberculosis [2 (0.5%) patients each]. There was one death (chronic heart failure).

Conclusion

In these Chinese patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis, a significantly greater percentage treated with adalimumab compared with placebo achieved efficacy endpoints at week 12 and efficacy was sustained to week 24. Safety results were consistent with the known adalimumab safety profile; no new safety signals were identified in the 24 weeks of treatment.

[Primary penoscrotal extra-mammary Paget's disease: analysis of 22 cases]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical characteristics, treatment and prognosis of primary penoscrotal extra-mammary Paget's disease (PSPD).

METHODS

The clinical and pathological data of 22 cases of primary PSPD were retrospectively reviewed. Survival rate of the overall patients, the invasive patients, and the patients with positive surgical margin or negative surgical margin were analyzed with Kaplan-Meier survival curve method.

RESULTS

Among all the patients with primary PSPD, the median age of onset was 64.5 (39-84) years, the median time of disease duration was 40 (2-300) months, and the median long diameter of lesion was 4.75 (1-10) cm. In the study, 12 patients (54.5%) were in pathological stage A1, 6 patients (27.3%) were in pathological stage A2, and 4 patients (18.2%) were in pathological stage B. Scrotum and penile of most patients (n=12, 54.5%) were involved, 5 patients (22.7%) were scrotum only, and 5 patients (22.7%) were penile only. Erythema (n=18, 81.8%), itchiness (n=16, 72.7%), ulcerate (n=12, 54.5%), exudation (n=11, 50.0%), and pain (n=4, 18.2%) were the major manifestations. All the patients with primary PSPD were treated with wide surgical excision. The rate of invasive patients was 77.3% (n=17). Of them, 6 patients had positive surgical margin. The surgical margins of non-invasive patients were all negative. Twelve patients exhibited local recurrence or/and metastases, and the status of surgical margins (P=0.015) and the depth of invasion (P=0.010) were important risk factors. Inguinal lymph nodes were generally involved. The difference of the delay of diagnosis between metastasis and non-metastasis was significant (P=0.040). The 5-year survival rates of the overall and invasive patients were 33.7% and 27.9%, respectively. The patients with positive surgical margin had poor prognosis.

CONCLUSION

Primary PSPD, with the characteristics of long duration, high invasive tendency and high incidence of local recurrence or metastases, generally occurs in the elderly. Surgery should be performed at first. The delay of diagnosis, positive surgical margins and the involvement of inguinal lymph node are important risk factors. Biopsy, frozen section and inguinal lymph node biopsy (ILNB) can standardize diagnosis and treatment.

Adjuvant therapies using normobaric oxygen with hypothermia or ethanol for reducing hyperglycolysis in thromboembolic cerebral ischemia

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Normobaric oxygen (NBO), ethanol (EtOH), and therapeutic hypothermia (TH) delivered alone or in combination have neuroprotective properties after acute stroke. We used an autologous thromboembolic rat stroke model to assess the additive effects of these treatments for reducing the deleterious effects of hyperglycolysis post-stroke in which reperfusion is induced with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA).

METHODS

Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion with an autologous embolus. One hour after occlusion, rt-PA was administered alone or with NBO (60%), EtOH (1.0 g/kg), TH (33 °C), either singly or in combination. Infarct volume and neurological deficit were assessed at 24h after rt-PA-induced reperfusion with or without other treatments. The extent of hyperglycolysis, as determined by cerebral glucose and lactate levels was evaluated at 3 and 24h after rt-PA administration. At the same time points, expressions of glucose transporter 1 (Glut1), glucose transporter 3 (Glut3), phosphofructokinase1 (PFK-1), and lactate dehydrogenase were (LDH) measured by Western blotting.

RESULTS

Following rt-PA in rats with thromboembolic stroke, NBO combined with TH or EtOH most effectively decreased infarct volume and neurological deficit. As compared to rt-PA alone, EtOH or TH but not NBO monotherapies significantly reduced post-stroke hyperglycolysis. The increased utilization of glucose and production of lactate post-stroke was prevented most effectively when NBO was combined with either EtOH or TH after reperfusion with rt-PA, as shown by the significantly decreased Glut1, Glut3, PFK-1, and LDH levels.

CONCLUSIONS

In a rat thromboembolic stroke model, both EtOH and TH used individually offer neuroprotection after the administration of rt-PA. While NBO monotherapy does not appear to be effective, it significantly potentiates the efficacy of EtOH and TH. The similar neuroprotection and underlying mechanisms pertaining to the attenuation of hyperglycolysis provided by EtOH or TH in combination with NBO suggest a possibility of substituting EtOH for TH. Thus a combination of NBO and EtOH, which are widely available and easily used, could become a novel and effective neuroprotective strategy in the clinical setting.

Unravelling Colletotrichum species associated with Camellia: employing ApMat and GS loci to resolve species in the C. gloeosporioides complex

We investigated the phylogenetic diversity of 144 Colletotrichum isolates associated with symptomatic and asymptomatic tissues of Camellia sinensis and other Camellia spp. from seven provinces in China (Fujian, Guizhou, Henan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang), and seven isolates obtained from other countries, including Indonesia, UK, and the USA. Based on multi-locus (ACT, ApMat, CAL, GAPDH, GS, ITS, TUB2) phylogenetic analyses and phenotypic characters, 11 species were distinguished, including nine well-characterised species (C. alienum, C. boninense, C. camelliae, C. cliviae, C. fioriniae, C. fructicola, C. gloeosporioides, C. karstii, C. sia-mense), and two novel species (C. henanense and C. jiangxiense). Of these, C. camelliae proved to be the most dominant and probably host specific taxon occurring on Camellia. An epitype is also designated for the latter species in this study. Colletotrichum jiangxiense is shown to be phylogenetically closely related to the coffee berry pathogen C. kahawae subsp. kahawae. Pathogenicity tests and the pairwise homoplasy index test suggest that C. jiangxiense and C. kahawae subsp. kahawae are two independent species. This study represents the first report of C. alienum and C. cliviae occurring on Camellia sinensis. In addition, our study demonstrated that the combined use of the loci ApMat and GS in a phylogenetic analysis is able to resolve all currently accepted species in the C. gloeosporioides species complex.

The relationship between radiographic parameters and clinical outcome of distal radius fractures in elderly patients

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY

Treatment of distal radius fractures in elderly patients is controversial. This study explored the relationship between radiographic parameters and clinical outcomes of patients with distal radius fractures following conservative treatment. The study was done using radiographic measurements of distal radius fractures in elderly patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Ninety-two active, healthy patients with conservatively managed distal radius fractures were included in the study. Functional and radiographic assessments were made 1 year after injury. Fifty patients who underwent corrective osteotomy comprised the control group. Radiographic parameters and clinical outcomes were compared between the two groups. The correlation coefficients of the radiographic parameters were analysed using multiple regression.

RESULT

Radius height (RH), volar tilt (VT) and Mayo wrist and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores in the experimental group were significantly superior to those of the control group. There was no significant group difference in radial inclination. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the most important factor affecting functional outcome was RH, followed by VT.

DISCUSSION

RH and VT were significantly correlated with the clinical outcomes of conservative treatment of distal radius fractures. RH should be given foremost consideration in elderly patients. Preoperatively, surgeons should evaluate this parameter carefully and be prepared to treat injuries accordingly.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV retrospective study.

Characteristics of Small Intestinal Diseases on Single-Balloon Enteroscopy: A Single-Center Study Conducted Over 6 Years in China

The small intestine has been considered inaccessible for a long term. The development of single-balloon endoscopy has greatly improved the diagnosis and treatment possibilities for small intestinal diseases.In this study, we aimed to explore the demographic characteristics and small intestinal diseases of patients who underwent single-balloon enteroscopy between 2009 and 2014 at our endoscopy center. We determined the enteroscopic findings for each small intestinal disease and the most susceptible age groups.In total, 186 patients were included in the study. Their mean age was 45.87 ± 15.77 years. Patients who underwent single-balloon enteroscopy were found to have neoplasms (most common age group: 14-45 years, most common lesion location: jejunum), lymphoma (46-59 and 60-74 years, ileum), protuberant lesions (45-59 years, jejunum), inflammation (14-45 and 46-59 years, ileum), benign ulcers (14-45 years, jejunum), diverticulum (14-45 years, ileum), vascular malformations (60-74 years, jejunum), polyps (14-45 years, jejunum), Crohn's disease (14-45 years, jejunum), hookworm infection (14-45 years, jejunum), lipid pigmentation (14-45 and 46-59 years, jejunum), undetermined bleeding (46-59 years, ileum), or undetermined stenosis (31 years, duodenum). Each small intestinal disease had distinct enteroscopic findings.

Resolving the Phoma enigma

The Didymellaceae was established in 2009 to accommodate Ascochyta, Didymella and Phoma, as well as several related phoma-like genera. The family contains numerous plant pathogenic, saprobic and endophytic species associated with a wide range of hosts. Ascochyta and Phoma are morphologically difficult to distinguish, and species from both genera have in the past been linked to Didymella sexual morphs. The aim of the present study was to clarify the generic delimitation in Didymellaceae by combing multi-locus phylogenetic analyses based on ITS, LSU, rpb2 and tub2, and morphological observations. The resulting phylogenetic tree revealed 17 well-supported monophyletic clades in Didymellaceae, leading to the introduction of nine genera, three species, two nomina nova and 84 combinations. Furthermore, 11 epitypes and seven neotypes were designated to help stabilise the taxonomy and use of names. As a result of these data, Ascochyta, Didymella and Phoma were delineated as three distinct genera, and the generic circumscriptions of Ascochyta, Didymella, Epicoccum and Phoma emended. Furthermore, the genus Microsphaeropsis, which is morphologically distinct from the members of Didymellaceae, grouped basal to the Didymellaceae, for which a new family Microsphaeropsidaceae was introduced.

Effects of a multi-strain Bacillus species-based direct-fed microbial on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, blood profile, and gut health in nursery pigs fed corn-soybean meal-based diets

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of a spp.-based direct-fed microbial (DFM) on growth performance, apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD), blood profile, intestinal histomorphology, and fecal gas emission in piglets fed corn and soybean meal-based diets. The DFM product was based on 1 strain of and 2 strains of and formulated to supply 1.5 × 10 cfu/g of feed. A total of 128 piglets ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc; 6.8 ± 0.6 kg BW; weaning age: 24 d) were housed in groups (4 pigs/pen, 2 barrows and 2 gilts) and fed diets ( = 16) without or with DFM in a 2-phase feeding program: d 0 to 14 (phase I) and 15 to 42 (phase II). Feed intake and BW were measured weekly. At the end of each phase, samples for blood urea nitrogen (BUN), blood creatinine, ATTD, and fecal noxious gas emission were taken. At termination, 12 piglets per treatment were killed to access intestinal tissues for histomorphology. Overall, pigs fed DFM had a greater ( < 0.05) G:F than pigs fed the control diet. In phase I, pigs fed DFM showed a greater ( < 0.05) ADG and lower ( < 0.05) concentration of BUN and fecal ammonia emission than the control group. In phase II, a greater ( < 0.05) ATTD of nitrogen and longer ( < 0.05) duodenum and jejunum villi were observed in pigs fed the DFM diet compared with the control group. In conclusion, inclusion of DFM improved growth performance and villi length of the duodenum and jejunum in nursery pigs. Furthermore, DFM enhanced protein utilization as demonstrated by increased nitrogen digestibility, lower BUN, and lower fecal ammonia release.

What childhood obesity prevention programmes work? A systematic review and meta-analysis

Previous reviews of childhood obesity prevention have focused largely on schools and findings have been inconsistent. Funded by the US Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the National Institutes of Health, we systematically evaluated the effectiveness of childhood obesity prevention programmes conducted in high-income countries and implemented in various settings. We searched MEDLINE®, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL®, ClinicalTrials.gov and the Cochrane Library from inception through 22 April 2013 for relevant studies, including randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies and natural experiments, targeting diet, physical activity or both, and conducted in children aged 2-18 in high-income countries. Two reviewers independently abstracted the data. The strength of evidence (SOE) supporting interventions was graded for each study setting (e.g. home, school). Meta-analyses were performed on studies judged sufficiently similar and appropriate to pool using random effect models. This paper reported our findings on various adiposity-related outcomes. We identified 147 articles (139 intervention studies) of which 115 studies were primarily school based, although other settings could have been involved. Most were conducted in the United States and within the past decade. SOE was high for physical activity-only interventions delivered in schools with home involvement or combined diet-physical activity interventions delivered in schools with both home and community components. SOE was moderate for school-based interventions targeting either diet or physical activity, combined interventions delivered in schools with home or community components or combined interventions delivered in the community with a school component. SOE was low for combined interventions in childcare or home settings. Evidence was insufficient for other interventions. In conclusion, at least moderately strong evidence supports the effectiveness of school-based interventions for preventing childhood obesity. More research is needed to evaluate programmes in other settings or of other design types, especially environmental, policy and consumer health informatics-oriented interventions.

Psychrophilic fungi from the world's roof

During a survey of cold-adapted fungi in alpine glaciers on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, 1 428 fungal isolates were obtained of which 150 species were preliminary identified. Phoma sclerotioides and Pseudogymnoascus pannorum were the most dominant species. Psychrotolerant species in Helotiales (Leotiomycetes, Ascomycota) were studied in more detail as they represented the most commonly encountered group during this investigation. Two phylogenetic trees were constructed based on the partial large subunit nrDNA (LSU) to infer the taxonomic placements of these strains. Our strains nested in two well-supported major clades, which represented Tetracladium and a previously unknown lineage. The unknown lineage is distant to any other currently known genera in Helotiales. Psychrophila gen. nov. was therefore established to accommodate these strains which are characterised by globose or subglobose conidia formed from phialides on short or reduced conidiophores. Our analysis also showed that an LSU-based phylogeny is insufficient in differentiating strains at species level. Additional analyses using combined sequences of ITS+TEF1+TUB regions were employed to further investigate the phylogenetic relationships of these strains. Together with the recognisable morphological distinctions, six new species (i.e. P. antarctica, P. lutea, P. olivacea, T. ellipsoideum, T. globosum and T. psychrophilum) were described. Our preliminary investigation indicates a high diversity of cold-adapted species in nature, and many of them may represent unknown species.

A single-centre, open-label, prospective study of an initially short-term intensified dosing regimen of enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium with reduced cyclosporine A exposure in Chinese live-donor kidney transplant recipients

AIMS

The nephrotoxicity of cyclosporine A (CsA) accounts for dysfunction of kidney allografts in the clinic. Short-term intensified dosing using enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) may facilitate CsA sparing after kidney transplantation without compromising safety.

METHODS

In a 12-month, single-centre open-label prospective trial, 180 de novo live-donor kidney transplant recipients at low-immunological risk were randomised to a low-dose cyclosporine group which received a low dose of cyclosporine, short-term intensified EC-MPS dosing (2160 mg/day to week 6, 1440 mg/day thereafter) and corticosteroids or a standard-dose cyclosporine group which received a standard dose of cyclosporine, standard EC-MPS dosing (1440 mg/day) and corticosteroids. The primary end-point [treatment failure including biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR), graft loss, death], secondary end-point and adverse events were monitored.

RESULTS

The primary end-point (treatment failure) occurred in 13.3% (12/90) of the low-dose cyclosporine group and 16.7% (15/90) of the standard-dose cyclosporine group (p = 0.53) (difference -3.4%, 95% confidence interval -11.7% to 7.5%, based on a noninferiority margin of 20%). BPAR occurred in 11.1% and 13.3% of patients in the low-dose cyclosporine group and standard-dose cyclosporine group, respectively (p = 0.65). The estimated glomerular filtration rate, as calculated by the Cockcroft-Gault formula, was similar at 12 months after transplantation (low-dose cyclosporine group 63 ± 19 ml/min/1.73 m(2) and standard-dose cyclosporine group 59 ± 15 ml/min/1.73 m(2) ; p = 0.43). The levels of serum creatinine and occurrence of adverse events between the two groups were not statistically different.

CONCLUSIONS

A regimen of early intensified EC-MPS dosing permits low-dose cyclosporine in live-donor kidney transplant patients at low-immunological risk without compromising efficacy at 12 months' follow-up.

SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling protects hepatocytes against mitochondrial oxidative stress induced by bile acids

Oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are hypothesized to contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic cholestatic liver diseases. Silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) attenuates oxidative stress and improves mitochondrial biogenesis in numerous mitochondrial-related diseases; however, a functional role for SIRT1 in chronic liver cholestasis, characterized by increased levels of toxic bile acids, remains unknown. We show decrease in SIRT1 levels and its activity and impairment of mitochondrial biogenesis in the liver of patients with extrahepatic cholestasis. Moreover, we found that glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDCA) stimulated cytotoxicity, disrupted the mitochondrial membrane potential, increased reactive oxygen species production, and decreased mitochondrial mass and mitochondrial DNA content in L02 cells. Consistent with this finding, GCDCA was found to decrease SIRT1 protein expression and activity, thus promoting the deacetylation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, coactivator 1 alpha (PGC-1α), a key enzyme involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and function. Conversely, GCDCA-induced mitochondrial injury was efficiently attenuated by SIRT1 overexpression. In summary, these findings indicate that the loss of SIRT1 may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of liver damage observed in patients with extrahepatic cholestasis. The findings also indicate that genetic supplementation of SIRT1 can ameliorate GCDCA-induced hepatotoxicity through the activation of PGC-1α-dependent mitochondrial biogenesis.

Parameter estimation in a Holzapfel-Ogden law for healthy myocardium

A central problem in biomechanical studies of personalized human left ventricular (LV) modelling is to estimate material properties from in vivo clinical measurements. In this work we evaluate the passive myocardial mechanical properties inversely from the in vivo LV chamber pressure-volume and strain data. The LV myocardium is described using a structure-based orthotropic Holzapfel-Ogden constitutive law with eight parameters. In the first part of the paper we demonstrate how to use a multi-step non-linear least-squares optimization procedure to inversely estimate the parameters from the pressure-volume and strain data obtained from a synthetic LV model in diastole. In the second part, we show that to apply this procedure to clinical situations with limited in vivo data, additional constraints are required in the optimization procedure. Our study, based on three different healthy volunteers, demonstrates that the parameters of the Holzapfel-Ogden law could be extracted from pressure-volume and strain data with a suitable multi-step optimization procedure. Although the uniqueness of the solution cannot be addressed using our approaches, the material response is shown to be robustly determined.

Generation and characterization of polyclonal antibodies against mouse T-cell immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory domain by DNA-based immunization

Mouse T-cell immunoglobulin and immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory domain (TIGIT) is a newly identified surface protein expressed in regulatory, memory, natural killer (NK), and activated T cells. Several studies indicate that mouse TIGIT is a vital immunomodulator that can control the activities of both NK and T cells and plays an important role in transplantation tolerance. In this study, we designed a vector, TIGIT-pcDNA3.1 (+), that encodes the complete coding sequence of mouse TIGIT. The vector was intramuscularly injected into rats, and then the specific antisera were harvested and purified using a protein A/G PLUS-agarose affinity column. Western blot and immunohistochemistry analyses revealed that the antibodies generated by DNA immunization can bind with the mouse TIGIT. Using these antibodies in immunoblots, TIGIT was detected in lysates of mouse organs, T cells from mouse lymph nodes, and recombinant mouse fusion protein of TIGIT and Fc fragment. Immunohistochemistry analysis of normal mouse kidney showed that immunoreactivity was located on endothelial cells of glomerular capillary loops and peritubular capillaries. Our results demonstrated that the DNA immunization of rats through intramuscular injection was a simple and easily available method of producing polyclonal antibodies that can be used to detect and analyze mouse TIGIT expression in mouse systems.

303 HUMAN RECOMBINATION GRANULOCYTE-COLONY STIMULATING FACTOR (HRG-CSF) HAVE BENEFICIAL EFFECTS ON PORCINE OOCYTES QUALITY DURING IN VITRO MATURATION AND SUBSEQUENT VIABILITY OF EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), also known as colony-stimulating factor 3 (CSF3), is required for the proliferation, differentiation, and survival of cells. In humans, G-CSF is a biomarker of human oocyte developmental competence for embryo implantation. Furthermore, G-CSF concentration increases during the menstrual cycle and levels were significantly higher during ovulatory phase than the other phases. In this study, we examined G-CSF and its receptor gene expression in the porcine granulosa cells, corpus luteum, cumulus cells, and oocytes. The cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) were aspirated from antral follicles 1 to 3 mm (small follicle) and 3 to 6 mm (medium follicle). The COC from 2 kinds of follicles were matured in protein-free maturation medium supplemented with various concentrations of hrG-CSF (0, 10, and 100 ng mL–1, respectively). Statistical analyses were done by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Duncan's multiple range tests. After real time-PCR was performed, the CSF3 and its receptor (CSF3R) were observed all of granulosa cells, corpus luteum, cumulus cells, and oocytes. Interestingly, the CSF3 transcript levels were significantly lower in oocytes compared with other cell types, but the CSF3R transcript levels in oocytes were almost similar with granulosa cells. After 44 h of IVM, the rates of nuclear maturation had no difference, and the intracellular ROS levels of oocytes from both kind of follicle groups matured with 10 ng mL–1 were significantly decreased compared to other groups (P < 0.05). After PA, the cleavage and blastocyst formation rates were significantly (P < 0.05) increased for the 100 ng mL–1 of small follicle (SF; 63.29 and 31.18%) group compared to control and 10 ng mL–1 of SF (38.64, 10.4, and 49.0, 15.6%, respectively) group, and significantly (P < 0.05) increased in the 10 ng mL–1 of medium follicle (MF; 76.32 and 45.61%) group compared with control and 100 ng mL–1 of MF (52.1, 32.8 and 61.3, 33.9%, respectively). The total cell numbers of blastocyst from SF and MF groups were significantly increased in the 10 ng mL–1 (73.67 and 106.52) groups. At IVF, the blastocysts formation rates were significantly increased in the 10 ng mL–1 of MF group compared to control, 100 ng mL–1 of SF, and control of MF (21.1, 22.8, and 27.8%, respectively). We also examined the Bcl2 and ERK2 transcript levels, which were significantly increased at 100 ng mL–1 of SF and 10 ng mL–1 of MF. These results suggest that hrG-CSF improved the quality of porcine oocyte and embryonic viability.This was supported, in part, by a grant from the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant Government (NRF-2012R1A1A4A01004885, NRF-2013R1A2A2A04008751), Republic of Korea.

Association study of UGT1A9 promoter polymorphisms with DILI based on systematically regional variation screen in Chinese population

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is caused by unpredictable adverse drug reaction due mainly to the accumulation of hepatotoxic compounds in the liver resulting in significant damage. Drug-metabolizing enzymes have been prime targets for molecular studies relevant to DILI. The gene UGT1A9 mainly expresses in the liver and has an important role in drug metabolism. The Han Chinese has a very long and complex demographic history, and the population stratification arising from the interplay of different geographic areas may influence the polymorphism pattern. We selected 260 healthy subjects in three different geographic areas (including Xian, Shanghai and Liuzhou) for systemic screening and analysis of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of UGT1A9. Eight SNPs were identified and no regional disparity exists among the three populations. Based on these results, 213 DILI patients from all over the Chinese mainland were further recruited to investigate possible association between UGT1A9 and DILI. We observed statistically significant associations between SNP rs2741045 and DILI at both allele and genotype levels (allele: P=0.032; genotype: P=0.029; after Bonferroni correction). Also, multivariate interaction analysis discovered the interaction between rs2741045 and age associated with DILI significantly. This is the first such screening study to investigate the association between UGT1A9 promoter polymorphisms and DILI in the Chinese population and it could provide the basis for further study of DILI mechanisms.

Effect of childhood obesity prevention programmes on blood lipids: a systematic review and meta-analysis

We aimed to assess the effects of childhood obesity prevention programmes on blood lipids in high-income countries. We searched MEDLINE®, Embase, PsychInfo, CINAHL®, clinicaltrials.gov, and the Cochrane Library up to 22 April 2013 for relevant randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental studies and natural experiments published in English. Studies were included if they implemented diet and/or physical activity intervention(s) with ≥1 year follow-up (or ≥6 months for school-based intervention studies) in 2-18-year-olds, and were excluded if they targeted only overweight/obese children, or those with a pre-existing medical condition. Seventeen studies were finally included. For total cholesterol, the pooled intervention effect was -0.97 mg dL(-1) [95% confidence interval (CI): -3.26, 1.32; P = 0.408]; for low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), -6.06 mg dL(-1) (95% CI: -11.09, -1.02; P = 0.018); for high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), 1.87 mg dL(-1) (95% CI: 0.39, 3.34; P = 0.013); and for triglycerides, -1.95 mg dL(-1) (95% CI: -4.94, 1.04; P = 0.202). Most interventions (70%) showed similar significant or no effects on adiposity- and lipids outcomes: 15% interventions improved both adiposity- and lipids outcomes; 55% had no significant effects on either. Childhood obesity prevention programmes had a significant desirable effect on LDL-C and HDL-C. Two-thirds of interventions showed similar significant or no effects in adiposity- and lipids outcomes. Assessing lipids outcomes provide additional useful information on obesity prevention programme benefits.

HIV Tat protein affects circadian rhythmicity by interfering with the circadian system

OBJECTIVES

Sleep disorders are common in patients with HIV/AIDS, and can lead to poor quality of life. Although many studies have investigated the aetiology of these disorders, it is still unclear whether impaired sleep quality is associated with HIV itself, social problems, or side effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Moreover, despite its known neurological associations, little is known about the role of the trans-activator of transcription (Tat) protein in sleep disorders in patients with HIV/AIDS. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that the sleep quality of patients with HIV/AIDS affected by an altered circadian rhythm correlates with cerebrospinal HIV Tat protein concentration.

METHODS

Ninety-six patients with HIV/AIDS between 20 and 69 years old completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. Their circadian rhythm parameters of blood pressure, Tat concentration in cerebrospinal fluid, melatonin concentration, CD4 cell count and HIV RNA viral load in serum were measured.

RESULTS

The circadian amplitude of systolic blood pressure and the score for sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) were negatively correlated with HIV Tat protein concentration, while the melatonin value was positively correlated with Tat protein concentration.

CONCLUSIONS

The HIV Tat protein affects circadian rhythmicity by interfering with the circadian system in patients with HIV/AIDS and further increases the melatonin excretion value. A Tat protein-related high melatonin value may counteract HIV-related poor sleep quality during the progression of HIV infection. This study provides the first clinical evidence offering an explanation for why sleep quality did not show an association with progression of HIV infection in previous studies.

Optimization of a biolistic transformation system for transfer of antifreeze gene KN2 and the bar herbicide resistance gene in common wheat

We studied the effects of different media for callus induction and differentiation, and pre-culture period of immature wheat embryo culture on biolistic transformation efficiency for including antifreeze gene KN2 and bar conferring resistance to the herbicide bialaphos. The percentage of plantlets generated from induction and differentiation media without Cu2+ was lower than those cultured on differentiation media with Cu2+ (71.15%) or induction media with Cu2+ (68.45%) and both induction and differentiation media with Cu2+ (52.17%). The combinations of Nor medium for callus induction and Cu2+ medium for regeneration, and Cu2+ medium for induction and R medium for regeneration were superior for biolistic transformation. The calli induced on Cu2+ medium and pre-cultured for 4 d before biolistic transformation, and cultured on R medium after biolistic transformation produced the highest percentage (65%) of transgenic plantlets with the KN2 gene. Overall, about 50% plantlets regenerated from calli pre-cultured 4d before bombardment carried the KN2 gene; 44.7% of the plantlets carried the bar gene, which was higher than for any other treatment, followed by pre-culture 1d with 31.43% transformation rate for the KN2 gene and 20% transformation rate for the bar gene.

Establishment of a simple living donor liver transplantation dog model using a two-step nonvenous bypass hepatectomy

AIM

Dogs are an ideal model for studying living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). However, due to their poor tolerance to congestion and acidosis during portal vein blockage, current LDLT dog models with long operation times have high mortality. To address the issue, we designed a novel simplified operation with two-step nonvenous bypass (NVB) hepatectomy.

METHODS

Eighty dogs were evenly randomized to the living liver donor (LLD) or the recipient (LLR) groups. A standard lobectomy of I, II, and III lobes was performed in the LLD group. In the LLR group, first only I, II, and III lobes were resected using NVB; the residual lobes were resected off just after donor lobes were implanted.

RESULTS

For the LLD group, the operation time was 172.67 ± 20.98 minutes, amount of blood loss was 71.39 ± 13.59 mL, and 2-week survival rate was 85.00%. For the LLR group, the operation time was 251.61 ± 22.87 minutes, amount of blood loss was 220.00 ± 96.40 mL, amount of blood transfusion was 163.89 ± 44.74 mL, and 48-hour survival rate was 77.14%. In the LLR group, the mean arterial and central venous pressures decreased after organ implantion, but gradually recovered to normal levels after surgery. The liver function biochemical parameters recovered to preoperational levels after 14 days in the LLD group; in the LLR group, they gradually increased during 48 hours after operation.

CONCLUSION

The present method with two-step NVB hepatectomy can be used efficiently and safely for establishing LDLT dog model.

Anatomical research on the subacromial interval following implantation of clavicle hook plates

This article aimed to explore whether hook plate implantation significantly narrowed the subacromial space. 24 shoulder joints were implanted with clavicle hook plates. A Vernier caliper was used to measure the length and thickness of the acromion. In addition, the length and thickness of the hook of the plate were measured. The data from all measurements recorded were divided into 2 groups Group A, the length group: the length of acromion and the hook, and Group B, the thickness group: the thickness of acromion and the depth of hook. There are significant statistical differences when comparing between the subgroups within each group. The depth of the hook exceeds the thickness of the acromion (12.41±2.80 mm vs. 10.44±2.59 mm, respectively), the hook plate implantation significantly narrowed the subacromial space by 1.97±1.19 mm (p<0.01), and the length of the hook was shorter than that of the acromion by 9.75±3.64 mm (p<0.01). Our findings revealed that the hook plate with only 3 depths could not match the acromion satisfactorily and the hook plate implantation significantly narrowed the subacromial space. A hook plate with a variable depth, which can match better with patient's anatomy, is worthy of further investigation in the future.

154 THE EFFECT OF ZINC ON PORCINE IN VITRO MATURATION AND SUBSEQUENT EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT AFTER IN VITRO FERTILIZATION

Zinc (Zn) is one of the abundant transition metals in biology and is an essential component of most cells. However, there are few reports about the effect of Zn in porcine oocytes. The objective was to investigate the effects of supplementary Zn during in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes. We investigated nuclear maturation, intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and subsequent embryonic development after IVF. Before the experiment, Zn concentrations in IVM medium and body fluids were measured using inductively coupled plasma spectrophotometer (sensitivity: 1 μM) and treatment concentrations were determined. Zinc concentration was 12.6 μM in porcine plasma and 12.9 μM in porcine follicular fluid. We confirmed that Zn was not detected in IVM medium. A total of 541 cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) were used for the evaluation of nuclear maturation. The COC were matured in TCM-199 medium supplemented with various concentrations of Zn (0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 μM). After 44 h of IVM, no significant difference was observed in all groups (metaphase II rate: 85.7, 88.7, 90.4, 90.3, and 87.2%, respectively). A total of 100 matured oocytes were examined for the effects of different Zn concentrations (0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 μM) on porcine oocyte intracellular GSH and ROS levels, which were measured through fluorescent staining and image analysis program. The groups of 12, 18, and 24 μM showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in intracellular GSH levels (1.45, 1.67, and 1.78, respectively) compared with the control and 6 μM group (1.00 and 1.08, respectively). The intracellular ROS level of oocytes matured with 12, 18, and 24 μM (0.82, 0.68, and 0.55) were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased compared with the control and 6 μM groups (1.00 and 1.03, respectively). Finally, the developmental competence of oocytes matured with different concentrations of Zn (0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 μM) was evaluated after IVF. There were no significantly different in cleavage rates. However, cleavage patterns and blastocyst (BL) formation were different. Fragmented embryo ratio of the 12 μM group (14.9%) was significantly lower than that of the other groups (control, 6, 18, and 24 μM: 26.4, 17.8, 18.4, and 18.0%, respectively). Oocytes treated with 12 μM Zn during IVM had a significantly higher BL formation rate (28.2%) after IVF compared with the control (19.8%). In conclusion, these results indicate that Zn treatment as body fluid concentration during IVM improved the developmental potential of IVF in porcine embryos by increasing the intracellular GSH concentration and decreasing the ROS level. This work was supported, in part, by a grant from the Next-Generation Bio Green 21 Program (No. PJ00956901), Rural Development Administration, and the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government (NRF-2012R1A1A4A01004885, NRF-2013R1A2A2A04008751), Republic of Korea.

156 EFFECTS OF MORPHOLOGY TYPE OF POLAR BODY ON PORCINE OOCYTE QUALITY AND DEVELOPMENTAL POTENTIAL AFTER IN VITRO FERTILIZATION

Evaluation of morphology of first polar body (1st PB) could be a method for the oocyte's quality and developmental competence. The developmental potential of oocyte with fragmented PB after in vitro maturation (IVM) is a controversial issue. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of PB morphology type on oocyte quality and developmental competence after IVF. Porcine ovaries were obtained from prepubertal gilts at a local slaughterhouse and transported to the laboratory within 2 h in physiological saline supplemented with 100 IU mL–1 penicillin G and 100 mg mL–1 streptomycin sulfate. The cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) were aspirated using an 18-gauge needle attached to a 10-mL disposable syringe from superficial follicles 3 to 6 mm in diameter followed by IVM. After IVM, oocytes were classified into 3 types as follows, oocytes with normal PB (A type), oocytes with a little of fragmented PB (B type), and oocytes with separated 2 PBs (C type), respectively. As classification of PB types, we analysed the distribution ratio of each PB type after IVM, and then performed IVF for analysis of fertilization rate and developmental potential. The ratio of oocyte with A type (73%) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that of B type (24.5%) or C type (2.5%) after IVM. Only mature oocytes were selected from A and B type and were subjected to IVF because of a small number of oocytes with C type. In the IVF experiment, the efficiency of monospermy and fertilization were significantly higher in oocytes of A type (46.7%) than those of type B (20.0%). The cleavage rate of oocytes with A type (63.9%) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than the oocytes with B type (43.8%). Embryonic developmental competence to the blastocyst stage after IVF was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the A-type oocytes (26.3%) than in the B-type oocytes (16.9%). The levels of glutathione and reactive oxygen species were not affected by the morphological classification of the PB. In summary, these results suggest that polar body morphology could be a marker of oocyte quality after IVM. We are currently studying gene expression of each oocytes and blastocysts. This work was supported, in part, by a grant from the Next-Generation BioGreen 21 Program (No. PJ00956901), Rural Development Administration, and the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government (NRF-2012R1A1A4A01004885, NRF-2013R1A2A2A04008751), Republic of Korea.

4 PRODUCTION OF 11β-HYDROXYSTEROID DEHYDROGENASE TYPE 1 (11β-HSD1) OVER-EXPRESSED PIGS FOR THE STUDY OF METABOLIC SYNDROME DISEASE

Metabolic syndrome shows a complication at risk for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. With the high prevalence of obesity globally, the incidence of metabolic syndrome is increased. However, the basic mechanisms of metabolic syndrome are not completely known yet. Therefore, we attempted to develop large-animal model for the study of metabolic syndrome disease. Some studies have shown that constitutive overexpression of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) in mice leads to metabolic syndrome. Therefore, we tried to produce the 11β-HSD1 gene overexpressed pig by somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT). First, we established 11β-HSD1 overexpressed cells for the preparation of the transgenic (TG) donor cells. Porcine fetal fibroblasts were transfected with cytomegalovirus vector that included the porcine 11β-HSD1 gene. The 11β-HSD1-TG cell was injected into the enucleated ooplasm to produce 11β-HSD1-TG cloned embryos. In total, 833 TG porcine SCNT embryos (TG-SCNT embryos) were made. Of these, 155 TG-SCNT embryos were cultured in procine zygote medium-3 to evaluate the in vitro developmental potential of TG-SCNT embryos. Among these porcine SCNT-TG embryos, 109 embryos (70.3%) were cleaved at 48 h. On Day 7, 31 transgenic porcine SCNT embryos (20.0%) developed to the blastocyst stage. The remaining 678 TG-SCNT embryos were transferred to 6 surrogates (average 113 embryos per surrogate). On 25 days after embryo transfer, 2 surrogates were diagnosed as pregnant (pregnancy rate, 33.3%). On Day 114, we obtained 9 live piglets and 3 stillborn piglets from 2 surrogates. By PCR analysis, we confirmed that 1 live piglet and 2 stillborn piglets were integrated with 11β-HSD1 gene. We succeeded to obtain TG piglets at sixth trials, and for the re-cloning by SCNT, a stable cell line transfected with the 11β-HSD1 gene was established from a TG cloned piglet. This study presents new possibilities for large-animal model development for the study of metabolic syndrome disease. This work was supported, in part, by a grant from the Next-Generation Bio Green 21 Program (No. PJ00956901), Rural Development Administration, and the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government (NRF-2012R1A1A4A01004885, NRF-2013R1A2A2A04008751), Republic of Korea.

153 ZINC INSUFFICIENCY DURING PORCINE OOCYTES IN VITRO MATURATION CAUSED MEIOTIC BLOCK AND DEVELOPMENTAL FAILURE

The objective was to investigate the effects of zinc (Zn) insufficiency during in vitro maturation (IVM) of porcine oocytes. Zinc insufficiency was induced by treatment of Zn chelator, N,N,N′,N′-tetrakis-(2-pyridylmethyl)-ethylendiamine (TPEN). In experiment 1, we investigated the effect of duration of Zn insufficiency in IVM on oocytes maturation and subsequent embryonic development after parthenogenetic activation (PA). First, 10 μM TPEN was added to the IVM medium for 0, 7, 15, or 22 h. After TPEN treatment, 10 μM Zn were supplemented on IVM medium except in the 0 h group. Reductions in the nuclear maturation rates were dependent on TPEN duration. The 0-h-treated oocytes showed 83.9 ± 3.9% metaphase II (MII) rate; the 7-h-treated oocytes had significantly lower MII rate (44.8 ± 3.0%) than 0-h-treated oocytes. The majority of 15- and 22-h-treated oocytes were arrested at metaphase I (MI rate: 98.0 ± 1.0 and 97.2 ± 1.7%, MII rate: 0 and 0%, respectively). Embryonic developmental competence was similar to maturation results. Reduction in cleavage and blastocyst (BL) rates were also dependent on duration of TPEN treatment (cleavage rate: 65.3 ± 1.4, 42.6 ± 4.8, 2.6 ± 0.1, and 3.0 ± 1.6%; BL formation rate: 29.3 ± 2.8, 9.2 ± 1.5, 0, and 0% for 0, 7, 15, and 22 h). Total cell number of BL was also significantly different. Total cell number of BL in the 0-h-treated group (51.4 ± 4.5) was significantly higher than that in the 7-h-treated group (23.2 ± 1.6). In experiment 2, to confirm that the Zn insufficiency caused oocyte immaturities and loss of developmental competence in TPEN-treated oocytes, we investigated nuclear maturation and subsequent embryonic development following 3 groups: (1) non treatment (control); (2) 10 μM TPEN treatment during 22 h of IVM; (3) 10 μM TPEN + 10 μM Zn treatment during 22 h of IVM. Only TPEN-treated oocytes and TPEN+Zn-treated oocytes showed contrasting results. Oocyte maturation rates and subsequent embryonic development competence in TPEN with Zn-treated oocytes were similar to control (MII rate: 93.0 ± 1.2 and 92.7 ± 1.8%, BL formation rate: 42.0 ± 6.7 and 40.0 ± 7.5% for TPEN+Zn-treated oocytes and control). These results were significantly different compared with only TPEN-treated oocytes’ results (MII rate: 0.61 ± 0.61%, BL formation rate: 0%). In conclusion, Zn is an essential element for successful oocyte maturation and embryo development in porcine. Zinc insufficiency caused meiotic block and had lasting effects on early embryo development. This work was supported, in part, by a grant from the Next-Generation BioGreen 21 Program (No. PJ00956901), Rural Development Administration, and the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government (NRF-2012R1A1A4A01004885, NRF-2013R1A2A2A04008751), Republic of Korea.

Pharmacokinetics study of ferulic acid in rats after oral administration of γ-oryzanol under combined use of Tween 80 by LC/MS/MS

AIM

γ-oryzanol (OZ) is a rich source of commercially-important bioactive phytochemicals, most of them of interest in nutrition, pharmacy and cosmetics. However, the poor solubility of OZ limited the use. In the paper, ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) analysis was conducted to analysis the solubilization of OZ under combined use of Tween 80 in vitro. In addition, to further confirm the solubilizing effect of Tween 80, a pharmacokinetic study of ferulic acid (FA) in rats after oral administration of OZ 100 mg/kg under combined use of Tween 80 though LCMS/MS was carried out.

MATERIALS AND METHODS AND RESULTS

Solubility enhancement as high as 100-fold is achieved using 1% Tween 80 in vitro. Following oral administration of OZ-Tween 80 100 mg/kg, the values of Tmax, Cmax, AUC0-∞, T1/2Ka and MRT0-∞ were 46.667 ± 39.328, 129.498 ± 27.025, 63738.28 ± 599, 14.274 ± 7.309 and 859.592 ± 108.780 respectively. The values of T1/2Ka, AUC0-∞, MRT0-t, and Tmax showed up to increase 16%, 58%, 44% and 47% while Cmax and CL/F decreased 22% and 12%, respectively. The decreased Cmax value indicated that Tween 80 can hardly enhance the absorption of FA in rats. However, T1/2Ka and Tmax values showed that the absorption of FA was extended, which resulted the increased values of AUC0-∞ and MRT0-∞.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results reveal that Tween 80 improves solubility of OZ in vitro and could enhance the bioavailability of OZ by extending its absorption and elimination.

174 RECOVERY OF LONG-BEAKED COMMON DOLPHIN OOCYTES FROM KOREAN WATERS

The aims of this study were to collect oocytes from ovaries of Delphinus capensis (long-beaked common dolphin) and to examine the morphological characteristics of their reproductive organ. Female genital organs were collected from 2 incidentally caught Delphinus capensis (ID-96: estimated 5–6 years, and ID-97: estimated 7–8 years). Collected ovaries were transported to the laboratory over 3.5 h in 0.9% saline at 39°C. To perform assisted reproductive techniques in wild animals, it is important to maximize the number of oocyte recovered per ovary. In this study, Delphinus capensis oocytes were collected by 2 methods: (1) aspiration of visible follicles (2 to 3 mm in diameter) and (2) remnant dissection, in which the ovary is finely dissected. The collected cumulus–oocyte complexes (COC) were separated by ovary of origin and collection method. Oocytes were subjected to in vitro maturation (IVM). Immature oocytes were placed into IVM medium [TCM-199 supplemented with 10% (vol/vol) fetal bovine serum, 0.5 IU mL–1 LH, and 0.5 IU mL–1 porcine FSH] in the 4-well dish for 120 h at 37°C in 5% CO2 in a humidified atmosphere. The uterus type was observed to be a uterus bicornis. Morphology of ovary was similar to the bovine ovary among land animals. In total, 114 oocytes were obtained. From the ovary of ID-97, the number of oocytes recovered by aspiration and ovary dissection were 15 and 57, respectively. However, only 42 oocytes were recovered by ovary dissection from the ovary of ID-96. The number of oocytes recovered per ovary by dissection (49.5 ± 7.5) was higher than that by the aspiration (7.5 ± 7.5) method, but not significantly different (P = 0.06). For accurate statistical analysis, additional trials will be performed. Most oocytes had either no cumulus cells or had only 1 to 2 layers attached to the zona pellucida enclosing a homogeneous cytoplasm. After IVM, all oocytes were at the metaphase I stage, with even fewer attached cumulus cells than at recovery. To summarise, we describe the gross morphology of the female reproductive tract of the long-beaked common dolphin and determined that dissection of the ovary is required for maximal recovery of oocytes. This work was supported, in part, by a grant from the Next-Generation Bio Green 21 Program (No. PJ00956901), Rural Development Administration, and the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government (NRF-2012R1A1A4A01004885, NRF-2013R1A2A2A04008751), Republic of Korea.

155 EFFECT OF CO-CULTURE WITH CUMULUS-DERIVED SOMATIC CELLS DURING IN VITRO MATURATION ON PORCINE CUMULUS–OOCYTE COMPLEXES AND SUBSEQUENT EMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT AFTER IN VITRO FERTILIZATION

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of co-culture with cumulus-derived somatic cells (CSC) during porcine in vitro maturation (IVM) and subsequent embryonic development after IVF. The CSC were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium for 48 h with various numbers of cumulus-derived somatic cells (0.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 × 104), and then cultured in TCM-199 for 4 h before the oocytes were added. Cumulus-oocytes complexes from 3- to 6-mm follicles were matured in 500 μL of TCM-199, with eCG and hCG, for 22 h, and then cultured in M199 without hormones for 22 h. Each experiment consisted of at least 4 replicates. Statistical analyses were carried out using SPSS 17.0 software (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Percentage data were compared by one-way ANOVA, followed by Duncan's multiple range test. Data were presented as means ± s.e.m. Differences were considered to be significant if the P-value was 0.05. After IVM, no significant difference (P < 0.05) was observed in nuclear maturation rate among the 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, and 10.0 × 104 groups (88.0 ± 2.37, 81.5 ± 2.17, 87.0 ± 1.98 and 86.0 ± 1.93%, respectively). The 2.5 × 104 group showed a significant (P < 0.05) increase in intracellular glutathione (GSH) levels compared with that of the other groups. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels of mature oocyte in all groups showed no significant differences. The developmental competence of matured oocytes in all groups was evaluated after IVF. The 2.5 and 5.0 × 104 groups showed significantly (P < 0.05) high cleavage rates (60.0 ± 4.7 and 64.52 ± 5.9%, respectively) compared with the 0 and 10.0 × 104 groups (43.15 ± 5.0 and 53.8 ± 5.0%, respectively). The 2.5 × 104 group showed a significantly (P < 0.05) higher BL formation rate (35.7 ± 2.9) than control group (21.0 ± 3.8%, respectively), and higher total cell number (127.25 ± 7.7) compared with the 0 and 10 × 104 groups (89.3 ± 4.0 and 92.6 ± 3.7, respectively). In the analysis of gene expression, IVF-BL derived from the 2.5 and 5.0 × 104 groups showed higher (P < 0.05) mRNA expression of PCNA, which is an essential component of the DNA replication and repair machinery and POU5F1 has been used to evaluate developmental potential in embryos. The 10.0 × 104 group showed higher (P < 0.05) mRNA expression of caspase-3 and Bak as known pro-apoptotic factors, compared with the control group IVF-BL. The results of cortical granules distribution which leads digesting sperm receptor proteins ZP2 and ZP3 to block polyspermy, showed that the 2.5 × 104 group was increased significantly (P < 0.05) compared with the other co-culture groups (13.7 ± 6.1, 29.2 ± 9.5, 18.3 ± 0.8 and 19.52 ± 5.3, respectively). In conclusion, co-culture with 2.5 × 104 cumulus-derived somatic cells during IVM improved the developmental potential of porcine IVF embryos by increasing the intracellular GSH level and distribution of cortical granules during oocyte maturation. This work was supported, in part, by a grant from the Next-Generation BioGreen 21 Program (No. PJ00956901), Rural Development Administration, and the National Research Foundation of Korea Grant funded by the Korean Government (NRF-2012R1A1A4A01004885, NRF-2013R1A2A2A04008751), Republic of Korea.